2 A. Check out the answer explanation to Question 32, and you see that the lines in Choice (A) support the idea that history is intertwined with geography.
3 C. Lines 6–8 tell you that “climate has undergone many variations … so, too, are there shifts in civilizations.” The word too tells you that you’re looking for a synonym of variations, which Choice (C) provides. Choice (B) is close, but a modification usually refers to a small change to an existing thing, and the paragraph describes more extreme changes.
4 B. The Mayan empire fell because of a prolonged drought (Lines 10–11), so you can immediately eliminate Choices (C) and (D). To choose between the remaining two answers, examine the whole paragraph, which discusses the effect of climate on human culture. In that context, Choice (B) is the best answer.
5 C. Ancient seers tried to predict the future, and Lines 15–16 tell you that today’s scientists are “preparing for major shifts in trade, population density, and political affinity” — future trends, in other words. Hence, Choice (C) is correct.
6 A. The third paragraph of Passage 1 (Lines 24–35) talks about climate and culture. The passage states that the eruption of Mt. Toba brought on an ice age, but — and this is an important but — human culture survived intact (not damaged or broken). Therefore, Choice (A) is your best answer here.
7 A. Choices (A), (B), and (C) are out because the second paragraph of Passage 2 states that “through most of the dinosaur era the planet’s normal state was decidedly steamier.” This also makes Choice (D) the correct answer.
8 C. Lines 46–47 state that “most of the dinosaur era,” the earth was warmer, so the climate didn’t change and thus affect the oviraptor.
9 C. Lines 64–66 state that “human industry has wrought profound changes in the Earth’s atmosphere since the last warm period.” Thus, the author considers how humans affect climate, not the other way around, as is the case in Passage 1. Go for Choice (C).
10 A. Passage 1 makes a point of stating that climate isn’t “a constant” (Line 5), and Passage 2 flat out tells you that climate is always changing. Therefore, Choice (A) fits perfectly. Choice (C) may have lured you because the author of Passage 2 does state that human activity is a factor; Passage 1, however, ignores the human effect on the weather.
11 B. Choice (A) is out because Passage 1 talks about Mt. Toba, which led to global cooling (not warming). Passage 2 doesn’t really deal with volcanoes, so Choice (C) is also out. Passage 1 ignores human effects on climate, so the answer can’t be Choice (D). As a result, Choice (B) is the correct answer.
Literature Passage
In this excerpt from Dickens’s 19th-century novel Great Expectations, the narrator recalls a Christmas dinner.
43. Which statement about the opening of doors may be inferred from the first paragraph (Lines 1–6)?
(A) The door that the narrator opens is normally locked.
(B) The door that the narrator opens is never used for company.
(C) The narrator is not normally allowed to open the door for visitors.
(D) Certain doors are used on special occasions and others for everyday entries.
44. The author’s attitude toward Uncle Pumblechook and Mrs. Joe in the second and third paragraphs (Lines 7–24) may best be characterized as
(A) mildly critical
(B) admiring
(C) ambivalent
(D) sharply disapproving
45. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
(A) Lines 5–6 (“I was not allowed … severest penalties”)
(B) Lines 8–10 (“middle-aged slow man … upright on his head”)
(C) Lines 16–20 (“Every Christmas Day … This IS kind”)
(D) Lines 28–31 (“My sister was uncommonly … than in other company”)
46. In the context of Line 9, which of the following is the best definition of “dull”?
(A) boring
(B) blunted
(C) sharp
(D) unattractive
47. The move from the kitchen to the parlour is compared to Mrs. Joe’s change of clothes because
(A) Mrs. Joe is uncomfortable with both
(B) both take place only on special occasions
(C) the narrator is confused by each of these actions
(D) Mrs. Joe insists upon both of these changes
48. The details in the last paragraph (Lines 42–58) serve to
(A) show how the author enjoys Christmas dinner
(B) explain the behavior of the dinner guests
(C) describe a 19th-century Christmas celebration
(D) make the case that the narrator is not treated well
49. In the context of Line 48, what is the best definition of “regaled”?
(A) amused
(B) entertained
(C) sold
(D) lavished
50. The metaphor of “an unfortunate little bull in a Spanish arena” (Lines 56–57) means that
(A) the narrator, like a bull in a bullfight, is an involuntary target of teasing attacks
(B) the narrator’s table manners are more like those of an animal than a polite child
(C) the narrator did not participate actively in the conversation
(D) the dinner guests were the targets of the narrator’s mocking comments
51. The author of this passage would most likely agree with which statement?
(A) Children should be seen and not heard.
(B) The narrator has a happy life.
(C) Holiday gatherings may be joyous occasions.
(D) People often show off during holiday gatherings.
52. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
(A) Lines 5–6 (“I was not allowed to call … severest penalties”)
(B) Lines 6–10 (“a large hard-breathing … choked”)
(C) Lines 25–30 (“We dined … lively on the present occasion”)
(D) Lines 53–56 (“They seemed to think the opportunity lost … into me”)
Passage V Answers
1 D. The first paragraph contains the statement that the narrator was “making believe that it