(1) When selecting her ingredients, a chef has a seemingly small—but nonetheless consequential—choice: she can patronize a conventional grocery store, or she can turn to a nearby farm. (2) While a store may provide benefits such as a broad range of options, a local farm can offer major advantages of its own. (3) When chefs and other consumers choose local products rather than goods that have been transported across long distances to chain stores, they can enjoy better prices while supporting the local economy. (4) Shoppers buying locally can often reap the benefits of competitive prices on goods due to reduced transport costs. (5) For example, one researcher found that the ingredients of a common Swedish breakfast—consisting of items like bread, coffee, and orange juice—were probably shipped a distance roughly equivalent to Earth’s circumference, and shipping can be costly. (6) On the other hand, buying ingredients from local farms may reduce transportation costs significantly, thereby increasing savings for the consumer. (7) Research also suggests that small local farms collectively can produce a large quantity of food; a big supply can, in turn, translate into lower prices. (8) Small farms gain these yields in part through efficient land use. (9) One study found that in Brazil, nearly five million small farms—which occupy only about 30 percent of the country's total agricultural land—are able to produce most of the beans the country needs. (10) The law of supply and demand suggests that if local farmers can produce more food than large farms, consumers may pay less. (11) Lower prices are not the only potential advantage of buying locally. (12) When consumers shop nearby, they are helping to ensure that local farms and businesses thrive. (13) The Brazilian bean farmers, for example, can continue to build strong local economies and do not have to migrate to commercial farms to find work. (14) What will our chef choose? (15) Deciding where to shop can be enigmatic, as both the store and the farm have their attractions. (16) The local option often makes the most sense, however. (17) It is good for the chef’s wallet, the neighborhood farmer’s bottom line, and, in the end, the community’s economic vigor.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? Supposing a store may provide benefits such as a broad range of options, a local farm can offer major advantages of its own.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. When a store supposes it
- C. Although a store
- D. A store though
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C, "Although a store," introduces a contrast between the benefits of a store and those of a local farm, enhancing the sentence's clarity. This structure effectively highlights the unique advantages of local farms, making the comparison more impactful. Option A maintains the original phrasing but lacks the contrast needed for a stronger argument. Option B, "When a store supposes it," introduces ambiguity and weakens the sentence by suggesting uncertainty rather than presenting a comparison. Option D, "A store though," is informal and does not establish a clear relationship between the two subjects, ultimately reducing the sentence's effectiveness.
Option C, "Although a store," introduces a contrast between the benefits of a store and those of a local farm, enhancing the sentence's clarity. This structure effectively highlights the unique advantages of local farms, making the comparison more impactful. Option A maintains the original phrasing but lacks the contrast needed for a stronger argument. Option B, "When a store supposes it," introduces ambiguity and weakens the sentence by suggesting uncertainty rather than presenting a comparison. Option D, "A store though," is informal and does not establish a clear relationship between the two subjects, ultimately reducing the sentence's effectiveness.
Other Related Questions
To make the third and fourth paragraphs most logical, sentence 12 should be placed:
- A. where it is now
- B. after sentence 8
- C. after sentence 9
- D. after sentence 13
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 enhances the flow by effectively connecting the ideas presented in the preceding sentences. This positioning allows for a smooth transition, maintaining coherence in the narrative. Option A retains sentence 12 in its current position, disrupting the logical progression of the paragraphs. Option B, placing it after sentence 8, creates a gap in context, as the ideas would not align well. Option C, following sentence 9, also fails to provide the necessary linkage, leaving the reader confused about the relationship between the concepts. Thus, option D is the most logical choice for clarity and coherence.
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 enhances the flow by effectively connecting the ideas presented in the preceding sentences. This positioning allows for a smooth transition, maintaining coherence in the narrative. Option A retains sentence 12 in its current position, disrupting the logical progression of the paragraphs. Option B, placing it after sentence 8, creates a gap in context, as the ideas would not align well. Option C, following sentence 9, also fails to provide the necessary linkage, leaving the reader confused about the relationship between the concepts. Thus, option D is the most logical choice for clarity and coherence.
In context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 1 and 2 (reproduced below)? Sauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long-necked giants. Their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
- A. The fossils of sauropods, the long-necked giants who are known today as the largest dinosaurs, have baffled scientists for decades.
- B. Sauropods, long-necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
- C. Scientists have been baffled for decades by sauropod fossils; they are known today as the largest dinosaurs, being giants with long necks.
- D. Scientists studying fossils of the giant, long-necked dinosaurs called sauropods have been baffled by the largest dinosaurs known today for decades.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences, maintaining clarity and coherence. It clearly identifies sauropods as long-necked giants and links them directly to their fossils, which have puzzled scientists, all in a single, fluid statement. Option B, while informative, awkwardly positions the phrase "whose fossils" and slightly disrupts the flow. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with a semicolon and the phrase "being giants," which can confuse the reader. Option D is overly verbose and convoluted, making it less effective in conveying the main ideas succinctly.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences, maintaining clarity and coherence. It clearly identifies sauropods as long-necked giants and links them directly to their fossils, which have puzzled scientists, all in a single, fluid statement. Option B, while informative, awkwardly positions the phrase "whose fossils" and slightly disrupts the flow. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with a semicolon and the phrase "being giants," which can confuse the reader. Option D is overly verbose and convoluted, making it less effective in conveying the main ideas succinctly.
In context, which is the best version of sentence 1 (reproduced below)? Federico Garcia Lorca was 20th-century Spain’s most famous poet and playwright.
- A. [as it is now]
- B. Federico GarcÃa Lorca, was 20th-century Spain's most famous poet and playwright.
- C. Federico GarcÃa Lorca was, 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
- D. Federico GarcÃa Lorca was 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A maintains clarity and grammatical correctness without unnecessary punctuation. It presents Federico Garcia Lorca's identity straightforwardly, enhancing readability. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "García Lorca," which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Option C misuses commas, creating awkward pauses that confuse the reader and detract from the sentence's coherence. Option D also misplaces a comma after "Spain's," which incorrectly separates the subject from its complement, leading to a fragmented thought. Thus, option A stands out as the most effective choice.
Option A maintains clarity and grammatical correctness without unnecessary punctuation. It presents Federico Garcia Lorca's identity straightforwardly, enhancing readability. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "García Lorca," which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Option C misuses commas, creating awkward pauses that confuse the reader and detract from the sentence's coherence. Option D also misplaces a comma after "Spain's," which incorrectly separates the subject from its complement, leading to a fragmented thought. Thus, option A stands out as the most effective choice.
Which best replaces the word 'appropriate' in sentence 3 (reproduced below)? When chefs and other consumers appropriate local products rather than goods that have been transported across long distances to chain stores, they can enjoy better prices while bettering the local economy.
- A. gain
- B. retrieve
- C. purchase
- D. redeem
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
In the context of the sentence, "appropriate" conveys the idea of acquiring or buying local products. Option A, "gain," implies obtaining something but lacks the specificity of a transaction, making it less suitable. Option B, "retrieve," suggests taking back something previously owned, which does not fit the context of purchasing local goods. Option D, "redeem," typically refers to exchanging something for a benefit or value, often in a promotional context, which does not align with the intended meaning of acquiring local products. Thus, "purchase" accurately reflects the act of buying local goods.
In the context of the sentence, "appropriate" conveys the idea of acquiring or buying local products. Option A, "gain," implies obtaining something but lacks the specificity of a transaction, making it less suitable. Option B, "retrieve," suggests taking back something previously owned, which does not fit the context of purchasing local goods. Option D, "redeem," typically refers to exchanging something for a benefit or value, often in a promotional context, which does not align with the intended meaning of acquiring local products. Thus, "purchase" accurately reflects the act of buying local goods.