Which of the following best describes the author's purpose?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The author's purpose is to attract customers to Carl's Car Depot. The text from the extract clearly emphasizes the one-day-only summer sale event at Carl's Car Depot, highlighting the wide range of cars available at discounted prices with special financing options. The author aims to draw in potential customers by presenting compelling offers and creating a sense of urgency. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the primary focus is on attracting customers to Carl's Car Depot by showcasing the available cars and the limited-time sale, not solely informing customers about the cars, urging other dealerships to lower prices, or generally providing affordable cars.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Ginger is typically harvested in the fall season because ginger roots mature in about 8-10 months after planting. This makes the fall season optimal for harvesting when the roots have reached their full potential. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because ginger is not harvested in spring, summer, or winter according to the guide provided.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most likely reason Julia did not return to work after the alarm is that she got stuck in traffic and could not get back to her office. The extract provides details about Julia's challenging morning, starting from being woken up early by lawn mowers, having a caffeine-free cup of coffee, facing traffic delays, arriving late at work, and receiving additional work from her boss. These events culminated in Julia deciding to leave after the fire alarm, indicating that being stuck in traffic was the primary reason for her absence. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because there is no direct evidence in the provided extract to support them. Julia's actions suggest that her decision to leave was more related to external factors like traffic issues rather than internal feelings of embarrassment, tiredness, or being given time off by her boss.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Option D provides a sequence of events that align with the extract provided. Julia was woken up early by a lawnmower, couldn't go back to sleep, discovered she was out of regular coffee, got stuck in traffic on the way to work, found the office was out of coffee, had a lot of work to do, and decided to go home when the fire alarm went off. This sequence accurately reflects the chronological order of Julia's actions throughout the day. Choices A, B, and C do not follow a logical sequence of events based on the extract, making them incorrect.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: An essay by a historian about the lasting effects of the war is an example of a secondary source as it provides analysis and interpretation of primary sources like official documents, photographs, and letters. It offers a perspective that is based on research and not directly involved in the events, making it a valuable resource for understanding the historical context of World War I. Choice B, photographs of military equipment, is a primary source as it provides direct visual evidence from the time period. Choice C, a recorded interview with a veteran, is also a primary source as it offers firsthand accounts from someone directly involved in the events. Choice D, letters written by soldiers, are primary sources that offer insights into the personal experiences of individuals during the war.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The main purpose of this passage is to inform readers about the role of skin coloration and markings in snakes. It explains how these markings help snakes hide from predators and how they can also indicate venomousness. The passage also provides examples such as the scarlet kingsnake to illustrate how some nonvenomous snakes mimic the appearance of venomous snakes for protection. This informative content aims to educate readers about the survival strategies of snakes, rather than entertain, describe, or persuade them.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Water immediately. After planting potatoes, the first step should always be to water them immediately. This is crucial to settle the soil around the newly planted potatoes, ensuring good contact between the roots and the soil. Watering helps kickstart the growth process and provides the necessary moisture for the newly planted potatoes to establish themselves successfully. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because mounding soil, mixing fertilizer/compost, and spacing potatoes should be done before or during planting, not immediately after.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Option D is the most concise summary of the passage as it encapsulates the main idea that the passage focuses on the changes in babies' senses during their first year of life. The passage explains how babies are born with sensory abilities similar to adults but highlights the significant changes that occur during the first year, particularly in vision development. While the other options touch on specific aspects mentioned in the passage, they do not capture the overall essence of the passage, which emphasizes the dynamic and transformative nature of babies' sensory experiences in their first year.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The passage uses specific evidence to support its claims. It presents factual information about the impact of private tutoring on students' grades, including a comparison of GPAs between students who had different types of tutoring. This specific evidence strengthens the argument by providing concrete data and examples. Emotional evidence, appeal to authority, and rhetorical questioning are not used in this passage, as it primarily relies on data and analysis to make its case.