(1) New York City has a long history with bicycle lanes, which are either painted on a street or constructed alongside a street and are used by bicycles rather than cars. (2) Its first bike lane — and the country's first — was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway. (3) Interest in bicycle lanes reappeared in the 1970s, and by 1980, Mayor Ed Koch saw to the construction of them on Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Midtown. (4) However, those lanes faced such fierce opposition that they were immediately removed. (5) Things have recently changed: since 2006, the city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level. (6) It installed more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs. (7) Many New Yorkers complained the new bike lanes slowed car traffic and reduced the number of parking spaces. (8) Others complained bicyclists were not following traffic rules in the lanes. (9) In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, religious leaders convinced the city to remove a new strip of freshly painted bike lane in their neighborhood. (10) Elected officials and perturbed residents of Staten Island also pressured the city into removing its own 2.35-mile dedicated lane. (11) Most New Yorkers have gotten used to the idea: a recent poll of New York City residents shows that two-thirds of them support the bike lanes. (12) They cite environmental reasons for their support, as well as the health and safety benefits the lanes provide bike riders. (13) Ultimately, the city can be happy knowing that statistics have shown its new bike lanes have already made the streets of New York safer for bikers and pedestrians.
What change needs to be made to sentence 11 (reproduced below) to make the sentence grammatically correct? Most New Yorkers have gotten used to the idea: a recent poll of New York City residents show that two-thirds of them support the bike lanes.
- A. Change 'gotten' to 'got'
- B. Change 'show' to 'shows'
- C. Change 'support' to 'supported'
- D. Change 'lanes' to 'lane'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In the sentence, the subject "a recent poll" is singular, so the verb must also be singular to ensure subject-verb agreement. Changing "show" to "shows" corrects this error. Option A incorrectly suggests changing "gotten" to "got," which does not address the grammatical issue present in the sentence. Option C’s suggestion to change "support" to "supported" alters the meaning of the sentence unnecessarily, shifting it from current support to past support. Option D's change from "lanes" to "lane" is irrelevant, as the plural form is appropriate given the context of multiple bike lanes in the city.
In the sentence, the subject "a recent poll" is singular, so the verb must also be singular to ensure subject-verb agreement. Changing "show" to "shows" corrects this error. Option A incorrectly suggests changing "gotten" to "got," which does not address the grammatical issue present in the sentence. Option C’s suggestion to change "support" to "supported" alters the meaning of the sentence unnecessarily, shifting it from current support to past support. Option D's change from "lanes" to "lane" is irrelevant, as the plural form is appropriate given the context of multiple bike lanes in the city.
Other Related Questions
Where in the passage should the following sentence be inserted? Other New Yorkers say they are in favor of the bike lanes just for keeping bicyclists off the sidewalks.
- A. After sentence 1
- B. After sentence 3
- C. After sentence 9
- D. After sentence 12
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Inserting the sentence after sentence 12 effectively captures the contrasting viewpoints on bike lanes, highlighting public support while addressing concerns about sidewalk safety. This placement enhances the flow of the passage by concluding the discussion on community opinions regarding bike lanes. Option A, after sentence 1, disrupts the introduction of the topic, as it introduces a specific opinion too early. Option B, after sentence 3, fails to provide context for the differing opinions, leading to confusion. Option C, after sentence 9, does not align with the passage's progression, as it occurs before a more comprehensive discussion of the implications of bike lanes.
Inserting the sentence after sentence 12 effectively captures the contrasting viewpoints on bike lanes, highlighting public support while addressing concerns about sidewalk safety. This placement enhances the flow of the passage by concluding the discussion on community opinions regarding bike lanes. Option A, after sentence 1, disrupts the introduction of the topic, as it introduces a specific opinion too early. Option B, after sentence 3, fails to provide context for the differing opinions, leading to confusion. Option C, after sentence 9, does not align with the passage's progression, as it occurs before a more comprehensive discussion of the implications of bike lanes.
Unlike Passage 2, Passage 1 makes use of:
- A. Scientific observation
- B. Historical allusion
- C. Personal anecdote
- D. Logical reasoning
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Passage 1 effectively employs personal anecdotes, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the author's experiences, which enhances engagement and relatability. In contrast, Passage 2 lacks this personal touch. Option A, scientific observation, is not present in either passage, as both focus on narrative rather than empirical data. Option B, historical allusion, may be found in Passage 2, but it is absent in Passage 1. Option D, logical reasoning, is utilized in both passages, but Passage 1 stands out for its personal storytelling approach, making it distinct in its method of conveying ideas.
Passage 1 effectively employs personal anecdotes, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the author's experiences, which enhances engagement and relatability. In contrast, Passage 2 lacks this personal touch. Option A, scientific observation, is not present in either passage, as both focus on narrative rather than empirical data. Option B, historical allusion, may be found in Passage 2, but it is absent in Passage 1. Option D, logical reasoning, is utilized in both passages, but Passage 1 stands out for its personal storytelling approach, making it distinct in its method of conveying ideas.
In context, the second quotation in Passage 1 ('Cats... own') serves to:
- A. Present an alternative view of a troubling situation
- B. Reinforce an observation by using a metaphor
- C. Warn the reader of an existing danger
- D. Cite an authority to support a point
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The second quotation in Passage 1 uses a metaphor to illustrate the unique and independent nature of cats, effectively reinforcing the observation that they possess a distinct personality. This figurative language emphasizes the author's point, making it more relatable and engaging. Option A is incorrect as the quotation does not present an alternative view; it rather supports the existing perspective on cats. Option C misinterprets the intent, as there is no warning about danger in the quotation. Option D is also inaccurate, as the quotation does not reference an authority but instead relies on metaphorical language to convey its message.
The second quotation in Passage 1 uses a metaphor to illustrate the unique and independent nature of cats, effectively reinforcing the observation that they possess a distinct personality. This figurative language emphasizes the author's point, making it more relatable and engaging. Option A is incorrect as the quotation does not present an alternative view; it rather supports the existing perspective on cats. Option C misinterprets the intent, as there is no warning about danger in the quotation. Option D is also inaccurate, as the quotation does not reference an authority but instead relies on metaphorical language to convey its message.
Which choice most effectively combines sentences 7 and 8 (reproduced below) at the underlined portion? Another panel depicted icicles forming on the breath of a mule and a man with a sack of frozen meal. The unusual weather on February 10, 1895, when temperatures fell below zero in Georgia.
- A. meal, highlighting the unusual weather
- B. meal, by the weather that was unusual
- C. meal, that the weather was unusual
- D. meal, when the unusual weather
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the sentences by using "highlighting," which clearly indicates that the icicles and frozen meal illustrate the unusual weather conditions. This maintains a strong connection between the imagery and the context of the weather event. Option B introduces "by the weather that was unusual," which is awkward and less direct, weakening the connection between the two ideas. Option C's phrasing, "that the weather was unusual," is vague and does not create a clear link between the images and the weather conditions. Option D, while somewhat effective, lacks the clarity of A, as "when the unusual weather" does not emphasize how the images relate to the weather event.
Option A effectively combines the sentences by using "highlighting," which clearly indicates that the icicles and frozen meal illustrate the unusual weather conditions. This maintains a strong connection between the imagery and the context of the weather event. Option B introduces "by the weather that was unusual," which is awkward and less direct, weakening the connection between the two ideas. Option C's phrasing, "that the weather was unusual," is vague and does not create a clear link between the images and the weather conditions. Option D, while somewhat effective, lacks the clarity of A, as "when the unusual weather" does not emphasize how the images relate to the weather event.