ACCUPLACER Next Generation Reading Version 3 Questions

Explanation

<h2>Sentence 5 should be deleted to improve the unity of the second paragraph.</h2> The second paragraph primarily focuses on describing the specific aspects of Harriet Powers's quilt, such as its dimensions, individual panels, and distinctive artistic style. Removing sentence 5, which discusses an unrelated topic of when or where Powers learned to sew, enhances the paragraph's unity by maintaining its focus on the quilt itself. <b>A) Sentence 3</b> Sentence 3 is integral to the paragraph as it provides contextual information about Powers's well-known pictorial quilt. It sets the stage for the subsequent sentences that detail the quilt's attributes, contributing to the overall coherence of the paragraph. <b>B) Sentence 4</b> Sentence 4 provides specific details about the quilt's size and design, which is important in understanding the scale and complexity of Powers's work. Removing this sentence would deprive the reader of essential descriptive details about the quilt, disrupting the coherence of the paragraph. <b>C) Sentence 5</b> Sentence 5 discusses when or where Powers learned to sew, which is not directly relevant to the details of the quilt being discussed in the paragraph. This sentence disrupts the paragraph's unity centered around the quilt's characteristics and thus should be removed. <b>D) Sentence 6</b> Sentence 6 provides a specific example of the storytelling techniques used in Powers's quilt, illustrating the 'falling of the stars' event. Removing this sentence would take away a key piece of information that enriches the reader's understanding of the quilt's unique subject matter. <b>Conclusion</b> Upon examining the sentences, it becomes clear that sentence 5 is the one that should be deleted to enhance the unity of the second paragraph. While all other sentences contribute to a cohesive description of Harriet Powers's quilt, sentence 5 veers off-topic by discussing an unrelated aspect of Powers's sewing history. Maintaining focus on the quilt itself strengthens the paragraph's unity and coherence.

Explanation

<h2>The most grammatically correct version of the underlined sentence is "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."</h2> This sentence correctly maintains parallelism and punctuation consistency. The phrase "throughout her life" is closely associated with the verb "remained," indicating the duration of her stay in Georgia. Therefore, it should not be separated from the preceding phrase by a comma. <b>A) (as it is now)</b> The current version of the sentence is not grammatically correct because it incorrectly places a comma after the word "region," which disrupts the flow of the sentence and separates the phrase "throughout her life" from the verb it is supposed to modify ("remained"). <b>B) region throughout her life,</b> This version of the sentence is also incorrect because it incorrectly places a comma after "life." This disrupts the flow of the sentence and separates the phrase "throughout her life" from the verb it is modifying ("remained"). <b>C) region throughout her life</b> This is the correct version. The phrase "throughout her life" is correctly placed immediately after the verb it is modifying ("remained"), and there is no unnecessary comma disrupting the sentence. <b>D) region, throughout her life</b> This version of the sentence is incorrect because it incorrectly places a comma after "region". This disrupts the flow of the sentence and separates the phrase "throughout her life" from the verb it is supposed to modify ("remained"). <b>Conclusion</b> In summary, the correct choice is C, as it correctly maintains parallelism and punctuation consistency. The phrase "throughout her life" is closely associated with the verb "remained," indicating the duration of her stay in Georgia. Therefore, it should not be separated from the preceding phrase by a comma. The other choices incorrectly use commas, disrupting the flow of the sentence and leading to grammatical inaccuracies.

Explanation

<h2>The correct version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 is "first—".</h2> The em dash (—) is often used in sentences to create a strong break to highlight or emphasize the contents enclosed by the dashes. In this context, the em dash is used to provide additional information that the first bike lane in New York City was also the country's first. <b>A) (as it is now)</b> The current version of the underlined portion, "first —", is incorrect. The symbol "—" is not a recognized punctuation mark in English grammar, and it appears to be a typographical error. <b>B) first</b> While "first" is grammatically correct, it does not provide the necessary punctuation to separate the additional information that is being given in the sentence. Without proper punctuation, the sentence can become confusing, and the reader may not understand that the phrase "and the country's first" is an aside or additional information. <b>C) first:</b> The use of a colon after "first" is not appropriate in this context. A colon is typically used to introduce a list, a quote, or a piece of dialogue. It can also be used to introduce an explanation or an example. However, in this sentence, the phrase "and the country's first" is not an explanation or an example, but rather a piece of additional information. <b>D) first—</b> This is the correct choice. The em dash provides a clear and grammatically correct way to include the additional information that the first bike lane in New York City was also the country's first. The em dash creates a strong break in the sentence, highlighting this information. <b>Conclusion</b> The em dash is the most suitable punctuation mark to use in this context as it correctly conveys the additional information in the sentence, highlighting it appropriately. The other options either introduced a typographical error, lacked the necessary punctuation to make the sentence clear, or used inappropriate punctuation. Therefore, "first—" is the correct choice.

Explanation

<h2>The city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs.</h2> This option correctly combines the two sentences using a comma and the participle form "installing" to indicate a simultaneous or subsequent action. It avoids the issues present in the other options, such as incorrect syntax or punctuation, while maintaining the clarity and flow of the original sentences. <b>A) city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, they installed</b> This option incorrectly uses a comma to connect two independent clauses, creating a comma splice. To fix this, a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon could be used instead of a comma. <b>B) city, which has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing</b> This option provides inaccurate punctuation and syntax. The clause "which has taken bike lanes to a whole new level" is a nonrestrictive clause and should be followed by a comma. However, the next word "installing" does not correctly connect to the rest of the sentence, making the sentence grammatically incorrect and unclear. <b>C) city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level and installing</b> This choice incorrectly uses "and installing" to combine the two sentences. It creates a parallelism error because "has taken" and "installing" are not in the same tense. <b>Conclusion</b> The correct answer, "city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs," uses a participle phrase correctly to combine the two sentences. The other options all contain grammatical errors, such as incorrect use of conjunctions and punctuation or issues with parallel structure.

Explanation

<h2>A) "Acceptance of the city's new bike lanes did not come immediately" is the correct sentence to insert at the beginning of the second paragraph.</h2> This statement effectively sets the stage for the information that follows in the second paragraph, emphasizing the initial resistance and conflicts that arose with the installation of the new bike lanes in New York City. <b>A) Acceptance of the city's new bike lanes did not come immediately.</b> This sentence appropriately introduces the content of the second paragraph, which highlights the issues and opposition that arose following the construction of the new bike lanes. Its context and tone align with the subsequent descriptions of conflict and controversy. <b>B) The new bike lanes served numerous purposes for New Yorkers.</b> While it's true that the new bike lanes served various purposes - as shown in the first and third paragraphs - this sentence does not fit well with the second paragraph, which primarily focuses on the opposition and complaints about the new bike lanes. <b>C) In 2006, the majority of New York City residents did not own bicycles.</b> The ownership of bicycles by New York City residents in 2006 is not discussed or relevant to the provided extract. Therefore, this sentence would not provide an appropriate context or introduction to the second paragraph. <b>D) Many pedestrians and motorists supported bicycle riding on city streets.</b> This statement contradicts the main theme of the second paragraph, which details the complaints and opposition to the new bike lanes from various segments of the population, including motorists who experienced slower traffic and reduced parking spaces. <b>Conclusion</b> The correct sentence to insert at the beginning of the second paragraph is A) "Acceptance of the city's new bike lanes did not come immediately". This statement accurately introduces the issues discussed in the paragraph, setting the stage for the description of the opposition and complaints about the new bike lanes. The other options do not align with the theme of the second paragraph and are therefore incorrect.