Chapter 8
Practice Test 2: Answers and Explanations
Section 1
1. B Since the coach didn’t want the opposing team to pick up her signals, she therefore wanted to keep them secret. “Secretive” would be a good word to put in the blank. Eliminate choice (A), which is a trap since this sentence deals with sports. Choices (C), (D), and (E) do not match “secretive,” so choice (B) is the best answer.
2. C Start with the first blank. The clues of spears, traps, and cudgels are typically involved with hunting, so eliminate everything except choices (C) and (D). Now work the second blank. Since the sentence says that this activity was necessary for the head of the household, the second blank should be something like “symbol” or “prime example.” Eliminate choice (D) since it doesn’t match. Choice (C) is the correct answer.
3. D Start with the second blank. The sentence states that his personal temperament has never been agreed upon, so you know there is a disagreement about Ty Cobb. Since there are clues stating he had instances of kindness and generosity, find something for the second blank that is the opposite of those traits. Eliminate everything but choices (A) and (D) since irritability and irascibility are both opposites of the clues. Since it’s clear that he has different temperaments, the first blank should indicate that his bad behavior stands in opposite of his good behavior. The first blank should be something that means “goes against.” Eliminate choice (A) since highlighted does not fit. Choice (D), overshadowed, is the correct answer.
4. A Since the chef believed that originality was a far better attribute of good cooking than mere skill, the first blank will need something that mirrors originality and the second blank will need to match skill. Start with the first blank and eliminate everything but choices (A) and (C). Now work with the second blank. Eliminate choice (C) because opulence means “extravagance,” and is therefore incorrect. Choice (A) is the correct answer.
5. C Since Raphael was always in contrast with what Ms. Banks expected from her students, look for opposites of the clues. Start with the first blank, which needs to be the opposite of punctual. Eliminate everything except choices (B) and (C) since sluggish means “slow” and could fit the blank. The second blank needs to be the opposite of disrespectful. Both dutiful (which means “obedient”) and deferential (which means “respectful”) are possibilities, but the combination of words in choice (C) is a better fit, so eliminate choice (B). Choice (C) is the correct answer.
6. A The clue here is that the film looks only at the origins of the story’s characters. Therefore, the blank should be something that means “beginning.” Choice (A) fits the blank, since prelude means “beginning.” Picaresque means “humorous adventure,” so eliminate choice (B). A Roman a clef is “historical fiction,” so eliminate choice (C). An anachronism is something that is “out of place” while an epilogue is the opposite of beginning, so get rid of both choices (D) and (E). Choice (A) is the correct answer.
7. E Since the sentence contrasts the films of the 1980s, which were considered clichéd and commercial, with those of the 1970s, the words for the two blanks will be the opposites of each other. The first blank should be the opposite of clichéd, so look for something that means “not clichéd” or “original.” Eliminate everything but choices (B) and (E). The second blank needs to be the opposite of commercial, so look for something that means “not intended for a mass market.” Eliminate choice (B) since ubiquitous means “abundant.” Choice (E) is the correct answer.
8. A The clue here is that the auto mechanic can figure out a problem prior to inspection, so therefore we need a word in the blank that means “having foresight or being able to see in the future.” Choice (A) matches these words well. Scintillating is sometimes used to describe intelligence, but it means “shining brightly,” so eliminate choice (D). Choice (B) means “working well,” so eliminate it. Choice (C) means to “experience through watching others,” and choice (E) describes children with “advanced abilities beyond their age,” so eliminate them. Choice (A) is the correct answer.
9. C The main idea in this passage is that Samuel’s limited English skills were actually good for him in his current job, since he didn’t question some of the odd phrases used in the kitchen. Therefore, the author uses those phrases in order to portray Samuel’s limited English as helpful. Eliminate choice (A), since this is not mentioned. Choice (B) seems like it could work, but the author is not placing any emphasis on whether or not the phrases are silly. Choice (C) seems to match the prediction, so keep it. Choices (D) and (E) are not mentioned, so eliminate them. Choice (C) is the correct answer.
10. A Since it’s stated that Samuel’s lack of English skills actually helped him in his current job, the correct answer will be something that means “helpful.” Choice (A) fits, so keep it. Choice (B) is negative, so eliminate it. Choice (C) is a positive word, but the passage never mentions whether Samuel likes his job, so eliminate it. Choice (D) doesn’t mean “helpful,” while choice (E) is a trap answer since it’s associated with food, so eliminate both answers. Choice (A) is the correct answer.
11. B The author states at the beginning of the passage that sugar, once considered a common ingredient of sweet foods such as candies, has also become common in more unexpected foods, such as breads and salad dressings. So the correct answer should show how sugar is part of such a wide range of foods. Choice (A) is only half right, since bread is not commonly associated with sugar. Choice (B) is a good match, so keep it. Choice (C) doesn’t work since the author isn’t expressing caution and choice (E) doesn’t work since the author doesn’t criticize the use of sugar. Choice (D), while it may seem to fit the author’s main idea, is too extreme. Choice (B) is the correct answer.
12. E The question states that the author suggests something about sugar, so find an answer that is definitely true based on the passage. Choice (A) is incorrect since the passage never states that sugar or narcotics are the most addictive substances. Choice (B) doesn’t work since the passage never states that the humans and rats process foods in the same way and choice (D) can be eliminated since most is too extreme. Choice (C) seems okay, except the passage only states that sugar has become more widespread over the past several decades, so there is no evidence to suggest that there is more now than exactly 10 years ago. Choice (E), the correct answer, is true because it is stated in the last sentence.
13. C The word “overflowing” suggests that there have been many Western projects to modernize the Middle East. This is a fairly general statement, so the specifics in choices (A) and (B) cannot be supported. Choices (D) and (E) do not address these Western projects at all, so they too can be eliminated.
14. A The sentence in which Bill Clinton appears reads as follows: President Bill Clinton, for example, is still praised for his role in Israeli-Palestinian talks, and a few sentences later, the author goes on to say, This attitude toward non-Western regions, the belief that the West’s systems of government can help save the people of the Middle East.… Therefore, it can be inferred that Bill Clinton is a representative of this attitude, as choice (A) suggests. The author goes on to criticize this attitude, so choices (B), (D), and (E) can be eliminated. Choice (C) can also be eliminated because Clinton is the only example given.
15. D Another way of saying universally applicable would be “appropriate to all.” The author is stating in these lines that Western styles of government may not be appropriate for all people, especially those outside the West, as choice (D) indicates. The author goes on to suggest a need for more non-Western perspectives, therefore eliminating choices (A), (B), and (E). Choice (C) is too extreme in its use of the word only, so it can be eliminated. Choice (D) remains as the correct answer.
16. D The relevant lines state the following: The native peoples who are then forced to live under the new government’s rule become extremely skeptical of it, as its supposed successes are measured by seemingly irrelevant metrics. The key words here are extremely skeptical, which agree most closely with choice (D) and disagrees with choice (E). The information in the passage is not specific enough to support choices (B) or (C). Choice (A) is too extreme in its use of the word despise, so it can be eliminated.
17. C The relevant lines state the following: Many of the great ancient and historical societies come from these regions, but since the seventeenth century, these regions have been considered almost universally backward. In other words, these regions were once considered “great” but are now considered “backward,” as choice (C) suggests. These lines do not address contemporary governments, which eliminates all other choices.
18. B This paragraph discusses the influence of George Bush and others, suggesting that this influence has not been a good one, as choice (B) suggests. The lines do not contain specific support for the other choices, so (A), (C), (D), and (E) can be eliminated.
19. E Cross out the word in the context and replace it with your own: For many Westerners, nationality is a given and ultimately ______ the more local identifications of town, city, or state. A word like supersedes or replaces would work here, in which case only choice (E) comes close. The other choices may represent other meanings for the word trumps, but they do not work in this context.
20. A Cross out the word in the context and replace it with your own: The Western notions of nation-above-all and religious coexistence can’t ________ in this and other countries because the value systems have developed so independently of these notions. Some word like apply or function would work here, in which case only choice (A) comes close. The other choices may represent other meanings for the word maintain, but they do not work in this context.
21. B This question asks for a statement that would refute the author’s claim in the lines, As in many other parts of the world, “Iraqi freedom” was defined by someone other than the Iraqis themselves. Any statement that would suggest that Iraqis or some other group had a role in defining their own government systems would refute this claim, so choice (B) provides the best refutation. Choices (A), (C), (D), and (E) all support the author’s central claim that the West has had a too-powerful influence in the region.
22. D The author writes for the most part about the negative effects of Western influence in the Middle East, but the lines, Certainly, Western nations are today more sensitive to cultural differences than they have ever been, suggest that this influence may be improving. Choice (D) reflects this concession and slight change of tone. It does not reflect the author’s broader point, however, which eliminates choices (A), (B), (C), and (E).
23. C The relevant sentence says the following: It still remains to be seen, however, whether this new multicultural stance is a genuine change or a simple repackaging of an old product. In this case, the simple repackaging is contrasted with a genuine change. The author is therefore skeptical that this new approach is a genuine change, as suggested in choice (C). The author does not hope for this simple repackaging, eliminating choice (A), (B), and (E). Choice (D) takes the word product too literally.
24. D The author argues throughout the passage that the influence of the West has been too strong in the Middle East and that there needs to be more local influence in government policy. Choice (D) best reflects this main idea. Choices (A), (C), and (E) go against this goal. Choice (B) is also an example of a Western ideal, so it too can be eliminated.
Section 2
1. D Given variables in the answer choices, Plug In. If x = 2 ounces of cinnamon, at $3 per ounce, the cost would be $6. This is the target answer, so check the answer choices to see which one equals 6. Choices (A) and (E) can be eliminated, since those numbers are not 6. Choice (B) equals 
, which does not equal 6 and can be eliminated. Choice (C) equals 
, which does not equal 6 and can be eliminated. Choice (D) is 3(2), which does equal 6. Choice (D) is the credited response.
2. A When asked for the value of a variable, Plug In the Answers (PITA). Start with choice (C), and plug in 1 for h. The equation becomes 5.73 × 101 = 5.73 × 10 = 57.3. This is too big, so eliminate (C). Choices (D) and (E) will also be too big, so eliminate those as well. For choice (A), the equation is 5.73 × 10–2 = 5.73 × 0.01 = 0.0573. Therefore choice (A) is the credited response.
3. C This seems like a Plugging In problem, because of the variables, or like one in which solving for a and b would help. However, the question asks for a value in terms of 3a and 2b, quantities which are already given. Therefore, 2(3a) + 4(2b) becomes 2(5) + 4(9) = 10 + 36 = 46. Choice (C) is the credited response.
4. B To solve average questions, draw an average pie. The total goes in the top space. In this problem, though the individual numbers are unknown, the total for a + b + c + d + e equals the sum of a and b plus the sum of c, d, and e. Therefore, Total = 18 + 37 = 55. Place this number in the top space and the number of things, which is 5, in the lower left space.
5. E If triangle LMQ is an equilateral triangle and LM = 2, then MQ = 2 as well. For this same reason, if MN = 3, then MO = 3 as well. Opposite sides of a parallelogram are equal, so side OP of MOPQ is equal to 2 and side PQ is equal to 3. Therefore, the perimeter of parallelogram MOPQ is 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 = 10, and (E) is the credited response.
6. B When the question asks for a specific value and there are numbers in the answers, Plug In the Answers. Start with choice (C), and plug in 
for the expression (x + y) in the equation. This gives us 13 – (
)2 = 4, which is 13 – 17 = –4. Choice (C) is wrong, so let’s try choice (B) and plug in –3 for the expression (x + y). 13 – (–3)2 = 4, which translates to 13 – 9 = 4. Since this is true, (B) is the credited response.
7. D The question does not indicate that the figure is “not drawn to scale,” so start by ballparking. The angle with measurement z° is obtuse, so (A) and (B) can be eliminated. Since quadrilateral FJKL is the reflection of quadrilateral FGHJ, ∠JFL will have the same measurement as ∠GFJ, which is 40°. Line y is a straight line, so the measurement of ∠JFL plus z° equals 180°. Therefore, z = 140, so (D) is the credited response. The information that ∠FJK equals 120° is a distraction and is not necessary to solve this problem.
8. A If 50 + p = 180, then p = 130°. Therefore, ∠p is obtuse, so the acute angles in (C), (D), and (E) can be eliminated. Of the two remaining angles, (B) appears to be just greater than 90°, whereas (A) looks to be in between 90˚ and 180˚. Choice (A) is closer is 130°, so (A) is the credited response.
9. E When asked for a specific value and given numbers in the answer choices, PITA. Start with (C) and assume that t = 5. When 5 is quadrupled, or multiplied by 4, the result is 20. When 30 is added to 5, the result is 35. These results are not the same, so (C) can be eliminated. A greater number than 5 is needed to bring the two results closer together; eliminate choices (A) and (B). Choice (D) contains a fraction that is more difficult to plug in, so try (E). When 10 is quadrupled, the result is 40. When 30 is added to 10, the result is also 40, so (E) is the credited response.
10. A If Jeff has 70 shirts total but 10 are the wrong size, he only has 60 shirts that he can print for this order. One-third of those 60 shirts, or 20 of them, do not print correctly. This leaves 40 shirts that are correctly printed, making (A) the credited response.
11. E There are 17 total members in this crafting club. All of them can either meet on Thursday or they cannot meet on Thursday. To find how many of them cannot meet on Thursday, add up every member outside the Thursday region. This includes the 4 members who cannot meet either Wednesday or Thursday and the 8 members who can only meet Wednesday but not Thursday. 4 + 8 = 12 members who cannot meet on Thursday.
12. B When dealing with graphs of functions, f(x) or h(x) is the y value for any given x. The question asks how many values of x make h(x) = 0, so draw a line on the graph at y = 0. This is also the x-axis of the xy-coordinate plane. The number of points of intersection between the graph of h(x) and the line drawn will be the number of values for which x makes h(x) = 0.
13. D When asked for a specific value, PITA. First, though, the figure needs to be labeled and the lengths of all sides determined. Start by labeling the given lengths on the figure. Since it is a rectangle, opposite sides are equal, so label those as well. Also, find the length of UV, either by using the Pythagorean Theorem or the fact that these triangles are the 5:12:13 Pythagorean triple with each side multiplied by 3. Therefore, UV equals 36.
14. A From the chart, it is difficult to determine which brand of pushpins is the cheapest per pin. For each brand, take the cost and divide by the number of pins to get the cost per pin. For Bob’s, this is 
= $0.075 per pin. For Pokey’s, this is 
= $0.0625 per pin. For Thumbelina’s, this is 
= $0.0595 per pin. Thumbelina’s are the lowest price per pin and the best value, so Karen should start with those. If she buys 2 packages of Thumbelina’s at $2.50 each, she will spend $5.00 for 84 pushpins. She needs 100 pushpins total, so she still needs 16. To spend the least amount of money, she should get one package of Bob’s, since those have at least as many as she needs at the lowest cost. This adds another $1.50 to her total spending, bringing it to $6.50. Choice (A) is the credited response.
15. D When asked for a specific value and given numbers in the answer choices, PITA. Starting with (C), plug the value for a into the slope formula: 
or 
. For (C), the slope is 
. This is not equal to −, so (C) can be eliminated. The value in (C) yielded a slope that was too small, so a bigger value of a is needed. Therefore, (A) and (B) can also be eliminated. For (D), the slope is 
, so (D) is the credited response.
16. D The question describes a number line, so draw one to make the numbers easier to visualize. Mark the point with coordinate 3 and then the two points that sit at a distance of 7 from that point.
17. C The question gives the sum of the odd integers from 1 to 303, and then it asks for the sum of fewer numbers. Therefore, the answer must be less than 23,104, so (E) can be eliminated. The numbers that are not to be included in the answer sum are 1 and 303. Subtract these from 23,104 to get the new sum. 23,104 – 1 = 23,103 – 303 = 22,800. Choice (C) is the credited response.
18. E To determine if the intervals satisfy the inequality, pick a value from each one and plug it in for c into the equation. For case I, try c =−
. The inequality becomes 
= 
. This is not less than 0, so case I is not true. Choices (A) and (D) can be eliminated, as they contain case I. For case II, plug in c = −
. The inequality becomes 
. This is less than 0, so case II satisfies the inequality. Choice (C) can be eliminated, as it does not contain case II. For case III, plug in c =−
. The inequality becomes 
. This is less than 0, so case III is also true, and (E) is the credited response.
19. B When asked for the number of values that are possible for a variable, start Plugging In, following the requirements of the question. The first positive integer is 1, and there is no integer power to which 1 can be raised that will make it equal 81. The same is true if f = 2. If f = 3, it could be raised to the 4th power to yield 81. In fact, if 81 is broken down into prime factors, the only one is 3. Therefore, trying only multiples of 3 can save time. If f = 6, there is no integer power to which it can be raised that will make it equal 81. If f = 9, it could be raised to the 2nd power to yield 81. At this point, the values possible for g are getting very small. Rather than plugging in for f, now try plugging in for g with the only remaining positive integer, which is 1. If f1 = 81, then f = 81. There are no more positive integer combinations of f and g that will make the equation true, so there are only 3 values for f: 3, 9, and 81. Therefore, (B) is the credited response.
20. C When the question has variables in the answer choices, Plug In. Pick values for r and s, such as r = 2 and s = 8 With these values, point M is now at (2, 8) and point N is at (6, 0). Draw a sketch of these points in the coordinate plane and the triangle they form with the origin.
Section 3
25. B Start with the first blank. Since Stephen’s new road bike is described as lighter, look for a word that means lighter. Eliminate everything but choices (A) and (B). Since his new bike is lighter, his previous bike would have been “heavy.” Eliminate choice (A) since speedy is irrelevant. Choice (B) is the correct answer.
26. D Start with the second blank. Since the sentence states that the deli doesn’t do something properly anymore, it must be “difficult” to distinguish a strip steak from a pot roast. Eliminate everything but choices (D) and (E). Next, check the first blank. Since it’s difficult to distinguish the meats, they must not be “labeled” properly. Restock doesn’t match “labeled,” so eliminate choice (E). Choice (D) is the correct answer.
27. E Since the folk singer showcased the human spirit in all its forms, look for a word similar to “emphasize” that would fit the blank. Eliminate choices (A) and (D) since these are the opposite of emphasize. Choice (B) means to “express coherently,” which doesn’t quite fit. Eliminate choice (C) since it means to “give human qualities to ideas or concepts.” Choice (E) works, since underscore means to “show importance to,” which is similar to emphasize. Choice (E) is the correct answer.
28. A Start with the first blank. Since it’s stated that the new work has many elements that are out of place, look for a word that means out of place. Choice (A) is a good match for out of place and choice (D), which means “old fashioned,” could also fit, so eliminate choices (B), (C), and (E). Next, check the second blank. Since elements or details are out of place, look for a word similar to “context” for the second blank. Eliminate choice (D) since whimsy doesn’t fit. Choice (A) is the correct answer.
29. E The sentence tells us that Reinhold was always backing down from his own arguments and deferring his point of view, so fill in the blank with something like “giving in to others.” Eliminate choices (A) and (C) since both mean the opposite of the clue. Choice (B) means “brief” and choice (D) means “persistence,” so eliminate them. Choice (E) matches the clue, therefore it is the correct answer.
30. C The correct answer to this question must address both passages, so be wary of answers that are one-sided. Eliminate choice (A) since all fans is extreme. Choice (B) also doesn’t work since neither passage ever states that sports fanaticism is unhealthy. Choice (C) could work since Passage 1 mentions that the author’s family’s eyes roll whenever he would talk about sports, and the author of Passage 2 mentions that his knowledge is met with derision. Eliminate choices (D) and (E) since both elation and contempt are too strong. Choice (C) is the correct answer.
31. E The author of Passage 1 sees his family’s eyes roll when he talks about sports, and the sports fanatics in Passage 2 are similar to the author of Passage 1, so the family would not be interested in the view of the sports fanatics of Passage 2. Choices (A), (C), and (D) all indicate some form of acceptance, so eliminate them. Choice (B) is too extreme. Choice (E) fits well and is therefore the correct answer.
32. A This is a vocabulary in context question, so cross out the word in question and replace it with another word. Since knowing the rules of Australian football seems to be something only the author cares about, we can replace garnered with “gained” or “accumulated.” Only choice (A) fits, so it is the correct answer.
33. E The correct answer to this question must address both passages, so be wary of answers that are one-sided. Choice (A) is incorrect since it doesn’t apply to either passage. Eliminate choices (B) and (D) since only Passage 2 makes any sort of comparison or hypothetical situation. Passage 1 makes use of personal experience, but Passage 2 does not, so eliminate choice (C). Choice (E) fits because Passage 1 refers to why a Wing T formation is preferable to a Double Back and Passage 2 mentions who played center field for the winning team of the 1974 World Series. Choice (E) is the correct answer.
34. E The first two lines of the passage contain the following: Daddy was seeing an awful lot of his new friend. One of the rooms in his house was all of a sudden full of her stuff. We don’t know yet how the young girl is assessing the situation, so choice (E) is the only one of the choices with the appropriate amount of support in the passage. The other choices suggest that the girl is disapproving of her father’s new friend, a claim that is not supported in the passage.
35. E The third line of the passage contains the following: It had started with a few dinners and shopping trips, and now it seemed that their father’s friend basically lived in the house, even shifting around some furniture that had been in place for as long as Sarah could remember. The word basically suggests that Tess does not literally live in the house but that she spends as much time there as one who does live there, which is reflected in choice (E). The other choices contain some words from the passage, but the information in those choices is not supported in the passage.
36. B The third line of the passage contains the following: It had started with a few dinners and shopping trips, and now it seemed that their father’s friend basically lived in the house, even shifting around some furniture that had been in place for as long as Sarah could remember. The idea of shifting around some furniture is offered as evidence that their father’s friend basically lived in the house. It can be inferred, therefore, that shifting around furniture is something that is typically done by someone who lives in the house containing that furniture, as choice (B) suggests. Because the passage moves between ideas quickly, it doesn’t say anything else about Sarah’s perspective on this furniture moving, so none of the other answer choices are supported in the passage.
37. D In the first three sentences of the second paragraph, there are a number of words that imply a change: then, became, now, eventually, introduced. The quotation marks are evidence of that change, with the older people in the story now referring to themselves as part of Sarah’s family, as choice (D) suggests. The words in quotes are not mean-spirited or slangy, eliminating choices (A) and (C), and nothing in the passage suggests that any of these terms are metaphorical, eliminating choice (E).
38. B The first two paragraphs of the passage explore Sarah’s confusion over the more-frequent presence of her father’s “new friend.” Tess surprises Sarah after school one day to take her shopping for a Junior Bridesmaid’s dress. Tess is surprised by the announcement, wondering Bride?, because she has not yet understood that Tess and her father are to be married. Choice (B) paraphrases this idea. Choices (A), (C), and (E) are too literal and are not supported in the passage. And although Sarah is not fully used to the idea of having Tess as a mother, she does not necessarily “resist” it, eliminating choice (D).
39. B The seventh paragraph states, In the coming weeks, though, Sarah was not to be so involved again. She was usually asked to watch her brother as her daddy and Tess met with planners, caterers, and decorators. A series of questions follows, outlining the kinds of questions they might be asking these planners, caterers, and decorators, or naming the specific topics of their meetings with these wedding assistants, as choice (B) implies. The particular questions are not relevant to the larger idea of the story (a young girl coming to terms with her father’s remarriage), so the other choices can be eliminated.
40. D The sentence listed in the question states the following: Sarah had never seen him so calm—he was usually such an over-planner, barking orders at all within his sight. There is a contrast here between her father’s current calm and the fact that he is usually barking orders. Therefore, the answer must be the opposite of calm, as only choice (D) is.
41. C Sarah is asked to watch her brother as Tess and her father plan their wedding. She tries to eavesdrop subtly, but as her father’s question implies, he is aware that she is listening to the conversation. Because the question immediately shifts back to Sarah’s perception, we know little else about what the father thinks. Only choice (C) works, therefore, and the others can be eliminated.
42. C Toward the end of the passage, Sarah wishes more and more to be involved with her father’s wedding: She wanted to walk in there and take a seat at the table with them. And later, She wanted to be at the table, calling whatever shots she could. There are hints of the other answer choices, but none has the textual support of choice (C).
43. C The first sentence says the following: Online education hasn’t freed itself of all the connotations, both positive and negative, that anything “online” could have. In other words, online education has both positive and negative features, or both good and bad aspects, as choice (C) indicates. The other choices may be common ideas about online education, but they are not supported in the passage.
44. C The previous sentence states, On the other hand, online education is, as much as any other product, a child of the market. The sentence referred to in the question expands on this idea, as choice (C) indicates, stating the market benefits of online education. Although the sentence reflects the speech of administrators, it does not mock them, and it is not meant to sell the product to the reader, eliminating choices (A) and (D).
45. E Of face-to-face education, the author of Passage 1 states the following: Perhaps the problem is deeper. Maybe “online” education is not such a new development: those students who are in face-to-face classes are not required to do their homework in Internet-free areas, and most students can browse the Internet freely in class. The Internet is already everywhere, and the undetected outcome may be lowered educational standards in general. The author of Passage 2 states the following, The “real thing,” after all, had its own set of problems long before online education came along, and while students may be truant or distracted from online courses, they are just as likely to be so in face-to-face courses. Both authors, therefore, suggest that face-to-face education is imperfect and susceptible to many of the same influences as online education, lending support to choice (E).
46. E Cross out the word in question, and fill in the blank with your own. The word appears in the following line: And the belief that online education must be a _______ form of the “real thing” is simply misguided conservatism. A term like watered down or a word like lesser would work here. While choices (B) and (C) may have meanings similar to diluted, only choice (E) works in this context.
47. A The author of Passage 1 outlines the problem as follows: those students who are in face-to-face classes are not required to do their homework in Internet-free areas, and most students can browse the Internet freely in class. The Internet is already everywhere, and the undetected outcome may be lowered educational standards in general. This agrees almost exactly with what the author of Passage 2 has to say, so the authors are essentially in agreement, as choice (A) suggests. While the author of Passage 1 might consider the lines in Passage 2 respectful, there is no reason to believe that she would consider them exceedingly so.
48. B The author of Passage 1 writes, So how successful have these online courses been? According to a 2013 study, 77 percent of academic leaders rate the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face classes. The author of Passage 2 cites the same statistic, after stating, Online education certainly has its benefits. Both sentences reflect the benefits of online education as perceived by educators, lending support to choice (B). While online education may help these teachers to achieve their learning objectives, the authors do not bring up this statistic in order to discuss these learning objectives, but rather to show how effective teachers consider online learning, eliminating choice (E).
Section 4
21. D PITA! Start with choice (C), plugging in 4 for t. The first equation is then 4 < 6, which is true, and the second is 16 < 16, which is not true. Eliminate choices (C), (B), and (A) and go bigger. Try choice (D), plugging in 5 for t. The first equation is then 5 < 6, which is true, and the second is 16 < 20, which is also true. Since both equations are true, t = 5. The credited response is (D).
22. A Be safe: Plug In. Plug in 6 for the side of the square and label all of the sides 6. W, X, and Y are the midpoints, so label AW, WB, BX, XC, CY, and YD each as 3. Now BC = 6. Check all of the answer choices to find the one that does NOT equal 6. Choice (A) is AD + AW = 6 + 3 = 9. Choice (B) is AW + XC = 3 + 3 = 6. Choice (C) is CD = 6. Choice (D) is DY + BW = 3 + 3 = 6. Choice (E) is AD = 6. The credited response is (A).
23. B Solve for z. First subtract 6 from both sides of the equation to get 4z = 14. Then divide both sides of the equation by 4 to get z = 
. That is the only solution to the equation. The answer is (B).
24. C PITA! Start with (C), plugging in 5 for t. First, use the second equation to find 
= s. Use the calculator and find that s is approximately 2.24. Then plug in 2.24 for s in the second equation. Since 10 < 11.2 < 12, t could equal 5. The credited response is (C).
25. D The total surface area of the solid is equal to the sum of the areas of all the individual faces. First, count the faces. There are 6 squares on the top, and therefore 6 on the bottom. There are 2 squares on the front, and therefore 2 on the back. There are 3 squares on the side, and therefore 3 on the other side. Thus, there are a total of 6 + 6 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 22 squares. Since each square has an area of 3 square inches, the total surface area is 22 × 3 = 66 square inches. The credited response is (D).
26. E Variables in the answers: Plug In! Since x > 0, choose a positive number for x; in this case, x = 2. Since is negative, choose a negative number for y; in this case, y = –8. Check each answer choice to find which one is a negative number. (A) is (2)3 = 8; eliminate it because it’s positive. (B) is (–8)2 = 64; eliminate it because it’s positive. (C) is –(–8) = 8; eliminate it because it’s positive. (D) is 2(2) = 4; eliminate it because it’s positive. (E) is –8; keep it because it’s negative. The credited response is (E).
27. B Express the probability as a fraction: 
. The total number of degrees in a circle is 360, so 
. Solve to find that the red sectors have a total of 90°. There are two red sectors that each have a degree measure of r, so divide 90 by 2 to find that r = 45°. The credited response is (B).
28. C First, use the table to find h(1). When the x column is 1 the h(x) column is 3, so h(1) = 3. Since g(x) = h(1), g(x) = 3. Now use the table to find the x value. When the g(x) column is 3, the x column is 2, so x = 2. The credited response is (C).
29. 6 Plug in any of the (x, y) pairs from the table into the equation. The last (x, y) pair in the table is (–2, –3), so –2 = 
. Multiply both sides of the equation by –3 to find that k = 6.
30. 187 Kevin makes 8 dollars for each chore, so divide 1,500 dollars by 8 to find the number of chores. 1,500 ÷ 8 = 187.5, which is not an integer. Round up or round down? Try both to be safe. 188 chores times 8 dollars per chore equals 1,504 dollars, which is too big. 187 chores times 8 dollars per chore equals 1,496 dollars, which is less than 1,500.
31. 50 The lines are parallel, so all the big angles are equal and all the small angles are equal, and big + small = 180°. The small angle is 30°, so the big angle is 180° – 30° = 150°. The big angle is labeled 3x, so 3x = 150°. Divide both sides by 3 to find that x = 50°.
32. 384 If 36% of the juniors selected “Go to the beach” then the remaining 64% of the juniors selected a response other than “Go to the beach.” 64% of the 600 total juniors is 
× 600 = 384.
33. 22 Write the area formula: A = πr2. The area of circle P is 121π, so 121π = πr2 and r = 11. The diameter is twice the radius, so d = 2r = 2 × 11 = 22.
34. 36 or 72
35. 44 To find the shaded area, subtract the three small triangles from the large triangle. Write the area formula: A = bh. The base of the large triangle is the sum of the bases of the small triangles. Use the formula to find the base of each small triangle. Each of the triangles is an isosceles right (45:45:90) triangle, so the base and the height are equal. Thus the formula can be written as A = b × b or A = b2. Solve for the base of triangle A: b2 = 18 then b2 = 36, so b = 6. Solve for the base of triangle B: b2 = 8 then b2 = 16, so b = 4. Solve for the base of triangle C: b2 = 2 then b2 = 4, so b = 2. The base of the large triangle is 6 + 4 + 2 = 12 and so the area of the large triangle is A = 122 = 72. The sum of the areas of the small triangles is 18 + 8 + 2 = 28. Subtract the unshaded area from the large area to get the shaded area: 72 – 28 = 44.
36. 
or .083
37. 252 Write out the pattern and then extrapolate. List the numbers from 100 to 199 that have at least one digit that is a four. {104, 114, 124, 134, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146,147, 148, 149, 154, 164, 174, 184, 194}. There are 19 numbers in the one-hundreds that have at least one four. The same will be true of the two-hundreds, three-hundreds, five-hundreds, six-hundreds, seven-hundreds, eight-hundreds, and nine-hundreds. So far that’s 19 ´ 8 = 152 numbers with at least one four. Then there are the four-hundreds: all 100 numbers from 400 to 499 have at least one four. So add that to the total to get 152 + 100 = 252.
38. 60 This problem can be tackled as a rate problem using the formula or as an average problem using the average pie. Either way, set up an equation or a pie for both Ben and Carl. Since they both drove for the same amount of time, set your equation equal to time: time = 
. If b represents the distance Ben drove, and he drove 15 miles further than Carl did, the distance Carl drove is b – 15. Therefore, the equation for Ben is t = 
and the equation for Carl is t = 
. The times are equal so set the two equations equal to each other: = . Cross multiply and solve for b: 20b – 300 = 15b, then 5b = 300, so b = 60.
Section 5
1. D The phrase, The Great Wall of China, which was built to protect the Chinese Empire from invasion is an incomplete thought. Since a comma combined with the word and can only be used to connect two complete thoughts, this sentence does not correctly connect the two ideas. Eliminate choice (A). Choice (B) makes both the first and the second thoughts complete, but connects the two with a comma. Therefore, choice (B) contains a comma splice error. In choice (C), the thought The Great Wall of China, built to protect the Chinese Empire from invasion is an incomplete thought. The phrase therefore extending over more than 13,000 miles is also incomplete. This choice contains two incomplete ideas that do not form a complete thought even when combined, so choice (C) is incorrect. In choice (E), the phrase it was built to protect the Chinese Empire is set off by commas, and should therefore contain unnecessary information. However, if you remove that part of the sentence, then the remaining thought is, The Great Wall of China … extending over more than 13,000 miles. This is an incomplete thought, so choice (E) does not contain a complete sentence, and is therefore incorrect. Choice (D) fixes the error in the original sentence and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (D) is the correct answer.
2. B This sentence uses ignoring, rather than ignore, and therefore contains an incomplete thought. Choices (A), (C), and (E) all repeat the error in the original sentence and are therefore incorrect. Choice (D) adds the word who, which also makes the sentence incomplete. Therefore, the correct answer is choice (B), which fixes the original error and does not introduce any new errors.
3. E The modifying phrase Walking on the moon’s surface for slightly more than two and a half hours should describe Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, since those two men were the individuals who did the walking. However, as it is currently written, the phrase describes numerous photos, since that phrase appears immediately after the comma. Therefore, this sentence contains a misplaced modifier error. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin should appear immediately after the comma, so eliminate choices (A), (B), and (C). Choice (D) incorrectly places the prepositional phrase of Little West Crater after took, and is therefore incorrect. Choice (E) fixes the original error and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (E) is the correct answer.
4. A The way the sentence is currently written, the underlined verb phrase agrees with the non-underlined parts of the sentence in both number and tense, so choice (A) does not contain an error. Choice (B) adds a conjunction, although, to the beginning of the verb phrase and changes the form of the verb to gaining. This causes the entire sentence to become a fragment, so eliminate choice (B). Choice (E) repeats this same error, so eliminate choice (E) also. Choice (C) uses a comma and the word but to connect the two ideas in the sentence. However, only two complete ideas can be connected using a comma and the word but. Since Chiropractic methods of treatment, once commonly criticized by many in the medical field, is not a complete idea, it cannot be connected to the second half of the sentence using a comma and the word but. Eliminate choice (C). Choice (D) inappropriately changes the tense of the verbs by adding the future tense verb will, so choice (D) is also incorrect. Choice (A) is the correct answer.
5. C The verb is is singular, but the subject of the sentence is rainforests, which is plural. Therefore, this sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error. Eliminate choice (A). Choice (B) introduces the word that, which makes the sentence incomplete, so choice (B) is not the credited answer. Choices (D) and (E) incorrectly change the tense of the sentence, and are therefore not the credited answers. Choice (C) correctly changes the verb to the plural verb are and is the correct answer.
6. D This sentence contains two complete thoughts joined by a comma, which is a comma splice error. Choices (A), (B), and (C) repeat this error and are therefore incorrect. Choice (E) uses the singular verb was, but the subject of the verb is mutated cells, ulcers, and cancer. Since the verb is singular and the subject is plural, this choice contains a subject-verb agreement error. Choice (D) fixes the error in the original sentence and does not introduce any new errors. Therefore, choice (D) is the correct answer.
7. B This sentence contains the modifying phrase Though most famous for her relationship with Beatles singer John Lennon. This phrase should describe whatever appears after the comma. However, the phrase the important contributions, rather than Yoko Ono, appears after the comma. Therefore, this sentence contains a misplaced modifier. Both choices (A) and (D) repeat this error in the same way. In choice (C), the phrase Yoko Ono’s important contributions, rather than Yoko Ono, appears right after the comma, so choice (C) also has a misplaced modifier error. In choice (E), the phrase the works of Yoko Ono appears after the comma, so choice (E) also has a misplaced modifier error. Only choice (B) fixes the error in the sentence.
8. A This sentence indicates that Genghis Khan did two things: he united … tribes, and founded the Mongol Empire. Since this sentence contains two verbs in a list, the verbs should be in the same form. As the sentence is currently written, the verbs are parallel, so keep choice (A). Choice (B) uses the word who. Since the word that appears immediately before the comma is century, this choice suggests that it is the century, not Genghis Khan, that founded the Mongol Empire. Thus, choice (B) is incorrect. Choice (C) uses the verb found, which is not parallel with united, so choice (C) creates a parallelism error. Choice (E) also creates a parallelism error by pairing united with founding. Eliminate both choice (C) and choice (E). Choice (D) adds a subject to the second half of the sentence, thus turning that part of the sentence into a complete thought. Therefore, choice (D) contains two complete thoughts joined by a comma. Eliminate choice (D), since it has a comma splice error. Choice (A) is the correct answer.
9. E As written, the verb demonstrated does not agree with the verb prepares in tense. Both verbs should be in present tense, so eliminate choice (A). Choices (B) and (C) use the singular pronoun it to refer to the plural noun classes, so both of these choices are incorrect. Choice (D) initially uses the plural pronoun they, but switches to the singular pronoun it later in the sentence. Thus choice (D) is incorrect. Choice (E) correctly uses plural pronouns to refer to classes and uses the correct verb tenses. Thus, choice (E) is the correct answer.
10. E This sentence provides three verbs in a list: chose, discovered, and was postponed. However, items in a list should be parallel. In this case, the last verb in the list is not in the same form as the other two verbs. Therefore, this sentence contains a parallelism error. Choices (A), (C), and (D) all contain similar parallelism errors and are therefore incorrect. Choice (B) is also not parallel, because even though the verb is in the correct form, the choice also includes the subject she, unlike the second verb in the list. Choice (B) is also missing the conjunction and, which is needed before the last item in the list. Only choice (E) fixes the original error and does not introduce any new errors.
11. D The words simultaneously and as well are redundant, so choice (A) is not the correct answer. Choice (C) repeats the error in the original sentence. Since the phrase Ludovic built an enormous house of cards is a complete thought, and it was simultaneously very fragile is also a complete thought, you cannot join the two thoughts with a comma. Therefore, choice (B) contains a comma splice error. Choice (E) changes the direction of the sentence by using and rather than but. Since the two ideas in the sentence—that the house was enormous and that the house was fragile—are opposite direction ideas, they should be joined with a conjunction that signals that they are opposites. Choice (D) fixes the redundancy error, so choice (D) is the correct answer.
12. B The verb wore is in past tense, but the verb start is in present tense. Since nothing in the sentence indicates that a change of tense is required, this sentence contains a verb tense error. Eliminate choice (A). Choice (C) repeats the error in the original sentence and is therefore not the correct answer. Choice (D) uses the present perfect had started dropping. When a verb refers to something that began in the past and is still happening, the present perfect tense is appropriate, but this sentence refers to an event that occurred entirely in the past, so choice (D) is not the correct answer. Choice (E) uses are beginning to drop, which would also refer to an event happening in the present, rather than in the past, so choice (E) is incorrect. Choice (B) correctly uses the past tense, and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (B) is correct.
13. C In the original sentence, the phrase originally a railroad bridge and part of the Poughkeepsie Bridge Route is set off by commas, so the phrase should contain unnecessary information, and the sentence should make sense without it. Notice that if you eliminate the phrase, you are left with Walkway Over the Hudson, now used by locals as a pedestrian walkway. The main subject is Walkway Over the Hudson, but the subject is missing a verb, and the sentence is a fragment. Eliminate choice (A). Choice (B) uses the word which, and therefore changes the meaning of the sentence so that the phrase is now used by locals as a pedestrian walkway applies to the Poughkeepsie Bridge Route rather than to Walkway Over the Hudson. It also creates a fragment. Choice (C) adds the verb is, and therefore makes the sentence complete. Eliminate choice (D), since it contains the word being. Choice (E) connects the thoughts Walkway Over the Hudson, originally a railroad bridge and used today by locals as a pedestrian walkway and it was once part of the Poughkeepsie Bridge Route with a comma and the word and. However, in order to join two thoughts with a comma and the word and, both thoughts must be complete thoughts. Since the first thought is incomplete, this sentence does not correctly join the two thoughts. Eliminate choice (E). Choice (C) remains as the best answer.
14. B The original sentence compares gecko’s feet to other lizards. Since the sentence should compare lizard’s feet to other lizard’s feet or geckos to other lizards, but not feet to lizards, there is a comparison error. Eliminate choice (A). Choices (D) and (E) contain similar comparison errors, and are therefore incorrect. Choice (C) correctly fixes the comparison error so that the sentence compares gecko’s feet to other lizard’s feet, but now the phrase such as the iguana or the Komodo dragon modifies other lizard’s feet. Since the iguana and the Komodo dragon are examples of lizards, rather than of lizard’s feet, this choice changes the meaning of the sentence, and is therefore not the correct answer. Since choice (B) correctly fixes the original error and does not introduce any new errors, it is the correct answer.
15. D The correct idiom is similarities between one thing and another rather than similarities between one thing with another. Therefore, this sentence contains an idiom error. Choices (A) and (B) repeat the original error and are therefore incorrect. The sentence should compare the results of the biologist’s experiments to the results of Watson and Crick’s experiments. However, choices (C) and (E) compare the results of the biologist’s experiments to the experiments of Watson and Crick. Since these choices compare results to experiments rather than results to results, these choices contain comparison errors. Choice (D) fixes the original error in the sentence and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (D) is the correct answer.
16. D In the original sentence By planning is redundant with why, since both indicate a reason. Therefore, choice (A) is incorrect. In choice (B), the subject is his planning and the verb is ended. Since Carl, not the planning, is the one who actually did the action in the sentence, choice (B) puts the sentence into the passive voice, and is therefore incorrect. Choice (C) uses plan of arriving; however, the correct idiom is plan to rather than plan of. Thus, choice (C) contains an idiom error. Choice (E) incorrectly uses He planned as the subject of the verb is. However, the phrase He planned already contains a subject and a verb, so it cannot be used as a subject. Choice (D) fixes the original error in the sentence and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (D) is the correct answer.
17. C The correct idiom is not only … but also. The original sentence uses not only … but, and omits the also. Therefore, this sentence contains an idiom error. Eliminate choice (A). Choice (B) makes a similar error by omitting but and is also incorrect. According to choice (D), the sentence lists two reasons that Tesla was remarkable: because he made numerous contributions toward the fields of x-ray imaging and radio and because he patented also more than 300 inventions. When you have items in a list, those items should be parallel. With the placement of also in the second part of the list, the items are not parallel, so choice (D) is incorrect. Choice (E) is similarly not parallel because the first item in the list uses because, whereas the second does not. Choice (C) fixes the error in the original sentence, and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (C) is the correct answer.
18. A The clause Alzheimer’s disease causes memory loss and confusion is a complete thought. The clause for instance, those affected frequently forget the names of close friends and relatives is also a complete thought. These two thoughts are correctly joined by a semicolon, so choice (A) does not contain an error. Choices (B) and (E) change the intended meaning of the sentence by implying that Alzheimer’s disease, rather than those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, frequently forgets the names of close friends and relatives, so both choices are incorrect. Choice (C) uses a semicolon to connect the two thoughts in the sentence. However, a semicolon connects two complete thoughts, and the phrase for instance, often forgetting the names of close friends and relatives is not a complete thought. Choice (D) connects two complete thoughts with a comma, so choice (D) contains a comma splice error and is incorrect.
19. E The original sentence uses finishing, rather than finished, and thus does not contain a complete thought. In choice (B), the clause In 1505, Michelangelo started building Pope Julius II’s tomb is a complete thought. The clause however, it was never finished to his satisfaction, perhaps because he was constantly distracted by other tasks is also a complete thought. Since this choice joins two complete thoughts with a comma, this choice contains a comma splice error. Choice (D) also contains two complete thoughts joined by a comma, and therefore repeats the error in choice (B). In choice (C), the modifying phrase although distracted, perhaps, by other tasks should describe whatever appears immediately after the comma. However, since it, rather than he appears immediately after the comma, this choice suggests that the Pope’s tomb, rather than Michelangelo, was distracted. This choice contains a modifier error and is therefore incorrect. Choice (E) corrects the error in the original sentence and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (E) is the correct answer.
20. B The subject of the sentence is claims, which is plural, and the main verb is has convinced, which is singular. Therefore, this sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error. Choices (A) and (C) repeat this error, and are therefore incorrect. Choice (D) changes the intended meaning of the sentence by making it seem as though the claims of the witnesses, rather than the jury, returned a verdict of guilty. Choice (E) uses they, which is plural, to refer to jury, which is singular. Therefore choice (E) contains a pronoun agreement error. Choice (B) fixes the original error in the sentence, and does not introduce any new errors, so choice (B) is the correct answer.
21. B This sentence uses having been outweighed, rather than have been outweighed, and therefore does not contain a complete thought. Therefore, the correct answer is choice (B).
22. C The pronoun her is part of the plural subject her and Tiffany. However, her cannot be the subject of the sentence, because it is an object pronoun; she is the appropriate subject pronoun. Thus, choice (C) contains a pronoun error.
23. B This sentence uses the present perfect verb have been received, which suggests that the action in the sentence started in the past and is continuing in the present. However, the sentence begins with the phrase when the impressionists began, which indicates that the action occurred in the past. Therefore, choice (B) should not be in the present perfect tense, and contains a verb tense error.
24. B This sentence uses which to refer to Mao Zedong, who was a person. However, who refers to people, and which refers to things. Therefore, choice (B) contains an error and is the correct answer.
25. B This sentence lists two reasons that the grey squirrel has hidden nuts and seed: to ensure its food source and preventing other competing species from consuming all of the available food. The verbs ensure and preventing are not in the same form. Thus, choice (B) contains a parallelism error.
26. A This sentence couples the word both with the phrase as well as. However, the correct idiom is both … and. Therefore, choice (A) contains an idiom error, since the phrase as well as should be replaced by the word and.
27. B The correct idiom is responded to, rather than responded at. Therefore, choice (B) contains an idiom error.
28. D The subject of the sentence is prevalence, which is singular. However, the verb is have increased, which is plural. Therefore, choice (D) contains a subject-verb agreement error.
29. B This sentence uses having as the main verb in the sentence, which makes the thought in the sentence incomplete. Therefore, choice (B) contains a verb tense error, and is the correct answer.
30. C This sentence uses the adjective quick to describe the driver’s action of changing lanes. However, you must use adverbs, rather than adjectives, to describe actions. Therefore, quickly, rather than quick, is the correct modifying word, and choice (C) is the credited answer.
31. E There is nothing in the sentence to indicate that there is more than one claim, so choice (A) is correct. Choice (B) is the correct verb form and tense. The singular verb is in choice (C) agrees with the singular subject claim, so choice (C) is correct. Choice (D) has a plural verb, are, but the subject for that verb is objects, so choice (D) is also correct. There are no errors, so the correct answer is (E).
32. E The possessive pronoun whose properly refers to Amy, who possesses volleyball skills. Therefore, choice (A) does not contain an error. Choice (B) is part of the present perfect verb have respected. Since the respect began in the past and continues in the present, the verb is in the correct tense. The subject of the verb is I, which agrees with the verb, so choice (B) does not contain a subject-verb agreement error. Additionally, the verb is not in a list, so this choice does not contain any parallelism errors. Therefore, eliminate choice (B). Choice (C) uses the pronoun I. This sentence essentially says that Amy … understands better than I do how to properly serve and spike the ball, so the pronoun I is correct. The verb do is an understood verb that does not need to be directly written into the sentence. Since the pronoun in choice (C) is in the correct case, choice (C) does not contain a pronoun error. Finally, choice (D) uses the present tense verb serve. Since this verb agrees with the subject I, and is parallel with the verb spike, choice (D) does not contain an error. This sentence does not contain any grammatical errors, so the correct answer is choice (E).
33. B The correct idiom is means to rather than means in, and protecting should be protect. Therefore, choice (B) contains both an idiom and verb error, and is the correct answer.
34. D This sentence makes a comparison: their reception would be less expensive than their friends. However, since the expense of a wedding cannot be compared to people, this sentence contains a comparison error. In order to correctly compare the expense of Josh and Carla’s wedding to the expense of their friends’ weddings, the sentence would need to read less expensive than their friends’ weddings, or than those of their friends.
35. B As it is currently written, sentence 3 does not contain a complete thought, and is therefore a fragment. Thus, choice (A) is not the credited answer. Choice (E) combines the sentences, but turns the resulting sentence into an incomplete thought and is therefore incorrect. Choices (B), (C), and (D) all fix the original problem by combining the two sentences. Of these three choices, (B) is the most concise, and it does not introduce any new errors, so the correct answer is choice (B).
36. A The first paragraph discusses the history of portrait painting and uses one particular portrait painter as an example, and the second paragraph begins by discussing the challenges of portrait paintings. Thus, a phrase that ties these two subjects together is needed to transition from one paragraph to the next. Choice (B) mentions the focus on photographic accuracy, which is not discussed in the first paragraph. Thus, choice (B) is not the correct answer. Choice (C) discusses the demand from subjects, which is not mentioned in either the first or the second paragraph, so choice (C) is incorrect. Since the paragraph does not contain any discussion of how attractive people are, choice (D) does not follow the flow of ideas in the paragraph and is therefore incorrect. Choice (E) references the time required to become a skilled painter, but this subject is not discussed in either the first or the second paragraph, so eliminate choice (E). Choice (A) refers back to the first paragraph by referencing the fact that portrait painters have been popular for centuries, and therefore creates a connection between the first paragraph and the second. Thus, choice (A) is the correct answer.
37. E As it is currently written, the sentence says that this is profitable. However, it is not clear whether this refers to the fact that Cézanne required so many sittings, or to the fact that he could spend hours painting a single feature. Therefore, the original sentence contains an error and choice (A) is not the correct answer. The paragraph does not discuss the fact that Cézanne painted Impressionist works, so choice (B) is incorrect. Choice (C) uses the incorrect past perfect verb had and is therefore not the credited answer. Choice (D) uses the present perfect verb has, which would imply that the action is still ongoing. Since Cézanne is no longer painting, choice (D) is incorrect. Choice (E) correctly modifies the sentence to clarify that it was Cézanne’s meticulousness that paid off, so choice (E) is the correct answer.
38. D The second paragraph ends by discussing the success of one of Cézanne’s paintings, but the third paragraph begins by discussing paintings that have not been well received. Therefore, you need a sentence that connects these two ideas. Choice (A) relates back to paragraph 2, which discusses a famous artist, but it does not relate to paragraph 3. Therefore, choice (A) is not the correct answer. Since the third paragraph does not discuss the amount of time required to paint a portrait, choice (B) is incorrect. Choice (C) makes a statement of fact, but does not relate to the topics in either paragraph 2 or paragraph 3. Eliminate choice (C). Choice (E) implies that the third paragraph will prove something mentioned in the second paragraph to be true. However, since paragraph 3 does not prove anything from paragraph 2, choice (E) is incorrect. Choice (D) connects the two paragraphs by introducing the idea that not all portraits have been successful and, by using the phrase so well received, referring back to the portraits discussed in paragraph 2. Therefore, choice (D) is the correct answer.
39. C As it currently reads, the sentence indicates that as a portrayal … John Trumbull’s portrait … was rejected. However, the painting was not rejected as a portrayal, but was simply rejected. Therefore, in the original sentence, the meaning is unclear. Choice (B) uses following, but since the sentence is not discussing one thing that comes after another, choice (B) is not the credited answer. Choice (D) changes the intended meaning by suggesting that perhaps it was the fact that the painting presented Washington at all that caused the painting to be rejected, so choice (D) is not the correct answer. Since the previous sentence discusses flattering portraits, rather than accurate portraits, choice (E) is incorrect. Choice (C) transitions from sentence 13, which discusses the fact that flattering paintings are sometimes rejected, to sentence 14, which gives an example of a portrait that was rejected. Since the fact that the painting of Washington was flattering relates the two sentences, choice (C) is the correct answer.
