Finding Evidence
"The Lake Isle of Innisfree" is an 1890 poem by William Butler Yeats. In the poem, Yeats portrays Innisfree as a vacation from the busyness of life.
Which line from the poem best supports this claim?
A. "And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:"
B. "I hear late water lapping with low sounds by the shore;"
C. "And I shall have some peace there, for peace come dropping slow,'
D. "Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,"
C. "And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,"
This question is asking you to cite text evidence. This is the best choice because it references the speaker feeling pace, which suggests a break from the busyness of everyday life.
Giving insight into her writing technique for audiences who do not share similar _________ Flannery O'Connor notes that for the "almost-blind you draw large and startling figures."
Which choice complete the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. values,
B. values
C. values;
D. values.
A. is correct. The convention being testing is the punctuation between an introductory phrase and the main clause. The comma indicates the transition from the introductory phrase to the main clause.
What is rhetoric?
A. The study of how to persuade or influence an audience
B. A type of poetry used in speeches
C. A collection of random words and phrases
D. The strict rules of grammar and sentence structure
A. The study of how to persuade or influence an audience
Both Russian and Hispanic traditions often delve into rich cultural histories, incorporating folklore and societal values into their works. ________ Russian literature is renowned for its introspective and philosophical nature, frequently exploring the complexities of the human condition and societal issues, while Hispanic literature often emphasizes vibrant imagery and emotive language to portray themes of love, passion, and identity.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Initially,
B. As such,
C. Then,
D. However,
D. is correct. The first sentence of the passage indicates that Russian and Hispanic literature both explore "rich cultural histories," thus indicating comparison. Then the second sentence describes the differences between the two styles.
Writing Things Fall Apart in response to Conrad's Heart of Darkness, China Achebe _________ his main character Okonkwo in a Nigerian setting rather than one in the Congo.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. places
B. have placed
C. will place
D. place
A. is correct. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "places" agree with the singular subject "Chinua Achebe."
"The Yellow Wallpaper" is an 1892 short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. In the story, Gilman portrays men as failing to understand women and belittling their cognitive abilities.
Which quotation from "The Yellow Wallpaper" most effectively illustrates this claim?
A. "He is very careful and loving, and hardly lets me stir without special direction."
B. "He says no one but myself can help me out of it, that I must use my will and self-control and not let any silly fancies run away with me."
C. "John was asleep and I hated to wake him, so I kept still and watched the moonlight on that undulating wallpaper till I felt creepy."
D. "John knows I don't sleep very well at night, for all I'm so quiet!"
B. is the correct answer. this question is asking you to cite text evidence. This is the best option because of the reference to "silly fancies." This shows the man cannot understand this woman's real issue and views her problem as silly.
Spending time in nature, an effective and inexpensive method of relieving stress, has a number of ________ mood, enhanced cognition, and heighted social awareness.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. benefits improved
B. benefits; improved
C. benefits. Improved
D. benefits: improved
D. is correct. The convention being tested is punctuation used for a list. The colon introduces the list that enumerates the benefits of immersion in nature.
Which of the following elements are essential for constructing a well-developed argumentative essay?
A. A clear and debatable thesis, credible evidence, logical reasoning, acknowledgment of counterarguments, and a strong conclusion
B. Personal opinions, emotional appeals without evidence, and a lengthy introduction
C. An interesting title, detailed descriptions, and a conclusion that restates the introduction
D. A series of unrelated points, rhetorical questions, and an open-ended conclusion
A. A clear and debatable thesis, credible evidence, logical reasoning, acknowledgment of counterarguments, and a strong conclusion
J.K. Rowling and Haruki Murakami, two modern authors, exhibit diverse writing styles, but they also share certain similarities in their appeal to readers. both authors have garnered global popularity and loyal fan bases due to their ability to create immersive fictional and fantastical worlds. _________ their works both explore the complexities of human emotions and experiences, resonating with readers who appreciate rich character development and thought-provoking themes.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Similarly,
B. In constrast,
C. For exmaple,
D. Consequently,
A. is correct. The passage compares Rowling and Murakami's work, indicating they "both" have "garnered global popularity' and "explore the complexities of human emotions and experiences."
The following text is Robert Frost's 1923 poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay.'
Nature's first green is gold,
Her Hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
What is the main idea of the text?
A. Everything in Nature is going to change.
B. Things that are most precious won't last long.
C. Things made out of gold are rarely found in Nature.
D. Everything eventually turns into itself.
B. is correct. Gold is a metaphor for something of the highest value, or most precious (consider the first line).
"Sonnet 73" by William Shakespeare suggests that speaker's concern that he is much older than his beloved, who will thus be a witness to his death. In the poem, Shakespeare writes.....
Which quotation from "Sonnet 73" most effectively illustrates the claim?
A. "In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire / That on the ashes of his youth doth lie"
B. "Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, / Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang."
C. As after sunset fadeth in the west, / Which by and by black night doth take away"
D. "This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong, / To love that well which thou must leave ere long."
D. is correct. This choice most effectively illustrates the claim that the speaker is concerned about being much older than his beloved, who will thus be a witness to his death. The speaker acknowledges that his beloved recognizes his mortality, which strengthens the beloved's love for him.
Echolocation enables navigation by determining the distance objects in the ________ transmit sound and receive the echo that bounces off of the object in their two ears.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. environment animals
B. environment: animals
C. environment, animals
D. environment while animals
B. is correct. The convention being tested is colon use within a sentence. The colon signals an explanatory independent clause that elaborates or illustrates the information in the first independent clause. In this case, the colon adds more detailed information that explains how animals use echolocation.
Read the following introductory paragraph and choose the sentence that best represents the thesis statement:
"Many people enjoy social media for connecting with friends and staying updated on news. However, excessive use of social media can lead to negative effects, such as decreased productivity, increased anxiety, and reduced face-to-face interactions. Understanding these impacts is important for maintaining a healthy balance in daily life."
Which sentence is the thesis statement?
A. "Many people enjoy social media for connecting with friends and staying updated on news."
B. "However, excessive use of social media can lead to negative effects, such as decreased productivity, increased anxiety, and reduced face-to-face interactions."
C. "Understanding these impacts is important for maintaining a healthy balance in daily life."
D. "Social media is a popular tool for communication."
B. "However, excessive use of social media can lead to negative effects, such as decreased productivity, increased anxiety, and reduced face-to-face interactions."
Ice cream is a hot commodity in the culinary would, and flavors for the frozen treats are currently trending in two directions. While some chefs are going global, pulling in spices from around the world, others are leaning retro, tapping into nostalgia with flavors from history. one source for these "cool" historic recipes is Agnes Marshall, an ice cream authority during the late 19th century, who published two cookbooks _________ about "ices" and "fancy ices." Sweet flavor profiles made the menu alongside savory flavors such as spinach a la creme and curried chicken pate.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. initially
B. consequently
C. specifically
D. similarly
C. is correct. "Specifically" logically signals the more precise labeling of the two of the frozen treats as "ices" and "fancy ices" serves to clarify or further explain the information preceding the transition.
While serving in the U.S. Army stationed in South Carolina, Edgar Allan Poe drew inspiration from his experiences and the local landscapes and culture to create notable works such as "The Gold Bug" and "Tamerlane and Other Poems." ________ his military service not only shaped his writing style but also provided him with a unique perspective that would influence his later contributions to American literature.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Gradually,
B. As a result,
C. Regardless,
D. Specifically,
B. is the correct answer. "As a result" logically signals that Poe's residence in South Carolina with the U.S. Army was the direct cause of his "unique perspective...to American literature." Living in this state and serving in the Army here had a direct effect on his writing.
The debate between e-books and print books has found its way onto college campuses. To plan for future purchases, universities need to understand the benefits and drawbacks of both types of books. To identify student perspectives on digital books versus print books, researchers at a university in Oman surveyed 607 students. The results were mixed in that respondents noted that e-books are easy to transport, but print books are easier to study from and easier to make notes in. Thus, the university decided to give students the option of using e-books for most courses but will continue to keep print books available.
Which finding, if true, would most directly refute study conclusions?
A. About an equal number of students purchased e-books and traditional print books.
B. Because it was less expensive, a larger number of students purchased an e-book license.
C. A much larger number of students opted for the traditional print version of books.
D. Because traditional books were more familiar but e-books cheaper, students purchased an equal number of each.
C. is the correct answer. This question is asking you to identify the option that refutes the study results. The study showed that students saw the advantages of each book type. This choice refutes this because it shows that traditional books outsold e-books, suggesting that these books had distinct advantages in the eyes of consumers.
In 2000, the United Kingdom issued the first polymer banknotes and is currently phasing out paper currency _________ France sill used paper euros.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. but
B. , but
C. , however
D. , however,
B. is correct. The convention being tested is punctuation in compound sentences. A comma and the coordinating conjunction "but" correctly connects the two independent clauses.
Some argue that social media is harmful because it leads to decreased face-to-face interactions and increased feelings of isolation. They claim that spending too much time online prevents people from developing real-life social skills. However, while excessive use can have negative effects, social media can also help people stay connected with friends and family who live far away, fostering relationships that might otherwise fade. When used in moderation, social media can actually enhance social connections rather than hinder them.
Which sentence in the paragraph presents the rebuttal to the counterargument?
A. "Some argue that social media is harmful because it leads to decreased face-to-face interactions and increased feelings of isolation."
B. "They claim that spending too much time online prevents people from developing real-life social skills."
C. "However, while excessive use can have negative effects, social media can also help people stay connected with friends and family who live far away, fostering relationships that might otherwise fade."
D. "Spending time online can be fun for many users."
C. "However, while excessive use can have negative effects, social media can also help people stay connected with friends and family who live far away, fostering relationships that might otherwise fade."
Nigerian historian Obaro Ikime died in 2023 at the age of 86. His work encompassed the colonial and post-colonial culture of Nigeria, emphasizing the collapse of British rule on the African continent and the later injustices of the new Nigerian government as warring factions battled over power. _________ of his politics, British and Nigerians alike will remember his virtue and integrity, a patriotic man who promoted the welfare of his people.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Because
B. Regardless
C. As a result
D. In conclusion
B. is correct. "Regardless" correctly signals that no matter how the British or the Nigerians felt about his opinions on their actions, they both still remember his attention to his people's welfare.
In a clinical trial to assess the efficiancy of toothbrush type and brushing technique, thirty participants were recruited and videotaped while brushing their teeth. Recordings were taken as participants brushed their teeth without toothpaste in four different scenarios: a sonic toothbrush turned off with the person's normal brushing technique, a sonic toothbrush turned on with the person's normal brushing technique, the sonic toothbrush turned off with a Modified Bass brushing technique, and the sonic toothbrush turned on with a Modified Bass brushing technique. Plaque on teeth was assed after each brushing exercise. Results showed that plaque was reduced considerably regardless of whether the brush was on or off but that the Modified Bass brushing technique was associated with less plaque removal in either case, leading the researchers to concluded that ________.
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A. participants were already using a technique similar to the Modified Bass brushing technique.
B. sonic toothbrushes are more effective only when used in conjunction with good brushing technique.
C. the Modified Bass technique lacks the efficacy of other brushing techniques.
D. the efficacy of manual toothbrushes is not correlated with brushing technique.
C. is correct. This question is asking you to draw a conclusion/make an inference based on the described study results. This indicates that this brushing technique is less effective than the way people were normally or already brushing their teeth.
Though research suggests that moderate consumption of coffee can have some health benefits such as reduction in inflammation and decreased stroke risk for women, these health benefits are largley unknown by the average consumer. In a resent study of 250 consumers, only 25% knew that coffee had positive health impacts. Interestingly, more men than women believed coffee had health benefits. Additionally, people who drink non-espresso-based coffees (a basic cup of coffee vs. a fancier coffee-based drink) also believed coffee had health benefits greater numbers than those who drink fancier concoctions.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the study findings?
A. Research indicates that those who drink one 8 ounce cup of coffee per day have low incidence of depression and anxiety.
B. Another study found that women tend to drink non-espresso-based coffee more than men.
C. Health benefits of espresso-based coffee drinks may be limited or outweighed due to unhealthy additives like sugary syrups.
D. Businesses that sell and market coffee tend to emphasize taste over all other benefits of the product.
D. is the correct answer. This question is asking you to identify evidence that supports a conclusion. The study explains that only 25% of people knew that coffee has health benefits. This is likely explained by the fact that no one is telling them coffee has health benefits. This choice supports this cause/effect relationship because coffee retailers are only telling people it tastes good; they are not telling people that coffee has other benefits like being good for health.
Essentials to the process of photosynthesis _______ organelles called chloroplasts store energy from sunlight.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. small
B. ; small
C. , small
D. with small
C. is correct. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subordinate clause and a main clause. The comma marks the boundary between the subordinate clause ("Essential...photosynthesis") and the main clause ("small...sunlight").
School uniforms are important because they create a sense of unity among students. When everyone wears the same outfit, it can help reduce distractions and make students feel like they belong. Some people say that uniforms limit self-expression, but it's clear that the benefits outweigh the negatives. Uniforms also prepare students for the professional world, where dress codes are common.
Does this paragraph provide sufficient evidence to support its claims?
A. Yes, because it clearly explains the benefits of school uniforms in creating unity and preparing students for the future.
B. No, because while it makes claims about the benefits of school uniforms, it lacks specific facts, examples, or data to support those claims.
C. Yes, because it acknowledges the counterargument and explains why the benefits outweigh the negatives.
D. No, because it only focuses on the negative aspects of school uniforms without offering enough reasoning.
B. No, because while it makes claims about the benefits of school uniforms, it lacks specific facts, examples, or data to support those claims.
English Language Learner (ELL) students, who are non-native English speakers, may face unique challenges in academic engagement. Research has shown that these students may initially experience difficulties in fully participating in classroom activities due to language barriers. __________ many school may not have sufficient bilingual educators or resources to cater to the specific needs of these students and their families.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Specifically,
B. Thus,
C. Regardless,
D. Moreover,
D. is correct. "Moreover" logically signals that many schools' lack of sufficient resources is an additional, related issue to the "difficulties' that ELL students experience due to "language barriers."
As the musician contemplated creating a cover of the original rock song, she decided to ________ the instrumental interlude in the middle to give the new version a unique feel. With the absence of that particular section, the new version emphasized the ballad-like lyrics that she felt characterized the song's essence.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A. pare down
B. truncate
C. wrangle
D. calibrate
B. is correct. In this sentence, "truncate" refers to the musician's decision to remove the interlude and create an "absence" in the middle of the song. Because she removed the instrumental, the new cover new focused on the lyrics.