(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
Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below)? 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.
- A. small but nonetheless consequential choice,
- B. small but nonetheless consequential choice:
- C. small-but nonetheless consequential choice;
- D. small but nonetheless, consequential choice,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively uses a colon to introduce the two alternatives, enhancing clarity. The colon indicates that what follows elaborates on the choice being discussed. Option A lacks proper punctuation to separate the phrases, making it less clear. Option C incorrectly uses a semicolon, which is inappropriate here as it suggests a stronger separation between clauses than intended. Option D misplaces the comma, creating an unnecessary pause that disrupts the flow of the sentence. Overall, option B best maintains the sentence's coherence while clearly presenting the alternatives.
Option B effectively uses a colon to introduce the two alternatives, enhancing clarity. The colon indicates that what follows elaborates on the choice being discussed. Option A lacks proper punctuation to separate the phrases, making it less clear. Option C incorrectly uses a semicolon, which is inappropriate here as it suggests a stronger separation between clauses than intended. Option D misplaces the comma, creating an unnecessary pause that disrupts the flow of the sentence. Overall, option B best maintains the sentence's coherence while clearly presenting the alternatives.
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.
To make the third and fourth paragraphs most logical, sentence 12 should be placed:
- A. where it is now
- B. after sentence 8
- C. after sentence 9
- D. after sentence 13
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 enhances the flow by effectively connecting the ideas presented in the preceding sentences. This positioning allows for a smooth transition, maintaining coherence in the narrative. Option A retains sentence 12 in its current position, disrupting the logical progression of the paragraphs. Option B, placing it after sentence 8, creates a gap in context, as the ideas would not align well. Option C, following sentence 9, also fails to provide the necessary linkage, leaving the reader confused about the relationship between the concepts. Thus, option D is the most logical choice for clarity and coherence.
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 enhances the flow by effectively connecting the ideas presented in the preceding sentences. This positioning allows for a smooth transition, maintaining coherence in the narrative. Option A retains sentence 12 in its current position, disrupting the logical progression of the paragraphs. Option B, placing it after sentence 8, creates a gap in context, as the ideas would not align well. Option C, following sentence 9, also fails to provide the necessary linkage, leaving the reader confused about the relationship between the concepts. Thus, option D is the most logical choice for clarity and coherence.
Which choice best replaces the underlined portion in sentence 6 (reproduced below) to suggest that, for a time, people were completely caught up with news of the Leonid meteor shower? In the center of the quilt, the 'falling of the stars' illustrates the hours-long Leonid meteor shower that interested people on November 13, 1833.
- A. affected
- B. enthralled
- C. involved
- D. worried
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The term "enthralled" effectively conveys a sense of deep fascination and engagement, suggesting that people were completely captivated by the Leonid meteor shower. Option A, "affected," lacks the intensity and emotional connection implied in the context; it merely indicates a change rather than a strong interest. Option C, "involved," suggests participation but does not capture the sense of wonder that the meteor shower inspired. Option D, "worried," introduces an inappropriate negative connotation, as the context is one of excitement and awe, not concern.
The term "enthralled" effectively conveys a sense of deep fascination and engagement, suggesting that people were completely captivated by the Leonid meteor shower. Option A, "affected," lacks the intensity and emotional connection implied in the context; it merely indicates a change rather than a strong interest. Option C, "involved," suggests participation but does not capture the sense of wonder that the meteor shower inspired. Option D, "worried," introduces an inappropriate negative connotation, as the context is one of excitement and awe, not concern.