SAT W&L ML #16: Effective Language Use

At this time, Jefferson Pooley and Michael Socolow, both professors of communication studies, argue that the newspaper industry sought to discredit the newly emerging technology of radio, which was cutting into newspapers’ profits. The newspaper industry tried to do this by portraying the new medium as irresponsible.

Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?

• A) profits, which is what the newspaper industry tried to do when it portrayed

• B) profits, by which the newspaper industry portrayed

• C) profits and tried to do this by portraying

• D) profits, by portraying

Because a traditionalist response to the crisis— amping up medical-college enrollments and expanding physician training programs—is too slow and costly to address the near-term problem, alternatives are being explored. One promising avenue has been greater reliance on physician assistants (PAs).

• A) NO CHANGE

• B) bolstering

• C) arousing

• D) revving up

A Nod to Nodding Off

With 30 percent of United States workers not getting enough sleep at night, according to the Wall Street journal, US companies 1 lose a yearly sum of $63.2 billion annually due to the drop in employee productivity resulting from sleep-deprivation. Sleep-deprived workers generally have lower morale and are less able to retain information than their better-rested colleagues. [1] One of the 2 big reasons behind workers’ lack of sleep is the work itself. [2] To combat the problem of sleep deprivation in a demanding work environment, some companies have begun allowing workers to take naps. [3] The hours the average American 3 spend working have increased dramatically since the 1970s, making it hard for many workers to get a good night’s sleep. [4] Although employees who sleep on the job are often considered lazy and unproductive, napping in the workplace has been shown to improve workers’ efficiency and quality of life. [5] As long as companies continue to demand long hours from 4 workers, and managers should champion napping as a means to keep employees happy, healthy, and functional. 5

For #1, consider: Where are the words appropriate or not? Where is the syntax unclear or awkward? Also ask them to discuss who the intended audience for the piece might be, and the level of formality or informality that might be expected for that audience?

• A) NO CHANGE

• B) see an annual loss of $63.2 billion each year

• C) loss of $63.2 billion annually

• D) have a yearly loss of $63.2 billion annually

A Nod to Nodding Off

With 30 percent of United States workers not getting enough sleep at night, according to the Wall Street journal, US companies 1 lose a yearly sum of $63.2 billion annually due to the drop in employee productivity resulting from sleep-deprivation. Sleep-deprived workers generally have lower morale and are less able to retain information than their better-rested colleagues. [1] One of the 2 big reasons behind workers’ lack of sleep is the work itself. [2] To combat the problem of sleep deprivation in a demanding work environment, some companies have begun allowing workers to take naps. [3] The hours the average American 3 spend working have increased dramatically since the 1970s, making it hard for many workers to get a good night’s sleep. [4] Although employees who sleep on the job are often considered lazy and unproductive, napping in the workplace has been shown to improve workers’ efficiency and quality of life. [5] As long as companies continue to demand long hours from 4 workers, and managers should champion napping as a means to keep employees happy, healthy, and functional. 5

For #2, consider: how the audience can affect how formal the diction needs to be.

• A) NO CHANGE

• B) main things leading up to

• C) huge things about

• D) primary causes of

17 studies have offered several possible reason that bees are vanishing. One reason that is often cited is the use of pesticides called neonicotionids, which are absorbed by plants and linger much longer than do topical pesticides. 18 Chemicals such as herbicides and fungicides may also play a role, contaminating the pollen that bees typically feed on and inhibiting healthy insect maturation.

Given the role that honeybees play in may explain why bees are vanishing. agriculture, the impact of this loss of hives on fruit, vegetable, seed, and nut crops 19 is not be scoffed at. A reduction in bee numbers leads to less pollination, which in turn leads to smaller harvests and higher food prices. Some farmers have resorted to renting hives from beekeepers to pollinate their 20 crops; when there is a shortage of bees this being an expensive proposition. Other farmers have increased 21 they’re dependence on costly hand-pollination by human worker. Furthermore, there may be sociological repercussions. Agroecologist AlexandraMaria Klein has suggested that rising produce prices could lead to an increase in obesity as people turn to cheaper, less wholesome fare.

For #17, which choice most smoothly and effectively introduces the writer’s discussion of studies of CCD in this paragraph?

• A) NO CHANGE

• B) Bees are vanishing, and according to studies there are several possible reasons for this trend.

• C) Several possible reasons, offered by studies, may explain why bees are vanishing.

• D) DELETE the underlined sentence.

17 studies have offered several possible reason that bees are vanishing. One reason that is often cited is the use of pesticides called neonicotionids, which are absorbed by plants and linger much longer than do topical pesticides. 18 Chemicals such as herbicides and fungicides may also play a role, contaminating the pollen that bees typically feed on and inhibiting healthy insect maturation.

Given the role that honeybees play in may explain why bees are vanishing. agriculture, the impact of this loss of hives on fruit, vegetable, seed, and nut crops 19 is not be scoffed at. A reduction in bee numbers leads to less pollination, which in turn leads to smaller harvests and higher food prices. Some farmers have resorted to renting hives from beekeepers to pollinate their 20 crops; when there is a shortage of bees this being an expensive proposition. Other farmers have increased 21 they’re dependence on costly hand-pollination by human worker. Furthermore, there may be sociological repercussions. Agroecologist AlexandraMaria Klein has suggested that rising produce prices could lead to an increase in obesity as people turn to cheaper, less wholesome fare.

For #19, focus on how the diction and syntax are appropriate or inappropriate for audience and purpose.

• A) NO CHANGE

• B) is a pretty big deal

• C) can’t be put on the back burner.

• D) cannot be ignored