…black-and-white cinematography, often with nighttime settings and menacing themes, suggesting an unstable world full of danger and moral corruption. (3) Dark shadows; streaks of bright light, and, off-balance compositions were all typical of the visual style. (4) These elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism. (5) Many of these elements were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
(6) Many of the stories and a lot of the attitude of classic film noir come from the hardboiled school of detective and crime fiction that became popular in the United States during the Great Depression. (7) American writers such as Dashiell Hammett, whose novel The Maltese Falcon was made into one of the first big-budget film noirs, and James M. Cain being particularly influential. (8) Film noir can include a wide range of plots: the main character may be a private detective, a plainclothes policeman, an aging boxer, a con man, or a law-abiding citizen lured into a life of crime. (9) Betrayals and double-crosses also play an important role in many of these plots.
(10) Famous examples of film noir include Double Indemnity (1944), directed by Billy Wilder, The Big Heat (1953), directed by Fritz Lang, and Touch of Evil (1958), directed by Orson Welles. (11) Billy Wilder also directed many famous comedies, such as Some Like It Hot. (12) Although classic film noir is associated with American productions of the 1940s and '50s, many films from around the world and from the 1960s onward share many classic film noir traits. (13) For example, the films of Quentin Tarantino such as Pulp Fiction though, shot in color, have been heavily influenced by the genre of film noir.
In context, which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)? Dark shadows: streaks of bright light, and, off-balance compositions were all typical of the visual style.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. shadows, streaks of bright light and
- C. shadows, streaks of bright light, and
- D. shadows, streaks of bright light, and,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C effectively maintains the parallel structure of the list, ensuring clarity and flow. The use of commas before "and" is appropriate in a series with three or more items, adhering to standard punctuation rules. Option A retains the original structure but lacks clarity due to the unnecessary comma after "light." Option B omits the comma before "and," which can lead to confusion in longer lists, making it less clear. Option D incorrectly adds a comma after "and," which is grammatically incorrect and disrupts the flow of the sentence. Thus, C is the most effective choice for clarity and correctness.
Option C effectively maintains the parallel structure of the list, ensuring clarity and flow. The use of commas before "and" is appropriate in a series with three or more items, adhering to standard punctuation rules. Option A retains the original structure but lacks clarity due to the unnecessary comma after "light." Option B omits the comma before "and," which can lead to confusion in longer lists, making it less clear. Option D incorrectly adds a comma after "and," which is grammatically incorrect and disrupts the flow of the sentence. Thus, C is the most effective choice for clarity and correctness.
Other Related Questions
In the context of the passage, what sentence should be inserted immediately after sentence 11 (reproduced below)? 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.
- A. No one will ever really know why rats do what they do
- B. Mason is probably biased anyway because it was her experiment.
- C. More research must be done to arrive at an answer.
- D. Some scientists will complain no matter what
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Inserting "More research must be done to arrive at an answer" after sentence 11 effectively emphasizes the ongoing debate and the need for further investigation into the behaviors of rats. This aligns with the speculative tone of the discussion. Option A, while true, does not contribute to the dialogue about the necessity of additional research. Option B introduces bias but distracts from the main focus on research requirements. Option D generalizes scientists' behavior without addressing the specific context of Mason's argument, making it less relevant to the passage's intent.
Inserting "More research must be done to arrive at an answer" after sentence 11 effectively emphasizes the ongoing debate and the need for further investigation into the behaviors of rats. This aligns with the speculative tone of the discussion. Option A, while true, does not contribute to the dialogue about the necessity of additional research. Option B introduces bias but distracts from the main focus on research requirements. Option D generalizes scientists' behavior without addressing the specific context of Mason's argument, making it less relevant to the passage's intent.
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.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 13 (reproduced below)?
It might result in fewer trips to the store, which could keep fuel and cut down on pollution
- A. (as it is now)
- B. protect
- C. conserve
- D. support
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The phrase "cut down on pollution" suggests reducing waste, making "conserve" the most suitable choice. It aligns with the idea of using fewer resources, such as fuel, to achieve environmental benefits. Option A retains the original wording, which lacks precision and clarity. Option B, "protect," implies safeguarding resources but does not directly convey the idea of reducing usage. Option D, "support," suggests encouragement or assistance, which is not relevant to the context of minimizing trips and their environmental impact. Thus, "conserve" effectively captures the intended meaning of reducing consumption and pollution.
The phrase "cut down on pollution" suggests reducing waste, making "conserve" the most suitable choice. It aligns with the idea of using fewer resources, such as fuel, to achieve environmental benefits. Option A retains the original wording, which lacks precision and clarity. Option B, "protect," implies safeguarding resources but does not directly convey the idea of reducing usage. Option D, "support," suggests encouragement or assistance, which is not relevant to the context of minimizing trips and their environmental impact. Thus, "conserve" effectively captures the intended meaning of reducing consumption and pollution.
Where would the following sentence best fit in the passage? The results of two new experiments suggest that rats are surprisingly selfless.
- A. After sentence 1
- B. After sentence 3
- C. After sentence 8
- D. After sentence 11
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Placing the sentence after sentence 8 effectively introduces the new findings about rats, enhancing the flow of information regarding their behavior. This position allows for a natural transition into discussing the implications of these experiments. Option A is too early in the passage, as it lacks context for the experiments. Option B, following sentence 3, interrupts the narrative progression and does not align with the preceding content. Option D, after sentence 11, is too late, as it would disrupt the conclusion by introducing new information that should precede it. Thus, option C is the most logical placement.
Placing the sentence after sentence 8 effectively introduces the new findings about rats, enhancing the flow of information regarding their behavior. This position allows for a natural transition into discussing the implications of these experiments. Option A is too early in the passage, as it lacks context for the experiments. Option B, following sentence 3, interrupts the narrative progression and does not align with the preceding content. Option D, after sentence 11, is too late, as it would disrupt the conclusion by introducing new information that should precede it. Thus, option C is the most logical placement.