id
stringlengths 8
8
| passage
stringlengths 67
918
| question
stringclasses 21
values | choice_A
stringlengths 2
206
| choice_B
stringlengths 2
210
| choice_C
stringlengths 2
258
| choice_D
stringlengths 2
122
| correct_answer
stringclasses 4
values | rationale
stringlengths 356
2.6k
| difficulty
stringclasses 3
values | domain
stringclasses 2
values |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
684b8bd2 | Far from being modern inventions, ______ more than 5,000 years ago. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia used drinking straws | drinking straws were used by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia | the use of drinking straws by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia happened | ancient Mesopotamia was home to Sumerians who used drinking straws | B | Choice B is the best answer. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern
inventions” must be describing “drinking straws,” because those are the only possible inventions in this sentence.
Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern
inventions” can’t be describing “Sumerians,” because they are a group of people, not an invention. Choice C is incorrect.
Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions” can’t be describing
“the use of drinking straws,” because it is not “the use” of drinking straws that is an invention—it is the drinking straws
themselves. Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being
modern inventions” can’t be describing “Ancient Mesopotamia,” because that is a place, not an invention. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
36944347 | Official measurements of the Mississippi River’s length vary: according to the US Geologic Survey, the river is 2,300 miles
long, whereas the Environmental Protection Agency records its length as 2,320 miles. This disparity can be explained in part
by the fact that rivers such as the Mississippi expand and contract as ______ sediment. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | they accumulate | one accumulates | it accumulates | we accumulate | A | Choice A is the best answer. The noun that goes with "expand and contract" is "rivers," a plural noun. "They" is a third-person
plural pronoun, so it can correctly stand in for "rivers."
Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. "One" is a singular pronoun, but the noun
that goes with "expand and contract" is "rivers," a plural noun. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-
antecedent agreement error. "It" is a singular pronoun, but the noun that goes with "expand and contract" is "rivers," a plural
noun. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. The noun that goes with "expand
and contract" is the plural noun "rivers." Rivers are not people, so "we" can’t be used to stand in for it. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
109d5bbb | With some 16,000 in attendance, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and ______ or FESTAC ‘77, as the event
was more commonly known—became the largest pan-African event on record. FESTAC drew people from around the world
to Lagos, Nigeria, for a monthlong celebration of Black and African art, scholarship, and activism. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Culture: | Culture— | Culture, | Culture | B | Choice B is the best answer. The text uses a dash to introduce a nonessential element that explains the acronym FESTAC.
The dash matches the dash that comes after “known,” ending the descriptive aside.
Choice A is incorrect. A colon can only come after an independent clause, which isn’t the case here. Choice C is incorrect.
While punctuation is required to set off “or FESTAC…known” from the rest of the sentence, nonessential elements must be
separated from the sentence with matching punctuation. Since a dash appears on the other side of the element, we can’t use
a comma here. Choice D is incorrect. The descriptive aside “or FESTAC…known” is a nonessential element that must be
separated with punctuation from the rest of the sentence. This choice fails to add the necessary punctuation before the
nonessential element. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
5fa165f7 | In the 1960s, Sam Gilliam, a Black painter from the southern United States, became the first artist to drape painted canvases
into flowing shapes. He later explored a different style, ______ quilt-like paintings inspired by the patchwork quilting tradition
of Black communities in the South. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | predicting | refusing | hiding | creating | D | Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Sam Gilliam’s artworks. As used in
this context, “creating” means producing or bringing something into existence. The text indicates that Gilliam is an artist who
made draped canvases and, later, quilt-like paintings. This context supports the idea that Gilliam explored different styles in
his art by creating special types of paintings.
Choice A is incorrect because the text indicates that Gilliam actually explored and pursued the creation of quilt-like paintings;
he wasn’t just “predicting,” or declaring in advance, the existence of these paintings. Choice B is incorrect because in this
context “refusing” would mean rejecting, and there is nothing in the text to suggest that Gilliam rejected his quilt-like
paintings. Instead, the text indicates that he was exploring and pursuing a new art style in these paintings. Choice C is
incorrect because in this context “hiding” would mean concealing from view, and there is nothing in the text to suggest that
Gilliam attempted to conceal his quilt-like paintings. Instead, the text indicates that he was exploring and pursuing a new art
style in these paintings. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
570970cd | The following text is adapted from Indian Boyhood, a 1902 memoir by Ohiyesa (Charles A. Eastman), a Santee Dakota writer.
In the text, Ohiyesa recalls how the women in his tribe harvested maple syrup during his childhood.
Now the women began to test the trees—moving leisurely among them, axe in hand, and striking a single quick blow, to
see if the sap would appear. The trees, like people, have their individual characters; some were ready to yield up their life-
blood, while others were more reluctant. Now one of the birchen basins was set under each tree, and a hardwood chip
driven deep into the cut which the axe had made. From the corners of this chip—at first drop by drop, then more freely—the
sap trickled into the little dishes. | Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole? | It portrays the range of personality traits displayed by the women as they work. | It foregrounds the beneficial relationship between humans and maple trees. | It demonstrates how human behavior can be influenced by the natural environment. | It elaborates on an aspect of the maple trees that the women evaluate. | D | Choice D is the best answer because it best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text’s overall portrayal
of how the women in Ohiyesa’s tribe harvested maple syrup. The text states that the women used an axe to strike the maple
trees in order to find out which ones would produce sap. The underlined sentence compares the trees to people, with the sap
described as the trees’ “life-blood.” Some of the trees are ready to give out their sap, while others are unwilling to do so.
Using personification, the sentence provides greater detail about the aspect of the maple trees—their potential to give sap—
that the women are evaluating.
Choice A is incorrect because the personalities of the women are not discussed in the text. Although the underlined
sentence does mention “individual characters,” this reference is not to the women in the text but rather to the maple trees,
which the sentence compares to people with individual character traits. Choice B is incorrect because the underlined
sentence focuses on the trees’ willingness or refusal to yield sap, not on the beneficial relationship between the women and
the trees. Additionally, although the text does suggest that the women and their tribe benefit from the maple trees since the
trees allow the women to harvest syrup, there is nothing in the text to suggest that the trees benefit from this relationship in
turn. Choice C is incorrect because the underlined sentence is comparing maple trees to humans, not addressing the
influence of the natural environment on how the actual humans in the text, the women, behave. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
9091458d | Emperor penguins don’t waddle out of the ocean. They launch themselves at such a high speed that they travel up to two
meters before landing. How ______ A layer of microbubbles on their plumage reduces friction as the penguins speed to the
surface. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | they are able to move so fast! | are they able to move so fast. | they are able to move so fast. | are they able to move so fast? | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is end-of-sentence punctuation. This choice correctly uses a
question mark to punctuate the interrogative sentence “how are they able to move so fast?” The interrogative sentence asks
a direct question, and the next sentence answers it.
Choice A is incorrect because the context requires an interrogative sentence. The exclamative sentence “how they are able
to move so fast!” emphasizes the penguin’s high rate of speed, but it doesn’t set up the next sentence’s explanation of how
the penguins achieve such speeds. Choice B is incorrect because a period can’t be used in this way to punctuate an
interrogative sentence. Choice C is incorrect because the context requires an interrogative sentence. The exclamative
sentence “how they are able to move so fast” emphasizes the penguin’s high rate of speed, but it doesn’t set up the next
sentence’s explanation of how the penguins achieve such speeds. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
c21df211 | In 1959, the film industry debuted Smell-O-Vision. Theaters were fitted with specialized vents that emitted odors at specific
points in a ______ as the scent of roses when roses appeared in a scene. Smell-O-Vision failed to impress, however, with one
reviewer declaring it “briefly weird and not very interesting.” | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | movie such | movie; such | movie. Such | movie, such | D | Choice D is the best answer. The comma appropriately separates the nonessential descriptive aside "such as…scene" from
the independent clause "Theaters were…movie." Since the descriptive example of roses isn’t necessary for the sentence to
function, it needs to be set off with punctuation.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence. Since the example of roses isn’t necessary for the sentence
to function, the descriptive aside "such as…scene" needs to be separated from the preceding independent clause with some
sort of punctuation. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. A semicolon can only be used to separate
two independent clauses, but "such…scene" is not an independent clause and couldn’t stand on its own as a sentence.
Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a sentence fragment. The descriptive aside "Such…scene" is not an independent
clause and can’t stand on its own as a sentence. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
a30567fd | Nuhād al-ҭaddād, known as Fairuz, was one of the most beloved Lebanese singers of the twentieth century. Her broad
singing repertoire—which included traditional forms, such as the Arabic qasida and maqam, alongside modern pop and jazz
styles—lent Fairuz a timeless, cross-generational appeal, ______ her the moniker “the soul of Lebanon.” | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | earned | had earned | earning | earn | C | Choice C is the best answer. The word "earning" is being used to introduce an additional modifying phrase, which describes
how Fairuz’s repertoire lent her cross-generational appeal. When a verb ends in -ing and doesn’t have a helper verb like "is"
before it, it can be used to modify a noun or verb. This is appropriate here.
Choice A is incorrect. The underlined verb is being used to introduce additional descriptive information, which is set off from
the rest of the sentence by a comma. Because there is no subject here, a finite form of the verb (like "earned") creates an
error. We need another form of the verb that doesn’t require a subject and can introduce descriptive information. Choice B is
incorrect. The underlined verb is being used to introduce additional descriptive information, which is set off from the rest of
the sentence by a comma. Because there is no subject here, a finite form of the verb (like "had earned") creates an error. We
need another form of the verb that doesn’t require a subject and can introduce descriptive information. Choice D is incorrect.
The underlined verb is being used to introduce additional descriptive information, which is set off from the rest of the
sentence by a comma. Because there is no subject here, a finite form of the verb (like "earn") creates an error. We need
another form of the verb that doesn’t require a subject and can introduce descriptive information. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
ac5536c1 | Beatrix Potter is perhaps best known for writing and illustrating children’s books such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), but
she also dedicated herself to mycology, the study of ______ more than 350 paintings of the fungal species she observed in
nature and submitting her research on spore germination to the Linnean Society of London. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | fungi; producing | fungi. Producing | fungi producing | fungi, producing | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between two supplementary phrases following
the coordinate clause (“but she…mycology”). This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the
supplementary noun phrase (“the study of fungi”) that defines the term “mycology” and the supplementary participial phrase
(“producing...London”) that provides additional information about the extent to which Potter dedicated herself to mycology.
Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join two supplementary phrases following a
coordinate clause. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with
“producing.” Choice C is incorrect. The lack of punctuation results in a sentence that illogically suggests that the study of
fungi is producing more than 350 paintings. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
c8540a5b | Swedish scientists Eva Engvall and Peter Perlmann developed a method for measuring the concentration of different
proteins in a biological sample. Their ______ ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), is used to detect and measure
proteins that indicate the presence of certain diseases. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | method (called | method—called | method, called | method called | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary element within a sentence.
The comma after “method” pairs with the comma after the closing parenthesis to separate the supplementary element
“called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)” from the rest of the sentence. This supplementary element functions
to identify the name of Engvall and Perlmann’s method, 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 an opening parenthesis can’t be paired with a comma to separate the supplementary element
from the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because a dash can’t be paired with a comma 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. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
e4f312c5 | While most animals are incapable of passing somatic mutations—genetic alterations that arise in an organism’s
nonreproductive cells—on to their offspring, elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) presents an intriguing ______: in a 2022 study,
researchers found that elkhorn coral produced offspring that inherited somatic mutations from a parent. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | hypothesis | affinity | anomaly | corroboration | C | Choice C is the best answer. An "anomaly" is something that deviates from norms or expectations. In this case, the elkhorn
coral is an anomaly because it can pass on somatic mutations, whereas most other animals can’t.
Choice A is incorrect. A "hypothesis" is "a theory about something," but no theories are provided about elkhorn coral in this
text, just facts. Choice B is incorrect. "Affinity" represents "an inclination or liking toward something." As genetic mutations
tend to occur without any conscious effort, you can’t really have an inclination toward passing on somatic mutations. Choice
D is incorrect. "Corroboration" means "evidence to support or prove something." Because elkhorn coral do the opposite of
what most animals do, they do not provide corroboration of the theory that somatic mutations can’t be passed onto
offspring. Rather, they show the opposite. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
f868d438 | In 2018, the innovative works of Congolese sculptor and architect Bodys Isek ______ were featured in City Dreams, a solo
exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Kingelez; | Kingelez, | Kingelez | Kingelez: | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. No punctuation is
needed when the subject of a sentence is immediately followed by a main verb. In this case, the sentence’s subject (“the
innovative works of Congolese sculptor and architect Bodys Isek Kingelez”) is followed by the main verb “were featured,” and
no punctuation should come between them.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B 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. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
be34a3df | In 2008, two years after the death of science fiction writer Octavia Butler, the Huntington Library in ______ received a
collection of more than 8,000 items, including Butler’s private notes, research materials, manuscripts, photos, and drawings.
Today, the Octavia E. Butler Collection is one of the most researched archives at the library. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | California, | California: | California— | California | D | Choice D is the best answer. No punctuation should separate the subject of the sentence (“the Huntington Library in
California”) from its verb (“received”).
Choice A is incorrect. No punctuation should separate the subject of the sentence (“the Huntington Library in California”)
from its verb (“received”). Choice B is incorrect. No punctuation should separate the subject of the sentence (“the Huntington
Library in California”) from its verb (“received”). Choice C is incorrect. No punctuation should separate the subject of the
sentence (“the Huntington Library in California”) from its verb (“received”). | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
5effa190 | The process of mechanically recycling plastics is often considered ______ because of the environmental impact and the loss
of material quality that often occurs. But chemist Takunda Chazovachii has helped develop a cleaner process of chemical
recycling that converts superabsorbent polymers from diapers into a desirable reusable adhesive. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | resilient | inadequate | dynamic | satisfactory | B | Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion about recycling plastics. In this
context, “inadequate” means not satisfactory. The text indicates that the mechanical plastic-recycling process affects the
environment and causes “the loss of material quality.” The text contrasts that with Chazovachii’s chemical plastic-recycling
process, which is cleaner and produces a desirable product. The text’s emphasis on the negative aspects of mechanical
recycling suggests that it is inadequate in terms of environmental impact and the quality of the material the process yields.
Choice A is incorrect because in this context “resilient” would mean able to withstand difficulty and the text does not
characterize the plastic-recycling process as having this quality or describe any difficulties that these processes might need
to overcome. Choice C is incorrect because in this context “dynamic” would mean constantly changing. Although the text
suggests that there have been changes in the field of recycling, as is the case with the advent of Chazovachii’s chemical
recycling process, there is nothing to suggest that the mechanical process itself has changed or is prone to change. Choice
D is incorrect because in this context “satisfactory” would mean acceptable but not perfect. The text mentions only
shortcomings of the mechanical process (environmental effects and lower material quality), so the text more strongly
supports a negative view of this process and provides no evidence that it would be considered satisfactory. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
dc043599 | Text 1
Most scientists agree that the moon was likely formed after a collision between Earth and a large planet named Theia. This
collision likely created a huge debris field, made up of material from both Earth and Theia. Based on models of this event,
scientists believe that the moon was formed from this debris over the course of thousands of years.
Text 2
Researchers from NASA’s Ames Research Center used a computer to model how the moon could have formed. Although
simulations of the moon’s formation have been done in the past, the team from NASA ran simulations that were much more
detailed. They found that the formation of the moon was likely not a slow process that took many years. Instead, it’s
probable that the moon’s formation happened immediately after impact, taking just a few hours. | Which choice best describes a difference in how the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 view the evidence for the
formation of the moon? | The author of Text 1 argues that the formation of the moon occurred much earlier than the author of Text 2 argues. | The author of Text 1 suggests there is more evidence confirming the existence of Theia than the author of Text 2
suggests. | The author of Text 1 claims that the moon’s surface is more similar to Earth’s surface than the author of Text 2 claims. | The author of Text 1 believes that the moon formed more slowly than the author of Text 2 believes. | D | Choice D is the best answer. Text 1 states that the moon was formed from the debris “over the course of thousands of
years,” while Text 2 states that the moon’s formation happened “immediately after impact, taking just a few hours.” This
shows a clear difference in how the authors view the evidence for the speed of the moon’s formation.
Choice A is incorrect. While Text 2 suggests that the moon formed over “just a few hours” and Text 1 says it took “thousands
of years,” neither one mentions when that formation occurred. Choice B is incorrect. While Theia isn’t mentioned in Text 2,
neither text describes or disputes evidence of Theia’s existence. Choice C is incorrect. Neither text makes any claims about
the similarity or difference between the moon’s surface and Earth’s surface. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
175df826 | In the 2011 documentary The Barber of Birmingham, civil rights activist James Armstrong recounts how his barbershop in
Birmingham, Alabama, ______ as a political hub for members of the Black community during the 1950s. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | serving | having served | served | to serve | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. Relative clauses, such
as the one beginning with "how," require a finite (tensed) verb, a verb that can function as the main verb of a clause. This
choice correctly supplies the clause with the finite past tense verb "served."
Choice A is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonfinite participle "serving" doesn’t supply the
clause with a finite verb. Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonfinite participle
"having served" doesn’t supply the clause with a finite verb. Choice D is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical
sentence. The nonfinite to-infinitive "to serve" doesn’t supply the clause with a finite verb. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
1f39ab8b | In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo is a leader of Umuofia (a fictional Nigerian clan) and takes pride in
his culture’s traditions. However, when the arrival of European missionaries brings changes to Umuofia, the novel asks a
central question: How ______ | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Umuofia’s traditions will be affected. | will Umuofia’s traditions be affected. | Umuofia’s traditions will be affected? | will Umuofia’s traditions be affected? | D | Choice D is the best answer. The clause before the colon tells us that the novel “asks a question,” so the clause after the
colon should be in the conventional form of a question: with the verb before the subject, and a question mark at the end.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice ends the sentence with a period, which isn’t right. The clause before the colon tells us that
the novel “asks a question,” so the clause after the colon should be that question. Choice B is incorrect. This choice ends the
sentence with a period, which isn’t right. The clause before the colon tells us that the novel “asks a question,” so the clause
after the colon should be that question. In Standard English, questions place the verb before the subject and end with a
question mark. Choice C is incorrect. This choice doesn’t conform to the conventions of Standard English. In Standard
English, questions place the verb before the subject. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
9902d2de | The Alvarez theory, developed in 1980 by physicist Luis Walter Alvarez and his geologist son Walter Alvarez, maintained that
the secondary effects of an asteroid impact caused many dinosaurs and other animals to die ______ it left unexplored the
question of whether unrelated volcanic activity might have also contributed to the mass extinctions. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | out but | out, but | out | out, | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. This choice
correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but” to join the first main clause (“the Alvarez…out”) and the
second main clause (“it left…extinctions”).
Choice A is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s conventional to use a comma
before the coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are
fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a
conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
236fee8e | Archeological excavation of Market Street Chinatown, a nineteenth-century Chinese American community in San Jose,
California, provided the first evidence that Asian food products were imported to the United States in the 1800s: bones from
a freshwater fish species native to Southeast Asia. Jinshanzhuang—Hong Kong–based import/export firms—likely
coordinated the fish’s transport from Chinese-operated fisheries in Vietnam and Malaysia to North American markets. This
route reveals the (often overlooked) multinational dimensions of the trade networks linking Chinese diaspora communities. | Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole? | It explains why efforts to determine the country of origin of the items mentioned in the previous sentence remain
inconclusive. | It provides information that helps support a claim about a discovery’s significance that is presented in the following
sentence. | It traces the steps that were taken to locate and recover the objects that are described in the previous sentence. | It outlines a hypothesis that additional evidence discussed in the following sentence casts some doubt on. | B | Choice B is the best answer. The underlined sentence provides information about import/export firms, showing how Chinese
communities across the world were connected by trade routes.
Choice A is incorrect. The underlined sentence never suggests that the countries of origin of the fish are in question—in fact,
it tells us exactly where they came from. Choice C is incorrect. The passage never describes the steps taken to discover the
fish bones described in the previous sentence. Choice D is incorrect. The underlined sentence doesn’t outline a hypothesis
but instead provides evidence. And the following sentence agrees with the underlined sentence, so we could eliminate this
choice just for saying that the following sentence "casts some doubt on" the underlined one—partly wrong is all wrong. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
9421ed62 | In 2007, computer scientist Luis von Ahn was working on converting printed books into a digital format. He found that some
words were distorted enough that digital scanners couldn’t recognize them, but most humans could easily read them. Based
on that finding, von Ahn invented a simple security test to keep automated “bots” out of websites. The first version of the
reCAPTCHA test asked users to type one known word and one of the many words scanners couldn’t recognize. Correct
answers proved the users were humans and added data to the book-digitizing project. | Which choice best states the main purpose of the text? | To discuss von Ahn’s invention of reCAPTCHA | To explain how digital scanners work | To call attention to von Ahn’s book-digitizing project | To indicate how popular reCAPTCHA is | A | Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately states the main purpose of the text. After providing a brief
introduction to computer scientist Luis von Ahn, the text focuses on discussing how von Ahn’s digitization work led to the
invention of a digital security test known as reCAPTCHA.
Choice B is incorrect because the text doesn’t address how digital scanners work. Choice C is incorrect. Although the text
mentions von Ahn’s book-digitizing project, that information is provided as a detail, not as the main purpose of the text.
Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t provide any indication of reCAPTCHA’s popularity; instead, it describes
reCAPTCHA’s origin. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
fcaff694 | The city of Pompeii, which was buried in ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, continues to be studied by
archaeologists. Unfortunately, as ______ attest, archaeological excavations have disrupted ash deposits at the site, causing
valuable information about the eruption to be lost. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | researchers, Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn, | researchers, Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn | researchers Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn | researchers Roberto Scandone, and Christopher Kilburn | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a restrictive coordinated noun phrase. No
punctuation is needed within or around the coordinated noun phrase “researchers Roberto Scandone and Christopher
Kilburn” because it would create an illogical separation between the noun “researchers” and the coordinated noun phrase
“Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.”
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Placing a pair of commas around the coordinated noun phrase
“Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn” creates an illogical separation between the noun “researchers” and the
aforementioned coordinated noun phrase. In this case, it illogically suggests that researchers in general bear the specific
names Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the
noun “researchers” and the coordinated noun phrase “Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.” Choice D is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed within the coordinated noun phrase “Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.” | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
a4ca92fd | Beginning in the 1950s, Navajo Nation legislator Annie Dodge Wauneka continuously worked to promote public health; this
______ effort involved traveling throughout the vast Navajo homeland and writing a medical dictionary for speakers of Diné
bizaad, the Navajo language. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | impartial | offhand | persistent | mandatory | C | Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Annie Dodge Wauneka’s work as a
Navajo Nation legislator. As used in this context, “persistent” means existing continuously. The text states that Wauneka
“continuously worked to promote public health,” traveling extensively and authoring a medical dictionary; this indicates that
Wauneka’s effort was persistent.
Choice A is incorrect because describing Wauneka’s effort related to public health as “impartial,” or not partial or biased and
treating all things equally, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text suggests that Wauneka’s continuous work was partial in
one way, as she focused specifically on promoting public health throughout the Navajo homeland and to speakers of the
Navajo language. Choice B is incorrect because the text emphasizes that Wauneka’s effort to promote public health as a
Navajo Nation legislator was continuous and extensive, involving wide travels and the authoring of a medical dictionary.
Because this work clearly involved care and dedication, it wouldn’t make sense to describe it as “offhand,” or casual and
informal. Choice D is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that Wauneka’s effort to promote public health was
“mandatory,” or required by law or rule, even though Wauneka was a Navajo Nation legislator. Rather than suggesting that
Wauneka’s effort was required for any reason, the text emphasizes the continuous and extensive nature of her work. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
67614549 | After winning the 1860 presidential election, Abraham Lincoln appointed Edward Bates, Salmon P. Chase, and William H.
Seward to his cabinet. Lincoln’s decision was surprising, since each of these men had run against him, but historians have
praised it, noting that Lincoln ______ his rivals’ diverse talents to strengthen his administration. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | has leveraged | is leveraging | will leverage | leveraged | D | Choice D is the best answer. The subject of the verb is “Lincoln,” and the first sentence tells us that we’re talking about
something that Abraham Lincoln did in 1860. So the simple past tense “leveraged” fits the logic of the text.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a tense issue. “Has leveraged” is the present perfect tense, which is used for an
action that began in the past and continues into the present. Lincoln started leveraging his rivals’ talents in 1860—it’s
definitely not still happening today. So the present perfect tense isn’t appropriate. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a
tense issue. “Is leveraging” is the present tense, but Lincoln leveraged his rivals’ talents in 1860, so the present tense isn’t
appropriate. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a tense issue. “Will leverage” is the future tense, but Lincoln leveraged
his rivals’ talents in 1860, so the future tense isn’t appropriate. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
0f39b19c | After a spate of illnesses as a child, Wilma Rudolph was told she might never walk again. Defying all odds, Rudolph didn’t
just walk, she ______ the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, she won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes and clinched first
place for her team in the 4x100-meter relay, becoming the first US woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | ran—fast—during | ran—fast during | ran—fast, during | ran—fast. During | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“Defying…fast”) and another sentence that begins with a
supplementary phrase (“During…Olympics”).
Choice A is incorrect. When a dash is present in a sentence (“ran—fast”), it’s not conventional to use another dash (“fast—
during”) to mark the boundary between sentences because it creates a potentially confusing sentence. In this context, a
period, semicolon, or colon would be clear and more conventional. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on
sentence. The sentences (“Defying…fast”) and (“during…Olympics”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.
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 sentences. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
84658166 | In 1943, in the midst of World War II, mathematics professor Grace Hopper was recruited by the US military to help the war
effort by solving complex equations. Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just ______ as a pioneering
computer programmer, Hopper would help usher in the digital age. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | equations, though: | equations, though, | equations. Though, | equations though | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation to mark boundaries between
supplements and clauses. The comma after “equations” is used to separate the independent clause (“Hopper’s…equation”)
from the supplementary adverb phrase “though.” The colon after “though” is used to mark the boundary between the clause
ending with “though” and the following clause (“as…age”). A colon used in this way introduces information that illustrates or
explains information that has come before it. In this case, the colon after “though” introduces the following explanation of
how Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just solving equations: she would become a pioneering computer
programmer.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two independent
clauses (“Hopper’s…though” and “as…age”) such as these. Choice C is incorrect because it results in an illogical sequence of
sentences. Placing the period after “equations” and beginning the next sentence with “Though” illogically suggests that the
following information (that Hopper would help usher in the digital age) is contrary to the information in the previous
sentence (Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just solving equations). Instead, the information that follows
supports the information from the previous sentence by explaining how her work and influence extended beyond solely
solving equations. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two independent clauses (“Hopper’s…
though” and “as…age”) are fused without punctuation. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
a466679a | In 1976, the Inuit rock group Sikumiut recorded the album People of the Ice. Though only their first record, it shows a band
already skilled at the difficult task of making music that sounds easy and fun. On songs like “Utirumavunga,” Lucassie
Koperqualuk’s guitar riffs effortlessly ______ Charlie Adams’s delightfully catchy vocal melodies. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | blend, with | blend. With | blend; with | blend with | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a verb and a prepositional phrase. No
punctuation is needed between the verb “blend” and the prepositional phrase “with Charlie Adams’s delightfully catchy vocal
melodies.” The prepositional phrase completes the idea of the sentence, explaining with what Koperqualuk’s guitar riffs
blend.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the prepositional phrase. Choice B is
incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the prepositional phrase. Choice C is incorrect because
no punctuation is needed between the verb and the prepositional phrase. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
dfbf5d33 | In 1453, English King Henry VI became unfit to rule after falling gravely ill. As a result, Parliament appointed Richard, Third
Duke of York, who had a strong claim to the English throne, to rule as Lord Protector. Upon recovering two years later, ______
forcing an angered Richard from the royal court and precipitating a series of battles later known as the Wars of the Roses. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Henry resumed his reign, | the reign of Henry resumed, | Henry’s reign resumed, | it was Henry who resumed his reign, | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice ensures that the
introductory phrase “upon recovering two years later” appears immediately before the noun it modifies (“Henry”), clearly
establishing that Henry recovered two years later.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the reign of Henry”
immediately after the introductory phrase illogically suggests that the reign of Henry recovered two years later. Choice C is
incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “Henry’s reign” immediately after the
introductory phrase illogically suggests that Henry’s reign recovered two years later. Choice D is incorrect because it results
in a dangling modifier. The placement of the function word “it” immediately after the introductory phrase illogically suggests
that “it” recovered two years later. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
39857700 | The following text is from Edith Wharton’s 1905 novel The House of Mirth. Lily Bart and a companion are walking through a
park.
Lily had no real intimacy with nature, but she had a passion for the appropriate and could be keenly sensitive to a scene
which was the fitting background of her own sensations. The landscape outspread below her seemed an enlargement of
her present mood, and she found something of herself in its calmness, its breadth, its long free reaches. On the nearer
slopes the sugar-maples wavered like pyres of light; lower down was a massing of grey orchards, and here and there the
lingering green of an oak-grove. | Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole? | It creates a detailed image of the physical setting of the scene. | It establishes that a character is experiencing an internal conflict. | It makes an assertion that the next sentence then expands on. | It illustrates an idea that is introduced in the previous sentence. | D | Choice D is the best answer because it best describes how the underlined sentence functions in the text as a whole. The first
sentence of the text establishes that Lily can be “keenly sensitive to” scenes that serve as a “fitting background” for her
feelings—that is, she’s very aware of when a setting seems to reflect her mood. The next sentence, which is underlined, then
demonstrates this awareness: Lily views the landscape she’s in as a large-scale reflection of her current mood, identifying
with elements such as its calmness. Thus, the function of the underlined sentence is to illustrate an idea introduced in the
previous sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because the underlined sentence describes the scene only in very general terms, referring to its
calmness, breadth, and long stretches of land. It’s the next sentence that adds specific details about colors, light, and various
trees nearby. Choice B is incorrect because nothing in the underlined sentence suggests that Lily is experiencing an internal
conflict. In fact, the sentence indicates that Lily thinks the landscape reflects her own feeling of calmness. Choice C is
incorrect because the only assertion in the underlined sentence is that Lily feels that broad aspects of the landscape, such
as its calmness, reflect her current mood, and that assertion isn’t expanded on in the next sentence. Instead, the next
sentence describes specific details of the scene without connecting them to Lily’s feelings. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
48555763 | The following text is from Herman Melville’s 1854 novel The Lightning-rod Man.
The stranger still stood in the exact middle of the cottage, where he had first planted himself. His singularity impelled a
closer scrutiny. A lean, gloomy figure. Hair dark and lank, mattedly streaked over his brow. His sunken pitfalls of eyes were
ringed by indigo halos, and played with an innocuous sort of lightning: the gleam without the bolt. The whole man was
dripping. He stood in a puddle on the bare oak floor: his strange walking-stick vertically resting at his side. | Which choice best states the function of the underlined sentence in the overall structure of the text? | It elaborates on the previous sentence’s description of the character. | It introduces the setting that is described in the sentences that follow. | It establishes a contrast with the description in the previous sentence. | It sets up the character description presented in the sentences that follow. | D | Choice D is the best answer. This best states the function of the underlined sentence. The sentence basically says: “He
stood out, so I looked more closely at him.” Then the rest of the text describes him in detail.
Choice A is incorrect. This doesn’t state the function of the underlined sentence. The previous sentence basically says: “He
was still standing in the middle of the cottage”—it doesn’t include any description of the character himself. Choice B is
incorrect. This doesn’t state the function of the underlined sentence. The following sentences describe the character, not the
setting. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t state the function of the underlined sentence. The underlined sentence basically
says: “He stood out, so I looked more closely at him.” The previous sentence basically says: “He was still standing in the
middle of the cottage.” There’s no contrast between these two sentences. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
54c6128b | When ancient oak planks were unearthed during subway construction in Rome, Mauro Bernabei and his team examined the
growth rings in the wood to determine where these planks came from. By comparing the growth rings on the planks to
records of similar rings in oaks from Europe, the team could trace the wood to the Jura region of France, hundreds of
kilometers from Rome. Because timber could only have been transported from distant Jura to Rome by boat, the team’s
findings suggest the complexity of Roman trade routes. | Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole? | It presents a conclusion about Roman trade routes based on the team’s findings. | It questions how the team was able to conclude that the planks were used to build a boat. | It explains why the planks were made from oak rather than a different kind of wood. | It describes common methods used in Roman subway construction. | A | Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes how the underlined sentence functions in the text as a
whole. The first sentence explains that Bernabei and his team studied growth rings to obtain information about the ancient
oak planks found during a construction project in Rome. The next sentence presents what the researchers learned: the wood
from the planks came from France’s Jura region, which is far from Rome. The underlined sentence then presents the
implications of the findings about the planks: the wood must have been brought to Rome by boat, a difficult task that
suggests Roman trade routes were complex. Thus, the underlined sentence mainly functions to present a conclusion about
Roman trade routes based on the team’s findings.
Choice B is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that the team thought the ancient planks were used in the
construction of a boat, nor does the underlined sentence question that conclusion. Instead, the text states that the wood
could only have been transported from Jura to Rome in a boat. Choice C is incorrect because the underlined sentence simply
offers a conclusion drawn from the team’s findings about the likely place of origin of the ancient planks; the text never
mentions why oak was chosen for the planks instead of other wood. Choice D is incorrect because neither the underlined
sentence nor the text as a whole addresses any methods that Romans used in constructing subways. Instead, the underlined
sentence offers a conclusion drawn from the team’s findings about the likely place of origin of the ancient wooden planks
discovered. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
aad56f2b | As a young photographer in the 1950s, William Klein ______ the conventions of photography by creating images that were
high contrast and included blurred and distorted elements—features generally seen as flaws. So unorthodox was Klein’s
work that he had difficulty finding a publisher for his now-iconic 1956 photo book Life is Good & Good for You in New York. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | reviewed | defied | respected | prevented | B | Choice B is the best answer. "Defied" means "resisted" or "deliberately disobeyed," which matches the way Klein broke from
the conventions of photography in his time by including features that were generally seen as flaws.
Choice A is incorrect. "Reviewed" means "analyzed" or "evaluated," but that doesn’t really fit the context here. Klein isn’t
directly providing any thoughtful examination of the conventions of photography: he’s just breaking all the rules. Choice C is
incorrect. "Respected" can mean "admired" or "followed" (as in the case of conventions). It’s clear that Klein didn’t respect
conventions, given his use of photographic features that were generally considered "flaws." Choice D is incorrect. "Prevented"
means "stopped," and Klein did not stop the conventions—they still existed. Instead, he made images that were seen as
"flawed" under those conventions. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
3d658a5a | Some foraging models predict that the distance bees travel when foraging will decline as floral density increases, but
biologists Shalene Jha and Claire Kremen showed that bees’ behavior is inconsistent with this prediction if flowers in dense
patches are ______: bees will forage beyond patches of low species richness to acquire multiple resource types. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | depleted | homogeneous | immature | dispersed | B | Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Jha and Kremen’s finding about
bees’ foraging behavior. In this context, “homogeneous” means uniform or of the same kind. The text indicates that some
models predict that the distance that bees travel when they’re foraging declines as the density of flowers increases. The text
goes on to say, however, that Jha and Kremen identified a circumstance in which bees don’t behave this way. Specifically, if
bees encounter “patches of low species richness”—that is, patches in which the flowers are largely from the same species—
they’ll travel beyond those patches to get varied food resources. This context thus suggests that bees don’t behave as some
models predict if the dense patches of flowers the bees encounter are homogeneous.
Choice A is incorrect because the text indicates that Jha and Kremen found that bees will behave differently than some
models predict if the bees encounter flower patches that are not rich in species, not if the flowers are “depleted,” or emptied
or reduced in quality or quantity. Although it could be true that bees are likely to leave depleted patches in search of more
resources, the text doesn’t indicate that Jha and Kremen investigated that possibility. Choice C is incorrect because there’s
no information in the text suggesting that bees will not behave as some models predict if flowers in patches are “immature,”
or not fully developed. Instead, the text indicates that Jha and Kremen found that bees will behave contrary to some models’
predictions if the flower patches are not rich in species. Choice D is incorrect because the text indicates that bees’ behavior
will be inconsistent with the predictions of some models if the flower patches that the bees encounter are of low species
richness, not if the flowers are in patches that are “dispersed,” or widely scattered. Although the text does describe bees as
leaving patches that are not rich in species to forage elsewhere, there’s no suggestion that Jha and Kremen found that the
distance between dense flower patches affects whether the bees behave as some models predict. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
35360da9 | The US Geological Survey wants to map every human-made structure in the United States, and it is asking volunteers to help.
Cassie Tammy Wang and Ashish D’Souza are just two of the many volunteer map editors who ______ to the project since it
began in 2012. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | contribute | will contribute | have contributed | will be contributing | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense in a sentence. In this choice,
the present perfect tense verb “have contributed,” used in conjunction with the phrase “since it began in 2012,” correctly
indicates that map editors have contributed in the past and continue to do so in the present.
Choice A is incorrect because the present tense verb “contribute” is inconsistent with the phrase “since it began in 2012,”
which suggests that the contributions occurred in the past and continue into the present. Choice B is incorrect because the
future tense verb “will contribute” is inconsistent with the phrase “since it began in 2012,” which suggests that the
contributions occurred in the past and continue into the present. Choice D is incorrect because the future tense verb “will be
contributing” is inconsistent with the phrase “since it began in 2012,” which suggests that the contributions occurred in the
past and continue into the present. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
9cdcd902 | Charles “Teenie” Harris was a photographer for the Pittsburgh Courier from 1936 to 1975. During his career he took over
70,000 photographs documenting everyday life in Pittsburgh’s Black communities. The Carnegie Museum of Art maintains
thousands of his photographs, carefully ______ them so that audiences can continue to view them well into the future. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | replacing | inventing | preserving | counting | C | Choice C is the best answer. "Preserving" means "maintaining" or "keeping in good condition," so preserving the photographs
means that audiences should be able to view them for a long time.
Choice A is incorrect. "Replacing" means "putting something new in place of" the photographs. Replacing the photos will
make it so that audiences can’t view them at all. Choice B is incorrect. "Inventing" means "creating a new idea, process, or
thing." The museum can’t invent photographs that already exist. Choice D is incorrect. Counting the photographs will not help
audiences view them well into the future. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
f0864217 | Rabinal Achí is a precolonial Maya dance drama performed annually in Rabinal, a town in the Guatemalan highlands. Based
on events that occurred when Rabinal was a city-state ruled by a king, ______ had once been an ally of the king but was later
captured while leading an invading force against him. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Rabinal Achí tells the story of K’iche’ Achí, a military leader who | K’iche’ Achí, the military leader in the story of Rabinal Achí, | the military leader whose story is told in Rabinal Achí, K’iche’ Achí, | there was a military leader, K’iche’ Achí, who in Rabinal Achí | A | Choice A is the best answer. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers
need to be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma.
Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The
modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they
describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text
in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the
drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word
after the comma. Choice D is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of
Standard English. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be
next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
dbd78791 | Led by Syrian American astronomer Shadia Habbal, the Solar Wind Sherpas are an intrepid team of scientists who travel the
globe to study solar winds, the streams of particles emanating from the Sun that are only visible from certain locations
during a total solar eclipse. When such an eclipse is imminent, the Sherpas pack up their telescopes and ______ ready. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | get | had gotten | got | were getting | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense in a sentence. In this choice,
the present tense verb “get” is consistent with the other present tense verbs (“are,” “travel,” and “pack”) used to describe the
Sherpas and their activities.
Choice B is incorrect. The past perfect verb “had gotten” isn’t consistent with the other present tense verbs used to describe
the Sherpas and their activities. Choice C is incorrect. The past tense verb “got” isn’t consistent with the other present tense
verbs used to describe the Sherpas and their activities. Choice D is incorrect. The past progressive verb “were getting” isn’t
consistent with the other present tense verbs used to describe the Sherpas and their activities. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
f773a56b | As Mexico’s first president from an Indigenous community, Benito Juarez became one of the most ______ figures in his
country’s history: among the many significant accomplishments of his long tenure in office (1858–1872), Juarez
consolidated the authority of the national government and advanced the rights of Indigenous peoples. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | unpredictable | important | secretive | ordinary | B | Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Juarez. In this context, “important”
means marked by significant work or consequence. The text indicates that Juarez, who was the first president of Mexico
from an Indigenous community, became a certain kind of figure in Mexico’s history. It then supports that claim by describing
some of the “many significant accomplishments” from Juarez’s long tenure in office. This context conveys that Juarez is a
significant and consequential figure in Mexico’s history.
Choice A is incorrect because the text focuses on Juarez’s role as the first president of Mexico from an Indigenous
community and on his many major accomplishments during his lengthy time in office; nothing in the text suggests that
Juarez was “unpredictable,” or tended to behave in ways that couldn’t be predicted. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in
the text suggests that Juarez was a particularly “secretive” figure, or that he tended to keep things private or hidden from
others. Instead, the text focuses on things that are known about Juarez: that he was the first president of Mexico from an
Indigenous community, that he had a lengthy tenure, and that his many major accomplishments included consolidating the
national government’s authority and advancing Indigenous rights. Choice D is incorrect because the text focuses on the idea
that Juarez, who was the first president of Mexico from an Indigenous community, had many major accomplishments during
his lengthy time in office. Rather than suggesting that Juarez was an “ordinary,” or common and typical, figure in Mexico’s
history, this context conveys that Juarez was instead a notable figure. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
a14eef71 | In 2015, a team led by materials scientists Anirudha Sumant and Diana Berman succeeded in reducing the coefficient of
friction (COF) between two surfaces to the lowest possible level—superlubricity. A nearly frictionless (and, as its name
suggests, extremely slippery) state, ______ | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | when their COF drops below 0.01, two surfaces reach superlubricity. | two surfaces, when their COF drops below 0.01, reach superlubricity. | reaching superlubricity occurs when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01. | superlubricity is reached when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01. | D | Choice D is the best answer. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier
placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the
missing clause.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly
frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another,
so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier
placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement
requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause.
Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly
frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another,
so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
4ba99a6f | Seneca sculptor Marie Watt’s blanket art comes in a range of shapes and sizes. In 2004, Watt sewed strips of blankets
together to craft a 10-by-13-inch ______ in 2014, she arranged folded blankets into two large stacks and then cast them in
bronze, creating two curving 18-foot-tall blue-bronze pillars. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | sampler later, | sampler; | sampler, | sampler, later, | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. This choice
uses a semicolon in a conventional way to join the first main clause (“In 2004…sampler”) and the second main clause (“in
2014…pillars”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this
way to join two main clauses. The word “later” is an adverb and cannot be used to join two main clauses unless it is
preceded by a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a
comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma splice.
Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. The word “later” is an adverb
and cannot be used to join two main clauses unless it is preceded by a conjunction. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
1f8cd95f | In the 1950s, a man named Joseph McVicker was struggling to keep his business afloat when his sister-in-law Kay Zufall
advised him to repurpose the company’s product, a nontoxic, clay-like substance for removing soot from wallpaper, as a
modeling putty for kids. In addition, Zufall ______ selling the product under a child-friendly name: Play-Doh. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | suggested | suggests | had suggested | was suggesting | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense. In this choice, the simple past
tense verb “suggested” properly indicates that Zufall offered her suggestion for the product’s name in the past. This verb
tense is consistent with the previous sentence’s use of a simple past tense verb (“advised”) to describe Zufall’s advice to
McVicker in the 1950s.
Choice B is incorrect because the present tense verb “suggests” doesn’t indicate that Zufall offered her suggestion in the
past. Choice C is incorrect because the past perfect verb “had suggested” isn’t consistent with the previous sentence’s use
of the simple past tense verb “advised” to describe Zufall’s advice to McVicker. Choice D is incorrect because the past
progressive verb “was suggesting” isn’t consistent with the previous sentence’s use of the simple past tense verb “advised”
to describe Zufall’s advice to McVicker. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
4fa7e50e | According to a US tax policy expert, state taxes are ______ other factors when considering an interstate move. Even
significant differences in state taxation have almost no effect on most people’s decisions, while differences in employment
opportunities, housing availability, and climate are strong influences. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | consistent with | representative of | overshadowed by | irrelevant to | C | Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the factors that influence peoples’
decisions to move to a different state. As used in this context, “overshadowed by” means to be surpassed by or caused to
seem less important than other factors affecting a move. The text indicates that, according to a US tax policy expert, when
people think about an interstate move, state taxes have little effect on their decisions, while employment opportunities,
housing availability, and climate have a very strong effect. This context suggests that people consider these other factors to
be more important than state taxes.
Choice A is incorrect because the text indicates that state taxes aren’t as important a consideration as other factors when
people are thinking of moving to another state. The context doesn’t suggest that state taxes are “consistent with,” or in
agreement with these other factors. Choice B is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context to say that state taxes
are “representative of,” or typical of, other factors. Taxes aren’t an example of employment opportunities, housing availability,
and climate, which are the other factors listed in the text. Choice D is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context to
say that state taxes are “irrelevant to,” or unconnected or unimportant to other factors. State taxes are irrelevant to peoples’
decisions, not to other factors. In other words, although the text suggests that state taxes may be irrelevant to people
considering a move to another state, the other factors mentioned in the text, such as employment opportunities, are unable
to have an opinion about state taxes. Furthermore, the text indicates that significant differences in state taxes have almost
no effect on peoples’ choices to move, but they aren’t completely unimportant. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
ec08463d | Botanists recognize over fifty different species of sunflower. One species, the silverleaf sunflower, ______ both an early-
flowering ecotype that tends to grow in coastal areas and a late-flowering ecotype that grows inland. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | having included | including | to include | includes | D | Choice D is the best answer. This verb needs to function as the main verb in the sentence, with the subject “one species,” so
it needs to be conjugated. This choice gives us the singular present tense “includes,” which is the only conjugated form of
the verb among the choices.
Choice A is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This
verb needs to function as the main verb in the sentence, with the subject “one species,” so it needs to be conjugated. “Having
included” is a participle form of the verb: it’s not conjugated and doesn’t function like a normal verb. Choice B is incorrect.
This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This verb needs to function as
the main verb in the sentence, with the subject “one species,” so it needs to be conjugated. “Including” is the gerund form of
the verb: it’s not conjugated and doesn’t function like a normal verb. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a
way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This verb needs to function as the main verb in the sentence, with
the subject “one species,” so it needs to be conjugated. “To include” is the infinitive form of the verb: it’s not conjugated. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
ce81d0b7 | The life spans of rockfish vary greatly by species. For instance, the colorful calico rockfish (Sebastes dalli) can survive for a
little over a ______ the rougheye rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus) boasts a maximum life span of about two centuries. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | decade: while | decade. While | decade; while | decade, while | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a main clause and a subordinate clause.
This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“the colorful…decade”) and the
subordinate clause (“while…centuries”) that provides contrasting information about the life span of rougheye rockfish.
Choice A is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a subordinate clause. Choice B is
incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “while.” Choice C is incorrect
because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a subordinate clause. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
56ec23a0 | Hiroshi Senju is known worldwide for his paintings of waterfalls. These paintings are large and tend not to show the entire
waterfall. Instead, Senju focuses on just the point where the falling water reaches the pool below, keeping the top of the
waterfall out of view. While Senju’s paintings are rooted in art movements originating in the United States, the artist uses
traditional Japanese techniques and materials that make his work instantly recognizable. | Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text? | It introduces an artist and then explains some common characteristics of well-known paintings by that artist. | It explains a specific painting technique and then provides examples of artists who use the technique. | It describes a famous painting and then compares it to a lesser-known painting from the same time period. | It gives an opinion on an artist and then suggests multiple reasons why the artist’s work has been largely overlooked. | A | Choice A is the best answer. The first sentence introduces Senju as a famous artist, while the next three sentences describe
the defining features of his art, such as it only showing part of the waterfall and its origins in US art movements and
Japanese techniques.
Choice B is incorrect. The text doesn’t provide examples of any other artists who use Senju’s techniques. Choice C is
incorrect. The text doesn’t describe any single famous painting or make comparisons between paintings. Choice D is
incorrect. The text doesn’t provide an opinion on Senju (just facts), nor does it suggest that his art has been overlooked—in
fact, it states that he is “known worldwide.” | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
93665100 | Seminole/Muscogee director Sterlin Harjo ______ television’s tendency to situate Native characters in the distant past: this
rejection is evident in his series Reservation Dogs, which revolves around teenagers who dress in contemporary styles and
whose dialogue is laced with current slang. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | repudiates | proclaims | foretells | recants | A | Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Sterlin Harjo’s approach to
representing Native characters on television. As used in this context, “repudiates” means rejects or refuses to have anything
to do with. The text indicates that television shows tend to depict Native characters as living long ago, but that Harjo’s series
Reservation Dogs focuses on Native teenagers in the present day, representing a “rejection” of the typical approach to
depicting Native characters. This context thus indicates that Harjo repudiates television’s general tendency regarding Native
characters.
Choice B is incorrect because the text describes Harjo’s “rejection” of the typical approach to representing Native characters
on television, so it wouldn’t make sense to say that Harjo “proclaims,” or declares or affirms, television’s general tendency
regarding Native characters. Harjo is described as refusing to follow the pattern of depicting Native characters in the distant
past, not as proclaiming that pattern. Choice C is incorrect because the text describes television’s tendency to represent
Native characters in the distant past as something that is already occurring, not as something that Harjo “foretells,” or
predicts will happen in the future. The text is focused on Harjo’s “rejection” of this pattern, not on any predictions he may
have about it. Choice D is incorrect because saying that Harjo “recants” something would mean that he withdraws a
previously held belief, and it wouldn’t make sense to say that Harjo recants television’s tendency to represent Native
characters as living in the past. No beliefs previously held by Harjo are mentioned. Additionally, a tendency isn’t a belief and
thus isn’t something that can be recanted. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
80ebb189 | As an architect in Los Angeles in the 1950s, Helen Liu Fong became known for avoiding ______ designs in her buildings.
Instead of using standard shapes and colors, she typically explored innovative forms and daring hues. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | creative | bold | traditional | understandable | C | Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Helen Liu Fong’s architectural
designs. In this context, “traditional” means conventional. The text states that rather than use “standard shapes and colors,”
Fong pursued “innovative” and “daring” design choices in her work. Fong’s style is depicted as inventive, so it therefore
makes sense in this context that she avoided mainstream, traditional designs in her buildings.
Choice A is incorrect because the text indicates that Fong’s work is innovative and experimental. Thus, Fong’s design
choices could reasonably be considered creative, or original. She likely would have pursued creative designs, not avoided
them. Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that Fong used “daring” hues in her designs. Thus, Fong likely would
have pursued bold, or brave and vivid design choices; she wouldn’t have avoided them. Choice D is incorrect because the text
doesn’t address whether Fong’s designs are understandable, or reasonable or expected. The text focuses on certain
characteristics of Fong’s designs, not on how people received or understood them. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
637d0878 | The Appalachian Trail is a hiking path in the eastern United States. Much of the 2,000 mile trail passes through wilderness
areas. In order to ______ those areas, the United States Congress passed the National Trails System Act in 1968, ensuring
that the trail would not be sold or commercially developed. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | borrow | postpone | protect | decorate | C | Choice C is the best answer. "Protect" means "preserve" or "keep safe from." By ensuring that the wilderness areas along the
Appalachian Trail can’t be sold or developed, the National Trails System Act protects them.
Choice A is incorrect. "Borrow" means "to take something with intent to return it." The text doesn’t say anything about taking
and returning the wilderness that surrounds the Appalachian Trail. Choice B is incorrect. "Postpone" means "to put off until
later." Nothing in the passage suggests that Congress wants to "postpone" the wilderness areas (and that doesn’t make
sense anyway—they can postpone doing something to the wilderness areas, but they can’t postpone the areas themselves).
Choice D is incorrect. "Decorate" means "to adorn" or "add extra items or pictures to make more attractive." No details in the
text suggest that Congress wishes to make the trail fancier or more attractive. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
dd428136 | Cheng Dang and her colleagues at the University of Washington recently ran simulations to determine the extent to which
individual snow ______ affect the amount of light reflecting off a snowy surface. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | grain’s physical properties’ | grains’ physical properties | grains’ physical property’s | grains physical properties | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of plural and possessive nouns. The plural possessive
noun “grains’” and the plural noun “properties” correctly indicate that the simulations involved multiple snow grains and that
those snow grains had several properties.
Choice A is incorrect because the context requires the plural possessive noun “grains’” and the plural noun “properties,” not
the singular possessive noun “grain’s” and the plural possessive noun “properties’.” Choice C is incorrect because the context
requires the plural noun “properties,” not the singular possessive noun “property’s.” Choice D is incorrect because the context
requires the plural possessive noun “grains’,” not the plural noun “grains.” | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
4eee64fa | Space scientists Anna-Lisa Paul, Stephen M. Elardo, and Robert Ferl planted seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana in samples of
lunar regolith—the surface material of the Moon—and, serving as a control group, in terrestrial soil. They found that while all
the seeds germinated, the roots of the regolith-grown plants were stunted compared with those in the control group.
Moreover, unlike the plants in the control group, the regolith-grown plants exhibited red pigmentation, reduced leaf size, and
inhibited growth rates—indicators of stress that were corroborated by postharvest molecular analysis. | Which choice best states the main purpose of the text? | It describes an experiment that addressed an unresolved question about the extent to which lunar regolith resembles
terrestrial soils. | It compares two distinct methods of assessing indicators of stress in plants grown in a simulated lunar environment. | It presents evidence in support of the hypothesis that seed germination in lunar habitats is an unattainable goal. | It discusses the findings of a study that evaluated the effects of exposing a plant species to lunar soil conditions. | D | Choice D is the best answer. The text describes an experiment wherein space scientists compared plant growth in terrestrial
and lunar soil conditions. It then discusses the findings of the study, including the fact that all the seeds germinated but that
the plants grown in lunar soil exhibited signs of stress.
Choice A is incorrect. The text doesn’t address this question, and never describes any specific characteristics of either soil. It
merely describes the outcome of an experiment that exposed a plant species to lunar soil conditions. Choice B is incorrect.
The text never compares methods of assessing indicators of stress—instead, it simply mentions several stress indicators
observed in the study (red pigmentation, reduced leaf size, and inhibited growth rates). Choice C is incorrect. The text doesn’t
present any evidence that we could never achieve seed germination in lunar habitats, and in fact states that the seeds in the
lunar soil did germinate. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
8634bf4a | Diego Velázquez was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV of Spain during the seventeenth century, but his
influence was hardly ______ Spain: realist and impressionist painters around the world employed his techniques and echoed
elements of his style. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | derived from | recognized in | confined to | repressed by | C | Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the discussion of the artist Diego Velázquez’s influence
outside Spain. As used in this context, “confined to” means restricted to. The text says that Velázquez was the leading artist
in the Spanish court during the seventeenth century, but it also notes that other painters around the world were influenced by
his techniques and style. Thus, Velázquez’s influence was hardly (or almost not) confined to, or restricted to, Spain.
Choice A is incorrect because if Velázquez was a leading artist in Spain, it doesn’t make logical sense to claim that his
influence was hardly (or almost not) derived from, or obtained from, Spain. Moreover, the other painters around the world
who employed Velázquez’s techniques would by definition be influenced by Spanish style. Choice B is incorrect because if
Velázquez was a leading artist in the court of King Philip IV of Spain, then his influence must have been widely recognized, or
acknowledged, rather than being hardly (or almost not) recognized. Choice D is incorrect because the text gives no
indication that deliberately limiting Velázquez’s influence outside Spain was ever considered by anyone. Thus, even if it is
true that his influence was not repressed, or restrained, it doesn’t make logical sense to say so in this context. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
7c48a6dd | In the late 1960s, inspired in part by the sight of laundry hanging on a clothesline, African American abstract painter Sam
Gilliam began to create his iconic “Drape” paintings. He applied bold, saturated hues to large canvases and ______ them from
ceilings or walls, causing the drooping fabric to cascade in dramatic loops and curves. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | to have suspended | suspending | to suspend | suspended | D | Choice D is the best answer. The past tense of "suspended" matches the past tense of "applied," which has the same subject
("he") and takes place in the same context: "He applied…and [he] suspended."
Choice A is incorrect. The perfect infinitive "to have suspended" doesn’t match the past tense of "applied," and it can’t serve
as a verb on its own. These are both verbs with the same subject and in the same context, so there’s no need to shift tenses.
Choice B is incorrect. The present participle "suspending" doesn’t match the past tense of "applied," and it can’t serve as a
verb on its own. These are both verbs with the same subject and in the same context, so there’s no need to shift tenses.
Choice C is incorrect. The infinitive "to suspend" doesn’t match the past tense of "applied," and it can’t serve as a verb on its
own. These are both verbs with the same subject and in the same context, so there’s no need to shift tenses. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
749f3334 | The following text is from Charlotte Forten Grimké’s 1888 poem “At Newport.”
Oh, deep delight to watch the gladsome waves
Exultant leap upon the rugged rocks;
Ever repulsed, yet ever rushing on—
Filled with a life that will not know defeat;
To see the glorious hues of sky and sea.
The distant snowy sails, glide spirit like,
Into an unknown world, to feel the sweet
Enchantment of the sea thrill all the soul,
Clearing the clouded brain, making the heart
Leap joyous as it own bright, singing waves! | Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole? | It portrays the surroundings as an imposing and intimidating scene. | It characterizes the sea’s waves as a relentless and enduring force. | It conveys the speaker’s ambivalence about the natural world. | It draws a contrast between the sea’s waves and the speaker’s thoughts. | B | Choice B is the best answer because it most accurately describes how the underlined portion functions in the text as a
whole. The text presents the speaker’s experience of viewing the sea. In the underlined portion, the speaker focuses on the
idea that the waves hitting rocks on the shore are a relentless and enduring force: they are constantly pushed back (“ever
repulsed”) but always return (“ever rushing on”), as though they have an energy that can’t be overcome (“a life that will not
know defeat”).
Choice A is incorrect. Although the underlined portion characterizes the waves as a relentless force (always “repulsed” but
still “rushing on” and never being defeated), the speaker doesn’t suggest that the surroundings are intimidating. Instead, the
speaker presents the scene in a positive way, describing the “deep delight” of the “gladsome,” or cheerful, waves and feeling
“the heart / Leap joyous” while viewing the sea. Choice C is incorrect because the underlined portion doesn’t suggest that
the speaker is ambivalent, or has mixed feelings about, the natural world. Instead, it presents a single view of one part of the
immediate surroundings: the speaker characterizes the sea’s waves as an unstoppable force, since they are constantly
pushed back but always return (“ever repulsed, yet ever rushing on”). Choice D is incorrect. Although the text later suggests
the speaker’s view of her own thoughts by referring to a “clouded brain” and a heart that leaps joyously, this reference neither | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
4a2b2535 | A brief book review cannot fully convey the ______ of Olga Tokarczuk’s novel The Books of Jacob, with its enormous cast of
characters, its complicated, wandering plot, and its page numbers that count backward (beginning at 965 and ending at 1). | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | accuracy | inactivity | complexity | restraint | C | Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Olga Tokarczuk’s novel The Books
of Jacob. As used in this context, “complexity” means having many complicated parts that when taken as a whole are
difficult to follow or explain. The text indicates that The Books of Jacob has a large cast of characters, a complicated and
wandering plot (that is, a plot that is difficult to follow), and reverse page numbering. Together, these features make up a
novel that’s challenging to read and summarize. This context supports the idea that a brief book review can’t do justice to the
novel’s complexity.
Choice A is incorrect. Although the word “accuracy,” or being free from error or falsehood, can sometimes be used to
describe a novel, the text doesn’t discuss whether Tokarczuk’s novel has this quality. Instead, the text describes the novel as
having a large cast of characters, a difficult-to-follow plot, and reverse page numbering. These features suggest complexity,
not accuracy. Choice B is incorrect because “inactivity” means being in a state of idleness or doing nothing, neither of which
would make sense in this context. The text describes Tokarczuk’s novel, and although it’s possible the novel could portray its
characters as inactive, it wouldn’t make sense to describe the novel itself as such. Choice D is incorrect because in this
context “restraint” would mean holding back or showing self-control, and the text doesn’t indicate that Tokarczuk’s novel has
either of these qualities. In fact, the features of the novel that the text describes, such as a large cast of characters, a
complicated and wandering plot, and reverse page numbering, suggest excess and complexity, not restraint. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
6a1194e8 | Rydra Wong, the protagonist of Samuel R. Delany’s 1966 novel Babel-17, is a poet, an occupation which, in Delany’s work, is
not ______: nearly a dozen of the characters that populate his novels are poets or writers. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | infallible | atypical | lucrative | tedious | B | Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Samuel R. Delany’s character Rydra
Wong. As used in this context, “atypical” would mean unrepresentative or not common. The text indicates that Wong is one
of “nearly a dozen” characters in Delany’s novels who are poets or writers. This context conveys that being a poet isn’t an
atypical occupation for a character in one of Delany’s works.
Choice A is incorrect because “infallible” means to be accurate or without fault, which wouldn’t make sense in context. The
text focuses on the fact that Delany has written many characters who are poets and writers. This context suggests that the
occupation isn’t atypical for Delany, not that the occupation isn’t infallible, or problematic. Choice C is incorrect because
“lucrative” means to be profitable, which wouldn’t make sense in context. If writing poet characters weren’t profitable, it
wouldn’t be logical to explain this by citing that Delany gave many of his characters the same occupation. Choice D is
incorrect because “tedious” means to be boring, which wouldn’t make sense in context. The text focuses on the fact that
Delany has written many characters who are poets and writers. This context suggests that the occupation isn’t atypical for
Delany, not that the occupation isn’t tedious. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
57998dd3 | Obsidian is a kind of volcanic glass formed when lava cools so quickly that the atoms inside it cannot arrange themselves in
a crystalline structure. You ______ more about obsidian’s structure, which is classified as amorphous, in a later chapter. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | had learned | had been learning | will learn | have learned | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense in a sentence. In this choice,
the future tense verb “will learn,” used in conjunction with the phrase “in a later chapter,” correctly indicates that “you” (the
reader) are going to learn about obsidian’s structure at some point in the future.
Choice A is incorrect because the past perfect verb “had learned” doesn’t indicate that the subject is going to learn about
obsidian’s structure in the future. Choice B is incorrect because the past perfect progressive verb “had been learning” doesn’t
indicate that the subject is going to learn about obsidian’s structure in the future. Choice D is incorrect because the present
perfect verb “have learned” doesn’t indicate that the subject is going to learn about obsidian’s structure in the future. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
c52652c9 | The human brain is primed to recognize faces—so much so that, due to a perceptual tendency called pareidolia, ______ will
even find faces in clouds, wooden doors, pieces of fruit, and other faceless inanimate objects. Researcher Susan Magsamen
has focused her work on better understanding this everyday phenomenon. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | she | they | it | those | C | Choice C is the best answer. "It" is a singular pronoun used to stand in for objects. Since the antecedent in this case is the
singular noun phrase "the human brain," "it" is a perfect pronoun to use here.
Choice A is incorrect. Although "she" is a singular pronoun, it is reserved for people and animals, not objects like "the human
brain." Choice B is incorrect. "They" is a plural pronoun, but we need a singular pronoun to represent the antecedent "the
human brain." Choice D is incorrect. "Those" is a plural pronoun, but we need a singular pronoun to represent the antecedent
"the human brain." | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
0bcb4417 | Oglala Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier’s star quilt poems offer an unusually open-ended reading experience. With ______ eight
panels of text stitched together in the shape of a traditional eight-pointed Lakota star quilt, the poems present viewers with a
seemingly infinite number of ways to read them. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | their | it’s | they’re | its | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of possessive determiners. The plural possessive
determiner "their" agrees in number with the plural noun "the poems," thus indicating that the poems had eight panels of text
stitched together in the shape of a traditional eight-pointed Lakota star quilt.
Choice B is incorrect because "it’s" is the contraction for "it is" or "it has," not a possessive determiner. Choice C is incorrect
because "they’re" is the contraction for "they are," not a possessive determiner. Choice D is incorrect because the singular
possessive determiner "its" doesn’t agree in number with the plural noun "the poems." | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
e76e74e8 | Over twenty years ago, in a landmark experiment in the psychology of choice, professor Sheena Iyengar set up a jam-tasting
booth at a grocery store. The number of jams available for tasting ______ some shoppers had twenty-four different options,
others only six. Interestingly, the shoppers with fewer jams to choose from purchased more jam. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | varied: | varied, | varied, while | varied while | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of a colon within a sentence. In this choice, the colon is
used in a conventional way to introduce the following description of how the number of jams available varied.
Choice B is incorrect because it creates a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses (“the
number…varied” and “some…six”). Choice C is incorrect because it results in an illogical and confusing sentence. Using the
conjunction “while” to join the main clause (“the number…varied”) with the following clause’s description of the number of
jams available suggests that the variation in the number of jams is in contrast to some shoppers having twenty-four options.
Choice D is incorrect because it results in an illogical and confusing sentence. Using “while” in this way suggests that the
number of jams available varied during the time in which some shoppers had twenty-four options and others had six. The
sentence makes clear, however, that what follows “varied” is a description of the variation, not a separate, simultaneous
occurrence. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
96c720af | Atoms in a synchrotron, a type of circular particle accelerator, travel faster and faster until they ______ a desired energy level,
at which point they are diverted to collide with a target, smashing the atoms. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | will reach | reach | had reached | are reaching | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense in a sentence. In this choice,
the present tense verb “reach” is consistent with the present tense verbs “travel” and “are diverted” used to describe how
atoms move through the synchrotron.
Choice A is incorrect because the future tense verb “will reach” is inconsistent with the present tense verbs used to describe
how atoms move through the synchrotron. Though the atoms’ movement is a recurring action and “will reach” can also be
used to indicate a habitual or recurring action, it creates a logical inconsistency in this sentence when paired with the
present tense verbs “travel” and “are diverted.” Choice C is incorrect because the past perfect tense verb “had reached” is
inconsistent with the present tense verbs used to describe how atoms move through the synchrotron. Choice D is incorrect
because the present progressive tense verb “are reaching” is inconsistent with the present tense verbs used to describe how
atoms move through the synchrotron. While both verbs occur in the present, the present progressive tense suggests that the
action is currently in progress. This creates a logical inconsistency when paired with the present tense verbs “travel” and “are
diverted,” which offer a general description of the tendencies of the atoms’ movement, rather than a description of an action
that is currently in progress. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
b260c65a | Earth is not a perfect sphere. Due to the ______ gravitational pull, Earth bulges out on the sides closest to and farthest from
the Moon. This distorting pull is known as a tidal force, and it is responsible for the changes in water levels that are called
high and low tides. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Moon’s | Moons | Moons’ | Moon | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of possessive nouns. The singular possessive noun
"Moon’s" correctly indicates that there is only one Moon, and it has a gravitational pull.
Choice B is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun "Moon’s," not the plural noun "Moons."
Choice C is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun "Moon’s," not the plural possessive noun
"Moons’." Choice D is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun "Moon’s," not the singular noun
"Moon." | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
ea971260 | The following text is adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 novel An Old-Fashioned Girl. Polly, a teenager, is visiting her
friend Fanny.
Fanny’s friends did not interest Polly much; she was rather afraid of them [because] they seemed so much older and
wiser than herself, even those younger in years. They talked about things of which she knew nothing and when Fanny
tried to explain, she didn’t find them interesting; indeed, some of them rather shocked and puzzled her. | Which choice best states the main purpose of the text? | To portray Polly’s reaction to Fanny’s friends | To identify the topics Polly talks about with Fanny’s friends | To explain how Fanny met some of her friends | To illustrate how Fanny’s friends feel about Polly | A | Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text, which is to show how Polly
reacted to some of Fanny’s other friends. The text describes Polly as being frightened of Fanny’s friends because they
seemed “much older and wiser” to her and elaborates that they “talked about things of which” Polly was unfamiliar,
uninterested, and shocked. Thus, the main purpose of the text is to describe Polly’s impressions of Fanny’s other friends.
Choice B is incorrect because the text does not provide any of the topics Polly discussed with Fanny’s friends, stating only
that Polly found the topics unfamiliar, uninteresting, and shocking. Choice C is incorrect because the text says nothing about
how Fanny and her other friends first met. Choice D is incorrect because the focus of the text is on Polly’s feelings about
Fanny’s other friends, not on the other friends’ feelings about Polly. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
77bf77cd | Farouk El-Baz, a geologist and space scientist, ______ part of the team that selected the lunar landing sites for the Apollo
program during the 1960s and 1970s. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | are | was | have been | were | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "was" agrees in
number with the singular subject "Farouk El-Baz."
Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb "are" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "Farouk El-Baz." Choice
C is incorrect because the plural verb "have been" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "Farouk El-Baz." Choice D
is incorrect because the plural verb "were" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "Farouk El-Baz." | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
1ee7b429 | Bonnie Buratti of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ______ data about Saturn’s rings collected by the Cassini spacecraft when
she made an interesting discovery: the tiny moons embedded between and within Saturn’s rings are shaped by the buildup of
ring material on the moons’ surfaces. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | studies | has been studying | will study | was studying | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense in a sentence. In this choice,
the past progressive tense verb “was studying” is consistent with the other past tense verbs (e.g., “made” and “collected”)
used to describe Buratti’s discovery. Further, the past progressive tense correctly indicates that an ongoing action in the past
was occurring (she was studying) at the same time that another event occurred in the past (she made an interesting
discovery).
Choice A is incorrect because the present tense verb “studies” isn’t consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe
Buratti’s discovery. Choice B is incorrect because the present perfect progressive tense verb “has been studying” isn’t
consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe Buratti’s discovery. Choice C is incorrect because the future tense verb
“will study” isn’t consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe Buratti’s discovery. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
166efaa2 | Public-awareness campaigns about the need to reduce single-use plastics can be successful, says researcher Kim Borg of
Monash University in Australia, when these campaigns give consumers a choice: for example, Japan achieved a 40 percent
reduction in plastic-bag use after cashiers were instructed to ask customers whether ______ wanted a bag. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | they | one | you | it | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is pronoun–antecedent agreement. The plural pronoun “they”
agrees in number with the plural antecedent “customers.”
Choice B is incorrect because the singular pronoun “one” doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent “customers.”
Choice C is incorrect because the second person pronoun “you” isn’t conventional as a substitute for “customers.” It
suggests that the audience (“you”) is the customer. Choice D is incorrect because the singular pronoun “it” doesn’t agree in
number with the plural antecedent “customers.” | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
26c8c88c | About 70,000 meteorites have been found on Earth. Although most meteorites are fragments of ______ hundred have been
identified as being from the Moon or Mars. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | asteroids. Several | asteroids, several | asteroids; several | asteroids: several | B | Choice B is the best answer. This choice uses a comma to correctly separate the dependent clause "although…asteroids"
from the independent clause "several hundred have been…Mars."
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a sentence fragment. "Although…asteroids" is a dependent clause. It can’t stand
on its own as a sentence, which means it can’t end in a period. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation
error. "Although…asteroids" is a dependent clause and can’t be joined to the independent clause "several hundred have been…
Mars" with a semicolon. A semicolon can only join two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a
punctuation error. A colon can only come after an independent clause, but "although…asteroids" is a dependent clause. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
403d7bb5 | According to Naomi Nakayama of the University of Edinburgh, the reason seeds from a dying dandelion appear to float in the
air while ______ is that their porous plumes enhance drag, allowing the seeds to stay airborne long enough for the wind to
disperse them throughout the surrounding area. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | falling, | falling: | falling; | falling | D | Choice D is the best answer. The word “falling” occurs in the middle of a clause and isn’t part of a supplement, so we don’t
need any punctuation after it. We can see this more clearly if we simplify the rest of the sentence: “The reason seeds appear
to float while falling is that their plumes enhance drag.” .
Choice A is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The
word “falling” occurs in the middle of a clause and isn’t part of a supplement, so we don’t need any punctuation after it. We
can see this more clearly if we simplify the sentence: “The reason seeds appear to float while falling is that their plumes
enhance drag.” . Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard
English. The word “falling” occurs in the middle of a clause and isn’t part of a supplement, so we don’t need any punctuation
after it. We can see this more clearly if we simplify the sentence: “The reason seeds appear to float while falling is that their
plumes enhance drag.” . Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of
Standard English. The word “falling” occurs in the middle of a clause and isn’t part of a supplement, so we don’t need any
punctuation after it. We can see this more clearly if we simplify the sentence: “The reason seeds appear to float while falling
is that their plumes enhance drag.” . | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
577b09fa | Robin Wall Kimmerer of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation is a bryologist, a plant scientist who specializes in mosses. To
Kimmerer, mosses are Earth’s most adaptable plants: they can clone ______ enter a dormant state in times of drought, and
grow in areas that don’t have soil. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | themselves; | themselves, | themselves. And | themselves | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a series. The comma after
“themselves” is used conventionally to separate the first item (“they can clone themselves”) and the second item (“enter a
dormant state in times of drought”) in the series of things mosses can do.
Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series such as this. Choice
C is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “And enter.” Choice D is
incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the first and second items in the series. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
faa5696c | Arturo A. Schomburg was dedicated to preserving books, art, and other materials from peoples of African descent around
the world. To get these items, Schomburg ______ friends and colleagues, whom he asked to bring back rare and valuable
objects from their international travels. Now, Schomburg’s collection is a valuable resource for scholars of Black history and
culture. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | admired | disagreed with | warned | depended on | D | Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Arturo A. Schomburg’s collection. In
this context, the phrase “depended on” means relied on. The text explains that Schomburg, wanting to preserve “books, art,
and other materials” created by peoples of African descent from around the world, built a large collection of these objects.
The text also states that in order to obtain these items, Schomburg asked friends and colleagues who were traveling
internationally to bring them back for him. This implies that he wouldn’t have been able to create his collection without help.
Thus, the context supports the idea that Schomburg relied on, or depended on, friends and colleagues to build his collection.
Choice A is incorrect because “admired” means respected and approved of. Although it’s reasonable to expect that
Schomburg respected his friends and colleagues, the text doesn’t discuss any such aspect of their relationships. The text
focuses instead on what Schomburg asked his friends and colleagues to do to help build his collection. Choice B is incorrect
because “disagreed with” means held an opposing belief, and nothing in the text suggests that Schomburg and his friends or
colleagues held opposing views on any subject. In fact, the text strongly implies that Schomburg’s friends and colleagues
supported him in his goal of preserving objects of importance for Black history and culture by bringing him such objects
from around the world. Choice C is incorrect because “warned” means informed someone in advance about something
dangerous, which wouldn’t make sense in this context. Nothing in the text suggests that Schomburg thought his friends and
colleagues were in any danger, let alone that he warned them of danger. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
bdab32fc | Cucurbits, a group of plants that includes squash and melons, relied on mastodons to spread their seeds in the Ice Age.
When these animals died out, cucurbits faced extinction in turn, having lost their means of seed dispersal. Around this time,
however, the ancestors of Indigenous peoples in North America began raising cucurbits as crops, thus ______ the plants’
survival. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | verifying | multiplying | comforting | ensuring | D | Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of cucurbits. In this context, “ensuring”
means guaranteeing, or making sure of, the cucurbits’ survival. The text states that cucurbits faced extinction in the past
because their means of seed dispersal disappeared, but the ancestors of Indigenous peoples in North America began
farming cucurbits around that same time, so the crops were no longer threatened. Therefore, the context supports the idea
that the ancestors of Indigenous peoples in North America helped with ensuring the cucurbits’ survival.
Choice A is incorrect because in this context verifying means making sure that something is accurate. In the text, the
ancestors of Indigenous peoples in North America were ensuring the survival, not the accuracy of, the cucurbits. Choice B is
incorrect. Although the cucurbit crops themselves were multiplying, or growing in number, as a result of the work of the
ancestors of Indigenous peoples in North America, it wouldn’t make sense in context to say that the survival of the plants
was multiplying. Choice C is incorrect because according to the text, in raising cucurbits as crops, the ancestors of
Indigenous peoples in North America were attempting to help the plants grow and survive; they weren’t attempting to
comfort, or free the plants from pain. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
760ee1db | Although the playwrights hoped that their play would be ______ when performed live, critics generally agreed that the
production and performances had the opposite effect, wearying audiences instead of energizing them. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | multifaceted | realistic | rousing | subtle | C | Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the play’s effect on audiences. As
used in this context, “rousing” means exciting or energizing. The text indicates that critics found the play to have “the
opposite effect” on audiences of what the playwrights hoped for. The critics, the text says, thought the play was wearying
rather than energizing to viewers. This context supports the idea that the playwrights hoped live performances of the play
would be energizing, or rousing, to audiences.
Choice A is incorrect because there’s no information in the text suggesting that the playwrights hoped live performances of
the play would be “multifaceted,” or be varied or have many aspects. The text indicates that critics found the play to be
wearying to audiences and that this was the opposite of what the playwrights hoped for. Multifaceted is not the opposite of
wearying, but rousing is, which suggests that the playwrights hoped the play would be rousing. Choice B is incorrect because
there’s no information in the text suggesting that the playwrights hoped live performances of the play would be “realistic,” or
lifelike or sensible. The text says that critics found the play to be wearying to audiences and that this was the opposite of
what the playwrights hoped for. Realistic is not the opposite of wearying, but rousing is, which suggests that the playwrights
hoped the play would be rousing. Choice D is incorrect because there’s no information in the text suggesting that the
playwrights hoped live performances of the play would be subtle, or complex or understated. The text says that critics found
the play to be wearying to audiences and that this was the opposite of what the playwrights hoped for. Subtle is not the
opposite of wearying, but rousing is, which suggests that the playwrights hoped the play would be rousing. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
c14daa3c | Close analysis of the painting Girl with a Flute, long attributed to the seventeenth-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer,
has revealed subtle deviations from the artist’s signature techniques. These variations suggest that the work may be that of
a student under Vermeer’s tutelage—potentially ______ our understanding of Vermeer as a solitary artist. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | negating | prefiguring | entrenching | substantiating | A | Choice A is the best answer. "Negating" means "reversing" or "making invalid." Proving that Vermeer worked with students
would reverse the view of him as a solitary artist.
Choice B is incorrect. "Prefiguring" means "being an early indicator of." There already existed views of Vermeer as a solitary
painter, so a new painting would not be an early indicator of those views. Rather, a painting proving that Vermeer had a
student would contradict those earlier views. Choice C is incorrect. "Entrenching" means "solidifying." A painting proving that
Vermeer had a student would not solidify views of him as solitary, but would rather contradict those views. Choice D is
incorrect. "Substantiating" means "supporting with proof." A painting proving that Vermeer had a student would not support
views of him as solitary, but would rather contradict those views. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
69f031ab | While exploring Nevada’s Gypsum Cave in 1930, Seneca and Abenaki archaeologist Bertha Parker made her most famous
discovery: the skull of a now-extinct ground sloth (Nothrotheriops shastensis) alongside human-made tools. Parker’s crucial
finding was the first ______ humans in North America as far back as 10,000 years ago. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | places | placed | place | to place | D | Choice D is the best answer. The object for the verb "was" is "first," and "to place" is acting as a modifier for "first." What was
the finding? It was "the first." The first to do what? The first "to place humans in North America" 10,000 years ago. When a
verb serves as a modifier within a noun phrase, it must be nonfinite (i.e., not conjugated to a specific subject). The infinitive
form "to place" is the only nonfinite option among the choices that makes sense in context.
Choice A is incorrect. The object for the verb "was" is "first," and "places" is acting as a modifier for "first." What was the thing
that Parker’s finding did? What was it the first to do? Place humans in North America 10,000 years ago. When a verb acts as
a modifier, it must be nonfinite (i.e., not conjugated to a specific subject), but "places" is a finite form of the verb. Choice B is
incorrect. The object for the verb "was" is "first," and "placed" is acting to modify "first." What was it that Parker’s finding was
the first to do? Place humans in North America 10,000 years ago. When a verb acts as a modifier, it must be nonfinite (i.e.,
not conjugated to a specific subject), but "placed" is a finite form. "Placed" can also be a past participle, but that wouldn’t
make sense here because the meaning of "the first placed humans" would be unclear. Choice C is incorrect. The object for
the verb "was" is "first," and "place" is modifying "first." What was the thing that Parker’s finding did? What was it the first to
do? Place humans in North America. When a verb acts as a modifier, it must be nonfinite (i.e., not conjugated to a specific
subject), but "place" is a finite form of the verb. Additionally, "place" can’t serve as a noun here, because it results in an
illogical sentence (the "finding" wasn’t "the first place"). | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
c8603ed7 | San Francisco is known for the colorful murals painted on many of its buildings. The densest collection of murals is found
on Balmy Alley in the Mission District neighborhood. In the 1970s, Latina artists painted vivid scenes of community life on
walls along this block. As the original murals have faded, later generations of artists have painted new ones over them. As a
result, Balmy Alley has become a living showcase of San Francisco’s artistic spirit, with its murals reflecting changes in the
cultural life of the city. | Which choice best states the main purpose of the text? | To compare the Balmy Alley murals to other murals in San Francisco | To offer an overview of the history and importance of the Balmy Alley murals | To urge people to protect the murals of San Francisco from decay | To describe the rise of mural painting in San Francisco beginning in the 1970s | B | Choice B is the best answer because it best states the main purpose of the text. The text begins by briefly stating that San
Francisco is known for its murals, then transitions to a discussion of a single collection of murals, which is found on Balmy
Alley in the city’s Mission District. The text explains that the murals in this area were originally created in the 1970s, then
observes that they have changed over time: as some have faded through the decades, others have been painted in their
place. The text ends by emphasizing that these murals are significant because they reflect San Francisco’s artistic spirit and
cultural life. Therefore, the text provides an overview of the history and importance of the Balmy Alley murals.
Choice A is incorrect. Although it can be inferred from the text that there are murals in other areas of San Francisco besides
Balmy Alley, the text doesn’t specifically discuss murals in other areas or compare the murals of Balmy Alley to those in other
areas. Choice C is incorrect. By observing that some of the murals of Balmy Alley have been replaced due to fading, the text
implies that murals can decay, but it never urges readers to protect this specific collection of murals—or any murals
elsewhere in San Francisco, for that matter. Indeed, by describing the ever-changing murals of Balmy Alley as “a living
showcase of San Francisco’s artistic spirit,” the text emphasizes the positive aspects of the fact that the original Balmy Alley
murals have faded and been replaced with new murals. Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t describe the rise of
mural painting in San Francisco generally or note when this occurred. The only historical development of the 1970s
mentioned in the text is the origin of the murals in a specific area of the city: Balmy Alley in the Mission District. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
dab8b8ee | Known as Earth’s “living skin,” biocrusts are thin layers of soil held together by surface-dwelling microorganisms such as
fungi, lichens, and cyanobacteria. Fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion, ______ | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | a recent study’s estimate is that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year. | an estimated 60 percent reduction in global dust emissions each year is due to these crusts, according to a recent study. | these crusts reduce global dust emissions by an estimated 60 percent each year, according to a recent study. | a recent study has estimated that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year. | C | Choice C is the best answer. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts."
Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to each other, so "biocrusts" or some variant
meaning "biocrusts" (in this case, "these crusts") must begin the missing clause.
Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in
arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts," not "a recent study’s estimate." Choice B is incorrect. Modifiers and their
subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is
"biocrusts," not "an estimated 60 percent reduction." Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each
other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts," not "a recent study." | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
dba9eaf8 | Within baleen whale species, some individuals develop an accessory spleen—a seemingly functionless formation of
splenetic tissue outside the normal spleen. Given the formation’s greater prevalence among whales known to make deeper
dives, some researchers hypothesize that its role isn’t ______; rather, the accessory spleen may actively support diving
mechanisms. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | replicable | predetermined | operative | latent | D | Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of baleen whale accessory spleens. In
this context, “latent” means dormant or functionless. The text sets up a contrast between the idea that baleen whale
accessory spleens appear not to have a function and the research indicating that the accessory spleen may actually have a
role in supporting the whales’ diving mechanisms. This context therefore conveys the idea that the assumption that baleen
whale accessory spleens are latent may be incorrect.
Choice A is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to say that the role of the accessory spleen is “replicable,” or capable
of being reproduced. The text indicates that the role of the accessory spleen seems to have no function, but some
researchers think it does have a role; the text doesn’t address whether the role of the accessory spleen could or couldn’t be
reproduced. Choice B is incorrect because suggesting that the role of the accessory spleen is “predetermined,” or decided in
advance, wouldn’t make sense in context. Although the researchers may agree that the role of the accessory spleen or any
other organ hasn’t been determined in advance, the text focuses on the idea that the accessory spleen was thought to have
been functionless but may in fact serve an active role for baleen whales. Choice C is incorrect because it’s the opposite of
what the context of the text is conveying. The second sentence of the text indicates that baleen whale accessory spleens
may not be useless, not that they aren’t “operative,” or functional. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
b35cefb7 | The fine, powdery substance that covers the Moon’s surface is called regolith. Because regolith is both readily available and
high in oxygen ______ scientists have wondered whether it could be used as a potential source of oxygen for future lunar
settlements. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | content and | content, | content | content, and | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subordinate clause and a main clause.
This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause (“Because...content”) and the
main clause (“scientists...settlements”).
Choice A is incorrect. Joining the subordinate clause (“Because...content”) and the clause that follows
(“scientists...settlements”) with the conjunction “and” results in an ungrammatical sentence that lacks a main clause. Choice
C is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause and the main clause with appropriate
punctuation. Choice D is incorrect. Joining the subordinate clause (“Because...content”) and the clause that follows
(“scientists...settlements”) with a comma and the conjunction “and” results in an ungrammatical sentence that lacks a main
clause. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
62120607 | From afar, African American fiber artist Bisa Butler’s portraits look like paintings, their depictions of human faces, bodies,
and clothing so intricate that it seems only a fine brush could have rendered them. When viewed up close, however, the
portraits reveal themselves to be ______ stitching barely visible among the thousands of pieces of printed, microcut fabric. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | quilts, and the | quilts, the | quilts; the | quilts. The | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“the portraits...quilts”) and the
supplementary noun phrase (“the stitching...fabric”) that provides a further description of how the portraits can be identified
as quilts.
Choice A is incorrect. A comma and the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a
supplementary noun phrase. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a
supplementary noun phrase. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment
beginning with “the stitching.” | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
be37d4ae | During the English neoclassical period (1660–1789), many writers imitated the epic poetry and satires of ancient Greece and
Rome. They were not the first in England to adopt the literary modes of classical ______ some of the most prominent figures
of the earlier Renaissance period were also influenced by ancient Greek and Roman literature. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | antiquity, however | antiquity, however, | antiquity, however; | antiquity; however, | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary phrase following a clause.
This choice uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb phrase “however” from the independent clause it modifies
(“They …antiquity”) and uses a semicolon to join the first independent clause (“They …antiquity”) and the second independent
clause (“some…literature”). Further, placing the semicolon after “however” indicates that the information in the clause that
this part of (that neoclassical writers were not the first to adopt classical literary modes) is contrary to what might be
assumed from the information in the previous sentence (that the neoclassical writers were unique in imitating classical epic
poetry and satires).
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary after “however” between the two independent clauses with
appropriate punctuation. Choice B is incorrect because the comma after “however” can’t be used in this way to mark the
boundary between the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because placing the semicolon after “antiquity”
illogically indicates that the information in the clause that this part of (that prominent Renaissance figures were also
influenced by classical literature) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (that neoclassical writers were not the
first to adopt classical literary modes). | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
0ed94d4c | Jackie Ormes’s Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem (1937–38) was the first comic strip by a Black woman to appear in a widely
read newspaper. The strip tells the story of Torchy, a young woman who leaves Mississippi to become a performer in New
York City. Torchy’s story reflects the experience of the Great Migration (1910–1970), when millions of Black Americans left
the South in search of opportunities in other parts of the United States. Torchy Brown thus shows how Ormes used comics
to comment humorously on issues affecting Black Americans, which she continued to do throughout her career. | Which choice best states the main purpose of the text? | To show how Ormes’s Torchy Brown inspired other Black women to write comic strips in the 1930s | To illustrate how the subjects Ormes addressed in her comic strips changed over the course of her career | To give an example of how Ormes presented the experiences of Black Americans in her comic strips | To claim that several characters in Torchy Brown were based on people that Ormes knew personally | C | Choice C is the best answer. The text describes how Torchy Brown depicted the experiences of a young Black woman
experiencing America’s Great Migration. It further states that Ormes continued to use comics throughout her career to
humorously comment on important issues impacting Black Americans.
Choice A is incorrect. The text never mentions other Black women comic strip writers. Choice B is incorrect. The text never
mentions any changes in the subjects Ormes addressed. Choice D is incorrect. The text never mentions the inspiration for
characters in Torchy Brown. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
04bfd364 | The intense pressure found in the deep ocean can affect the structure of proteins in fish’s cells, distorting the proteins’
shape. The chemical trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) counters this effect, ensuring that proteins retain their original ______ is
found in high concentrations in the cells of the deepest-dwelling fish. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | configurations. TMAO | configurations TMAO | configurations, TMAO | configurations and TMAO | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period
after “configurations” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“The intense…configurations”) and
another (“TMAO…fish”). The supplementary phrase (“ensuring…configurations”) modifies the main clause of the first
sentence (“The chemical…effect”), and “TMAO” is the subject of the second sentence.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“The intense…configurations” and “TMAO…
fish”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. 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 sentences. Choice D is incorrect. Without a comma
preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join sentences. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
ea0aa676 | In the 1970s, Janaki Ammal, a prominent botanist, emerged as a powerful voice in India’s environmental conservation
movement. Her exhaustive chromosomal survey of plants in Silent Valley, a pristine tropical forest in Kerala, India, that is
home to nearly 1,000 species of native flora (many of which are endangered), ______ instrumental in the government’s
decision to preserve the forest. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | are | were | have been | was | D | Choice D is the best answer. The subject "survey" is singular, and so is the verb "was."
Choice A is incorrect. The subject "survey" is singular, but the verb "are" is plural. Choice B is incorrect. The subject "survey" is
singular, but the verb "were" is plural. Choice C is incorrect. The subject "survey" is singular, but the verb "have been" is plural. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
e0656211 | In Nature Poem (2017), Kumeyaay poet Tommy Pico portrays his ______ the natural world by honoring the centrality of nature
within his tribe’s traditional beliefs while simultaneously expressing his distaste for being in wilderness settings himself. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | responsiveness to | ambivalence toward | renunciation of | mastery over | B | Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s description of how Pico feels about the natural
world. In this context, to say that Pico portrays his “ambivalence toward” nature would mean that he portrays his mixed
feelings about nature. The text explains that Pico “honors the centrality of nature” and also makes it clear that he doesn’t
enjoy being in nature. This context suggests that Pico feels ambivalence toward nature.
Choice A is incorrect because saying that Pico portrays his “responsiveness to” nature would mean that he portrays himself
as quick to react to nature, which isn’t supported by the text. Instead, the text focuses on Pico’s mixed feelings toward
nature, describing him as both honoring nature’s role in his tribe’s beliefs and expressing his personal dislike for being in
nature. Choice C is incorrect because saying that Pico portrays his “renunciation of” nature would mean that he portrays
himself as rejecting nature, which isn’t supported by the text. The text conveys that Pico demonstrates both positive and
negative responses toward nature, not that he’s giving it up completely. Choice D is incorrect because saying that Pico
portrays his “mastery over” nature would mean that he portrays himself as having control over nature, which isn’t supported
by the text. The text focuses on Pico’s mixed feelings about nature; nothing in the text suggests that Pico feels mastery over
nature. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
c101fc44 | How do scientists determine what foods were eaten by extinct hominins such as Neanderthals? In the past, researchers
were limited to studying the marks found on the fossilized teeth of skeletons, but in 2017 a team led by Laura Weyrich of the
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA tried something ______ the DNA found in Neanderthals’ fossilized dental plaque. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | new: sequencing | new; sequencing | new, sequencing: | new. Sequencing | A | Choice A is the best answer. “A team…tried something new” is an independent clause leading to an explanation of what the
new thing was. A colon can only be used at the end of an independent clause, and typically introduces further explanation
that expands upon the first clause, which makes a colon the perfect choice here.
Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error. “Sequencing…dental plaque” can’t stand on its own as a
sentence, and so it can’t be linked to the independent clause “a team…tried something new” with a semicolon. Only two
independent clauses can be connected in this way. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error. If
“sequencing” is included in the first clause, it can no longer stand on its own as a complete idea. Since a colon can only
come at the end of an independent clause, using one in this way creates an error. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in
a sentence fragment. “Sequencing…dental plaque” can’t stand on its own as a sentence. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
441e2b9e | Researchers and conservationists stress that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is ______. For example, people can
take simple steps such as washing their footwear after travel to avoid introducing potentially invasive organisms into new
environments. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | preventable | undeniable | common | concerning | A | Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of how biodiversity loss due to
invasive species can be avoided. As used in this context, “preventable” means able to be stopped or kept from happening.
The text indicates that “people can take simple steps” to avoid bringing possible invasive species into new environments. It
presents these steps as an example of how biodiversity loss due to invasive species is preventable.
Choice B is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to say that a simple step like washing your shoes after traveling is an
example of biodiversity loss due to invasive species being “undeniable,” or something that can’t be proved to be wrong.
Although the text may suggest that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is something that really happens, the word that
completes the text must make the first sentence into an assertion that is illustrated by the second sentence, and the second
sentence illustrates the idea that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is preventable, not undeniable. Choice C is
incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to say that a simple step like washing your shoes after traveling is an example of
biodiversity loss due to invasive species being “common,” or something that happens regularly. Additionally, the text doesn’t
provide any information about how frequently invasive species cause biodiversity loss. Choice D is incorrect because it
wouldn’t make sense to say that a simple step like washing your shoes after traveling is an example of biodiversity loss due
to invasive species being “concerning,” or something that is troubling or causes worry. Although the text implies that the
phenomenon of biodiversity loss due to invasive species is itself a concerning phenomenon, the word that completes the
text must make the first sentence into an assertion that is illustrated by the second sentence, and the second sentence
illustrates the idea that biodiversity loss due to invasive species is preventable, not concerning. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
e7247766 | Horizontal gene transfer occurs when an organism of one species acquires genetic material from an organism of another
species through nonreproductive means. The genetic material can then be transferred “vertically” in the second species—
that is, through reproductive inheritance. Scientist Atma Ivancevic and her team have hypothesized infection by invertebrate
parasites as a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer between vertebrate species: while feeding, a parasite could acquire a
gene from one host, then relocate to a host from a different vertebrate species and transfer the gene to it in turn. | Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole? | It explains why parasites are less susceptible to horizontal gene transfer than their hosts are. | It clarifies why some genes are more likely to be transferred horizontally than others are. | It contrasts how horizontal gene transfer occurs among vertebrates with how it occurs among invertebrates. | It describes a means by which horizontal gene transfer might occur among vertebrates. | D | Choice D is the best answer. The text defines horizontal gene transfer and then gives one possibility for how it happens in
vertebrates (via infection by parasites). The underlined part describes how that mechanism could work.
Choice A is incorrect. The underlined portion doesn’t do this. Parasites are only described as the mechanism that does the
transferring, not the species that gives or receives the genes. Choice B is incorrect. The underlined portion doesn’t do this.
The text never discusses which genes are more likely to be transferred. Choice C is incorrect. The underlined portion doesn’t
do this. The text never discusses how horizontal gene transfer occurs among invertebrates. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
e41dfaab | In 1929 the Atlantic Monthly published several articles based on newly discovered letters allegedly exchanged between
President Abraham Lincoln and a woman named Ann Rutledge. Historians were unable to ______ the authenticity of the
letters, however, and quickly dismissed them as a hoax. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | validate | interpret | relate | accommodate | A | Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of letters allegedly exchanged
between President Lincoln and Rutledge. In this context, “validate” means to confirm that something is real or correct.
According to the text, it was alleged, or claimed, that the newly discovered letters had been written by Lincoln and Rutledge.
The text also indicates that historians ultimately decided the letters were a hoax, or fraudulent. This context suggests that
the historians couldn’t confirm that the letters were authentic.
Choice B is incorrect. The text focuses on the authenticity of the letters, which were claimed to have been written by Lincoln
and Rutledge and were then quickly dismissed as fraudulent by historians. Rather than conveying that the historians simply
weren’t able to “interpret,” or explain in an understandable way, the letters’ authenticity, the text suggests that the historians
decided the letters lacked authenticity altogether. Choice C is incorrect. The text states that the historians quickly dismissed
the letters claimed to have been written by Lincoln and Rutledge as fraudulent; this suggests that rather than being unable to
“relate,” or tell others about, the letters’ authenticity, the historians were able to share what they’d decided about the letters.
Choice D is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to suggest that the historians couldn’t “accommodate,” or give
consideration to, the authenticity of the letters claimed to have been written by Lincoln and Rutledge; the text states that the
historians decided that the letters were fraudulent, which indicates that they did consider whether the letters were authentic. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
d2b81427 | In assessing the films of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, ______ have missed his equally deep engagement with Japanese
artistic traditions such as Noh theater. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | many critics have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources but | Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources has been the focus of many critics, who | there are many critics who have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources, but they | the focus of many critics has been on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources; they | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes the noun phrase
“many critics” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase “in assessing…Kurosawa.” In
doing so, this choice clearly establishes that it is the critics—and not another noun in the sentence—who assess Kurosawa’s
films.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “Kurosawa’s…sources”
immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that his use of Western literary sources is what assesses
Kurosawa’s films. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the function word “there”
immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that “there” is what assesses Kurosawa’s films. Choice D is
incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the focus…critics” immediately after
the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the critics’ focus is what assesses Kurosawa’s films. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
2c84f96a | In 2017, artists Isabel and Ruben Toledo redesigned the costumes and sets for The Miami City Ballet’s production of The
______ to reviewers, the Toledos’ designs helped infuse the production with elements of Miami’s Latin American culture. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | Nutcracker according, | Nutcracker, according | Nutcracker according | Nutcracker. According | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“In 2017...Nutcracker”) and another (“According...culture”). The
supplementary element “according to reviewers” modifies the main clause of the second sentence (“the Toledos’...culture”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. Furthermore, no punctuation is needed within the supplementary element “according to reviewers.” Choice B is
incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences.
Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
02e49a0c | Genetic studies have led researchers to suggest that turtles are most closely related to the group that includes modern
crocodiles. But studies of fossils have suggested instead that turtles are most closely related to other groups, such as the
one that contains modern snakes. However, many of the fossil studies have relied on incomplete data sets. For a 2022
investigation, biologist Tiago R. Simões and colleagues examined more than 1,000 reptile fossils collected worldwide. From
this large data set, they found clear agreement with the results of the genetic studies. | Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence? | It offers an overview of the tools scientists use to examine fossils. | It describes a limitation of some studies about the origin of turtles. | It summarizes previous research on the evolution of crocodiles. | It criticizes a widely held belief about genetic studies of reptiles. | B | Choice B is the best answer. The sentence mentions that some fossil studies have relied on incomplete data sets,
suggesting that these studies are limited in what they can tell us about turtles’ origins.
Choice A is incorrect. While the sentence mentions the incompleteness of the data sets studied, it doesn’t mention any tools
or techniques used to examine fossils. Choice C is incorrect. The sentence doesn’t mention anything about the evolution of
crocodiles. Choice D is incorrect. This sentence doesn’t directly mention or criticize any "widely held belief," and it focuses on
a limitation of fossil studies of reptiles, not genetic studies. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
fba5d8d1 | In a 2016 study, Eastern Washington University psychologist Amani El-Alayli found that, among the study participants who
experienced frisson (a physiological response akin to goosebumps or getting the chills) while listening to music, there was
one personality trait that they scored particularly ______ openness to experience. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | high. On | high on; | high on | high on: | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause ("there...on") and the
supplementary phrase ("openness to experience") and to introduce the information that identifies which personality trait
participants scored especially high on.
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with "on" and separates a
necessary preposition from the clause beginning with "there." Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this
way to join the main clause ("there...on") and the supplementary phrase ("openness to experience"). A semicolon is
conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is conventionally used to introduce an element that explains
or amplifies the information in the preceding clause, making the colon the better choice in this context. Choice C is incorrect
because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause ("there...on") and the supplementary phrase ("openness to
experience"). | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
1ee4485c | Journalists have dubbed Gil Scott-Heron the “godfather of rap,” a title that has appeared in hundreds of articles about him
since the 1990s. Scott-Heron himself resisted the godfather ______ feeling that it didn’t encapsulate his devotion to the
broader African American blues music tradition as well as “bluesologist,” the moniker he preferred. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | nickname, however | nickname, however; | nickname, however, | nickname; however, | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and two supplementary
elements. In this choice, the commas after “nickname” and “however” are correctly used to separate the supplementary
adverb “however” from the main clause (“Scott-Heron…nickname”) on one side and the supplementary participial phrase
(“feeling…bluesologist”) on the other.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary adverb “however” and the
supplementary phrase (“feeling…bluesologist”). Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join
the supplementary adverb “however” and the supplementary phrase (“feeling…bluesologist”). Choice D is incorrect because a
semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“Scott-Heron…nickname”) and the supplementary word and
phrase (“however” and “feeling…bluesologist”). Moreover, placing the semicolon after “nickname” illogically signals that the
following information (Scott-Heron’s feeling that the nickname didn’t encapsulate his devotion to the blues tradition) is
contrary to the information in the previous clause (Scott-Heron’s resistance to the nickname). | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
aaa3ee7c | Critics have asserted that fine art and fashion rarely ______ in a world where artists create timeless works for exhibition and
designers periodically produce new styles for the public to buy. Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock beadwork artist and designer
Jamie Okuma challenges this view: her work can be seen in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and purchased through her
online boutique. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | prevail | succumb | diverge | intersect | D | Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion about the relationship between fine art
and fashion. As used in this context, “intersect” means to connect or overlap. The text indicates that Jamie Okuma
challenges the position held by critics because her work can be seen at an art museum and can be bought by the public from
her online boutique. The text also presents the critics’ view as being influenced by a perception that fine artists create works
that are “timeless” and meant for exhibition, whereas fashion designers periodically produce new styles that are meant for
purchase. This context suggests that the critics believe that fine art and fashion tend not to overlap—in other words, that
they rarely intersect.
Choice A is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context to say that critics contend that fine art and fashion rarely
“prevail,” or prove to be triumphant or widespread. The text indicates that Okuma is an example of an artist who
demonstrates that it’s possible to make fine art that is also available to the public as fashion. Choice B is incorrect because
it wouldn’t make sense in context to say that fine art and fashion rarely “succumb,” or surrender. The text establishes that
unlike what critics believe, Okuma creates works that are in art museums and available for the public to purchase,
suggesting that critics believe fine art and fashion rarely overlap, not that they rarely succumb. Choice C is incorrect because
saying that critics believe that fine art and fashion rarely “diverge,” or disagree or move in different directions, wouldn’t make
sense in context. The text presents Okuma’s work as both fine art and fashion, thereby undermining what the critics assert.
This suggests that the critics believe that fine art and fashion rarely intersect rather than that the two rarely diverge. | Hard | Craft_and_Structure |
148be4da | Human-made (synthetic) fibers used in clothes and many other consumer products are more durable than most natural plant
______ the manufacture of synthetic fibers requires toxic chemical solvents that can pollute air and water. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | fibers, | fibers but | fibers | fibers, but | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. This choice
correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but” to join the first main clause (“Human-made...fibers”) and the
second main clause (“the manufacture...water”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this
way to join two main clauses. Choice B is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s
conventional to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on
sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
e37b9e34 | Some researchers believe that the genes that enable groundhogs and certain other mammals to hibernate through the
winter by slowing their breathing and heart rates and lowering their body temperature may be ______ in humans: present yet
having essentially no effect on our bodily processes. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | decisive | lacking | variable | dormant | D | Choice D is the best answer because it logically completes the text’s discussion about genes related to hibernation. In this
context, “dormant” means inactive. The text explains that the same genes that enable certain nonhuman mammal species to
hibernate during the winter by altering their bodily processes are also found in our species but have “essentially no effect” on
humans’ bodily processes. In other words, these genes don’t function in humans.
Choice A is incorrect because in this context, “decisive” means has the power to affect the outcome of something, but the
text states that genes related to hibernation are instead inactive in humans—that is, the genes don’t affect humans’ bodily
processes, although they are present in their bodies. Choice B is incorrect because in this context, “lacking” means missing,
but the text states that the genes are present in humans, though inactive. Choice C is incorrect because “variable” means
characterized by the potential to change, but the text indicates that these genes don’t change in their effect on humans’
bodily processes; instead, the genes are consistently inactive in humans. | Medium | Craft_and_Structure |
e7b709fc | Archaeologists studying an ancient amphitheater in Switzerland believe that it dates back to the fourth century CE. Their
discoveries of a coin made between 337 and 341 CE and era-appropriate building materials ______ evidence for this theory. | Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase? | dismiss | provide | regulate | refuse | B | Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the archaeologists’ study of the
ancient amphitheater in Switzerland. In this context, “provide” means make available or supply. The text states that the
archaeologists believe that the amphitheater dates to the fourth century CE. The text goes on to say that the archaeologists
discovered a coin made between 337 and 341 CE (that is, made during the fourth century CE) and building materials
appropriate to the era in question. This context suggests that these discoveries provide evidence for the archaeologists’
theory about the dating of the amphitheater.
Choice A is incorrect because the archaeologists’ discoveries are presented as supplying evidence in favor of their theory
about the dating of the amphitheater, not something that would “dismiss,” or reject serious consideration of, evidence for
that theory. Choice C is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that the archaeologists’ discoveries would “regulate,”
or govern or bring order to, evidence for the archaeologists’ theory about the dating of the amphitheater. The discoveries are
presented as supplying evidence for the archaeologists’ theory, not as changing how evidence for the theory is controlled or
ordered. Choice D is incorrect because the archaeologists’ discoveries are presented as supplying evidence in favor of their
theory about the dating of the amphitheater, not something that would “refuse,” or be unwilling to accept, evidence for the
archaeologists’ theory. | Easy | Craft_and_Structure |
512f0ac9 | Working from an earlier discovery of Charpentier’s, chemists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna—winners of the
2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry—re-created and then reprogrammed the so-called “genetic scissors” of a species of DNA-
cleaving bacteria ______ a tool that is revolutionizing the field of gene technology. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | to forge | forging | forged | and forging | A | Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of finite and nonfinite verb forms within a sentence. The
nonfinite to-infinitive “to forge” is correctly used to form a nonfinite (infinitive) clause that explains why the chemists re-
created and reprogrammed the DNA-cleaving bacteria.
Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma separating the main clause (“chemists...bacteria”) from the participle “forging,” this
choice illogically suggests that the bacteria are forging a tool, which doesn’t make sense. Choice C is incorrect. Without a
coordinating conjunction such as “and” placed before it, the finite past tense verb “forged” can’t be used in this way to
describe the chemists’ actions. Choice D is incorrect. If read as a finite verb, the present progressive verb “forging” isn’t
consistent with the past tense verbs used in this sentence to describe the actions of the chemists. If read as a nonfinite verb,
the participle “forging” can’t be used in this way because there is no following main clause for it to modify. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
3595a991 | In 1930, Japanese American artist Chiura Obata depicted the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park in two memorable
woodcuts: Evening at Carl Inn and Lake Basin in the High Sierra. In 2019, ______ exhibited alongside 150 of Obata’s other
works in a single-artist show at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | it was | they were | this was | some were | B | Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is pronoun–antecedent agreement. The plural pronoun “they”
agrees in number with the plural antecedent “woodcuts” and clearly identifies what was exhibited at the Smithsonian
American Art Museum.
Choice A is incorrect because the singular pronoun “it” doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent “woodcuts.”
Choice C is incorrect because the singular pronoun “this” doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent “woodcuts.”
Choice D is incorrect because the plural pronoun “some” is illogical in this context (referring to “some” of two woodcuts). | Medium | Standard_English_Conventions |
97b62fab | Smaller than poppy seeds, tardigrades are tiny, but they are tough. These minuscule animals can survive for thirty years
without food or water, and ______ can withstand extreme temperatures as low as minus 328 degrees and as high as 304
degrees Fahrenheit. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | that | it | they | he | C | Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is pronoun-antecedent agreement. The plural pronoun "they"
agrees in number with the plural antecedent "animals," which refers to tardigrades.
Choice A is incorrect because the singular pronoun "that" doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent "animals."
Choice B is incorrect because the singular pronoun "it" doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent "animals." Choice
D is incorrect because the singular pronoun "he" doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent "animals." | Easy | Standard_English_Conventions |
61160f0a | Author Madeline L’Engle, ______ to create a suspenseful tone that draws the reader in, begins her novel A Wrinkle in Time with
descriptions of “wraithlike shadows” and “the frenzied lashing of the wind.” | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | looked | looks | is looking | looking | D | Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. The nonfinite present
participle verb “looking” is correctly used to form a subordinate clause that describes the intent behind how L’Engle begins
her novel.
Choice A is incorrect because the finite past tense verb “looked” can’t be used in this way to form a subordinate clause.
Choice B is incorrect because the finite present tense verb “looks” can’t be used in this way to form a subordinate clause.
Choice C is incorrect because the finite present progressive tense verb “is looking” can’t be used in this way to form a
subordinate clause. | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |
de3dd17d | Planetary scientist Briony Horgan and her colleagues have determined that as much as 25 percent of the sand on Mars is
composed of impact spherules. These spherical bits of glass form when asteroids collide with the planet, ejecting bits of
molten rock into the atmosphere that, after cooling and solidifying into glass, ______ back onto Mars’s surface. | Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? | to rain | raining | having rained | rain | D | Choice D is the best answer. "That…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface" is a relative clause that describes the "bits of molten
rock." Forming the clause requires a conjugated, finite verb, and this is the only choice that provides that.
Choice A is incorrect. "To rain" is an infinitive and can’t serve as the main verb of a clause. A conjugated verb is needed here
to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface," which describes the "bits of molten rock."
Choice B is incorrect. "Raining" is a present participle and, on its own, can’t serve as the main verb of a clause. A conjugated
verb is needed here to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface," which describes the
"bits of molten rock." Choice C is incorrect. "Having rained" is a perfect participle and can’t serve as the main verb of a
clause. A conjugated verb is needed here to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface,"
which describes the "bits of molten rock." | Hard | Standard_English_Conventions |