SECTION 2

40 Questions

Read each passage carefully and then answer the questions about it. For each question, decide on the basis of
the passage which one of the choices best answers the question.

The train pulled into station at 8:05 precisely, just as the schedule demanded, and the
remarkable Dr. Twill bustled off onto the platform with a crowd of other travelers. He was
tired from his journey, but eager and excited to see the lights of the city again. He stretched
and yawned, and decided to find a hot cup of coffee before heading out to enjoy the bright city
Line 5 night.
His trip through the surrounding country towns had been a profitable endeavor: with
a few vague explanations here, some simple demonstrations there, and a great deal of
enthusiasm everywhere he went, he had been able to sell a number of his electrical cures at
prices which were more than modestly profitable, and returned with a considerably lighter
10 trunk and fatter wallet than those with which he had departed. The cures were many and
varied, ranging from electrical hairbrushes which promised to cure baldness and restore a
youthful appearance, to electrical belts which were guaranteed to resolve indigestion,
incontinence, or indeed any ailment of the gut, even to electrical shoes, the function of which
was as yet unclear but undoubtedly wonderful.
15 He had even been able to secure some rather generous investments in the development
of his latest cure: a tonic of pure electrical energy, which when imbibed would most assuredly
improve the whole health and well-being of the imbiber, invigorating flesh and mind from
within! There remained the minor question of how he would manage to liquefy pure
electricity—but the buzzing of the street lights never failed to inspire, and Dr. Twill had all
20 confidence that a solution would come soon enough.

1. It can be inferred from the passage that 2. Dr. Twill seems to believe that electricity
Dr. Twill makes a living by is
(A) researching a great variety of (A) an unfortunate necessity of the
diseases modern world
(B) selling devices which are supposed to (B) a dangerous technology which must
cure disease be carefully handled
(C) bottling electricity, and selling it in (C) a curative force of incredible
the country potential
(D) inventing devices and selling the (D) a limited but practical method for
patents to rich investors reliving certain types of pain
(E) travelling to the city to see patients (E) one tool among many in a doctor’s
under electric lights arsenal against disease

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 3. Based on the context of the passage, Dr. 5. Based on the context of the passage,
Twill was traveling in order to “imbibe” (line 16) most nearly means
(A) get away from the hustle and bustle (A) electrocute
of city life (B) invest
(B) make a profit by selling his wares in (C) travel
other towns (D) consume
(C) find inspiration for new inventions (E) disease
(D) cure the ailments of people too poor
to visit a doctor
(E) acquire new electrical devices for the
curing of disease

4. According to the passage, what is the

most likely reason that Dr. Twill returned
from his travels with a “considerably
lighter trunk” (lines9-10)?
(A) The weather was warmer than when
he left, so he needed less clothing.
(B) Dr. Twill sold most of the contents of
his trunk while traveling.
(C) Dr. Twill had used up most of the
bottled electricity in his trunk.
(D) Parts of the trunk had fallen off
during the trip.
(E) Dr. Twill had purchased a new,
lighter trunk with his profits.

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 The Great Library of Alexandria was a marvel of ancient Egypt. Established during the
Hellenistic period, sometime between 324 and 246 BCE, the Library was reputedly an
architectural wonder. More importantly, the Library housed a vast collection of works from all
across the ancient world and was a major center of scholarship. The Library was charged with
Line 5 the ambitious mission of collecting all of the world’s books, and employed numerous methods to
acquire new works. A well-funded acquisitions department scoured the book fairs of Rhodes
and Athens, purchasing individual texts or even whole libraries. Ships that landed at the harbor
of Alexandria were searched for books to add to the Library’s collection. The Library also
employed a number of scholars who produced original works on subjects such as astronomy,
10 mathematics, and physics.
In addition to collecting books and conducting research, the scribes and scholars of the
Great Library translated texts from around the world into Greek and assembled authoritative
versions from different translations. Some of the first translations of Biblical texts into Greek
may have occurred at the Library in the time of Ptolemy I, although the Canonical versions
15 would not be created for some hundreds of years more. Much work was done to compile and
edit authoritative versions of the Homeric myths for which the Greeks are so well known today,
and these were only a few of the great works of translation and editing that took place in
Alexandria in the Hellenistic period.
It is ironic that the fate of the Great Library—an institution dedicated to the collection and
20 preservation of knowledge—is shrouded in myth and mystery. Many sources say the Library
burned down, but the date is uncertain. It may have burned down more than once, either by
accident, or intentionally. Smaller sister institutions may have survived the original library, to
be destroyed later. The Great Library, or some version of it, could have survived for anywhere
from 300 to 1,000 years. However it ended, there can be little doubt that the scholarship of The
25 Great Library had a great and lasting impact on history, and the works that were kept,
translated, or created there have had a profound influence on our culture even to the present
day.

6. The author’s main purpose in this passage 7. It can be inferred from the passage that
is to
(A) some of the works created or edited
(A) compare and contrast different in the Great Library survive to the
theories about the Great Library’s present day
destruction (B) the Great Library was most likely
(B) describe the activities of an important founded by Ptolemy I
historical institution (C) the Great Library was mainly funded
(C) chronicle the role of libraries by the sale of books
throughout history (D) the scribes that lived in the Great
(D) discuss the literature of two ancient Library were not allowed outside of
civilizations Alexandria
(E) explain the impact of the Great (E) most of Greece’s famous myths were
Library on Egypt’s political history originally created at the Great Library

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 8. According to the passage, which of the 9. The author of this passage would most
following is/are known for certain to be likely agree that
true?
(A) it was wrong for the Great Library to
I. The Great Library survived for 1,000 take books from passing ships
years. (B) whoever destroyed the Great Library
II. The Great Library was located in the was most likely motivated by greed
city of Alexandria. (C) the ultimate fate of the Great Library
III. The Great Library burned down on should always remain a mystery
more than one occasion. (D) it is very surprising that ancient
people were concerned about
(A) I only preserving books
(B) II only (E) the preservation and advancement of
(C) III only knowledge is very important
(D) I and II only
(E) I, II and III

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 Many of the things which we think of as vegetables are, in strict botanical terms, actually
fruits. Most of us know that the tomato, for example, is technically a fruit—and when we
commit the grave error of referring to a tomato as a vegetable, there’s often some wise soul
nearby who is willing to correct us. But did you know that the pumpkin is also a botanical fruit?
Line 5 The same goes for cucumbers, squash, and even corn— because, in botanical terms, a fruit is
“any edible part of a plant derived from its ovary.” An admirably clear definition, as one might
well expect from the scientific community!
And yet, that hasn’t done much to change which foods we the public think of as fruits, and
which ones as vegetables. To complicate matters further, a body no less august than the U.S.
10 Supreme Court itself once had to rule on whether tomatoes counted as vegetables, and they
bucked the scientific definition as well. According to the Supreme Court, a vegetable is any part
of a plant which is generally served with the main part of the meal, whereas a fruit is a plant
which would generally be eaten with or as a desert— although as far as I know, they took no
position on appetizers.

10. The author’s primary topic in this passage 11. Based on the passage, the author would
is most likely agree with which of the
following statements?
(A) the scientific definitions of fruits and
vegetables (A) The goals of scientists are at odds
(B) the Supreme Court’s decision that the with the public’s health.
tomato is a vegetable (B) It doesn’t matter what you call them,
(C) the biological structure of tomatoes, as long as you eat plenty of healthy
cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash plants.
(D) the conflicts over botanical (C) Scientists often create definitions that
classifications within the scientific are not useful to the general public.
community (D) The Supreme Court lacks the
(E) the controversy over popular authority to define botanical terms.
conceptions of fruits and vegetables (E) Tomatoes are best served as an
appetizer.

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 12. As it is used in line 9, the word “august” 13. When the author says that it is a “grave
most likely means error” to call a tomato a vegetable (line 3),
his tone could best be described as
(A) respected and important
(B) botanical (A) sympathetic
(C) the month which follows July (B) aloof
(D) light-humored and funny (C) emphatic
(E) very angry (D) sarcastic
(E) wrathful

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 At 3 P.M. I was on my way, and being obliged to stop at Bayonne a few hours, did not
arrive at Paris until the following night. I went straight to the Grand Hotel, and knocked at the
door of Mr. Bennett's room.
"Come in," I heard a voice say. Entering, I found Mr. Bennett in bed. "Who are you?" he
Line 5 asked.
"My name is Stanley," I answered.
"Ah, yes! Sit down; I have important business on hand for you."
After throwing over his shoulders his robe-de-chambre Mr. Bennett asked, "Where do you
think Livingstone is?"
10 "I really do not know, sir."
"Do you think he is alive?"
"He may be, and he may not be," I answered.
"Well, I think he is alive, and that he can be found, and I am going to send you to find him."
"What!" said I, "do you really think I can find Dr. Livingstone? Do you mean me to go to
15 Central Africa?"
"Yes; I mean that you shall go, and find him wherever you may hear that he is, and to get
what news you can of him, and perhaps"—delivering himself thoughtfully and deliberately—
"the old man may be in want:—take enough with you to help him should he require it. Of course
you will act according to your own plans, and do what you think best—but find Livingstone!"

14. The narrator of this passage is 16. Based on the context of the passage, a
“robe-de-chambre” (line 8) is most likely
(A) Mr. Bennet
(B) Dr. Livingstone (A) a type of bed
(C) Bayonne (B) a particular hotel in France
(D) Stanley (C) a type of casual garment
(E) Bayonne (D) a coat to be worn outdoors
(E) a formal hat worn for important
15. According to the passage, Dr. Livingstone occasions
is
17. In lines 16-19, Mr. Bennet’s tone could
(A) a medical doctor
best be described as
(B) studying plants in central Africa
(C) an infamous criminal on the run (A) urgent

(D) old and possibly dead (B) whining

(E) staying in a hotel in France (C) relaxed

(D) rash
(E) deferential

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 18. According to the passage, it is likely
thatthe narrator will soon
(A) travel to Central Africa
(B) write a memorial for Dr. Livingstone
(C) travel to Bayonne
(D) search for Dr. Livingstone in Paris
(E) write a business report

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 How could life possibly have gotten started on Earth? Few questions have puzzled so
many for so long as this. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed: maybe the first organic
molecules formed in the deep ocean, from chemicals spewed out by volcanic vents. Maybe the
earliest life was actually made of simple molecules, and created the complex molecules used by
Line 5 living organisms today. Maybe life came to Earth from outer space. But in 1952, in a laboratory
in Chicago, one hypothesis was about to be put to the test.
Alexander Oparin and J.B.S. Haldane had proposed that conditions on the early Earth
favored chemical reactions which could produce organic compounds—the building blocks of
life— from inorganic precursors. At the University of Chicago, Stanley Miller and Harold Urey
10 had devised an experiment to test the idea.
The team filled a network of glass flasks and tubes with water, to simulate the early
ocean, and with the same gases believed to be present in the early atmosphere. They applied
heat, causing some of the water to evaporate and begin to circulate through the tubes as vapor.
They then created electrical sparks inside the apparatus to simulate lightning. As the
15 experiment proceeded, the mixture began to change color. After a few days, when the contents
were analyzed, the scientists found what they were looking for: the very same organic
compounds that are the building blocks of all life on Earth. The Miller-Urey experiment
supported the hypothesis that conditions on the early Earth could generate the necessary
components of life, and went down in history as one of the great experiments of the 20th
20 century.

19. The passage is primarily about 20. Which significant event took place in
1952?
(A) the types of equipment required to
make life in the lab (A) Organic compounds were created in
(B) the amazing insights of Alexander laboratory conditions that simulated
Oparin and J.B.S. Haldane Earth’s early environment.
(C) weather and environmental (B) The first living organisms were
conditions on the early Earth created by the Miller-Urey
(D) the many possible locations where experiment.
life may have begun on Earth (C) J.B.S. Haldane and Alexander Oparin
(E) a hypothesis and the experiment proposed a new theory about the
designed to test it origins of life on Earth.
(D) The University of Chicago was
founded, leading to many great
experiments.
(E) The theory that life came from space
was finally disproved.

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 21. At the beginning of the Miller-Urey 22. According to the passage, what role did
experiment, scientists filled glass flasks AlexandarOparin play in the Miller-Urey
with which of the following? experiment?
I. gases (A) He helped to analyze the results of
II. water the experiment.
III. soil (B) He was one of the scientists who
proposed the idea that the
(A) I only experiment was designed to test.

(B) II only (C) He was in charge of the foundation

that organized and funded the
(C) I and II only
experiment.
(D) II and III only
(D) He was a faculty member at the
(E) I, II, and III
University of Chicago, where the
experiment took place.
(E) He attempted to stop the experiment,
which could have disproved his
hypothesis.

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 Many people have asked me what, all things considered, is the most valuable quality a
wilderness traveler can possess. Always I have replied unhesitatingly; for no matter how useful
or desirable such attributes as patience, courage, strength, endurance, good nature, and
ingenuity may prove to be, undoubtedly a person with them, but without the sense of direction,
Line 5 is practically helpless in the wilds.
A sense of direction, therefore, I should name as the prime requisite for those who would
become true foresters, depending on themselves rather than on guides. The faculty is largely
developed, of course, by much practice; but it must be inborn. Some people possess it; others do
not—just as some people have a mathematical bent while to others figures are always a despair.
10 It is a sort of extra, having nothing to do with criterions of intelligence or mental development,
like the repeater movement in a watch. A highly educated or cultured person may lack it; the
roughest possess it. Some who have never been in the woods or mountains acquire in the space
of a vacation a fair facility at picking a way; and I have met a few who have spent their lives on
the prospect trail, and who were still, and always would be, as helpless as the newest city
15 dweller. It is a gift, a talent. If you have its germ, you can become a traveler of the wide and
lonely places. If you have it not, you may as well resign yourself to guides.

23. Which of the following best summarizes 24. Based on the passage, the author believes
the author’s main argument in this that courage, strength, and ingenuity
passage?
(A) are useful attributes, but not as
(A) If you don’t have a good sense of essential to a wilderness traveler as a
direction, you’ll be lost in either the sense of direction
city or the wilderness. (B) are not at all relevant to a wilderness
(B) Most city dwellers quickly learn to traveler
find their way in the wilderness when (C) might be necessary in order to
they get the chance to practice. develop a strong sense of direction
(C) Only the roughest people can develop (D) can’t be acquired unless they come
a good sense of direction, and highly naturally
cultured people are better off hiring (E) are usually lacking in people with a
guides. good sense of direction
(D) A sense of direction is an essential
talent in the wilderness, and it’s
something that not everyone can
learn.
(E) A sense of direction can be cultivated,
but only in the wilderness, where it is
transmitted by a germ.

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 25. According to the passage, people who 27. The author’s main purpose in this passage
have never been in the wilderness is to
(A) can acquire a sense of direction only (A) criticize people who get lost because
if they are on vacation they lack a sense of direction
(B) are likely to be hopeless at finding (B) persuade the reader that ingenuity,
their way for the rest of their lives courage, and endurance are
(C) should probably hire a guide overrated
(D) are frequently better at finding their (C) argue that more people should hire
way than more seasoned travelers guides when they go into the
(E) can sometimes develop a good sense wilderness
of direction in a fairly short time (D) inform the reader about what is
needed to succeed in the wilderness
26. In the passage, the author compares a (E) encourage more people to take
sense of direction to wilderness vacations
(A) a talent for mathematics
(B) a disease spread by germs
(C) the virtue of bravery
(D) the strength and endurance
developed by exercise
(E) the skill of an experienced prospector

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 He that loves a rosy cheek
Or a coral lip admires,
Or from starlike eyes doth seek
Fuel to maintain his fires;
Line 5 As old Time makes these decay,
So his flames must waste away.

But a smooth and steadfast mind,

Gentle thoughts, and calm desires,
Hearts with equal love combined,
10 Kindle never-dying fires:—
Where these are not, I despise
Lovely cheeks or lips or eyes.

28. Which of the following best summarizes 30. When the speaker discusses “never-dying
the main idea of this poem? fires” (line 10), he is most likely referring
to
(A) If you get to know them, you will
often find that beautiful people have (A) long-lasting love
unpleasant personalities. (B) love that diminishes quickly
(B) People who have a calm and gentle (C) physical beauty
disposition are usually physically (D) anger and hatred
beautiful.
(E) lips and cheeks
(C) Physical beauty is temporary, but
inner qualities can be more 31. When the speaker states that “flames
permanently attractive. must waste away” (line 6), he most nearly
(D) It’s better to dislike beautiful people means that
until they prove that they also have
(A) in time, even the subject of the poem
pleasant personalities.
will die
(E) If you are beautiful on the inside, then
(B) love always fades when people get
your physical beauty will also last
older
longer.
(C) it is impossible to maintain a fire
without logs for kindling
29. When the speaker refers to “old Time” in
lines 5-6, he is (D) if love is based on physical beauty, it
will diminish when beauty fades
(A) talking about the past
(E) some people will never be satisfied
(B) having a conversation with time
for very long
(C) referring to the specific time in a
person’s life when they are old
(D) talking about old-fashioned things
(E) suggesting that time is an old,
powerful entity

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 A new report says nearly four billion people – more than half the world’s population –
have major tooth decay. Health officials warn that poor oral health can lead to social and
psychological problems. Tooth decay, or cavities in permanent teeth, is also known as carries.
Professor Wagner Marcenes led of team of researchers as part of the Global Burden of Disease
Line 5 2010 study, which listed carries as the most common of all 291 major diseases and injuries.
“Carries is a chronic disease that shares the same risk factors as cancer and cardiovascular
disease. What we’re seeing now is an increase in disease from highly developed countries in
sub-Saharan Africa, and probably in other areas of Africa, too,” he said. “Carries tends to get less
attention than other diseases. For example, HIV is a much more pressing issue for the health of
10 the population.”
Marcenes said that tooth decay is rising sharply in Africa because developing countries
are becoming more like Western nations in some ways. “Carries is likely to be related to a
change in diet. Our industrialized diet leads to chronic disease, which includes carries.”

32. According to the passage, carries is 34. According to the passage, the number of
people who suffer from carries is
(A) a type of cancer
(B) a disease related to HIV (A) a majority of the population of the
(C) cardiovascular disease planet

(D) a disease of the teeth (B) greater in sub-Saharan Africa than

anywhere else in the world
(E) easily cured with dietary changes
(C) concentrated in the West

33. According to the passage, carries is (D) around four million people
increasingin Africa due to (E) smaller than the number of people
suffering from HIV
(A) the spread of industry
(B) increasing poverty
35. This passage would most likely be found
(C) high rates of HIV and other diseases
in
(D) higher rates of social and
(A) a newspaper
psychological problems
(B) a novel
(E) changes in the way that people eat
(C) a personal letter
(D) a biography
(E) an encyclopedia

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 And now, O men who have condemned me, I would fain prophesy to you; for I am about to
die, and in the hour of death men are gifted with prophetic power. And I prophesy to you who
are my murderers that immediately after my departure punishment far heavier than you have
inflicted on me will surely await you. Me you have killed because you wanted to escape the
Line 5 accuser, and not to give an account of your lives. But that will not be as you suppose: far
otherwise. For I say that there will be more accusers of you than there are now; accusers whom
hitherto I have restrained: and as they are younger they will be more inconsiderate with you,
and you will be more offended at them. If you think that by killing men you can prevent
someone from censuring your evil lives, you are mistaken; that is not a way of escape which is
10 either possible or honorable; the easiest and the noblest way is not to disable others, but to
improve yourselves. This is the prophecy which I utter before my departure to the judges who
have condemned me.

36. It can be inferred from the passage that 38. The speaker says that the “accusers” (line
the speaker 6) who will come after him
(A) has committed a very serious crime (A) will avenge his death
(B) is in command of a massive army (B) will have the power to make
(C) has lived his life as a fortune-teller prophecies
(D) has been sentenced to death (C) will be numerous and less polite than
(E) believes that it is honorable to die he was
(D) have been improving themselves
37. According to the passage, the speaker (E) have been living evil lives
believes that he has been condemned
because 39. When the speaker says “punishment far
(A) he was critical of the way that many heavier than you have inflicted on me will
people were living surely await you” (lines3-4), he most
likely means that
(B) his enemies were afraid that he
would kill them (A) his supporters will set him free
(C) he lived an evil life, and failed to (B) the people he is addressing will miss
improve himself their last chance to be good instead of
(D) he was young and inconsiderate evil

(E) he did too much to restrain the critics (C) there will be a great war following his
of his enemies death
(D) the people he is addressing will
become ill
(E) the people he is addressing will face
far harsher criticism in the future
than they did in the past

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 40. Which sentence best summarizes the
speaker’s main point in this passage?
(A) Evil people will never be able to
change.
(B) The best way to avoid criticism is to
live a good life.
(C) Young people are often less
considerate than their elders.
(D) Threats of punishment will keep
people quiet.
(E) People who are close to death
possess magical powers.

STOP
IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED,
YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY.
DO NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION IN THE TEST.

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