Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to each question. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.
Passage
Passage 1
Twice I've partaken of that cuisine known as "molecular gastronomy," and twice I've been unimpressed. First, at a county fair, I tried frozen "dots" of ice cream that had been formed into tiny pellets through a process of flash-freezing them in liquid nitrogen. The verdict? I would have preferred a traditional ice cream cone. At the other end of the dining spectrum, I "enjoyed" a high-end restaurant meal of a salad reprocessed entirely into a bowl of foam and an entrée of prime rib and baked potato repurposed into packing peanuts to be nibbled at by hand. My dessert was no more than a clear sphere that burst in my mouth into the "essence" of chocolate cake. The essence of chocolate cake! Some words I'd use to describe that meal include "creative" and "unique." Words I wouldn't use? "Filling" and "worth every cent."
Passage 2
Each year, designers around the world unveil clothing lines that are fantastical, grandiose, and, sometimes, utterly unwearable. Many of the designs are less fashion than art. The same is true in molecular gastronomy, the modern cooking technique of using chemistry to prepare food in new ways. Traditional dishes are transformed into jellies and foams; they are frozen with liquid nitrogen, shaped and formed through the use of lasers, and soaked in chemical baths. The end result is downright otherworldly: an egg served with the yolk on the outside, a decorative football helmet made entirely of crab cakes, a dessert of chocolate cake served as a clear ball! Molecular gastronomy does have its detractors, who claim the cuisine is more art than food, but such complaints can't be surprising. As high fashion isn't for everyone, neither is haute cuisine.
The author of Passage 1 would most likely characterize the claim of the "detractors" mentioned in Passage 2 as
- A. an unfair accusation
- B. a flattering portrayal
- C. an accurate description
- D. a flawed argument
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author of Passage 1 would likely view the claim of the "detractors" as an accurate description, reflecting a critical stance towards the subject being discussed. This suggests that the detractors highlight valid concerns that resonate with the author's perspective. Option A, "an unfair accusation," implies bias against the detractors, which does not align with the author's objective analysis. Option B, "a flattering portrayal," contradicts the nature of criticism typically associated with detractors. Lastly, option D, "a flawed argument," suggests a dismissal of the detractors' points, which would not align with the author's acknowledgment of their validity.
The author of Passage 1 would likely view the claim of the "detractors" as an accurate description, reflecting a critical stance towards the subject being discussed. This suggests that the detractors highlight valid concerns that resonate with the author's perspective. Option A, "an unfair accusation," implies bias against the detractors, which does not align with the author's objective analysis. Option B, "a flattering portrayal," contradicts the nature of criticism typically associated with detractors. Lastly, option D, "a flawed argument," suggests a dismissal of the detractors' points, which would not align with the author's acknowledgment of their validity.
Other Related Questions
Why does the author place quotation marks around the word "patriotic" (sentence 2)?
- A. To acknowledge that Wrigley's gum, while associated with a patriotic gesture, is not actually patriotic
- B. To emphasize that Wrigley's gum helped American soldiers
- C. To show that American soldiers used the word patriotic to describe Wrigley's gum
- D. To indicate that the Wrigley Company changed the name of the product to include the word patriotic
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Quotation marks around the word "patriotic" suggest that the term is being used in a non-literal or ironic sense, indicating skepticism about its true meaning. Option A accurately reflects this by acknowledging that while Wrigley's gum is linked to a patriotic gesture, it may not genuinely embody patriotism. Option B incorrectly assumes that the emphasis is on the gum's supportive role for soldiers rather than questioning the term itself. Option C misinterprets the use of quotation marks, suggesting that soldiers coined the term, which is not the case. Option D mistakenly implies a product name change, which is irrelevant to the author's intent in using quotation marks.
Quotation marks around the word "patriotic" suggest that the term is being used in a non-literal or ironic sense, indicating skepticism about its true meaning. Option A accurately reflects this by acknowledging that while Wrigley's gum is linked to a patriotic gesture, it may not genuinely embody patriotism. Option B incorrectly assumes that the emphasis is on the gum's supportive role for soldiers rather than questioning the term itself. Option C misinterprets the use of quotation marks, suggesting that soldiers coined the term, which is not the case. Option D mistakenly implies a product name change, which is irrelevant to the author's intent in using quotation marks.
The author of the passage does which of the following?
- A. Relates a personal anecdote
- B. Provides statistical data
- C. Quotes a named authority
- D. Challenges an official view
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author quotes a named authority to lend credibility to their argument, enhancing the passage's persuasive impact. This approach allows the reader to see the author's position supported by established expertise. Option A is incorrect as there is no personal anecdote shared; the focus remains on authoritative sources. Option B is not applicable since the passage lacks statistical data, relying instead on qualitative support. Option D is also wrong; the author does not challenge an official view but rather reinforces their argument through the cited authority, maintaining a respectful stance towards existing perspectives.
The author quotes a named authority to lend credibility to their argument, enhancing the passage's persuasive impact. This approach allows the reader to see the author's position supported by established expertise. Option A is incorrect as there is no personal anecdote shared; the focus remains on authoritative sources. Option B is not applicable since the passage lacks statistical data, relying instead on qualitative support. Option D is also wrong; the author does not challenge an official view but rather reinforces their argument through the cited authority, maintaining a respectful stance towards existing perspectives.
According to scientists, the seven separate continents of the world, in the far distant past, one vast land mass.
- A. the world, in the far distant past
- B. the world, being in the far distant past
- C. the world were, in the far distant past
- D. the world was, in the far distant past
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D accurately uses the verb "was," which agrees with the singular subject "the world." This structure clearly conveys that, historically, the continents formed one vast land mass. Option A lacks a verb, making it an incomplete thought. Option B incorrectly uses "being," which is not suitable in this context and disrupts the sentence's clarity. Option C uses "were," which does not agree with the singular subject and creates confusion about the subject-verb relationship. Thus, D is the only option that maintains grammatical correctness and clarity.
Option D accurately uses the verb "was," which agrees with the singular subject "the world." This structure clearly conveys that, historically, the continents formed one vast land mass. Option A lacks a verb, making it an incomplete thought. Option B incorrectly uses "being," which is not suitable in this context and disrupts the sentence's clarity. Option C uses "were," which does not agree with the singular subject and creates confusion about the subject-verb relationship. Thus, D is the only option that maintains grammatical correctness and clarity.
The author of Passage 2 would most likely say that the opinion held by the "people" mentioned in the third sentence of Passage 1 ("Some people have declared") is
- A. accurate
- B. unsupported
- C. misguided
- D. amusing
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The opinion held by the "people" in Passage 1 is deemed accurate, as the author of Passage 2 likely aligns with the sentiment expressed. This suggests a shared understanding or validation of the viewpoint. Option B, "unsupported," is incorrect because the author likely provides evidence or reasoning that bolsters the opinion. Option C, "misguided," does not align with the author's perspective, which would not characterize the opinion as erroneous. Option D, "amusing," is inappropriate as it trivializes the opinion rather than acknowledging its validity.
The opinion held by the "people" in Passage 1 is deemed accurate, as the author of Passage 2 likely aligns with the sentiment expressed. This suggests a shared understanding or validation of the viewpoint. Option B, "unsupported," is incorrect because the author likely provides evidence or reasoning that bolsters the opinion. Option C, "misguided," does not align with the author's perspective, which would not characterize the opinion as erroneous. Option D, "amusing," is inappropriate as it trivializes the opinion rather than acknowledging its validity.