READING, PAGE 389

1. Vocabulary Question Answer choice C is correct because both “connection” and

“correlation” refer to a causal relationship between two concepts or phenomena.

Answer choice A is incorrect because “interaction” does not carry the meaning of

“correlation,” but only that two things come into contact with one another, and therefore is inappropriate in this context. Answer choice B is incorrect because

“parallel” means when two things happen at the same time, or in the same manner, and therefore is unrelated to “correlation.” Answer choice D is incorrect because

“consequence” means the result of something, not a causal relationship, and does not fit in the sentence.

2. Factual Information Question Answer choice A is correct because the passage stated that Psychologist Alfred Adler was a pioneer in this field. The word “pioneer”

implies that he was among the very first to study birth order. Answer choice B is incorrect because in the passage it is mentioned that A key point in his research and in the hypothesis that he developed based on it was that it was not the actual

numerical birth position that affected personality. Answer choice C is incorrect because the passage mentions it was the similar responses in large numbers of families to children in specific birth order positions that had an effect. Answer choice D is incorrect because we know from the passage that Adler was a pioneer, but this does not mean that he was the only scientist to study birth order, only one of the first.

3. Inference Question Answer choice B is correct because the passage states that first-borns [...] find the process of learning to relate to peers more difficult, in contrast to later-born children, therefore, we can understand that later-born children interact well with their peers. Answer choices A and C are incorrect because they both mention information that is not in the passage. Answer choice D is incorrect because it misrepresents the information from the passage; later-borns do not have their first and only interactions with their parents, like their older siblings, but this does not mean that they know their parents any less than first-borns.

4. Negative Fact Question Answer choice C is correct because the paragraph states that first-borns are liable to be more subject to stress and were considered problem children more often than later-borns. Answer choice A is incorrect because the passage states that First-borns have consistently been linked with academic

achievement. Answer choice B is incorrect because the passage mentions that first-borns are likely to rise to positions of leadership more often than others. Answer choice D is incorrect because the passage says First-borns have been found to be more responsible and assertive.

5. Paraphrasing Question Answer choice D is correct because it represents a correct paraphrase of the central ideas in the highlighted sentence. Answer choice A is incorrect because of the phrase In spite of, which changes the meaning of the original sentence. Answer choice B is incorrect because it states information not mentioned in the original sentence by saying that it is difficult to explain why first-borns gravitate toward positions of power. Answer choice C is incorrect because it also states the opposite of the original sentence by saying that first-borns are uncomfortable serving in government positions.

6. Vocabulary Question Answer choice A is correct because both “markedly” and

“noticeably” mean that something is very obvious or apparent. Answer choice B is incorrect because “slightly” has the opposite meaning of “markedly” and therefore is inappropriate in this context. Answer choice C is incorrect because “vaguely” means when something is not clear, or could also be a synonym of “slightly,” and therefore is inappropriate. Answer choice D is incorrect because “objectively” means that something is done without bias, and does not fit in the sentence because it is unrelated to “markedly.”

7. Sentence Insertion Question Answer choice C is correct because the boldfaced sentence is discussing the tendency that second/middle-born children have to be the peacekeeper or mediator. Answer choice A is incorrect because the passage up to this point is describing a different tendency, that of feeling inferior to their siblings and succeeding in different areas. Answer choice B is incorrect because the

previous sentence discusses how second/middle-born children do in certain sports.

It would not make sense to insert the bold-faced sentence here seeing as it also mentions “parental relations.” Answer choice D is incorrect because the previously stated information in the passage discusses the types of careers that these children would succeed in. To insert the boldfaced sentence at this point would break up the sequence of facts.

8. Factual Information Question Answer choice B is correct because the passage states that They have a tendency to feel inferior to the older child or children because it is difficult for them to comprehend that their lower level of

accomplishment is a function of age rather than ability. Answer choice A is incorrect because although the information is true, it does not explain why

second-born/middle children feel inferior. Answer choice C is incorrect because it

misrepresents the information in the passage, which states that these children only feel inferior, not that they are inferior to their older siblings. Answer choice D is incorrect because although it is true that these children try to make others in the family happy, it is not mentioned that they neglect their own well-being as a result.

9. Inference Question Answer choice A is correct because the passage states that last-borns often display less competitiveness than older brothers and sisters and are more apt to take part in less competitive group games or in social organizations such as sororities and fraternities. Answer choice B is incorrect because it states the opposite of what is in the passage. Answer choice C is incorrect because it also mentions information that is contrary to the passage. Answer choice D is incorrect because it gives information that was not mentioned in the passage. Although sororities and fraternities are popular with last-borns, it is not because they foster self-esteem, but because they are less competitive organizations.

10. Vocabulary Question Answer choice B is correct because both “predisposition” and

“propensity” mean when a person has a tendency to do something. Answer choice A is incorrect because “weakness” does not mean the same thing as “propensity” or to have a tendency to do something, therefore is inappropriate in this context. Answer choice C is incorrect because although “habit” means to have a tendency to act a certain way or do certain things regularly, the grammatical context is inappropriate.

Answer choice D is incorrect because “longing” expresses a strong desire to do something, not to have a “propensity” to do something.

11 Factual Information Question Answer choice D is correct because the passage states that Thus, only children tend more than any other birth position to have fewer friends and intimate relationships throughout their lives. Answer choice A is incorrect because although it is true to say that only children have a strong sense of security, it is not from younger children or last-borns. This is a misrepresentation of the information in the passage. Answer choice B is incorrect because it misrepresents the information in the passage, which states that like first-borns, they are more achievement oriented and more likely than middle- or last-borns to have academic success. Answer choice C is incorrect because it is the opposite of what the passage states: they do have a tendency to maintain their relationships for longer periods of time.

12 Referent Question Answer choice C is correct because this part of the sentence is describing a characteristic that only children exhibit. Answer choice A is incorrect because other children are mentioned as a comparison for establishing more close relationships. Answer choices B and D are incorrect because they are mentioned as things that only children have less of.

13 Summary Question Answer choices 3, 4, and 6 are correct. This is because these are all major points in the passage about how birth order affects personality. Answer choice 1 is incorrect because it represents a minor point made in the passage.

Answer choices 2 is incorrect because the passage says that the similar responses happen in large numbers of families. Answer choice 5 is incorrect because it is a direct contradiction of the passage, which states the opposite.