Passage #1
In the last paragraph, Bill is characterized primarily as a
A. strict disciplinarian.
B. loyal confidant.
C. thoughtful mentor.
D. lovable fraud.
Choice C is the best answer.
In the last paragraph, Bill delivers a monologue on the importance of “calling things by their proper names.” Under the pretense of talking about carpentry, Bill offers philosophical advice to the narrator on the virtues of using precise language. Therefore, Bill is characterized primarily as a thoughtful mentor.
Choice A is incorrect because Bill isn’t characterized as a strict disciplinarian. Choice B is incorrect because the paragraph provides no evidence that Bill is a loyal confidant. Choice D is incorrect because the narrator’s affection for Bill is evident throughout the passage, but Bill isn’t characterized as a fraud.
Question Difficulty: Easy
Over the course of the passage, the focus of the narrator shifts from
A. reflecting on certain interactions with his mother to describing an insight he gained at work.
B. introducing individuals who influenced his childhood to examining why those individuals had such an impact.
C. determining the source of his mother’s discontent to comparing his mother with other people.
D. describing a time in which he sought direction to explaining how a particular profession helped him find that direction.
Choice A is the best answer.
In the first and second paragraphs of the passage, the narrator describes his family’s native Sylheti language and recalls interactions with his Bangladeshi mother that highlight her distaste at his use of the English phrase “thank you” when speaking Sylheti. In the third and fourth paragraphs, the narrator focuses on how working with Bill and Dave taught him the importance of “calling things by their proper names.” Therefore, over the course of the passage, the narrator’s focus shifts from reflecting on certain interactions with his mother to describing an insight he gained at work.
Choice B is incorrect because, taken as a whole, the first and second paragraphs don’t serve to introduce individuals who influenced the narrator’s childhood. Choice C is incorrect because in the third and fourth paragraphs, the narrator’s focus shifts to describing an insight he gained at work, not comparing his mother with other people. Choice D is incorrect because the narrator doesn’t describe a time in which he sought direction, nor does he explain how a particular profession helped him find that direction.
Question Difficulty: Medium
The same phenomenon seems to be operating here and, perhaps, all over the Web, distorting the review process in a way never imagined.
As used in jump toline 56, “operating” most nearly means
A- managing.
B- performing.
C- engaging.
D- occurring.
Choice D is the best answer.
The ninth paragraph states, “The same phenomenon seems to be operating here and, perhaps, all over the Web, distorting the review process in a way never imagined.” In other words, this phenomenon appears to be taking place across the internet. Therefore, the word “operating,” as used in the context of this sentence, most nearly means occurring.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in the context of the sentence, “operating” means occurring, not managing (choice A), performing (choice B), or engaging (choice C).
Question Difficulty: Easy
Professor, Robert Bartlett a leading expert on the Middle Ages, calls a “neat symmetry.”
A- NO CHANGE
B- Professor, Robert Bartlett,
C- Professor Robert Bartlett—
D- Professor Robert Bartlett,
Choice D is the best answer.
The comma after “Bartlett” is used correctly with the comma after “Middle Ages” to set off nonessential information. The information between the commas could be removed, and the sentence would still make sense.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. In choices A and B, no comma is needed between the title “Professor” and the first name “Robert”; however, a comma is needed after “Bartlett” to provide the first comma for the nonessential phrase. Choice C is incorrect because a dash can’t be paired with a comma to set off nonessential information.
Question Difficulty: Easy
In the context of the passage, the use of the word “ruptured” (line 14) serves mainly to:
A- foreshadow the permanent breach that will occur between the narrator and his country of birth.
B- indicate the difficulty that the narrator has communicating in his native language.
C- highlight the state of distrust that has developed between the narrator and his family.
D- emphasize the extent to which the narrator’s adoption of Western ways is incompatible with the culture he grew up in.
Choice D is the best answer.
According to the first paragraph, Sylheti speakers convey social deference through sentence structure and physical gestures, while phrases like “thank you” aren’t common. In the second paragraph, the narrator observes, “Thank you was an English phrase that ruptured my spoken Sylheti.” To the narrator’s mother, such phrases “turned the web of duties, which bound a family together, into the mere exchange of favors.” Hence, the word “ruptured,” as used in the second paragraph, serves mainly to emphasize the extent to which the narrator’s adoption of Western ways is incompatible with the culture he grew up in.
Choice A is incorrect because the word “ruptured” emphasizes an incompatibility the mother perceives between Western customs and her own culture; it doesn’t foreshadow a permanent breach that will occur between the narrator and his country of birth. Choice B is incorrect because the passage implies that the narrator speaks Sylheti with ease. Choice C is incorrect because the narrator describes his mother’s distaste, not distrust, when his Sylheti is “ruptured” by English phrases.
Question Difficulty: Medium
In the last paragraph, Bill is characterized primarily as a
A- strict disciplinarian.
B- loyal confidant.
C- thoughtful mentor.
D- lovable fraud.
Choice C is the best answer.
In the last paragraph, Bill delivers a monologue on the importance of “calling things by their proper names.” Under the pretense of talking about carpentry, Bill offers philosophical advice to the narrator on the virtues of using precise language. Therefore, Bill is characterized primarily as a thoughtful mentor.
Choice A is incorrect because Bill isn’t characterized as a strict disciplinarian. Choice B is incorrect because the paragraph provides no evidence that Bill is a loyal confidant. Choice D is incorrect because the narrator’s affection for Bill is evident throughout the passage, but Bill isn’t characterized as a fraud.
Question Difficulty: Easy
The challenge for researchers like Yang is to find a way to get other plants to create this nocturnal carbon storage.
As used in line 45, “challenge” most nearly means
A- requirement.
B- competition.
C- dispute.
D- difficulty.
Choice D is the best answer.
The seventh paragraph asserts, “The challenge for researchers like Yang is to find a way to get other plants to create this nocturnal carbon storage.” In other words, the researchers have encountered a problem that they are trying to overcome. Therefore, the word “challenge,” as used in the context of this sentence, most nearly means difficulty.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in the context of the sentence, “challenge” most nearly means difficulty, not requirement (choice A), competition (choice B), or dispute (choice C).
Question Difficulty: Easy
By working carefully to use colors and other design elements that matched the original, Russell and Black wondered 7 if their vision could be brought to life on fabric?
A- NO CHANGE
B- Having worked
C- They have worked
D- While having worked
Choice B is the best answer.
“Having worked” introduces a participial phrase that clearly and concisely describes Russell and Black’s attempt to match colors and other design elements in their new tapestry to those in the original.
Choice A is incorrect because the prepositional phrase “by working” doesn’t make sense when referring to Russell and Black’s concern about their attempt to replicate colors and other design elements of the original tapestry. It would seem to modify the verb “wondered” later in the sentence, and it doesn’t make sense to wonder by working. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. Choice D is incorrect because the use of the word “while” doesn’t make sense within the context of the sentence and results in an ungrammatical sentence.
Question Difficulty: Medium
As used in jump toline 29, “reduced” most nearly means
A- converted.
B- conquered.
C- subjugated.
D- degraded
Choice D is the best answer.
In the second paragraph, the narrator says, “In her mind . . . a network of duty and service . . . had been reduced by my thank you to the trading culture of the West.” The narrator’s mother felt that his use of the phrase “thank you” degraded, or diminished, his spoken Sylheti. Therefore, in the context of the sentence, the word “reduced” most nearly means degraded.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in the context of the sentence, “reduced” means degraded, not converted (choice A), conquered (choice B), or subjugated (choice C).
Difficulty: Medium
The last paragraph serves primarily to
A- introduce a way of thinking that opposes the point of view of the narrator’s mother.
B- question the fundamental relationship between names and the things they designate.
C- allow insight into the narrator’s way of thinking.
D- provide a further reflection on the deeper significance of language
Choice D is the best answer.
The last paragraph includes a monologue by Bill on the importance of “calling things by their proper names.” According to Bill, using precise vocabulary offers more than just practical benefits; it also allows a person to “narrow the gap” between the speaker and the object. Hence, the last paragraph serves primarily to provide a further reflection on the deeper significance of language.
Choice A is incorrect. In the first paragraph, the narrator introduces a contrast between Bill and Dave’s use of language and his mother’s; however, Bill’s philosophical musings in the last paragraph don’t serve to contradict the mother’s worldview. Choice B is incorrect because in the last paragraph Bill doesn’t question, but emphasizes the fundamental relationship between names and the things they designate. Choice C is incorrect because in the last paragraph the narrator offers insights into Bill’s thinking, not the narrator’s.
Question Difficulty: Medium
My friends, we are not the sum of our possessions. They are not the measure of our lives. In our hearts we know what matters.
As used in line 9, “measure” most nearly means
A- course of action.
B- piece of legislation.
C- degree of concern.
D- standard of comparison.
Choice D is the best answer.
In the second paragraph, Bush argues that material possessions “are not the measure of our lives.” In other words, the value of our lives can’t be judged by the things we own. Therefore, the word “measure,” as used in the context of this sentence, most nearly means standard of comparison.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in the context of this sentence, “measure” most nearly means standard of comparison, not course of action (choice A), piece of legislation (choice B), or degree of concern (choice C).
Question Difficulty: Medium
By working carefully to use colors and other design elements that matched the original, Russell and Black wondered if their vision could be brought to life on fabric?
A- NO CHANGE
B- could their vision be brought to life on fabric.
C- if their vision could be brought to life on fabric.
D- whether their vision could be brought to life on fabric?
Choice C is the best answer.
The wording of this choice is clear and concise, and the period is used correctly at the end of the indirect question in the sentence.
Choices A and D are incorrect because a question mark should be used at the end of a direct question, not an indirect question. Choice B is incorrect because it creates a run-on sentence.
Question Difficulty: Medium
The passage suggests that working with Bill and Dave had which effect on the narrator?
a- It caused him to view his mother’s habits as quaint and unsophisticated.
B- It led him eventually to appreciate the complexity of familial relationships in his native culture.
C- It demonstrated how thoughtless he had always been toward his mother.
D- It helped him to feel more confident about his language skills in unfamiliar settings.
Choice B is the best answer.
In the first paragraph, the narrator contrasts Bill and Dave’s casual expressions of gratitude (“thanks . . . cheers, mate,”) with the careful deference shown to one’s elders and superiors in his native culture; furthermore, the passage implies that the narrator’s affinity for Bill and Dave inspired his use of English phrases at home, which his mother found distasteful. “In her mind,” the narrator concludes in the second paragraph, “a network of duty and service, tightened under centuries of evolution, had been reduced by my thank you to the trading culture of the West.” Hence, the passage suggests that working with Bill and Dave led the narrator eventually to appreciate the complexity of familial relationships in his native culture.
Choice A is incorrect because the passage doesn’t suggest that working with Bill and Dave led the narrator to view his mother’s habits as quaint and unsophisticated. Choice C is incorrect because the narrator indicates that he hadn’t fully understood his mother’s reaction to his use of “thank you,” not that he had acted thoughtlessly toward her. Choice D is incorrect because the passage suggests that working with Bill and Dave led the narrator to better appreciate his native culture, not to feel more confident in his language skills.
Question Difficulty: Hard
The passage suggests that the narrator most enjoyed which aspect of carpentry?
A- The opportunity to practice his spoken English
B- The experience of learning new jargon
C- The chance to impress others with his knowledge
D- The physicality of working with his hands
Choice B is the best answer.
In the third paragraph, the narrator states, “Above all, I liked Bill and Dave because of the banter between them. The two of them talked incessantly about the work in a language that was new to me.” The passage indicates that the narrator learns about carpentry from Bill and Dave, and this paragraph details how their “language” is composed of precise professional terms. Thus, the passage suggests that the aspect of carpentry the narrator most enjoyed was the experience of learning new jargon.
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage doesn’t suggest that the narrator most enjoyed the opportunity to practice his spoken English (choice A), the chance to impress others with his knowledge (choice C), or the physicality of working with his hands (choice D).
Question Difficulty: Medium
We tend to pick most “notable” cases out of general pools, often for idiosyncratic reasons that can only distort a proper scientific investigation.
As used in line 6, “cases” most nearly means
A- arguments.
B- explanations.
C- circumstances.
D- examples.
Choice D is the best answer.
The first paragraph of Passage 1 states, “We tend to pick most ‘notable’ cases out of general pools, often for idiosyncratic reasons that can only distort a proper scientific investigation.” In other words, the human tendency to focus on striking examples, or instances, distorts legitimate scientific research. Therefore, the word “cases,” as used in the context of this sentence, most nearly means examples.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in the context of this sentence, “cases” most nearly means examples, not arguments (choice A), explanations (choice B), or circumstances (choice C).
Question Difficulty: Medium
Thanks to the Internet, we are more interconnected now; than at any point in our history.
A- NO CHANGE
B- interconnected, now
C- interconnected, now,
D- interconnected now
Choice D is the best answer.
No punctuation is needed between the adverb “now” and the conjunction “than.”
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because any punctuation would interrupt the flow of the comparison and isn’t needed.
Question Difficulty: Medium
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A- lines 2-9 (“Such . . . gratitude”)
B- lines 28-34 (“In her . . . hardships”)
C- lines 35-37 (“But in . . . charmed”)
D- lines 40-42 (“A carpenter’s . . . vocabulary”)
Choice B is the best answer.
The previous question asks what effect working with Bill and Dave had on the narrator, according to the passage. The answer, that it led the narrator to appreciate the complexity of familial relationships in his native culture, is best supported in the second paragraph when he imagines his mother’s thoughts: “In her mind, I believe, a network of duty and service, tightened under centuries of evolution, had been reduced by my thank you to the trading culture of the West. It was duty and obligation, not measured gains, that reinforced the bonds within the extended family to make something stronger than there would have been otherwise, strong enough and large enough to endure hardships.”
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the cited lines don’t provide the best evidence for the answer to the previous question. Instead, they explain that rather than saying “thank you” in Sylheti, speakers convey social deference through sentence structure and gestures (choice A), describe the narrator’s pleasure at hearing Bill and Dave say “please” and “thank you” (choice C), and conclude that Bill and Dave were masters of their specialized carpentry vocabulary (choice D).
Question Difficulty: Hard
Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A- lines 38-40 (“Above . . . me”)
B- lines 42-44 (“It was . . . F clamp”)
C- lines 44-46 (“Each . . . job”)
D- lines 55-56 (“The most . . . hand”)
Choice A is the best answer.
The previous question asks which aspect of carpentry the narrator most enjoyed. The answer, that the narrator most enjoyed learning new jargon, is best supported in the third paragraph: “Above all, I liked Bill and Dave because of the banter between them. The two of them talked incessantly about the work in a language that was new to me.”
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the cited lines don’t provide the best evidence for the answer to the previous question. Instead, they emphasize the precision of Bill and Dave’s professional vocabulary (choice B), describe the men’s insistence on using the most appropriate tool for a job (choice C), and illustrate Bill’s view on the importance of always calling things by their proper names (choice D).
Question Difficulty: Hard
America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the Nation and gentler the face of the world. My friends, we have work to do. . . .
What main effect do the phrases “high moral principle” and “make kinder the face of the Nation,” used in the fourth paragraph (jump tolines 25-28), have on the tone of the speech?
A- They create an optimistic tone that tempers Bush’s warnings to listeners about challenges that lie ahead.
B- They create an inspirational tone that contributes to Bush’s efforts at rallying listeners.
C- They create an ominous tone that lends gravity to Bush’s call for listeners to change their behavior.
D- They create a calming tone that reassures Bush’s listeners of the ease with which problems can be overcome.
Choice B is the best answer.
In the fourth paragraph, Bush declares, “America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the Nation and gentler the face of the world. My friends, we have work to do.” The phrases “high moral principle” and “make kinder the face of the Nation,” serve to arouse listeners’ sense of purpose and spur them to action. Thus, the main effect of these phrases is that they create an inspirational tone that contributes to Bush’s efforts at rallying listeners.
Choice A is incorrect because the tone of these phrases is best characterized as inspirational, not optimistic, because their purpose is to promote action. Choice C is incorrect because these phrases aren’t ominous and are designed to encourage listeners to aspire to their highest ideals. Choice D is incorrect because Bush uses these phrases to animate, not calm, his listeners and says that the problems ahead will be challenging, not easily overcome.
Question Difficulty: Hard
They exhibit what scientists call vocal learning; and this is the ability to refer to an object or individual using a learned sound.
A- NO CHANGE
B- learning, this
C- learning; which
D- learning. This
Choice D is the best answer.
The period is used correctly to separate two independent clauses, and the singular pronoun “this” agrees with the singular noun “learning” in the previous sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because if a semicolon is used to combine two independent clauses, a conjunction isn’t needed. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Choice C is incorrect because the relative pronoun “which” can’t be used as the subject of an independent clause.
Question Difficulty: Hard