PRACTICE SET
PART 5
Below are four passage excerpts and accompanying questions. Choose the answer that best
completes or revises the portion of the text in question.
Questions 1-4 refer to the following passage.
The Liberty Bell
Recognizable by the large crack down its side, Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell is a symbol of
freedom and patriotism. However, both its name and famous cracked side 1 were added
much later to the bell after many years. Originally called the “State House bell,” the Liberty
Bell was given its current name when it was
2
adopted as a symbol of the abolitionist
movement. The origin of the crack on the side of the bell,
3
consequently, remains a
mystery. By 1846, a thin crack developed along the side of the bell. It was
1846. The bell cracked again and has not been rung since.
4
repaired in
1. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) were added to the bell.
(C) were late additions to the bell.
(D) were late additions to the bell, added after many years.
2. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) encompassed
(C) authenticated
(D) corroborated
3. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) however,
(C) for example,
(D) also,
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4. Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?
(A) repaired in 1846, the bell cracked again
(B) repaired in 1846, and then also the bell cracked again
(C) repaired in 1846, cracking again
(D) repaired in 1846, but the bell cracked again
Questions 5-10 refer to the following passage.
An Exploration of Aztec Society
[1] Aztec society was broken down into many levels. [2] The most basic unit was the
family. [3] Every child went to school, creating
society. [4] The next level was a larger group
6
5
a unanimous education system in Aztec
to which families belonged. [5] It was called
the “calpulli.” [6] Calpullis were fairly independent.
state.
8
7
[7] Many calpullis made up a city-
At the bottom of the hierarchy were slaves. In Aztec society, no one was born into
slavery. Rather, individuals became 9 slaves in order that they might pay for debts or as
punishment for crimes. The class of the common people was the “macehualtin,” which
included warriors and craftsmen. The noble class was called the “pipiltin.” Chosen from the
pipiltin, a king ruled each city-state. Many Aztecs lived their entire lives as members of only
one social class. 10 Unfortunately, there was the opportunity for social mobility through
engaging in the priesthood or military service.
5. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) an endemic
(C) a universal
(D) an insidious
5. Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?
(A) to which families belonged, called the “calpulli.”
(B) which families belonged to, calling it the “calpulli.”
(C) to which families belonged, and they called it the “calpulli.”
(D) to which families belonged; furthermore, it was called the “calpulli.”
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6. Which choice, inserted here, most effectively adds support for the statement in
sentence 6?
(A) Families in calpullis were often related to each other.
(B) Calpullis were similar to tribes or clans in other societies.
(C) Calpulli means “large house” in Nahua, the language of the Aztecs.
(D) Calpullis had a chief, ran a local school, and controlled the use of land.
7. Which sentence, inserted here, would most effectively establish the main topic of
the second paragraph?
(A) Aztec society was one of the first to introduce a child-centered social structure.
(B) Aztec society was also composed of different social classes.
(C) Aztec society highly valued priests and kings.
(D) Social mobility was an important goal of most Aztec men and women.
8. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) slaves to pay
(C) slaves because of their having to pay
(D) slaves for payment of
9. Which choice is most consistent with the tone of the rest of the passage?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) Specifically
(C) However
(D) I think
Questions 11-15 refer to the following passage.
Real Life Robots
Robots don’t only exist in sci-fi flicks. Robotics is a growing and advancing field of
technology. Used in the automotive, manufacturing, and even medical industries, robots have
proved 11 invaluable. 12 It has been said that robots can do work more efficiently than
humans can. Some argue that increased reliance on robotics robs hardworking humans of jobs.
However, 13 robots can take over assignments. Manpower can be shifted and used to improve
overall processes.
[1] One of the most important developments in the field of robotics was the creation of the
robotic arm. [2] Because of its design, the robotic arm can move precisely but also hold and
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transport great amounts of weight. [3] 14 For example, robotic arms are used to carefully
construct a microchip as well as to move heavy auto parts on assembly lines. [4] Over time,
the robotic arm has also become both more complex and more versatile, leading to its use in
many industries. [5] Robots are able to complete routine activities, like vacuuming and
removing garbage, without human assistance.
15
10. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) inestimable
(C) infinite
(D) esoteric
11. Which choice most improves the cohesion of the paragraph?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) I think that the best thing about robots is that robots can do work more
efficiently than humans can.
(C) One reason robots are so useful is because they can do work more efficiently
than humans can.
(D) Robots can do work more efficiently than humans, many scientists have stated.
12. Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) when robots take over assignments, manpower can be shifted and used
(C) as robots take over assignments, they then also shift manpower and use it
(D) robots can take over assignments, this change leads to shifting manpower and
using it
13. (A) NO CHANGE
(B) In spite of this
(C) Surprisingly
(D) Often
14. To improve the focus of the paragraph, sentence 5 should be
(A) where it is now
(B) placed after sentence 2
(C) placed before sentence 4
(D) deleted
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