Passage 1: I have always been wary of cats, and now, walking alongside a 500-pound African black-maned lion, I know why. They remind me there is something higher than I am on the food chain. Josef, the lion beside me, is trained—'the best lion in the business,' his owner says, beaming. Josef has starred in movies and posed for film animators. Josef is a big-time Hollywood cat. But Josef is not tame. No big cat ever is—a difficult fact to ignore as we climb the hills near the ranch Josef calls home. He strides with the fluidity of unfurling silk, deliberately—not an ounce of tentativeness in each footfall. 'Cats don't rent; they own,' it is said. Lions own everything in sight. Passage 2: From Cathy Newman, 'Nature's Masterwork: CATS.' ©1997 by National Geographic Society. While packs of cave bears and saber-toothed tigers may once have terrorized early humanity, most regions of our planet have since been stripped of their descendants. And due to a variety of factors, many other 'man-eating' species now face the possibility of extinction. Their disappearance from Earth is a sobering prospect, not least because of the role they play in keeping us humble. The possibility of being prey, rather than agents of planetary dominion, keeps us acutely aware of our membership within the natural world. The emotions inspired by such possibilities remind us that the world is a dangerous, yet beautiful, place.
Which point do both of the passages make?
- A. That human beings can be prey
- B. That human beings have a duty to protect large predatory animals
- C. That large predatory animals are vanishing from the planet
- D. That big cats can never be tamed
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Both passages emphasize the idea that human beings can be prey in the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the potential dangers humans face from large predators. Option B is incorrect as it suggests a specific duty to protect predatory animals, which may not be a central theme in the passages. Option C, while potentially relevant, does not reflect the shared focus on human vulnerability. Option D incorrectly asserts that big cats can never be tamed, which is not a universally accepted truth and does not align with the primary message of either passage.
Both passages emphasize the idea that human beings can be prey in the natural world, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the potential dangers humans face from large predators. Option B is incorrect as it suggests a specific duty to protect predatory animals, which may not be a central theme in the passages. Option C, while potentially relevant, does not reflect the shared focus on human vulnerability. Option D incorrectly asserts that big cats can never be tamed, which is not a universally accepted truth and does not align with the primary message of either passage.
Other Related Questions
Which of the following, if true, would best serve to challenge Ogburn and Thomas’s belief that the discovery of calculus is an example of the 'phenomenon' mentioned in the first sentence?
- A. Uncovering the existence of a journal that Newton kept while working with calculus
- B. Learning that scientists other than Newton and Leibniz had also made substantial progress on calculus
- C. Finding a previously unknown letter between Newton and Leibniz discussing calculus that predated its commonly assumed discovery
- D. Identifying a minor error in Newton’s original mathematical calculations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C effectively challenges Ogburn and Thomas's belief by providing evidence that the commonly accepted timeline of calculus's discovery may be inaccurate. A letter predating the established discovery suggests that the ideas behind calculus were circulating earlier than believed, undermining the notion of a singular "phenomenon." Option A, while intriguing, does not directly contest the timing of the discovery; it merely adds context to Newton's process. Option B introduces other contributors but does not dispute the significance of Newton and Leibniz's roles. Option D points out an error in calculations, which does not challenge the overall legitimacy of the discovery itself.
Option C effectively challenges Ogburn and Thomas's belief by providing evidence that the commonly accepted timeline of calculus's discovery may be inaccurate. A letter predating the established discovery suggests that the ideas behind calculus were circulating earlier than believed, undermining the notion of a singular "phenomenon." Option A, while intriguing, does not directly contest the timing of the discovery; it merely adds context to Newton's process. Option B introduces other contributors but does not dispute the significance of Newton and Leibniz's roles. Option D points out an error in calculations, which does not challenge the overall legitimacy of the discovery itself.
Which sentence should be deleted to improve the unity of the second paragraph?
- A. Sentence 3
- B. Sentence 4
- C. Sentence 5
- D. Sentence 6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
To enhance the unity of the second paragraph, removing Sentence 5 is most effective. This sentence introduces a topic that diverges from the main focus, disrupting the flow and coherence of the paragraph. Sentence 3 supports the central idea, while Sentence 4 provides necessary context. Sentence 6 wraps up the discussion, reinforcing the paragraph's main point. By deleting Sentence 5, the paragraph remains focused, ensuring all sentences contribute directly to the central theme, thereby improving clarity and cohesion.
To enhance the unity of the second paragraph, removing Sentence 5 is most effective. This sentence introduces a topic that diverges from the main focus, disrupting the flow and coherence of the paragraph. Sentence 3 supports the central idea, while Sentence 4 provides necessary context. Sentence 6 wraps up the discussion, reinforcing the paragraph's main point. By deleting Sentence 5, the paragraph remains focused, ensuring all sentences contribute directly to the central theme, thereby improving clarity and cohesion.
The sixth paragraph (sentences 14–17) suggests that on the first day of kindergarten, Evan felt:
- A. happy to be surrounded by so many other children for the first time
- B. excited by everything he expected to learn
- C. resentful of being indoors after spending most of the summer outside
- D. upset by unfamiliar circumstances and surroundings
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The sixth paragraph highlights Evan's feelings of discomfort and anxiety as he navigates a new environment. This suggests he was upset by the unfamiliar circumstances and surroundings, aligning with option D. Option A misinterprets his feelings; while being around other children can be exciting, the text emphasizes his unease rather than happiness. Option B focuses on his excitement for learning, which is not supported by the text's portrayal of his initial emotional state. Lastly, option C incorrectly suggests resentment towards being indoors; the emphasis is on his overall discomfort rather than frustration with a specific situation.
The sixth paragraph highlights Evan's feelings of discomfort and anxiety as he navigates a new environment. This suggests he was upset by the unfamiliar circumstances and surroundings, aligning with option D. Option A misinterprets his feelings; while being around other children can be exciting, the text emphasizes his unease rather than happiness. Option B focuses on his excitement for learning, which is not supported by the text's portrayal of his initial emotional state. Lastly, option C incorrectly suggests resentment towards being indoors; the emphasis is on his overall discomfort rather than frustration with a specific situation.
In context, which sentence would be best to insert at the beginning of the second paragraph (sentences 7–10)?
- A. Acceptance of the city's new bike lanes did not come immediately.
- B. The new bike lanes served numerous purposes for New Yorkers.
- C. In 2006, the majority of New York City residents did not own bicycles.
- D. Many pedestrians and motorists supported bicycle riding on city streets.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively sets the stage for the discussion in the second paragraph by highlighting the initial resistance to the bike lanes, which is crucial for understanding the subsequent developments and changes in public perception. Option B, while relevant, lacks a specific focus on the acceptance timeline, making it less suitable for a smooth transition. Option C introduces a fact that, although interesting, does not directly relate to the acceptance of the bike lanes and could distract from the main narrative. Option D mentions support for bicycle riding but does not address the acceptance of the bike lanes specifically, making it less relevant to the context.
Option A effectively sets the stage for the discussion in the second paragraph by highlighting the initial resistance to the bike lanes, which is crucial for understanding the subsequent developments and changes in public perception. Option B, while relevant, lacks a specific focus on the acceptance timeline, making it less suitable for a smooth transition. Option C introduces a fact that, although interesting, does not directly relate to the acceptance of the bike lanes and could distract from the main narrative. Option D mentions support for bicycle riding but does not address the acceptance of the bike lanes specifically, making it less relevant to the context.