This passage is from a 2019 novel. The narrator is reflecting on a time when she was about ten years old. A ham (amateur) radio is a device for exchanging messages and requires a license to operate. (1) One day, my father brought home a pile of the parts needed to build a ham radio and asked if I wanted to help him put it together. (2) It took us a week, and we built it at our kitchen table, which meant that for that week we ate dinner on our laps in our living room. (3) After dinner, my father went straight to the kitchen table where he'd left a mess of wire and cables and vacuum tubes, and got to work. (4) I started by helping my mother clean up, but then I went over to him, leaning over the part of the radio he was working on to study the diagrams and assembly instructions. (5) Once the receiver was built, we took it into the garage and built a simple transmitter. (6) Then we studied for the radio license, quizzing each other on Morse code and electrical principles and radio wave characteristics every night. (7) My father already knew all of it from the war. (8) He'd been a radio operator as a soldier, and he told me how radio waves could go far, far out into space and how a few years ago two radio operators from opposite sides of the world had sent messages to each other by bouncing them off the moon. (9) After we received our radio licenses, we spent many nights sitting side by side in the garage, picking up radio stations and messages from other amateur radio operators. (10) There were so many messages floating around, waiting to be picked up: Are you lonely? (11) How are you? (12) What's the weather like there? (13) There were reports of shipwrecks, and messages from as far away as Canada, and we decoded each message as it arrived. (14) Nowadays, when communication is so instantaneous, I cannot help remembering with nostalgia how my father and I turned the knobs to the contraption we had built as the messages came in through our complicated machine of vacuum tubing and plumbing wire. (15) We recorded the taps as they came in—and I marveled that each tap traveled only a little bit slower than the speed of light. (16) Tap tap tap came the pulses of radio waves into our earphones, and I transcribed the taps as fast as I could into letters, watching them gather into words and then sentences. (17) It was the closest thing to performing magic that I could imagine: manipulating the radio waves that were all around us to talk to someone across the world.
As used in sentence 17, 'manipulating' most nearly means
- A. cheating
- B. using
- C. plotting with
- D. carrying out
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In sentence 17, 'manipulating' refers to skillfully handling or controlling something, which aligns closely with the meaning of 'using.' This term emphasizes the active engagement and application of a tool or concept. Option A, 'cheating,' implies deceit and is unrelated to the neutral connotation of 'manipulating.' Option C, 'plotting with,' suggests a conspiratorial context, which does not fit the original intent. Option D, 'carrying out,' while somewhat related, lacks the nuance of skillful application inherent in 'using.' Thus, 'using' is the most accurate interpretation in this context.
In sentence 17, 'manipulating' refers to skillfully handling or controlling something, which aligns closely with the meaning of 'using.' This term emphasizes the active engagement and application of a tool or concept. Option A, 'cheating,' implies deceit and is unrelated to the neutral connotation of 'manipulating.' Option C, 'plotting with,' suggests a conspiratorial context, which does not fit the original intent. Option D, 'carrying out,' while somewhat related, lacks the nuance of skillful application inherent in 'using.' Thus, 'using' is the most accurate interpretation in this context.
Other Related Questions
In context, the metaphor in the third sentence ('it was... years') chiefly serves to:
- A. Call attention to the age of the United States as a nation
- B. Question the literary value of the writings by Lewis and Clark
- C. Trivialize the accomplishments of the Lewis and Clark expedition
- D. Place the Lewis and Clark expedition into a broad context
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The metaphor in the third sentence effectively situates the Lewis and Clark expedition within a larger historical framework, emphasizing its significance in the broader narrative of American exploration and expansion. Option A incorrectly focuses solely on the age of the United States, neglecting the expedition's specific context. Option B misinterprets the metaphor's intent, as it does not critique literary value but rather highlights historical importance. Option C suggests a diminishing view of the expedition's accomplishments, which contradicts the metaphor's purpose of elevating its significance within American history.
The metaphor in the third sentence effectively situates the Lewis and Clark expedition within a larger historical framework, emphasizing its significance in the broader narrative of American exploration and expansion. Option A incorrectly focuses solely on the age of the United States, neglecting the expedition's specific context. Option B misinterprets the metaphor's intent, as it does not critique literary value but rather highlights historical importance. Option C suggests a diminishing view of the expedition's accomplishments, which contradicts the metaphor's purpose of elevating its significance within American history.
Which of the following statements does the passage most directly counter?
- A. Having a non-arts job stifles and detracts from an artist’s creative work
- B. For people working in non-arts professions, art is more than just an entertaining distraction
- C. The poetry of William Carlos Williams exemplifies autobiographical poetry
- D. The public’s interest in the arts has declined over the last century
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The passage argues that engaging in non-arts jobs can enhance rather than hinder an artist's creativity, directly countering the notion that such jobs stifle artistic work. Option B suggests that art serves a significant purpose for those in non-arts professions, which aligns with the idea that diverse experiences can enrich creativity. Option C discusses William Carlos Williams' poetry style, which is unrelated to the impact of non-arts jobs on creativity. Option D addresses public interest in the arts, a separate issue that does not connect to the effects of non-arts employment on artists.
The passage argues that engaging in non-arts jobs can enhance rather than hinder an artist's creativity, directly countering the notion that such jobs stifle artistic work. Option B suggests that art serves a significant purpose for those in non-arts professions, which aligns with the idea that diverse experiences can enrich creativity. Option C discusses William Carlos Williams' poetry style, which is unrelated to the impact of non-arts jobs on creativity. Option D addresses public interest in the arts, a separate issue that does not connect to the effects of non-arts employment on artists.
Because these speeding particles' compositions were quite different from those of other low-energy cosmic rays, scientists dubbed them ___ cosmic rays.
- A. intermittent
- B. transitory
- C. resilient
- D. anomalous
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The term "anomalous" refers to something that deviates from the norm or is irregular, which accurately describes these speeding particles with compositions differing from typical low-energy cosmic rays. Option A, "intermittent," implies something occurring at irregular intervals, which does not capture the essence of the particles' unique composition. Option B, "transitory," suggests a temporary existence, failing to address the distinctiveness of the particles. Option C, "resilient," indicates strength or durability, which is unrelated to the compositional differences being highlighted. Thus, "anomalous" best conveys the uniqueness of these cosmic rays.
The term "anomalous" refers to something that deviates from the norm or is irregular, which accurately describes these speeding particles with compositions differing from typical low-energy cosmic rays. Option A, "intermittent," implies something occurring at irregular intervals, which does not capture the essence of the particles' unique composition. Option B, "transitory," suggests a temporary existence, failing to address the distinctiveness of the particles. Option C, "resilient," indicates strength or durability, which is unrelated to the compositional differences being highlighted. Thus, "anomalous" best conveys the uniqueness of these cosmic rays.
The purpose of this passage is most likely to:
- A. present factual information about Egyptian culture
- B. make the case that Egypt is a worthwhile place to visit
- C. suggest a theory about the building of the ancient Egyptian monuments
- D. offer a survey of ancient Roman civilization
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively captures the passage's intent by highlighting Egypt as an appealing travel destination. The text likely emphasizes its rich history, stunning monuments, and vibrant culture to persuade readers to consider visiting. Option A is incorrect as it implies a purely informative approach without the persuasive element. Option C misinterprets the passage's aim by focusing on a specific theory rather than promoting tourism. Lastly, Option D is off-topic, as it shifts the focus to ancient Roman civilization, which is unrelated to the discussion of Egypt.
Option B effectively captures the passage's intent by highlighting Egypt as an appealing travel destination. The text likely emphasizes its rich history, stunning monuments, and vibrant culture to persuade readers to consider visiting. Option A is incorrect as it implies a purely informative approach without the persuasive element. Option C misinterprets the passage's aim by focusing on a specific theory rather than promoting tourism. Lastly, Option D is off-topic, as it shifts the focus to ancient Roman civilization, which is unrelated to the discussion of Egypt.