In context, which revision of the underlined portion would best combine sentences 7 and 8 (reproduced below)? Docile animals like antelope are easier to catch. A predominance of their bones could suggest that hunters of the time were not capable of regularly capturing more dangerous prey.
- A. catch, a
- B. catch, so a
- C. catch, but a
- D. catch, for a
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B, "catch, so a," effectively conveys a cause-and-effect relationship between the ease of capturing docile animals and the implications regarding hunters' capabilities. The use of "so" indicates that the prevalence of antelope bones is a direct result of hunters' inability to capture more dangerous prey. Option A, "catch, a," lacks a conjunction that connects the two ideas, making the relationship unclear. Option C, "catch, but a," introduces a contrast that does not exist between the statements, as both sentences support the notion of hunters' limitations. Option D, "catch, for a," implies a reason but does not capture the clear consequence intended in the context.
Option B, "catch, so a," effectively conveys a cause-and-effect relationship between the ease of capturing docile animals and the implications regarding hunters' capabilities. The use of "so" indicates that the prevalence of antelope bones is a direct result of hunters' inability to capture more dangerous prey. Option A, "catch, a," lacks a conjunction that connects the two ideas, making the relationship unclear. Option C, "catch, but a," introduces a contrast that does not exist between the statements, as both sentences support the notion of hunters' limitations. Option D, "catch, for a," implies a reason but does not capture the clear consequence intended in the context.
Other Related Questions
The hikers had a relatively easy trek to the top of the mountain, but they found the decent more difficult than they had expected.
- A. decent
- B. descend
- C. decant
- D. descent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The term "descent" refers to the act of going down, which aligns perfectly with the context of the hikers finding the return journey more challenging. Option A, "decent," describes something of acceptable quality, which does not fit the context of a journey. Option B, "descend," is a verb meaning to go down, but the sentence requires a noun to describe the action taken by the hikers. Option C, "decant," refers to pouring a liquid from one container to another, which is unrelated to hiking or movement. Thus, "descent" is the most appropriate choice.
The term "descent" refers to the act of going down, which aligns perfectly with the context of the hikers finding the return journey more challenging. Option A, "decent," describes something of acceptable quality, which does not fit the context of a journey. Option B, "descend," is a verb meaning to go down, but the sentence requires a noun to describe the action taken by the hikers. Option C, "decant," refers to pouring a liquid from one container to another, which is unrelated to hiking or movement. Thus, "descent" is the most appropriate choice.
The best placement for sentence 12 within the third paragraph would be
- A. where it is now
- B. before sentence 11
- C. after sentence 13
- D. after sentence 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Placement of sentence 12 where it currently is allows for a logical flow of ideas, maintaining coherence within the paragraph. It connects well with the preceding sentence, enhancing clarity and emphasizing the main point. Option B disrupts this flow by placing sentence 12 before sentence 11, which may confuse readers regarding the sequence of thoughts. Option C, placing it after sentence 13, would create a disjointed structure, as it would separate related ideas. Option D, positioning it after sentence 14, risks losing the contextual relevance, diminishing the paragraph's overall impact.
Placement of sentence 12 where it currently is allows for a logical flow of ideas, maintaining coherence within the paragraph. It connects well with the preceding sentence, enhancing clarity and emphasizing the main point. Option B disrupts this flow by placing sentence 12 before sentence 11, which may confuse readers regarding the sequence of thoughts. Option C, placing it after sentence 13, would create a disjointed structure, as it would separate related ideas. Option D, positioning it after sentence 14, risks losing the contextual relevance, diminishing the paragraph's overall impact.
Which is the best way to combine sentences 6 and 7 (reproduced below)? The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner. It was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- A. The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner, and the reason for that was because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- B. The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- C. Because the poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner, it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- D. The poet expressed reluctance, because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion, to proceed in this manner.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance directly to the unconventional nature of writing a commissioned poem. This structure maintains clarity and conciseness, allowing the reader to understand the cause-and-effect relationship without unnecessary words. Option A is overly complex and uses "and the reason for that was because," which adds redundancy and weakens the sentence's impact. Option C incorrectly implies that the reluctance is a consequence of the customary practice, rather than the other way around, misrepresenting the relationship. Option D disrupts the natural flow of the sentence by placing "to proceed in this manner" at the end, making it awkward and less direct.
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance directly to the unconventional nature of writing a commissioned poem. This structure maintains clarity and conciseness, allowing the reader to understand the cause-and-effect relationship without unnecessary words. Option A is overly complex and uses "and the reason for that was because," which adds redundancy and weakens the sentence's impact. Option C incorrectly implies that the reluctance is a consequence of the customary practice, rather than the other way around, misrepresenting the relationship. Option D disrupts the natural flow of the sentence by placing "to proceed in this manner" at the end, making it awkward and less direct.
With four recent United States presidents being left-handed Ford, the elder Bush, Clinton and Obama the stigma associated with left-handedness largely vanishing
- A. left-handedness largely vanishing
- B. left-handedness has largely vanished
- C. left-handedness being largely vanished
- D. left-handedness and largely vanished
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively conveys that left-handedness has significantly decreased in societal stigma. The present perfect tense ("has largely vanished") indicates a change that started in the past and continues to the present, aligning well with the context of the sentence. Option A uses "largely vanishing," which is awkward and suggests an ongoing process rather than a completed change. Option C's "being largely vanished" is grammatically incorrect, as "being" does not fit with the passive construction. Option D incorrectly combines "and" with "largely vanished," creating a fragment that lacks clarity and coherence.
Option B effectively conveys that left-handedness has significantly decreased in societal stigma. The present perfect tense ("has largely vanished") indicates a change that started in the past and continues to the present, aligning well with the context of the sentence. Option A uses "largely vanishing," which is awkward and suggests an ongoing process rather than a completed change. Option C's "being largely vanished" is grammatically incorrect, as "being" does not fit with the passive construction. Option D incorrectly combines "and" with "largely vanished," creating a fragment that lacks clarity and coherence.