Nursing Elites

1. How does Wilde use irony to critique the upper class in the play?

• A. By portraying the upper class as sincere and honorable.
• B. By showing that the upper class is deeply concerned with morality.
• C. By exaggerating the trivial concerns and behaviors of the upper class.
• D. By highlighting the noble and upright nature of the upper class.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Wilde uses irony by exaggerating the trivial concerns and behaviors of the upper class, revealing their lack of genuine depth and morality. In 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' Wilde satirizes the British aristocracy by highlighting their absurdities and trivialities. The play's characters, like Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, lead double lives, symbolizing the dual nature of their social status. Through witty dialogue, puns, and irony, Wilde exposes the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper classes. The term 'Bunburying' coined by Wilde exemplifies the characters' deceitful actions to avoid social responsibilities. Additionally, the play ridicules the concept of marriage, portraying it as a societal transaction rather than a romantic bond. For instance, Lady Bracknell's interrogation of Jack about his eligibility as a suitor for Gwendolen underscores the materialistic view of marriage prevalent in the society Wilde critiques. Wilde's humorous yet critical portrayal of the aristocracy in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' makes it a timeless and cherished work.

2. Which of the following would be the best concluding statement for this passage?

• A. States should consider the importance of foreign languages for the global economy when making policies regarding foreign language requirements for high school graduation.
• B. Policies for high school graduation should consider the significance of foreign languages for the global economy, college acceptance rates, and job opportunities.
• C. Influence of a second language on college acceptance rates warrants a foreign language class as a high school graduation requirement.
• D. The difficulty of obtaining a job in today’s economy without knowledge of multiple languages should be considered when setting foreign language requirements for high school graduation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B provides the best concluding statement for this passage as it encapsulates the main argument and key supporting details presented in the extract. The passage emphasizes the importance of foreign languages for the global economy, the impact on college acceptance rates, and enhanced job opportunities for individuals proficient in more than one language. Choice B effectively summarizes these points, making it the most appropriate conclusion. Choices A, C, and D, while related to the main argument, only touch on one supporting detail each. Choice A focuses solely on the importance of foreign languages for the global economy, while choice C emphasizes the influence of a second language on college acceptance rates. Choice D highlights the difficulty of job acquisition without knowledge of multiple languages. These choices do not encompass the breadth of supporting details provided in the passage, making them less effective as concluding statements.

3. Which of the following is not an example of something the author of Passage 1 claims travels from place to place through human movement?

• A. Fairy tales
• B. Language
• C. Ideas
• D. Foods

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The author of Passage 1 explicitly mentions language, ideas, and foods as examples of things that travel from place to place through human movement. However, fairy tales are not mentioned in the text as one of the elements that travel through human movement. While fairy tales do spread geographically through human retelling, they are not directly supported as an example in this context, making choice A the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are mentioned in the passage as elements that do travel through human movement, further emphasizing that fairy tales are the exception in this specific context.

4. Which of the following events occurred most recently?

• A. Helped found National Geographic Society
• B. Developed a metal detector
• C. Moved to Canada
• D. Invented the telephone

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone after founding the National Geographic Society and developing a metal detector. Therefore, inventing the telephone is the most recent event among the options provided. Moving to Canada occurred earlier than the invention of the telephone, and helping to found the National Geographic Society also happened before the invention of the telephone.

5. Which of the following is the best summary sentence for the passage?

• A. Composers such as Alexander Glazunov, Sergei Prokofiev, and Igor Stravinsky studied under Rimsky-Korsakov.
• B. Despite their lack of formal training and their unorthodox approach to producing classical music, The Five had an influence that reached far beyond their time.
• C. They were known as 'The Five': a group of Russian musicians who eschewed rigidly formal classical training and set out on their own to give a new artistic sound to classical music in Russia.
• D. Mily Balakirev and Cesar Cui are considered the founders of the movement, but the three who later joined them have become far more famous and respected outside, and perhaps even inside, of Russia.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Answer choice B best summarizes the main point of the passage by highlighting the significant influence of The Five, a group of Russian musicians who diverged from traditional classical training, on classical music in Russia and beyond. The passage emphasizes how despite their unconventional methods and lack of formal training, The Five had a lasting impact that extended far beyond their era. It showcases the group's influence on classical music history, making choice B the most appropriate summary. Choices A, C, and D do not capture the central theme of the passage, which revolves around The Five's unique approach and lasting impact, unlike choice B.

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