Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to each question. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.
Passage
Passage 1
Twice I've partaken of that cuisine known as "molecular gastronomy," and twice I've been unimpressed. First, at a county fair, I tried frozen "dots" of ice cream that had been formed into tiny pellets through a process of flash-freezing them in liquid nitrogen. The verdict? I would have preferred a traditional ice cream cone. At the other end of the dining spectrum, I "enjoyed" a high-end restaurant meal of a salad reprocessed entirely into a bowl of foam and an entrée of prime rib and baked potato repurposed into packing peanuts to be nibbled at by hand. My dessert was no more than a clear sphere that burst in my mouth into the "essence" of chocolate cake. The essence of chocolate cake! Some words I'd use to describe that meal include "creative" and "unique." Words I wouldn't use? "Filling" and "worth every cent."
Passage 2
Each year, designers around the world unveil clothing lines that are fantastical, grandiose, and, sometimes, utterly unwearable. Many of the designs are less fashion than art. The same is true in molecular gastronomy, the modern cooking technique of using chemistry to prepare food in new ways. Traditional dishes are transformed into jellies and foams; they are frozen with liquid nitrogen, shaped and formed through the use of lasers, and soaked in chemical baths. The end result is downright otherworldly: an egg served with the yolk on the outside, a decorative football helmet made entirely of crab cakes, a dessert of chocolate cake served as a clear ball! Molecular gastronomy does have its detractors, who claim the cuisine is more art than food, but such complaints can't be surprising. As high fashion isn't for everyone, neither is haute cuisine.
The author of Passage 1 would most likely characterize the claim of the "detractors" mentioned in Passage 2 as
- A. an unfair accusation
- B. a flattering portrayal
- C. an accurate description
- D. a flawed argument
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author of Passage 1 would likely view the claim of the "detractors" as an accurate description, reflecting a critical stance towards the subject being discussed. This suggests that the detractors highlight valid concerns that resonate with the author's perspective. Option A, "an unfair accusation," implies bias against the detractors, which does not align with the author's objective analysis. Option B, "a flattering portrayal," contradicts the nature of criticism typically associated with detractors. Lastly, option D, "a flawed argument," suggests a dismissal of the detractors' points, which would not align with the author's acknowledgment of their validity.
The author of Passage 1 would likely view the claim of the "detractors" as an accurate description, reflecting a critical stance towards the subject being discussed. This suggests that the detractors highlight valid concerns that resonate with the author's perspective. Option A, "an unfair accusation," implies bias against the detractors, which does not align with the author's objective analysis. Option B, "a flattering portrayal," contradicts the nature of criticism typically associated with detractors. Lastly, option D, "a flawed argument," suggests a dismissal of the detractors' points, which would not align with the author's acknowledgment of their validity.
Other Related Questions
The author of Passage 1 would probably say that the claims in the last sentence of Passage 2 ("Someday notice") are
- A. disappointing and inaccurate
- B. stimulating and insightful
- C. optimistic but vague
- D. alarming but truthful
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Passage 1 likely emphasizes a critical perspective on claims that lack substantiation, making option A—disappointing and inaccurate—the most fitting choice. This aligns with a viewpoint that values factual accuracy and clarity. Option B, stimulating and insightful, misrepresents the author's likely skepticism towards unsupported claims. C, optimistic but vague, suggests a positive outlook that contrasts with the author's critical stance. D, alarming but truthful, implies an acceptance of the claims' validity, which contradicts the author's probable disapproval of inaccuracies. Thus, A best captures the author's likely viewpoint.
Passage 1 likely emphasizes a critical perspective on claims that lack substantiation, making option A—disappointing and inaccurate—the most fitting choice. This aligns with a viewpoint that values factual accuracy and clarity. Option B, stimulating and insightful, misrepresents the author's likely skepticism towards unsupported claims. C, optimistic but vague, suggests a positive outlook that contrasts with the author's critical stance. D, alarming but truthful, implies an acceptance of the claims' validity, which contradicts the author's probable disapproval of inaccuracies. Thus, A best captures the author's likely viewpoint.
In sentence 8 (reproduced below), which of the following best replaces 'they'? Rather than commuting long distances, they can use their home computers to maneuver simple wheeled robots around the head office
- A. high-tech engineers
- B. remote workers
- C. sophisticated robots
- D. employers
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B, "remote workers," accurately identifies the subject who would benefit from using home computers to control robots instead of commuting. This term directly relates to individuals who work from home, aligning with the context of the sentence. Option A, "high-tech engineers," is too specific and does not encompass all individuals who might work remotely. Option C, "sophisticated robots," incorrectly refers to machines rather than people, making it irrelevant in this context. Option D, "employers," shifts the focus from the workers to those who manage them, which does not fit the intended meaning of the sentence.
Option B, "remote workers," accurately identifies the subject who would benefit from using home computers to control robots instead of commuting. This term directly relates to individuals who work from home, aligning with the context of the sentence. Option A, "high-tech engineers," is too specific and does not encompass all individuals who might work remotely. Option C, "sophisticated robots," incorrectly refers to machines rather than people, making it irrelevant in this context. Option D, "employers," shifts the focus from the workers to those who manage them, which does not fit the intended meaning of the sentence.
He was an outstanding public speaker he was also a talented writer.
- A. He was an outstanding public speaker
- B. He was an outstanding public speaker,
- C. An outstanding public speaker,
- D. An outstanding public speaker and
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B is the only choice that correctly uses a comma to connect two independent clauses. The sentence requires a comma before the conjunction "he" to clarify that two distinct ideas are being presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making it an incomplete thought. Option C is a fragment, as it does not form a complete sentence and lacks a verb. Option D is also a fragment; it starts with a noun phrase but does not complete the thought, leaving the reader without a full understanding of the statement. Proper punctuation is essential for clarity and coherence in writing.
Option B is the only choice that correctly uses a comma to connect two independent clauses. The sentence requires a comma before the conjunction "he" to clarify that two distinct ideas are being presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making it an incomplete thought. Option C is a fragment, as it does not form a complete sentence and lacks a verb. Option D is also a fragment; it starts with a noun phrase but does not complete the thought, leaving the reader without a full understanding of the statement. Proper punctuation is essential for clarity and coherence in writing.
The retired government official spoke_______ about foreign policy and international trade.
- A. as knowing
- B. in knowledge
- C. knowledgeably
- D. knowledgeable
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C, "knowledgeably," is the appropriate choice as it is an adverb that describes how the retired government official spoke, indicating that he did so with knowledge and expertise. Option A, "as knowing," is grammatically incorrect in this context; it does not fit the structure of the sentence. Option B, "in knowledge," is awkward and does not function as an adverb, failing to appropriately modify the verb "spoke." Option D, "knowledgeable," is an adjective and does not correctly modify the verb, making it unsuitable for this sentence structure.
Option C, "knowledgeably," is the appropriate choice as it is an adverb that describes how the retired government official spoke, indicating that he did so with knowledge and expertise. Option A, "as knowing," is grammatically incorrect in this context; it does not fit the structure of the sentence. Option B, "in knowledge," is awkward and does not function as an adverb, failing to appropriately modify the verb "spoke." Option D, "knowledgeable," is an adjective and does not correctly modify the verb, making it unsuitable for this sentence structure.