Read the following early draft of an essay and then choose the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement
Passage
(1) Calling someone a rat may be complimentary. (2) In one experiment, University of Chicago neuroscientist Peggy Mason placed 30 pairs of rats in pens. (3) One rat was caged in the middle of the pen, while the other was free to run around. (4) Eventually, 23 of 30 rats liberated their peers by pushing the cage door open with their heads or leaning against the door until it tipped over.
(5) In another experiment, Mason gave rats access to two cages: in one cage was another rat, in the other was a pile of chocolate chips. (6) The rats eating the chocolate themselves. (7) Instead, most of the rodents opened both cages and shared the sweets. (8) "In rat land, that is big." Mason says, claiming that this study is the first to show altruistic behavior in rodents.
(9) Not all scientists agree with the conclusion Mason drew from the experiment, however. (10) The jailbreaking rats might have only been trying to silence their cohorts' distressing alarm calls. (11) Mason counters that the alarm calls from the caged rats were not frequent enough to motivate their peers, but both parties are speculating at this point.
(12) Mason's new study is one of many that are changing how scientists think about empathy and altruism, namely: that such characteristics are not limited to people, as they once thought. (13) It now seems that many animals have evolved instincts to help others.
In context, how should the underlined part of sentence 6 (reproduced below) be revised? The rats eating the chocolate themselves.
- A. would have eaten
- B. could have eaten
- C. had eaten
- D. have eaten
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "the rats eating the chocolate themselves" requires a revision to align with the present tense context of the sentence. Option D, "have eaten," effectively conveys a completed action relevant to the present, indicating that the rats have consumed the chocolate. Option A, "would have eaten," suggests a conditional scenario that does not fit the context. Option B, "could have eaten," implies potentiality rather than a completed action. Option C, "had eaten," indicates a past action that is no longer relevant to the present context. Thus, only option D maintains the intended meaning and tense consistency.
The phrase "the rats eating the chocolate themselves" requires a revision to align with the present tense context of the sentence. Option D, "have eaten," effectively conveys a completed action relevant to the present, indicating that the rats have consumed the chocolate. Option A, "would have eaten," suggests a conditional scenario that does not fit the context. Option B, "could have eaten," implies potentiality rather than a completed action. Option C, "had eaten," indicates a past action that is no longer relevant to the present context. Thus, only option D maintains the intended meaning and tense consistency.
Other Related Questions
Which change is needed in the fourth paragraph?
- A. In sentence 15, change 'immanent' to 'eminent'
- B. In sentence 15, change 'dual' to 'duel'
- C. In sentence 16, change 'inspire' to 'aspire'
- D. In sentence 17, change 'proceeded' to 'preceded'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A is necessary because "immanent" refers to something inherent or existing within, while "eminent" means distinguished or prominent, which fits the context of the paragraph. Option B is incorrect since "dual" refers to two parts, whereas "duel" signifies a contest between two individuals, which does not align with the intended meaning. Option C is not suitable because "inspire" means to motivate, while "aspire" means to aim for something. The original term correctly conveys the intended message. Option D is also wrong; "proceeded" indicates moving forward, while "preceded" means to come before, which is the intended meaning in this context.
Option A is necessary because "immanent" refers to something inherent or existing within, while "eminent" means distinguished or prominent, which fits the context of the paragraph. Option B is incorrect since "dual" refers to two parts, whereas "duel" signifies a contest between two individuals, which does not align with the intended meaning. Option C is not suitable because "inspire" means to motivate, while "aspire" means to aim for something. The original term correctly conveys the intended message. Option D is also wrong; "proceeded" indicates moving forward, while "preceded" means to come before, which is the intended meaning in this context.
Which is the best way to revise and combine sentences 2 and 3 (reproduced below)?
I'm a country kid from rural Texas. I grew up on a ranch on the prairie.
- A. I'm a country kid from rural Texas and that's where I grew up on a ranch on the prairie.
- B. I'm a country kid from rural Texas who grew up on a ranch on the prairie
- C. I'm a country kid from rural Texas, where I lived and grew up on a ranah on the praine
- D. I'm a country kid from rural Texas, and I used to live on a ranch on the prairie where I grew up.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, making it concise and clear. It maintains the original meaning while improving flow. Option A is less effective due to the awkward phrasing "and that’s where," which disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with "where I lived and grew up," making it wordy and repetitive. Option D, while grammatically correct, adds unnecessary phrases like "used to live," which complicate the sentence without enhancing its clarity or brevity. Overall, option B provides the best revision by succinctly merging the ideas.
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, making it concise and clear. It maintains the original meaning while improving flow. Option A is less effective due to the awkward phrasing "and that’s where," which disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with "where I lived and grew up," making it wordy and repetitive. Option D, while grammatically correct, adds unnecessary phrases like "used to live," which complicate the sentence without enhancing its clarity or brevity. Overall, option B provides the best revision by succinctly merging the ideas.
In context, which choice best replaces the underlined portion in sentence 14 (reproduced below)? Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me
- A. made the city feel more like home
- B. given me the chance to practice.
- C. made the city sort of tolerable.
- D. been a nice surprise.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively conveys that meeting Spanish speakers contributes positively to the speaker's sense of belonging in the city, enhancing their overall experience. This aligns with the context of feeling at home. Option B, while relevant, shifts focus to practicing the language rather than the emotional impact of community. Option C undermines the positive sentiment by suggesting the city is merely "tolerable," which diminishes the overall message. Option D, although it introduces a positive element, lacks the depth of connection implied by feeling at home, making it less suitable in this context.
Option A effectively conveys that meeting Spanish speakers contributes positively to the speaker's sense of belonging in the city, enhancing their overall experience. This aligns with the context of feeling at home. Option B, while relevant, shifts focus to practicing the language rather than the emotional impact of community. Option C undermines the positive sentiment by suggesting the city is merely "tolerable," which diminishes the overall message. Option D, although it introduces a positive element, lacks the depth of connection implied by feeling at home, making it less suitable in this context.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed?
Any given instance of this practice may seem trivial, but the amount of waste quickly adds up.
- A. Before sentence 2
- B. Before sentence 4
- C. Before sentence 7
- D. Before sentence 13
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Placing the sentence before sentence 4 effectively emphasizes the significance of the practice being discussed, highlighting how seemingly minor actions contribute to larger waste issues. This context sets up a contrast between the triviality of individual instances and their cumulative impact. Option A, before sentence 2, lacks the necessary context to connect the triviality of the practice to its consequences. Option C, before sentence 7, is too far along in the discussion, diminishing the impact of the statement. Option D, before sentence 13, would disrupt the flow of ideas, as it is too late in the narrative to introduce the concept of cumulative waste effectively.
Placing the sentence before sentence 4 effectively emphasizes the significance of the practice being discussed, highlighting how seemingly minor actions contribute to larger waste issues. This context sets up a contrast between the triviality of individual instances and their cumulative impact. Option A, before sentence 2, lacks the necessary context to connect the triviality of the practice to its consequences. Option C, before sentence 7, is too far along in the discussion, diminishing the impact of the statement. Option D, before sentence 13, would disrupt the flow of ideas, as it is too late in the narrative to introduce the concept of cumulative waste effectively.