2015
55. The change in tone from the first to the third paragraph serves which of the following functions? (A) It heightens the seriousness of the author's themes and views. (B) It balances antithetical viewpoints. (C) It allows for an ironic reassessment of the man portrayed in the first paragraph. (D) It invites the reader to be skeptical of the author's judgment. (E) It offers a sense of reasonable compromise.
A, It heightens the seriousness of the author's themes and views.
In the second paragraph (lines 15-23), the author primarily implies that laziness is a (A) factor contributing to failure but not the sole cause (B) common characteristic among intellectuals and artists (C) personal trait that people try to hide from one another (D) psychological problem that may be cured through therapy (E) coping strategy that requires time to perfect
A, factor contributing to failure but not the sole cause
In lines 23-27, the statement "so that . . . or no" emphasizes which of the following qualities of liars? (A) Their prepossessing appearance (B) Their inscrutability (C) Their reasonableness (D) Their assertiveness (E) Their eloquence
B, Their inscrutability
The "talent" mentioned in line 13 refers most nearly to a (A) facility with financial matters (B) flexibility of conviction (C) pronounced physical agility (D) vicious and cruel propensity (E) mediocre performance
B, flexibility of conviction
The parallel phrasing in lines 60-63 ("whose . . . State") helps to create a tone of (A) guarded skepticism (B) mounting outrage (C) subtle hopefulness (D) reluctant patriotism (E) bleak melancholy
B, mounting outrage
The author suggests that people hear "inarticulate sounds" (line 28) when they listen to the speaker because the words are so (A) self-glorifying (B) self-contradictory (C) frightening (D) conventional (E) melodious
B, self-contradictory
The author's writing in lines 5-14("At bottom . . . chance") is characterized by the use of (A) short sentences that accentuate key facts and opinions (B) series that broaden the scope of the discussion (C) adjectives used as nouns to criticize different groups (D) dashes to indicate hesitation (E) abstract language to obscure his point
B, series that broaden the scope of the discussion
In the third paragraph (lines 24-41), the author discusses Hippocrates' theory in order to (A) argue that environment has an immense influence on people (B) criticize the division of human nature into basic types (C) assess whether science or religion had a greater influence on early medicine (D) confirm that laziness leads to serious character flaws (E) establish the long-standing belief that habits of mind are innate
E, establish the long-standing belief that habits of mind are innate
The author assumes a self-important tone in lines 65-70 ("As a solid ... big answer") to (A) express indignation, so as to distance himself from the lazy (B) convey surprise, so as to emphasize the unexpected nature of his self-revelation (C) affect seriousness, so as to conceal his indifference to the topic (D) chastise his audience, so as to reinforce his authority (E) mock himself, so as to build credibility with his audience
E, mock himself, so as to build credibility with his audience
Which statement provides the best rhetorical analysis of the first sentence (lines 1-3) ? (A) The author betrays a sense of resentment by using the modification "even before." (B) The author adopts an authoritative stance on the topic by beginning with "There is." (C) The author defines the scope of his argument by referring to "all offers." (D) The author expresses his anger by selecting the confrontational verb "smacks." (E) The author suggests the difficulty of the topic by describing "something" in two contrasting ways.
B, The author adopts an authoritative stance on the topic by beginning with "There is."
In line 15, the phrase "nice affairs" refers to (A) sumptuous entertainments (B) familial relationships (C) conscientious preparations (D) matters requiring tactful handling (E) kind and friendly interchanges
D, matters requiring tactful handling
The author's primary purpose in the passage is to (A) show how behavior that is widely condemned as vicious is a source of national prosperity (B) express resignation about the resistance of successful liars to attempts to reform them (C) trivialize the friendships of a self-serving political elite (D) illustrate the process by which individuals become interested in politics (E) disparage a vice and explain how it has flourished
E, disparage a vice and explain how it has flourished
In lines 3 and 4, the author uses the word "table" idiomatically to discuss (A) religious belief (B) cultural awareness (C) civic participation (D) financial obligation (E) legal responsibility
C, civic participation
Lines 50-53 ("like a man . . . is dead") exemplify (A) a contrast between genuine and hypocritical virtue (B) the maliciousness of liars (C) the perplexing unreasonableness of lying (D) the inconvenience of truth in worldly matters (E) the inefficacy of truth in limiting lies' effects
E) the inefficacy of truth in limiting lies' effects
Which of the following comes closest to the meaning of the concluding observation in lines 58-66 ("Here . . . friends") ? (A) Certain politicians have injured the nation by diverting its resources to their own pockets. (B) Powerful liars have manipulated language to escape punishment for their transgressions. (C) External threats have multiplied since a particular party assumed control of the government. (D) The public is so envious of successful liars that it has come to hold honest people in contempt. (E) The devious speech of liars has so confused the public that no one knows whom to trust.
E, The devious speech of liars has so confused the public that no one knows whom to trust.
Which statement best describes the significance of the Beckett quotation in lines 62-65 ("There is ... to express") ? (A) Writing is inherently a paradoxical endeavor. (B) The best writers are their own harshest critics. (C) One is born with the ability to write creatively; the skill cannot be taught. (D) Writing is an ambition that few attempt to realize. (E) There is a time and a place to speak in earnest.
A, Writing is inherently a paradoxical endeavor.
The primary function of the second paragraph (lines 37-53) is to (A) contradict the position taken in the first paragraph (B) reveal the error in a particular belief (C) develop the character of the "great man" introduced in the first paragraph (D) examine the purpose of a cherished ideal (E) parody the way in which liars exploit rhetoric for their own purposes.
B, reveal the error in a particular belief
What is the primary function of the statement "Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it" (lines 47-48) ? (A) It uses an ad hominem argument to convey the author's contempt for liars. (B) It personifies falsehood to evoke sympathy for those accused of lying. (C) It creates a visual contrast to emphasize the power of lies. (D) It employs alliteration to suggest that truth and falsehood are closely related. (E) It uses hyperbole to undermine its literal meaning.
C, It creates a visual contrast to emphasize the power of lies.
The author's attitude in describing "a certain great man" (line 12) is best characterized as (A) wistfully admiring (B) openly fascinated (C) mockingly contemptuous (D) ironic yet compassionate (E) defensive and uncertain
C, mockingly contemptuous
Which statement best describes a major turning point in the passage? (A) In Paragraph 3 (lines 24-41), the author shifts from the negative to the positive aspects of laziness. (B) In Paragraph 4 (lines 42-56), the author begins addressing the psychological implications of laziness. (C) In Paragraph 4 (lines 42-56), the author starts speaking about laziness in the abstract. (D) In Paragraph 5 (lines 57-81), the author's objective analysis of laziness gives way to subjective experience. (E) In Paragraph5 (lines57-81), the author's criticism of laziness turns to justification.
D, In Paragraph 5 (lines 57-81), the author's objective analysis of laziness gives way to subjective experience.
Why does the author mention Bill Gates and Valentino in lines 50-53 ("sharing a bucket ... Valentino") ? (A) To state that memory is subject to change (B) To imagine what could be accomplished if one had multiple lives (C) To provide examples of casual and formal lifestyles (D) To assert that people do not have a definitive path in life (E) To compare the unique talents of two very different people
D, To assert that people do not have a definitive path in life
The primary function of the sentence in lines 54-57 ("Considering . . . prevail") is to (A) question the validity of a popular saying (B) refute assertions made in the previous paragraph (C) minimize the severity of the danger described (D) offer qualified approval for a particular phenomenon (E) give an example of a political circumlocution
A, question the validity of a popular saying
At the end of the fourth paragraph (lines 42-56), the author acknowledges that people (A) are motivated by competition (B) can control their behavior (C) should learn to question others (D) need to spend some time alone (E) tend to act out in anger
B, can control their behavior
The author's attitude toward the state of "this island of ours" (line 58) is one of (A) dismay (B) ambivalence (C) neutrality (D) forgiving magnanimity (E) deepening loyalty
A, dismay
In the fifth paragraph, the author suggests that "the truest answer" (line 75) (A) requires a level of philosophical awareness that defies human expression (B) is not worth providing if it cannot be revised from time to time (C) would take too long to articulate within a single lifetime (D) could not possibly describe the communal experience of all people (E) necessitates the type of intellectual discipline and rigor that few people possess
A, requires a level of philosophical awareness that defies human expression
The author's tone in the statement "Laziness just is" (line 24) can best be described as (A) apprehensive (B) embittered (C) pragmatic (D) apologetic (E) morose
C, pragmatic
In lines 12-14 ("Given ... chance"), the author's primary purpose is to (A) argue against the authority of the social contract (B) trivialize the difficulties of being lazy (C) discourage the reader's identification with lazy people (D) assert the power of the social contract (E) counsel the reader to be wary of lazy people
D, assert the power of the social contract
The words "ought" and "necessary" (lines 2-3) convey the author's sense of (A) shame (B) obligation (C) defiant zeal (D) cynical pragmatism (E) sympathetic identification
D, cynical pragmatism
In context, the phrase "unparalleled generosity" (line 19) serves as (A) decisive refutation of an argument (B) categorical support for a gesture (C) deceptively unpretentious rhetoric (D) hyperbolic sarcasm (E) effusive praise
D, hyperbolic sarcasm
Based on the author's views in the first paragraph, the "truly lazy" (line 8) would most likely respond to an actual examination question by (A) convincing others to leave the examination room with them (B) negotiating so that they could answer the question another day (C) refusing to enter the examination room at all (D) having someone else answer the question for them (E) waiting to the last minute before answering the question
C, refusing to enter the examination room at all
