(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.
Which is the best way to revise and combine the underlined portion of sentences 5 and 6 (reproduced below)? Things have recently changed: since 2006, the city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level. They installed more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs.
- A. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, they installed
- B. city, which has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing
- C. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level and installing
- D. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D effectively combines the two sentences by using a participial phrase ("installing") that succinctly links the action of installing bike lanes to the city’s achievement. This structure maintains clarity and flow, emphasizing the continuous nature of the city’s efforts. Option A incorrectly uses a comma to splice two independent clauses, creating a run-on sentence. Option B introduces an awkward relative clause ("which has taken") that disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C incorrectly uses "and installing," which suggests that the installation is a separate action rather than a continuation of the city’s achievements, leading to confusion.
Option D effectively combines the two sentences by using a participial phrase ("installing") that succinctly links the action of installing bike lanes to the city’s achievement. This structure maintains clarity and flow, emphasizing the continuous nature of the city’s efforts. Option A incorrectly uses a comma to splice two independent clauses, creating a run-on sentence. Option B introduces an awkward relative clause ("which has taken") that disrupts the sentence's rhythm and clarity. Option C incorrectly uses "and installing," which suggests that the installation is a separate action rather than a continuation of the city’s achievements, leading to confusion.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? Its first bike lane — and the country's first, was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. first
- C. first:
- D. first—
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D is the best choice as it correctly uses an em dash to emphasize the phrase "the country's first," creating a strong pause that enhances clarity. Option A, "as it is now," is irrelevant and does not fit the context of the sentence. Option B, "first," lacks punctuation, which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence. Option C, "first:," incorrectly employs a colon, which is inappropriate here since the phrase following it is not a complete explanation or list. Thus, D effectively conveys the intended meaning while maintaining grammatical accuracy.
Option D is the best choice as it correctly uses an em dash to emphasize the phrase "the country's first," creating a strong pause that enhances clarity. Option A, "as it is now," is irrelevant and does not fit the context of the sentence. Option B, "first," lacks punctuation, which disrupts the flow and clarity of the sentence. Option C, "first:," incorrectly employs a colon, which is inappropriate here since the phrase following it is not a complete explanation or list. Thus, D effectively conveys the intended meaning while maintaining grammatical accuracy.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion in sentence 11 (reproduced below)? Although Powers had been born in Georgia and remained in the same region, throughout her life, her quilt exhibited a number of stylistic similarities to the large, appliquéd cotton cloths used in festivals by the Fon people of Dahomey.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. region throughout her life,
- C. region throughout her life
- D. region, throughout her life
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C eliminates unnecessary words, enhancing clarity and flow. By removing "throughout her life," the sentence remains grammatically correct while emphasizing the relationship between Powers’ origins and her quilt's stylistic influences. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is wordy and less direct. Option B introduces a comma that disrupts the sentence's rhythm, making it awkward. Option D incorrectly retains the comma, which separates elements that should be connected, leading to confusion about the timeline of Powers' life and her quilt's stylistic features.
Option C eliminates unnecessary words, enhancing clarity and flow. By removing "throughout her life," the sentence remains grammatically correct while emphasizing the relationship between Powers’ origins and her quilt's stylistic influences. Option A retains the original phrasing, which is wordy and less direct. Option B introduces a comma that disrupts the sentence's rhythm, making it awkward. Option D incorrectly retains the comma, which separates elements that should be connected, leading to confusion about the timeline of Powers' life and her quilt's stylistic features.
According to the author of Passage 2, fierce animal species inspire what feeling in humans?
- A. Humor
- B. Humility
- C. Bravery
- D. Arrogance
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Fierce animal species evoke a sense of humility in humans, as they remind us of our place in the natural world and the power of these creatures. This recognition fosters respect for their strength and survival instincts. Option A, humor, does not align with the serious nature of the relationship between humans and fierce animals. Option C, bravery, may seem plausible, but the author emphasizes a reflective, rather than combative, response to these animals. Option D, arrogance, contradicts the intended message, as fierce animals inspire admiration and respect, not a sense of superiority.
Fierce animal species evoke a sense of humility in humans, as they remind us of our place in the natural world and the power of these creatures. This recognition fosters respect for their strength and survival instincts. Option A, humor, does not align with the serious nature of the relationship between humans and fierce animals. Option C, bravery, may seem plausible, but the author emphasizes a reflective, rather than combative, response to these animals. Option D, arrogance, contradicts the intended message, as fierce animals inspire admiration and respect, not a sense of superiority.
The author implies that the social sciences:
- A. Are valued for their techniques
- B. Can make no contribution to progress
- C. Cannot deal with long-term issues
- D. May someday add to the world's knowledge
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The social sciences are suggested to have the potential to enhance global understanding in the future, highlighting their evolving nature and capacity for growth. Option A incorrectly emphasizes techniques over the broader contributions of social sciences. Option B dismisses their role entirely, which contradicts the author's implication of future relevance. Option C undermines the ability of social sciences to address complex, long-term issues, a key aspect of their study. Thus, the notion that social sciences may eventually enrich knowledge aligns best with the author's perspective.
The social sciences are suggested to have the potential to enhance global understanding in the future, highlighting their evolving nature and capacity for growth. Option A incorrectly emphasizes techniques over the broader contributions of social sciences. Option B dismisses their role entirely, which contradicts the author's implication of future relevance. Option C undermines the ability of social sciences to address complex, long-term issues, a key aspect of their study. Thus, the notion that social sciences may eventually enrich knowledge aligns best with the author's perspective.