Critical Reading - Weakness Hitlist
According to passage 1, which of the following statements about dolphins is true? (a) They have always been water-dwelling creatures (b) They at one time possessed prehensile organs (c) They lived on land in prehistoric times (d) Their brains are no longer mammalian in nature (e) They developed brains to compensate for the lack of a prehensile organ
(a) "Dolphins left the land when mammalian brains were still small..." (b) "...his superior brain is unaccompanied by any type of manipulative organ..." (c) correct! "Dolphins left the land when mammalian brains were still small..." (d) nothing to suggest this (e) says nothing to DIRECTLY suggest this
The discovery of the fossil was --- and ---, surprising scientists and undermining accepted theories about plant distribution. (a) exhilarating...banal (b) shocking...prophetic (c) startling...revolutionary (d) appalling...groundbreaking (e) unanticipated...irrelevant
(a) "banal" does not match with "undermining..." (b) says nothing about foreseeing (c) correct! startling more accurately aligns with "surprising" (d) appalling has a negative connotation (e) "irrelevant" does not match in context
Far from being ---, bears in some national parks are surprisingly --- when approached by humans; still, visitors must exercise caution. (a) benign...cantankerous (b) reticent...bellicose (c) complacent...docile (d) aggressive...placid (e) playful...frisky
(a) "cantankerous" does not match with "surprisingly.." one would expect them to be bad-tempered. (b) one would expect bears to be aggressive (c) bears can't be smug, "complacent" should be opposite of "docile" (d) correct! "aggressive" is opposite of "placid" (e) playful and frisky are too similar
On the verge of financial collapse, the museum was granted a ----, receiving a much-needed ---- of cash in the form of a government loan. (a) reprieve...infusion (b) deferment...inducement (c) rebate...advance (d) hearing...security (e) procurement...account
(a) Correct! A "reprieve" refers to a form of relief, and an "infusion" of money would certainly be a welcome relief for a museum that is struggling financially. (b) A "deferment" that allows the museum to pay its debts at a later date may be helpful, but it does not make sense to describe a deferment as an "inducement," or incentive, of cash. (c) The money cannot be both a "rebate," or return of the museum's own previously paid money, and an "advance," or a loan, which is new money that must be repaid. (d) These terms do not fit within the context of the sentence because a "hearing" would not necessarily result in a pledge of cash, as the second comma implies. (e) A "procurement" refers to something that the museum actively obtained for itself, not to something that the museum was granted, or given. Furthermore, it makes little sense to speak of an "account" of cash.
The doctor --- so frequently on disease-prevention that his colleagues accused him of ---. (a) vacillated...inconsistency (b) sermonized...fidelity (c) wavered...steadfastness (d) experimented...inflexibility (e) relied...negligence
(a) Correct! Because the doctor vacillated, or changed his mind frequently, his colleagues were right to accuse him of being inconsistent. (b) fidelity doesn't match- accusations are generally reserved for negative qualities. (c) one who frequently wavers would not be called steadfast. (d) a person known for trying new techniques could not be accused of avoiding change (e) the fact that the doctor relied on disease-prevention techniques does not necessarily mean that he failed to properly care for his patients
The author --- the last act of her play to appease those critics who --- the work for its brevity (a) eliminated...extolled (b) condensed...censured (c) expanded...disparaged (d) intensified...glorified (e) rearranged...endorsed
(a) If critics already praised her work for being short, the author would not need to "appease" them by making it even shorter (b) An author would not try to win the approval of critics who condemned the "brevity" of her play by shortening it further (c) correct! The missing terms must describe both the critics' reactions to the play's shortness, and the action the author took to satisfy them. The word "appease," or satisfy, indicates that the critics' reaction was negative, and it makes sense that the author lengthened the play in response (d) she did not need to do intensify her work to win over critics who already raved about her work. (e) If critics had endorsed, or supported, the author's play for being brief, she would have no reason to change the last act to satisfy them
Some critics of the congressional proceedings contend that important debates on issues are marred by a ---- of denunciations and accusations that precludes --- discourse (a) repertory...expendable (b) paucity...meaningful (c) barrage...libelous (d) rehash...repetitive (e) cacophony...orderly
(a) It is illogical to claim that the "important debates" are also "expendable." (b) A lack of denunciations and accusations is more likely to promote meaningful discourse than preclude it (c) A "barrage" of insults would typically encourage, not prevent, discourse that is "libelous," or maliciously damaging. (d) Bringing up old "denunciations and accusations" would likely cause, rather than preclude, discourse that is "repetitive." (e) correct! Harsh noise certainly could "preclude," or prevent, an orderly exchange of ideas
In context, Mulcahy's "condolatory smile" (lines 32-33) is most probably an expression of both (a) cynical skepticism and comical self-pity (b) sincere compassion and whimsical delight (c) profound surprise and delighted appreciation (d) bitter disappointment and sly criticism (e) condescending sympathy and amused scorn
(a) Mulcahy is not at all skeptical about either the fact that the president had written the letter or about the president's motives in writing it. (b) Mulcahy is described as feeling for Hoar pity mingled with contempt, which is inconsistent with sincere compassion. (c) he is described as feeling "pity, mingled with contempt and dry amusement" (lines 35-36), and such an emotion is inconsistent with delighted appreciation. (d) there is nothing sly, or underhanded, about his criticism of Hoar (e) correct! Condolatory" means expressive of sympathetic sorrow. Mulcahy thinks that the president was foolish in a way that he, Mulcahy, would never be.
Ernest Everett Just was one of the first embryologists to propose that the surface of the egg cell, far from being ----- structure, is an active determinant of essential cell processes. (a) a homogeneous (b) an opaque (c) an inert (d) an organic (e) a palpable
(a) Nope! "Homogeneous" means being composed of the same parts. The word needed here should indicate a type of structure that is "far from" being an "active determinant." "Homogeneous" implies nothing at all about how active or passive the structure might be. (b) Nope! "Opaque" means not allowing light to pass through. The word needed here should indicate a type of structure that is "far from" being an "active determinant." "Opaque" implies nothing at all about how active or passive the structure might be. (c) correct! "Inert" means inactive or motionless. In the sentence the egg cell is described as an "active determinant" in its own cell processes, and something called an "active determinant" could also be described as being "far from" inert. (d) "Organic" means having the characteristics of living things. The word needed here should indicate a type of structure that is "far from" being an "active determinant." "Organic" implies nothing at all about how active or passive the structure might be. (e) "Palpable" means tangible or obvious. The word needed here should indicate a type of structure that is "far from" being an "active determinant." "Palpable" implies nothing at all about how active or passive the structure might be.
In Passage 2, the phrase "rendered obsolete by its own success" (line 76) indicates that (a) the desires of environmentalists have changed over the years (b) the success of the environmental movement has frightened conservative politicians (c) the accomplishments of the environmental movement have made its public pronouncements irrelevant (d) environmentalists often appear old-fashioned in a world primarily concerned with technology (e) environmentalism plays on the political concerns of both liberals and conservatives
(a) Passage 2 implies that modern environmentalists do not act with any less urgency despite their past successes (b) their fear does not explain how the environmentalists' views might be obsolete (c) correct! The author of Passage 2 argues that the pleas and warnings of environmental activists have been so effective in protecting the planet that these pleas are no longer necessary (d) nothing in the passage indicates that environmentalists have an "old-fashioned" view of technology (e) The assertion that the environmental movement holds significance for both major political parties has nothing to do with the quoted phrase
Some skeptics consider the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) to be ----, even foolish; others go so far as to accuse SETI scientists of outright ----- in applying skewed data. (a) misguided...remonstrance (b) absurd...erudition (c) plausible...lassitude (d) painstaking...fabrication (e) wrongheaded...chicanery
(a) SETI didn't protest (b) erudition = wisdom (c) not plausible (d) not painstaking (e) correct, chicanery = trickery
The issue that Mulcahy has fought for at Jocelyn are listed (lines 22-32) in order to point out that they (a) elicited a sympathetic response from the faculty (b) prove that Jocelyn is a poorly run college (c) are criticisms raised by President Hoar in his letter to Mulcahy (d) deal with theoretical issues that most people cannot understand (e) represent a wide range of topics, from the trivial to the serious
(a) Some of the issues Mulcahy fought for are issues that most of the faculty probably would have been sympathetic toward, while others are unlikely to have been of any interest at all to most of the faculty (b) The list of issues that Mulcahy fought over suggests that Mulcahy believed that Jocelyn College was poorly run, but the list does not prove that the college actually was poorly run (c) There is no suggestion that the letter included any reference to any of the issues Mulcahy had fought for. (d) None of the issues Mulcahy fought for is particularly theoretical or abstract, nor do they seem particularly difficult for most people to understand. (e) correct! The list of issues over which Mulcahy has fought President Hoar serves to show how irritating Mulcahy would have been to a college administrator. It makes the point that Mulcahy is someone who takes a stance against the college administration over virtually anything.
In context, the "paintings" (lines 5-6) are best understood as a reference to (a) realistic scuptures (b) historical biographies (c) whimsical novels (d) political cartoons (e) colorful theorems
(a) There is no indication in the passage that "paintings" might refer to sculptures. (b) correct! The reference to "authors" (line 2) indicates that the passage is about written works about the leaders of the Black community (c) there is no reason to think that the reference to "our leaders" (line 2) is to anyone but real-life leaders of the Black community. (d) There is no support in the passage for taking "paintings" (lines 5-6) to be a reference to political cartoons. (e) The concept of a theorem is appropriate only to rigorous logical/mathematical work.
Based on the information in the passage, Wilson's letters can best be described as (a) cynical (b) spontaneous (c) critical (d) preachy (e) witty
(a) To be cynical" is to be contemptuous and distrustful of motives. Nothing in the passage suggests that Wilson's letters had this quality. (b) correct! the passage says that Wilson "speaks directly through his letters" (line 5) and that those letters "undisguisedly reflect his changing moods." (lines 6-7). It also describes his letters as "informal" (line 5). (c) the passage does not include any information that suggests that the letters were critical. (d) the passage says that Wilson did not plan out what she was going to say or write to achieve some particular end. (e) Wilson did not try to make his letters especially "witty," or amusing and clever.
A judicious biography must be --- representation that depicts both the strengths and weaknesses of the subject, avoiding the two extremes of --- and indictment. (a) a polarized...vindication (b) an imaginative...discernment (c) holistic...censure (d) a complimentary...animosity (e) an equitable...eulogy
(a) a biography that is polarized presents extreme views and thus is not judicious (b) a judicious biography is based on fact, not imagination. Also, discernment is not the extreme opposite of indictment, or harsh criticism. (c) a representation that is holistic could be judicious, but "censure" is a synonym of "indictment," not an antonym (d) animosity is not the opposite of indictment, praise has nothing to do with it (e) correct! a biography that represents a balance between high praise and indictment, or harsh criticism, is indeed judicious and equitable. Vindication is opposite of indictment- thereby describing the "two extremes."
Maggie is a procrastinator, naturally inclined to --- and to --- discussions. (a) meddle..scoff at (b) temporize...prolong (c) misbehave...disrupt (d) sneer...terminate (e) withdraw...intrude in
(a) a procrastinator is unlikely to meddle in other's affairs (b) correct! "Temporize" means to act evasively to gain time or to postpone a decision. "Prolong" means to lengthen in duration. (c) a procrastinator in unlikely to misbehave (d) a procrastinator won't want to terminate discussions, only prolong them (e) a procrastinator won't intrude in discussions
In context, the tone of lines 5-10 (when...startled) is best described as one of (a) awe and fear (b) mischief and curiosity (c) sadness and confusion (d) wonder and delight (e) uncertainty and impatience
(a) although the narrator clearly feels awe at the "miraculously real" sea, there is nothing in lines 5-10 to suggest any sort of fear (b) although curiosity may well be part of the narrator's personality, the passage suggests nothing regarding mischief (c) the author's tone is upbeat; there is no sadness, only delight (d) correct! the entire feeling of this passage is one of amazement and appreciation and the narrator savors this particular experience (e) the narrator's enjoyment of this experience is such that there is no hint of impatience
The author's attitude toward the "portrait" (line 3) is best characterized as one of (a) resentment (b) appreciation (c) confusion (d) awe (e) derision
(a) appreciation, not resentment or ill-will (b) correct! The movie in which HAL appears is a "masterpiece" (line 1) and the portrait of HAL is "finely honed" (line 3), or precise (c) There is no indication of any confusion or ambivalence (d) The author admires the portrait of HAL, but goes on to say that computers are in some ways even better now. (e) There is no indication that the author is being sarcastic or ridiculing HAL
City leaders practiced ----- out of respect for taxpayers, ---- the number of new public projects. (a) forbearance...augmenting (b) mendacity...circumventing (c) austerity...curtailing (d) profligacy...truncating (e) reticence...extolling
(a) augmenting means adding, this wouldn't respect taxpayers (b) mendacity means untruthfulness, doesn't make sense in context. (c) Correct! austerity means severity, curtailing means reducing. Makes sense! (d) profligacy means extravagance... doesn't make sense (e) reticence means quietness... doesn't make sense
The author's tone in discussing the "liberal military code" can best be described as (a) approving (b) ironic (c) irked (d) regretful (e) reverent
(a) authors tone doesn't approve of the hanging (b) correct! Generally, people would like regulations to be interpreted liberally to permit them to do the things they want. Here, the liberal military code is permitting the man to be hanged. (c) no irksome connotation words (d) author has not taken any action to be regretted (e) tone conveys he doesn't approve, therefore not respectful
The author of Passage 1 would most likely argue that the "line of thought" (line 75) illustrated in Passage 2 was (a) once original but is now trite (b) once wholly based on science but is now driven by politics (c) in no way meant to be taken literally (d) of no significance to faraway nations (e) of dubious validity from the beggining
(a) concerned with the accuracy of "environmental popularizers'" statements about the environment, not with their originality (b) Passage 1 has nothing to do with politics (c) indicates that those who present the "one-sided picture" reflected in Gore's "line of thought" actually do intend a literal interpretation (d) There is no indication in Passage 1 that distant countries would consider environmental decline to be insignificant (e) correct! The author of Passage 1 would likely argue that Gore's "line of thought" regarding the "grave" state of the planet is "one-sided and incomplete," and therefore "dubious," or doubtful
Both passages emphasize which of the following aspects of Linnaeus' work? (a) the extent to which it contributed to science (b) the way in which it limits present-day science (c) the degree to which it revived interest in biology (d) the decisiveness with which it settled scientific disputes (e) the kinds of scientific discoveries on which it built
(a) correct! Although the two authors judge Linnaeus' work differently, they agree that his classificatory system has had a great influence on the field of natural science. (b) the author of Passage 2 claims that Linnaeus' system limits modern human understanding of the natural world, but the author of Passage 1 does not mention science after the nineteenth century. (c) they say nothing about that (d) they say nothing about that (e) they say nothing about that
Peyton Farquhar would most likely consider which of the following a good example of how a citizen should behave in wartime? (a) he should use even underhanded methods to support his cause (b) he should enlist in the army without delay (c) he should turn to politics as a means of enforcing his will (d) he should avoid involving himself in disastrous campaigns (e) he should concentrate on his duties as a planter
(a) correct! Farquhar agrees readily with the saying that all's fair in love and war, which implies he is willing to use unfair methods to support his cause (b) supports military, but too specific (c) says nothing about politics (d) he involves himself in a disastrous campaign (e) he wants to help his cause
As the charismatic speaker left the podium, she was surrounded by --- of zealous supporters who --- our attempts to approach her. (a) an entourage...interfered with (b) a debacle...concurred with (c) a faction...pertained to (d) a dearth..intercepted (e) a coalition...encompassed
(a) correct! It is logical to conclude that an "entourage" of fans would encircle the "charismatic," or alluring, speaker. Such a crowd might very well get in the way of someone's efforts to approach her. (b) it is unclear how the supporters would have "concurred," or agreed, with someone's attempt to approach the speaker (c) not an organized group, "pertained" doesn't make sense in context (d) dearth = lack!! (e) not an organized group
Opponents of the research institute label it --- anachronism; its scholars, they allege, have --- rivaling those of pre-Revolutionary French nobility (a) elitist...perquisites (b) monarchical...tribulations (c) an irreproachable...luxuries (d) a reprehensible...afflictions (e) commendable...privilages
(a) correct! Research institute that provides perquisites, or privileges, that are so excessive that they rival those of pre-Revolutionary French nobility can appropriately be called elitist, or favoring a small, high-status group. (b) Unlikely that the opponents of the research institute would criticize the institute's scholars for having tribulations, or sufferings. (c) Opponents of an institution would not call it faultless (d) pre-Revolutionary nobility were not known for their suffering. (e) Opponents who accuse the institute of providing excessive privileges would not characterize it as commendable, or praiseworthy.
According to the author's simile in lines 38-39, the human mind and the heart of the sea are alike in that both (a) teem with exotic forms of life (b) argue in support of intelligence (c) are necessary to the evolution of dolphins (d) are directed outward (e) share a penchant for the grotesque
(a) correct! The sea's heart is like the human mind in that it swarms of teems (abounds) with "...swarming and grotesque life." (b) nothing to suggest this (c) about BOTH humans and dolphins (d) "...both outward on eternity and inward into the seas heart..." (e) grotesque doesn't necessarily have good connotation here, the MIND is grotesque not what the mind thinks about
Although Ian's argument seemed plausible at first, his opponent in the debate dismissed it as mere --- and refuted it thoroughly. (a) sophistry (b) solicitousness (c) acumen (d) substantiation (e) resolution
(a) correct! sophistry = plausible but fallacious argumentation (b) solicitousness = anxious concern or eagerness (c) acumen = skill (d) substantiation = verifiable support (e) resolution = commitment
Not only was the science of Hildegard of Bingen --- her theology, but her religious visions helped give her scientific works ---- by winning her the support of medieval church authorities. (a) inseparable from...legitimacy (b) unconcerned with...prestige (c) derived from...profundity (d) related to...accuracy (e) diminished by...detachment
(a) correct! the "not only" suggests that her science and her theology were interconnected, or inseparable, and "legitimacy," or conforming to socially accepted standards, matches "winning her support" (b) the sentence suggests she WAS concerned with both religion and science (c) although her science may have been derived from her theology, it doesn't follow that the church's support would make her work more profound. (d) her science and theology may have been related, but church support doesn't make her theories more accurate. (e) wrong all around - science and theology were connected
The statement in lines 6-7 ("too bad...Andromeda" suggests that (a) scientists would like to observe events that occurred on Earth in the distant past (b) there may be planets in Andromeda that are reachable through space travel (c) the study of Andromeda would offer interesting comparisons to planet Earth (d) a planet in Andromeda will be a likely observation point for Earth in the future (e) Andromeda is much older than Earth
(a) correct! the author begins by observing that when astronomers see Andromeda through their telescopes, they "see it as it was two million years ago" (lines 2-3). (b) The passage is concerned with the idea of time travel, not space travel. (c) The passage does not suggest that we would be on that planet in Andromeda to study Andromeda, or that there would be interesting comparisons to be made with Earth if we did. (d) the idea that people could actually get to a planet in Andromeda is not one that, as a scientist, the author is likely to take seriously. (e) the passage says nothing that bears on their relative ages.
In line 29, "clear medium" refers to situations in which (a) the voice of the audio-book speaker does not interfere with the listener's enjoyment (b) a person enjoys listening to an audio book more than reading silently (c) an audio book leads to a greater appreciation of a writer's intent than a printed book does (d) the gender of an author cannot easily be determined (e) the listener's tastes do not color his or her response to a book
(a) correct! the author concedes that sometimes "the fit is excellent" (line 27) when the reader achieves "the right neutrality" (line 28) that allows "the voice to become a clear medium for the text" (line 29). (b) in general, the author of Passage 1 considers reading silently to be more enjoyable (c) passage 1 talks about "literary style and voice" (lines 13-14) and the author's "sense" (line 22), but it doesn't mention the author's intent. (d) a clear-medium kind of voice is likely to let the gender of the writer come through undistorted. (e) doesn't talk about the response to a book
Hayley Mills's films have been called ---, although most of them are not so sentimental as to deserve that description. (a) treacly (b) cursory (c) prosaic (d) meticulous (e) consecrated
(a) correct! treacly means sentimental (b) says nothing about hasty (c) prosaic means straightforward and lacking in imagination (d) meticulous does not mean sentimental (e) sacred does not mean sentimental
Thomas Hardy's novels are described as ---- because of their preoccupation with daily life in rural and agricultural settings. (a) bucolic (b) prolific (c) lugubrious (d) sundry (e) metaphorical
(a) correct, relates to country life (b) doesn't say stuff about a lot of novels (c) doesn't sound dismal (d) only one kind (e) not representing anything else
The judge's published opinions, though sophisticated and subtle, were undeniably ----: they left no doubt of her intentions. (a) unequivocal (b) effusive (c) incorrigible (d) tenuous (e) ineffible
(a) correct, unequivocal means "no doubt" (b) not about gratitude (c) not about the judge being in-correctable (d) already know the judge is slight (e) inevitability has little to do with the judge's decision
Which of the following terms in Passage 2 is most similar in meaning to "hoof" in line 55 of Passage 1? (a) discontent (b) dissent (c) instability (d) magnificence (e) oppression
(a) discontent = general malaise (b) dissent = different opinions (c) not focus of revolution (d) not negative connotation (e) correct! oppression connects to England v. America revolution
The author of Passage 2 uses the term "staged plea" (lines 69-70) in order to (a) illustrate the dramatic quality of her students' readings (b) underscore the high standards she sets for her students work (c) suggest that there might be an opportunistic motive for her students' behavior (d) congratulate herself on devising a useful technique for teaching writing (e) mock her students' efforts to earn high grades without hard work
(a) does not illustrate anything about any qualities (b) The point is to contrast an interpretation of the added student remarks as manipulative with the more high-minded interpretation that the author presents in the surrounding lines (c) *correct!* the term "staged pleas" suggests that the students are perhaps taking advantage of space on their tape to include remarks designed specifically to make the teacher respond more kindly to their work (d) student remarks may have nothing to do with the success of her teaching device but might simply be a clever way to get her to give generous grades (e) there is no suggestion here or elsewhere in Passage 2 that these students do not work hard
What would the author of Passage 2 most likely say about the sort of reports mentioned in lines 17-19 of Passage 1? (no one knows what the future holds) (a) they were unethical attempts to manipulate public opinion (b) they reflected the scientific uncertainty of their era (c) they seem quite naive in retrospect (d) they served a purpose in their time (e) they are needed today more than ever
(a) does not judge the ethics of environmentalists (b) would likely argue that the predictions, while perhaps one-sided or incomplete, were made with conviction (c) the voices of "impending ecological doom" addressed important environmental issues (d) correct! The author of Passage 2 nevertheless acknowledges that their efforts contributed directly to the passage of several landmark environmental bills (e) makes precisely the opposite point in claiming that the grim vocabulary of environmentalism has been "rendered obsolete by its own success."
Freedom of expression is not necessarily a ----- force: communities that encourage it often feel less threatened by social unrest than do those in which dissent is -----. (a) revolutionary...promoted (b) positive... prohibited (c) successful..protested (d) divisive...restricted (e) militant...fostered
(a) doesn't talk about revolutions, promoted should be opposite (b) dissent can't be prohibited (c) correct, works in context (d) f of e is not inherently divisive (e) freedom of expression has nothing to do with military
Geoffrey's corrupt dealings earned him such a disgrace that any possibility of his being reelected to the city council was completely -----. (a) ensured (b) approved (c) belittled (d) eliminated (e) defended
(a) he was disgraced, no one wanted him on the council (b) disgrace means NOT approved (c) too weak of a term (d) correct, b/c there's no possibility (e) no, he was disgraced
Passage 2 mentions "the very old and the very young" (lines 29-30) in order to make the point that Kennedy (a) was elected by a wide range of voters (b) focused more on political issues than on moral ones (c) was mourned by the entire nation (d) was adept at manipulating the media (e) supported policies that benefitted divergent groups
(a) his election is not the focus of the passage (b) no mention of political v. moral (c) no mention of assassination (d) passage discusses TV, this part does not (e) correct! passage focuses on his broad appeal
Demagogues do not deserve full blame for last summer's public hysteria: although they turned the mood to their political advantage, they did not actually --- it. (a) oppose (b) subdue (c) create (d) postpone (e) confirm
(a) it would not make sense to highlight that they were not against the public hysteria. (b) claiming that demagogues did not work to bring the hysteria under control would not support the idea of reducing their blame (c) correct! A more forceful action (indicated by "although") by the demagogues would have been to create the hysteria, instead of simply taking advantage of it (d) The sentence is more about responsibility for the creation of the hysteria than the actual time when it occurred. (e) attesting to the truth of the hysteria would have little to do with who is to blame for it
The second paragraph (lines 13-22) suggests that the narrator experienced Brooklyn as (a) mysterious and provocative (b) uniform and oppressive (c) orderly and appealing (d) drab yet multifaceted (e) menacing yet alluring
(a) later it seems mysterious, but not provocative (b) correct, talks about "no horizon" (c) more scary than appealing (d) less drab, more dark and uniform (e) not appealling
Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar's recent book presents a ___ of detail, providing far more information than one can easily digest. (a) modicum (b) discrepancy (c) surfeit (d) deficit (e) juxtaposition
(a) modicum means small quantity, opposite of a lot (b) discrepancy means lack of similarity, which doesn't have to do with quantity (c) Correct! "Surfeit" means overabundant supply. (d) deficit means opposite of a lot (e) juxtaposition has to do with how things are placed, not their supply
In line 49, "held out" most nearly means: (a) continued to exist (b) kept on defending (c) restrained (d) proffered (e) clutched
(a) new place = new wages existing (b) new place, can't keep defending something (c) not opposite of "staggering rents" (d) correct! proffered means continued to provide, which goes opposite of rents (e) didn't have the wages to clutch
Lavish in visual beauty, the film "Lawrence of Arabia" also boasts --- of style: it knows how much can be shown in a shot, how much can be said in a few words. (a) extravagance (b) economy (c) autonomy (d) frivolity (e) arrogance
(a) not elaborate style (b) correct! key words being "in a few words" - not lavish in use of words and shots (c) doesn't necessarily stand alone (d) not careless (e) not necessarily arrogant
In line 65, "drive" most nearly means (a) propulsion (b) instinct (c) campaign (d) vitality (e) momentum
(a) not talking about physical drive (b) nope (c) nope (d) correct! vitality matches with passages main topic, sleep; vitality also means strength to endure. (e) again, not really talking about physical drive
Compared to the tone of Passage 2, that of Passage 1 is more (a) conversational (b) facetious (c) severe (d) sarcastic (e) analytical
(a) p2 is more conversational (b) p2 is more facetious (c) correct! (d) p1 is not sarcastic (e) both are analytical
In line 11, "fashion designs" serve as an example of something (a) provocative (b) ephemeral (c) pretentious (d) esoteric (e) exotic
(a) passage doesn't say anything about fads being reactive (b) correct, indicates that fads are short-lasting (c) looking too far into it (d) similar to pretentious (e) fads are not out of the ordinary
More ---- than her predecessor, Superintendent Reynolds would, many predicted, have a far less ---- term of office. (a) phlegmatic...apathetic (b) conciliatory...confrontational (c) empathetic...compassionate (d) vigilant...reputable (e) penurious...frugal
(a) phlegmatic means calm, which is not the direct opposite of apathetic, so these two don't work in context (b) Correct! conciliatory means to pacify, which is the opposite of confrontational. (c) These two words are too similar in definition to work. (d) These two words don't have a direct opposite nature, so they don't work in context. (e) These two words are too similar.
The author of Passage 1 critizes those who would "make a sharp distinction" (line 11) because the author believes that (a) the best educators are also entertainers of sort (b) without entertainment little learning takes place (c) entertainment and learning are closely interrelated (d) reading comic books may inspire children to create their own comic works (e) effective textbooks often adopt certain humorous techniques
(a) says nothing about educators (b) too specific (c) correct, "a great deal of learning comes in the form of entertainment..." (d) says nothing about student creativity (e) says nothing about textbooks
Lines 12-18 suggest that Mircea Eliade is most likely (a) a writer of children's literature (b) student of physical anthropology (c) twentieth century philosopher (d) advocate for practical education (e) contemporary of Plato
(a) says nothing to imply this claim (b) has to do more with psychological than physical (c) correct! the opening of the second paragraph says "modern thinkers" so you know she's newer, and "for one" implies she's part of a group. (d) Opposite of claim he's trying to back up (e) NOT at the same time as Plato
In line 55, "qualification" most nearly means (a) competence (b) eligibility (c) restriction (d) reason (e) liability
(a) says nothing to qualify competence (b) says nothing to qualify eligibility (c) correct! he agrees that all's fair in war. he doesn't RESTRICT his commitment to this viewpoint; he's ready to go out and do something underhanded (d) he has reason to support army (e) he wants to be responsible
In lines 25-30 ("I learned...free"), the narrator reacts to Lewis' suggestion by (a) visualizing an unlikely series of events (b) imagining two radically different states (c) considering a problem and its supposed solution (d) weighing the pros and cons of a course of action (e) reflecting on how the past shapes the future
(a) talks about the likely, not unlikely events (b) correct, about both barren and changing landscape (c) not about a problem/solution (d) not about actions, talking about inevitable changes (e) talks about now, not past
The comments of the historian John Dollard (lines 90-96) indicate that the migration of blacks from the South in the 1930's was (a) an ineffectual attempt to foster social change (b) a viable method for responding to alienation (c) a reaction to aggressive acts against blacks in that region (d) a short-sighted, potentially counterproductive tactic (e) an unpalatable option for most southern blacks
(a) the author thinks it's a GOOD tactic (b) correct! praises tactic for being a productive reaction (c) too specific - says nothing about aggression (d) the author thinks it's a GOOD tactic (e) the author thinks it's a GOOD tactic
By stating that the Great Migration was "a folk movement of incalculable moment" (lines 106-7), McMillen emphasizes its (a) transience (b) significance (c) timeliness (d) versatility (e) vacillation
(a) transience = short time (b) correct! moment aligns with significance (c) timeliness = on time (d) doesn't say anything about wide variety of skills (e) doesn't say anything about indecision
MacDougall's former editors remember him as a --- man whose --- and exhaustive reporting was worth the trouble. (a) domineering...wearisome (b) congenial...pretentious (c) popular...supercilious (d) fastidious...garbled (e) cantankerous...meticulous
(a) wearisome and boring stories aren't worth the trouble (b) congenial employees wouldn't be troublesome (c) agreeable employees wouldn't be troublesome (d) garbled stories aren't worth the trouble (e) correct! cantankerous (bad-tempered) employees are troublesome, but meticulous is worth it
Two-black problems...
...always arrange evidence on the opposite side of punctuation in the same order that it shows up on the original side of the punctation.
For every single problem:
1. Read the question with the answer choices covered. 2. Come up with your best answer based on the information available from the passage. 3. Kill all the answer choices that don't match your answer. You must PLAGIARIZE the passage when coming up with your answers. The more wording you steal from the passage, the better. If you steal from the passages wording, you can't be wrong.
How to deal with tone
A) Ask, "where would I find this writing?" For instance, if you'd find it "in a history textbook," then the tone will almost always be "factual" or "informative." If you'd find it in a comedy magazine, it'll probably be "ironic" or "cutting" or "humorous." B) Ask, "what is NOT the tone of this writing?" When you know what the tone definitely isn't, ask yourself why that's the case. Then you'll know what the tone is. C) Imagine the author/speaker saying it. If you really want to figure out tone, just do a "dramatic reading in your head." Close your eyes and visualize the narrator or speaker saying whatever he's saying. In almost every case, you'll see a freakishly accurate portrayal of the tone in your own mental theatre.
When problems that require you to go back into the text and find whether or not things are there...
Any time you see a research problem, circle it and save it for last.
The author of passage 2 would most likely react to the characterization of the constituents of matter in lines 30-37 by pointing out that (a) this characterization has been refuted by prominent physicists (b) the characterization is too fanciful to be worthwhile (c) the most recent data on subatomic particles support this characterization (d) this characterization supersedes the so-called Standard Model (e) the current theoretical synthesis is founded on this characterization
B. In lines 31-37, the author develops a fanciful metaphor for the nature of matter. To him, subatomic matter is like a Bach fugue, filled with arpeggios. While the author of Passage 2 resorts to some figurative language ("Grail", "keystone") in attempting to describe the top quark, she is more factual than figurative: she never uses any metaphor "the music of matter." Thus, her most likely reaction to lines 31-37 would be to point out that this metaphor is too fanciful to be reliable.
The "Boil Down" Method
Boil down your answers to the most recklessly simple, stupid, basic, plain responses you possibly can, then see what happens. Oftentimes, the verb within your answers is the ONLY thing you need to solve the problem.
Which of the following statements about the effect of the First World War is supported by both passages? (a) officers resented the government's complacency (b) women gained independence in postwar Britain (c) Soldiers felt isolated from parts of civilian society (d) writers failed in their attempts to describe the atrocities of the war (e) war proved an undesirable way to resolve the European conflict
Choice (C) is correct. Passage 1 speaks of a "fissure" between the army and the civilians, and also of a division between those on the spot and those at home. Choice (D) is incorrect. Passage 2 does not mention any writers who attempted to describe the atrocities of war and, thus, does not support the idea that such attempts failed.
Which of the following in Passage 1 exemplifies the "subtleties" mentioned in Passage 2, line 15? (a) "inexorable advance" (line 1) (b) "battering rams" (line 4) (c) "lakes, frontier towns, mountain ranges" (line 7) (d) "connotations" (line 8) (e) "Frankensteinian concoctions" (line 11)
Choice (D) is correct. Passage 2 explains what is subtle about naming an SUV for an Alaskan mountain. According to Passage 2, the point is not actually to associate the vehicle with that mountain as a real destination that the vehicle will take the buyer to. Rather, it is merely to give buyers the general feeling that they are the kind of people who can conquer rugged terrain. Choice (C) is incorrect. According to Passage 1, "lakes, frontier towns, mountain ranges" (line 7) are among the kinds of things SUVs are named for. But, as Passage 1 also says, people do not actually greatly care about these places. What matters to people is the qualities that these names suggest.
In line 47, the image of the snake biting its tail is used to emphasize (a) the dangers of circular reasoning (b) the vigor inherent to modern scientific dialogue (c) the eventual triumph of the classical idea of matter (d) the unity underlying the astronomers' and particle theorist's theories (e) the ability of contemporary scientific doctrine to swallow earlier theories
D. The image of the snake swallowing its tail suggests that the astronomers' and physicists' theories are, at bottom, one, and the same. In other words, there is an "underlining unity" between them.
The author of passage 2 does all of the following EXCEPT (a) cite an authority (b) use a simile (c) define a term (d) pose a question (e) deny a possibility
E. The author of Passage 2 cites authorities (Glashow, Tollestrup) and uses similes ("like an arch"). She defines the Standard Model as the theoretical synthesis that reduced the zoo of subatomic particles to a manageable number. She poses a question about what makes certain particles more massive than others. However, she never denies a possibility.
zest means...
Hearty enjoyment; flavor or interest
According to the passage, fairy tales differ from dreams in which of the following characteristics? I. The shared nature of their creation II. The convention of a happy ending III. Enduring general appeal
I. Fairy tales are consciously shaped and dreams are unconsciously shaped. This is a difference, so I. has to be an answer. II. Fairy tales have happy solutions, dreams don't necessarily. This is an answer. III. Dreams are only for the dreamer, fairy tales are all people. The answer has to include ALL I., II., and III.
Main idea and primary purpose
If an answer choice is actually the "main idea" or the "primary purpose," then it could be the title of the entire passage. Frame the answer choices as if they were titles. This makes the any wrongness in them more pronounced.
What ____? Rule
If you ask "what _____?" for a particular noun in an answer choice, and you realize that you can't think of the answer to that question, then that answer choice is automatically wrong! → for example: (A) What term? (B) What assumption? That jellyfish are simple. (C) What example? (D) What well-known fact? He said this was NOT well known! (E) What process?
The "But" Rule
If you're ever trying to figure out why an answer is wrong, and you use the word "but" in your explanation, you KNOW that the answer choice is wrong. Instantly. SPEAK OUT LOUD! → for example: "well, he doesn't actually say that they're very angry, BUT maybe this could work."
How to speed read
Rather than simply following the text you're reading with your eyes, I want you to use a pointer, whether it be your finger or a pen, and start to "drag" your eyes along the text. Once you're comfortable with following a pointer, start counting to three over and over again, either out loud or in your head, as you read.
how to read combined passages...
Read the first one, answer those questions, then read the second passage and answer the rest of the questions.
How to read passages...
Start by reading the first and last sentence of each paragraph. Use the rest of your ~90 seconds to skim the passage and look for random details that can "fill in the blanks." Let your eyes roam over the passage and pick up words, sentences, details, etc. that catch your attention. With little passages, just read the whole thing
The columnist was almost --- when he mentioned his friends, but he was unpleasant and even --- when he discussed people who irritated him. (a) recalcitrant...laconic (b) reverential...acrimonious (c) sensitive...remorseful (d) insipid...militant (e) benevolent...stoical
The columnist was almost reverential (worshipful) in what he wrote about those he liked, but he savagely attacked those he disliked. "Even" here serves as an intensifier. Acrimonious (stinging or bitter in nature) is a stronger word than unpleasant. It emphasizes how very unpleasant the columnist could become.
When there's no clear answer you can plagiarize...
There WILL be times when you can't steal from answers. When that happens, don't panic, come up with relationships. example: "Jerry loves when people____, but he hates when people____" → the answers for this would be opposites
After you read a passage, ask yourself...
What's the main idea? 1-2 sentences Why was it written? what was the purpose? What's the tone? how it was said? this will help you understand the direction of the details.
When deciding whether a word or answer is wrong...
ask yourself whether you could use the word as a DIRECT SYNONYM FOR THE ONE YOU CAME UP WITH
what is dramatic irony?
irony built into a speech or a situation, which the audience understands, but which the characters onstage have yet to grasp
whenever you see the word "And"...
it is an enormous clue which will always help you to steal, b/c "and" can only connect two nearly identical words
whenever you see the word "ironic"...
it's almost ALWAYS right, especially in Victorian literature passages
If you're asked about vocab in context...
just ask yourself: "Would I realistically use the answer as a synonym for the word in question?" 1. Come up with your own answer. 2. Kill anything that is obviously ridiculous or total garbage. 3. Take anything left after step #2 and try to kill it by plugging it back into the sentence as a synonym. 4. Read the entire sentence, front to back, with the new word in place of the original. This is extremely important, since you won't be able to see exactly how "out of context" the new word seems unless you read the entire sentence.
what is primary purpose of the passage?
look at what the author emphasizes the most, if she/he examines both sides of an argument, what types of evidence they use
promontories are...
peaks of high land sticking out into the water
how do I know what the discussion of a topic suggests?
see the big idea of the paragraph and why the author is using that piece of evidence to back it up
how do I interpret motives behind dialogue?
see what tone they take, contrast it to other person's tone, annotate the passage in question (like you did w/ shakespeare)
When Sentence Completion problems have a blank followed directly by a comma or a semicolon...
the definition for that blank is almost always right on the other side. example: "Joe is a serious ______; he always procrastinates when given the chance" → the answer you should come up with is "procrastinator," so your answer should be similar.
The more creative you try to be on the Critical Reading section...
the worse you will do. PLAGIARIZE!