Unit 8 Personal Progress Check AP Lang

The writer is considering deleting the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below), adjusting the punctuation as needed. Robots are no longer just the stuff of science fiction: increasingly intelligent and humanlike, they interact with people in new and surprising ways. Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text?

A. Keep it, because it uses descriptive language to convey the writer's perspective on advances in robotics and set up the topic of the passage.

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the second sentence of the first paragraph, the author uses the phrases "brightest blazes," "kindled," and "unexpected sparks" in order to

A. emphasize the element of spontaneity in pleasure

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the fourth and fifth paragraphs, the author most likely uses a "journey of pleasure" as evidence for his argument because he assumes that the intended audience

A. is familiar with the uncertainties endured by travelers

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the second sentence of the third paragraph, the author uses the clause "which is expected" to advance which of the following claims about jesting?

B. In the absence of surprise, a witty remark loses much of its humorous effect.

The writer is considering deleting the underlined portion of sentence 8 (reproduced below), adjusting the punctuation as needed. For instance, people became so attached to the Sony Aibo, a robotic dog with playful expressions and movements, that they mourned their mechanical pets after Sony discontinued the Aibo series and closed its repair center. Should the writer keep or delete the underlined text?

B. Keep it, because it advances the writer's purpose of showing the appeal the Aibo had to its owners.

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the last sentence of the passage, the author uses the parenthetical clause "though hope should always be deluded" primarily to

B. assert that hope is important regardless of whether it comes to fruition

The writer is considering replacing the underlined portion of sentence 11 (reproduced below). In one study, test subjects did a bunch of things with a humanlike robot called Nao. Which of the following versions of the underlined text most closely fits the style of the passage?

B. performed a series of tasks

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the last sentence of the first paragraph, the author compares pleasure with flowers to

B. reinforce the idea that unanticipated pleasures are the most enjoyable ones

In sentence 15 (reproduced below), the writer wants to maintain credibility with the audience by using unbiased language. Children are incredibly gullible when it comes to robots, as a recent study demonstrates. Which of the following versions of the underlined text best accomplishes this goal?

C. particularly susceptible to robotic influence

In sentence 17 (reproduced below), which of the following versions of the underlined text provides relevant, specific information that helps the audience understand the study? The robots—while the children were able to do the task correctly when they were absent—unanimously gave an incorrect answer first.

C. programmed to glance at one another, as though considering the question together

The writer wants to change the passage so that it is appropriate for an audience of robotics engineers. Which of the following sentences would be most appropriate for the writer to add after sentence 4 in light of this intended audience?

D. And how should we design robots in light of these concerns?

The writer is considering adding the following sentence after sentence 19. The children's response made it difficult to determine who the real robots were. Should the writer add this sentence?

D. No, because the comparison between the children and the robots fails to advance the writer's argument and may be perceived by the audience as mocking the children.

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the second and third sentences of the fifth paragraph ("He stops . . . gradual explanation"), the author presents a humorous reversal that emerges from an incongruity between the traveler's

D. desire to surprise his friend and his friend's failure to recognize him

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the second paragraph, the author's depiction of the "scheme of merriment" most clearly conveys his

D. ironic perspective

The writer wants to reduce ambiguity in sentence 6 (reproduced below) by changing the placement of the underlined text, adjusting punctuation and capitalization as needed. Perhaps not surprisingly, when they resemble humans or animals, people readily bond with robots. Which of the following is the most logical placement for the underlined text?

E. After "robots"

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. Overall, the style of the passage is best described as

E. Intellectual

The writer wants the tone of sentence 13 (reproduced below) to convey the emotional turmoil experienced by people who participated in the experiment. Many subjects did not turn Nao off or were unsure whether to do so. Which of the following versions of the underlined text best accomplishes this goal?

E. refused to turn Nao off or struggled with the decision

The following passage is an essay published by a British writer in the 1750s. In the third sentence of the third paragraph, the phrase "however volatile" primarily serves to

E. strengthen a claim by indicating that it applies even to exceptional cases