Recap buổi 2

Which noun do we use to describe a person who harms other people ?

In the context of medieval kingdoms, what does the phrase "conquer the throne" most likely mean?

• A. To destroy the kingdom's castle

• B. To overthrow and take control of the ruling position

• C. To make peace with the reigning king

• D. To expand the territory without changing leadership

The definition of "homogenous" is:

• A. a situation in which large numbers of different people, ideas, etc. are mixed together

• B. the evolution of human

• C. consisting of things or people that are all the same or all of the same type

• D. the kind or species of human that exists now

Despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce, ______ they are made from nonrenewable petroleum, and most do not biodegrade in landfills.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• A. there are two problems associated with commercial plastics:

• B. two problems are associated with commercial plastics:

• C. commercial plastics’ two associated problems are that

• D. commercial plastics have two associated problems:

Answer explanation

D) Correct! The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice ensures that the modifying phrase “despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce” appears immediately before the noun it modifies, “commercial plastics,” clearly establishing that the commercial plastics—and not another noun in the sentence—are being described as cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. 

In assessing the films of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, ______ have missed his equally deep engagement with Japanese artistic traditions such as Noh theater.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• A. many critics have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources but 

• B. Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources has been the focus of many critics, who

• C. there are many critics who have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources, but they

• D. the focus of many critics has been on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources; they

Answer explanation

A) Correct! Immediately place the noun phrase "some critics" after the the modifying phrase “in assessing…Kurosawa.” In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that it is the critics—and not another noun in the sentence—who assess Kurosawa’s films.

What does FANBOYS stand for ?

• A) furthermore, and, neither, but, or, yet, so

• B) for, and, neither, but, or, yet, since

• C) for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

• C) for, and, nor, but, or, yet, since

The Babylonian king Hammurabi achieved much during his forty-year reign. He conquered all of Mesopotamia and built Babylon into one of the most powerful cities of the ancient world. Today, ______ he is mainly remembered for a code of laws inscribed on a seven-foot-tall block of stone: the Code of Hammurabi.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A. therefore,

• B. likewise,

• C. however,

• D. for instance,

Answer explanation

Choice C is the best answer. “However” logically signals that the information in this sentence—that Hammurabi is mainly remembered for just a single achievement, the Code of Hammurabi—is contrary to what might be assumed from the previous information about Hammurabi’s many achievements.

In 1815, while in exile in Jamaica, Venezuelan revolutionary Simón Bolívar penned a letter praising England’s republican government and expressing hope that Latin American nations seeking independence from Spain might achieve something similar. The letter was addressed to a local merchant, Henry Cullen; ______ though, Bolívar’s goal was to persuade political leaders from England and Europe to support his cause.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?

• A. additionally,

• B. ultimately,

• C. accordingly,

• D. consequently,

Answer explanation

Choice B is the best answer.

“Ultimately” means “in the long run” or “at the highest level.” Although Bolívar wrote to a local merchant, his ultimate goal was to send a message to political leaders in Europe. Notice how the contrast word “though” also acts as a transition between these ideas.

Therefore, “ultimately” fits perfectly in this context.