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 ratis 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 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.
Other Related Questions
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.
Which is the best way to revise and combine sentences 4 and 5 (reproduced below)? These elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism. Many of these elements were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
- A. Many of these elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism they were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
- B. These elements, many of which were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land, created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism.
- C. These elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism, many were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
- D. man directors fleeing their war-torn land, which created
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, clearly indicating that the elements created disillusionment and were brought to Hollywood by German directors. This maintains clarity and coherence. Option A incorrectly connects two independent clauses without proper punctuation, leading to a run-on sentence. Option C misuses a comma, creating a comma splice by linking two independent clauses improperly. Option D is incomplete and lacks context, failing to convey the intended meaning about the elements and their effects. Thus, B is the most effective choice for combining the ideas cohesively.
Option B effectively combines the sentences by using a relative clause, clearly indicating that the elements created disillusionment and were brought to Hollywood by German directors. This maintains clarity and coherence. Option A incorrectly connects two independent clauses without proper punctuation, leading to a run-on sentence. Option C misuses a comma, creating a comma splice by linking two independent clauses improperly. Option D is incomplete and lacks context, failing to convey the intended meaning about the elements and their effects. Thus, B is the most effective choice for combining the ideas cohesively.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)? 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.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. altruism: namely
- C. altruism, namely,
- D. altruism-namely,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C, "altruism, namely," correctly uses a comma before "namely" to set off the phrase that introduces an explanation or clarification. This punctuation aids in the clarity of the sentence, indicating that what follows elaborates on the previous statement. Option A, "as it is now," is incorrect because it does not provide the necessary clarification about altruism, failing to connect the ideas effectively. Option B, "altruism: namely," misuses the colon. A colon typically precedes a list or explanation but is not appropriate here as the phrase does not introduce a list. Option D, "altruism-namely," incorrectly uses a hyphen, which does not convey the intended pause or separation needed for clarity.
Option C, "altruism, namely," correctly uses a comma before "namely" to set off the phrase that introduces an explanation or clarification. This punctuation aids in the clarity of the sentence, indicating that what follows elaborates on the previous statement. Option A, "as it is now," is incorrect because it does not provide the necessary clarification about altruism, failing to connect the ideas effectively. Option B, "altruism: namely," misuses the colon. A colon typically precedes a list or explanation but is not appropriate here as the phrase does not introduce a list. Option D, "altruism-namely," incorrectly uses a hyphen, which does not convey the intended pause or separation needed for clarity.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 4 (reproduced below)?
He knew that he was the first poet to participate in these prestigious ceremonies therefore, he contemplated which poem would be appropriate for the occasion
- A. (as it is now)
- B. ceremonies, therefore,
- C. ceremonies, therefore
- D. ceremonies, therefore
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In this context, option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma before "therefore," which is necessary to separate the two independent clauses. This punctuation helps clarify the relationship between the ideas presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making the sentence run-on and harder to read. Option C omits the comma after "therefore," which is incorrect as it still connects two independent clauses. Option D is identical to C and also fails to include the necessary comma, leading to confusion in the sentence structure. Proper punctuation enhances clarity and comprehension.
In this context, option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma before "therefore," which is necessary to separate the two independent clauses. This punctuation helps clarify the relationship between the ideas presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making the sentence run-on and harder to read. Option C omits the comma after "therefore," which is incorrect as it still connects two independent clauses. Option D is identical to C and also fails to include the necessary comma, leading to confusion in the sentence structure. Proper punctuation enhances clarity and comprehension.