Question Bank

The poem concludes with the line: 'And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.' What is the implied theme?

A judge dismisses a case because the evidence was 'circumstantial and lacked a direct nexus to the defendant.' What does this mean?

'The politician’s sudden interest in environmental protection coincided perfectly with the release of a poll showing that 80% of voters favored green policies.' What is the author implying?

During the drought, the village elder noted that 'even the most selfish man starts to share when the well is nearly dry.' What does this mean?

'His apology was as hollow as a drum, and just as loud.' What can be inferred about the apology?

The patient's symptoms improved when given a sugar pill that she believed was medicine. What can be inferred?

'The revolutionary leader was eventually consumed by the very system he sought to dismantle.' What happened to him?

The report showed that while the city’s population remained the same, the volume of trash produced tripled in ten years. What can be inferred about the lifestyle of the residents?

In the story, the protagonist's shadow begins to move independently of him. This most likely suggests that:

'The luxury hotel was built on the ruins of the village school, a fact that the brochure failed to mention.' What is the author’s perspective?

When the economy crashed, the 'experts' who had predicted a boom were suddenly nowhere to be found. What is the tone of this sentence?

'The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.' What is the inferred meaning regarding life or fame?

The company announced a 10% raise for all employees, but simultaneously increased health insurance premiums by 15%. What can be inferred about the employees' take-home pay?

'He was a man of few words, and even fewer original ones.' What does this imply about him?

Despite having no evidence, the prosecutor continued to emphasize the defendant's 'shifty' eyes and 'untrustworthy' smile. What is the prosecutor's strategy?

In the fable, the fox praises the crow's voice so the crow will open its beak and drop the cheese. What is the fox's true motive?

'The software update fixed three bugs but introduced five new ones.' What is the overall effect of the update?

A historian writes that a certain empire 'collapsed not from a single blow, but from a thousand small cracks.' What does this mean?

'The teacher's praise was so rare that when she finally gave it, it felt like rain in a desert.' What can be inferred about the teacher's usual behavior?

The city council decided to cut funding for the library while increasing the budget for the new stadium. What does this suggest about their priorities?