Vocab/Writing
Grammar
Verbal
100
Enrique did not take Marisol seriously when she told him she was going to bed to sleep for a week; she was prone to _____________? (a) earnestness (b)belligerence (c)simile (d) hyperbole (e)understatement
The answer is D, hyberbole. Hyberbole is an extravagant exaggeration, often not intended to be taken literally.
100
Find the error in the sentence: Sponsors of the Olympic Games who bought advertising time on U.S. television includes at least a dozen international firms whose names are familiar to American consumers. (A) who bought (B) includes (C) at least (D) whose (E) no error
The answer is B, "includes" should be "include". This sentence illustrates a subject-verb agreement error. The subject, "Sponsors of the Olympic Games who bought advertising time on United States television," is plural; the word "includes" should be "include," to match the number of the subject.
100
The simple and direct images in Dorothea Lange's photographs provide ______ refelection of a bygone social milieu. (A) an intricate (B) a candid (C) an ostentatious (D) a fictional (E) a convoluted
(B) A Candid
200
Although some think the terms "bug" and "insect" are ---- , "insect" actually refers to a ---- group of insects. (A) parallel . . an identical (B) precise . . an exact (C) interchangeable . . particular (D) exclusive . . a separate (E) useful . . a useless
The answer is (C) interchangeable..a particular. The word "although" indicates that the two parts of the sentence contrast with each other: although most people think about the terms one way, something else is actually true about the terms.
200
Find the error in the sentence: If one is interested in learning even more about Zora Neale Hurston, you should read Robert Hemenway's biography. (A) is interested (B) in learning (C) even more (D) you should (E) no error
The answer is D, "you" should be "one". The error in this sentence is the pronoun "you" is not consistent with the pronoun "one" in the introductory clause. The pronoun "you" should be changed to "one."
200
Not surprisingly, supporters of the governer's plan to set aside land for a forest preserve were dissapointed when a court decision _____ the plan. (A) applauded (B) derailed (C) acknowledged (D) permitted (E) anticipated
(B) Derailed
300
The addition of descriptive details to the basic information serves to ------- the book by producing a fuller account. (A) invalidate (B) enrich (C) incite (D) celebrate (E) objectify
The answer is B.
300
Find the error in the sentence: In the early twentieth century, new thinking about symbolism and the unconscious were greatly inspired by the writings of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. (A) about (B) were (C) by (D) writings of (E) no error
The answer is B, "were" should be "was". The error in this sentence is the verb "were" (which is plural) does not agree in number with the noun "thinking" (which is singular). The correct sentence reads: In the early twentieth century, new thinking about symbolism and the unconscious was greatly inspired by the writings of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.
300
In rock climbing, survival depends as much on ____, the ability to perceive without conscious reasoning, as on physical strength. a. autonomy b. incoherence c. intuition d. sophistry
C. Intuition
400
Fix this sentence: "One of the most common types of mistakes that inexperienced physicians make is misreading symptoms, another that occurs about as frequently is recommending inappropriate treatment." (A) symptoms, another that occurs (B) symptoms; another one that occurs (C) symptoms, the other, and it occurs (D) symptoms; another one which is occurring (E) symptoms and also occurring
The answer is B. This sentence illustrates a comma splice, the incorrect use of a comma to connect two complete sentences. Choice B correctly uses a semicolon to coordinate two independent clauses and form a compound sentence.
400
Find the error in the sentence: Pine, like other softwoods that ignite quickly, are useful as kindling. (A) other (B) quickly (C) are (D) as (E) no error
The answer is C, "are" should be "is". The error in this sentence is the plural verb "are" does not agree in number with its singular subject, "pine." The correct sentence reads: Pine, like other softwoods that ignite quickly, is useful as kindling.
400
Colonial American playwright Mercy Otis Warren was known for her political ____ : her keen judgement and insight were widely acknowledged. (a) partisanship (b) intemperance (c) acumen (d) irreverence
(c) acumen
500
Read the passage and answer the question. (1) Advertisements are present wherever we go. (2) They enter our houses in newspapers, magazines, and on our television screens. (3) Television advertisements are used not only to sell products but, more importantly, to sell ideas. (4) It is in selling ideas that ads have the most significant impact. (5) They interrupt most television programs every few minutes. (6) Many ads imply that if we buy specific products then we will be happy. (7) An example of this strategy is an ad in which a woman is shown driving her family in a new car. (8) She has a smile on her face, a new car will bring people happiness. Question: Sentence 5 would make the most sense if placed after: (A) Sentence 1 (B) Sentence 2 (C) Sentence 5 (D) Sentence 6 (E) Sentence 7
The answer is B. This question asks you to recognize that sentence 5 is an expansion of the thought introduced in sentence 2 and properly belongs immediately after that sentence in the paragraph. To place the idea later in the paragraph disrupts the progress of ideas that the writer is developing.
500
Find the error in the sentence: In many respects Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary are very similar characters, but Bovary has the most spirit and determination. (A)In many respects (B) but (C) has (D) the most spirit (E) no error
The answer is D, "the most spirit" should be "more spirit". The superlative form of the phrase "the most spirit" is not appropriate when only two characters are being compared. The appropriate form for such a comparison is "more spirit." The correct sentence reads: In many respects Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary are very similar characters, but Bovary has more spirit and determination.
500
Because the congresswoman has been so openhanded with many of her constituents, it is difficult to reconcile this ____ with her private _____. (a) selfishness, inattention (b) insolence, virtue (c) magnanimity, pettiness (d) opportunism, ambition
(c) magnanimity, pettiness
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