Module I: Reading and Writing

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The following text is from the 1996 novel Desert Birds by Elena Ruiz. A young girl is sitting in a room with her grandmother, Teresa, whose old rocking chair had previously been kept on the porch. The girl took comfort in the mere presence of the chair in the room. Comfort in its movement. It was faded by years in the sun and bent by occasional rain, and only in the last few months had Teresa decided to bring it inside with the family.
As used in the text, what does the phrase "mere presence of the chair" most nearly refer to?
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Mark for Review
The chair's relative simplicity compared with the rest of the furniture
The simple fact of the chair's existence
The chair's lack of appeal to the rest of the family
The idea that the chair is unnoticeable
In the 1980s, Australian diners initially _____ major fast-food chains from the United States. However, marketing strategies such as free soft drinks and low prices gradually drew in customers looking for convenient meals. By the late 1990s, public opinion had changed as fast food shifted from a debated novelty to a familiar part of Australia's dining.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
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prepared
resisted
discovered
reflected
The Cuban Revolution (1953–1959) was followed by a period of flourishing literary production, with writers such as Nicolás Guillén contributing to the _____ of poetry, fiction, essays, and more. Unfortunately, this flood of interesting writing has diverted scholarly attention from the equally fascinating work of nineteenth-century figures like Gertrudis Gómez de A.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
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overturning
abundance
erasure
underappreciation
Solar physicists studying the Sun have identified an important _____ between magnetically active and relatively quiet regions. In active regions, bursts of ultraviolet light usually come before substantial decreases in magnetic energy, whereas in quiet regions, ultraviolet light intensity and magnetic energy remain continuously correlated without notable energy drops.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
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interaction
disparity
trade-off
analogy
In 1903, Mary Anderson patented a device that cleared rain and snow from a car's windshield, improving visibility for drivers. In 1886, Josephine Cochrane invented a machine that washed dishes more efficiently, easing a time-consuming household task. Although designed to solve different problems, both inventions have had lasting effects. Likewise, both inventors exemplified important traits that continue to drive innovation: creative thinking, strong problem-solving skills, and persistence.
Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?
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Mark for Review
It lists some specific impacts that two older inventions have had on modern life.
It lists qualities that Anderson and Cochrane shared and that many inventors rely on.
It lists characteristics that the text says are frequently mentioned in studies of modern inventors.
It lists the features of Anderson's and Cochrane's inventions that contributed most to their usefulness.
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