Neon signs are often placed in storefronts to attract customers. The very first display of glass tubes filled with colorful, ignited neon gas was meant to attract only attention, however. In 1910 at the Paris Exposition, two straight tubes filled with lit neon gas were displayed to show off the new technology. It was not until 1912 that glass tubes were bent into a written message and put in the window of a barber shop to entice people to come in.
We can infer that the reason the glass tubes were bent was that
- A. the Paris Exposition display was considered unsatisfactory
- B. straight tubes are not as bright as bent ones
- C. it is difficult to form letters with straight tubes
- D. neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The bending of glass tubes is primarily linked to the ability to form letters and shapes, making option C the most logical choice. Bent tubes allow for the creation of recognizable letters, essential for signage. Option A suggests the display's quality influenced the design, but it lacks direct relevance to the functionality of the tubes. Option B implies that brightness is affected by the shape of the tubes, which is misleading; brightness is more about gas type and tube diameter than shape. Option D inaccurately claims that neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes; gas longevity is not dependent on tube shape but rather on electrical conditions and gas quality.
The bending of glass tubes is primarily linked to the ability to form letters and shapes, making option C the most logical choice. Bent tubes allow for the creation of recognizable letters, essential for signage. Option A suggests the display's quality influenced the design, but it lacks direct relevance to the functionality of the tubes. Option B implies that brightness is affected by the shape of the tubes, which is misleading; brightness is more about gas type and tube diameter than shape. Option D inaccurately claims that neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes; gas longevity is not dependent on tube shape but rather on electrical conditions and gas quality.
Other Related Questions
In sentence 8 (reproduced below), which of the following best replaces 'they'? Rather than commuting long distances, they can use their home computers to maneuver simple wheeled robots around the head office
- A. high-tech engineers
- B. remote workers
- C. sophisticated robots
- D. employers
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B, "remote workers," accurately identifies the subject who would benefit from using home computers to control robots instead of commuting. This term directly relates to individuals who work from home, aligning with the context of the sentence. Option A, "high-tech engineers," is too specific and does not encompass all individuals who might work remotely. Option C, "sophisticated robots," incorrectly refers to machines rather than people, making it irrelevant in this context. Option D, "employers," shifts the focus from the workers to those who manage them, which does not fit the intended meaning of the sentence.
Option B, "remote workers," accurately identifies the subject who would benefit from using home computers to control robots instead of commuting. This term directly relates to individuals who work from home, aligning with the context of the sentence. Option A, "high-tech engineers," is too specific and does not encompass all individuals who might work remotely. Option C, "sophisticated robots," incorrectly refers to machines rather than people, making it irrelevant in this context. Option D, "employers," shifts the focus from the workers to those who manage them, which does not fit the intended meaning of the sentence.
The term "heliotropic" (sentence 5) most probably means
- A. having a flexible pulvinus
- B. flowering in the bud stage
- C. having brightly-colored flowers
- D. turning toward the Sun
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
"Heliotropic" refers to the phenomenon where plants or flowers turn towards the Sun to maximize light exposure, which is essential for photosynthesis. This behavior is crucial for their growth and survival. Option A, "having a flexible pulvinus," describes a specific structural feature of some plants but does not capture the essence of heliotropism. Option B, "flowering in the bud stage," pertains to a developmental phase unrelated to sunlight orientation. Option C, "having brightly-colored flowers," focuses on visual attributes rather than movement towards light. Thus, only option D accurately reflects the meaning of heliotropic.
"Heliotropic" refers to the phenomenon where plants or flowers turn towards the Sun to maximize light exposure, which is essential for photosynthesis. This behavior is crucial for their growth and survival. Option A, "having a flexible pulvinus," describes a specific structural feature of some plants but does not capture the essence of heliotropism. Option B, "flowering in the bud stage," pertains to a developmental phase unrelated to sunlight orientation. Option C, "having brightly-colored flowers," focuses on visual attributes rather than movement towards light. Thus, only option D accurately reflects the meaning of heliotropic.
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.
The author of Passage 1 would probably say that the claims in the last sentence of Passage 2 ("Someday... notice") are
- A. disappointing and inaccurate
- B. stimulating and insightful
- C. optimistic but vague
- D. alarming but truthful
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The claims in the last sentence of Passage 2 are likely viewed as disappointing and inaccurate because they may contradict the author's perspective in Passage 1, which emphasizes realism over idealism. Option B, "stimulating and insightful," misinterprets the author's critical stance; the claims are not presented as thought-provoking. Option C, "optimistic but vague," overlooks the author's likely skepticism towards vague claims that lack concrete support. Option D, "alarming but truthful," fails to capture the author's likely rejection of the claims as factual, indicating a more critical viewpoint.
The claims in the last sentence of Passage 2 are likely viewed as disappointing and inaccurate because they may contradict the author's perspective in Passage 1, which emphasizes realism over idealism. Option B, "stimulating and insightful," misinterprets the author's critical stance; the claims are not presented as thought-provoking. Option C, "optimistic but vague," overlooks the author's likely skepticism towards vague claims that lack concrete support. Option D, "alarming but truthful," fails to capture the author's likely rejection of the claims as factual, indicating a more critical viewpoint.