NLN PAX RN & PN Exam Guide 2021/2022 and Practice Test Questions for the NLN Pre Entrance Exam

] Verbal Questions Word Knowledge Select the word that most correctly completes the sentence. 1. When the baseball game was over, the first thing Jackson did was run towards the dugout to grab his water bottle to relieve his arid throat. Arid means: a. humid b. scorched c. parched d. dusty 2. Driving across the United States, the two friends became inseparable each time they arrived in a new state. They shared many good memories on that trip they would remember for the rest of their lives. Inseparable means: a. closer b. distant c. suffering d. irritable 3. After Kira wrote her first book, she pledged to her fans the sequel would be just as exciting as the first. Pledged to means: a. denied b. promised c. invigorated d. germinated 4. When I heard the wolf howl from my tent, my hands started trembling and my heart stopped . . . hopefully I would make it through this night alive! Trembling means: a. dancing b. glowing c. shaking d. throbbing 5. Unlike Leo, who always played basketball in the park after school, Gabriel would consistently go to the library and study after school. Consistently means: a. infrequently b. occasionally c. hardly d. usually 6. As soon as the shot rang out, the runners dashed toward the finish line. Dashed means: a. sprinted b. skipped c. rejoiced d. herded 7. Resolved to get an A on her paper, LaShonda began writing it two weeks before it was due. Resolved means: a. resumed b. content c. enthusiastic d. determined 8. After Colby’s mom picked him up from school, they went to the bank to install a check. Install means: a. celebrate b. neutralize c. eliminate d. deposit 9. The sale at the grocery store motivated my dad to buy four avocados instead of two. Motivated means: a. intimidated b. inspired c. dismayed d. berated 10. My mom recently started drinking fruit and vegetable smoothies in order to enhance the quality of her health. Enhance means: a. increase b. decrease c. curtail d. request 11. In the middle of our vacation, we had a sojourn in a remote cabin in the woods. Believe it or not, we got snowed in and had to stay for two weeks! Sojourn means: a. soiree b. presentation c. layover d. cohort 12. Cooking dinner was her favorite activity until she triggered the fire alarm by burning the casserole in the oven. Triggered means: a. activated b. offended c. unplugged d. disbanded 13. Much to her consternation, she had to go to the dentist’s office to get a tooth pulled, so she did some breathing exercises before she walked in. Consternation means: a. refresh b. creative c. rapture d. dread 14. The yellow feathers and purple markings told us that this bird was native to the southeast part of the United States. Native means: a. entertaining b. indigenous c. impudent d. monotonous 15. When we caught the eels, their bodies wriggled out of our hands and back into the water. Wriggled means: a. exploded b. deteriorated c. thundered d. slithered 16. Even though at the restaurant my mom requested the eggplant with no cheese, she received a huge serving of parmesan on top. Serving means: a. portion b. directed c. mourning d. endorsement Reading Comprehension Questions 17–22 are based upon the following passage: My gentleness and good behaviour had gained so far on the emperor and his court, and indeed upon the army and people in general, that I began to conceive hopes of getting my liberty in a short time. I took all possible methods to cultivate this favourable disposition. The natives came, by degrees, to be less apprehensive of any danger from me. I would sometimes lie down, and let five or six of them dance on my hand; and at last the boys and girls would venture to come and play at hide-and-seek in my hair. I had now made a good progress in understanding and speaking the language. The emperor had a mind one day to entertain me with several of the country shows, wherein they exceed all nations I have known, both for dexterity and magnificence. I was diverted with none so much as that of the rope-dancers, performed upon a slender white thread, extended about two feet, and twelve inches from the ground. Upon which I shall desire liberty, with the reader’s patience, to enlarge a little. This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for great employments, and high favour at court. They are trained in this art from their youth, and are not always of noble birth, or liberal education. When a great office is vacant, either by death or disgrace (which often happens,) five or six of those candidates petition the emperor to entertain his majesty and the court with a dance on the rope; and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the office. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the straight rope, at least an inch higher than any other lord in the whole empire. I have seen him do the summerset several times together, upon a trencher fixed on a rope which is no thicker than a common packthread in England. My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second after the treasurer; the rest of the great officers are much upon a par. from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World 17. Which of the following statements best summarize the central purpose of this text? a. Gulliver details his fondness for the archaic yet interesting practices of his captors. b. Gulliver conjectures about the intentions of the aristocratic sector of society. c. Gulliver becomes acquainted with the people and practices of his new surroundings. d. Gulliver’s differences cause him to become penitent around new acquaintances. 18. What is the word principal referring to in the following text? My friend Reldresal, principal secretary for private affairs, is, in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second after the treasurer; the rest of the great officers are much upon a par. a. Primary or chief b. An acolyte c. An individual who provides nurturing d. One in a subordinate position 19. What can the reader infer from this passage? I would sometimes lie down, and let five or six of them dance on my hand; and at last the boys and girls would venture to come and play at hide-and-seek in my hair. a. The children tortured Gulliver. b. Gulliver traveled because he wanted to meet new people. c. Gulliver is considerably larger than the children who are playing around him. d. Gulliver has a genuine love and enthusiasm for people of all sizes. 20. What is the significance of the word mind in the following passage? The emperor had a mind one day to entertain me with several of the country shows, wherein they exceed all nations I have known, both for dexterity and magnificence. a. The ability to think b. A collective vote c. A definitive decision d. A mythological question 21. Which of the following assertions does not support the fact that games are a commonplace event in this culture? a. My gentlest and good behavior . . . short time. b. They are trained in this art from their youth . . . liberal education. c. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show their skill . . . not lost their faculty. d. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper on the straight rope . . . higher than any other lord in the whole empire. 22. How do the roles of Flimnap and Reldresal serve as evidence of the community’s emphasis in regards to the correlation between physical strength and leadership abilities? a. Only children used Gulliver’s hands as a playground. b. The two men who exhibited superior abilities held prominent positions in the community. c. Only common townspeople, not leaders, walk the straight rope. d. No one could jump higher than Gulliver. Questions 23–28 are based upon the following passage: Three years ago, I think there were not many bird-lovers in the United States, who believed it possible to prevent the total extinction of both egrets from our fauna. All the known rookeries accessible to plume-hunters had been totally destroyed. Two years ago, the secret discovery of several small, hidden colonies prompted William Dutcher, President of the National Association of Audubon Societies, and Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary, to attempt the protection of those colonies. With a fund contributed for the purpose, wardens were hired and duly commissioned. As previously stated, one of those wardens was shot dead in cold blood by a plume hunter. The task of guarding swamp rookeries from the attacks of money-hungry desperadoes to whom the accursed plumes were worth their weight in gold, is a very chancy proceeding. There is now one warden in Florida who says that "before they get my rookery they will first have to get me." Thus far the protective work of the Audubon Association has been successful. Now there are twenty colonies, which contain all told, about 5,000 egrets and about 120,000 herons and ibises which are guarded by the Audubon wardens. One of the most important is on Bird Island, a mile out in Orange Lake, central Florida, and it is ably defended by Oscar E. Baynard. To-day, the plume hunters who do not dare to raid the guarded rookeries are trying to study out the lines of flight of the birds, to and from their feeding-grounds, and shoot them in transit. Their motto is—"Anything to beat the law, and get the plumes." It is there that the state of Florida should take part in the war. The success of this campaign is attested by the fact that last year a number of egrets were seen in eastern Massachusetts —for the first time in many years. And so to-day the question is, can the wardens continue to hold the plume-hunters at bay? from Our Vanishing Wildlife, by William T. Hornaday 23. The author’s use of first person pronoun in the following text does NOT have which of the following effects? Three years ago, I think there were not many bird-lovers in the United States, who believed it possible to prevent the total extinction of both egrets from our fauna. a. The phrase I think acts as a sort of hedging, where the author’s tone is less direct and/or absolute. b. It allows the reader to more easily connect with the author. c. It encourages the reader to empathize with the egrets. d. It distances the reader from the text by overemphasizing the story. 24. What purpose does the quote serve at the end of the first paragraph? a. The quote shows proof of a hunter threatening one of the wardens. b. The quote lightens the mood by illustrating the colloquial language of the region. c. The quote provides an example of a warden protecting one of the colonies. d. The quote provides much needed comic relief in the form of a joke. 25. What is the meaning of the word rookeries in the following text? To-day, the plume hunters who do not dare to raid the guarded rookeries are trying to study out the lines of flight of the birds, to and from their feeding-grounds, and shoot them in transit. a. Houses in a slum area b. A place where hunters gather to trade tools c. A place where wardens go to trade stories d. A colony of breeding birds 26. What is on Bird Island? a. Hunters selling plumes b. An important bird colony c. Bird Island Battle between the hunters and the wardens d. An important egret with unique plumes 27. What is the main purpose of the passage? a. To persuade the audience to act in preservation of the bird colonies b. To show the effect hunting egrets has had on the environment c. To argue that the preservation of bird colonies has had a negative impact on the environment. d. To demonstrate the success of the protective work of the Audubon Association 28. Why are hunters trying to study the lines of flight of the birds? a. To study ornithology, one must know the lines of flight that birds take. b. To help wardens preserve the lives of the birds c. To have a better opportunity to hunt the birds d. To builds their homes under the lines of flight because they believe it brings good luck Questions 29–34 are based upon the following passage: Insects as a whole are preeminently creatures of the land and the air. This is shown not only by the possession of wings by a vast majority of the class, but by the mode of breathing to which reference has already been made, a system of branching air-tubes carrying atmospheric air with its combustion-supporting oxygen to all the insect's tissues. The air gains access to these tubes through a number of paired air-holes or spiracles, arranged segmentally in series. It is of great interest to find that, nevertheless, a number of insects spend much of their time under water. This is true of not a few in the perfect winged state, as for example aquatic beetles and water-bugs ('boatmen' and 'scorpions') which have some way of protecting their spiracles when submerged, and, possessing usually the power of flight, can pass on occasion from pond or stream to upper air. But it is advisable in connection with our present subject to dwell especially on some insects that remain continually under water till they are ready to undergo their final moult and attain the winged state, which they pass entirely in the air. The preparatory instars of such insects are aquatic; the adult instar is aerial. All may-flies, dragon-flies, and caddis-flies, many beetles and two-winged flies, and a few moths thus divide their life-story between the water and the air. For the present we confine attention to the Stone-flies, the May-flies, and the Dragon- flies, three well-known orders of insects respectively called by systematists the Plecoptera, the Ephemeroptera and the Odonata. In the case of many insects that have aquatic larvae, the latter are provided with some arrangement for enabling them to reach atmospheric air through the surface-film of the water. But the larva of a stone-fly, a dragon-fly, or a may-fly is adapted more completely than these for aquatic life; it can, by means of gills of some kind, breathe the air dissolved in water. from The Life-Story of Insects, by Geo H. Carpenter 29. Which statement best details the central idea in this passage? a. It introduces certain insects that transition from water to air. b. It delves into entomology, especially where gills are concerned. c. It defines what constitutes as insects’ breathing. d. It invites readers to have a hand in the preservation of insects. 30. Which definition most closely relates to the usage of the word moult in the passage? a. An adventure of sorts, especially underwater b. Mating act between two insects c. The act of shedding part or all of the outer shell d. Death of an organism that ends in a revival of life 31. What is the purpose of the first paragraph in relation to the second paragraph? a. The first paragraph serves as a cause and the second paragraph serves as an effect. b. The first paragraph serves as a contrast to the second. c. The first paragraph is a description for the argument in the second paragraph. d. The first and second paragraphs are merely presented in a sequence. 32. What does the following sentence most nearly mean? The preparatory instars of such insects are aquatic; the adult instar is aerial. a. The volume of water is necessary to prep the insect for transition rather than the volume of the air. b. The abdomen of the insect is designed like a star in the water as well as the air. c. The stage of preparation in between molting is acted out in the water, while the last stage is in the air. d. These insects breathe first in the water through gills yet continue to use the same organs to breathe in the air. 33. Which of the statements reflect information that one could reasonably infer based on the author’s tone? a. The author’s tone is persuasive and attempts to call the audience to action. b. The author’s tone is passionate due to excitement over the subject and personal narrative. c. The author’s tone is informative and exhibits interest in the subject of the study. d. The author’s tone is somber, depicting some anger at the state of insect larvae. 34. Which statement best describes stoneflies, mayflies, and dragonflies? a. They are creatures of the land and the air. b. They have a way of protecting their spiracles when submerged. c. Their larvae can breathe the air dissolved in water through gills of some kind. d. The preparatory instars of these insects are aerial. Questions 35–41 are based on the following passage. In the quest to understand existence, modern philosophers must question if humans can fully comprehend the world. Classical western approaches to philosophy tend to hold that one can understand something, be it an event or object, by standing outside of the phenomena and observing it. It is then by unbiased observation that one can grasp the details of the world. This seems to hold true for many things. Scientists conduct experiments and record their findings, and thus many natural phenomena become comprehendible. However, several of these observations were possible because humans used tools in order to make these discoveries. This may seem like an extraneous matter. After all, people invented things like microscopes and telescopes in order to enhance their capacity to view cells or the movement of stars. While humans are still capable of seeing things, the question remains if human beings have the capacity to fully observe and see the world in order to understand it. It would not be an impossible stretch to argue that what humans see through a microscope is not the exact thing itself, but a human interpretation of it. This would seem to be the case in the “Business of the Holes” experiment conducted by Richard Feynman. To study the way electrons behave, Feynman set up a barrier with two holes and a plate. The plate was there to indicate how many times the electrons would pass through the hole(s). Rather than casually observe the electrons acting under normal circumstances, Feynman discovered that electrons behave in two totally different ways depending on whether or not they are observed. The electrons that were observed had passed through either one of the holes or were caught on the plate as particles. However, electrons that weren’t observed acted as waves instead of particles and passed through both holes. This indicated that electrons have a dual nature. Electrons seen by the human eye act like particles, while unseen electrons act like waves of energy. This dual nature of the electrons presents a conundrum. While humans now have a better understanding of electrons, the fact remains that people cannot entirely perceive how electrons behave without the use of instruments. We can only observe one of the mentioned behaviors, which only provides a partial understanding of the entire function of electrons. Therefore, we’re forced to ask ourselves whether the world we observe is objective or if it is subjectively perceived by humans. Or, an alternative question: can man understand the world only through machines that will allow them to observe natural phenomena? Both questions humble man’s capacity to grasp the world. However, those ideas don’t take into account that many phenomena have been proven by human beings without the use of machines, such as the discovery of gravity. Like all philosophical questions, whether man’s reason and observation alone can understand the universe can be approached from many angles. 35. What is the author’s motivation for writing the passage? a. Bring to light an alternative view on human perception by examining the role of technology in human understanding. b. Educate the reader on the latest astroparticle physics discovery and offer terms that may be unfamiliar to the reader. c. Argue that humans are totally blind to the realities of the world by presenting an experiment that proves that electrons are not what they seem on the surface. d. Reflect on opposing views of human understanding. 36. Which of the following most closely resembles the way in which paragraph four is structured? a. It offers one solution, questions the solution, and then ends with an alternative solution. b. It presents an inquiry, explains the detail of that inquiry, and then offers a solution. c. It presents a problem, explains the details of that problem, and then ends with more inquiry. d. It gives a definition, offers an explanation, and then ends with an inquiry. 37. For the classical approach to understanding to hold true, which of the following must be required? a. A telescope. b. The person observing must prove their theory beyond a doubt. c. Multiple witnesses present. d. The person observing must be unbiased. 38. Which best describes how the electrons in the experiment behaved like waves? a. The electrons moved up and down like actual waves. b. The electrons passed through both holes and then onto the plate. c. The electrons converted to photons upon touching the plate. d. Electrons were seen passing through one hole or the other. 39. The author mentions “gravity” in the last paragraph in order to do what? a. In order to show that different natural phenomena test man’s ability to grasp the world. b. To prove that since man has not measured it with the use of tools or machines, humans cannot know the true nature of gravity. c. To demonstrate an example of natural phenomena humans discovered and understand without the use of tools or machines. d. To show an alternative solution to the nature of electrons that humans have not thought of yet. 40. Which situation best parallels the revelation of the dual nature of electrons discovered in Feynman’s experiment? a. A man is born color-blind and grows up observing everything in lighter or darker shades. With the invention of special goggles he puts on, he discovers that there are other colors in addition to different shades. b. The coelacanth was thought to be extinct, but a live specimen was just recently discovered. There are now two living species of coelacanth known to man, and both are believed to be endangered. c. In the Middle Ages, blacksmiths added carbon to iron, thus inventing steel. The consequences of this important discovery would have its biggest effects during the industrial revolution. d. In order to better examine and treat broken bones, the x-ray machine was invented and put to use in hospitals and medical centers. 41. Which statement about technology would the author likely disagree with? a. Technology can help expand the field of human vision. b. Technology renders human observation irrelevant. c. Developing tools used in observation and research indicates growing understanding of our world in itself. d. Studying certain phenomena necessitates the use of tools and machines. Questions 42–47 are based upon the following passage: Fellow citizens—Pardon me, and allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here today? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice embodied in that Declaration of Independence, Independence extended to us? And am I therefore called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits, and express devout gratitude for the blessings, resulting from your independence to us? Would to God, both for your sakes and ours, ours that an affirmative answer could be truthfully returned to these questions! Then would my task be light, and my burden easy and delightful. For who is there so cold that a nation's sympathy could not warm him? Who so obdurate and dead to the claims of gratitude that would not thankfully acknowledge such priceless benefits? Who so stolid and selfish, that would not give his voice to swell the hallelujahs of a nation's jubilee, when the chains of servitude had been torn from his limbs? I am not that man. In a case like that, the dumb may eloquently speak, and the lame man leap as an hart. But, such is not the state of the case. I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary. Oh pity! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you this day rejoice, I do not enjoy in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today? If so there is a parallel to your conduct. And let me warn you that it is dangerous to copy the example of a nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation and irrecoverable ruin! I can today take up the plaintive lament of a peeled and woe-smitten people. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yea! We wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there, they that carried us away captive, required of us a song; and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth. From “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass, Rochester, New York July 5, 1852 42. What is the tone of the first paragraph of this passage? a. Exasperated b. Inclusive c. Contemplative d. Nonchalant 43. Which word CANNOT be used synonymously with the term obdurate as it is conveyed in the text below? Who so obdurate and dead to the claims of gratitude, that would not thankfully acknowledge such priceless benefits? a. Steadfast b. Stubborn c. Contented d. Unwavering 44. What is the central purpose of this text? a. To demonstrate the author’s extensive knowledge of the Bible b. To address the feelings of exclusion expressed by African Americans after the establishment of the Fourth of July holiday c. To convince wealthy landowners to adopt new holiday rituals d. To explain why minorities often relished the notion of segregation in government institutions 45. Which statement serves as evidence of the question above? a. By the rivers of Babylon . . . down. b. Fellow citizens . . . today. c. I can . . . woe-smitten people. d. The rich inheritance of justice . . . not by me. 46. The statement below features an example of which of the following literary devices? Oh pity! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. a. Assonance b. Parallelism c. Amplification d. Hyperbole 47. The speaker’s use of biblical references, such as “rivers of Babylon” and the “songs of Zion,” helps the reader to do all of the following EXCEPT: a. Identify with the speaker through the use of common text. b. Convince the audience that injustices have been committed by referencing another group of people who have been previously affected by slavery. c. Display the equivocation of the speaker and those that he represents. d. Appeal to the listener’s sense of humanity. The next question is based on the following passage. A famous children’s author recently published a historical fiction novel under a pseudonym; however, it did not sell as many copies as her children’s books. In her earlier years, she had majored in history and earned a graduate degree in Antebellum American History, which is the time frame of her new novel. Critics praised this newest work far more than the children's series that made her famous. In fact, her new novel was nominated for the prestigious Albert J. Beveridge Award but still isn’t selling like her children’s books, which fly off the shelves because of her name alone. 48. Which one of the following statements might be accurately inferred based on the above passage? a. The famous children’s author produced an inferior book under her pseudonym. b. The famous children’s author is the foremost expert on Antebellum America. c. The famous children’s author did not receive the bump in publicity for her historical novel that it would have received if it were written under her given name. d. People generally prefer to read children's series than historical fiction. Questions 49–54 are based on the following passage: Dana Gioia argues in his article that poetry is dying, now little more than a limited art form confined to academic and college settings. Of course, poetry remains healthy in the academic setting, but the idea of poetry being limited to this academic subculture is a stretch. New technology and social networking alone have contributed to poets and other writers’ work being shared across the world. YouTube has emerged to be a major asset to poets, allowing live performances to be streamed to billions of users. Even now, poetry continues to grow and voice topics that are relevant to the culture of our time. Poetry is not in the spotlight as it may have been in earlier times, but it’s still a relevant art form that continues to expand in scope and appeal. Furthermore, Gioia’s argument does not account for live performances of poetry. Not everyone has taken a poetry class or enrolled in university—but most everyone is online. The Internet is a perfect launching point to get all creative work out there. An example of this was the performance of Buddy Wakefield’s Hurling Crowbirds at Mockingbars. Wakefield is a well-known poet who has published several collections of contemporary poetry. One of my favorite works by Wakefield is Crowbirds, specifically his performance at New York University in 2009. Although his reading was a campus event, views of his performance online number in the thousands. His poetry attracted people outside of the university setting. Naturally, the poem’s popularity can be attributed both to Wakefield’s performance and the quality of his writing. Crowbirds touches on themes of core human concepts such as faith, personal loss, and growth. These are not ideas that only poets or students of literature understand, but all human beings: “You acted like I was hurling crowbirds at mockingbars / and abandoned me for not making sense. / Evidently, I don’t experience things as rationally as you do” (Wakefield 15-17). Wakefield weaves together a complex description of the perplexed and hurt emotions of the speaker undergoing a separation from a romantic interest. The line “You acted like I was hurling crowbirds at mockingbars” conjures up an image of someone confused, seemingly out of their mind . . . or in the case of the speaker, passionately trying to grasp at a relationship that is fading. The speaker is looking back and finding the words that described how he wasn’t making sense. This poem is particularly human and gripping in its message, but the entire effect of the poem is enhanced through the physical performance. At its core, poetry is about addressing issues/ideas in the world. Part of this is also addressing the perspectives that are exiguously considered. Although the platform may look different, poetry continues to have a steady audience due to the emotional connection the poet shares with the audience. 49. Which one of the following best explains how the passage is organized? a. The author begins with a long definition of the main topic, and then proceeds to prove how that definition has changed over the course of modernity. b. The author presents a puzzling phenomenon and uses the rest of the passage to showcase personal experiences in order to explain it. c. The author contrasts two different viewpoints, then builds a case showing preference for one over the other. d. The passage is an analysis of another theory in which the author has no stake in. 50. The author of the passage would likely agree most with which of the following? a. Buddy Wakefield is a genius and is considered at the forefront of modern poetry. b. Poetry is not irrelevant; it is an art form that adapts to the changing time while containing its core elements. c. Spoken word is the zenith of poetic forms and the premier style of poetry in this decade. d. Poetry is on the verge of vanishing from our cultural consciousness. 51. Which one of the following words, if substituted for the word exiguously in the last paragraph, would LEAST change the meaning of the sentence? a. Indolently b. Inaudibly c. Interminably d. Infrequently 52. Which of the following is most closely analogous to the author’s opinion of Buddy Wakefield’s performance in relation to modern poetry? a. Someone’s refusal to accept that the Higgs Boson will validate the Standard Model. b. An individual’s belief that soccer will lose popularity within the next fifty years. c. A professor’s opinion that poetry contains the language of the heart, while fiction contains the language of the mind. d. A student’s insistence that psychoanalysis is a subset of modern psychology. 53. What is the primary purpose of the passage? a. To educate readers on the development of poetry and describe the historical implications of poetry in media. b. To disprove Dana Gioia’s stance that poetry is becoming irrelevant and is only appreciated in academia. c. To inform readers of the brilliance of Buddy Wakefield and to introduce them to other poets that have influence in contemporary poetry. d. To prove that Gioia’s article does have some truth to it and to shed light on its relevance to modern poetry. 54. What is the author’s main reason for including the quote in the passage? a. The quote opens up opportunity to disprove Gioia’s views. b. To demonstrate that people are still writing poetry even if the medium has changed in current times. c. To prove that poets still have an audience to write for even if the audience looks different than it did centuries ago. d. The quote illustrates the complex themes poets continue to address, which still draws listeners and appreciation. Questions 55–59 are based on the following passage: The Middle Ages were a time of great superstition and theological debate. Many beliefs were developed and practiced, while some died out or were listed as heresy. Boethianism is a Medieval theological philosophy that attributes sin to gratification and righteousness with virtue and God’s providence. Boethianism holds that sin, greed, and corruption are means to attain temporary pleasure, but that they inherently harm the person’s soul as well as other human beings. In The Canterbury Tales, we observe more instances of bad actions punished than goodness being rewarded. This would appear to be some reflection of Boethianism. In the “Pardoner’s Tale,” all three thieves wind up dead, which is a result of their desire for wealth. Each wrong doer pays with their life, and they are unable to enjoy the wealth they worked to steal. Within his tales, Chaucer gives reprieve to people undergoing struggle, but also interweaves stories of contemptible individuals being cosmically punished for their wickedness. The thieves idolize physical wealth, which leads to their downfall. This same theme and ideological principle of Boethianism is repeated in the “Friar’s Tale,” whose summoner character attempts to gain further wealth by partnering with a demon. The summoner’s refusal to repent for his avarice and corruption leads to the demon dragging his soul to Hell. Again, we see the theme of the individual who puts faith and morality aside in favor for a physical prize. The result, of course, is that the summoner loses everything. The examples of the righteous being rewarded tend to appear in a spiritual context within the Canterbury Tales. However, there are a few instances where we see goodness resulting in physical reward. In the Prioress’ Tale, we see corporal punishment for barbarism and a reward for goodness. The Jews are punished for their murder of the child, giving a sense of law and order (though racist) to the plot. While the boy does die, he is granted a lasting reward by being able to sing even after his death, a miracle that marks that the murdered youth led a pure life. Here, the miracle represents eternal favor with God. Again, we see the theological philosophy of Boethianism in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales through acts of sin and righteousness and the consequences that follow. When pleasures of the world are sought instead of God’s favor, we see characters being punished in tragic ways. However, the absence of worldly lust has its own set of consequences for the characters seeking to obtain God’s favor. 55. What would be a potential reward for living a good life, as described in Boethianism? a. A long life sustained by the good deeds one has done over a lifetime b. Wealth and fertility for oneself and the extension of one’s family line c. Vengeance for those who have been persecuted by others who have a capacity for committing wrongdoing d. God’s divine favor for one’s righteousness 56. What might be the main reason why the author chose to discuss Boethianism through examining The Canterbury Tales? a. The Canterbury Tales is a well-known text. b. The Canterbury Tales is the only known fictional text that contains use of Boethianism. c. The Canterbury Tales presents a manuscript written in the medieval period that can help illustrate Boethianism through stories and show how people of the time might have responded to the idea. d. Within each individual tale in The Canterbury Tales, the reader can read about different levels of Boethianism and how each level leads to greater enlightenment. 57. What “ideological principle” is the author referring to in the middle of the second paragraph when talking about the “Friar’s Tale”? a. The principle that the act of ravaging another’s possessions is the same as ravaging one’s soul. b. The principle that thieves who idolize physical wealth will be punished in an earthly sense as well as eternally. c. The principle that fraternization with a demon will result in one losing everything, including his or her life. d. The principle that a desire for material goods leads to moral malfeasance punishable by a higher being. 58. Which of the following words, if substituted for the word avarice in paragraph two, would LEAST change the meaning of the sentence? a. Perniciousness b. Pithiness c. Covetousness d. Precariousness 59. Based on the passage, what view does Boethianism take on desire? a. Desire does not exist in the context of Boethianism b. Desire is a virtue and should be welcomed c. Having desire is evidence of demonic possession d. Desire for pleasure can lead toward sin 60. The following exchange occurred after the Baseball Coach's team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final inning. Reporter: The team clearly did not rise to the challenge. I'm sure that getting zero hits in twenty at-bats with runners in scoring position hurt the team's chances at winning the game. What are your thoughts on this devastating loss? Baseball Coach: Hitting with runners in scoring position was not the reason we lost this game. We made numerous errors in the field, and our pitchers gave out too many free passes. Also, we did not even need a hit with runners in scoring position. Many of those at-bats could have driven in the run by simply making contact. Our team did not deserve to win the game. Which of the following best describes the main point of dispute between the reporter and baseball coach? a. Whether the loss was heartbreaking. b. Whether getting zero hits in twenty at-bats with runners in scoring position caused the loss. c. Numerous errors in the field and pitchers giving too many free passes caused the loss. d. Whether the team deserved to win the game. 61. Conservative Politician: Social welfare programs are destroying our country. These programs are not only adding to the annual deficit, which increases the national debt, but they also discourage hard work. Our country must continue producing leaders who bootstrap their way to the top. None of our country's citizens truly need assistance from the government; rather, the assistance just makes things easier. Liberal Politician: Our great country is founded on the principle of hope. The country is built on the backs of immigrants who came here with nothing, except for the hope of a better life. Our country is too wealthy not to provide basic necessities for the less fortunate. Recent immigrants, single mothers, historically disenfranchised, disabled persons, and the elderly all require an ample safety net. What is the main point of dispute between the politicians? a. Spending on social welfare programs increases the national debt. b. Certain classes of people rely on social welfare programs to meet their basic needs. c. Certain classes of people would be irreparably harmed if the country failed to provide a social welfare program. d. All of the country's leaders have bootstrapped their way to the top. Questions 62–67 are based upon the following passage: My Good Friends,—When I first imparted to the committee of the projected Institute my particular wish that on one of the evenings of my readings here the main body of my audience should be composed of working men and their families, I was animated by two desires; first, by the wish to have the great pleasure of meeting you face to face at this Christmas time, and accompany you myself through one of my little Christmas books; and second, by the wish to have an opportunity of stating publicly in your presence, and in the presence of the committee, my earnest hope that the Institute will, from the beginning, recognise one great principle—strong in reason and justice—which I believe to be essential to the very life of such an Institution. It is, that the working man shall, from the first unto the last, have a share in the management of an Institution which is designed for his benefit, and which calls itself by his name. I have no fear here of being misunderstood—of being supposed to mean too much in this. If there ever was a time when any one class could of itself do much for its own good, and for the welfare of society—which I greatly doubt—that time is unquestionably past. It is in the fusion of different classes, without confusion; in the bringing together of employers and employed; in the creating of a better common understanding among those whose interests are identical, who depend upon each other, who are vitally essential to each other, and who never can be in unnatural antagonism without deplorable results, that one of the chief principles of a Mechanics’ Institution should consist. In this world, a great deal of the bitterness among us arises from an imperfect understanding of one another. Erect in Birmingham a great Educational Institution, properly educational; educational of the feelings as well as of the reason; to which all orders of Birmingham men contribute; in which all orders of Birmingham men meet; wherein all orders of Birmingham men are faithfully represented—and you will erect a Temple of Concord here which will be a model edifice to the whole of England. Contemplating as I do the existence of the Artisans’ Committee, which not long ago considered the establishment of the Institute so sensibly, and supported it so heartily, I earnestly entreat the gentlemen—earnest I know in the good work, and who are now among us—by all means to avoid the great shortcoming of similar institutions; and in asking the working man for his confidence, to set him the great example and give him theirs in return. You will judge for yourselves if I promise too much for the working man, when I say that he will stand by such an enterprise with the utmost of his patience, his perseverance, sense, and support; that I am sure he will need no charitable aid or condescending patronage; but will readily and cheerfully pay for the advantages which it confers; that he will prepare himself in individual cases where he feels that the adverse circumstances around him have rendered it necessary; in a word, that he will feel his responsibility like an honest man, and will most honestly and manfully discharge it. I now proceed to the pleasant task to which I assure you I have looked forward for a long time. from Charles Dickens’ speech in Birmingham in England on December 30, 1853 on behalf of the Birmingham and Midland Institute. 62. Which word is most closely synonymous with the word patronage as it appears in the following statement? ...that I am sure he will need no charitable aid or condescending patronage a. Auspices b. Aberration c. Acerbic d. Adulation 63. Which term is most closely aligned with the definition of the term working man as it is defined in the following passage? You will judge for yourselves if I promise too much for the working man, when I say that he will stand by such an enterprise with the utmost of his patience, his perseverance, sense, and support... a. Plebeian b. Viscount c. Entrepreneur d. Bourgeois 64. Which of the following statements most closely correlates with the definition of the term working man as it is defined in Question 41? a. A working man is not someone who works for institutions or corporations, but someone who is well-versed in the workings of the soul. b. A working man is someone who is probably not involved in social activities because the physical demand for work is too high. c. A working man is someone who works for wages among the middle class. d. The working man has historically taken to the field, to the factory, and now to the screen. 65. Based upon the contextual evidence provided in the passage above, what is the meaning of the term enterprise in the third paragraph? a. Company b. Courage c. Game d. Cause 66. The speaker addresses his audience as My Good Friends. What kind of credibility does this salutation give to the speaker? a. The speaker is an employer addressing his employees, so the salutation is a way for the boss to bridge the gap between himself and his employees. b. The speaker’s salutation is one from an entertainer to his audience, and uses the friendly language to connect to his audience before a serious speech. c. The salutation is used ironically to give a somber tone to the serious speech that follows. d. The speech is one from a politician to the public, so the salutation is used to grab the audience’s attention. 67. According to the passage, what is the speaker’s second desire for his time in front of the audience? a. To read a Christmas story b. For the working man to have a say in his institution, which is designed for his benefit. c. To have an opportunity to stand in their presence d. For the life of the institution to be essential to the audience as a whole Questions 68–73 are based upon the following passage: “MANKIND being originally equals in the order of creation, the equality could only be destroyed by some subsequent circumstance; the distinctions of rich, and poor, may in a great measure be accounted for, and that without having recourse to the harsh ill sounding names of oppression and avarice. Oppression is often the consequence, but seldom or never the means of riches; and though avarice will preserve a man from being necessitously poor, it generally makes him too timorous to be wealthy. But there is another and greater distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is, the distinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECTS. Male and female are the distinctions of nature, good and bad the distinctions of heaven; but how a race of men came into the world so exalted above the rest, and distinguished like some new species, is worth enquiring into, and whether they are the means of happiness or of misery to mankind. In the early ages of the world, according to the scripture chronology, there were no kings; the consequence of which was there were no wars; it is the pride of kings which throw mankind into confusion Holland without a king hath enjoyed more peace for this last century than any of the monarchical governments in Europe. Antiquity favors the same remark; for the quiet and rural lives of the first patriarchs hath a happy something in them, which vanishes away when we come to the history of Jewish royalty. Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry. The Heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world hath improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust! As the exalting one man so greatly above the rest cannot be justified on the equal rights of nature, so neither can it be defended on the authority of scripture; for the will of the Almighty, as declared by Gideon and the prophet Samuel, expressly disapproves of government by kings. All anti- monarchical parts of scripture have been very smoothly glossed over in monarchical governments, but they undoubtedly merit the attention of countries, which have their governments yet to form. "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's" is the scripture doctrine of courts, yet it is no support of monarchical government, for the Jews at that time were without a king, and in a state of vassalage to the Romans. Near three thousand years passed away from the Mosaic account of the creation, till the Jews under a national delusion requested a king. Till then their form of government (except in extraordinary cases, where the Almighty interposed) was a kind of republic administered by a judge and the elders of the tribes. Kings they had none, and it was held sinful to acknowledge any being under that title but the Lord of Hosts. And when a man seriously reflects on the idolatrous homage which is paid to the persons of Kings, he need not wonder, that the Almighty ever jealous of his honor, should disapprove of a form of government which so impiously invades the prerogative of heaven. from Thomas Paine, “Common Sense” 68. According to passage, what role does avarice, or greed, play in poverty? a. It can make a man very wealthy. b. It is the consequence of wealth. c. Avarice can prevent a man from being poor, but too fearful to be very wealthy. d. Avarice is what drives a person to be very wealthy 69. Of these distinctions, which does the author believe to be beyond natural or religious reason? a. Good and bad b. Male and female c. Human and animal d. King and subjects 70. According to the passage, what are the Heathens responsible for? a. Government by kings b. Quiet and rural lives of patriarchs c. Paying divine honors to their living kings d. Equal rights of nature 71. Which of the following best states Paine’s rationale for the denouncement of monarchy? a. It is against the laws of nature. b. It is against the equal rights of nature and is denounced in scripture. c. Despite scripture, a monarchal government is unlawful. d. Neither the law nor scripture denounce monarchy. 72. Based on the passage, what is the best definition of the word idolatrous? a. Worshipping heroes b. Being deceitful c. Sinfulness d. Engaging in illegal activities 73. What is the essential meaning of lines 41-44? And when a man seriously reflects on the idolatrous homage which is paid to the persons of Kings, he need not wonder, that the Almighty ever jealous of his honor, should disapprove of a form of government which so impiously invades the prerogative of heaven. a. God would disapprove of the irreverence of a monarchical government. b. With careful reflection, men should realize that heaven is not promised. c. God will punish those that follow a monarchical government. d. Belief in a monarchical government cannot coexist with belief in God. Questions 74–79 are based on the following passage: When I got on the coach the driver had not taken his seat, and I saw him talking with the landlady. They were evidently talking of me, for every now and then they looked at me, and some of the people who were sitting on the bench outside the door came and listened, and then looked at me, most of them pityingly. I could hear a lot of words often repeated, queer words, for there were many nationalities in the crowd; so I quietly got my polyglot dictionary from my bag and looked them out. I must say they weren’t cheering to me, for amongst them were “Ordog”—Satan, “pokol”—hell, “stregoica”— witch, “vrolok” and “vlkoslak”—both of which mean the same thing, one being Slovak and the other Servian for something that is either were-wolf or vampire. When we started, the crowd round the inn door, which had by this time swelled to a considerable size, all made the sign of the cross and pointed two fingers towards me. With some difficulty I got a fellow- passenger to tell me what they meant; he wouldn’t answer at first, but on learning that I was English, he explained that it was a charm or guard against the evil eye. This was not very pleasant for me, just starting for an unknown place to meet an unknown man; but everyone seemed so kind-hearted, and so sorrowful, and so sympathetic that I couldn’t but be touched. I shall never forget the last glimpse which I had of the inn-yard and its crowd of picturesque figures, all crossing themselves, as they stood round the wide archway, with its background of rich foliage of oleander and orange trees in green tubs clustered in the centre of the yard. Then our driver cracked his big whip over his four small horses, which ran abreast, and we set off on our journey. I soon lost sight and recollection of ghostly fears in the beauty of the scene as we drove along, although had I known the language, or rather languages, which my fellow-passengers were speaking, I might not have been able to throw them off so easily. Before us lay a green sloping land full of forests and woods, with here and there steep hills, crowned with clumps of trees or with farmhouses, the blank gable end to the road. There was everywhere a bewildering mass of fruit blossom—apple, plum, pear, cherry; and as we drove by I could see the green grass under the trees spangled with the fallen petals. In and out amongst these green hills of what they call here the “Mittel Land” ran the road, losing itself as it swept round the grassy curve, or was shut out by the straggling ends of pine woods, which here and there ran down the hillsides like tongues of flame. The road was rugged, but still we seemed to fly over it with a feverish haste. I couldn’t understand then what the haste meant, but the driver was evidently bent on losing no time in reaching Borgo Prund. 74. What type of narrator is found in this passage? a. First person b. Second person c. Third-person limited d. Third-person omniscient 75. Which of the following is true of the traveler? a. He wishes the driver would go faster. b. He’s returning to the country of his birth. c. He has some familiarity with the local customs. d. He doesn’t understand all of the languages being used. 76. How does the traveler’s mood change between the second and third paragraphs? a. From relaxed to rushed b. From fearful to charmed c. From confused to enlightened d. From comfortable to exhausted 77. Who is the traveler going to meet? a. A kind landlady b. A distant relative c. A friendly villager d. A complete stranger 78. Based on the details in this passage, what can readers probably expect to happen in the story? a. The traveler will become a farmer. b. The traveler will arrive late at his destination. c. The traveler will soon encounter danger or evil. d. The traveler will have a pleasant journey and make many new friends. 79. Which sentence from the passage provides a clue for question 39? a. “I must say they weren’t cheering to me, for amongst them were “Ordog”—Satan, “pokol”—hell, “stregoica”—witch, “vrolok” and “vlkoslak”—both of which mean the same thing, one being Slovak and the other Servian for something that is either were-wolf or vampire.” b. “When I got on the coach the driver had not taken his seat, and I saw him talking with the landlady.” c. “Then our driver cracked his big whip over his four small horses, which ran abreast, and we set off on our journey.” d. “There was everywhere a bewildering mass of fruit blossom—apple, plum, pear, cherry; and as we drove by I could see the green grass under the trees spangled with the fallen petals.” Questions 80–85 are based on the following passage: I heartily accept the motto, “that government is best which governs least,” and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe—“that government is best which governs not at all,” and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have. Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing government. The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness the present Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool; for, in the outset, the people would not have consented to this measure. This American government—what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will. It is a sort of wooden gun to the people themselves. But it is not the less necessary for this; for the people must have some complicated machinery or other, and hear its din, to satisfy that idea of government which they have. Governments show thus how successfully men can be imposed on, even impose on themselves, for their own advantage. It is excellent, we must all allow. Yet this government never of itself furthered any enterprise, but by the alacrity with which it got out of its way. It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate. The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished; and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way. For government is an expedient by which men would fain succeed in letting one another alone; and, as has been said, when it is most expedient, the governed are most let alone by it. Trade and commerce, if they were not made of india-rubber, would never manage to bounce over the obstacles which legislators are continually putting in their way; and, if one were to judge these men wholly by the effects of their actions and not partly by their intentions, they would deserve to be classed and punished with those mischievous persons who put obstructions on the railroads. But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it. The following passage is an excerpt from Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau 80. Which phrase best encapsulates Thoreau’s use of the term expedient in the first paragraph? a. A dead end b. A state of order c. A means to an end d. Rushed construction 81. Which best describes Thoreau’s view on the Mexican War? a. Government is inherently corrupt because it must wage war. b. Government can easily be manipulated by a few individuals for their own agenda. c. Government is a tool for the people, but it can also act against their interest. d. The Mexican War was a necessary action, but not all the people believed this. 82. What is Thoreau’s purpose for writing? a. His goal is to illustrate how government can function if ideals are maintained. b. He wants to prove that true democracy is the best government, but it can be corrupted easily. c. Thoreau reflects on the stages of government abuses. d. He is seeking to prove that government is easily corruptible and inherently restrictive of individual freedoms that can simultaneously affect the whole state. 83. Which example best supports Thoreau’s argument? a. A vote carries in the Senate to create a new road tax. b. The president vetoes the new FARM bill. c. Prohibition is passed to outlaw alcohol. d. Trade is opened between the United States and Iceland. 84. Which best summarizes this section from the following passage? “This American government—what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity? It has not the vitality and force of a single living man; for a single man can bend it to his will. It is a sort of wooden gun to the people themselves.” a. The government may be instituted to ensure the protections of freedoms, but this is weakened by the fact that it is easily manipulated by individuals. b. Unlike an individual, government is uncaring. c. Unlike an individual, government has no will, making it more prone to be used as a weapon against the people. d. American government is modeled after other traditions but actually has greater potential to be used to control people. 85. According to Thoreau, what’s the main reason why government eventually fails to achieve progress? a. There are too many rules. b. Legislation eventually becomes a hindrance to the lives and work of everyday people. c. Trade and wealth eventually become the driving factor of those in government. d. Government doesn’t separate religion and state. Answer Explanations Word Knowledge 1. C: Jackson wanted to relieve his parched throat. Parched is the correct answer because it means thirsty, or arid. Choice A, humid, means moist, and usually refers to the weather. Choice B, scorched, means blackened or baked, and doesn’t fit in this context. Choice D is incorrect; although dusty can cause dryness, it is not the same as the word thirsty or arid. 2. A: The two friends became inseparable, or closer. For this question, it’s important to look at the context of the sentence. The second sentence says the friends shared good memories on the trip, which would not make the friends distant or irritable, Choices B and D. Choice C, suffering, carries a negative connotation, and closer or inseparable are positive words. Therefore, Choice A is correct. 3. B: She pledged to, or promised her fans the sequel would be just as exciting as the first. Choice A, denied, is the opposite of the word promised and does not fit with the word excited. Choice C, invigorated, means energized, and might fit the tone of the sentence with the word excited. However, promised is the better word to use here. Choice D, germinated, means to grow. 4. C: My hands started shaking and my heart stopped. Shaking is most closely related to the word trembling. Choice A, dancing, is not a synonym of shaking. Choice B, glowing, is incorrect; hands usually do not glow when one is afraid of something. Choice D, throbbing, is closer than A or B, but Choice C, shaking, is closer to the answer than throbbing. 5. D: Gabriel would consistently, or usually go to the library and study after school. Consistently and usually mean similar things. Infrequently, occasionally, and hardly are the opposite of consistently so they do not fit here. 6. A: The runners sprinted, or dashed toward the finish line. Choice B is incorrect; runners who begin a race usually don’t skip toward the finish line. Choice C is incorrect, as rejoice means to celebrate, not dash or run. Choice D, herded, means to gather around something; usually herded is used for animals and not for runners. 7. D: Resolved means driven or determined, Choice D. Choice A, resu