Xem mẫu
- – CBEST MINI-COURSE –
Parents they were also able to save money by buying On a recent survey, 95% of parents new to school
fewer school clothes for their children. Children, uniforms attributed an increased feeling of peace to
who are often demanding, will have already agreed the adoption of the uniform policy. Parents also
on what clothes their parents will need to buy so reportedly saved an average of $100-$200 on school
there will be fewer arguments over clothes for clothes per child the first year.
school their parents will need to buy. Children and
Opinion Starters
teachers like it too. Parents are generally in favor of
There’s a problem with the first sentence of that para-
uniforms because you do not have to provide your
graph, too. Never start a sentence with “In my opinion”
children with a different matched set of clothes for
or “I think.” If you didn’t think it, you wouldn’t be
each day. After buying uniforms the first year, more
writing it. The first sentence of the first body para-
peace was reportedly experienced by 95% of the
graph should read simply:
parents interviewed and many surveys reported that
it saved them an average of $100 – $200 in clothing
A uniform policy will benefit parents.
costs.
Over and Over
Did you find them? Look at the second sentence.
Avoid redundancy. Try to keep your sentences as suc-
cinct as possible without losing meaning. Make every
Because they are all the same style and shape and
word and phrase count. Here’s an example of a redun-
usually very well made, children can use the hand-
dant sentence from the first body paragraph:
me-downs of older siblings or other children.
Children, who are often demanding, will have
What is the same style and shape? The sentence
already agreed on what clothes their parents will
says the children are. Here is a corrected version:
need to buy so there will be fewer arguments over
clothes for school their parents will need to buy.
Because they are all the same style and shape and
usually very well made, uniforms can be passed
The phrase “will need to buy” is in there twice.
down from an older child to a younger one, or even
Get rid of it. “Children, who are often demanding” can
sold.
be changed to “Demanding children.” The words “for
school” can be left out, because that’s a given. So now
Now look at the last sentence of the paragraph.
you have a shorter, more effective sentence:
After buying uniforms the first year, more peace was
Demanding children will have already agreed on
reportedly experienced by 95% of the parents inter-
what clothes their parents will need to buy, so there
viewed and many surveys reported that it saved
will be fewer arguments.
them an average of $100 – $200 in clothing costs.
Was it the peace that was buying the uniforms?
Let’s correct it:
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leave it out. You don’t have enough time to fool with it.
HOT TIP Here’s one way to provide a more logical organization:
Make sure you have a quality eraser—unless you are per-
fect! Find an eraser that will erase pencil marks from
A uniform policy will benefit parents. First, uni-
newsprint without leaving smudges or tearing. Your essay
forms will save parents money. Parents will not have
paper will not be newsprint, but if an eraser can erase
to provide their children with a different matched
newsprint, it can erase anything. Avoid replacing a word
set of clothes for each day, so they will need to buy
with another by writing darker over the first word without
erasing first. When you need to add a word, avoid “^”
fewer school clothes for their children. Because uni-
marks. Erase the words before and after the word you will
forms are all the same style and shape and usually
put in, and put three words in place of two.
very well made, they can be passed down from an
older child to a younger one, or even sold. On a
recent survey, parents new to school uniforms
S entence Stowaways and
reportedly saved a whopping $100-$200 on school
Sentence Order
clothes per child the first year. The survey also
Avoid writing sentences that are not on the same gen-
reported that 95% of parents attributed an
eral topic as the rest of the paragraph. Did you notice
increased feeling of peace to the adoption of the
the stowaway in the paragraph on parents? The sen-
uniform policy. Children will have already agreed
tence “Children and teachers like it too,” does not
on what clothes their parents will need to buy, so
belong in that paragraph.
there will be fewer arguments.
The order of the sentences in your paragraph is
just as important as the order of the paragraphs in And On and On and On
your essay. If you are writing about money parents will and On . . .
save, put all the sentences on money together. Provide Before you move on to problems with words in the
transitions for your sentences, just as you did with next lesson, take a look at a problem sentence from the
your paragraphs. You can join sentences with words second body paragraph on school uniforms.
such as besides, second, lastly, and so on, or you can put
in sub-topic sentences. Children who dress differently are alienated from
Try rearranging the paragraph on parents in a cliques at school and left to feel like outsiders and
logical order. You have two sub-topics: money and are teased unmercifully and end up losing a lot of
peace in the family. So add a sub-topic sentence to self-esteem and so maybe they will grow up bitter
announce the first sub-idea: and join gangs and use drugs and end up murder-
ing someone.
First, uniforms would save parents money.
Do you see that there are two things wrong with
The fake survey you added at the end of the para- this sentence? For one thing, it goes on and on and on.
graph reports statistics on both money and peace, so It should have been divided into at least two sentences.
that’s a great way to tie the two topics together. The rest Maybe you also noticed that the reasoning here is
of the sentences should all fit under one of the two faulty. This is an exaggerated example of slippery slope
sub-topics. If you have something that doesn’t fit, just reasoning: something causes something that leads to
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something else. In this example, the lack of uniforms As you proofread, check to see whether your
leads to murder—this conclusion is neither logical nor essay flows well. If additional punctuation is necessary
believable. So let’s just leave off that part and clean up to get your point across, use it—but don’t go over-
the sentence structure. board by throwing in commas where they are not nec-
essary. Can you find the punctuation errors in the
Children who dress differently are usually alienated following paragraph?
from cliques at school and left to feel like outsiders.
Often they are teased unmercifully. Not only are parents happy to see a uniform policy
in place, but their children benefit as well. If you
What if you wanted to join those two sentences were poor wouldn’t you feel bad if you were not
after all? You could do it with a semicolon; if you used dressed as well as your peers. Children who dress
a comma, you’d have a sentence fault called a comma differently are usually alienated from cliques at
splice. The same is true of the sentence you just read. school and left to feel like outsiders. Often they are
For more on fixing your punctuation and word prob- teased unmercifully. Dressing in uniform eliminates
lems, go on to the next lesson. that problem. Instead you feel a sense of belonging.
You are less distractd by cumparing your clothes to
others so you are more apd to be relaxed and queiter
W riting 5: Finishing Touches in school. This enables them to learn more. Chil-
dren might be happy with the school uniform pol-
The scorers who read your essay will be on the lookout icy but not as happy as their teachers and principals
for precise wording and careful, accurate usage. This
chapter will review some common errors.
HOT TIP
Spend the last few minutes of exam time proofreading to
Punctuation Deficit
see whether you included everything you had to say,
A question mark goes at the end of a question.
whether you used the same verb tense and person
Use few, if any, exclamation points in your essay and throughout, and whether your words are clear. There is no
always end your sentences with a period. There are time for big revisions, but check for such details as peri-
many rules for using commas. Here are the most ods after sentences and spelling.
common places for a comma:
The second sentence is a question; it should have
At the end of long clauses
■
a question mark. Because the question doesn’t start
Between lists of words
■
until after a phrase, the phrase should be set off by a
Around appositives
■
comma.
Between the sentences of a compound sentence
■
Around non-essential words and clauses
■
If you were poor, wouldn’t you feel bad if you were
Wherever the meaning of the sentence would not
■
not dressed as well as your peers?
be clear without one
If these rules aren’t familiar, you can find details
in the books listed at the end of this chapter.
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There could be a comma after Instead at the that problem. Instead, they feel a sense of belonging.
beginning of the fifth sentence. This comma may not They are less distractd by cumparing their clothes to
be necessary in some circumstances, but you are others, so they are more apd to be relaxed and
changing the flow of thought here, and you want the queiter in school.
readers to know it.
The second sentence is not talking about chil-
Instead, you feel a sense of belonging. dren, but is addressing the reader, so it’s OK to use you
and your. The last two sentences talk about children,
The sixth sentence contains a compound sen- not about the reader, so those sentences should use
tence that should be set off with a comma. The last they and their, not you and your.
sentence could also use a comma to separate a long
Spelling Abnormality Disorder
clause from the main sentence, particularly since you
You have to write quickly during the exam, but save a
are once again switching gears. Lastly, don’t let the fact
couple of minutes at the end to check your work for
that you’re almost done make you forget to put a
spelling errors. Often our minds go faster than our
period at the end of the last sentence.
pencils, and left alone, our pencils make a lot of mis-
You are less distractd by cumparing your clothes to takes. Too bad there are no perfect pencils in this
others, so you are more apd to be relaxed and world! Did you find the misspelled words in the sec-
queiter in school. This enables them to learn more. ond body paragraph on school uniforms?
Children might be happy with the school uniform
They are less distractd by cumparing their clothes to
policy, but not as happy as their teachers and prin-
others so they are more apd to be relaxed and
cipals.
queiter in school.
Identity Disorder
Keep the same person throughout the essay: I and me Let’s fix it:
or you, or they and them. It is all right to address the
They are less distracted by comparing their clothes
reader with a question, but the facts and statements
to others so they are more apt to be relaxed and
should match each other. In the paragraph below, the
quieter in school.
subject of the first and third sentences is “children.”
You need to continue to talk about children in the
Forked Tongue Disease
third person throughout the paragraph.
Be on the lookout for words or even sentences that
might have two different meanings. Now that we’ve
Not only are parents happy to see a uniform policy
fixed the spelling errors in the sentence above, look
in place, but their children benefit as well. If you
again to see how it might be confusing. Does the sen-
were poor, wouldn’t you feel bad if you were not
tence mean that comparing their clothes is less dis-
dressed as well as your peers? Children who dress
tracting? And what are they comparing their clothes
differently are usually alienated from cliques at
to? To other people? There are too many meanings for
school and left to feel like outsiders. Often they are
this sentence. It needs to be revised.
teased unmercifully. Dressing in uniform eliminates
148
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Children do not need to compare their clothing counted. Complaints can be counted so fewer should
with that of others, so they have fewer distractions. be used. Fewer takes the verb are and less takes the
verb is.
Less than Insufficient You can also get rid of the redundant “The rea-
Mistreatment son is because.” Maybe you can show off some paral-
Remember to use problem words correctly. Avoid dou- lelism here. And why not name the actors in this
ble negatives. If you must use them, make sure you are sentence?
saying what you really mean. If you have time, you can
brush up on other problem words such as lay and lie, Because there is less competition in school, teachers
all together and altogether, and so on. Discussions and administrators report that there are fewer
on these topics can be found in grammar books fights, less bullying, and fewer complaints from the
listed at the end of this chapter. Check the problem students.
words in the following sentences from the third body
paragraph. Tense All Over
Unless there is a very good reason for doing otherwise,
There is less competition in school so there is less the same tense should be used throughout your essay.
fights. The reason is because there is less bullying You may use perfect tenses when appropriate, but try
and teasing and there is a lot less complaints. to avoid using future, past, and present in one para-
graph. See whether you can find the tense mistakes in
The word fewer refers to a quantity that can be the following paragraph.
counted.
Uniforms cost no extra money for teachers and
There are fewer boys in the class. administrators yet the benefits are great. Because
There are fewer mistakes in this paragraph than in there is less competition in school, teachers and
the last one. administrators report that there are fewer fights, less
bullying, and fewer complaints from the students.
“Less” refers to a quantity that cannot be Instead, principals and teachers were able to use
counted, but might be able to be measured. uniforms to build school pride and loyalty. Admin-
istrators and teachers will be able to concentrate on
There is less water in that cup now that you drank what they love to do most, teach, instead of dealing
from it. with problems from children and parents.
In the sentence above, competition cannot be The first part of the paragraph is in present tense.
counted, so less is the right word. But the number of The past tense verb were able in the third sentence
fights can be counted, so fewer should replace less. In should be changed to the present are able. In the last
the second sentence, the bullying and teasing in gen- sentence, the future tense will be able should be also be
eral are hard to count, so less is the right word. If the changed to the present are able.
sentence was worded to read “incidences of teasing,”
then fewer would be used because incidences can be
149
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or even sold. On a recent survey, parents new to
Instead, principals and teachers are able to use uni-
school uniforms estimated they saved up to $1,000
forms to build school pride and loyalty. Adminis-
on school clothes per child the first year alone. The
trators and teachers are able to concentrate on what
survey also reported that 95% of parents attributed
they love to do most, teach, instead of dealing with
an increased feeling of peace to the adoption of the
problems from children and parents.
uniform policy. Children will have already agreed
Sewing It Up on what clothes their parents will need to buy, so
Notice how the few remaining problems with transi- there will be fewer arguments on this often touchy
tions have been cleaned up in this final version of the subject.
essay on school uniforms. The body paragraph on Not only are parents happy to see a uniform pol-
teachers and administrators ended with too strong a icy in place, but their children benefit as well. If you
statement—no one will believe that school personnel were poor, wouldn’t you feel badly if you were not
will have no problems from children just because of dressed as well as your peers? Children who dress
uniforms—so that statement has been softened. This differently are usually alienated from cliques at
final version also has a title. school and left to feel like outsiders. Often they are
teased unmercifully. Dressing in uniform eliminates
In Praise of School Uniforms that problem. Instead, uniformed children feel an
increased sense of belonging that enables them to be
Imagine a school auditorium full of alert children,
more relaxed and quieter in school. Children do not
all dressed neatly in blue and white uniforms, recit-
need to compare their clothing with that of others,
ing the Pledge of Allegiance. Imagine these same
so they have fewer distractions during their learning
children happily running out to play in their blue
time. Children like the policy because there is less
shorts and white oxford shirts, playing tag and fly-
nagging at home and dressing for school is much
ing on swings. Whether or not to dress public
easier.
school children alike has been the subject of much
Parents and children are not the only ones who
controversy in recent decades. Opponents suggest
are better off with school uniforms. Teachers and
that requiring uniforms will stifle children’s ability
administrators love them too. Uniforms cost no
to choose, squash necessary individuality, and
extra money, yet the benefits are great. Because
infringe on the rights of children and families.
there is less competition in school, teachers and
Although there is some justification for these argu-
administrators report that less time is spent medi-
ments, the benefits of uniforms far outweigh the
ating because there are fewer fights, less bullying,
disadvantages. Adopting a uniform policy will ben-
and fewer complaints from students. Administra-
efit parents, children, and the school staff.
tors and teachers can use the time they save to do
A uniform policy will benefit parents. Uniforms
what they are paid to do—build school loyalty,
save parents money. Parents will not have to provide
form young minds, and teach basic skills. Teachers
their children with a different matched set of clothes
report a more peaceful classroom, and administra-
for each day, so fewer school clothes would be
tors report a more cooperative student body.
needed. Because uniforms are all the same style and
Adopting a uniform policy will lighten the bur-
shape and usually very well made, they can be
den of parents. It will promote cheerfulness and
passed down from an older child to a younger one,
150
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scholarship in children. Lastly, it will free the time Provides great test-taking tips as well as practice
and talents of teachers and administrators. What are questions and answers.
we waiting for? We need to talk to our teachers, Visual Communication by Ned Racine
■
principals, and school boards, and give our children (LearningExpress)
ALL the tools we can that will enhance their growth Visual literacy is a growing area of assessment on
and development. standardized tests—find out here how to read
maps, charts, diagrams, and schematics. Learn
how to use and make use of visual communica-
M ore Help with Reading, Math, tion!
and Writing
Book List
If any or all of the three subjects covered in the mini- The best way to improve your reading skills is to read
course are especially tough for you, you may want to as often as you can. Here is a list of well-known books
consider doing some further reading. Following is a list that may interest you:
of particularly useful books for preparing for the skills
tested on CBEST. Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt (Autobiography)
Black Boy by Richard Wright (Autobiography)
Reading The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Coming of
501 Reading Comprehension Questions
■
Age)
(LearningExpress) Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
Fast, focused practice to help you improve your (Horror)
skills Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Science Fiction)
Read Better, Remember More by Elizabeth Chesla
■
Hiroshima by John Hershey (War)
(LearningExpress) The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (Fantasy)
A self-study book that helps you learn at your Jurassic Park, The Lost World by Michael Crichton
own pace, with varied exercises that make learn- (Science Fiction)
ing easy. The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
Reading Comprehension Success in 20 Minutes a
■
(Historical)
Day by Elizabeth Chesla (LearningExpress) The Lives of a Cell by Lewis Thomas (Science/Medicine)
A 20-step book that covers all the basics of read- Moonlight Becomes You and other novels by Mary
ing well; especially useful for those preparing for Higgins Clark (Detective)
exams like the CBEST. Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally (Historical)
Reading Success (LearningExpress)
■
A Separate Peace by John Knowles (Coming of Age)
Learn to understand everything you read—dis- The Stand and other novels by Stephen King
cover the meaning of new words, find the main (Horror)
idea, predict what will happen next, and much A Time to Kill, The Client by John Grisham (Thriller)
more!
10 Real SATs by Cathy Claman (Editor) (College
■
Board)
151
- – CBEST MINI-COURSE –
M ath Mathematics Made Simple by Abraham Sperling
■
Algebra the Easy Way, 3rd ed. by Douglas Down- and Monroe Stuart (Doubleday)
■
ing (Barron’s) Targets students and others who want to improve
Covers all the basics of algebra; uses a continuous their practical math skills.
story to help make learning fun. 1001 Math Problems (LearningExpress)
■
Algebra Success (LearningExpress) Fast, focused practice to help you improve your
■
Equations, inequalities, powers, and roots— math skills!
master algebra now! Practical Math Success in 20 Minutes a Day by
■
All the Math You’ll Ever Need by Steve Slavin Judith Robinovitz (LearningExpress)
■
(Wiley) Provides review of basic math skills and easy-to-
A friendly guide for those seeking to brush up on follow examples with opportunities for practice.
mathematics and elementary algebra. Visual Math by Jessika Sobanski
■
Essential Math/Basic Math for Everyday Use by (LearningExpress)
■
Edward Williams and Robert A. Atkins (Barron’s) Specifically designed for the visual learner, this
Emphasizes math applications in selected career book explores shapes from many different per-
areas. spectives. See how math makes sense!
Everyday Math for Dummies by Charles Seiter 501 Algebra Questions (LearningExpress)
■ ■
(IDG). Covers basic to advanced algebra skills.
Like other books in the For Dummies series, this 501 Geometry Questions (LearningExpress)
■
one features a fun presentation that will help you Focused practice helps refine geometry skills.
conquer math anxiety.
Writing
Geometry Success (LearningExpress)
■
1001 Pitfalls in English Grammar (Barron’s)
■
Math Builder (LearningExpress)
■
Problem-solving approach to writing and gram-
Math the Easy Way, 3rd ed. by Anthony Prindle
■
mar; very useful for nonnative speakers of Eng-
and Katie Prindle (Barron’s)
lish.
Covers basic arithmetic, fractions, decimals, per-
Better English by Norman Lewis (Dell)
■
cents, word problems, and introduces algebra
Useful for general information; suited to both
and geometry.
native and nonnative speakers of English.
Math Essentials by Steve Slavin (LearningExpress)
■
Better Writing Right Now! by Francine Galko
■
If you have trouble with fractions, decimals, or
(LearningExpress)
percents, this book offers an easy, step-by-step
Know the benchmarks that professionals use—
review.
learn how to make words work for you!
Math Smart: Essential Math for These Numeric
■
Grammar Essentials by Judith Olson (Learning-
■
Times (Princeton Review)
Express)
Covers all the basics of math using practice exer-
Gives a thorough review of all the rules of basic
cises with answers and explanations; good for
grammar; lots of exercises and examples make
studying math for the first time, or for review.
for a painless, and even fun, learning experience.
Math Success (LearningExpress)
■
152
- – CBEST MINI-COURSE –
English Made Simple by Arthur Waldhorn and Well-organized, comprehensive handbook for
■
Arthur Ziegler (Made Simple Books) both grammar and writing.
Designed for nonnative speakers of English; also Smart English by Anne Francis (Signet)
■
good for native speakers with little training in Thorough general-purpose handbook for both
grammar. writing and grammar; good for nonnative speak-
Errors in English and How to Correct Them by ers of English.
■
Harry Shaw (HarperCollins) Write Better Essays by Elizabaeth Chesla (Learning-
■
Addresses specific problems in both writing and Express)
grammar; useful for nonnative speakers of Eng- Your guide to top test scores, this book teaches
lish. the mechanics of good essay writing. It’s like hav-
501 Grammar and Writing Questions (Learning- ing a personal tutor!
■
Express) Writing Skills Success in 20 Minutes a Day by
■
Learn how to spot common grammar mistakes; Judith Olson (LearningExpress)
compose correct sentences; organize clear, con- Covers all the basics of writing through step-by-
cise paragraphs; and much more! step instruction and exercises; especially useful
Grammar by James R. Hurford (Cambridge for those preparing for exams such as CBEST.
■
University Press) Writing Smart by Marcia Lerner (Princeton
■
Thorough coverage of parts of speech, sentence Review)
structure, usage, punctuation, and mechanics; Good for general writing skills; well-organized so
especially good for native speakers of English. information is easy to find.
The Handbook of Good English by Edward D. Writing Success (LearningExpress)
■ ■
Johnson (Washington Square Press)
153
- CHAPTER
5 CBEST
Practice Exam 1
CHAPTER SUMMARY
Here is another sample test based on the California Basic Educational
Skills Test (CBEST). After working through the CBEST Mini-Course in
Chapter 4, take this test to see how much your score has improved.
L ike the real CBEST, the exam that follows consists of three sections: 50 questions on Reading, 50
questions on Mathematics, and two essay topics in the Writing section. For this exam, you should
simulate the actual test-taking experience as closely as you can. Find a quiet place to work where you
won’t be disturbed. Tear out the answer sheet on the next page and find some number 2 pencils to fill in the cir-
cles with. Write your essays on a separate piece of paper. Allow yourself four hours for the exam: one and a half
hours each for the reading and math sections and a half-hour each for the two essays. Set a timer or stopwatch,
but do not worry too much if you go over the allotted time on this practice exam. You can work more on tim-
ing when you take the second practice exam in Chapter 6.
After the exam, use the answer key that follows it to see how you did and to find out why the correct answers
are correct. As was the case for the diagnostic test, the answer key is followed by a section on how to score your
exam.
155
- – LEARNINGEXPRESS CALIFORNIA BASIC EDUCATIONAL SKILLS TEST ANSWER SHEET –
Section 1: Reading Comprehension
1. 21. 41.
a b c d e a b c d e a b c d e
2. 22. 42.
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3. 23. 43.
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9. 29. 49.
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10. 30. 50.
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11. 31.
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12. 32.
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13. 33.
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16. 36.
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18. 38.
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20. 40.
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Section 2: Mathematics
1. 21. 41.
a b c d e a b c d e a b c d e
2. 22. 42.
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3. 23. 43.
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5. 25. 45.
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6. 26. 46.
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7. 27. 47.
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8. 28. 48.
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9. 29. 49.
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10. 30. 50.
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11. 31.
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12. 32.
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13. 33.
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14. 34.
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15. 35.
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16. 36.
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17. 37.
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18. 38.
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19. 39.
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20. 40.
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157
- – CBEST PRACTICE EXAM 1 –
Section 1: Reading Comprehension generous of spirit who, as Hansberry wrote, “cares
about it all. It takes too much energy not to care.”
Answer questions 1–8 on the basis of the following (4) Lorraine Hansberry died on the final day of
passage. the play’s run on Broadway. Her early death, at the
age of 34, was unfortunate, as it cut short a brilliant
and promising career, one that, even in its short
(1) Produced in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry’s play, A
span, changed the face of American theater. After
Raisin in the Sun, was a quietly revolutionary work
her death, however, her influence continued to be
that depicted African-American life in a fresh, new,
felt. A dramatic adaptation of her autobiography, To
and realistic way. The play made her the youngest
Be Young, Gifted, and Black, consisted of vignettes
American, the first African-American, and the fifth
based on Hansberry’s plays, poems, and other writ-
woman to win the New York Drama Critic’s Circle
ings. It was produced Off-Broadway in 1969 and
Award for Best Play of the Year. In 1961, it was pro-
appeared in book form the following year. Her play,
duced as a film starring Sydney Poitier and has since
Les Blancs, a drama set in Africa, was produced in
become a classic, providing inspiration for an
1970; and A Raisin in the Sun was adapted as a
entire generation of African-American writers.
musical, Raisin, and won a Tony award in 1973.
(2) Hansberry was not only an artist but also a
(5) Even after her death, her dramatic works have
political activist and the daughter of activists. Born
helped gain an audience for her essays and speeches
in Chicago in 1930, she was a member of a promi-
on wide-ranging topics, from world peace to the
nent family devoted to civil rights. Her father was a
evils of the mistreatment of minorities, no matter
successful real-estate broker, who won an anti-seg-
what their race, and especially for her works on the
regation case before the Illinois Supreme Court in
civil-rights struggle and on the effort by Africans to
the mid-1930s, and her uncle was a Harvard pro-
be free of colonial rule. She was a woman, much like
fessor. In her home, Hansberry was privileged to
the characters in her best-known play, who was
meet many influential cultural and intellectual lead-
determined to be free of racial, cultural, or gender-
ers. Among them were artists and activists such as
based constraints.
Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, and Langston
Hughes.
1. The writer of the passage suggests that Hans-
(3) The success of A Raisin in the Sun helped gain
berry’s political beliefs had their origins in her
an audience for her passionate views on social jus-
experience as
tice. It mirrors one of Hansberry’s central artistic
a. the daughter of politically active parents.
efforts, that of freeing many people from the
b. a successful playwright in New York.
smothering effects of stereotyping by depicting the
c. a resident of Southside Chicago.
wide array of personality types and aspirations that
d. an intellectual in Greenwich Village.
exist within one Southside Chicago family. A Raisin e. a civil rights activist.
in the Sun was followed by another play, produced
in 1964, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window. This
play is about an intellectual in Greenwich Village,
New York City, a man who is open-minded and
159
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6. According to the passage, how many women had
2. The main purpose of the passage is to
won the New York Drama Critic’s Circle Award
a. praise Lorraine Hansberry’s writings and
for Best Play of the Year before Lorraine Hans-
illustrate their artistic and political influence.
berry did?
b. summarize Lorraine Hansberry’s best-known
a. none
works.
b. one
c. demonstrate that if one is raised in a well-
c. four
educated family, such as Lorraine Hansberry’s,
d. five
one is likely to succeed.
e. six
d. show Lorraine Hansberry’s difficult struggle
and ultimate success as a young female writer.
7. As it is used in paragraph 3, the underlined
e. persuade students to read A Raisin In The Sun.
phrase wide array most nearly means
3. Hansberry’s father earned his living as a. variety.
b. gathering.
a. a civil-rights worker.
c. arrangement.
b. a banker.
d. decoration.
c. a real-estate broker.
e. features.
d. an artist and activist.
e. an attorney.
8. According to the passage, which of the following
4. Paragraph 3 suggests that Hansberry’s main pur- dramatic works was based most directly on
Hansberry’s life?
pose in writing A Raisin in the Sun was to
a. A Raisin in the Sun
a. win her father’s approval.
b. Les Blancs
b. break down stereotypes.
c. The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window
c. show people how interesting her own family
d. To Be Young, Gifted, and Black
was.
d. earn the right to produce her own plays. e. the musical Raisin
e. win a Best Play award.
Answer question 9 on the basis of the following
passage.
5. By including paragraphs 4 and 5, the author
most likely intended to show that Moscow has a history of chaotic periods of war
a. the civil-rights struggle continued even after that ended with the destruction of a once largely
Hansberry died.
wooden city and the building of a “new” city on top of
b. Hansberry actually wrote more poems and
the rubble of the old. The result is a layered city, with
essays than she did plays.
each tier holding information about a part of Russia’s
c. Raisin in the Sun was more successful after
past. In some areas of the city, archaeologists have
Hansberry’s death than it was before she died.
reached the layer from 1147, the year of Moscow’s
d. Hansberry’s work continued to influence peo-
founding. Among the findings from the various peri-
ple even after her death.
ods of Moscow’s history are carved bones, metal tools,
e. Hansberry died unusually young.
pottery, glass, jewelry, and crosses.
160
- – CBEST PRACTICE EXAM 1 –
should be taken, however, not to overchill the victim
9. From the passage, the reader can infer that
once the temperature is below 102°F.
a. the people of Moscow are more interested in
modernization than in preservation.
10. The most immediate concern of a person tend-
b. the Soviet government destroyed many of the
ing a victim of heat stroke should be to
historic buildings in Russia.
a. get salt into the victim’s body.
c. Moscow is the oldest large city in Russia,
b. raise the victim’s feet.
founded in 1147.
c. lower the victim’s pulse rate.
d. Moscow has a history of invasions, with each
d. have the victim lie down.
new conqueror razing past structures.
e. lower the victim’s temperature.
e. Moscow has endured many periods of upris-
ing and revolution.
11. Which of the following is a symptom of heat
Answer questions 10–13 on the basis of the follow- exhaustion?
ing passage. a. unconsciousness
b. excessive sweating
Heat reactions usually occur when large amounts
c. hot, dry skin
of water and/or salt are lost through excessive sweating
d. a weak pulse
following strenuous exercise. When the body becomes
e. a rapid pulse
overheated and cannot eliminate this excess heat, heat
exhaustion and heat stroke are possible.
12. Heat stroke is more serious than heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is generally characterized by because heat stroke victims
clammy skin, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, profuse per- a. have too little salt in their bodies.
spiration, and sometimes fainting, resulting from an b. cannot take in water.
inadequate intake of water and the loss of fluids. First c. do not sweat.
aid treatment for this condition includes having the d. have frequent fainting spells.
victim lie down, raising the feet 8–12 inches, applying e. may have convulsions.
cool, wet cloths to the skin, and giving the victim sips
13. On the basis of the information in the passage,
of salt water (1 teaspoon per glass, half a glass every 15
symptoms such as nausea and dizziness in a heat
minutes), over the period of an hour.
exhaustion victim indicate that the person most
Heat stroke is much more serious; it is an imme-
likely needs to
diately life-threatening situation. The characteristics of
a. be immediately taken to a hospital.
heat stroke are a high body temperature (which may
b. be immersed in a tub of water.
reach 106°F or more); a rapid pulse; hot, dry skin; and
c. be given more salt water.
a blocked sweating mechanism. Victims of this condi-
d. sweat more.
tion may be unconscious, and first aid measures
e. go to an air-conditioned place.
should be directed at cooling the body quickly. The
Answer questions 14 and 15 on the basis of the fol-
victim should be placed in a tub of cold water or
lowing passage.
repeatedly sponged with cool water until his or her
temperature is lowered sufficiently. Fans or air condi-
Poet William Blake believed that true religion is
tioners will also help with the cooling process. Care
revealed through art, not through nature. For Blake, it
161
- – CBEST PRACTICE EXAM 1 –
accounting departments keep track of financial data
is through art also that eternity is revealed. One does
and issue reports. To be useful, all this data must be
not have to die to reach eternity; eternity is the
organized into a meaningful and useful system. Such a
moment of vision. It is only through the reordering of
system is called a management information system,
sense impressions by the creative imagination that we
abbreviated MIS. The financial hub of the MIS is
are able, as Blake says in his “Auguries of Innocence,”
accounting.
“To see the World in a Grain of Sand / . . . And Eternity
Accounting is the information system that
in an hour.”
records, analyzes, and reports economic transactions,
14. Which of the following would best describe what enabling decision-makers to make informed choices
Blake meant by the words “To see the World in a when allocating scarce economic resources. It is a tool
Grain of Sand / . . . And Eternity in an hour?” that enables the user, whether a business entity or an
a. a moment of mystical enlightenment individual, to make wiser, more informed economic
b. conversion to Christianity
choices. It is an aid to planning, controlling, and eval-
c. a moment of artistic inspiration
uating a broad range of activities. A financial account-
d. an hallucinatory experience
ing system is intended for use by both the management
e. a return to a state of being without sin
of an organization and those outside the organization.
Because it is important that financial accounting
15. Which of the following defines Blake’s view of
reports be interpreted correctly, financial accounting is
“nature” as described in the passage?
subject to a set of ___________ guidelines called “gen-
a. the raw stuff of which the world is made but
erally accepted accounting principles” (GAAP).
which does not represent ultimate reality
b. the work of God in a state of innocence before
16. This passage is most likely taken from
it is corrupted by human beings
a. a newspaper column.
c. the world made up of base and corrupt mate-
b. an essay about modern business.
rial before it is changed by the perception of
c. a legal brief.
the artist at the “moment of vision”
d. a business textbook.
d. the temporal world that will perish, as
e. a business machine catalog.
opposed to the world of artistic vision that
will last forever
17. The word that would fit most correctly into the
e. the real world as it is perceived by ordinary
blank in the final sentence is
people, as opposed to the fantasy world of the
a. discretionary.
artist
b. convenient.
Answer questions 16–18 on the basis of the follow- c. instruction.
ing passage. d. austere.
e. stringent.
Businesses today routinely keep track of large
amounts of both financial and non-financial informa-
tion. Sales departments keep track of current and
potential customers; marketing departments keep
track of product details and regional demographics;
162
- – CBEST PRACTICE EXAM 1 –
19. Based on the description of the setting of the
18. According to the information in the passage,
novel Sula, which of the following adjectives
which of the following is LEAST likely to be a
would most likely describe the behavior of many
function of accounting?
of its residents?
a. helping business people make sound judg-
a. cowardly
ments
b. artistic
b. producing reports of many different kinds of
c. unkempt
transactions
d. arrogant
c. assisting with the marketing of products
e. eccentric
d. assisting companies in important planning
activities
20. Which of the following words would BEST fit
e. providing information to potential investors
into the blank in the final sentence of the
Answer questions 19 and 20 on the basis of the fol-
passage?
lowing passage. a. victim
b. hero
The fictional world of Toni Morrison’s novel
c. leader
Sula—the African-American section of Medallion,
d. scapegoat
Ohio, a community called “the Bottom”—is a place
e. outcast
where people, and even natural things, are apt to go
Answer questions 21–23 on the basis of the follow-
awry, to break from their prescribed boundaries, a
ing passage.
place where bizarre and unnatural happenings and
strange reversals of the ordinary are commonplace.
Ever since human beings began their conscious
The very naming of the setting of Sula is a turning-
sojourn on this planet, they have puzzled over the rid-
upside-down of the expected; the Bottom is located
dle of evil and debated its source. Two concepts have
high up in the hills. The novel is furthermore filled
predominated in the debate. The first of these holds
with images of mutilation, both psychological and
that evil is an active force, a force of darkness as sub-
physical. A great part of the lives of the characters,
stantial and powerful as that of light. In terms of the
therefore, is taken up with making sense of the world,
individual human being, this force might be seen as
setting boundaries and devising methods to control
the “Shadow” side of the personality, the feared side
what is essentially uncontrollable. One of the major
that the individual may deny but that is still a real and
devices used by the people of the Bottom is the seem-
integral part of her or him. The second of the two con-
ingly universal one of creating a ____________—in
cepts holds that evil is essentially ___________, the
this case, the title character Sula—upon which to proj-
absence of good, that darkness is not a thing in itself
ect both the evil they perceive outside themselves and
but rather the absence of light. In terms of the indi-
the evil in their own hearts.
vidual human being, this doctrine says that evil arises
from a lack, a deprivation, from what John A. Sanford
calls “a mutilation of the soul.”
163
- – CBEST PRACTICE EXAM 1 –
24. Given the tone of the poem, and noting espe-
21. Which of the following phrases would best fit
cially the last line, what is the eagle MOST likely
into the blank in the third sentence of the
doing in the poem?
passage?
a. dying of old age
a. perplexing
b. hunting prey
b. passive
c. learning joyfully to fly
c. capricious
d. keeping watch over a nest of young eagles
d. ephemeral
e. battling another eagle
e. artificial
25. To which of the following do the words “azure
22. The main point of the passage is that
world” most likely refer?
a. human beings have long pondered the enigma
a. a forest
of evil.
b. the sky
b. evil may be viewed as either a natural force or
c. the cliff
a human characteristic.
d. nature
c. there are two long-debated, contradictory
e. God
views of evil.
d. human beings are not likely ever to solve the
26. In the second stanza, first line, to which of the
problem of evil.
following does the verb “crawls” refer?
e. evil must be understood in order for good to
a. waves
be appreciated.
b. sea creatures
23. Which of the following, according to the passage, c. sunlight on the water
d. the eagle’s prey
does an individual sometimes use to deal with
e. the eagle itself
the “Shadow” side of his or her personality?
a. scorn
Answer questions 27 and 28 on the basis of the fol-
b. love
lowing index from a forest management textbook.
c. acceptance
d. denial INDEX
e. projection fire protection, 51–55, 108, 115
forest conflicts: European, 8, 91–93, 116–117,
Answer questions 24–26 on the basis of the follow-
133–134, 186–188
ing poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
forest destruction and ecological decline, 143; and
The Eagle fire, 31–35; and industrialization, 156–173; and
railways 27–29; and scientific forestry, 60–61; and
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
villagers, 107, 115–116; and World Wars, 42–43,
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
46–47
Ringed with the azure world he stands.
forest fires, 72, 87, 100–105, 124; and pasture, 48,
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls; 51–53, 115–118; arson, 51, 122, 126–130; see also
He watches from his mountain walls, fire protection
And like a thunderbolt he falls. forest law: breaches of, 34–41, 49–52, 55, 70,
164
nguon tai.lieu . vn
