SAT Blue Book Critical Reading

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1

<p>Hi, I'm studying for Critical Reading section of the Official Study Guide for SAT (aka the Blue Book), and I have some questions that I couldn't understand.</p>

<p>On pg. 673 Question 9:
( the corresponding link can be found in the following link:
<a href="http://www.360sat.cn/question/question_toQuestion?question.id=791"&gt;http://www.360sat.cn/question/question_toQuestion?question.id=791&lt;/a> )</p>

<ol>
<li>the imagery in lines 12-13 ("as if...surface") conveys which of the following about Clayton?</li>
</ol>

<p>(A) His complicated nature
(B) His erratic reactions
(C) His unseemly complacency
(D) His passionate loyalty
(E) His tendency to argue</p>

<p>The answer is A. The college board's explanation for the answer is:</p>

<p>Choice (A) is correct. In lines 8-11 the narrator tells how Clayton's skin seemed to be different shades in different lights. To Virginia, Clayton seemed to have "an uncanny complexion, as if the shades swirled just under the surface" (lines 12-13). In this context, this image suggests that there is more to Clayton's complexion than any single appearance showed. And by extension, it suggests that Clayton himself is more complex than he appears.</p>

<p>However, I still don't understand. what is 'the shades' referring to? and what is 'the surface'? I just do not understand the analogy here... why the heck is this phrase used?</p>

<p>Detailed explanation will be much appreciated :)</p>

2

<p>sometimes, you don’t need to understand the passage deeply if none of the questions asks about it. In this case, I think the description is just trying to make you confused.</p>

3

<p>The passage is referring to Clayon’s complexion, or the color & appearance of his skin. The shades are thus the colors of his skin, and they seem to be “swirling beneath the surface [of his skin.]” The metaphor here is that Clayton is more than just his surface appearance - there’s more complexity “under the surface.” Therefore A.</p>