Question

1. we can infer from the passage that a felony is a

(a) sale
(b) severe criticism
(c) serious crime
(d) domination
(e) serious disagreement

1. how does the writer let us know that flay can mean \to attack with stinging criticism\?

(a) the writer relates flay to the word serious.
(b) the writer links flay to the word british.
(c) the writer gives an example of flaying language.
(d) the writer links flay to publicity.
(e) the writer relates flay to the words severe criticism.

1. when we read in the passage that the comments were derogatory, we should realize that

(a) they were favorable
(b) they were full of praise
(c) they were not flattering
(d) they were not understandable
(e) they were famous the world over

1. according to the passage, barnum would not relent in his determination to purchase jumbo because he ____ to give in to popular demand.

(a) refused
(b) could not decide whether
(c) agreed
(d) promised
(e) felt guilty enough

1. the writer provides a clue to the meaning of equestrian by

(a) explaining barnum’s quest to obtain jumbo
(b) linking it to the word accompaniment
(c) describing the circumstances surrounding jumbo’s accidental death
(d) mentioning that ten horses pulled jumbo’s wagon
(e) giving several examples of equestrian activities

1. if p. t. barnum would not deign to drink any liquor himself, as the author of the passage suggests, we may expect that he

(a) drank heavily
(b) felt that drinking alcohol was beneath him
(c) only drank liquor with friends
(d) had given up drinking several years before
(e) would not speak to anyone who drank alcohol

1. according to the passage, p. t. barnum was not an epicure because he

(a) would eat anything that was set in front of him
(b) drank a lot and could not sleep
(c) did not indulge in both good food and wine
(d) never ate gourmet food without drinking equally fine wine
(e) seldom ate

Explanation:

1. A felony is a serious crime by definition. Options A, B, D and E are incorrect as they do not match the concept of felony.
2. To show the meaning of "flay" as "to attack with stinging criticism", the writer gives an example of flaying language. Other options do not correctly show how the meaning is conveyed.
3. "Derogatory" comments are not flattering. Options A, B, D and E are wrong interpretations of "derogatory".
4. "Relent" means to give in. If Barnum would not relent, he refused to give in to popular demand.
5. The word "equestrian" is related to horses. Mentioning that ten horses pulled Jumbo's wagon gives a clue about its meaning related to horses.
6. "Not deign" implies that Barnum felt drinking alcohol was beneath him.
7. An epicure is someone who indulges in good food and wine. If Barnum was not an epicure, he did not indulge in both good food and wine.

Answer:

1. C. serious crime
2. C. The writer gives an example of flaying language.
3. C. they were not flattering
4. A. refused
5. D. mentioning that ten horses pulled Jumbo's wagon
6. B. felt that drinking alcohol was beneath him
7. C. did not indulge in both good food and wine