Can it be a real exercise during the SAT?

Test Preparation
1

<p>This question is from the Barron’s book 2008</p>

<ol>
<li>The increasingly popular leader of America’s second
largest tribe, Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller,
has ---- the myth that only males can be leaders in
American Indian government.
(A) shattered (B) perpetuated (C) exaggerated
(D) confirmed (E) venerated</li>
</ol>

<p>Answer:A
“shattered” is obvious when one know the gender of Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller (Woman)
but if one assume that he’s a man B:“perpetuated” works too.
So tell me if this kind of ambiguous question can appear in the Test.</p>

2

<p>I think the name Wilma gives it away…</p>

<p>When I read it quickly–I thought both fit…
this one seems like its about reading carefully…</p>

3

<p>Two things tell you it’s “shattered”. One, Wilma is a woman’s name. Two, “shattered” is the only one out of the possible answers that actually means something different from “spoke for” or “gave credibility to”, other than “exaggerated” which obviously doesn’t fit. Plus, say Chief Wilma was a man. Why would he be the one chief to perpetuate or confirm that myth? Basically, even without knowing the chief’s gender, “shattered” is the only answer that could possibly make sense there.</p>