Perform

Now try a test-like Writing & Language passage on your own. Give yourself 5 minutes to read the passage and answer the questions.

1. Questions 7-14 are based on the following passage.

2. The Internet and Conversation

   Internet speak is often maligned as vacuous in its reliance on acronyms and abbreviations, but this is far from universal. On certain discussion boards, you can witness opinions stated and arguments debated with an eloquence that people rarely use when speaking, freely sharing knowledge just for the joy of it. I participate in an online Renaissance music discussion group that has a library of original articles that are the product of a master’s thesis. The author gained no monetary reward for the information (which he made available for free) and receives little praise for it outside the community that shares his interest. He posts because he is passionate about the music, and that inspires him to share what he knows with anyone who wants to learn.

   [1] In part, this has to do with my habit of observing the world from my bedroom. [2] As a child, I was frequently ill and forced to stay inside. [3] Although my health is much better now, I still go out much less than most people. [4] After all, I have everything I need inside. [5] Everyone can be everywhere they want when they want, and every social situation feels completely comfortable and natural. [6] From my room, I have access to people all over the world. [7] I can talk about medieval literature with a friend in China and later collaborate on a piece of music with a synthesizer virtuoso in Spain. [8] There is no need for awkward introductions or a graceful exit—people feel free to launch right into what they want to talk about and, when they are done, just sign off with a “g2g,” or “got to go.” [9] Everything is succinct and to the point.

   For as long as I can remember, conversation had always struck me as a strange chimera, something that is half two minds exchanging sophisticated ideas and at the same time two dogs barking at each other. I do not find the banalities of small talk comforting, but boring and idiotic. When I can dispense with it altogether and proceed right to substantive dialogue, it is almost like flying. I can be talking with the closest of friends or a mere acquaintance with a shared interest. Either way, the kinship is there. I don’t feel myself included by smiles, pats on the back, or eye contact so much as by the willingness of a partner to share my ideas or gift me with thoughts of his own. There is nothing more ingratiating than intellectual passion.

7. 1. NO CHANGE
   2. these are
   3. this reliance is
   4. empty chatter is

8. Which choice provides the best transition within the paragraph?

   1. NO CHANGE
   2. I still remember those long afternoons cooped up inside
   3. I am still careful to eat well and get plenty of rest
   4. I regret not being able to play outdoors with other children
9. 1. NO CHANGE
   2. succinct
   3. succinctly stated and to the point
   4. succinct, brief, and to the point

10. To make this paragraph most logical, sentence 5 should be placed

    1. where it is now.
    2. before sentence 4.
    3. after sentence 7.
    4. after sentence 8.
11. 1. NO CHANGE
    2. has
    3. would have
    4. have
12. 1. NO CHANGE
    2. similar to
    3. frequently like
    4. half
13. 1. NO CHANGE
    2. Now
    3. Later
    4. Where

14. Which choice places the paragraphs of this passage in the most logical order?

    1. NO CHANGE
    2. 1, 3, 2
    3. 3, 1, 2
    4. 3, 2, 1