English Language

Reading Comprehension

7,656 Questions
All Explicit Fact Retrieval 2427 Inference and Logical Deduction 1147 Contextual Vocabulary Meaning 845 Main Idea and Title Selection 781 Cause and Effect Extraction 699 Synonym and Antonym Identification 692 Sentence Structure and Discourse Function 336 Author Tone and Perspective 194 Interpretation of Figurative Language 190 Passage Style and Organization 173 Pronoun Referent Identification 49

Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

The first group of people to set foot in the land of Americas did not care to have discovered a new continent because

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

THE FIRST FOOTSTEPS Long, long ago, when the world was colder than you could think, a large part of today’s seawater was still locked in sheets of rugged white ice that covered parts of the continents. The sea levels then were hundreds of metres below those today. There were stretches of usable land that later went under the oceans. One of these, a fifteen hundred kilometre wide land strip called Beringia, which bridged the Bering Sea and linked America to Asia. Beringia was a chilling treeless land lying knee-deep in lush green grasses and soft vines and plants. It attracted herds of large plant-eating animals along with their predators including early humans. It was at that time, between 30 000 to 34 000 years ago, that the first groups of brave hunters from Asia, unknowingly crossed over to America following the herds of game. They neither knew nor cared that they had discovered a new continent. They hunted and stayed close to the big animal herds, as their ancestors had done for countless generations. They strayed into Alaska across Beringia and settled near the pastures where the herds settled down. It would take these Native Americans thousands of years more to move farther south.

  1. they were not very famous people

  2. they were unaware of the discovery and were only interested in food

  3. they were uneducated and were scared to live in a new land

  4. they had no plans to settle down there permanently
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The early man's most important need was food and that was all he cared for.

Multiple choice

In context, which of the following is the best revision of sentence 4 (reproduced below)? When school was ending in my sophomore year, I realized that I was going to be bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start to practice shooting.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Bow Hunting

(1) He sighs in disappointment as he watches a bull run through the aspens. (2) He did everything he could; the bull didn't live that long by being stupid. (3) I never had that type of rush before, even though I had been defeated, I was hooked on bow hunting. (4) When school was ending in my sophomore year, I realized that I was going to be bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start to practice shooting. (5) I practiced shooting everyday. (6) I thought it wouldn't be too hard to get an elk; all I had to do was be able to hit it. (7) I started getting everything together on the day before season opened. (8) I was ready for the big day. (9) I was too excited to sleep that night so I just stayed up and read. (10) It was finally 4:30 in the morning when I jumped in the pickup and drove to where I was going to hunt. (11) It was still dark when I reached the mountain from where I wanted to glass, and waited for it to get light, so I could start looking for elk. (12) I glassed the slopes and openings but didn't see any elk.  (13) Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens. (14) I thought I could get ahead of them if I cut around a hill. (15) While passing through the aspens, I heard a bull bugle just ahead of me. (16) I set up on the trail I thought he would use, checked the wind and began to call. (17) I could hear the bull moving in my direction. (18) When he was at 40 yards, he went behind some bush and I drew my bow. (19) He came into perfect sight at 30 yards and stopped broadside. (20) I was shaking so hard that I had a hard time getting my sights to hold still for the shot. (21) I put the pin right behind his shoulder and released. (22) I watched my arrow fly towards him. (23) Then I watched in horror as my arrow whizzed over his back and lodged itself into a tree behind the bull. (24) The bull hesitated a moment before he turned and ran away through the aspens. (25)I stood in disbelief and watched him run. (26) I did everything right except I was so excited that I had put the 40 yard pin on him instead of the 30 yard pin. (27) I stayed there for about five minutes and stared at where the bull had disappeared.

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. In the end of my sophomore year, I realized that I would be doing bow hunting that year and that I should better start to practice shooting.

  3. I realized that bow hunting is what I have to do in the fall when I was to end my school in the sophomore year, and I got to better start practicing shooting.

  4. In the sophomore year of my school, I realized that I was bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start practicing shooting.

  5. When my sophomore year at school was ending, I realized that I wanted to do bow hunting this fall, and that I must better start to practice shooting.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (4) is the answer as it retains the original meaning of the sentence while using correct tense. 'Is' and 'have' in option (3) are in the present tense and therefore not in tandem with the past tense used in the passage. In options (1), (2) and (5), 'start practicing' is the infinite verb and 'to' is the wrong preposition use.

Multiple choice
In context, which of the following revisions is necessary in sentence 13 (reproduced below)?
Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Bow Hunting

(1) He sighs in disappointment as he watches a bull run through the aspens. (2) He did everything he could; the bull didn't live that long by being stupid. (3) I never had that type of rush before, even though I had been defeated, I was hooked on bow hunting. (4) When school was ending in my sophomore year, I realized that I was going to be bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start to practice shooting. (5) I practiced shooting everyday. (6) I thought it wouldn't be too hard to get an elk; all I had to do was be able to hit it. (7) I started getting everything together on the day before season opened. (8) I was ready for the big day. (9) I was too excited to sleep that night so I just stayed up and read. (10) It was finally 4:30 in the morning when I jumped in the pickup and drove to where I was going to hunt. (11) It was still dark when I reached the mountain from where I wanted to glass, and waited for it to get light, so I could start looking for elk. (12) I glassed the slopes and openings but didn't see any elk.  (13) Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens. (14) I thought I could get ahead of them if I cut around a hill. (15) While passing through the aspens, I heard a bull bugle just ahead of me. (16) I set up on the trail I thought he would use, checked the wind and began to call. (17) I could hear the bull moving in my direction. (18) When he was at 40 yards, he went behind some bush and I drew my bow. (19) He came into perfect sight at 30 yards and stopped broadside. (20) I was shaking so hard that I had a hard time getting my sights to hold still for the shot. (21) I put the pin right behind his shoulder and released. (22) I watched my arrow fly towards him. (23) Then I watched in horror as my arrow whizzed over his back and lodged itself into a tree behind the bull. (24) The bull hesitated a moment before he turned and ran away through the aspens. (25)I stood in disbelief and watched him run. (26) I did everything right except I was so excited that I had put the 40 yard pin on him instead of the 30 yard pin. (27) I stayed there for about five minutes and stared at where the bull had disappeared.

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. Change 'I simply walked' to 'I would walk'

  3. Delete 'to have a look'

  4. Insert semi-colon after 'look'
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) is the answer as the sentence is correct and cogently forms a link with sentences 12 and 13.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sentences is the best to add at the end of the passage?

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Bow Hunting

(1) He sighs in disappointment as he watches a bull run through the aspens. (2) He did everything he could; the bull didn't live that long by being stupid. (3) I never had that type of rush before, even though I had been defeated, I was hooked on bow hunting. (4) When school was ending in my sophomore year, I realized that I was going to be bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start to practice shooting. (5) I practiced shooting everyday. (6) I thought it wouldn't be too hard to get an elk; all I had to do was be able to hit it. (7) I started getting everything together on the day before season opened. (8) I was ready for the big day. (9) I was too excited to sleep that night so I just stayed up and read. (10) It was finally 4:30 in the morning when I jumped in the pickup and drove to where I was going to hunt. (11) It was still dark when I reached the mountain from where I wanted to glass, and waited for it to get light, so I could start looking for elk. (12) I glassed the slopes and openings but didn't see any elk.  (13) Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens. (14) I thought I could get ahead of them if I cut around a hill. (15) While passing through the aspens, I heard a bull bugle just ahead of me. (16) I set up on the trail I thought he would use, checked the wind and began to call. (17) I could hear the bull moving in my direction. (18) When he was at 40 yards, he went behind some bush and I drew my bow. (19) He came into perfect sight at 30 yards and stopped broadside. (20) I was shaking so hard that I had a hard time getting my sights to hold still for the shot. (21) I put the pin right behind his shoulder and released. (22) I watched my arrow fly towards him. (23) Then I watched in horror as my arrow whizzed over his back and lodged itself into a tree behind the bull. (24) The bull hesitated a moment before he turned and ran away through the aspens. (25)I stood in disbelief and watched him run. (26) I did everything right except I was so excited that I had put the 40 yard pin on him instead of the 30 yard pin. (27) I stayed there for about five minutes and stared at where the bull had disappeared.

  1. That is how on a cloudless September afternoon, Todd Hills got hooked on bow hunting.

  2. I quit hunting for the day and walked back to my pickup.

  3. I told my dad that I had seen a bull but could never get a shot.

  4. This is the first time I have ever told this story.

  5. In a few moments, the bull got lost in the aspens.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

All the options seem very close; in that case let's find out the most appropriate one by the POE method: Sentence 3 states that even though the author had been defeated but he was hooked on bow hunting. The following paragraphs elaborate on his defeat. Therefore, option (1) would make an appropriate end to this passage. Option (2), though, appropriate but it hangs loose. Some sentence should follow it. Some reference to dad should have been made in the preceding sentences, therefore (3) can also be ruled out. On the same lines, (4) can also be ruled out. Option (5) would be redundant as the last paragraph suggests the disappearance of the bull.

Multiple choice
In context, which of the following is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)?
He did everything he could; the bull didn't live that long by being stupid. (underline)

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Bow Hunting

(1) He sighs in disappointment as he watches a bull run through the aspens. (2) He did everything he could; the bull didn't live that long by being stupid. (3) I never had that type of rush before, even though I had been defeated, I was hooked on bow hunting. (4) When school was ending in my sophomore year, I realized that I was going to be bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start to practice shooting. (5) I practiced shooting everyday. (6) I thought it wouldn't be too hard to get an elk; all I had to do was be able to hit it. (7) I started getting everything together on the day before season opened. (8) I was ready for the big day. (9) I was too excited to sleep that night so I just stayed up and read. (10) It was finally 4:30 in the morning when I jumped in the pickup and drove to where I was going to hunt. (11) It was still dark when I reached the mountain from where I wanted to glass, and waited for it to get light, so I could start looking for elk. (12) I glassed the slopes and openings but didn't see any elk.  (13) Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens. (14) I thought I could get ahead of them if I cut around a hill. (15) While passing through the aspens, I heard a bull bugle just ahead of me. (16) I set up on the trail I thought he would use, checked the wind and began to call. (17) I could hear the bull moving in my direction. (18) When he was at 40 yards, he went behind some bush and I drew my bow. (19) He came into perfect sight at 30 yards and stopped broadside. (20) I was shaking so hard that I had a hard time getting my sights to hold still for the shot. (21) I put the pin right behind his shoulder and released. (22) I watched my arrow fly towards him. (23) Then I watched in horror as my arrow whizzed over his back and lodged itself into a tree behind the bull. (24) The bull hesitated a moment before he turned and ran away through the aspens. (25)I stood in disbelief and watched him run. (26) I did everything right except I was so excited that I had put the 40 yard pin on him instead of the 30 yard pin. (27) I stayed there for about five minutes and stared at where the bull had disappeared.

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. could to save the bull from his stupid act.

  3. could, however, because of its stupidity, the bull couldn't live that long.

  4. could, but the bull ran away because of his stupor.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The last paragraph of the passage gives the clue for this question, which implies that the bull had escaped the writer's shot and it ran away. Therefore, of all the options, option (4) retains this original meaning of the sentence, hence the answer.

Multiple choice
In context, which of the following revisions is necessary in sentence 20 (reproduced below)?
I was shaking so hard that I had a hard time getting my sights to hold still for the shot.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Bow Hunting

(1) He sighs in disappointment as he watches a bull run through the aspens. (2) He did everything he could; the bull didn't live that long by being stupid. (3) I never had that type of rush before, even though I had been defeated, I was hooked on bow hunting. (4) When school was ending in my sophomore year, I realized that I was going to be bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start to practice shooting. (5) I practiced shooting everyday. (6) I thought it wouldn't be too hard to get an elk; all I had to do was be able to hit it. (7) I started getting everything together on the day before season opened. (8) I was ready for the big day. (9) I was too excited to sleep that night so I just stayed up and read. (10) It was finally 4:30 in the morning when I jumped in the pickup and drove to where I was going to hunt. (11) It was still dark when I reached the mountain from where I wanted to glass, and waited for it to get light, so I could start looking for elk. (12) I glassed the slopes and openings but didn't see any elk.  (13) Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens. (14) I thought I could get ahead of them if I cut around a hill. (15) While passing through the aspens, I heard a bull bugle just ahead of me. (16) I set up on the trail I thought he would use, checked the wind and began to call. (17) I could hear the bull moving in my direction. (18) When he was at 40 yards, he went behind some bush and I drew my bow. (19) He came into perfect sight at 30 yards and stopped broadside. (20) I was shaking so hard that I had a hard time getting my sights to hold still for the shot. (21) I put the pin right behind his shoulder and released. (22) I watched my arrow fly towards him. (23) Then I watched in horror as my arrow whizzed over his back and lodged itself into a tree behind the bull. (24) The bull hesitated a moment before he turned and ran away through the aspens. (25)I stood in disbelief and watched him run. (26) I did everything right except I was so excited that I had put the 40 yard pin on him instead of the 30 yard pin. (27) I stayed there for about five minutes and stared at where the bull had disappeared.

  1. (As it is now)

  2. Change 'hard' to 'terribly'

  3. Change 'getting' to 'seeking out'

  4. Delete 'to hold'
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (4) is the answer as 'to hold' is a redundant phrase use. 'Getting' conveys a cogent meaning to the sentence.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is best to add after sentence 15 as a concluding sentence?

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

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 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
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  1. My ethnicity would no longer be important.

  2. The concept of ‘check only one’ would vanish.

  3. The entire world, with time, would unite into one race.

  4. In time, they will no longer be necessary.

  5. With the help of these exhibitions and displays, race relations could be improved.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage focuses the writer’s suggestion of improving race relations, with which he believes that in time, such differences would no longer exist. Second last paragraph sums up the theme of the passage). Hence (D) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Of the following, which is the best way to revise and combine the underlined portions of sentences 20 and 21 (reproduced below)? A writers style cant always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV

(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.

(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

 

  1. reading; these two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case.

  2. reading, but in Pearl Buck’s case the two influences mentioned above did exist.

  3. reading and the two influences mentioned above existed in Pearl Buck’s case.

  4. reading, nevertheless the above mentioned two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case.

  5. reading barring the existence of the above mentioned influences in Pearl Buck’s case.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sentence 20 suggests that a writer does not always write from his or her own childhood experiences; and sentences 22 and 23 indicate that the Pearl Buck’s writing style has been influenced from her childhood experiences. (Chinese novels and Bible -2 influences). This sets up the contract in the paragraph. Option (B) retains this transition while using correct tense, hence the answer.

Multiple choice

In context, which is the best version of sentence 10 (reproduced below)? The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

�

 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
�

 

  1. (As it is now)

  2. In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish.

  3. The passing time would develop an obvious state of equality of races, with which this concept will diminish.

  4. With the passage of time, we’ll believe in equality of races and it’s importance will diminish.

  5. In time, equality of races would become an important state and racial differences will be diminishing.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This question can be solved by process of elimination (POE).(A) ‘It’ in the original sentence indicates ambiguity, therefore ruled out. Moreover, the first part of the sentence (the passing time ………….. obvious state) shows redundancy.   ‘This concept’ in option (C) and ‘its importance’ in option (D) are ruled out, being ambiguous.Option (E) is ruled out due to difference in tense (‘would become’ – future perfect and ‘will be diminishing’ is future continuous). Hence, (B) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Which is the best way to deal with sentence 5 (reproduced below)?I dont see my ethnicity as check only one, and I don't feel this is an option.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

�

 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
�

 

  1. Leave it as it is.

  2. Delete the second part beginning with 'and'.

  3. Change 'this' to 'that picking only one'.

  4. Change 'an option' to 'a solution'.

  5. Change 'check only on' to 'the one'.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'This' in the sentence is ambiguous, therefore replacing it would give a coherent meaning to the sentence ('check only one' provides the clue). The only option that fits our prediction is option (C), hence the answer.

Multiple choice

In context; which is the best version of the underlined portions of sentences 14 and 15 (reproduced below)? Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different “ethnic customs and traits. It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

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 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
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  1. traits, as well as showing racial pride, should be encouraged.

  2. traits that as well shows racial pride, ought to be encouraged.

  3. traits that are as well showing racial pride, must be encouraged.

  4. traits as well as showing racial pride, are encouraged.

  5. traits, which is as well showing racial pride, is encouraged.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This question can be solved by POE:“Ought” in option (B) is incorrectly used as it mean to be compelled by obligation or duty; thereby devoting a stronger implication. ‘That are” in option (C) is redundant, hence ruled out.“Are encouraged” in option (D) is in context inappropriate as the writer is making a suggestion and emphatically it is not happening. On the same lines, option (E) is also ruled out. Hence (A) is the answer.

Multiple choice

What is the best way to deal with sentence 3 (reproduced below)?This would be considered the biggest decision I would have to make in my life so far.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – II

(1) In life people have to make choices, in my life I have had to make many, many choices.  (2)  I think that my biggest decision or choice would be my application and move to college. (3) This would be considered the biggest decision I would have to make in my life so far.
(4) When your senior year in high school rolls around, most people have to start thinking about what they want to do with their lives in the next four years, and what will happen after these four years are done.
(5) This was a time in my life when I had to make a choice about what I was going to do. (6)  I knew that I wanted to do something that involved the technology of computers and I thought I wanted to be an engineer. (7) Well that was a choice I made, and it was not exactly a choice I thought about adequately. (8) Engineering just wasn't what I was meant to do.
(9) Computer engineering (the major that I choose first semester) was a lot more than I expected. (10)  I ended up failing Physics, Calculus and Chemistry!  (11)  In addition to that, I was subject to separation from < > college. (12) Well, now a decision really had to be made; a choice had to be made.
(13)  My parents told me to think about other colleges and to think about other things to do instead of college, but I knew that <  > was right for me. (14)  They often suggested that I go to community college for a semester or two and make sure that I was doing something that I wanted to do. (15) I had attended the community college in my area during my last year in high school to take some extra courses, and I truly detested the place.  (16)I really did not want to go anywhere but <  >.
(17)   So I petitioned for readmission to a new department at<  >. (18)  I decided that I should focus my studies on something other than engineering, because it was much more than I had expected, and it was flat out, too hard for me.
(19)  Eventually I was allowed back, and as of right now I am on academic warning.  (20)  This is a result of my low GPA from last semester. (21)  I know this time around I will do better.  (22)  As I really messed up the last semester due to my choice of classes that made me skate on thin ice. (23) My CHOICE to come back and give this my all, and to do well, is the right CHOICE for me. (24)  <  > is the right place for me.

(25)  People sometimes underestimate the power of choice in their lives. (26)  They don't realize the impact that it can have. (27)  Obviously I didn't realize it earlier this year.

 

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. Delete it

  3. Connect it to sentence 2 with a semi-colon.

  4. Place it before sentence 2.

  5. Change “would have” to “have had”
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Option (E) is the answer as it uses the correct tense. “Would” in latter part of the sentence is redundant.

Multiple choice

In context, which of the following is the best way to phrase sentence 22 (reproduced below)?As I really messed up the last semester due to my choice of classes that made me skate on thin ice.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – II

(1) In life people have to make choices, in my life I have had to make many, many choices.  (2)  I think that my biggest decision or choice would be my application and move to college. (3) This would be considered the biggest decision I would have to make in my life so far.
(4) When your senior year in high school rolls around, most people have to start thinking about what they want to do with their lives in the next four years, and what will happen after these four years are done.
(5) This was a time in my life when I had to make a choice about what I was going to do. (6)  I knew that I wanted to do something that involved the technology of computers and I thought I wanted to be an engineer. (7) Well that was a choice I made, and it was not exactly a choice I thought about adequately. (8) Engineering just wasn't what I was meant to do.
(9) Computer engineering (the major that I choose first semester) was a lot more than I expected. (10)  I ended up failing Physics, Calculus and Chemistry!  (11)  In addition to that, I was subject to separation from < > college. (12) Well, now a decision really had to be made; a choice had to be made.
(13)  My parents told me to think about other colleges and to think about other things to do instead of college, but I knew that <  > was right for me. (14)  They often suggested that I go to community college for a semester or two and make sure that I was doing something that I wanted to do. (15) I had attended the community college in my area during my last year in high school to take some extra courses, and I truly detested the place.  (16)I really did not want to go anywhere but <  >.
(17)   So I petitioned for readmission to a new department at<  >. (18)  I decided that I should focus my studies on something other than engineering, because it was much more than I had expected, and it was flat out, too hard for me.
(19)  Eventually I was allowed back, and as of right now I am on academic warning.  (20)  This is a result of my low GPA from last semester. (21)  I know this time around I will do better.  (22)  As I really messed up the last semester due to my choice of classes that made me skate on thin ice. (23) My CHOICE to come back and give this my all, and to do well, is the right CHOICE for me. (24)  <  > is the right place for me.

(25)  People sometimes underestimate the power of choice in their lives. (26)  They don't realize the impact that it can have. (27)  Obviously I didn't realize it earlier this year.

 

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. My messing up of the last semester made me skate on thin ice and it was not due to my choice of classes.

  3. Because of my choice of classes, I am skating on thin ice, and consequently I know I messed up the last semester.

  4. The last semester was messed up because of my choice of classes, and I know that I am skating on thin ice.

  5. Not just because of my choice of classes, but because I know that I really messed up last semester, and I am skating on thin ice.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Of all the options, only option (E) logically follows sentence 21 as it elaborates on the author’s certainty to do better this semester in sentence 2. Rest all the options change the meaning of the sentence by suggesting that the choice of classes was the reason why he messed up his last semester.  Hence, (E) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sentences is best to fit between sentences 3 and 4?

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

�

 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
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  1. It annoys me sometimes.

  2. I've known it since my children

  3. The entire society has been ever since grumbling on this issue

  4. Nobody has ever done anything about this issue.

  5. Even our ancestors had been on war about this issue.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The writer is citing his viewpoint on race in this paragraph. Therefore, option (A) and (B) fits our prediction. Option (A) is supported by the phrase - 'I detest standardized forms' in sentence 4, whereas  option (B) is choppy and without any link. Hence, 5 is the answer.

Multiple choice

Of the following, which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 16 (reproduced below)? But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV

(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.

(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

 

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. and the context of the situations she is involved in.

  3. making a reference to the context of the situations she is in.

  4. negating the involvement of the context of the situations.

  5. throwing light on the context of her situations.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (B) is the answer as it retains the parallelism of the sentence.