1. Which sentence should be deleted to improve the unity of the second paragraph?
A. Sentence 3
B. Sentence 4
C. Sentence 5 Correct
D. Sentence 6
Explanation
The second paragraph focuses on describing the features and panels of Harriet Powers’s quilt, specifically highlighting vivid scenes it depicts (e.g., the meteor shower and extreme weather). Sentence 5, which discusses Powers’s sewing education, is off-topic in this context and disrupts the paragraph’s unity.
2. Which is the best version of the underlined portion in sentence 11 (reproduced below)? 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.
A. (as it is now)
B. region throughout her life,
C. region throughout her life Correct
D. region, throughout her life
Explanation
The phrase 'throughout her life' is a continuation of the prepositional phrase 'in the same region' and should not be interrupted by a comma. Choice C provides the correct punctuation for clarity and grammatical accuracy.
3. Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? Its first bike lane — and the country's first, was built in 1894, along Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway.
A. (as it is now)
B. first
C. first:
D. first— Correct
Explanation
The phrase 'and the country's first' is a parenthetical element that provides additional information. The correct punctuation to set off this parenthetical element is an em dash (—), which is used to emphasize or insert a strong break in the sentence. Additionally, there should not be a comma after 'first,' as that disrupts the sentence flow.
4. Which is the best way to revise and combine the underlined portion of sentences 5 and 6 (reproduced below)? Things have recently changed: since 2006, the city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level. They installed more than 250 miles around the city's five boroughs.
A. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, they installed
B. city, which has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing
C. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level and installing
D. city has taken bike lanes to a whole new level, installing Correct
Explanation
Choice D correctly uses a participial phrase ('installing...') to logically and grammatically describe the result or continuation of the city’s actions. It connects the ideas smoothly without creating a comma splice (like A), a wordy or awkward construction (like B), or a grammatically incomplete sentence (like C).
5. In context, which sentence would be best to insert at the beginning of the second paragraph (sentences 7–10)?
A. Acceptance of the city's new bike lanes did not come immediately. Correct
B. The new bike lanes served numerous purposes for New Yorkers.
C. In 2006, the majority of New York City residents did not own bicycles.
D. Many pedestrians and motorists supported bicycle riding on city streets.
Explanation
The second paragraph (sentences 7–10) discusses opposition to the bike lanes—complaints from residents, religious leaders, and officials. Therefore, A effectively sets the stage for this opposition, providing a smooth transition from the previous paragraph, which focused on the expansion of bike lanes.