00:00
Elapsed
Q 1 / 20
00:00
Question 1
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.
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.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)? 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.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) C
Rationale
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.
The best version of the underlined portion uses a comma before "namely," which correctly introduces the explanation that follows. This punctuation clarifies the relationship between the two parts of the sentence while maintaining grammatical correctness.
A) (as it is now)
This choice suggests leaving the sentence unchanged, which would incorrectly imply that no punctuation is necessary before "namely." The lack of a comma fails to properly delineate the explanatory clause that follows, leading to potential confusion in understanding the sentence's structure.
B) altruism: namely
Using a colon before "namely" would imply that what follows is a direct elaboration or list of examples. However, the phrase that follows is not a list but rather a clarification, making a comma the more appropriate choice to maintain the flow of the sentence.
C) altruism, namely,
This choice correctly includes a comma before "namely," allowing for a clear and grammatically sound introduction to the clarification that follows. It effectively separates the main clause from the explanation, enhancing readability.
D) altruism-namely,
The use of a hyphen in this option is incorrect because it suggests a connection that does not exist between "altruism" and "namely." A hyphen does not serve as appropriate punctuation in this context, leading to a confusing and grammatically incorrect structure.
Conclusion
The correct option enhances clarity and grammatical correctness in the sentence. By using a comma before "namely," it effectively introduces the explanatory clause, ensuring that the reader can easily understand the intent behind Mason's statement on empathy and altruism. This minor adjustment significantly improves the overall coherence and flow of the sentence.
Select an answer to continue →
Question 2
Passage
(1) When I maved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self-confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) I adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
(1) When I maved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self-confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) I adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
Where would the following sentence best fit in the passage? The results of two new experiments suggest that rats are surprisingly selfless.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) C
Rationale
The results of two new experiments suggest that rats are surprisingly selfless.
This sentence fits best after sentence 8, as it directly summarizes the findings of the experiments discussed and highlights the altruistic behavior of rats, which is the main focus of the surrounding sentences.
A) After sentence 1
Placing the sentence here would disrupt the flow of the passage. Sentence 1 introduces the idea of calling someone a rat as potentially complimentary, which does not relate to the experimental findings about altruism that follow. The context of selflessness is better established later in the passage.
B) After sentence 3
This position would be inappropriate because sentence 3 describes the setup of the first experiment without any context regarding altruism. The selflessness of rats is not relevant to the mechanics of the experiment at this early stage in the passage.
C) After sentence 8
This is the ideal location for the sentence, as it follows the discussion of the first experiment's results and Mason's claim about altruistic behavior. It effectively encapsulates the essence of these findings, reinforcing the idea that the experiments indicate a surprising level of selflessness among rats.
D) After sentence 11
While this placement could connect the speculation about the rats' motivations to the notion of selflessness, it would be less impactful. The discussion here is focused on disagreements among scientists rather than the positive findings, making the selflessness statement feel somewhat out of place.
Conclusion
The sentence about rats being surprisingly selfless should be placed after sentence 8 to effectively summarize the altruistic behaviors demonstrated in the experiments. This strategic placement enhances the narrative flow while emphasizing the significance of Mason's findings about empathy and altruism in rats, aligning with the overarching theme of the passage.
Select an answer to continue →
Question 3
(1) When I moved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self. confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings. (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie. (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway. (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) | adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway. (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) | adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
In context, how should the underlined part of sentence 6 (reproduced below) be revised? The rats eating the chocolate themselves.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) D
Rationale
The rats have eaten the chocolate themselves.
This revision correctly uses the present perfect tense, indicating that the action of eating the chocolate has relevance to the present situation being described in the passage. It aligns with the narrative and maintains the sentence's context.
A) would have eaten
This option suggests a conditional scenario that implies the rats did not actually eat the chocolate, which contradicts the passage's assertion that the rats were given access to the chocolate. It would incorrectly imply that the action was dependent on an unfulfilled condition.
B) could have eaten
This phrase implies a possibility rather than a certainty, suggesting that the rats had the potential to eat the chocolate but did not necessarily do so. This weakens the assertion in the passage about the rats' behavior and does not accurately reflect their actions.
C) had eaten
The past perfect tense here implies that the action of eating the chocolate occurred before another past action. However, in this context, it does not fit because the narrative is discussing the rats' current decision-making process in the experiment, rather than a completed action in the past.
D) have eaten
This choice is the correct revision as the present perfect tense conveys that the action of eating is relevant to the ongoing discussion about the rats' behavior in the study. It indicates that the rats did eat the chocolate, thus maintaining clarity and continuity in the narrative.
Conclusion
In revising the underlined part of sentence 6, using "have eaten" effectively captures the ongoing relevance of the rats' actions in the context of the experiments. The other options either misrepresent the timing or conditional nature of the action, failing to align with the passage's main argument regarding the altruistic behavior of the rats.
Select an answer to continue →
Question 4
(1) When I moved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self-confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings. (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie. (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway. (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do, (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) I adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway. (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do, (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) I adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
Should sentence 15 (reproduced below) be kept in the fourth paragraph? Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) B
Rationale
Yes, because it reinforces the paragraph's focus on the narrator's evolving perspective about the city.
This sentence highlights the narrator's shift from feeling intimidated by city life to embracing it, illustrating personal growth and adaptation. It encapsulates the transformation in their perspective, aligning perfectly with the paragraph's theme of adjustment and acceptance.
A) Yes, because it is appropriate to the paragraph's purpose of creating a feeling of being in a busy city.
While this choice acknowledges the busy atmosphere of the city, it does not capture the primary focus of the paragraph, which is the narrator's changing feelings towards living there. The sentence is more about personal growth than merely describing the city's busyness.
C) No, because it blurs the paragraph's focus on the uncommon experiences the narrator has had in the city.
This option misinterprets the paragraph's intent, as the sentence does not detract from the discussion of the narrator's experiences but rather emphasizes the evolution of their feelings about those experiences.
D) No, because it is irrelevant to the paragraph's topic about the challenges of moving from the country to the city.
This choice incorrectly suggests that the sentence does not relate to the theme. In fact, the sentence is relevant because it directly addresses how the narrator has overcome challenges and adjusted to urban life, making it essential to the overall message.
Conclusion
The inclusion of the sentence in question is vital as it encapsulates the narrator's journey toward acceptance and comfort in a previously intimidating environment. It reinforces the paragraph's central theme of evolving perspectives and personal growth, illustrating how challenges can lead to newfound confidence in an unfamiliar setting.
Select an answer to continue →
Question 5
Passage
(1) When I moved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self-confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings. (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie. (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway. (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) | adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
(1) When I moved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self-confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings. (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie. (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway. (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) | adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)?
I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) C
Rationale
I've enjoyed the diversity here, and I also wanted to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here.
This version correctly uses the conjunction "and" to connect two independent clauses, making the sentence grammatically complete and clear in intent. It conveys both enjoyment of diversity and a desire to learn about the community effectively.
A) (as it is now)
The original version lacks parallel structure and clarity, as it improperly combines two clauses without a clear subject for the second part. This makes the sentence difficult to understand and less effective in communicating the writer's thoughts.
B) here and had been wanting
This choice introduces a past perfect continuous tense ("had been wanting") which creates confusion about the timing of the desire to learn. It implies that the desire was only relevant in the past, which does not align with the current context of enjoying diversity in the city.
C) here and I also wanted
This option maintains clarity and parallel structure, effectively connecting the enjoyment of diversity with the desire to learn. It correctly positions "I also wanted" as a continuation of the thought, enhancing the flow and coherence of the sentence.
D) here, and I want
While this choice is grammatically correct, it introduces a slight shift in tense from the past experience to the present desire. Using "I want" instead of "I also wanted" alters the intended continuity of the writer's feelings and experiences, making the sentence less cohesive.
Conclusion
The optimal choice for the underlined portion of sentence 12 is option C, as it establishes a clear and grammatically accurate connection between the writer's enjoyment of diversity and their desire to learn about the various cultures in the city. This coherence is crucial for effectively conveying the evolving perspective of the writer as they adjust to urban life.
Select an answer to continue →
Free Preview Ended
You've seen the first 5 questions.
Subscribe to unlock the remaining 15 questions + full features.
0%
score
0/0 correct
0
streak
Answered
0/20
Correct
0
Wrong
0
20 left
You are leaving this quiz
What would you like to do with your progress?
You're in the middle of a quiz
What would you like to do before switching?