SAT test writers have a penchant for words with multiple meanings. Their recent use of RECOVER provides an excellent example of how they sometimes use easy words in very tricky vocabulary in context questions.
RECOVER is a very common word. For example, we try to RECOVER something that is lost and RECOVER from an illness. No problem! But wait, for HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technicians RECOVER means to collect or gather something. It goes without saying that this is the context SAT test writers chose to use. Let me explain:
R-22 refrigerant is a gas used in central air conditioners, supermarket display cases, and ice machines. But, R-22 contains chlorine which damages the Earth’s ozone layer. Given this problem should HVAC technicians RELEASE or RECOVER the R-22 refrigerant.
Good question. Many of my students assumed the technicians would RELEASE the R-22 refrigerant. This does seem to make sense. However, the passage provides an important clue. We are told that technicians do not VENT R-22 during repairs. VENT means to release. So, this eliminates RELEASE as a possible answer. In addition, the phrase “this careful collecting process” further supports RECOVER as the most logical and precise answer.
RECOVER – to collect or gather something