Logically Completes the Text

Practice Question 1

Physicists have yet to figure out what exactly happens at the singularity of a black hole: matter is crushed,
but what becomes of it then? The event horizon, by hiding the singularity, isolates this gap in our knowledge.
All kinds of processes unknown to science may occur at the singularity, yet they have no effect on the
outside world. Astronomers plotting the orbits of planets and stars can safely ignore the uncertainties
introduced by singularities and ____.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) apply the standard laws of physics with confidence.

B) focus on gaining a deeper understanding of black holes.
C) attempt to peer behind the event horizon.
D) uncover phenomena not currently known to science.

Practice Question 2

Although it is widely assumed that cognitive bias clouds our assessment of the people around us, their
research and that of others, a group of researchers at the Santa Fe Institute has found that people's
estimations of what their friends and family believe are often largely correct. That's because as highly social
creatures, we have become very good at sizing up those around us- what researchers call "social sensing."
It is therefore possible _ _

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) to gather highly accurate information about trends by asking about individuals about their social circles
rather than their own beliefs.
B) to determine people's views on a variety of topics by analyzing the ways in which they interact with
others.
C) to discover what people truly believe about an issue by asking them to reflect on their personal biases.
D) to develop an algorithm that reliably predicts people's preferences about a wide range of items.

Practice Question 3 - What if there is no contrast statement?

Exactly how Mars was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago is a mystery, although there are several
theories. One idea is that the planet was created via a titanic collision of rocks in space, spawning an
all-encompassing magma ocean. When it cooled, a crust with high levels of basalt was formed. Another
possibility is that parts of the first crust on Mars had a different origin, one that would primarily show large
concentrations of silica. Planetary geochemist Valerie Payre and her partners analyzed data for the planet's
southern hemisphere, the planet's oldest region. They discovered nine locations rich in feldspar, a mineral
associated with lava flows that are higher in
silica than basalt. This finding led them to conclude that __________.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) portions of Mars' surface were never covered by a crust.

B) the magma ocean formed from rocks colliding in space was not all-encompassing.
C) the southern hemisphere of Mars contained more silica than was previously believed.
D) the first crust on Mars did not develop until long after the planet was formed.
Extra Practice

1. Several ancient Egyptian murals depict a male figure standing next to a river, surrounded by a variety of
animals. Some historians argue that the figure is the god Osiris, given that he is traditionally associated with
the Nile River. However, Dr. Emily Thompson from the University of Cambridge argues that rivers and
animals were commonly used symbols for prosperity in ancient Egyptian art. The fact that animals and a
river are shown near the male figure, therefore, _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) is not conclusive evidence that the figure is Osiris.

B) suggests that Osiris was often depicted with animals.
C) eliminates the possibility that the figure is Osiris.
D) would be difficult to account for if the figure is not Osiris.

2. Many of Jane Austen's novels focus on the intricacies of social relationships and the challenges women
face within the constraints of their societies. For example, "Pride and Prejudice" delves into issues of class,
reputation, and love, themes that remain relevant to today's readers. However, understanding Austen's
"Mansfield Park" can require a deep knowledge of the social and economic intricacies of 19th-century
England. Consequently, _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) many readers today are likely to find "Mansfield Park" less engaging than novels like "Pride and
Prejudice."
B) some of Austen's novels are more relevant to today’s readers than contemporary works.
C) "Pride and Prejudice" is the most accessible of all Austen's novels.
D) experts in 19th-century English history tend to prefer "Mansfield Park" to her other works.

3. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's oldest civilizations, flourished around 3300 B.C.E. in what
is now Pakistan and northwest India. This civilization mysteriously declined around 1900 B.C.E., leaving
behind intricate urban centers with advanced sewage systems. Recent analysis comparing pottery shards
from Mohenjo-Daro, a significant city in the Indus Valley, to pottery found in a settlement in what is now
eastern Iran revealed identical manufacturing techniques, with similarities becoming prominent only after
1950 B.C.E. Thus, researchers concluded that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was primarily due to internal conflicts.
B) some people from the Indus Valley likely migrated to eastern Iran around 1900 B.C.E. and brought their
pottery techniques with them.
C) residents of eastern Iran primarily used metal utensils and did not make pottery before 1950 B.C.E.
D) the Indus Valley Civilization likely adopted pottery manufacturing techniques from civilizations in eastern
Iran.

4. One challenge when studying the long-term effects of a new medication is the issue of creating an
appropriate placebo group. To properly gauge the medication's effectiveness, researchers must compare the
group taking the medication to a placebo group that is otherwise similar but not taking the medication. Since
researchers cannot ethically assign patients to a placebo group if an effective treatment already exists, they
therefore _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) find it easy to create a placebo group consisting of individuals who are already on existing medications.
B) struggle to identify a group of people who can function as an appropriate placebo group for their studies.
C) can only conduct studies on diseases or conditions for which no effective treatments exist.
D) should select a placebo group of people who differ from the medication group in several significant ways.

5. Adopted by multiple nations, the Blue Ocean Accord aims to regulate deep-sea mining activities to protect
marine biodiversity. However, critics point out a flaw: the accord allows companies to keep the specifics of
their environmental impact assessments confidential. Therefore, some environmental activists express
concern that the accord may have the unintended effect of ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) reducing the operational costs for companies engaged in deep-sea mining.

B) limiting the types of technology that can be used in deep-sea mining.
C) preventing third-party experts from verifying the ecological impact of the mining activities.
D) discouraging companies from exploring new, less harmful mining techniques.

6. The domesticated corn (Zea mays) is native to Central America but is also found in Asia, where evidence
shows that local populations were cultivating it long before transoceanic voyages were established between
the two regions. To understand how corn was introduced in Asia, geneticist Emily Wang and her team
analyzed the DNA of various corn varieties, concluding that Asian varieties diverged from Central American
ones around 70,000 years ago. Given that historical records show the presence of humans in Asia for much
longer, the team concluded that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) the cultivation of corn in Asia likely predates its cultivation in Central America.
B) Asian populations likely acquired corn from Central American populations through ancient sea voyages.
C) human activity likely played no role in the introduction of corn in Asia.
D) Asian corn varieties likely descend from a single Central American variety that was domesticated, not
wild.

7. In a study evaluating the problem-solving abilities of African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus),
researchers did not control for the varying complexity of the puzzles used to test the birds. Parrots given
simple puzzles, such as pushing a button to release food, were assessed using the same criteria as those
given complex puzzles, like opening a series of locks to get to a treat. The results of the study, therefore,
______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) could suggest that there are differences in problem-solving abilities among the parrots even though such
differences may not actually exist.
B) are useful for identifying puzzles that the parrots can solve but not for identifying puzzles they find
challenging.
C) should not be taken as indicative of the problem-solving abilities of any bird species other than Psittacus
erithacus.
D) reveal more about the parrots' problem-solving abilities when engaging with human-made objects than
when solving natural problems.

8. Among many mammals, including cats and dogs, newborns show a tendency to follow moving objects
with their eyes. In a study led by researcher Dr. Emily Clark, a team investigated whether this behavior is
also exhibited by newborn reptiles, focusing on the chameleon species Chamaeleo calyptratus. Despite
chameleons being primarily solitary animals with limited social interactions, the study found that chameleon
hatchlings displayed a pronounced tendency to track moving objects with their eyes. This suggests that
______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) eye-tracking behavior in mammals is a learned trait influenced by the social environment.
B) researchers should not automatically attribute eye-tracking behavior to socialization or communal living.
C) the behavior of tracking moving objects with their eyes will likely diminish as chameleons mature.
D) this tendency is a universal trait among all vertebrates, regardless of their lifestyle.

9. Compiled in the 12th century, "The Book of Healing" is a comprehensive scientific and philosophical
encyclopedia written by Persian polymath Avicenna. The text serves as a record of knowledge in various
scientific fields, such as astronomy, medicine, and psychology, available at that time. However, some
chapters in the book contain concepts that seem to be borrowed from Greek philosophers and scientists,
such as Aristotle and Galen, rather than stemming from Persian intellectual traditions. Therefore, some
scholars have concluded that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) "The Book of Healing" is essentially a translation of Greek scientific works into Persian.
B) although Avicenna was a Persian scholar, he was influenced by Greek philosophers and scientists when
compiling "The Book of Healing."
C) the book should be credited to Greek philosophers as it mainly contains their ideas and concepts.
D) Avicenna likely had limited knowledge of Persian scientific traditions when compiling "The Book of
Healing."

10. In modern astrophysics, the use of computational models has become increasingly important for
simulating scenarios that cannot be physically replicated, such as the formation of galaxies or the collision of
black holes. Astrophysicist Dr. Sara Ruiz argues that while these models can offer valuable insights, they are
often based on a set of simplified assumptions that may not capture the full complexity of real-world
phenomena. For the results to be truly robust, it is crucial to _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) ignore the limitations of computational models, as they are the best tools available for understanding
complex astrophysical events.
B) focus solely on refining the algorithms that underlie these computational models.
C) test the models against a variety of scenarios, including those that challenge the underlying assumptions.
D) limit the use of computational models to phenomena that can be observed directly through telescopes.

11. One of the most startling discoveries of the early 21st century was that Inda-European languages seem
not to have been spread by Anatolian farmers living in what is now Turkey, as was commonly thought, but
rather by a people called the Yamnaya, horse-herding nomads who lived on the Eurasian steppes more than
5,000 years ago. A host of linguistic evidence suggesting this possibility was first compiled persuasively by
archaeologist David Anthony in 2007; DNA evidence later proved he was on target, showing that ________.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) members of tribes from the steppes arrived in Germany sometime between 2500 and 2000 BCE.
B) the Yamnaya were a genetic blend of three separate Eurasian populations.
C) around 5,000 years ago, the Yamnaya's genes began to appear throughout Europe and
Asia .
D) the Yamnayans were linguistically unique in comparison to other groups from the same period.
12. When Isaac Newton published the Principia in 1687, his laws of motion solved numerous problems in
physics; however, they also introduced a new conundrum, which was not fully grasped until centuries after
Newton and which still poses a problem for cosmologists today. Essentially, Newton's laws work about twice
as well as they are intended: they describe the everyday world that people move through, but they also
account perfectly well for a world in which people walk backwards, clocks tick from evening to morning, and
____.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) objects interact unpredictably with one another.

B) planets that are in motion remain in motion.
C) particles of different weights move at varying speeds.
D) apples rise from the ground to the branches of a tree.

13. The cheetah, known for its exceptional speed, can reach velocities of up to 58 miles per hour in short
sprints. Some zoologists theorized that the evolution of the cheetah's speed was a response to an increase
in the agility of its primary prey. However, fossil records do not show a concurrent increase in the agility of
antelope or gazelles during periods when cheetahs evolved their remarkable speed. This suggests that
_______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) cheetahs evolved their speed to escape from predators, not to chase prey.
B) the evolution of the cheetah's speed was not solely in response to the agility of its prey.
C) antelope and gazelles have always been slower than the cheetah.
D) the agility of prey is the sole factor determining a predator's speed.

14. In academic essays, authors often integrate research findings to support their claims. Educational
researcher Dr. Martin Upton argues that while many authors seamlessly incorporate studies that back their
thesis, effective academic writing also involves addressing counterarguments. By examining research that
may contradict their stance, authors _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) can make their essays lengthier and more detailed.

B) ensure that their arguments remain uncontested.
C) enhance the credibility and depth of their arguments.
D) show readers that they are well-read in their field.

15. In many top-tier universities around the world, a notable percentage of faculty members have previously
studied or worked at Ivy League institutions in the United States. This phenomenon could be attributed to
the fact that Ivy League institutions offer a rigorous academic environment that prepares individuals for
advanced research and pedagogy, equipping them with skills that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) are universally recognized in the academic realm.

B) lead to lucrative offers from corporate sectors.
C) are specific only to the American education system.
D) discourage individuals from seeking opportunities outside academia.

16. Many animals, including several species of amphibians, use toxins as a primary defense mechanism
against predators. In these species, brightly colored patterns on their skin typically indicate the presence of
such toxins, serving as a warning signal to potential threats. Predators, over time, learn to associate these
bright patterns with a foul taste or harmful consequences and, therefore, tend to avoid these animals.
However, biologist Dr. Lucy Green has observed that certain non-toxic amphibians mimic these bright
patterns even though they don't produce the
harmful toxins. This phenomenon suggests that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) non-toxic amphibians have evolved to develop toxins but haven't been successful.
B) the colors on the skin of amphibians are a result of their dietary habits.
C) predators often make mistakes in distinguishing between toxic and non-toxic amphibians.
D) these mimicking non-toxic amphibians benefit from a deceptive warning signal without bearing the
metabolic cost of producing toxins.

17. Historians often discuss the influence that Catherine de' Medici had on French politics during her time as
queen consort and regent, but few realize she was also a patron of the arts. Catherine sponsored several art
projects, ballets, and commissioned notable works during the Renaissance era in France. Therefore,
individuals who solely attribute Catherine's significance to her political maneuvers ______.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) may underestimate the Renaissance era's influence on French politics.

B) might not be aware of the Medici family’s prominence in Italy.
C) risk downplaying the breadth of Catherine’s impact on French culture.
D) often focus on the controversies surrounding her reign.

18. The role of honeybees in pollination is well-documented and essential for many crops. However, recent
studies have highlighted the importance of wild bees and other insects in pollination. Research by Dr. Lara
Westwood demonstrated that in certain habitats, the absence of honeybees led to an increase in pollination
by wild bees. This observation implies that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) wild bees are more effective pollinators than honeybees.

B) honeybees may sometimes outcompete or interfere with the pollination habits of wild bees.
C) the absence of wild bees would lead to a decrease in the pollination rate by honeybees.
D) wild bees and honeybees share the exact same habitats and pollinate the same types of flowers.

19. Ancient scrolls discovered in the secluded chambers of the Luristan caves offer a window into the daily
lives and beliefs of a civilization that once thrived in the region. Written in Old Luri, a language that predates
most known languages in the area, these scrolls give detailed accounts of religious ceremonies and social
customs. Interestingly, some scrolls mention a celestial event that aligns with records from other neighboring
ancient civilizations. Yet, a few of these scrolls also allude to certain rituals that share uncanny similarities
with practices from civilizations situated thousands of miles away. This raises the possibility that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) the ancient Luristan civilization had some form of contact or exchange with distant civilizations.
B) the Luristan caves were inhabited by multiple civilizations over different periods.
C) the celestial event mentioned in the scrolls was witnessed by civilizations across the globe.
D) Old Luri was a language that was spoken not just in Luristan but also in distant lands.

20. In a recent study on the reading comprehension skills of elementary school children, researchers failed
to account for the prior exposure of students to the content of the passages they were given. Some students
read familiar tales, such as Cinderella or The Boy Who Cried Wolf, while others were given lesser-known
folk tales from various cultures. Consequently, the findings of the study _______
Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) might indicate disparities in comprehension abilities among the students when in reality, familiarity with
the content could be a confounding variable.
B) provide deep insights into the cognitive reading abilities of students exposed to well-known tales as
opposed to unfamiliar ones.
C) cannot be applied to understand the comprehension abilities of students in higher grade levels.
D) suggest that students are better equipped to understand stories from their own cultural background than
those from other cultures.

21. In the early twentieth century, many Western musicians began incorporating traditional African rhythms
into their compositions, even though a significant number of them had never traveled to Africa. Given that
the complex nature of these rhythms makes it unlikely for someone to spontaneously reproduce them
without prior exposure, this trend implies that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) these Western musicians learned African rhythms from intermediaries who had direct exposure to
traditional African music.
B) Western music of the early twentieth century was evolving to be more rhythmically complex, making the
inclusion of African rhythms a natural progression.
C) African rhythms were not as influential on Western music as previously believed.
D) many of these Western musicians likely had a natural affinity for African rhythms, leading them to
reproduce these sounds intuitively.

22. Recent analyses of artworks from the ancient city of Dariel, located in modern-day Turkey, show the
prominent use of a specific shade of blue pigment, which historians know wasn't synthesized locally until the
5th century CE. However, comprehensive records from neighboring regions indicate Dariel's prominence as
an arts hub only started in the 6th century CE. If both the pigment analysis and the historical records are
accurate, it would suggest that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) the artists of Dariel were ahead of their time, innovating in pigment synthesis before the rest of the region.
B) Dariel's artworks with the blue pigment were influenced or imported from neighboring regions where the
pigment was available earlier.
C) Dariel started synthesizing the blue pigment after recognizing its popularity in neighboring cities during
the 6th century CE.
D) the ancient records pertaining to Dariel’s prominence are based solely on the city's innovations in
pigment synthesis.

23. Researchers led by Marina S. Santos studied the adaptability of sea turtles to changing ocean
temperatures. They focused on the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and investigated its behavior at
various water temperatures. By comparing the activities of the Green sea turtle in temperatures of 20°
Celsius and 25° Celsius, the researchers observed that the turtles' feeding rate increased significantly at the
higher temperature. To understand this response better, they replaced the native digestive enzymes in some
turtles with enzymes from another species of turtle that does not exhibit increased feeding at higher
temperatures. The modified Green sea turtles showed no change in feeding rate at 25° Celsius, leading the
researchers to believe that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) Green sea turtles' native enzymes are essential for their increased feeding rate at higher temperatures.
B) All sea turtles increase their feeding rate at higher temperatures.
C) Enzymes from other turtle species impair the feeding ability of the Green sea turtles.
D) Green sea turtles can only feed in water temperatures above 20° Celsius.

24. Following the establishment of the Clear Waters Act, several nations committed to reducing their marine
pollution levels. This act incentivized countries to develop and implement sustainable fishing practices.
However, the Act does not mandate the monitoring of practices once they're in place. Consequently,
environmental groups are worried that the Clear Waters Act might inadvertently lead to ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) an increase in marine species diversity due to sustainable fishing.

B) nations ignoring other sources of marine pollution aside from fishing.
C) the rise of new sustainable fishing technologies.
D) countries implementing sustainable practices without consistent adherence or monitoring.

25. The African baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) is renowned for its longevity and immense water storage
capacity. Strikingly, certain varieties of this tree are also found in parts of Australia. Ancient tribal records
from Indigenous Australians indicate that they had been utilizing the baobab tree for its water storage long
before maritime trade routes were established with Africa. Dr. Linda Warren and her team examined the
genetic makeup of the Australian and African baobabs and discovered that the Australian variety diverged
from its African counterparts around 200,000 years ago. Given that the oldest confirmed human artifacts in
Australia date back to only 65,000 years ago, this information suggests that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) the baobab tree's presence in Australia is due to Indigenous Australians introducing it from Africa.
B) the baobab tree naturally spread to Australia without direct human involvement.
C) the African baobab varieties are more genetically pure than their Australian counterparts.
D) Indigenous Australians have selectively bred the baobab tree to enhance its water storage properties.

26. Numerous ancient Egyptian tomb paintings depict a male figure standing beside a solar disk. Historically,
this representation has been attributed to the god Ra, who was associated with the sun in ancient Egyptian
mythology. However, recent research by Egyptologist Dr. Linda Fieldstone indicates that solar disks were not
solely associated with Ra, but also with other deities of the Egyptian pantheon. The depiction of the male
figure with a solar disk, thus, _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) may not be an exclusive representation of the god Ra.
B) is evidence of the diminishing importance of Ra in Egyptian society.
C) confirms the dominance of Ra in ancient Egyptian art and culture.
D) is unlikely to have any significant meaning in ancient Egyptian mythology.

27. In the realm of classical music, Ludwig van Beethoven's symphonies are cherished for their timeless
appeal, often touching on universal human emotions and experiences. His Symphony No. 9, for instance, is
celebrated for its theme of unity and brotherhood. In contrast, the operas of Richard Wagner, though
considered masterpieces, delve deep into Germanic myths and require some knowledge of these tales for
full appreciation. Therefore, _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is more frequently performed worldwide than any of Wagner's operas.
B) the narratives in Wagner's operas may pose a challenge for listeners unfamiliar with Germanic myths.
C) Beethoven's works are superior to Wagner's in terms of musical complexity and innovation.
D) Wagner's operas focus exclusively on themes derived from Germanic mythology
.
28. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's oldest urban civilizations, flourished around 2500 B.C.E.
in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. The civilization mysteriously declined around 1900 B.C.E.
Among the various artifacts unearthed from the region, seals with distinct geometric patterns were
discovered. When similar geometric patterns were found on pottery shards in Mesopotamia dating back to
2000 B.C.E., researchers began to speculate on the connections between the two regions. Given that these
patterns were unique to the Indus Valley
before appearing in Mesopotamia, researchers posited that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley were likely in some form of contact or trade around 2000 B.C.E.
B) Mesopotamia borrowed these geometric patterns from other civilizations before adapting them from the
Indus Valley.
C) the Indus Valley Civilization was primarily influenced by Mesopotamian culture during its peak.
D) geometric patterns on seals were the primary mode of communication between ancient civilizations.

29. Studying the long-term effects of a new medical drug can be complicated due to the vast number of
external variables that might influence the results. To understand the true impact of a drug, researchers
need to compare the health outcomes of patients who take the drug with those of patients who do not, but
who are otherwise in similar health conditions. Given the myriad health profiles of patients and unpredictable
ways they might interact with other medications, researcher s consequently _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) should rely on patient self-reporting for the most accurate results.
B) are forced to study only the immediate effects of the drug and not the long-term consequences.
C) can select a group of patients who are markedly healthier than those taking the drug.
D) face challenges in assembling a matching group that can act as an effective control in their studies.