(1) Sauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long-necked giants.(2) Their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.(3) These animals were so large that scientists did not know how they were able to support their own weight—unless they lived entirely in the water.(4) Scientists also argued that these overgrown creatures were not well suited for survival and likely became extinct after only a few generations.(5 ) However, the fossil evidence suggested that sauropods had existed, on land, for quite a long time.(6) More recent discoveries of sauropod fossils in locations around the world have confirmed that these resilient animals did indeed walk the Earth for millions of years.(7) As a result, scientists have had to rethink many of their previous assumptions about these creatures.(8) By studying these fossils, they are starting to gain a better understanding of how sauropods lived and adapted to the changing environment around them.(9) One area of particular interest involves the growth rates of the creatures.( 10) Because sauropods are reptiles, most early dinosaur researchers estimated sauropod growth rates based on the growth rates of modern reptiles.(11)By those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size.(12)A different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones.(13)It was determined that the animals' growth rates would actually have been faster than those of modern reptiles and closer to those of large-bodied mammals.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed? How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?
- A. After sentence 3
- B. After sentence 8
- C. After sentence 9
- D. After sentence 12
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Placing the question "How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?" after sentence 9 is most effective as it follows a discussion about sauropod growth patterns, providing a logical transition into the specifics of their growth duration. Option A, after sentence 3, is too early as it lacks the necessary context about sauropod growth. Option B, after sentence 8, is close but doesn't fully prepare the reader for the specific inquiry about growth duration. Option D, after sentence 12, is too late, as it disrupts the flow by introducing a new question after concluding details about sauropods.
Placing the question "How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?" after sentence 9 is most effective as it follows a discussion about sauropod growth patterns, providing a logical transition into the specifics of their growth duration. Option A, after sentence 3, is too early as it lacks the necessary context about sauropod growth. Option B, after sentence 8, is close but doesn't fully prepare the reader for the specific inquiry about growth duration. Option D, after sentence 12, is too late, as it disrupts the flow by introducing a new question after concluding details about sauropods.
Other Related Questions
Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below)? When selecting her ingredients, a chef has a seemingly small-but nonetheless consequential choice-she can patronize a conventional grocery store, or she can turn to a nearby farm.
- A. small but nonetheless consequential choice,
- B. small but nonetheless consequential choice:
- C. small-but nonetheless consequential choice;
- D. small but nonetheless, consequential choice,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively uses a colon to introduce the two alternatives, enhancing clarity. The colon indicates that what follows elaborates on the choice being discussed. Option A lacks proper punctuation to separate the phrases, making it less clear. Option C incorrectly uses a semicolon, which is inappropriate here as it suggests a stronger separation between clauses than intended. Option D misplaces the comma, creating an unnecessary pause that disrupts the flow of the sentence. Overall, option B best maintains the sentence's coherence while clearly presenting the alternatives.
Option B effectively uses a colon to introduce the two alternatives, enhancing clarity. The colon indicates that what follows elaborates on the choice being discussed. Option A lacks proper punctuation to separate the phrases, making it less clear. Option C incorrectly uses a semicolon, which is inappropriate here as it suggests a stronger separation between clauses than intended. Option D misplaces the comma, creating an unnecessary pause that disrupts the flow of the sentence. Overall, option B best maintains the sentence's coherence while clearly presenting the alternatives.
In context, which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 5 (reproduced below)? In 1928 he published the most famous of all his poems. Gypsy Ballads which used the rhythms of the traditional Spanish ballad to describe the Gypsies of southern Spain.
- A. poems. Gypsy Ballads; which used
- B. poems, Gypsy Ballads, which used
- C. poems: Gypsy Ballads, which used
- D. [as it is now]
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma to separate the main clause from the appositive "Gypsy Ballads," clarifying that it is the title of the poem being referenced. This punctuation enhances readability and maintains the flow of the sentence. Option A incorrectly uses a semicolon, which suggests a stronger separation than necessary and disrupts the connection between the two clauses. Option C employs a colon, which implies that what follows is a list or explanation, but here it is simply a title, making it inappropriate. Option D retains the original punctuation, which lacks clarity and does not effectively separate the title from the main clause.
Option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma to separate the main clause from the appositive "Gypsy Ballads," clarifying that it is the title of the poem being referenced. This punctuation enhances readability and maintains the flow of the sentence. Option A incorrectly uses a semicolon, which suggests a stronger separation than necessary and disrupts the connection between the two clauses. Option C employs a colon, which implies that what follows is a list or explanation, but here it is simply a title, making it inappropriate. Option D retains the original punctuation, which lacks clarity and does not effectively separate the title from the main clause.
In the passage, the author refers to the photography technique of double exposure primarily to:
- A. Explain that Rodriguez frequently uses that technique to create eerie and distorted representations of city life
- B. Illustrate how Rodriguez's innovative use of double exposure inspired other photographers to do so as well
- C. Provide an example of how Rodriguez explored the tension between his identity as a photographer and as a scholar
- D. Set up a metaphor comparing that technique to the way Rodriguez's work depicts the duality of Los Angeles
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The reference to double exposure serves as a metaphor for the duality of Los Angeles, highlighting the complexity and contrasting elements within the city. This choice effectively encapsulates Rodriguez's artistic vision, illustrating how his work reflects both the vibrant and shadowy aspects of urban life. Option A inaccurately suggests a focus on Rodriguez's frequent use of the technique rather than its metaphorical significance. Option B misinterprets the intent, as the passage emphasizes Rodriguez's personal exploration rather than his influence on others. Option C, while relevant, does not capture the primary purpose of the metaphor, which centers on the depiction of duality rather than identity tension.
The reference to double exposure serves as a metaphor for the duality of Los Angeles, highlighting the complexity and contrasting elements within the city. This choice effectively encapsulates Rodriguez's artistic vision, illustrating how his work reflects both the vibrant and shadowy aspects of urban life. Option A inaccurately suggests a focus on Rodriguez's frequent use of the technique rather than its metaphorical significance. Option B misinterprets the intent, as the passage emphasizes Rodriguez's personal exploration rather than his influence on others. Option C, while relevant, does not capture the primary purpose of the metaphor, which centers on the depiction of duality rather than identity tension.
The main idea of the passage is that some types of poison frogs:
- A. have developed the capacity to protect themselves from the poison they carry in their skin
- B. could eventually produce a natural pain relief option for people who suffer from headaches
- C. combine chemicals from their food to create a toxic substance that keeps them safe from predators
- D. can be grouped based on the changes they've made to their nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A highlights the unique adaptation of certain poison frogs, emphasizing their ability to protect themselves from their own toxins. This reflects a key aspect of their survival strategy. Option B, while interesting, suggests a potential human application of frog toxins that is not the main focus of the passage. Option C inaccurately attributes the creation of toxins solely to food sources, overlooking the frogs' inherent toxic traits. Option D focuses on a specific biological mechanism that, while relevant, does not encapsulate the broader theme of self-protection central to the passage.
Option A highlights the unique adaptation of certain poison frogs, emphasizing their ability to protect themselves from their own toxins. This reflects a key aspect of their survival strategy. Option B, while interesting, suggests a potential human application of frog toxins that is not the main focus of the passage. Option C inaccurately attributes the creation of toxins solely to food sources, overlooking the frogs' inherent toxic traits. Option D focuses on a specific biological mechanism that, while relevant, does not encapsulate the broader theme of self-protection central to the passage.