SAT Prep - Question List

436. Let Prosperity Begin
With the United States newly formed, citizens were excited about the prosperity that awaited them. The Revolutionary War had ended and the most powerful nation in the land was sure to offer the promise of wealth and financial gain. Unfortunately, with the realization that the Continental Congress, the governing body of the United States, was nearly bankrupt, the reality of fortune began to dissolve into the grim reality of despair.
Given the armed mobs that were actively revolting in Massachusetts, the opposition between some states, and the United States’ inability to defend itself, a convention was called together in 1787. At this meeting, the Continental Congress and members from several states met in Philadelphia. The purpose was clear: amendments needed to be added to the Articles of Confederation. It had been noted that the current form of the American Constitution was lacking. Once the meeting began, the result was entirely different than originally anticipated.
With more than fifty delegates in attendance from twelve of the thirteen states, proposals for the three branches of government were presented. As discussion continued among the farmers, merchants, lawyers, and Revolutionary War heroes, the legislative, executive, and judicial branches were formed. What followed was the official drafting of the Constitution, which was completed on September 17, 1787. Three years later, on May 29, 1790, the final state, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution, making it “the supreme law of the land.”



What does the word “revolting” mean as used in the opening sentence of the second paragraph?

437. Let Prosperity Begin
With the United States newly formed, citizens were excited about the prosperity that awaited them. The Revolutionary War had ended and the most powerful nation in the land was sure to offer the promise of wealth and financial gain. Unfortunately, with the realization that the Continental Congress, the governing body of the United States, was nearly bankrupt, the reality of fortune began to dissolve into the grim reality of despair.
Given the armed mobs that were actively revolting in Massachusetts, the opposition between some states, and the United States’ inability to defend itself, a convention was called together in 1787. At this meeting, the Continental Congress and members from several states met in Philadelphia. The purpose was clear: amendments needed to be added to the Articles of Confederation. It had been noted that the current form of the American Constitution was lacking. Once the meeting began, the result was entirely different than originally anticipated.
With more than fifty delegates in attendance from twelve of the thirteen states, proposals for the three branches of government were presented. As discussion continued among the farmers, merchants, lawyers, and Revolutionary War heroes, the legislative, executive, and judicial branches were formed. What followed was the official drafting of the Constitution, which was completed on September 17, 1787. Three years later, on May 29, 1790, the final state, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution, making it “the supreme law of the land.”



Why was the Continental Convention formed?

438. Let Prosperity Begin
With the United States newly formed, citizens were excited about the prosperity that awaited them. The Revolutionary War had ended and the most powerful nation in the land was sure to offer the promise of wealth and financial gain. Unfortunately, with the realization that the Continental Congress, the governing body of the United States, was nearly bankrupt, the reality of fortune began to dissolve into the grim reality of despair.
Given the armed mobs that were actively revolting in Massachusetts, the opposition between some states, and the United States’ inability to defend itself, a convention was called together in 1787. At this meeting, the Continental Congress and members from several states met in Philadelphia. The purpose was clear: amendments needed to be added to the Articles of Confederation. It had been noted that the current form of the American Constitution was lacking. Once the meeting began, the result was entirely different than originally anticipated.
With more than fifty delegates in attendance from twelve of the thirteen states, proposals for the three branches of government were presented. As discussion continued among the farmers, merchants, lawyers, and Revolutionary War heroes, the legislative, executive, and judicial branches were formed. What followed was the official drafting of the Constitution, which was completed on September 17, 1787. Three years later, on May 29, 1790, the final state, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution, making it “the supreme law of the land.”



What does the phrase “the grim reality of despair” MOST LIKELY mean?

439. School Communications Plan

Given today’s technologies, the face of communication has changed. This is true both personally and professionally within public school systems. The use of media has created the need for schools to be equipped with a school-wide community relations plan that works to keep everyone comprised in what is occurring and is overseen by a public relations person. This person is responsible for developing and executing the communications that will occur using a variety of mediums, including print, electronic, media, and face-to-face communication. As noted in the book, The Human Factor, school leaders must recognize the immense need to create an accurate picture of the attitudes, concerns, and other perceptions that are present in the community, (Johnson 2013).
A school-wide community relations plan creates structure and organization, as well as establishing guidelines for systematic protocol in the use of communication processes, which greatly enhances the internal and external communications processes. Given the reality that many people are just waiting for schools to slip up and make a mistake, school-wide public relations plans are designed to defuse negative situations through positive news that promotes the achievement and recognition of students and staff (Bonk 1999). In maintaining a proactive approach, the positive can counteract the negative that often gets highlighted. The beauty of having a school-wide community plan in place is that positive communication within the school will encourage those invested in the school and the community to recognize all of the “good” that is occurring, thus positively impacting the school’s population.
As previously noted, technology has reduced the number of face-to-face meetings that occur in public schools; these have been largely replaced with technology-based correspondence. The communications process can be significantly enhanced and eased by the use of social media devices. While many schools see the negative aspects of social media forums, these processes can assist in communicating with wide, varied audiences based on specific circumstances, (Larkin 2013). As noted by Gordon (2012), public school districts are equipped with technology, but it is often not used to harness the full power of today’s communication devices.



Which of the following BEST surmises the passage’s main idea?

440. School Communications Plan

Given today’s technologies, the face of communication has changed. This is true both personally and professionally within public school systems. The use of media has created the need for schools to be equipped with a school-wide community relations plan that works to keep everyone comprised in what is occurring and is overseen by a public relations person. This person is responsible for developing and executing the communications that will occur using a variety of mediums, including print, electronic, media, and face-to-face communication. As noted in the book, The Human Factor, school leaders must recognize the immense need to create an accurate picture of the attitudes, concerns, and other perceptions that are present in the community, (Johnson 2013).
A school-wide community relations plan creates structure and organization, as well as establishing guidelines for systematic protocol in the use of communication processes, which greatly enhances the internal and external communications processes. Given the reality that many people are just waiting for schools to slip up and make a mistake, school-wide public relations plans are designed to defuse negative situations through positive news that promotes the achievement and recognition of students and staff (Bonk 1999). In maintaining a proactive approach, the positive can counteract the negative that often gets highlighted. The beauty of having a school-wide community plan in place is that positive communication within the school will encourage those invested in the school and the community to recognize all of the “good” that is occurring, thus positively impacting the school’s population.
As previously noted, technology has reduced the number of face-to-face meetings that occur in public schools; these have been largely replaced with technology-based correspondence. The communications process can be significantly enhanced and eased by the use of social media devices. While many schools see the negative aspects of social media forums, these processes can assist in communicating with wide, varied audiences based on specific circumstances, (Larkin 2013). As noted by Gordon (2012), public school districts are equipped with technology, but it is often not used to harness the full power of today’s communication devices.



Which of the following accurately denotes the author’s opinion regarding school communication?