Choice A is the best answer. The sentence emphasizes a similarity between
P waves and S waves, noting that they both travel beneath Earth’s surface,
thereby causing the ground to move.
Choice B is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes a difference between P waves
and S waves, noting that P waves travel faster than S waves; it doesn’t emphasize
a similarity between the two types of waves. 
Choice C is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes how P waves move; it doesn’t emphasize a similarity between
P waves and S waves. 
Choice D is incorrect. While the sentence acknowledges
that P waves and S waves start at the same point, it doesn’t emphasize a
similarity; instead, the sentence emphasizes a difference between the two types
of waves, noting that they behave very differently

Choice D is the best answer. The sentence contrasts first-class levers and
second-class levers, explaining that the fulcrum in a first-class lever is between
the effort and the load, whereas in a second-class lever the load is between the
effort and the fulcrum.
Choice A is incorrect. The sentence defines two terms associated with levers; it
doesn’t contrast first-class levers and second-class levers. 
Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence seems to acknowledge a general difference in fulcrum and
load locations between first-class and second-class levers, it does not specify what this difference is. Moreover, the sentence could be read as emphasizing
a similarity—that in both types of levers, the fulcrum and load are in different
locations. The sentence thus fails to effectively contrast the two types of levers.
Choice C is incorrect. The sentence describes a similarity between first-class and
second-class levers; it doesn’t contrast them.

Choice D is the best answer. The sentence emphasizes the mass of Sirius A,
noting that it has a mass of 2.063 solar masses and that it is larger than the Sun.
Choice A is incorrect. The sentence makes a generalization about how the mass
of stars can be measured; it doesn’t emphasize the mass of Sirius A. 
Choice B is incorrect. The sentence introduces solar masses as a unit of measurement;
it doesn’t emphasize the mass of Sirius A. 
Choice C is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the mass of Proxima Centauri, not the mass of Sirius A

Choice A is the best answer. The sentence specifies when al-Biruni published his
landmass theory, indicating that it was published in the year 1037 CE.
Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence notes that al-Biruni published a
landmass theory, it doesn’t specify when the theory was published. 

Choice C is incorrect. The sentence identifies al-Biruni as a scholar of Earth’s physical features; it doesn’t specify when he published his landmass theory. 

Choice D is incorrect. The sentence describes al-Biruni’s landmass theory; it doesn’t specify when the theory was published

Choice D is the best answer. “Accordingly” logically signals that this sentence
states a result or consequence of the previous information about the 2003
Human Genome Project. Taking into account an important lesson of the 2003
project (that a gene is affected by interactions with the protein products of other
genes), research has begun to consider the human proteome instead of just the
genome.
Choice A is incorrect because “in other words” illogically signals that the
information in this sentence is a paraphrase or restatement of the previous
information about the 2003 Human Genome Project. Instead, this sentence states
a result or consequence of that information. 
Choice B is incorrect because “that said” illogically signals that the information in this sentence qualifies or contrasts
with the previous information about the 2003 Human Genome Project. Instead, this sentence states a result or consequence of that information. 
Choice C is incorrect because “for example” illogically signals that this sentence provides an
example supporting the previous information about the 2003 Human Genome Project. Instead, this sentence states a result or consequence of that information

Choice D is the best answer. “For this reason” logically signals that the
information that follows—that metrologists developed the SI based on
unchanging values in nature—is a result of the previous claim that scientists rely
on precise, unchanging standards of measurement to guarantee the validity of experimental results.
Choice A is incorrect because “in contrast” illogically signals that the
information that follows contrasts with the previous claim that scientists rely on
precise, unchanging standards of measurement. Instead, the information that
metrologists developed the SI based on unchanging values in nature is a result
of that claim. 
Choice B is incorrect because “regardless” illogically signals that the information that follows is true despite the previous claim that scientists
rely on precise, unchanging standards of measure. Instead, the information that
metrologists developed the SI based on unchanging values in nature is a result of
that claim. 
Choice C is incorrect because “in addition” illogically signals that the information that follows is merely an additional fact related to the previous claim
that scientists rely on precise, unchanging standards of measurement. Instead,
the information that metrologists developed the SI based on unchanging values in nature is a result of that claim.

Choice C is the best answer. “Later” logically signals that the information in the
sentence—that in 2017 Gomez created a platform for others to share stories
about their immigration experiences—occurs later in a chronological series of
events than the previous information about Gomez winning his first storytelling
competition in 2014.
Choice A is incorrect because “instead” illogically signals that Gomez created a
platform for others to share stories about their immigration experiences as an
alternative to winning his first storytelling competition. Rather, Gomez created
the platform later—in a chronological series of events—than when he won the competition. 
Choice B is incorrect because “for example” illogically signals that
the information about Gomez creating a platform for others to share stories
exemplifies his winning his first storytelling competition. Rather, Gomez created
the platform later—in a chronological series of events—than when he won the
competition. 
Choice D is incorrect because “in other words” illogically signals that the information about Gomez creating a platform for others to share stories
is merely a paraphrase or restatement of the previous information about Gomez winning his first storytelling competition. Rather, Gomez created the platform
later—in a chronological series of events—than when he won the competition.

Choice B is the best answer. “Next” logically signals that the action in this
sentence—the water spraying—is the next step in the resurfacing process,
following the ice scraping mentioned in the previous sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because “for example” illogically signals that the action in
this sentence is an example of the action in the previous sentence. Instead, the
water spraying is the next step in a process that begins with the ice scraping.
Choice C is incorrect because “similarly” illogically signals that the action in this
sentence is similar to the action in the previous sentence. Instead, the water
spraying is the next step in a process that begins with the ice scraping. 
Choice D is incorrect because “in contrast” illogically signals that the action in this sentence
contrasts with the action in the previous sentence. Instead, the water spraying is the next step in a process that begins with the ice scraping.

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. This choice pairs the comma after “Serra” with the comma after
“environment” and uses the nonfinite present participle “intending” to correctly form a supplementary phrase describing the reaction Serra intends his sculptures to provoke. This supplementary phrase appears between the noun phrase that it modifies (“American abstract artist Richard Serra”) and the finite present tense
verb (“assembles”), which functions as the sentence’s main verb and describes what Serra does.
Choice A is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The
finite present continuous tense verb “is intending” can’t be used in this way
in conjunction with the finite present tense verb “assembles,” which already functions as the main verb in the sentence. 
Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The finite present tense verb “intends”
can’t be used in this way to supplement the noun phrase “American abstract
artist Richard Serra.” 
Choice D is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical
sentence. The finite present tense verb “intends” can’t be used in this way in conjunction with the finite present tense verb “assembles,” which already functions as the main verb in the sentence.

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb
agreement. The plural verb “underlie” agrees in number with the plural subject
“frameworks.”
Choice A is incorrect because the singular verb “underlies” doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject “frameworks.” 
Choice B is incorrect because the singular verb “is underlying” doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject “frameworks.” 
Choice D is incorrect because the singular verb “has been underlying” doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject “frameworks.”

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of
punctuation around noun phrases. No punctuation is needed because the noun
phrase “Tamatoa the crab” is a restrictive appositive, meaning that it provides
essential identifying information about the noun phrase before it, “the character.”
Additionally, no punctuation is needed between the noun phrase “the deep and
humorous voice…crab” and the verb “belongs” that indicates whom the voice
belongs to.
Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. 
Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. 
Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between
main clauses and a supplementary element. This choice correctly uses a comma
to mark the boundary between the main clause (“The vessel took six days to
dislodge”) and the supplementary element (“in part due to its sheer size”) that
provides additional information on why the vessel was difficult to dislodge.
Additionally, this choice correctly uses a colon to introduce another main clause
that describes the vessel’s size (“it’s as heavy as two thousand blue whales when
fully loaded”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used
in this way to mark the boundary between two main clauses (“The vessel…size”
and “it’s…loaded”). Additionally, it fails to mark the boundary between the main
clause (“The vessel took six days to dislodge”) and the supplementary element
(“in part due to its sheer size”). 
Choice C is incorrect because it results in a
comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between
two main clauses (“The vessel…size” and “it’s…loaded”). 
Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses (“The vessel…size”
and “it’s…loaded”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation
of a supplementary element within a sentence. The comma after “sisters” pairs
with the comma after “Butterflies” to separate the supplementary element “a
fictionalized account of the lives of the Mirabal sisters” from the rest of the
sentence. This supplementary element functions to describe the novel In the
Time of the Butterflies, and the pair of commas indicates that this element could
be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because a comma and conjunction can’t be used in this
way to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.
Choice B is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate
the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. 
Choice D is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary
element from the rest of the sentence.

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is pronoun-antecedent
agreement. The plural pronoun “them” agrees in number with the plural
antecedent “utensils.”
Choice B is incorrect because the singular pronoun “this” doesn’t agree in number
with the plural antecedent “utensils.” 
Choice C is incorrect because the singular
pronoun “that” doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent “utensils.”
Choice D is incorrect because the singular pronoun “it” doesn’t agree in number
with the plural antecedent “utensils."

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use
between a subject and a verb. When, as in this case, a subject (“the strings
inside the instrument”) is immediately followed by a main verb (“are plucked”), no
punctuation is needed.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and
the verb. 
Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the
subject and the verb. 
Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed
between the subject and the verb.

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb
forms within a sentence. A main clause requires a finite (tensed) verb to perform
the action of the subject (in this case, Nery and her colleagues), and this choice
supplies the finite past tense verb “published” to indicate that these biologists
shared their findings about changes in whale genes associated with body size.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The
nonfinite participle “publishing” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite
verb. 
Choice C is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The
nonfinite participle “having published” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite
verb. 
Choice D is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The
nonfinite to-infinitive “to publish” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.

Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of English dialects spoken in Scotland and the Upland South. The text
indicates that these dialects share a feature: putting emphasis on the “r” sound
when it appears in certain positions in words. The text goes on to state that
records indicate the Upland South was colonized largely by people of Scottish
ancestry. It is reasonable to assume that the English dialects spoken by these
colonizers were influenced by the English dialects spoken by their ancestors in
Scotland. It follows, then, that the emphasis on the “r” sound in the dialects in
Scotland carried over into the Upland South dialects as they developed—that is,
that the Upland South dialects likely acquired it from dialects spoken in Scotland.
Choice B is incorrect because the text suggests that Scottish ancestry explains
the origin of the emphasis on the “r” sound in English dialects spoken in the
Upland South, since that linguistic feature is also found in dialects spoken in
Scotland; the text doesn’t address any other dialects or suggest that the feature
will spread elsewhere. 
Choice C is incorrect because the text indicates that many
Upland South colonizers were the descendants of Scottish people, suggesting
that the English dialects spoken by these colonizers had been influenced by the
English dialects spoken by the colonizers’ ancestors in Scotland and had acquired
their emphasis on the “r” sound from those ancestors’ dialects—not the other
way around. 
Choice D is incorrect because the text indicates that the emphasis
on the “r” sound is part of English dialects spoken in the Upland South today,
which almost certainly wouldn’t be the case if people from Scotland, who were the
main colonizers of the Upland South, had eliminated that linguistic feature from
their dialects.

Choice B is the best answer because it describes data from the table that support
Persad and her colleagues’ conclusion. The text explains that, according to
some climate models, precipitation in the western United States will become
concentrated into fewer, more intense rain and snow events. According to the
text, Persad and her colleagues concluded that more irrigation will consequently
be needed but that the change in irrigation output will be highly sensitive to, or
greatly affected by, the baseline concentration of precipitation in an area. This
conclusion is supported by data from the researchers’ simulations of changes in
annual irrigation output in two different scenarios—one in which an area’s annual
precipitation is already somewhat concentrated and one in which its annual
precipitation is evenly distributed. The table shows that if baseline precipitation
is somewhat concentrated, water use for irrigation will increase only slightly,
whereas if baseline precipitation is evenly distributed, water use for irrigation will
increase much more—9.0% for surface water and 7.9% for groundwater. This
difference illustrates the researchers’ conclusion that the amount of additional
water needed for irrigation will vary greatly depending on how concentrated or
spread out the annual precipitation in an area already is.
Choice A is incorrect because it compares changes in the amount of water being
used for irrigation to changes in the amount of water entering aquifers. Persad
and her colleagues’ conclusion doesn’t focus on changes to the amount of
water entering aquifers; rather, the researchers’ conclusion focuses on changes
to irrigation output relative to how concentrated or spread out the annual
precipitation in an area is. Choice C is incorrect because it supports only part of
Persad and her colleagues’ conclusion. According to the text, the researchers
concluded that the concentration of precipitation into fewer events will trigger
more irrigation but that this change in irrigation output will be highly sensitive to
an area’s baseline concentration of annual precipitation. The data in this choice
support the idea that more irrigation will be needed, but to support the rest of the
researchers’ conclusion, additional data from the table are required to show that
the increases in water use for irrigation will vary depending on how concentrated
or spread out the annual precipitation in an area already is. Choice D is incorrect
because data in the table indicate no declines in water use for irrigation, showing
only increases in the form of positive values.

Choice D is the best answer because it most effectively uses a quotation from
“Poetry” to illustrate the claim that the poem highlights an ambivalence, or a
conflicted attitude, toward poetry. In the quotation, the speaker suggests that one
might read poetry with “contempt,” or disdain, for it, but even with this negative
attitude one will find “a place for the genuine.” Because the quotation expresses
conflicting attitudes toward poetry, it effectively illustrates the speaker’s
ambivalence in discussing the merits and displeasure of reading poetry.
Choice A is incorrect because it doesn’t mention poetry or show ambivalence.
Choice B is incorrect. Although the idea of “half poets” may seem to relate to
ambivalence, the speaker mentions only negative attitudes toward certain works
and the quotation therefore lacks a contrasting positive or neutral attitude that
would be needed to indicate ambivalence. Choice C is incorrect because the
speaker mentions only negative attitudes toward certain works and the quotation
therefore lacks a contrasting positive or neutral attitude that would be needed to
indicate ambivalence

Choice D is the best answer because it describes data from the graph that
support Ibáñez and colleagues’ conclusion that increasing anthropogenic
nitrogen deposition can compensate for the negative effect of climate change
on tree growth if that change is moderate but not if it’s extreme. The bar graph
shows the growth of sugar maple trees with and without nitrogen fertilization
under three different climate-change scenarios: current conditions, a moderate
change, and an extreme change. According to the graph, radial growth without
nitrogen fertilization is projected to be about 0.16 centimeters (cm) under current
conditions, 0.15 cm under a moderate change, and 0.04 cm under an extreme
change. The graph also shows that with nitrogen fertilization, growth is projected
to be about 0.18 centimeters under a moderate change but only about 0.06
centimeters under an extreme change. Thus, the data in the graph support the
researchers’ conclusion by showing greater growth for a moderate change using
nitrogen fertilization than they do either under current conditions without nitrogen
fertilization or under an extreme change with nitrogen fertilization.
Choice A is incorrect. Although it accurately represents the data in the graph,
this fact pattern doesn’t support Ibáñez and colleagues’ conclusion that the
decline in radial growth due to climate change will be partly offset by higher
levels of anthropogenic nitrogen, but only if change to the climate is moderate
and not if it’s extreme. To support this would require comparing radial growth
without nitrogen fertilization under current climate conditions to the growth with
nitrogen fertilization under both moderate and extreme changes. This choice
mentions only growth with nitrogen fertilization under current climate conditions
and moderate change and growth without nitrogen fertilization under an extreme
change, which don’t provide a basis to determine whether higher nitrogen in
the future will be able to offset reduced growth due to climate change. Choice B
is incorrect. Although it accurately represents the data in the graph, this fact
pattern doesn’t support Ibáñez and colleagues’ conclusion that the decline
in radial growth due to climate change will be partly offset by higher levels of
atmospheric nitrogen, but only if change to the climate is moderate and not if it’s
extreme. The support needed would compare radial growth under current climate
conditions without nitrogen fertilization to the growth with nitrogen fertilization
under moderate and extreme changes. This choice mentions only growth without
nitrogen fertilization under current conditions and moderate change and growth
with nitrogen fertilization under extreme change, which don’t provide a basis to
determine whether higher nitrogen in the future will be able to offset reduced
growth due to climate change. Choice C is incorrect. Although it accurately
represents the data in the graph, this fact pattern doesn’t support Ibáñez and
colleagues’ conclusion that the decline in radial growth due to climate change
will be partly offset by higher levels of atmospheric nitrogen, but only if change
to the climate is moderate and not if it’s extreme. The support needed would
compare radial growth without adding nitrogen under current climate conditions
to the growth with nitrogen fertilization under moderate and extreme changes.
This choice mentions only the growth with and without nitrogen fertilization under
moderate climate change and growth without nitrogen fertilization under extreme
change, which don’t provide a basis to determine whether higher nitrogen in the
future will be able to offset reduced growth due to climate change.

Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately states how the author of
Text 2 would most likely respond to the argument presented in Text 1. In arguing
that graphic novels shouldn’t be classified as literature and are more comparable
to film, Text 1 claims that language plays a relatively limited role in graphic
novels: images, not language, are the primary means by which graphic novels
tell their stories, and language is used “only sparingly”—that is, comparatively
very little—in the form of captions and dialogue. However, the author of Text 2
asserts that language in graphic novels is as equally vital for conveying meaning
as images are, since without captions and dialogue, readers wouldn’t be able to
make sense of the narrative. Moreover, the author of Text 2 argues that there are
many graphic novels that are “beautifully written” and whose use of language is
as accomplished as any standard novel. Because Text 1 argues that language is
subordinate to images in graphic novels, whereas Text 2 highlights how language
is an essential component of a graphic novel’s storytelling, it can reasonably be
inferred that the author of Text 2 would say that language plays a more important
role in graphic novels than the author of Text 1 recognizes.
Choice B is incorrect. Although Text 1 indicates that graphic novels shouldn’t be
classified as literature based on their limited use of language, there’s no indication
that the author of Text 1 considers this limited use of language as a flaw, just that
it doesn’t fit the particular definition of “literature” proposed in the text. Even if
Text 1 had suggested that their use of language was a common flaw of graphic
novels, the author of Text 2 emphasizes how many graphic novels are “beautifully
written,” and would therefore say that their use of language is exemplary, not
that it is flawed. Choice C is incorrect because Text 1 doesn’t claim that the story
lines of graphic novels are generally relatively easy to understand; in addition,
Text 2 argues that given their dependence on the interaction of image and text,
the stories of graphic novels would be incomprehensible if their captions and
dialogue were removed, not that the story lines of some graphic novels are more
difficult to understand than Text 1 acknowledges. Choice D is incorrect because
the author of Text 1 doesn’t imply that graphic novels aren’t well crafted, only that
they use language too sparingly to fit the definition of “literature,” and that their
use of images to convey stories makes them more comparable to film than to
literature. Even if the author of Text 1 had implied that most graphic novels aren’t
well crafted, Text 2 refers to the fact that many graphic novels are as beautifully
written—that is, well crafted—as many standard novels; thus, it wouldn’t be
accurate to say that the author of Text 2 would agree with the author of Text 1 that
most graphic novels aren’t well crafted.

Choice B is the best answer because it best describes how the underlined
sentence functions in the text as a whole. The underlined sentence explains that
contrary to what several studies would suggest, recent European governments
suffered electorally after the launch of fiscal austerity programs. The text goes
on to indicate that the researchers generated their findings from data that didn’t
reveal the true political risk of austerity measures because the data were based
on cases in which governments had set austerity programs to take effect after
the next election, a practice the European governments that recently suffered
electorally didn’t adhere to, thus introducing a complicating factor resulting in a
conflict between the research findings and recent events.
Choice A is incorrect because the underlined sentence doesn’t indicate that
the discrepancy described in the text is between observations made in study
settings and observations made in real-world settings. Rather, the underlined
sentence indicates that the outcome of recent events is contrary to what
would be expected based on the findings of several studies. Additionally, there
is nothing in the text to suggest that the studies mentioned did not use realworld data; instead, the text indicates that the data used was generated under
potentially different circumstances than the recent events. Choice C is incorrect
because the underlined sentence doesn’t present a long-standing divergence in
research findings but rather a discrepancy between past research findings and
recent events that the text goes on to attribute to researchers’ use of data that
didn’t reveal the true political risk of austerity measures. Choice D is incorrect
because while the underlined sentence notes that there have been some
recent exceptions to a general pattern observed in several research studies, it
does not go on to attribute this exception to the researchers underestimating
inconsistencies in the data. Rather, the text goes on to attribute this to a circumstance (fiscal austerity measures being implemented before an election
rather than after) which adds a complicating factor into the data not accounted for in past studies.

Choice C is the best answer because it most accurately describes how the
underlined sentence functions in the text as a whole. In the text, Harris tells
stories about his previous boat trip across the English Channel, when conditions
were so rough that others onboard became seasick. According to the text,
Harris’s accounts vary somewhat but generally involve him and only one other man not growing ill. The underlined sentence then adds that if it was “not [Harris]
and another man” who didn’t develop seasickness, “then it was [Harris] by himself.” That is, some versions of the story even involve Harris being the only person onboard who resisted seasickness. Therefore, the underlined sentence
emphasizes that Harris always boasts about his own constitution, or physical wellbeing, when speaking of a previous boat trip.
Choice A is incorrect because the text doesn’t portray Harris as being eager
to resume traveling; instead, it shows Harris boasting of how he didn’t become
seasick on a previous boat trip when most or all of the other people onboard did.
Choice B is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest that Harris felt
excluded from activities during an earlier boat trip. The text suggests that Harris
experienced isolation during that trip because others onboard had grown ill, not
because Harris had wanted to join certain activities but felt left out. Choice D is
incorrect because the text doesn’t portray Harris as either enjoying company
or claiming to prefer solitude. The text suggests that Harris experienced some
degree of isolation during a previous boat trip, but the reason provided by the text
has nothing to do with a preference for either solitude or the opposite; rather, the
reason, according to Harris, is that most or all of the other people onboard were sick.

Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of Minoan bull-leaping rituals. In this context, “defend” means
support in the face of argument. The overall focus of the text is on the difficulty
of determining what bull-leaping rituals meant to the Minoans, about whom, the
text indicates, we know very little. The text states that because of this scarcity of
information, assertions about the meaning of the rituals, which took place a very
long time ago (in the second millennium BCE), are highly likely to be based on
speculation and guesswork. This context suggests that claims about the meaning
of the rituals are difficult to successfully support, or defend.
Choice A is incorrect because “imagine” in this context would mean form a mental
image of something. Although it’s possible to imagine what Minoan bull-leaping
rituals might have looked like, the focus of the text isn’t on how the rituals looked
but rather on claims about them, which the text suggests are difficult to support
because very little is known about the Minoans. Choice B is incorrect because
“summarize” in this context would mean recap or outline, neither of which makes
sense. The text indicates that claims about the significance of Minoan bull-leaping
rituals will inevitably rely on speculation and guesswork because very little is
known about the Minoans. This suggests that claims about the Minoan rituals
are difficult to support in the face of argument, not that they’re difficult to recap
or outline.

Choice D is incorrect because “adjust” in this context would mean
modify or correct. Although a claim about a ritual’s meaning could be modified
or corrected based on newly discovered evidence, the text doesn’t focus on
any specific claims made about the significance of Minoan bull-leaping rituals.
Rather, the text focuses on the feasibility of making valid claims about the rituals
in general, suggesting that the scarcity of information about the Minoans makes it
difficult to support any claims about the rituals.

Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of the significance of the War of 1812 in British historical memory. In
this context, “tenuous” means vulnerable or uncertain. The text indicates that the
War of 1812 was both smaller, and less prominent, than the conflict with France,
and resulted in no significant geopolitical changes. These details imply that the
War of 1812 is less likely than other British historical events to be remembered,
giving the War of 1812 a tenuous place in British historical memory.
Choice B is incorrect because in this context “enduring” would mean lasting or
durable, but the text describes the War of 1812 as being overshadowed by, and
smaller than, the simultaneous conflict with France. This seems to conflict with
the notion that the War of 1812 has an enduring place in British historical memory.
Choice C is incorrect because in this context “contentious” would mean likely to
cause disagreement, and while there likely are contentious issues related to the
War of 1812, nothing in the text discusses or implies any such disagreement.
Choice D is incorrect because in this context “conspicuous” would mean obvious,
but the text describes the War of 1812 as being overshadowed by, and smaller
than, the simultaneous conflict with France. Rather than suggesting that the War
of 1812 has a conspicuous place in British historical memory, these descriptions
suggest that its place is not particularly obvious.

Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of how the flow of information between two regions of the brain may
affect the ease of people’s decision making. In this context, “reduced” means
decreased. The text presents the finding from a team of neuroeconomists that
decision making may be connected to communication between the prefrontal
cortex and the parietal cortex. In presenting this finding, the text suggests a
contrast between people who tend to be more decisive and people who make
decisions more slowly. According to the text, people tend to be more decisive
when the flow of information between the two brain regions is intensified, or
strengthened. On the other hand, this context suggests that people make choices
more slowly when the flow of information between the two brain regions is
decreased.
Choice B is incorrect because “evaluated” means assessed, which wouldn’t make
sense in context. According to the text, people tend to be more decisive when
the flow of information between two brain regions is intensified, or strengthened.
This suggests that people’s ease of decision making varies based on the rate
of information traveling between the regions, not based on an effort to assess
the information. Choice C is incorrect because “determined” means judged
or influenced, neither of which would make sense in context. According to the
text, people tend to be more decisive when the flow of information between two
brain regions is intensified, or strengthened. This suggests that people’s ease of
decision making varies based on the rate of information traveling between the
regions, not based on an effort to judge or influence the information.

Choice D is incorrect because “acquired” means developed or attained, neither of which
would make sense in context. According to the text, people tend to be more
decisive when the flow of information between two brain regions is intensified,
or strengthened. This suggests that people’s ease of decision making varies
based on the rate of information traveling between the regions, not based on the development or attainment of the information.

Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s
discussion of the fossil deposit. In this context, “obtain” means gain or acquire.
According to the text, a team of paleontologists has found fossils that are very
well preserved. For this reason, the text suggests, the paleontologists have been
able to gain detailed information from the fossils, such as the color patterns of the
life forms that left them behind.
Choice A is incorrect because “occupy” means engage or inhabit, neither of
which would make sense in context. It’s unclear what it would mean for detailed information revealed by fossils to be engaged or inhabited.

Choice B is incorrect because the text gives no indication that the paleontologists wanted to “hoard,” or
collect and hide, the detailed information revealed by the well-preserved fossils.
Choice C is incorrect because the text gives no indication that the paleontologists
wanted to “reserve,” or withhold, the detailed information revealed by the wellpreserved fossils

Choice C is the best answer because as used in the text “reaching across to”
most nearly means stretching toward. The text begins with Mrs. Wilkins stating
that she wants to have one of the oranges that she’s admiring. The text then
indicates that Mrs. Wilkins, staying where she is, holds out a big orange to her
friend. This context suggests that when the text describes Mrs. Wilkins as
reaching across to the bowl of oranges, it means that she is stretching toward the
bowl.
Choice A is incorrect because the text never suggests that Mrs. Wilkins is joining
with, or becoming attached to, the bowl of oranges. Rather, the text indicates
that she is stretching toward the bowl so she can pick out oranges for herself
and her friend Rose to eat. Choice B is incorrect because the text never suggests
that Mrs. Wilkins is gaining on, or overtaking in a competition or race, the bowl
of oranges. The text suggests instead that the bowl is sitting still on a surface
and that Mrs. Wilkins is extending her arm toward the bowl so she can pick out
oranges for herself and her friend Rose to eat. Choice D is incorrect because the
text doesn’t indicate that Mrs. Wilkins is arriving at the bowl of oranges. In fact, the
text states that Mrs. Wilkins stays where she is when reaching across to the bowl,
meaning that she remains at a distance from it.

Choice D is the best answer because this quotation would best support the
student’s assertion that the escape of transgenic fish from Brazilian fish farms
into the wild may have significant negative long-term ecological effects. The text
explains that transgenic fish have DNA that includes genetic material from other
species, that some transgenic fish have genes from jellyfish that make them
glow in the dark, and that glow- in-the-dark transgenic fish can now be found in
the wild in Brazilian creeks. The quotation indicates why the escape of these fish
may have negative long-term ecological effects: glow-in-the-dark transgenic fish
might introduce fluorescence into wild fish populations by breeding with wild fish,
causing wild fish to glow in the dark and thereby allowing predators to prey on
them much more easily.
Choice A is incorrect because this quotation doesn’t mention any negative
effects of the introduction of fluorescent transgenic fish into the wild. The
quotation merely compares the ratio of females to males at two sites in the wild
where transgenic fish have been observed. Choice B is incorrect because this
quotation doesn’t support the idea that the escape of fluorescent transgenic
fish from Brazilian fish farms may have significant negative long-term ecological
effects. Rather, the quotation suggests that more research is needed to
understand the effects. Choice C is incorrect because this quotation supports
the idea that transgenic fish may be present in more ecosystems than has been
observed; it doesn’t address whether the presence of fluorescent transgenic fish
affects these ecosystems.

Choice D is the best answer because it effectively uses data from the graph
to support the underlined claim that more medicine and health topics were
submitted to a national science fair in 2019 than in any of the other years shown.
This choice indicates that the approximately 285 medicine and health topics
submitted in 2019 are more than the number of medicine and health submissions
in any other year shown—a description that is supported by information in the
graph, which shows that medicine and health topic submissions were below 250
in 2016, 2017, and 2018, but above 250 (approximately 285 submissions) in 2019.
Choice A is incorrect because it doesn’t support the underlined claim or
accurately reflect the information in the graph. This choice refers to 2016 and
discusses cellular and molecular biology and animal science, whereas the
underlined claim refers to 2019 and discusses medicine and health. Moreover, the
claim that in 2016 there were equal numbers of submissions in the cellular and
molecular biology category and in the animal science category is contradicted
by the graph, which shows approximately 200 submissions and 50 submissions,
respectively, for those categories in 2016. Choice B is incorrect because it
doesn’t accurately reflect the information in the graph. This choice claims that in 2019 there were more physics and space submissions than there were medicine
and health submissions, but the graph shows that there were approximately 100 space and science submissions that year and approximately 285 medicine and
health submissions.
Choice C is incorrect because it doesn’t accurately reflect the information in the graph or support the underlined claim about medicine
and health research topics. This choice claims that there were approximately 95
submissions for the animal science category in 2016, but the graph shows that the number was closer to 50 in 2016.

Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately states the main idea
of the text. The text begins by explaining that many literary theorists rely on the
concepts of fabula (a narrative’s content) and syuzhet (a narrative’s arrangement
and presentation of events) and illustrates these concepts by explaining how
they can be applied to the film The Godfather Part II. The text then discusses
how Mikhail Bakhtin, a literary theorist, argued that fabula and syuzhet can’t
fully describe a narrative, since systematic categorizations such as these fail to
account for all the ways in which interactions between the artist, the work, and the
audience produce meaning. Thus, the main idea is that Bakhtin argued that there
are important characteristics of narratives that are not fully encompassed by two
concepts that other theorists have used to analyze narratives.
Choice B is incorrect because according to the text, Mikhail Bakhtin believed
that meaning was created through the interactions of the artist, narrative, and
audience, not simply through the interaction between the audience and narrative;
moreover, the text doesn’t address whether Bakhtin focused on the ways in which
different people interpret narratives differently. Choice C is incorrect. Although
the text implies that the storytelling methods used in The Godfather Part II are
complicated, it discusses the film only to illustrate how the concepts of fabula and
syuzhet may be applied to a narrative. The film’s storytelling methods aren’t the
primary focus of the text. Choice D is incorrect. The text discusses The Godfather
Part II, whose narrative doesn’t adhere to a single chronological order, only to
illustrate the concepts of fabula (a narrative’s content) and syuzhet (narrative’s
arrangement and presentation of events). The primary focus of this text isn’t the
structure of this film or of other narratives that are told out of chronological order;
moreover, the text doesn’t consider whether such structures make it harder for
audiences to understand narratives.

Choice D is the best answer because it presents a statement about critics’
skepticism of Bosco Verticale that is supported by the text. The text states that
Boeri’s design for Bosco Verticale features hundreds of trees on balconies and is
intended to serve as a model for promoting urban biodiversity. But the text goes
on to state that some critics believe that it is too early to determine if the trees
planted on Bosco Verticale can thrive there. Therefore, according to the text,
critics are skeptical of the concept behind Bosco Verticale because it is unclear
whether Bosco Verticale can support the plant life included in its design.
Choice A is incorrect. Although the text states that one of Boeri’s goals was for
Bosco Verticale to serve as a model for promoting biodiversity in architecture,
which suggests that Boeri would likely support the idea of reproducing the same
concept in other locations, the text does not discuss whether it is feasible to
adapt the design to locations other than Milan. Instead, the text describes critics’
concerns that the plant life that currently exists on Bosco Verticale might not
thrive in its current setting. Choice B is incorrect. Although the text states that
one of Boeri’s goals in creating Bosco Verticale was to promote biodiversity,
which implies a goal of including varied plant life in the design, it does not mention
whether the hundreds of trees that were planted on its balconies failed to meet
this goal. Rather, the text states that some critics are concerned that the trees on
Bosco Verticale’s balconies may not thrive in this setting. Choice C is incorrect
because the text does not mention how Bosco Verticale was constructed, let
alone how environmentally destructive its construction may have been relative to
the construction of more conventional buildings.

Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately states what is happening
in the text. The narrator notes that Lutie thinks the street looks nice in the light
of the sunset. The narrator goes on to describe what Lutie can see in the street:
children playing ball or tag and girls skipping rope. Thus, what is happening in the
text is that Lutie is observing the appearance of the street at a particular time of
day and the events occurring on it.
Choice B is incorrect. Although Lutie is observing children playing games on her
street, the text doesn’t suggest that she is annoyed by the noise of the games.
Instead, the text says that Lutie thinks the street looks nice in the light of the
sunset. Choice C is incorrect. Although Lutie is observing children playing games
on her street, the text doesn’t suggest that she is puzzled by the rules of the
games. Choice D is incorrect because there is no evidence in the text that Lutie
doesn’t want to interact with her neighbors or that she is in her apartment alone.
All the text indicates about Lutie is that she is watching the events on the street
and thinks the street looks nice in the light of the sunset