Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following best summarizes the central theme of Wilde's play?

• A. The absurdity of the British aristocracy and its social conventions.
• B. The importance of being sincere and honest in personal relationships.
• C. The dual nature of social standing and the conflicts it creates.
• D. The challenges of maintaining personal integrity in a hypocritical society.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'The absurdity of the British aristocracy and its social conventions.' The central theme of Wilde's play, as revealed through satire, is the critique of the absurdities and trivialities of the British aristocracy. Wilde uses clever dialogue, puns, and irony to expose the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper classes. While sincerity and honesty in personal relationships are explored in the play, they are not the central theme. Choice C, the dual nature of social standing and resulting conflicts, is a partial theme but not the central one. Choice D, the challenges of maintaining personal integrity in a hypocritical society, touches on a theme present in the play, but it is not as central as the critique of the British aristocracy's absurdities and social conventions.

2. What does the following sentence most nearly mean? 'The preparatory instars of such insects are aquatic; the adult instar is aerial.'

• A. The volume of water is necessary for preparing the insect for transition rather than the volume of the air.
• B. The insect's body is shaped like a star in both water and air.
• C. The stage of preparation between molting occurs in water, while the final stage happens in the air.
• D. These insects first breathe in water through gills and then continue to use the same organs to breathe in the air.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sentence indicates that the insects undergo different stages of development, with the preparatory instars being aquatic and the adult instar being aerial. This highlights the adaptability of these insects to different environments. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on the volume of water and air rather than the stages of development in different environments. Choice B is unrelated to the content of the sentence and does not capture the meaning accurately. Choice D is incorrect as it specifically mentions breathing through gills, which is not explicitly stated in the sentence. Therefore, choice C is the best interpretation of the sentence.

3. 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.

4. Which of the following sentences is most representative of a summary sentence for this passage?

• A. The problem with having a larger Bermuda Triangle is that it increases the odds of accidents.
• B. The area that is called the Bermuda Triangle happens to fall within one of the busiest navigational regions in the world, and the reality of greater activity creates the possibility for more to go wrong.
• C. One of the biggest challenges in considering the phenomenon is deciding how much area actually represents the Bermuda Triangle.
• D. Researchers have never been able to find anything truly mysterious about what happens in the Bermuda Triangle, if there even is a Bermuda Triangle.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. This sentence is the best summary statement for the entire passage because it succinctly captures the main idea of the author's discussion about the Bermuda Triangle. It highlights the lack of concrete evidence found by researchers regarding the mysterious occurrences in the Bermuda Triangle, effectively summarizing the overall tone and content of the passage. Choice A talks about the increased odds of accidents but does not capture the essence of the passage. Choice B discusses the navigational regions and the possibility of accidents, which is not the central theme of the passage. Choice C mentions the challenge of defining the Bermuda Triangle's area, which is a detail rather than a summary of the passage.

5. Which of the following would weaken the author's argument?

• A. a report revealing that the cited study was funded by a company that provides discounted tutoring through schools
• B. a study demonstrating differences in standardized test scores among students at schools in various neighborhoods
• C. a statement signed by local teachers affirming that they do not give preferential treatment in the classroom or during grading
• D. a study indicating that GPA has a weak correlation with success in college

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A weakens the author's argument by highlighting a potential conflict of interest. If the cited study was funded by a company offering discounted tutoring, it could introduce bias and question the credibility of the study's findings. This revelation could cast doubt on the objectivity and reliability of the research, ultimately undermining the argument based on the cited study. Choices B, C, and D do not directly impact the credibility or objectivity of the cited study, so they would not significantly weaken the author's argument.

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