Section 1, Module 1: Reading and Writing
Q1
During her lifetime, Nigerian novelist Buchi Emecheta published more than 20 books. Especially
notable is how her work is ______: Emecheta explored diverse topics such as motherhood,
colonialism, and gender roles in different literary forms, including autobiographical novels and
children's books.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) outdated
B) varied
C) repetitive
D) obscure
Q2
The following text is from Tayari Jones’s 2018 novel An American Marriage. The narrator,
Celestial, reflects on a tense moment at a family gathering.
"I gave the toast they were all expecting—the safe, sweet version, rehearsed and
polished. But even as I smiled and raised my glass, I could feel the edges of my
voice curl. I was performing, and they were applauding, but I wasn’t really in the
room. I was slipping behind the curtain of my own face."
Based on the text, when the narrator says she was “slipping behind the curtain of [her] own
face,” what does she most likely mean?
A) She was intentionally misleading the other guests with a rehearsed speech.
B) She was emotionally detaching herself from the moment while appearing engaged.
C) She was consciously mimicking someone else’s behavior to avoid discomfort.
D) She was overwhelmed by the attention and forgot parts of her prepared speech.
Q3
The Global Dictionary of Jazz Slang is a collaborative digital project launched in 2005 by
linguist Tamara Fields to trace the origins of jazz-related terms. Volunteers contribute scans of
rare album liner notes and zines, resources often unavailable in public archives—_______ that
allow phrases like “cool cat” (1938) to be traced to their earliest uses.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) contributions
B) resolutions
C) obstructions
D) restrictions
Q4
Knowledge spillovers occur when companies benefit from ideas, innovations, or practices
developed by other nearby firms. Such spillovers are more likely when companies from related
sectors _______ a single geographic hub, as seen with technology firms in the San Francisco Bay
Area. Analysts have long debated whether these benefits are intentional outcomes of planning or
the natural by-product of proximity.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) reside in
B) convene to
C) congregate in
D) cooperate with
Q5
The following text is from Edith Wharton’s 1905 novel The House of Mirth. The protagonist,
Lily Bart, is visiting her cousin Gerty Farish in her modest New York apartment.
“Lily looked about her with the faint surprise of one unaccustomed to
surroundings so plainly contrived. Yet she smiled, and her voice, as she thanked
Gerty for her hospitality, had a softness it often lacked. Gerty, noting the
gentleness in Lily’s manner, brightened visibly, and the warmth of their reunion
dispelled for the moment the distance that years and status had drawn between
them.”
Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A) It contrasts Lily’s lavish lifestyle with the simplicity of her cousin’s home.
B) It highlights how Lily’s graciousness leads to a brief renewal of closeness with her cousin.
C) It describes Lily’s reluctance to spend time with family members of lower social rank.
D) It explains why Lily begins to question the materialism of her social circle.
Q6
Remote sensing, a method that uses satellites or drones to gather information about Earth’s
surface, has become an essential tool in environmental monitoring. It enables scientists to detect
changes in land use, track deforestation, and assess damage from natural disasters more
efficiently than traditional fieldwork. This technique played a key role in a recent study by
geologist Maya Townsend and her team, who used drone footage to map erosion patterns along
riverbanks in rural Vermont.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
A) It defines a specific scientific method, outlines its key advantages, and then cites an example
of its application.
B) It introduces a controversial new technique, explains why it is still debated among scientists,
and gives an example of its recent use.
C) It traces the historical development of a fieldwork technique and offers a case study to
demonstrate how the technique has evolved.
D) It describes a new technological invention, explains how it is operated, and summarizes its
real-world impact.
Q7
Europa is one of Jupiter’s largest moons and was discovered by Galileo in 1610. Since then,
improved telescopes and probes have helped researchers find even more of Jupiter’s moons. For
instance, the Galileo spacecraft discovered Thebe in 1979. And in 2020, researchers used the
Subaru Telescope in Hawaii to detect additional small moons. As of 2023, Jupiter had 95
confirmed moons, and scientists expect that number to rise.
According to the text, in which year was Thebe discovered?
A) 1979
B) 1610
C) 2020
D) 1892
Q8
Established in 1982, the Asian American Arts Centre in New York City was one of the first
nonprofit organizations in the United States devoted to contemporary Asian American visual art.
It maintains a digital archive of over 1,500 works. In recent years, other institutions focused on
Asian American culture have emerged. One such example is the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle,
which opened in 2008 and includes exhibits on the broader Asian Pacific American experience.
Which contrast does the text draw between the Asian American Arts Centre and the Wing
Luke Museum?
A) The Wing Luke Museum draws from a wider regional audience.
B) The Wing Luke Museum was established more recently.
C) The Wing Luke Museum specializes in traditional rather than contemporary art.
D) The Wing Luke Museum has a smaller digital archive.
Q9
Jane Eyre is an 1847 novel by Charlotte Brontë. In the novel, the narrator describes Thornfield
Hall as having become neglected and worn:
Which quotation from Jane Eyre most effectively illustrates the claim?
A) “The drawing room glowed with firelight, and the furniture gleamed with fresh polish and
care.”
B) “The walls of the corridor were bare, and the floorboards creaked underfoot with each
uncertain step.”
C) “The garden outside burst with color, a riot of blossoms no hand had yet thought to tame.”
D) “There had been grandeur once, but now the chandeliers were dusty, the carpets threadbare,
and a faint scent of mildew lingered in the air.”
Q10
To address rising levels of airborne pollutants, engineers developed a biodegradable air filter
made primarily from bamboo fibers and chitosan, a substance derived from shellfish. The filter
traps fine particulate matter while allowing air to pass through efficiently. According to lead
researcher Dr. Leila Rahman, the filter’s composition can be adjusted to suit different climates
and pollution levels. However, materials scientist Dr. Evan Whitmore argues that producing the
filter at a commercial scale may prove unfeasible.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support Whitmore’s claim?
A) Fine particulate pollution is most prevalent in cities with dry climates and high traffic
congestion.
B) The filter’s lightweight structure makes it ideal for integration into mobile air purifiers.
C) Chitosan is costly to extract and purify, and its supply depends heavily on seasonal seafood
harvests.
D) Bamboo grows rapidly in many tropical regions and is widely used in construction and
textiles.
Q11
Recollections of My Life as a Native Hawaiian is an 1898 memoir by Emma Kaili Metcalf
Beckley Nakuina, a Hawaiian historian and government official. In the work, Nakuina directly
addresses the reader to explain certain traditions, writing
Which quotation from Recollections of My Life as a Native Hawaiian most effectively
illustrates the claim?
A) “We gathered near the shore every evening, watching the tide come in as our ancestors had
done before us.”
B) “In my youth, my family observed the ancient practice of offering taro at the family shrine
before the morning meal.”
C) “You must understand, dear reader, that in Hawaiian households, the eldest child bore the
responsibility of guiding the younger ones.”
D) “The sea was calm that day, and the fishermen brought in baskets full of uhu and awa, enough
to feed the entire village.”
Q12
Average Export Growth Rate, Five Years Pre- and Post-FTA
To assess the economic impact of free trade agreements (FTAs), a group of economists studied
the export performance of three Southeast Asian countries. They compared the average export
growth rates in the five years before and after each country entered an FTA with the United
States.
Which choice best describes data from the graph that weaken a student's claim that FTAs
consistently increase export growth?
A) Vietnam’s export growth rate increased from 5.9% before its FTA to 9.4% after the
agreement.
B) Thailand’s export growth rate rose slightly, from 6.7% before the FTA to 7.1% after.
C) Indonesia’s export growth rate declined from 8.2% before the FTA to 6.1% after the
agreement.
D) All three countries experienced positive export growth after signing FTAs, with rates above
6%.
Q13
Average Monetized Productivity Loss at Two Points After Programs Began, in Australian
Dollars
To evaluate the impact of workplace wellness programs on productivity, researcher Alina
Roberts and her team tracked the effectiveness of two interventions: Nutrition Coaching (NC)
and Mindfulness Training (MT). They measured productivity loss in Australian dollars at two
time points: 12 weeks and 12 months after the programs began. Roberts hypothesized that
mindfulness training would prove more effective over time in reducing productivity loss.
Which choice best describes data from the chart that most effectively support Roberts and
colleagues’ conclusion?
A) Productivity loss for the MT group was relatively low at both 12 weeks and 12 months, while
loss for the NC group increased substantially over time.
B) Productivity loss due to absenteeism was more common in the MT group, while presenteeism
explained most of the loss in the NC group.
C) At 12 weeks, the NC and MT groups showed nearly identical productivity loss, but by 12
months, the NC group had lower loss than the MT group.
D) Both NC and MT groups showed lower productivity loss at 12 weeks compared to 12 months,
but the difference was more significant for the NC group.
Q14
Text:
Founded in the early 1900s, the Bauhaus school of design began with a goal of uniting art,
craftsmanship, and functional architecture. Though its early leaders—Walter Gropius, Hannes
Meyer, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—were all based in Germany, the Bauhaus approach
eventually spread around the world, particularly after the school was closed by the Nazis in
1933. As former Bauhaus architects and teachers relocated abroad, they brought with them
principles such as minimalism, clean geometry, and industrial materials. As the Bauhaus
approach spread to other countries, it also began to reflect local design traditions. In India, for
example, architects trained in the Bauhaus tradition began incorporating passive cooling
strategies adapted to hot climates.
Which detail would best illustrate the underlined claim?
A) In Brazil, modernist architects trained in the Bauhaus tradition began incorporating elements
of local Portuguese colonial design into otherwise minimalist structures.
B) Bauhaus designers in Germany emphasized efficient use of space in small, urban dwellings.
C) Students at the Bauhaus studied furniture design, architecture, and color theory in integrated
courses.
D) After the closure of the Bauhaus, many of its teachers relocated to the United States and
worked in academic institutions.
Q15
The Black Cultural Archives, located in London, is one of several institutions in the United
Kingdom that ___ visitors about the history, struggles, and achievements of Black Britons.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard
English?
A) enlighten
B) enlightened
C) enlightening
D) having enlightened
Q16
A new gallery exhibit will feature Mary Cassatt’s painting Young Mother Sewing, which Cassatt
___ during her time in Paris more than a century ago.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard
English?
A) is painting
B) will paint
C) painted
D) has been painting
Q17
Afrobeats, a genre of music that developed in West Africa, has become a global _______ 2023,
Nigerian artist Ayra Starr performed on five continents, headlined major music festivals, and
topped international streaming charts with tracks that blended Afrobeat rhythms with pop and
R&B influences.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard
English?
A) sensation in
B) sensation and in
C) sensation. In
D) sensation, in
Q18
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which host important national commemorations, are among the
most visited heritage sites in New Zealand ___ the Māori language, the site is known as Te
Pitowhenua.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard
English?
A) Grounds and in
B) Grounds in
C) Grounds, in
D) Grounds. In
Q19
The 2021 exhibit Voices of the Land opened at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City.
It highlights the resilience of Native storytelling in the twentieth ___ how tribal nations
preserved oral traditions despite decades of cultural suppression.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard
English?
A) century; showing
B) century, showing
C) century. Showing
D) century showing
Q20
For most of the Holocene epoch, global sea levels have been relatively stable. This has not
always been the ___ during previous glacial cycles, sea levels have fluctuated dramatically due
to the expansion and melting of continental ice sheets.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard
English?
A) trend, however,
B) trend, however;
C) trend, however
D) trend however
Q21
As part of a marketing study, participants were asked to rank a list of snack foods based on how
“satisfying” they found them—a term defined in the study as “filling, flavorful, or comforting.”
The researchers compiled the responses and observed that granola bars ranked higher than
popcorn. _____ granola bars were ranked fourth, while popcorn came in twelfth.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A) Therefore,
B) On the other hand,
C) Subsequently,
D) In contrast,
Q22
In the early 1900s, cartographers working in the Andes Mountains used altimeters and manual
surveying tools to estimate the elevation of a peak that had yet to be officially recorded. Decades
later, satellite-based measurements showed that the early estimate was remarkably accurate,
differing by fewer than ten meters.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A) However,
B) Fittingly,
C) Similarly,
D) In other words,
Q23
In geology, volcanoes located far from tectonic plate boundaries are usually considered dormant
due to limited subterranean activity. A team led by geologist Amina Herrera, ________, recorded
seismic tremors beneath Mount Cielo—an inland volcano over 600 miles from the nearest plate
boundary—suggesting previously undetected geologic activity.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
A) for instance,
B) accordingly,
C) nevertheless,
D) similarly,
Q24
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• “Walking in Circles” is a British radio documentary that aired in 2020.
• It follows a sound artist recording footsteps on varied terrains across rural Scotland.
• The program features long silences and ambient noise.
• Some critics dismiss it as dull and lacking structure.
• Sound scholar Lily Cramer describes it as “a meditative auditory experience, a deliberate
pause in a world of noise.”
The student wants to use a quotation to refute the claim that the program is dull.
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this
goal?
A) “Walking in Circles” features ambient noise and long silences, qualities that make it unique in
modern radio.
B) Some listeners found “Walking in Circles” dull and lacking structure, but Lily Cramer calls it
“a meditative auditory experience.”
C) Far from dull, “Walking in Circles” has been praised as “a meditative auditory experience,”
offering a purposeful pause in a noisy media landscape.
D) The sound artist’s recordings of footsteps in rural Scotland form the foundation of “Walking
in Circles,” a 2020 radio documentary.
Q25
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• Historical weather events are sometimes given nicknames.
• The Chicago Heat Wave of 1995 caused hundreds of deaths and overwhelmed emergency
services.
• It is frequently cited in discussions about climate preparedness.
• Meteorologists sometimes refer to the event simply as “The Week That Changed
Chicago.”
The student wants to provide an example of a weather event’s nickname.
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this
goal?
A) Many heat waves have had devastating effects on large cities, including one that struck
Chicago in 1995.
B) The 1995 Chicago Heat Wave remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in the city’s
history.
C) Meteorologists often cite the Chicago Heat Wave as an example of how climate-related
disasters overwhelm public infrastructure.
D) “The Week That Changed Chicago” is a nickname for the 1995 Chicago Heat Wave, a
weather event that resulted in hundreds of deaths.
Q26
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• A dark sky park is a designated area where artificial light is minimized to preserve views
of the night sky.
• The International Dark-Sky Association certifies these parks based on strict lighting
criteria.
• Big Bend National Park in Texas is a certified dark sky park.
• It is one of the most remote national parks in the contiguous United States
• The park’s skies are known for their exceptional stargazing conditions.
The student wants to specify where a certified dark sky park with exceptional stargazing
can be found.
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this
goal?
A) Big Bend National Park is among the most remote national parks in the United States.
B) Certified by the International Dark-Sky Association, Big Bend National Park in Texas offers
excellent conditions for stargazing.
C) A dark sky park is a place where artificial lighting is limited to preserve views of the night
sky.
D) The park was certified as a dark sky location for meeting strict lighting standards.
Q27
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
• A 2021 study examined the diets of wild bees in eastern Australia.
• Researchers analyzed pollen collected from bee species in eucalyptus forests.
• Acacia dealbata, a native plant, was a frequent pollen source.
• Lavandula stoechas, a non-native ornamental, was also found in samples.
• Both plants are common in the study area, but their ecological roles differ.
The student wants to emphasize a difference between the two plants.
Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this
goal?
A) Wild bees in eastern Australia collect pollen from a range of sources, including both native
and non-native plants.
B) A 2021 study analyzed bee pollen to investigate how eucalyptus forests support local bee
populations.
C) Though both Acacia dealbata and Lavandula stoechas are found in the study region, only the
former is native to Australia.
D) The presence of Lavandula stoechas pollen in bee samples shows that ornamental plants may
influence foraging behavior.
