(1) New York City has a long history with bicycle lanes, which are either painted on a street or constructed alongside a street and are used by bicycles rather than cars. (2) Its first bike lane — and the country's first — was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway. (3) Interest in bicycle lanes reappeared in the 1970s, and by 1980, Mayor Ed Koch saw to the construction of them on Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Midtown. (4) However, those lanes faced such fierce opposition that they were immediately removed. (5) Things have recently changed: since 2006, the city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level. (6) It installed more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs. (7) Many New Yorkers complained the new bike lanes slowed car traffic and reduced the number of parking spaces. (8) Others complained bicyclists were not following traffic rules in the lanes. (9) In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, religious leaders convinced the city to remove a new strip of freshly painted bike lane in their neighborhood. (10) Elected officials and perturbed residents of Staten Island also pressured the city into removing its own 2.35-mile dedicated lane. (11) Most New Yorkers have gotten used to the idea: a recent poll of New York City residents shows that two-thirds of them support the bike lanes. (12) They cite environmental reasons for their support, as well as the health and safety benefits the lanes provide bike riders. (13) Ultimately, the city can be happy knowing that statistics have shown its new bike lanes have already made the streets of New York safer for bikers and pedestrians.
In context, which sentence would be best to insert at the beginning of the second paragraph (sentences 7–10)?
- A. Acceptance of the city's new bike lanes did not come immediately.
- B. The new bike lanes served numerous purposes for New Yorkers.
- C. In 2006, the majority of New York City residents did not own bicycles.
- D. Many pedestrians and motorists supported bicycle riding on city streets.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively sets the stage for the discussion in the second paragraph by highlighting the initial resistance to the bike lanes, which is crucial for understanding the subsequent developments and changes in public perception. Option B, while relevant, lacks a specific focus on the acceptance timeline, making it less suitable for a smooth transition. Option C introduces a fact that, although interesting, does not directly relate to the acceptance of the bike lanes and could distract from the main narrative. Option D mentions support for bicycle riding but does not address the acceptance of the bike lanes specifically, making it less relevant to the context.
Option A effectively sets the stage for the discussion in the second paragraph by highlighting the initial resistance to the bike lanes, which is crucial for understanding the subsequent developments and changes in public perception. Option B, while relevant, lacks a specific focus on the acceptance timeline, making it less suitable for a smooth transition. Option C introduces a fact that, although interesting, does not directly relate to the acceptance of the bike lanes and could distract from the main narrative. Option D mentions support for bicycle riding but does not address the acceptance of the bike lanes specifically, making it less relevant to the context.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best version of the underlined portion in sentence 11 (reproduced below)? Although Powers had been born in Georgia and remained in the same region, throughout her life, her quilt exhibited a number of stylistic similarities to the large, appliquéd cotton cloths used in festivals by the Fon people of Dahomey.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. region throughout her life,
- C. region throughout her life
- D. region, throughout her life
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C eliminates unnecessary words, enhancing clarity and flow. By removing "throughout her life," the sentence remains grammatically correct while emphasizing the relationship between Powers’ origins and her quilt's stylistic influences. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is wordy and less direct. Option B introduces a comma that disrupts the sentence's rhythm, making it awkward. Option D incorrectly retains the comma, which separates elements that should be connected, leading to confusion about the timeline of Powers' life and her quilt's stylistic features.
Option C eliminates unnecessary words, enhancing clarity and flow. By removing "throughout her life," the sentence remains grammatically correct while emphasizing the relationship between Powers’ origins and her quilt's stylistic influences. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is wordy and less direct. Option B introduces a comma that disrupts the sentence's rhythm, making it awkward. Option D incorrectly retains the comma, which separates elements that should be connected, leading to confusion about the timeline of Powers' life and her quilt's stylistic features.
According to the author of Passage 2, fierce animal species inspire what feeling in humans?
- A. Humor
- B. Humility
- C. Bravery
- D. Arrogance
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Fierce animal species evoke a sense of humility in humans, as they remind us of our place in the natural world and the power of these creatures. This recognition fosters respect for their strength and survival instincts. Option A, humor, does not align with the serious nature of the relationship between humans and fierce animals. Option C, bravery, may seem plausible, but the author emphasizes a reflective, rather than combative, response to these animals. Option D, arrogance, contradicts the intended message, as fierce animals inspire admiration and respect, not a sense of superiority.
Fierce animal species evoke a sense of humility in humans, as they remind us of our place in the natural world and the power of these creatures. This recognition fosters respect for their strength and survival instincts. Option A, humor, does not align with the serious nature of the relationship between humans and fierce animals. Option C, bravery, may seem plausible, but the author emphasizes a reflective, rather than combative, response to these animals. Option D, arrogance, contradicts the intended message, as fierce animals inspire admiration and respect, not a sense of superiority.
Which point do both of the passages make?
- A. That human beings can be prey
- B. That human beings have a duty to protect large predatory animals
- C. That large predatory animals are vanishing from the planet
- D. That big cats can never be tamed
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Both passages emphasize the idea that human beings can be prey in the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the potential dangers humans face from large predators. Option B is incorrect as it suggests a specific duty to protect predatory animals, which may not be a central theme in the passages. Option C, while potentially relevant, does not reflect the shared focus on human vulnerability. Option D incorrectly asserts that big cats can never be tamed, which is not a universally accepted truth and does not align with the primary message of either passage.
Both passages emphasize the idea that human beings can be prey in the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the potential dangers humans face from large predators. Option B is incorrect as it suggests a specific duty to protect predatory animals, which may not be a central theme in the passages. Option C, while potentially relevant, does not reflect the shared focus on human vulnerability. Option D incorrectly asserts that big cats can never be tamed, which is not a universally accepted truth and does not align with the primary message of either passage.
In context, what does the final sentence suggest about Native American ceremonial texts?
- A. Understanding them requires a highly developed memory.
- B. Their inclusion of complicated and detailed material is traditional.
- C. They are important in the everyday lives of many Native Americans.
- D. Their use of repetition cannot be explained as an aid to memorization.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The final sentence suggests that repetition in Native American ceremonial texts serves a purpose beyond mere memorization, indicating a deeper significance in their cultural context. Option A is incorrect because the emphasis is not on memory development but on the intrinsic value of repetition. Option B misinterprets the role of complexity; while tradition is important, the sentence highlights repetition's unique function rather than the intricacy of content. Option C overlooks the specific focus on repetition, which is the core of the final sentence, rather than the broader context of everyday importance.
The final sentence suggests that repetition in Native American ceremonial texts serves a purpose beyond mere memorization, indicating a deeper significance in their cultural context. Option A is incorrect because the emphasis is not on memory development but on the intrinsic value of repetition. Option B misinterprets the role of complexity; while tradition is important, the sentence highlights repetition's unique function rather than the intricacy of content. Option C overlooks the specific focus on repetition, which is the core of the final sentence, rather than the broader context of everyday importance.