Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Ochoa’s prediction that humans will one day need to live in places other than Earth. As used in this context, “speculates” would mean putting forward an idea without firm evidence. The text states that Ochoa “doesn’t have a definite idea” about when humans might need to live in other environments and
characterizes Ochoa’s prediction as a “conjecture,” or a conclusion presented without convincing evidence. This context indicates that Ochoa speculates when she makes this prediction.

Choice A is incorrect because saying that Ochoa “demands,” or insists or requires, that humans will one day need to live in other environments than Earth’s wouldn’t make sense in context. The text indicates that she’s unsure about the timing but hypothesizes that it will someday happen.

Choice C is incorrect because saying that Ochoa “doubts,” or questions or disbelieves, that humans will one day need to live in other environments than Earth’s wouldn’t make sense in context. The text indicates that although Ochoa is unsure about the timing, she hypothesizes that humans will need to live in places other than Earth and encourages research into future travel to the moon.

Choice D is incorrect because saying that Ochoa “establishes,” or proves, that humans will one day need to live in other environments than Earth’s wouldn’t make sense in context. Rather than stating that Ochoa discusses her idea with certainty and supports it with evidence, the text indicates that Ochoa is unsure about when humans might need to live in other environments.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and work on your vocabulary skills also.

Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Annie Dodge Wauneka’s work as a Navajo Nation legislator. As used in this context, “persistent” means existing continuously. The text states that Wauneka “continuously worked to promote public health,” traveling extensively and authoring a medical dictionary; this indicates that Wauneka’s effort was persistent.

Choice A is incorrect because describing Wauneka’s effort related to public health as “impartial,” or not partial or biased and treating all things equally, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text suggests that Wauneka’s continuous work was partial in one way, as she focused specifically on promoting public health throughout the Navajo homeland and to speakers of the Navajo language.

Choice B is incorrect because the text emphasizes that Wauneka’s effort to promote public health as a Navajo Nation legislator was continuous and extensive, involving wide travels and the authoring of a medical dictionary. Because this work clearly involved care and dedication, it wouldn’t make sense to describe it as “offhand,” or casual and informal.

Choice D is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that Wauneka’s effort to promote public health was “mandatory,” or required by law or rule, even though Wauneka was a Navajo Nation legislator. Rather than suggesting that Wauneka’s effort was required for any reason, the text emphasizes the continuous and extensive nature of her work.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and also work on your vocabulary skills.

Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the collaboration between the Crow Tribe and Montana State University. As used in this context, “exemplifies” means demonstrates. The text conveys how the Crow Tribe–Montana State University collaboration serves to illustrate the model of community-based participatory research introduced earlier in the text and expanded on later in the text.

Choice A is incorrect because referring to “circumvents,” or avoids, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text suggests that the Crow Tribe–Montana State University collaboration serves as an example of the principles of community-based participatory research, not that the collaboration evades this model.

Choice B is incorrect because referring to “eclipses,” or overshadows, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text describes the Crow Tribe–Montana State University collaboration as an equal partnership, which indicates that it’s an example of the community-based participatory research model, not that it overshadows the model.

Choice C is incorrect because saying that the collaboration “fabricates,” or creates, the model wouldn’t make sense in context. The text indicates that the Crow Tribe–Montana State University collaboration serves as an example of the model, not that it created the model.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and also work on your vocabulary skills.

Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of a relationship between the dodder plant and its host plant. As used in this context, “synchronization” means the act of things happening at the same time. The text indicates that the dodder and its host plant flower in unison and that this synchronization occurs because the dodder makes use of a protein produced by the host shortly before flowering.

Choice B is incorrect because referring to “hibernation,” or the state of being dormant or inactive, wouldn’t make sense in context. The text focuses on something the dodder plant actively engages in—making use of a protein and producing flowers.

Choice C is incorrect because stating that the dodder plant and its host engage together in “prediction,” or the act of declaring or indicating something in advance, wouldn’t make sense in context. Rather than indicating that the dodder plant and its host plant make a prediction about flowering activity, the text suggests that the host produces a protein as part of its regular flowering process and that the dodder then absorbs and uses that protein to flower at the same time.

Choice D is incorrect because referring to “moderation,” or the act of causing something to become less intense or extreme, wouldn’t make sense in context. Although the text states that the dodder plant absorbs and uses a protein made by its host plant, it doesn’t suggest that the dodder lessens the host plant’s flowering activity; the two plants simply flower in unison.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and also work on your vocabulary skills.

Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s description of efforts to explain the existence of planets in binary star systems. As used in this context, describing an explanation as “a straightforward” one would mean that the explanation is direct and uncomplicated. The text asserts that since it should be “nearly impossible” for planets to form in binary star systems, it’s “not surprising” that there isn’t a straightforward explanation for the existence of planets in such systems; the fact that one potential approach involves “complex” factors offers further contextual support for this idea.

Choice A is incorrect because it would not make sense in context to say that there isn’t “a discernible” explanation—meaning an explanation capable of being perceived—for the existence of planets in binary star systems. The text discusses just such an explanation offered by Roman Rafikov and Kedron Silsbee, which indicates that their explanation can be discerned.

Choice C is incorrect because the text emphasizes how difficult it is to explain the existence of planets in binary star systems, suggesting that the situation isn’t marked by the lack of “an inconclusive” explanation—an explanation that does not resolve the issue—but rather that if any explanations have been offered, they’ve likely been inconclusive ones.

Choice D is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that there is a lack of “an unbiased,” or impartial and unprejudiced, explanation for the existence of planets in binary star systems. The text indicates that it’s difficult to explain the existence of planets in such systems and it describes one attempt to do so, but there is no evidence that explanations from Roman Rafikov and Kedron Silsbee or others are biased.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and also work on your vocabulary skills.

Choice A is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century household food purchases. In this context, “surmised” means formed an idea or assumption with little evidence. The text explains that certain economic historians “assumed” that large and small households spent different amounts on food per person, but that another economist found this supposition to be false based on evidence from available data. This context suggests that the economic historians made an incorrect assumption without enough consideration of evidence.

Choice B is incorrect. In this context, “contrived” would mean brought about or created through trickery. Nothing in the text suggests that the economic historians were deliberately trying to trick people with a claim about food purchasing behaviors in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century households; the text simply suggests that they made an assumption about those behaviors that another historian believes isn’t supported by the available data.

Choice C is incorrect because the text indicates that it’s Logan and not the economic historians who “questioned,” or doubted, the assumption that large and small households in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries spent different amounts on food per person; the economic historians are the ones who made that assumption to begin with.

Choice D is incorrect because nothing in the text suggests that some economic historians “regretted,” or felt sad or remorseful about, the food purchasing behaviors of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century households. The text focuses on the idea that the economic historians made an assumption about those behaviors that may not be supported by available data, not on the historians’ emotional response to what households did in the past.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and also work on your vocabulary skills.

Choice C is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of the artistic styles that have influenced Cannon’s work. As used in this context, “disparate” means distinct or dissimilar. The text indicates that a tension exists among the styles that have influenced Cannon’s work and goes on to describe how those styles differ: classic European portraiture favors realism, American pop art uses vivid colors, and intertribal flatstyle rejects the use of shading and perspective to achieve depth. This context suggests that the styles that have influenced Cannon’s work are disparate.

Choice A is incorrect because the text indicates that there is a tension among the influences on Cannon’s artwork, so it wouldn’t make sense to say that the influences are “complementary,” or that they complete one another or make up for one another’s deficiencies.

Choice B is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense to characterize Cannon’s influences as “unknown,” or not familiar; it’s clear that the influences are known because the text goes on to list them.

Choice D is incorrect because the text indicates that there is a tension among the influences on Cannon’s work, not that they are “interchangeable,” or capable of being used in one another’s place.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and also work on your vocabulary skills.

Choice B is the best answer because it most logically and precisely completes the text’s discussion of studies of altitude’s effect on blood chemistry. In this context, “paucity of” means lack of. In describing the inspiration behind Al-Sweedan and Alhaj’s research, the text uses the word “though” to suggest a contrasting relationship between two types of studies: those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living at a high altitude and those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living in locations below sea level. This contrasting relationship and the text’s use of the word “many” provide context suggesting that there are few, if any, examples of the second type of study, whereas there are numerous examples of the first type.

Choice A is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context for there to be a “quarrel about,” or open disagreement about, studies of the effect on blood chemistry of living in locations below sea level. The text’s use of the words “though” and “many” suggests a contrasting relationship in terms of amount between two types of studies: those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living at a high altitude and those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living in locations below sea level. There’s nothing in the text to suggest that the contrast between the two types of studies involves the extent to which researchers broadly agree or disagree about the contents of either type.

Choice C is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context for there to be a “profusion of,” or great abundance of, studies of the effect on blood chemistry of living in locations below sea level. The text’s use of the words “though” and “many” suggests a contrasting relationship in terms of amount between two types of studies: those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living at a high altitude and those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living in locations below sea level. Rather than logically completing this contrast, “profusion of” would indicate that the two types of studies are similar in terms of amount, with many examples existing of both types.

Choice D is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense in context for there to be a “verisimilitude in,” or appearance of truth in, studies of the effect on blood chemistry of living in locations below sea level. The text’s use of the words “though” and “many” suggests a contrasting relationship in terms of amount between two types of studies: those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living at a high altitude and those examining the effect on blood chemistry of living in locations below sea level. There’s nothing in the text to suggest that the contrast between the two types of studies involves the extent to which either type of study presents an appearance of truth.

Skim the paragraph to find the most suitable word, and also work on your vocabulary skills.

Choice D is the best answer because it most accurately reflects the main purpose of the text. The text portrays Miss Pyne as awaiting the arrival of a carriage while Martha brings strawberries and flowers from the garden into the house. The text also describes the surroundings of the scene, stating that Miss Pyne looks “stately and calm,” the evening is bright and cool, and birds are singing in the garden as the sun sets. Then the last sentence states that the house was “wide open to the long-expected guest,” which strongly suggests that Miss Pyne’s anticipation and Martha’s activities were in preparation for the guest who is expected to arrive in the carriage. Thus, the text depicts the setting and conveys what these characters are doing as they await the arrival of their visitor.

Choice A is incorrect because there is nothing in the text to indicate that the characters feel any worry about the guest’s arrival. The text indicates that the guest was “long-expected,“ but characterizing Miss Pyne as “stately and calm” conflicts with the idea that the characters are worried about the guest.

Choice B is incorrect because the text describes a moment in time when two characters are awaiting the arrival of a visitor rather than an extended period over which characters could be seen changing.

Choice C is incorrect. Although the text describes the activity indoors (Miss Pyne sitting calmly), it describes a higher level of activity, not stillness, outside (Martha bringing fruit and flowers and birds singing).

A time-consuming question, don’t attempt it if you take time to resolve it. The lesser the rank a question has, the lower the mark it has.

Choice C is the best answer because it best describes how the second sentence functions in the text as a whole. The first sentence establishes something astronomers believe with some certainty: that Betelgeuse will “explode in a supernova.” The second sentence then introduces a problem: astronomers aren’t certain when Betelgeuse will explode because they don’t have enough information about the star’s internal characteristics. Finally, the third sentence indicates that researcher Sarafina El-Badry Nance and colleagues investigated a possible method of obtaining the necessary information about Betelgeuse’s internal characteristics, though they found that the method wouldn’t be sufficient. Thus, the function of the second sentence is to identify the problem that Nance and colleagues attempted to solve but didn’t.

Choice A is incorrect because the second sentence doesn’t indicate how other astronomers or astrophysicists responded to the work done by Nance and colleagues; the text doesn’t address this information at all.

Choice B is incorrect because the second sentence introduces the general problem Nance and colleagues hoped to solve, not the central finding they ultimately reported. It’s the third sentence that presents Nance and colleagues’ conclusion that a potential method for determining internal stellar states would be insufficient.

Choice D is incorrect because the second sentence introduces the general problem Nance and colleagues hoped to solve, not a serious limitation of how they tried to solve it. It’s the third sentence that introduces Nance and colleagues, but no serious limitation of their approach to studying a method of determining internal stellar states is described.

Focus on the underlined sentence but also one sentence before and after of it.

Choice B is the best answer because the passage focuses on how honeybees use their waggle dance to communicate both food locations and warnings about predators.

Choice A is incorrect because the passage doesn’t mention honeybee lifespans.

Choice C is incorrect because this isn’t the main focus, although predators are mentioned.

Choice D is incorrect because the passage talks about communication, not defense mechanisms.

Focus on the primary function or action being discussed in the passage to identify the main idea.

Choice C is the best answer because the speaker emphasizes the lasting impact of decisions made today, which is a form of warning about the future consequences of current actions.

Choice A is incorrect because there is no criticism of past actions.

Choice B is incorrect because the passage focuses on general responsibilities, not policies.

Choice D is incorrect because the innovation in technology is not mentioned.

When identifying the purpose, consider the speaker’s tone and message, especially in terms of warnings or calls to action.

Choice B is the best answer because Clara’s thoughts are preoccupied by the letter in her pocket, suggesting an internal conflict.

Choice A is incorrect because there is no other characters are mentioned.

Choice C is incorrect because the weather is described as calm, not something that causes discomfort.

Choice D is incorrect because there is no indication of a storm or any external conflict in the passage.

Focus on the emotional or psychological aspects of a character when considering internal conflicts.

Choice B is the best answer because “Governments” is a plural subject, so it should be followed by the plural verb “are.”

Choice A is incorrect because “Is” is incorrect because it doesn’t agree with the plural subject.

Choice C is incorrect because this shifts the tense unnecessarily.

Choice D is incorrect because this would change the meaning by shifting to a present perfect tense, which isn’t needed.

Check for subject-verb agreement in sentences, particularly when plural subjects are involved. Learn Tenses.

Choice C is the best answer because this option combines the two sentences clearly and effectively, maintaining logical flow and contrast.

Choice A is incorrect because this choice is less smooth and makes the discovery sound more significant than it actually was.

Choice B is incorrect because the phrase “knew about it” is less formal and makes the sentence sound awkward.

Choice D is incorrect because this option flips the sentence structure unnecessarily and doesn’t emphasize Magellan’s expedition properly.

When combining sentences, aim for clarity and logical flow. Consider how contrasting ideas should be connected.

Choice D is the best answer because the passage introduces the concept of octopus intelligence and then provides examples of their tool use.

Choice A is incorrect because the passage does not present a problem that needs solving.

Choice B is incorrect. While intelligence is discussed, it’s not in a cause-and-effect structure.

Choice C is incorrect because the passage does not compare two different things in detail.

Pay attention to the order of ideas in the passage. Introduction followed by specific examples is a common structure in scientific texts.

Choice B is the best answer because “Residents” is a plural subject, so the verb should be “are.”

Choice A is incorrect because “Is” does not agree with the plural subject.

Choice C is incorrect. This would incorrectly shift the sentence to the past tense.

Choice D is incorrect because this would unnecessarily shift to the present perfect tense.

Always check for subject-verb agreement, particularly with collective nouns like “residents.”

Choice A is the best answer. “For instance” logically signals that the information in this sentence—that larch trees lose their needles every fall—is an example supporting the claim in the previous sentence (that not all conifer species keep their leaves or needles year-round).

Choice B is incorrect because “nevertheless” illogically signals that the information in this sentence is true in spite of the claim about conifer species in the previous sentence. Instead, it’s an example supporting that claim.

Choice C is incorrect because “meanwhile” illogically signals that the information in this sentence is separate from (while occurring simultaneously with) the claim about conifer species in the previous sentence. Instead, it’s an example supporting that claim.

Choice D is incorrect because “in addition” illogically signals that the information in this sentence is merely an additional fact related to the claim about conifer species in the previous sentence. Instead, it’s an example supporting that claim.

Work on your vocabulary and skimming skills.

Choice A is the best answer. The sentence effectively describes the rocking chair to an audience unfamiliar with Sam Maloof, noting its sleek, contoured armrests and seat and explaining that Sam Maloof (the walnut chair’s creator) was an American woodworker.

Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence explains who Sam Maloof was and mentions a chair, it doesn’t describe the chair.

Choice C is incorrect. While the sentence explains who Sam Maloof was, it doesn’t describe the rocking chair.

Choice D is incorrect. While the sentence describes the rocking chair, it doesn’t explain who Sam Maloof was.

Work on your skimming and summarising skills to blend sentences into one.

Choice C is the best answer. The sentence emphasizes the decline in unique apple varieties in the US and specifies why this decline occurred, noting that thousands of apple varieties were lost because US farmers started mainly growing the same few unique varieties.

Choice A is incorrect. The sentence introduces the Lost Apple Project; it doesn’t emphasize the decline in unique apple varieties in the US and specify why this decline occurred.

Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence emphasizes the decline in unique apple varieties in the US, it doesn’t explain why this decline occurred.

Choice D is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the general decline of crop varieties in the mid-1900s; it doesn’t emphasize the specific decline in unique apple varieties in the US.

Work on your skimming and summarising skills to blend sentences into one.

Choice C is the best answer. The sentence effectively introduces the poetry collection Precario/Precarious, noting that it is a collection by Vicuña that was published in 1983 by Tanam Press.

Choice A is incorrect. While the sentence mentions the 1983 poetry collection Precario/Precarious, it focuses mainly on Vicuña’s visual art.

Choice B is incorrect. The sentence doesn’t introduce the 1983 poetry collection Precario/Precarious; instead, it introduces Vicuña.

Choice D is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the location of Vicuña’s 1971 exhibition Pinturas, poemas y explicaciones; it doesn’t introduce the 1983 poetry collection Precario/Precarious.

Work on your skimming and summarising skills to blend sentences into one.

Choice B is the best answer. The sentence effectively emphasizes Kind’s methodology: examining the student policies of 132 medical schools for guidelines about student social media use.

Choice A is incorrect. The sentence specifies how many medical schools’ student policies are available online; it doesn’t emphasize the study’s methodology.

Choice C is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the study’s results, not the study’s methodology.

Choice D is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the aim of the study, not the study’s methodology.

Work on your skimming and summarising skills to blend sentences into one.

Choice C is the best answer. The sentence emphasizes both the duration (the length of time) and the purpose of Cohen’s and Rodrigues’s work by noting that the women have been working since 2003 to preserve Gullah culture.

Choice A is incorrect. While the sentence emphasizes what visitors to Cohen’s and Rodrigues’s museums can learn, it doesn’t mention the duration or purpose of the women’s work.

Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence emphasizes the purpose of Cohen’s and Rodrigues’s work, it doesn’t mention the duration of that work (the length of time the women have been working to preserve Gullah culture).

Choice D is incorrect. While the sentence emphasizes where and when Gullah culture developed, it doesn’t mention the duration or purpose of Cohen’s and Rodrigues’s work.

Work on your skimming and summarising skills to blend sentences into one.

Choice A is the best answer. The sentence effectively emphasizes the aim, or goal, of the research study (in other words, what the researchers hoped to learn from the study): Rogers and Russell wanted to know if woodland expansion is related to changes in climate.

Choice B is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the researchers’ findings; it doesn’t emphasize the aim of the study.

Choice C is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the results of the study; it doesn’t emphasize the aim.

Choice D is incorrect. The sentence emphasizes the methodology of the study; it doesn’t emphasize the aim.

Work on your skimming and summarising skills to blend sentences into one.

Choice A is the best answer. The sentence identifies the novel’s real author, explaining that Mary Ann Evans published the novel under the pseudonym of George Eliot.

Choice B is incorrect. The sentence explains that George Eliot was assumed to be a pseudonym; it doesn’t identify the novel’s real author.

Choice C is incorrect. The sentence specifies the pseudonym used on the novel’s title page; it doesn’t identify the novel’s real author.

Choice D is incorrect. While the sentence indicates that the novel’s real author used a pseudonym, it doesn’t identify that author as Mary Ann Evans.

These types of questions can only be solved when you read and understand them and then remember the data to create information. It requires a lot of practice.

Choice C is the best answer. The sentence specifies how the salt in a freeze-thaw battery enables energy storage, explaining that energy stops flowing and can be stored when the salt solidifies at room temperature.

Choice A is incorrect. The sentence explains some properties of molten salt; it doesn’t specify how that salt enables energy storage.

Choice B is incorrect. The sentence indicates how the energy in a freeze-thaw battery can be released; it doesn’t specify how the salt in the battery enables energy storage.

Choice D is incorrect. The sentence specifies how much charge the freeze-thaw battery retains when storing energy; it doesn’t specify how the salt in the battery enables energy storage.

These types of questions can only be solved when you read and understand them and then remember the data to create information. It requires a lot of practice.

Choice D is the best answer. The sentence effectively indicates the California red-legged frog’s FWS classification category, noting that the FWS classifies the frog as threatened, a classification given to species that are likely to soon become endangered.

Choice A is incorrect. The sentence specifies the classification categories of the FWS list; doesn’t indicate the classification category of California red-legged frog.

Choice B is incorrect. While the sentence does note that the California red-legged frog is among the species classified by the FWS, it doesn’t indicate what classification category the California red-legged frog occupies.

Choice C is incorrect. While the sentence does appear to indicate that California red-legged frog’s FWS classification category, the sentence is factually incorrect and therefore ineffective; the frog’s classification category is threatened, not endangered.

These types of questions can only be solved when you read and understand them and then remember the data to create information. It requires a lot of practice.