QUESTION: 9 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

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".

Bicycles

[§1] (1) Today, bicycles are so common that it's hard to believe they haven't always been around. (2) But two hundred years ago, bicycles weren't even existing, <1> and the first bicycle, invented in Germany in 1818, was nothing like our bicycles today it was made of wood and didn't even have pedals. (3) Since then, however, numerous innovations and improvements in design have made the bicycle one of the most popular means of recreation and transportation around the world.

[§2] (4) In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan a Scottish blacksmith, <2> dramatically improved upon the original bicycle design. (5) Macmillan's machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. (6) He also used foot-operated cranks similar to pedals so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. <3> (7) It hadn't looked <4> much like a modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel. (8) In 1861, the French Michaux brothers took the evolution of the bicycle a step further by inventing an improved crank mechanism.

[§3] (9) Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, revolutionized bicycle design. (10) He, made <5> the front wheel many times larger than the back wheel, putting a gear on <6> the pedals to make the bicycle more efficient, and lightened the wheels by using wire spokes. (11) Although this bicycle was much lighter and less tiring to ride, it was still clumsy, extremely top-heavy, and ridden mostly for entertainment.

[§4] (12) It wasn't until 1874 that the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene. (13) Today their built, <7> used, and enjoyed all over the world. (14) H. J. Lawson, invented by another Englishman, <8> the "safety bicycle" would look familiar to today's cyclists. (15) This bicycle had equal sized wheels, which made it less prone to toppling over. (16) Lawson also attached a chain to the pedals to drive the rear wheel. (17) With these improvements, the bicycle became extremely popular and useful for transportation.

If the writer were trying to convince readers to buy a bicycle, he would:

NO CHANGE
Add a paragraph describing the health and environmental benefits of riding a bike.
Add a paragraph comparing the cost and quality of today's best-selling bicycles.
Add a paragraph about the Tour de France and other bicycle races.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

This choice gives readers reasons to buy a bicycle for themselves.

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QUESTION: 10 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

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".

Bicycles

[§1] (1) Today, bicycles are so common that it's hard to believe they haven't always been around. (2) But two hundred years ago, bicycles weren't even existing, <1> and the first bicycle, invented in Germany in 1818, was nothing like our bicycles today it was made of wood and didn't even have pedals. (3) Since then, however, numerous innovations and improvements in design have made the bicycle one of the most popular means of recreation and transportation around the world.

[§2] (4) In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan a Scottish blacksmith, <2> dramatically improved upon the original bicycle design. (5) Macmillan's machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. (6) He also used foot-operated cranks similar to pedals so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. <3> (7) It hadn't looked <4> much like a modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel. (8) In 1861, the French Michaux brothers took the evolution of the bicycle a step further by inventing an improved crank mechanism.

[§3] (9) Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, revolutionized bicycle design. (10) He, made <5> the front wheel many times larger than the back wheel, putting a gear on <6> the pedals to make the bicycle more efficient, and lightened the wheels by using wire spokes. (11) Although this bicycle was much lighter and less tiring to ride, it was still clumsy, extremely top-heavy, and ridden mostly for entertainment.

[§4] (12) It wasn't until 1874 that the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene. (13) Today their built, <7> used, and enjoyed all over the world. (14) H. J. Lawson, invented by another Englishman, <8> the "safety bicycle" would look familiar to today's cyclists. (15) This bicycle had equal sized wheels, which made it less prone to toppling over. (16) Lawson also attached a chain to the pedals to drive the rear wheel. (17) With these improvements, the bicycle became extremely popular and useful for transportation.

Which of the following sequences makes paragraph 4 most logical?

NO CHANGE
(12), (13), (14), (16), (17), (15)
(12), (17), (14), (15), (16), (13)
(12), (14), (15), (16), (17), (13)

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

This is the most logical sequence. The sentence about Lawson and naming the safety bicycle must come before the details of the safety bicycle. Sentence (13) is the best conclusion for the paragraph.

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QUESTION: 11 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

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".

Industrial Revolution

[§1] The Industrial Revolution was essentially a rapid change in the method of production of material goods. <1> Products once made by hand were now able to be produced by machine or by chemical processes. The Industrial Revolution transformed Western society, creating an international capitalist economy, urbanization, labor reforms, a system to educate the public, <2> and labor specialization.

[§2] (1) In the first century of the Industrial Revolution, the country undergoing the most dramatic change was England. (2) After 1850, the Industrial Revolution spread rapidly <3> throughout Europe. (3) While the pace of change during the Industrial Revolution was indeed very rapid, the Industrial Revolution itself stretched over a rather long period of time from the middle of the 18th century in the 1700s <4> through World War I (1914).

[§3] Several key discoveries and inventions enabled the Industrial Revolution to take place included <5> machines and tools like the cotton gin, the radio, the circular saw, the cylindrical press, and the steam engine. Cement, dynamite, and aluminum were invented, as were the bleaching and paper-making processes. At the same time, there was a tremendous growth in population and urbanization. In fact, the population growth in England was so dramatic that the country's population doubled between 17501820. This meant a great demand for food, clothing, and shelter, demands that became the driving force behind <6> the Industrial Revolution.

[§4] Mass production of goods was made possible in large part due to <7> the steam engine. The steam engine enabled factories to move from the countryside (where they were by bodies of water, their source of power) into cities and towns, which were becoming increasingly crowded.
<8>

The writer changed the underlined text <1> to in how material goods were produced. The result is a sentence that is:

more dramatic
more concise
more complex
more accurate

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

This change would make the sentence more concise.

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QUESTION: 12 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

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".

Industrial Revolution

[§1] The Industrial Revolution was essentially a rapid change in the method of production of material goods. <1> Products once made by hand were now able to be produced by machine or by chemical processes. The Industrial Revolution transformed Western society, creating an international capitalist economy, urbanization, labor reforms, a system to educate the public, <2> and labor specialization.

[§2] (1) In the first century of the Industrial Revolution, the country undergoing the most dramatic change was England. (2) After 1850, the Industrial Revolution spread rapidly <3> throughout Europe. (3) While the pace of change during the Industrial Revolution was indeed very rapid, the Industrial Revolution itself stretched over a rather long period of time from the middle of the 18th century in the 1700s <4> through World War I (1914).

[§3] Several key discoveries and inventions enabled the Industrial Revolution to take place included <5> machines and tools like the cotton gin, the radio, the circular saw, the cylindrical press, and the steam engine. Cement, dynamite, and aluminum were invented, as were the bleaching and paper-making processes. At the same time, there was a tremendous growth in population and urbanization. In fact, the population growth in England was so dramatic that the country's population doubled between 17501820. This meant a great demand for food, clothing, and shelter, demands that became the driving force behind <6> the Industrial Revolution.

[§4] Mass production of goods was made possible in large part due to <7> the steam engine. The steam engine enabled factories to move from the countryside (where they were by bodies of water, their source of power) into cities and towns, which were becoming increasingly crowded.
<8>

<2>:

NO CHANGE
a public education system
systematizing education
public education

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

This choice makes the sentence parallel.

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QUESTION: 9 Topic Exam A: Section 1 (English)

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