Passage 1

The Taj Mahal, located in Agra, India, is one of the most magnificent examples of Islamic architecture.  Shah Jahan, a Muslim ruler, built it in the seventeenth century as a tribute to his late wife.  The style of the building seems to reflect that it was built for a beloved woman.  Delicate white marble walls, accented by lofty arches and lacy scrollwork, support a series of domes.  Four slender towers stand guard near the corners of the building.  Overall, the style of the structure gives a striking impression of lightness, despite the heavy stone material.  All of these characteristics lead to an almost otherworldly beauty, worth of any queen.

Passage 2

Although the Taj Mahal has long been recognized for is architectural beauty, it is often overlooked that Shah Jahan commissioned the building in 1632 as a tomb for his most beloved wife.  The tomb is flanked on the west by a mosque, a Muslim place of worship.  Arabic script is inlaid along the walls of the Taj Mahal, and it is rumored that the entire Muslim holy book, the Koran, is written along the structure’s walls and supports.  The architectural wonder of the Taj Mahal cannot be denied; however, it is vital to recognize the spiritual aspects that pervade one of the world’s most recognizable buildings.

Unlike the author of Passage 1, the author of Passage 2 acknowledges that the Taj Mahal is _____

As a music critic, I have sifted through more horrible albums than most people would foist upon their worst enemy.  But it is when I must review a concept album, a CD-length set of songs with a single unifying theme, that I feel that I must truly have a very powerful enemy indeed.  A concept album is simply too long and too repetitive: every sone is leading towards one single point, so that you’re guaranteed to hear the same idea, over and over.  It is like reading a series of stories in which each story has the exact same moral, or watching a detective show in which the killer is the same person each week.

The author of the above passage makes the statement that ("I feel … indeed") in order to

While virtually all scientists accept the principles of evolutionary theory, there remains great uncertainty concerning the mechanism of rapid and drastic change between successive species.  In the past, interspecies hybridization was dismissed as a possible solution, since hybrids are rarely as vigorous as purebred species.  However, current research on hybridization suggests that although some hybrids are not as virile as either of the parent species, they are often strong enough to pass their traits on.  Scientists have also found hybrid species, such as certain types of corn, that are stronger than their parent species, a phenomenon known as "hybrid vigor."  These findings suggest that hybridization plays a far more important role in evolution than previously suspected.

Based on the above passage, it can be inferred that some scientists previously believed that _____

While virtually all scientists accept the principles of evolutionary theory, there remains great uncertainty concerning the mechanism of rapid and drastic change between successive species.  In the past, interspecies hybridization was dismissed as a possible solution, since hybrids are rarely as vigorous as purebred species.  However, current research on hybridization suggests that although some hybrids are not as virile as either of the parent species, they are often strong enough to pass their traits on.  Scientists have also found hybrid species, such as certain types of corn, that are stronger than their parent species, a phenomenon known as "hybrid vigor."  These findings suggest that hybridization plays a far more important role in evolution than previously suspected.

The above passage implies that most scientists will adopt a theory that _____

Art critic Walter Benjamin defined Modernism as "a movement that constructed itself in opposition to the home."  It is no wonder, then, that many modern art museums adopt an angular, bare, or industrial design.  They do not attempt to create a neutral space for the art; rather, they provide the distinctly un-cozy, anti-domestic space modern art requires.  These spaces allow the artists to discuss aesthetic ideas, but, more importantly, they create a proper setting for subversive, socially deconstructive art.

The author of the above passage would most likely agree with which of the following statements about modern art?

Art critic Walter Benjamin defined Modernism as "a movement that constructed itself in opposition to the home."  It is no wonder, then, that many modern art museums adopt an angular, bare, or industrial design.  They do not attempt to create a neutral space for the art; rather, they provide the distinctly un-cozy, anti-domestic space modern art requires.  These spaces allow the artists to discuss aesthetic ideas, but, more importantly, they create a proper setting for subversive, socially deconstructive art.

The above passage implies that the "spaces" in which modern art is displayed

I have always viewed a chairmaker’s shop as a place alive with sounds.  Curly wood shavings crackle like popcorn under the stompy of heavy work boots.  Sharp drawknives sing shrilly as they skate across the surface of rough-sewn spindles. Coarse files cough and wheeze as they scrape away, while the table saw hums contentedly in the center of the room.  The true craftsman listens intently to these sounds; one might say that he engages in an ongoing conversation with them.  The slightest variation in a tool’s familiar tune will cause him to alter his stroke, or pause to sharpen the tool’s blade.

The author implies that a "true craftsman" is one who _____

I have always viewed a chairmaker’s shop as a place alive with sounds.  Curly wood shavings crackle like popcorn under the stompy of heavy work boots.  Sharp drawknives sing shrilly as they skate across the surface of rough-sewn spindles. Coarse files cough and wheeze as they scrape away, while the table saw hums contentedly in the center of the room.  The true craftsman listens intently to these sounds; one might say that he engages in an ongoing conversation with them.  The slightest variation in a tool’s familiar tune will cause him to alter his stroke, or pause to sharpen the tool’s blade.

The rhetorical device featured most prominently in the above passage is _____

Theordore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was fond of the saying "speak softly but carry a big stick."  Interestingly, the same president who was renowned for his "big stick" approach to foreign affairs was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2906 for his diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the Russo-Japanese war.  Roosevelt also had a profound impact on domestic politics: he used his executive authority to break up the monopolies of large companies, curbed the abuse and exploitation of workers in the meat-packing industry, and created the system of national parks long before environmentalism was fashionable.

The author of the above passage would most probably disagree with which of the following statements about Theordore Roosevelt?

Theordore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was fond of the saying "speak softly but carry a big stick."  Interestingly, the same president who was renowned for his "big stick" approach to foreign affairs was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2906 for his diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the Russo-Japanese war.  Roosevelt also had a profound impact on domestic politics: he used his executive authority to break up the monopolies of large companies, curbed the abuse and exploitation of workers in the meat-packing industry, and created the system of national parks long before environmentalism was fashionable.

The primary purpose of the above passage is to _____

Though most people know the definition of the word "boycott," few know its origin.  named for Captain Charles Boycott, the word as we know it owes less to him than to Irish nationalist Charless Parnell.  Parnell organized Irish farmers and convinced them to fix their rent rates.  When Boycott refused, Parnell unleashed the power of the people.  A band of hostile peasants forced the Captain’s servants to leave.  There were no laborers to gather the harvest and no stablemen to care for the animals.  Boycott was not allowed to enter stores or make purchases.  Eventually, Boycott and his wife fled Ireland, and Parnell was hailed as the workingman’s hero.

The above passage is best summarized by which of the following?

Though most people know the definition of the word "boycott," few know its origin.  named for Captain Charles Boycott, the word as we know it owes less to him than to Irish nationalist Charless Parnell.  Parnell organized Irish farmers and convinced them to fix their rent rates.  When Boycott refused, Parnell unleashed the power of the people.  A band of hostile peasants forced the Captain’s servants to leave.  There were no laborers to gather the harvest and no stablemen to care for the animals.  Boycott was not allowed to enter stores or make purchases.  Eventually, Boycott and his wife fled Ireland, and Parnell was hailed as the workingman’s hero.

It can be most reasonably inferred from the above passage that _____

Hans Christian Andersen’s story, "The Little Mermaid," contrary to popular perception, doesn’t end happily.  Instead of marrying her prince, the mermaid fails and is changed into sea foam.  The fate of this character mirrors that of many of Andersen’s fairy tales; throughout the years, his works have changed dramatically.  As in the children’s game of telephone, multiple translations altered both the words and meanings of the texts.  In addition, the tales were bowdlerized to meet Victorian standards: risque situations and inappropriate language were cut.  Finally, publishers edited them to fit in illustrations.  While there is no one cause for the many changes to Andersen’s stories, the original meanings departed as surely as sea foam on the shore.

What is the main idea of the above passage?

Hans Christian Andersen’s story, "The Little Mermaid," contrary to popular perception, doesn’t end happily.  Instead of marrying her prince, the mermaid fails and is changed into sea foam.  The fate of this character mirrors that of many of Andersen’s fairy tales; throughout the years, his works have changed dramatically.  As in the children’s game of telephone, multiple translations altered both the words and meanings of the texts.  In addition, the tales were bowdlerized to meet Victorian standards: risque situations and inappropriate language were cut.  Finally, publishers edited them to fit in illustrations.  While there is no one cause for the many changes to Andersen’s stories, the original meanings departed as surely as sea foam on the shore.

Sea foam is mentioned in the above passage in order to _____

Although the first internal-combustion-powered vehicle was created in 1885, automotive history did not begin until 1907.  That was the year that Henry Ford’s revolutionary assembly line began churning out his Model T automobiles.  Ford’s grand vision was to make the car an integral part of the American lifestyle, and his mass production techniques allowed him to sell his Model T at unbelievably low prices – the cost of the car was $950 in 1907 and had dropped to under $300 by $1926.  Soon, there were more cars in the United States than households.  A new era of freedom and mobility had begun.

In may be inferred from the above passage that _____