Nursing Elites

1. What is the central idea conveyed in the passage?

• A. David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest is the holy grail of modern literature.
• B. Infinite Jest is a page-turner.
• C. David Foster Wallace wrote Infinite Jest.
• D. Infinite Jest is a modern classic for good reason and everybody should read it.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The passage describes Infinite Jest as a modern classic that holds significant value, indicating that it is highly recommended for everyone to read it. Choice A focuses solely on the praise of the book without emphasizing the recommendation to read it. Choice B, mentioning it as a page-turner, does not capture the essence of it being a modern classic that everyone should read. Choice C is a factual statement about the authorship but does not encompass the main point that the book is a modern classic that deserves to be read by all.

2. What is the author's point of view?

• A. First person
• B. Third person limited
• C. Third person omniscient
• D. Objective

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The passage is told from a third person limited point of view because the thoughts and perspectives of two specific characters, Michael and Lana June, are presented. The narrator provides insight into their thoughts, but remains limited to their viewpoints without revealing the thoughts of any other characters. This extract demonstrates the limited perspective by showing the inner thoughts of Michael and Lana June, indicating a third person limited narrative. Third person omniscient would involve knowing the thoughts of all characters, which is not the case here. First person would involve using 'I' to narrate, which is absent. Objective point of view would present only observable actions without any character's thoughts or feelings, which is not the case in this passage.

3. Which of the following sentences uses the word 'smart' with a negative connotation, rather than a positive connotation or simply the word's denotation?

• A. Eliot's teacher said he was not quite gifted, but too smart for a general class.
• B. Eliot was smart to have studied the day before the test; he got a good grade.
• C. Eliot was identified by his teacher as one of the smart students in her classes.
• D. Eliot got into trouble when he gave a smart answer to his teacher's question.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In sentence D, the word 'smart' is used with a negative connotation as it describes Eliot getting into trouble for giving a smart answer to his teacher's question. This implies that being smart in this context led to a negative consequence. Choices A, B, and C use 'smart' in a positive or neutral light, highlighting intelligence or wise decisions without any negative implications.

4. Which of the following pairs of examples from the passage best demonstrates why the use of plastics is a divisive topic?

• A. Plastic has advantages. Plastic is difficult to recycle efficiently.
• B. Plastic is consumed by birds. Plastic is entering our food.
• C. Plastic is popular. Plastic is used for packaging.
• D. Plastic is in landfills. Plastic is in the ocean.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The examples of plastic's advantages and difficulties in recycling show why the topic is divisive. The passage mentions that plastic has advantages, but it is difficult to recycle efficiently, indicating a conflict between the benefits and environmental impact of plastics. This conflict contributes to the divisive nature of discussions surrounding the use of plastics. Choices B, C, and D do not provide contrasting examples that highlight the divisive nature of the topic.

5. Which option best exemplifies an author's use of alliteration and personification?

• A. Her mood hung about her like a weary cape, very dull from wear.
• B. It shuddered, swayed, shook, and screamed its way into dust under hot flames.
• C. The house was a starch sentry, warning visitors away.
• D. At its shoreline, visitors swore they heard the siren call of the cliffs above.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B best exemplifies an author's use of alliteration and personification. The sentence 'It shuddered, swayed, shook, and screamed its way into dust under hot flames' personifies an inanimate object (it) by attributing human actions to it, combining alliteration with the repeated 's' sounds. Choices A, C, and D do not contain both alliteration and personification. Choice A mainly focuses on simile and lacks alliteration. Choice C features personification but lacks alliteration. Choice D includes personification but lacks alliteration as well.

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