Marco won a trophy each of the three times he competed in the junior tennis tournament, but still the first prize eluded him.
- A. eluded
- B. alluded
- C. elided
- D. allied
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
In this context, "eluded" means that the first prize was out of Marco's reach despite his successes, which fits the sentence perfectly. Option B, "alluded," refers to making an indirect reference, which does not apply here. Option C, "elided," means to omit or leave out, which does not convey the intended meaning of something being out of reach. Option D, "allied," means to join or unite, which is irrelevant in this context. Thus, "eluded" accurately captures the sense of a goal that remains unattained despite effort.
In this context, "eluded" means that the first prize was out of Marco's reach despite his successes, which fits the sentence perfectly. Option B, "alluded," refers to making an indirect reference, which does not apply here. Option C, "elided," means to omit or leave out, which does not convey the intended meaning of something being out of reach. Option D, "allied," means to join or unite, which is irrelevant in this context. Thus, "eluded" accurately captures the sense of a goal that remains unattained despite effort.
Other Related Questions
In context, which of the following is best to do with sentence 11 (reproduced below)? They say that successful continuation of conservancies will benefit future generations, attracting more and more tourists from around the globe.
- A. Replace 'will' with 'is likely to'
- B. Replace 'attracting' with 'to attract'
- C. Replace 'They say' with 'Supporters claim'
- D. Delete 'more and more'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Replacing "They say" with "Supporters claim" enhances clarity by specifying the source of the assertion, making the statement more authoritative. This change helps readers understand that the viewpoint is held by a specific group, which adds credibility to the claim. Option A, "is likely to," weakens the certainty of the statement, diminishing its impact. Option B, changing "attracting" to "to attract," disrupts the sentence's flow and alters its grammatical structure unnecessarily. Option D, deleting "more and more," removes emphasis on the increasing nature of tourism, which is central to the message about future benefits.
Replacing "They say" with "Supporters claim" enhances clarity by specifying the source of the assertion, making the statement more authoritative. This change helps readers understand that the viewpoint is held by a specific group, which adds credibility to the claim. Option A, "is likely to," weakens the certainty of the statement, diminishing its impact. Option B, changing "attracting" to "to attract," disrupts the sentence's flow and alters its grammatical structure unnecessarily. Option D, deleting "more and more," removes emphasis on the increasing nature of tourism, which is central to the message about future benefits.
Which of the following sentences most effectively combines sentences 6 and 7 (reproduced below)? There are over 1000 different kinds of bananas. Most bananas that grow without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- A. There are over 1000 different kinds of bananas, and most of the ones grown without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- B. While there are over 1000 different kinds of bananas, most of the ones grown without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- C. Of the more than 1000 different kinds of bananas, many of them are grown without human assistance, and many of those are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- D. Most bananas grown without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger, and all told there are more than 1000 different kinds of bananas.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining the original information while clearly linking the two ideas. It states the fact about the variety of bananas and smoothly transitions to the specific detail about the size of those grown without human assistance. Option B introduces a contrast with "while," which is unnecessary since both statements are factual rather than opposing ideas. Option C inaccurately implies that many of the 1000+ kinds are grown without human assistance, which is not stated in the original sentences. Option D incorrectly prioritizes the size of the bananas over the variety, misrepresenting the main point about the number of banana types.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining the original information while clearly linking the two ideas. It states the fact about the variety of bananas and smoothly transitions to the specific detail about the size of those grown without human assistance. Option B introduces a contrast with "while," which is unnecessary since both statements are factual rather than opposing ideas. Option C inaccurately implies that many of the 1000+ kinds are grown without human assistance, which is not stated in the original sentences. Option D incorrectly prioritizes the size of the bananas over the variety, misrepresenting the main point about the number of banana types.
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: A
Option A maintains the original structure, effectively connecting the two independent clauses with a semicolon. This punctuation is appropriate as it separates related but distinct ideas: the poet's recognition and his subsequent contemplation. Option B incorrectly uses a comma before "therefore," which fails to properly separate the clauses and creates a comma splice. Option C introduces an unnecessary semicolon before "therefore," which disrupts the flow and is grammatically incorrect since "therefore" is not an independent clause. Option D lacks punctuation after "ceremonies," making it a run-on sentence and confusing the relationship between the ideas.
Option A maintains the original structure, effectively connecting the two independent clauses with a semicolon. This punctuation is appropriate as it separates related but distinct ideas: the poet's recognition and his subsequent contemplation. Option B incorrectly uses a comma before "therefore," which fails to properly separate the clauses and creates a comma splice. Option C introduces an unnecessary semicolon before "therefore," which disrupts the flow and is grammatically incorrect since "therefore" is not an independent clause. Option D lacks punctuation after "ceremonies," making it a run-on sentence and confusing the relationship between the ideas.
Which is the best way to combine sentences 6 and 7 (reproduced below)? The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner. It was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- A. The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner, and the reason for that was because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- B. The poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- C. Because the poet expressed reluctance to proceed in this manner, it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- D. The poet expressed reluctance, because it was not customary for him to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion, to proceed in this manner.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance directly to the unconventional nature of writing a commissioned poem. This structure maintains clarity and conciseness, allowing the reader to understand the cause-and-effect relationship without unnecessary words. Option A is overly complex and uses "and the reason for that was because," which adds redundancy and weakens the sentence's impact. Option C incorrectly implies that the reluctance is a consequence of the customary practice, rather than the other way around, misrepresenting the relationship. Option D disrupts the natural flow of the sentence by placing "to proceed in this manner" at the end, making it awkward and less direct.
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance directly to the unconventional nature of writing a commissioned poem. This structure maintains clarity and conciseness, allowing the reader to understand the cause-and-effect relationship without unnecessary words. Option A is overly complex and uses "and the reason for that was because," which adds redundancy and weakens the sentence's impact. Option C incorrectly implies that the reluctance is a consequence of the customary practice, rather than the other way around, misrepresenting the relationship. Option D disrupts the natural flow of the sentence by placing "to proceed in this manner" at the end, making it awkward and less direct.