Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

C. This is an Inference question. A: No. Similarities, not differences, between Greek and Roman beliefs are discussed in the passage. See paragraphs 3-7; in particular, the last paragraph refers to "This Greco-Roman framework of decline from a prior state." B: No. In paragraph 2, Platonic beliefs are said to have been Christianized to create paradigmatic ideals; therefore, they are depicted as consistent with, rather than in contrast with, each other. C: Yes. The Golden Age and subsequent historical ages are contrasted, most explicitly in paragraph 3. D: No. Hesiod is mentioned in paragraph 3 as a Greek writer who depicted a fall from a prior golden age. Plato, according to paragraph 5, described the environmental destruction he saw in his time, and the author states that "The degradation of the Greek environment bore out Hesiod's story" (paragraph 4). Therefore, the positions of these two men are depicted as similar rather than different.

A contrast is drawn in the passage between: Question 30 Answer Choices A. Greek and Roman beliefs about a decline from a Golden Age of nature. B. Christian and Platonic paradigmatic ideals. C. the Golden Age and subsequent historical ages. D. Plato and Hesiod.

C. This is an Inference/Except question. A: No. This information is given in the first paragraph: one handler per dog plus a referee are permitted into the ring. B: No. This information is given in the final paragraph of the passage. The authors state: "Veblen's contention that forms of honorific expenditure, once accepted and habitual, are resistant to change is central to the understanding of the persistence of dogfighting." This, considered with the authors' description in paragraph 4 of how dogfighting became a rite of passage and a reputable activity for wealthy men, makes this an acceptable inference. C: Yes. In paragraph 3, the authors suggest the reverse of this causal relationship: the need to defend one's honor within the "subculture of honor" led to the need for "violent retribution." Therefore, the statement in this choice cannot be inferred from the passage. D: No. This information can be found in the third paragraph: "one important context for understanding masculine ideals in this study is the subculture of honor which exists among Southern (and predominantly white) males. As Cohen et al. argue, the Southern propensity for violence is tied directly to a culture of honor, "... in which affronts are met with violent retribution."

All of the following are inferences that can be derived from the passage EXCEPT: Question 15 Answer Choices A. Three people are permitted in the ring with the dogs during a fight. B. Dogfighting persists today in part because the upper classes of society once deemed it as reputable. C. The Southern propensity for violence led to the creation of a culture of honor. D. A subculture of honor underscores the appeal of dogfighting among Southern males.

D. This is an Inference question. A: No. Though Heinlein and Asimov have different approaches toward writing future histories, both structure their writing on a pre-established outline (the fall of the Roman Empire for Asimov and the chart of future history for Heinlein), so these are not clearly opposite. B: No. The passage tells you nothing about Blish beyond listing the title of his work and indicating that it is a future narrative. Therefore, there is no evidence that Blish and Knight would hold inconsistent views. C: No. Wollheim is cited as saying that the use of future-history contributes to the idea that events recur (paragraph 2). While Heinlein (paragraph 3) states that he is not trying to predict the future or "attempt prophecy," Heinlein's position on whether or not events do in fact recur is not mentioned in the passage. Therefore, Wollheim and Heinlein's positions are not inconsistent with each other. D: Yes. Wollheim is quoted in the passage as saying "certain events seem to recur," whereas Knight, in the last paragraph, is said to believe that "history does not repeat itself." These views are the most clearly opposite of the pairs offered in the answer choices.

Based on passage information, which of the following authors hold opposing views? Question 39 Answer Choices A. Asimov and Heinlein B. Blish and Knight C. Heinlein and Wollheim D. Knight and Wollheim

B. This is an Inference question. A: No. For James and Eliot to be "more English than English" suggests that they were not in fact English. They could be from another part of Britain, but they also could have been American. Overall, there is insufficient evidence to support the idea that they are British. B: No. We only know that these writers attempted to "immerse themselves in the imported culture" (paragraph 4). We have no support for the inference that their work became canonized at the core of that culture. Be careful not to rely on outside knowledge or opinion. C: Yes. In the fifth paragraph, the authors state: "It caused those from the periphery to immerse themselves in the imported culture, denying their origins in an attempt to become 'more English than the English.' We see examples of this in such writers as Henry James and T. S. Eliot." This statement directly suggests that James and Eliot were writers from the periphery of English literature. D: No. This answer choice takes a theme from the final paragraph of the passage that has no direct connection to James and Eliot. The author makes no connection between these authors and the questioning of the assumptions on which the study of English was based.

Based on the passage, one may most reasonably infer that T. S. Eliot and Henry James: Question 52 Answer Choices A. are British authors. B. created works that have become canonized in English literary study. C. were writers on the periphery of English studies. D. are among the authors who questioned many of the assumptions on which the study of "English" was based.

C. This is an Inference question. A: No. The passage suggests with the term "paradoxically" (paragraph 2) that England was in many ways perhaps more progressive than its neighbors (that is, open to social change). That is why it is paradoxical or surprising that England held on to the practice of public execution for so long. B: No. While we know that social disturbances existed in England (paragraph 2), there is no discussion of whether or not, or of how frequently, such disturbances might have occurred in other countries. C: Yes. The second paragraph describes "the role of model" played by the English legal system with the introduction of juries and public hearings. This suggests that England was a role model for other nations with less advanced, or with in some way inferior, legal systems. D: No. The "full punishment" for traitors was not employed in England during or after 1820 (paragraph 2), but there is no information concerning the frequency of prosecution.

Based on the passage, which of the following may be inferred about nineteenth century England? Question 47 Answer Choices A. England was, in general, more resistant to social change than other countries. B. England experienced more social disturbances than did its European neighbors. C. The English legal system was seen, in certain capacities, as superior to those of some other nations. D. There was a decrease in the frequency of prosecution of treason.

B. This is a New Information question. A: No. The quotation in the question stem is pointing out the fact that coffee was nutritious for the soldiers, not that it was enjoyed by people from various social classes (which is how "democratic" is used in the second paragraph). Do not be fooled by the use of the word "democracy" in the quote. B: Yes. The quotation in the question stem indicates that coffee nourished the soldiers (like bread and bacon) and helped them to fight effectively. The author's claim that coffee is one of the "world's greatest adjuvant foods" (paragraph 3) is essentially saying that coffee is nutritious ("adjuvant" means assisting in prevention or cure). Therefore, this statement in the question stem about coffee's role in the war is consistent with the author's claim in the third paragraph that coffee is healthful, particularly in its stimulant effects which increase "the capacity for muscular and mental work." Even if you aren't sure what the word "adjuvant" means, you can still choose this answer based on the theme of paragraph 3: that coffee has beneficial physical and mental effects. C: No. The quotation in the question stem is pointing out how coffee, because of its health benefits, helped the Allies win the war. It is not supporting the idea in the fourth paragraph that coffee cannot be replaced by other substances. D: No. The quotation in the question stem is asserting that coffee was nutritious for the soldiers during the war, but is not touching on the idea in the fifth paragraph that coffee makes all of life more wonderful, or that life would be hardly worth living without coffee.

Elsewhere the author writes: "The year 1919 awarded coffee one of its brightest honors. An American general said that coffee shared with bread and bacon the distinction of being one of the three nutritive essentials that helped win the World War for the Allies. So [coffee] has played a not inconspicuous part in 'making the world safe for democracy.'" This statement most strongly supports which of the following claims from the passage? Question 12 Answer Choices A. Coffee is a democratic beverage. B. Coffee is one of the world's greatest adjuvant foods. C. No hot drink can take the place of coffee. D. Without coffee life would hardly be worth living.

D. This is an Inference question. A: No. While tasting the same as coffee would seem to be a great definition of "substitute," the quote in paragraph 4 states: "A substitute should be able to perform the functions of its principal. A substitute to a war must be able to fight. A bounty-jumper is not a substitute." This implies that the phrase "be able to fight" must explain what coffee is able to do, not just how it tastes. Tasting the same as coffee does not encompass all of the things that coffee is allegedly able to do. B: No. The quote states that "A substitute to a war must be able to fight" and implies that a substitute of coffee must be able to do everything that coffee does. While coffee does boost energy (see for example paragraphs 2 and 3), this is only one of its many qualities according to the author. Compare this answer to choice D, which is more comprehensive, and therefore better corresponds to the argument in the passage that no adequate substitute for coffee exists. C: No. The phrase "be able to fight" suggests that a substitute must actively do the same thing as coffee. While coffee appeals to people because of its effects, the credited answer must refer to the effects themselves, not to the outcome or result of having those effects. The appeal of coffee is the outcome of the fight, not the fight itself. D: Yes. The quote "A substitute should be able to perform the functions of its principal. A substitute to a war must be able to fight. A bounty-jumper is not a substitute" implies that that the phrase "be able to fight" represents what coffee is able to do, and therefore what a substitute should also be able to do. Since coffee is a mental and physical stimulant, the phrase "be able to fight" implies that a substitute must also have the same mental and physical effects as coffee.

Interpreting Dr. Harvey W. Wiley's quote in the fourth paragraph in the context of the passage as a whole, if the word "war" is representative of "coffee", then the phrase "be able to fight" in this quote is most representative of which of the following? Question 14 Answer Choices A. Taste the same as coffee B. Provide a boost of energy C. Appeal to a majority of people D. Produce the same mental and physical effects as coffee

D. This is a New Information question. A: No. Wollheim indicates that events recur on a vaster scale, but complete elimination of all humans and anything like them is too extreme to correspond to past events. B: No. This scenario still violates a stated rule regarding future-history: "Some room must be created in time as well as in space into which people can move. And that room must be imagined as inhabitable [by humans or by creatures with humanity]" (paragraph 3 (emphasis added)). C: No. The first part of the answer is true, but the second part is not; this is not the reason why the author could not cite this story in support of his argument. While it is true that the passage does not directly address war, war could be part of our expectations of the future. Compare this choice to choice D, which also starts with "No," but then gives an appropriate explanation of why not. D: Yes. The new information in the question stem indicates that human life and anything like it has been totally extinguished in the new novel. This directly contradicts the author's assertion in the third paragraph that the future "must be imagined as inhabitable" in future histories. Therefore, the author could not include this story as evidence to support his argument.

Suppose a science fiction novel is published in which humans are completely wiped out by nuclear war in the beginning of the story, and only insentient machines exist for the remainder of the novel. Could the author of the passage use this story to support his argument about the purpose of future histories? Question 38 Answer Choices A. Yes, the author of the passage would cite Wollheim's spiral of history to account for the novel's story. B. Yes, the novel comments on current fears about the uncontrollable dangers of technology. C. No, the novel contains war, which is not directly addressed in the passage. D. No, the author of the passage implies that future histories must include humans or human-like beings.

A. This is a New Information question. A: Yes. The author describes music that is meant to be played as "muscular," while music meant to be listened to is "passive" (paragraph 3). Schumann is identified with the former (paragraph 1) and Beethoven with the latter (paragraph 5). If more people enjoyed listening to Beethoven than to Schumann, it would support the author's argument about the distinction between the two musics (paragraph 1). B: No. First, the fact that more people listen to Beethoven does not prove that his works were superior; this claim cannot be inferred from the new information in the question. Second, even if it could be, it would not be relevant to or supportive of the author's argument. Although the author says that Schumann can be "minor if listened to," he can be "tremendous if you play him" (paragraph 1). The author does not claim that Beethoven is better, just that he is a different kind of composer, of a different kind of music. C: No. The author does not compare the ability of professionals (but rather amateurs) to perform Beethoven and Schumann. Furthermore, this choice has no direct connection to the new information, or to its relevance to the passage. D: No. Although the author does mention that the guitar is a more common mode of music delivery today than is the piano, this has no direct relevance to the issue of the question stem.

Suppose that statistics showed that attendance at the symphony and the number of listeners to classical radio stations is higher when Beethoven's piano concertos are played than when the works of Schumann are played. How would this information affect the author's argument about the two musics? Question 34 Answer Choices A. The argument would be strengthened because Beethoven's music is passive rather than muscular. B. The argument would be strengthened because Beethoven's works are superior to those of Schumann. C. The argument would be weakened because professionals can perform Beethoven's music as well as Schumann's music. D. The argument would be weakened because the guitar has not become more popular than the piano.

C. This is an Inference question. A: No. The Analytic Engine is described as unlike any previously designed machine in that it was to possess BOTH a "store" and a "mill." Previous machines may have included one or the other. B: No. The Jacquard loom at least was a previous machine controlled by cards. C: Yes. The A.E. is described as "unlike any previously designed machine," which by itself is enough to justify this answer choice; the passage also describes a unique design feature - having both a "store" and a "mill." D: No. Although Lady Lovelace suggested that the A.E. "might compose," we have no evidence that the A.E. ever did compose music. Also, the passage provides no evidence that no previous machine had composed music.

The Analytical Engine was unique because: Question 21 Answer Choices A. it possessed a "store" or memory. B. it was programmed using punched cards. C. its design included a previously unseen combination of features. D. it was capable of composing music.

B. This is a Structure question. A: No. The author does not suggest that the conditions in prisons are overly harsh; the strong negative tone of the word "deplorable" is not supported by the passage. Furthermore, although the author implies in this paragraph that there is still an aspect of physical pain included in modern imprisonment, the criticism is not cited in order to draw a contrast between kind conditions (according to the critics) in the past and harsh conditions now. B: Yes. The main point of the fourth paragraph is that physical pain as an aspect of punishment has not been eliminated. The criticism is referenced to illustrate the belief that it is just or fair for prisoners to physically suffer more than others. C: No. There is no contrast provided between the treatment of nineteenth century prisoners and that of prisoners in later times. D: No. The question asks why the author describes this criticism. That is, what logical role does it play in the passage? Although the criticism itself makes such a comparison, the author's purpose is to reveal ongoing attitudes about the suffering of prisoners.

The author describes in paragraph 4 a criticism raised against the nineteenth century penal system in order to: Question 46 Answer Choices A. highlight the deplorable conditions still present in modern prisons. B. underscore an ongoing association between imprisonment and pain. C. emphasize alterations in the treatment of prisoners since the nineteenth century. D. compare the plight of prisoners to that of other poor or persecuted segments of society.

C. This is an Inference question. A: No. The passage states that each of the two musics has its own sociology and erotic, not that one is sociological and the other is erotic (paragraph 1). B: No. This choice mistakes a comparison that is made in the passage. In paragraph 1 the author states that a particular composer can be minor when listened to but "tremendous" when played; this is given as an example of how the music one listens to and the music one plays each has its own distinct qualities. The author does not argue however, that this is true of all composers (such that all music gains importance or significance when played). C: Yes. The author sets out the central contrast in paragraph 1: " There are two musics (at least so I have always thought): the music one listens to, the music one plays..." In paragraph 2 the author states that "The music one plays comes from an activity that is very little auditory, being above all manual...a muscular music in which the part taken by the sense of hearing is one only of ratification..." Later in paragraph 3 the author again refers to music that is played as "muscular" in contrast with "passive, receptive music, sound music, [which] has become the music (that of concert, festival, record, radio)." Therefore, you can infer that music that is listened to is primarily "auditory," and music that is played is primarily "muscular." D: No. These (taking "active" as the opposite of "passive") are both aspects of music that is played, while the questions asks you to find an answer that represents the contrast between the two musics. In paragraph 3 the author states that "To find practical music in the West, one has now to look to another public, another repertoire, another instrument (the young generation, vocal music, the guitar).). Concurrently, passive, receptive music, sound music, has become the music (that of concert, festival, record, radio): playing has ceased to exist; musical activity is no longer manual, muscular, kneadingly physical..."

The author describes the two musics as different in that: Question 32 Answer Choices A. one is sociological while the other is erotic. B. one is minor while the other is major. C. one is more muscular while the other is more auditory. D. one is more practical while the other is more active.

A. This is a Structure question. A: Yes. The author does not provide any additional evidence to support this claim - in fact, there is no further mention of religious superstition (or religion at all) or medical prejudice (or medicine at all) in the rest of the passage. B: No. While the author does use anecdotes extensively throughout this passage, none of the anecdotes in paragraphs 3 or 4 specifically support the claim that coffee has suffered from "religious superstition and medical prejudice." This is the right answer to the wrong question. C: No. While this is mentioned in the passage, it does not support the claim that coffee has suffered from "religious superstition and medical prejudice." This is also the right answer to the wrong question. D: No. While the author does use quotes to support his assertions elsewhere in the passage, there are no specific quotes to support the claim that coffee has suffered from "religious superstition and medical prejudice." This is the right answer to the wrong question.

The author mentions in the third paragraph that coffee has suffered from "religious superstition and medical prejudice." How does the author support this assertion? Question 9 Answer Choices A. The author does not offer any support for this assertion. B. The author uses anecdotal evidence for coffee's health properties in the third and fourth paragraphs. C. The author describes the small minority of people that are intolerant of alkaloids and should therefore avoid coffee. D. The author provides direct quotes to support this and other assertions in this passage.

C. This is a Structure question. A: No. While the author does note that these philosophers had opposing viewpoints (paragraph 1), she in fact suggests that their contrasting points worked together to inform Plato's philosophy; they therefore did not impede the development of any philosophy discussed in the passage. B: No. The author does not discuss environmentalist ideas pertaining to these philosophers. C: Yes. In the first paragraph, the author claims that "These two contradictory philosophies formed the basis of Plato's (427-347 B.C.E.) distinction between the ever-changing world of appearances and the unchanging real world of pure forms." She then goes on to discuss the role of truth in Plato's philosophy. D: No. The author does not mention anything regarding the beliefs of these philosophers about the Recovery Narrative. The Recovery Narrative grew out of a combination of the ideas of Greek philosophers with Christian narratives (paragraph 2); Heraclitus and Parmenides could not believe in, or be skeptical of, an idea that had not yet been created.

The author mentions the philosophies of Heraclitus of Ephesus and Parmenides of Elea in order to: Question 29 Answer Choices A. show how their irreconcilable world views impeded the development of a cohesive philosophy of the natural world. B. argue that Heraclitus' celebration of change in nature constituted a more environmentalist position than Parmenides' denial of change. C. indicate the basis of Plato's theory regarding the relationship of nature to truth. D. suggest that while Heraclitus believed in the Recovery Narrative, Parmenides was more skeptical.

B. This is a Structure question. A: No. "Caution" is too negative a word. The examples are not in the passage as a warning, but almost as a recommendation of a path to follow. B: Yes. Throughout the first paragraph, the author is explaining his belief that in order to become a serious writer, one has to create a place separate from one's regular life where one can focus on one's work. While the passage doesn't directly state that these authors were successful, it implies it by setting them up as examples to be followed. C: No. While one can easily imagine envy of others' achievements, the passage itself does not suggest it. Also, the author tells us that in order to begin writing professionally he turned down a place at a graduate school, but we have no way of knowing if these other authors were in school, out of school, young, or old when they found success. D: No. This answer choice reverses what the author is actually saying. The examples he gives are not cautionary tales, but stories of success to be emulated.

The author most likely includes the examples of Anderson, Wolfe, Faulkner, and Proust in the first paragraph for which of the following reasons? Question 2 Answer Choices A. To caution potential writers of the sacrifices necessary to become a successful author B. To illustrate the need for successful authors to leave their "normal" lives in order to live the life of an artist C. To explain to the reader his envy at the achievements of authors who had left school and become successful at a young age D. To illustrate his fear that he might have given up graduate school and steady work only to fail as many had before him

A. This is a Structure question. A: Yes. This section of the passage (paragraph 2) begins a discussion of issues regarding development of artificial intelligence that continues in the rest of the passage. In particular, it mentions concerns that true artificial intelligence might not be feasible, an issue later discussed again in the second half of the last paragraph. B: No. The passage never claims that mechanical intelligence is impossible, only that some may feel that perhaps it is not. C: No. We have no evidence that the A.E. could in fact compose music. Even if we did, the quote in question doesn't provide any explanation as to how. D: No. We only know that Babbage, like Lovelace, was "aware that with the invention of the Analytical Engine, mankind was flirting with mechanized intelligence" (paragraph 2). The author does not suggest that Babbage believed true AI was possible, and there is no contrast drawn between the two on this issue.

The author most likely intended Lady Lovelace's assertion concerning the Analytical Engine's ability to originate things: Question 20 Answer Choices A. to introduce later discussion concerning Artificial Intelligence research. B. to support the claim that mechanical intelligence is impossible. C. to explain how the Analytic Engine could compose music. D. to contrast her skepticism with Babbage's optimism regarding artificial intelligence.

D. This is an Inference/Except question. Note: The correct answer will be the one that is LEAST supported by the passage. A: No. The author tells you in paragraph 5 that Beethoven did not write music around a song (musica practica) but around orchestral themes. The author's description of this as "the very breakdown of the code of the former musica practica" (paragraph 5), in combination with earlier parts of the passage that describe a move away from "the music one plays" or practical music to the music one listens to (like Beethoven's work), indicates that Beethoven's compositions distinguished him from earlier composers. B: No. The author states in paragraph 5 that an amateur "is unable to master" Beethoven's work and that the work "forsakes" the amateur. "Who can play Beethoven well?" the author asks rhetorically (indicating that few individuals can). C: No. The author indicates that the impetus for Beethoven's work "becomes orchestral, thus escaping from the fetishism of a single element (voice or rhythm)" (paragraph 5). D: Yes. This is inconsistent with the passage. The author argues in paragraph 5 that "Beethoven's work forsakes the amateur and seems, in an initial moment, to call on the new Romantic deity, the interpreter. Yet here again we are disappointed: who (what soloist, what pianist?) can play Beethoven well?" Note the pivotal word "yet" which leads into the part of the paragraph that suggests that Beethoven cannot in fact be seen, at least in this way, as a Romantic. Note also the progression laid out in paragraph 4: "In short, there was first the actor of music, then the interpreter (the grand Romantic voice), then finally the technician, who relieves the listener of all activity, even by procuration, and abolishes in the sphere of music the very notion of doing." Beethoven is used in the next paragraph as an example of the end ("the technician"), not the middle ("the grand Romantic voice") of this progression.

The author suggests each of the following to be true of Beethoven's music EXCEPT that: Question 33 Answer Choices A. it represents, in certain structural elements, a departure from the practices of previous composers. B. it is intended to be performed by trained musicians. C. it is notable for interweaving disparate voices or elements into a larger whole. D. it should be classified as part of the Romantic movement in music.

D. This is a Structure question. A: No. This is the right answer to the wrong question. The author of the passage suggests this about other writers (Anderson, Wolfe, Faulkner, and Proust in paragraph 1), but doesn't include Flaubert as part of that argument. B: No. The passage actually implies the reverse. We don't know from the passage how many works Flaubert completed, but the author does emphasize that Flaubert would work for an entire day and the end result would be a single sentence (paragraph 3). The author only speaks about volume in relationship to Thomas Mann (paragraph 2). C: No. This is the right answer to the wrong question. This choice is not about Flaubert, but about Thomas Mann (paragraph 2). D: Yes. Flaubert was the quintessential modernist in that he would labor all day to produce a single sentence (paragraph 3). This example implies that the perfection of the work was their most important consideration.

The author uses the example of Flaubert to illustrate his point that: Question 4 Answer Choices A. an author has to make a choice to separate oneself from a standard, middle-class lifestyle and instead reside in the "community" of the modern artist. B. the success and reputation of an author is based largely on the volume of work he produces. C. a few hours of writing in the morning, followed by large quantities of reading and contemplation, will allow an author to steadily produce good work. D. the modernists took the craft of writing and the slow development of perfection extremely seriously.

A. This is an Attitude question. A: Yes. Near the end of the passage (paragraph 4), the author reveals that although he tried to emulate the methodology of the modernists, he did not find success or fulfillment from it, and that he has now realized why. These words from that paragraph reflect that realization. B: No. This quote reflects how the author felt when he was just out of college, not how he feels today (paragraph 2). C: No. This quote demonstrates how the modernists approach writing, an approach which the author himself attempted for quite some time (paragraph 3). However, according to the last paragraph he has since realized that this approach does not work for him. Therefore, while this might represent his attitude at some point in time, it does not represent his current belief. D: No. This attitude was one that the author held when he was a young man, immediately out of college (paragraph 1). It explains his motivation for taking the approach to writing that he did, but not how he feels about writing now.

The author's current attitude towards writing is best described by which of the following quotes from the passage? Question 3 Answer Choices A. "never realizing the irony was on me, that my theme was mostly an unconscious parable of the experience of writing..." B. "After four years of steadily overreaching myself as a literature major, I was quite mixed up, and the air I breathed as a writer was so rarefied that it supported very little life." C. "The discipline of the novice writer, therefore was not so much in writing as in preparing himself to write, of locating himself in something called 'the tradition' and submitting to its authority." D. "I knew that if I was 'serious'...about writing, I would have to put aside my prospective fellowship and go forth, naked and uncertain, in the world."

B. This is a Structure question. A: No. Viswanathan argues that liberal education was used in this way and suggests a motivation, but there is no suggestion in this part of the passage of how this was done (as specified in this answer choice). B: Yes. The main point of this paragraph, which the quote supports, is that English as an academic discipline emerged in tandem with colonial imperialism (that is, political trends). C: No. The authors suggest no such contrast. The fact that Viswanathan discusses the "institutionalization and subsequent valorization of English literary study" in India is not enough to support a conclusion that it was more significant in India than in England. D: No. While the authors discuss reasons why colonial populations may have voluntarily taken on the study of English (paragraph 4), there is no mention of English being forced on anyone. Make sure not to use outside knowledge when selecting your answer.

The authors of the passage cite Gauri Viswanathan principally in order to: Question 50 Answer Choices A. describe how a liberal education can be used to control native populations. B. emphasize a correlation between academic and political trends. C. suggest that the study of English, ironically, may have been more significant in India than in England itself. D. criticize the way in which the study of English has been forced on native populations by missionaries and others.

D. This is an Inference question. A: No. This answer is too extreme. In the second paragraph, the authors state: "The historical moment which saw the emergence of "English" as an academic discipline also produced the nineteenth-century colonial form of imperialism." While this statement suggests that both English study and the colonial form of imperialism proceeded from a single source, there is no evidence to support the suggestion that one was the root cause of the other. B: No. There is nothing in the tone of the passage to support this claim. The authors merely state in the first paragraph that those supporting the study of English literature as a discipline were trying to replace Classics at the heart of intellectual endeavor. Therefore we cannot draw from this that the authors of this passage think that English is superior to Classics. C: No. This answer is too extreme: the authors discuss the cultural functions of literature but do not discuss whether or not English literature is inherently oppressive. D: Yes. See the final sentence of the passage: "Nevertheless, the development of the post-colonial literatures has necessitated a questioning of many of the assumptions on which the study of "English" was based." This answer choice paraphrases that statement.

The authors of the passage most likely believe that: Question 51 Answer Choices A. the emergence of "English" as an academic discipline was a root cause of the nineteenth-century colonial form of imperialism. B. the study of English literature is superior to the study of Classics. C. English literature is inherently oppressive. D. English literature as a field of study was built upon assumptions which are now being questioned.

C. This is an Inference question. A: No. The authors do not give this or any reason close to it as a reason for the enduring popularity of dogfighting. The factors they do discuss are its connection to masculinity and to a culture of honor, and its class origins. B: No. The authors do not express any opinions about whether or not sports involving animals should continue. This choice attributes an attitude to the authors that is not evidenced in the passage. C: Yes. This answer choice paraphrases passage information found in the final paragraph: "...Veblen argues that throughout history, once the upper classes of society have dictated which institutions of society are to be considered reputable, these institutions become accepted into habits of thought and are resistant to change." The authors quote Veblen approvingly here, so it is reasonable to infer that the authors agree with this explanation. D: No. The authors do indicate that dogfighting has become less reputable, and that animal-rights activists may have played some role in that trend (paragraph 5). However, this does not provide enough evidence to support a conclusion about trends in U.S. attitudes towards animal abuse in general (or that generalized changes in attitudes regarding treatment of animals caused the decline in dogfighting's reputability).

The authors of the passage would most likely agree that: Question 19 Answer Choices A. dogfighting maintains popularity in part because it ties humans to raw nature, where animals must kill or be killed. B. no sports should use animals since these animals are frequently subject to violence. C. it is difficult to change behaviors that have become entrenched as habits. D. U.S. society has become less tolerant over time of cruelty towards animals.

D. This is an Inference question. A: No. Although the author tells us that amateur pianists no longer exist and that they were unable to master Beethoven's music, the author does not connect these two facts. The answer is therefore only half right, which makes it wrong. B: No. This answer choice takes words out of context. The author describes the act of playing piano as a physical and even muscular experience, but he does not state that piano players must be muscular in order to play. C: No. The author tells us that the amateur is "defined much more by a style than by a technical imperfection," (paragraph 4), meaning that amateurs are not necessarily less technically proficient than professionals. Furthermore, we are not told whether or not the amateur strives for perfection, let alone with reference to professional musicians. D: Yes. In the second and third paragraphs, the author describes his view that amateur piano playing is physical, muscular and sensual, whereas passive listening is not.

The most reasonable inference from the passage discussion of amateur pianists is that they: Question 35 Answer Choices A. ceased to exist in Beethoven's time because his music was too difficult for an amateur to master. B. possessed a certain degree of muscular strength due to the physical demands of playing piano. C. aspired to play with the technical perfection demonstrated by professional musicians. D. played music with a physicality that is not evident when one listens to music in the concert hall.

A. This is an Inference/Except question. A: Yes. The main idea of the passage is that future histories are really about ordering space and time to create a structure in which expectations can be imagined; none of the authors discussed in the passage indicate that their future histories are intended as actual predictions. This means that answer A is NOT suggested by the passage text. B: No. This claim is indicated in the passage; the passage says that this is not "all there is to the future history motif," and that this is not "merely" what future history is (paragraph 2). The word "merely" means that future histories are at least in part a retelling of actual history. C: No. In the first paragraph, the author states that "one cannot write about space without writing about time," therefore answer C is an assertion made in the passage. D: No. The parenthetical statement in the first paragraph ("Just as the new worlds and galaxies of science fiction are often models of already known worlds and galaxies (literary ones, too), so also future history is plainly modeled on past history") and the example of Blish at the end of the second paragraph indicate that future histories may use other literary works as models. Therefore, answer D contains an assertion made in the passage and can be eliminated.

The passage suggests each of the following EXCEPT: Question 43 Answer Choices A. science fiction writers frequently attempt to predict the future. B. the future history motif is in part a fictional retelling of real history. C. space and time are inextricably interconnected in science fiction writing. D. science fiction may draw on existing literature for stories.

B. This is an Inference/Roman numeral question. I: True. Paragraph 2 states: "People love coffee because of its ... pleasurable sensation" and paragraph 3 states: "Men and women drink coffee because it adds to their sense of well-being." II: False. While paragraph 1 does describe coffee as one of the "world's favorite non-alcoholic table-beverages," the passage does not suggest that this is the reason it is consumed (as a substitute for alcohol). III: True. Paragraph 4 states: "There can be no substitute for coffee," and it can be inferred that if there is no substitute, coffee is consumed because there is nothing else like it.

The passage suggests that coffee is consumed because: I) it produces feelings of pleasure and well-being. II) it is an alternative to alcohol. III) there are no acceptable coffee-substitutes. Question 13 Answer Choices A. I only B. I and III only C. II and III only D. I, II and III

D. This is an Analogy question. Note: In paragraph 1 the author writes: "Babbage has a vision of numbers swirling in and out of the mill under the control of a program contained in the punched cards - an idea inspired by the Jacquard loom, a card-controlled loom that wove amazingly complex patterns." This indicates that the punched cards (hypothetically) communicated a set of instructions to the A.E., just like a punched card was used to tell the Jacquard loom what pattern to follow. Use the analogy made in the passage between the A.E. and the loom to help you identify the relevant analogy in the answer choices. A: No. The keyboard of a typewriter doesn't impart instructions to the typewriter. This would be more like adjusting the A.E or loom piece by piece, rather than using a card to "program" a complicated pattern or series of calculations and decisions. B: No. A person creates a punched card in order to communicate a "program" to the A.E. or loom; a punched card itself is not the equivalent of the person creating the instructions. C: No. The pattern gives instructions to the person doing the sewing, not to the sewing machine. D: Yes. The buttons would be the equivalent of the punched card that provides instructions to the machine to follow a particular program or pattern.

Which of following is most analogous to the relationship between punched cards and the hypothetical Analytic Engine, as described in the passage? Question 26 Answer Choices A. A keyboard and a manual typewriter B. A computer programmer and a powerful new application C. A pattern for a dress and a sewing machine D. Buttons such as Permanent press or Delicates and a washing machine

B. This is an Inference question. Note: Computers are described as "the epitome of unconsciousness" because "Computers by their very nature are the most inflexible, desireless, rule-following of beasts." A: No. The passage is not concerned with awareness. This answer is outside of scope. B: Yes. Computers are described as "inflexible, desireless." C: No. Although the author mentions computers' lack of consciousness as part of the paradox of trying to program computers to be intelligent, unconsciousness is not the same thing as unintelligence. D: No. Although the author does suggest that originality (novelty) is an aspect of intelligence, the author does not directly link consciousness or unconsciousness with originality.

Which of the following best fits the author's use of the term "unconsciousness" (paragraph 4)? Question 24 Answer Choices A. Lacking in awareness B. Rigid and lacking in desire C. Unintelligence D. Unoriginality

B. This is an Inference question. A: No. Just because the story of the trilogy is "galactic," it is not necessarily true that the action occurs on spaceships; it is possible that much of the action takes place on the surface of other worlds in the galaxy. B: Yes. According to Asimov, the Foundation trilogy was based "quite frankly on the fall of the Roman Empire" (paragraph 1). Because the fall an empire means that the empire ends in ruin, this statement is supported by the passage. C: No. This choice directly contradicts the statement in the third paragraph that "Heinlein's future history predates that of any other science fiction writer." D: No. Though Asimov states that his trilogy was modeled after the fall of the Roman Empire (paragraph 1), the passage does not state whether or not the Roman Empire is directly referred to in the books.

Which of the following can most reasonably be assumed about Asimov's Foundation trilogy? Question 40 Answer Choices A. Most of the action of the trilogy takes place on spaceships. B. The major civilization the books follow ends in ruin. C. It was written prior to Heinlein's future history. D. The Roman Empire is not referred to directly in the novels.

B. This is a General Structure question. A: No. This answer may be tempting as it describes the first two paragraphs fairly accurately. A strong component of the passage, however, addresses the connection of Greek and Roman philosophy to Christian narratives, and this makes no appearance in this answer choice. B: Yes. The first two paragraphs of the passage describe the contributions of Greek philosophy to the Recovery Narrative's foundations. Then the author highlights, through examples, the similarities between Greek, Roman, and biblical thought pertaining to a fall from idealized to degraded nature. C: No. This answer is too narrow: it only describes paragraphs 4 and 5. It addresses nothing about Greek philosophy or the Recovery Narrative. D: No. While the passage contains several references to Plato's contributions to the thought underlying the Recovery Narrative, the passage is not written to celebrate Plato's philosophic achievements.

Which of the following descriptions best summarizes the organization of the passage? Question 27 Answer Choices A. After defining and explaining the full evolution of the Recovery Narrative, the author provides historical accounts of Greek and Roman philosophers and notes similarities in their accounts of a fall from a state of idealized bountiful nature to one of corruption and infertility. B. The author presents some philosophical foundations underlying the Recovery Narrative, then provides examples from Greek and Roman texts to support her claim that these observations of a fall from an idealized natural world resemble biblical narratives about a fall from a life of leisure in the Garden of Eden. C. The author gives historical accounts of how Greece's natural beauty was degraded and eroded through such practices as farming, forestry, and mining. D. The author describes and provides examples of Plato's contributions to the Recovery Narrative in order to argue that his descriptions of the degradation of nature since the Golden Age are unparalleled in philosophy.

A. This is a Structure/Not question. Note: The reference at the end of paragraph 3 can be confusing. The author states: "[Yet] one has only to point out so many precautions to realize that capital punishment remains fundamentally, even today, a spectacle that must actually be forbidden." By this the author means that the spectacle aspect of capital punishment must be actively suppressed to be avoided. The author is not saying by this that the measures described in the middle of the paragraph (including prosecution of witnesses and changing the location of the execution) are aspects themselves of spectacle. Instead, they are in fact attempts to suppress or forbid the public spectacle of execution. A: Yes. Note that this answer choice mentions the introduction of the guillotine and not the use of the guillotine in general. In paragraph 3, the author notes that despite the guillotine's potential for "rapid and discreet deaths," the Revolution "immediately endowed it with great theatrical ritual" upon its introduction. It was not until years later that the guillotine was involved in the decline of the spectacle surrounding execution. B: No. The third paragraph states that witnesses to an execution who described the event could be prosecuted for doing so. This is given in the context of the discussion of eventual attempts to "forbid" the creation of a spectacle by trying to hide the execution from public view. C: No. The first paragraph lists several examples of forms of physical punishment that were eliminated, including branding. This list comes after, and illustrates, the claim that there is a reduced "hold on the body" that coexists with the decline in spectacle marked by the end of public executions. D: No. The third paragraph describes the removal of the guillotine to a less visible environment ("inside prison walls") as a move away from presenting executions as a public spectacle.

Which of the following does not appear in the passage as an example of either the "decline of spectacle" or a "slackening hold on the body"? Question 44 Answer Choices A. The introduction in France of the guillotine as the principal mode of execution B. Restrictions concerning certain forms of communication C. The complete elimination of some techniques of punishment D. Changes in the location of certain apparatus for execution

C. This is a Retrieval/Roman numeral question. I: True. The third paragraph illustrates the idea that an author should not be seen in his work "because literature, in the prevailing view, was not an expression of [the author's] personality but, in Eliot's famous phrase, an escape from it. According to Eliot's classic formulation, one's ego was merely a catalyst that enabled emotions and images to fuse, and should itself be made up in good part of the tradition. Indeed, if one subscribed to 'The Impersonal Theory of Poetry,' the tradition was a more vital force than even an individual's talent; at least, so one was encouraged to interpret this famous essay that summed up the aesthetic of the great moderns." II: False. The passage does mention reading and contemplation as a way to prepare for the act of writing (paragraph 2), but there is nothing to indicate that a higher value is placed on the preparation than on the act of writing. III: True. The author presents the specific case of Mann (paragraph 2) as an example of the more universal idea: "To become a modern writer was an awesome calling, one that required huge reserves of learning and craft. Take Thomas Mann."

Which of the following is/are mentioned in the passage as an aspect of a modern writing aesthetic? I) The individuality of the author should not overly color the writing. II) The preparation for writing is more important than the act of writing. III) Writing requires great reserves of information and intuition within a writer. Question 6 Answer Choices A. I only B. II only C. I and III only D. I, II, and III

C. This is a Primary Purpose question. A: No. This answer is too extreme and too limited in scope. First, we only know that this occurred in this particular context; the authors don't generalize to all cases. Second, to the extent that this is supported by the last two paragraphs, it leaves out the major passage theme of the nature of "English studies" in historical context. B: No. The authors do not question the legitimacy of post-colonial studies. This would entail a defense of "English studies" against those who question its assumptions; if anything, the authors side with the questioners (paragraph 5). C: Yes. This choice comes the closest of the four to encapsulating the majority of ideas in the passage: the authors begin by noting the emergence of English as a literary study and, throughout the passage, highlight the political movements of that time. D: No. This answer is too strong in tone and goes in the wrong direction. The authors are concerned with the history of English literary study but also with the questioning of assumptions on which the study of literature is based; they never assert that English study is essential to any liberal education.

Which of the following statements best expresses the primary purpose of this passage? Question 53 Answer Choices A. To suggest that those at the margins of a powerful entity will either become absorbed by that entity's center or will rebel against and question it B. To question the legitimacy of post-colonial studies and its ability to challenge the nexus of power of the British Empire C. To make connections between the emergence of the study of English literature and political movements of the same period D. To argue that, while problematic, the study of English literature is essential to any liberal education

B. This is a Main Idea question. A: No. This answer choice is too broad. This passage does not go into sufficient detail about the history of coffee to support this choice, and it is missing the emphasis placed by the author on the benefits of coffee. B: Yes. This answer choice most reflects the purpose of the bulk of this passage: to explain why almost everyone enjoys coffee. In paragraph 2 the author states that "Coffee is universal in its appeal. All nations do it homage" and that "Coffee has an important place in the rational dietary of all the civilized peoples of earth." Paragraph 3 explains further some of the benefits and pleasures of drinking coffee. Paragraphs 4 and 5 explain that coffee is pleasurable and beneficial for most people, and paragraph 4 states that there is no good substitute for coffee. C: No. The first paragraph does compare coffee and tea in terms of commerce and consumption, but the passage as whole does not go into detail about tea. Therefore, this choice is too narrow. D: No. While the author does assert that coffee is harmless (paragraph 5) and often misunderstood (paragraph 4), these two ideas are not primary claims. The author's primary claim is that coffee has numerous beneficial properties and is enjoyed by a majority of people. This title reflects only a small portion of the author's argument, and is too narrow to be the best choice for a title.

Which of the following would be the best title for this passage? Question 8 Answer Choices A. A Brief History of Coffee B. Why the World Loves Coffee C. A Comparison of Coffee and Tea Production and Consumption D. Coffee: Harmless but Oft Misunderstood

B. This is a Weaken question. Note: The author claims that AI research is all about the paradox of using long sets of rules telling inflexible machines how to be flexible. In order to undermine this claim we need an answer choice that provides evidence of AI research doing something other than programming with long sets of rules. A: No. A computer designed to program other computers is not inconsistent with the author's assertion; this programming may use long sets of rules that enable flexibility. B: Yes. A process inspired by evolution, and entailing independent decision-making based on experience, is certainly something other than programming flexibility with long sets of rules. C: No. A programming language that uses symbol sets to represent rules is still using rules. D: No. Breakthroughs stemming from research into self-programming computers would, if anything, support the author's assertion, as it would be an example of the "metarules" described playing a role in intelligence.

Which of the following would most undermine the author's assertion in paragraph 5 concerning the fundamental nature of AI research? Question 23 Answer Choices A. The invention of a computer designed to program other computers B. Successful A.I. research, inspired by biological evolution, enabling computers to learn to make independent decisions based on the outcome of previous decisions C. Development of a programming language that uses symbols to represent sets of rules D. Significant breakthroughs based on research into providing sets of rules enabling computers to program themselves

B. This is an Inference question. A: No. The reference to religion in the first paragraph associates torture with the weak, not strong, influence of religion. Rush is essentially saying that he hopes that someday we will see use of these punishments as evidence of insufficient influence of reason and religion. B: Yes. The second paragraph suggests "great social disturbances" as the principal reason for England not seeing an immediate decline in public executions. C: No. Although a new technology (the guillotine) is mentioned, there is no link between inventions or innovations on the whole and the frequency of executions. Furthermore, it is not suggested that the invention of the guillotine itself led to an increased total number of executions, only that it allowed them to be performed faster. D: No. No association is suggested between economic problems and public executions. It would be going too far outside the scope of the passage to link a struggling economy with social unrest.

Which of the following, according to the passage, might the author expect to be correlated with an increase in the frequency or visibility of public executions? Question 45 Answer Choices A. A strong influence of religious beliefs on social practices B. Political revolution or unrest C. New technological innovations D. A struggling national economy

C. This is a Strengthen question. A: No. The authors' statement about the legality of dogfighting is peripheral to their argument, and applied only to the U.S. Whether or not the EU bans dogfighting is not particularly relevant to the passage. B: No. The authors only mention animal rights activists at the very end of the final paragraph: this answer choice is therefore not directly relevant to their central argument. Also, the closing of one ring in an undefined community does not give strong support to the authors' claim that animal rights activists draw most of their support from the middle and upper classes. C: Yes. This answer choice supports the authors' assertion that dogfighting is bound up in achieving and maintaining masculinity. The fact that a majority of female spectators agree with this view would "most strengthen" (of these four choices) the central argument of the passage. D: No. This would provide only minor support for the authors' claim that dogfighting is popular predominantly among working-class populations. Compare it to choice C, which gives much stronger additional support to the central arguments made in the passage.

Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author's central arguments as presented in the passage? Question 17 Answer Choices A. Dogfighting is made illegal by the European Union and is therefore banned from all of its member countries. B. Animal rights activists protest against and succeed in exposing and stopping a dogfighting ring in their community. C. When interviewed, a majority of female spectators at dogfights across the U.S. admitted that the appeal they found in the sport was celebrating the manliness of the winner more than watching the dogs fight. D. Among upper classes in the U.S., dogfighting is largely absent.

C. This is a Weaken question. A: No. While this statement would somewhat weaken the author's claim in paragraph 3 that coffee "has had to suffer from religious superstition and medical prejudice," this does not weaken the author's central argument, that most civilized people love coffee for its multitude of positive effects. The correct answer must attack the central argument, not a side claim. B: No. If this were true, it would in fact lend support to the author's comment in paragraph 3 that coffee "has had to suffer from religious superstition and medical prejudice": it would not weaken the author's central argument. C: Yes. In paragraph 2 the author argues: "People love coffee because of its two-fold effect—the pleasurable sensation and the increased efficiency it produces." In paragraph 3 the author states that nothing surpasses coffee in "palatability and comforting effects, the psychology of which is to be found in its unique flavor and aroma. Men and women drink coffee because it adds to their sense of well-being." These statements express the central argument made by the author: coffee is consumed by most people because of all of its positive effects. However, this answer explains coffee consumption from the standpoint of addiction - coffee is consumed to stave off withdrawal effects. Therefore this choice most undermines the author's central argument, that most civilized people love coffee for its multitude of positive effects. D: No. While this does somewhat undermine the author's contention that only 3% (as indicated by the statistic in the last paragraph) of the population would have an aversion to coffee, it does not undermine the author's central claim. The correct answer must attack the central argument, not a side claim. Note also that 7 % is not radically more than 3%; it is still a minority of the population.

Which of the following, if true, would most undermine the author's central argument about coffee? Question 11 Answer Choices A. Most doctors and scientists promote the use of coffee, both to soothe minor ailments and for its prophylactic benefits. B. Coffee consumption is seen as comparable other vices, such as alcohol consumption, in many religious teachings. C. Because of the addictive properties of caffeine, habitual coffee drinking is often mistaken as pleasurable or desirable when in fact it is merely the result of satisfying physiological cravings caused by periodic caffeine withdrawal. D. The actual number of humans with alkaloid intolerance has been estimated to be as high as seven percent.

D. This is an Inference question. A: No. While it is true that both sexes enjoy coffee, this is not the reason why the author calls it "democratic." In paragraph 2 the passage states that coffee "is a democratic beverage. Not only is it the drink of fashionable society, but it is also a favorite beverage of the men and women who do the world's work, whether they toil with brain or brawn." This indicates that people of different social status ("fashionable" vs. "toil with brain or brawn") enjoy coffee, and that this is what makes it democratic. B: No. This choice is half right, half wrong. The first part of the answer relies on outside knowledge or opinion that is not stated in the passage: there is no mention of tea being enjoyed more by wealthier people. C: No. This is the right answer to the wring question. The reason according to paragraph 2 that coffee is a "democratic beverage" is that people of all types drink and enjoy it. The author does indicate in paragraph 4 that only a small percentage of people are unable to drink coffee in the sense that it is physically bad for them, but this is a different issue. D: Yes. Paragraph 2 states: "It is a democratic beverage. Not only is it the drink of fashionable society, but it is also a favorite beverage of the men and women who do the world's work, whether they toil with brain or brawn." This suggests that people from a variety of classes or social statuses enjoy coffee, and that this is why it is "democratic."

Why, according to the passage, is coffee considered a democratic beverage? Question 10 Answer Choices A. Both men and women drink coffee B. While tea is more characteristically consumed by wealthier people, coffee tends to be enjoyed by those of all classes. C. Only a small minority of people are unable to drink coffee. D. Upper class, middle class and working class people all enjoy coffee.

D. This is an Inference question. A: No. The author does not endorse (or reject) the criticism of prisons found in the fourth paragraph, nor does he apply it to contemporary prisons. B: No. The second half of the answer choice is accurate (paragraph 1), but the passage does not refer to shock or excess as contributing to the shift. C: No. The passage does refer in the third paragraph to forbidding the spectacles of capital punishment, but not to forbidding capital punishment itself. D: Yes. The first sentence suggests a "slackening hold" on the body and the shift is confirmed in the first paragraph, as the goal of punishment becomes to reach something other than the body.

With which of the following statements would the author would be most likely to agree? Question 48 Answer Choices A. It is still true today that prisoners sometimes receive better accommodations than do poor workers. B. Shock over the excesses of torture and punishment in eighteenth century contributed to a general shift away from corporal punishment to the loss of various rights and privileges. C. In modern times, many civilized nations forbid the practice of capital punishment. D. The reduction in the practice of torture constitutes part of a broader shift in emphasis away from the body as the appropriate object of punishment.

C. This is an Analogy question. A: No. The A.E. was designed to be programmed using a punched card (paragraph 2); the card determined the actions of the machine. Reading does not control writing; rather, it is one skill involved in the writing process. B: No. Metarules are a higher level of rule that modify simple rules (paragraph 6). Writing is not a higher level of reading that modifies or changes "simple" reading; they are two different yet interrelated skills or processes, one or which is required by the other. C: Yes. The ability to respond to situations flexibly is described as an essential ability for intelligence (paragraph 4). Intelligence thus requires responding flexibly, and provides evidence of the ability to respond flexibly, which is the same relationship. D: No. Performing calculations and composing music are both described as potential applications of the A.E., but they don't have an apparent relationship with each other.

Writing requires the ability to read, and also provides evidence of that ability. Based on information in the passage, the relationship between reading and writing is most like the relationship between: Question 22 Answer Choices A. the Analytic Engine and the punched card. Your Answer B. rules and metarules. C. the ability to respond to situations flexibly and intelligently. D. performing calculations and composing music.

A. This is a Retrieval/Except question. A: Yes. In paragraph one the author states, "Plato argued that the natural world can never lead to truth." Therefore the claim in this answer choice cannot be attributed to Plato; it is the exact opposite and so the correct answer to an EXCEPT question. B: No. This belief is paraphrased in paragraph one, where the author discusses Plato's "distinction between the ever-changing world of appearances [nature] and the unchanging real world of pure forms, exemplified by mathematics." C: No. This is stated in paragraph one, where the author mentions the idea of "the unchanging real world of pure forms" as part of Plato's beliefs. D: No. This is stated in paragraph five, where the author refers to Plato's belief that "In ancient times...the gods had tended humans as if they were sheep, guiding them not by force, but as a helmsman steers a boat."

According to the passage, all of the following beliefs may be attributed to Plato EXCEPT: Question 31 Answer Choices A. while nature itself does not constitute truth, it is possible to derive truth from the natural world. B. mathematical ideals are divorced from nature. C. pure forms are unchanging. D. the relationship between gods and men in ancient times was one of gentle guidance of the latter by the former.

C. This is a Structure question. A: No. Asimov is cited as the author of the Foundation trilogy; his authority as a writer therefore is not being undermined (his authority as an interpreter might be, but that is different issue). B: No. The answer to a structure question represents the author's purpose in making a particular statement in a particular context within the passage. In this section of the passage, the author is continuing an argument (begun in paragraph 2) that "future histories" do not simply project the past into the future. Even though the author quotes Asimov in paragraphs 1 and 4 as stating that Asimov did model the Foundation trilogy on the Roman past, the author of the passage never indicates that Asimov believes that future histories, including Asimov's own, do ONLY this. Thus, in the context of the passage, the parenthetical statement is not intended to refute Asimov's statement (which is not inconsistent with the author's own argument). C: Yes. In the second paragraph the author states: "It would be a mistake to surmise that [modeling a future history on the past] is all there is to the future history motif...." Paragraph 3 continues this discussion, explaining how future histories "give meaning to the expectations of technically and scientifically imaginative people." The parenthetical statement in the final paragraph reinforces this argument: Asimov's future history, regardless of Asimov's own statement, is not simply a projection of the Roman past into the future but rather "it is about the expectations Asimov's readers have for the future." D: No. Answer D is about Asimov's understanding of the people who read his work, not his interpretation of his own writing. This is outside the scope of the passage.

The parenthetical statement in the final paragraph of the passage serves to: Question 41 Answer Choices A. undermine Asimov's authority as the writer of the Foundation trilogy. B. refute Asimov's statement about the intention of his novels. C. help explain an assertion discussed in the previous paragraph. D. cast doubt on Asimov's understanding of his readership.

C. This is a Retrieval question. A: No. Though Heinlein says that eventually his charted history was "just as real" to him as an actual historical event, that does not mean that his chart was necessary to provide relevant history to other scientifically imaginative people (or that the history in the chart was more relevant to such people than actual history). B: No. This choice includes words out of context; though the passage contains these words, this is not the reason that the chart was "necessary," as the question asks. C: Yes. The key here is the word "necessary" in the question stem. The third paragraph says, "The chart was a necessity, Heinlein writes, 'to keep me from stumbling as I added new stories.'" This indicates that the chart was necessary as an organizational and structural tool for the writer, which most closely matches answer C. D: No. Though Heinlein charts history from 1951 to 2600 A.D., he says "he was not attempting prophecy" or trying to literally predict the future.

According to the passage, Heinlein's chart was necessary to: Question 42 Answer Choices A. outline a history that is more relevant to scientifically imaginative people than actual history. B. detail the technical, sociological, and political history of humankind. C. provide an organizing structure into which shorter narratives could be fitted. D. predict the events that are likely to occur from 1951 to 2600 A.D.

B. This is an Inference question. A: No. The quotes attributed to Veblen do not mention dogfighting or baiting sports, nor do the authors indicate that Veblen is any sort of expert in this field. B: Yes. All of the ideas attributed to Veblen concern the behaviors of the upper classes and the effects these behaviors have upon "all classes lower in the scale." Therefore it would be reasonable to infer that Veblen studied the effects of class behavior on society. C: No. While the author indicates that dogfighting is a subculture (paragraph 2), and that Veblen's analysis can be applied to dogfighting (paragraphs 4 and 5), there is no indication in the passage that Veblen himself studied subcultures. D: No. The fact that Veblen discusses the behavior and influence of the leisure class does not support the idea that Veblen himself is a member of the leisure class.

Based on information provided in the passage, it is reasonable to assume that Veblen is: Question 18 Answer Choices A. a historian of dogfighting and other baiting sports. B. someone who studies the effects of class behavior on societies. C. someone who studies the formation and persistence of subcultures. D. a member of the leisure class.

C. This is an Inference question. A: No. Although the author discusses the inability of amateur pianists to play Beethoven's music well, he does not say that professional musicians cannot play the music well. Moreover, the author does not mention piano concertos at all. B: No. As in question 2, choice D, this answer choice takes the words 'Romantic" and "interpreter" out of context. While we are told that Beethoven did not follow the musica practica that came before him, the author did not tell us that Beethoven himself instead followed a Romantic interpretation. This would be a misinterpretation of the author's statement in paragraph 5 that "Beethoven forsakes the amateur and seems, in an initial moment, to call on the new Romantic deity, the interpreter." Here, the author is not speaking of a Romantic interpretation, but rather continuing his discussion of how Beethoven's music is more to be listened to than played. C: Yes. After explaining that amateur musicians cannot play Beethoven's music well, he asks in the final paragraph: "What is the use of composing if it is to confine the product within the precinct of the concert or the solitude of listening to the radio?" The author does not, and appears unable to, answer this rhetorical question. D: No. The author explains that the nature of the music itself does not allow for mastery by an amateur. He understands why amateurs cannot master the music, but not why Beethoven would write such music.

Concerning Beethoven and his music, the author appears to be perplexed as to why: Question 36 Answer Choices A. Beethoven wrote piano concertos even though they cannot be played well. B. Beethoven's music rejects musica practica in favor of Romantic interpretation. C. Beethoven wrote music that could be enjoyed only in the concert hall. D. Beethoven's music is so difficult for an amateur to play well.

C. This is a Structure question. Note: This question is posed in paragraph 3: "...for each barrier crossed, there always cropped up some new barrier to the actual creation of a genuine thinking machine. Was there some deep reason for this goal's mysterious recession?" A: No. The author never explicitly states, "yes, there was a deep reason," or "no, there was not a deep reason." B: No. The author never cites a specific example. C: Yes. Though the author never explicitly answers the question, he later describes the deep reason: the difficulty in programming flexibility into inflexible computers (paragraphs 4-6). As he has described the cause, we know the answer to the question is, "yes, there was a deep reason." D: No. The author did answer the question, although indirectly (see explanation for choice C).

How did the author answer the question posed concerning the possibility of the existence of a fundamental cause of the difficulty in achieving mechanical intelligence? Question 25 Answer Choices A. Directly, in the following paragraphs B. Indirectly, by citing a specific example of a relevant case C. Indirectly, by presenting information sufficient to infer an answer to the question D. The author did not answer the question.

D. This is a New Information question. A: No. All we know about Sherwood Anderson is that he found success writing after he had left his marriage and his job at a paint factory (paragraph 1). There is nothing in the passage to indicate the subject matter of his writing. B: No. The example of Thomas Mann is there to illustrate the methodical approach of one modernist who found a great deal of success (paragraph 2). The author never indicates exactly what the subject matter of Mann's books was. C: No. Flaubert serves as an example of the extreme desire for perfection among modern writers (paragraph 3). The subject matter of Flaubert's works is not discussed. D: Yes. Eliot is mentioned in the passage as the epitome of the modernist idea that an author should keep himself out of the work he is writing: "literature, in the prevailing view, was not an expression of his personality but, in Eliot's famous phrase, an escape from it"(paragraph 3) An autobiographical work would certainly be inconsistent with this concept.

Suppose the author of this passage had gained success by writing a series of autobiographical essays featuring events and details from his own life. This would be most inconsistent with the example set by which one of these authors mentioned in the passage? Question 5 Answer Choices A. Sherwood Anderson B. Thomas Mann C. Flaubert D. Eliot

C. This is a Primary Purpose question. A: No. While the author does mention distancing oneself from certain aspects of life (paragraph 1), this answer choice is a misinterpretation of that aspect of the writing process. In fact, the author suggests that he believed that reading the works of others was necessary to becoming a great writer (see the example of Mann in paragraph 2). While the passage finally suggests that the author came to reevaluate what writing should entail (see the last paragraph), there is no suggestion that reading the works of others, in particular, should be avoided. B: No. While true according to the passage (see paragraph 3), this answer choice is too narrow to be the primary purpose. C: Yes. The author describes his own process of attempting to follow the example of great modern writers in paragraphs 1, 2, and 4. Throughout the passage, in this context, the author describes what he saw to be the necessary conditions for living up to these examples. The author also suggests that he either came to question the validity of these conditions, or to realize that he could not achieve them (it isn't entirely clear which). That "negative" tone of failure and/or reevaluation is subtle but clearest in the last paragraph where the author states that he never realized that "the irony was on me, that my theme was mostly an unconscious parable of the experience of writing, while my life itself was one virtually constant, varied - and unexplored - initiation. So what I picked up from the literary atmosphere was mostly a certain vanity and despair of participation." However, there are hints of this theme earlier in the passage that suggest that the author's perception of the correct path to his intended ideal was mistaken (see the wording "even when I realized that the practices were self-alienating" in paragraph 2, and "in the prevailing view," "if one subscribed to...," and "so one was encouraged to interpret this famous essay" in paragraph 3). D: No. This choice is too narrow. The author addresses it in paragraph 1, but not again in the piece, and the rest of the passage is not intended to support this particular claim.

The primary purpose of the passage is to: Question 1 Answer Choices A. argue that in order to become a great writer, one must avoid other distractions like employment or reading the works of others, because they will inhibit the creative process. B. show that the archetypal modern novelist was Flaubert, who encompassed all of the personal and stylistic qualities of the modern movement. C. describe the author's process of, and problems encountered in, attempting to achieve his perception of the ideal of a modern writer. D. explain the author's belief that to become a serious writer, one must leave the confines of graduate school and venture out into the world.

B. This is an Inference question. A: No. The authors do not make a connection between the origins of dogfighting (testing guard dogs) and the status of the owners. In fact, at the end of the first paragraph, the authors state: "In its early years, dogfighting served as entertainment for all sectors of society and could not yet be defined as a sport by which men gained status." In the second paragraph, the authors say that dogfighting later changed from entertainment into a sport. Since men did not gain status from dogfighting until it was a sport (see quotation just given), there is no evidence to suggest that status was at all related to dogfighting's origins. B: Yes. In paragraph 2, the authors state: "In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries dogfighting came to be defined as an exclusive male sport in which individual men can earn status within the dogfighting subculture, through the accomplishments of their dogs." Paragraph 3 then discusses how this maintenance of male status relates to a subculture of honor, and paragraph 4 explains how maintenance of male status relates to the class-based origins of dogfighting. Note that paragraph 4 (where the authors discuss the high repute dogfighting once had among the elite) begins: " A second important context for understanding masculine ideals in this study concerns the socioeconomic status of dogmen and the perpetuation of dogfighting in an era which no longer accords the sport the same reputability it once held." This sentence explicitly ties this section of the passage back to the reference to earning male status in paragraph 2. C: No. This answer contradicts the passage. The authors do not claim that "many elements of society" today enjoy dogfighting. In fact, the authors state that is popular primarily within the "Southern, white, working class" (paragraph 2). D: No. The authors suggest factors that can help us understand the persistence of dogfighting today (see especially the final paragraph); they do not claim that it is difficult to understand.

Which of the following comes closest to what the passage suggests? Question 16 Answer Choices A. Dogfighting began as a way to test out potential guard dogs; the owners of the dogs gained status when their dogs were considered the strongest, and from this element of the competition the sport of dogfighting emerged. B. Despite no longer being a reputable sport, dogfighting is still popular among certain populations. Its role in maintaining male status derives from the fact that it once had reputability among men at high levels of society. C. Dogfighting has strayed far from its pragmatic origins; today it is a form of entertainment for many elements of society in the U.S. despite being banned from all 50 states. D. Because different subcultures define masculinity in varying ways, it is difficult to understand the appeal of dogfighting among Southern males.

D. This is a Retrieval/Except question. A: No. Soil erosion is explicitly mentioned in paragraph four. B: No. Overgrazing by domesticated animals is mentioned in paragraph four. C: No. In paragraph six, the author mentions people "dug into the earth for gold." D: Yes. No examples of natural disasters are given. Be careful not to over-think: while some of the environmental devastation described may be considered disastrous, a "natural disaster" is not caused by human action.

All of the following examples of environmental degradation or causes of that degradation are given in the passage EXCEPT: Question 28 Answer Choices A. soil erosion. B. overgrazing by domesticated animals. C. mining for gold. D. natural disasters.

B. This is a Main Point question. A: No. This choice is half right and half wrong; the passage does say that future histories symbolize the structure of space and time, but not that the events in future histories may actually happen. B: Yes. In paragraphs 1 and 2, the author discusses how future-history is based on a model of the past. Then, the first sentence of the third paragraph indicates that it is in this paragraph that we will learn the "real significance" of future histories. The author goes on to state that "the significance of the future history theme... is to give meaning to the structuring of time," and that future history "symbolizes expectations." C: No. Though Heinlein indicates that his future history is "at least as real" to him as an actual historical event, this is does not mean that his future history is "just as valid" (a sense of reality and of validity are not equated with each other in the passage). Furthermore, this choice is too narrow to be the central thesis of the entire passage. D: No. Several authors mentioned in the passage talk about the cyclical or spiral nature of history (although the passage does not go so far as to suggest that science fiction actually predicts the future). However, the author of the passage says that it would be a mistake "to surmise that this is all there is to the future history motif" (paragraph 2), and goes on to discuss the symbolic function of the genre relating to the structuring of time. Reduction of suffering is brought up at the end of the passage, but this final reference in paragraph 4 is only about one expectation held by readers; it does not represent or embody the symbolic function of science fiction as a whole.

The central argument of the passage is that in science fiction, future histories: Question 37 Answer Choices A. symbolize the structure of time and space by charting events that may happen in the future. B. while being based on the past, essentially manifest current expectations. C. are just as valid to the people who write them as the recorded history of the past. D. can accurately predict a future of reduced suffering, because of the cyclical or spiral nature of recurring events.

B. This is a Strengthen question. A: No. This would contradict the author's point about Mann - he specifically mentions the "mighty line" of Mann's books on his bookcase, implying that he wrote a great number of works (paragraph 2). B: Yes. If modern literary critics admired this aspect of Mann's writing, it would support the author's contention that having a large reservoir of information is seen as being important for the modern writing process. In paragraph 2 the author writes: "To become a modern writer was an awesome calling, one that required huge reserves of learning and craft. Take Thomas Mann. That mighty line of Knopf books on my shelf was said to have been produced by a trickle of prose during a few hours each morning, while the rest of Mann's day was spent in reading and contemplation, so that the great reservoirs of information and intuition would remain full." C: No. This, if true, would contradict the point that the author makes in the first paragraph about the separateness of the author being necessary for writing. D: No. This directly contradicts the point that the author is making by evoking Mann - the belief that a modern author must continue to read and absorb information (paragraph 2).

Which if the following, if true, would most strengthen the author's point regarding Thomas Mann in the second paragraph? Question 7 Answer Choices A. Mann wrote for thirty years, and produced only two books in that time, although both were award-winning. B. The classical, Biblical, and mythological allusions throughout Mann's books are much admired by modern literary critics. C. Throughout his writing career, Mann continued working daily at the insurance company where he had gotten his first job. D. Mann deliberately avoided reading the works of other authors for fear that his own writing would be unduly influenced.

D. This is an Inference/Roman numeral question. I: False. See paragraph 4. The author states: "Literature was made as central to the cultural enterprise of Empire as the monarchy was to its political formation." It was therefore the monarchy that was central to the Empire's political formation; literature was central to the cultural enterprise of Empire. II: True. See the first sentence of the passage: "The study of English has always been a densely political and cultural phenomenon...." III: True. See paragraph 3: the author says English literature "leads to the naturalizing of constructed values (e.g. civilization, humanity, etc.)"

Which of the following statements is/are consistent with views expressed in the passage? I) Literature was central to the political formation of the British Empire. II) The study of English has always been densely political. III) Values such as civilization can be naturalized in a population. Question 49 Answer Choices A. II only B. III only C. I and II only D. II and III only