(1) New York City has a long history with bicycle lanes, which are either painted on a street or constructed alongside a street and are used by bicycles rather than cars. (2) Its first bike lane — and the country's first — was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway. (3) Interest in bicycle lanes reappeared in the 1970s, and by 1980, Mayor Ed Koch saw to the construction of them on Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Midtown. (4) However, those lanes faced such fierce opposition that they were immediately removed. (5) Things have recently changed: since 2006, the city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level. (6) It installed more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs. (7) Many New Yorkers complained the new bike lanes slowed car traffic and reduced the number of parking spaces. (8) Others complained bicyclists were not following traffic rules in the lanes. (9) In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, religious leaders convinced the city to remove a new strip of freshly painted bike lane in their neighborhood. (10) Elected officials and perturbed residents of Staten Island also pressured the city into removing its own 2.35-mile dedicated lane. (11) Most New Yorkers have gotten used to the idea: a recent poll of New York City residents shows that two-thirds of them support the bike lanes. (12) They cite environmental reasons for their support, as well as the health and safety benefits the lanes provide bike riders. (13) Ultimately, the city can be happy knowing that statistics have shown its new bike lanes have already made the streets of New York safer for bikers and pedestrians.
Which is the best way to revise and combine the underlined portion of sentences 5 and 6 (reproduced below)? Things have recently changed: since 2006, the city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level. They installed more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs.
- A. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, they installed
- B. city, which has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing
- C. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level and installing
- D. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D effectively combines the two sentences by using a participial phrase ("installing") that succinctly links the action of installing bike lanes to the city’s achievement. This structure maintains clarity and flow, emphasizing the continuous nature of the city’s efforts. Option A incorrectly uses a comma to splice two independent clauses, creating a run-on sentence. Option B introduces an awkward relative clause ("which has taken") that disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C incorrectly uses "and installing," which suggests that the installation is a separate action rather than a continuation of the city’s achievements, leading to confusion.
Option D effectively combines the two sentences by using a participial phrase ("installing") that succinctly links the action of installing bike lanes to the city’s achievement. This structure maintains clarity and flow, emphasizing the continuous nature of the city’s efforts. Option A incorrectly uses a comma to splice two independent clauses, creating a run-on sentence. Option B introduces an awkward relative clause ("which has taken") that disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C incorrectly uses "and installing," which suggests that the installation is a separate action rather than a continuation of the city’s achievements, leading to confusion.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? Its first bike lane — and the country's first, was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. first
- C. first:
- D. first—
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D is the best choice as it correctly uses an em dash to emphasize the phrase "the country's first," creating a strong pause that enhances clarity. Option A, "as it is now," is irrelevant and does not fit the context of the sentence. Option B, "first," lacks punctuation, which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence. Option C, "first:," incorrectly employs a colon, which is inappropriate here since the phrase following it is not a complete explanation or list. Thus, D effectively conveys the intended meaning while maintaining grammatical accuracy.
Option D is the best choice as it correctly uses an em dash to emphasize the phrase "the country's first," creating a strong pause that enhances clarity. Option A, "as it is now," is irrelevant and does not fit the context of the sentence. Option B, "first," lacks punctuation, which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence. Option C, "first:," incorrectly employs a colon, which is inappropriate here since the phrase following it is not a complete explanation or list. Thus, D effectively conveys the intended meaning while maintaining grammatical accuracy.
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.
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 is the best version of the underlined portion in sentence 11 (reproduced below)? Although Powers had been born in Georgia and remained in the same region, throughout her life, her quilt exhibited a number of stylistic similarities to the large, appliquéd cotton cloths used in festivals by the Fon people of Dahomey.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. region throughout her life,
- C. region throughout her life
- D. region, throughout her life
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C eliminates unnecessary words, enhancing clarity and flow. By removing "throughout her life," the sentence remains grammatically correct while emphasizing the relationship between Powers’ origins and her quilt's stylistic influences. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is wordy and less direct. Option B introduces a comma that disrupts the sentence's rhythm, making it awkward. Option D incorrectly retains the comma, which separates elements that should be connected, leading to confusion about the timeline of Powers' life and her quilt's stylistic features.
Option C eliminates unnecessary words, enhancing clarity and flow. By removing "throughout her life," the sentence remains grammatically correct while emphasizing the relationship between Powers’ origins and her quilt's stylistic influences. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is wordy and less direct. Option B introduces a comma that disrupts the sentence's rhythm, making it awkward. Option D incorrectly retains the comma, which separates elements that should be connected, leading to confusion about the timeline of Powers' life and her quilt's stylistic features.