Praxis Core Reading 5713

Question 1

The sea slithers with fearsome predators, such as the starfish. Once a mussel is embraced by a starfish, for example, it is lost. Starfish use hydraulics instead of muscles, and in a tug-of-war they never tire. The starfish can drag open any shell and, as soon as the shell gapes, the starfish throws out its stomach like a white shroud and swallows the victim whole.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

describe how a starfish conquers its prey.

The passage primarily focuses on the method by which a starfish captures and consumes its prey, particularly emphasizing its unique approach of using hydraulics to open shells and its distinctive feeding mechanism involving the ejection of its stomach.

A) describe the physical characteristics of starfish
This choice implies a focus on the anatomical features of starfish, but the passage does not delve into their physical traits. Instead, it centers on their predatory behavior and feeding techniques, making this option irrelevant to the main theme of the text.

B) suggest that the starfish is the most fearsome predator in the sea
While the passage highlights the starfish's predatory nature, it does not assert that it is the "most fearsome" predator. The language used describes its capabilities without comparing it to other sea creatures, thus making this choice an exaggeration of the text's intent.

C) specify a weakness in the defenses of the starfish
This option suggests the identification of vulnerabilities in starfish, which the passage does not address. Instead, it illustrates the starfish's effective predatory strategies without mentioning any weaknesses, rendering this choice incorrect.

D) describe how a starfish conquers its prey
This is the correct choice, as the passage explicitly details the starfish's method of capturing prey, including its hydraulic abilities and stomach ejection technique, showcasing its conquering behavior effectively.

E) discuss a stage in the life of the starfish
This choice implies a focus on the developmental phases of the starfish, but the passage does not mention growth stages or life cycles. Instead, it concentrates on predatory actions, making this option unrelated to the passage's main purpose.

Conclusion
The passage effectively describes the predatory behavior of the starfish, focusing on its method of conquering prey rather than its physical characteristics, vulnerabilities, or life stages. Understanding how the starfish utilizes its unique feeding strategy provides insight into its role as a predator in the marine ecosystem.

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Question 2

It is not often that knowledge of an artist's life sheds any significant light on his work, but in the case of Alexander Pope it does. Most of his poems are 'occasional'—that is, they are concerned with Pope's political and literary friends and enemies, so that without some knowledge about them we cannot properly understand what he wrote and why. Such knowledge, needless to say, does not explain why he wrote so well.

With respect to Pope, the passage is most concerned with

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

With respect to Pope, the passage is most concerned with discussing an aspect of his poetry that makes it uncommon.

The passage highlights that Alexander Pope's poems are 'occasional,' meaning they are specifically tied to his political and literary context, which sets them apart from more universal poetry. Understanding this aspect is essential for grasping the nuances of his work.

A) refuting a widely held misconception about his life
The passage does not aim to address misconceptions about Pope's life. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of understanding the context of his work, rather than correcting any misunderstandings about his personal history.

B) discussing an aspect of his poetry that makes it uncommon
This option correctly identifies the focus of the passage, which explains that Pope's poetry is unique due to its occasional nature, reflecting his relationships and political environment. This characteristic of his work is crucial for understanding its significance and meaning.

C) challenging critics who have overrated his literary significance
The passage does not challenge critics or assess the value of Pope's work. Rather, it underscores the importance of context in understanding his poetry, without making assertions about its overall significance or merit.

D) questioning the quality of his writing
The passage does not question the quality of Pope's writing; it acknowledges his skill while stressing the need for contextual knowledge to fully appreciate his work. The focus is on the relationship between his life and his poetry, not on evaluating the quality itself.

E) explaining why biographers have often misunderstood his poems
While the passage notes that knowledge of Pope's life is essential for understanding his poetry, it does not specifically address biographers' misunderstandings. The emphasis is on the connection between his work and the political and literary contexts rather than on biographical interpretations.

Conclusion
In summary, the passage centers on the distinctive nature of Alexander Pope's poetry as 'occasional,' linking it to his relationships and political milieu. This context is crucial for a deeper understanding of his work, setting it apart from more universal poetic forms. The other choices either misinterpret the focus of the passage or do not accurately reflect its content, reinforcing the uniqueness of Pope's poetic approach.

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Question 3

The graph shows the population in the United States of small, medium, and large pet dogs from 1999 to 2013. Assuming that all dogs fit into one of these categories and that each dog fits in only one category, which of the following statements about the population of pet dogs during this time period is supported by the data in the graph?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

In 2013, there were more pet dogs in the United States than there were in 1999.

The graph indicates a general upward trend in the total population of pet dogs from 1999 to 2013, confirming that the number of dogs in 2013 surpassed that of 1999.

A) In 2013, there were more pet dogs in the United States than there were in 1999.
This statement is supported by the graph, which shows a consistent increase in the overall population of pet dogs over the years, leading to a higher count in 2013 compared to 1999.

B) The population of large dogs has undergone more fluctuations than has the population of either small or medium dogs.
While the graph may show some variations in the population of large dogs, it does not provide enough evidence to conclude that these fluctuations are significantly greater than those of small or medium dogs, which also exhibit their own variations.

C) The populations of small dogs and medium dogs were roughly equal in 2005.
The graph does not support this claim; in fact, it shows that the populations of small and medium dogs were not approximately equal in 2005, as one category consistently appeared larger than the other.

D) In 2010, the population of medium dogs was approximately 24 million.
This statement is incorrect as the graph indicates a different number for medium dogs in 2010, which does not align with the approximation of 24 million.

E) The population of small dogs grew after 2013.
The graph does not provide data beyond 2013, making it impossible to support any claims about population growth for small dogs after that year.

Conclusion
The graph illustrates a clear increase in the total population of pet dogs in the United States from 1999 to 2013, validating the assertion that by 2013, there were more dogs than in 1999. Other statements about fluctuations, equality in populations, specific population counts, and future projections lack sufficient support from the data presented in the graph.

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Question 4

Music fans are an opinionated and contentious bunch, even when it comes to works almost universally admired as classics. Not all fans share a high opinion of the Beatles' Line opus Sgt. Pepper, for example. To some rock aficionados it is an uneven, self-indulgent, and overproduced album. Miles Davis' jazz classic Kind of Blue (1959) distances itself from this company by having few notable detractors. We can always depend on some critics to miss the boat when it first sets out, however. As a result, some early reviews of the album described Miles' playing as 'morose' and 'maudlin,' even though most viewers immediately recognized Kind of Blue as a modern masterpiece. In recent years little has been heard to the contrary.

Which of the following best describes the view of the author of the passage of 'some early reviews' (lines 9 - 10)?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) E

Rationale

They were entirely misguided.

The author implies that the early reviews of Miles Davis’ "Kind of Blue" were incorrect, as they described his playing in negative terms like 'morose' and 'maudlin', while the majority recognized the album as a modern masterpiece. This contrast indicates a clear disapproval of those initial critiques.

A) They were fair assessments for the time.
This choice suggests that the early reviews were reasonable given the context of their release. However, the author's view indicates a disagreement with this notion, as the majority of listeners quickly recognized the album's brilliance, contradicting the idea of fairness in those reviews.

B) They were harsh but essentially correct.
This option implies that while the reviews were severe, they still carried some truth. The passage argues against this by highlighting the overall positive reception of "Kind of Blue" from the audience, suggesting that the early critics were wrong rather than harshly accurate.

C) They were more positive than negative.
This choice contradicts the author's portrayal of the early reviews. The passage explicitly mentions negative descriptors used by critics, which indicates that their opinions were not predominantly positive, thus making this option inaccurate.

D) They were consistent with later reviews.
This choice suggests a continuity between the early and later reviews, which the passage refutes by indicating that the initial negative critiques were not echoed in subsequent assessments. The evolving appreciation of the album shows that early reviews were not consistent with later, more favorable interpretations.

Conclusion
The author clearly views the early reviews of "Kind of Blue" as misguided, as they failed to recognize the album's true value, which was widely appreciated by listeners. This perspective underscores the disconnect between initial criticism and the eventual acknowledgment of the album's status as a jazz masterpiece.

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Question 5

Music fans are an opinionated and contentious bunch, even when it comes to works almost universally admired as classics. Not all fans share a high opinion of the Beatles' Line opus Sgt. Pepper, for example. To some rock aficionados it is an uneven, self-indulgent, and overproduced album. Miles Davis' jazz classic Kind of Blue (1959) distances itself from this company by having few notable detractors. We can always depend on some critics to miss the boat when it first sets out, however. As a result, some early reviews of the album described Miles' playing as 'morose' and 'maudlin,' even though most viewers immediately recognized Kind of Blue as a modern masterpiece. In recent years little has been heard to the contrary.

The second paragraph is primarily concerned with

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

discussing the critical reception of Kind of Blue

The second paragraph focuses on the reviews and criticisms that Miles Davis's album Kind of Blue received at the time of its release. It highlights the contrasting opinions of critics and the eventual recognition of the album as a masterpiece, thus emphasizing its critical reception.

A) outlining how Kind of Blue changed jazz
This choice suggests a focus on the impact of Kind of Blue on the jazz genre, but the paragraph does not address how the album influenced jazz music itself. Instead, it centers on the varied critical opinions surrounding the album at its release, rather than its broader implications for the genre.

B) delineating the relationship between rock and jazz
While the extract mentions both rock and jazz, it does not explore the relationship between the two genres. The second paragraph is specifically about the critical reception of Kind of Blue, making this choice irrelevant to the content discussed.

C) contrasting Miles Davis’ reviews with the Beatles’ reviews
This choice implies a detailed comparison between the reviews of Miles Davis's Kind of Blue and those of the Beatles' works. However, the paragraph does not provide a direct comparison and only mentions the Beatles briefly, making this option inaccurate.

E) describing Miles Davis’ response to the reviews of Kind of Blue
This choice suggests that the paragraph includes Miles Davis's personal reactions to the critiques of his work. However, the text does not provide any insight into his responses, focusing instead on how critics initially perceived the album.

Conclusion
The second paragraph primarily addresses the critical reception of Kind of Blue, detailing how it was initially received by reviewers and contrasting this with its eventual status as a celebrated work in jazz history. Understanding this reception is crucial for appreciating the album's legacy and the evolution of its recognition over time.

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describe how a starfish conquers its prey.

With respect to Pope, the passage is most concerned with discussing an aspect of his poetry that makes it uncommon.

In 2013, there were more pet dogs in the United States than there were in 1999.

They were entirely misguided.

discussing the critical reception of Kind of Blue

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