Read the following early draft of an essay and then choose the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement
Passage
(1) Calling someone a rat may be complimentary. (2) In one experiment, University of Chicago neuroscientist Peggy Mason placed 30 pairs of rats in pens. (3) One rat was caged in the middle of the pen, while the other was free to run around. (4) Eventually, 23 of 30 rats liberated their peers by pushing the cage door open with their heads or leaning against the door until it tipped over.
(5) In another experiment, Mason gave rats access to two cages: in one cage was another rat, in the other was a pile of chocolate chips. (6) The rats eating the chocolate themselves. (7) Instead, most of the rodents opened both cages and shared the sweets. (8) "In rat land, that is big." Mason says, claiming that this study is the first to show altruistic behavior in rodents.
(9) Not all scientists agree with the conclusion Mason drew from the experiment, however. (10) The jailbreaking rats might have only been trying to silence their cohorts' distressing alarm calls. (11) Mason counters that the alarm calls from the caged rats were not frequent enough to motivate their peers, but both parties are speculating at this point.
(12) Mason's new study is one of many that are changing how scientists think about empathy and altruism, namely: that such characteristics are not limited to people, as they once thought. (13) It now seems that many animals have evolved instincts to help others.
In context, how should the underlined part of sentence 6 (reproduced below) be revised? The rats eating the chocolate themselves.
- A. would have eaten
- B. could have eaten
- C. had eaten
- D. have eaten
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "the rats eating the chocolate themselves" requires a revision to align with the present tense context of the sentence. Option D, "have eaten," effectively conveys a completed action relevant to the present, indicating that the rats have consumed the chocolate. Option A, "would have eaten," suggests a conditional scenario that does not fit the context. Option B, "could have eaten," implies potentiality rather than a completed action. Option C, "had eaten," indicates a past action that is no longer relevant to the present context. Thus, only option D maintains the intended meaning and tense consistency.
The phrase "the rats eating the chocolate themselves" requires a revision to align with the present tense context of the sentence. Option D, "have eaten," effectively conveys a completed action relevant to the present, indicating that the rats have consumed the chocolate. Option A, "would have eaten," suggests a conditional scenario that does not fit the context. Option B, "could have eaten," implies potentiality rather than a completed action. Option C, "had eaten," indicates a past action that is no longer relevant to the present context. Thus, only option D maintains the intended meaning and tense consistency.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 13 (reproduced below)?
It might result in fewer trips to the store, which could keep fuel and cut down on pollution
- A. (as it is now)
- B. protect
- C. conserve
- D. support
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The phrase "cut down on pollution" suggests reducing waste, making "conserve" the most suitable choice. It aligns with the idea of using fewer resources, such as fuel, to achieve environmental benefits. Option A retains the original wording, which lacks precision and clarity. Option B, "protect," implies safeguarding resources but does not directly convey the idea of reducing usage. Option D, "support," suggests encouragement or assistance, which is not relevant to the context of minimizing trips and their environmental impact. Thus, "conserve" effectively captures the intended meaning of reducing consumption and pollution.
The phrase "cut down on pollution" suggests reducing waste, making "conserve" the most suitable choice. It aligns with the idea of using fewer resources, such as fuel, to achieve environmental benefits. Option A retains the original wording, which lacks precision and clarity. Option B, "protect," implies safeguarding resources but does not directly convey the idea of reducing usage. Option D, "support," suggests encouragement or assistance, which is not relevant to the context of minimizing trips and their environmental impact. Thus, "conserve" effectively captures the intended meaning of reducing consumption and pollution.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed?
Any given instance of this practice may seem trivial, but the amount of waste quickly adds up.
- A. Before sentence 2
- B. Before sentence 4
- C. Before sentence 7
- D. Before sentence 13
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Placing the sentence before sentence 4 effectively emphasizes the significance of the practice being discussed, highlighting how seemingly minor actions contribute to larger waste issues. This context sets up a contrast between the triviality of individual instances and their cumulative impact. Option A, before sentence 2, lacks the necessary context to connect the triviality of the practice to its consequences. Option C, before sentence 7, is too far along in the discussion, diminishing the impact of the statement. Option D, before sentence 13, would disrupt the flow of ideas, as it is too late in the narrative to introduce the concept of cumulative waste effectively.
Placing the sentence before sentence 4 effectively emphasizes the significance of the practice being discussed, highlighting how seemingly minor actions contribute to larger waste issues. This context sets up a contrast between the triviality of individual instances and their cumulative impact. Option A, before sentence 2, lacks the necessary context to connect the triviality of the practice to its consequences. Option C, before sentence 7, is too far along in the discussion, diminishing the impact of the statement. Option D, before sentence 13, would disrupt the flow of ideas, as it is too late in the narrative to introduce the concept of cumulative waste effectively.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)?
I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. here and had been wanting
- C. here and I also wanted
- D. here, and I want
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C improves clarity and grammatical structure by maintaining parallelism in the sentence. The phrase "I also wanted" aligns with "I've enjoyed," creating a balanced structure that clearly expresses both enjoyment and desire. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is awkward and lacks parallelism. Option B introduces a tense inconsistency with "had been wanting," which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence. Option D, while clearer than A, uses "I want," which shifts the meaning to the present instead of reflecting a past desire, making it less appropriate in context.
Option C improves clarity and grammatical structure by maintaining parallelism in the sentence. The phrase "I also wanted" aligns with "I've enjoyed," creating a balanced structure that clearly expresses both enjoyment and desire. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is awkward and lacks parallelism. Option B introduces a tense inconsistency with "had been wanting," which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence. Option D, while clearer than A, uses "I want," which shifts the meaning to the present instead of reflecting a past desire, making it less appropriate in context.
Which is the best way to revise and combine sentences 4 and 5 (reproduced below)? These elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism. Many of these elements were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
- A. Many of these elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism they were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
- B. These elements, many of which were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land, created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism.
- C. These elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism, many were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
- D. man directors fleeing their war-torn land, which created
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, clearly indicating that the elements created disillusionment and were brought to Hollywood by German directors. This maintains clarity and coherence. Option A incorrectly connects two independent clauses without proper punctuation, leading to a run-on sentence. Option C misuses a comma, creating a comma splice by linking two independent clauses improperly. Option D is incomplete and lacks context, failing to convey the intended meaning about the elements and their effects. Thus, B is the most effective choice for combining the ideas cohesively.
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, clearly indicating that the elements created disillusionment and were brought to Hollywood by German directors. This maintains clarity and coherence. Option A incorrectly connects two independent clauses without proper punctuation, leading to a run-on sentence. Option C misuses a comma, creating a comma splice by linking two independent clauses improperly. Option D is incomplete and lacks context, failing to convey the intended meaning about the elements and their effects. Thus, B is the most effective choice for combining the ideas cohesively.