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Question 1
(1) According to urban legend, the potato chip was accidentally invented in 1853 by an irritated chef. (2) He was George Crum, the son of an African-American father and Native-American mother, who was working as a chef one summer in Saratoga Springs, New York. (3) A customer in the restaurant where Crum worked complained that his French-fried potatoes were too thick and soft and sent them back to the kitchen. (4) To teach the customer a lesson, Crum allegedly sliced a new batch of potatoes as thinly as he possibly could, fried the slices until they were hard and crunchy, and then dousing them with salt. (5) But far from being angry, the customer ended up loving the new dish, and thus the potato chip was born. (6) Saratoga Springs was famous at the time for its natural hot springs, some of which are still in operation today. (7) Soon the potato chips, originally known as “Saratoga chips” or “potato crunches,” became very popular. (8) With the profits he’d made, Crum opened his own restaurant, where every table had its own basket of chips. (9) The chips remained a local delicacy until the Prohibition era. (10) This is when an entrepreneur named Herman Lay popularized the product throughout the Southeastern United States. (11) However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip. (12) These skeptics say that certain cookbooks from the early 1800s, such as William Kitchiner’s The Cook’s Oracle and N.K.M. Lee’s The Cook’s Own Book, described recipes for very similar potato dishes—the only difference is that they weren’t called “potato chips.”
Which is the best way to revise and combine the underlined portions of sentences 9 and 10 (reproduced below)? The chips remained a local delicacy until the Prohibition era. This is when an entrepreneur named Herman Lay popularized the product throughout the Southeastern United States.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) D
Rationale
era, when
The phrase "era, when" effectively connects the two sentences by clearly indicating the timeframe in which Herman Lay popularized potato chips, maintaining clarity and grammatical correctness.
A) era, this is when
Using "this is when" creates an unnecessary conversational tone that can disrupt the formal flow of the text. It adds extra words without enhancing the clarity of the connection between the two sentences.
B) era, then
The word "then" is somewhat vague and can imply a sequence of events rather than a direct relationship between the Prohibition era and Herman Lay's actions. This choice lacks the specificity needed to effectively link the two ideas.
C) era, which is when
The phrase "which is when" introduces a relative clause that unnecessarily complicates the sentence structure. It makes the sentence longer without adding substantive information, detracting from the straightforward connection intended between the two sentences.
Conclusion
The best revision option, "era, when," succinctly ties the time frame of the Prohibition era to the subsequent action of popularizing potato chips by Herman Lay. This choice maintains a clear and direct relationship between the ideas, ensuring that the flow of information remains smooth and coherent. The other options either complicate the structure or introduce ambiguity, making them less effective for this context.
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Question 2
(1) According to urban legend, the potato chip was accidentally invented in 1853 by an irritated chef. (2) He was George Crum, the son of an African-American father and Native-American mother, who was working as a chef one summer in Saratoga Springs, New York. (3) A customer in the restaurant where Crum worked complained that his French-fried potatoes were too thick and soft and sent them back to the kitchen. (4) To teach the customer a lesson, Crum allegedly sliced a new batch of potatoes as thinly as he possibly could, fried the slices until they were hard and crunchy, and then dousing them with salt. (5) But far from being angry, the customer ended up loving the new dish, and thus the potato chip was born. (6) Saratoga Springs was famous at the time for its natural hot springs, some of which are still in operation today. (7) Soon the potato chips, originally known as “Saratoga chips” or “potato crunches,” became very popular. (8) With the profits he’d made, Crum opened his own restaurant, where every table had its own basket of chips. (9) The chips remained a local delicacy until the Prohibition era. (10) This is when an entrepreneur named Herman Lay popularized the product throughout the Southeastern United States. (11) However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip. (12) These skeptics say that certain cookbooks from the early 1800s, such as William Kitchiner’s The Cook’s Oracle and N.K.M. Lee’s The Cook’s Own Book, described recipes for very similar potato dishes—the only difference is that they weren’t called “potato chips.”
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 11 (reproduced below)? However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) A
Rationale
However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip.
The original phrasing is clear and grammatically correct, effectively conveying the contrast between Crum's reputed invention and the skepticism surrounding it. The use of "However" followed by a comma is appropriate for introducing the statement, maintaining the flow of the narrative.
A) (As it is now)
This option retains the correct structure of the sentence, appropriately using "However" with a comma to transition smoothly into the contrasting idea. It maintains clarity and correctness in punctuation, making it the best choice.
B) However
This option lacks any punctuation following "However," which is necessary to properly introduce the contrast in the sentence. Without a comma, the sentence becomes incomplete and disrupts the flow of the text, making it less effective.
C) However–
While this option introduces a dash, which might suggest an additional thought, it is not appropriate in this context. A dash creates an abrupt interruption rather than a smooth transition, which is not suitable for the intended contrast in the sentence.
D) However:
Using a colon here implies that a list or explanation will follow, which does not fit the structure of the sentence. The sentence does not lead into a list or further elaboration, making the colon an incorrect choice.
Conclusion
The original sentence structure, "However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip," is grammatically sound and effectively conveys the intended contrast. The other options either lack necessary punctuation or misinterpret the intended flow of the sentence, reinforcing that option A is the best choice for clarity and coherence.
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Question 3
To this day, Paraguay remains the only country in the Americas where a majority of the population speaks one indigenous language: Guarani. It is taught in every school. And, in the streets: it is a source of national pride. Paraguay differs significantly even from other multilingual Latin American nations like neighboring Bolivia. In Paraguay, indigenous peoples account for less than 5 percent of the population. Yet Guarani is spoken by an estimated 90 percent of Paraguayans. Unlike Bolivia, which has many official languages, Paraguay has only two. Linguists and historians say the complex reasons for the broad use of the indigenous language here date to the earliest days of Spain's colonization in the sixteenth century. The colonial system that forced indigenous people to work for Europeans did not penetrate big parts of the territory that eventually became Paraguay. This helped sustain Guarani. Under General Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled from 1954 to 1989, Guarani thrived. General Stroessner, the son of a Bavarian immigrant father and Guarani-speaking mother, made it an official language and rewarded rural Guarani speakers with land for their loyalty. Democratic rule was established in the 1990s. Then more steps were taken to strengthen Guarani. But not everyone is optimistic about Guarani's prospects, pointing to factors like the increasing migration of peasants from the rural interior, where Guarani is often the dominant language, to cities, where Spanish holds more sway. Whether Guarani can continue to thrive, even survive, in a more urban society and an increasingly connected world remains to be seen.
What is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence 4 (reproduced below)? To teach the customer a lesson, Crum allegedly sliced a new batch of potatoes as thinly as he possibly could, fried the slices until they were hard and crunchy, and then dousing them with salt.
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) B
Rationale
and then doused
The phrase "and then doused" maintains grammatical consistency and enhances the flow of the sentence by using a parallel structure. This revision effectively links the action of frying the potato slices to the subsequent action of adding salt without unnecessary repetition of the subject.
A) and then he doused
This option introduces an unnecessary pronoun "he," which disrupts the parallel structure established in the earlier clauses. The original sentence structure is more fluid without this addition, making the sentence less concise.
C) doused them
While this choice is grammatically correct, it alters the sentence's structure by removing the conjunction "and then," which provides a clear sequence of actions. This change could make the sentence feel abrupt and less cohesive in relation to the preceding actions.
D) and finally dousing
This option incorrectly shifts the verb form from the past tense to a gerund, which disrupts the parallel structure of the series of actions. The use of "finally dousing" also implies a different emphasis that is less fitting for the context of the narrative.
Conclusion
The best revision for the underlined portion is "and then doused," as it preserves the intended meaning and maintains a consistent grammatical structure throughout the sentence. This choice enhances clarity and readability, effectively outlining the sequence of events that led to the creation of potato chips.
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Question 4
Under General Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled from 1954 to 1989, Guarani thrived. General Stroessner, the son of a Bavarian immigrant father and Guarani-speaking mother, made it an official language and rewarded rural Guarani speakers with land for their loyalty. Democratic rule was established in the 1990s. Then more steps were taken to strengthen Guarani. But not everyone is optimistic about Guarani's prospects, pointing to factors like the increasing migration of peasants from the rural interior, where Guarani is often the dominant language, to cities, where Spanish holds more sway.
Which sentence should be deleted from the passage because it contains irrelevant information?
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) B
Rationale
Sentence 6 should be deleted from the passage because it contains irrelevant information.
Sentence 6 discusses the natural hot springs of Saratoga Springs, which does not contribute to the narrative about the invention of potato chips or George Crum's story.
A) Sentence 3
Sentence 3 provides essential context about a customer's complaint regarding the thickness of the French-fried potatoes, which directly leads to the invention of potato chips by George Crum. This detail is crucial for understanding the origin of the dish.
B) Sentence 6
Sentence 6 deviates from the main topic by providing background information about Saratoga Springs' hot springs, which is unrelated to the invention of potato chips. It does not add value to the narrative regarding Crum or the dish itself.
C) Sentence 7
Sentence 7 highlights the initial popularity of potato chips, originally known as "Saratoga chips." This information is pertinent to the development and success of the dish, making it relevant to the overall story.
D) Sentence 12
Sentence 12 introduces skepticism about George Crum's role as the inventor of potato chips, which is relevant as it adds depth to the narrative by acknowledging alternative perspectives on the origin of the dish.
Conclusion
The passage focuses on the invention of potato chips by George Crum and the subsequent rise in their popularity. While sentences 3, 7, and 12 provide essential context and relevant details about the narrative, sentence 6 introduces unrelated information about Saratoga Springs, making it the most appropriate choice for deletion. This maintains the focus on the culinary history of the potato chip and its creator.
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Question 5
Under General Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled from 1954 to 1989, Guarani thrived. General Stroessner, the son of a Bavarian immigrant father and Guarani-speaking mother, made it an official language and rewarded rural Guarani speakers with land for their loyalty. Democratic rule was established in the 1990s. Then more steps were taken to strengthen Guarani. But not everyone is optimistic about Guarani's prospects, pointing to factors like the increasing migration of peasants from the rural interior, where Guarani is often the dominant language, to cities, where Spanish holds more sway.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed: 'The 1992 Constitution made Guarani equal to Spanish, and officials say that they have aggressively expanded Guarani instruction in primary schools'?
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) D
Rationale
After sentence 14
The sentence about the 1992 Constitution making Guarani equal to Spanish fits best after sentence 14, as it highlights key developments in the promotion of Guarani within the context of Paraguay's historical and educational landscape. Placing it here emphasizes the transition into the democratic era and the ongoing efforts to strengthen Guarani, aligning well with the preceding content.
A) After sentence 1
Placing the sentence after sentence 1 would disrupt the flow, as this initial sentence introduces Paraguay's unique linguistic situation without delving into constitutional changes. This positioning fails to connect the historical context with the significant reforms that followed, which are better suited later in the passage.
B) After sentence 6
Sentence 6 discusses the colonial context and the survival of Guarani, making it an inappropriate placement for the information about the 1992 Constitution. The focus is on historical factors rather than legislative changes, which are more relevant to the later discussion on Guarani's status and educational initiatives.
C) After sentence 10
Although sentence 10 begins to touch upon the political context under General Stroessner, placing the new sentence here would prematurely introduce the constitutional reforms. It would be more effective to position it after the conclusion of Stroessner's rule to highlight the advancements made in the post-dictatorship era, which is critical for understanding the evolving status of Guarani.
D) After sentence 14
This position effectively follows the discussion of the transition to democratic rule and the ongoing efforts to promote Guarani. It allows for a natural progression into the specifics of how Guarani's status was formalized and efforts to expand its instruction in schools, making it the most logical placement.
Conclusion
The placement of the sentence about the 1992 Constitution after sentence 14 provides a coherent transition into the discussion of Guarani's institutional support and educational initiatives. This positioning reflects the broader historical narrative of Guarani's evolution from colonial × through dictatorship to a renewed emphasis in a democratic society, highlighting its significance in contemporary Paraguay.
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