The hikers had a relatively easy trek to the top of the mountain, but they found the decent more difficult than they had expected.
- A. decent
- B. descend
- C. decant
- D. descent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The term "descent" refers to the act of going down, which aligns perfectly with the context of the hikers finding the return journey more challenging. Option A, "decent," describes something of acceptable quality, which does not fit the context of a journey. Option B, "descend," is a verb meaning to go down, but the sentence requires a noun to describe the action taken by the hikers. Option C, "decant," refers to pouring a liquid from one container to another, which is unrelated to hiking or movement. Thus, "descent" is the most appropriate choice.
The term "descent" refers to the act of going down, which aligns perfectly with the context of the hikers finding the return journey more challenging. Option A, "decent," describes something of acceptable quality, which does not fit the context of a journey. Option B, "descend," is a verb meaning to go down, but the sentence requires a noun to describe the action taken by the hikers. Option C, "decant," refers to pouring a liquid from one container to another, which is unrelated to hiking or movement. Thus, "descent" is the most appropriate choice.
Other Related Questions
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)? Cavendish bananas might appear to be strong, with its thick skins and ability to be shipped long distances without rotting or even bruising.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. its'
- C. their
- D. there
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
In this context, "Cavendish bananas" is plural, so using "their" is appropriate to match the subject. This option correctly indicates possession, referring to the bananas' thick skins. Option A maintains the original phrasing, which incorrectly uses "its," a singular possessive pronoun, creating a mismatch with the plural subject. Option B, "its'," is also incorrect as it implies a possessive form that doesn't apply here, and it is not a standard grammatical form. Option D, "there," is unrelated to possession and does not fit the context of the sentence.
In this context, "Cavendish bananas" is plural, so using "their" is appropriate to match the subject. This option correctly indicates possession, referring to the bananas' thick skins. Option A maintains the original phrasing, which incorrectly uses "its," a singular possessive pronoun, creating a mismatch with the plural subject. Option B, "its'," is also incorrect as it implies a possessive form that doesn't apply here, and it is not a standard grammatical form. Option D, "there," is unrelated to possession and does not fit the context of the sentence.
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.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 8 (reproduced below)? In fact, the word 'banana' comes from the Arabic word for 'finger.'
- A. (as it is now)
- B. word, 'banana,' comes from the Arabic word for 'finger.'
- C. word, 'banana' comes from the Arabic word for, 'finger.'
- D. word, 'banana,' comes from the Arabic word for 'finger'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A maintains the original structure and punctuation, which correctly presents the information without unnecessary alterations. The phrase is clear and grammatically correct, effectively linking the word "banana" to its Arabic origin. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "banana," which disrupts the flow and introduces an unnecessary pause. Option C misplaces the comma after "finger," creating confusion about the relationship between the words. Option D incorrectly adds a comma after "banana," which is not required and affects the clarity of the sentence. Thus, A is the most effective choice.
Option A maintains the original structure and punctuation, which correctly presents the information without unnecessary alterations. The phrase is clear and grammatically correct, effectively linking the word "banana" to its Arabic origin. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "banana," which disrupts the flow and introduces an unnecessary pause. Option C misplaces the comma after "finger," creating confusion about the relationship between the words. Option D incorrectly adds a comma after "banana," which is not required and affects the clarity of the sentence. Thus, A is the most effective choice.
The best placement for sentence 12 within the third paragraph would be
- A. where it is now
- B. before sentence 11
- C. after sentence 13
- D. after sentence 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Placement of sentence 12 where it currently is allows for a logical flow of ideas, maintaining coherence within the paragraph. It connects well with the preceding sentence, enhancing clarity and emphasizing the main point. Option B disrupts this flow by placing sentence 12 before sentence 11, which may confuse readers regarding the sequence of thoughts. Option C, placing it after sentence 13, would create a disjointed structure, as it would separate related ideas. Option D, positioning it after sentence 14, risks losing the contextual relevance, diminishing the paragraph's overall impact.
Placement of sentence 12 where it currently is allows for a logical flow of ideas, maintaining coherence within the paragraph. It connects well with the preceding sentence, enhancing clarity and emphasizing the main point. Option B disrupts this flow by placing sentence 12 before sentence 11, which may confuse readers regarding the sequence of thoughts. Option C, placing it after sentence 13, would create a disjointed structure, as it would separate related ideas. Option D, positioning it after sentence 14, risks losing the contextual relevance, diminishing the paragraph's overall impact.