4
Choices A, C, and D do not provide the best evidence for the answer to the
previous question. Choice A is incorrect because in line 39 Akira apologizes
for interrupting Chie’s quiet evening. Choice C is incorrect because lines
58-59 address the seriousness of Akira’s request, not its urgency. Choice D
is incorrect because line 73 shows only that Akira’s proposal has “startled”
Chie and does not explain why his request is time-sensitive.
QUESTION 11.
Choice A is the best answer. Lines 1-9 include examples of how many
people shop (“millions of shoppers”), how much money they spend (“over
$30 billion at retail stores in the month of December alone”), and the many
occasions that lead to shopping for gis (“including weddings, birthdays,
anniversaries, graduations, and baby showers.”). Combined, these examples
show how frequently people in the US shop for gis.
Choice B is incorrect because even though the authors mention that
“$30 billion” had been spent in retail stores in one month, that gure is
never discussed as an increase (or a decrease). Choice C is incorrect because
lines 1-9 provide a context for the amount of shopping that occurs in the US,
but the anxiety (or “dread”) it might cause is not introduced until later in the
passage. Choice D is incorrect because lines 1-9 do more than highlight the
number of dierent occasions that lead to gi-giving.
QUESTION 12.
Choice B is the best answer. Lines 9-10 state “is frequent experience
of gi-giving can engender ambivalent feelings in gi-givers.” In the sub-
sequent sentences, those “ambivalent” feelings are further exemplied as
conicted feelings, as shopping is said to be something that “[m]any relish”
(lines 10-11) and “many dread” (line 14).
Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because in this context, “ambivalent” does
not mean feelings that are unrealistic, apprehensive, or supportive.
QUESTION 13.
Choice D is the best answer. In lines 10-13, the authors clearly state that
some people believe gi-giving can help a relationship because it “oers a
powerful means to build stronger bonds with one’s closest peers.”
Choice A is incorrect because even though the authors state that some
shoppers make their choices based on “egocentrism,” (line 33) there is
no evidence in the passage that people view shopping as a form of self-
expression. Choice B is incorrect because the passage implies that shopping
is an expensive habit. Choice C is incorrect because the passage states that
most people have purchased and received gis, but it never implies that peo-
ple are required to reciprocate the gi-giving process.