Degree of Generality Among Sentences

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Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	Recently, reports on Beyonce, Prince Charles, and Gordon Brown have all appeared.	C.	Typical of the unusual was an article on recipes for and the benefits of earthworms.
B.	People magazine contains articles on people in the news, unusual happenings, and the latest entertainment events.	D.	The reviews are entertainingly written and sometimes highly critical though they are shorter than in some older, established magazines.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	The speaker related a number of amusing anecdotes, which were well told as well as intrinsically comical.	C.	All of those attending the lecture felt that they learned something new and interesting from the speaker.
B.	The talk covered every aspect of the subject and included examples from other related fields.	D.	The lecture was wide-ranging, amusing, and informative.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	The orbit of Uranus does not follow the orbit calculated for it because it is being pulled slightly off course by the gravitational attraction of another, unknown planet.	C.	The planetoid Chiron, discovered in 1977, is too small to cause the irregularity exhibited in Uranus’ orbit.
B.	The tiny planet Pluto is too small to account for the distortion of Uranus’ orbit.	D.	Planetary observations show why astronomers believe a tenth planet may exist.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	When rib roasts are on sale, you should ask your butcher to cut one into steaks for you.	C.	By following our special cost-cutting guide, you can reduce your family’s meat bill by as much as 50 percent.
B.	If you debone whole chicken breasts yourself, you can save more than a dollar per pound on chicken cutlets.	D.	When buying a whole side of beef to be cut into steaks, you should keep in mind that there can be as many as two kilos of water per eight kilos.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	In short, science fiction writing offers the reader the entire universe and all of the past, present, and future.	C.	The middle range of stories often deals with the frontiers of modern knowledge and the ethics involved in scientific decisions.
B.	One thing that all good science fiction stories have in common is that they deal with the idea of change.	D.	Modern science fiction covers a wide range of topics, from stories about robots and high technology to fantasies about enchanted kingdoms in outer space.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	Stray animals usually do not trust people.	C.	Most stray animals have received little or no training.
B.	Stray animals almost never make good pets.	D.	Stray animals are frequently the victims of poor nutrition and lack of medical treatment.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	Undoubtedly, the most important decision was the one concerning the rebuilding of the Otter Creek bridge.	C.	At their last meeting, the town council made a number of long-awaited decisions.
B.	There was some opposition to the proposal to increase the budget for law enforcement, but it eventually passed.	D.	A few members wanted to earmark extra funds for next year’s town festival, but a majority felt that the limited resources available should be used for other, more pressing needs.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	Newborn babies sob seemingly in sympathy when they hear the cries of other babies.	C.	The crying of a baby chimpanzee has no effect on newborn human babies.
B.	A calm baby does not cry if it hears a recording of its own cries.	D.	Newborn babies can distinguish among their own cries, the cries of other babies, and the cries of non-human babies.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	Microwave ovens have eliminated many of the inconveniences previously associated with the preparation of meals.	C.	Many microwave ovens can be pre-set to cook your food while you are away from the kitchen.
B.	Many food can go directly from the freezer to the microwave oven without being defrosted.	D.	The microwave oven has greatly reduced the amount of time it takes to cook a meal.

10.

Choose the most general sentence in each set.

A.	Many people think social anthropologists spend their time measuring the size of people’s heads or other parts of their bodies.	C.	Some misunderstandings undoubtedly derive from the fact that many social anthropologists work in areas where archaeologists are seeking, or have sought, clues to man’s past.
B.	Perhaps because it is a relatively new discipline, social anthropology causes a great deal of confusion among laymen.	D.	It is a popular misconception that social anthropology focuses exclusively on pyramids, old temple sites, and other archaeological remains.