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
Have you ever wondered why everything you eat or drink right after brushing your teeth tastes bad? The cause is sodium laureth sulfate, an ingredient commonly added to toothpaste to make the paste foamy. Unfortunately, sodium laureth sulfate inhibits the taste buds that perceive sweetness, while removing molecules that keep bitter tastes from overwhelming our tongues. As a result, sweet flavors are reduced while bitter flavors are enhanced.
The word "perceive" in sentence 3 of the passage most nearly means
- A. feel
- B. generate
- C. predict
- D. sense
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The word "perceive" in this context closely aligns with "sense," as it refers to the ability to become aware of something through one’s senses or intuition. Option A, "feel," suggests a more emotional or physical response, which does not fully capture the broader cognitive aspect of perception. Option B, "generate," implies creating something, which deviates from the idea of recognizing or understanding. Option C, "predict," relates to forecasting future events, rather than simply recognizing or interpreting current stimuli. Thus, "sense" best encapsulates the meaning of "perceive" in this instance.
The word "perceive" in this context closely aligns with "sense," as it refers to the ability to become aware of something through one’s senses or intuition. Option A, "feel," suggests a more emotional or physical response, which does not fully capture the broader cognitive aspect of perception. Option B, "generate," implies creating something, which deviates from the idea of recognizing or understanding. Option C, "predict," relates to forecasting future events, rather than simply recognizing or interpreting current stimuli. Thus, "sense" best encapsulates the meaning of "perceive" in this instance.
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 passage is mainly discussing the Mississippi River's
- A. depth
- B. length
- C. width
- D. location
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The passage primarily focuses on the Mississippi River's width, detailing its varying measurements at different points along its course. This emphasis on width highlights its significance in navigation and ecology. Option A, depth, is not the main topic; while depth may be mentioned, it does not receive the same level of attention. Option B, length, is also a lesser focus, as the passage does not delve into the river's overall distance. Option D, location, is addressed but serves more as context rather than the central theme. Thus, width emerges as the key aspect discussed in the passage.
The passage primarily focuses on the Mississippi River's width, detailing its varying measurements at different points along its course. This emphasis on width highlights its significance in navigation and ecology. Option A, depth, is not the main topic; while depth may be mentioned, it does not receive the same level of attention. Option B, length, is also a lesser focus, as the passage does not delve into the river's overall distance. Option D, location, is addressed but serves more as context rather than the central theme. Thus, width emerges as the key aspect discussed in the passage.
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.
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.