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- 1. Multiple Choice
The examples inside the dashes in lines 1-2 serve to emphasize...
the formulaic manner in which most texts are studied
the broad applicability of the reading strategies that follow
the difference between the Declaration and works of imaginative literature
the difficulty of discerning authorial intention in a text
the variety of forms of writing that existed at the time of the Declaration
- 2. Multiple Choice
In context, the sentence in lines 9-10 (“Asking these . . . art”) can best be understood as...
a reason for adopting a particular way of studying the Declaration
a challenge to commonly held ideas about the role of the Declaration in American history
a confirmation of the author’s assumption that Americans are unfamiliar with the Declaration
a possible objection from Declaration scholars who resist textual analysis
an unforeseen complication regarding the author’s view of the Declaration
- 3. Multiple Choice
The author’s primary purpose in the first
paragraph (lines 1-10) is to...
explain the value of an approach
anticipate a particular conclusion
summarize the history of an idea
evaluate one side of a contentious debate
present evidence in support of an argument
- 4. Multiple Choice
The questions in the first paragraph (lines 1-10) differ from those in the final paragraph (lines 54-62) in that...
the former encourage identification with authors and the latter critique it
the former are meant to be satirical and the latter are meant to be serious
the former are meant to facilitate textual analysis and the latter are meant to facilitate political analysis
the former are meant to be answered and the latter are meant to be rhetorical
the former pertain to the era of the American Revolution and the latter pertain to the present day
- 5. Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the relationship of the paragraph in lines 15-23 (“In fact . . . explaining it”) to the paragraph in lines 24-36 (“Short for . . . hereby declared”) ?
The first paragraph engages the reader with a contemporary colloquial style, and the second paragraph challenges the reader with language from the period of the Declaration.
The first paragraph creates a connection between the Declaration and our ordinary lives, and the second paragraph exalts the Declaration as sacred.
The first paragraph presents a current critical view of the Declaration, and the second paragraph argues that that view is restricted.
The first paragraph argues that the Declaration is a certain type of document, and the second paragraph refutes that argument.
The first paragraph compares the Declaration to a seemingly mundane type of document, and the second paragraph expands on the significance of that type of document.
- 6. Multiple Choice
The author presents the definition in lines 31-33 (“An informal . . . of action”) primarily to...
resolve a conflict
present an objection
widen a perspective
introduce a theory
indicate an origin
- 7. Multiple Choice
As used in line 34, “spawned” most nearly means...
reproduced
discovered
corrupted
generated
imitated
- 8. Multiple Choice
In lines 37-39 (“As ever . . . important”), the
author presents memos as...
archaic yet irreverent
pretentious yet meaningful
routine yet relevant
trivial yet time-consuming
practical yet aesthetically pleasing
- 9. Multiple Choice
In the context of the passage as a whole, the “democratic art” of the Declaration mentioned in line 10 refers to the Declaration’s ability to do all of the following EXCEPT...
critique an institution
announce a change
explain the nature of a change
enforce a proposed change
call a group to action
- 10. Multiple Choice
Based on the passage as a whole, it can be inferred that the author will most likely continue with a discussion that includes which of the following?
An analysis of the Declaration that addresses the questions about texts introduced at the beginning of the passage
A comparison of views of the Declaration as a sacred text and as a treatise
An examination of additional definitions of the word “memorandum”
A closer look into fundamental differences between interoffice memos and the Declaration
An account of other types of correspondence besides memos
- 11. Multiple Choice
In sentence 10 (reproduced below), the writer wants to compare a specific difference between making pennies now and making pennies at an earlier time.
In 2001, it cost 0.79 cents to make a penny, but now, with metal costs increasing, the cost has changed in a noteworthy way.
Which of the following versions of the underlined text most effectively accomplishes this goal?
(as it is now)
the cost has soared to 1.8 cents per penny
economists worry that the penny is unsustainable
the United States Mint has looked into less expensive metals
the penny is made of only 2.5% copper
- 12. Multiple Choice
In sentence 19 (reproduced below), the writer wants to change the conclusion by adding a direct quotation that both reinforces the main argument of the passage and places that argument in a broader context.
In 2013, President Obama acknowledged that people have a sentimental attachment to the penny.
Which version of the underlined text best accomplishes this purpose?
penny, saying, “We remember our piggy banks and counting out all the pennies and then taking them in and getting a dollar bill or a couple of dollars from it.”
penny and argued that discontinuing the penny “is not going to be a huge savings for government.”
penny but argued that the coin is a sign of government inefficiency, calling it “a good metaphor for some of the larger problems that we’ve got.”
penny and, in an interview, said that the issue is “one of those things where I think people get attached emotionally to the way things have been.”
penny and, when asked why the penny hasn’t been withdrawn from circulation yet, replied, “I don’t know.”
- 13. Multiple Choice
The writer wants to start the third paragraph (sentences 10-14) with a sentence that captures what the different claims and evidence in the paragraph are meant to show. Which of the following sentences should the writer add immediately before sentence 10 to achieve this goal?
More importantly, making pennies wastes time and money.
The composition of the copper penny was changed in 1982, but that was not the end of its troubles.
The actual weight of the penny has varied over the years, depending on its composition, but it still carries a lot of weight in the figurative sense.
Some would argue that we should keep the penny because it honors President Abraham Lincoln.
Some retailers now keep a tray at the register for customers to leave or take a penny.
- 14. Multiple Choice
The writer wants to ensure that the connotations of the underlined portion of sentence 16 (reproduced below) are appropriate to the context of the sentence.
However, other countries, such as Canada and New Zealand, have successfully retired the penny without a significant increase in prices.
Which of the following versions of the underlined text would best accomplish this goal?
(as it is now)
abandoned
discarded
ditched
disowned
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