RC 1
1
review what foreign observers say: they argue that fixed elections are a bad idea; elections should be held any time. Would a single-term system address this concern, work against it, or have no effect? Since the current terms are four years, and the single term would be six years, elections would be held less frequently, which would further irritate the foreign observers who consider democracy dependent on elections-on-demand. (B) fits.
(A): Opposite. They'd attack it for the reasons described above: fixed elections, according to the foreign observers, run counter to democracy.
(B): The Correct Answer
(C): Opposite. The foreign observers would have a strong opinion about something that further reduced the frequency of elections.
(D): Out of Scope. While they would condemn it, the objections in ¶5 focus only on frequency of elections.
(E): Opposite
2) What does the author say about weak political parties? They lead to a preference for single terms, which, when enacted, lead to corruption. Evaluate the choices with this main chain of causes and effects in mind. While three choices aren't touched on by the author, (C) is the main point made in ¶3 and the beginning of 4: single-term systems encourage individual bargains (which ultimately lead to corruption.)
(A): Out of Scope. The author never discusses appointing people to political posts.
(B): Out of Scope. This also isn't touched on by the author. Foreign observers favor frequent elections, but not necessarily parties.
(C): The correct answer
(D): Opposite. The author argues that single-term systems are more frequent in systems with weak political parties, which would presumably decrease the frequency of elections.
(E): Opposite
3) What is the author's main argument for avoiding the single-term system? It leads to corruption. Looking for something that would weaken this argument turns up (B), which contradicts the author's main reason for avoiding the single-term system.
(A): Out of Scope. The author isn't concerned with the foreign observers themselves, but rather the points that they make.
(B): The correct answer
(C): Opposite. This would, if anything, strengthen the author's argument that the single-term system is a bad idea.
(D): Opposite. A parliamentary system is given as a contrast to the single-party system. If the parliamentary system were more democratic, this would strengthen the author's contention that the single-term system is a bad idea.
(E): What politicians favour doesn't affect the author's claims
RC 2
1) What is the ―age-old debate‖ discussed at the end of ¶4? Read the previous lines for clues: astronomers are involved in a ―theological discussion‖ which involves the idea of a Creator. (A) summarizes this point in ¶4.
(A): The correct answer
(B): Out of Scope. The author notes that the problem of a Creator only arises when linear time is considered, and the phrase ties into the question of a Creator. Therefore, a debate between the two times is outside the scope.
(C): Out of Scope. The disappearance of the dinosaurs is mentioned in ¶2 in a discussion of time frames, not the debate referred to in the phrase.
(D): Out of Scope. The author doesn't mention any debate about the movement of galaxies.
(E): Outside the scope.
2) Review the gist of the passage and keep the author's main points in mind while evaluating the choices. Three of the choices match points the author makes, but (B) directly contradicts the time frames mentioned in ¶2, which indicate that the solar system is much younger than the universe itself.
(A): Opposite. This is stated in ¶4.
(B): The correct answer
(C): Opposite. This is just another way of saying that the universe is expanding.
(D): Opposite. This is a main point of the first part of ¶4.
(E): Opposite. This is stated in ¶2
3) Go back to the comparison to a motion picture described in ¶1. What is the author's purpose in the first paragraph? To argue that the universe had a beginning in time. The comparison is used to reinforce this point: (A) reflects this.
(A): The correct answer
(B): Out of Scope. The author never makes this argument.
(C): Out of Scope. This point isn't made either.
(D): Out of Scope. The author doesn't argue that this must be true, but rather that it's a point of debate.
(E): Out of Scope. The author never makes this argument.
RC 3
Don't start with RN I to answer this question! It appears in only one choice and so isn't a time-effective starting point. RN II appears in three choices, so start there. RN II directly contradicts the author's point in ¶4 that Ptolemy's maps served as templates for other maps for centuries. Eliminate (B). RN III contradicts the main point of the passage: historians are interested in maps as historical tools. Since RNs II and III are both untrue, only choice (D) is possible. Though there's no need to check RN I, it can be verified as true by looking at the main point of the last paragraph.
(A): Opposite. As described above.
(B): Opposite. As above.
(C): Opposite. As above.
(D): The correct answer
(E): Opposite. As above.
2) There's not much to go on in the passage by way of opinion, but even a simple prediction can yield fast results. What is the author's main point? Old maps have historical value. Scanning the answer choices with even this broad prediction immediately turns up (A), which states much the same thing.
(A): The correct answer
(B): Opposite. This contradicts the point made in the last line: that in the 18th Century, modern, accurate map-making was born. (Per my comment in the question itself, although modern map making was born in the 18th century, it has surely developed and improved since).
(C): Opposite. The author argues that even maps with errors can offer historical value, but uses these particular maps in ¶4 as an example of maps with especially few errors.
(D): Out of Scope. The author never makes this claim, nor does it make sense, since presumably the maps that used Ptolemy as their base added more accurate data: otherwise, there would be no need to make a new map.
(E): Out of Scope. The author never expresses his views in this regard
3) The ―according to the passage‖ opening tips you off that this is a detail question, and consequently, that we're only looking for types of maps supported by examples in the passage. While three of the maps deal with geographic features similar to those the author touches on in the passage, a star chart wouldn't have anything to do with the author's idea of maps as something representing terrestrial features.
(A): Opposite. The author describes sea chart maps in ¶5.
(B): Opposite. The author describes street maps in ¶5 also.
(C): The correct answer
(D): Opposite. The author discusses hypothetical maps that describe ―the extent of enclosed farmland‖ in ¶2.
(E): Opposite. The author describes sea chart maps in ¶5.
RC 4
B
D
D
C
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