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
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)? High-tech teams around the world are working on projects designed to enhance people's telepresence "their sense of physically being in a location even when they are actually thousands of miles away.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. telepresence', their
- C. telepresence.' Their
- D. telepresence' their
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A maintains the original structure and punctuation, effectively conveying the intended meaning without introducing errors. The phrase "telepresence" is correctly followed by a quotation mark, and the sentence flows logically. Option B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a period after "telepresence," which disrupts the sentence's clarity and structure. Option C improperly replaces the comma with a period, creating a fragment because "Their sense..." would then be a standalone sentence without proper connection to the previous thought. Option D lacks the necessary punctuation to separate the two ideas, resulting in a confusing and grammatically incorrect construction.
Option A maintains the original structure and punctuation, effectively conveying the intended meaning without introducing errors. The phrase "telepresence" is correctly followed by a quotation mark, and the sentence flows logically. Option B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a period after "telepresence," which disrupts the sentence's clarity and structure. Option C improperly replaces the comma with a period, creating a fragment because "Their sense..." would then be a standalone sentence without proper connection to the previous thought. Option D lacks the necessary punctuation to separate the two ideas, resulting in a confusing and grammatically incorrect construction.
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.
Elvis Presley, the legendary singer and musician, starred in several movies that being poorly received by critics but very popular with his fans.
- A. being
- B. were
- C. has been
- D. have been
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The option "were" accurately reflects the past tense, indicating that the movies were poorly received at a specific time, aligning with the historical context of Elvis Presley's film career. Option A, "being," is grammatically incorrect in this context as it does not convey a completed action. Option C, "has been," suggests an ongoing state, which is inappropriate since the movies were released in the past and are no longer being reviewed. Option D, "have been," implies a continuous relevance to the present, which does not fit the historical assessment of the films. Thus, "were" is the most suitable choice.
The option "were" accurately reflects the past tense, indicating that the movies were poorly received at a specific time, aligning with the historical context of Elvis Presley's film career. Option A, "being," is grammatically incorrect in this context as it does not convey a completed action. Option C, "has been," suggests an ongoing state, which is inappropriate since the movies were released in the past and are no longer being reviewed. Option D, "have been," implies a continuous relevance to the present, which does not fit the historical assessment of the films. Thus, "were" is the most suitable choice.
Apart from being a basic requirement for plant life, the propagation of some plant species is also helped by rain.
- A. the propagation of some plant species is also helped by rain
- B. some plant species are also helped by rain to propagate them
- C. rain also helps in the propagation of some plant species
- D. it is also helpful for the propagation of some plant species to have rain
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C clearly states that rain helps in the propagation of some plant species, maintaining a straightforward structure that emphasizes the relationship between rain and propagation. Option A, while accurate, is less clear due to its passive construction, which can lead to ambiguity about what is being helped. Option B awkwardly phrases the relationship, suggesting that rain helps to propagate the plants rather than directly stating its role in the process. Option D complicates the message by using a more convoluted structure, making it less direct and harder to understand. Clarity and conciseness are essential in effectively conveying the idea.
Option C clearly states that rain helps in the propagation of some plant species, maintaining a straightforward structure that emphasizes the relationship between rain and propagation. Option A, while accurate, is less clear due to its passive construction, which can lead to ambiguity about what is being helped. Option B awkwardly phrases the relationship, suggesting that rain helps to propagate the plants rather than directly stating its role in the process. Option D complicates the message by using a more convoluted structure, making it less direct and harder to understand. Clarity and conciseness are essential in effectively conveying the idea.