1.
This question asks you to identify the primary purpose of the passage as
a whole. Choice B is the best answer. The passage gives an overview of
Eisenstein’s approach to women’s history and then offers an evaluation
of that approach. Choice A is not correct: while the passage mentions
certain criticisms of Eisenstein’s work, it is not her underlying
assumptions that are being challenged. Furthermore, the criticisms do
not constitute the primary concern of the passage. Choice C is not
correct: while two theories are mentioned, a passage whose primary
purposes were to compare those two theories would have to discuss the
second theory in greater detail. Choice D and E are incorrect because
the passage does not suggest that there have been misconceptions about
feminist theory, and no particular ideology is being defended.
2.
This question requires you to make an inference, based on Eisenstein’s
argument, regarding her view of the attitudes of the women she studies.
The best answer is D. The first paragraph of the passage notes
Eisenstein’s argument that women neither wholly accepted nor rejected
the dominant ideology of the time, and that they modified this and other
ideologies to suit their needs. Choice A is incorrect. The dominant
ideology is one among several ideologies that Eisenstein argues were
adapted and modified by working women; the passage does not suggest that
Eisenstein believed that working women resented that ideology or
considered it degrading. Choice B is incorrect because Eisenstein’s
argument is that women took aspects of several available ideologies and
modified them; there is no suggestion that any one ideology was
preferred over others. Choice C can be eliminated because according to
the passage, it is Tentler, not Eisenstein, who argues that working
conditions increased the attractiveness of the dominant ideology. Choice
E is not correct. Eisenstein argues that domestic work tended to isolate
women from one another; there is no indication in the passage that the
women themselves believed the dominant ideology was responsible for
this.
3.
This question asks you to identify the structure of the first paragraph
of the passage. The best answer is C. The first paragraph presents
Eisenstein’ theory, then makes note of Tentler’s opposing views, then
continues with further explication of Eisenstein’s argument. Choice A
can be eliminated because the paragraph discusses a certain historical
development, the evolution of working women’s values, but it does not
make prediction about future developments. Choice B is not correct
because the paragraph is not concerned with contrasting definitions of
any term. Choice D and E are not correct because the paragraph does not
discuss a tentative proposal that requires evaluation or a controversy
that calls for resolution.
4.
To answer this question you must decide which answer would best provide
the sort of information that the author feels is lacking in Eisenstein’s
study. The author’s critique of Eisenstein’s argument is found primarily
in the second paragraph. Choice B is the best answer because the author
points out that Eisenstein’s study is flawed in that it relies on
sources that are not representative of the average female worker. An
analysis of writings by typical female wage earners would help to
rectify this problem. Choice A is not correct. Eisenstein’s study
already focuses on labor organizers; it is unlikely that the author
feels that even more attention to this group is necessary. Choice C is
not correct because the passage does not suggest that three were
disagreements among social and political groups as to the definition of
the dominant ideology. Choices D and E are incorrect because
Eisenstein’s study is not concerned with the interaction between
socialism and feminism, nor with labor’s particular role in the
introduction of women into the workforce.
5.
This question asks you to identify the primary purpose of the passage as
a whole. The best answer is D. The passage discusses two hypothesis
concerning zonation of mangrove forests. Choice A can be eliminated
because the passage presents as a viable hypothesis the idea that
mangrove zonation may be caused by adaptation to salinity. Choice B is
incorrect because the passage is concerned with the causes of zonation
patterns, not simple with a description of those patterns. Both C and E
contradict information that is presented in the passage.
6.
This question asks you to identify information provided in the passage
about early research on mangrove forests. That research is discussed in
the first paragraph. Choice B is the best answer. Early research on
mangrove forests is characterized as having produced descriptions of
species distribution from shore to land. Such a distribution is
described in the first sentence of the passage as “zonal.” Choice A is
not correct. Early research described mangrove distribution from shore
to land. This implies a regular pattern of distribution, not a random
one. Choices C and D are not correct because there is no indication in
the passage that early studies of mangrove forests were concerned with
the plants’ chronological development or with the reclassification of
species. Choice E is incorrect because the passage does not say that the
research in question did anything except describe species distribution.
7.
Here you are asked to make an inference based on information that is
stated in the passage. Note that the best answer will refer to a
situation where Davis’s paradigm does NOT apply. Choice E is the best
answer. Davis’ succession paradigm states that mangroves trap sediments
over time, thus extending the shore. A shoreline where few sediments
could accumulate would be unable to develop according to such a scheme.
Choice A is not correct. Davis first expressed his theory of
“land-building” in his study of Florida mangrove forests. Thus his
paradigm presumably applies to the shoreline of those forests. Choices B
and C are incorrect because the passage states that areas with weak
currents and weak tidal energies are areas where land formation will
progress according to Davis’ paradigm. Choice D is not correct because
Davis’ paradigm describes the “land-building” process of mangroves, so a
shoreline that had been extended by that process would fall within the
paradigm.
8.
Here you are asked to make an inference about the likely view of the
author of the passage. Note that the best answer must be a statement
that the author would most likely judge to be INCORRECT. Choice C is
best. The author points out that while mangroves normally thrive in
highly saline regions, this is not because they require salt. That
assertion contradicts the claim made in this answer, so the author would
likely regard the claim made in this answer as incorrect. Choice A is
incorrect because it paraphrases an assertion the author makes in the
first sentence of the passage. Choice B is incorrect because it
paraphrases an assertion the author makes in the last sentence of the
second paragraph. Choice D is incorrect because the passage does not
provide sufficient information to determine whether the author would
agree with this statement. Choice E is not correct. The author notes
that areas with weak currents and tides are likely to be extended
through land formation. Thus the author would consider the assertion
made here to be correct, not incorrect.
9.
This question asks you to identify which one of the five answer choices
is NOT mentioned in the passage as a benefit associated with backward
integration. The best answer is B. The passage does not indicate how
backward integration affects the profit margins on sales of components
by independent suppliers. Choices A, C, and E are mentioned in the
passage as a benefit of backward integration. Choice D is incorrect
because the passage indicates that backward integration is a way of
having a reliable source of necessary components.
10.
This question asks you to identify information presented in the passage
about independent suppliers of product components. Choice A is the best
answer. The passage asserts that independent supplies making the same
components as assemblers may not share technological innovations with
assemblers. Choices B, C, D, and E can be eliminated because there is no
indication in the passage as assemblers experience improved profit
margins, lower their prices, suffer financial difficulties, or stop
developing new versions of the component.
11.
This question asks you to choose the statement that best describes the
function of the last paragraph of the passage. The best answer is B. At
the end of the third paragraph, the author indicates that assemblers
benefit from contracting with, rather than owning, independent
suppliers. In the last paragraph, however, the author indicates that
contracting with independent suppliers can itself present problems. Thus
the last paragraph qualifies the viewpoint presented at the end of the
third paragraph. Choice A is not the correct answer because the passage
makes several points about backward integration, but does not present a
central argument about this topic. Choice C is not the correct answer
because the final paragraph qualifies rather than supports an argument
made in the third paragraph about contracting with independent
suppliers. Choices D and E are incorrect because the final paragraph
does not identify questions or present a specific example.
12.
This question asks you to identify information presented in the passage
about the relationship between profits and investments for producers of
technologically advanced components. The best answer is D. The passage
indicates that the high investments required to develop technologically
advanced components. Choice A is incorrect because the passage indicates
that large, not modest, investments in research and development are
required. Choices B and C are incorrect because the passage indicates
that profit margins for producers of technologically advanced components
are low, not high as these answer choice assert. Choice E is incorrect:
although the author claims that long-term contracts with suppliers are
beneficial to assemblers, the passage does not indicate that long-term
contracts with purchasers lead to high profits for producers of
technologically advanced components.
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