ACCUPLACER Next Generation Reading Version 2 Questions

Explanation

<h2>A) Malleable is the correct word to complete the sentence.</h2> In this context, malleable refers to a material's ability to be shaped or formed without breaking or cracking. This property is true for plastics, which can be molded into different shapes and forms through various processes, such as casting or extrusion. <b>B) Obscure</b> The term "obscure" generally means not clear or plain, or not well known or understood. This does not make sense in the context of the sentence, as plastics are well-known and their properties are clear and understood. Therefore, this word is not the best fit to complete the sentence. <b>C) Ominous</b> Ominous typically refers to something that is threatening or suggests that something bad is going to happen. This term is not appropriate in this context, as it does not describe a property of plastics. The sentence is discussing the malleable nature of plastics, not any potential threats or dangers they might pose. <b>D) Vigorous</b> Vigorous usually means strong, healthy, or full of energy. While this could describe certain properties of some plastics, it does not accurately describe the ability of plastics to be molded into various shapes and forms. Therefore, this word is not the best choice to complete the sentence. <b>Conclusion</b> In the given sentence, the word "malleable" best describes the property of plastics that allows them to be molded into different shapes and forms. The other choices - "obscure", "ominous", and "vigorous" - do not accurately describe this property of plastics. As such, "malleable" is the correct word to complete the sentence, highlighting the versatile nature of plastics.

Explanation

<h2>Indelible best completes the sentence.</h2> The word "indelible" means making marks that cannot be removed or forgotten. In the context of the sentence about Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, the impression left on audiences, especially children, is one that cannot be erased or forgotten due to the dazzling costumes and stirring music. <b>A) Amorphous</b> Amorphous generally describes something that lacks a clear, defined shape or structure. Using "amorphous" would suggest the impression left by the performance is vague or undefined, which contradicts the specific mentions of memorable costumes and music in the sentence. <b>B) Indelible</b> Indelible means leaving marks that cannot be removed or forgotten. Considering the sentence, it implies that Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker leaves a strong, unforgettable impression on its audiences, especially children. This is consistent with the context provided by the dazzling costumes and stirring music. <b>C) Ineffable</b> Ineffable describes something too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words. While the Nutcracker's impact could potentially be overwhelming, the sentence specifically mentions aspects (costumes, music) that audiences remember, suggesting that the experience is not beyond description. <b>D) Inscrutable</b> Inscrutable means impossible to understand or interpret. This does not fit the context of the sentence because the impression left by the Nutcracker is not described as being difficult to understand, but rather memorable in terms of costumes and music. <b>Conclusion</b> The term that best completes the sentence is "indelible," suggesting an unforgettable impression made on audiences by Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, especially through its dazzling costumes and stirring music. Other choices - "amorphous," "ineffable," and "inscrutable" - do not fit the context as well because they imply impressions that are vague, beyond description, or difficult to understand, respectively.

Explanation

<h2>Poison frogs have developed the capacity to protect themselves from the poison they carry in their skin.</h2> The extract illustrates how some types of poison frogs have evolved over time to become immune to the potent poison they carry within their skin, thus protecting themselves from self-toxicity. <b>A) Have developed the capacity to protect themselves from the poison they carry in their skin</b> This statement is supported by the information in the text, which mentions that the poison frogs have evolved amino acid changes in the toxin's target, which allows them to escape self-toxicity. <b>B) Could eventually produce a natural pain relief option for people who suffer from headaches</b> The text does mention that the compound epibatidine is a stronger painkiller than morphine, but it does not suggest that it could be used as a natural pain relief option for humans. The compound has not been tested on humans due to its deadly effect on rodents. <b>C) Combine chemicals from their food to create a toxic substance that keeps them safe from predators</b> While it is true that poison frogs generate their toxicity from chemicals in their food, the text does not specifically state that this mechanism serves to protect them from predators. The primary focus of the passage is on the frogs' immunity to their own poison, not their defense against predators. <b>D) Can be grouped based on the changes they've made to their nicotinic acetylcholine receptors</b> The text does mention that several groups of frogs have evolved changes in their receptors, but this is not presented as the main idea of the passage. The receptor changes are part of the mechanism that allows the frogs to protect themselves from the poison they carry, not a classification scheme. <b>Conclusion</b> The passage primarily discusses the evolution of poison frogs to become immune to their own poison. While it does touch on other aspects such as the potency of the poison and the changes in the frogs' receptors, these are secondary details supporting the main idea of self-protection. The other choices, while partially relevant, do not accurately capture the main idea presented in the extract.

Explanation

<h2>The correct replacement for the underlined portion of sentence 1 is "small but nonetheless consequential choice:".</h2> The use of a colon (:) after the phrase "small but nonetheless consequential choice" is the correct punctuation in this context. The colon is used to introduce or precede an explanation or example of the preceding statement. In this case, the two options that the chef has (patronizing a conventional grocery store, or turning to a nearby farm) serve as examples or explanations of the "seemingly small but nonetheless consequential choice" she needs to make. Using a colon here also adds emphasis to these two options. <b>A) small but nonetheless consequential choice,</b> The use of a comma after "small but nonetheless consequential choice" is not incorrect, but it is less effective than the colon in this context. While a comma can be used to separate independent clauses, it does not emphasize the examples or explanations of the preceding statement as well as a colon does. <b>C) small-but nonetheless consequential choice;</b> A semicolon is used to separate independent clauses that are closely related in thought. In this context, using a semicolon after "small-but nonetheless consequential choice" is incorrect because the following text does not form an independent clause. <b>D) small but nonetheless, consequential choice,</b> Putting a comma after "nonetheless" breaks the flow of the phrase "small but nonetheless consequential choice". This punctuation is incorrect because "nonetheless" should not be separated from "consequential" with a comma in this context. <b>Conclusion</b> In the case of sentence 1, the most suitable punctuation mark to use after "small but nonetheless consequential choice" is a colon. The colon is used to introduce or precede the two options that the chef has, thus serving as examples or explanations of the "seemingly small but nonetheless consequential choice" she needs to make. The other punctuation marks proposed either do not emphasize these options as well (comma), or are incorrect in this context (semicolon and comma after "nonetheless").

Explanation

<h2>Although a store is the correct choice.</h2> The correct phrase "Although a store" is more grammatically accurate and fits more logically into the context of the sentence compared to the other options. It correctly introduces a contrast between the advantages a store may provide and the different advantages provided by a local farm. <b>A) (as it is now)</b> The original phrase "Supposing a store may provide benefits such as a broad range of options" doesn't clearly introduce a contrast between a store and a local farm. The word "supposing" doesn't fit well in this context as it suggests a hypothetical scenario rather than an existing contrast. <b>B) When a store supposes it</b> The phrase "When a store supposes it" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't make sense in the context of the sentence. A store cannot suppose anything as it is not a sentient being. <b>C) Although a store</b> The phrase "Although a store" is the correct choice. The word "although" is used to introduce a contrast or contradiction, which is the intention of the sentence, contrasting the benefits of a store with the different benefits of a local farm. <b>D) A store though</b> The phrase "A store though" is informal and less grammatically correct. The word "though" is used in a similar way to "although", but its placement at the end of the phrase makes it less suitable for formal writing. <b>Conclusion</b> In the context of the sentence, the phrase "Although a store" correctly introduces the contrast between the advantages a store may provide and those advantages provided by a local farm. The rest of the choices are either grammatically incorrect, do not make sense in the context, or are less formal and therefore less appropriate for the style of the text.