(1) The term "film noir," meaning "dark cinema," or "black film" in French, was first used by French film critic Nino Frank in 1946 to describe a type of Hollywood film of the 1940s and 50s. (2) These films featured black-and-white cinematography, often with nighttime settings and menacing themes, suggesting an unstable world full of danger and moral corruption. (3) Dark shadows, streaks of bright light, and, off-balance compositions were all typical of the visual style. (4) These elements created an effect of disillusionment and bitter realism (5) Many of these elements were brought to Hollywood by German directors fleeing their war-torn land.
(6) Many of the stories and a lot of the attitude of classic film noir come from the hardboiled school of detective and crime fiction that became popular in the United States during the Great Depression. (7)
American writers such as Dashiell Hammett, whose novel The Maltese Falcon was made into one of the first big-budget film noirs, and James M. Cain being particularly influential. (8) Film noir can include a wide range of plots: the main character may be a private detective, a plainclothes policeman, an aging boxer, a con man, or a law-abiding citizen lured into a life of crime. (9) Betrayals and double-crosses also play an important role in many of these plots.
(10) Famous examples of film noir include Double Indemnity (1944), directed by Billy Wilder, The Big Heat (1953), directed by Fritz Lang; and Touch of Evil (1958), directed by Orsorr Welles. (11) Billy Wilder also directed many famous comedies, such as Some Like It Hot. (12) Although classic film noir is associated with American productions of the 1940s and '50s, many films from around the world and from the 1960s onward share many classic film noir traits. (13) For example, the films of Quentin Tarantino such as Pulp Fiction though, shot in color, have been heavily influenced by the genre of film noir.
What change needs to be made to sentence 7 (reproduced below) to make the sentence grammatically correct? American writers such as Dashiell Hammett, whose novel The Maltese Falcon was made into one of the first big-budget film noirs, and James M. Cain being particularly influential.
- A. Change 'such as' to 'like'
- B. Change 'whose' to 'which'
- C. Change 'was made' to 'making'
- D. Change 'being' to 'were'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
To ensure grammatical correctness, the verb form must agree with the subject. Option D, changing "being" to "were," corrects the sentence by providing a proper verb to match the plural subject "American writers." Option A, substituting "such as" with "like," does not address the grammatical issue and merely alters style without improving clarity. Option B's change from "whose" to "which" is incorrect since "whose" appropriately refers to the novel's author. Option C's shift from "was made" to "making" disrupts the intended meaning and does not resolve the grammatical error. Thus, only option D effectively corrects the sentence.
To ensure grammatical correctness, the verb form must agree with the subject. Option D, changing "being" to "were," corrects the sentence by providing a proper verb to match the plural subject "American writers." Option A, substituting "such as" with "like," does not address the grammatical issue and merely alters style without improving clarity. Option B's change from "whose" to "which" is incorrect since "whose" appropriately refers to the novel's author. Option C's shift from "was made" to "making" disrupts the intended meaning and does not resolve the grammatical error. Thus, only option D effectively corrects the sentence.
Other Related Questions
The primary purpose of the passage is to
- A. trace the history of guilds in New Spain
- B. criticize the Spanish beliefs about manual labor
- C. describe some particular works of art created in New Spain in the 1600s
- D. describe the influence of Spanish attitudes and practices on the painting of New Spain
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The primary purpose of the passage centers on the influence of Spanish attitudes and practices on the painting of New Spain. This option highlights the relationship between cultural values and artistic expression, which is a central theme in the text. Option A is incorrect as it focuses solely on the historical aspect of guilds, which may be mentioned but is not the main focus. Option B misinterprets the passage's intent, as it does not primarily critique Spanish beliefs about manual labor. Option C, while related to art, narrows the focus to specific works rather than the broader influence of Spanish culture, which is essential to understanding the context of the art produced in that era.
The primary purpose of the passage centers on the influence of Spanish attitudes and practices on the painting of New Spain. This option highlights the relationship between cultural values and artistic expression, which is a central theme in the text. Option A is incorrect as it focuses solely on the historical aspect of guilds, which may be mentioned but is not the main focus. Option B misinterprets the passage's intent, as it does not primarily critique Spanish beliefs about manual labor. Option C, while related to art, narrows the focus to specific works rather than the broader influence of Spanish culture, which is essential to understanding the context of the art produced in that era.
Daryl and Kristen preferred not to see the latest horror film that their friends wanted to see, so they chose a showing of a highly rated comedy film that started and ended at the same time as the horror film.
- A. reciprocal
- B. congruent
- C. relevant
- D. concurrent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Daryl and Kristen chose to watch a comedy film that started and ended simultaneously with the horror film, indicating that both films occur at the same time. This situation is described as "concurrent," meaning events happening simultaneously. Option A, "reciprocal," refers to mutual actions or relationships, which does not apply here. Option B, "congruent," typically relates to figures or shapes that are identical in form, not relevant to film timings. Option C, "relevant," pertains to the significance of information, which doesn't capture the timing aspect of the films. Thus, "concurrent" accurately describes the films' overlapping schedules.
Daryl and Kristen chose to watch a comedy film that started and ended simultaneously with the horror film, indicating that both films occur at the same time. This situation is described as "concurrent," meaning events happening simultaneously. Option A, "reciprocal," refers to mutual actions or relationships, which does not apply here. Option B, "congruent," typically relates to figures or shapes that are identical in form, not relevant to film timings. Option C, "relevant," pertains to the significance of information, which doesn't capture the timing aspect of the films. Thus, "concurrent" accurately describes the films' overlapping schedules.
The author of Passage 2 suggests that 'some' would most likely view the description in Passage 1 ('the world... successful') as
- A. surprisingly apt
- B. overly optimistic
- C. needlessly pedantic
- D. insufficiently detailed
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The description in Passage 1 presents an idealized view of the world, which may lead some readers to perceive it as overly optimistic, especially if they believe it does not account for real-world challenges. Option A, "surprisingly apt," implies a positive reception that does not align with the critical tone suggested by the author. Option C, "needlessly pedantic," suggests an excessive focus on trivial details, which is not applicable here since the passage discusses broader concepts rather than minutiae. Option D, "insufficiently detailed," indicates a lack of information, whereas the passage's description may be seen as too idealistic rather than lacking substance.
The description in Passage 1 presents an idealized view of the world, which may lead some readers to perceive it as overly optimistic, especially if they believe it does not account for real-world challenges. Option A, "surprisingly apt," implies a positive reception that does not align with the critical tone suggested by the author. Option C, "needlessly pedantic," suggests an excessive focus on trivial details, which is not applicable here since the passage discusses broader concepts rather than minutiae. Option D, "insufficiently detailed," indicates a lack of information, whereas the passage's description may be seen as too idealistic rather than lacking substance.
In the context of Passage 2, the quotation by the expert primarily serves to
- A. analyze a hypothesis
- B. account for a phenomenon
- C. advocate an action
- D. qualify a claim
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The quotation by the expert primarily serves to account for a phenomenon by providing insight into the underlying reasons or mechanisms behind it. This explanation helps clarify why the observed event occurs, enhancing the reader's understanding. Option A, analyzing a hypothesis, suggests a focus on evaluating an idea rather than explaining an occurrence. Option C, advocating an action, implies a call to action that is not present in the quotation. Option D, qualifying a claim, would indicate that the expert is limiting or adjusting a statement, which does not align with the purpose of the quotation in context.
The quotation by the expert primarily serves to account for a phenomenon by providing insight into the underlying reasons or mechanisms behind it. This explanation helps clarify why the observed event occurs, enhancing the reader's understanding. Option A, analyzing a hypothesis, suggests a focus on evaluating an idea rather than explaining an occurrence. Option C, advocating an action, implies a call to action that is not present in the quotation. Option D, qualifying a claim, would indicate that the expert is limiting or adjusting a statement, which does not align with the purpose of the quotation in context.