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 change is needed in the fourth paragraph?
- A. In sentence 15, change 'immanent' to 'eminent'
- B. In sentence 15, change 'dual' to 'duel'
- C. In sentence 16, change 'inspire' to 'aspire'
- D. In sentence 17, change 'proceeded' to 'preceded'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A is necessary because "immanent" refers to something inherent or existing within, while "eminent" means distinguished or prominent, which fits the context of the paragraph. Option B is incorrect since "dual" refers to two parts, whereas "duel" signifies a contest between two individuals, which does not align with the intended meaning. Option C is not suitable because "inspire" means to motivate, while "aspire" means to aim for something. The original term correctly conveys the intended message. Option D is also wrong; "proceeded" indicates moving forward, while "preceded" means to come before, which is the intended meaning in this context.
Option A is necessary because "immanent" refers to something inherent or existing within, while "eminent" means distinguished or prominent, which fits the context of the paragraph. Option B is incorrect since "dual" refers to two parts, whereas "duel" signifies a contest between two individuals, which does not align with the intended meaning. Option C is not suitable because "inspire" means to motivate, while "aspire" means to aim for something. The original term correctly conveys the intended message. Option D is also wrong; "proceeded" indicates moving forward, while "preceded" means to come before, which is the intended meaning in this context.
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.
Which is the best way to revise and combine sentences 2 and 3 (reproduced below)?
I'm a country kid from rural Texas. I grew up on a ranch on the prairie.
- A. I'm a country kid from rural Texas and that's where I grew up on a ranch on the prairie.
- B. I'm a country kid from rural Texas who grew up on a ranch on the prairie
- C. I'm a country kid from rural Texas, where I lived and grew up on a ranah on the praine
- D. I'm a country kid from rural Texas, and I used to live on a ranch on the prairie where I grew up.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, making it concise and clear. It maintains the original meaning while improving flow. Option A is less effective due to the awkward phrasing "and that’s where," which disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with "where I lived and grew up," making it wordy and repetitive. Option D, while grammatically correct, adds unnecessary phrases like "used to live," which complicate the sentence without enhancing its clarity or brevity. Overall, option B provides the best revision by succinctly merging the ideas.
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, making it concise and clear. It maintains the original meaning while improving flow. Option A is less effective due to the awkward phrasing "and that’s where," which disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with "where I lived and grew up," making it wordy and repetitive. Option D, while grammatically correct, adds unnecessary phrases like "used to live," which complicate the sentence without enhancing its clarity or brevity. Overall, option B provides the best revision by succinctly merging the ideas.
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.