MCAT verbal test (22)

MCAT Section Tests
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Materials used in this test section have been adapted from the following sources:
Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776
A. E. Housman, Preface to Juvenal, 1905.
Governor Edward M. Gramlich, 2/20/01, Remarks before the International Bond
Congress, London, U.K.: "The Productivity Growth Spurt in the United States."
Alan Greenspan, 12/5/00, Remarks at the America's Community Bankers Conference,
Business Strategies for Bottom Line Results, New York, New York, "Structural changes
in the economy and financial markets."

Answer Key:
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. C
5. B
6. D
7. D
8. D
9 D
10. D

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.

20.

B
A
C
B
B
A
C
A
B
D

21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

D
C
A
D
D
B

B
C
A
C

31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
29.
40.

22

D
C
A
B
C
D
A
D
B
C

41.

42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.

A
B
B
D
D
A
C
C
A
C

51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.

60.

C
C
A
D
D
A
A
B
A
D


Passage I (Questions 1-6)
Topic and Scope: A philosophical discussion of the origin and purpose of government,
and of what such examination reveals about the best structure of government.
Purpose: to demonstrate that the best, most natural and simplest form of government is
representative in nature, and lacking in unnecessary complexity.
Paragraph 1 proposes a distinction between “society” and “government,” identifying the
former as good and natural and the latter as a necessary evil. Paragraph 2:
constitutional monarchy, while better than its predecessors, is too complex.
Paragraph 3 describes a chronology of events leading to the rise of society and then to
establishment of government. Paragraph 4 continues the chronology from the first
government through its evolution into a representative form, with a caveat about the
need to assure that electors remain loyal to the interests of their constituents.
Paragraph 5 presents an argument for the simplest form of government.
1.
B
(A), (C), and (D) each refers to a part of the passage that supports the main idea. The

overall purpose of the passage, however, is to argue that simple representative
government is best, choice (B).
2.
A
“Society” is a word that has a range of definitions. In paragraph 1 the passage identifies
that what society means, as distinct from government, is companionship and mutual
assistance. This is consistent with (A), social relationships, customs and practices. The
passage makes no reference to the social dominance/subordinance of members of a
community (B) or to established organizations or foundations (C). Furthermore, the
sharp contrast drawn between society and government indicates that the author is not
using the word in terms of political institutions (D).
3.
D
In concluding the essential purpose of government is protection of property, the author
relies on the history proposed in paragraph 3: a small group of individuals exist in a
state of “natural liberty,” and are motivated to cooperate in order to overcome hardship
and avoid solitude. Subsequently, prosperity results in moral laxity resulting in a
reduction in individuals’ “duty and attachment” to each other. While the author’s “history”
sounds plausible, and perhaps logical, he presents no evidence that such events
actually occurred. Examination of the logic of the argument reveals no evidence
establishing that only cooperation arises in the postulated period of “natural liberty.” A
plausible objection to the author’s argument is: even if most individuals in a state of
“natural liberty” were motivated to cooperate, might not there be some who attempt to
simply steal what they need? How would these be dealt with by the community? These
questions unmask one the assumption in the argument (I). (II) is a plausible objection to
the author’s argument, not something it assumes. The author proposes that the
community establishes government because of moral laxity, but identifies the purpose
of government only as security and protection of property. Since the author does not
identify providing for those in need as an essential purpose of government, he must be

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assuming that the functions of “society,” i.e., mutual assistance in time of hardship, are
not impaired by the moral laxity resulting from prosperity. Thus, (III) is an assumption.
Since (I) and (III) are both assumed but (II) is not assumed, the correct answer is (D).
4.
C
The first sentence of the paragraph identifies constitutional monarchy as better than
what preceded it. What preceded it must have been another form of government. It
could not have been a state of natural liberty (society without government) as that would
be inconsistent with the author’s argument that a positive state of affairs preceded the
development of government. Thus, (I) is strongly implied. The passage then identifies
constitutional monarchy as a form of government that has grown complex over time.
The comparison to a patient for whom physicians cannot agree on a diagnosis or
remedy does not provide any basis to think that more disciplined evaluation is what is
needed (II). Rather, the implication is that the situation, because of its complexity, is
unlikely to be susceptible to remedy. If the difficulties cannot be remedied, the
implication is that constitutional monarchy has outlived its usefulness (III). Since (I) and
(III) are implied, (C) is correct.
5.
B
The author argues for a distinction between society and government, protection of
property as the essential purpose of government, and simple government as best. A
one-step inference from this argument is that the author would consider assistance to
the poor to be within the province of society—individuals or associations outside of the
governmental sphere. Thus, (B) is correct. (A) is a Distortion; it uses words that echo
the author’s statements about what gives rise to society, not government. (C) is
Outside the Scope of the author’s argument. (D) is incorrect for two reasons: (1) it
assumes that the question is raised in a context of representative government; and (2)

the author states a clear opinion on this point—he doesn’t leave it to be decided by
vote.
6.
D
Both authors propose that the relationship between government and individuals is
based on the creation of government by humans and on the nature of the purpose for
which it was created. The passage emphasizes the right of an individual to liberty in
areas outside of government’s essential purpose, i.e., to protect property. The
contemporary emphasizes the right of an individual to expect government to accomplish
those things which are the purposes for which it was created. Although the passage and
the contemporary do not agree on the exact nature of the rights of the individual, both
recognize individuals as endowed with certain rights in their relationship to government.
Thus, (D) is correct. (A) is incorrect because it cannot be inferred from the quotation that
the contemporary would identify the purposes of government as similar to the purpose
proposed by the author. (B) is incorrect because the author states that government is a
necessary evil. In contrast, the contemporary indicates a more positive attitude toward
government as “a contrivance of human wisdom.” The contemporary does not restrict
the nature of the “wants” that government should meet—they may go well beyond
protection of property. (C) is incorrect because, while the author of the passage states

24


that the best form of government is that which will accomplish a specified essential
function while remaining as simple as possible, the contemporary’s use of the word
“contrivance” indicates a belief that government is clever and/or ingenious, but not that it
is simple.
Passage II (Questions 7-12)
Topic and Scope: dinosaur extinction
Purpose: to describe a discovery that revolutionized scientific thought about the

extinction of the dinosaurs.
Paragraph 1 introduces the discovery of fossil records from the time of the dinosaurs’
extinction. Paragraph 2 describes the specific finding—of “iridium” in high
concentrations indicating a cataclysmic event—that affects theories on the mass
extinction. Paragraph 3 outlines the two distinct theories about the cause of the event
that caused the cataclysm. Paragraph 4 describes a possible explanation of the lack of
giant craters consistent with the new theory. Paragraph 5 describes the way the
cataclysm affected the environment.
7.
D
The first sentence indicates that the current theories, which emphasize “gradual”
change could be thrown over by the relatively “sudden” deposit of materials. Choice A
is not mentioned in the passage. The approximate date of extinction (B) and the
discovery are linked in time, but that is not revolutionary to the theory. Choice C’s
assumption of a change in the dinosaur’s environment is not overthrown, but
maintained, in this passage.
8.
D
The only fossil organisms mentioned in the passage were found in limestone,
eliminating option I. Option II is verified by the first sentence of the passage. Sentence
III is verified by the last sentence of the first paragraph. So choice D is correct.
9.
D
The passage says that the absence of Pu-244 and the insignificant levels of Ir-191 and
Ir-193 discounts the possibility that a supernova was the cause of the clay deposit.
Although the other choices may sound credible, they are not discussed in relation to
isotopes within this passage.
10.
D
The greater part of paragraph 4 addresses the argument “that there is no geological

evidence of the impact of such massive objects” by presenting 3 responses. This
seems to indicate whichever hit, a ten-kilometer asteroid or a twenty-kilometer comet,
we need an explanation why there is no evidence of two large bodies colliding – choice
D. Choices A and B are not contested. Choice C, regarding composition, is left open;
both asteroids and icy comets are large and both could carry the anomalous extraterrestrial matter.

25


11.
B
Alvarez argues that clouds of matter could have blocked the sun, prohibiting
photosynthesis, and thereby killing most of the plants that form the basis for the food
chain. Thus, his theory about the disappearance of dinosaurs relies heavily on the
disappearance of plants. If this theory is true there would be fossil evidence of many
plants before the fallout layer of clay and very little fossil evidence of any plants in the
strata after the clay strata. Choice B captures this argument. Choices A and C would
undermine Alvarez’s argument, choice D would have no impact on his thesis.
12.
A
Alvarez’s theory of stratospheric suspension is that fallout matter -- from a great
collision between the earth and some large, iridium-rich, extra-terrestrial object -remained suspended like a cloud, blocking the sun’s rays from reaching the earth and
preventing photosynthesis. While the passage indicates that a large comet would have
to be twice the size of a large asteroid to have the same cataclysmic effect, the passage
didn’t indicate that the material of one or the other was more consistent with the
isotopes or with the clay fallout, etc. Thus the theory relies on one or the other colliding
with the earth to create the matter-cloud, but it is not limited to one or the other. This is
consistent with choice A, and eliminates choice C. Choice B is wrong because the
cloud could not be created exclusive of the collision. Choice D erroneously indicates
that asteroid and comet together.

Passage III (Questions 13-18)
Topic and Scope:
Purpose:
First Paragraph: Most historians argue that Americans of the pre-Civil War era looked
on the plains as desert, while the author argues that this interpretation is too simplistic,
that the pre-Civil War view of the plains was more sophisticated and differentiated
Second Paragraph: The structural signal “In spite of,” at the outset of the paragraph,
suggests that the author is about to provide some evidence in support of his revised
interpretation of the pre-civil War view of the Great Plains. Note that evidence drawn
from newspapers and periodicals indicates that, while well-educated Northeasterners
indeed thought of the Great Plains as desert before the Civil War, rural residents of the
South and West considered them to be a “Garden.”
Last Paragraph: This paragraph simply builds further on the notion that there were
competing views of the Great Plains in pre-Civil War America; migrants in the 1840s
and 1850s moved beyond the plains to the West Coast not because they thought of the
plains as desert, but rather because the West Coast was “the logical and desirable
culmination of the American drive to the Pacific.”
13.
C
This question asks about migrants in the 1840s, which is the topic of the last paragraph.
In this paragraph, the reader is told that these migrants were going to the West Coast,

26


so they had destinations other than the plains. Choice (C) is the correct answer. (A),
(B) and (D) either distort or flatly contradict information in the passage.
14.
B
A careful reading of the options in this Roman numeral inference question reveals that

only Option II can be inferred about the diaries mentioned in the question stem, so (B) is
the correct answer. Option II is a valid inference because the author uses the diaries as
an important source of information in support of his revised interpretation, information
that the standard interpretation obviously ignored. Options I and III contradict the
passage, III because the author found valuable information in support of his
interpretation in the diaries, and I because the diaries in question belonged to people
who migrated beyond the plains, so they couldn’t possibly describe the transformation
of the plains.
15.
B
This question is in the ALL/EXCEPT format, so the correct answer is the choice that is
NOT TRUE based on the information in the passage. The best way to approach these
questions is to use information in the passage to weed out the TRUE choices, thereby
finding the NOT TRUE choice through a process of elimination. Applying that strategy
to this question, (A) and (C) appear in the second paragraph. (D) appears in the middle
of the third. By process of elimination, the correct choice is (B), and indeed the passage
never refers to “oral accounts” of the migration.
16.
A
This question asks about the author’s attitude toward the standard interpretation of the
pre-Civil War view of the Great Plains. The author doesn’t completely trash the
standard interpretation, but rather says that it needs to be revised in light of previously
overlooked evidence. Her or his attitude is slightly negative, so we need a slightly
negative answer. Choice (A) is the correct answer because it says the right thing and,
furthermore, has the right tone. (B) is much too negative in tone, while (C) and (D) are
much too positive.
17.
C
The answer this inference question lies in the first sentence of the last paragraph.
Since the desert image “had become prevalent” by the 1840s, it must have been more

common than in the 1820s. Thus choice (C) is correct. (A) and (B) contradict the
passage; (D) is Outside the Scope of the passage
18.
A
The last sentence of the second paragraph tells the reader that well-educated
Northeasterners were most likely to think of the plains as desert. According to
information in the second and third paragraphs, Southern farmers, migrants, and
Westerner were unlikely to view the plains as desert. This eliminates (B) through (D).
Note that problems 4 and 6 both start with “According to the passage, . . .” Students
should be aware that many explicit detail questions start this way.

27


Passage IV (Questions 19-25)
Topic and Scope: Johannes Kepler's early scientific career.
Purpose: To show that Kepler's early ideas, which now seem totally insane to us,
ultimately led him to make the astronomical discoveries that we find so significant.
The first paragraph tells us that Kepler believed the universe operated according to a
set of simple mathematical rules that were accessible to human intelligence. The
second paragraph suggests that, although Kepler's conception of the solar system
appears ridiculous in hindsight, his use of the available facts led to some important
scientific discoveries—that Kepler was a true scientist in an age when most of his
colleagues were pseudo-scientific cranks.
19.
B
The first paragraph tells us that many of Kepler's early beliefs turned out to be mistaken
and then goes on to describe some of those mistaken beliefs, particularly about our
solar system. The second paragraph indicates that, despite these mistaken beliefs,
Kepler's vision and fidelity to the scientific facts of the time led to some important

astronomical discoveries. Choice B says just about this, so it's the correct answer to
this question. (A) and (C) are wrong because they distort information in the passage.
According to the passage, Kepler, like Newton and Einstein, believed that the universe
is based on a set of simple mathematical laws that are discoverable. The passage
neither states nor implies that the early work of Kepler influenced the more rigorous
work of Newton or Einstein, so (A)'s out. While Kepler's beliefs about the universe were
premised on his study of Greek geometry, there is no indication in the passage that
those geometric studies laid the groundwork for our current understanding of the
universe. In fact, the passage states that his early theories about the universe seem
rather ridiculous to the modern astronomer, so (C)'s incorrect. And (D) is wrong
because there isn't enough information in the passage to judge whether or not it's valid.
The passage never discusses Kepler's “most remarkable work,'' so we really don't know
what methods he may have used in it.
20.
D
This is an inference question about Kepler's early scientific beliefs. Specifically, you're
asked to determine which of his beliefs was still held centuries later. Well, near the
beginning of paragraph 1, the author suggests that Kepler believed that the cosmos was
arranged according to a grand design—an order which humans were capable of
grasping. This same section of paragraph 1 indicates that this view was held by
Einstein, who was, of course, a 20th-century scientist. So (D) looks like our answer, but
let's see if any of the other choices are better. Choices B and C might have looked
tempting, but they're wrong. Although Kepler believed that the planets were arranged
concentrically, within perfect solids, around the sun, there's no indication in the passage
that later scientists verified this belief, so choice B's out. (Although the passage doesn't
say so, planetary orbits are, in fact, elliptical, not circular, as you might already know.)
(C)'s out for much the same reason as (B); although Kepler, following Euclid, believed
there were only five ``perfect solids,'' the passage neither states nor implies that this

28

was subsequently verified by later scientists, so we have no way of knowing whether it's
correct. (A)'s a bit easier to eliminate because it's directly contradicted by information in
the passage. The author states explicitly that Kepler's notion of the solar system is
considered to be absurd by later scientists.
21.
D
This is another inference question—this time concerning a point of agreement between
Kepler and the unenlightened alchemists described in line 52. In the 2nd paragraph,
the author suggests that alchemists shared with Kepler the belief that intuition, or vision,
was the path to discovery, making choice D the correct answer to this question. Unlike
Kepler, who was fanatical about making his theories consistent with existing facts,
alchemists, it's suggested, were not overly concerned with reconciling theories and
facts. Put differently, Kepler was obsessed with facts, while alchemists were
unimpressed by them. So, choice B is out. While alchemists' apparent disinterest in
facts indicates that they were opposed to a marriage of science and religion, Kepler's
mysticism and obsession with scientific facts indicates that his view was just the
opposite, that he approved of a marriage between religion and science. So, choice A's
wrong, too. Finally, while Kepler believed that the cosmos corresponded to a
mathematical design, we don't know what alchemists thought about this issue, though
the fact that they disparaged scientific thinking indicates that they probably did not
believe this to be the case. Thus, choice C's wrong as well.
22.
C
This is a detail question about the “perfect solids'' discussed in the first paragraph. Just
before that, the author states that the concept of “`five perfect solids'' was contained in
one of Euclid's theorems, so choice C is our answer. As for the wrong choices, (A)
distorts a detail in the passage—the detail being that the work of ``all the great natural
philosophers'' was premised on the notion of a universe arranged according to a set of

simple mathematical principles. This is quite different from saying that all these
philosophers premised their work on Euclid's concept of ``five perfect solids.'' Choice B
is wrong because, although the passage states that the five perfect solids are all formed
by plane figures, it doesn't tell us whether the solids have four equal sides, except in the
case of the cube. (Based on your own knowledge, you might know that some of these
solids, in fact, have more than four sides.) Choice (D)'s out because the perfect solids
didn't yield any measurements of distances among planets. In fact, all we're told in the
passage on this issue is that Kepler believed they might provide information about
distances among planets.
23.
A
This question asks you to determine the meaning of the “`book of the world''. In order to
answer a question of this sort, it's important to get a sense of the context in which the
phrase appears. In this case, the context is a discussion of Kepler's belief that the
universe is based on a set of simple mathematical principles which are accessible to
human intelligence; specifically, a set of principles based on Euclid's geometry. So, this
phrase is meant to refer to a mathematical conception of the universe, choice (A).
Although Kepler's mathematical conception of the universe is based on Greek

29


geometry, there's no indication in the passage that Kepler ever wrote a treatise on this
topic, so choice B's out. Choice C is way off base, as the context in which the phrase
appears is about Kepler's mathematical conception of the universe, not about human
knowledge in general. Despite the fact that ``God'' is mentioned in the same sentence
as the phrase in question, the phrase was not meant to refer to a text of divine origin,
but rather to a plan of the universe rooted in Greek geometry, so (D)'s out as well.
24.
D

This question asks you to determine the author's purpose in quoting Einstein at the end
of the passage. This is another one of those questions which requires you to
understand the context within which a statement appears. Just before Einstein's
statement appears, we're told that Kepler's great strength was in dovetailing the facts
with his theories. Einstein's remark reinforces the notion that facts, or (in Einstein's
word) ``science,'' and theories (or “religion”) must complement each other in order for
intellectual progress to occur. In other words, the author's purpose in quoting Einstein is
to emphasize a characteristic of Kepler's method and outlook, choice D. Choice (A) is a
Distortion of the author's reason for quoting Einstein. By quoting Einstein, the author is
expressing her approval of Kepler's scientific method. Besides, since Einstein's quote
does not specifically refer to Kepler, we can't conclude that he misconstrued Kepler's
thought. Although the quote refers to “science” and “religion,” these are actually
euphemisms for facts and theories, respectively. Einstein is pointing out that one is
worthless without the other. Therefore, the author didn't quote Einstein in order to point
out a difference between scientific and religious thought, making choice B incorrect.
Finally, choice C is Outside the Scope; the quote is too vague to determine whether
Einstein admired Kepler.
25.
D
This is yet another question requiring you to understand context. The last paragraph of
the passage ends with the author quoting Einstein to support the notion that facts and
theories have to be in harmony for scientific progress to occur. Choice (D) is a variation
of this theme. The passage doesn’t mention Kepler's beliefs about his own work, so
choice (A) makes no sense here. Choice (B) is out because the passage ends by
telling us that Einstein believed that facts and theory must complement each other. This
has nothing to do with any “fundamental guidelines” that emerge during scientists'
periods of youthful enthusiasm. Choice (C)'s out for a couple of reasons. First, the
Einstein quote at the end of the second paragraph is there to point out a positive aspect
of Kepler's thought, not a problem, so (C) doesn't follow logically at this point. And,
second, this passage is about Kepler's scientific methods, not about his alleged search

for “cosmic harmony.”

Passage V (Questions 26-33)
Topic and Scope: variations in manuscripts of great books
Purpose: to argue that the correct choice between differing manuscripts is made based
on quality rather than quantity

30


Paragraph 1 introduces an example of a scholar using a manuscript not favored by the
majority, but ultimately proved correct.
Paragraph 2 discusses the ignorance of many of those editing manuscripts.
Paragraph 3 gives a specific example of incorrect method in selecting a manuscript.
Paragraph 4 sums up the argument against lazy critics by an analogy.
26.
B
Choices A and C are Opposite; they are expressly contradicted by the passage. Choice
D is Outside the Scope: the point here is not deciding which manuscript is best, but
submitting that manuscript to one’s own judgement.
27.
B
Option I is contradicted in paragraph 1 of the passage. Option II is supported by the
passage as a whole, while option III is support in paragraph 3.
28.
C
Although the author downplays the importance of a “best manuscript,” he does say that
the Erfurtensis was the best manuscript of Cicero’s oration known in the 1830s, and that
there are other manuscripts now known that are even better. This suggests that the
author would concede that some manuscripts really are better than others.

29.
A
Choices (B) and (C) are FUDs; they refer to minor details, not to the bulk of the
passage. Choice (D) draws an inference that is not supported by the passage.
30.
C
The reference is to lazy or ignorant critics who automatically follow rules—“the
unintelligent” who “call themselves sane critics.” The word “mechanics” is an echo of
the author’s claim, back in the second paragraph, that “they must have a rule, a
machine to do their thinking for them.”
31.
D
Choice D describes the approach to editing classics that the author is advocating.
Choices B and C are methods that he rejects in paragraph 3. We are not told that
anyone uses choice A.
32.
C
According to the author, the discovery of a new manuscript would not strengthen or
weaken the authority of any other manuscript. And in any case, the critic’s judgment
would still be supreme.
33.
A
The author might disagree with options I and II, but they are at least defensible
arguments. Option III is simply an appeal to laziness.

31


Passage VI (questions 34-40)
Topic and Scope: The decline of amphibian populations in the southwest.

Purpose: to show that the misuse of pesticides is responsible for endangering
amphibian species.
Paragraph 1 identifies the area affected. Paragraph 2 introduces the method by which
pesticides affect the amphibians. Paragraph 3 defines pesticides and explains how they
harm species. Paragraph 4 describes a recent study that identified concentrations of
specific chemicals from pesticides that are affecting the endangered species.
34.
B
The fact that the red legged frog is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered
Species Act (B) is evidence that populations of amphibians have declined, but not
evidence of a specific cause of the decline. The remaining choices all help to establish a
correlation specifically between exposure of amphibians to insecticides and population
declines. Specifically: organophosphates are used in agriculture; the San Joaquim
Valley is more intensely agricultural then the Sacramento Valley; amphibians east of the
San Joaquim Valley had higher incidence of organophosphates (A). Yosemite National
Park lies east of the San Joaquim Valley; the coast lies west of this valley; prevailing
winds are easterly; amphibians east of the San Joaquim Valley had a higher incidence
of organophosphates than amphibians from the coast (C). Organosphosphates impair
(reduce) the level of the cholinesterase; cholinesterase levels are highest in coastal
areas; coastal areas are not in the path of prevailing winds from the agricultural San
Joaquim Valley (D).
35.
C
The line reference in the question stem refers to the third sentence of the first
paragraph. The fifth sentence of that paragraph introduces the notion that damage to
amphibian species in the specified habitat may result from pesticide use in agricultural
areas upwind from this habitat. The author refers to the specified habitat as “seemingly”
pristine. Use of the word “seemingly” indicates that things may not, in fact, be as they
seem. It would not be surprising to find evidence of pesticide damage in an obviously
agricultural area. The reference to “seemingly pristine” in this context prepares the

reader for the passage’s finding that the condition of amphibians studied in the specified
habitat does not support the perception that it is “pristine,” at least in terms of intrusion
of pesticides. Thus, (C) is correct. (A) sounds plausible, but is incorrect because the
passage does not address whether the damage to the environment can be repaired. (B)
is incorrect because the author does not focus on remedies. (D) is incorrect because
the passage does not establish that some amphibian species are still “abundant.”
36.
D
The passage states that the red-legged frog is currently listed as threatened under the
U.S. Endangered Species Act, and identifies two other species that have been
proposed for listing. However, the passage provides no equivalent information to
support a conclusion that the Pacific Treefrog is considered seriously threatened.
Therefore, (A) is incorrect. Since Pacific treefrog specimens were collected from a
number of areas, it can be inferred that this species is reasonably abundant, and that

32


this may be a reason it was chosen for study. Presumably, the red-legged frog was not
studied either because it was too difficult to find, or because it was not proper to collect
it because of its protected status. Thus, (D) is correct. (B) is incorrect because
information in the passage does not demonstrate that the lower levels of cholinesterase
found in Pacific treefrogs constituted a marked depression. Therefore, the depression of
cholinesterase may not indicate that the absorption of organophosphates at a toxic
level. Furthermore, the passage does not rule out the possibility that there may be other
conditions threatening the Pacific treefrog. If there are other conditions threatening the
treefrog, phasing out organophosphates may not prevent loss of its populations. (C) is
incorrect both because it is not clear that the lower level of cholinesterase activity
actually produces a greater rate of mortality in the treefrog and also because there may
be other factors affecting the abundance of the treefrog in the two locations.

37.
A
To answer this question, it is necessary to identify the author’s perspective on the
decline in amphibian populations without making unsupported assumptions about this
perspective. The author’s focus is on the particular, rather than the general. He is
reporting on research findings involving a limited scope of study, both in terms of the
species, the geographical area, and the specific nature of the environmental impact. (A)
is most consistent with this viewpoint. (B), (C), and (D) all introduce information not
supported by the passage: the passage does state that declines of amphibians in
California have been “dramatic,” but provides no basis to determine that he considers
them “more dramatic” than those that may have occurred elsewhere; the author
identifies intense agriculture and pesticide use as problematic in a particular area, the
San Joaquim Valley, but does not take any position on how widespread these practices
are in the world as a whole.
38.
D
This is a detail question. The passage focuses in detail on a class of pesticides
identified as “organophosphates.” To answer this question, it is necessary to identify
precisely what the passage states about pesticides and what it states about
organophosphates. The correct answer is (D), since the passage asserts that pesticides
are used to increase agricultural production. In other words, pesticides have a benefit in
agricultural applications. (B) is incorrect, because the assertion refers to
organophosphates, but not pesticides in general. C sounds plausible, but there is no
actual evidence presented that pesticides are not used anywhere in the Sierra Nevada.
(A) is too broad. The passage does state that insecticides “may” be transported, but not
that they are. Furthermore, we don’t know if all pesticides are carried on air currents or
just some pesticides or what constitutes a “long distance.”
39.
B
The structure of the passage is to: describe a problem (amphibians are dying off in

areas of California); offer a hypothesis about its cause (insecticides used in other
areas); present some background information about the responsible agent
(insecticides); and present findings of a study intended to support the hypothesis
introduced in the first paragraph. Thus, the correct answer is (B).

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40.
C
In the first paragraph, the passage introduces an hypothesis that the reason that
particular pristine areas are experiencing reduction in amphibian populations is that
insecticides are transported from agricultural areas to the pristine areas. The findings in
the third paragraph appear to validate that hypothesis. However, what if the amount of
insecticide used in agricultural areas is not actually greater than that used for lawn care
in suburban areas? What if the Sacramento Valley and/or coastal areas engage in
heavy use of pesticides, even though they are not intensely agricultural? Admittedly, the
article does not specify the types of pesticides used on lawns. However, the new
information about insecticide use in lawn care does indicate the need for a more precise
measure of amount and type of insecticide discharge than a measure based solely on
whether an area is agricultural. Thus, (C) is correct. (A), (B) and (D) are incorrect
because the information in the article does not contradict the factual information about
the general effects of organophosphates presented in the second paragraph or the
specific empirical findings of organophosphate and cholinesterase activity levels in frogs
presented in the third paragraph.
Passage VII (Questions 41-46)
Topic and Scope: Productivity growth; specifically, a recent surge in productivity growth
in the U.S. and a factor that may have fostered it.
Purpose: to show that new information and communication technologies contributed to
the recent surge in productivity in the U.S.

The first paragraph describes the recent productivity growth spurt in the U.S. and
indicates, both through evidence presented and with its tone, that it is remarkable when
placed in historical context. The first part of the second paragraph prepares the reader
for a hypothesis to be introduced in its last sentence, by defining relevant terms and
also by identifying several factors recognized to affect productivity, in preparation for
reducing the focus to capital invested in a specific methods of production: new
technologies. The third paragraph discusses evidence for the specific causal
relationship first suggested at the end of the second paragraph.
41.
A
A resurgence is defined as a return to a former level. Only in the case of the U.S. does
the passage provide enough historical information to determine that growth in
productivity first was reduced and then increased again to its former level. Thus, (A) is
correct.
42.
B
The passage identifies a correlation between current use of new technologies and an
increase in the rate of productivity growth. Since correlation in itself does not establish
causation, an argument based on correlation should be examined to determine whether
it actually establishes: (1) a causal relationship between the phenomena correlated and
(2) the direction of causation. In this case, neither test is met. While it seems plausible
that utilization of new technologies improved productivity, the logical structure of the

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argument in the passage does not rule out causation having moved in the other
direction Therefore, the direction of causation is assumed (D). The passage provides no
evidence of trends in other factors identified as affecting productivity growth. Therefore,
the passage assumes that one or more of these are not the overriding cause (A). The

argument can also be examined for the validity of its measurement of the phenomenon
correlated. While it appears plausible that spending on information technology would
reflect use of this technology in production, if we deny this and assume that a significant
amount of technology is used for other purposes, it becomes apparent that the author
offers no evidence supporting how new technology is actually used (C). Some of it may
be used, for example, for individual entertainment or education. The passage states, but
provides no support for, the revolution in technology constituting a world-wide
phenomenon. However, this statement is not a premise of the argument that new
technologies have been important in raising productivity in the U.S. in recent years. If
we deny (B), and affirm that the revolution in technology is NOT a world-wide
phenomenon, the argument is unaffected. Thus, (B) is the correct choice for this
EXCEPT question.
43.
B
To answer this question, consider the focus of the passage and its overall direction. The
passage focuses on productivity growth in the U.S. and whether it is related to utilization
of new technologies. Although the passage contains details about historical trends in
productivity in the U.S. (A) and about use of technology in other countries (D), these
details are mentioned only in support of the overall purpose of demonstrating that the
current productivity growth spurt in the U.S. is related to new technology. The author is
unlikely to next delve into these supporting details. Similarly, although the author
mentions other factors which can affect productivity, this is done for the purpose of
providing a context for introduction of the factor central to his discussion: capital
invested in new technology (a method of production). Given that there is no indication
that the author considers other factors central to the current productivity growth spurt,
there is no basis to expect that the author would then return to discuss other factors that
may impact production. However, since the author focuses on what is happening in the
current period, the next logical topic for discussion would be whether the current trend
will continue (B).
44.

D
In this type of question, look for the alternative that is consistent with what is stated or
strongly implied by the author. (A) is inconsistent with the author’s tone in the first
paragraph. In that paragraph, the author uses “big news” and “extraordinary” in referring
to the productivity growth spurt. These words imply that the author would not consider
the change “natural.” Furthermore, in the third sentence the author makes reference to
“cyclical movements” in productivity, which occurred in the period from the early 1970s
through the mid-1990s. This implies a contrast with the “extraordinary” change that
occurred in the late 1990s, strongly implying that the author does not consider the latter
change a “cyclical” change. (B) is closer to the author’s statements, but still not close
enough to be the correct answer. Although the author would agree that the change in
the late 1990s was “remarkable,” there is no evidence that he considers it more

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remarkable than the “sudden” drop in productivity that occurred in the 1960s. (C) is
incorrect because there is no indication that the author is interested in promoting action
to improve the economic situation in other countries. (D) is correct as it succinctly
paraphrases the main idea of the passage.
45.
D
Each paragraph of a passage serves a purpose in the development of the ideas of the
passage. In answering this type of question, it is important to choose the alternative that
applies to the paragraph as a whole, not to just part of the paragraph. (D) is correct
because it identifies how the paragraph as a whole contributes to the overall direction of
the passage. (A) can be eliminated because it describes only the first two sentences of
the paragraph. (B) and (C) can be eliminated because they describe only the third and
fourth sentences of the paragraph and also because (C) goes beyond the scope of the
passage. While the passage identifies the important effect of capital investment in

information technologies on methods of production, (C) refers to capital investment in
general.
46.
A
The passage indicates that there is a correlation between investment in new
technologies and productivity growth in developed countries and that the U.S., in the
1990s, invested heavily in new technologies and experienced greater productivity. This
evidence, although not conclusive, could be helpful in identifying why productivity
growth was greater in the U.S. (A). Although the passage provides evidence of changes
in U.S. productivity growth in three different periods, it does not provide evidence of
actual spending on new technologies in any period other than in the late 1990s. Thus,
(B) is not correct. (C) is not correct because the passage does not provide any evidence
related to how factors that affect productivity changed to foster improved productivity
growth in the period from the end of World War II through the 1960s. Similarly, the
passage does not address how factors that affect productivity changed to reduce
productivity in the six countries in the post-1995 period.
Passage VIII (Questions 47-54)
Topic and Scope: The passage addresses the state of poetry as an art in the author’s
country. More specifically, the passage focuses on why there is both too little native
poetry and too little appreciation of what native poetry there is.
Purpose: to argue for investment in and appreciation of native poetry.
The first paragraph informs us that the author lives in a country that thinks well of its
intelligence and education, but has little appreciation of its own literature, and
particularly poetry. It briefly mentions a common explanation, that times are hard and
there is little leisure for study, but dismisses it as a cause which is less important than
other, more subtle, causes.
The second paragraph, while acknowledging problems with the quality of native poetry,
indicates that the root cause of the difficulty is in the lack of edification in the audience.
The third paragraph calls for a greater investment in appreciation of poetry.

36


The fourth paragraph tells us the author’s country is largely settled by immigrants, and
notes that this is another cause of the lack of appreciation of native poetry: even those
who appreciate fine literature are wooed away from the young literature of their country
by nostalgia for that of their homelands.
The fifth paragraph offers hope. It notes that some “true poetry” has been written in this
country and that attention to nurturing these efforts will bring forth further fruits.
47.
C
This is an inference question, so to determine the best answer, identify what information
is provided in the passage about each of the factors indicated as choices. Paragraph 3
indicates that the country was settled by “emigrants,” i.e., those who left another
country. Since the third paragraph also indicates that these “emigrants” currently retain
memories of their former home, immigration to their current home can be inferred to
have happened within their lifetime, i.e., recently (A). The fourth paragraph mentions
that the country is “youthful” and “unveils majestic forms to exalt and inspire,” implying
that it possesses areas that are beautiful and unspoiled (B). The first paragraph
identifies as fact that the vast majority of people must focus on acquiring the
“necessities of life” and lack time for intellectual pursuits. While the author does not
accept this as a satisfactory explanation for the lack of native poetry, he does not
dispute its status as a fact. This indicates that the standard of living in the newly settled
country is probably lower than some other countries, such as the “immigrants” former
home. The first paragraph of the passage indicates that the young country makes
“pretensions” to “educational achievement” as well as natural intelligence. This would
indicate that educational institutions are present and well-thought of, although perhaps
not of the quality that the residents attribute to them.
48.
C

This question asks you to correctly identify assertions made in the passage. Choice I is
a statement that succinctly paraphrases the first part of the second paragraph.
Edification is instruction that encourages intellectual, moral or spiritual improvement. If,
as asserted by the author, viewing poetry as fanciful, contrived, or contrary to reason is
a false conception, then individuals suffer from it either due to lack of capacity or lack of
education that would develop their intellectual understanding of poetry’s true nature. If,
as the author asserts, poetry is the highest embodiment of truths, then spiritual or moral
improvement would enable individuals to see this. Choice III is a paraphrase of the
author’s assertion in the third paragraph that the emigrants cling to the things that are
from, or remind them of, their homeland. Choice II goes beyond what is stated in the
passage. The author does state, in the last sentence of the second paragraph, that
imperfections exist in native poetry. He also indicates that native poets of genius may
be discouraged from pursuit of their craft. However, in the first sentence of the third
paragraph he states “some true poetry has been written in our country.” He does not,
however, compare the quality of the best of this “true” native poetry to the level
achieved by poets of the immigrants’ homeland, leaving open the possibility that there
may be some native poetry that is as high in quality as that from the homeland.
49.

A

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A theme that appears throughout the passage is a discussion of what we perceive, and
whether this tells us more about the phenomena that are the subject of perception or
about the capacity of the observer. The author’s point is that what is harder to perceive
(subtle), with attention can be more rewarding than what is easily accessible to the mind
or senses (palpable). In the first paragraph, a common explanation of the reason native
poetry is not appreciated is mentioned, and then dismissed as one that is, although

“palpable,” not as powerful as explanations are more subtle (i.e., harder to perceive). In
the second paragraph, the author discusses misconceptions about poetry. These
misconceptions arise either from “incapacity” to perceive the truth (from which we can
infer that the truth is not obvious or easily perceived), or from limitation of the powers of
perception only to that which is widely available (easily seen), but of poor quality. In the
third paragraph, the author returns to the theme of the commitment that is required for
appreciation of poetry and makes a distinction between what is deeply felt (palpable) in
the heart, but may yet be too subtle for many to express in words. In the third
paragraph, the author uses the metaphor of memories that “throw a charm around
everything that comes from our former home.” In other words, the reader perceives the
obvious fact that the work reflects his former home, but does not critically examine the
subtle literary devices that constitute its overall literary quality. In the last paragraph, the
author contrasts “soft spring breath” of his hoped-for appreciation of native artists with
the “chilly atmosphere” of winter. The contrast is not between the warmth of summer
and the cold of winter. Rather, it is between what is palpable (chilly) and what is more
subtle (soft spring breath). The author is not demanding trumpets and wild applause as
the necessary approval, but only enough encouragement that the young plant is not
extinguished by a palpably inhospitable atmosphere. Thus, (A) is correct. The remaining
choices all are distinctions made only in a part of the passage.
50.
C
If the passage is an introduction to a larger work, then its function is to prepare the
reader for what is to follow. The focus of the passage is on the need to appreciate and
encourage native poetry. The passage also mentions that, despite difficult
circumstances, some high quality native poetry exists. These remarks could certainly be
to prepare the reader to savor and enjoy a group of poems of that type to follow. Thus,
(C) is correct. (B) is not a likely purpose, as the author focuses primarily on the
problems of native poetry, and the need to encourage it. Poetry of the mother country is
mentioned only to clarify one of the circumstances that is detrimental to native poetry.
Although the passage mentions the need for sustained application to the craft of poetry,

this is in order to clarify how lack of appreciation affects potentially great native poets.
Any further explanation of what is involved in the craft of poetry is lacking. Therefore,
the essay is not likely to introduce a textbook on poetic technique (A). (D) is incorrect
because it is too broad. The author does not focus on poetry and criticism in general,
but on a particular area of poetry.
51.
C
The line reference in question 5 leads you to the second sentence of the third
paragraph of the passage. Reading the sentences before and after reveals the context
of the statement: To appreciate poetry it is not necessary to be able to write it, but it is

38


necessary to experience the kind of deep feelings that are expressed in the poetry of
those who do have this power of expression. Those who disparage poetry lack those
deeper feelings. “Tongueless poetry of the heart” uses a metaphor to emphasize the
depth of the need which poetry fills, even in those who have not the facility to write it
(C). (B) is incorrect because, although the author considers those who cannot
appreciate poetry deprived, this is in the sentence following the phrase. The pronoun
“this” in the sentence containing the phrase must refer back to something mentioned
earlier, which in this case is the “many who are not gifted with the power of giving
expression to the deeper sensibilities.” (D) is incorrect because the author, in a sense,
considers poets and those who read them to be in a symbiotic relationship. It is those
who do not feel who the author considers defective. Those who feel but cannot write
have both the gift of feeling and the gift of being to appreciate literature that reflects
those deep feelings.
52.
C
The passage mentions all four explanations as being detrimental to the growth of

poetry. Thus, the question is how to determine which is considered most important. (C)
is the correct choice because the second paragraph begins by indicating that “nothing
so seriously militates against the growth of our native poetry as the false conceptions
that prevail respecting the nature of poetry.” (A) can be ruled out because the author
indicates that, while this has an effect, it is “by no means satisfactory” and there are
“other causes . . . which exert a . . . powerful antagonism.” (B) can be eliminated as the
author indicates that failure of native poets to devote themselves to learning their craft is
an effect of the attitudes that result from misconceptions about poetry. (D) can be
eliminated because it applies to the few readers who do not suffer from the
misconceptions and because there is not the same emphasis given to it as a primary
cause as is given to (C) at the beginning of the second paragraph.
53.
A
This question is an application question asking you to compare the author’s statements
to several others and to determine which most closely reflects the ideas contained in the
passage. Choice (A) indicates a contrast between the creation of a poem and its
refinement. The metaphor of a piece of ice melting on a hot stove indicates a natural
process of response to what is occurring. This is consistent with the second paragraph
of the passage that indicates that exposure to “lower forms” of poetry lead to the
misconception that poetry is fanciful or contrived. On the other hand, the quote indicates
“A poem may be worked over once it is in being.” This indicates the importance of
application to craft--similar to what is stated at the end of the second paragraph. Thus,
(A) is the correct answer. (B), in contrast, agrees that poetry should not be contrived,
but does not acknowledge the aspect of craft and devotion. (C) may at first seem
plausible and related to the ideas in the passage, as it makes the distinction between
one’s own age and ages past, which could be considered analogous to the distinction
between one’s home of the past and one’s home of the present. However, the
distinction between home past and home present is made in the passage with respect
to readers of poetry, rather than to poets. (D) expresses an idea that is mostly contrary
to the ideas in the passage. Rather than focusing on a poem as a spontaneous and

39


natural reflection of what is in the poet’s heart, it appears to advocate contriving a set of
objects or a chain of events directed to producing an emotion in the reader. Thus, it is
inconsistent with the values expressed in the first paragraph of the passage.
54.
D
Any of the choices could be consistent with use of the term “native.” To identify the
choice that most likely reflects what the author means, it is necessary to look at what
the author sees as the qualities that make native literature valuable and unique, and
then to determine which choice is MOST consistent with literature that has these
qualities. As with many verbal reasoning questions, the challenge here is to find the
choice that is neither too narrow nor too broad. Since the author refers to his country as
“youthful,” he appears to be writing from the perspective of one who is an immigrant, or
a child of immigrants, rather than that from the perspective of an aboriginal person, to
whom the country would more likely be spoken of as the ancient home of his ancestors.
Therefore, (A) is not correct. Since the author speaks of the country’s ability to inspire,
both through its natural beauty and through the discovery of what is new, his vision of
“native” literature is likely to be that which reflects the (new) circumstances and (new)
environment of his country. Thus, the closest choice is (D). (B) and (C) are slightly off
the mark. One who lives in a country (or one who is born in a country) may or may not
produce art which reflects his country of residence (or birth).
Passage IX (Questions 55 –60)
Topic and Scope: the importance of punctuation
Purpose: to argue that punctuation deserves more attention
First paragraph: the importance of punctuation.
Second paragraph: the need for a treatise outlining correct punctuation.
Third paragraph: reasons for the avoidance of the dash by printers.

Fourth paragraph: explanation of the correct use of the dash.
Fifth paragraph: summary.
55.
D
The support for Options I and II is in paragraph 3, and for Option III in paragraph 4.
56.
A
Choice A correctly reflects information in paragraph 3. Choice C is directly contradicted
by the passage.
57.
A
The author says that it is correct to use dashes to present two or more expressions of
the same idea, so we can conclude that he does NOT believe that every idea should be
expressed in only one way. Paragraphs 1 and 2 indicate that the author would agree
with (B), (C), and (D).
58.

B

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The author mentions his proposed article in connection with the statement that the
principles of punctuation are very simple. Note that the mention of an unwritten article
about punctuation does not support the author’s claims to be an authority on
punctuation, as (C) suggests.
59.
A
Choice A correctly summarizes the information in paragraph 4. Choice B is a Distortion
of this same information: The second word or phrase is in some respect an

improvement on the first, but if it really rendered the first “superfluous,” there would be
no reason to keep the first. The author recommends dashes for cases where the first
thought is worth keeping.

60.
D
The author mentions “axiom” and “paradox” in connection with the point that improper
punctuation can distort the “spirit” of a sentence.

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