[1]
Every night while driving home from a hectic day at work, my three-year-old twins quarreling in the backseat, I take a short detour. I turn off the gridlocked highway, onto a stretch of Route 66 that is (16), surrounded by arid New Mexico hills. When we’re nearly three miles into our detour, I roll down the windows. Looking pointedly into the rearview mirror, windows rolled down (17), I say something about not throwing anything out of the car, but neither boy is listening. I check my speed. [A] Carefully, I steer toward the fog line. “Here it is, boys!” I yell at the backseat, the passenger-side tires finding the rumble strips etched into the asphalt.
[2]
Normal rumble strips create that loud, grating noise when you drive over them—like a built-in alarm for drivers who drift too close to the road’s edge (18). These strips are different. The boys abruptly stop their squalling as the car begins to vibrate. Then, instead of that jolting warning noise, we hear the distinct strain of the song “America the Beautiful.” [B] The road is playing us a song.
[3]
I’ve been taking this detour out of Albuquerque for two years, ever since these musical rumble strips were installed (19). City planners wanted to find out whether the novelty of hearing a snippet of song would give drivers an incentive to obey the speed limit; the tune is
only recognizable if they’re going a reasonable forty-five miles per hour. Whether this strategy works, I don’t know.
[C] For me, this brief musical interlude is a charming curiosity, a welcome interruption in my work-week slog. Even though constant traffic has worn down the musical rumble strips and warped the sound of some of the notes, there are currently no plans to restore the strips.
[4]
After the last one of the notes fades (21) into the darkening sky, I glance back at the boys, who have been (22) lulled by the wonder of the song. [D] I stop worrying about work, about how many toy cars might have gotten lost between there and home. Until then (23), I feel like everything is going to be just fine. (24)
Hrosvitha, a medieval author and dramatist (11)—is one of the earliest known European women playwrights. Although little is known about her life, scholars agree Hrosvitha was born to a noble family around 935 CE. As a relation of Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, she most likely spent her early years as part of his court. Later, sometime before 959 CE, she entered the abbey at Gandersheim (12), it was well known as a significant center of learning.
Hrosvitha entered Gandersheim as a canoness rather than a nun. Her title did not require a vow of poverty, but Hrosvitha did take the abbey’s customary vow of chastity, which absolved her of an obligation to marry. This circumstance made it okay for her to keep (13) her financial status without incurring responsibilities to a husband and children. Nevertheless (14), Hrosvitha had a greater level of independence—she could acquire property, receive guests, employ servants, and visit the royal court—than most women of her time. Hrosvitha produced at least eight narrative religious poems, two historical epics (about the court of Otto I and (15) Gandersheim), and six comedy-dramas. It is for these dramas that she is best known today
The writer wants to add the following sentence to the essay:
It is marvelously quiet.
The sentence would most logically be placed at:
In the sparse yet relatively green environment of the Kalahari Desert, birds known as sociable weavers build their enormous nests atop the desert’s signature camelthorn trees. Slung across the branches, each nest—which can measure up to thirteen feet wide and seven feet thick—is a sprawling community home to hundreds of birds (36).
A weaver nest does not resemble a common bowl-like bird nest. Although the weavers use typical materials such as sticks, grass, and feathers to construct their nests, the nests look more like disorganized piles (37). Built within each nest are as many as one hundred four-to-six-inch-wide chambers. A bird enters a chamber by flying to the underside of the nest, it squeezes (38) through a one-inch-wide entrance hole, and continuing up a passageway to a chamber. In each chamber, up to five of the sparrow-sized birds can huddle as a group together when the Kalahari nights get cold (39).
The multi-chamber construction of the weaver nest has drawn comparisons to that of an apartment building. Indeed, the nests exemplify communal living at there (40) most effective. Each one houses multiple generations of birds, all of whom work together to maintain their home.
The writer wants to emphasize the unusual appearance of the weavers’ nests by using playful language to evoke a specific image. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?
Although the weavers use typical materials such as sticks, grass, and feathers to construct their nests, the nests look more like disorganized piles.
At first (1), Brazilian chef Alex Atala opened his restaurant in São Paulo in 1999, people told him he’d never succeed. In a country where European cuisine was held in the highest regard, they said, no one would patronize a restaurant serving Brazilian food. Atala, whose restaurant has consistently ranked among the world’s best, has long disproven the naysayers. Using traditional Brazilian ingredients, such as, manioc root (2) and even ants—in innovative ways, he has thrilled (3) diners from around the world.
Still, Atala felt he could do more for his country and its cuisine (4). In 2012, he founded Instituto Atá to help promote lesser-known ingredients, particularly those of the Amazon basin, while working to protect Brazil’s biodiversity. Hearts of palm, for example, were typically harvested from Brazil’s wild juçara palms in an unsustainable way. Needing eight years to mature, the tree dies once its (5) large heart is removed. Atala began persuading producers to cultivate Amazonian pupunha palms, which grow clusters of stems, each with a small heart. Careful harvesting ensures that the tree will live to yield (6) more hearts, resulting in environmentally friendly production.
Atala prioritizes his working relationships with Amazonian tribes. Utilizing their historical know-how they have (7), he aims to bolster tribe members’ livelihoods while exposing a wider audience to Brazilian ingredients. For instance, Baniwa women have farmed distinctly flavorful chili peppers for centuries that use (8) indigenous agricultural techniques, to create a seasoning called pimenta jiquitaia. Partnering with Instituto Atá have enabled (9) these women from a remote rain forest region to scale up production and market their product globally.
Expanding awareness of the rich diversity of Brazil’s native ingredients, Atala continues to lead in deciphering (10) the country’s food culture. With his characteristic passion and intensity, the renowned chef seeks to inspire Brazilians to rediscover the connections between culture, nature, and food.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
The writer wants to emphasize the positive experience diners have had at Atala’s restaurant. Which choice best accomplishes that goal?
Given that all the choices are accurate, which one provides the best transition from the preceding paragraph to this paragraph?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice most effectively maintains the essay’s tone?
Which choice is least redundant in context?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice is clearest and most precise in context?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice most effectively maintains the essay’s tone?
Which transition word or phrase is most logical in context?
Which choice best helps indicate that each historical epic covered different subject matter?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice is least redundant in context?
If the writer were to delete the underlined portion (adjusting the punctuation as needed), the paragraph would primarily lose:
Which choice is least redundant in context?
Given that all the choices are accurate, which one most effectively leads into the rest of the essay?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Which transition word or phrase is most logical in context?
At this point, the writer is considering adding the following accurate sentence:
I hear there is another musical road in the US, somewhere in California.
Should the writer make this addition?
[1] Public museums exist for two main reasons: to educate the public and provide stewardship (legal and ethical management, care, documentation, and use) (26) of their collections. Unfortunately, due to space constraints, a typical museum only exhibits about ten percent of the items in its collection; the other ninety percent remains in storage. When displaying (27) such a small portion of artifacts severely limits public access and therefore public education. Furthermore, maintaining such a large number of artifacts in storage while acquiring additional items makes finding enough suitable storage space difficult, especially for delicate items. [A]
[2]
To remain true to the goals of education and stewardship, museums should dedicate public access space to visible storage. [B] Also known as open storage, visible storage provides (28) ways to display many items in small or irregular spaces, allowing more artifacts to be on exhibit. [C]
[3]
In a traditional museum display, each artifact is labeled and positioned at eye level with plenty of space between it (29) and the other objects. Subsequently (3), artifacts in visible storage spaces are placed close together and are often displayed from floor to ceiling with few labels. Areas of a museum that cannot house a traditional display, therefore, might be ideal for a visible storage display. Ceramic pottery where it (31) might otherwise be positioned in individual glass cases might be lined up on shelves behind a glass wall. An antique fork and spoon fastened to a large informational board might instead be part of an entire set of silverware arranged under glass in pull-out cabinet drawers. [D]
[4]
While some artifacts can never be displayed (32), many pieces that can—and should (33)—be viewed are not. Whereas (34) a museum designates areas for visible storage, it uses space efficiently, providing safe displays for artifacts and allowing visitors greater access to independently study the works that make the museum unique.
If the writer were to delete the underlined portion, the essay would primarily lose a:
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Unfortunately, due to space constraints, a typical museum only exhibits about ten percent of the items in its collection; the other ninety percent remains in storage. When displaying such a small portion of artifacts severely limits public access and therefore public education.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
In a traditional museum display, each artifact is labeled and positioned at eye level with plenty of space between it and the other objects.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Furthermore, maintaining such a large number of artifacts in storage while acquiring additional items makes finding enough suitable storage space difficult, especially for delicate items.
Which transition word is most logical in context?
Subsequently, artifacts in visible storage spaces are placed close together and are often displayed from floor to ceiling with few labels.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Ceramic pottery where it might otherwise be positioned in individual glass cases might be lined up on shelves behind a glass wall.
At this point, the writer is considering adding the following parenthetical phrase:
(whether because of light sensitivity or the request of a donor)
Given that the information is accurate, should the writer make this addition here?
While some artifacts can never be displayed, many pieces that can—and should—be viewed are not.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
While some artifacts can never be displayed, many pieces that can—and should—be viewed are not.
Which choice is clearest and most precise in context?
Whereas a museum designates areas for visible storage, it uses space efficiently, providing safe displays for artifacts and allowing visitors greater access to independently study the works that make the museum unique.
The writer wants to add the following sentence to the essay:
This potentially compromises stewardship.
For the sake of logic and cohesion, the sentence should be placed at:
If the writer were to delete the phrase “which can measure up to thirteen feet wide and seven feet thick” from the preceding sentence (adjusting the punctuation as needed), the sentence would primarily lose:
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
A bird enters a chamber by flying to the underside of the nest, it squeezes through a one-inch-wide entrance hole, and continuing up a passageway to a chamber.
Which choice is least redundant in context?
In each chamber, up to five of the sparrow-sized birds can huddle as a group together when the Kalahari nights get cold.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Indeed, the nests exemplify communal living at there most effective.
She depicts flowers with layers of petals, intricate spirals and rosettes, teardrops bending within circles, and dizzying mazes of lines (41)—embroidering them in vibrant reds, blues, pinks, yellows, and greens on fabric of delicate silk or cotton. Pang Xiong Sirirathasuk Sikoun is a master of paj ntaub, or “flower cloth” embroidery, the most difficult of the century’s-oldest (42) Hmong needlework arts.
Paj ntaub is increasingly made in lighter, softer shades today (43). She’s been creating stitched textiles since she was a young woman living in northern Laos. For the past several decades, she’s been designing paj ntaub in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she also teaches her craft.
Flower cloth (commonly as a shirt, dress, coat, or collar) (44) is made to be worn as clothing and, depending on the amount of needlework on the piece, is designed either for everyday wear or for a special occasion.
With pattern names such as “elephant’s foot” and “snail house” and images of animals framed by geometric designs, paj ntaub patterns are versatile (45). What distinguishes paj ntaub from other Hmong needlework arts are the artist’s use of tiny, tight stitches and several complex techniques. One technique is reverse appliqué, in which (46) shapes are cut out from, rather than added on top of, the embroidered fabric. Another is elaborate overstitching: thousands of layered stitches are applied to its surface (47).
Pang Xiong regrets that most people she knows today wear only regular (48) clothes. When she was growing up in Laos, she explains, she had few items of clothing, but each garment she owned was handcrafted paj ntaub.
However, she (49) still wears flower cloth every day and would like to inspire others to do so. Pang Xiong teaches paj ntaub in art museums—including at the Smithsonian Institution, where some of her textiles are on permanent display—and in community settings around Philadelphia. (50) Pang Xiong is showing a new generation the joys of paj ntaub and beautiful handcrafted clothing.
Which choice best maintains the stylistic pattern of descriptions established earlier in the sentence?
She depicts flowers with layers of petals, intricate spirals and rosettes, teardrops bending within circles, and dizzying mazes of lines—embroidering them in vibrant reds, blues, pinks, yellows, and greens...
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
...the most difficult of the century’s-oldest Hmong needlework arts.
The writer is considering deleting the underlined sentence. Should the sentence be kept or deleted?
Paj ntaub is increasingly made in lighter, softer shades today.
The best placement for the underlined portion would be:
Flower cloth (commonly as a shirt, dress, coat, or collar) is made to be worn as clothing and, depending on the amount of needlework on the piece, is designed either for everyday wear or for a special occasion.
Which choice most clearly builds on the information provided earlier in the sentence about a common theme in paj ntaub patterns and images?
With pattern names such as “elephant’s foot” and “snail house” and images of animals framed by geometric designs, paj ntaub patterns are versatile.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
One technique is reverse appliqué, in which shapes are cut out from, rather than added on top of, the embroidered fabric.
Which choice makes the sentence most grammatically acceptable?
Another is elaborate overstitching: thousands of layered stitches are applied to its surface.
The writer is considering revising the underlined portion to the following:
most people she knows today wear only regular clothes. → mass-produced
Should the writer make this revision?
Which transition word or phrase, if any, is most logical in context?
However, she still wears flower cloth every day and would like to inspire others to do so.
Which of the following true statements, if added here, would best build on the ideas presented in this paragraph and connect to the final sentence of the essay?
Pang Xiong teaches paj ntaub in art museums—including at the Smithsonian Institution, where some of her textiles are on permanent display—and in community settings around Philadelphia.