sat suite question viewer
The following text is adapted from Mary Seacole’s 1857 autobiography Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands.
That journey across the Isthmus [of Panama], insignificant in distance as it was, was by no means an easy one. It seemed as if nature had determined to throw every conceivable obstacle in the way of those who should seek to join the two great oceans of the world.
As used in the text, what does the word “conceivable” most nearly mean?
Explanation
Choice B is the best answer because as used in the text, "conceivable" most nearly means capable of being thought of or imagined. The text describes a journey that, despite being "insignificant in distance," was "by no means an easy one" because of the variety of obstacles that "nature had determined to throw…in the way." To emphasize the difficulty of the journey, the author portrays nature as actively scheming to present travelers with every obstacle that can be thought of—i.e., every imaginable obstacle.
Choice A is incorrect because in this context, "conceivable" does not mean obvious, or evident. Instead, by referring to "every conceivable obstacle," the text suggests a wide variety of challenges by evoking all the potential difficulties nature could present, not just those that the travelers might reasonably expect or foresee. Choice C is incorrect because in this context, "conceivable" does not mean straightforward, or easy to negotiate. The text is not indicating that the obstacles were simple to respond to and overcome. Rather, the text suggests that a wide range of obstacles made the journey difficult. Choice D is incorrect because in this context, "conceivable" does not mean uninterrupted. Although the text suggests that the obstacles were frequent and numerous, it does not emphasize the obstacles’ continuity; instead, the text conveys their unexpected variety and range.