Question 1

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
Which of following statements is false according in the passage?

Accepted Answer

There are more than 20, NOT 30, species of coral off the coast of Cuba. All of the other statements are true.

Question 2

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Because of the preemptive strike, Japan was able to carry out its plans for Southwest Asia and the Indonesian Archipelago.

Accepted Answer

The adverbial clause "Because of the preemptive strike" tells why Japan was able to carry out its plans. The other answer choices do not properly complete the sentence.

Question 3

Choose the most logical order of sentences from this paragraph. If you think the original order is best, choose option A.
[1] At the center of the controversy is Jammu and Kashmir (a territory both nations claim). [2] When the British government controlled the region, it appointed a Hindu leader - called the Maharaja - to rule over the Jammu and Kashmir territory. [3] Jammu is predominately Hindu while the majority of Kashmir residents are Muslim.

Accepted Answer

Sentence [1] tells readers the cause of the current controversy. Sentence [3] provides background about the region. Sentence [2] explains what happened when the British government controlled Jammu and Kashmir. It is logical for background information to follow the introductory information about the region.

Question 4

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Accepted Answer

Criteria is plural, but there is only a single prerequisite given, low gas mileage. The plural form must be changed to the singular form, criterion.

Question 5

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
The conflict between India and Pakistan dates back to the 1940's when they both gained their independence from Great Britain.

Accepted Answer

Years listed in sentences do not require apostrophes. Since "1940" refers to a specific year, an s added to the end of the year indicates a range within that decade.

Question 6

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
The word "excessive", bolded after the (5) in the fourth paragraph, is closest in meaning to

Accepted Answer

The word "excessive" on the third line of the last paragraph is closest in meaning to "too much". As suggested in the passage, too much tourism is an enemy to the coral reefs. It is often that tourists contribute to water pollution and other acts of destruction. Answer A is the opposite of excessive. Answer B means "the right amount" which is not close in meaning to excessive. Answer C suggests that the rate of tourism at coral reefs is reasonable, but we know from the passage that it is one of the causes of the reef's endangerment.

Question 7

If Jack's plane takes off in New York City at 10 a.m. and lands in London seven hours later, what time is it in London when he arrives?

Accepted Answer

After flying for seven hours, Jack arrived in London at 11 p.m. London is six hours ahead of New York City. While his trip was only seven hours long in actual time, it cost him 13 hours of that day.

Question 8

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
The word "formations", bolded after the (2) in the second paragraph, on the first line of the second paragraph refers to

Accepted Answer

The word "formations" in the second paragraph refers to "reefs". In the first paragraph the coral reefs are the mentioned and expanded on, thus in the second paragraph "these formations" are still referring to the coral reefs. Answers B, C, and D were mentioned in the passage, but they come after the word formations and therefore cannot be the referent, or antecedent.

Question 9

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
According to the passage, all of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The Caribbean coral reefs extend to over 16, NOT 26, thousand square miles. All of the other answers are true.

Question 10

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
In paragraph 4, why does the author mention the different acts of destruction?

Accepted Answer

The author mentions the different acts of destruction to provide evidence that coral reefs are in danger. Although answers A, B, and D may be true, they are NOT why the author includes the information about different acts of destruction.

Question 11

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
Based on the information in the passage, how would you best describe the term "subterranean", bolded after the (4) in the third paragraph?

Accepted Answer

Based on the information in the passage, the term "subterranean" can best be described as "below the surface". The prefix "sub" means below or under and the root "terr" can be seen in other words that imply surface, like terrain or terrace. Answers A, B, and C all pertain to water and even though that coral reefs are found in water, subterranean in this case means below the surface.

Question 12

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
The word "absolute", bolded after the (1) in the first paragraph, is closest in meaning to

Accepted Answer

The word "absolute" in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to "complete"; in this case, the author suggests that when you are under water there is complete silence compared to the noises above water. Answers A, B and C are incorrect, because limited, somewhat, and restricted imply that the silence is not complete.

Question 13

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Accepted Answer

Raise should be changed to rise. The two verbs have nearly the same meaning, but raise is transitive; it requires an object. In the above sentence there is no object; the dead are raising themselves, so they are rising.

Question 14

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Accepted Answer

The phrase nine-year-old needs to be hyphenated because it is a compound adjective. The phrase is not hyphenated in sentences such as "The boy is nine years old."

Question 15

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Accepted Answer

Disassembling should be changed to dissembling. To disassemble is to take apart, and to dissemble is to conceal the truth.

Question 16

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
Which of the following is false according to the passage?

Accepted Answer

Answer C is false, because coral reefs do NOT lack biodiversity. Instead they have an immense biodiversity, which is how they get the name, "tropical rainforests of the sea". All of the other answers are true.

Question 17

Which course of action most improves the following sentence?
Regardless of the time it takes, finishing a marathon is an impressive fete.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is most improved by changing fete to feat. A feat is an accomplishment, and a fete is a festival. The words are not homonyms; fete rhymes with eight.

Quiz 2: Accuplacer

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Because of the preemptive strike, Japan was able to carry out its plans for Southwest Asia and the Indonesian Archipelago.

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. The conflict between India and Pakistan dates back to the 1940's when they both gained their independence from Great Britain.

If Jack's plane takes off in New York City at 10 a.m. and lands in London seven hours later, what time is it in London when he arrives?

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Which section of the following passage needs to be edited for incorrect spelling, incorrect grammar, inappropriate word choice or wordiness?

Which course of action most improves the following sentence? Regardless of the time it takes, finishing a marathon is an impressive fete.