Choosing Language for Context and Purpose Answers

Read the excerpt from “First Joint Debate at Ottawa,” by Abraham Lincoln. Now, I have no means of totally disproving such charges as this which the Judge makes. A man cannot prove a negative; but he has a right to claim, that when a man makes an affirmative charge, he must offer some proof to show the truth of what he says. I certainly cannot introduce testimony to show the negative about things, but I have a right to claim that if a man says he knows a thing, then he must show how he knows it. I always have a right to claim this, and it is not satisfactory to me that he may be “conscientious” on the subject.Does the author use a consistent tone in the passage?

Read the sentence.As the contractor looked at the dilapidated structure that stood on the empty lot, he noticed the cracks and holes in the roof and realized he had a great deal of work to do.Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word?

Read the sentence.As the trumpet blared a jarring noise, everyone quickly covered their ears!Using the context clues, what is the meaning of the underlined word?

Read the passage from The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book. A small scrubbing-brush, which may be bought for five cents, and two small pointed knives for preparing vegetables should be found in every kitchen.Vegetables should be washed in cold water, and cooked until soft in boiling salted water; if cooked in an uncovered vessel, their color is better kept. For peas and beans add salt to water last half hour of cooking. Time for cooking the same vegetable varies according to freshness and age, therefore time-tables for cooking serve only as guides.Which best describes the style and tone of the passage?

Read the excerpt from Studies of Trees, by Jacob Levison.The pines are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and include about 80 distinct species with over 600 varieties. The species enumerated here are especially common in the eastern part of the United States, growing either native in the forest or under cultivation in the parks. The pines form a very important class of timber trees, and produce beautiful effects when planted in groups in the parks.Which strategy does the author use in his choice of language to convey his message?

Read the passage from Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography.In the Yellowstone the animals seem always to behave as one wishes them to! It is always possible to see the sheep and deer and antelope, and also the great herds of elk, which are shyer than the smaller beasts. In April we found the elk weak after the short commons and hard living of winter. What is the closest meaning of the underlined phrase as it used in the excerpt?

Read the sentence.Algebra is a precursor for calculus because it will help students to be successful in the latter course.Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word?

Read the passage from Etiquette, by Emily Post. It is the height of rudeness for young people not to go and shake hands with an older lady of their acquaintance when they meet her away from home, if she is a hostess to whose house they have often gone. It is not at all necessary for either young women or young men to linger and enter into a conversation, unless the older lady detains them, which she should not do beyond the briefest minute.Which best describes the style and tone of the passage?

Read the introduction to Darryl’s composition.Since the budget for the groundbreaking elephant-behavior-studies program has been cut—just as it was beginning to make progress—wildlife conservationists and their supporters are asking that people from all over the world promote the program by encouraging local agencies and community members to donate time and funds to secure the future of the amazingly gentle and intelligent African elephant species. Darryl is most likely writing with the purpose of

Read the sentence.The investors could not handle the ups and downs so they removed their funds from the fluctuating market.Using the context clues, what is the meaning of the underlined word?