This passage is from a 2018 novel. Evan and his partner, Nicole, are Anishinaabe and live in an Indigenous community in Canada known as a reserve. Evan has just returned home from hunting for food. (1) 'You hungry?' Nicole asked. (2) 'Yeah, I just noticed,' Evan replied. (3) 'Well, I put a plate in the fridge for you. (4) You just gotta throw it in the microwave. (5) You're lucky the kids saved you some.' (6) She nudged him toward the fridge, and he took out the plate. (7) His stomach growled as he waited for the meal to heat up. (8) Evan Whitesky and Nicole McCloud had been in each other's lives since childhood. (9) He could trace the path of his own life by his signpost memories of her, and she could do the same. (10) He remembered the first time he saw her, swimming at the lake the summer before kindergarten began. (11) She wore a light blue bathing suit and her wet hair was tied into a long ponytail. (12) Her older sister Danielle was watching her. (13) Nicole was smiling and laughing. (14) They crossed paths again on their first day of kindergarten. (15) She still teased him about the awkward outfit he wore that day: baggy overalls and a red T-shirt with fading yellow cartoon characters on the front and a bowl haircut that made his head look big. (16) He was shy and didn't talk much most of the morning, and shortly before the school day broke at noon, he cried for his mother. (17) He went home with wet cheeks and a runny nose. (18) Being somewhat unacquainted at such a young age was unusual in a community as small as theirs. (19) Their parents knew one another but weren't close friends or relatives—his mom and her dad both came from different reserves in the South. (20) Basically, they weren't cousins, and that perhaps destined them to bond as curious friends in elementary school and become a couple by high school. (21) Innocent attraction became intense passion and, despite a year apart when Nicole went to college in the South, it eventually evolved into the loving partnership that bore two beautiful young children. (22) The eldest, Maiingan, was five and had school in the morning. (23) Three-year-old Nangohns was still at home with Nicole. (24) The kids were what pushed Evan through the bush on the hunt. (25) Feeding them always motivated him to see the task through. (26) The microwave beeps interrupted his thoughts and he pulled open the door to grab his plate, sitting down across from Nicole, who'd come to the table to join him.
What is a central theme of the passage?
- A. No two people are likely to recall the same event in the same way.
- B. One person can have a profound effect on another person's life.
- C. Individuals can endure great obstacles by working together for a common purpose.
- D. The lives of most adults differ greatly from the futures they'd imagined as children.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B highlights the profound impact one person can have on another's life, which is a central theme of the passage. This theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of human experiences and relationships, illustrating how individuals can inspire or change each other. Option A, while relevant, focuses on subjective memory rather than the transformative power of relationships. Option C discusses teamwork and shared goals, which may be present but does not capture the essence of individual influence. Option D reflects on the disparity between childhood dreams and adult realities, which, although poignant, diverges from the primary theme of personal impact and connection.
Option B highlights the profound impact one person can have on another's life, which is a central theme of the passage. This theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of human experiences and relationships, illustrating how individuals can inspire or change each other. Option A, while relevant, focuses on subjective memory rather than the transformative power of relationships. Option C discusses teamwork and shared goals, which may be present but does not capture the essence of individual influence. Option D reflects on the disparity between childhood dreams and adult realities, which, although poignant, diverges from the primary theme of personal impact and connection.
Other Related Questions
Which sentence should be deleted to improve the unity of the second paragraph?
- A. Sentence 3
- B. Sentence 4
- C. Sentence 5
- D. Sentence 6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To enhance the unity of the second paragraph, removing Sentence 5 is most effective. This sentence introduces a topic that diverges from the main focus, disrupting the flow and coherence of the paragraph. Sentence 3 supports the central idea, while Sentence 4 provides necessary context. Sentence 6 wraps up the discussion, reinforcing the paragraph's main point. By deleting Sentence 5, the paragraph remains focused, ensuring all sentences contribute directly to the central theme, thereby improving clarity and cohesion.
To enhance the unity of the second paragraph, removing Sentence 5 is most effective. This sentence introduces a topic that diverges from the main focus, disrupting the flow and coherence of the paragraph. Sentence 3 supports the central idea, while Sentence 4 provides necessary context. Sentence 6 wraps up the discussion, reinforcing the paragraph's main point. By deleting Sentence 5, the paragraph remains focused, ensuring all sentences contribute directly to the central theme, thereby improving clarity and cohesion.
Which point do both of the passages make?
- A. That human beings can be prey
- B. That human beings have a duty to protect large predatory animals
- C. That large predatory animals are vanishing from the planet
- D. That big cats can never be tamed
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Both passages emphasize the idea that human beings can be prey in the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the potential dangers humans face from large predators. Option B is incorrect as it suggests a specific duty to protect predatory animals, which may not be a central theme in the passages. Option C, while potentially relevant, does not reflect the shared focus on human vulnerability. Option D incorrectly asserts that big cats can never be tamed, which is not a universally accepted truth and does not align with the primary message of either passage.
Both passages emphasize the idea that human beings can be prey in the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the potential dangers humans face from large predators. Option B is incorrect as it suggests a specific duty to protect predatory animals, which may not be a central theme in the passages. Option C, while potentially relevant, does not reflect the shared focus on human vulnerability. Option D incorrectly asserts that big cats can never be tamed, which is not a universally accepted truth and does not align with the primary message of either passage.
The sixth paragraph (sentences 14–17) suggests that on the first day of kindergarten, Evan felt:
- A. happy to be surrounded by so many other children for the first time
- B. excited by everything he expected to learn
- C. resentful of being indoors after spending most of the summer outside
- D. upset by unfamiliar circumstances and surroundings
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The sixth paragraph highlights Evan's feelings of discomfort and anxiety as he navigates a new environment. This suggests he was upset by the unfamiliar circumstances and surroundings, aligning with option D. Option A misinterprets his feelings; while being around other children can be exciting, the text emphasizes his unease rather than happiness. Option B focuses on his excitement for learning, which is not supported by the text's portrayal of his initial emotional state. Lastly, option C incorrectly suggests resentment towards being indoors; the emphasis is on his overall discomfort rather than frustration with a specific situation.
The sixth paragraph highlights Evan's feelings of discomfort and anxiety as he navigates a new environment. This suggests he was upset by the unfamiliar circumstances and surroundings, aligning with option D. Option A misinterprets his feelings; while being around other children can be exciting, the text emphasizes his unease rather than happiness. Option B focuses on his excitement for learning, which is not supported by the text's portrayal of his initial emotional state. Lastly, option C incorrectly suggests resentment towards being indoors; the emphasis is on his overall discomfort rather than frustration with a specific situation.
The author implies that the social sciences:
- A. Are valued for their techniques
- B. Can make no contribution to progress
- C. Cannot deal with long-term issues
- D. May someday add to the world's knowledge
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The social sciences are suggested to have the potential to enhance global understanding in the future, highlighting their evolving nature and capacity for growth. Option A incorrectly emphasizes techniques over the broader contributions of social sciences. Option B dismisses their role entirely, which contradicts the author's implication of future relevance. Option C undermines the ability of social sciences to address complex, long-term issues, a key aspect of their study. Thus, the notion that social sciences may eventually enrich knowledge aligns best with the author's perspective.
The social sciences are suggested to have the potential to enhance global understanding in the future, highlighting their evolving nature and capacity for growth. Option A incorrectly emphasizes techniques over the broader contributions of social sciences. Option B dismisses their role entirely, which contradicts the author's implication of future relevance. Option C undermines the ability of social sciences to address complex, long-term issues, a key aspect of their study. Thus, the notion that social sciences may eventually enrich knowledge aligns best with the author's perspective.