Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to each question. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or impl the passage.
Passage
The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, in Tacoma, Washington, opened to traffic on July 1, 1940. The bridge, which was intended to withstand high winds, collapsed four months later on November 7, 1940, due to a physical phenomenon known as aeroelastic flutter. Flutter is a self-feeding vibration that occurs when aerodynamic forces on an object couple with a structure's natural mode of vibration, producing rapid periodic motion. Thanks to the Tacoma collapse, engineers will never again overlook the problem of flutter: it has influenced the design of every great long-span bridge built since 1940.
The passage implies that the true cause of the bridge collapse was
- A. low-quality materials
- B. short-sighted design
- C. substandard craftsmanship
- D. unexpectedly high winds
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The passage suggests that the bridge collapse stemmed from a fundamental flaw in its design, indicating that the planning and engineering did not adequately account for structural integrity. Option A, low-quality materials, implies that the materials used were inferior, but the passage does not emphasize material quality as the primary issue. Option C, substandard craftsmanship, points to poor construction practices, yet the focus of the passage leans more toward design deficiencies rather than execution. Option D, unexpectedly high winds, suggests an external factor causing the collapse, but the passage attributes the failure to inherent design shortcomings rather than environmental conditions.
The passage suggests that the bridge collapse stemmed from a fundamental flaw in its design, indicating that the planning and engineering did not adequately account for structural integrity. Option A, low-quality materials, implies that the materials used were inferior, but the passage does not emphasize material quality as the primary issue. Option C, substandard craftsmanship, points to poor construction practices, yet the focus of the passage leans more toward design deficiencies rather than execution. Option D, unexpectedly high winds, suggests an external factor causing the collapse, but the passage attributes the failure to inherent design shortcomings rather than environmental conditions.
Other Related Questions
The passage is mainly discussing the Mississippi River's
- A. depth
- B. length
- C. width
- D. location
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The passage primarily focuses on the Mississippi River's width, detailing its varying measurements at different points along its course. This emphasis on width highlights its significance in navigation and ecology. Option A, depth, is not the main topic; while depth may be mentioned, it does not receive the same level of attention. Option B, length, is also a lesser focus, as the passage does not delve into the river's overall distance. Option D, location, is addressed but serves more as context rather than the central theme. Thus, width emerges as the key aspect discussed in the passage.
The passage primarily focuses on the Mississippi River's width, detailing its varying measurements at different points along its course. This emphasis on width highlights its significance in navigation and ecology. Option A, depth, is not the main topic; while depth may be mentioned, it does not receive the same level of attention. Option B, length, is also a lesser focus, as the passage does not delve into the river's overall distance. Option D, location, is addressed but serves more as context rather than the central theme. Thus, width emerges as the key aspect discussed in the passage.
Despite the difficulties he had encountered, the mountain climber had no fear when it ________ to high mountains.
- A. comes
- B. came
- C. has come
- D. had come
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B, "came," is appropriate here as it uses the simple past tense, which aligns with the context of the sentence about the climber's past experiences with high mountains. This tense indicates a completed action in the past, fitting well with "despite the difficulties he had encountered." Option A, "comes," is incorrect because it uses the simple present tense, which does not match the past context of the sentence. Option C, "has come," is also unsuitable since it implies a connection to the present, which does not align with the past experiences being discussed. Option D, "had come," suggests a past perfect tense that is unnecessary in this context, as the simple past suffices to convey the intended meaning.
Option B, "came," is appropriate here as it uses the simple past tense, which aligns with the context of the sentence about the climber's past experiences with high mountains. This tense indicates a completed action in the past, fitting well with "despite the difficulties he had encountered." Option A, "comes," is incorrect because it uses the simple present tense, which does not match the past context of the sentence. Option C, "has come," is also unsuitable since it implies a connection to the present, which does not align with the past experiences being discussed. Option D, "had come," suggests a past perfect tense that is unnecessary in this context, as the simple past suffices to convey the intended meaning.
The author of Passage 2 would most likely say that the opinion held by the "people" mentioned in the third sentence of Passage 1 ("Some people have declared") is
- A. accurate
- B. unsupported
- C. misguided
- D. amusing
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The opinion held by the "people" in Passage 1 is deemed accurate, as the author of Passage 2 likely aligns with the sentiment expressed. This suggests a shared understanding or validation of the viewpoint. Option B, "unsupported," is incorrect because the author likely provides evidence or reasoning that bolsters the opinion. Option C, "misguided," does not align with the author's perspective, which would not characterize the opinion as erroneous. Option D, "amusing," is inappropriate as it trivializes the opinion rather than acknowledging its validity.
The opinion held by the "people" in Passage 1 is deemed accurate, as the author of Passage 2 likely aligns with the sentiment expressed. This suggests a shared understanding or validation of the viewpoint. Option B, "unsupported," is incorrect because the author likely provides evidence or reasoning that bolsters the opinion. Option C, "misguided," does not align with the author's perspective, which would not characterize the opinion as erroneous. Option D, "amusing," is inappropriate as it trivializes the opinion rather than acknowledging its validity.
In 1952, Dwight Eisenhower was elected President of the United States, he won 55% of the vote.
- A. he won
- B. he had won
- C. with winning
- D. winning
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "winning" effectively conveys the action of Eisenhower's election in a succinct manner, emphasizing the achievement without the need for auxiliary verbs. Option A, "he won," is grammatically correct but less fluid in this context. It shifts focus to a completed action rather than the ongoing significance of his victory. Option B, "he had won," uses the past perfect tense, which implies a prior context that isn’t necessary here and complicates the sentence unnecessarily. Option C, "with winning," introduces an awkward prepositional phrase that detracts from the clarity and directness of the statement.
The phrase "winning" effectively conveys the action of Eisenhower's election in a succinct manner, emphasizing the achievement without the need for auxiliary verbs. Option A, "he won," is grammatically correct but less fluid in this context. It shifts focus to a completed action rather than the ongoing significance of his victory. Option B, "he had won," uses the past perfect tense, which implies a prior context that isn’t necessary here and complicates the sentence unnecessarily. Option C, "with winning," introduces an awkward prepositional phrase that detracts from the clarity and directness of the statement.