501 Critical Reading Questions

d. despises the opponents of affirmative action.
e. thinks that affirmative action will eventually be unnecessary.
498.
The word feasible in line 46 most nearly means
a. advantageous.
b. possible.
c. attractive.
d. probable.
e. suitable.
499.
The tone of this passage can best be described as
a. impassioned.
b. impartial.
c. reasonable.
d. sarcastic.
e. dispassionate.
501
Critical Reading Questions

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500.
The author gives all the following reasons for continuing
affirmative action in college admissions EXCEPT that it
a. fosters diversity.
b. provides fair access to higher education.
c. is necessary to promote social mobility.
d. exposes students to a broad spectrum of society.
e. prepares students for the future.
501.
The argument for affirmative action in the workplace that most
closely mirrors the author’s reasoning about affirmative action in
college admissions is
a. it is the law of the land.
b. diversity in the workplace better prepares a company to 
compete in the marketplace.
c. a diverse workforce is more efficient.
d. a less-qualified minority candidate is still a great asset to a 
company.
e. it is the right thing to do.
Answers
461.
d. To posit means to suggest. In this context, Hlusko suggests that
grass stalks may have caused the grooves on early hominid
teeth.
462.
d. The passage states that modern toothpicks are made of wood
(line 11).
463.
b. Dr. Hlusko is described a being convinced she was on the right
track and patiently rubbing a baboon tooth with a grass stalk for
eight hours. Both point to a persistent approach.
464.
b. In lines 19–20, the author states, It seems that our early human
ancestors may have used grass, which was easily found and ready to
use, to floss between their teeth. The use of may indicates that the
author is not absolutely certain, but as the author does not sug-
gest anything to contradict Dr. Hlusko’s findings we can con-
clude that the author finds her theory very probable.
465.
e. The passage clearly states that the median income of the population
as a whole does not vary much in real terms from one year to the next.
From this statement one can infer that, in general, income
across the United States stays about the same.
466.
d. A thesis is an assertion, or theory, that the author intends to
prove. The author of this passage is not making an assertion,
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501