The following text is from Edgar Rice Burroughs's 1918 novel The People That Time Forgot.

Bowen and I roomed together at college, and I learned a lot from him outside my regular course. He was
a pretty good scholar despite his love of fun, and his particular hobby was paleontology. He used to tell
me about the various forms of animal and vegetable life which had covered the globe during former
eras, and so I was pretty well acquainted with the fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals of
paleolithic times.

1. Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It pinpoints a few of Bowen's traits that the subsequent sentence further explains.

B) It returns to the previous sentence's description of a conflict between Bowen and the narrator.

C) It hints at the source of tension between Bowen and the narrator that is mentioned in the subsequent
sentence.

D) It offers further details about the college curriculum described in the previous sentence.

The following text is from Gertrude Stein's text "The Good Anna," one of the stories in the 1909 book
Three Lives,

Anna managed the whole little house for Miss Mathilda. It was a funny little house, one of a whole row
of all the same kind that made a close pile like a row of dominoes that a child knocks over, for they were
built along a street. which at this point came down a steep hill. They were funny little houses, two stories
high, with red brick fronts and long white steps. This one little house was always very full with Miss
Mathilda, an under servant, stray dogs and cats and Anna's voice that scolded, managed, grumbled all
day long.

2. Which choice best describes the main purpose of the text?

A) To illustrate a few misconceptions about a setting and its inhabitants

B) To demonstrate that two characters So are fundamentally similar

C) To reveal the positive aspects of a character's ideas

D) To depict a location and explain a character's role in this context

The following text is from Edith Nesbit's 1899 novel The Treasure Seekers. This portion is narrated by a
child and begins the novel's second chapter.

I am afraid the last chapter was rather dull. It is always dull in books when people talk and talk, and don't
do anything, but I was obliged to put it in, or else you wouldn't have understood all the rest. The best
part of books is when things are happening. That is the best part of real things too. This is why I shall not
tell you in this story about all the days when nothing happened.

3. Which choice best describes the main purpose of the text?

B) To name a few books that the narrator enjoys

C) To connect the narrator's own writing to specific principles

D) To recall a pivotal scene from the narrator's education

In a study examining the effects of meditation on stress levels, researchers found that participants who
practiced mindfulness meditation for 10 minutes a day had lower levels of perceived stress compared to
those who did not meditate. Mindfulness, or the practice of intentionally staying present, is thought to
help anxious individuals to direct their attention away from thoughts that may be contributing to their
stress. In this way, the practice of mindfulness can help individuals develop a greater sense of emotional
regulation. However, the researchers noted that the study relied on a small sample size, which might
have produced skewed results. To remedy this, they recommended further research with a larger and
more diverse group of participants.

4. Which choice best describes the function of the fourth sentence in the overall structure of the text?

A) It describes why the study was ultimately inconclusive and how it might contradict the researchers'
initial hypothesis.

B) It acknowledges an issue with the study and leads into how the researchers might correct this to
ensure the most accurate results.

C) It supports the idea that mindfulness meditation is an effective tool for reducing stress by showing
how even a small sample size achieved significant results.

D) It emphasizes the importance of designing an unbiased study, as the researchers' findings are invalid
based on the sample size they selected.

Whale sharks are known for their size, with some growing up to 40 feet in length. Despite their massive
size, these creatures feed mainly on plankton and small fish, which they filter through their gills.
Unfortunately, it is because of their filter-feeding process they may also unintentionally consume
"microplastics," which are created by plastic debris breaking down into tiny pieces over time. Because
whale sharks feed by filtering enormous amounts of water every hour, marine biologists have been
studying how large filter feeder mammals may be negatively impacted by microplastic ingestion.

5. Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?

A) To provide additional context to support the idea that microplastics are an environmental hazard

B) To connect the filter-feeding behavior of whale sharks to their vulnerability to microplastic pollution

C) To transition from describing whale shark feeding behavior to explaining how whale sharks avoid
ingesting microplastics
D) To illustrate how marine biologists can take action to protect whale sharks by studying the impact of
microplastic ingestion further

The following text comes from Justice Brett Kavanaugh's concurring opinion in the Supreme Court case
NCAA v. Alston.

The NCAA couches its arguments for not paying student-athletes in innocuous labels. But the labels
cannot disguise the reality: The NCAA's business model would be flatly illegal in almost any other
industry in America. All of the restaurants in a region cannot come together to cut cooks' wages on the
theory that "customers prefer" to eat food from low-paid cooks. Law firms cannot conspire to cabin
lawyers' salaries in the name of providing legal services out of a "love of the law." Hospitals cannot agree
to cap nurses' income in order to create a "purer" form of helping the sick. News organizations cannot
join forces to curtail pay to reporters to preserve a "tradition" of public-minded journalism. Movie
studios cannot collude to slash benefits to camera crews to kindle a "spirit of amateurism" in Hollywood.

6. Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?

A) It highlights the negatives of NCAA policy, then discusses how the NCAA should change.

B) It condemns the NCAA, then condemns several other industries.

C) It presents a claim about the NCAA, then gives examples supporting that claim.

D) It expresses a conclusion regarding student-athletes, then describes the conclusion's implications.

The following text is from Josephus's first-century work The Wars of the Jews, which covers the history of
the Roman-Jewish wars.

While some men who were not concerned in the affairs themselves have gotten together vain and
contradictory stories by hearsay, and have written them down after a sophistical manner; and while
those that were there present have given false accounts of things; and while their writings contain
sometimes accusations, and sometimes encomiums, but no where the accurate truth of the facts; I have
proposed to myself, for the sake of such as live under the government of the Romans, to translate those
books into the Greek tongue, which I formerly composed in the language of our country, and sent to the
Upper Barbarians; Joseph, the son of Matthias, by birth a Hebrew, a priest also, and one who at first
fought against the Romans myself, and was forced to be present at what was done afterwards.

7. Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?

A) It describes anti-Roman propaganda, then describes the war that resulted from it.

B) It attacks the objectivity of other treatises, then elaborates on the author's experiences.

C) It criticizes historical works by other authors, then gives evidence of its own credibility.

D) It points out contradictions in ancient books, then corrects those discrepancies.

Miriam's sadder mood, it might be, had at first an effect on Donatello's spirits. It checked the joyous
ebullition into which they would otherwise have effervesced when he found himself in her society, not,
as heretofore, in the old gloom of Rome, but under that bright soft sky and in those Arcadian woods. He
was silent for a while; it being, indeed, seldom Donatello's impulse to express himself copiously in words.
His usual modes of demonstration were by the natural language of gesture, the instinctive movement of
his agile frame, and the unconscious play of his features, which, within a limited range of thought and
emotion, would speak volumes in a moment.

8. Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A) It calls into question the previous sentence's praise of Donatello's demeanor.

B) It clarifies the previous sentence's claim about Donatello's habits of communication.

C) It concludes the discussion as a whole by suggesting a reconciliation between Donatello and Miriam.

D) It contrasts Donatello's natural high spirits with the gloom of his surroundings.

The field of study called affective neuroscience seeks instinctive, physiological causes for feelings such as
pleasure or displeasure. Because these sensations are linked to a chemical component (for example, the
release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain when one receives or expects a reward), they can
be said to have a partly physiological basis. These processes have been described in mammals, but
Jingnan Huang and his colleagues have recently observed that some behaviors of honeybees (such as
foraging) are also motivated by a dopamine-based signaling process.

9. What choice best describes the main purpose of the text?

A. It describes an experimental method of measuring the strength of physiological responses in humans.

B. It illustrates processes by which certain insects can express how they are feeling.

C. It summarizes a finding suggesting that some mechanisms in the brains of certain insects resemble
mechanisms in mammalian brains.

D. It presents research showing that certain insects and mammals behave similarly when there is a
possibility of a reward for their actions.

Early in the Great Migration of 1910-1970, which involved the mass migration of Black people from the
southern to the northern United States, political activist and Chicago Defender writer Fannie Barrier
Williams was instrumental in helping other Black women establish themselves in the North. Many
women hoped for better employment opportunities in the North because, in the South, they faced much
competition for domestic employment and men tended to get agricultural work. To aid with this
transition, Barrier Williams helped secure job placement in the North for many women before they even
began their journey.
10. Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

A. To introduce and illustrate Barrier Williams's integral role in supporting other Black women as their
circumstances changed during part of the Great Migration

B. To establish that Barrier Williams used her professional connections to arrange employment for other
Black women, including jobs with the Chicago Defender

C. To demonstrate that the factors that motivated the start of the Great Migration were different for
Black women than they were for Black men

D. To provide an overview of the employment challenges faced by Black women in the agricultural and
domestic spheres in the southern United States

Studying late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century artifacts from an agricultural and domestic site in
Texas, archaeologist Ayana O. Flewellen found that Black women employed as farm workers utilized
hook-and-eye closures to fasten their clothes at the waist, giving themselves a silhouette similar to the
one that was popular in contemporary fashion and typically achieved through more restrictive garments
such as corsets. Flewellen argues that this sartorial practice shows that these women balanced
hegemonic ideals of femininity with the requirements of their physically demanding occupation.

11. Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

A. To describe an unexpected discovery that altered a researcher's view of how rapidly fashions among
Black female farmworkers in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Texas changed during the
period

B. To discuss research that investigated the ways in which Black female farmworkers in late nineteenth-
and early twentieth-century Texas used fashion practices to resist traditional gender ideals

C. To evaluate a scholarly work that offers explanations for the impact of urban fashion ideals on Black
female farmworkers in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Texas

D. To summarize the findings of a study that explored factors influencing a fashion practice among Black
female farmworkers in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Texas

The following text is adapted from Herman Melville's 1857 novel The Confidence-Man. Humphry Davy
was a prominent British chemist and inventor.

Years ago, a grave American savant, being in London, observed at an evening party there, a certain
coxcombical fellow, as he thought, an absurd ribbon in his lapel, and full of smart [banter], whisking
about to the admiration of as many as were disposed to admire. Great was the savant's disdain; but,
chancing ere long to find himself in a corner with the jackanapes, got into conversation with him, when
he was somewhat ill-prepared for the good sense of the jackanapes, but was altogether thrown aback,
upon subsequently being [informed that he was] no less a personage than Sir Humphry Davy.

12. Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A. It portrays the thoughts of a character who is embarrassed about his own behavior.

B. It presents an account of a misunderstanding.

C. It offers a short history of how a person came to be famous.

D. It explains why one character dislikes another.

The following text is from Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel The Secret Agent: A Simple Tale. Mr. Verloc is
navigating the London streets on his way to a meeting.

Before reaching Knightsbridge, Mr. Verloc took a turn to the left out of the busy main thoroughfare,
uproarious with the traffic of swaying omnibuses and trotting vans, in the almost silent, swift flow of
hansoms [horse-drawn carriages]. Under his hat, worn with a slight backward tilt, his hair had been
carefully brushed into respectful sleekness; for his business was with an Embassy. And Mr. Verloc, steady
like a rock-a soft kind of rock-marched now along a street which could with every propriety be described
as private.

13. Which choice best describes the function of the underlined phrase in the text as a whole?

A. It qualifies an earlier description of Mr. Verloc.

B. It emphasizes an internal struggle Mr. Verloc experiences.

C. It contrasts Mr. Verloc with his surroundings.

D. It reveals a private opinion Mr. Verloc holds.

In Jane Austen's novel Mansfield Park, an almost imperceptible smile from potential suitor Henry
Crawford causes the protagonist Fanny Price to blush; her embarrassment grows when she suspects that
he is aware of it. This moment-in which Fanny not only infers Henry's mental state through his gestures,
but also infers that he is drawing inferences about her mental state-illustrates what literary scholar
George Butte calls "deep intersubjectivity," a technique for representing interactions between
consciousnesses through which Austen's novels derive much of their social and psychological drama.

14. Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

A. It states a claim about Austen's skill at representing psychological complexity that is reinforced by an
example presented in the following sentence.

B. It advances an interpretation of an Austen protagonist who is contrasted with protagonists from other
Austen novels cited in the following sentence.

C. It describes a recurring theme in Austen's novels that is the focus of a literary scholar's analysis
summarized in the following sentence.

D. It provides a synopsis of an interaction in an Austen novel that illustrates a literary concept discussed
in the following sentence.
A number of Indigenous politicians have been elected to the United States Congress since 2000 as
members of the country's two established political parties. In Canada and several Latin American
countries, on the other hand, Indigenous people have formed their own political parties to advance
candidates who will advocate for the interests of their communities. This movement has been
particularly successful in Ecuador, where Guadalupe Llori, a member of the Indigenous party known as
Pachakutik, was elected president of the National Assembly in 2021.

15. Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

A. To trace the history of an Indigenous political movement and speculate about its future development

B. To argue that Indigenous politicians in the United States should form their own political party

C. To highlight two approaches to achieving political representation for Indigenous people

D. To consider how Indigenous politicians in the United States have influenced Indigenous politicians in
Canada and Latin America

Cross – text connections

Text 1

Vikings, the collective name for groups living in Scandinavia in the later centuries of the first millennium,
are almost universally depicted in movies, television shows, and video games as violent raiders. They are
shown as fair-haired warriors who arrive in longships, steal whatever they can carry, and harm whoever
tries to stop them.

Even if these depictions are overblown, they must still capture the core aspect of the Viking economy:
most made their living by stealing the wealth of others.

Text 2

A paleogenetics team recently concluded that Scandinavia during the time of the Vikings was ethnically
diverse and cosmopolitan, at least by 10th-century standards. Additionally, archaeological evidence
suggests that Vikings found willing trading partners among the communities of Northern Europe, the
Mediterranean, and even the Middle East. These findings further confirm the Vikings' status as one of
the most interesting and dynamic cultures of the medieval world.

16. Based on the texts, what would the author of Text 2 most likely say about Text 1's characterization of
Viking culture?

A) Its arguments for dismissing the archaeological evidence are weak and unsupported.

B) It relies too much on first-hand accounts from individuals with whom the Vikings interacted.

C) It challenges the predominant public understanding of the Vikings without compelling evidence.

D) It bases its conclusion about Viking culture on modern representations and not historical evidence.
Text 1

Shoo-fly pie is a traditional molasses-based dessert made by the Pennsylvania Dutch. The first version
was originally crustless and called the Centennial Cake, as it was developed for the 100th anniversary of
the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This classic pie got its name from the sticky-sweet pool
of molasses on top attracting flies, thus causing bakers to "shoo" the pests away.

Text 2

The earliest-known shoo-fly pie recipes were baked with no eggs, so historians speculate that they were
made primarily in winter when hens were less likely to lay eggs and molasses was more readily available.
As there are fewer flies in winter, the name was actually inspired by a popular circus animal named
"Shoofly the Boxing Mule."

17. Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 respond to the claim in Text 1?

A) By reasoning that the pie's name is likely not related to flies due to the time of year shoo-fly pies were
commonly made.

B) By pointing out that molasses would not be settled on top of the pie, but rather baked into it, so flies
would not be a factor.

C) By dismissing the information presented because shoo-fly pie is not the same as Centennial Cake.

D) By acknowledging that the pie's name was likely inspired by the Ingredients used as well as cultural
influences.

Text 1:

Contrary to popular belief, goldfish have a longer memory than just a few seconds. Researchers have
found that goldfish can remember things for up to 5 months, including where to find food and how to
avoid danger. Nevertheless, the misconception about forgetful fish continues to persist. despite the fact
that there has been research to contradict this fallacy for over 60 years.

Text 2:

The belief that goldfish have a short-term memory likely originated from their habit of swimming in
circles. Goldfish can sometimes swim in repetitive patterns, but not because they forget where they've
been. Rather, they may be on the lookout for their next meal and prefer to swim in spots where they are
likely to seize any available food.

18. Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 respond to the "misconception" discussed in Text
1?

A) By agreeing that goldfish do have short memories, but only for certain things that are not a consistent
part of their environment.

B) By arguing that the misconception is somewhat correct, in that goldfish demonstrate repetitive
behavior.
C) By explaining that people likely believe goldfish have a limited memory because they do not
understand their behavior, such as why goldfish swim in circles.

D) By acknowledging that goldfish likely have better memories than previously thought, though there is
not enough research to support that they can recall up to 5 months.

Text 1

A group of scientists conducted a study on the effects of sleep deprivation on memory retention. They
recruited 50 participants and divided them into two groups. One group was allowed to sleep for 8 hours,
while the other group was kept awake for 24 hours. Both groups were then given a memory test. The
results showed that the sleep- deprived group performed significantly worse than the well-rested group.

Text 2

A neuroscientist published a paper arguing that sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation. He
cited a number of studies that demonstrated that sleep deprivation negatively impacts memory
retention. In addition, he pointed to brain imaging studies which show that specific brain regions
involved in memory consolidation are most active during sleep.

19. Based on the texts, what would the scientist in Text 2 most likely say about the findings from the
study in Text 1?

A) It supports his own findings on the importance of sleep for memory consolidation.

B) It is not relevant to his research on the role of sleep in brain function.

C) It contradicts his own findings and should be further investigated.

D) It provides partial support for his hypothesis, but more research is needed to confirm its conclusions.

Text 1

It may sound outlandish, but the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the chicken are distantly related, evolutionarily
separated by many millions of years. Paleontologists cite the Archaeopteryx as evidence of the
connection between birds and dinosaurs, as it possesses a combination of traits from both species. As
the earliest feathered creature thought to be capable of flight, the Archaeopteryx represents the first
major step in the evolutionary pathway from dinosaurs to birds.

Text 2

Stephen Brusatte's research on a Chinese fossil collection found that typical bird-like features evolved
over millions of years. Ancient dinosaurs initially developed the ability to walk on two legs and
proceeded to develop additional features, such as primitive feathers. Over time, these feathers
underwent further advancements, ultimately leading to more sophisticated feathers and wings. These
features eventually came together in the Archaeopteryx, where millions of years of evolution culminated
in a creature comparable to a bird.
20. Based on the texts, what would Brusatte most likely say about Text 1's description of Archaeopteryx's
evolutionary significance?

A) It overemphasizes the Archaeopteryx's ability to fly at the expense of other crucial bird-like traits.

B) It misidentifies the Archaeopteryx as being the beginning of dinosaur- bird evolution.

C) It bases its conclusions on an incomplete fossil record, making its description of Archaeopteryx's
significance inaccurate.

D) It describes a scientifically impossible timeline for the evolution from dinosaurs to birds.

Text 1

A 1979 paper by father-and-son team Luis and William Alvarez identified their discovery of unusual
quantities of a rare element called iridium in a layer of sediment about 65 million years ago. They
contended that the iridium was indicative of a massive meteor impact that sent clouds of dust into the
atmosphere, cooling the Earth enough to trigger the mass extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the
Cretaceous period.

Text 2

Though dramatic, the idea of a meteor strike wiping out the dinosaurs is far-fetched, say modern
paleontologists. They agree a strike occurred but claim that there was actually no simultaneous or
instantaneous event that could be classified as a mass extinction. Instead, species slowly died out over
millions of years, with the last major representatives living to approximately the end of the Cretaceous
period.

22. Based on the texts, the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 would most likely agree with which
statement?

A) A massive meteorite impact occurred, though it may not have caused a mass extinction.

B) Though the earth cooled due to a meteor impact, it was not enough to kill the dinosaurs.

C) There was actually no mass extinction of dinosaurs, though eventually they all died.

D) Most dinosaur species died toward the end of the same geological period.

Text 1

The Salar de Uyuni, located in Bolivia, is considered the world's largest salt flat. As it contains about 17
percent of the global lithium reserves, the region needs to enter the market to meet the demand for
lithium for the production of rechargeable batteries. Rechargeable batteries are essential technology for
reducing greenhouse gas emissions because they are now being effectively adapted for use in electric
vehicles.

Text 2
While it is true that there are huge lithium reserves under the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, tapping those
reserves is a controversial Issue. The process of refining the element requires a significant amount of
water, and if groundwater is extracted for that purpose, then it could place pressure on farmers whose
livelihoods depend on water to raise food crops for the region's population.

23. Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 respond to the argument in Text 1?

A) By claiming that rechargeable batteries are not as essential as the author of Text 1 says they are

B) By stating that certain factors need to be considered before enacting the plan described in Text 1

C) By pointing out that the author of Text 1 makes faulty calculations about the demand for lithium

D) By conceding that while local needs are important, they may need to be outweighed by the greater
benefits at stake

Text 1

A study from the University of Manchester studied 36,145 symptom reports submitted from 2016 to
2020 from residents in Britain. These reports contained information about the severity of allergy
symptoms residents were facing at the time of the report, including runny nose, sore eyes, and wheezy
breathing. After comparing reports from urban and rural areas, the researchers found that people in
urban areas suffered from symptoms that were twice as severe as those of people living in rural areas.

Text 2

Hay fever, a common term for allergies, can manifest differently in each individual, with symptoms
varying depending on the presence of pollutants, pollen, and other irritants in the air. An urban
environment has many factors that could negatively impact respiratory health, though determining
exactly why city dwellers experience more severe allergy symptoms than those in rural areas can be
challenging. Further investigation is needed in order to target the main contributors to allergy symptoms.

24. Based on the texts, what would the author of Text 2 most likely say about the conclusion of the study
presented in Text 1?

A) It is inconclusive because the study's data sources are not sufficient.

B) It is limited because the study does not examine the cause behind the severe allergy symptoms.

C) It is surprising because allergy symptoms have rarely been studied via resident reports.

D) It is misleading because the study did not discuss the characteristics of rural environments.
Text 1

Historians have long grappled with the question of how fundamental shifts occur within societies,
encompassing changes in social structures, cultural norms, and political systems. According to Thomas
Carlyle's "great man theory," these transformative processes are often attributed to the influence of
charismatic leaders who inspire mass movements. This perspective suggests that influential individuals
play a central role in shaping historical events, with their actions determining the course of societal
changes.

Text 2

Researcher Dr. Hahrie Han of Johns Hopkins University has challenged the notion that charismatic
leaders alone are responsible for driving societal transformations. Rather, there is a growing recognition
of the importance of collective action and grassroots movements in instigating significant shifts across
various aspects of society. True societal change encompasses the cumulative impact of numerous
individuals and groups working together towards common goals, rather than being solely reliant on the
actions of leaders.

25. Based on the texts, how would Dr. Hahrie Han (Text 2) most likely respond to the "great man theory"
discussed in Text 1?

A) It is an underestimation given that the great man theory does not address the ripple effect leaders can
have on the rest of society.

B) It is an oversimplification given that the great man theory focuses on the impact of key people in
history rather than the efforts of grassroots movements.

C) It is an oversight given that the actions of many individuals are far more significant than the impact of
one powerful leader.

D) It is an exaggeration given that the great man theory fails to acknowledge that the power of leaders is
contingent upon the consent of the people they lead.