Passage
(1) When I maved to New York City ten months ago to go to college, it was mainly my lack of self-confidence that made it hard to adjust to my new surroundings (2) I'm a country kid from rural Texas. (3) 1 grew up on a ranch on the prairie (4) I was used to wide-open spaces and peace and quiet, and most of my friends were of Mexican descent like me. (5) Fortunately, I've come to enjoy living in the city, but for a long time I felt overwhelmed and out of place.
(6) Early on for example my anxiety about getting lost was so bad that I was even scared to go for a walk or to take a bus or the subway (7) I feared that I might have to ask a stranger for directions and that that person might not speak one of the languages I do. (8) My irrational fears went on and on.
(9) That's why I was relieved when, after many hours of reflection, I finally realized that it was my attitude and not the city that were making me miserable. (10) I adopted a new outlook and began to develop friendships and explore the city with my new companions. (11) Together we've attended many of the local festivals that are held from time to time to celebrate a holiday, a historic event, or a culture. (12) I've enjoyed the diversity here, and wanting to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here. (13) It has also been great to meet so many other people who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
(14) Being able to meet others who speak Spanish has definitely helped me. (15) Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise. (16) The city never sleeps, as they say, and day or night there are always hundreds of people out and about on the streets. (17) Now I wonder whether I'll be able to fall asleep when I go back to Texas, where the only noise I'll hear at night is lowing of the cattle.
Should sentence 15 (reproduced below) be kept in the fourth paragraph? Actually, there's not much about living here that intimidates me anymore, and I've even gotten used to the noise
- A. Yes, because it is appropriate to the paragraph's purpose of creating a feeling of being in a busy city.
- B. Yes, because it reinforces the paragraph's focus on the narrator's evolving perspective about the city.
- C. No, because it blurs the paragraph's focus on the uncommon experiences the narrator has had in the city
- D. No, because it is irrelevant to the paragraph's topic about the challenges of moving from the country to the
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively highlights the evolving perspective of the narrator, emphasizing personal growth and adaptation to city life. This aligns with the paragraph’s theme of transformation and acceptance. Option A, while noting the busy city atmosphere, fails to capture the deeper significance of the narrator's emotional journey, which is central to the paragraph’s intent. Option C incorrectly suggests that the sentence detracts from the focus on unique experiences; instead, it complements the narrator's journey by showcasing a shift in perception. Option D misinterprets the relevance of the sentence, as it actually contributes to understanding the challenges faced in adapting to urban life.
Option B effectively highlights the evolving perspective of the narrator, emphasizing personal growth and adaptation to city life. This aligns with the paragraph’s theme of transformation and acceptance. Option A, while noting the busy city atmosphere, fails to capture the deeper significance of the narrator's emotional journey, which is central to the paragraph’s intent. Option C incorrectly suggests that the sentence detracts from the focus on unique experiences; instead, it complements the narrator's journey by showcasing a shift in perception. Option D misinterprets the relevance of the sentence, as it actually contributes to understanding the challenges faced in adapting to urban life.
Other Related Questions
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 hien to write a commissioned poem for a certain occasion.
- B. The post 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
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance to the reason behind it, maintaining coherence and clarity. The phrase "the reason for that was because" emphasizes the connection between the two ideas. Option B, while concise, lacks the explicit connection that option A provides, making it less effective in conveying the relationship between the reluctance and the custom. Option C incorrectly begins with "Because," which disrupts the sentence structure and implies causation in a way that confuses the intended meaning. Option D introduces an unnecessary comma, which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence, making it less effective than option A.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by clearly linking the poet's reluctance to the reason behind it, maintaining coherence and clarity. The phrase "the reason for that was because" emphasizes the connection between the two ideas. Option B, while concise, lacks the explicit connection that option A provides, making it less effective in conveying the relationship between the reluctance and the custom. Option C incorrectly begins with "Because," which disrupts the sentence structure and implies causation in a way that confuses the intended meaning. Option D introduces an unnecessary comma, which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence, making it less effective than option A.
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 version of the underlined portion in sentence 14 (reproduced below) most effectively elaborates on the idea presented at the beginning of the sentence?
In spite of his concern over time constraints the occasion was an important one!- he resolved to compose a relevant tribute.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. the event would be held in the nation's capital!-
- C. only two days until the ceremony!-
- D. the president would hear him recite!-
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A maintains the original structure and intent of the sentence, emphasizing the importance of the occasion while acknowledging the speaker's time concerns. This balance effectively elaborates on the initial idea. Option B introduces a geographical detail that, while relevant, does not directly enhance the emotional weight of the tribute. Option C focuses on the urgency of time but lacks the broader context of the occasion's significance. Option D, while adding a dramatic element, shifts the focus to the audience rather than the tribute itself, detracting from the main idea presented at the beginning.
Option A maintains the original structure and intent of the sentence, emphasizing the importance of the occasion while acknowledging the speaker's time concerns. This balance effectively elaborates on the initial idea. Option B introduces a geographical detail that, while relevant, does not directly enhance the emotional weight of the tribute. Option C focuses on the urgency of time but lacks the broader context of the occasion's significance. Option D, while adding a dramatic element, shifts the focus to the audience rather than the tribute itself, detracting from the main idea presented at the beginning.
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.