Exercise. Read the passage. Choose the letter of the word or phrase that best completes the sentence that follows it.
Differences in the way men and women process language is of special interest to brain researchers. It has been known that aphasia – a kind of speech disorder – is more common in men than in women when the left side of the brain is damaged in an accident or after a stroke. However women are more likely than men to suffer aphasia when the front part of the brain is damaged. This clearly indicates that the brains of men and women are organized differently in the way they process speech.
The word “they” the passage refers to
- men
- women
- brains
- researchers
Answer
You should choose C because they (plural) agrees with brains, and brains can process speech.
Exercise. Understanding transition words. Complete the sentences by choosing the letter of the phrase or clause that would most likely follow the underlined transition words.
1.According to dental researchers, a vaccine that could significantly reduce the number of microorganisms thought to cause cavities will soon be ready for human trials. Consequently
- cavity prevention programs may soon be eliminated
- immunization of test animals will no longer be necessary
- children will be able to consume more sugary foods and drinks
- long-term protection against tooth decay could soon be available on the market
Answer
Correct answer is D.
“Consequently” is used to show the results of an action. The results of a vaccine that reduces the microorganism thought to cause cavities is [D) protection against tooth decay. In (A) a cavity prevention program for immunizing people against cavity-causing microorganisms would probably be organized instead of eliminated. In (B) there is no inference that test animals were used in the development of this vaccine. In (C) the amount of sweets that children consume is not solely dictated by tooth decay.
2. Medical researchers have recently developed a nonsurgical method of treating heart disease that, in some cases,
- is just as effective as coronary bypass surgery but is much less expensive and disabling
- can replace a clogged artery by the transplantation of a vein or artery from another part of the body
- continues to be underused because coronary bypass operations are lucrative for hospitals and surgeons
- requires opening up the chest and operating under local anesthesia
Answer
Correct Answer is A.
“In some cases” is used to give information for particular situations. The information in A gives the advantages of the nonsurgical method of treating heart disease in the situations where it can be used. In (B) the nonsurgical method cannot replace an artery. In C} the fact that coronary bypass operations are lucrative does not explain the nonsurgical method. In (D) the fact that the chest is opened up indicates that this information does not relate to the “nonsurgical method.”
3. Neurons, which cannot divide are the basic cells of the brain. Glial cells, which can increase in number, provide support and nourishment to the neurons. It was hypothesized that if Einstein’s brain had been more active, more glial cells would be found there. Indeed,
- scientists found that the physicist’s brain contained more glial cells per neuron than the brains of eleven normal males
- scientists’ previous work had shown that animals put in environments that stimulate mental activity develop more glial cells per neuron
- scientists examined sections of the upper front and lower rear of both hemispheres because these areas are involved in “higher” thinking
- scientists found that even though there was evidence he had greater intellectual processing, it cannot be determined whether Einstein was born with this or developed it later
Answer
Correct Answer is A.
“In some cases” is used to give information for particular situations. The information in A gives the advantages of the nonsurgical method of treating heart disease in the situations where it can be used. In (B) the nonsurgical method cannot replace an artery. In C} the fact that coronary bypass operations are lucrative does not explain the nonsurgical method. In (D) the fact that the chest is opened up indicates that this information does not relate to the “nonsurgical method.”
