As used in the passage, what does the word 'depressed' most nearly mean?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In this context, 'depressed' means 'pushed down' as it refers to the action of pushing down the plunger to force out the clog in the pipe. The word 'depressed' is used to describe the physical action of pressing down, not to convey emotions like being very unhappy (choice A), to decrease appreciably (choice B), or to exhale hard (choice C), making these choices incorrect.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The passage describes the characters' feelings in Madame Butterfly as romantic, poignant, and tragic, but not musical. The story depicts the emotional aspects of love, heartbreak, and tragedy, evoking strong feelings of romance, sadness, and tragedy. While music plays a crucial role in the opera Madame Butterfly, the characters' feelings are not specifically described as musical, making choice D the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C are supported by the emotional context provided in the extract.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The purpose of the italicized text is to indicate the title of the opera, Madame Butterfly. In the text, 'Madame Butterfly' is italicized to highlight that it refers to the title of the opera written by Giacomo Puccini. It does not serve to show Madame Butterfly's thoughts (choice A), emphasize an idea (choice B), or format a heading (choice C). The italicization is specifically used to identify the title of the opera within the passage.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The statement about the dual-note method best supports the conclusion that taking notes and recording audio is a good practice. It highlights the advantage of having two resources - notes and audio recordings - which provide comprehensive coverage of the interview. Choice A simply mentions the use of a recording device but does not emphasize the benefits of combining it with note-taking. Choices B and C focus on the limitations or potential issues with using recording devices, which do not promote the practice as positively as Choice D.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The title 'Recording an Interview' is the most suitable choice for this passage. The passage emphasizes the benefits of using recording devices during interviews, highlighting how it helps capture important details efficiently and without distractions. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the passage focuses on the process of recording interviews, not on writing notes, conducting interviews in general, or discussing problems associated with interviews.