Section 3

25 Minutes Time25 24 Questions

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Directions: For each question in this section, select the best answer from among the choices given and fill in the corresponding oval on the answer sheet.

Each sentence below has one or two blanks, and each blank indicates that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled A through E. Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. EXAMPLE: Todays small, portable computers contrast markedly with the earliest electronic computers, which were -------. (C) useful (A) effective (B) invented (E) enormous (D) destructive
ANSWER:

4 Despite their outward resemblance, the brothers could not be more ------- temperamentally; while one is quiet and circumspect, the other is brash and -------.
(A) inimical . . timid (B) passionate . . superficial (C) dissimilar . . audacious (D) different . . forgiving (E) alike . . respectful

5 Prior to the American entrance into World War I, President Woodrow Wilson strove to maintain the ------of the United States, warning both sides against encroachments on American interests. (A) involvement (B) belligerence (C) versatility (D) munificence (E) neutrality

1 The musicians biography mostly reiterates stories that many readers will find familiar, but several chapters about his childhood may be ------- even to experts. (A) surprising (B) trivial (C) boring (D) unclear (E) irrelevant 2 The chairman ------- the decision of the board members, describing it as a ------- of every worthwhile ideal that the organization stood for. (A) defended . . denial (B) lamented . . repudiation (C) criticized . . fulfillment (D) endorsed . . renunciation (E) applauded . . negation 3 While George Balanchines choreography stayed within a classical context, he challenged convention by recombining the traditional idioms of ballet in ------ways. (A) novel (B) familiar (C) redundant (D) nave (E) awkward

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The passages below are followed by questions based on their content; questions following a pair of related passages may also be based on the relationship between the paired passages. Answer the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passages and in any introductory material that may be provided. Questions 69 are based on the following passages. Passage 1 During the 1840s, America saw a rapid expansion of its territory into the unexplored West. Politicians of the time saw this ever-increasing westward migration and settlement as Americas Manifest Destiny. American politicians (and later American citizens) believed that it was their mission to claim all the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They wanted to extend the boundaries of freedom and bring democracy to all those who were capable of selfgovernment. Despite unfortunate prejudices, the goal was just. Every nation needs a sense of purpose and destiny; every nation has a right and a duty to explore the limits of its geography and to extend its culture as far as possible. Passage 2
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7 The phrase egged on in line 21 most nearly means (A) urged (B) dismissed (C) discouraged (D) belittled (E) rewarded 8 The author of Passage 2 would most likely respond to the contention of the author of Passage 1 that the goal was just (lines 1011) by (A) ridiculing the author of Passage 1 as nave (B) commending the authors insight (C) presenting a similar position (D) defending the authors right to his opinion (E) arguing for an alternative point of view 9 Both authors would probably agree that (A) despite its drawbacks, Manifest Destiny produced commendable results (B) Americans were encouraged by their political leaders to pursue Manifest Destiny (C) Americans began the westward migration because they were suffering from the results of economic depression (D) people do not have the right to impose cultural values on others (E) Manifest Destiny was an inevitable result of the cultural climate of the time

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From the vantage point of the twenty-first century, one can only look back with dismay on the expansionist fever that gripped Americans in the 1840s. Fueled by fears of English alliances with Mexico, the aftermath of two economic depressions, and a desire to expand the slave trade, Americans, egged on by the politicians of the time, pushed westward seeking their Manifest Destiny. And what was this destiny? The settlement of the entire country, from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, by white people of European descent. The tragedy, of course, is that this came at such a high pricethe decimation of Native American cultures and the despoiling of the wilderness.

6 According to Passage 1, Manifest Destiny is best described as (A) the desire of Americans to settle the West (B) a form of self-government (C) the belief that America should extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific (D) an unfortunate prejudice held by nineteenth-century Americans (E) one of the Constitutional rights to which Americans are entitled

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Section 3
Questions 1014 are based on the following passage. The following is adapted from a short story first published in 1921. The author was a Native American woman. It was summer on the western plains, and fields of golden sunflowers, facing eastward, greeted the rising sun. Blue-Star Woman, with windshorn braids of white hair over each ear, sat in the shade of her log hut before an open fire. Lonely but unmolested, she dwelt here like the ground squirrel that took its abode nearby both through the easy tolerance of the landowner. As the Indian woman held a skillet over the burning embers, a large round cake, with long slashes in its center, crowded the capacity of the frying pan. In deep abstraction, Blue-Star Woman prepared her morning meal. Who am I? had become the obsessing riddle of her life. She was no longer a young woman, being in her fifty-third year; yet now it was required of her, in the eyes of the white mans law, to give proof of her membership in the Sioux tribe in order to get her share of tribal land. The unwritten law of heart prompted her naturally to say, I am a being. I am Blue-Star Woman. A piece of earth is my birthright. It was taught for reasons now forgotten that an Indian should never pronounce his or her name in answer to any inquiry. It was probably a means of protection in the days of black magic; be that as it may, Blue-Star Woman lived in times when this teaching was disregarded. It gained her nothing, however, to pronounce her name to the government official to whom she applied for her share of tribal land. His persistent question was always, Who are your parents? Blue-Star Woman was left an orphan at a tender age, so she did not remember them. They were long gone to the spirit-landand she could not understand why they should be recalled to earth on her account. It was another one of the old, old teachings of her race that the names of the dead should not be idly spokenin fact, it was considered a sacrilege to mention carelessly the name of any departed one, especially in disputes over worldly possessions. The unfortunate circumstances of her early childhood, together with the lack of written records of a roving people, placed a formidable barrier between her and her heritage. The fact was, events of far greater importance to the tribe than her reincarnation had passed unrecorded in books. The verbal reports of the old-time men and women of the tribe were varied some were contradictory. Blue-Star Woman was unable to find even a twig of her family tree....
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Blue-Star Woman was her individual name. For untold ages the Indian race had not used family namesa new-born child was given a brand-new name. Blue-Star Woman was proud to write her name for which she would not be required to substitute anothers upon her marriage, as is the custom of civilized peoples. The times are changed now, she muttered under her breath. My individual name seems to mean nothing. Looking out into space, she saw the nodding sunflowers, and they acquiesced with her.... With fried bread and black coffee she regaled herself, and once again her mind reverted to her riddle. This also puzzles me, thought she to herself. Once a wise leader of our people, addressing a president of this country, said: I am a man. You are another. The Great Spirit is our witness! This is simple and easy to understand, but the times are changedthe white mans laws are strange.

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10 The author most likely mentions the ground squirrel (line 6) in order to (A) suggest Blue-Star Womans profound understanding of nature (B) demonstrate Blue-Star Womans keen observation of her surroundings (C) show Blue-Star Womans adaptability to squalid living conditions (D) indicate Blue-Star Womans overwhelming loneliness (E) reveal Blue-Star Womans use of a strangers land 11 In line 7, tolerance most nearly means (A) neglect (B) fortitude (C) permission (D) open-mindedness (E) limitation

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12 The second paragraph suggests that the white mans law differs from the unwritten law of heart (line 17) because the latter (A) implies that her right to land ownership was self-evident because of who she was (B) has practical consequences for Blue-Star Woman (C) considers each human being to be different (D) places restrictions on who can and cannot own land (E) can be explained in straightforward language 13 In the third paragraph, the author conveys a feeling of tension by juxtaposing which two of the following elements? (A) The womans desire for land versus the declaration of her name. (B) The assertion that the woman was an orphan versus her speculation about her parents. (C) The officials demand versus the womans belief about uttering the names of the dead. (D) The womans dominant presence versus the officials show of authority. (E) The womans reluctance to answer questions versus her willingness to disregard beliefs. 14 In lines 5455, My individual name seems to mean nothing most nearly reflects Blue-Star Womans (A) gradual acceptance of the fact that she now has to change her name (B) devastating loss of prestige and good reputation among her people (C) sad comprehension that cherished old customs are losing their relevance (D) great dismay that she has no children to carry on the family name (E) unsettling realization that no member of the tribe remembers her

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Section 3
Questions 1524 are based on the following passage. The following essay appeared in a science magazine published in November 2002. Every June, NASA holds its annual Stargazers Symposium, a week-long conference that welcomes astronomers and astrophysicists from all over the world. Last summer, for the first time in my life, I was fortunate enough to attend. In addition to offering a dizzying number of presentations and exhibits, the conference brought together researchers from all over the world in roundtable discussions, allowing a face-toface exchange of ideas that has become increasingly rare in the information age. It was on one such panel that I learned quite a bit about both myself and my peers. There were eleven of us sitting at the table, and the topic was Celestial Mechanics and Human Perception. Dr. Michael Patel started the discussion by stating that he wondered if the human mind could fully comprehend the scale of our universe. Although Patel provided a potentially strong opening for the discussion, the table remained mostly silent. After only a few minutes, the conversation veered sharply off course as participants lost interest in the panels official topic. I must confess that I was as much to blame as anyone; I simply had no interest in the subject matter. An astrophysicist, Dr. Omar Abbasi, inadvertently wrecked the discussion when he opined that We can, indeed, comprehend our universe. Through precise simulation, we will, within my lifetime, be able to accurately chart the movement and composition of over 200 other galaxies. This comment, innocuous as it may seem, led to nearly twenty minutes of excited babbling between two or three computational physicists about recent advances in the numbercrunching business. As the rest of the table gradually became openly irritated, Dr. Patel apparently decided to throw a bomb into the discussion by questioning the usefulness of computer simulations. The ensuing outrage from the physicists reminded me of a kindergarten class having a synchronized temper tantrum. For the next hour and a half, the more old-fashioned astronomers ranted about the merits of observation and the unreliable nature of computer modeling. The young physicists, of course, were eager to argue against every point put forth by their elders. After thirty minutes of this pointless crosstalk, Id had enough; I stormed out of the conference room. What bothered me more than
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anything was the pettiness of it all. Scientistsno, stargazerswerent supposed to act like this. But we do. The behavior of my peers at the conference was not new or surprising at all; it was merely a rehash of what I have seen throughout my entire adult life. We have, if I may indulge in a clich, lost our way. I remember dreaming, as a child, of the awesome scale of stars and planets, and having a sense of wonder and excitement about our future. That feeling, it pains me to say, is gone now. All that remains is emptiness. All of the aspirations and excitement of our childhood have given way to our smug self-promotion and stubborn arguments. We, the stargazing community, have become so stuck on being right that we are no longer willing to stretch our imaginations and risk being wrong. Yet, despite the apathy that plagues us, I can still find a sliver of hope in the new generation of astronomers that are following in our tired footsteps. Ahead of them are opportunities far greater than we can imagine. I hope that our sons and daughters may redeem us, that they may use these opportunities to realize the dreams we cast aside so long ago. I hope that we will set their feet upon the path and urge them to carry on where we have fallen. But most of all, I hope they never lose the imagination that spurs mankind to explore the heavens.

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15 According to the first paragraph, the purpose of the Stargazers Symposium is to (A) bring scientists together in order to share information (B) bring to light problems in the star-gazing community (C) try to comprehend the nature of the universe (D) bring young and old astronomers together to discuss the merits of computer modeling (E) simulate the movement of other galaxies 16 The author describes her experience on the discussion panel in order to (A) provide an example of what a typical panel at the conference was like (B) promote her theories about understanding the universe (C) explain the progressiveness of Dr. Abbasis computer modeling theories (D) demonstrate a problem in the star-gazing community (E) express her dislike of two of her colleagues

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17 How did Dr. Patels comment about computer simulations equate to throwing a bomb (line 36) into the discussion? (A) The physicists at the table took personal offense to the comment. (B) The comment was controversial and none of the participants wanted to discuss it. (C) Some of the scientists, including the author, left the room. (D) Dr. Patels comment was volatile and subsequently derailed the discussion. (E) The comment was intended to cause an uproar at the table. 18 The phrase synchronized temper tantrum (lines 3940) suggests the authors desire to (A) belittle her peers (B) describe the scientists behavior as accurately as possible (C) express disapproval with the astronomers behavior (D) show what happens when astronomers disagree on a key issue (E) remind the reader that the stargazers still retain childlike qualities 19 The author mentions that the argument between scientists took an hour and a half (line 41) in order to (A) give the reader an accurate idea of how long panels at the convention typically last (B) show that the scientists enjoy arguments (C) indicate that the author left the room solely due to the length of the argument (D) prove that the scientists argued until the panel was scheduled to end (E) emphasize the severity of the bickering in the stargazing community 20 The authors comments in lines 5053 (The behavior of my peers . . . lost our way) primarily serve to (A) recommend a course of action for her peers (B) help the reader identify with the authors plight (C) offer a metaphorical explanation for an argument between scientists (D) confess that the author feels responsible for the communitys problems (E) suggest that the petty bickering is a widespread problem among stargazers

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21 In paragraphs 3 and 4, the author mentions the discussion of computer modeling because (A) the author believes in the value of new simulation methods (B) it demonstrates the sort of bickering that is typical of the researchers (C) it was the topic of the discussion panel (D) both young and old astronomers agree on its value (E) Dr. Abbasi and the other scientists are keenly interested in computer simulation 22 The authors reminiscence in the fifth paragraph can best be described as (A) an account of important childhood experiences (B) a retrospective of the authors career (C) a contrasting element used to show the authors dissatisfaction with her peers (D) an attempt to discourage young people from becoming astronomers (E) the authors deeply held desire to reexperience her childhood 23 The sons and daughters in line 68 most likely refer to (A) the authors children (B) the authors bickering colleagues (C) the next generation of stargazers (D) the kindergarten class at the end of paragraph 3 (E) the stargazers original dreams and ambitions 24 Overall, the author considers the largest problem in the star-gazing community to be (A) the communitys focus on issues other than charting and exploring the universe (B) the boorish behavior of scientists at the Stargazers Symposium (C) a long-standing argument between two generations of scientists (D) the communitys over-reliance on computer simulations (E) a complete lack of new astronomical theories

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION IN THE TEST.
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