Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the context provided, 'decay' implies a gradual deterioration or breaking down over time. It does not specifically refer to decomposing, shrinking, or withering. Therefore, the correct answer is 'To deteriorate.' 'To decompose' is incorrect as it refers to the breakdown of organic matter, 'To shrink' is incorrect as it means to become smaller, and 'To wither' is incorrect as it means to dry up or wilt, none of which fully capture the meaning of decay in this context.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the context provided, 'decay' implies a gradual deterioration or breaking down over time. It does not specifically refer to decomposing, shrinking, or withering. Therefore, the correct answer is 'To deteriorate.' 'To decompose' is incorrect as it refers to the breakdown of organic matter, 'To shrink' is incorrect as it means to become smaller, and 'To wither' is incorrect as it means to dry up or wilt, none of which fully capture the meaning of decay in this context.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The passage describes Infinite Jest as a modern classic that holds significant value, indicating that it is highly recommended for everyone to read it. Choice A focuses solely on the praise of the book without emphasizing the recommendation to read it. Choice B, mentioning it as a page-turner, does not capture the essence of it being a modern classic that everyone should read. Choice C is a factual statement about the authorship but does not encompass the main point that the book is a modern classic that deserves to be read by all.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Autobiographies and memoirs are examples of narrative writing. Narrative writing is a form of writing that tells a story or recounts events. Autobiographies are personal accounts of one's life written by the person themselves, while memoirs are also personal accounts but focus on specific memories or events. Fiction (Choice A) refers to imaginary stories, not real-life accounts like autobiographies and memoirs. Informational text (Choice C) presents factual information without a narrative structure. Research papers (Choice D) are academic documents that present research findings and analysis, not personal accounts like autobiographies and memoirs.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Simile.' In the poem, the speaker compares the spider to an artist using 'as,' indicating a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using 'like' or 'as.' Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. An idiom is a phrase with a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning, a haiku is a form of Japanese poetry, and ABBA rhyming convention refers to a specific rhyme scheme commonly found in poetry, none of which apply to the comparison of the spider to an artist in the poem.