Read the following early draft of an essay and then choose the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement
Passage
(1) Calling someone a rat may be complimentary. (2) In one experiment, University of Chicago neuroscientist Peggy Mason placed 30 pairs of rats in pens. (3) One rat was caged in the middle of the pen, while the other was free to run around. (4) Eventually, 23 of 30 rats liberated their peers by pushing the cage door open with their heads or leaning against the door until it tipped over.
(5) In another experiment, Mason gave rats access to two cages: in one cage was another rat, in the other was a pile of chocolate chips. (6) The rats eating the chocolate themselves. (7) Instead, most of the rodents opened both cages and shared the sweets. (8) "In rat land, that is big," Mason says, claiming that this study is the first to show altruistic behavior in rodents.
(9) Not all scientists agree with the conclusion Mason drew from the experiment, however. (10) The jailbreaking rats might have only been trying to silence their cohorts' distressing alarm calls. (11) Mason counters that the alarm calls from the caged rats were not frequent enough to motivate their peers, but both parties are speculating at this point.
(12) Mason's new study is one of many that are changing how scientists think about empathy and altruism, namely: that such characteristics are not limited to people, as they once thought. (13) It now seems that many animals have evolved instincts to help others.
Where would the following sentence best fit in the passage? The results of two new experiments suggest that rats are surprisingly selfless.
- A. After sentence 1
- B. After sentence 3
- C. After sentence 8
- D. After sentence 11
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Placing the sentence after sentence 8 effectively introduces the new findings about rats, enhancing the flow of information regarding their behavior. This position allows for a natural transition into discussing the implications of these experiments. Option A is too early in the passage, as it lacks context for the experiments. Option B, following sentence 3, interrupts the narrative progression and does not align with the preceding content. Option D, after sentence 11, is too late, as it would disrupt the conclusion by introducing new information that should precede it. Thus, option C is the most logical placement.
Placing the sentence after sentence 8 effectively introduces the new findings about rats, enhancing the flow of information regarding their behavior. This position allows for a natural transition into discussing the implications of these experiments. Option A is too early in the passage, as it lacks context for the experiments. Option B, following sentence 3, interrupts the narrative progression and does not align with the preceding content. Option D, after sentence 11, is too late, as it would disrupt the conclusion by introducing new information that should precede it. Thus, option C is the most logical placement.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 13 (reproduced below)?
It might result in fewer trips to the store, which could keep fuel and cut down on pollution
- A. (as it is now)
- B. protect
- C. conserve
- D. support
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The phrase "cut down on pollution" suggests reducing waste, making "conserve" the most suitable choice. It aligns with the idea of using fewer resources, such as fuel, to achieve environmental benefits. Option A retains the original wording, which lacks precision and clarity. Option B, "protect," implies safeguarding resources but does not directly convey the idea of reducing usage. Option D, "support," suggests encouragement or assistance, which is not relevant to the context of minimizing trips and their environmental impact. Thus, "conserve" effectively captures the intended meaning of reducing consumption and pollution.
The phrase "cut down on pollution" suggests reducing waste, making "conserve" the most suitable choice. It aligns with the idea of using fewer resources, such as fuel, to achieve environmental benefits. Option A retains the original wording, which lacks precision and clarity. Option B, "protect," implies safeguarding resources but does not directly convey the idea of reducing usage. Option D, "support," suggests encouragement or assistance, which is not relevant to the context of minimizing trips and their environmental impact. Thus, "conserve" effectively captures the intended meaning of reducing consumption and pollution.
In context, how should the underlined part of sentence 6 (reproduced below) be revised? The rats eating the chocolate themselves.
- A. would have eaten
- B. could have eaten
- C. had eaten
- D. have eaten
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "the rats eating the chocolate themselves" requires a revision to align with the present tense context of the sentence. Option D, "have eaten," effectively conveys a completed action relevant to the present, indicating that the rats have consumed the chocolate. Option A, "would have eaten," suggests a conditional scenario that does not fit the context. Option B, "could have eaten," implies potentiality rather than a completed action. Option C, "had eaten," indicates a past action that is no longer relevant to the present context. Thus, only option D maintains the intended meaning and tense consistency.
The phrase "the rats eating the chocolate themselves" requires a revision to align with the present tense context of the sentence. Option D, "have eaten," effectively conveys a completed action relevant to the present, indicating that the rats have consumed the chocolate. Option A, "would have eaten," suggests a conditional scenario that does not fit the context. Option B, "could have eaten," implies potentiality rather than a completed action. Option C, "had eaten," indicates a past action that is no longer relevant to the present context. Thus, only option D maintains the intended meaning and tense consistency.
Which change is needed in the fourth paragraph?
- A. In sentence 15, change 'immanent' to 'eminent'
- B. In sentence 15, change 'dual' to 'duel'
- C. In sentence 16, change 'inspire' to 'aspire'
- D. In sentence 17, change 'proceeded' to 'preceded'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A is necessary because "immanent" refers to something inherent or existing within, while "eminent" means distinguished or prominent, which fits the context of the paragraph. Option B is incorrect since "dual" refers to two parts, whereas "duel" signifies a contest between two individuals, which does not align with the intended meaning. Option C is not suitable because "inspire" means to motivate, while "aspire" means to aim for something. The original term correctly conveys the intended message. Option D is also wrong; "proceeded" indicates moving forward, while "preceded" means to come before, which is the intended meaning in this context.
Option A is necessary because "immanent" refers to something inherent or existing within, while "eminent" means distinguished or prominent, which fits the context of the paragraph. Option B is incorrect since "dual" refers to two parts, whereas "duel" signifies a contest between two individuals, which does not align with the intended meaning. Option C is not suitable because "inspire" means to motivate, while "aspire" means to aim for something. The original term correctly conveys the intended message. Option D is also wrong; "proceeded" indicates moving forward, while "preceded" means to come before, which is the intended meaning in this context.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 4 (reproduced below)?
He knew that he was the first poet to participate in these prestigious ceremonies therefore, he contemplated which poem would be appropriate for the occasion
- A. (as it is now)
- B. ceremonies, therefore,
- C. ceremonies, therefore
- D. ceremonies, therefore
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In this context, option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma before "therefore," which is necessary to separate the two independent clauses. This punctuation helps clarify the relationship between the ideas presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making the sentence run-on and harder to read. Option C omits the comma after "therefore," which is incorrect as it still connects two independent clauses. Option D is identical to C and also fails to include the necessary comma, leading to confusion in the sentence structure. Proper punctuation enhances clarity and comprehension.
In this context, option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma before "therefore," which is necessary to separate the two independent clauses. This punctuation helps clarify the relationship between the ideas presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making the sentence run-on and harder to read. Option C omits the comma after "therefore," which is incorrect as it still connects two independent clauses. Option D is identical to C and also fails to include the necessary comma, leading to confusion in the sentence structure. Proper punctuation enhances clarity and comprehension.