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) Between a quarter and a third of the food produced in the United States gets wasted. (2) A lot of the waste happens during farming and processing, before the food even gets to consumers. (3) Later, buyers often reject produce because of minor blemishes, or they throw away food when they bought too much or allowed it to rot (4) An average family spends hundreds of dollars each year on food that does not get eaten.
(5) Compounding the problem is that food distribution system's currently require a lot of energy. (6) An item of food on an American plate has typically made a trip of over 2.400 kilometers. (7) Then once the food arrives at a market there is energy consumed by unloading and stocking it. (8) All told, around 15 percent of all the energy used in the United States is devoted to producing and distributing food
(9) They say we could save a great deal of energy by addressing the problem of food waste. (10) The "sell by" dates on foods are typically very conservative and result in people throwing away perfectly edible items. (11) Shoppers could be better informed about the true shelf life of the products they purchase. (12) This would help them plan meals more efficiently and end up with less spoiled food. (13) It might result in fewer trips to the store, which could keep fuel and cut down on pollution.
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.
Other Related Questions
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.
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.
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.
Which sentence should be deleted because it contains irrelevant information?
- A. Sentence 1
- B. Sentence 6
- C. Sentence 9
- D. Sentence 11
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Sentence 11 should be deleted as it introduces information that does not directly support the main topic of the paragraph. It diverges from the core argument, making it less relevant to the overall message. Sentence 1, 6, and 9, on the other hand, provide context or examples that enhance understanding of the main idea. Sentence 1 sets the stage, while sentences 6 and 9 contribute important details that are closely tied to the central theme. Removing sentence 11 helps maintain focus and clarity in the writing, ensuring that all remaining content is pertinent to the discussion.
Sentence 11 should be deleted as it introduces information that does not directly support the main topic of the paragraph. It diverges from the core argument, making it less relevant to the overall message. Sentence 1, 6, and 9, on the other hand, provide context or examples that enhance understanding of the main idea. Sentence 1 sets the stage, while sentences 6 and 9 contribute important details that are closely tied to the central theme. Removing sentence 11 helps maintain focus and clarity in the writing, ensuring that all remaining content is pertinent to the discussion.