CB Style Rhetorical Analysis MC Practice #2

15. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) call attention to a serious problem

This is the correct answer because the passage discusses various issues in the education system, such as funding disparities and lack of resources, which point to a serious problem within the system.

Distractor: (E) establish the need for additional data and studies

This distractor is not the best choice because the passage doesn't focus on the need for additional data and studies. Instead, it presents a critical analysis of the education system in the United States and highlights various problems within it.

16. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the first and second sentences of the passage?

(C) The first sentence makes a statement; the second introduces a potential difficulty.

This is the correct answer because the first sentence presents a statement about how American schools are financed, and the second introduces a potential difficulty by highlighting the consequences of this financing method.

Distractor: (A) The first sentence states a fact; the second states an opinion.

This distractor is not the best choice because both the first and second sentences present statements about the American education system, with the second elaborating on the implications of the fact presented in the first.

17. Which of the following versions of the sentence in lines 4-6, reproduced below, is clearest?

(B) Add “schools in” after “unlike”

This is the correct answer because adding “schools in” clarifies the comparison being made, making it clearer that it's about the financing of schools in different countries.

Distractor: (D) Change “are financed” to “receive income”

This distractor is not the best choice because changing "are financed" to "receive income" alters the meaning of the sentence. The original sentence clearly discusses how American schools are financed, while the distractor introduces a different concept of income.

18. In context, the tone of lines 8-12 (“And voters . . . kids”) can best be described as

(C) critical

This is the correct answer because the passage criticizes voters for being less willing to subsidize schools for other people's children, highlighting the problem of declining support for education.

Distractor: (E) encouraging

This distractor is not the best choice because the tone of the passage in these lines is critical, highlighting the declining support for education among voters and their unwillingness to subsidize schools for other people's children.

19. The italics in the second paragraph (lines 16-26) serve all of the following purposes EXCEPT to

(D) exaggerate the author’s determination to bring about change

This is the correct answer because the italics do not indicate any exaggeration of determination; instead, they emphasize key points and arguments made by the author.

Distractor: (B) underscore the author’s major points in the Paragraph

This distractor is not the best choice because the italics do underscore the major points in the paragraph by emphasizing key arguments and supporting evidence presented by the author.

20. Which of the following best describes the function of the sentence “Things are no better in the work world” (lines 32-33)?

(A) It extends the author’s argument about education into another area.

This is the correct answer because the sentence connects the discussion of education to its implications in the workforce, showing that problems in education extend beyond schools.

Distractor: (C) It tries to establish new sources of funding for educational endeavors.

This distractor is not the best choice because the sentence does not discuss establishing new sources of funding. Instead, it connects the discussion of education to its implications in the workforce, extending the author's argument.

21. The author offers specific data to support which of the following assertions?

(E) “Things are no better in the work world.” (lines 32-33)

This is the correct answer because the author provides data about the lack of funding for basic skills training in the workforce, supporting the assertion that things are not better in the work world.

Distractor: (A) “Teachers’ salaries, expenditures per pupil, and other indicators of school quality (including the physical plant) significantly affect the employment prospects and wages of high school graduates.” (lines 1-4)

This distractor is not the best choice because the passage does not provide specific data to support this assertion. Instead, it discusses various issues in education without providing specific data related to the employment prospects and wages of high school graduates.

22. The information in the sentence below would fit most logically after the sentence that ends on which of the following lines?

(D) Line 29

This is the correct answer because the sentence discusses centralized school funding, which relates to the discussion of education financing and equality of access in the preceding lines.

Distractor: (B) Line 15

This distractor is not the best choice because the sentence discussing centralized school funding logically follows the discussion of disparities in school funding, which occurs after line 29.

23. Which of the following statements about the information in endnote 1 is correct?

(E) In 1991 Crown published Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s Schools, written by Jonathan Kozol.

This is the correct answer because it accurately reflects the information provided in the endnote about the publication of the book.

Distractor: (C) The article “Hard Data” was first published in the book Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s Schools.

This distractor is not the best choice because it inaccurately suggests that the article "Hard Data" was first published in the book, while the endnote actually references the source of the information cited in the passage.

24. The purpose of endnote 2 (line 45) is to

(C) document the sources of claims made about loans, scholarships, and educational funding

This is the correct answer because endnote 2 provides references for the claims made in the preceding sentence about the cost of higher education and changes in loans and scholarships.

Distractor: (E) acknowledge that the experts listed might not agree with the claim made in the preceding sentence

This distractor is not the best choice because the purpose of endnote 2 is to document the sources of claims made about loans, scholarships, and educational funding, rather than acknowledging disagreement among experts.

25. Which of the following information does endnote 2 provide?

(E) The article “U.S. Gets ‘Average’ Grade in Math and Science Studies” was written by Peter Applebome and published in the New York Times.

This is the correct answer because endnote 2 provides specific information about the author and publication of the mentioned article, supporting the credibility of the information provided in the passage.

Distractor: (B) The War Against the Poor: A Defense Manual was edited by Peter Applebome.

This distractor is not the best choice because endnote 2 does not provide information about the editor of "The War Against the Poor: A Defense Manual." Instead, it provides details about the publication of the mentioned article in U.S. News & World Report.