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Question 1
People have long been told by health experts that they should get eight hours of unbroken sleep each night. Nevertheless, many struggle on a nightly basis to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some scientists have begun to reconsider this issue and have concluded that the health experts have not been giving very good advice. In a study conducted in 2015, subjects were kept in darkness for 14 hours each night, this being an attempt to create conditions similar to natural wintertime conditions. Deprived of artificial light, most subjects' nightly sleep time eventually expanded and divided into two roughly equal shifts with 1 to 3 hours of wakefulness between. The results of this study suggest that human sleep is not naturally concentrated in one block. In fact, having two 'sleeps' a night may be the natural human condition. Historical data also support these findings. Historians have uncovered documents dating back to ancient × that refer to a 'first sleep' and 'second sleep.' Rather than view waking in the middle of the night as a nuisance, people appear to have welcomed it as natural, useful, and even enjoyable. By the end of the 1700s, street lighting in cities became more common, people stayed up later, and writers mentioning first and second sleep less and less. Most people seem to have adapted to consolidated sleep, even if they do not get a full eight hours each night. However, researchers argue that some modern sleep disorders such as insomnia may be the result of enforcing an unnatural sleep rhythm. In other words, waking in the middle of the night may not indicate an inability to sleep, but rather an attempt by the brain to sleep 'naturally.'
Which sentence should be deleted from the passage because it contains irrelevant information?
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) D
Rationale
Sentence 12 should be deleted from the passage because it contains irrelevant information.
Sentence 12 discusses the adaptation of people to consolidated sleep, which, while related to the topic, does not directly support the main argument about the natural pattern of sleep and waking. It diverts attention from the primary focus on historical and scientific findings regarding segmented sleep.
A) Sentence 3
Sentence 3 provides context for the struggle many people face regarding sleep, linking directly to the central theme of the passage about sleep patterns. This information is relevant as it sets the stage for the discussion on the reevaluation of sleep advice from health experts.
B) Sentence 6
Sentence 6 presents key findings from a study conducted in 2015 that supports the argument about natural sleep patterns. It is crucial for understanding the shift in perspective regarding how humans sleep, making it relevant to the overall thesis.
C) Sentence 7
Sentence 7 continues to build on the findings of the study, highlighting the division of sleep and wakefulness. This elaboration is pertinent to the main argument, reinforcing the notion that segmented sleep may be the natural state for humans.
D) Sentence 12
Sentence 12 discusses how most people have adapted to consolidated sleep, but it does not contribute to the core argument regarding the natural sleep patterns suggested by historical data and scientific research. This sentence strays from the central discussion about segmented sleep, making it the least relevant.
Conclusion
The passage emphasizes the reevaluation of traditional sleep advice by highlighting evidence for segmented sleep patterns. Sentence 12 deviates from this focus, discussing adaptation to consolidated sleep rather than supporting the argument about the natural inclination towards two sleep periods. Removing this sentence will enhance clarity and maintain the passage's focus on the historical and scientific basis for understanding human sleep behavior.
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Question 2
People have long been told by health experts that they should get eight hours of unbroken sleep each night. Nevertheless, many struggle on a nightly basis to fall asleep and stay asleep. Some scientists have begun to reconsider this issue and have concluded that the health experts have not been giving very good advice. In a study conducted in 2015, subjects were kept in darkness for 14 hours each night, this being an attempt to create conditions similar to natural wintertime conditions. Deprived of artificial light, most subjects' nightly sleep time eventually expanded and divided into two roughly equal shifts with 1 to 3 hours of wakefulness between. The results of this study suggest that human sleep is not naturally concentrated in one block. In fact, having two 'sleeps' a night may be the natural human condition. Historical data also support these findings. Historians have uncovered documents dating back to ancient × that refer to a 'first sleep' and 'second sleep.' Rather than view waking in the middle of the night as a nuisance, people appear to have welcomed it as natural, useful, and even enjoyable. By the end of the 1700s, street lighting in cities became more common, people stayed up later, and writers mentioning first and second sleep less and less. Most people seem to have adapted to consolidated sleep, even if they do not get a full eight hours each night. However, researchers argue that some modern sleep disorders such as insomnia may be the result of enforcing an unnatural sleep rhythm. In other words, waking in the middle of the night may not indicate an inability to sleep, but rather an attempt by the brain to sleep 'naturally.'
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 4: 'In a study conducted in 2015, subjects were kept in darkness for 14 hours each night, this being an attempt to create conditions similar to natural wintertime conditions'?
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) D
Rationale
In a study conducted in 2015, subjects were kept in darkness for 14 hours each night to mimic natural wintertime conditions.
This revision simplifies the sentence while maintaining clarity and conciseness. The word "mimic" effectively conveys the intention of recreating natural conditions without unnecessary complexity.
A) (as it is now)
Keeping the sentence as it is adds unnecessary length and complexity. The phrase "this being an attempt to create conditions similar to" could be streamlined for better readability, making it less effective in communicating the main idea.
B) night to make an effort to approximate
This option introduces awkward phrasing with "make an effort to approximate," which complicates the sentence unnecessarily. The phrase lacks the directness and impact of "mimic," making it less effective for conveying the study's purpose.
C) night, taking a shot at imitating
While this option attempts to convey the same meaning, the informal phrase "taking a shot at" undermines the academic tone of the passage. Such wording is less appropriate for a scholarly context, detracting from the seriousness of the study being described.
D) night to mimic
This choice is concise and straightforward, effectively conveying the intended meaning without extraneous words. "Mimic" accurately reflects the goal of replicating natural conditions, ensuring clarity and maintaining a formal tone.
Conclusion
The best revision for the underlined portion is "night to mimic," as it succinctly conveys the study's objective while maintaining clarity and formality. The other options either introduce unnecessary complexity or informal language, which detracts from the overall message of the research. By choosing the most effective phrasing, the text communicates its findings about sleep patterns with greater precision and professionalism.
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Question 3
According to urban legend, the potato chip was accidentally invented in 1853 by an irritated chef. 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. 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. 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 doused them with salt. But far from being angry, the customer ended up loving the new dish, and thus the potato chip was born! Saratoga Springs was famous at the time for its natural hot springs, some of which are still in operation today. Soon the potato chips, originally known as 'Saratoga chips' or 'potato crunches,' became very popular. With the profits he'd made, Crum opened his own restaurant, where every table had its own basket of chips. 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. However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip. 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 of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 11: 'By the end of the 1700s, street lighting in cities became more common, people stayed up later, and writers mentioning first and second sleep less and less'?
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) D
Rationale
By the end of the 1700s, street lighting in cities became more common, people stayed up later, and writers mentioned.
This version maintains parallel structure and clarity, making it the most grammatically correct choice. It uses the past tense consistently throughout, effectively conveying the historical context.
A) (as it is now)
This option does not provide a clear alternative to the original text, and it lacks the necessary grammatical adjustments. As it stands, it fails to maintain a coherent structure and does not enhance the sentence's clarity.
B) became more common, people staying up later, and writers mentioned
While this option presents a similar idea, it disrupts the parallel construction with "people staying up later," which shifts from the past tense to a gerund form. This inconsistency leads to a lack of fluidity and clarity in the sentence.
C) becoming more common, people staying up later, and writers mentioned
This choice introduces the gerund "becoming," which again disrupts the parallelism and uniform past tense structure established in the other clauses. This inconsistency detracts from the sentence's effectiveness and clarity.
D) became more common, people stayed up later, and writers mentioned
This version maintains a consistent past tense across all parts of the sentence, ensuring clarity and coherence. It effectively communicates the historical shift in sleep patterns and societal behaviors during that time.
Conclusion
The best option for the underlined portion is D, as it maintains a uniform tense and parallel structure, enhancing the overall readability of the sentence. The other choices introduce inconsistencies in tense or structure, which detracts from the clarity and effectiveness of the statement regarding historical changes in sleep patterns.
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Question 4
According to urban legend, the potato chip was accidentally invented in 1853 by an irritated chef. 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. 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. 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 doused them with salt. But far from being angry, the customer ended up loving the new dish, and thus the potato chip was born! Saratoga Springs was famous at the time for its natural hot springs, some of which are still in operation today. Soon the potato chips, originally known as 'Saratoga chips' or 'potato crunches,' became very popular. With the profits he'd made, Crum opened his own restaurant, where every table had its own basket of chips. 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. However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip. 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 of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 10: 'Rather than view waking in the middle of the night as a nuisance, people appear to have welcomed it as natural, useful, and even enjoyable'?
Your Answer: Option(s)
Correct Answer: Option(s) A
Rationale
Rather than view waking in the middle of the night as a nuisance, people appear to have welcomed it as natural, useful, and even enjoyable.
This version effectively conveys the intended meaning without any unnecessary punctuation changes, allowing for a smooth and clear reading experience.
A) (as it is now)
This option provides a clear and coherent sentence that accurately reflects the author's message. The phrasing flows well and maintains the intended meaning, which is crucial in conveying the historical perspective on waking during the night.
B) waking, in the middle of the night, as a nuisance;
This choice introduces unnecessary commas, which disrupt the flow of the sentence. The added pauses can confuse readers and obscure the main idea, making it less effective in communicating the welcoming attitude towards waking during the night.
C) waking in the middle of the night as a nuisance:
While this option removes the unnecessary commas, it incorrectly uses a colon at the end. A colon implies that what follows will elaborate on or list items related to the preceding clause, which does not occur in this context. This disrupts the intended message and grammatical structure.
D) waking in the middle of the night as a nuisance-
This choice incorrectly employs a hyphen at the end, which is grammatically incorrect and does not serve a purpose in this sentence. Such punctuation leads to an incomplete thought, failing to convey the intended meaning regarding the perception of nighttime awakenings.
Conclusion
The original phrasing accurately captures the sentiment that historical perspectives on nighttime awakenings were positive rather than negative. The other choices introduce awkward punctuation or incomplete thoughts that detract from the clarity and impact of the statement. Maintaining clear and correct punctuation is essential for effectively communicating ideas in writing.
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Question 5
According to urban legend, the potato chip was accidentally invented in 1853 by an irritated chef. 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. 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. 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 doused them with salt. But far from being angry, the customer ended up loving the new dish, and thus the potato chip was born! Saratoga Springs was famous at the time for its natural hot springs, some of which are still in operation today. Soon the potato chips, originally known as 'Saratoga chips' or 'potato crunches,' became very popular. With the profits he'd made, Crum opened his own restaurant, where every table had its own basket of chips. 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. However, not everyone believes that George Crum was the inventor of the potato chip. 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: '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.
This version maintains the original structure and clarity of the sentence, effectively conveying the intended contrast while ensuring grammatical accuracy.
A) (As it is now)
This choice is correct as it preserves the intended meaning of the sentence. The inclusion of "However" at the beginning properly introduces a contrasting idea regarding the belief in George Crum's invention of the potato chip. It flows well and meets standard grammatical conventions for sentence structure.
B) However
This option is incomplete as it lacks a main clause to follow it. "However" by itself does not form a complete thought and could lead to confusion. For effective communication, it should be immediately followed by a statement that provides context.
C) However-
Using a hyphen after "However" is grammatically incorrect in this context. A hyphen is typically used to connect words or parts of words, not to introduce a contrasting statement. This punctuation choice disrupts the flow and clarity expected in a well-constructed sentence.
D) However:
A colon is not appropriate here because it typically introduces a list, explanation, or elaboration on the preceding clause. In this case, the sentence does not require additional information to follow "However," making the colon an incorrect choice.
Conclusion
The original phrasing of the sentence accurately presents the contrasting viewpoint regarding George Crum's status as the inventor of the potato chip. Clarity and grammatical correctness are crucial in written communication, and the other options either disrupt the flow or fail to provide a complete thought, underscoring the importance of maintaining the original structure.
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