Passage
(1) When I moved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self-confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings. (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie. (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway. (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) i adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
In context, which choice best replaces the underlined portion in sentence 14 (reproduced below)? Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me
- A. made the city feel more like home
- B. given me the chance to practice.
- C. made the city sort of tolerable.
- D. been a nice surprise.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively conveys that meeting Spanish speakers contributes positively to the speaker's sense of belonging in the city, enhancing their overall experience. This aligns with the context of feeling at home. Option B, while relevant, shifts focus to practicing the language rather than the emotional impact of community. Option C undermines the positive sentiment by suggesting the city is merely "tolerable," which diminishes the overall message. Option D, although it introduces a positive element, lacks the depth of connection implied by feeling at home, making it less suitable in this context.
Option A effectively conveys that meeting Spanish speakers contributes positively to the speaker's sense of belonging in the city, enhancing their overall experience. This aligns with the context of feeling at home. Option B, while relevant, shifts focus to practicing the language rather than the emotional impact of community. Option C undermines the positive sentiment by suggesting the city is merely "tolerable," which diminishes the overall message. Option D, although it introduces a positive element, lacks the depth of connection implied by feeling at home, making it less suitable in this context.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 5 (reproduced below)?
Compounding the problem is that food distribution system's currently require a lot of energy.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. systems
- C. systems's
- D. systems
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The best version clarifies the possessive form needed in the sentence. "Systems" (option D) is incorrect because it lacks the possessive, which is essential to indicate ownership of the energy requirement. Option B, "systems," does not convey possession either. Option A, "as it is now," does not address the grammatical structure needed in this context. The correct choice, "systems's," correctly indicates that the energy requirement belongs to the food distribution system, ensuring clarity and grammatical accuracy in the sentence.
The best version clarifies the possessive form needed in the sentence. "Systems" (option D) is incorrect because it lacks the possessive, which is essential to indicate ownership of the energy requirement. Option B, "systems," does not convey possession either. Option A, "as it is now," does not address the grammatical structure needed in this context. The correct choice, "systems's," correctly indicates that the energy requirement belongs to the food distribution system, ensuring clarity and grammatical accuracy in the sentence.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)?
Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. on for example,
- C. on, for example,
- D. on, for example
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C, "on, for example," is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma to set off the phrase "for example," which introduces an illustrative clarification of the preceding idea. This punctuation enhances clarity and improves the flow of the sentence. Option A, "as it is now," lacks necessary punctuation and fails to clarify the relationship between ideas, making the sentence awkward and confusing. Option B, "on for example," omits the comma, which disrupts the sentence's readability and does not properly highlight the example being introduced. Option D, while similar to C, incorrectly uses "on," which is unnecessary in this context and can lead to confusion.
Option C, "on, for example," is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma to set off the phrase "for example," which introduces an illustrative clarification of the preceding idea. This punctuation enhances clarity and improves the flow of the sentence. Option A, "as it is now," lacks necessary punctuation and fails to clarify the relationship between ideas, making the sentence awkward and confusing. Option B, "on for example," omits the comma, which disrupts the sentence's readability and does not properly highlight the example being introduced. Option D, while similar to C, incorrectly uses "on," which is unnecessary in this context and can lead to confusion.
In context, which of the following is best to do with sentence 9 (reproduced below)?
They say we could save a great deal of energy by addressing the problem of food waste.
- A. Replace 'They say' with 'Researchers assert that'
- B. Insert 'probably' before 'save'
- C. Replace 'by addressing' with 'if we would address'
- D. Replace 'problem' with 'problems'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A enhances the sentence's credibility by specifying the source of the claim, making it more authoritative. "Researchers assert that" clearly indicates that the statement is based on scientific findings, which is essential for persuasive writing. Option B weakens the statement by introducing uncertainty with "probably," which diminishes the impact of the claim about energy savings. Option C changes the meaning by suggesting a conditional scenario rather than a straightforward assertion, which can confuse the reader. Option D alters the focus from a specific issue to a broader context, which may dilute the intended message about food waste.
Option A enhances the sentence's credibility by specifying the source of the claim, making it more authoritative. "Researchers assert that" clearly indicates that the statement is based on scientific findings, which is essential for persuasive writing. Option B weakens the statement by introducing uncertainty with "probably," which diminishes the impact of the claim about energy savings. Option C changes the meaning by suggesting a conditional scenario rather than a straightforward assertion, which can confuse the reader. Option D alters the focus from a specific issue to a broader context, which may dilute the intended message about food waste.
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.