ACCUPLACER Next Generation Reading Exams — ACCUPLACER Next Generation Reading Practice Test
Answer: A
Changing 'view' to 'viewed' improves clarity and grammar.
Altering 'view' to 'viewed' allows the sentence to maintain a consistent past tense, enhancing clarity and grammatical correctness.
A) Change 'view' to 'viewed'
This option is correct because changing 'view' to 'viewed' aligns the verb tense with the context of the sentence, suggesting that the action of welcoming this behavior occurred in the past. This change clarifies the sentence structure and improves overall readability.
B) Change 'as natural, useful, and even enjoyable' to 'natural, useful, and enjoyable'
This option is incorrect as it does not enhance the grammatical structure or clarity of the sentence. While removing 'as' might simplify the phrase, it does not address the verb tense issue that affects the overall coherence of the sentence.
C) Change 'have welcomed' to 'had welcomed'
This option is also incorrect. Changing 'have welcomed' to 'had welcomed' would shift the sentence to a past perfect tense, which could create confusion regarding the time frame of the action. The present perfect tense is more appropriate for indicating relevance to the present.
D) Change 'appear' to 'appeared'
This option is incorrect since changing 'appear' to 'appeared' would unnecessarily shift the meaning from a current observation to a past observation, undermining the present context of the statement about people's ongoing attitudes.
Conclusion
The modification of 'view' to 'viewed' is the most effective change as it ensures the sentence's tense remains consistent, enhancing clarity and grammatical correctness. The other options either do not address the core grammatical issue or alter the meaning in a way that could confuse the reader. Thus, option A is the best choice for improving the sentence.
Answer: C
The sentence should be inserted after sentence 9.
Inserting the sentence after sentence 9 effectively continues the discussion of the varied opinions of New Yorkers regarding bike lanes, particularly emphasizing the contrasting views about their purpose.
A) After sentence 1
Placing the sentence after sentence 1 would disrupt the initial introduction of bike lanes and their historical context. The first sentence focuses on defining bike lanes rather than addressing public opinion.
B) After sentence 3
Inserting the sentence after sentence 3 would not be appropriate, as this section discusses the historical construction of bike lanes in the 1980s. The mention of public opinion would be out of place at this point, which is primarily factual.
C) After sentence 9
This is the ideal placement, as it follows a description of the opposition to bike lanes in Williamsburg and sets the stage for contrasting opinions. The new sentence introduces a perspective that aligns with the ongoing debate about the utility of bike lanes in keeping cyclists off sidewalks.
D) After sentence 12
Placing the sentence after sentence 12 would not be fitting, as this part of the passage focuses on the positive aspects of bike lanes, such as health and safety benefits. The new sentence would seem contradictory to the supportive sentiments expressed in the preceding statement.
Conclusion
The chosen placement after sentence 9 allows for a seamless transition into contrasting opinions about bike lanes, enriching the context of local sentiments. Other options fail because they either disrupt the narrative flow or misalign with the content's focus at those points, making option C the most suitable choice.
Answer: A
Actually, I did mind but grudgingly allowed him entrance into my sanctuary.
This version effectively conveys the chef's initial reluctance combined with a sense of resignation, capturing the nuanced emotion of the moment.
A) (as it is now)
This option accurately represents the chef's internal conflict and reluctance, showing that while she did mind having someone intrude, she allowed it to happen nonetheless. The use of "grudgingly" implies a reluctant acceptance, which aligns with the overall tone of the extract.
B) stubbornly
Choosing "stubbornly" would imply that the chef was unwilling to change her mind or accept the situation at all. This option misrepresents her eventual decision to allow Danny into the kitchen, as it suggests an inflexible attitude rather than a reluctant acceptance.
C) angrily
The word "angrily" would indicate that the chef was upset or hostile about Danny's presence, which contradicts the context of the extract. Although she initially minded, her emotions shifted to enjoyment as the situation progressed, making this choice inappropriate.
D) cautiously
Using "cautiously" would suggest that the chef was apprehensive or wary about allowing Danny in, rather than expressing her reluctance. This option fails to capture the emotional nuance of grudging acceptance, which is central to the extract's narrative.
Conclusion
The original wording effectively captures the chef's mixed feelings about sharing her cooking space, reflecting both her reluctance and eventual enjoyment. The other options either misinterpret her emotional state or fail to convey the subtlety of her internal conflict, making A the only appropriate choice.
Answer: D
I still like to juggle
Placing the sentence "I still like to juggle" immediately after "Eventually my stubbornness paid off" creates a seamless transition that highlights a personal interest that may have been developed through perseverance. This choice effectively connects the theme of stubbornness with a specific activity, enhancing the narrative flow.
A) Stubbornness seems to run in my family
This option, while related to the theme of stubbornness, does not directly connect to the idea of personal interests or achievements that follow the statement about stubbornness paying off. It diverts the focus away from the personal narrative and would not effectively follow the given sentence.
B) since my brother is just as stubborn as I am.
Although this sentence maintains the theme of stubbornness, it introduces a new character (the brother) and shifts the focus from the narrator's personal experience to a comparison. This disrupts the flow that is established by the previous statement.
C) Stubborn people can achieve much success and satisfaction.
While this option generalizes the benefits of stubbornness, it does not create a personal connection or narrative continuity. It lacks specificity regarding the narrator's personal experiences and would feel more like a conclusion rather than a continuation of the thought.
D) I still like to juggle
This sentence serves as a natural progression from the idea of stubbornness leading to personal fulfillment. It maintains a personal touch and ties into the narrator's interests, making it the most effective choice to follow the previous statement.
E) even though I am no better at it now than I was in grade school.
This option adds a humorous or self-deprecating tone but does not effectively follow the sentiment of personal achievement suggested in the previous sentence. It could work in a broader context but lacks the immediate connection needed here.
F) I became a pretty competent juggler and am now almost as skilled as my brother.
While this option highlights an achievement, it does not follow the theme of personal interest as effectively as option D. It introduces a competitive element that may distract from the narrative focus established by the previous sentence.
Conclusion
The sentence "I still like to juggle" is the most effective continuation after "Eventually my stubbornness paid off," as it directly relates to personal interests and achievements stemming from that stubbornness. Other options either diverge from the personal narrative or introduce new elements that disrupt the flow, making them less suitable in this context.
5. The main idea of the passage is that some types of poison frogs
Answer: A
Some types of poison frogs have developed the capacity to protect themselves from the poison they carry in their skin.
The main idea of the passage highlights how certain poison frogs have evolved to protect themselves from the very toxins they possess, specifically through modifications in their nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
A) have developed the capacity to protect themselves from the poison they carry in their skin
This option accurately reflects the central theme of the passage, which explains how poison frogs can isolate and store toxins from their food yet simultaneously possess adaptations that prevent self-toxicity. The mention of amino acid changes in their receptors is key to understanding this protective capacity.
B) could eventually produce a natural pain relief option for people who suffer from headaches
While the passage discusses epibatidine as a strong painkiller, it does not suggest that poison frogs could lead to a natural pain relief option for humans. The focus is on the frogs' biological adaptations rather than their potential benefits to human medicine.
C) combine chemicals from their food to create a toxic substance that keeps them safe from predators
This option misrepresents the passage's focus. Although the frogs do obtain toxins from their diet, the primary emphasis is not on creating toxins for predation defense but rather on their ability to avoid self-harm from these toxins.
D) can be grouped based on the changes they've made to their nicotinic acetylecholine receptors
This statement is partially correct but does not encapsulate the main idea of the passage. While the passage mentions that frogs can be categorized by these changes, the core message is about their self-protection from toxicity rather than the classification itself.
Conclusion
The correct answer, A, comprehensively captures the main idea of the passage, emphasizing the poison frogs' evolutionary adaptations that allow them to utilize toxins without self-harm. In contrast, the other options either misinterpret the passage or focus on aspects that are secondary to the primary theme of self-protection against their own poison.
6. What was one effect of Lorca’s nine months in New York, according to the passage?
Answer: A
His nine months in New York changed his vision of poetry and the social role of the artist.
Lorca's time in New York significantly influenced his perspective on poetry and the responsibilities of an artist, illustrating a profound transformation during this period.
A) They changed his vision of poetry and the role of the artist
This option is correct as the extract explicitly states that Lorca's nine months in New York changed his vision of poetry and the social role of the artist, highlighting the impact this experience had on his creative outlook.
B) They led him to become a political activist
This option is incorrect because the passage does not mention any shift towards political activism as a result of Lorca's time in New York. Instead, the focus is on his artistic development rather than a political transformation.
C) They discouraged him from writing in Spanish
This option is also incorrect. The passage indicates that Lorca spent most of his time writing poems in Spanish while in New York, suggesting that his time there did not discourage him from using his native language.
D) They caused him to abandon literature for law
This option is incorrect as well. The extract does not suggest that Lorca abandoned literature; in fact, he turned to writing full-time after studying literature and law, and his time in New York further deepened his commitment to poetry.
Conclusion
The correct answer is definitively A, as it accurately reflects the significant change in Lorca's artistic vision during his time in New York, a key point made in the passage. All other options either misinterpret or do not relate to the context of his experiences in New York, failing to align with the evidence provided.
Answer: C
Although Powers had been born in Georgia and remained in the same region throughout her life, her quilt exhibited a number of stylistic similarities to the large, appliquéd cotton cloths used in festivals by the Fon people of Dahomey.
The best version of the underlined portion is "region throughout her life." This version maintains the clarity and flow of the sentence without the unnecessary comma that disrupts the reading.
A) (as it is now)
This option does not present any grammatical issues, but it includes an unnecessary comma before "throughout her life," which interrupts the flow of the sentence. The sentence is clearer and more concise without this punctuation.
B) region throughout her life,
While this option removes the unnecessary comma before "throughout her life," it incorrectly includes a comma at the end, which is not required. The sentence would not be grammatically correct in this form.
C) region throughout her life
This is the correct choice. It effectively conveys the intended meaning without any punctuation errors, allowing the sentence to flow smoothly. The absence of a comma before "throughout her life" maintains the sentence's integrity.
D) region, throughout her life
In this option, the comma before "throughout her life" is unnecessary and disrupts the sentence's flow. It creates a pause that is not warranted, making the reading less fluid.
Conclusion
Option C is the best choice as it provides a grammatically correct and fluid reading of the sentence. The other options either introduce unnecessary punctuation or fail to adhere to standard grammatical conventions, thus making them less effective in conveying the intended message.
8. Unlike Passage 2, Passage 1 makes use of
Answer: C
Passage 1 makes use of personal anecdote.
Passage 1 employs a personal anecdote by sharing the author's firsthand experience walking alongside a lion named Josef, providing a vivid, personal perspective on the encounter with a wild animal.
A) scientific observation
While scientific observations may involve empirical data and analysis, Passage 1 does not present any scientific findings or data. Instead, it focuses on a subjective experience rather than objective research, making this option incorrect.
B) historical allusion
Historical allusion refers to references to significant events or figures from history. Passage 1 does not reference any historical events or figures; it centers on a contemporary encounter with a lion, making this option incorrect.
C) personal anecdote
The passage is centered around the author's personal experience with a lion, sharing emotions and reflections from that moment. This narrative style effectively illustrates the author's feelings and insights, marking this option as correct.
D) logical reasoning
Logical reasoning involves drawing conclusions based on structured arguments or premises. Passage 1 does not engage in a logical analysis or reasoning process; rather, it narrates a personal experience, making this option incorrect.
Conclusion
The correct answer, C, reflects the personal nature of the narrative in Passage 1, which recounts an individual's experience with a lion. In contrast, the other options fail to capture the essence of the passage, as they relate to objective observation, historical context, or logical argumentation rather than a personal story.
Answer: C
These 'heroes' are usually flawed and morally questionable people faced with a dilemma involving false suspicions or accusations.
This sentence should be inserted after sentence 8 because it directly relates to the description of the main characters in film noir, who are often portrayed as flawed individuals facing complex moral dilemmas.
A) After sentence 2
Inserting the sentence after sentence 2 would disrupt the flow of information, as that section focuses on the visual style and thematic elements of film noir rather than character development. Thus, it would be out of context.
B) After sentence 6
While sentence 6 discusses the origins of film noir's narrative style, it does not specifically address the nature of the protagonists. Therefore, placing the sentence here would not effectively convey the intended message about the characters.
C) After sentence 8
This is the most appropriate placement because sentence 8 introduces the main characters of film noir, highlighting their complexity. The provided sentence elaborates on these characters by emphasizing their flaws and moral ambiguity, creating a seamless continuation of the thought.
D) After sentence 10
Positioning the sentence after sentence 10 would be misleading, as this sentence focuses on specific classic film noir examples rather than character traits. This would result in a disjointed narrative that fails to connect with the preceding content about character dilemmas.
Conclusion
Inserting the sentence after sentence 8 enhances the understanding of film noir by directly linking the flawed nature of its protagonists to the themes of moral ambiguity and dilemmas. Other options either disrupt the thematic focus or fail to connect to character analysis, making option C the clear and definitive choice.
Answer: D
The best way to revise and combine the underlined portion is "city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing."
The revision effectively combines the two sentences by using a participial phrase to maintain a smooth flow while conveying both ideas clearly. The phrase "installing more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs" succinctly indicates the action taken by the city following the statement about the bike lanes.
A) city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, they installed
This option is incorrect because it uses a comma splice, which improperly joins two independent clauses without a conjunction. The lack of grammatical structure makes the sentence confusing and less cohesive.
B) city, which has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing
While this option introduces a relative clause, it does not properly connect the two ideas and leaves the phrase "installing" hanging without a clear subject. This results in a grammatically incorrect and awkward construction.
C) city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level and installing
This choice is incorrect because it mixes an independent clause with a gerund phrase without proper coordination. The structure is awkward and fails to maintain parallelism, which detracts from the clarity of the statement.
D) city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing
This is the correct option as it combines the two ideas effectively. The use of the participial phrase "installing" connects the action of taking bike lanes to a new level with the specific action of installing more than 250 miles, thus providing a clear and concise revision.
Conclusion
Option D is the best choice as it creates a grammatically correct and fluid transition between the ideas expressed in the sentences. The other options fail due to issues such as comma splices, ambiguity, or awkward phrasing, demonstrating the importance of maintaining clarity and grammatical structure in writing.