Nursing Elites

1. Which phrase best describes the purpose of nonfiction writing?

• A. To inform, entertain, or persuade readers
• B. To entertain, then to inform
• C. To convince readers they're wrong about the author's subject
• D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To inform, entertain, or persuade readers.' Nonfiction writing aims to provide factual information (inform), engage the audience (entertain), or influence their opinions (persuade). Choice B is incorrect because informing usually takes precedence over entertaining in nonfiction. Choice C is incorrect as the primary goal is not to convince readers they're wrong but rather to present information or arguments. Choice D is incorrect as there are clear purposes for nonfiction writing.

2. 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.

3. Even without Franz Ferdinand's assassination ... Which of the following most logically completes the passage?

• A. A war between the world powers was extremely likely.
• B. World War I never would have happened.
• C. England, France, and Russia would have started the war.
• D. Austria would have started the war.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Given the alliances and tensions at the time, the assassination was simply the trigger in an already volatile situation, making war highly likely. Choice B is incorrect because the alliances and existing tensions would likely have led to a conflict even without the assassination. Choice C is incorrect as it wrongly implies that only these three countries were involved in the conflict. Choice D is incorrect as Austria alone starting the war doesn't consider the broader context of alliances and power dynamics among the world powers.

4. 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.

5. Which of the following most accurately describes how the argument proceeds?

• A. The argument proceeds by stating a conclusion, then providing supporting evidence.
• B. The argument proceeds by stating several facts and drawing a conclusion.
• C. The argument proceeds by offering a premise, then refuting it.
• D. The argument proceeds by making a comparison between two subjects.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The argument in the text proceeds by stating a conclusion ('Dwight is the best employee') and then providing supporting evidence ('The top salesman is always the best employee'). This aligns with choice A, where the argument is structured by stating a conclusion first and then offering supporting evidence. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the argument in the text does not simply present facts and draw a conclusion, offer a premise and then refute it, or make a comparison between two subjects.

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