STUDY AND THINKING SKILLS
Directions: Read the passage and answer the following questions about
getting the main idea, using context clues in uncovering meaning of
difficult words, and summarizing texts.
Passage 1
The study of history provides many benefits. First, we learn from the past.
We may repeat mistakes, but, at least, we have the opportunity to avoid
them. Second, history teaches us what questions to ask about the present.
Contrary to some people’s view, the study of history is not the
memorization of names, dates, and places. It is the thoughtful examination
of the forces that have shaped the courses of human life. We can examine
events from the past and then draw inferences about current events.
History teaches us about likely outcomes.
Another benefit of the study of history is the broad range of human
experience that is covered. War and peace are certainly covered as are
national and international affairs. However, matters of culture (art,
literature, and music) are also included in historical study. Human nature is
an important part of history: emotions like passion, greed, and insecurity
have influenced the shaping of world affairs. Anyone who thinks that the
study of history is boring has not really studied history.
1. What is the main idea of this passage?
a. Studying history helps us to live in today’s world.
b. Studying history is not just memorization.
c. The role of education is to help students deal with real life.
d. Students should study both national and international history.
Rationalization: This is a getting the main idea question. Choice A
summarizes the whole passage in a sentence while the other choices are
just supporting details to choice A or a complete irrelevant statement from
the passage.
2. In the first paragraph, inferences mean?
a. Graphs c. Conclusions
b. Articles d. Circumferences
Rationalization: This is a vocabulary question. Choices A, B, and D are
all irrelevant to the context of the sentence where the term inference
was used. Hence, Choice C is the correct answer.
3. Which method of teaching history would the author of this passage
support?
a. Applying historical events to modern society.
b. Using flash cards to remember specific facts.
c. Weekly quizzes on dates and events.
d. Student competitions for most books memorized.
Rationalization: This is an implied question wherein the reader needs to
draw conclusion based on the given statements from the passage Since the
author is conveying that history is not a subject of only memorization, then
choice B, C, and D, are not correct. Hence, it leaves us with Choice A.
Passage 2
Findings from the 2021 survey indicate that AI adoption is continuing its
steady rise: 56 percent of all respondents report AI adoption in at least one
function, up from 50 percent in 2020. The newest results suggest that AI
adoption since last year has increased most at companies headquartered
in emerging economies, which includes China, the Middle East, and North
Africa: 57 percent of respondents report adoption, up from 45 percent in
2020. And across regions, the adoption rate is highest at Indian companies,
followed closely by those in Asia–Pacific.
As we saw in the past two surveys, the business functions where AI
adoption is most common are service operations, product and service
development, and marketing and sales, though the most popular use cases
span a range of functions. The top three use cases are service-operations
optimization, AI-based enhancement of products, and contact-center
automation, with the biggest percentage-point increase in the use of AI
being in companies’ marketing-budget allocation and spending
effectiveness.
4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the report?
a. To critique
b. To persuade
c. To inform
d. all of the above
Rationalization: This item is a question for critical reading under
recognizing the author’s purpose and intent. Since the report is only meant
to discuss AI adoption through presenting the McKinsey Survey results,
Choice C is the best option.
5. What is the report most likely about?
a. The business functions of AI adoption
b. Findings from the 2021 AI adoption survey
c. AI adoption and its impact
d. none of the above
Rationalization: This is a main idea question that asks the students to
identify the author’s main point. The answer here is Choice C as it
highlights both the AI adoption through presenting the survey results and
Its impact and functions to business.
6. What rhetorical pattern was used in the 2nd paragraph of the
report?
a. chronological
b. enumeration
c. cause-effect
d. none of the above
Rationalization: Paragraph 2 of the report explicitly enumerated the
business functions of the AI adoption. Hence Choice B is the answer.
Passage 3
In the 16th century, an age of great marine and terrestrial exploration,
Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to sail around the world. As a
young Portuguese noble, he served the king of Portugal, but he became
involved in the quagmire of political intrigue at court and lost the king’s
favor. After he was dismissed from service by the king of Portugal, he
offered to serve the future Emperor Charles V of Spain.
A papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World west of 50
degrees W longitude to Spain and all the land east of that line to Portugal.
Magellan offered to prove that the East Indies fell under Spanish authority.
On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships. More
than a year later, one of these ships was exploring the topography of South
America in search of a water route across the continent. This ship sank, but
the remaining four ships searched along the southern peninsula of South
America. Finally, they found the passage they sought near 50 degrees S
latitude. Magellan named this passage the Strait of All Saints, but today it
is known as the Strait of Magellan.
One ship deserted while in this passage and returned to Spain, so fewer
sailors were privileged to gaze at that first panorama of the Pacific Ocean.
Those who remained crossed the meridian now known as the International
Date Line in the early spring of 1521 after 98 days on the Pacific Ocean.
During those long days at sea, many of Magellan’s men died of starvation
and disease. Later, Magellan became involved in an insular conflict in the
Philippines and was killed in a tribal battle. Only one ship and 17
sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano survived to
complete the westward journey to Spain and thus prove once and for all
that the world is round, with no precipice at the edge.
7. What is the main purpose of Magellan’s expedition under Charles V of
Spain?
a. To end the quagmire of political dispute between Spain and Portugal
b. To offer the East Indies to the emperor of Spain
c. To prove that the East Indies fall under the Spanish authority
d. all of the above
Rationalization: This is a question on noting details. In here, the answer
was
explicitly stated in the second paragraph of the passage. Hence, the
answer is Choice C
8. What does quagmire in paragraph 1 sentence 2 mean?
a. problem
b. entanglement
c. negotiation
d. all of the above
Rationalization: This is a vocabulary question where usage of context clues
is needed. Because the use of the term involved before the word
quagmire, it gives the connotation that Magellan got mixed up in a
complicated situation. Thus, Choice B is the answer.
9. The papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World west
of 50 degrees E longitude to which country?
a. Portugal
b. Spain
c. South America
d. none of the above
Rationalization: This is a noting details item. It was explicitly stated in
paragraph 2 sentence 1 that the papal degree assigned the W longitude to
Spain, thus, the E longitude falls under Portugal. Hence, the answer Choice
A.
10. One of Magellan’s ships explored the _________ of the South
America for a passage across the peninsula which was later named as the
Strait of Magellan.
a. coastline
b. mountain rage
c. islands
d. none of the above
Rationalization: This is an implied question that requires understanding of
the passage and critical thinking of the reader. Since the item has
specifically stated that one of the ships explored the “area” in question, it
means that mountain range cannot be the answer as for the use of a
water-based transportation. Likewise, since it was stated that a passage
across the peninsula is what they are looking for, choosing islands as the
answer would not make sense. Hence, Choice A is the answer.
11. In the early spring of 1521, the remaining sailors of Magellan crossed
the meridian now known as the International Date Line. What is the
International Date Line?
a. imaginary circle passing through the poles
b. imaginary line parallel to the equator
c. imaginary latitude line that passes the Greenwich
d. none of the above
Rationalization: This is a vocabulary question that focused on a technical
term.
Using the context clue such as the “meridian,” a longitudinal line from
north to south of the globe, then Choice A is the correct answer.
12. What does “precipice” in the last sentence of the passage mean?
a. cliff
b. slope
c. incline
d. all of the above
Rationalization: This is a vocabulary question. One way of analyzing this
question aside from context clues is through looking at the choices. The
two choices, b and c, are synonymous to each other. Hence, it would lead
you to choose C as the answer.
13. Since not all places accepted Magellan with open arms, the explorer
met his death in an insular conflict with a tribe in Mactan. What does
insular conflict mean?
a. conflict due to unwillingness to accept the Spaniards
b. conflict due to unwillingness to accept new idea
c. conflict due to unwillingness to accept new people and consider new
ideas
d. none of the above
Rationalization: This is a vocabulary question that entails critical thinking
using context clues. Both A and B are correct answers, but Choice C is the
most appropriate one as the insular conflict in Mactan is not just about the
coming of the Spaniards but also their insistence of a new idea.
Passage 4
Conflict had existed between Spain and England since the 1570s. England
wanted a share of the wealth that Spain had been taking from the lands it
had claimed in the Americas.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England, encouraged her staunch admiral of the navy,
Sir Francis Drake, to raid Spanish ships and towns. Though these raids were
on a small scale, Drake achieved dramatic success, adding gold and silver
to England’s treasury and diminishing Spain’s supremacy.
Religious differences also caused conflict between the two countries.
Whereas Spain was Roman Catholic, most of England had become
Protestant. King Philip II of Spain wanted to claim the throne and make
England a Catholic country again. To satisfy his ambition and also to
retaliate against England’s theft of his gold and silver, King Philip began to
build his fleet of warships, the Spanish Armada, in January 1586.
Philip intended his fleet to be indestructible. In addition to building new
warships, he marshaled 130 sailing vessels of all types and recruited more
than 19,000 robust soldiers and 8,000 sailors. Although some of his ships
lacked guns and others lacked ammunition, Philip was convinced that his
Armada could withstand any battle with England.
The martial Armada set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on May 9, 1588, but bad
weather forced it back to port. The voyage resumed on July 22 after the
weather became more stable.
The Spanish fleet met the smaller, faster, and more maneuverable English
ships in battle off the coast of Plymouth, England, first on July 31 and again
on August 2. The two battles left Spain vulnerable, having lost several ships
and with its ammunition depleted. On August 7, while the Armada lay at
anchor on the French side of the Strait of Dover, England sent eight
burning ships into the midst of the Spanish fleet to set it on fire. Blocked
on one side, the Spanish ships could only drift away, their crews in panic
and disorder. Before the Armada could regroup, the English attacked again
on August 8.
Although the Spaniards made a valiant effort to fight back, the fleet
suffered extensive damage. During the eight hours of battle, the Armada
drifted perilously close to the rocky coastline. At the moment when it c. the knowledge of the English of their own territory
seemed that the Spanish ships would be driven onto the English shore, the
d. all of the above
wind shifted, and the Armada drifted out into the North Sea. The Spaniards
recognized the superiority of the English fleet and returned home, Rationalization: This is a question for noting details. Since all were
defeated.
explicitly stated in the passage as the reasons why the Spanish
14. What is the main goal of the Spanish Armada?
Armada was defeated, the answer is Choice D.
a. to retrieve the stolen gold of Spain from England
17. What title is the most suitable for the passage?
b. to reign over England and manage its treasury
a. The Strategic Sir Francis Drake
c. to extend influence in the European continent
b. The Defeat of King Philip II of Spain
d. all of the above
c. The Fall of the Spanish Armada
Rationalization: This is a noting details question where in choice A was
explicitly stated but is only one of the two reasons for the creation of the d. none of the above
Spanish Armada. The most complete answer is Choice B. Choice C was not Rationalization: This is a main idea question that asks the readers to
stated.
identify the most suitable title. The answer here is Choice C as the
15. Where did the first battle take place?
passage is all about the Spanish Armada and not on the two people in
a. Lisbon, Portugal
choices A and B.
b. Plymouth, England
18.What does “robust” in paragraph 4 sentence 1 means?
c. Dover, England
a. vigorous
d. none of the above
b. resilient
Rationalization: This is a noting details question where in it was
c. weak
explicitly stated that the answer is Choice B, Plymouth, England.
d. none of the above
16. What caused the defeat of the Spanish Armada over England?
Rationalization: This is a vocabulary question that can be answered
a. underestimation of Spain to England due to the vast number of
thru the context of the sentence. Though both A and B are synonymous
warships and soldiers of the Spanish Armada
to robust, the context of the sentence is more suitable to vigorous
b. excellent maritime and warfare strategies of England
soldiers rather than resilient. Hence, the Choice A.
Passage 5
He had reached that low point in the life of an assistant district attorney in
the Bronx when he is assailed by Doubts. Every year forty thousand people,
forty thousand incompetents, dimwits, alcoholics, psychopaths,
knockabouts, good souls driven to some terrible terminal anger, and
people who could only be described as stone evil, were arrested in the
Bronx. Seven thousand of them were indicted and arraigned, and then
they entered the maw of the criminal justice system--right here--through
the gateway into Gibraltar, where the vans were lined up.
That was about 150 new cases, 150 more pumping hearts and morose
glares, every week that the courts and the Bronx County District Attorney’s
Office were open. And to what end? The same stupid, dismal, pathetic,
horrifying crimes were committed day in and day out, all the same. What
was accomplished by assistant D.A.’s, by any of them, through all this
relentless stirring of the muck?
The Bronx crumbled and decayed a little more, and a little more blood
dried in the cracks. The Doubts! One thing was accomplished for sure. The
system was fed, and those vans brought in the chow, fifty judges, thirty-
five law clerks, 245 assistant district attorneys, one D.A. and who knows
how many criminal lawyers, Legal Aid lawyers, court reporters, court
clerks, court officers, correction officers, probation officers, social workers,
bail bondsmen, special investigators, case clerks, court psychiatrists--what
a vast swarm had to be fed! And every morning the chow came in, the
chow and the Doubts.
-Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities
19. “Gibraltar” in the last sentence of paragraph 1 probably refers to
a. the Guidance Office
b. a Police Station
c. a Detention Room
d. a Courthouse
Rationalization: Since indictment (criminal accusation) and
arraignment (criminal proceeding), were stated in the sentence, it
means Gibraltar is a courtroom. Hence, the answer is Choice D
20. “all the same,” in paragraph 2 sentence 2 in the context of the
passage, conveys the sense that
a. all criminals are alike.
b. crimes were repeated because of the criminal justice system.
c. crime continued despite the efforts of the criminal justice system.
d. crime continued in keeping with the standards set by the criminal justice
system.
Rationalization: This paragraph is criticizing the routinary and never-ending
cycle of criminalities in the area. Thus, the author stated, “all the same.” It
is highlighting that despite the criminal justice system, crime still
continuous.
21. “Doubts” in paragraph 3 sentence 2 implies that
a. the wrong people are being arrested.
b. the police arrest too many people.
c. the District Attorney’s Office should work harder.
d. the criminal justice system doesn’t improve the quality of life in the
Bronx.
Rationalization: The statement “Bronx crumbled and decay little more” in
the sentence preceding paragraph 3 sentence 2 gives a clue that “Doubts”
in this context is implying that crime seems to be not being addressed by
the existing criminal justice system. Thus, the Choice D.
22. Who are the “chow” in the last paragraph?
a. people behind the criminal justice system
b. the defendants
c. the assistant district attorneys
d. the criminals
Rationalization: Sentence 2 of the last paragraph referred to the “fifty
judges, thirty-five law clerks, 245 assistant district attorneys, one D.A. and
who knows how many criminal lawyers, Legal Aid lawyers, court reporters,
court clerks, court officers, correction officers, probation officers, social
workers, bail bondsmen, special investigators, case clerks, court
psychiatrists” as the chow. Hence, Choice A is the answer.
Passage 6
But it is time that we pass to some of the advantages of size. One of the
most obvious is that it enables one to keep warm. All warm-blooded
animals at rest lose the same amount of heat from a unit area of skin, for
which purpose they need a food-supply proportional to their surface and
not to their weight. Five thousand mice weigh as much as a man. Their
combined surface and food or oxygen consumption are about seventeen
times a man’s. In fact, a mouse eats about one quarter its own weight of
food every day, which is mainly used in keeping it warm.
For these reasons, small animals cannot live in cold countries. In the arctic
regions there are no reptiles or amphibians, and no small mammals. The
smallest mammal in Spitzbergen is the fox. The small birds fly away in
winter, while the insects die, though their eggs can survive six months or
more of frost. The most successful mammals are bears, seals, and
walruses.
- J. B. S. Haldane, “On Being the Right Size,” 1928.
23. According to the author, all warm-blooded animals
a. need a food supply proportional to their weight.
b. can keep warm in all geographical locations.
c. expend the same amount of energy in a given unit of time.
d. give off heat at an equal rate from a unit area of skin.
Rationalization: This was explicitly stated in sentence 2. Thus, Choice C
is the correct answer.
24. The author implies that for his purpose the main similarity shared by
bears,
seals, and walruses is that
a. they are warm-blooded.
b. they live in cold climates.
c. they are meat eaters.
d. they are large.
Rationalization: Since the preceding sentences where this idea of seals,
bears, and walruses, are similarly successful in living in cold countries,
though they are mammals, stemmed from the discussion of small
mammals, then it is being implied that their large size is the contributing
factor for the success. Thus, the correct answer id Choice D.
25. This paragraph suggests that the previous paragraphs in this essay,
“On Being the Right Size,” were about
a. the advantages of living in cold climates.
b. the advantages of living in warm climates.
c. the difficulties associated with being large.
d. cold-blooded creatures.
Rationalization: First sentence of the paragraph gives a hint that the
preceding paragraphs are on the negative effects of size. And since the
given paragraph talks about the small size, then it can be inferred that the
previous paragraph/stalked about large sized animals. Thus, Choice C.
26. From this passage one may infer that “Spitzbergen” in paragraph 2,
sentence 2 is
a. a European city.
b. a wildlife refuge.
c. a small country.
d. a very cold place.
Rationalization: Since the preceding sentence is already talking about cold
countries, then “Spitzbergen” being referred to is expected to be a very
cold place. Thus, the correct answer is Choice D.
Passage 7
“In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens”
And I remember people coming to my mother’s yard to be given cuttings
from her flowers; I hear again the praise showered on her because
whatever rocky soil she landed on, she turned into a garden. A garden so
brilliant with colors, so original in its design, so magnificent with life and
creativity, that to this day people drive by our house in Georgia–perfect
strangers and 5 imperfect strangers–and ask to stand or walk among my
mother’s art.
I notice that it is only when my mother is working in her flowers that she is
radiant, almost to the point of being invisible–except as Creator: hand and
eye. She is involved in work her soul must have. Ordering the universe in
the image of her personal conception of Beauty.
Her face, as she prepares the Art that is her gift, is a legacy of respect she
leaves to me, for all that illuminates and cherishes life. She has handed
down respect for the possibilities–and the will to grasp them. For her, so
hindered and intruded upon in so many ways, being an artist has still been
a daily part of her life. This ability to hold on, even in very simple ways, is
work black women have done for a very long time.
-Alice Walker, from In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens, 1983
27. The author’s mother creates gardens because
a. many people admire her flowers.
b. she likes to give her flowers away.
c. her soul needs to create beauty.
d. she needs a hobby.
Rationalization: Paragraph 2 sentence 2 implied the answer to this
question which is Choice C.
28. The tone of the passage is
a. respectful.
b. objective.
c. bitter.
d. ironic.
Rationalization: Another take on analyzing the answer to this question is
looking at the choices given. Choice C and D; are all negative words while
Choices A, and B are positive. Since the passage is more of an author
talking with awe and admiration, then the negative choice are already not
the answers. On the other hand, awe and admiration can never be shown
though an objective tone. Hence, the correct answer is Choice A.
29. The reference to “Creator” in paragraph 2
a. suggests that the mother credits God for her talent.
b. suggests that the mother is God-like in her ordering of the universe.
c. suggests that the mother is invisible when she is gardening.
d. explains the supernatural source for the radiance which surrounds
the mother.
Rationalization: This is explicitly expressed in paragraph 2 sentence 3.
30. In the last two lines, “work black women have done for a very long
time” refers to
a. persevering in the face of difficulty.
b. doing artistic yard work.
c. setting a good example for children.
d. sharing creations with others.
Rationalization: This is an implied question that gives a metaphoric
connotation to the phrase as it was used in the passage. In here the phrase
ability to “hold on” which was stated gives a clue that “work black women
have done for a very long time” is talking about perseverance. Hence, the
correct answer is Choice A.
31. The legacy given to the author by her mother is respect for
A. the admiration of perfect strangers.
B. the will to grasp life’s possibilities.
C. all gardeners.
D. her mother’s religion.
E. art as ornamentation.
Rationalization: This was explicitly stated in the last sentence of
paragraph 3.
Passage 8
These days I am often asked what I did in Tehran as bombs fell during the
Iran-Iraq war. My interlocutors are invariably surprised, if not shocked,
when I tell them that I read James, Eliot, Plath and great Persian poets like
Rumi and Hafez. Yet it is precisely during such times, when our lives are
transformed by violence, that we need works of imagination to confirm
our faith in humanity, to find hope amid the rubble of a hopeless world.
Memoirs from concentration camps and the gulag attest to this. I keep
returning to the words of Leon Staff, a Polish poet who lived in the Warsaw
ghetto: “Even more than bread we now need poetry, in a time when it
seems that it is not needed at all.”
My Tehran classroom at times overflowed with students who ignored the
warnings about Iraq’s chemical bombs so they could reckon with Tolstoy’s
ability to defamiliarize (a term coined by the Russian Formalist critics)
everyday reality and offer it to us through new eyes. The excitement that
came from discovering a hidden truth about Anna Karenina told me that
Iraqi missiles had not succeeded in their mission. Indeed, the more
Saddam Hussein wanted us to be defined by terror, the more we craved
beauty.
If I felt compelled to keep reading the classics, it was in order to see the
light in the eyes of my students. I remember two young women, clad from
head to toe in black chadors, looking as if nothing in the world mattered
more than the idea that Pride and Prejudice was subversive because it
taught us about our right to make our own choices.
-Azar Nafisi, Words of War
32. The main idea of this passage is that
a. literature becomes superfluous in the face of war and violence.
b. the Iran-Iraq war was eerily similar to life in the Warsaw ghetto.
c. war and repression highlight and promote people’s need for the arts.
d. the author’s students in Tehran were remarkably eager to learn.
Rationalization: The whole selection focused on the irony of longing for
the arts amidst war. Hence, the correct answer is Choice C.
33. The quote from Leon Staff (last sentence from paragraph 1) most
directly expresses a central
a. apparent contradiction.
b. simile.
c. coincidence.
d. exaggeration.
Rationalization: We need porty when it seems to be not needed at all
connotes irony or contradiction. Hence, the correct answer is Choice A.
34. The author’s primary motive for continuing his wartime teaching of
classic texts was apparently
a. to earn a living during difficult times.
b. to distract his students from important issues.
c. to inspire his students.
d. to further Iranian goals in the war.
Rationalization: This was implied in Paragraph 3 Sentence 1. Hence, the
correct answer is Choice C.
35. The sentiment expressed in the last paragraph is that
a. Iranian women hate wearing chadors, symbols of their oppression.
b. prejudice against other cultures is unwarranted.
c. the writer’s students were unconcerned with current events.
d. great literature has the capacity to liberate the human spirit.
Rationalization: The main idea of the last paragraph is the right of
people to make their own choices which liberate one’s spirit. Hence, the
correct answer here is Choice C.
SPEECH AND ORAL COMMUNICATION
Grammar and Sentence Structure
Directions: Choose the phrase that needs to be
changed to make the sentence correct. Some
sentences contain no error at all.
36. The recent discovery of the Mayan Empire and its artifacts allow
historians to appreciate the use of carbon dating.
a. the Mayan Empire
b. allow
c. appreciate
d. No error
Rationalization: This sentence features an error of subject-verb
agreement. The subject of this sentence is singular: "the recent discovery."
Though the following elaboration of the “Mayan Empire and its artifacts”
can be misleading, they do not change the grammatical subject of the
sentence. Therefore, the verb should be "allows." Hence, Choice B.
37. The dancers moved slow as the music reached its end.
a. moved
b. slow
c. reached
d. No error
Rationalization: This sentence uses the adjective “slow” to describe the
verb
“moved.” An adverb would be better. The corrected sentence reads: The
dancers moved slowly as the music reached its end. Hence, Choice B.
38. The rough and slimy skin of a common swamp frog can be intriguing d. No error
to those who have never seen this animal previous.
Rationalization: "For" is a preposition error. The correct preposition to
a. intriguing
substitute “for” would be "to." We take trains "to" cities, not "for" them.
b. who
Hence, Choice B.
c. previous
41. Everyone will persuade you that our basketball team is the worst
d. No error amongour district.
Rationalization: This sentence uses the adjective “previous” to describe a. will tell
the verb “seen.” An adverb would be better. The corrected sentence reads:
b. our
The rough and slimy skin of a common swamp frog can be intriguing to
those who have never seen this animal previously. Hence, Choice C. c. among
39. The comprehensive English test consists with three parts, in which d. No error
students must correctly identify sentence errors and the likes, is too hard
for me. Rationalization: This is a sentence with an error in the use of a preposition;

a. consists "among" is the error and "in" would be the correct preposition. "Among" is

b. with used a bit more like "between" in cases where there are several other
entities implied. Hence, Choice C.
c. in which
42. Sharlyn was very angry on Sara for arriving more than an hour late to
d. No error their appointment.
Rationalization: The correct preposition to use with the verb “to consist” is a. on
“of.” For example, “The Constitution consists of many sections.” Hence,
Choice B. b. more than

40. On his way to the school bus station, Macky cut school and decided to c. to
take the train for the city, where he met his older brother Jimmy and d. No error
some of Jimmy's friends.
Rationalization: The adjective “angry” should always be paired with either
a. on the preposition “with” or "at." For example, “I’m angry with you for
b. for missing the appointment.” Hence, Choice A.

c. met 43. Kim, Macky, and Jason spent hours debating among themselves who
was the best teacher.
a. spent d. No error
b. among Rationalization: This sentence is correct as written.
c. who 46. The students have discovered that they can address issues more
effectively through letter writing campaigns and not through public
d. No Error
demonstrations.
a. have discovered
Rationalization: There is no error in this sentence. Though it may be
b. through
tempting to think of "amongst" instead of "among," they are (usually)
grammatically interchangeable. Because the comparison is between more c. and not
than two people (three, in this case), the superlative "best" is correct, and
d. No error
the word "who" is the correct pronoun. Hence, Choice D.
Rationalization: The error in this sentence occurs at (D). When a
44. Intense, obsessive preoccupation with success can seem either
comparison is introduced by the adverb "more," as in "more effectively,"
unhealthy and unnatural or commendable and prestigious.
the second part of the comparison must be introduced by the conjunction
a. with "than" rather than "and not."
b. can seem either 47. After hours of futile debate, the committee has decided to postpone
further discussion of the resolution until their next meeting.
c. or
a. after
d. No error
b. has decided
Rationalization: This sentence is grammatically sound, and thus features
no error. "Either" is followed by an "or," as it should be (true also of c. their
"neither" and "nor"), and "with" is the right word for success, as opposed
d. No error
to, say, "preoccupation in success" or "preoccupation on success."
Rationalization: The error in this sentence occurs at (D). A pronoun must
45. The library, which is made almost entirely of redwood, was built
agree in number (singular or plural) with the noun to which it refers. Here,
before
the plural pronoun "their" incorrectly refers to the singular noun
redwood trees were protected. "committee." The sentence may be corrected as follows: After hours of
futile debate, the committee has decided to postpone further discussion of
a. which is made
the resolution until its next meeting.
b. was built
48. Originally a protest on conventional painting, the Pre-Raphaelite
c. protected movement exerted great influence on the art of its time.
a. protest on Rationalization: The error in this sentence is (B): the word "heavy" in the
phrase "heavy veiled" should not be in the form of an adjective but in the
b. conventional
adverbial form since it is used to modify the participle "veiled." The correct
c. exerted sentence reads: Maude Adams, after her spectacular triumph as the
original Peter Pan, went about heavily veiled and was accessible to only a
d. No error handful of intimate friends.
Rationalization: The error in this sentence is (A): the phrase "protest on" is 51. All states impose severe penalties on drivers who do not stop when
not idiomatic in standard written English. The verb "protest" takes the he or she is involved in accidents.
preposition "against." The correct sentence reads: Originally a protest
against conventional painting, the Pre-Raphaelite movement exerted great a. impose
influence on the art of its time.
b. penalties on
49. If he had begun earlier, he might have succeeded in finishing the
c. he or she is
extremely complex project before the deadline.
d. No error
a. had begun
Rationalization: The error in this sentence is (C): the pronouns "he or she"
b. in finishing
(which are both singular) do not agree with the noun "drivers" (which is
c. extremely complex plural). The correct sentence reads: All states impose severe penalties on
drivers who do not stop when they are involved in accidents. Note that the
d. No error verb "is" has to be changed to "are" when the subject becomes plural.
Rationalization: Each of the parts of the sentence underlined with A, B, 52. While I appreciate your efforts to ensure that the event runs
and C is correct as written. Therefore choice (E): no error is the appropriate smoothly, it is interfering with my ability to give the artists the flexibility
answer. they require.
50. Maude Adams, after her spectacular triumph as the original Peter a. to ensure that
Pan, went about heavy veiled and was accessible to only a handful of
intimate friends. b. it is

a. triumph as c. they

b. heavy veiled d. No error

c. only a handful of Rationalization: In this sentence, the pronoun “it” does not agree in
number with its antecedent “efforts.” The corrected sentence reads: While
d. no error I appreciate your efforts to ensure that the event runs smoothly, they are
interfering with my ability to give the artists the flexibility they require.
Hence, Choice B.
53. While she had to admit that swimming across the English Channel
would be a worthy achievement, Karen decided that climbing Mount
Everest would be a more impressive life goal.
a. had to admit
b. would be
c. more impressive
d. No error
Rationalization: This sentence is correct as written.
54. The United States has been a country of immigrants since its
foundation. This is still true today. The United States allows more people to
immigrate to it then any other country. This stream of immigration has
resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures
and languages. As most public schools in the United States provide a
monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether
they should teach their children their heritage language.
There are many myths surrounding the idea of bilingual education that
prevent its widespread implementation in public schools. However,
bilingual education has been shown to produce higher achievements in
both languages. As well as enhance problem solving and critical thinking
skills. Because some public school systems have successfully implemented
bilingual education, there are still enormous difficulties in terms of
resources and support from the U.S. Board of Education.
Which of the underlined words is used incorrectly?
a. has resulted
b. however
c. because
d. No error
Rationalization: "Because" is used incorrectly in the context of the
sentence it appears in. "Because" is used to discuss two ideas that are
linked by a relationship of cause and effect. However, in the sentence it
appears in, the two ideas ("some public school systems have successfully
implemented bilingual education" and "there are still enormous difficulties
in terms of resources and support from the U.S. Board of Education") are
not related to each other as cause and effect, but rather in despite of the
first, the second is still true. So, a word such as "although" should be used
in place of "because." Hence, Choice C.
55. The United States has been a country of immigrants since its
foundation. This is still true today. The United States allows more people to
immigrate to it then any other country. This stream of immigration has
resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures
and languages. As most public schools in the United States provide a
monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether
they should teach their children their heritage language.
There are many myths surrounding the idea of bilingual education that
prevent its widespread implementation in public schools. However,
bilingual education has been shown to produce higher achievements in
both languages. As well as enhance problem solving and critical thinking
skills. Because some public school systems have successfully implemented
bilingual education, there are still enormous difficulties in terms of
resources and support from the U.S. Board of Education.
Which of the underlined words is used incorrectly?
a. then
b. has
c. has been
d. No error
Rationalization: "Then" is an adverb dealing with time, but "than" is used
for comparisons. In this case, "than" should be used, because the amount
of immigration allowed by the United States is being compared to that of
any other country. So, "then" is the underlined word that needs to be Rationalization: The correct answer is Choice D as Topic control
modified. Hence, Choice A.
covers how procedural formality or informality can be redirected
back to the conversation.
58. The whole class was talking at the same time that is why the
teacher intervened and controlled the discussion.
Oral Communication and Language Function
a. Nomination
b. Termination
Directions: Identify which type of communicative
c. Restriction
strategy was used in the following situations.
d. Repair
56. The teacher bid goodbye to the students.
Rationalization: The correct answer is Choice D as Repair refers to
a. Nomination
how speakers can address problems that they may encounter in a
b. Termination
conversation, such as the given example.
c. Restriction
59. Oxford-Oregon type of debate recommends having proponent 1
d. Repair
as first speaker, followed by opponent 1.
Rationalization: The correct answer is B as termination refers to the
a. Turn-taking
conversation participants’ close-initiating expressions that end a
b. Restriction
topic in a conversation, which is the case in the situation given.
c. Topic Shifting
57. The leader of the group led the conversation back to the topic at
d. Topic Control
hand.
Rationalization: The correct answer is Choice A as Turn-taking is a
a. Turn-taking
process by which people decide who takes the conversational floor.
b. Repair
60. The group will be limited only on the discussion of the Philippine
c. Topic Shifting
Economy.
d. Topic Control
a. Turn-taking
b. Restriction Oral Communication and Language Function
c. Topic Shifting Directions: Identify which speech delivery type
d. Topic Control was used in the following situations.
Rationalization: The correct answer is Choice B as Restriction is the 63. Sharlyn participated in the Division Oratorical Contest wherein
limitation you may have as a speaker, wherein in this case, the she would present a piece by Martin Luther King.
limitation is on the topic. a. Reading from a Manuscript
61. One of the discussants talked about a different topic during the b. Impromptu Speech
discussion that is why the moderator apprehended him. c. Memorized Speech
a. Turn-taking d. Extemporaneous Speech
b. Restriction Rationalization: This is a Memorized Speech as Sharlyn would be
c. Topic Shifting delivering an oratorical piece.
d. Topic Control 64. Ms. Philippines representative gave an extraordinary answer during
the question-and-answer portion of the event wherein she was asked to
Rationalization: The correct answer is Choice C as in here, the
deliver her thought on the spot.
speaker has shifted from the topic at hand.
a. Reading from a Manuscript
62. The program started with the discussion of the topic rationale
b. Impromptu Speech
from the school head.
c. Memorized Speech
a. Nomination
d. Extemporaneous Speech
b. Termination
Rationalization: This is an example of an impromptu speech wherein
c. Restriction
speech is delivered on the spot with no preparation at all.
d. Repair
65. The chosen debaters were allowed to bring their speech copy
Rationalization: The correct answer is Choice A as Nomination shoes
during their privilege speech.
collaborative and productive establishment of a topic.
a. Reading from a Manuscript
b. Impromptu Speech
c. Memorized Speech a. Reading from a Manuscript
d. Extemporaneous Speech b. Impromptu Speech
Rationalization: This is Reading from a Manuscript as the debater are c. Memorized Speech
allowed to use their speech copy. d. Extemporaneous Speech
66. The opponent was only given 3 minutes to write and present his Rationalization: This is a Memorized speech as to kill a Mocking Bird
rebuttal speech. is a work of another person.
a. Reading from a Manuscript 69. The students participated in a choral reading contest.
b. Impromptu Speech a. Reading from a Manuscript
c. Memorized Speech b. Impromptu Speech
d. Extemporaneous Speech c. Memorized Speech
Rationalization: This is an Extemporaneous Speech as has been d. Extemporaneous Speech
prepared and planned beforehand but not memorized. Since the Rationalization: This is Reading from a Manuscript as the term choral
topic for the debate was given, then the debaters can plan ahead. “reading” contest suggests.
67. The debater was spontaneously throwing interpolation questions 70. Macky shared his thoughts on the given topic after 3 minutes of
without using any of her thinking time. preparation.
a. Reading from a Manuscript a. Reading from a Manuscript
b. Impromptu Speech b. Impromptu Speech
c. Memorized Speech c. Memorized Speech
d. Extemporaneous Speech d. Extemporaneous Speech
Rationalization: This is an example of an impromptu speech wherein Rationalization: This is an Extemporaneous Speech as Macky was
speech is delivered on the spot with no preparation at all. given 3 minutes of thinking time to plan his speech.
68. Shamane presented an excerpt from the famous novel, To Kill a
Moking Bird. Oral Communication and Language Function
Directions: Identify the purpose of the following d. to criticize
speeches. Rationalization: The phrase “amusing speech to liven up the
71. President Duterte giving his State of the Nation Address. occasion” connotes the purpose of “to entertain.” Hence, Choice C.
a. to inform 74. Rallyists expressing what they feel about the declaration of
b. to persuade Martial Law in Mindanao.
c. to entertain a. to inform
d. to criticize b. to persuade
Rationalization: State of the Nation Address has the nature of informing c. to entertain
the public of the accomplishments of the government for a
d. to criticize
specific term. Hence, Choice A.
72. Evacuees of Marawi pleading President Duterte for the
Rationalization: Since the rallyists are only expressing their feelings
termination of Martial Law in Mindanao.
and not asking or demanding for anything, then this is “to inform.”
a. to inform
Hence, Choice A.
b. to persuade
75. Head of AFP asking for understanding from the evacuees of
c. to entertain
Marawi.
d. to criticize
a. to inform
Rationalization: From the word “pleading,” it can be said that the
b. to persuade
purpose of the speech is to persuade. Hence Choice B.
c. to entertain
73. President Duterte delivering an amusing speech to liven up the
d. to criticize
occasion.
Rationalization: Since the Head of AFP is asking something from the
a. to inform
public, then this is “to persuade.” Hence, Choice B.
b. to persuade
c. to entertain
Writing in Discipline
Faulty Sentences fewer people signed up for the program each year, and eventually it had to
be cancelled," the correct answer choice. Hence, Choice A.
Directions: Choose the phrase that needs to be changed to make the
sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all. 78. "Can you guide me out of this", she whispered, knowing the request
would be her last.
76. Although Macky already finished his homework; he reviewed his
answer for another hour to prepare for his upcoming test. a. me
a. although b. this”,
b. homework; c. would be
c. to prepare d. No error
Rationalization: A semicolon is not appropriate here because semicolons Rationalization: Punctuation always goes inside the quotation marks in
can only be used to separate two complete, but related sentences. To American English. Hence, Choice B.
separate a dependent clause (in this case a dependent introductory clause)
79. Once Macky told us that "he was going into the bus to pick up his
from a main clause a comma is needed. Hence, Choice B.
guitar," we knew we were about to have a great night around the
77. How should this sentence be corrected? campfire.
Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, eventually a. Once Macky told us
it had to be cancelled.
b. "he was going into the cabin to pick up his guitar,"
a. Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, and
c. around the campfire
eventually it had to be cancelled.
d. No error
b. Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year therefore
eventually it had to be cancelled. Rationalization: The sentence uses quotation marks for an indirect
quotation from Macky when no quotation marks are needed. Only direct
c. Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year, eventually
quotations require quotation marks in sentences like these. Hence, Choice
it had to be cancelled.
B.
d. Fewer and fewer people signed up for the program each year so
80. Since Sharlyn won first place and Shamane won second, she was
eventually it had to be cancelled.
invited at the recognition rites after class.
Rationalization: The sentence is actually a run on sentence, with two
a. won
complete sentences being jammed together to make a grammatically
incorrect sentence. Such compound sentences need to be separated either b. she
by a comma and a conjunction, or a semicolon. This makes "Fewer and
c. after
d. No error Rationalization: Because the baby is being compared to all of the babies in
the world, the superlative "cutest baby" is needed. If the baby were being
Rationalization: This sentence has an ambiguous pronoun reference. To
compared to only one other child, the comparative "cuter baby" would be
whom does "she" refer? You could fix this either by referring to both
appropriate. This makes the correct selection "cuter baby." Hence, Choice
women with "they," if it is indeed the case that both were honored at the
B.
awards ceremony, or by replacing "she" with the name of the woman
being specified. Hence, Choice B. 83. Neither Betsy or Sofia could remember how to get to the Indian
restaurant, so they had to go home and look up directions.
81. Most sweaters are made of acrylic, wool, or cashmere, and though
they are the more expensive of the three, I prefer cashmere sweaters a. or
because they are so soft.
b. so
a. most
c. had
b. though
d. No error
c. more
Rationalization: This sentence makes a mistake in parallelism. The
d. No error conjunction that correctly goes with the conjunction "neither" is "nor," not
"or." "Either" and "or" are used together, and "neither" and "nor" are used
Rationalization: The phrase "the more expensive of the three" contains
together. The rest of the sentence is correct as is. Hence, Choice A.
this sentence's error. Three types of sweaters are being compared: acrylic
sweaters, wool sweaters, and cashmere sweaters. The comparative 84. Important things to remember when adding fractions include creating
adjective "more" is used; this is incorrect because comparative adjectives a common denominator and reduce.
are only used for comparing two things, as in the sentence, "I like vanilla
a. adding
ice cream more than chocolate-covered strawberries." When comparing
three or more things, a superlative adjective should be used. In this case, b. include
that means that "more" should be changed to "most" to correct the
sentence's error. Hence Choice A. c. reduce

82. Though many people may disagree, I think my brother is the cuter d. No error
baby in the whole wide world. Rationalization: The forms of verbs used in a list need to agree for the
a. many people sentence to use proper parallelism. Because the sentence begins its list of
two items with "creating," "reduce" should be changed to "reducing" in
b. cuter baby order to match the form of "creating." So, the corrected sentence would
read, "Important things to remember when adding fractions include
c. whole wide world
creating a common denominator and reducing." Hence, Choice C.
d. No error
85. The final three challenges in the obstacle course were to catch a rabbit,
build it an enclosure, and leaping over the structure.
a. catch
b. build
c. leaping
d. No error
Rationalization: The elements in the list should have a parallel
grammatical structure. Since the first two use infinitive verbs ("to catch . . .
build"), the third should too. The corrected sentence reads, "The final
three challenges in the obstacle course were to catch a rabbit, build it an
enclosure, and leap over the structure." Hence, Choice C.
86. The freedom continually trumpeted by the Greeks as the defining
characteristic of their society is juxtaposed from the overwhelming lack
of individual freedom exhibited by Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and
Iphigenia; the Greeks’ portrayal of the Eastern foreigners as barbaric,
incontinent rapists is meanwhile paralleled with the often equally violent
and impulsive behavior of Greek men and, in particular, of the Greek
army.
a. juxtaposed from
b. and Iphigenia;
c. in particular, of
d. No error
Rationalization: “Continually” means “repeated regularly,” which fits the
meaning of this sentence. The semicolon after “Iphigenia” correctly links
two complete sentences. “Paralleled with” demonstrates the correct use
of a preposition. “Juxtaposed from,” however, uses the wrong preposition.
“Juxtaposed,” which means placed with or beside something in order to
emphasize the contrast between the two things should be followed by the
preposition “with,” as the two terms are being contrasted with each other.
Hence, Choice A.
87. Logan's high school puts on more plays than his sister.
a. puts
b. more plays
c. his sister
d. No error
Rationalization: This question is looking for a logical comparison between
one school (Logan's) and another (his sister's) rather than a comparison
between a school (Logan's) and a person (his sister). Although "as opposed
to his sister's school" and "than does his sister's school" both express this
concept, they are unnecessarily wordy, leaving "than his sister's school" as
the correct answer. Hence, Choice C.
88. Before school started, Patrick needed to check off many more items
on his to-do list, including buying more pencils, finishing his summer
reading packet, and practice trumpet for his audition.
a. before school started
b. including buying more pencils
c. practice trumpet
d. No error
Rationalization: This question requires the three verbs listed to all be in
the same grammatical form. Since the first two verbs are gerunds (verbs
that end in "-ing" acting as nouns), the third verb ("practice") should be in
that form as well: "practicing."
89. Swift's style was well suited to his thoughts, which are never subtilized
by nice disquisitions, decorated by sparkling conceits, elevated by
ambitious sentences, or variegated by far-sought learning. He pays no
court to the passions; he excites neither surprise nor admiration; he always
understands himself, and his readers always understand him: the pursuer d. No error
of Swift wants little previous knowledge; it will be sufficient that he is
Rationalization: The word "decoration" makes no sense in this context but
acquainted with common words and common things; he is neither
given that it has to do with how a nobleman is treated, the passage
required to mount elevations nor to explore profundities; his passage is
probably needs the word "decorum" here instead. Hence Choice B.
always on a level, along solid ground, without asperities, without
obstruction. 91. Adapted from “Our Amateur Poets, No. III. — William Ellery Channing”
in The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Vol. XI: Literary Criticism by
Which of the underlined words is used incorrectly?
Edgar Allan Poe (1843, ed. 1902) It may be said in his favor that nobody
a. conceits ever heard of him. He has always proceeded in keeping himself from being
made the subject of gossip. His book contains about sixty-three things,
b. ambitious
which he calls poems, and which he no doubt seriously supposes so to be.
c. pursuer They are full of all kinds of mistakes, of which the most important is that of
having been printed at all. They are not precisely English; perhaps they are
d. No error Channingese. Which of the underlined words is used incorrectly?
Rationalization: It is unlikely that a reader of Swift would be called his a. favor
"pursuer," but the reader might be called a "peruser." Hence, Choice C.
(Passage adapted from "Swift" in Volume III of Lives of the Most Eminent b. proceeded
English Poets by Samuel Johnson, 1781).
c. supposes
90. Adapted from “Our Amateur Poets, No. III. — William Ellery Channing”
d. No error
in The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Vol. XI: Literary Criticism by
Edgar Allan Poe (1843, ed. 1902) Rationalization: "Proceeded" means began or continued a course of action
but the context of the sentence suggests that "succeeded" is the word that
The son of a great author cannot be handled too tenderly by the critical
was intended here.
Jack Ketch. Mr. Channing must be hung, that’s true. He must be hung in
terrorem — and for this there is no help under the sun; but then we shall
do him all manner of justice, and observe every species of decoration, and
be especially careful of his feelings, and hang him gingerly and gracefully,
with a silken cord, as the Spaniards hang their grandees of the blue blood, Types of Paragraph Development
their nobles of the sangre azula. Which of the underlined words is used
incorrectly?
a. species Directions: Choose the type of paragraph development for each selection.

b. decoration
c. nobles 92. The fundamental question of work and leisure raised by Weiss is
particularly relevant as a generation called Millennials moves firmly into
the workforce. I know many Millennials and in general they’re hard-
working, passionate young men and women who are eager to work, but
they want to enjoy and draw meaning from their jobs.
Most are sensible enough to have a day-job to pay the bills, but many have
a “side hustle” – a hobby or a business idea into which they pour their
passion and hope to one day monetize. Weiss recognizes this trend in
workers, but an interesting disconnect between Weiss’ article and today is
the discussion of self-employment. Weiss notes that self-employed
workers are generally most satisfied even if they earn less, but also makes
the observation that self-employment has significantly declined.
a. Descriptive
b. Narrative
c. Expository
d. Persuasive
Rationalization: In this example the author is using expository paragraphs
to present and analyze research findings by a recognized expert in the
field. Hence, Choice C.
93. “Coming down to Bridge Park had been a good idea, he decided.
Leaving the crowded mass of the city behind he’d ridden the train south,
through the razed land and out onto the delta. Rice paddies stretched to
every horizon, blurring the line between land, river and sea. And then, in
the shadow of the ruined supports of the bridge, the park rose like a
garden oasis above the lowlands. He obviously wasn’t the only person with
the same idea today, and the park was lifted by the shrieks of children
playing on the bridge replica fun zone behind him.”
a. Descriptive
b. Narrative
c. Expository
d. Persuasive
Rationalization: In the above passage, the author is using the descriptive
paragraph type to paint a picture in the mind of the reader by using
specific adjectives and adverbs that appeal to the reader’s senses. Hence,
Choice A.
94. “Christopher Reeve was one courageous person who fully accepted an
unexpected change in direction in his life. The icon of superhuman
strength in the 80’s, he was the quintessential Superman. An actor of great
appeal and talent, he represented the ideal combination of manliness,
strength, seeker of justice, and savior of humankind.
In May 1995, he was riding his horse and had a serious fall. The accident
damaged his spinal cord such that he was left a quadriplegic and had to
use a machine to help him breathe. The accident sent shock waves around
the world. How could Superman be rendered a quadriplegic? It was
unfathomable.
After many months of grueling physical therapy, he learned how to
function in this new altered state. The emotional toll was great as he and
his family struggled with the changes this accident brought into their lives.
Within a year, however, he had founded a charitable organization called
the Christopher Reeve Foundation in order to raise money for research on
spinal cord injuries and made it his mission to find a way for all victims of
these devastating injuries to walk again.”
a. Descriptive
b. Narrative
c. Expository
d. Persuasive
Rationalization: Here the author is using the narrative paragraph type to
portray the dramatic fall in the fortunes of a celebrity after a traumatic life
event, and how he resolved the conflict in his life to become a real-life
superhero in the eyes of his followers. Hence, Choice B.
95. “‘I’m too old’ or ‘It’s too late to change’ are nothing but limiting beliefs.
Like any other beliefs, they’re fully under your control and are totally
replaceable. In the end, you’re the one who truly runs the show, as much
as you’re taught to believe the opposite. When it comes to making changes
in your life, you have the ultimate say. If you end up doing what others
think you should, it’s only because on some level you’ve made the decision
to believe that their ideas are more worthy than your own.
If you want to change, you have to start believing in what you want to do,
no matter what other people’s ‘opinions’ are. And you have to believe that
the changes you want to make are worth it, regardless of your age or your
circumstances.
Life consists of a collection of ‘moments.’ This very moment and every
moment after it are what your life is made of. If you live your life worrying
about the future, regretting the past or even living how others tell you to
live, then you aren’t living ‘your’ moments.
All it really takes to become in charge of your own life is to simply decide
to do so. Your process of reinvention is 100% yours. Don’t be afraid to use
it fully to our advantage. Don’t be afraid to think big thoughts. Remember,
you can make a difference: you are the difference!”
a. Descriptive
b. Narrative
c. Expository
d. Persuasive
Rationalization: In this example, the author is using persuasive writing to
influence readers to take action by changing their belief system through
replacing limiting beliefs with empowering ones. Hence, Choice D.
96. The writing process has four distinct phases. (2) The first is invention,
which is aided by any number of techniques, including free-writing, mind-
mapping and outlining. (3) In this first stage, it's important for a writer not
to edit but to let ideas flow and to simply get them down on paper. (4)
After invention, comes the first draft— the stage where the ideas start to
take shape. (5) Many writers use a sentence outline at this stage to see
where they need to cut and where they need to add material. The first
draft is also where writers should develop a tentative thesis to guide the
structure of their essay. (6) The next stage of the process is when both the
second and third drafts are done. (7) Here, ideas and structure are refined,
and the thesis is revised until it becomes the unifying idea of the paper. (8)
Finally, comes the last stage, that of editing. (9) Writers should take care at
this stage that all sentence structure and punctuation is correct, and they
should make corrections to documentation format as needed. (10) Writers
often repeat these four phases more than once, or skip a phase and go
back to it, making the writing process more cyclical than linear.
a. Comparison - Contrast
b. Cause- Effect
c. Process
d. Argumentative
Rationalization: This is a “How to do” essay that is the nature of a process
paragraph. Hence, Choice C.
97. A scientist and a poet both strive for perfection: the poet refines his
sensibilities, while the scientist reduces everything to precise
measurements. Both share the beauty of a rainbow; but while the poet
imagines a pot of gold a t the end of it, the scientist wants to spell it out in
angstrom units measuring wavelength.
a. Comparison - Contrast
b. Cause- Effect
c. Process
d. Argumentative
Rationalization: This paragraph presents relationship between two items. Rationalization: This paragraph presents premises and conclusions
Hence, Choice A. regarding an issue. Hence, Choice D.
98. The tropical rainforests of West Africa, Brazil, Latin America and 100. All of the transitional/cohesive devices below may be used when
Southeast Asia are some of the most important environmental regions of writing a comparison-contrast essay, except _________________.
the world because they hold millions of unique plants, animals, and
a. consequently
people. However, they are being destroyed rapidly for agriculture, mining
and logging. This essay will examine the causes of this destruction and b. conversely
outline its effects on our lives. One of the main causes of this is logging for
timber. Millions of hectares of trees are cut down every year, often c. nevertheless
illegally. The most valuable wood is taken, and not replaced, and landless d. similarly
people move in along the new logging roads.
Rationalization: “Consequently" would be more useful in a cause-effect
a. Comparison - Contrast essay. All the other options may be used when comparing and contrasting.
b. Cause- Effect
c. Process
d. Argumentative
Rationalization: This paragraph presents reasons or results of something.
Hence, Choice B.
99. Because of the pressing issues regarding global economic recession, it
is high time that the government support programs that would boost the
country’s economy. We should set aside moral issues and start thinking of
ways to curb to growing problems in finance. One way to deal with this is
by legalizing prostitution. We all know that this is the oldest profession and
legalizing this will allow more revenues. How? Well, basically, legalizing
prostitution Is tantamount to taxation. Each prostitute will be taxed.
Hence, a portion of their profits will contribute to the needs of the nation.
a. Comparison - Contrast
b. Cause- Effect
c. Process
d. Argumentative