of 40
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1
Explanation for Correct Answer C :
Choice (C) is correct. The countryside is a rural area. The sentence
indicates that Mala wanted to be far away from the crowded,
expensive city. If Mala wanted to be far away from a city, it makes
sense that she would base her new business in the countryside, a rural
place that is likely less crowded and less expensive than a city.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. A metropolis is a large important city. The
sentence indicates that Mala wanted to be far away from the
crowded, expensive city, so it does not make sense to suggest that
Mala would base her new business in a metropolis. A large city is
likely to be crowded and expensive.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. The term neighborhood typically refers to
a small area inhabited by people who live near one another. The
sentence indicates that Mala based her new business in a specific
place because she wanted to be far away from the crowded,
expensive city. A neighborhood is not necessarily far away from a
cityin fact, neighborhoods are frequently located in citiesso there
is no reason to believe that Mala would base her business there.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. An emporium is place of trade or a center
of commercial activity. The sentence indicates that Mala based her
new business in a specific place because she wanted to be far away
View Answers and ExplanationsBack to Score Report
Online - Practice Test #3
Mala based her new online business in the -------, because she wanted to work far
away from the crowded, expensiv e city .
(A) metropolis
(B) neighborhood
(C) country side
(D) emporium
(E) multitude
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
Test Sections
Sect ion 1
Sect ion 3
Sect ion 4
Sect ion 5
Sect ion 6
Sect ion 7
Sect ion 8
Sect ion 9
Sect ion 1 0
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new business in a specific place because she wanted to be far away
from the crowded, expensive city. An emporium would not
necessarily be far away from a cityindeed, a center of commercial
activity might be located in a city where there is a large number of
customersso there is no reason to believe that Mala would base her
business there.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. A multitude is a great number of people.
The sentence indicates that Mala based her new business in a specific
place because she wanted to be far away from the crowded,
expensive city. Mala wants to avoid crowdslarge groups of people
so the term multitude does not logically complete the sentence.
Further, it is somewhat illogical to suggest that an online business
could be based in the multitude because a multitude is not a place.
2
Explanation for Correct Answer C :
Choice (C) is correct. If something is vibrant it is bright and
pulsating with life or activity. According to the sentence, Romare
Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and intense, and
captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank should reflect
these qualities. It makes sense to describe the colors Bearden used as
vibrant: vibrant colors in works of art would likely captivate people,
making viewers feel they could not take their eyes off the paintings.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. In this context, sensible means capable of
being sensed or perceived. According to the sentence, Romare
Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and intense, and
captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank should reflect
these qualities. Sensible colors are those that can be perceived, so it
is possible that sensible colors would captivate viewers. However,
sensibility is not directly connected to vividnessindeed,
perceivable colors could also be dull and boringso the term
sensible is not the best choice.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. If something is residual it is a remaining
In his v iv id representations of the African American experience, painter Romare
Bearden often used colors so ------- that v iewers could not take their ey es off his
works of art.
(A) sensible
(B) residual
(C) v ibrant
(D) mannered
(E) formulaic
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Choice (B) is incorrect. If something is residual it is a remaining
part, or that which is left, after the completion of a process. Residual
colors would be those remaining after something is completed.
According to the sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid,
or lively and intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits
the blank should reflect these qualities. It does not make much sense
to describe colors as being "so residual that viewers could not take
their eyes off" paintings containing those colors. It is not clear how
colors could be a leftover part of something, and there is no reason to
believe that something residual would necessarily be captivating.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. To be mannered is to display a particular
character or behavior, often an artificial one. According to the
sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid, or lively and
intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits the blank
should reflect these qualities. A color with a particular character or
attribute could captivate viewers. However, there is no direct
connection between being mannered and being vivid. Further, it is
somewhat illogical to describe colors as being mannered or as having
the ability to display any type of behavior, artificial or otherwise.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. If something is formulaic, it follows a set
form or method in a way that leaves little room for originality.
According to the sentence, Romare Beardens works of art are vivid,
or lively and intense, and captivating to viewers; the word that fits
the blank should reflect these qualities. If Beardens use of color
follows a set form and does not incorporate originality, it is unlikely
that his works of art would be described as vivid or that the colors in
them would cause viewers to feel they could not take their eyes off
the paintings. Therefore, the term formulaic is not the best choice.
3
Explanation for Correct Answer E :
Choice (E) is correct. To create something is to bring it into
existence. If something is "accessible," it is within reach or capable of
being used. The structure of the sentence indicates a cause and effect
relationship between the first and second parts of the sentence. The
key word is "affordable": something happened with "an affordable
substitute for cortisone" (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected
By discov ering how to ------- an affordable substitute for cortisone from soy beans,
Percy Julian helped to make arthritis treatment ------- large numbers of people.
(A) eliminate . . superfluous for
(B) sy nthesize . . prohibitiv e for
(C) compromise . . feasible for
(D) constitute . . irrelev ant to
(E) create . . accessible to
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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substitute for cortisone" (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected
the treatment of arthritis for many people. The existence of a
cortisone substitute that people can afford would certainly help to
put the treatment of arthritis within many peoples reach; because
Percy Julian discovered how to create the affordable substitute,
arthritis treatment became accessible to large numbers of people.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. To eliminate something is to get rid of it or
remove it. If something is "superfluous," it is extra or unnecessary.
The structure of the sentence suggests a cause and effect relationship
between the first and second parts of the sentence: something
happened with an affordable substitute for cortisone (cortisone
treats arthritis), and this affected the treatment of arthritis for many
people. There is not necessarily any reason to believe that someone
would try to get rid of a cortisone substitute that people could afford.
Further, it is unlikely that the elimination of an affordable substitute
would make arthritis treatment unnecessary for many people;
presumably, people with arthritis would still need treatment, even if
they could not afford cortisone or a cortisone substitute. The term
eliminate and the phrase superfluous for do not logically
complete the sentence.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. To synthesize is to combine different parts
to form a whole. If something is "prohibitive," it prevents the use or
purchase of something. The structure of the sentence suggests a
cause and effect relationship between the first and second parts of
the sentence: something happened with an affordable substitute for
cortisone (cortisone treats arthritis), and this affected the treatment
of arthritis for many people. It makes sense to suggest that Percy
Julian discovered a way to synthesize a substitute for cortisone.
However, because the substitute is affordable, it does not make sense
to say that it made the treatment of arthritis prohibitive for large
numbers of people suffering from arthritis; an affordable treatment
would most likely be accessible to many people. The term
synthesize and the phrase prohibitive for do not logically
complete the sentence.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. In this context, to compromise something
is to damage it or cause the impairment of it. If something is
"feasible," it is able to be done or carried out. The structure of the
sentence suggests a cause and effect relationship between the first
and second parts of the sentence: something happened with an
affordable substitute for cortisone (cortisone treats arthritis), and
this affected the treatment of arthritis for many people. If a cortisone
substitute is available and affordable, it does make sense to conclude
that it could make arthritis treatment feasible for, or able to be
carried out by, large numbers of people. However, if an affordable
substitute for cortisone was to be compromised, or damaged, it is
unlikely that the result would be to make arthritis treatment feasible.
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unlikely that the result would be to make arthritis treatment feasible.
Further, there is not necessarily any reason to believe that someone
would try to damage a cortisone substitute that people could afford.
The term compromise and the phrase feasible for do not logically
complete the sentence.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, to constitute something is
to establish it or set it up. If something is "irrelevant," it is
inapplicable or not related to a matter at hand. The structure of the
sentence suggests a cause and effect relationship between the first
and second parts of the sentence: something happened with an
affordable substitute for cortisone (cortisone treats arthritis), and
this affected the treatment of arthritis for many people. It makes
sense to suggest that Percy Julian discovered how to establish a
substitute for cortisone. However, it does not make sense to say
that an affordable substitute would make the treatment of arthritis
irrelevant to large numbers of people; presumably, people with
arthritis would need treatment whether the treatment was expensive
or affordable.
4
Explanation for Correct Answer B :
Choice (B) is correct. "Amateurs" are people who engage in an
activity as a pastime or hobby rather than as a profession. To
legitimize something is to make it legitimate, or give it authority
and respectability. The term Although at the beginning of the
sentence indicates that there is a contrast between the two missing
terms: although something is a certain way, the results are not what
one would expect. If most women who undertook botanical
illustration were amateurs, then one would not expect their work to
have given the field authority and respectability, because amateurs
are not usually experts in a field. The sentence suggests that although
the women were primarily amateurs, they nevertheless made
contributions that actually helped legitimize the field as an academic
discipline.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. "Researchers" are people who investigate
something thoroughly. To depreciate is to lower in esteem or
Although the women in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries who undertook
botanical illustration were primarily -------, their contributions as naturalists and
cataloguers actually helped ------- the field as an academic discipline.
(A) researchers . . depreciate
(B) amateurs . . legitimize
(C) entrepreneurs . . subsidize
(D) biologists . . eschew
(E) historians . . chronicle
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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something thoroughly. To depreciate is to lower in esteem or
value. The term Although at the beginning of the sentence indicates
that there is a contrast between the two missing terms: although
something is a certain way, the results are not what one would
expect. Because researchers conduct careful investigations, their
contributions to a field would most likely be valued and add value to
that field. Thus, there is a contrast between the expertise of
researchers and the depreciation, or devaluing, of a field. However,
there is no reason to believe that illustrations produced by
researchers actually would have caused the field of botanical
illustration to lower in esteem; in fact, because the illustrations were
considered contributions, it makes sense to conclude that they
increased the fields esteem.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. "Entrepreneurs" are people who manage and
take on the risks of a business project. To subsidize something is to
offer assistance or promote it, usually with money. The term
Although at the beginning of the sentence indicates that there is a
contrast between the two missing terms: although something is a
certain way, the results are not what one would expect. The terms
entrepreneurs and subsidize do not support the necessary
contrast; if most women who undertook botanical illustration were
entrepreneurs, then it is possible that their contributions subsidized
the field, or helped it financially. Additionally, nothing in the
sentence indicates that the womens contributions related to financial
matters.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. "Biologists" are people who study living
organisms. To eschew something is to avoid it as a habit, often for
moral reasons. The sentence is about botanical illustrations and
certain womens contributions as naturalists, both of which relate
to the field of biology, so it is possible that most of the women who
undertook botanical illustration were biologists. However, the
term eschew does not logically complete the sentence. It does not
make sense to say that the womens contributions helped eschew,
or helped avoid, the field as an academic discipline.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. "Historians" are people who study events or
people in the past. To chronicle something is to provide a historical
or narrative account of it. The term Although at the beginning of
the sentence indicates that there is a contrast between the two terms:
although something is a certain way, the results are not what one
would expect. The terms historians and chronicle do not support
the necessary contrast; if most women who undertook botanical
illustration were historians, then it is logical to conclude that they
might have chronicled, or provided a historical account of, the field.
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5
Explanation for Correct Answer C :
Choice (C) is correct. To forgo something is to give it up or do
without it. The sentence indicates that instead of addressing his final
point during the current class period, Professor Burke chose to
address it during the next class in order to end his lecture on time."
It would be accurate to say that the professor decided to forgo, or
give up, discussing his final point during the current class period.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. To improvise is to do something without
preparation. The sentence suggests that instead of addressing his
final point during the current class period, Professor Burke chose to
address it during the next class in order to end his lecture on time.
It is possible that an improvised part of a lecture might need to be
addressed again in another class meeting. However, the term
instead indicates that rather than presenting his final point without
preparation, Professor Burke did not present his final point at all
during the current class period.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. To amend something is to change it for the
better or improve it. The sentence suggests that instead of addressing
his final point during the current class period, Professor Burke
chose to address it during the next class in order to end his lecture
on time. The term instead indicates that Professor Burke did not
present his final point at all during the current class period, so it does
not make sense to suggest that he somehow amended his final point
during the current class period. Further, if the professor improved
part of his lecture, it is unlikely that he would address it again in the
next class meeting; he would already have addressed the point
sufficiently.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, to reiterate something is to
state it repeatedly. The sentence suggests that instead of addressing
his final point during the current class period, Professor Burke
chose to address it during the next class in order to end his lecture
on time. It is possible that a point that a professor wants to reiterate
might be addressed again in another class meeting. However, the
term instead indicates that rather than addressing his final point
To end his lecture on time, Professor Burke decided to ------- his final point and
address it instead at the next class meeting.
(A) improv ise
(B) amend
(C) forgo
(D) reiterate
(E) promote
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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term instead indicates that rather than addressing his final point
repeatedly, Professor Burke did not present his final point at all
during the current class period.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. To promote something is to advance it or
contribute to its growth or prosperity. The sentence suggests that
instead of addressing his final point during the current class period,
Professor Burke chose to address it during the next class in order to
end his lecture on time. It is possible that a professor who wants to
promote a certain point might address it in more than one class
meeting. However, the term instead indicates that rather than
advancing his final point, Professor Burke did not present his final
point at all during the current class period.
6
Explanation for Correct Answer D :
Choice (D) is correct. In this context, contrived means artificial or
false. Plausible means believable. The sentence states that A. S.
Byatts stories are elaborate, or marked by complexity and fullness
of detail, and include supernatural elements, or things related to
entities or events that cannot be explained by natural laws. The
phrase on the contrary indicates that the terms that fit the blanks
will be opposite in meaning; the terms contrived and plausible are
opposites in this context. One might expect characters in complex
stories of the supernatural to seem artificial, but Byatts characters
are, on the contrary, believable.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. Simplistic means overly simplified.
Eccentric means deviating from an established pattern or style.
The structure of the sentence indicates that the elaborate, or
complex, and supernatural, or existing beyond the observable
universe, elements of A. S. Byatts stories might cause one to expect
her characters to seem a certain way; the term that fits the first blank
should describe the characters one would expect in such stories. One
would not expect characters in complex supernatural stories to be
overly simplified, so the term simplistic is not the best choice.
Further, the phrase on the contrary indicates that Byatts
characters are actually the opposite of what one might expect.
Unusual characters are not necessarily the opposite of simplistic
Although A. S. By atts stories are elaborate and sometimes contain supernatural
elements, her characters do not seem -------; on the contrary , they are quite -------.
(A) simplistic . . eccentric
(B) realistic . . memorable
(C) abstruse . . incomprehensible
(D) contriv ed . . plausible
(E) intricate . . complex
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Unusual characters are not necessarily the opposite of simplistic
characters, so the term eccentric does not logically complete the
sentence.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. In this context, realistic characters would
be those who seem like real people. Memorable means notable or
worth remembering. The structure of the sentence indicates that the
elaborate, or complex, and supernatural, or existing beyond the
observable universe, elements of A. S. Byatts stories might cause
one to expect her characters to seem a certain way; the term that fits
the first blank should describe the characters one would expect in
such stories. One might expect that characters in supernatural stories
would not seem like real people, since such stories deal with things
beyond our universe, so the term realistic is not the best choice for
the first blank. Further, the phrase on the contrary indicates that
Byatts characters are actually the opposite of what one might
expect. Characters who seem like real people might also be notable,
so the term memorable does not logically complete the sentence.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. Abstruse means difficult to comprehend.
Incomprehensible means impossible to comprehend. The structure
of the sentence indicates that the elaborate, or complex, and
supernatural, or existing beyond the observable universe, elements
of A. S. Byatts stories might cause one to expect her characters to
seem a certain way; the term that fits the first blank should describe
the characters one would expect in such stories. One might expect
characters in complex supernatural stories to be difficult to
comprehend, so the term abstruse might make sense in the first
blank. But the phrase on the contrary indicates that Byatts
characters are actually the opposite of what one might expect. The
term incomprehensible does not logically complete the sentence
because it means nearly the same thing as, not the opposite of,
abstruse.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. Intricate means complicated. Complex
means hard to analyze or solve. The structure of the sentence
indicates that the elaborate, or complex, and supernatural, or
existing beyond the observable universe, elements of A. S. Byatts
stories might cause one to expect her characters to seem a certain
way; the term that fits the first blank should describe the characters
one would expect in such stories. One might expect characters in a
complex supernatural story to be complicated and hard to analyze,
so the term intricate makes sense in the first blank. But the phrase
on the contrary indicates that Byatts characters are actually the
opposite of what one might expect. The term complex does not
logically complete the sentence because it means the same thing as,
not the opposite of, intricate.
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7
Explanation for Correct Answer A :
Choice (A) is correct. Anecdotal means based on reports or
observations made by usually unscientific observers. In this context,
systematic means methodical in procedure or plan. The sentence
indicates that in order to confirm her theory, Dr. Allan would need to
conduct a series of experiments instead of relying on a certain type
of evidence presented to her informally. It makes sense to suggest
that a systematic, or methodical, series of experiments could confirm
her theory and that anecdotal evidenceevidence based only on
reports made by unscientific observerscould not.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. Theoretical means hypothetical or existing
only in theory. Convoluted means intricate and confusing, often
unnecessarily so. The sentence indicates that evidence from
several . . . cases was presented to Dr. Allan informally. It does
not make sense to suggest that information about actual cases is
theoretical evidence, or evidence that exists only in theory;
whether or not such informal evidence is useful, it seems the
evidence does exist. Further, although some experiments might be
intricate, there is no reason to believe that a doctor would want to
conduct convoluted or unnecessarily intricate experiments.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. Impressionistic means based on or
involving impressions rather than facts. If two things are
analogous, they share many similarities but are different from each
other in some way. The sentence indicates that evidence from
several . . . cases was presented to Dr. Allan informally. While
this evidence was presented informally, there is no reason to believe
that information resulting from real cases would be based only on
impressions and not on facts. Further, it does not really make sense
to say that Dr. Allan would conduct a more analogous series of
experimentsthere is no indication of what the experiments would
be similar to or how these more similar experiments would result in
strong evidence.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Dr. Allan was told informally of sev eral intriguing cases that accorded with her
theory , but this ------- ev idence could not prov ide the confirmation that a more ------
- series of experiments would.
(A) anecdotal . . sy stematic
(B) theoretical . . conv oluted
(C) impressionistic . . analogous
(D) unsubstantiated . . dilatory
(E) dogmatic . . rigorous
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. Unsubstantiated means unsupported by
proof. Dilatory means tending to cause delay. The sentence
indicates that in order to confirm her theory, Dr. Allan would need to
conduct a series of experiments instead of relying on a certain type
of evidence presented to her informally. It makes sense to suggest
that evidence that is unsupported by proof would not confirm a
theory, so the term unsubstantiated makes sense in the first blank.
But the term dilatory does not make sense in the second blank. It is
somewhat illogical to suggest that a series of experiments that would
cause a delay would help Dr. Allan confirm her theory. Indeed, there
is no reason to believe that a doctor would want to conduct
experiments that would cause delays.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. Dogmatic means characterized by the
expression of very strong opinions as if they were facts. In this
context, rigorous means precise or scrupulously accurate. The
sentence indicates that in order to confirm her theory, Dr. Allan
would need to conduct a series of experiments instead of relying on
a certain type of evidence presented to her informally. It makes
sense to suggest that rigorous, or very accurate, experiments could
confirm her theory. However, the term dogmatic does not make
sense in the first blank. It is somewhat illogical to suggest that
evidence could be dogmatic; a person conducting studies certainly
can express his or her opinions, but the studies results cannot
express opinions, strongly or otherwise.
8
Explanation for Correct Answer B :
Choice (B) is correct. A profusion of something is a great quantity
of that thing. In this context, the term enigma refers to an
inscrutable, or not readily understood, person. The structure of the
sentence indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will
describe someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person
who is difficult to understand. The phrase an enigma describes
such a person. The structure also suggests that books about Greta
Garbo should help people understand who she was, but do not; one
might expect a great quantity of books about Garbo to lead to an
understanding of her, so the term profusion fits the first blank.
Even though there are many books about Garbo, she remains an
Despite the ------- of books written about Greta Garbo, she ultimately remains -------,
an inscrutable personality .
(A) ardor . . a paragon
(B) profusion . . an enigma
(C) bounty . . an icon
(D) obtuseness . . a paradox
(E) dearth . . a my stery
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Even though there are many books about Garbo, she remains an
enigma.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. Ardor is intensity or extreme energy. A
paragon is a model of excellence or perfection. The structure of the
sentence suggests that the books about Greta Garbo should help
people understand who she was, but do not. It is possible that very
intense books about Garbo could include things that would help
people understand who she was, so the term ardor might make
sense in the first blank; however, the term ardor is not usually used
to describe books. Further, the structure of the sentence also
indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will describe
someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person who is
difficult to understand. Someone who is a model of excellence is not
necessarily an inscrutable person, so the phrase a paragon is not
the best choice for the second blank.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. In this context, a bounty is an abundance or
ample quantity of something. An icon can be an idol or an object of
uncritical devotion. The structure of the sentence suggests that the
books about Greta Garbo should help people understand who she
was, but do not. One might expect an abundance of books about
Garbo to lead to an understanding of her, so the term bounty
makes some sense in the first blank. But the structure also indicates
that the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who
is an inscrutable personality, or a person who is difficult to
understand. Someone who is an object of devotion might be difficult
to understand, but an icon is not necessarily an inscrutable person.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, something that is obtuse is
difficult to comprehend or not clear or precise in thought or
expression. The term paradox can refer to a person who has
seemingly contradictory qualities or phases. The structure of the
sentence indicates that the phrase that fits the second blank will
describe someone who is an inscrutable personality, or a person
who is difficult to understand. Someone who has seemingly
contradictory qualities might be inscrutable, so the phrase a
paradox makes sense in the second blank. However, the structure of
the sentence also suggests that the books about Greta Garbo should
help people understand who she was; one would not expect books
that are unclear or difficult to comprehend to accomplish this, so the
term obtuseness is not the best choice for the first blank.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. A dearth is a lack of something or an
inadequate supply. A mystery is something not understood or
beyond understanding. The structure of the sentence indicates that
the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an
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the phrase that fits the second blank will describe someone who is an
inscrutable personality, or a person who is difficult to understand.
The phrase a mystery describes such a person. However, the
structure also suggests that the books should help people understand
who Greta Garbo was, but do not; one would not expect a lack of
books about Garbo to lead to an understanding of her, so the term
dearth does not logically complete the sentence.
9
Explanation for Correct Answer B :
Choice (B) is correct. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt
Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEV-
UN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a
verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's
pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it
can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something
even. As the narrator indicates in line 5, Aunt Sylvie was probably
aware of the double meaning of the wordthe narrator thinks she
liked the word "for its tendency to smooth, to soften"and
pronounced it in a way that highlighted this double meaning.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt
Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEV-
UN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a
verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's
pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it
can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something
even. Nothing in the passage suggests that Aunt Sylvie pronounces
the word evening in a certain way because she speaks in a way that
is particular to a certain region; there is no indication that Aunt
When we came home, Aunt Sy lv ie would certainly be
home, too, enjoy ing the evening, for so she described her
habit of sitting in the dark. Evening was her special time ofLine day . She gave the word three sy llables, and indeed I think5 she liked it so well for its tendency to smooth, to soften.
She seemed to dislike the disequilibrium of counterpoising
a roomful of light against a worldful of darkness. Sy lv ie in
a house was more or less like a mermaid in a ships cabin.
She preferred it sunk in the very element it was meant to10 exclude.
The reference to Aunt Sy lv ies pronunciation in line 4 serv es to
(A) capture a distinctiv e regional dialect
(B) highlight a double meaning of a word
(C) prov ide an ominous foreshadowing
(D) underscore a particular misconception
(E) giv e ev idence of a contrary personality
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Sylvie speaks with a distinctive regional dialect.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt
Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEV-
UN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a
verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's
pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it
can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something
even. The passage does refer to the darkness that accompanies
evening, and some authors use darkness to create ominous
foreshadowing. However, for Aunt Sylvie the evening is a smoothing
and softening force; the author does not refer to her pronunciation of
the word in an ominous or scary way.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt
Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEV-
UN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a
verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's
pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it
can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something
level or even. A misconception is something that people wrongly
believe to be true. The narrator of the passage does not suggest that
Aunt Sylvies pronunciation of the word evening has anything to do
with a misconception of some kind.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. The narrator of the passage states that Aunt
Sylvie gave the word evening three syllables, pronouncing it EEV-
UN-ING. This pronunciation makes the word sound as though it is a
verb form of to even, or to make smooth or level. Aunt Sylvie's
pronunciation of "evening" shows that the word has two meanings: it
can refer to a certain time of day or to an act of making something
level or even. A contrary personality is one that does not conform
to what is expected. Although Aunt Sylvie seems to pronounce the
word evening in a different way from most people, the narrator
does not refer to her pronunciation as evidence that she typically
does not conform to what is expected. There is no suggestion that
Aunt Sylvie is a contrary personality.
10 The last sentence of the passage suggests that Sy lv ie felt a house should be a
(A) shelter from darkness and danger
(B) defense against unwelcome v isitors
(C) my sterious and adv enturous place
(D) reminder of the cabin of a ship
(E) part of the world outdoors
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Explanation for Correct Answer E :
Choice (E) is correct. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie in
a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's natural
environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would likely
yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much like her
natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's cabin to
feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea.
Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she
"seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light
when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness.
Houses are meant to be shelters from the natural environment, but
Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the
world outdoors, not separate from it.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie
in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's
natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would
likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much
like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's
cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea.
Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she
"seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light
when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness.
Houses are meant to be shelters from the natural environment and
may provide shelter from darkness and danger. However, instead of
feeling that a house should shelter one from darkness and danger,
Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the
world outdoors. The narrator does not address the idea of danger but
he or she specifically states that Sylvie enjoyed sitting in darkness.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie
in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's
natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would
likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much
like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's
cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea.
Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she
"seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light
when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness.
Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the
world outdoors, not separate from it. Nothing in the passage suggests
that Sylvie was concerned about unwelcome visitors.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator compares Sylvie
in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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in a house to a mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's
natural environment is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would
likely yearn to be back in the sea and try to make the cabin as much
like her natural environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's
cabin to feel like the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea.
Likewise, Sylvie enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she
"seemed to dislike the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light
when the natural environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness.
Sylvie seems to have felt that a house should feel like it is part of the
world outdoors, not separate from it. A home could be a place of
mystery and adventure, but the narrator describes Sylvie as enjoying
the evening in her house because of its tendency to smooth, to
soften; it is unlikely that such evenings would involve the
excitement and risk of an adventure. Nothing in the passage suggests
that Sylvie felt a house should be a mysterious and adventurous
place.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. In the passage the narrator mentions a
mermaid in a ships cabin. Because a mermaid's natural environment
is the sea, a mermaid in a ship's cabin would likely yearn to be back in
the sea and try to make the cabin as much like her natural
environment as possible; she would prefer the ship's cabin to feel like
the very element it was meant to exclude," the sea. Likewise, Sylvie
enjoyed sitting in the dark, it seems, because she "seemed to dislike
the disequilibrium" of turning on an artificial light when the natural
environmentthe outdoorswas in darkness. The narrator
compares Sylvie to a mermaid in a ships cabin to suggest that just as
the mermaid would want the cabin to feel like the sea, Sylvie wanted
her house to feel like it was part of the world outdoors. The narrator
does not suggest that Sylvie wanted her home to be similar in any
way to the cabin of a ship.
11
Some people boast of hav ing a sixth sense, professing to
know or see things that others cannot. Fortune-tellers, mind
readers, and my stics all lay claim to this power, and, in soLine doing, elicit widespread fascination in others, especially5 book publishers and telev ision producers. The questionable
field of parapsy chology is of course founded on the belief
that at least some people actually possess this my sterious
power. But to me, the real my stery is why so many fortune-
tellers choose to work the phones on telev ision psy chic10 hotlines instead of becoming insanely wealthy stock traders
on Wall Street.
The author implies that the people (line 1 ) are
(A) mav ericks
(B) dilettantes
(C) oracles
(D) charlatans
(E) pragmatists
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Explanation for Correct Answer D :
Choice (D) is correct. A charlatan is a person who claims to have a
skill or knowledge that he or she does not possess. In line 1 the
author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The
author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology,"
suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not
actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. The author
then suggests that if these people really had the powers they claim to
have, they would use those powers to make money on Wall Street.
The author strongly implies that people who call themselves psychics
are charlatans; he or she suggests that they are claiming to have
certain skills that they do not have.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. A maverick is an individual who does not go
along with the expectations of a group or party. In line 1 the author
mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The author then
refers to the questionable field of parapsychology," suggesting that
the field is questionable because people do not actually possess the
power to read minds or tell fortunes. It is possible that a maverick
would claim to have skills she or he does not really possess, but being
a maverick is not directly related to possessing or not possessing
certain skills. The author does not suggest that people who falsely
claim to have a sixth sense also reject the expectations of a group or
party.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. A dilettante is a person who has a shallow or
superficial interest in an activity or branch of knowledge. In line 1
the author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The
author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology,"
suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not
actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. Dilettantes
do not have a deep knowledge of a field, so it is possible that they
would claim to have skills they do not actually possess. However, the
author of the passage does not suggest that fortune-tellers and
psychics lack a deep knowledge of the field of parapsychology; the
author is skeptical about these people because they falsely claim to
have special powers, not because he or she is concerned about the
shallowness of their knowledge of parapsychology.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. An oracle is a prophet or someone through
whom a deity is believed to speak. In line 1 the author mentions
people who claim to have a sixth sense. The author then refers to
the questionable field of parapsychology," suggesting that the field
is questionable because people do not actually possess the power to
read minds or tell fortunes. Those who believe that psychics and
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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read minds or tell fortunes. Those who believe that psychics and
fortune-tellers actually have the powers they say they possess might
consider these people to be oracles. However, the author does not
believe that psychics and fortune-tellers really have special powers
he or she suggests that if these people really had the powers they
claim to have they would use those powers to make money on Wall
Street, not to work the phones on television psychic hotlines.
Rather than suggesting that psychics and fortune-tellers are oracles,
the author suggests that they are charlatans.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. A pragmatist is a person who takes a
practical, or matter-of-fact, approach to problems. In line 1 the
author mentions people who claim to have a sixth sense. The
author then refers to the questionable field of parapsychology,"
suggesting that the field is questionable because people do not
actually possess the power to read minds or tell fortunes. Nowhere in
the passage does the author suggest that psychics and fortune-tellers
take a practical approach to problems. Further, a practical person
would be unlikely to claim to have skills she or he does not really
possess. Rather than suggesting that they are pragmatists, the author
suggests that psychics and fortune-tellers are charlatans.
12
Explanation for Correct Answer A :
Choice (A) is correct. To be sardonic is to be humorous with a
mocking or skeptical tone. The author suggests that psychics and
fortune-tellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of
a sixth sense; the author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt,
regarding parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author
mockingly wonders why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones
on television . . . instead of becoming insanely wealthy" by picking
stocks on Wall Street. This sentence humorously demonstrates the
author's point that so-called psychics do not in fact possess psychic
powers. The authors tone is most accurately described as sardonic.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. To be baffled is to be confused or puzzled.
The author suggests that psychics and fortune-tellers do not
actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense; the
The tone of the authors comment in the last sentence (But . . . Street) is most
accurately described as
(A) sardonic
(B) baffled
(C) condescending
(D) didactic
(E) pensiv e
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth sense; the
author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding
parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author mockingly wonders
why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones on television . . .
instead of becoming insanely wealthy" by picking stocks on Wall
Street. The author is not actually confused about why fortune-tellers
are not working on Wall Street; he or she refers to the mystery to
humorously demonstrate his or her point that so-called psychics do
not in fact possess psychic powers.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. To be condescending is to look down on
others in a patronizing or haughty way. The author suggests that
psychics and fortune-tellers do not actually possess the
mysterious power of a sixth sense. The author mocks so-called
psychics with a humorous comment about working the phones
instead of making money on Wall Street because he or she is
skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding parapsychology.
Skeptical people can be condescending, especially if they believe
they are right and others are wrong. However, the author's tone in
the last sentence is not primarily one of condescension; the author
does not strongly suggest that so-called psychics are beneath him or
her. Instead, the author adopts a mocking tone to humorously
demonstrate his or her point that so-called psychics do not in fact
possess psychic powers. The authors tone is more sardonic than
condescending.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. In this context, to be didactic is to teach or
moralize excessively. The author suggests that psychics and fortune-
tellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of a sixth
sense; the author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt, regarding
parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author mockingly wonders
why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones . . . instead of
becoming insanely wealthy" by picking stocks on Wall Street. The
author does not offer readers any instruction or extensively discuss
any moral observations; rather, in the last sentence the author
simply uses mocking humor to demonstrate his or her point that so-
called psychics do not in fact possess psychic powers.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. To be pensive is to be dreamily thoughtful,
sometimes in a sad way. The author suggests that psychics and
fortune-tellers do not actually possess the mysterious power of
a sixth sense; the author is skeptical, or has an attitude of doubt,
regarding parapsychology. In the last sentence, the author
mockingly wonders why "fortune-tellers choose to work the phones .
. . instead of becoming insanely wealthy" by picking stocks on Wall
Street. The author is not sincerely wondering why fortune-tellers do
not work on Wall Street, and his or her tone is not dreamily
thoughtful. Rather, the authors tone is mocking; the last sentence
humorously demonstrates the author's point that so-called psychics
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humorously demonstrates the author's point that so-called psychics
do not in fact possess psychic powers.
These passages are adapted from observations made by two twentieth-
century historians on how nationsand peoplemake use of their sense of
their own history.
Passage 1
Although when we use the word history we
instinctively think of the past, this is an error, for history is
actually a bridge connecting the past with the present andLine pointing the road to the future. This fact Daniel Webster5 expressed many y ears ago in memorable nautical terms:
. . . when the mariner has tossed for many day s in thick
weather, and on an unknown sea, he naturally avails
himself of the first pause in the storm, the earliest glances
of the sun, to take his latitude and ascertain how far the10 elements have driven him from his true course. Webster
here indicates one of the cardinal utilities of history . Since
humanity is alway s more or less storm-driven, history
serves as a crucial nav igational instrument for the nations
which, tossed as they are by wind and current, would be15 lost in confusion if they could not identify their position.
History enables bewildered bodies of human beings
to grasp their relationship with their past, and helps them
chart their immediate forward course. And it does more
than this. By giv ing people a sense of continuity in all their20 efforts, red-flagging error, and chronicling immortal worth,
it confers on them a consciousness of unity , a realization of
the value of indiv idual achievement, and a comprehension
of the importance of planned effort, as contrasted with
aimless drifting.25 Modern people, especially when harried and perplexed
by the sweep of events, peer earnestly into history for some
illumination of their predicament and prospects, even
though they may only read magazine articles or listen to
the radio or telev ision. And when great events rouse people30 to their most responsible temper, and fierce national ordeals
awaken them to a new sense of their capacities, they turn
readily to the writing of history , for they wish to instruct,
and to its reading, for they want to learn. It was no accident
that the First World War fostered such an interest in history35 that for a time the number of books in English devoted to
history exceeded the titles in fiction.
Passage 2
The historian has much to answer for. History that is,
written history and the examples it prov ideshas made
and unmade nations, given courage to the oppressed and40 undermined the oppressor, has justified aggression and
overridden law. After Germany s defeat of France in 187 0,
a French historian exclaimed with unwilling admiration
that the nineteenth-century Germans used their history
as a means toward unity and a weapon of war; but that45 the story of his own country as written by his compatriots
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13
Explanation for Correct Answer C :
Choice (C) is correct. The author of Passage 1 indicates that the
history of a nation should be used to point the road to the future,
and that history allows human beings to . . . chart their immediate
forward course. Similarly, the author of Passage 2 argues that the
future behavior of a nation is shaped by its past: Past heroism
breeds future heroism, past cowardice the cowardice of the future.
For both authors, history impacts future actions.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 1 writes that
45 the story of his own country as written by his compatriots
had taught the French people above all to hate one
another. Past heroism breeds future heroism, past
cowardice the cowardice of the future. History tends to
repeat itself by a process of almost deliberate imitation.50 We have been told what to expect of ourselves and, by
expecting, we do it.
But what is this motivating force? What is written
history ? The nineteenth-century English historian Froude
sonorously hailed it as a voice forever sounding across55 the centuries the laws of right and wrong. Written history
is, in fact, nothing of the kind; it is the fragmentary record
of the often inexplicable actions of innumerable bewil-
dered human beings set down and interpreted according
to their own limitations by other human beings, equally60 bewildered. The tribunal of history judges about as fairly
as any random batch of court judges. But only a minority
of people are able to recognize this fact, and, of that mi-
nority , only a minority will act upon it. The rest of us will
go through life with a silt of moral and political prejudice65 washing about the brainall derived directly and
indirectly , by way of textbooks and propaganda and
theaters and the marketplace, from historical writings.
It used to be said that history should be written without
prejudice, that the historian must not step aside to draw70 a moral. The first cannot be done; the second should not.
Historians should alway s draw morals. If the accurate,
judicious and highly trained scholars fail to do so, the
unscrupulous and unqualified will do it for them, and
the deluded public will listen gaping to false but more75 emphatic prophets. Historians who neglect the education
of the public are responsible for the v illainous stuff to
which the public will go instead. A nation does not create
the historians it deserves; the historians are far more likely to
create the nation.
The author of each passage argues that people use their nations history as a way to
(A) bring about harmony among disparate groups
(B) settle disputes ov er important precedents
(C) make decisions about future actions
(D) influence citizens of other nations
(E) create my ths fostering patriotism
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Choice (A) is incorrect. When the author of Passage 1 writes that
history gives people a sense of continuity or a consciousness of
unity he or she implies that history can create a sense of shared
identity among peoplehowever, the author does not mention
disparate groups or a sense of harmony. The author of Passage 2
acknowledges that the history of a particular nation provides
examples for its future actions, but he or she also does not address
harmony among different groups. Neither author suggests that
people use history to achieve harmony among disparate groups.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. Both authors strongly argue that people use
their nations history to guide them in their future actions; the author
of Passage 1 states that a nations history is also the road to the
future, and the author of Passage 2 asserts that a nations future
behavior is shaped by its past. Neither author suggests that people
use history to settle disputes over important precedentsthat is, to
resolve disagreements about conventions established by long
practice or by earlier events.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. Both authors suggest that a nations future is
shaped by its own past. The author of Passage 1 states that history
helps people grasp their relationship with their past, and helps them
chart their immediate forward course, and the author of Passage 2
points out that we have been told what to expect of ourselves and by
expecting it, we do it. These points of view do not indicate that
history is used by one nation to influence the citizens of another
nation. Rather, both authors suggest that people use their own
history to understand themselves and to create their own future.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. Neither of the authors argues that history is
used to create myths that promote patriotism. The author of Passage
1 explains that history is used as a tool (a crucial navigational
instrument) for determining future actions and as a means for
establishing a sense of national identity. The author of Passage 2
explains that history tends to repeat itself and that people create a
future that imitates the past. There is no discussion of myths in either
passage.
14 The primary purpose of Passage 1 is to
(A) define what is meant by the term history in Western culture
(B) draw a parallel between collectiv e and indiv idual histories
(C) describe the benefits of hav ing a sense of history
(D) clarify misconceptions about history
(E) justify the publics interest in history
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Explanation for Correct Answer C :
Choice (C) is correct. The primary purpose of Passage 1 is to describe
the ways in which having a sense of history is beneficial for a nation
and its people. As the author points out, people use history as a tool
for determining their future. He or she states that history gives
people a sense of identity and continuity, and that it also gives people
a consciousness of unity and a realization of the value of
individual achievement.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. The primary purpose of Passage 1 is not to
define the term history but to describe the benefits of having a
sense of history. The author describes history as a bridge
connecting the past with the present and pointing the road to the
future; he or she does not suggest that this description is a definition
of history, but rather uses the description to introduce the idea that
history can serve as a crucial navigational instrument, helping
people shape their future actions. The author also indicates that
other benefits of history include giving people a sense of identity and
unity.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 does not compare
collective and individual histories. Rather, the primary purpose of
Passage 1 is to describe how a sense of history can be beneficial for
nations and their people. According to the author, when people are
faced with national ordeals they turn to history to determine their
future actions and to acquire a sense of identity and unity, using
history as a crucial navigational instrument.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 is not concerned
with clarifying misconceptions about history; he or she does not even
mention any such misconceptions. Rather, the primary purpose of
Passage 1 is to describe how a sense of history can be beneficial for
nations and their people. The author asserts that history serves as a
guide for future actions (a critical navigational instrument) and
gives people a sense of identity and unity.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. The primary purpose of Passage 1 is not to
justify the publics interest in history. The term justify suggests
that others have a negative opinion about public interest in history,
and that the author is trying to prove the rightness or reasonableness
of the publics interest; but the author does not indicate that anyone
thinks the publics interest is negative in any way or that he or she
needs to defend this interest. Instead, the author simply asserts that
having a sense of history is beneficial to nations and their people:
history serves as a guide for determining peoples future actions and
gives people a sense of identity and unity.
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gives people a sense of identity and unity.
15
Explanation for Correct Answer A :
Choice (A) is correct. The author of Passage 1 compares history to a
navigational instrument that offers people accurate directions for
moving forward. The author of Passage 2, however, argues that
Written history has limitations: it is the fragmentary record of the
often inexplicable actions of . . . human beings and is set down and
interpreted . . . by other human beings. In other words, peoples
actions sometimes cannot be fully understood or explained, but the
people who write history try to explain these actions. The author
states that these writers may only know part of the story and can
only offer their own interpretation of what happened; as a result,
written history may be flawed or misleading and may not be a useful
navigational instrument.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. Nowhere does the author of Passage 2
suggest that heads of state do not easily understand history, so he or
she would probably not argue that this is a reason history differs
from a crucial navigational instrument. Instead, the author would
likely argue that Written history is not a necessary instrument for
steering people in the right direction (as the author of Passage 1
believes) because it provides only a fragmentary record and an
interpretation of peoples actions. The author suggests that written
history may be flawed or misleading and may not be a useful
navigational instrument.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 does mention that
past cowardice [breeds] the cowardice of the future, but he or she
is referring to the way history can either give courage to or oppress
people; the author does not address the idea that history promotes
embarrassment or shame, so there is no reason to believe he or she
would argue that history differs from a crucial navigational
instrument for this reason. In contrast to Passage 1, in which the
author suggests that history steers people in the right direction, the
author of Passage 2 indicates that Written history provides only a
fragmentary record and an interpretation of peoples actions. The
author suggests that written history may be flawed or misleading and
The author of Passage 2 would most likely argue that a nations history differs from
a crucial nav igational instrument (line 1 3 , Passage 1 ) in that history
(A) may offer flawed, ev en misleading, direction
(B) is not easily understood by ev ery head of state
(C) helps to promote embarrassment, ev en shame
(D) offers little guidance on certain national issues
(E) must be studied in the context of a society s v alues
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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author suggests that written history may be flawed or misleading and
may not be a useful or necessary navigational instrument.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 2 would probably not
argue that history differs from a crucial navigational instrument
because it offers little guidance on some national issuesthe author
suggests that nations do find guidance in Written history, calling it
a motivating force that has made and unmade nations. Rather,
the author would likely argue that history may not be a necessary
navigational instrument because the guidance history offers may be
flawed or misleading; history provides only a fragmentary record
and an interpretation of peoples actions.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. It may be true that history is best studied in
the context of a societys values, but the author of Passage 2 does not
discuss this idea and there is no reason to believe that he or she
would argue that history differs from a crucial navigational
instrument for this reason. In contrast to Passage 1, in which the
author suggests that history steers people in the right direction, the
author of Passage 2 indicates that Written history provides only a
fragmentary record and an interpretation of peoples actions. The
author suggests that written history may be flawed or misleading and
may not be a necessary navigational instrument.
16
Explanation for Correct Answer C :
Choice (C) is correct. In Passage 1 the author declares that the
sweep of events leaves people harried and perplexed. This
suggests that the author is referring to events that happen so fast or
so swiftly that they leave people overwhelmed or confused.
According to the author, it is in this context that people often
examine history in order to learn from it.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. Nothing in the passage suggests that the
phrase the sweep of events refers to secret and undisclosed events.
Rather, when the author of Passage 1 mentions the sweep of events
he or she is referring to things happening so fast that they leave
people harried and perplexed, or overwhelmed and confused. The
In line 26, the sweep of ev ents most directly refers to ev ents that happen
(A) secretly and remain undisclosed
(B) routinely and appear unimportant
(C) swiftly and seem ov erwhelming
(D) accidentally and inspire improv ements
(E) predictably and confirm expectations
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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people harried and perplexed, or overwhelmed and confused. The
author suggests that such fast-moving events often cause people to
examine history in order to learn from it.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 uses the phrase the
sweep of events to describe events that are not routine or
unimportant. The author is referring to things happening so fast that
they leave people harried and perplexed; it is unlikely that
commonplace, insignificant events would cause people to feel
overwhelmed and confused.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 suggests that the
sweep of events can cause people to peer earnestly into history,
but he or she does not discuss any improvements that may result
from such behavior and does not indicate whether the events are
happening accidentally. Instead, the author uses the phrase to refer
to things happening so fast that they leave people harried and
perplexed, or overwhelmed and confused. The author suggests that
such fast-moving events often cause people to examine history in
order to learn from it.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 uses the phrase the
sweep of events to describe events that most likely are not
predictable. The author is referring to things happening so fast that
they leave people harried and perplexed; it is unlikely that
predictable eventsevents that can be foreseenthat confirm
peoples expectations would cause people to feel overwhelmed and
confused.
17
Explanation for Correct Answer D :
Choice (D) is correct. The author of Passage 1 states that writers of
history instruct others. He or she also indicates that the accounts
historians write [serve] as a crucial navigational instrument that
can help people chart their immediate forward course and can
provide a sense of continuity and national unity. Clearly, the author
assumes that historians are knowledgeable and indispensible guides.
The author of Passage 1 assumes that historians function as
(A) wise and respected policy makers
(B) strict and disciplined instructors
(C) adv enturous and articulate explorers
(D) knowledgeable and indispensable guides
(E) carefree and impetuous speculators
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Explanation for Incorrect Answer A :
Choice (A) is incorrect. Nowhere in Passage 1 does the author suggest
that historians are policy makers, wise and respected or otherwise.
Rather, he or she seems to assume that historians are knowledgeable
(they instruct others) and that they are indispensible guides (they
produce written accounts that [serve] as a crucial navigational
instrument).
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 does indicate that
historians write history to instruct others, but nowhere in the
passage does he or she suggest that historians are strict and
disciplined instructors. Rather, the author seems to assume that
historians are knowledgeable and indispensible guideshe or she
asserts that the written accounts historians produce [serve] as a
crucial navigational instrument.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 refers to Daniel
Websters metaphor of an explorer (a mariner) [taking] his latitude
as he crosses unknown seas, a metaphor that illustrates the idea that
people use history as a crucial navigational instrument. The author
does not suggest that historians are explorers. Rather, he or she
simply assumes that historians are knowledgeable (they instruct
others) and that they are indispensible guides (they produce the
written accounts that serve as a navigational instrument).
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. Nowhere in Passage 1 does the author suggest
that historians are carefree and impetuous speculators, or people
who make sudden, impulsive guesses without knowing facts. On the
contrary, the author seems to assume that historians are
knowledgeablethey instruct others and likely rely on facts rather
than making guesses. He or she also assumes that historians are
indispensible guides, since they produce written accounts that
[serve] as a crucial navigational instrument for people and nations.
18 The author of Passage 2 would most likely consider the number (line 35, Passage
1 ) an example of the
(A)appetite for history that makes the public v ulnerable to irresponsible
historians
(B) demand for history books that makes unscrupulous historians wealthy
(C) interest in history that leads readers to ov erestimate their own expertise
(D) need for heroic figures whose stories prov ide inspiration
(E) tendency of history texts to proliferate during wartime
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
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Explanation for Correct Answer A :
Choice (A) is correct. The author of Passage 1 states that the First
World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of
books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other
words, there was a very large number of books about history. The
author of Passage 2 states that some historians are false . . .
prophets who produce villainous stuff to which the public will go
he or she clearly feels strongly that some historians are very
irresponsible (unlike the historians who are judicious and highly
trained scholars) and is concerned that the writing they produce
may harm the public. He or she probably would consider the great
number of history books produced after WWI to be evidence of the
publics appetite for history, an appetite that leaves the public
vulnerable to irresponsible historians.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer B :
Choice (B) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 states that the First
World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of
books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other
words, there was a very large number of books about history. The
author of Passage 2 does suggest that some historians are
unscrupulous, or unprincipledsome are false . . . prophets who
produce villainous stuffbut he or she does not discuss the wealth
that historians acquire when there is a demand for history books.
Rather, the author is concerned about the potential for the written
history produced by such irresponsible historians to mislead people;
he or she probably would consider the great number of history books
produced after WWI to be evidence of the publics appetite for
history, an appetite that leaves the public vulnerable to irresponsible
historians.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer C :
Choice (C) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 states that the First
World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of
books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other
words, there was a very large number of books about history. The
author of Passage 2 probably would cite this great number of history
books as an example of the publics interest in history. However, he
or she suggests that some historians, not readers, may overestimate
their own expertisesome historians are unscrupulous and
unqualified. The author is concerned that the publics appetite for
history leaves them vulnerable to these unqualified and irresponsible
historians.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer D :
Choice (D) is incorrect. The author of Passage 1 states that the First
World War sparked such an interest in history that the number of
books . . . devoted to history exceeded the titles in fictionin other
words, there was a very large number of books about history. The
author of Passage 2 states that history is capable of giving courage
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author of Passage 2 states that history is capable of giving courage
to the oppressed and can [breed] future heroism, but he or she
focuses on the need for written history, not the need for the heroic
figuresthe real peoplewhose stories are sometimes featured in
written history. Rather than arguing that the great number of history
books produced after WWI is an example of the need for heroic
figures, the author probably would consider the number of books to
be evidence of the publics appetite for history, an appetite that
leaves the public vulnerable to certain unqualified and irresponsible
historians who produce villainous stuff.
Explanation for Incorrect Answer E :
Choice (E) is incorrect. It is the author of Passage 1, not the author of
Passage 2, who discusses the tendency of history texts to proliferate,
or increase in number, during wartime; the author of Passage 1
asserts that great events cause people to turn readily to the writing
of history, and mentions the great number of books about hi