(1) Federico GarcÃa Lorca was 20th-century Spain's most famous poet and playwright.(2) Lorca was born on June 5, 1898, in a small town a few miles west of Granada, in southern Spain. (3) He was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner. (4) He studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time. (5) In 1928, he published the most famous of all his poems, Gypsy Ballads, which used the rhythms of the traditional Spanish ballad to describe the Gypsies of southern Spain. (6) Gypsy Ballads was largely responsible for making Lorca famous throughout the Spanish-speaking world within a few years. (7) In June 1929, at a time when most young writers and painters dreamed of living in Paris, Federico Lorca broke with tradition and sailed for New York. (8) His nine months in New York changed his vision of poetry and the social role of the artist. (9) Lorca also traveled to Havana, Cuba. (10) He came to New York with the goal of learning English. (11) However, he spent most of his time writing poems in Spanish instead of studying English. (12) In 1936, Lorca left a collection of these poems, called Poet in New York, on the desk of his Madrid publisher with a note saying he would be 'back tomorrow,' probably to discuss final details. (13) He never returned. (14) Sadly, at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Lorca was killed by political opponents in Granada. (15) Poet in New York was finally published in 1940.
Which is the best way to revise and combine sentences 3 and 4 (reproduced below)? Lorca was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner. He studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- A. Lorca was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner, studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- B. The oldest son of a wealthy landowner, Lorca studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- C. Lorca, the oldest son of a wealthy landowner, studying literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- D. The oldest son of a wealthy landowner who studied literature and law at the University of Granada, Lorca then turning to writing full-time.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by placing the subject, Lorca, at the beginning and clearly linking his identity to his actions. This structure maintains clarity and coherence, allowing readers to easily follow the progression of ideas. Option A lacks a conjunction, resulting in a sentence fragment that does not convey a complete thought. Option C incorrectly uses "studying," which creates a grammatical error by failing to connect the clauses properly. Option D introduces unnecessary complexity with "who studied," and the phrase "Lorca then turning" is awkward and grammatically incorrect. Thus, option B stands out as the most coherent and grammatically sound choice.
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by placing the subject, Lorca, at the beginning and clearly linking his identity to his actions. This structure maintains clarity and coherence, allowing readers to easily follow the progression of ideas. Option A lacks a conjunction, resulting in a sentence fragment that does not convey a complete thought. Option C incorrectly uses "studying," which creates a grammatical error by failing to connect the clauses properly. Option D introduces unnecessary complexity with "who studied," and the phrase "Lorca then turning" is awkward and grammatically incorrect. Thus, option B stands out as the most coherent and grammatically sound choice.
Other Related Questions
In context, which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 5 (reproduced below)? In 1928 he published the most famous of all his poems. Gypsy Ballads which used the rhythms of the traditional Spanish ballad to describe the Gypsies of southern Spain.
- A. poems. Gypsy Ballads; which used
- B. poems, Gypsy Ballads, which used
- C. poems: Gypsy Ballads, which used
- D. [as it is now]
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma to separate the main clause from the appositive "Gypsy Ballads," clarifying that it is the title of the poem being referenced. This punctuation enhances readability and maintains the flow of the sentence. Option A incorrectly uses a semicolon, which suggests a stronger separation than necessary and disrupts the connection between the two clauses. Option C employs a colon, which implies that what follows is a list or explanation, but here it is simply a title, making it inappropriate. Option D retains the original punctuation, which lacks clarity and does not effectively separate the title from the main clause.
Option B is the best choice because it correctly uses a comma to separate the main clause from the appositive "Gypsy Ballads," clarifying that it is the title of the poem being referenced. This punctuation enhances readability and maintains the flow of the sentence. Option A incorrectly uses a semicolon, which suggests a stronger separation than necessary and disrupts the connection between the two clauses. Option C employs a colon, which implies that what follows is a list or explanation, but here it is simply a title, making it inappropriate. Option D retains the original punctuation, which lacks clarity and does not effectively separate the title from the main clause.
Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? The pictorial quilts created by a former slave named Harriet Powers, in addition, were remarkable for their bold storytelling techniques and their unique subject matter.
- A. by contrast,
- B. for example,
- C. it so happens,
- D. moreover,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "in addition" suggests that the following information will build on or add to the previous point. Option D, "moreover," effectively conveys this continuation of thought, emphasizing that Harriet Powers' quilts not only have a historical significance but also possess remarkable qualities. Option A, "by contrast," implies a comparison that highlights differences, which does not fit the context. Option B, "for example," indicates a specific illustration rather than adding information. Option C, "it so happens," is too vague and does not establish a clear connection to the preceding statement. Thus, "moreover" is the most suitable choice for enhancing the sentence's cohesiveness.
The phrase "in addition" suggests that the following information will build on or add to the previous point. Option D, "moreover," effectively conveys this continuation of thought, emphasizing that Harriet Powers' quilts not only have a historical significance but also possess remarkable qualities. Option A, "by contrast," implies a comparison that highlights differences, which does not fit the context. Option B, "for example," indicates a specific illustration rather than adding information. Option C, "it so happens," is too vague and does not establish a clear connection to the preceding statement. Thus, "moreover" is the most suitable choice for enhancing the sentence's cohesiveness.
In context, which of the following sentences would be best to insert between sentences 11 and 12 (reproduced below)? By those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size. A different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones.
- A. Like all dinosaurs, sauropods hatched from eggs.
- B. This rather implausible conclusion nonetheless persisted for years.
- C. For decades, sauropods were considered emblematic of the phenomenon of extinction.
- D. Sauropod fossils continue to be discovered in regions spread across the globe.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively bridges the gap between the two sentences by highlighting the skepticism surrounding the lengthy growth period of sauropods. It acknowledges the implausibility of the previous conclusion, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion about new scientific insights into sauropod bones. Option A is irrelevant, as it provides basic information about sauropod reproduction that does not relate to their growth or the scientific debate at hand. Option C introduces a different topic—extinction—diverting focus from the growth discussion. Option D, while factual, does not connect to the analysis of growth rates and their implications, making it less suitable for the context.
Option B effectively bridges the gap between the two sentences by highlighting the skepticism surrounding the lengthy growth period of sauropods. It acknowledges the implausibility of the previous conclusion, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion about new scientific insights into sauropod bones. Option A is irrelevant, as it provides basic information about sauropod reproduction that does not relate to their growth or the scientific debate at hand. Option C introduces a different topic—extinction—diverting focus from the growth discussion. Option D, while factual, does not connect to the analysis of growth rates and their implications, making it less suitable for the context.
Which sentence should be deleted because it contains irrelevant information?
- A. Sentence 6
- B. Sentence 7
- C. Sentence 9
- D. Sentence 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Sentence 9 introduces information that does not directly support the main argument or theme of the passage, making it irrelevant to the central discussion. In contrast, Sentence 6 provides context, Sentence 7 offers a critical example, and Sentence 14 concludes the argument effectively. Each of these sentences contributes meaningfully to the overall coherence and purpose of the text. Removing Sentence 9 enhances clarity by eliminating distractions, allowing the reader to focus on the essential points being made.
Sentence 9 introduces information that does not directly support the main argument or theme of the passage, making it irrelevant to the central discussion. In contrast, Sentence 6 provides context, Sentence 7 offers a critical example, and Sentence 14 concludes the argument effectively. Each of these sentences contributes meaningfully to the overall coherence and purpose of the text. Removing Sentence 9 enhances clarity by eliminating distractions, allowing the reader to focus on the essential points being made.