In the midst of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln's adaptive and balanced leadership approach was characterized by his ability to maneuver through various political pressures while maintaining focus on the Union's objectives. This nuanced leadership stood in contrast to the strategies of many of his contemporaries, whose approaches to governance during this tumultuous period were often more ______. While Lincoln navigated the complexities of war, emancipation, and national reunification with a mix of pragmatism and moral resolve, others in similar positions exhibited decision-making styles that differed markedly in their effectiveness.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

In 1802, the Treaty of Amiens was signed, temporarily halting the hostilities between the British Empire and Napoleonic France. This agreement, however, was viewed skeptically by many British politicians and the public, who doubted its durability and the intentions of Napoleon. Their skepticism was contrasted with the more ______ attitude of Prime Minister Henry Addington's government, which advocated for the treaty as a necessary step towards lasting peace.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

 In William Gibson's Neuromancer, the protagonist Case, a disgraced computer hacker, is hired to pull off the ultimate hack. Gibson's novel, characterized by its vividly dystopian cyberpunk setting, is a pioneering work in its genre. The author's depiction of the Matrix, a virtual reality data constellation, is _______. Case's navigation through this digital landscape, filled with sentient AI and corporate overlords, is a reflection of the increasingly blurred lines between man and machine in our society. This seminal work has been instrumental in shaping the scope and tenor of contemporary science fiction literature.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

The following text is from Emily Dickinson’s poem 'Hope is the thing with feathers'

'Hope' is the thing with feathers

 That perches in the soul 

And sings the tune without the words 

And never stops - at all 

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard 

And sore must be the storm

 That could abash the little Bird 

That kept so many warm 

I’ve heard it in the chillest land 

And on the strangest Sea 

Yet - never - in Extremity,

 It asked a crumb - of me.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

The following text is adapted from Stephen King's 1982 novel 'The Gunslinger.' The protagonist, Roland, is in pursuit of a mysterious figure known as the Man in Black.

'The world had moved on,' said the Gunslinger. 'So had the Man in Black. The Gunslinger followed. He knew little of the man he pursued except that he was fleeing and that he had to be caught. The Gunslinger was relentless. He had seen deserts and mountains, rivers and plains, all in his unending pursuit. And still, he followed.'

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?