ACT English Prep Passage 5

While some artifacts can never be displayed, many pieces that can--and should-- be viewed are not. Whereas a museum designates areas for visible storage, it uses space efficiently, providing safe displays for artifacts and allowing visitors greater access to independently study the works that make the museum unique.

At this point the writer is considering adding the following parenthetical phrase (whether because of light sensitivity or the request of a donor). Given that the information is accurate, should the writer make this addition here?

• Yes, because it gives specific examples to help explain why some objects can never be displayed in a museum.

• Yes, because it offers specific examples of items that require special storage.

• No, because it detracts from the paragraph's focus on the ideal museum layout.

• No, because it diminishes the role museums play in educating the public.

While some artifacts can never be displayed, many pieces that can--and should-- be viewed are not. Whereas a museum designates areas for visible storage, it uses space efficiently, providing safe displays for artifacts and allowing visitors greater access to independently study the works that make the museum unique.

• No change

• can and should--

• can, and should

• can and, should

While some artifacts can never be displayed, many pieces that can--and should-- be viewed are not. Whereas a museum designates areas for visible storage, it uses space efficiently, providing safe displays for artifacts and allowing visitors greater access to independently study the works that make the museum unique.

• No change

• Although

• When

• Since

The Kalahari Desert, which spans 360,000 square miles across sections of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, is technically not a desert at all. In fact, its five to ten inches of annual rainfall means that the sandy savanna hosts a considerable number of plant species--from grass and shrubs to cacti and trees.

• No change

• Botswana, and South Africa--

• Botswana and South Africa--

• Botswana, and South Africa

The Kalahari Desert, which spans 360,000 square miles across sections of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, is technically not a desert at all. In fact, its five to ten inches of annual rainfall means that the sandy savanna hosts a considerable number of plant species--from grass and shrubs to cacti and trees.

• No change

• amount of

• number in

• amount in

Here in this sparse yet relatively green environment, birds known as Sociable Weavers, build their enormous nests atop the Kalahari's signature camelthorn trees. Slung across the branches, each nest--which can measure up to thirteen feet wide and seven feet thick--is a sprawling community home to hundreds of birds.

• No change

• environment birds known as Sociable Weavers,

• environment, birds known as Sociable Weavers

• environment birds, known as Sociable Weavers

Here in this sparse yet relatively green environment, birds known as Sociable Weavers, build their enormous nests atop the Kalahari's signature camelthorn trees. Slung across the branches, each nest--which can measure up to thirteen feet wide and seven feet thick--is a sprawling community home to hundreds of birds.

If the writer were to delete the phrase" which can measure up to thirteen feet wide and seven feet thick" from the preceding sentence (adjusting the punctuation as needed), the sentence would primarily lose:

• specific information that illustrates the minimum height at which the Weavers begin building their nests.

• specific information that underscores the enormity of the Weavers' nests.

• details that clarify how the Weavers are able to survive in the Kalahari Desert

• details that explain how the Weavers' nests differ from other birds nests.

A Weaver nest does not resemble a common bowl-like bird nest. Although the Weavers use typical materials such as sticks, grass, and feathers to construct their nests, the nests look more like disorganized piles.

The writer wants to emphasize the unusual appearance of the Weavers' nest by using playful language to evoke a specific image. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?

• No change

• carelessly plunked-down haystacks.

• collections of disparate items.

• large knots.

Built within each nest is as much as one hundred four-to six inch-wide chambers.

• No change

• are as many

• are as much

• is as many

A bird enters the chamber by flying to the underside of the nest, it squeezes through a one-inch-wide entrance hole, and continuing up a passageway to a chamber. In each chamber, up to five of the sparrow-size birds can huddle as a group together when the Kalahari nights get cold.

A writer is considering adding the following accurate information: Some nests have lasted for over a century. Should the writer make this addition here?

• Yes, because it provides an answer to a question about Weavers' nest that is posed at the beginning of the paragraph.

• Yes, because it helps clarify information previously given about the Weavers' building technique.

• No, because it is unrelated to the description that follows about how the Weavers access and utilize the chambers.

• No, because it is only loosely related to the issue of nest safety that is discussed in the rest of the paragraph.