Free SAT® Practice Question: Main Purpose
Also Great Practice for ACT® Reading
Today’s free SAT® practice question is a mock Main Purpose Question. It follows the digital SAT® format but is also great preparation for ACT® Reading.
For effective time management on test day, you should aim to answer this question correctly in a maximum of 45 seconds.
Consistent daily practice and study is the best way to improve your SAT® score. To gain access to all answer explanations and strategy guides, become a premium subscriber. You’ll also be able to post comments and questions.
Free SAT® Practice Question
The following text is from Michael White’s 2023 novel The Music Room. Jason, a high school student, had discovered an old copy of the Real Book—the famous collection of jazz standards—in the band room.
Jason had been told every essential jazz standard could be found in that dog-eared volume, and he made up his mind to memorize them all. He was learning three songs per week in alphabetical order, not letting himself skip even the thorniest chord progressions. He remembered starting with "Afternoon in Paris" back in September. He had been at it for months now and was still working through the F's. Already he had mastered ballads and bebop tunes, bossa novas and blues forms. Despite his intensity, he had to admit that "Giant Steps" stretched his abilities to the breaking point. "I push through it," Jason had reminded himself, "I'm a player."
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A) To illustrate Jason's fascination with an outdated style of music
B) To explain why Jason prefers jazz to other musical styles
C) To portray Jason's determination to accomplish a challenging goal
D) To describe a jazz standard that Jason particularly enjoys
(Answer Explanations and Strategy Guide Below.)
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