Which of the following correctly completes the sentence? 'A childhood reading of Tales from Shakespeare permanently _____ Helene's interest in studying the Great Bard.'

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The word 'piqued' means to stimulate or arouse interest or curiosity. In this context, the sentence is referring to Helene's interest in Shakespeare being stirred or awakened, which makes 'piqued' the correct word. Both 'peaked' and 'peeked' have different meanings (reaching the highest point and looking quickly, respectively) that do not fit the sentence. 'Peked' is not a valid word and does not make sense in the context of the sentence. Therefore, option 'A' is the correct choice.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D correctly conveys that the mechanic used a computer to perform diagnostic tests on the car. It is concise and clear, effectively communicating the main point without unnecessary details. Choices A, B, and C include unnecessary repetition or do not convey the information as clearly as choice D. For instance, choice A adds unnecessary repetition by mentioning 'performing diagnostic tests' twice, while choices B and C introduce additional clauses that make the sentence less concise and direct.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The purpose of the parentheses in the sentence is to set off useful information that does not fit directly into the flow of the sentence. Parentheses are commonly used to provide additional details, explanations, or examples that are helpful but not essential to the main point of the sentence. In this case, the information about the Austro-Hungarian Empire is presented in parentheses to offer context but is not crucial to the main idea being communicated. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the function of parentheses in this context.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In medical terminology, the prefix 'an-' is commonly used to indicate 'without' or 'lack of.' In the word 'anaesthetic,' the prefix 'an-' combined with 'aesthetic' signifies the absence of sensation or feeling. Therefore, based on its meaning in medical usage, the most likely meaning of the prefix 'an-' is 'without.' Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: 'against,' 'away,' and 'before' do not align with the prefix 'an-' as used in medical terms.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Choice C would be the best beginning for an essay on 'Scientists Debate: Global Climate Change' because it sets the stage for discussion by introducing the potential consequences of Earth heating up and inviting readers to consider the implications. It also highlights the expertise of scientists who have dedicated their lives to understanding climate change, positioning them as credible sources for further discussion on the topic. The other choices either focus on the existing debate without providing a broader context (A and D) or present a narrow view on whether climate change is real and human-caused (B) without delving into the broader implications and discussions within the scientific community.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In this context, apothegms refers to short, wise sayings meant to convey wisdom or provoke thought. Apothegms are concise and insightful, serving as nuggets of wisdom. The term 'instructions' implies a set of directions or guidelines, not reflective of the nature of apothegms. 'Questions' are queries seeking information or answers, not synonymous with wise sayings. 'Lectures' are formal presentations or speeches, which are more extensive and detailed compared to the concise nature of apothegms.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The word 'obsequious' means excessively submissive or eager to please, often to the point of showing deference. In this context, 'showing deference' best captures the meaning, indicating respect or submission rather than being poorly dressed, reserved, or aggressive. 'Poorly dressed' (B) is unrelated to the meaning of obsequious. 'Reserved' (C) suggests a different behavior that is opposite to being obsequious. 'Aggressive' (D) is the opposite of obsequious and does not fit the context of the sentence.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In the words proactive, progress, and projecting, 'pro-' is a prefix. A prefix is a morpheme added at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. In this case, 'pro-' means before, forward, or front, indicating a sense of being proactive, making progress, or projecting ahead. Choice A is incorrect as 'pro-' is not a suffix. Choice C is incorrect as 'pro-' is not an affix that goes at the end or in the middle of a word. Choice D is incorrect as 'pro-' does not mean against, under, or below in the given context.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Option A is the correct version of the sentence. It is written in a clear and grammatically correct way. The conjunction 'because' is correctly placed to show the reason for Cicily's decision, and the structure of the sentence flows logically. Choices B, C, and D have issues with sentence structure, placement of conjunctions, or unnecessary commas, making them grammatically incorrect. Choice B places 'because' in an awkward position, disrupting the flow of the sentence. Choice C introduces a comma after 'wanted to reduce unnecessary waste' unnecessarily, causing a punctuation error. Choice D shifts the focus of the sentence by placing 'she wanted to reduce unnecessary waste' at the end, making the sentence less coherent and grammatically incorrect.