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 of the following, if true, would best serve to challenge Ogburn and Thomas’s belief that the discovery of calculus is an example of the 'phenomenon' mentioned in the first sentence?
- A. Uncovering the existence of a journal that Newton kept while working with calculus
- B. Learning that scientists other than Newton and Leibniz had also made substantial progress on calculus
- C. Finding a previously unknown letter between Newton and Leibniz discussing calculus that predated its commonly assumed discovery
- D. Identifying a minor error in Newton’s original mathematical calculations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C effectively challenges Ogburn and Thomas's belief by providing evidence that the commonly accepted timeline of calculus's discovery may be inaccurate. A letter predating the established discovery suggests that the ideas behind calculus were circulating earlier than believed, undermining the notion of a singular "phenomenon." Option A, while intriguing, does not directly contest the timing of the discovery; it merely adds context to Newton's process. Option B introduces other contributors but does not dispute the significance of Newton and Leibniz's roles. Option D points out an error in calculations, which does not challenge the overall legitimacy of the discovery itself.
Option C effectively challenges Ogburn and Thomas's belief by providing evidence that the commonly accepted timeline of calculus's discovery may be inaccurate. A letter predating the established discovery suggests that the ideas behind calculus were circulating earlier than believed, undermining the notion of a singular "phenomenon." Option A, while intriguing, does not directly contest the timing of the discovery; it merely adds context to Newton's process. Option B introduces other contributors but does not dispute the significance of Newton and Leibniz's roles. Option D points out an error in calculations, which does not challenge the overall legitimacy of the discovery itself.
In context, what does the final sentence suggest about Native American ceremonial texts?
- A. Understanding them requires a highly developed memory.
- B. Their inclusion of complicated and detailed material is traditional.
- C. They are important in the everyday lives of many Native Americans.
- D. Their use of repetition cannot be explained as an aid to memorization.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The final sentence suggests that repetition in Native American ceremonial texts serves a purpose beyond mere memorization, indicating a deeper significance in their cultural context. Option A is incorrect because the emphasis is not on memory development but on the intrinsic value of repetition. Option B misinterprets the role of complexity; while tradition is important, the sentence highlights repetition's unique function rather than the intricacy of content. Option C overlooks the specific focus on repetition, which is the core of the final sentence, rather than the broader context of everyday importance.
The final sentence suggests that repetition in Native American ceremonial texts serves a purpose beyond mere memorization, indicating a deeper significance in their cultural context. Option A is incorrect because the emphasis is not on memory development but on the intrinsic value of repetition. Option B misinterprets the role of complexity; while tradition is important, the sentence highlights repetition's unique function rather than the intricacy of content. Option C overlooks the specific focus on repetition, which is the core of the final sentence, rather than the broader context of everyday importance.
Which of the following statements does the passage most directly counter?
- A. Having a non-arts job stifles and detracts from an artist's creative work.
- B. For people working in non-arts professions, art is more than just an entertaining distraction.
- C. The poetry of William Carlos Williams exemplifies autobiographical poetry.
- D. The public's interest in the arts has declined over the last century.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A is countered by the passage, as it argues that non-arts jobs can actually enhance an artist’s creativity rather than stifle it. This directly challenges the notion that such employment detracts from artistic work. Option B reinforces the idea that art holds significant value for those in non-arts professions, aligning with the passage's themes rather than contradicting them. Option C discusses William Carlos Williams' work, which is not addressed in the passage, making it irrelevant to the main argument. Option D suggests a decline in public interest, which is not a focus of the passage, further distancing it from the central argument presented.
Option A is countered by the passage, as it argues that non-arts jobs can actually enhance an artist’s creativity rather than stifle it. This directly challenges the notion that such employment detracts from artistic work. Option B reinforces the idea that art holds significant value for those in non-arts professions, aligning with the passage's themes rather than contradicting them. Option C discusses William Carlos Williams' work, which is not addressed in the passage, making it irrelevant to the main argument. Option D suggests a decline in public interest, which is not a focus of the passage, further distancing it from the central argument presented.
Unlike Passage 2, Passage 1 makes use of:
- A. Scientific observation
- B. Historical allusion
- C. Personal anecdote
- D. Logical reasoning
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Passage 1 effectively employs personal anecdotes, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the author's experiences, which enhances engagement and relatability. In contrast, Passage 2 lacks this personal touch. Option A, scientific observation, is not present in either passage, as both focus on narrative rather than empirical data. Option B, historical allusion, may be found in Passage 2, but it is absent in Passage 1. Option D, logical reasoning, is utilized in both passages, but Passage 1 stands out for its personal storytelling approach, making it distinct in its method of conveying ideas.
Passage 1 effectively employs personal anecdotes, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the author's experiences, which enhances engagement and relatability. In contrast, Passage 2 lacks this personal touch. Option A, scientific observation, is not present in either passage, as both focus on narrative rather than empirical data. Option B, historical allusion, may be found in Passage 2, but it is absent in Passage 1. Option D, logical reasoning, is utilized in both passages, but Passage 1 stands out for its personal storytelling approach, making it distinct in its method of conveying ideas.