The following passage is an excerpt
    from     Pride and Prejudice by Jane
    Austen about the Mr. Bingley and his entourage’s visit to the Bennet home.
  1. In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr.
  2. Bennet’s visit, and sat about ten minutes
  3. with him in his library. He had
  4. entertained hopes of being admitted to a
  5. sight of the young ladies, of whose
  6. beauty he had heard much; but he saw
  7. only the father. The ladies were
  8. somewhat more fortunate, for they had
  9. the advantage of ascertaining from an
  10. upper window that he wore a blue coat,
  11. and rode a black horse.

  12. An invitation to dinner was soon
  13. afterwards dispatched; and already had
  14. Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that
  15. were to do credit to her housekeeping,
  16. when an answer arrived which deferred
  17. it all. Mr. Bingley was obliged to be in
  18. town the following day, and,
  19. consequently, unable to accept the
  20. honour of their invitation, etc. Mrs.
  21. Bennet was quite disconcerted. She
  22. could not imagine what business he
  23. could have in town so soon after his
  24. arrival in Hertfordshire; and she began
  25. to fear that he might be always flying
  26. about from one place to another, and
  27. never settled at Netherfield as he ought
  28. to be. Lady Lucas quieted her fears a
  29. little by starting the idea of his being
  30. gone to London only to get a large party
  31. for the ball; and a report soon followed
  32. that Mr. Bingley was to bring twelve
  33. ladies and seven gentlemen with him to
  34. the assembly. The girls grieved over
  35. such a number of ladies, but were
  36. comforted the day before the ball by
  37. hearing, that instead of twelve he
  38. brought only six with him from
  39. London—his five sisters and a cousin.
  40. And when the party entered the
  41. assembly room it consisted of only five
  42. altogether—Mr. Bingley, his two sisters,
  43. the husband of the eldest, and another
  44. young man.
  2. Mr. Bingley was good-looking and
  3. gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant
  4. countenance, and easy, unaffected
  5. manners. His sisters were fine women,
  6. with an air of decided fashion. His
  7. brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, merely
  8. looked the gentleman; but his friend Mr.
  9. Darcy soon drew the attention of the
  10. room by his fine, tall person, handsome
  11. features, noble mien, and the report
  12. which was in general circulation within
  13. five minutes after his entrance, of his
  14. having ten thousand a year. The
  15. gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine
  16. figure of a man, the ladies declared he
  17. was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley,
  18. and he was looked at with great
  19. admiration for about half the evening,
  20. till his manners gave a disgust which
  21. turned the tide of his popularity; for he
  22. was discovered to be proud; to be above
  23. his company, and above being pleased;
  24. and not all his large estate in Derbyshire
  25. could then save him from having a most
  26. forbidding, disagreeable countenance,
  27. and being unworthy to be compared
  28. with his friend.

  29. Mr. Bingley had soon made himself
  30. acquainted with all the principal people
  31. in the room; he was lively and
  32. unreserved, danced every dance, was
  33. angry that the ball closed so early, and
  34. talked of giving one himself at
  35. Netherfield. Such amiable qualities must
  36. speak for themselves. What a contrast
  37. between him and his friend! Mr. Darcy
  38. danced only once with Mrs. Hurst and
  39. once with Miss Bingley, declined being
  40. introduced to any other lady, and spent
  41. the rest of the evening in walking about
  42. the room, speaking occasionally to one
  43. of his own party. His character was
  44. decided. He was the proudest, most
  45. disagreeable man in the world, and
  46. everybody hoped that he would never
  47. come there again. Amongst the most
  48. violent against him was Mrs. Bennet,
  49. whose dislike of his general behaviour
  50. was sharpened into particular
  51. resentment by his having slighted one of
  52. her daughters.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

A) introduce the Bennet family and their relationship to Mr. Bingley.
B) outline the girls’ desperation for marriage.
C) distinguish between Mr. Bingley’s and Mr. Darcy’s personality.
D) emphasize the importance of marriage during the Victorian era.

To answer this question your job will be to determine the intended purpose of the passage or paragraph. One of the best ways to identify the purpose is to summarize the passage as you read. If you can state the central idea of each paragraph in your own words, you'll have a much better understanding of the passage as a whole. And if you've been underlining or taking notes alongside the passage, those notes should point you towards the purpose the ideas in the passage are meant to serve. Choice C is correct because from (line 42) till (line 95) the writer is contrasting Mr. Bingley’s personality to Mr. Darcy’s. Lines 70-71/79-80 tackled the main idea that Mr. Darcy was unworthy to be compared with Mr. Bingley. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because only paragraph 1 mentioned that Mr. Bingley is just returning Mr. Bennet’s visit, the girls desperation for marriage is only revealed in a few lines in the passage thus can’t be considered the main idea, and no paragraph emphasized the importance of marriage during the Victorian era.

2. Which of the following best describes why the Bennet girls “grieved over” (line 34) Mr. Bingley bringing twelve ladies?

A) The Bennet girls perceived the other women as a threat to the possibility of courting Mr. Bingley.
B) The Bennet girls were unaccustomed to hosting other women.
C) The Bennet girls exhibited hostile behavior to strangers.
D) The Bennet girls mourned the presence of the women.

Choices B and C are incorrect because the girls were accustomed to the presence of women and strangers in parties and assemblies. Choice A is correct because the girls’ reaction indicates jealousy is involved and the presence of many women will make their attempt to draw Mr. Bingley’s attention as possible suitors for marriage almost impossible.

3. The author indicates in lines 50-51 that Mr. Hurst “merely looked the gentleman” to

    A) emphasize Mr. Hurst’s physical presence.
    B) draw attention to his attire.
    C) insinuate that he lacks behavior that can be classified as gentleman-like.
    D) clarify his gentleman-like behavior.

“merely” the key word in this sentence means “only” which means Mr. Hurst only looked like a gentleman and wasn’t chivalrous in his behaviour; therefore, Choice D is wrong. Choices A and B are also wrong because “merely” is drawing attention to his behaviour which is totally different from his handsome attire and physical appearance. Choice C is correct because the writer is showing, by using the adverb “merely, that he is not pleased with Mr. Hurst’s behaviour which can’t be classified as honourable.

4. As used in line 15, “credit” most nearly means

    A) accept.
    B) praise.
    C) give credence to.
    D) trust.

“Mrs. Bennet planned the courses that were to do credit to her housekeeping,” (lines 14-15). Choice A is incorrect because Mrs. Bennet prepared the courses not to accept her housekeeping expertise. Choice C and D are incorrect because Mrs. Bennet prepared the courses not to believe in or trust her housekeeping expertise. She prepared the courses to get praise for her housekeeping expertise, Choice B.

5. Which of the following best describes Mr. Darcy’s personality?

    A) attractive and pleasing
    B) respectful and lenient
    C) indifferent and sarcastic
    D) pompous and displeasing

Choice A is wrong because “attractive and pleasing” are related to Mr. Darcy’s appearance not his personality. Choice B is incorrect because Mr. Darcy wasn’t “respectful and lenient”, his manners gave a disgust (line 63). Choice C is incorrect because although Mr. Darcy wasn’t courteous, he wasn’t indifferent and sarcastic. Choice D is correct because he was boastful and caused annoyance.

6. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

A) Lines 51-57 (“but … year.”)
B) Lines 57-60 (“The …Mr. Bingley,”)
C) Lines 63-64 (“till … popularity;”)
D) Lines 64-71 (“for … friend.”)

Choice A and B are incorrect because lines 51 till 60 focus on the gentleman appearance of Mr. Darcy. Choice C is incorrect because lines 63-64 show that Mr. Darcy is a displeasing person and not also pompous. Choice D is correct because lines 64-71 describe how Mr. Darcy was boastful and caused annoyance.

7. As used in line 52, “drew” most nearly means

    A) illustrated.
    B) removed.
    C) attracted.
    D) pulled.

“Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention…” (Line 52). “Attention” will serve as a key word to guess the meaning of “drew” in this context. Choice A is incorrect because “illustrated” means to draw like a graph or picture. Choice B is incorrect because the action of removing is literal and usually related to a concrete object, whereas attention is an abstract concept, therefore this choice is wrong in this context. Choice D is incorrect because “pulled” means to exert force which Mr. Darcy hasn’t done. Choice C is correct because Mr. Darcy caught and attracted everyone’s attention.

8. All of the following are mentioned about Mr. Darcy EXCEPT:

    A) He earns a large sum of money.
    B) He is handsome with fine features.
    C) He rejects one of the Bennet women.
    D) He is fond of his friendship with Mr. Bingley.

Choice A is incorrect because line 67 mentioned the large estate and sum of money he has. Choice B is incorrect because lines 52- 62 describe that charming gentleman. Choice C is incorrect because Mr. Darcy only danced with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bangley and refused to dance with others Lines 82-83. Choice D is correct because no line mentioned anything about his relationship with Mr. Bingley.

9. Which of the following best describes the Bennet family’s feelings towards Mr. Darcy after the events of the evening?

    A) They feel repulsed and reject his presence.
    B) They exhibit feelings of detachment and are unconcerned with him.
    C) They are welcoming and accepting of him.
    D) They display feelings of admiration and awe.

Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the Bennet family neither showed admiration and acceptance of his behaviour nor showed indifference towards him. They felt rejected and humiliated, that’s why they didn’t accept his presence, Choice A.

10. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 57-60 (“The … Mr. Bingley,”)
    B) Lines 78-80 (“Such … friend!”)
    C) Lines 87-90 (“He … again.”)
    D) Lines 90-95 (“Amongst … daughters.”)

Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because lines 57-60 describe Mr. Darcy as an agreeable, handsome man. Lines 78-80 contrast the two friends’ qualities. Lines 90-95 express Mrs. Bennet’s resentment. Choice C is correct because lines 87-90 shed light on his disagreeable character and how he was disliked by everyone.

  1. The following passage is taken from The
    Common Law by Oliver Wendell Holmes,
    Jr. on discussing the history of contracts.

    The doctrine of contract has been so
    thoroughly remodeled to meet the needs
    of modern times, that there is less here
    than elsewhere for historical research. It
  2. has been so ably discussed that there is
  3. less room here elsewhere for essentially
  4. new analysis. But a short of the growth of
  5. modern doctrines, whether necessary or
  6. not, will at least be interesting, while an
  7. analysis of their main characteristics
  8. cannot be omitted, and may present some
  9. new features.

  10. It is popularly supposed that the oldest
  11. forms of contract known to our law are
  12. covenant and debt, and they are of early
  13. date, no doubt. But there are other
  14. contracts still in use which, although they
  15. have in some degree put on modern
  16. forms, at least suggest the question
  17. whether they were not of equally early
  18. appearance.

  19. One of these, the promissory oath, is no
  20. longer the foundation of any rights in
  21. private law. It is used, but mainly as a
  22. solemnity connected with entering upon a
  23. public office. The judge swears that he
  24. will execute justice according to law, the
  25. juryman that he will find his verdict
  26. according to law and the evidence, the
  27. newly adopted citizen that he will bear
  28. true faith and allegiance to the
  29. government of his choice.

  30. But there is another contract which plays
  31. a more important part. It may, perhaps,
  32. sound paradoxical to mention the contract
  33. of suretyship. Suretyship, nowadays, is
  34. only an accessory obligation, which
  35. presupposes a principal undertaking, and
  36. which, so far as the nature of the contract
  37. goes, is just like any other. But, as has
  38. been pointed out by Laferriere, and very
  39. likely by earlier writers, the surety of
  40. ancient law was the hostage, and the
  41. giving of hostages was by no means
  42. confined to international dealings.
  2. In the old metrical romance of Huon of
  3. Bordeaux, Huon, having killed the son of
  4. Charlemagne, is required by the Emperor
  5. to perform various seeming
  6. impossibilities as the price of forgiveness.
  7. Huon starts upon the task, leaving twelve
  8. of his knights as hostages. He returns
  9. successful, but at first the Emperor is
  10. made to believe that his orders have been
  11. disobeyed. Thereupon Charlemagne cries
  12. out, "I summon hither the pledges for
  13. Huon. I will hang them, and they shall
  14. have no ransom." So, when Huon is to
  15. fight a duel, by way of establishing the
  16. truth or falsehood of a charge against
  17. him, each party begins by producing
  18. some of his friends as hostages.

  19. When hostages are given for a duel which
  20. is to determine the truth or falsehood of
  21. an accusation, the transaction is very near
  22. to the giving of similar security in the
  23. trial of a cause in court. This was in fact
  24. the usual course of the Germanic
  25. procedure. It will be remembered that the
  26. earliest appearance of law was as a
  27. substitute for the private feuds between
  28. families or clans. But while a defendant
  29. who did not peaceably submit to the
  30. jurisdiction of the court might be put
  31. outside the protection of the law, so that
  32. any man might kill him at sight, there was
  33. at first no way of securing the indemnity
  34. to which the plaintiff was entitled unless
  35. the defendant chose to give such security.

  36. English customs which have been
  37. preserved to us are somewhat more
  38. advanced, but one of the noticeable
  39. features in their procedure is the giving of
  40. security at every step. All lawyers will
  41. remember a trace of this in the fiction of
  42. John Doe and Richard Roe, the plaintiff's
  43. pledges to prosecute his action. But a
  44. more significant example is found in the
  45. rule repeated in many of the early laws,
  46. that a defendant accused of a wrong must
  47. either find security or go to prison. This
  48. tsecurity was the hostage of earlier days,
  49. and later, when the actions for
  50. punishment and for redress were
  51. separated from each other, became the
  52. bail of the criminal law. The liability was
  53. still conceived in the same way as when
  54. the bail actually put his own body into the
  55. power of the party secured.

11. The main idea of the passage is to

A) criticize the growth of modern doctrines.
B) explore the development of the contract over time.
C) discredit modern doctrines on contracts.
D) assess the basis of the modern contract.

To answer this question your job will be to determine the intended purpose of the passage or paragraph. One of the best ways to identify the purpose is to summarize the passage as you read. If you can state the central idea of each paragraph in your own words, you'll have a much better understanding of the passage as a whole. And if you've been underlining or taking notes alongside the passage, those notes should point you towards the purpose the ideas in the passage are meant to serve. Choice A is incorrect because the passage doesn’t criticize the growth of modern doctrines but their evolution through time. Choices C and D are incorrect because the passage does neither favour nor discredit and assess modern doctrines on contracts. Choice B is correct because the passage focuses on the evolution of the contract over time.

12. As used in line 37, “accessory” most nearly means

A) essential.
B) decorative.
C) additional.
D) accessible.

“Suretyship, nowadays, is only an accessory obligation….” Choice B is incorrect because “decorative” is related to art and suretyship can’t be decorative. Choice D is also incorrect because “accessible” means able to be reached. Choice C is correct because suretyship are considered as additional obligation.

13. The hostages mentioned in lines 46-62 are analogous to

    A) the surety of ancient law.
    B) bail money.
    C) international negotiations.
    D) the presence of slavery in ancient time.

To know how to answer this question you have to refer back to the sentence “Huon starts upon the task, leaving twelve of his knights as hostages”, so the knights were kept as hostages as if they are fulfilling the contract of suretyship. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the knights were not kept for international negotiations, or as slaves for the sake of the law, but they were kept as hostages to ensure surety; therefore, Choice B is correct.

14.Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 40-45 (“But … dealings.”)
    B) Lines 51-52 (“Huon … hostages.”)
    C) Lines 58-62 (“So … hostages.”)
    D) Lines 96-99 (“The … secured.”)

Choice A is incorrect because Lines 40-45 talk about the surety of ancient law that was about keeping hostages. Choice B is incorrect because Lines 51-52 inform us that Huan left twelve of his knights as hostages. Choice C is incorrect because Lines 58-62 focus on the hostages being kept as a means for negotiation. Choice D is correct because Lines 96-99 mention that leaving hostages became the bail or in other words the paid guarantee.

15. The author uses the example of Huon to

    A) have the reader take pity on the hostages.
    B) emphasize the barbarity of ancient laws.
    C) illustrate ancient law in a specific historical context.
    D) reject the ancient laws on hostages.

Choice A is incorrect because the author is presenting historical information and is being objective. His aim is not to have us sympathize with the hostages. Choice B is incorrect because the author does not mention anything about the way hostages are treated whether in a barbarian way or not. Choice D is incorrect because the ancient laws were not rejected but developed over time. Choice C is correct because the author is trying to give examples about ancient laws and how they developed over time.

16. It can most reasonably be inferred from the passage that

    A) modern laws still hold large remnants of ancient laws.
    B) judges swear in court because of a new law that is removed from anything ancient.
    C) suretyship is no longer practiced in any form.
    D) only English customs are still preserved.

After reading the passage, we deduce that every paragraph dealt with one ancient law and how it evolved to become modernized. We can infer from the passage that all the modern laws are based on ancient ones, Choice A is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because judges swear to execute justice based on any law, suretyship is still practiced but differently, and most of the English customs vanished some are preserved and modified with a noticeable feature; security.

17. According to the text, which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

    A) Covenant and debt are not the only forms still found in modern law.
    B) Bail is a modern invention.
    C) Law began as a way to solve public issues.
    D) Security was developed later as an amendment to ancient laws.

Choice B is incorrect because hostages in ancient laws were considered as “bail money”, meaning bail is not completely a modern invention. Choice C is incorrect because law began as a way to solve private issues. Choice D is incorrect because security was at the core of any law from old times till now. Choice A is correct because modern laws are based on several old ones like covenant and debt.

18. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 13-16 (“It … doubt.”)
    B) Lines 16-21 (“But … appearance.”)
    C) Lines 69-72 (“It … clans.”)
    D) Lines 96-99 (“The … secured.”)

Choice A is incorrect because Lines 13-16 talk about the history of covenant and debt as the oldest form of contract. Choice B is correct because Lines 16-21 focus on the other forms that are still found in modern laws. Choice C is incorrect because Lines 69-72 discuss the emergence of law as a new method for resolving private feuds between families or clans. Choice D is incorrect because Lines 96-99 discuss bail law.

19. As used in line 78, “entitled” most nearly means

    A) permitted.
    B) labelled.
    C) designated.
    D) called.

“….securing the indemnity to which the plaintiff was entitled unless the defendant chose to give such security”. Choice A is correct because the defendant has to permit the plaintiff to give such security. Choice B is incorrect because neither the plaintiff nor the defendant is being tagged. Choice C is incorrect because “designated” means to nominate and here we are not nominating a specific party. Choice D is incorrect because “called” means to cry out or shout for someone.

20. The passage is most likely written for a reader that

    A) is mildly interested in the workings of the law.
    B) is conducting historical research on the common law for his/her graduate research.
    C) is being accused of a crime.
    D) needs to understand the working of security to talk about it at the next social gathering.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage is not addressing those who have little interest in workings of the law, are accused of committing a crime, or who only need to understand the security law. The passage is historical. It represents different kinds of laws and contracts, their history and evolution; therefore, Choice B is correct.

  1. The first passage is from The Chemistry
    of Food and Nutrition by A.W. Duncan
    discussing the different chemical
    components of food and their reactions.
    Passage 2 taken from     A Treatise on
    Adulterations of Food and Culinary
    Poisons by Frederick Accum discusses
    the effect of different solutions on food.

    2. Passage 1
  2. Mineral Matter or Salts, is left as an ash
    when food is thoroughly burnt. The most
    important salts are calcium phosphate,
    carbonate and fluoride, sodium chloride,
  3. potassium phosphate and chloride, and
  4. compounds of magnesium, iron and
  5. silicon.

  6. Mineral matter is quite as necessary for
  7. plant as for animal life, and is therefore
  8. present in all food, except in the case of
  9. some highly-prepared ones, such as
  10. sugar, starch and oil. Children require a
  11. good proportion of calcium phosphate for
  12. the growth of their bones, whilst adults
  13. require less. The outer part of the grain of
  14. cereals is the richest in mineral
  15. constituents, white flour and rice are
  16. deficient. Wheatmeal and oatmeal are
  17. especially recommended for the quantity
  18. of phosphates and other salts contained in
  19. them. Mineral matter is necessary not
  20. only for the bones but for every tissue of
  21. the body.

  22. When haricots are cooked, the liquid is
  23. often thrown away, and the beans served
  24. nearly dry, or with parsley or other sauce.
  25. Not only is the food less tasty but
  26. important saline constituents are lost. The
  27. author has made the following
  28. experiments:—German whole lentils,
  29. Egyptian split red lentils and medium
  30. haricot beans were soaked all night (16
  31. hours) in just sufficient cold water to
  32. keep them covered. The water was
  33. poured off and evaporated, the residue
  34. heated in the steam-oven to perfect
  35. dryness and weighed. After pouring off
  36. the water, the haricots were boiled in
  2. more water until thoroughly cooked, the
  3. liquid being kept as low as possible. The
  4. liquid was poured off as clear as possible,
  5. from the haricots, evaporated and dried.
  6. The ash was taken in each case, and the
  7. alkalinity of the water-soluble ash was
  8. calculated as potash (K2O). The quantity
  9. of water which could be poured off was
  10. with the German lentils, half as much
  11. more than the original weight of the
  12. pulse; not quite as much could be poured
  13. off the others.

  14. The loss on soaking in cold water, unless
  15. the water is preserved, is seen to be
  16. considerable. The split lentils, having had
  17. the protecting skin removed, lose most. In
  18. every case the ash contained a good deal
  19. of phosphate and lime. Potatoes are rich
  20. in important potash salts; by boiling a
  21. large quantity is lost, by steaming less
  22. and by baking in the skins, scarcely any.
  23. The flavour is also much better after
  24. baking.
  25. The usual addition of common salt
  26. (sodium-chloride) to boiled potatoes is no
  27. proper substitute for the loss of their
  28. natural saline constituents. Natural and
  29. properly cooked foods are so rich in
  30. sodium chloride and other salts that the
  31. addition of common salt is unnecessary.
  32. An excess of the latter excites thirst and
  33. spoils the natural flavour of the food. It is
  34. the custom, especially in restaurants, to
  35. add a large quantity of salt to pulse,
  36. savoury food, potatoes and soups. Bakers'
  37. brown bread is usually very salty, and
  38. sometimes white is also. In some people
  39. too much salt causes irritation of the skin,
  40. and the writer has knowledge of the salty
  41. food of vegetarian restaurants causing or
  42. increasing dandruff. As a rule, fondness
  43. for salt is an acquired taste, and after its
  44. discontinuance for a time, food thus
  45. flavoured becomes unpalatable.
    46. Passage 2
  46. Pour upon the saline contents a quantity
  47. of distilled water equal to that in which
  48. the obtained salts were originally
  49. dissolved. If the whole saline matter
  50. become dissolved in this water, there is
  51. reason to believe that the saline matter
  52. has not been altered during the
  53. evaporation of the water. But if a portion
  54. remain undissolved, as is usually the
  55. case, then we may conclude that some of
  56. the salts have mutually decomposed each
  57. other, when brought into a concentrated
  58. state by the evaporation, and that salts
  59. have been formed which did not
  60. originally exist in the water before its
  61. evaporation.

  62. We have already mentioned that almost
  63. the only salts contained in common
  64. waters, are the carbonates, sulphates, and
  65. muriates, of soda, lime, and magnesia;
  66. and sometimes a very minute portion of
  67. iron. Having determined the different
  68. acids and bases present, we may easily
  69. ascertain the relative weight of each.

  70. The formula suggested by Dr. Murray is
  71. fully as accurate a means of analysing
  72. waters as any other, and it is easy of
  73. execution. The weight of the saline
  74. ingredients of a given quantity of water
  75. being determined, we may proceed to the
  76. accurate analysis of it in the following
  77. manner.

  78. Simple Distillation

21. According to Passage 1, common salt

A) is a proper substitute for saline.
B) is not lost in food liquid.
C) is not in the ash of burnt food.
D) ruins the organic taste of food.

Choice D is correct because passage 1 focuses on the addition of salt to food that already contain salt. This excess will ruin the taste of food “Lines 69-70”. Choice A is incorrect because saline is produced naturally by food and not made after adding salt. Choice B and C are incorrect because salt is lost after cooking and found in the ash of burnt food (Line 1).

22. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

A) Lines 24-26 (“When … sauce.”)
B) Lines 43-45 (“The … (K2O).”)
C) Lines 62-65 (“The … constituents.”)
D) Lines 69-70 (“An … food.”)

Choice A is incorrect because it is related to Choice A of the previous question; liquid containing saline is thrown after cooking and salt is definitely not the best alternative. Choice B is incorrect because it talks about calculating the alkalinity of ash. Choice C is incorrect because Lines 62-65 emphasize the idea that adding sodium chloride to food is not the proper choice and that salt is not the proper substitute. Choice D is correct because adding salt to food will ruin its taste.

23. In Passage 1, all of the following are true EXCEPT:

    A) Children need large amounts of calcium.
    B) Common salt can substitute natural salt.
    C) Mineral matter is essential for any part of the body.
    D) Mineral matter is crucial for humans, animals, and plants.

Choice A is incorrect because Lines 12-13 emphasize the idea that children require a large amount of calcium for the growth of their bones. Choice B is correct because the passage sheds light on the importance of not substituting natural salt with common salt. Choices C and D are incorrect because Lines 8-9 discuss the importance of minerals for all living things.

24. According to Passage 1, the role mineral matter, as a natural salt, plays in the body can best be described as

    A) harmful.
    B) beneficial.
    C) unnecessary.
    D) supplementary.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because natural salt plays an important role in the body. It is not harmful like common salt and necessary as a primary substance for all living things; therefore, choice B is correct.

25. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 8-12 (“Mineral … oil.”)
    B) Lines 60-61 (“The”…“baking”)
    C) Lines 75-79 (“In … dandruff.”)
    D) Lines 79-82 (“As … unpalatable.”)

Choice A is correct because Lines 8-12 emphasize the importance of minerals and the role they play in the body. Choice B is incorrect because Lines 60-61 talk about the flavor of food after being cooked. Choices C and D are incorrect because Lines 75-82 show the side effects of the excessive use of common salt.

26. As used in line 18, “deficient” most nearly means

    A) weak.
    B) substandard.
    C) lacking.
    D) faulty.

“….white flour and rice are deficient” Choice A is incorrect because we are talking about certain ingredients that don’t have enough minerals and “weak” cannot be used as an adjective to describe food. Choice B is incorrect because “substandard” means below standard. Choice C is correct because “lacking” means shortage or not enough which is the case about rice and flour. Choice D is incorrect because “faulty” means not working properly. This adjective is usually used when talking about machines and cannot be used in this context.

27. In Passage 2, the author uses the phrase “easy of execution” (lines 109-110) to imply that

    A) water is effortless to analyze.
    B) the formula is simple to apply.
    C) the weight of saline is insignificant.
    D) the formula is easy to destroy.

To answer this question, you have to know what “execution” refers to. (the formula) Ask yourself what is easy to execute or in other words be performed? Choice A is incorrect because execution is not about the analysis of water. Choice B is correct because execute refers to the formula suggested by Dr. Murray that can be easily applied. Choices C and D are incorrect because a formula is meant to be applied not destroyed and the easiness of the task does not depend on the weight of saline.

28. As used in line 69, “excites” most nearly means

    A) exhilarates.
    B) animates.
    C) stirs.
    D) causes.

“An excess of the latter excites thirst….” Choice A is incorrect because “exhilarates” means make someone happy. In this sentence we are talking about the excessive use of salt so it doesn’t fit this concept. Choices B and C are also incorrect because salt doesn’t stir or animate thirst. Choice D is correct because the excess of salt causes thirst.

29. The primary purpose of Passage 2 is to

    A) present experiments followed by conclusions.
    B) present facts based on hypotheses.
    C) determine the outcome of presented hypotheses.
    D) discredit the experiments conducted.

Passage 2 sheds light on the importance of distillation, the process to follow and its effectiveness; therefore, choice A is correct. Choices B, C and D are incorrect because in the passage we don’t have hypotheses to be proven and the experiment is accurate and given credit.

30. Compared to Passage 1, Passage 2 is

    A) more objective and less analytical.
    B) more impersonal and less colloquial.
    C) more direct and less didactic.
    D) more practical and less detached.

Choice A is incorrect because passage 1 is more analytical than passage 2. Choice B is incorrect because both passages are scientific and scientific language is always impersonal and never colloquial, meaning this description doesn’t apply to either passage. Choice C is correct because passage 2 is intended to teach the process of distillation. Choice D is incorrect because it applies to passage 1.

31. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the graphic?

    A) It represents an experiment done to purify salt water through distillation.
    B) It delineates the process of pure water becoming salt water.
    C) It emphasizes the importance of heat in the process of purifying water.
    D) It represents an incomplete experiment with missing variables.

The title of the graphic is “Simple Distillation” and hence represents the steps followed to purify water. Choice B is incorrect because the process used is to purify water and not to make it salty. Choice C is incorrect because the graph doesn’t mention the importance of any element or step over another. Choice D is incorrect because the experiment is complete and doesn’t miss any variable. Choice A is correct because it serves the specifications.

  1. The following passage is taken from
    History of Julius Caesar Volume 2 by
    Napoleon III on Andrea Del Sarto’s
    expedition against the Bituriges and
    Carnutes.
  2. The capture of Alesia and that of
    Vercingetorix, in spite of the united
    efforts of all Gaul, naturally gave Caesar
    hopes of a general submission; and he
  3. therefore believed that he could leave
  4. his army, during the winter, to rest
  5. quietly in its quarters from the hard
  6. labours which had lasted, without
  7. interruption, during the whole of the
  8. past summer. But the spirit of
  9. insurrection was not extinct among the
  10. Gauls; and convinced by experience
  11. that, whatever might be their number,
  12. they could not, in a body, cope with
  13. troops inured to war, they resolved, by
  14. partial insurrections, raised on all points
  15. at once, to divide the attention and the
  16. forces of the Romans, as their only
  17. chance of resisting them with
  18. advantage.

  19. Caesar was unwilling to leave them time
  20. to realise this new plan, but gave the
  21. command of his winter quarters to his
  22. quaestor Mark Antony, quitted Bibracte
  23. on the day before the Calends of
  24. January (the 25th of December), with an
  25. escort of cavalry, joined the 13th legion,
  26. which was in winter quarters among the
  27. Bituriges, not far from the frontier of the
  28. Ædui, and called to him the 11th legion,
  29. which was the nearest at hand. Having
  30. left two cohorts of each legion to guard
  31. the baggage, he proceeded towards the
  32. fertile country of the Bituriges, a vast
  33. territory, where the presence of a single
  34. legion was insufficient to put a stop to
  35. the preparations for insurrection.

  36. His sudden arrival in the midst of men
  37. without distrust, who were spread over
  38. the open country, produced the result
  39. which he expected. They were surprised
  40. before they could enter into their
  41. oppida, for Caesar had strictly forbidden
  42. everything which might have raised
  2. their suspicion, especially the
  3. application of fire, which usually
  4. betrays the sudden presence of an
  5. enemy. Several thousands of captives
  6. were made; those who succeeded in
  7. escaping sought in vain a refuge among
  8. the neighbouring nations. Cæsar, by
  9. forced marches, came up with them
  10. everywhere, and obliged each tribe to
  11. think of its own safety before that of
  12. others. This activity held the
  13. populations in their fidelity, and,
  14. through fear, engaged the wavering to
  15. submit to the conditions of peace. Thus
  16. the Bituriges, seeing that Caesar offered
  17. them an easy way to recover his
  18. protection, and that the neighbouring
  19. states had suffered no other
  20. chastisement than that of having to
  21. deliver hostages, did not hesitate in
  22. submitting.

  23. The soldiers of the 11th and 13th legions
  24. had, during the winter, supported with
  25. rare constancy the fatigues of very
  26. difficult marches, in intolerable cold. To
  27. reward them, he promised to give, by
  28. way of prize-money, 200 sestertii to
  29. each soldier, and 2,000 to each
  30. centurion. He then sent them into their
  31. winter quarters, and returned to
  32. Bibracte, after an absence of forty days.
  33. Whilst he was there dispensing justice,
  34. the Bituriges came to implore his
  35. support against the attacks of the
  36. Carnutes. Although it was only eighteen
  37. days since he returned, he marched
  38. again, at the head of two legions, the 6th
  39. and the 14th, which had been placed on
  40. the Saône to ensure the supply of
  41. provisions.
  42. On his approach, the Carnutes, taught
  43. by the fate of others, abandoned their
  44. miserable huts, which they had erected
  45. on the site of their burgs and oppida
  46. destroyed in the last campaign, and fled
  47. in every direction. Caesar, unwilling to
  48. expose his soldiers to the rigour of the
  49. season, established his camp at
  50. Genabum (Gien), and lodged his
  51. soldiers partly in the huts which had
  52. remained undestroyed, partly in tents,
  53. under penthouses covered with straw.
  54. The cavalry and auxiliary infantry were
  55. sent in pursuit of the Carnutes, who,
  56. hunted down everywhere, and without
  57. shelter, took refuge in the neighbouring
  58. countries.

  59. Julius Caesar

32. As used in line 4, “submission” most nearly means

A) proposal.
B) acceptance.
C) surrender.
D) assertion.

“The capture of Alesia and that of Vercingetorix, in spite of the united efforts of all Gaul naturally gave Caesar hopes of a general submission” The words “capture”, “hopes”, “general” and the conjunction “in spite” that shows contrast are helpful context clues to determine the meaning of the word “submission”. They hint at giving up after all the efforts put to Caesar. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the options do not serve the meaning. “Proposal” means suggestion, “acceptance” means to accept something offered, and “assertion” means to declare something. Choice C is correct because Caesar, after the capture of Alesia and Vercingetorix, was expecting surrender.

33. The tone of the passage can best be described as

A) aloof.
B) ambivalent.
C) reverent.
D) flippant.

To answer such a question, you’ll need to have a clear sense of the writer’s voice and be able to identify language that fits in with that voice. The passage focuses on the friendly way Caesar used to treat his soldiers (Lines 6-7), how he gained the Bituriges’ fidelity (Lines 57-58, 64-65) and rewarded his soldiers for all what they have been through (Lines 69-72). Therefore, Choice A “aloof” which means not friendly, B “ambivalent” which means having contradictory feelings, and D “flippant” which means not showing a respectful attitude are incorrect. Choice C is correct because “reverent” means showing respect.

34. Caesar’s treatment of his soldiers can best be described as

    A) fair and caring.
    B) unrealistic and exuberant.
    C) stingy and authoritative.
    D) indifferent and uninterested.

Based on (Lines 6-7) and (Lines 69-73), Caesar was respectful, caring, and supportive towards his soldiers who were fighting during cold winter days; Choice A supports this idea of him being fair and caring. He definitely wasn’t rude, indifferent, or authoritative, so Choices B, C, and D are incorrect.

35. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 31-37 (“Having … insurrection.”)
    B) Lines 58-65 (“Thus” … submitting.”)
    C) Lines 66-69 (“The … cold.”)
    D) Lines 69-73 (“To … centurion.”)

Choice D is the correct answer because according to the lines provided (Lines 69-73) Caesar rewarded his soldiers for the effort and endurance they showed. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they focus on the tactic he used to achieve peace especially in terrible weather conditions.

36. Which of the following best categorizes the style of the text?

    A) expository narrative
    B) scientific text
    C) generalized passage
    D) persuasive document

Choice A is correct because the passage presents information and narrates historical events about Julius Caesar. Choice B is incorrect because a scientific text should be based on scientific reasoning, objectivity, hypotheses and experiments which is not the case in this passage. Choices C and D are also incorrect because the passage deals with a specific topic and doesn’t have the aim of persuading or convincing the reader.

37. As used in line 87, “miserable” most nearly means

    A) sullen.
    B) drab.
    C) depressing.
    D) inadequate.

“….abandoned their miserable huts...” Huts are considered as shelters or cabinets, so by describing these shelters as “miserable” the author means that they are not suitable or in other words “inadequate”; Choice D. Choice B is incorrect because “drab” means lacking color, which is not related to the context. Choices A and C are incorrect because they are used to describe mental states whereas the text is describing the physical aspect of the huts which are “miserable”, meaning they lack comfort and aren’t adequate for being inhabited.

38. The author places “(the 25th of December)” in parentheses to

    A) clarify a previous phrase.
    B) emphasize its importance.
    C) justify a statement.
    D) change the tone of the passage.

The author places “(the 25th of December)” in parentheses not because it’s important or that it needs to be justified or because he wants to change the tone at this point, but because he wants to hint at the day that occurred before the Calends. Therefore, Choice A is correct and Choices B, C and D are incorrect.

39. Which of the following best describes Caesar’s leadership according to the passage?

    A) Caesar was impulsive and disregarded his soldiers’ needs and safety.
    B) Caesar was calculative and trusted others to also take control.
    C) Caesar was timid in taking control of his soldiers.
    D) Caesar was ruthless and lacked experience.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because Caesar was a great leader who planned intelligently to win with the help of his soldiers whom he took good care of; therefore, Choice B is correct.

40. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 1-10 (“The … summer.”)
    B) Lines 21-31 (“Caesar …hand.”)
    C) Lines 31-37 (“Having … insurrection.”)
    D) Lines 38-41 (“His … expected.”)

Choice A is incorrect because it talks about the high hopes Caesar had about winning. Choice C is incorrect because it talks about the plan Caesar had prepared. Choice D is incorrect because it talks about the way he was welcomed. Choice B is correct because it talks about the way he gave control to Mark Antony to lead and execute his plan, meaning he trusted others to take control

41. Which of the following was NOT a reason for the Bituriges to surrender?

    A) They were offered easy protection.
    B) Caesar used tactics of fear.
    C) States nearby did not suffer once they surrendered.
    D) They had their homes pillaged.

Choice A is incorrect because they were offered easy protection by Caesar. Choice B is incorrect because Caesar made them submit to his conditions through tactics of fear. Choice C is incorrect because neighboring countries were offered protection by Caesar if they surrendered. Choice D is correct because there is no mention of pillaging.

42. The main purpose of the graphic is to show

    A) the relationships of different key members in relation to Caesar.
    B) a mapping out of the family tree.
    C) Caesar’s followers and loyal family.
    D) the relationships that revolved around Brutus.

The graphic has Julius Caesar in the middle surrounded by his connections. Choice A is correct because the graphic shows the relationship of Caesar as an emperor with the other members. Choices B and C are incorrect because the members shown are not part of Caesar’s family. Choice D is incorrect because the graphic shows different members with their names and titles and that graph does not revolve around Brutus.

  1. The following passage is taken from
    Marvels of Pond-life by Henry James
    Slack on the use of the microscope.

    The microscope is rapidly becoming the
    companion of every intelligent family
    that can afford its purchase, and, thanks
    to the skill of our opticians, instruments
  2. which can be made to answer the
  3. majority of purposes may be purchased
  4. for three or four guineas, while even
  5. those whose price is counted in shillings
  6. are by no means to be despised. The
  7. most eminent English makers, Wales,
  8. and Tolles, in America, and Hartnack,
  9. in Paris, occupy the first rank, while the
  10. average productions of respectable
  11. houses exhibit so high a degree of
  12. excellence as to make comparisons
  13. invidious. We shall not, therefore,
  14. indulge in the praises of particular
  15. firms, but simply recommend any
  16. reader entering upon microscopic study
  17. to procure an achromatic instrument, if
  18. it can be afforded, and having at least
  19. two powers, one with a focus of an inch
  20. or two thirds of an inch, and the other of
  21. half or a quarter. Cheap microscopes
  22. have usually only one eye-piece, those
  23. of a better class have two, and the best
  24. are furnished with three, or even more.

  25. The magnifying power of a compound
  26. microscope depends upon the focal
  27. length of the object-glass (or glass
  28. nearest the object), upon the length of
  29. the tube, and the power of the eye-
  30. piece. With regard to object-glasses,
  31. those of shortest focal length have the
  32. highest powers, and the longest eye-
  33. pieces have the lowest powers. The
  34. body of a microscope, or principal tube
  35. of which it is composed, is, in the best
  36. instruments, about nine inches long, and
  37. a draw tube, capable of being extended
  38. six inches more, is frequently useful.
  39. From simple optical principles, the
  40. longer the tube the higher the power
  41. obtained with the same object-glass; but
  42. only object-glasses of very perfect
  43. construction will bear the enlargement
  2. of their own imperfections, which
  3. results from the use of long tubes; and
  4. consequently for cheap instruments the
  5. opticians often limit the length of the
  6. tube, to suit the capacity of the object-
  7. glasses they can afford to give for the
  8. money. Such microscopes may be good
  9. enough for the generality of purposes,
  10. but they do not, with glasses of given
  11. focal length, afford the same
  12. magnifying power as is done by
  13. instruments of better construction. The
  14. best and most expensive glasses will not
  15. only bear long tubes, but also eye-
  16. pieces of high power, without any
  17. practical diminution of the accuracy of
  18. their operation, and this is a great
  19. convenience in natural history
  20. investigations. To obtain it, however,
  21. requires such perfection of
  22. workmanship as to be incompatible
  23. with cheapness. An experienced
  24. operator will not be satisfied without
  25. having an object-glass at least as high as
  26. a quarter, that will bear a deep eye-
  27. piece, but beginners are seldom
  28. successful with a higher power than one
  29. of half-inch focus, or thereabouts, and
  30. before trying this, they should
  31. familiarise themselves with the use of
  32. one with an inch focus.

  33. It is a popular error to suppose that
  34. enormous magnification is always an
  35. advantage, and that a microscope is
  36. valuable because it makes a flea look as
  37. advanced, but one of the noticeable
  38. often smiled at the exclamations of
  39. casual visitors, who have been pleased
  40. with his microscopic efforts to entertain
  41. them. "Dear me, what a wonderful
  42. instrument; it must be immensely
  43. powerful;" and so forth. These
  44. ejaculations have often followed the use
  45. of a low power, and their authors have
  46. been astonished at receiving the
  47. explanation that the best microscope is
  48. that which will show the most with the
  49. least magnification, and that accuracy
  50. of definition, not mere increase of bulk,
  51. is the great thing needful.
  52. Scientific men always compute the
  53. apparent enlargement of the object by
  54. one dimension only. Thus, supposing an
  55. object one hundredth of an inch square
  56. were magnified so as to appear one inch
  57. square, it would, in scientific parlance,
  58. be magnified to "one hundred
  59. diameters," or one hundred linear; and
  60. the figures 100 would be appended to
  61. any drawing which might be made from
  62. it. It is, however, obvious that the length
  63. is magnified as well as the breadth; and
  64. hence the magnification of the whole
  65. surface, in the instance specified, would
  66. be one hundred times one hundred, or
  67. ten thousand: and this is the way in
  68. which magnification is popularly stated.

43. The purpose of the first paragraph (lines 1-27) is to

A) convince through evidence.
B) develop scientific evidence.
C) capture the reader’s attention.
D) provide a possible hypothesis.

Choice A is correct because in the first paragraph (Lines 1-27) the author is trying to convince us about the importance of microscopes by giving evidence such as its price, its use and manufacturing countries. Choices B and D are incorrect because there is no hypothesis about microscopes that should be proven by scientific reasoning and evidence. Choice C is incorrect because the passage is about convincing the readers by giving suitable evidence; it’s not about capturing attention.

44. As used in line 39, “instrument” most nearly means

A) tool.
B) agent.
C) musical device.
D) pawn.

Lines 36-41 describe the body of the microscope as a tool, its length and specifications; therefore, Choice C is incorrect because a microscope is definitely not a musical instrument. Choice B is incorrect because an agent is a substance that causes a change or something that produces a special effect through power. Choice D is incorrect because a pawn is a person used by someone else for their own purpose.

45. According to the text, in which of the following scenarios is a scientist most likely to use a microscope?

    A) to examine the hoof of a cow
    B) to assess the thickness of a finger
    C) to enlarge tiny particles on a napkin
    D) to only analyze the bulk of a fly

Microscopes are optical instruments used for viewing very small objects, such as mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified several hundred times. Choice A is incorrect because we can’t examine a huge animal as the cow with a microscope. Choice B is incorrect because microscopes are not used to assess the thickness of things. Choice C is correct because it represents the correct specifications of microscopes. Choice D is definitely incorrect because a fly is not that bulky and its mass can’t be analyzed under a microscope.

46. According to the passage, an experienced scientist will not

    A) pay attention to the width of a glass.
    B) differentiate between glasses.
    C) settle for cheap glasses.
    D) read the manual for the microscope.

An experienced scientist, based on the passage, should pay attention to the width, quality, and size of the glasses; therefore, choices A and B are incorrect. Choice D is incorrect because it wasn’t mentioned in the passage. Choice C is correct.

47. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 58-65 (“The … investigations.”)
    B) Lines 65-68 (“To … cheapness.”)
    C) Lines 78-82 (“It … camel.”)
    D) Lines 97-99 (“Scientific … only.”)

Lines 64-67 mention the importance of the glass done which does not match its cheapness; Choice B is correct. Choice A is incorrect because the lines talk about the expensive glasses. Choice C is incorrect because the lines talk about magnification. Choice D is incorrect because the lines talk about calculating the enlargements by scientists.

48. The language of the passage is mostly the language of

    A) a narrative.
    B) an academic text.
    C) a sermon.
    D) a commentary.

Choice A is incorrect because the passage is not an account that tells a story or narrates an event. Choice B is incorrect because the passage is not addressing certain readers only. Choice C is incorrect because it is not a religious passage. Choice D is correct because the passage is an expression of opinions or offering of explanations about microscopes.

49. The passage implies that a frequent mistake made about microscopes is

    A) that its magnifying power depends on its focal length.
    B) that people assume the bigger the magnification, the better the image.
    C) that the longer the tube, the higher the power.
    D) that they can be used with no guidance.

Choice A, C, and D are incorrect because they misinterpret information in the passage like the power related to the tube and focal length and using the microscope without guidance. Choice B is correct because people do think that the size of the image seen under a microscope is related to magnification.

50. Which choice best provides evidence for the answer to the previous question?

    A) Lines 28-32 (“The … eye-piece.”)
    B) Lines 42-45 (“From … object-glasses”)
    C) Lines 53-58 (“Such … construction.”)
    D) Lines 78-82 (“It … camel.”)

Choice D is correct because Lines 76-80 talk about the misconception mentioned in the previous question and is therefore the right evidence. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the lines mentioned explain the relation between the magnifying power and the focal length, tube length, and the power of magnifying glass related to its price.

51. The author assumes that the reader is

    A) mildly familiar with microscopes and its science.
    B) has no scientific background.
    C) is a well-renowned scientist.
    D) is a history-based academic.

The audience addressed has a general idea about microscopes, their parts, how to be used and their importance; therefore, Choice A is correct. As for the other choices B, C and D, they are incorrect because the reader should have a basic scientific background without the need to be a scientist in order to understand the key words related to microscopes, and history is not related to this topic.

52. As used in line 46, “bear” most nearly means

    A) deliver.
    B) withstand.
    C) produce.
    D) bend.

“…glasses of very perfect construction will bear the enlargement…” The good quality glass will hold longer and carry the weight. Choice B is correct because “withstand” means to resist for a long time. Choices A, C and D are incorrect because “deliver” means to hand over, “produce” means to manufacture, and “bend” means to shape something into a curve.