SYNONYMS

1. WRATH 9. POMPOUS
A. Knot B. Anger A. Arrogant B. Supportive
C. Crime D. Smoke C. Busy D. Gaudy

2. LAG 10. TANGLE

A. Compact B. Squirt A. Snarl B. Growl
C. Dawdle D. Quicken C. Dance D. Shiver

3. PLETHORA 11. SCALE

A. Trouble B. Foolish A. Climb B. Sail
C. Wealth D. Love C. Swim D. Skate

4. ACQUAINT 12. SMUDGE

A. Withhold B. Conceal A. Gloat B. Residue
C. Familiarize D. Risky C. Blur D. Celebrate

5. SPITE 13. SUPERFICIAL

A. Joy B. Beverage A. Gorgeous B. Shallow
C. Wonder D. Malice C. Intelligent D. Rich

6. CALAMITY 14. DECIPHER

A. Potion B. Celebration A. Clear B. Revive
C. Disaster D. Silence C. Interpret D. Distort

7. BARBAROUS 15. FIDELITY

A. Complex B. Dread A. Loyalty B. Defiance
C. Boor D. Broke C. Equality D. Wealth

8. BLASPHEMOUS 16. GLUT

A. Convict B. Gather A. Kindness B. Overflow
C. Impious D. Pious C. Restrain D. Bright

ANTONYMS
1. ABBREVIATE 6. DENOUNCE
A. Extend B. Advance A. Covet B. Condemn
C. Reach D. Diffuse C. Blame D. Deplore

2. CANDID 7. FRUGALITY
A. Genuine B. Devious A. Avarice B. Wastefulness
C. Equal D. Blunt C. Avariciousness D. Carefulness

3. AMENDING 8. LIBERAL
A. Alter B. Ameliorate A. Wanting B. Aplenty
C. Better D. Debase C. Bounteous D. Bountiful

4. TIRELESS 9. PLACATE
A. Exhausted B. Unfailing A. Agitate B. Satisfy
C. Jubilant D. Driving C. Cheer D. Pacify

5. ENTANGLE 10. MALICE

A. Untwist B. Twist A. Goodwill B. Bitterness
C. Hook D. Impede C. Coddle D. Distress
Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies | 1
11. PERMANENT 14. ATTAIN
A. Loose B. Fierce A. Crave B. Lose
C. Fleeting D. Unhappy C. Harbour D. Credit

12. MITIGATE 15. FRIVOLOUS

A. Abate B. Intensify A. Pious B. Inexpensive
C. Calm D. Compose C. Serious D. Contemptuous

13. TERSE 16. ERUDITE

A. Incisive B. Lengthy A. Brainy B. Savvy
C. Abrupt D. Compact C. Studious D. Ignorant

ANALOGIES
1. SCRIBBLE : WRITE :: STAMMER : ? 11. PIANO : HAMMER ::
A. Shout B. Weep A. Gramophone : Needle
C. Dance D. Speak B. Car : Horn
C. Radio : Amplifier
2. BREEZE : CYCLONE :: DRIZZLE : ? D. Bell : Clapper
A. Storm B. Flood
C. Earthquake D. Downpour 12. CINNAMON : SPICE ::
A. Cocoa : Chocolate
3. SCULPTOR : STATUE :: POET : ?
B. Lead : Pencil
A. Canvas B. Pen
C. Salt : Mineral
C. Verse D. Chisel
D. Mica : Mine
4. JEOPARDY : PERIL :: JEALOUSY : ?
A. Envy B. Lust 13. LIGHT : BLIND ::
C. Secure D. Romance A. Speech : Dumb
B. Voice : Vibration
5. CALF : COW :: PUPPY : ? C. Tongue : Sound
A. Dog B. Bitch D. Language : Deaf
C. Horse D. Donkey
14. ACROBAT : AGILITY ::
6. SEDATIVE : SLEEP ::
A. Engineer : Focus
A. Challenging : Knowledge B. Mnemonic : Memory
B. Mariner : Navigation
C. Vocal : Eloquence D. Dramatic : Story
C. Industrialist : Credibility
7. INDIGENT : WEALTHY :: D. Surgeon : Dexterity
A. Scholarly : Erudite B. Gauche : Graceful
C. Native : Domestic D. Angry : Rich 15. PORK : PIG ::
A. Rooster : Chicken
8. COMPREHEND : UNINTELLIGIBLE :: B. Buffalo : Beef
A. Swallow : Edible B. Circumvent: Risky C. Mutton : Sheep
C. Accumulate : Insignificant D. Control : Ungovernable D. Lobster : Crustacean

9. PALATE : MOUTH :: 16. MALADROIT : SKILL ::

A. Rivulet : Dam B. Ceiling : Room A. Indignant : Anger
C. Rainbow : Sky D. Hill : Range B. Irrational : Intuition
10. COLANDER : DRAIN :: C. Glib : Profundity
A. Thermometer : Calibrate B. Television : Broadcast D. Melancholy : Despair
C. Centrifuge : Separate D. Statue : Sculpt

Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies | 2

 SENTENCE CORRECTION
Directions: A sentence correction question consists of a sentence, a part or whole of which is underlined. Below the
sentence are given four options to phrase the underlined part. The first option is same as the original underlined part
and the remaining options are different. Choose an answer that will best fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

1. The man who has committed such a serious crime must get the mostly severe punishment.
A. get the mostly severe
B. get the most severe
C. have got the most severely
D. have been getting the severe most
E. be getting the mostly severely

2. Their earnings are such that they find it difficult to make both ends to meet.
A. to make both ends to meet
B. to make both ends for meeting
C. to make both ends meet
D. for making both ends to meet
E. to makings both ends meet

3. This is one of the most important inventions of this century.

A. inventions of this century
B. invention of these century
C. inventions of centuries
D. invention of the centuries
E. invention of this century

4. Any able bodies man is eligible for the job.

A. Any able bodies man is
B. Any able-bodied men are
C. Each able-bodied man is
D. Any able-bodied men have been
E. Each of the able-bodied men are

5. An analysis of sixteenth century probate inventories in the major English towns show that even some artisans and
yeomen owned silver spoons, cups or salt cellars.
A. show that even some artisans and yeomen owned silver spoons, cups or
B. show that some artisans and yeomen even owned silver spoons, cups or
C. show that even some artisans and yeomen owned silver spoons, cups and
D. shows that some artisans and yeomen owned even silver spoons, cups and
E. shows that even some artisans and yeomen owned silver spoons, cups or

6. The temperature dropped suddenly last night, which will mean that the shoots emerging from the soil will be killed by
the frost.
A. which will mean that the shoots emerging from the soil will be killed by the frost.
B. which will mean that the frost will kill the shoots emerging from the soil.
C. and this will mean that the shoots emerging from the soil will be killed by the frost.
D. and the resulting frost will kill the shoots that are emerging from the soil.
E. and as a result, the shoots will be killed by the frost, emerging from the soil.

Sentence Correction | 1
7. The recent photographs of the giant squid are remarkable because they show these enormous living creatures as
moving around in their natural environment, whereas previous pictures have been of only dead animals.
A. because they show these living creatures as moving around in their
B. because they show this most enormous of living creatures moving around in its
C. because they show this enormous living creature moving around in its
D. because these enormous living creatures are shown to be moving around in their
E. because they show this enormous living creature moving around in a

8. The psychologist reported that the most common problems undergraduates experience stem from a lack of self-esteem,
difficulty in adjusting to university life and loneliness.
A. the most common problems undergraduates experience stem from a lack of self-esteem, difficulty in adjusting to
university life and loneliness
B. the most common problems undergraduates experienced stemmed from a lack of self-esteem, difficulty in adjusting to
university life and loneliness
C. the most common problems undergraduates experience stem from loneliness, a lack of self-esteem, and difficulty in
adjusting to university life
D. the most common problem undergraduates have experienced stems from a lack of self-esteem, loneliness, and difficulty
in adjusting to university life
E. the most common problems undergraduates had experienced stem from difficulty in adjusting to university life, lack of
self-esteem, and loneliness

9. The people of the ancient Assyrian Empire were renowned warriors, although they also crafted some of the best-
preserved ancient art.
A. were renowned warriors, although they also crafted
B. had been renowned warriors, although they also crafted
C. were renowned warriors, and also crafted
D. was renowned warriors, although they also crafted
E. were renowned warriors, but also crafting

10. On Discovery channel last night they showed an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging,
which you would have found interesting.
A. they showed an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found
interesting.
B. they showed an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, which you would have found interesting.
C. they showed an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, that you would have found interesting.
D. there was an informative program about new innovations in medical imaging, that you would have found interesting.
E. there was an informative program about innovations in medical imaging, a program you would have found interesting.

11. After Queen Isabella asked Admiral Columbus to describe the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti), which was newly
discovered, he had reached for a sheet of paper, crumpled it, and said, “It looks like that—beyond the mountains, more
mountains.”
A. After Queen Isabella asked Admiral Columbus to describe the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti), which was newly
discovered, he had reached
B. On being asked to describe the new discovery of the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti) by Queen Isabella, Admiral
Columbus, reaching
C. Queen Isabella asked Admiral Columbus to describe the newly discovered island of Hispaniola (now Haiti), then he
reached
D. When asked by Queen Isabella to describe the newly discovered island of Hispaniola (now Haiti), Admiral Columbus
reached
E. After Queen Isabella had asked Admiral Columbus to describe the discovery of the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti),
he had reached

Sentence Correction | 2
12. After suffering $2 billion in losses and 25,000 layoffs, the nation’s semiconductor industry, which makes chips that
run everything from computers and spy satellites to dishwashers, appears to have made a long-awaited recovery.
A. computers and spy satellites to dishwashers, appears to have
B. computers, spy satellites, and dishwashers, appears having
C. computers, spy satellites, and dishwashers, appears that it has
D. computers and spy satellites to dishwashers, appears that it has
E. computers and spy satellites as well as dishwashers, appears to have

13. After the Arab conquest of Egypt in A.D. 640, Arabic became the dominant language of the Egyptians, replacing
older languages and writing systems.
A. became the dominant language of the Egyptians, replacing older languages
B. became the dominant language of the Egyptians, replacing languages that were older
C. becomes the dominant language of the Egyptians and it replaced older languages
D. becomes the dominant language of the Egyptians and it replaced languages that were older
E. becomes the dominant language of the Egyptians, having replaced languages that were older

14. After the Civil War, contemporaries of Harriet Tubman’s maintained that she has all of the qualities of a great leader,
coolness in the face of danger, an excellent sense of strategy, and an ability to plan in minute detail.
A. Tubman’s maintained that she has
B. Tubman’s maintain that she had
C. Tubman’s have maintained that she had
D. Tubman maintained that she had
E. Tubman had maintained that she has

15. Although fruit can no longer grow once it is picked, it continues for some time to respire, taking in oxygen and giving
off carbon dioxide, similar to the way human beings breathe.
A. similar to the way human beings breathe
B. similarly to human beings who are breathing
C. just like the breathing of human beings
D. as human beings when breathing
E. just as human beings do when they breathe

16. Although he is as gifted as, if not more gifted than, many of his colleagues, he is extremely modest and his poetry is
unpublished.
A. Although he is as gifted as, if not more gifted than, many of his colleagues, he is extremely modest and his poetry is
unpublished.
B. Although he is as gifted, if not more gifted, than many of his colleagues, he is extremely modest and with his poetry
remaining unpublished.
C. Although he is as gifted as, if not more gifted than, many of his colleagues, he is extremely modest and will not publish
his poetry.
D. Despite his being gifted, if not more gifted than his colleagues, he is extremely modest and will not publish his poetry.
E. Being a gifted as, or more gifted than, many of his colleagues, he is extremely modest and his poetry is unpublished.

Identify the incorrect part in the following sentences:

1. (A) Before he started out / (B) he had collected all the / (C) informations about the country / (D) he was going to visit. / (E)
No error.

2. (A) After the police examined the fingerprints / (B) left at the scene of the crime, they concluded that / (C) their prime suspect
committed the theft. / (D) No error.

3. (A) Her ability to / (B) talk to strangers / (C) is one of her / (D) stronger points. / (E) No error.
Sentence Correction | 3
4. (A) My brother-in-law, / (B) along with his daughter / (C) were present / (D) at the function. / (E) No error.

5. (A) Citing the recent rise in violence against foreigners, / (B) the Embassy urged expats to remain vigilant, avoid the
Blackburn district, / (C) and refraining from traveling late at night. (D) No error.

6. (A) Relationships are built / (B) in kindness, understanding and self-sacrifice / (C) not on jealousy, selfishness, puffed up egos
and / (D) rude behaviour. / (E) No error.

7. (A)While a spike in consumer sentiment / (B) have strengthened the belief that domestic spending will increase and the
economy rebound, /(C) some experts remain doubtful about the prospects of a strengthening economy due to the growing
housing crisis. / (D) No error.

8. (A) I shall be able / (B) to complete the work in / (C) stipulated time provide / (D) you do not disturb me. / (E) No error.

9. (A) A large number of unmanned aircrafts / (B) being used by the military / (C) are suspected of having / (D) unsafe radio
links. / (E) No error.

10. (A) The impostor eluded detection / (B) for so long because she conducted herself / (C) as though she was a licensed
practitioner. / (D) No error.

Choose The Incorrect Sentence or Sentences:

Q1.
(a) In a evolving or developing democracy, change has to come from the top.
(b) A visionary, constructive leadership is a must until strong democratic institution can take over.
(c) Jayaprakash Narayan has been long an advocate of decentralization of power.
(d) Civic polls should not be party based too.
A. a, b, d B. a, c C. a, c, d D. c, d

Q2.
(a) The education minister is old school, the kind who believes that little thrashing never hurts no boy.
(b) Which is why he recently announced and rather proudly, he would like to re-introduce in school children the practice of
canning.
(c) The man went on to reason that the teacher used to thrash students to make them more alert and much more intelligent.
(d) He finds it ridiculous to abide by the centre’s latest policy of complete ban on canning.
A. a, b B. a only C. c, d D. b only

Q3.
(a) There is so much despair in the make shift relief camp.
(b) In the districts of Chirang, Dhubri and the Baksa in the lower Assam, it’s as if they are huddling in the separate “ethic”
camps.
(c) Sporadic clashes between the Bodos and the Bangla- speaking Muslims have left till now 44 deaths and over 2 lakh homeless.
(d) And it’s not over yet.
A. a only B. b only C. d only D. b and c

Q4.
(a) Science is neither good nor bad in itself.
(b) Although it’s a blessing in peace, still it is a curse in war.
(c) It is a good servant, but a worse master.
(d) It is the utility which science is put, which makes the difference.
A. b & d B. Only d C. Only a D. b, c, d

Sentence Correction | 4
 PARAJUMBLES
Directions: In each of the following questions there are sentences that form a paragraph. However, these sentences must be
rearranged in their correct logical order. Select the best answer choice which best un-jumbles the paragraph.

Q1.
A. For example, when the early homo-sapiens left their homes in search for food, they would risk death and injury from dangerous
animals.
B. Throughout human history, the universe has presented an innumerable amount of dangers to explorers.
C. Today, many adventure enthusiasts seek to find the thrills and adrenaline rush which their ancestors had experienced in the
wild.
D. The tradition of humans going out to experience the dangers of unknown nature still exists.

A. ABCD B. BADC C. DABC D. CBAD

Q2.
A. Mavericks such as Bill Gates of Microsoft and Howard Schultz of Starbucks, who may not have fit easily into established
companies, succeeded at building their own unique empires.
B. The free market often seems better at recognizing and promoting individual leaders than large organizations.
C. With all these emerging leaders, the time has come for small companies to enjoy some time in the spotlight.
D. They, and others like them, stand out as heroes in the business world.
E. Indeed, a research company has found that most of the job growth in the United States this decade has come from small
companies.

A. EBACD B. BACED C. CBADE D. BADCE

Q3.
A. This theory tries to eliminate the office politics and uneven power distribution.
B. A theory called emergent leadership introduces some of the dynamics of the free-market system to corporate management.
C. In other words, we should to let creativity manage itself.
D. It does so by encouraging companies to recognize and nurture the creativity inherent in their employees.
E. Therefore, we can foster a democratic, rather than autocratic, approach to problem solving.

A. CBADE B. DAECB C. BADCE D. DACEB

Q4.
A. That means letting go of the old command-and-control model in favour of a more flexible approach.
B. To compete in today’s business world, large companies need to provide workers with an environment where they can make
their own decisions and create their own visions.
C. Giving workers unlimited power, with no rules to hold them in check, is foolish.
D. Yet larger corporations have a lot at stake.
E. Employees need to follow a meaningful set of guidelines designed to minimize risks while encouraging creativity

A. CBDAE B. BADCE C. DCBAE D. ABCED

Q5.
A. Fewer still modify the map of the world.
B. Few individuals significantly alter the course of history.
C. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state.
D. These great feats which he achieved contributed to Pakistan decision to claim his birthday a national holiday.
E. Mohammed Ali Jinnah did all three.

A. EBACD B. BACED C. CEDAB D. ECADB

Parajumbles | 1
Q6.
A. Jinnah’s love of the law was too great, however, to allow him to adopt the revolutionary method of Satyagraha.
B. He did this in order to protest against the uprooting of “fundamental principles of justice” by the government’s incompetent
bureaucracy.
C. Jinnah was the first member of the Viceroy’s Council to resign.
D. This method, launched by Mahatma Gandhi, was in protest against Dyer’s subsequent brutal massacre of unarmed peasants
in Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh that dark April of 1919.
E. Though Jinnah tried at Nagpur’s Congress session in 1920 to argue against Gandhi’s revolutionary resolutions in fear that they
would lead to more violence, he was outvoted and heckled from the panel, leaving the Congress to Gandhi’s undisputed
leadership.

A. BDCAE B. DCEBA C. EBADC D. CBADE

Q7.
A. When civilizations are categorized today, individual freedoms and rights are often used as a classificatory device.
B. For example, freedom and tolerance both get support from Aristotle (even though only for free men - not women and slaves).
C. It is, of course, easy to find the advocacy of particular aspects of individual liberty in Western classical writings.
D. However, we can also find the championing of tolerance and freedom in non-Western authors such as emperor Ashoka in
India.
E. These are often seen as part of the ancient heritage of the Western world, not to be found elsewhere.

A. CEABD B. BADEC C. BACDE D. AECBD

Q8.
A. But the idea that I should be a teacher and a researcher of some sort did not vary over the years.
B. I am used to thinking of the word “academic” as meaning “sound,” rather than the more old-fashioned dictionary meaning:
“unpractical,” “theoretical,” or “conjectural.”
C. For example, between the ages of three and seventeen, I seriously flirted with Sanskrit, mathematics, and physics, before
settling for the eccentric charms of economics.
D. My planned field of study varied a good deal in my younger years.
E. That is why I have always been favourable towards the profession of teaching.

A. DBAEC B. DCABE C. ABCED D. BAECD

Q9.
A. After doing so, the heart of your cash flow will be strong and healthy.
B. Cash is your business’s lifeblood.
C. If managed poorly, then your company could go into cardiac arrest.
D. To prevent your business from suffering heart attacks, you should learn to manage cash flow in a well thought-out manner.
E. Several ways to do this is by generating a project rate of returns as well as determining possible problems with liquidity.

A. ABECD B. CBADE C. ABDEC D. BCDEA

Parajumbles | 2
 Reading Comprehension
Donna’s memo caused much contention around the office last week. She may have meant well, but her usually caustic tone
offended almost everybody. She has become a consistent nuisance at work, and probably should be fired.

1. Based on the tone of the passage, which of the following words best describes the author’s attitude towards Donna?
a. exasperated b. admiring c. patronizing d. isolated

2. The underlined word caustic, as used in this passage, most nearly means
a. cause and effect b. reoccurring c. biting d. unclear

3. What is the meaning of the underlined word contention as it is used in this passage?
a. theorizing b. discord c. gossip d. calm

The best recipes for clam chowder all include onions and a bay leaf. The onions add a sharpness and zest to the blandness
of the clams, and also help remove their slimy texture. The bay leaf complements the onion’s strong flavor.
4. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. onions were once thought to be poisonous.
b. bay leaves are essential in many soups.
c. clam chowder is very nutritious.
d. onions and bay leaves go well with clams.
e. clams should not be overcooked

One New York publisher has estimated that 50,000 to 60,000 people in the United States want an anthology that includes
the complete works of William Shakespeare. And what accounts for this renewed interest in Shakespeare? As scholars point
out, the psychological insights he portrays in both male and female characters are amazing even today.
5. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. Shakespeare’s characters are more interesting than fictional characters today.
b. people today are interested in Shakespeare’s work because of the characters.
c. academic scholars are putting together an anthology of Shakespeare’s work.
d. New Yorkers have a renewed interested in the work of Shakespeare.
e. Shakespeare was a psychiatrist as well as a playwright.

Critical reading is a demanding process. To read critically, you must slow down your reading and, with pencil in hand;
perform specific operations on the text. Mark up the text with your reactions, conclusions, and questions. When you read,
become an active participant.
6. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. critical reading is a slow, dull, but essential process.
b. the best critical reading happens at critical times in a person’s life.
c. readers should get in the habit of questioning the truth of what they read.
d. critical reading requires thoughtful and careful attention.
e. critical reading should take place at the same time each day.

There are no effective boundaries when it comes to pollutants. Studies have shown that toxic insecticides that have been
banned in many countries are riding the wind from countries where they remain legal. Compounds such as DDT and
toxaphene have been found in remote places like the Yukon and other Arctic regions.
7. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. toxic insecticides such as DDT have not been banned throughout the world.
b. more pollutants find their way into polar climates than they do into warmer areas.
c. studies have proven that many countries have ignored their own anti-pollution laws.
d. DDT and toxaphene are the two most toxic insecticides in the world.
e. even a worldwide ban on toxic insecticides would not stop the spread of DDT pollution.

Reading Comprehension | 1
The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. No search of a
person’s home or personal effects may be conducted without a written search warrant issued on probable cause. This means
that a neutral judge must approve the factual basis justifying a search before it can be conducted.
8. This paragraph best supports the statement that the police cannot search a person’s home or private papers unless they have
a. legal authorization.
b. direct evidence of a crime.
c. read the person his or her constitutional rights.
d. a reasonable belief that a crime has occurred.
e. requested that a judge be present.

Mathematics allows us to expand our consciousness. Mathematics tells us about economic trends, patterns of disease, and
the growth of populations. Math is good at exposing the truth, but it can also perpetuate misunderstandings and untruths.
Figures have the power to mislead people.
9. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. the study of mathematics is dangerous.
b. words are more truthful than figures.
c. the study of mathematics is more important than other disciplines.
d. the power of numbers is that they cannot lie.
e. figures are sometimes used to deceive people.

Black-and-white camera film, in the old days of film photography, was very sensitive to blue light but not to red light. Blue
skies would often show very little detail, because the film couldn’t record all that it was seeing. To compensate,
photographers would put a red filter on the lens, darkening the sky enough that the film could record its fluffy clouds.
10. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. red filters were very popular in the old days of photography.
b. infrared rays are invisible to the naked eye.
c. black-and-white photography used to be very popular.
d. red filters cut out some blue light on black and white film.
e. blue filters cut out red light.

Today’s postal service is more efficient than ever. Mail that once took months to move by horse and foot now moves around
the country in days or hours by truck, train, and plane. If your letter or package is urgent, the U.S. Postal Service offers
Priority Mail and Express Mail services. Priority Mail is guaranteed to go anywhere in the United States in two days or less.
Express Mail will get your package there overnight.
11. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. more people use the post office for urgent deliveries than any other delivery service.
b. Express Mail is a good way to send urgent mail.
c. Priority Mail usually takes two days or less.
d. mail service today is more effective and dependable.
e. mail was once delivered by horse and foot.

Reality TV shows will have an adverse effect on traditional dramas and comedies. As reality TV increases in popularity,
network executives will begin canceling more traditional programs and replacing them with the latest in reality TV.
12. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. reality TV is low quality.
b. reality TV shows get the highest ratings.
c. more and more people love to watch and participate in reality TV.
d. as reality TV gets more popular, more traditional television shows may be threatened.
e. network executives make hasty and unwise decisions.

Reading Comprehension | 2
When winding an old clock, it is important not to overwind it. Overwinding occurs when the mainspring is almost fully
wound, but the operator continues to turn the winding key. This causes the main spring to coil too tightly, and might even
break it.
13. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. clocks have changed over the years.
b. old-fashioned clocks become fragile with age.
c. old-fashioned clocks were operated by an internal spring.
d. overwinding clocks used to be a common mistake.
e. time flies when you’re having fun.

In cities throughout the country, there is a new direction in local campaign coverage. Frequently in local elections,
journalists are not giving voters enough information to understand the issues and evaluate the candidates. The local news
media devotes too much time to scandal and not enough time to policy.
14. This paragraph best supports the statement that the local news media
a. is not doing an adequate job when it comes to covering local campaigns.
b. does not understand either campaign issues or politics.
c. should learn how to cover politics by watching the national news media.
d. has no interest in covering stories about local political events.

The use of desktop computer equipment and software to create high quality documents such as newsletters, business cards,
letterhead, and brochures is called Desktop Publishing, or DTP. The most important part of any DTP project is planning.
Before you begin, you should know your intended audience, the message you want to communicate, and what form your
message will take.
15. The paragraph best supports the statement that
a. Desktop Publishing is one way to become acquainted with a new business audience.
b. computer software is continually being refined to produce high quality printing.
c. the first stage of any proposed DTP project should be organization and design.
d. the planning stage of any DTP project should include talking with the intended audience.

The entire low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diet argument is so prevalent that one would think that these are the only two
options available for losing weight and staying healthy. Some experts even feel that the low-carb/low-fat debate distracts us
from an even more important issue—our culture’s reliance on processed and manufactured foods.
16. The paragraph best supports the statement that
a. experts state that not all fats are equal, so we need not reduce our intake of all fats; just those that contain partially hydrogenated
oils.
b. important health concerns get overlooked when we focus exclusively on the low-fat versus low-carb question.
c. low-carbohydrate diets lead to significant and sustained weight loss.
d. processed foods can lead to many adverse health problems including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

Every year, Americans use over one billion sharp objects to administer healthcare in their homes. These sharp objects
include lancets, needles, and syringes. If not disposed of in puncture-resistant containers, they can injure sanitation workers.
Sharp objects should be disposed of in hard plastic or metal containers with secure lids. The containers should be clearly
marked and be puncture resistant.
17. The paragraph best supports the idea that sanitation workers can be injured if they
a. do not place sharp objects in puncture-resistant containers.
b. come in contact with sharp objects that have not been placed in secure containers.
c. are careless with sharp objects such as lancets, needles, and syringes in their homes.
d. do not mark the containers they pick up with a warning that those containers contain sharp objects.

Reading Comprehension | 3
Litigation is not always the only or best way to resolve conflicts. Mediation offers an alternative approach and it is one that
can be quite efficient and successful. Mediation can be faster, less expensive, and can lead to creative solutions not always
possible in a court of law. Additionally, mediation focuses on mutually acceptable solutions, rather than on winning or
losing.
18. This paragraph best supports the idea that
a. there is too much reliance on litigation in our society.
b. litigation is expensive, slow, and limited by its reliance on following the letter of the law.
c. mediation is the best way to resolve a crisis.
d. mediation can be an effective way to resolve conflicts.

One of the missions of the Peace Corps is to help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained men and
women. People who work for the Peace Corps do so because they want to, but to keep the agency dynamic with fresh ideas,
no staff member can work for the agency for more than five years.
19. The paragraph best supports the statement that Peace Corps employees
a. are highly intelligent people.
b. must train for about five years.
c. are hired for a limited term of employment.
d. have both academic and work experience.

More and more office workers telecommute from offices in their own homes. The upside of telecommuting is both greater
productivity and greater flexibility. Telecommuters produce, on average, 20% more than if they were to work in an office,
and their flexible schedule allows them to balance both their family and work responsibilities.
20. The paragraph best supports the statement that telecommuters
a. get more work done in a given time period than workers who travel to the office.
b. produce a better quality work product than workers who travel to the office.
c. are more flexible in their ideas than workers who travel to the office.
d. would do 20% more work if they were to work in an office.

Sushi, the thousand-year-old Japanese delicacy, started small in the United States, in a handful of restaurants in big cities.
Today, sushi consumption in America is 50% greater than it was ten years ago and not just in restaurants. Sushi is also sold
at concession stands in sports stadiums, university dining halls, and in supermarkets throughout the country.
21. This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. sushi is now a fast food as popular as hot dogs, burgers, and fries.
b. more sushi is sold in restaurants than in supermarkets.
c. Americans are more adventurous eaters than they were in the past.
d. sushi wasn’t always widely available in the United States.

Today’s shopping mall has as its antecedents historical marketplaces, such as Greek agoras, European piazzas, and Asian
bazaars. The purpose of these sites, as with the shopping mall, is both economic and social. People not only go to buy and
sell wares, but also to be seen, catch up on news, and be part of the human drama.
22. The paragraph best supports the statement that
a. modern Americans spend an average of 15 hours a month in shopping malls.
b. shopping malls serve an important purpose in our culture.
c. shopping malls have a social as well as commercial function.
d. there are historical antecedents for almost everything in contemporary society.

Reading Comprehension | 4