In the legal history of trade unions, the formation of these organizations was a(n) _______ process. Early unions were often seen as a threat to the established order, and their members could face severe penalties. However, over time, unions gained legal recognition and protections. This was due to a combination of changing social attitudes, political pressure, and legal battles fought by the unions themselves.

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

In many cultures, rituals of love and courtship are a(n) _______ dance of gestures and actions: a glance can signal interest; a gift, the intention to pursue; a proposal, the desire to commit; and a wedding, the culmination of the courtship.

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

Environmental NGOs play a crucial role in preserving our planet. They work tirelessly to protect endangered species, combat climate change, and promote sustainable practices. Their efforts create a(n) _______ network of initiatives that intertwine with one another: one organization might focus on reforestation; another might advocate for cleaner energy sources; and yet another might work on reducing plastic waste in our oceans.

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

The history of textile art is as rich and varied as the cultures that created them. Originating from the basic human need for clothing and protection, textile art has evolved into a form of cultural expression. In ancient Egypt, linen was used for mummification and burial shrouds. In the Middle Ages, tapestries were used to decorate homes and tell stories. In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about the mass production of textiles, changing the landscape of textile art forever. Today, textile art continues to evolve, with artists exploring new materials and techniques.

Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?

Scholarly accounts of "Brave New World" — a dystopian novel that critiques the societal reliance on technology and conditioning for control, and published in the 1930s — tend to focus on the most dramatic and dystopian aspects of the society depicted, making it seem uniformly oppressive and devoid of any personal freedom. Literary critic Jane Dobson has shown, however, that if we shift our focus toward the way that individual resilience and subtle forms of resistance are manifested in low-key personal relationships and quiet acts of defiance, we see characters espousing an array of personal and ethical orientations and approaches to resistance.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined portion in the text as a whole?