ACCUPLACER Next Generation Reading Exams — Reading ACCUPLACER Next Generation
Answer: B
Conserving open lands is the best revision for 'it' in sentence 8.
The phrase 'it' in sentence 8 refers to the concept of conserving open lands, which is supported by the findings of the report regarding the benefits of such conservation efforts.
A) a community
This option does not accurately represent what 'it' refers to in the context of the sentence. While communities may benefit from conservation efforts, the sentence specifically discusses the impact of conserving open lands on property taxes, not communities themselves.
B) conserving open lands
This option correctly identifies what 'it' refers to, as the report indicates that conserving open lands can have a direct effect on reducing the need for increased property taxes. It maintains the focus of the sentence and clarifies the subject being discussed.
C) the state of New York
Referring to 'the state of New York' does not accurately capture the intended subject of the sentence. The sentence revolves around the practice of conserving open lands rather than the state itself, making this option incorrect.
D) environmental benefits
While environmental benefits are a relevant topic, they do not specifically address the subject of the sentence as effectively as conserving open lands. The phrase 'it' is meant to refer to the action or concept that leads to the reduction in property taxes, which is better represented by option B.
Conclusion
Option B is the most appropriate revision for 'it' as it directly relates to the findings of the report regarding the impact of conserving open lands on property taxes. Other options either misinterpret the subject or lack the specificity needed to maintain the clarity of the sentence. Thus, conserving open lands is clearly the best choice.
Answer: C
Sauropods existed, on land
The best version of the underlined portion of sentence 5 is "existed," as it accurately reflects the past existence of sauropods based on the fossil evidence discussed in the extract.
A) (as it is now)
This option is incorrect because the phrase "will have existed" implies a future perfect tense, which does not align with the context of the extract that discusses past evidence of sauropods.
B) exist,
This option is also incorrect because "exist" is in the present tense and fails to convey that sauropods lived during the past, as indicated by the fossil evidence mentioned in the extract.
C) existed,
This option is correct as it employs the past tense "existed," which corresponds with the context of the extract, stating that fossil evidence suggests sauropods lived on land for millions of years in the past.
D) will exist,
This option is incorrect because "will exist" indicates a future tense, which is inconsistent with the discussion of sauropods' past existence based on historical fossil findings.
Conclusion
The correct answer "existed" is definitive because it accurately reflects the historical context of sauropods as indicated by fossil records. All other options fail to represent the appropriate tense needed to convey the past existence of these creatures, making them unsuitable in this context.
Answer: B
Burgos' poetry is pertinent to the study of Latinx literature.
The poetry of Julia de Burgos is pertinent to the study of Latinx literature due to its profound exploration of Puerto Rican identity and the social and political issues affecting the community in the twentieth century.
A) identical
This option is incorrect because while Burgos' poetry shares themes with Latinx literature, it cannot be described as identical. Identical implies an exact match, which does not account for the unique historical and cultural aspects of different Latinx authors and their works.
B) pertinent
This option is correct as it accurately reflects the relevance of Burgos' work to the broader discussions within Latinx literature. Her focus on identity and sociopolitical contexts makes her poetry a significant reference point for understanding the evolution of Latinx literary traditions.
C) dedicated
The term dedicated suggests a narrow focus or commitment to a specific topic, which does not encapsulate the broader relevance of Burgos' poetry to the study of Latinx literature. Her work addresses a wide range of issues that go beyond mere dedication to identity.
D) conscious
While Burgos' poetry can be described as conscious in its awareness of identity and sociopolitical issues, this does not fully capture her work's relevance to the study of Latinx literature. Consciousness in writing does not inherently imply the work's pertinence to a wider literary tradition.
Conclusion
The choice of "pertinent" effectively communicates the significance of Julia de Burgos' poetry in the context of Latinx literature, as her exploration of identity and social issues directly contributes to understanding the historical context of the tradition. Other options fail to capture this essential relevance, either by overstating similarities or underselling the connection to broader literary themes.
Answer: C
Raintree County achieved significant commercial success.
The author highlights the best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club selection to underscore the commercial success of Raintree County, indicating its popularity and wide readership at the time of its publication.
A) limited readership
This option is incorrect because the mention of best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club selection suggests that Raintree County had a large readership, contrary to the idea of being limited in audience.
B) enduring appeal
While Raintree County may have had some lasting significance, the emphasis in the extract is on its initial success and popularity rather than its long-term appeal, making this option not the primary focus of the author's mention.
C) commercial success
This option is correct as the author refers to the best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club to illustrate Raintree County's commercial success, highlighting its achievement in the literary market at the time.
D) artistic aspirations
Although the novel aspired to be The Great American Novel, the context of the extract focuses more on its commercial success rather than its artistic ambitions, thus rendering this option less relevant to the primary emphasis.
Conclusion
The mention of best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club clearly indicates that Raintree County experienced substantial commercial success, which is the main point the author wishes to convey. Other options fail to capture this focus, emphasizing the popularity and market performance of the novel rather than its readership limitations, enduring appeal, or artistic aspirations.
Answer: C
I've enjoyed the diversity here, and I also wanted to learn as much as I can about the different sorts of people who live here.
This version maintains the correct grammatical structure and effectively connects the speaker's enjoyment of diversity with their desire to learn more about the people in the city.
A) (as it is now)
This option is grammatically incorrect because it uses "wanting" as a gerund, which does not properly connect to the preceding clause. It fails to create a complete thought, making the sentence awkward and unclear.
B) here and had been wanting
While this option is grammatically correct, it shifts the tense to the past, which changes the intended meaning. The speaker is currently enjoying the diversity and wants to learn more, making this option less appropriate for conveying the intended message.
C) here and I also wanted
This choice is the best option as it maintains the present tense and connects the speaker’s enjoyment of diversity with their desire to learn more about the city's inhabitants. The structure is clear and effectively communicates the speaker's intentions.
D) here, and I want
This option is also a strong contender as it uses the present tense. However, it lacks the nuance of the phrase "I also wanted," which implies a continuous desire rather than a momentary one. Thus, while still correct, it is less effective than Option C in conveying the speaker's ongoing interest.
Conclusion
Option C is the most effective choice because it accurately reflects the speaker's ongoing enjoyment and desire to learn about the diversity in the city. Other options either introduce grammatical errors, alter the intended tense, or fail to fully express the speaker's continuous engagement with their new environment. Thus, C stands out as the best fit for the context provided.
6. Which choice is the best version of the quoted portion?
Answer: C
pixels, little glowing dots:
The best version of the quoted portion is "pixels, little glowing dots:" which appropriately uses a colon to introduce an explanation or elaboration of the term "pixels" in the context provided.
A) (as it is now)
This option retains the original phrasing but lacks proper punctuation to introduce the explanation. The absence of a colon or dash makes the statement feel incomplete and less formal, failing to effectively clarify the relationship between "pixels" and "little glowing dots."
B) pixels, little glowing dots-
While this option uses a dash, it is not the correct punctuation to introduce a list or additional information. A dash suggests a break in thought rather than a formal introduction, making it less suitable for the context of elaborating on the term "pixels."
C) pixels, little glowing dots:
This choice correctly employs a colon, which indicates that what follows will elaborate or clarify the term "pixels." This punctuation fits the context of the extract, where the phrase serves to define or exemplify the concept being discussed.
D) pixels- little glowing dots-
Using dashes in this option creates an unnecessary interruption in the flow of the sentence. It does not effectively introduce the phrase "little glowing dots" and may confuse readers about the relationship between the terms, making it less effective for clarity.
Conclusion
The correct answer, "pixels, little glowing dots:", is the only option that uses punctuation appropriately to clarify the relationship between the terms. Other options either fail to provide necessary punctuation, use inappropriate marks, or disrupt the clarity of the statement, thus making them less effective in conveying the intended meaning.
7. The author implies that the social sciences:
Answer: D
The social sciences may someday add to the world's knowledge.
The author implies that the social sciences have the potential to contribute to progress in understanding, unlike the humanities, which focus on enduring questions without the promise of advancement. This suggests that there is hope for the social sciences to evolve and enhance our knowledge in the future.
A) Are valued for their techniques
While the social sciences may utilize various techniques, the extract emphasizes their promise of progress rather than their technical aspects. Therefore, this option does not align with the author's implication regarding the future contributions of the social sciences.
B) Can make no contribution to progress
This option directly contradicts the author's implication that social sciences may one day contribute to the world's knowledge. The extract does not suggest that they are without merit but rather that their contributions are not as immediate or clear as those of the sciences.
C) Cannot deal with long-term issues
The text does not indicate that social sciences are incapable of addressing long-term issues. Instead, it suggests that they may eventually offer insights and progress, which implies they have the capacity to engage with enduring topics over time.
D) May someday add to the world's knowledge
This option accurately reflects the author's view that the social sciences hold potential for future contributions to understanding and knowledge, contrasting with the humanities' focus on persistent questions without the expectation of progress.
Conclusion
The correct answer, D, encapsulates the author's belief in the potential for the social sciences to contribute to knowledge in the future, distinguishing them from the humanities. All other options fail to align with this implication, as they either misinterpret the role of social sciences or negate their potential for future advancements.
Answer: C
Purchase best replaces the word 'appropriate' in sentence 3.
When chefs and other consumers purchase local products rather than goods that have been transported across long distances to chain stores, they can enjoy better prices while bettering the local economy.
A) Gain
The term "gain" implies obtaining something, but it does not specifically indicate the act of buying or acquiring products. In the context of the sentence, the emphasis is on the action of obtaining local products through a transaction, which "gain" does not adequately convey.
B) Retrieve
"Retrieve" suggests taking back or recovering something that was previously lost or misplaced. This term does not fit well in the context of the sentence, where the focus is on consumers actively acquiring local products, rather than recovering them.
C) Purchase
"Purchase" accurately reflects the action of buying goods, which aligns perfectly with the context of the sentence. It emphasizes the transaction involved in acquiring local products, making it the most suitable replacement for "appropriate."
D) Redeem
"Redeem" typically refers to exchanging something, often a coupon or voucher, for goods or services. This term does not fit well in the context of the sentence, as it does not convey the straightforward act of buying local products.
Conclusion
The choice "purchase" is definitively the best replacement for "appropriate" as it clearly describes the act of acquiring local products through a transaction, which is the intended meaning of the sentence. Other options fail to convey this specific action, making them unsuitable in this context.
Answer: C
The results of two new experiments suggest that rats are surprisingly selfless.
This sentence would best fit after sentence 8, as it serves to summarize and reflect on the findings presented in the preceding sentences about the altruistic behaviors of rats observed in experiments.
A) After sentence 1
Placing the sentence after sentence 1 would disrupt the flow of the passage. Sentence 1 introduces the concept of positive perceptions of rats, while the suggested sentence focuses on experimental findings regarding selflessness, making this placement contextually inappropriate.
B) After sentence 3
Inserting the sentence after sentence 3 would be illogical since sentence 3 describes the setup of the first experiment. The results regarding altruism are not yet revealed, and thus, mentioning selflessness at this point would be premature and out of context.
C) After sentence 8
This is the most suitable placement for the sentence, as it comes after the presentation of the experimental results demonstrating altruistic behavior in rats. It effectively summarizes the findings and emphasizes the surprising nature of these behaviors, making it a fitting conclusion to the discussion of the experiments.
D) After sentence 11
Positioning the sentence after sentence 11 would be ineffective, as this sentence discusses the ongoing debate among scientists regarding the interpretations of the experiment results. Introducing the idea of selflessness here would not align with the skeptical tone and context of the surrounding sentences.
Conclusion
The sentence about the selflessness of rats is best placed after sentence 8, as it encapsulates the essence of the findings from the experiments discussed earlier. The other options do not provide a logical or contextual fit, either interrupting the flow or contradicting the surrounding content. Thus, option C is the definitive choice for effectively summarizing the altruistic nature of rats demonstrated in the experiments.
10. Which of the following statements does the passage most directly counter?
Answer: D
Work and art cannot meaningfully complement each other
The passage suggests that the relationship between art and trade can be complementary rather than antagonistic, as exemplified by William Carlos Williams, who found that his dual vocations enriched each other.
A) Having a non-arts job stifles and detracts from an artist's creative work
This option is incorrect because the passage implies that non-arts jobs can enhance an artist's creativity, as indicated by Williams' belief that his work as a physician informed and enriched his poetry.
B) For people working in non-arts professions, art is more than just an entertaining distraction
This option does not directly contradict the passage. In fact, it aligns with the idea that art can serve a deeper purpose beyond mere distraction, as suggested by the experiences of those in non-arts professions.
C) The poetry of William Carlos Williams exemplifies autobiographical poetry
While this statement may be true, it is not addressed or countered by the passage. The focus is on the interplay between his medical career and artistic output rather than the specific classification of his poetry.
D) Work and art cannot meaningfully complement each other
This statement is directly countered by the passage, which presents the idea that work and art can indeed complement one another, using Williams' experiences as a prime example of how the two can coexist and enhance each other.
Conclusion
The correct answer, D, is definitively right as the passage illustrates that art and work can have a complementary relationship, contrary to the notion that they cannot enrich one another. All other options either do not directly oppose the passage's message or focus on different aspects of the relationship between art and work.