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
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 4 (reproduced below)?
He knew that he was the first poet to participate in these prestigious ceremonies therefore, he contemplated which poem would be appropriate for the occasion
- A. (as it is now)
- B. ceremonies, therefore,
- C. ceremonies, therefore
- D. ceremonies, therefore
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In this context, option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma before "therefore," which is necessary to separate the two independent clauses. This punctuation helps clarify the relationship between the ideas presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making the sentence run-on and harder to read. Option C omits the comma after "therefore," which is incorrect as it still connects two independent clauses. Option D is identical to C and also fails to include the necessary comma, leading to confusion in the sentence structure. Proper punctuation enhances clarity and comprehension.
In this context, option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma before "therefore," which is necessary to separate the two independent clauses. This punctuation helps clarify the relationship between the ideas presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making the sentence run-on and harder to read. Option C omits the comma after "therefore," which is incorrect as it still connects two independent clauses. Option D is identical to C and also fails to include the necessary comma, leading to confusion in the sentence structure. Proper punctuation enhances clarity and comprehension.