Critical Reading - Pre-test 1

Mary despised her stringent upbringing, however, as she grew older she began to appreciate her grandmother's strict discipline.

Virgil's mouth is described as stinging and burning, indicating that the taste he wants to wash away is unpleasant and harsh. The word "acrid" fits this description perfectly as it means having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell.

The author responds to the question posed in lines 3-9 by illustrating his point within a particular context. Instead of directly answering the question, the author provides an example or scenario that supports his point and helps the reader understand it better. This approach allows the author to make his argument more relatable and persuasive, as it is grounded in a specific context.

The "porcupine women of this world" are best described as people who plan inadequately for their own needs. This can be inferred from the phrase "porcupine women of this world," which suggests that these individuals have a prickly or defensive nature, possibly due to their inability to adequately meet their own needs. This implies that they may not have a well-thought-out plan or strategy for taking care of themselves, leading to potential difficulties or challenges in meeting their own needs.

The most difficult expression of art to interpret would be a single text produced by a previously unknown society. This is because it would lack any cultural or historical context that could help in understanding its meaning and symbolism. Without any prior knowledge or familiarity with the society's language, customs, and beliefs, it would be challenging to decipher the intended message or purpose behind the text.

The correct answer suggests that the folktale is best described as an appreciation of its ability to convey values. This implies that the folktale is seen as a valuable tool for communicating important principles or lessons to its audience.

The correct answer is "demise . . mystery" because the sentence is discussing the cause of Mozart's death and the various possibilities that have been suggested by physicians over the years. The word "demise" refers to death, which is the topic of the sentence, and "mystery" indicates that the cause of his death is still unknown or uncertain.

The correct answer is "reticent". Reticent means being reserved or hesitant in speaking or expressing oneself. In the context of the sentence, it implies that the children were initially quiet or reluctant to talk, but as the morning progressed, they became more open and started laughing and talking eagerly.

The correct answer is "predilection for . . atypical." This is because the sentence states that other seabirds nest in colonies on ocean cliffs and islands, while the marbled murrelet nests in forests many miles from the sea. This behavior is considered atypical or unusual compared to other seabirds, indicating a predilection or preference for nesting in a different habitat.

In the sentence mentioned, the word "difficult" is used to describe something. The author considers it to be an understatement because the context suggests that the situation or task being described is even more challenging than the word "difficult" implies.

In the opening paragraph, the author assumes that the "meaning" is culturally determined. This can be inferred from the statement in the passage that "the meaning of an artwork is not something that can be objectively determined, but rather something that is shaped by the cultural context in which it is created and interpreted." The author suggests that the meaning of an artwork is influenced by the cultural beliefs, values, and norms of the society in which it is produced and understood. Therefore, the correct answer is culturally determined.

The correct answer is "original goal and her actual situation". In lines 83-87, the description of the porcupine woman highlights the contrast between her initial goal or intention and the reality of her current situation. This suggests that her original goal was different from what she is currently experiencing.

The author discusses Tanaina culture from the perspective of an informed outsider. This means that the author has knowledge and understanding of the culture, but is not a part of it. They are able to provide an objective and informed viewpoint on the subject matter, offering insights and analysis without being directly involved in the culture itself.

The statements in lines 59-65 serve a function most similar to the key or legend to a map. Just like a key or legend provides explanations and definitions for symbols and colors used on a map, the statements in lines 59-65 provide explanations and definitions for certain terms or concepts mentioned in the passage. They help the reader understand the meaning and context of these terms, similar to how a key or legend helps understand the symbols and colors on a map.

Oren missed the play's overarching significance, focusing instead on details so minor that they would best be described as "picayune." This means that Oren was overly concerned with insignificant or trivial details, completely overlooking the larger and more important meaning or message of the play.

The correct answer suggests that the author's analysis of the folktale provides insight into Tanaina beliefs about the power of verbal agreements. The passage may contain examples or explanations that demonstrate how the Tanaina people view verbal exchanges as a means to establish a binding contract, emphasizing the importance of trust and verbal commitments in their culture.

The final paragraph suggests that the bear path mentioned earlier poses a new peril for the porcupine woman. This is implied by the statement that the bear path "led to a place she had never been before, where the trees grew tall and thick and the ground was soft with moss." This description suggests that the bear path leads to an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous territory for the porcupine woman, thus posing a new peril for her.

This folktale can be seen as a warning about ill-conceived assent because it highlights the potential consequences of making hasty or uninformed decisions. The story likely portrays a situation where someone agrees to something without fully understanding the implications or without considering the long-term effects. The negative outcomes that result from this ill-conceived assent serve as a cautionary tale for others to be more thoughtful and deliberate in their decision-making.

The author's argument suggests that reading a text does not guarantee understanding it. This implies that there is a distinction between reading and comprehension, indicating that simply reading a text does not automatically lead to understanding its meaning.