Answers and Explanations

Verbal Reasoning Practice Set 1

1. B
   The road sign here is “but,” which is a detour. The key words “can be decoded” indicate that the contrasting word in the blank means something like “mysterious” or “hard to understand.” With that prediction in mind, look for an answer that suggests something incomprehensible, which rules out choices (C) harmonious, (D) shocking, and (E) lucid. Choice (A) unwelcoming is a possibility, but it refers more to a sense of unpleasantness than to perplexity. Answer choice (B) arcane is a perfect fit for the sense of something that cannot be easily understood.
2. A, F
   Begin by taking note of the phrase “in spite of,” which suggests that there will be an opposing idea in the sentence. The sentence describes the play as popular, so you can rule out choices (B) celebrated and (C) histrionic for the first blank because you are looking for a word contrasting with popularity. Based on the remaining option, (A) controversial, you are looking for a solution to the second blank that connotes uncertainty. Choices (D) assuaging and (E) augmenting are not possible, since neither means uncertainty. It is therefore answer choice (F) debating for the second blank. Read the sentence with the blanks filled in: if the play is controversial, it is not universally popular, and it makes sense that critics would debate some aspect of it.
3. C, F, H

   When there are so many missing parts, it is often best to begin with whatever complete clause you can find; in this case, the final one. This will allow you to fill in the third blank. You are told that we do not know the truth, which allows you to eliminate both choices (G) fraudulent and (I) verified, because both indicate that concrete knowledge exists on the matter. Answer choice (H) apocryphal is the only possible answer. If you know that many apocryphal stories arose surrounding the work, you can make headway into both of the other blanks.

   For the first blank, assume that if many stories are made up about something, it is widely talked about—this eliminates choice (B) inconspicuous without a doubt, and between choices (A) ignominious and (C) famous, the choice is fairly straightforward. When you know something is much talked about because it is “incomplete,” you can suppose that a neutral synonym of “well-known” is going to be much more likely than a negative synonym of “shameful.”

   Finally, for the second blank, you can reject choices (D) obscurity and (E) indifference because you know the composition is well-known, so answer choice (F) mystique is the only logical choice (and is supported by the mention of apocryphal stories). Let’s check our answer: “Considered one of his most famous works, Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor has a certain mystique in Western culture, and many apocryphal stories have arisen surrounding it; unfortunately, the truth is lost to us.” Everything fits in perfectly when you read back the sentence with the correct words filled in.

4. C, E

   “Although,” a detour road sign, starts off the sentence, indicating that the ideas of the first and second clause will be opposites. While external knowledge might tell you that Paine was, in fact, a famous writer, it is important to remember that the correct answer will be derived from clues in the sentence alone. Also, the key words “political pamphlets” and “many different subjects” tell us what is being contrasted here: one subject (politics) versus many subjects. You might predict that Paine was well-known for his political writing but was actually a good writer on many subjects.

   For the first blank, (C) famous for is a perfect match for your prediction. Choices (A) inimical to and (B) condemned for are both negative and, therefore, incorrect. Then for the second blank, neither (D) abstruse nor (F) terrible indicate that Paine wrote well. However, (E) prolific author writes a lot, and it can be presumed that writing comes easily to him. Therefore, (E) is the correct answer for the second blank.

   Choices (D) abstruse and (E) terrible could work in a different sentence, but there is no choice for the first blank that will allow the resulting sentence to make sense. The answer will always be clear and definite—choices (C) famous for and (E) prolific create a sentence that makes sense without requiring any other knowledge or qualifications.

5. D
   Since Adam “never acknowledged his mistakes," you can assume that Adam does not want to admit to being wrong. Choices (B) acclamation and (E) popularity can be immediately discounted because they have nothing to do with being right or wrong. Choices (A) genius and (C) shrewdness might work in this sentence (they are both related to mental quickness, and someone convinced of his own intelligence might not want to admit to being wrong). However, answer choice (D) infallibility directly opposes the notion of being wrong and is, therefore, the correct answer.
6. C, F

   Based on the choices, you know that there will be a conjunction between the clauses of the first and second blanks. The contrast of “ancient times” and “recently” tells you to predict a word for the first blank that suggests contrast, which eliminates choices (A) because and (B) since, leaving you with answer choice (C) although.

   You know St. Elmo’s fire has been documented for a long time, so discount choice (E) reported for the second blank. Choice (D) may be tempting, because incineration is related to fire, but it does not make sense in this sentence. That leaves (F) understood, which does make sense as a contrast with the phenomenon’s having been documented.

7. C
   This type of question gives you three statements and asks you to select which ones are true. Break it down statement by statement. Statement (A) is untrue because the term “plagiarism” is used in the passage in the phrase “perhaps Elizabethan notions of plagiarism were different from ours”—which indicates that one cannot be certain of what might have constituted plagiarism at the time. Statement (B) is a 180: the passage does refer to the assessment of authorial intention if the text has been redacted by several authors, but the passage states the exact opposite of statement (B). Statement (C) is correct because you are told that our current notion of plagiarism might be different from the notion of plagiarism in Shakespeare’s time.
8. A, B, C
   This Inference question asks you to consider possibilities based on what is in the text but not necessarily stated within it. (A) The passage raises the question of how collaborative writing for the stage may have been during Shakespeare’s time. Conducting an investigation into the existence of collaborative writing partnerships would be a good way to determine an answer for this question. (B) Familiarizing yourself with the style of other writers who might have helped write or had their work used in the writing of Shakespeare’s plays would help in the determination of the actual authorship of passages in Macbeth (and other plays), as well as provide insight into authorial intention. Finally, (C) is an interesting alternative to a strictly literary study and would help to solve the question posed in the text of what constituted plagiarism in the Elizabethan era. All three are good choices for further study.
9. A, C
   This is an Inference EXCEPT question: you must select the statements that you cannot infer from the passage. (A), that this example of interpolation would be illegal today, is impossible to tell as the passage does not address issues of legality and we do not even know whether Middleton was a willing collaborator. (B) is suggested within the passage in the supposition that writing such as Macbeth might have, in fact, been collaborative—this allows you to eliminate choice (B). (C) you know to be also a correct response for the same reason you specified for (A)—you do not know precisely Middleton’s role in the composition. Answer choices (A) and (C) are both correct.
10. B

    In this question, you are asked to determine the rhetorical roles of the two highlighted statements. The first highlighted statement is used as an example of the interpolations that the first clause in the sentence mentions. The highlighted portion states that parts of Shakespeare’s work were in fact written by his peer Middleton. So the first highlighted portion appears to be an example.

    The second highlighted statement presents an opinion regarding the impact of interpolations on literary analysis. According to this statement, because others wrote certain parts of Shakespeare’s work,  it is more difficult to determine a character’s motives. Your prediction should be that the first statement is an example, and the second is an opinion or conclusion (remember that in arguments, the words “opinion” and “conclusion” will often be used interchangeably). Answer choice (B) matches this prediction perfectly.

    The other choices miss the mark completely. For instance, choice (A) incorrectly states that the second highlighted portion is the example. Similarly, choice (C) indicates that the first statement is the opinion and the second is the evidence, the exact opposite of our prediction. (D) states that the passage opposes an argument, but there is no conflict addressed in the passage. Finally, choice (E) identifies both statements as conclusions, which is not correct.

11. A, E
    The key here is that the sentence tells us that his “silver tongue” makes it hard to concentrate on the meaning of his words. To have a silver tongue is to be noted for the pleasantness of one’s speech, so you are looking for a pair of answers that mean “pleasing.” (C) stumbling, (D) laconic, and (F) strident all are unrelated to the pleasantness of his tone, and while (B) concise language may be an attribute of a skilled orator, it will not create a similar sentence to one created by either of the other two possible answers. (A) mellifluous and (E) euphonic both mean “to be sweet or pleasing,” and both are often used in reference to speech.
12. C, F
    For the favorite to lose is a surprise, so you are looking for choices that are synonyms of “surprised.” Choice (A) horrified has a negative connotation not implied in the sentence. Likewise, the emotions conveyed in choices (B) estranged and (E) alienated would require more information than you are given to be considered as possible answers. (D) bored is the opposite of what you are looking for; something surprising is not boring. Answer choice (C) shook is often used in a metaphorical sense when a surprising event occurs, as is answer choice (F) stunned, and the two are synonyms of each another and of “surprised.”
13. A, F
    This is a good example of a sentence in which you are given more information than you need. In fact, the only clue you need lies in the final phrase “to be relied upon.” Your answers will be antonyms of “reliable,” which eliminates choices (B) exacting, (C) circuitous (a tempting choice because of the relationship between bus routes and the root word “circuit,” but the meaning is not related to the sentence), (D) rigid, and (E) isolated. (A) irregular and (F) erratic both suggest that the buses are unreliable and, as is often (but not necessarily) the case with these questions, they are synonyms of each other.
14. B, D
    While you might have no background in musical techniques, you never need information from outside the sentence to deduce the correct answer. The example given tells you that the progression of notes in the music seems to imitate the words of the lyrics. So, you need a word that gives the meaning “the progression of the notes mirrors the meaning of the lyrics.” Choices (C) contrasts, (E) opposes, and (F) renounces are antonyms of the desired answer. While (A) affects could work in the sentence, it lacks a synonym and does not properly refer to the desired meaning of “mirrors.”  Answer choices (B) mimics and (D) reflects do, however, and thus you know that they are your desired choices.
15. A

    You are asked why the use of the French language declined in Québec. Researching the passage, you see this mentioned in the first few lines. Specifically, you are told that the “preeminence” of the English language in the best jobs forced people to switch. This indicates that in order to take advantage of the best economic opportunities, one had to speak English. The passage suggests that French became an economically unviable language, stating that “the French-speaking majority was economically marginalized.” Thus, the two groups had access to significantly different economic and professional opportunities. This is reflected in answer choice (A).

    Choices (B) and (D) are out of scope, as immigrant and emigrant populations are not mentioned. Furthermore, choice (E) is also beyond the scope of the passage, which does not mention the outlawing of French in other provinces. Finally, choice (C) is a 180, as the passage states the French sought to maintain their autonomy, not integrate themselves into other cultures.

16. B
    This question asks you to summarize the significance of the law mentioned in the latter part of the passage. Based on the final sentence of the passage (which mentions the rise in French as the primary language), (A) is untrue—it was not an unsuccessful attempt. (B) is true because the passage specifies that the law “established the primacy of French in the workplace.” No mention is made of language in schools, so you can dismiss options (C) and (E). Finally, while the cultural identity of Québec is mentioned in the passage, the only results of Loi 101 specified are the economic equity of the languages and the rise in the usage of French, so you can also reject (D) as a possible answer. Answer choice (B) is the only option that is based on the information in the passage.
17. D
    You must be careful here. Just because (A) is a direct quotation of the opening of the passage does not make it the correct answer, and, indeed, the passage moves away from the origins of online education and into other facets of its expansion. (B) is not discussed in the passage, even though the author makes note that the demand for adult-oriented education was one of the contributing factors to the rise of online learning. Neither (C) nor (E) properly describes the entire scope of the passage. Only answer choice (D) can be said to encompass the entirety of the passage.
18. B
    Here you are called to define a phrase based on its context. What you are looking for is an answer that accurately reflects what is described in the passage: the entrepreneurs saw an untapped potential for profit in the unanswered demand for online learning and “seized upon” it. (A) is a poor choice because it implies that their success in capitalizing on the demand was unintentional. (B) is a much better solution because it evokes the image of the entrepreneurs taking the opportunity available. (C) is highly unlikely because no mention of violence is made in the passage (and, indeed, in reference to online education this would be an unlikely choice to begin with). (D) can be eliminated as there is no mention of collusion on the part of for-profit education companies; similarly, (E) can be eliminated because those companies are never said to have manipulated the market in order to gain control of the online education market. Answer choice (B) is the only possible answer.
19. C
    This type of question asks you to define the highlighted phrase based on the context. The key word here is “democratization.” While the cost-effectiveness of online education is mentioned earlier in the passage, it is unlikely that (A) the cost of online education is the correct answer because the sense of the final sentence is that “it remains to be seen whether making higher education more widely available through online institutions is worth the price of removing it from nonprofit, research-based universities.” Based on this, you can also discount (B) the popularity of online courses and (D) the role of voting in class selection because while they may be linked conceptually to the term “democracy,” the context tells us this is not what the phrase here concerns. Answer choice (C) making education available to a wider range of students matches our prediction and properly clarifies the usage of the highlighted phrase in the passage. You can discount (E) because it goes well beyond the scope of the passage.
20. A
    In a Global question such as this one, the correct answer will reflect the scope and purpose you noted while reading the passage. While the broad topic of the passage is thermodynamics, the bulk of the passage describes the motion of a piston and how the effects of that motion demonstrate the laws of thermodynamics. (A) expresses this idea exactly. (D) may be tempting since “thermodynamics” is the first word of the passage, but (D) is too broad and leaves out any mention of the piston, which plays a key role in the passage as a whole. Choices (B), (C), and (E) refer to specific subjects mentioned in the passage but do not refer to the passage as a whole.