Which of the following sentences most effectively combines sentences 6 and 7 (reproduced below)? There are over 1000 different kinds of bananas. Most bananas that grow without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- A. There are over 1000 different kinds of bananas, and most of the ones grown without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- B. While there are over 1000 different kinds of bananas, most of the ones grown without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- C. Of the more than 1000 different kinds of bananas, many of them are grown without human assistance, and many of those are quite small, only about the length of a finger.
- D. Most bananas grown without human assistance are quite small, only about the length of a finger, and all told there are more than 1000 different kinds of bananas.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining the original information while clearly linking the two ideas. It states the fact about the variety of bananas and smoothly transitions to the specific detail about the size of those grown without human assistance. Option B introduces a contrast with "while," which is unnecessary since both statements are factual rather than opposing ideas. Option C inaccurately implies that many of the 1000+ kinds are grown without human assistance, which is not stated in the original sentences. Option D incorrectly prioritizes the size of the bananas over the variety, misrepresenting the main point about the number of banana types.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining the original information while clearly linking the two ideas. It states the fact about the variety of bananas and smoothly transitions to the specific detail about the size of those grown without human assistance. Option B introduces a contrast with "while," which is unnecessary since both statements are factual rather than opposing ideas. Option C inaccurately implies that many of the 1000+ kinds are grown without human assistance, which is not stated in the original sentences. Option D incorrectly prioritizes the size of the bananas over the variety, misrepresenting the main point about the number of banana types.
Other Related Questions
In context, which of the following would best be inserted after sentence 6 (reproduced below) as an appropriate example? Such problems are expensive for a government to solve, and often a 'solution' that helps one group hurts another.
- A. The creation of new watering holes for elephants provides temporary jobs for local residents.
- B. Declaring certain areas off limits to agricultural development can dangerously limit people's food supply.
- C. Wild animals that prey on domestic livestock are active mostly at night.
- D. Legislation attempting to transfer responsibility for wildlife to a country's citizens has failed in other parts of Africa.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively illustrates how a government solution, such as restricting agricultural development, can inadvertently harm local communities by jeopardizing their food supply. This aligns with the notion that a solution benefiting one group can negatively impact another. Option A, while relevant, focuses on temporary job creation without addressing the broader implications of resource allocation. Option C provides factual information about wildlife behavior but lacks a direct connection to the theme of conflicting interests among groups. Option D discusses legislative failures but does not exemplify the immediate consequences of a specific government action, missing the focus on direct harm to a group.
Option B effectively illustrates how a government solution, such as restricting agricultural development, can inadvertently harm local communities by jeopardizing their food supply. This aligns with the notion that a solution benefiting one group can negatively impact another. Option A, while relevant, focuses on temporary job creation without addressing the broader implications of resource allocation. Option C provides factual information about wildlife behavior but lacks a direct connection to the theme of conflicting interests among groups. Option D discusses legislative failures but does not exemplify the immediate consequences of a specific government action, missing the focus on direct harm to a group.
In context, which would be the most effective way to revise and combine sentences 3 and 4 (reproduced below)? He taught himself to juggle. He could juggle three balls perfectly by the age of six.
- A. to juggle and by the age of six could juggle three balls perfectly.
- B. to juggle: he juggles three balls perfectly by the age of six.
- C. to juggle three balls perfectly; they did it by the age of six.
- D. juggling, and they juggled three balls perfectly by the age of six.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining clarity and coherence. It emphasizes the subject's self-taught skill and seamlessly links the action of juggling with the achievement of juggling three balls perfectly by age six. Option B introduces a confusing shift in tense and subject, making it less clear who is performing the action. Option C inaccurately uses "they," which introduces ambiguity about the subject and detracts from the focus on the individual. Option D also employs "they," leading to confusion, and the structure fails to convey the timeline of learning and achievement clearly.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences by maintaining clarity and coherence. It emphasizes the subject's self-taught skill and seamlessly links the action of juggling with the achievement of juggling three balls perfectly by age six. Option B introduces a confusing shift in tense and subject, making it less clear who is performing the action. Option C inaccurately uses "they," which introduces ambiguity about the subject and detracts from the focus on the individual. Option D also employs "they," leading to confusion, and the structure fails to convey the timeline of learning and achievement clearly.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 4 (reproduced below)? He knew that he was the first poet to participate in these prestigious ceremonies; therefore, he contemplated which poem would be appropriate for the occasion.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. ceremonies, therefore,
- C. ceremonies, therefore;
- D. ceremonies, therefore
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A maintains the original structure, effectively connecting the two independent clauses with a semicolon. This punctuation is appropriate as it separates related but distinct ideas: the poet's recognition and his subsequent contemplation. Option B incorrectly uses a comma before "therefore," which fails to properly separate the clauses and creates a comma splice. Option C introduces an unnecessary semicolon before "therefore," which disrupts the flow and is grammatically incorrect since "therefore" is not an independent clause. Option D lacks punctuation after "ceremonies," making it a run-on sentence and confusing the relationship between the ideas.
Option A maintains the original structure, effectively connecting the two independent clauses with a semicolon. This punctuation is appropriate as it separates related but distinct ideas: the poet's recognition and his subsequent contemplation. Option B incorrectly uses a comma before "therefore," which fails to properly separate the clauses and creates a comma splice. Option C introduces an unnecessary semicolon before "therefore," which disrupts the flow and is grammatically incorrect since "therefore" is not an independent clause. Option D lacks punctuation after "ceremonies," making it a run-on sentence and confusing the relationship between the ideas.
In many cases, they are poets and novelists, not historians, who catch the spirit of an era
- A. they are
- B. those
- C. that is
- D. it is
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "it is" effectively introduces the main idea of the sentence, emphasizing the poets and novelists' role in capturing the spirit of an era. This construction clearly states a fact about their significance. Option A, "they are," shifts focus away from the overarching statement and makes the sentence less impactful. Option B, "those," lacks the necessary clarity and directness, making the sentence feel incomplete. Option C, "that is," suggests a definition rather than emphasizing the poets and novelists' importance, weakening the statement's overall strength.
The phrase "it is" effectively introduces the main idea of the sentence, emphasizing the poets and novelists' role in capturing the spirit of an era. This construction clearly states a fact about their significance. Option A, "they are," shifts focus away from the overarching statement and makes the sentence less impactful. Option B, "those," lacks the necessary clarity and directness, making the sentence feel incomplete. Option C, "that is," suggests a definition rather than emphasizing the poets and novelists' importance, weakening the statement's overall strength.