1.) In contrast to the intricate, rambling
sentences of Henry James, Raymond
Carver’s stories are brutally _____.
(A) ambivalent
(B) concise
(C) cynical
(D) pragmatic
2.) When taken in _____, the candidate’s
remarks were not nearly as callous as
they first seemed.
(A) context
(B) good faith
(C) specifics
(D) total
3.) New evidence allowed the defense to
_____ their client, who was relieved to go
free.
(A) attest
(B) corroborate
(C) exculpate
(D) prejudice
4.) The ______ disease left him enervated:
getting out of bed was impossible for
months.
(A) debilitating
(B) ephemeral
(C) pernicious
(D) sanguine
5.) After years of constant criticism and
questioning, David was _____, ready to
fight at the drop of a hat.
(A) pacifistic
(B) phlegmatic
(C) prudish
(D) pugnacious
6.) To some, the ____ markings were glyphs
left by ancient aliens who had colonized the
earth and vanished sometime before the
dinosaur’s extinction; others thought cave
bears left them by scratching at the rock.
(A) cryptic
(B) hierarchical
(C) ostentatious
(D) significant
7.) “Did you see that dress Julie was
wearing? It was yellower than a tennis
ball! Quite _____, if you ask me.”
(A) dull
(B) fetching
(C) garish
(D) staid
8.) After the Canadians invaded
Greenland, the international community
_____ their unwarranted aggression.
(A) approved
(B) censored
(C) denounced
(D) lauded
9.) Due to a(n) ____ of thinking, Lena
tried jumping from the roof to the pool,
and now she looks like a plaster
mummy.
(A) dearth
(B) inundation
(C) surfeit
(D) surplus
10.) Mike had always been ____, and so he
had no trouble obeying his parents’ rule
that “a child should be seen, and not
heard.”
(A) grandiloquent
(B) gregarious
(C) recalcitrant
(D) reticent
11. The overall purpose of the passage is
to:
(A) describe the relationship between friends
(B) portray the nature of a small town
(C) recount an episode in the narrator’s selfdiscovery
(D) chronicle an obsession with a mysterious
individual
(E) analyze a general issue regarding personal
identity
12. The statement “fiction was passed as
fact” in line 18 means that the neighbors
(A) had learned more facts about the stranger’s
background
(B) gained more confidence in their assumptions
about the stranger
(C) grew more suspicious about the stranger’s
motives
(D) were not entirely honest with the stranger
(E) became less accepting of speculations about
the stranger
13. The questions in lines 21–33 are
primarily intended as
(A) suspicions about the stranger’s criminal
past
(B) speculations about the stranger’s war
experience
(C) doubts about the stranger’s sincerity
(D) assumptions about the stranger’s piety
(E) guesses about the stranger’s intentions
14. In line 28 the “moonscape surface”
represents
(A) a desolate aftermath
(B) an idyllic location
(C) an imagined goal
(D) an unexplored vista
(E) a primordial stage
15. As it is used in line 68 the word
“character” most nearly means
(A) strange person
(B) abstract quality
(C) individuality
(D) visible symbol
(E) dance
16. The phrase “his look was clear” (line
83) indicates that the stranger was
(A) uncharacteristically sober
(B) physically pale
(C) suddenly unmysterious
(D) lacking in arrogance
(E) focused on a particular goal
Q #17
Playing a video basketball game is not nearly as
demanding, either mentally or physically, as a
real basketball game.
A.) a real
B.) that of a real
C.) it is when playing a real
D.) playing a real
E.) when playing a real
Q #17 Answer
Playing a video basketball game is not nearly as
demanding, either mentally or physically, as a
real basketball game.
D.) playing a real
Q #18
We had to submit our project without a
bibliography, because listing our sources would
have took Jose and I another day to complete.
A.) would have took Jose and I
B.) would have taken Jose and I
C.) would have taken Jose and me
D.) would have took Jose and me
E.) would be taking Jose and me
Q #18 Answer
We had to submit our project without a
bibliography, because listing our sources would
have took Jose and I another day to complete.
C.) would have taken Jose and me
Q #19
Oceanographers are studying how the increased
atmospheric concentration of gases like carbon
dioxide and sulfur dioxide elevates the acidity of
seawater and its affecting fish.
A.) elevates the acidity of seawater and its affecting fish
B.) elevate the acidity of seawater and how they affect
fish
C.) elevates the acidity of seawater and how that acidity
affects fish
D.) elevate seawater acidity and its effect on fish
E.) elevates seawater acidity for its effect on fish
Q #19 Answer
Oceanographers are studying how the
increased atmospheric concentration of gases
like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide elevates
the acidity of seawater and its affecting fish.
C.) elevates the acidity of seawater and how that
acidity affects fish
Q #20
Renowned as an expert in linguistics, modern
intellectuals also acknowledge Pinker’s many
contributions to psychology.
A.) modern intellectuals also acknowledge Pinker’s many
contributions to psychology
B.) Pinker’s many contributions have been also
acknowledged by modern intellectuals to psychology
C.) Pinker’s many contributions to psychology are also
acknowledged by modern intellectuals
D.) Pinker being also acknowledged for his many
contributions to psychology and by modern intellectuals
E.) Pinker is also acknowledged by modern intellectuals for
his many contributions to psychology
Q #20 Answer
Renowned as an expert in linguistics, modern
intellectuals also acknowledge Pinker’s many
contributions to psychology.
E.) Pinker is also acknowledged by modern
intellectuals for his many contributions to
psychology
Q #21
In the fourth century BC, the Greeks’ emphasis on
inquiry, art, and reason made it one of the centers of
world culture.
A.) the Greeks’ emphasis on inquiry, art, and reason made it
B.) the emphasis in Greeks on inquiry, art, and reason made
them
C.) the Greeks emphasizing inquiry, art, and reason made it
D.) the emphasis on inquiry, art, and reason made Greece
E.) the emphasis of the Greeks on inquiry, art, and reason
made them
Q #21 Answer
In the fourth century BC, the Greeks’ emphasis
on inquiry, art, and reason made it one of the
centers of world culture.
D.) the emphasis on inquiry, art, and reason made
Greece
Q #22
Beaming with pride, the trophy was held aloft by
Selene as the cheers reached a crescendo.
A.) the trophy was held aloft by Selene as the cheers
reached a crescendo
B.) the cheers reached a crescendo as Selene held the
trophy aloft
C.) the trophy being held aloft by Selene as the cheers
reached a crescendo
D.) Selene held the trophy aloft the cheers reaching a
crescendo
E.) Selene held the trophy aloft as the cheers reached a
crescendo
Q #22 Answer
Beaming with pride, the trophy was held aloft
by Selene as the cheers reached a crescendo.
E.) Selene held the trophy aloft as the cheers
reached a crescendo
Q #23
Walking together in the park, it surprised us to see
an a capella group performing on the green.
A.) it surprised us to see an a capella group performing
on the green
B.) an a capella group performing on the green surprised
us
C.) we were surprised about our seeing an a capella
group on the green performing
D.) we were surprised in seeing an a capella group
performing on the green
E.) we were surprised to see an a capella group
performing on the green
Q #23 Answer
Walking together in the park, it surprised us to
see an a capella group performing on the green.
E.) we were surprised to see an a capella group
performing on the green
Q #24
Mario Andretti’s name is synonymous to
autoracing; he has won Race Car Driver of the
Year in three different decades.
A.) to
B.) of
C.) with
D.) in
E.) for
Q #24 Answer
Mario Andretti’s name is synonymous to
autoracing; he has won Race Car Driver of the
Year in three different decades.
C.) with
Q #25
We wanted to hire a babysitter who was able to
work flexible hours, display patience with a
crying child, and, above all, she must have fun
playing with children.
A.) she must have
B.) she should have
C.) have
D.) having
E.) be able to have
Q #25 Answer
We wanted to hire a babysitter who was able to
work flexible hours, display patience with a
crying child, and, above all, she must have fun
playing with children.
C.) have
Q #26
Cubism was a 20th century art movement that revolutionized
European painting and sculpture, it inspired also related
movements in music and literature.
A.) Cubism was a 20th century art movement that revolutionized
European painting and sculpture, it inspired also
B.) Cubism, a 20th century art movement that revolutionized
European painting and sculpture, also inspired
C.) Cubism, a 20th century art movement that revolutionized
European painting and sculpture, having also inspired
D.) A 20th century art movement revolutionizing European
painting and sculpture, therefore Cubism also inspired
E.) Cubism revolutionized European painting and sculpture, being a
20th century art movement also inspiring
Q #26 Answer
Cubism was a 20th century art movement that
revolutionized European painting and sculpture,
it inspired also related movements in music and
literature.
B.) Cubism, a 20th century art movement that
revolutionized European painting and sculpture, also
inspired
Q #27
A one-year old, the pre-school teachers were
shocked to hear him speak in full sentences.
A.) A one-year old, the pre-school teachers were
shocked to hear him speak in full sentences.
B.) The pre-school teachers were shocked by the
speaking in full sentences by the one-year old.
C.) The pre-school teachers were shocked to hear a oneyear old speaking in full sentences.
D.) A one-year old speaking in full sentences, the preschool teachers were shocked to hear him.
E.) The pre-school teachers, who were shocked to hear a
one-year old speaking in full sentences.
Q #27 Answer
A one-year old, the pre-school teachers were
shocked to hear him speak in full sentences.
C.) The pre-school teachers were shocked to hear a
one-year old speaking in full sentences.
Q #28
At the end of the physical exam, my doctor told me
that I could lower my blood pressure by exercising,
improving my diet, and relaxing more.
A.) by exercising, improving my diet, and relaxing more
B.) in my exercising, improving my diet, and more
relaxation
C.) because of exercising, improving my diet, and
relaxing more
D.) by exercising, improving my diet, and more
relaxation
E.) with exercising, improving my diet, and more
relaxation
Q #28 Answer
At the end of the physical exam, my doctor told
me that I could lower my blood pressure by
exercising, improving my diet, and relaxing
more.
A.) by exercising, improving my diet, and relaxing
more
Q #29
The model of the city may not have moving cars
on its roads, but there are a functional set of
streetlamps.
A.) but there are a functional set of streetlamps
B.) but it does have a functional set of streetlamps
C.) but there is a functional set of streetlamps
D.) although a functional set of streetlamps are
what it does have
E.) and there is a functional set of streetlamps
Q #29 Answer
The model of the city may not have moving cars
on its roads, but there are a functional set of
streetlamps.
B.) but it does have a functional set of streetlamps
Q #30
Receiving no advice to the contrary from his brothers,
Timmy’s decision was to take a year off from medical
school.
A.) Timmy’s decision was to take a year off from medical
school
B.) taking a year off from medical school was Timmy’s
decision
C.) Timmy deciding to take a year off from medical school
D.) a year off from medical school was what Timmy decided
to take
E.) Timmy decided to take a year off from medical school
Q #30 Answer
Receiving no advice to the contrary from his
brothers, Timmy’s decision was to take a year off
from medical school.
E.) Timmy decided to take a year off from medical
school
Q #31
One of the most important agricultural resources
of the Phillipines, the coconut tree faces the threat
of extinction within three years due to coconut leaf
beetle infestation.
A.) the coconut tree faces the threat of extinction
B.) the coconut tree has been facing the threat of
extinction
C.) the threat of extinction faced by the coconut tree is
D.) the coconut tree, facing the extinction threat,
E.) facing the coconut tree with the threat of extinction
Q #31 Answer
One of the most important agricultural
resources of the Phillipines, the coconut tree
faces the threat of extinction within three years
due to coconut leaf beetle infestation.
A.) the coconut tree faces the threat of extinction
Q #32
Before sending an angry email to someone, you should
wait several hours and then decide if it is still worth
sending.
A.) you should wait several hours and then decide if it is still
worth sending
B.) they should wait several hours to be sure that the email is
something that is still worth sending
C.) they should wait several hours to decide if it is still worth
sending
D.) wait several hours to decide if sending the email was
worth it
E.) several hours of waiting should help you decide if it is still
worth sending
Q #32 Answer
Before sending an angry email to someone, you
should wait several hours and then decide if it is
still worth sending.
A.) you should wait several hours and then decide if
it is still worth sending
Syllogism #1
1. There are three kinds of crime.
1. (opportunity, desperation, premeditation)
2. Cameras only prevent crimes of opportunity.
3. Therefore, cameras are ineffective.
Syllogism #2
1. America is not linguistically diverse.
2. English is the primary language.
3. To fully participate in society, you need to speak
that society’s primary language.
4. Therefore, you need to speak English to fully
participate in American society.
5. Therefore, this will help in the short term but
hurt in the long run.
Prompt.
Next week you'll be writing an essay on this
prompt: "Do artistic endeavors such as music,
painting, literature, and drama enhance our
understanding of reality or provide escape from
reality?"