Commencement Speech
4. In the fourth and fifth paragraphs, the author defends her decision to marry George Bush by elaborating on
A
the need to pursue a sense of personal bliss
3. Which of the following sentences first expresses the main claim of the passage?
C
Sentence 6
2. In the final paragraph, the author concludes her argument by
D
highlighting the context in which women may choose to embrace femininity’s restrictions
4. In context, which version of sentence 5 (reproduced below) provides the most effective explanation of the “critical period” mentioned in sentence 4 ?
Such a period also exists for the development of eyesight.
E
It designates the time in one’s life during which the capacity to absorb the rules and structure of a language is maximized.
What is Mrs. Macs room number ? NO LOOKING
a. E148
b. N108
c. N120
d. S130
b.
N108
3. In the second paragraph, the author makes which of the following claims regarding the Class of 1990 ?
B
They will lead successful lives because of the quality of their education.
What is Mrs. Macs dogs name?
a. Toby
b. Peanut
c. Buddy
d. Tony
a. Toby
3. Which of the following statements most directly expresses the author’s thesis in the passage?
D
“[R]eal excellence often comes unheralded and from unexpected quarters.” (paragraph 1, sentence 5)
2. The writer wants to change sentence 3 (reproduced below) to provide a more specific preview of the passage’s argument.
While previous theories speculated that people can only acquire a new language at a young age, new research supports a different perspective.
Which of the following pieces of information is most appropriate for the writer to include in the new version of the sentence?
C
An overview of the new study’s claim that optimal language acquisition can occur up to age 30 and that even older adults should remain hopeful about their language-learning prospects
1. The writer is considering deleting the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below), adjusting the capitalization as needed.
Most people can’t resist immediately checking their phones each time they buzz, chirp, or chime, and scientists believe that compulsion is caused by a brain chemical called dopamine.
Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text?
B
Keep it, because it provides sensory details that help the writer illustrate the concept being discussed in the paragraph.
2. In the opening sentences of the passage (“Now I know . . . color of my hair!”), the author refers to Alice Walker primarily to
D
acknowledge the potentially embarrassing circumstances under which she is delivering her speech
4. The writer wants to add a sentence at the end of the first paragraph to express the thesis of the passage in more detail. Which of the following choices best accomplishes this goal?
A
It will ultimately benefit the well-being of the goats, the safety of human visitors, and the park’s ecosystem.
What is Mrs. Macs shoe size?
a. 5
b. 5.5
c. 6
d. 6.5
d. 6.5
3. The writer wants to add a sentence that introduces the topic of the passage. Which of the following sentences, if added to the beginning of the first paragraph, would most effectively accomplish this goal?
A
Language experts have long observed that children are better than adults at mastering a second language.
2. The writer is considering deleting the underlined portion of sentence 7 (reproduced below), adjusting the punctuation as needed.
Our brains are aroused each time our phones buzz because of the unpredictability of what pops up on the screen: since any alert might signal something extraordinary, dopamine is released each time even though most alerts don’t amount to much.
Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text?
A
Keep it, because it adds information that helps clarify the contrasting relationship identified in sentence 6 between anticipation and reward.
1. In the passage, the author is primarily concerned with
C
offering her audience advice for the future
1. The writer wants to add a sentence after sentence 12 to provide needed background information for readers who may not be familiar with mountain goats. Which of the following choices best accomplishes this goal?
D
Mountain goats find salt irresistible.
4. In the context of the passage as a whole, the author’s comparison between the qualities of people and of metals (paragraphs 5-6) primarily serves to
E
reinforce the author’s overarching claim about ordinary people’s capacity for success
What is Justices middle name?
a. Michelle
b. Sarah
c. Marie
d. Mandy
d. Mandy
4. The writer wants to add information to the end of sentence 2 (reproduced below) to preview the line of reasoning in the passage.
Unsurprisingly, neuroscientists warn that the constant use of smartphones alters the brain.
Which version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 most effectively accomplishes this goal?
C
brain, with potentially serious physiological and emotional costs
What is Mrs. Macs husbands name?
a. John
b. Mike
c. Jason
d. Jay
d.
Jay
2. The writer is considering deleting the underlined text in sentence 14 (reproduced below).
Salt in human sweat is a goat magnet; worse still, some thoughtless and irresponsible people feed the goats directly.
Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text?
D
Delete it, because it distracts from the writer’s purpose of emphasizing human safety concerns by using language that focuses blame on human visitors to the park.
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the first two clauses of the passage’s final sentence (“It is natural . . . despised”) in the context of the passage as a whole?
D
They urge a change in attitude that should follow logically from the author’s argument.
1. Which of the following versions of sentence 2 (reproduced below) most effectively sets up the main claim of the passage?
A
(As it is now)
3. The writer wants to add a sentence after sentence 1 to provide factual support for the introductory claim and focus the audience on the argument of the passage. Which of the following sentences best accomplishes this purpose?
D
A recent study found that 86 percent of Americans are stressed out from constantly checking their smartphones.