What do you predict occurred after Mother Jones's publication about child labor in cotton mills?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: After Mother Jones's publication detailing the harsh conditions of child labor in cotton mills, it is likely that public awareness increased, leading to public outcry. This heightened awareness and outrage often result in legislative actions being taken. Therefore, it is reasonable to predict that laws were passed to prevent child labor, as the excerpt vividly describes the unsafe and exploitative working conditions faced by children. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the publication would not have encouraged more children to work in such harsh conditions, led to the closure of cotton factories, or increased the pay scale for child laborers; instead, it would have prompted societal action to protect children from such exploitation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The main argument of the essay is that technology will soon replace printed material, specifically printed books. The passage discusses how the rise of the Internet and electronic devices like the iPad and Kindle are making printed books unnecessary. It presents a progression from oral tradition to printed books and now to digital and electronic options. The essay highlights how the convenience and multi-functionality of devices like the iPad and Kindle will lead to the eventual demise of printed books. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while they are mentioned in the essay, they are not the central argument. The essay focuses on the transition from printed material to digital and electronic options, making choice D the correct answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The essay clearly states that before the invention of the printing press, stories were passed down through oral tradition. The extract mentions, 'For centuries before the invention of the printing press, stories of the world were passed down to generations through oral tradition.' This shows that oral tradition was the primary method of communicating stories before the introduction of printed books. Therefore, the correct answer is 'oral tradition.' Printed books (choice B) were introduced later with the invention of the printing press, as mentioned in the extract. 'Handwriting' (choice D) is not the first way stories were communicated, and 'technology' (choice C) is a broad term that does not specifically refer to the initial method of story communication.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'comparison-contrast.' Throughout the passage, the author compares and contrasts the Arthurian writings of Malory and Tennyson, highlighting the differences and similarities between their approaches to the Arthurian legends. The structure of the passage is focused on contrasting Malory's prose style and moral elements with Tennyson's poetic and romantic approach, making it a clear comparison-contrast. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. The passage does not present a problem and its solution, follow a strict sequence of events, or outline cause-effect relationships; instead, it emphasizes the differences and similarities between the two authors' interpretations of the Arthurian stories.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The focus of the passage is on Malory and Tennyson and their interpretations of the Arthurian legends. The mention of Charles Dickens in choice D is irrelevant and distracts the reader from the main discussion. While the other choices discuss Malory's prose style, his focus on moral elements, and Tennyson's approach to the Arthurian stories, choice D brings in a comparison to Charles Dickens and his novels about lower-class children in Victorian England. This mention of Dickens does not directly relate to the main theme of the passage, making it the correct answer as the distracting sentence.