(1) When selecting her ingredients, a chef has a seemingly small—but nonetheless consequential—choice: she can patronize a conventional grocery store, or she can turn to a nearby farm. (2) While a store may provide benefits such as a broad range of options, a local farm can offer major advantages of its own. (3) When chefs and other consumers choose local products rather than goods that have been transported across long distances to chain stores, they can enjoy better prices while supporting the local economy. (4) Shoppers buying locally can often reap the benefits of competitive prices on goods due to reduced transport costs. (5) For example, one researcher found that the ingredients of a common Swedish breakfast—consisting of items like bread, coffee, and orange juice—were probably shipped a distance roughly equivalent to Earth’s circumference, and shipping can be costly. (6) On the other hand, buying ingredients from local farms may reduce transportation costs significantly, thereby increasing savings for the consumer. (7) Research also suggests that small local farms collectively can produce a large quantity of food; a big supply can, in turn, translate into lower prices. (8) Small farms gain these yields in part through efficient land use. (9) One study found that in Brazil, nearly five million small farms—which occupy only about 30 percent of the country's total agricultural land—are able to produce most of the beans the country needs. (10) The law of supply and demand suggests that if local farmers can produce more food than large farms, consumers may pay less. (11) Lower prices are not the only potential advantage of buying locally. (12) When consumers shop nearby, they are helping to ensure that local farms and businesses thrive. (13) The Brazilian bean farmers, for example, can continue to build strong local economies and do not have to migrate to commercial farms to find work. (14) What will our chef choose? (15) Deciding where to shop can be enigmatic, as both the store and the farm have their attractions. (16) The local option often makes the most sense, however. (17) It is good for the chef’s wallet, the neighborhood farmer’s bottom line, and, in the end, the community’s economic vigor.
The writer is considering adding the following sentence to the end of the fourth paragraph: 'Surprisingly, according to The Economist, there were 1.6 million commercial farms in Brazil in 2010.' Should the writer make this addition here?
- A. Yes, because it emphasizes the paragraph's focus on the economic power of large farms.
- B. Yes, because it uses concrete data to provide context about local farms and commercial farms.
- C. No, because it is unrelated to the economic challenges small farms may face.
- D. No, because it fails to show a clear connection to the paragraph's focus on supporting local farms.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Adding the sentence enhances the paragraph by providing concrete data, which helps contextualize the discussion about local and commercial farms. It bridges the gap between the economic landscape and the realities faced by different types of farms, enriching the reader's understanding. Option A misinterprets the focus; while large farms are mentioned, the emphasis is on the economic challenges faced by smaller farms. Option C incorrectly suggests that the data is unrelated; understanding the number of commercial farms is essential to discussing the economic landscape. Option D overlooks that the data can indeed support a broader discussion about local farms by contrasting them with commercial operations.
Adding the sentence enhances the paragraph by providing concrete data, which helps contextualize the discussion about local and commercial farms. It bridges the gap between the economic landscape and the realities faced by different types of farms, enriching the reader's understanding. Option A misinterprets the focus; while large farms are mentioned, the emphasis is on the economic challenges faced by smaller farms. Option C incorrectly suggests that the data is unrelated; understanding the number of commercial farms is essential to discussing the economic landscape. Option D overlooks that the data can indeed support a broader discussion about local farms by contrasting them with commercial operations.
Other Related Questions
In context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 1 and 2 (reproduced below)? Sauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long-necked giants. Their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
- A. The fossils of sauropods, the long-necked giants who are known today as the largest dinosaurs, have baffled scientists for decades.
- B. Sauropods, long-necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
- C. Scientists have been baffled for decades by sauropod fossils; they are known today as the largest dinosaurs, being giants with long necks.
- D. Scientists studying fossils of the giant, long-necked dinosaurs called sauropods have been baffled by the largest dinosaurs known today for decades.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences, maintaining clarity and coherence. It clearly identifies sauropods as long-necked giants and links them directly to their fossils, which have puzzled scientists, all in a single, fluid statement. Option B, while informative, awkwardly positions the phrase "whose fossils" and slightly disrupts the flow. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with a semicolon and the phrase "being giants," which can confuse the reader. Option D is overly verbose and convoluted, making it less effective in conveying the main ideas succinctly.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences, maintaining clarity and coherence. It clearly identifies sauropods as long-necked giants and links them directly to their fossils, which have puzzled scientists, all in a single, fluid statement. Option B, while informative, awkwardly positions the phrase "whose fossils" and slightly disrupts the flow. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with a semicolon and the phrase "being giants," which can confuse the reader. Option D is overly verbose and convoluted, making it less effective in conveying the main ideas succinctly.
In context, which word or phrase is best to insert at the beginning of sentence 11? Sentence 11: He spent most of his time writing poems in Spanish instead of studying English.
- A. In addition.
- B. For example.
- C. However.
- D. Indeed.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The choice of "However" effectively contrasts the subject's choice to write poems in Spanish with the expectation that he should be studying English. This juxtaposition highlights a shift in focus, emphasizing the divergence from expected behavior. Option A, "In addition," suggests continuity rather than contrast, which does not align with the sentence's intent. Option B, "For example," implies that the sentence will provide an instance, which is not the case here. Option D, "Indeed," reinforces a statement rather than introducing a contrasting idea, making it unsuitable for the context.
The choice of "However" effectively contrasts the subject's choice to write poems in Spanish with the expectation that he should be studying English. This juxtaposition highlights a shift in focus, emphasizing the divergence from expected behavior. Option A, "In addition," suggests continuity rather than contrast, which does not align with the sentence's intent. Option B, "For example," implies that the sentence will provide an instance, which is not the case here. Option D, "Indeed," reinforces a statement rather than introducing a contrasting idea, making it unsuitable for the context.
In context, which of the following sentences would be best to insert between sentences 11 and 12 (reproduced below)? By those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size. A different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones.
- A. Like all dinosaurs, sauropods hatched from eggs.
- B. This rather implausible conclusion nonetheless persisted for years.
- C. For decades, sauropods were considered emblematic of the phenomenon of extinction.
- D. Sauropod fossils continue to be discovered in regions spread across the globe.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively bridges the gap between the two sentences by highlighting the skepticism surrounding the lengthy growth period of sauropods. It acknowledges the implausibility of the previous conclusion, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion about new scientific insights into sauropod bones. Option A is irrelevant, as it provides basic information about sauropod reproduction that does not relate to their growth or the scientific debate at hand. Option C introduces a different topic—extinction—diverting focus from the growth discussion. Option D, while factual, does not connect to the analysis of growth rates and their implications, making it less suitable for the context.
Option B effectively bridges the gap between the two sentences by highlighting the skepticism surrounding the lengthy growth period of sauropods. It acknowledges the implausibility of the previous conclusion, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion about new scientific insights into sauropod bones. Option A is irrelevant, as it provides basic information about sauropod reproduction that does not relate to their growth or the scientific debate at hand. Option C introduces a different topic—extinction—diverting focus from the growth discussion. Option D, while factual, does not connect to the analysis of growth rates and their implications, making it less suitable for the context.
In context, which is the best version of sentence 1 (reproduced below)? Federico Garcia Lorca was 20th-century Spain’s most famous poet and playwright.
- A. [as it is now]
- B. Federico GarcÃa Lorca, was 20th-century Spain's most famous poet and playwright.
- C. Federico GarcÃa Lorca was, 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
- D. Federico GarcÃa Lorca was 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A maintains clarity and grammatical correctness without unnecessary punctuation. It presents Federico Garcia Lorca's identity straightforwardly, enhancing readability. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "García Lorca," which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Option C misuses commas, creating awkward pauses that confuse the reader and detract from the sentence's coherence. Option D also misplaces a comma after "Spain's," which incorrectly separates the subject from its complement, leading to a fragmented thought. Thus, option A stands out as the most effective choice.
Option A maintains clarity and grammatical correctness without unnecessary punctuation. It presents Federico Garcia Lorca's identity straightforwardly, enhancing readability. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "García Lorca," which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Option C misuses commas, creating awkward pauses that confuse the reader and detract from the sentence's coherence. Option D also misplaces a comma after "Spain's," which incorrectly separates the subject from its complement, leading to a fragmented thought. Thus, option A stands out as the most effective choice.