The following analyses of each question is designed to help you understand why the correct answer was correct. 

Question 1. In 1976 a powerful earthquake devastated the city of Tangshan, China. Scientists had failed to predict the earthquake. But if people had paid attention to the unusual animal behavior that preceded the earthquake, they would have known it was coming. For animals can often sense an impending earthquake when scientists cannot.

Which of the following, if true, indicates a weakness of the argument above?

Analysis: This passage suggests that scientists could have predicted the earthquake in Tangshan, China if they had paid closer attention to animal behavior. Since animals can sense an impending natural disaster, they begin to act strangely before one occurs. Unusual animal behavior would have indicated that an earthquake was about to occur. Note carefully the question you are being asked. What statement, if true, would weaken the argument, that is, would make the conclusion less likely to be true. What statement, if true, would diminish the significance of unusual animal behavior as a warning of the earthquake. Consider each answer:  Scientists use a variety of sophisticated tools to monitor and predict earthquakes.  The fact that scientist use a variety of sophisticated tools, even if true, does not change the fact that they failed to predict this quake, and does not serve to make the argument stronger or weaker.  Scientists had correctly predicted three major earthquakes in China in the eighteen months prior to the Tangshan earthquake. Even if this statement is true, it does not change the fact that scientists failed to predict the earthquake in Tangsham, and neither strengthens nor weakens the original argument. The city of Tangshan is near a major fault line and will probably be hit again. Even if true, this statement does not make unusual animal behavior more or less of a warning about an earthquake.  Many domestic as well as farm animals behaved strangely the day before the Tangshan earthquake. If this statement were true, this fact would serve to strengthen the conclusion that the animal behavior could have served as a warning for the quake.  A wide variety of phenomena can cause animals to behave strangely," is the correct answer for if it is true then it would be difficult to know if the unusual animal behavior was caused by an upcoming earthquake or for some other reason. If unusual animal behavior can be caused by a variety of phenomena, then its significance as a warning is diminished.

Question 2: James Baldwin's eloquent, forceful style has given his work its wide recognition.The intricate sentences, the lyrical prose, the dramatic stance -- all these characteristics contribute to a style that is unique and thus immediately recognizable. But Baldwin's style is more than simply unique; it is a living illustration of what can be achieved in a difficult environment; and when he uses it to discuss oppression, racial segregation,and inadequate social and cultural opportunities, its sophisticated grace serves as ironic commentry on the problems he considers.

Which of the following statements best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

Analysis:  This passage is about the African-American writer James Baldwin. The question asks for a simple summary of the passage. Which of the answers best states the basic points or ideas of the passage? When trying to identify a statement that summarizes the passage, look for the answer that has the most words in common with the passage, or which restates in different words the meaning of the passage.    Consider each answer: James Baldwin has dedicated his literary work to educating the public at large about the problems that Black Americans face. This statement may seem like the correct answer if you know anything about James Baldwin. But, while this statement is true about James Baldwin, it does not include any language in common with the original passage.  James Baldwin is widely regarded as one of the most important writers of the twentieth century because of his innovations in literary technique. While this statement may be true about James Baldwin, this is not the point of the passage.  James Baldwin has often turned to matters with which he is intimately familiar, like racial segregation and inadequate social opportunities, as the subject for his work. This is another statement that is true about James Baldwin, but it does not summarize the original passage.  James Baldwin's ironic commentary about racial oppresssion fills his writings with life and excitement. This a good candidate for the answer because the passage describes Baldwin’s "ironic commentary" but where do you find the original passage speaking of the ironic commentary filling his writings with "life and excitement?" James Baldwin has a highly original style that exemplifies what an individual can accomplish even in the face of a difficult environment, is the correct answer. Note in the passage "all these characteristics contribute to a style that is unique and immediately recognizable" means "highly original;" the passage and the answer refer to the "difficult environment."

Question 3.  James Baldwin's eloquent, foreceful style has given his work its wide recognition.The intricate sentences, the lyrical prose, the dramatic stance -- all these characteristics contribute to a style that is unique and thus immediately recognizable. But Baldwin's style is more than simply unique; it is a living illustration of what can be achieved in a difficult environment; and when he uses it to discuss oppression, racial segregation,and inadequate social and cultural opportunities, its sophisticated grace serves as ironic commentry on the problems he considers.  (= ironic illustrations)

The passage mentions all of the following as characteristic elements of Baldwin's style EXCEPT:

Analysis:  This should be a relatively easy question if you read the question carefully.  You must be on the lookout for questions that include the "EXCEPT" at the end.   This means that all of the answers, except one, are true about the passage.   Your task is to identify the exception.    Compare each of the following answers to the original passage and you will see that all but one is used in the passage.  To make it easy, I have underlined the words in the original above.

Lyrical prose

Dramatic stance

Ironic illustrations

Intricate Sentences

Sophisticated grace

The only one of these five not mentioned in the original passage is "dramatic stance."

Question 4: A recent article has argued at length that the power of factory supervisors over workers increased after 1900; this point of view, however, completely ignores the fact that, after 1900, personnel departments and seniority systems diminished the power of the supervisors by introducing legal restrictions.

The statement above is primarily concerned with

Analysis:  This question asks you to identify the main purpose of the statement.  In answering it, you need to recognize that this statement contains two parts.  The part before the semi-colon presents another writer's point of view about a matter; the part of the statement after the semi-colon states a fact intended to lead us to reject the view stated in the first part.   The answer that best states the purpose is  "Refute an argument."  The word "refute" means to reject or disapprove.  Note that a clue is that the first sentence says a "recent article has argued."

Question 5:  Modern medicine has not yet devised any widely accepted treatment that actively promotes the healing of wounds. Rather, by closing wounds and keeping them moist and sterile, physicians can only try to make it as easy as possible for nature to take its course. That may soon change: researchers are now exploiting recombinant-DNA technology to produce in large quantities substances that occur naturally in the body and have a potent stimulatory effect on cell migration and cell division, two processes central to wound-healing. These substances, called growth factors, can attach themselves to cells and stimulate cell growth or movement.

Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

Analysis:  Recognizing the main idea of a passage is one of the most basic and important of all reading skills.  Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy formula for recognizing the main idea.  In reading the passage, you must distinguish between the main point the writer is trying to make and facts and details offered to support or explain the main point.  Consider each of the possible answers for this question. Natural cell migration and cell division contribute to wound-healing.   This statement is made in the passage, but you need to ask if other details are included in the passage to explain or support this idea, or does this statement support or explain some other statement in the passage?  It is difficult to find another statement that is intended to support or explain this statement.  The artificial stimulation of cell growth may have unpredictable consequences.   If you are familiar at all with scientific research you would probably infer this statement, even though it is not stated explicitly in the passage.  A main idea will not always be stated explicitly, it may be implied.  In this case, however, it is difficulty to find other statements that explain or give reasons to believe that this statement is true.  Wounds should be kept clean and moist if they are to heal properly.  Based on this reading, this statement is certainly true, but the other statements in the passage do not provide further explanation of this point. In general, physicians have not kept current with the latest developments in the treatment of wounds.  There is no statements in the passage that support this idea.   New technological developments may soon alter the way physicians can treat wounds.  This is the correct answer because the different parts of the passage serve to explain or give support to this idea.  The first part of the passage recounts the current practice of healing wounds; next the passage introduces the new research (note how important the statement, "That may soon change," as a clue to the main idea); then the last part of the passage describes how the growth cells created by the new research works.

Question 6:  Modern medicine has not yet devised any widely accepted treatment that actively promotes the healing of wounds. Rather, by closing wounds and keeping them moist and sterile, physicians can only try to make it as easy as possible for nature to take its course. That may soon change: researchers are now exploiting recombinant-DNA technology to produce in large quantities substances that occur naturally in the body and have a potent stimulatory effect on cell migration and cell division, two processes central to wound-healing. These substances, called growth factors, can attach themselves to cells and stimulate cell growth or movement.

The passage implies that growth factors contribute to wound-healing by

Analysis:  Note that the question is asking you about what the passge "implies."  This means that the answer is not something stated explicitly, but that you have to read between the lines.    The question is about "growth factors."  Look back in the passage at what "growth factors" are, what they do, and then consider the possible answers:  Changing the way wounds are treated by physicians.  Growth factors are a part of the new ways physicians may treat wounds, but growth factors are described as part of a natural process, not as having an impact  on physicians.   Keeping the wound moist and sterile.  The passage says that doctors treat wounds by keeping them moist and sterile, but it does not say anything about growth factors doing this.   Circumventing recombinant-DNA technology.  Do not let a word like "circumventing" confuse or fool you.  To circumvent is to prevent, to intefere with.  The research is "exploiting" or using recombinant-DNA technology, not intefering with it.    Making it easier for physicians to encourage the proper treatment of wounds.  This may be a result of the new research, but it does not describe the effect of growth cells.    Encouraging new cell growth and cell movement.  We can see this is the correct answer by seeing first that growth cells are described as stimulating cell migration and cell division.   "Cell migration" = "cell movement" and "Cell division" = "cell growth."   The passage says that these processes contribute to healing.

Question 7:Modern medicine has not yet devised any widely accepted treatment that actively promotes the healing of wounds. Rather, by closing wounds and keeping them moist and sterile, physicians can only try to make it as easy as possible for nature to take its course. That may soon change: researchers are now exploiting recombinant-DNA technology to produce in large quantities substances that occur naturally in the body and have a potent stimulatory effect on cell migration and cell division, two processes central to wound-healing. These substances, called growth factors, can attach themselves to cells and stimulate cell growth or movement.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

Analysis:  This question asks you to identify the reason for which the writer wrote the passage.  In answering questions such as this one, you should look at the verb that begins the answer.   Consider the possible answers:  Evaluate the efforts of researchers working with recombinant-DNA technology.  If the writer were evaluating, he or she would include statements about the usefulness, significance, importance of the research.  The writer does not include such judgements.  Examine in detail the biological mechanisms involved in cell division and migration and the way these mechanisms affect the healing of wounds.   You can just about rule this answer out immediately because it would be virtually impossible to examine anything in detail in one short paragraph.  The passage does describe the biological mechanisms, but it does not give very many details.  Summarize the methods used by physicians to treat wounds.  Here the word summarize seems appropriate to the passage, but the focus is on more than just the methods used by physicians to treat wounds.  Stimulate medical researchers to investigate new approaches to the treatment of wounds.  If the purpose of this passage was to stimulate or encourage the investigation of new approaches, it would be written mainly for an audience of medical researchers.  It is evident that the writer is not trying to encourage new research, but describing.    Outline the current treatment for wounds and announce new research that seeks to promote wound-healing.  The verb "outline" suggests that the passage is designed to state or describe several major points, that it is not detailed.  The first part of the passage describes current treatment, while the second part announces new research.   This is the correct answer.

Question 8:  The Plains Indians typically painted the hides they used as robes with designs that either were abstract or depicted scenes from their lives. The robes with abstract designs represent the oldest stylistic tradition and were painted by women. These designs seemed to follow a distinct tradition: they are simple and symmetrical, contain geometric elements, and follow conventional patterns. The design generally covers only the back of the robe and seldom appears without a surrounding border pattern. Abstract designs contain primarily the colors red, yellow, blue and green, flatly and evenly applied. The most striking aspect of the abstract designs is the contrast in scale and texture they produce -- the discrepancy between the delicate tracery of the designs and the thick, bulky hides on which they are painted. Life scenes are even better suited to the bulky hides. Most of these scenes are dynamic and, taken together, they form patterns of great animation that completely cover the robe. Figures are placed on a background lacking sky or earth, are flatly painted in a wide variety of colors, and are sometimes outlined in dark paint. The main subjects are warriors and horses shown in battles and epic events. These designs usually serve to illustrate the exploits of the men who painted them.

The passage provides information for answering most fully which of the following questions?

Analysis:   When reading this passage (you will use it for the next several questions), note the first sentence. It lets you know that the passage will describe two different types of designs -- abstract and those that depicted scenes from their lives -- that were painted on the hides used as robes by Plains Indians.   The first part describes the abstract designs as the older of the two, while the second half describes the scenes from their lives.

Now, think about this question.  It is asking you to identify which of the following questions the passage has the most information about.   Consider each answer: When did abstract designs first appear on Plains Indian robes?  The passage tells you that the abstract designs are the oldest stylistic tradition, but does not give an exact date when they appeared.    How did the Plains Indians modify traditional abstract designs to fit specific robes?  The passage describes the abstract designs, but does not talk about their being modified or changed over time. What are the sources of the colors that the Plains Indians used to paint the hides?  The passage describes the colors but does not tell where the hides came from.   What color was the surface of the hides painted by the Plains Indians?  The passage tells about the colors of the designs but says little specifically about the colors of the surfaces of the hides.  What colors generally appeared in the abstract designs on Plains Indian robes?  This question is answered specifically.  The passage states that "abstract designs contain primarily the colors red, yellow, blue, and green, flatly and evenly applied."  This is the correct answer.

Question 9:  The Plains Indians typically painted the hides they used as robes with designs that either were abstract or depicted scenes from their lives. The robes with abstract designs represent the oldest stylistic tradition and were painted by women. These designs seemed to follow a distinct tradition: they are simple and symmetrical, contain geometric elements, and follow conventional patterns. The design generally covers only the back of the robe and seldom appears without a surrounding border pattern. Abstract designs contain primarily the colors red, yellow, blue and green, flatly and evenly applied. The most striking aspect of the abstract designs is the contrast in scale and texture they produce -- the discrepancy between the delicate tracery of the designs and the thick, bulky hides on which they are painted. Life scenes are even better suited to the bulky hides. Most of these scenes are dynamic and, taken together, they form patterns of great animation that completely cover the robe. Figures are placed on a background lacking sky or earth, are flatly painted in a wide variety of colors, and are sometimes outlined in dark paint. The main subjects are warriors and horses shown in battles and epic events. These designs usually serve to illustrate the exploits of the men who painted them.

The phrase "the contrast in scale and texture" refers to the contrast between the

Analysis:  When a question asks you for the meaning of a specific phrase, look back for that phrase in the passage.  In this case, this phrase is explained within the passage itself.  "Contrast in scale and texture" is followed by "the discrepancy between the delicate tracery of the designs and the thick bulky hides..."  The correct answer then is  "Delicacy of the design and the bulkiness of the hide."

Question 10:  The Plains Indians typically painted the hides they used as robes with designs that either were abstract or depicted scenes from their lives. The robes with abstract designs represent the oldest stylistic tradition and were painted by women. These designs seemed to follow a distinct tradition: they are simple and symmetrical, contain geometric elements, and follow conventional patterns. The design generally covers only the back of the robe and seldom appears without a surrounding border pattern. Abstract designs contain primarily the colors red, yellow, blue and green, flatly and evenly applied. The most striking aspect of the abstract designs is the contrast in scale and texture they produce -- the discrepancy between the delicate tracery of the designs and the thick, bulky hides on which they are painted. Life scenes are even better suited to the bulky hides. Most of these scenes are dynamic and, taken together, they form patterns of great animation that completely cover the robe. Figures are placed on a background lacking sky or earth, are flatly painted in a wide variety of colors, and are sometimes outlined in dark paint. The main subjects are warriors and horses shown in battles and epic events. These designs usually serve to illustrate the exploits of the men who painted them.

It can be inferred from the passage that robes with abstract designs and robes with life scenes differ in all of the following ways EXCEPT the

Analysis:  Read the question carefully.  When it asks about what can be "inferred from the passage," it is asking you to draw a conclusion from the passage, not simply cite something that is contained within it.  Remember, as we said above, the passage is about the different types of designs found on the robes of the Plains Indians.  You need to consider the differences between these two types of designs.  Be sure to note the "EXCEPT," which means that four of the answers will describe a difference contained in the passage, while one of them will not.   Consider the answers:  Pattern of the design.  The difference between abstract design and scenes of their lives is the basic difference discussed in the passage.   Amount of the hide covered by the design.   The passage states that the abstract design generally covered only the back of the robe, while the scenes from life covered the entire robe.  Range of colors used in the design - The passage indicates that abstract designs included red, yellow, blue, and green, while the scenes from life were painted in a variety of colors.   Sex of the artist who painted the robe -  The abstract designs were painted by women, while the scenes from life were painted by men.  Type of hide used. Since there is no discussion of differences in the hides used for abstract designs and scenes from life, you can infer that the two types of designs were put on the same kind of hides and, hence, this is the correct answer.

Question 11: The Plains Indians typically painted the hides they used as robes with designs that either were abstract or depicted scenes from their lives. The robes with abstract designs represent the oldest stylistic tradition and were painted by women. These designs seemed to follow a distinct tradition: they are simple and symmetrical, contain geometric elements, and follow conventional patterns. The design generally covers only the back of the robe and seldom appears without a surrounding border pattern. Abstract designs contain primarily the colors red, yellow, blue and green, flatly and evenly applied. The most striking aspect of the abstract designs is the contrast in scale and texture they produce -- the discrepancy between the delicate tracery of the designs and the thick, bulky hides on which they are painted. Life scenes are even better suited to the bulky hides. Most the these scenes are dynamic and, taken together, they form patterns of great animation that completely cover the robe. Figures are placed on a background lacking sky or earth, are flatly painted in a wide variety of colors, and are sometimes outlined in dark paint. The main subjects are warriors and horses shown in battles and epic events. These designs usually serve to illustrate the exploits of the men who painted them.

Which of the following descriptions of life scenes could the author best use to support her claim that such scenes are "dynamic"?

Analysis:  Answering this question correctly depends entirely on you knowing the meaning of the term "dynamic," a term which is used to describe something that is in motion or that has energy.  If you know the meaning of the term, then it is easy to see that "Horses and riders are often depicted in motion" is the correct answer.

Question 12: The Plains Indians typically painted the hides they used as robes with designs that either were abstract or depicted scenes from their lives. The robes with abstract designs represent the oldest stylistic tradition and were painted by women. These designs seemed to follow a distinct tradition: they are simple and symmetrical, contain geometric elements, and follow conventional patterns. The design generally covers only the back of the robe and seldom appears without a surrounding border pattern. Abstract designs contain primarily the colors red, yellow, blue and green, flatly and evenly applied. The most striking aspect of the abstract designs is the contrast in scale and texture they produce -- the discrepancy between the delicate tracery of the designs and the thick, bulky hides on which they are painted. Life scenes are even better suited to the bulky hides. Most of these scenes are dynamic and, taken together, they form patterns of great animation that completely cover the robe. Figures are placed on a background lacking sky or earth, are flatly painted in a wide variety of colors, and are sometimes outlined in dark paint. The main subjects are warriors and horses shown in battles and epic events. These designs usually serve to illustrate the exploits of the men who painted them.

Which of the following facts, if true, would most help to explain why abstract designs of robes such as those described in the passage originated before life scenes?

Analysis:  This is another question that is not answered explicitly in the passage.  It is asking for a possible explanation for the earlier development of abstract designs as compared to scenes from life.  Your answer should tell the why and how of this development.  You must speculate on the possible reasons why abstract designs (designs that do not depict objects in a realistic fashion) developed before scenes from life (which do depict objects in a realistic manner).   Consider each answer:  The realistic depiction of animals in Plains Indian art occurred before the realistic depiction of people.   This answer says nothing about why and how abstract designs were developed before the scenes from life.  The Plains Indians, like their predecessors, probably used highly realistic drawings of animals in ceremonies performed to assure successful hunting.  Even if it is true that the Plains Indians used highly realistic drawings of animals in ceremonies, this fact would not explain why the abstract designs came first.   The abstract designs used by the Plains Indians are not derived from the shapes of living creatures.  This statement means that the abstract designs were not based on the shapes of living creatures, which is very probably true.  Even if true, however, this passage does not help explain why abstract designs cam first.  The Plains Indians decorated the surfaces of even the most ordinary household objects with a wide variety of colors.  This passage may explain the use of color in the designs, but it would not help to explain why abstract design came first.  Pottery, a very early Plains Indian art form, was decorated with abstract designs that later reappeared in other art forms.  This is the correct answer.  It helps to explain why abstract designs came first by stating that these abstract designs were used on pottery, an early art form, and that these designs appeared in other art froms.  If it's true that the abstract designs have reappeared in other art forms, then one could infer that the abstract designs on robes could have resulted from the influence of the designs on pottery.

Question 13:  The publishing of children's books today is not unlike the cookie business: a profitable side-avenue of a major industry, turning out, in unprecedented volume and variety, what was once a high-quality product. But most of these new varieties are only sugar and hot air.

Which of the following best describes the way in which the claim above is presented?

Analysis:  This question is asking you to recognize the way the writer is presenting his or her views.  If you recall from Critical Thinking, you discussed various types of arguments.  This question is asking you to identify the type of argument.   Consider each of the answers:  A generalization is made and is supported with specific details.  If this passage were a generalization it would use one specific example (the problems, say, one or two farmers are having in the wake of the floods) to make claims about a larger group of people (the problems all farmers are having in the wake of the floods).  Highly emotional language is used to hide the real issue.  if this answer were correct, the passage would include strong emotional language, perhaps some name-calling.   For example, after the recent vote by the UNC Board of Governors to raise tuition throughout the system, a student might say, "It is outrageous that the money-hungry administrators want to balance the university's budget at the expense of starving students!"  The language in this passage is not emotionally charged.  Irony is used to suggest the opposite of what is stated in the passage. If this statement were ironic, the intended meaning would be opposite from the meaning of the words.  For example, when a classmate who has promised to help you on a project fails to do so, you might say (in a sarcastic tone) to him or her, "Thank you so much for all of your help."  You don't mean this literally, you are being ironic.  An argument derived from one situation is applied to a variety of other situations. If this answer were correct, the passage would include something like the following:   A disabled golfer should not be prevented from participating in tournaments.   He should be allowed to use a cart to move around the course.  If this is allowed then we would have to allow swimmers with physical disabilities to use life jackets in swim meets and we would have to let a pinch runner run the bases for a phyiscially disabled baseball player.  Note the argument from golf is applied to swimming and baseball.  An analogy is used to clarify a qualitative judgment.  This is the correct answer.   If you remember the discussion of analogical arguments from Critical Thinking (and you should!), then you remember that in an analogical argument the similarities between two things is used for drawing a conclusion about one of those things.  This argument depends on the similarity, comparison, or analogy between publishing children's books and making cookies.  This analogy is used to make a qualitative judgement or value judgement, and in this case, a negative value judgement, about publishing of children's books.

Question 14: The publishing of children's books today is not unlike the cookie business: a profitable side-avenue of a major industry, turning out, in unprecedented volume and variety, what was once a high-quality product. But most of these new varieties are only sugar and hot air.

The author's attitude toward current children's book publishing can best be described as

Analysis:  To ask about the author's attitude is to ask about the feeling or outlook the writer has about the subject.  When the writer describes the children's books as "only sugar and hot air," it should be evident that the author has a disapproving attitude toward these development.  (The writer is not uninterested, uncertain, enthusiastic, or tolerant.) 

Question 15:  Although not the equal of Ibsen or Chekhov, Elmer Rice was one of the most innovative and imaginative dramatists the United States ever produced. But since socially relevant drama of the 1920's will be remembered primarily for fiery rhetoric rather than for the unemotional intellectualism that characterized Rice's plays, Rice will probably endure as an anonymous and unseen influence rather than as a towering name.

Which of the following can be inferred about Rice from the statement above?

Analysis:  This is another question that requires you make an inference, that is, to draw a conclusion from it, rather than identifying something contained in it.  The only one of the possible answers that could be reasonably inferred from the passage is that he wrote socially relevant dramas.   We can infer this because the passage states that Rice will not be remembered because his works were characterized by unemotional intellectualism and the socially relevant drama of the 20s will be remembered for their fiery rhetoric.    We can rule out the other answers by observing the following:    He wrote many of his plays anonymously.  The passage says he will remain an anonymous influence.  This does not mean that he wrote many of his plays anonymously.  He was once as well know as Ibsen or Chekhov.  The passage states that Rice is not as well known as these other playwrights.  Nothing suggests that he was once as famous as them.  He did not fully understand the society of the 1920's.   Nothing in the passage makes this suggestion.  His style was too fiery to be considered great.  This statement is inconsistent with the statement in the passage that his plays were characterized by unemotional intellectualism, not fiery rhetoric. 

Question 16:  In the earliest electronic computers, space for the storage of information was a precious resource. Computer programs were therefore written in the most compact form possible. As the cost of computer memory has decreased, the need for succinctness in programs has diminished, and programs have grown increasingly large.

Analysis:  This question requires you simply to understand the passage.  You must also recognize that to say "programs have grown increasingly large" means the same thing as "less compact computer programs," which is the correct answer.

Question 17:  In making her crucial contributions to the civil rights movement, Ella Baker never sought public attention, nor did many of the other Black women who were important leaders of the movement. Their main concern was not stardom but the well-being of all Black Americans.

Analysis:  You can answer this question with relative ease by a process of elimination.  Identifying the best-known leaders of the civil rights movement.  This can't be true because only one civil rights leader is mentioned.   Describing the most important achievements of the civil rights movement.  This can't be true because no specific achievements are mentioned.  Determining how many of the leaders of the civil rights movement were women.  While the passage refers to Ella Baker and other women, it does not offer any information about many of the leaders were women.  Analyzing why public attention to social movements generally focuses more on individuals than on organizations.  It is difficult to discern any connection between this statement and the passage.  Explaining why many women who were important leaders of the civil rights movement are not well known.  This is the correct answer.  The passage refers to Ella Baker and other women in the Civil Rights movement, explaining that they did not seek public attention.

Question 1: Historians who study middle-class Victorian women have difficulty finding reliable sources of information. The significant lack of extensive autobiographical data has led them to rely heavily on the serious fiction of the day. But an undiscriminating reliance on such fiction has led some historians, incorrectly, to see the social circumstances of literary characters as typical of those of actual middle-class Victorian women and has unfortunately reinforced the false image of the idle Victorian woman. Although most popular Victorian novels (those without serious literary ambitions) get closer to the reality of middle-class women's lives than do the serious novels, the problem of typicality remains. Even household manuals -- written for, and by middle-class women -- must be scrutinized closely to determine the degree to which their depictions of women's roles are representative of women's actual lives. A more promising source of information is census and wage data. These throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants. The data strongly imply that these households could rarely afford to hire more than a single servant. This information suggests that, in fact, most middle-class Victorian women had to spend considerable time and energy themselves to maintain their households

Analysis:    To answer this question correctly, you must see that the phrase "undiscriminating reliance" (I have underlined it) in the question means the same thing as "uncritical reliance" in the question.   Then answering the question requires you to look back at the passage to see that the uncritical reliance "on such fiction has led some historians, incorrectly, to see the social circumstances of literary characters as typical of those of actual middle-class Victorian women and has unfortunately reinforced the false image of the idle Victorian woman."  This is saying, in other words, that when historians take the examples from fiction as a basis for gaining knowledge about the larger group of women in general, they arrive at inaccurate conclusions, especially the conclusion that middle-class Victorian women were idle.  The process of developing conclusions about a group based on a several examples is generalizing.   Hence, we can see that the correct answer is "Inaccurate generalizations about middle-class Victorian women as a whole. "

Question 2: Historians who study middle-class Victorian women have difficulty finding reliable sources of information. The significant lack of extensive autobiographical data has led them to rely heavily on the serious fiction of the day. But an undiscriminating reliance on such fiction has led some historians, incorrectly, to see the social circumstances of literary characters as typical of those of actual middle-class Victorian women and has unfortunately reinforced the false image of the idle Victorian woman. Although most popular Victorian novels (those without serious literary ambitions) get closer to the reality of middle-class women's lives than do the serious novels, the problem of typicality remains. Even household manuals -- written for, and by middle-class women -- must be scrutinized closely to determine the degree to which their depictions of women's roles are representative of women's actual lives. A more promising source of information is census and wage data. These throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants. The data strongly imply that these households could rarely afford to hire more than a single servant. This information suggests that, in fact, most middle-class Victorian women had to spend considerable time and energy themselves to maintain their households.

It can be inferred from the passage that historians might have relied less heavily on serious Victorian fiction as a course of data if which of the following had been available in greater numbers?

Analysis:  In answering this question, it is imperative to see that it is asking for you to draw an inference, that is, to draw a conclusion that is not stated explicitly in the passage.  The passage suggests that historians have had at their disposal census and wage data, popular Victorian novels, and Victorian household manuals (I've underlined these in the passage), but does not suggest the greater numbers of any of these would give a more accurate depiction of middle-class Victorian women's lives.  It is difficult to see how works of serious fiction from Pre-Victorian times could shed any light about Victorian women.  Hence, the only answer left is "Autobiographical accounts of Victorian women's lives."    The passage says that historians have relied on the fiction because of the lack of autobiographical accounts.  It can be inferred that if these were available in greater numbers, historians would not have to depend so heavily on fiction as a source of information.

Question 3:  Historians who study middle-class Victorian women have difficulty finding reliable sources of information. The significant lack of extensive autobiographical data has led them to rely heavily on the serious fiction of the day. But an undiscriminating reliance on such fiction has led some historians, incorrectly, to see the social circumstances of literary characters as typical of those of actual middle-class Victorian women and has unfortunately reinforced the false image of the idle Victorian woman. Although most popular Victorian novels (those without serious literary ambitions) get closer to the reality of middle-class women's lives than do the serious novels, the problem of typicality remains. Even household manuals -- written for, and by middle-class women -- must be scrutinized closely to determine the degree to which their depictions of women's roles are representative of women's actual lives. A more promising source of information is census and wage data. These throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants. The data strongly imply that these households could rarely afford to hire more than a single servant. This information suggests that, in fact, most middle-class Victorian women had to spend considerable time and energy themselves to maintain their households.

Analysis:  This question requires you to go back to the passage itself and find what is said about the advantage of popular Victorian novels.  The passage says that popular novels get closer to the reality of middle-class women's lives.   This statement is repeated in the answer, "Give a more accurate picture of the lives of middle-class women.

Question 4: Historians who study middle-class Victorian women have difficulty finding reliable sources of information. The significant lack of extensive autobiographical data has led them to rely heavily on the serious fiction of the day. But an undiscriminating reliance on such fiction has led some historians, incorrectly, to see the social circumstances of literary characters as typical of those of actual middle-class Victorian women and has unfortunately reinforced the false image of the idle Victorian woman. Although most popular Victorian novels (those without serious literary ambitions) get closer to the reality of middle-class women's lives than do the serious novels, the problem of typicality remains. Even household manuals -- written for, and by middle-class women -- must be scrutinized closely to determine the degree to which their depictions of women's roles are representative of women's actual lives. A more promising source of information is census and wage data. These throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants. The data strongly imply that these households could rarely afford to hire more than a single servant. This information suggests that, in fact, most middle-class Victorian women had to spend considerable time and energy themselves to maintain their households.

Analysis: This question requires you to restate what is found in the passage.  The passage states that census and wage data "throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants."  This statement is restated in the answer that census and wage data "Call into question the image of the idle Victorian woman."

Question 5:  Historians who study middle-class Victorian women have difficulty finding reliable sources of information. The significant lack of extensive autobiographical data has led them to rely heavily on the serious fiction of the day. But an undiscriminating reliance on such fiction has led some historians, incorrectly, to see the social circumstances of literary characters as typical of those of actual middle-class Victorian women and has unfortunately reinforced the false image of the idle Victorian woman. Although most popular Victorian novels (those without serious literary ambitions) get closer to the reality of middle-class women's lives than do the serious novels, the problem of typicality remains. Even household manuals -- written for, and by middle-class women -- must be scrutinized closely to determine the degree to which their depictions of women's roles are representative of women's actual lives. A more promising source of information is census and wage data. These throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants. The data strongly imply that these households could rarely afford to hire more than a single servant. This information suggests that, in fact, most middle-class Victorian women had to spend considerable time and energy themselves to maintain their households.

Analysis:  This question requires you to recall information contained within the passage.  Please note the following statement from the passage: "These throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants. The data strongly imply that these households could rarely afford to hire more than a single servant."  This idea is restated in different words by the statement that "the employment of several domestic servants was uncharacteristic of the [answer] Typical middle-class household of Victorian times."

Question 6: Historians who study middle-class Victorian women have difficulty finding reliable sources of information. The significant lack of extensive autobiographical data has led them to rely heavily on the serious fiction of the day. But an undiscriminating reliance on such fiction has led some historians, incorrectly, to see the social circumstances of literary characters as typical of those of actual middle-class Victorian women and has unfortunately reinforced the false image of the idle Victorian woman. Although most popular Victorian novels (those without serious literary ambitions) get closer to the reality of middle-class women's lives than do the serious novels, the problem of typicality remains. Even household manuals -- written for, and by middle-class women -- must be scrutinized closely to determine the degree to which their depictions of women's roles are representative of women's actual lives. A more promising source of information is census and wage data. These throw into doubt the image of the idle woman by undermining the assumption made by some historians that most middle-class Victorian families employed several domestic servants. The data strongly imply that these households could rarely afford to hire more than a single servant. This information suggests that, in fact, most middle-class Victorian women had to spend considerable time and energy themselves to maintain their households.

Analysis:  This question is asking you to describe the manner in which the information is presented.   To answer the question you should try to give a quick outline of the passage.  Note that the writer states that 1) historians have relied on the serious fiction of the Victorian era as a source of information about the lives of middle class women of the day, but that this fiction gives a false picture of the lives of most middle-class Victorian women; 2) other sources of information (popular fiction, household manuals) also do not provide entirely reliable information about the daily lives of middle-class women; 3) census and wage data provide a more promising source of information, and that one of the implications of such data is that most households did not have several servants.  This quick outline makes it evident that the answer is "Difficulties regarding the use of certain sources by historians are described and then an alternative source is recommended."

Question 7:  Rembrandt seems to have been his own favorite model. Seventy self-portraits or representations of his face have been preserved, and no moment in the artist's biography is not vividly represented. Such personal statements, expressed with feeling and intensity, are a record of Rembrandt's view of the world and his relationship to it.

Analysis:  When the question asks you about what the passage implies, it is asking you for something that is not stated explicitly, but that is suggested.  Here you need to look at each possible answer carefully, and select the correct answer through a process of elimination.  They are more carefully crafted than Rembrandt's portraits of other people.  The passage says nothing that allows you to compare Rembrandt's self-portraits with those of other people.   They are similar to Rembrandt's paintings of other subjects. The passage says nothing that would invite comparison to Rembrandt's paintings of other subjects.  They accurately depict the world in which Rembrandt lived.   These self-portraits, according to the passage, were personal and were expressed with feeling and intensity.  The paintings were not designed to give realistic depictions of the world.  They were used to illustrate Rembrandt's autobiography.  Though these paintings depict many moments in Rembrandt's life, they are not used to illustrate an autobiography.  They reveal Rembrandt's personality and outlook at many times in his life.  The descriptions of these paintings "as personal statements, expressed with feeling and intensity, and as a record of Rembrandt's view of the world and his relationship to it" suggest that this is the correct answer.

Question 8:  Horror films often achieve terrifying effects by simply exaggerating the size of a familiar creature, such as an insect. But that change in size would probably be far more terrifying than any horror movie if it actually happened, because the law of gravity dictates that a major change in size means a change in form as well.

 

Analysis:  To answer this question, you need only to apply the general principle stated in the passage, "...the law of gravity dictates that a major change in size means a change in form as well," to a particular instance, a fly becoming the size of a cow.  If the passage is true then "the fly's body would be altered in form" is the correct answer.

Question 9:  In 1932 many of the highest political leaders in Britain feared that no adequate defense could ever be devised against bombing attacks by airplanes. However, by 1939 a chain of twenty radar stations had been put into operation along the British coast. After the Battle of Britain, in 1941, many of those same leaders believed that radar had succeeded in making Britain an island again.

Analysis:  To answer this question, you need to think about the phrase "making Britain an island again" in the context of war.  Prior to the invention of airplanes and the consequent beginning of air attacks, the water around an island provided a natural defense against external attacks.  Attackers were forced to come by ship, which could be sighted with relative ease.  Airplanes eliminated the natural defense that an island enjoyed.  The installation of radar stations, however, enabled Britain to detect attacking airplanes and defend themselves against them.    When the writer says that the radar systems were successful in "making Britain and island again," he or she probably means that the radar stations "enabled Britain to remain relatively invulnerable to attacks."

Question 10:  Some very successful advertising campaigns rely on creating what advertisers call "resonance" -- the campaigns link a particular product with some widely recognized positive symbol to induce a favorable view of the product. Consider the recent advertising campaign for personal computers featuring a Charlie Chaplin look-alike as the Little Tramp who, by using his personal computer, brings order to several comically chaotic business settings. By linking its product with the Little Tramp, beloved for his combination of naive innocence and indomitable spirit, the computer company acquires a human face and grafts a soul onto its new machine.

       The irony of these advertisements and the resonance they create is that Chaplin himself was expressly opposed to mechanization and the technological goals of speed and efficiency. Those views, evident throughout much of his work, are nowhere more clearly expressed than in the film Modern Times, where the Little Tramp as a factory worker is driven mad by the soul-destroying monotony and inhuman pace of the assembly line, comically reducing an entire factory to chaos. The company claims its advertisements "stand fear of technology on its head." In reality, it is the Chaplin character who is being stood on his head. His original meaning has been expunged, leaving behind only an appealing image to be exploited by the advertiser.

 

Analysis: You can answer this questions easily if you read each possible answer carefully.  Note that the first paragraph introduces the concept of "resonance" and then discusses the use of the "Little Tramp" by a computer company as an example.  The best statement of the idea, then, is "The use of resonance in advertising is well-illustrated by a recent advertising campaign featuring the Little Tramp character."

Question 11:  Some very successful advertising campaigns rely on creating what advertisers call "resonance" -- the campaigns link a particular product with some widely recognized positive symbol to induce a favorable view of the product. Consider the recent advertising campaign for personal computers featuring a Charlie Chaplin look-alike as the Little Tramp who, by using his personal computer, brings order to several comically chaotic business settings. By linking its product with the Little Tramp, beloved for his combination of naive innocence and indomitable spirit, the computer company acquires a human face and grafts a soul onto its new machine.

       The irony of these advertisements and the resonance they create is that Chaplin himself was expressly opposed to mechanization and the technological goals of speed and efficiency. Those views, evident throughout much of his work, are nowhere more clearly expressed than in the film Modern Times, where the Little Tramp as a factory worker is driven mad by the soul-destroying monotony and inhuman pace of the assembly line, comically reducing an entire factory to chaos. The company claims its advertisements "stand fear of technology on its head." In reality, it is the Chaplin character who is being stood on his head. His original meaning has been expunged, leaving behind only an appealing image to be exploited by the advertiser.

Analysis:  To answer this question correctly you need to see that the answer, "They try to induce consumers to associate the product advertised with some appealing and widely known image or person," is a restatement of the sentence in the passage, these "Campaigns link a particular product with some widely recognized positive symbol to induce a favorable view of the product."

Question 12:  Some very successful advertising campaigns rely on creating what advertisers call "resonance" -- the campaigns link a particular product with some widely recognized positive symbol to induce a favorable view of the product. Consider the recent advertising campaign for personal computers featuring a Charlie Chaplin look-alike as the Little Tramp who, by using his personal computer, brings order to several comically chaotic business settings. By linking its product with the Little Tramp, beloved for his combination of naive innocence and indomitable spirit, the computer company acquires a human face and grafts a soul onto its new machine.

The irony of these advertisements and the resonance they create is that Chaplin himself was expressly opposed to mechanization and the technological goals of speed and efficiency. Those views, evident throughout much of his work, are nowhere more clearly expressed than in the film Modern Times, where the Little Tramp as a factory worker is driven mad by the soul-destroying monotony and inhuman pace of the assembly line, comically reducing an entire factory to chaos. The company claims its advertisements "stand fear of technology on its head." In reality, it is the Chaplin character who is being stood on his head. His original meaning has been expunged, leaving behind only an appealing image to be exploited by the advertiser.

Analysis:  This question is more complex than some of the previous questions.  To answer this question you must first recognize what is meant by the "irony" of the advertisements.  The writer argues that the advertiser uses the Chaplin image in a way that Chaplin himself would have disapproved.   Chaplin, as expressed in such films as 'Modern Times,' was opposed to mechanization and the use of technology to achieve efficiency and speed.  But, the advertiser uses the Chaplin image of the Little Tramp to promote mechanization and technology.  Once you are clear about what the writer means about the irony of the advertisements, you can then determine which of the answers, if true would undermine or weaken the argument.  The only answer that does so is "Modern Times condemns only the mechanization that dehumanizes the workplace; computerization significantly reduces the drudgery of office work."  If it is true that Chaplin was only against dehumanizing (boring, monotonous work which makes individuals slaves to machines) work, and not opposed to technology that reduces the drudgery of work, then the writer's conclusion -- that the Chaplin image is being used contrary to its original intent.   The rest of the answers, even if true, do not make the conclusion of the argument more or less likely true.

Question 13: Some very successful advertising campaigns rely on creating what advertisers call "resonance" -- the campaigns link a particular product with some widely recognized positive symbol to induce a favorable view of the product. Consider the recent advertising campaign for personal computers featuring a Charlie Chaplin look-alike as the Little Tramp who, by using his personal computer, brings order to several comically chaotic business settings. By linking its product with the Little Tramp, beloved for his combination of naive innocence and indomitable spirit, the computer company acquires a human face and grafts a soul onto its new machine.

The irony of these advertisements and the resonance they create is that Chaplin himself was expressly opposed to mechanization and the technological goals of speed and efficiency. Those views, evident throughout much of his work, are nowhere more clearly expressed than in the film Modern Times, where the Little Tramp as a factory worker is driven mad by the soul-destroying monotony and inhuman pace of the assembly line, comically reducing an entire factory to chaos. The company claims its advertisements "stand fear of technology on its head." In reality, it is the Chaplin character who is being stood on his head. His original meaning has been expunged, leaving behind only an appealing image to be exploited by the advertiser.

Analysis:   This question requires you to recognize that the statement from the passage,   "Chaplin himself was expressly opposed to mechanization and the technological goals of speed and efficiency," is restated in the answer, "He disapproved of increasing speed and efficiency through technology."

Question 14:  Some very successful advertising campaigns rely on creating what advertisers call "resonance" -- the campaigns link a particular product with some widely recognized positive symbol to induce a favorable view of the product. Consider the recent advertising campaign for personal computers featuring a Charlie Chaplin look-alike as the Little Tramp who, by using his personal computer, brings order to several comically chaotic business settings. By linking its product with the Little Tramp, beloved for his combination of naive innocence and indomitable spirit, the computer company acquires a human face and grafts a soul onto its new machine.

The irony of these advertisements and the resonance they create is that Chaplin himself was expressly opposed to mechanization and the technological goals of speed and efficiency. Those views, evident throughout much of his work, are nowhere more clearly expressed than in the film Modern Times, where the Little Tramp as a factory worker is driven mad by the soul-destroying monotony and inhuman pace of the assembly line, comically reducing an entire factory to chaos. The company claims its advertisements "stand fear of technology on its head." In reality, it is the Chaplin character who is being stood on his head. His original meaning has been expunged, leaving behind only an appealing image to be exploited by the advertiser.

Analysis:  This question requires you to identify the answer that gives the best restatement of the meaning of this passage.  The best summary statement must include reference to both facets of the passage, namely, the explanation of resonance and how it works, and the irony of the use of Chaplain's "Little Tramp" to sell technology.  Consider the answers individually.  It is ironic that most successful advertisements rely on creating appealing images rather than on informing consumers about the product itself.  The passage does not include any suggestion that the advertisers do not inform consumers about the product itself.  A summary must be true to the original passage.  The original meaning of an image or symbol usually changes over time, especially if it is often used in advertising.  The passage shows the way in which images and symbols can change over time, but this statement does not really restate what was said in the original.  Linking an advertised product with a widely known positive symbol is called "creating resonance" and is often a successful advertising technique.   This sentence gives a summary of the first paragraph, but ignores the second paragraph.  Advertisements that try to create resonance are most successful when the images they use are familiar to a large number of consumers.  This is a conclusion that can be drawn from the passage, but it does not give a short restatement of the meaning of the passage.  Although advertisements that use a positive symbol to create resonance can be quite successful, they may also violate the original meaning of that symbol.  This statement expresses the basic meaning of the passage, and is the correct answer

Question 15:  In 1843 Emil Du Bois-Reymond became the first person to prove that electricity runs through the nervous system. Working with nerves from animals and with electrodes, he demonstrated the existence of what is now called the action potential, the electrochemical pulse in our neurons that is nothing less than the language of the brain.

Analysis:  This question requires you to recall what is in the passage.  To answer it correctly, you need to see that the answer, "Demonstrate that electrical pulses exist in the nervous system," is restatement of the first sentence of the passage.

Question 16:  For the school of painting known as "Photo Realism," the painter's only function was to "transfer information" from a photograph to a canvas. Photo Realists sought to remove all evidence of the artist's hand or interpretive vision from their works. However, they did not succeed; even devout Photo Realists "cleaned up" photographs as they painted -- sharpening outlines, emphasizing important details, eliminating others.

Analysis: This question asks you to recall from the passage that Photo Realists did not succeed in simply transferring information about a photo to canvas, so that the paintings differed from the original photo in several important ways, including sharpening outlines.  This point is expressed in the answer, "Displayed sharper outlines than did the photographs from which the artists worked."

Question 17:  Stating that there was "no English precedent for the admission of women to the bar" (i.e., for women to act as lawyers in a courtroom), the United States Supreme Court in 1878 denied lawyer Belva Lockwood permission to argue cases before the Court, pending the enactment of "special legislation." In response Lockwood herself drafted the necessary legislation and successfully argued it before the House Judiciary Committee. In February 1879 it was signed into law, and the following month Lockwood became the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court. For Lockwood this would be only one distinction in a lifetime of ground-breaking achievements; in 1884 she became the first woman to appear on a ballot in a presidential election.

 

Analysis:  To answer this question, you need only to read the questions carefully and look at each answer.   The passage indicates that Lockwood was the first to argue a case before the Supreme Court, which is one of the possible answers.

Question 18:  Stating that there was "no English precedent for the admission of women to the bar" (i.e., for women to act as lawyers in a courtroom), the United States Supreme Court in 1878 denied lawyer Belva Lockwood permission to argue cases before the Court, pending the enactment of "special legislation." In response Lockwood herself drafted the necessary legislation and successfully argued it before the House Judiciary Committee. In February 1879 it was signed into law, and the following month Lockwood became the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court. For Lockwood this would be only one distinction in a lifetime of ground-breaking achievements; in 1884 she became the first woman to appear on a ballot in a presidential election.

Analysis:   Be sure you understand what this question means.  The term "undermine" means to weaken or destroy the support for.  You are to find a statement that, if true, would weaken the original argument.  To answer this question, you must first make sure that you know what the Supreme Court argued about Lockwood.  The Court's reason for not allowing Lockwood to argue a case before the Court was that no precedent (no previous incident); in other words, it had never been done before, and hence, the Court required special legislation.  If you understand the original position, then it is not difficult to figure out that if it were true that "The Supreme Court has the power to override precedent and establish new judicial procedures," then their original argument would be weakened.  

Question 19:  Stating that there was "no English precedent for the admission of women to the bar" (i.e., for women to act as lawyers in a courtroom), the United States Supreme Court in 1878 denied lawyer Belva Lockwood permission to argue cases before the Court, pending the enactment of "special legislation." In response Lockwood herself drafted the necessary legislation and successfully argued it before the House Judiciary Committee. In February 1879 it was signed into law, and the following month Lockwood became the first woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court. For Lockwood this would be only one distinction in a lifetime of ground-breaking achievements; in 1884 she became the first woman to appear on a ballot in a presidential election.

Analysis:  To answer this question, look back at the context in which the statement about Lockwood's appearance on the presidential ballot appears.   It follows the statement that her arguing the case in front of the Supreme Court "would be only one distinction in a lifetime of ground breaking achievements."   This idea is restated in the answer, "Lockwoods accomplishments in pursuits previously closed to women.

Question 20:  During the 1970's a book-banning epidemic broke out in the United States. Statistics collected by associations of teachers and librarians showed an alarming rise in the incidence of attempts to remove books from the shelves of school and public libraries. In the early seventies, the American Library Association received reports of about 100 such attempts per year. By the late seventies the number had tripled; by 1981 it had tripled again. In a 1982 survey of school librarians, thirty-four percent reported having had a book challenged by a parent or a community group that year. What was worse, over half of those protests met with success -- the challenged book was finally removed from the library.

Analysis:  To answer this question you need to look back at the passage to find what was reported in the 1982 survey.  Two bits of information were reported:  that 34 percent of the librarians had received a challenge about a book, and that over half of the challenges were successful, that is, the books were removed from the libraries.  The second point is repeated in the second answer above.

Question 21:  (Line 1) During the 1970's a book-banning epidemic broke out in the United States. (Line 2) Statistics collected by associations of teachers and librarians showed an alarming rise in the incidence of attempts to remove books from the shelves of school and public libraries. (Line 3) In the early seventies, the American Library Association received reports of about 100 such attempts per year. (Line 4) By the late seventies the number had tripled; by 1981 it had tripled again. (Line 5) In a 1982 survey of school librarians, thirty-four percent reported having had a book challenged by a parent or a community group that year. (Line 6)What was worse, over half of those protests met with success -- the challenged book was finally removed from the library.

Analysis:  By asking about the author's attitude toward book-banning, the question is asking you to determine if the writer approves of, dislikes, or is indifferent toward the subject matter.  To identify the writer's approval or disapproval, you need to look at the language he or she uses to describe the events.    Look at the possible answers, which of them contains emotionally charged words, that is, words that convey how one feels about a subject matter.  Of all the answers, "epidemic," "alarming,: and "worse," suggest that the writer disapproves of the book banning.  The word "epidemic" makes the book banning seem like a disease;  to describe the bannings as "alarming" is to say we should be worried about them; by describing the actual removal of books from libraries as "worse" further suggests the author's disapproval.

Question 22:  Slang originates in the effort of ingenious individuals to make language more pungent and picturesque and thus serves to increase the store of striking words, widen the boundaries of metaphor, and provide for new shades of difference in meaning. As some have argued, this is also the aim of poets.

Analysis:  To answer this question, you need only to recognize that those who create slang, according to this passage, develop language in ways similar to poets.  Hence, slang can be compared to poetry, which serves to heighten the significance and importance of slang.  The correct answer is "Making a comparions between slang and poetry."

Question 23: To this day the idea that the mass of the materials involved in a chemical reaction remains constant, that matter is conserved, governs the practice of modern chemistry; it would be ridiculous to teach physics and chemistry without this concept, even though, of course, it is not strictly true according to our knowledge of relativity.

Analysis:   The writer is acknowledging that the concept of conservation of matter is not completely and absolutely true in light of the theory of relativity.  Yet, the writer also says that the concept underlies the practice of modern chemistry and that it would be ridiculous to teach modern chemistry without teaching the concept.   The answer which seems most consistent with the meaning of this passage is the first one of those above.