Vocabulary
Although Maya was initially reluctant to join the debate team, she soon discovered that she enjoyed the challenge of defending her ideas.
As used in the text, “reluctant” most nearly means:
A. enthusiastic
B. hesitant
C. prepared
D. determined
"Reluctant" most nearly means "hesitant"
For decades, scientists assumed that a particular species of bird migrated primarily because of changes in temperature. Recent tracking data, however, suggest that changes in daylight play a much larger role than previously believed.
What is the primary purpose of the text?
A. To describe how scientists track birds
B. To explain a revision to scientists' understanding of bird migration
C. To argue that temperature has no effect on migration
D. To compare two species of migrating birds
The primary goal is to explain a revision to scientists' understanding of bird migration
Some plants can survive periods of drought by closing tiny openings in their leaves. This reduces water loss but also limits the amount of carbon dioxide entering the leaves, which can slow photosynthesis.
Which choice best states the main idea?
A. Plants require carbon dioxide to survive.
B. Drought affects plants in several ways.
C. A mechanism that helps plants conserve water can also limit photosynthesis.
D. Photosynthesis occurs primarily in plant leaves.
The main idea is that a mechanism that helps plants conserve water can also limit photosynthesis.
Many students prefer digital textbooks because they are convenient to carry. ________, some students still prefer printed books because they find them easier to annotate.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. For example,
B. However,
C. Similarly,
D. Therefore,
However,
Goal: Emphasize the reef's importance to marine life.
Which choice best accomplishes this goal?
Located off Australia's coast, the Great Barrier Reef supports thousands of marine species.
The scientist's findings corroborated earlier research, providing additional evidence that the theory was accurate.
As used in the text, “corroborated” most nearly means:
A. contradicted
B. complicated
C. supported
D. replaced
"Corroborated" most nearly means "supported"
Many cities have invested in bike-sharing programs. These programs allow residents to rent bicycles for short periods, often using a smartphone application. Although bike sharing is unlikely to replace cars entirely, it can provide an inexpensive transportation option for short trips.
The primary purpose of the text is to:
A. criticize cities that rely on automobiles
B. explain one potential benefit of bike-sharing programs
C. describe how to develop a smartphone application
D. argue that bicycles are superior to cars
The primary purpose is to explain one potential benefit of bike-sharing programs
Many students assume that studying for long periods is the best way to prepare for an exam. Research on learning, however, suggests that shorter study sessions distributed over several days can produce better long-term retention than one extended session.
Which choice best states the main idea?
A. Students should study every day before an exam.
B. Research suggests that spreading study sessions over time can improve learning.
C. Long study sessions are ineffective for all students.
D. Students generally dislike studying for exams.
The main idea is that Research suggests that spreading study sessions over time can improve learning.
The museum recently expanded its collection of nineteenth-century paintings. ________, it has hired additional staff members to care for and catalog the new works.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Nevertheless,
B. In contrast,
C. As a result,
D. For instance,
As a result,
Goal: Introduce Butler's writing in a way that emphasizes the themes she explored.
Butler's science-fiction novels often explore complex issues of race, gender, and power.
Unlike his predecessor, who rarely consulted other employees, the new director was amenable to suggestions from the entire staff.
As used in the text, “amenable” most nearly means:
A. resistant
B. receptive
C. indifferent
D. uncertain
"Amenable" most nearly means "receptive"
In the early twentieth century, several painters rejected the idea that art should reproduce objects exactly as they appear. Instead, these artists experimented with unusual colors, distorted forms, and unconventional perspectives. Their work helped establish new approaches to representing reality.
The primary purpose of the text is to:
A. explain how certain artists challenged traditional approaches
B. argue that modern art is more valuable than traditional art
C. identify the most influential painters of the twentieth century
D. describe the techniques used by one particular painter
The primary purpose is to explain how certain artists challenged traditional approaches
Urban trees provide more than aesthetic benefits. Their leaves can absorb pollutants, their shade can reduce surface temperatures, and their roots can help manage stormwater. For these reasons, city planners increasingly view trees as part of urban infrastructure.
Which choice best states the main idea?
A. City planners prefer trees to other forms of infrastructure.
B. Trees are primarily useful because they make cities more attractive.
C. Urban trees can provide several practical environmental benefits.
D. Stormwater management is the greatest challenge facing cities.
The main idea is that urban trees can provide several practical environmental benefits.
Some researchers initially believed that the bird's unusual behavior was caused by environmental changes. ________, later observations revealed that the behavior occurred even when environmental conditions remained constant.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Therefore,
B. However,
C. For example,
D. Likewise,
However,
Goal: Accurately summarize the study's findings while acknowledging its limitation.
A study of 500 high school students found an association between regular exercise and lower reported stress, though it did not establish causation.
The author's conclusion is not conclusive, because the study examined only a small number of participants.
As used in the text, “conclusive” most nearly means:
A. lengthy
B. persuasive enough to settle an issue
C. difficult to understand
D. based on personal experience
"Conclusive" most nearly means "persuasive enough to settle an issue"
Researchers studying memory have found that people sometimes remember events differently after discussing them with others. In one experiment, participants who heard inaccurate descriptions from other people occasionally incorporated those details into their own memories. The findings suggest that memory is more malleable than people might assume.
The primary purpose of the text is to:
A. describe why people intentionally alter their memories
B. demonstrate that eyewitness testimony is never reliable
C. compare individual and group memory
D. explain evidence that human memory can be influenced by others
The primary purpose is to explain evidence that human memory can be influenced by others
Although historians once believed that ancient trade routes primarily connected large political centers, archaeological discoveries have revealed extensive trade involving smaller communities as well. These findings suggest that economic networks in the ancient world were more decentralized than previously thought.
Which choice best states the main idea?
A. Ancient civilizations depended primarily on large political centers.
B. Archaeologists have discovered that ancient trade was more broadly distributed than historians once believed.
C. Ancient trade routes were difficult for historians to identify.
D. Smaller ancient communities rarely participated in international trade.
The main idea is that archaeologists have discovered that ancient trade was more broadly distributed than historians once believed.
The first experiment produced results that supported the researchers' hypothesis. ________, a second experiment involving a larger sample produced similar results, strengthening their confidence in the conclusion.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. In contrast,
B. Nevertheless,
C. Furthermore,
D. Instead,
Furthermore,
Goal: Emphasize the unusual nature of the monarch's migration.
Unlike many migrating animals, monarch butterflies complete their remarkable journey across generations rather than within the lifetime of a single butterfly.
Because the evidence was equivocal, the researchers could not determine whether the treatment had actually caused the improvement.
As used in the text, “equivocal” most nearly means:
A. unclear or ambiguous
B. extremely convincing
C. completely inaccurate
D. intentionally deceptive
"Equivocal" most nearly means "unclear or ambiguous"
While early economists often treated technological innovation as an external force affecting economic growth, more recent models incorporate innovation directly into explanations of growth. This shift has allowed economists to investigate not merely how technology affects economies but also how economic conditions can encourage technological development.
The primary purpose of the text is to:
A. argue that older economic models were entirely incorrect
B. describe a change in how economists conceptualize the relationship between technology and economic growth
C. explain why technological development has slowed
D. compare economic growth in technologically advanced and developing countries
The primary purpose is to describe a change in how economists conceptualize the relationship between technology and economic growth
A common assumption about creativity is that it requires complete freedom from constraints. Yet studies of creative problem solving have found that limitations can sometimes encourage people to develop more original solutions. By restricting the number of available options, constraints may prompt individuals to explore possibilities they might otherwise overlook.
Which choice best states the main idea?
A. Creative people generally dislike having choices.
B. Complete freedom is necessary for creative thinking.
C. Constraints can sometimes stimulate creativity rather than inhibit it.
D. Creative problem solving requires people to eliminate most possible solutions.
The main idea is that constraints can sometimes stimulate creativity rather than inhibit it.
Electric vehicles produce no exhaust emissions while being driven. ________, their overall environmental impact depends partly on how the electricity used to charge their batteries is generated.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A. Accordingly,
B. In other words,
C. For example,
D. Nevertheless,
Nevertheless,
Goal: Present the study's conclusion while avoiding an overly broad claim.
In a study of 120 students, those who read while listening to instrumental music performed similarly to those who read in silence, suggesting that the music did not significantly affect comprehension under the conditions tested.