Stories can take many forms through traditional manners such as spoken or written word. In recent decades, however, graphic novels have risen in popularity as a ___________ literary medium, praised by many for their ability to convey ideas through high quality artwork and writing.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

Acidic rainwater is the culprit behind numerous types of formations from caves to sinkholes and even the reason for disappearing streams. This type of chemical weathering over time can result in a _______ rapid deterioration.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

From the 13th through 17th centuries, Persian miniature painting flourished as a highly refined art form used to illuminate manuscripts containing poetry, historical narratives, and religious texts. The creation of these intricate works demanded extraordinary patience and precision: artists employed brushes fashioned from a single strand of hair to render minute details. These paintings featured meticulously composed scenes showcasing elaborate textile patterns, ornate architectural elements, and lush garden landscapes rendered in vivid pigments. Aspiring artists trained for years under master painters in workshop apprenticeships, where they mastered specialized techniques including the application of gold leaf and the burnishing process that produced the paintings’ characteristic glossy finish. This distinctive painting tradition gained admiration across both Eastern and Western cultures and continues to influence contemporary artistic practices.

According to the text, which statement best explains why Persian miniature painting required formal apprenticeship training?

As a biological process, photosynthesis is surprisingly _________ about 1-2% of available solar energy actually converted into biomass. This raises concerns when it comes to crop efficiency, with many scientists working on ways to optimize the process through means such as modifying photorespiration rates or optimizing light reactions.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Text 1

Due to its connection to multiple health-related concerns, sugar has become a problem that needs to be addressed in the modern era. Artificial sweeteners provide alternative ways to combat diet-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes. While some argue these sweeteners may pose their own health risks, it is important to note they have been approved by regulatory bodies worldwide after rigorous testing. Overall, the benefits of artificial sweeteners outweigh concerns about sugar by reducing the risk of tooth decay and lowering rates of obesity-related diseases.

Text 2

Recent studies of artificial sweeteners have revealed alarming concerns about their connection to cancer and metabolic dysfunction. Because these highly processed chemical compounds are relatively new to widespread food production, their long-term effects on human health are only now becoming clear through research. Observational studies have linked artificial sweeteners to serious medical issues including glucose intolerance and metabolic syndrome. Rather than offering a solution, this alternative may be just as detrimental as sugar—or potentially even worse.

Based on the texts, how would the researchers in Text 2 most likely respond to the conclusion presented in the underlined portion of Text 1?

Despite access to convenience stores or fast food restaurants, some urban populations live in areas that are considered food deserts: places that lack access to affordable and fresh food. In an attempt to find a solution to this issue, ______________________.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Derek Walcott was a Saint Lucian poet who grappled with the complexities of writing in English while expressing Caribbean postcolonial experience. Born in 1930 on a small island shaped by centuries of colonial rule, Walcott received a British colonial education steeped in Shakespeare, Milton, and the English literary canon. This created a profound tension: he loved the richness and tradition of English literature, yet recognized that this same language had been used as a tool of oppression and cultural erasure. Some postcolonial critics argued that colonized writers should reject English entirely or write only in indigenous languages. Walcott, however, took a different position. Throughout his work, Walcott argued that Caribbean writers should not feel constrained by English’s colonial origins but should instead claim it as their own creative medium: ____________

Which quotation from Walcott most effectively illustrates this claim?

Poets are known to explore larger philosophical questions such as those who write ekphrastic ______________ a painting, sculpture, or other artistic object. John Keats is one such poet who is known for his poem “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” which explores what art can and cannot communicate.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Skyscrapers face significant challenges from wind-induced oscillations because tall structures act as vertical cantilevers that can sway dangerously during high winds or earthquakes. Engineers have developed tuned mass dampers (TMDs), massive pendulum systems installed near the tops of buildings, to reduce structural movement. The Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan houses one of the world’s largest TMDs: a 660-ton steel sphere suspended by cables that swings in opposition to the building’s motion. Structural engineers monitoring the building during Typhoon Soudelor in 2015 compared the amplitude of oscillations, a measure of structural displacement, when the damper was active versus when it was deliberately locked for testing purposes. They found that the amplitude of oscillation was 40% lower when the damper was active compared to when it was locked, suggesting that __________

Which choice most logically completes the text?

American society was fundamentally transformed in the late 1800s by the westward expansion brought on by the Transcontinental Railroad. Such an endeavor facilitating American expansion into the West, though not without challenges with labor and harsh terrain, ______ travel safer, cheaper, and faster.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?