long-term goal of maximizing the coffee shop’s profit, it most likely has a
beneficial effect in the short-term. Of the choices, the words that best match
beneficial are profitable and lucrative.- A and B The contrast signal though indicates that the perceptions of the
athlete’s decision contrast with the fact that it had “some justification.” The
prediction should thus be a word related to actions done without justification.
A good prediction is impulsive. Of the choices, the words closest in meaning to
impulsive are impetuosity and recklessness. - B and D The opportunity given to the cooks is described by the fact that
the recipe offered “only loose guidelines.” If the guidelines were loose, then
the cooks were able to practice flexibility. Of the choices, the words closest in
meaning to flexibility are creativity and ingenuity. - B and C The contrast signal despite indicates that the meaning of the word in
the blank contrasts with the fact that there have been “strides” in neuroscience.
The word downright indicates that this description is more extreme than
“incomplete.” A good prediction would be lacking. Of the choices, the words
closest in meaning to lacking are porous and negligible. - The author begins the passage by introducing a commonly held belief (“There
exists a linear and continuous relationship between the themes and characters
of a novelist’s works and the life of the novelist himself ”) and then moves on to
mention that this belief is not always valid. The author then uses Dostoevsky’s
life and novels to show that though not always valid, the belief has merit. The
answer that best captures the main point of the passage is C.
Choice A: A is not supported by any information in the passage.
Choice B: B is too narrow. Though the author does discuss the impact of
the firing squad on Dostoevsky, he does this to make the larger point that
Dostoevsky’s experiences influenced his novels.
Choice D: D is incorrect because the passage is not concerned with the
“believability” of Dostoevsky’s novels.
Choice E: E is too narrow. The author suggests that intense experiences
affected Dostoevsky, but this idea is not the main point of the passage. - To answer a purpose question, you should determine why the author provides
the given information. In this case, you want to know why the author
mentions Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. The author
mentions Dostoevsky to show that a novelist’s experiences are reflected in the
novelist’s works. The author uses these novels as examples of novels whose
themes were influenced by events in Dostoevsky’s life. The best answer is
thus A.
Choice B: B is incorrect because it does not address why the author
mentions these novels. Though the author does suggest that they have
“existential and redemptive” themes, the author’s concern is how
Dostoevsky’s experiences led to his development of these themes.
Choice C: C is incorrect because the passage does not suggest any concern
with a contrast between the different themes of Dostoevsky’s novels.
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