(1) Federico GarcÃa Lorca was 20th-century Spain's most famous poet and playwright.(2) Lorca was born on June 5, 1898, in a small town a few miles west of Granada, in southern Spain. (3) He was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner. (4) He studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time. (5) In 1928, he published the most famous of all his poems, Gypsy Ballads, which used the rhythms of the traditional Spanish ballad to describe the Gypsies of southern Spain. (6) Gypsy Ballads was largely responsible for making Lorca famous throughout the Spanish-speaking world within a few years. (7) In June 1929, at a time when most young writers and painters dreamed of living in Paris, Federico Lorca broke with tradition and sailed for New York. (8) His nine months in New York changed his vision of poetry and the social role of the artist. (9) Lorca also traveled to Havana, Cuba. (10) He came to New York with the goal of learning English. (11) However, he spent most of his time writing poems in Spanish instead of studying English. (12) In 1936, Lorca left a collection of these poems, called Poet in New York, on the desk of his Madrid publisher with a note saying he would be 'back tomorrow,' probably to discuss final details. (13) He never returned. (14) Sadly, at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Lorca was killed by political opponents in Granada. (15) Poet in New York was finally published in 1940.
In context, which word or phrase is best to insert at the beginning of sentence 11? Sentence 11: He spent most of his time writing poems in Spanish instead of studying English.
- A. In addition.
- B. For example.
- C. However.
- D. Indeed.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The choice of "However" effectively contrasts the subject's choice to write poems in Spanish with the expectation that he should be studying English. This juxtaposition highlights a shift in focus, emphasizing the divergence from expected behavior. Option A, "In addition," suggests continuity rather than contrast, which does not align with the sentence's intent. Option B, "For example," implies that the sentence will provide an instance, which is not the case here. Option D, "Indeed," reinforces a statement rather than introducing a contrasting idea, making it unsuitable for the context.
The choice of "However" effectively contrasts the subject's choice to write poems in Spanish with the expectation that he should be studying English. This juxtaposition highlights a shift in focus, emphasizing the divergence from expected behavior. Option A, "In addition," suggests continuity rather than contrast, which does not align with the sentence's intent. Option B, "For example," implies that the sentence will provide an instance, which is not the case here. Option D, "Indeed," reinforces a statement rather than introducing a contrasting idea, making it unsuitable for the context.
Other Related Questions
The writer is considering adding the following sentence to the end of the fourth paragraph: 'Surprisingly, according to The Economist, there were 1.6 million commercial farms in Brazil in 2010.' Should the writer make this addition here?
- A. Yes, because it emphasizes the paragraph's focus on the economic power of large farms.
- B. Yes, because it uses concrete data to provide context about local farms and commercial farms.
- C. No, because it is unrelated to the economic challenges small farms may face.
- D. No, because it fails to show a clear connection to the paragraph's focus on supporting local farms.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Adding the sentence enhances the paragraph by providing concrete data, which helps contextualize the discussion about local and commercial farms. It bridges the gap between the economic landscape and the realities faced by different types of farms, enriching the reader's understanding. Option A misinterprets the focus; while large farms are mentioned, the emphasis is on the economic challenges faced by smaller farms. Option C incorrectly suggests that the data is unrelated; understanding the number of commercial farms is essential to discussing the economic landscape. Option D overlooks that the data can indeed support a broader discussion about local farms by contrasting them with commercial operations.
Adding the sentence enhances the paragraph by providing concrete data, which helps contextualize the discussion about local and commercial farms. It bridges the gap between the economic landscape and the realities faced by different types of farms, enriching the reader's understanding. Option A misinterprets the focus; while large farms are mentioned, the emphasis is on the economic challenges faced by smaller farms. Option C incorrectly suggests that the data is unrelated; understanding the number of commercial farms is essential to discussing the economic landscape. Option D overlooks that the data can indeed support a broader discussion about local farms by contrasting them with commercial operations.
Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? The pictorial quilts created by a former slave named Harriet Powers, in addition, were remarkable for their bold storytelling techniques and their unique subject matter.
- A. by contrast,
- B. for example,
- C. it so happens,
- D. moreover,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "in addition" suggests that the following information will build on or add to the previous point. Option D, "moreover," effectively conveys this continuation of thought, emphasizing that Harriet Powers' quilts not only have a historical significance but also possess remarkable qualities. Option A, "by contrast," implies a comparison that highlights differences, which does not fit the context. Option B, "for example," indicates a specific illustration rather than adding information. Option C, "it so happens," is too vague and does not establish a clear connection to the preceding statement. Thus, "moreover" is the most suitable choice for enhancing the sentence's cohesiveness.
The phrase "in addition" suggests that the following information will build on or add to the previous point. Option D, "moreover," effectively conveys this continuation of thought, emphasizing that Harriet Powers' quilts not only have a historical significance but also possess remarkable qualities. Option A, "by contrast," implies a comparison that highlights differences, which does not fit the context. Option B, "for example," indicates a specific illustration rather than adding information. Option C, "it so happens," is too vague and does not establish a clear connection to the preceding statement. Thus, "moreover" is the most suitable choice for enhancing the sentence's cohesiveness.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed? How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?
- A. After sentence 3
- B. After sentence 8
- C. After sentence 9
- D. After sentence 12
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Placing the question "How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?" after sentence 9 is most effective as it follows a discussion about sauropod growth patterns, providing a logical transition into the specifics of their growth duration. Option A, after sentence 3, is too early as it lacks the necessary context about sauropod growth. Option B, after sentence 8, is close but doesn't fully prepare the reader for the specific inquiry about growth duration. Option D, after sentence 12, is too late, as it disrupts the flow by introducing a new question after concluding details about sauropods.
Placing the question "How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?" after sentence 9 is most effective as it follows a discussion about sauropod growth patterns, providing a logical transition into the specifics of their growth duration. Option A, after sentence 3, is too early as it lacks the necessary context about sauropod growth. Option B, after sentence 8, is close but doesn't fully prepare the reader for the specific inquiry about growth duration. Option D, after sentence 12, is too late, as it disrupts the flow by introducing a new question after concluding details about sauropods.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)? More recent discoveries of sauropod fossils in locations around the world have confirmed that these resilient animals, did indeed walk the earth for millions of years.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. that, these resilient animals
- C. that these resilient animals.
- D. that these resilient animals
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D is the best choice as it eliminates unnecessary punctuation, creating a smooth and grammatically correct sentence. The phrase "that these resilient animals" flows naturally and maintains clarity. Option A retains the comma, which incorrectly separates the subject from the verb, leading to a fragmented structure. Option B includes an unnecessary comma after "that," disrupting the sentence's flow. Option C, while similar to D, incorrectly ends with a period, making it incomplete and affecting the overall coherence of the sentence.
Option D is the best choice as it eliminates unnecessary punctuation, creating a smooth and grammatically correct sentence. The phrase "that these resilient animals" flows naturally and maintains clarity. Option A retains the comma, which incorrectly separates the subject from the verb, leading to a fragmented structure. Option B includes an unnecessary comma after "that," disrupting the sentence's flow. Option C, while similar to D, incorrectly ends with a period, making it incomplete and affecting the overall coherence of the sentence.