RC Revision - I

1. d Don‘t start with I to answer this question! It appears in only one choice and so isn‘t a time-effective starting point. II
appears in three choices, so start there. II directly contradicts the author‘s point in para 4 that Ptolemy‘s maps served
as templates for other maps for centuries. Eliminate (b). III contradicts the main point of the passage: historians are
interested in maps as historical tools. Since RNs II and III are both untrue, only choice (d) is possible. Though there‘s no
need to check I, it can be verified as true by looking at the main point of the last paragraph.

2. a There‘s not much to go on in the passage by way of opinion, but even a simple prediction can yield fast results. What
is the author‘s main point? Old maps have historical value. Scanning the answer choices with even this broad prediction
immediately turns up (a), which states much the same thing.

3. c The ¯according to the passage? opening tips you off that this is a detail question, and consequently, that we‘re only
looking for types of maps supported by examples in the passage. While three of the maps deal with geographic features
similar to those the author touches on in the passage, a star chart wouldn‘t have anything to do with the author‘s idea
of maps as something representing terrestrial features.

4. a Another question where the four wrong answer choices are plausible, and the right answer isn‘t. Keep in mind that
something doesn‘t have to be mentioned in the passage to be plausible, but if it‘s implausible there must be something
in the passage to make it so. Notice that the author directly contradicts (a) in para 7, saying that environmentalists are
aware of the successes but just prefer to be pessimistic. This question rewards test-takers who have categorized the
answer choices and know what type of answer they‘re looking for.

5. c What do we know from the passage about protecting endangered species? Only two things: that it‘s been successful
but unfair to landowners. Which is the political right more likely to care about? Likely landowners and the right would
likely attack the program on this basis. A quick scan of reaction knocks out (a) and (b), and understanding the reasons
for that reaction leads immediately to (c).

6. d This paragraph clearly attempts to enumerate the positive success stories with regards to pollution control. (d)
summarises this really well.

7. d Keep the main elements of the Great Goddess theory in mind as you review the choices. Look for an answer choice that
a proponent of this theory would have no opinion on or would disagree with. (d) fits nicely: ¶3 states explicitly that
traces remained.

Session Explanations RC Revision - I