Passage
(1) When I maved 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.
Should sentence 15 (reproduced below) be kept in the fourth paragraph? Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise
- A. Yes, because it is appropriate to the paragraph's purpose of creating a feeling of being in a busy city.
- B. Yes, because it reinforces the paragraph's focus on the narrator's evolving perspective about the city.
- C. No, because it blurs the paragraph's focus on the uncommon experiences the narrator has had in the city
- D. No, because it is irrelevant to the paragraph's topic about the challenges of moving from the country to the
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively highlights the evolving perspective of the narrator, emphasizing personal growth and adaptation to city life. This aligns with the paragraph’s theme of transformation and acceptance. Option A, while noting the busy city atmosphere, fails to capture the deeper significance of the narrator's emotional journey, which is central to the paragraph’s intent. Option C incorrectly suggests that the sentence detracts from the focus on unique experiences; instead, it complements the narrator's journey by showcasing a shift in perception. Option D misinterprets the relevance of the sentence, as it actually contributes to understanding the challenges faced in adapting to urban life.
Option B effectively highlights the evolving perspective of the narrator, emphasizing personal growth and adaptation to city life. This aligns with the paragraph’s theme of transformation and acceptance. Option A, while noting the busy city atmosphere, fails to capture the deeper significance of the narrator's emotional journey, which is central to the paragraph’s intent. Option C incorrectly suggests that the sentence detracts from the focus on unique experiences; instead, it complements the narrator's journey by showcasing a shift in perception. Option D misinterprets the relevance of the sentence, as it actually contributes to understanding the challenges faced in adapting to urban life.
Other Related Questions
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: C
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 allows for a logical flow of ideas, as it builds on the information presented in the preceding sentences, enhancing coherence. This positioning ensures that the reader receives a complete thought before transitioning to the next point. Option A retains the sentence in its current position, which disrupts the paragraph's flow. Option B places it too early, causing a disconnect with the context of sentence 11. Option D positions it too late, potentially losing the reader's engagement with the preceding content. Thus, option C optimally maintains the paragraph's structure and clarity.
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 allows for a logical flow of ideas, as it builds on the information presented in the preceding sentences, enhancing coherence. This positioning ensures that the reader receives a complete thought before transitioning to the next point. Option A retains the sentence in its current position, which disrupts the paragraph's flow. Option B places it too early, causing a disconnect with the context of sentence 11. Option D positions it too late, potentially losing the reader's engagement with the preceding content. Thus, option C optimally maintains the paragraph's structure and clarity.
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.
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 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.