6/5/26
Although it’s well known that people should pace themselves while they study, new research suggests that it is best to aim for “minimal interference” during breaks – that is, to avoid any activity that could tamper in the delicate task of memory formation.
A. NO CHANGE
B. to
C. around
D. with
The verb tamper must be followed by the preposition with; any other preposition is not idiomatic. That makes the answer (D).
6/4/26
Some people can’t see differences in colors—so-called color blindness—because of a defect or absence of cones: cells in the retina that are sensitive to high levels of light. However, the distribution and density of these cells also varies across people with “normal” vision, causing everyone to experience the same color in a slightly different way.
A. NO CHANGE
B. vary
C. has varied
D. would vary
The answer choices include a mix of singular verbs (varies, has varied) and plural verbs (vary), so start by identifying the subject and determining whether it is singular or plural. In this case, the sentence contains a compound (plural) subject: two singular nouns joined by and (distribution and density). As a result, a plural verb (vary) is required. (A) and (C) are singular and can thus be eliminated. (D) is incorrect as well because there is no need to shift tenses. In addition, would vary is in the conditional, a tense that is used to refer to actions that could happen — not the case here. (B) is thus correct.
6/3/26
On his first and only visit to Japan, in the late fall of 1922, Albert Einstein was wowed by the beauty of the country and the refinement of the culture. The populace was equally impressed by the visitor, greeting him on his arrival in Kobe with great fanfare. Einstein was, after all, not just the era’s best-known scientist, but arguably the most famous person in the world.
A. NO CHANGE
B. captivated
C. tickled pink
D. knocked out
This question is testing register, or formal vs. informal language. Wowed, tickled pink, and knocked out are all far too informal and inconsistent with the passage’s moderately serious tone. Captivated is the only answer that matches.
6/2/26
The modern concept of bike sharing – offering bikes for short-term public rental from multiple stations in cities – originated in Copenhagen in 1995. When bikeshares began to be implemented in the United States more than a decade later, they encountered some stumbling blocks. Washington, D.C., led the way, launching SmartBike in 2008. Two years later, in response to increasing demand from suburban dwellers, it began offering an expanded network called Capital Bikeshare, which now boasts over 480 stations and a daily ridership of 5,700.
Which choice provides information that is most relevant at this point in the paragraph?
A. NO CHANGE
B. remained limited in scope.
C. met with resistance from drivers.
D. quickly grew in popularity.
To answer this question, you must focus on the information that comes after that underlined statement — the beginning of the passage does not provide enough information. If you read the sentences after the underlined section, you’ll see that bikeshares have done very well in the United States, as indicated by the phrase increasing demand and the fact that Capital Bikeshare now boasts over 480 stations and a daily ridership of 5,700. As a result, the correct answer must be positive and consistent with that information. (A), (B) and (C) are all negative, but the phrase quickly grew in popularity in (D) is consistent with the idea of an expanded network. That makes (D) correct.
6/1/26
The Bajau people are able to dive dozens of feet underwater without conventional diving aids such as wetsuits and oxygen tanks. Instead, they rely on weights, handmade wooden goggles, and taking a single breath of air.
A. NO CHANGE
B. they take
C. take
D. DELETE the underlined word.
The underlined word is part of the third item in a three-item list. The first two items consist of nouns (weights, handmade wooden goggles), so the third item must also consist of a noun (a single breath of air). As a result, no verb should be placed at the beginning of the third item, making (D) correct.
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