DIRECTIONS: In the passage below, certain phrases are underlined and numbered <x>. The question will present alternatives for the underlined part. In most cases, you are to choose the one that best expresses the idea, makes the statement appropriate for standard written English, or is worded most consistently with the style and tone of the passage as a whole. If you think the original version is the best, choose "NO CHANGE". Read the passage and answer question <4>. Rio de Janeiro -Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a fantastic place to visit. It's alarming <1> that Rio is called the `Wonderful City.` Beaches, mountains, and forests await its visitors, who can tour for days and still not experience everything the city has to offer.
When I visit, I always have a great time with my boyfriend. <2> At the end of a busy day exploring nature, gloomy <3> travelers can unwind at one of the beachfront hotspots for coconut water and live samba music. Rio's most famed attractions are Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue. However, <4> these destinations welcome over 2.8 million international tourists each year. Sugarloaf Mountain is located in the city's south zone right near to the vast Atlantic Ocean. <5> Its peak is at 1300 feet, and accessible by two cable cars that take less than five minutes to arrive. Visitors enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Rio, and can shop or dine at several locations on the mountain. (1) Christ the Redeemer stands on the Corcovado Mountain, recently named one of the new seven wonders of the world. (2) With arms outstretched, the concrete Christ was built between 1922 and 1931, to resemble embracing the people of Rio. (3) Millions of tourists recreate the attraction by taking photos on its pedestal with their own arms outstretched. (4) The statue's pedestal is over 26 feet high, while the statue itself is nearly 100 feet high. <6> There are so many amazing sites to see! <7> Fort Copacabana is a military base and history museum that sits at the south end of Copacabana beach and divides the neighborhood from Ipanema. Visitors explored <8> galleries filled with original military memorabilia from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. There are also exhibits featuring indigenous artwork from some of Brazil's 2000 native tribes. These relics are important for Brazilian history, and tourists are nevertheless blown away <9> at their historical significance. Another great place to visit, and for learning about Brazilian history <10> is the Botanical Gardens, built in 1808 by King John VI of Portugal. Children especially enjoy this 346-acre park, which is home to 6500 species of plants and trees and 140 species of birds. Kid-friendly areas are designated for picnics and games, and monkeys that roam the grounds often entertain children by swinging from tree to tree or rummaging for leftover food in the park's trash bins. <11> After a busy day of sightseeing Rio's natural settings, because <12> tourists sit at beachfront drink stands and enjoy coconut water sipped from the fruit. Local musicians wander the sands playing Brazilian samba music each night. The sounds of tamborims, surdos, and agogos delight visitors, who, dance <13> all night long to the sounds
<14> under the Copacabana moonlight.
- NO CHANGE
- For instance,
- Also,
- In fact,
Answer(s): D
Explanation:
Technical Justification
The clause introduced by <4> follows a contrasting idea (“However,”) that signals a shift from the preceding sentence, which describes Rio’s attractions, to a factual statement about tourist volume. “In fact,” functions as a discourse marker that reinforces the truth of the following claim, fitting naturally after a contrastive transition and preserving the formal, analytical tone of the passage. It does not introduce an example (as “For instance,” would), nor does it simply add information (as “Also,” would). Instead, it underscores that the statistic that follows is an objective reality, which aligns with the passage’s objective, descriptive style. The other alternatives disrupt the logical flow:
B: “For instance,” suggests that the upcoming statistic is an illustrative case, which conflicts with the passage’s intent to present a factual datum. C. “Also,” merely adds another item without acknowledging the preceding contrast, weakening the rhetorical structure. A. “NO CHANGE” would leave the paragraph ending with “However,” followed directly by “these destinations welcome…”, creating a grammatically incomplete and stylistically abrupt connection. Consequently, D. “In fact,” provides the most precise, cohesive, and stylistically appropriate replacement, ensuring clear logical progression and maintaining the passage’s formal register.
Reference:
Purdue Online Writing Lab – “Transitional Words and Phrases”: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/transitional_words_and_phrases.html Cambridge English – “Linking Words for Academic Writing”: https://www.cambridge.org/uk/learning-english/academic-english/linking-words
Prepared for certification exam review; all points are concise, technically grounded, and conform to standard written English conventions.