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.
What is a central theme of the passage?
- A. No two people are likely to recall the same event in the same way.
- B. One person can have a profound effect on another person's life.
- C. Individuals can endure great obstacles by working together for a common purpose.
- D. The lives of most adults differ greatly from the futures they'd imagined as children.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B highlights the profound impact one person can have on another's life, which is a central theme of the passage. This theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of human experiences and relationships, illustrating how individuals can inspire or change each other. Option A, while relevant, focuses on subjective memory rather than the transformative power of relationships. Option C discusses teamwork and shared goals, which may be present but does not capture the essence of individual influence. Option D reflects on the disparity between childhood dreams and adult realities, which, although poignant, diverges from the primary theme of personal impact and connection.
Option B highlights the profound impact one person can have on another's life, which is a central theme of the passage. This theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of human experiences and relationships, illustrating how individuals can inspire or change each other. Option A, while relevant, focuses on subjective memory rather than the transformative power of relationships. Option C discusses teamwork and shared goals, which may be present but does not capture the essence of individual influence. Option D reflects on the disparity between childhood dreams and adult realities, which, although poignant, diverges from the primary theme of personal impact and connection.
Where in the passage should the following sentence be inserted? Other New Yorkers say they are in favor of the bike lanes just for keeping bicyclists off the sidewalks.
- A. After sentence 1
- B. After sentence 3
- C. After sentence 9
- D. After sentence 12
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Inserting the sentence after sentence 12 effectively captures the contrasting viewpoints on bike lanes, highlighting public support while addressing concerns about sidewalk safety. This placement enhances the flow of the passage by concluding the discussion on community opinions regarding bike lanes. Option A, after sentence 1, disrupts the introduction of the topic, as it introduces a specific opinion too early. Option B, after sentence 3, fails to provide context for the differing opinions, leading to confusion. Option C, after sentence 9, does not align with the passage's progression, as it occurs before a more comprehensive discussion of the implications of bike lanes.
Inserting the sentence after sentence 12 effectively captures the contrasting viewpoints on bike lanes, highlighting public support while addressing concerns about sidewalk safety. This placement enhances the flow of the passage by concluding the discussion on community opinions regarding bike lanes. Option A, after sentence 1, disrupts the introduction of the topic, as it introduces a specific opinion too early. Option B, after sentence 3, fails to provide context for the differing opinions, leading to confusion. Option C, after sentence 9, does not align with the passage's progression, as it occurs before a more comprehensive discussion of the implications of bike lanes.
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.