Sentence Simplification Questions Flashcards

Original: "Researchers concluded that the drug was safe, provided it was taken at the recommended dose." Which sentence best simplifies it?

Answer: The drug was found safe if taken at the recommended dose.

'Provided' sets the condition: safety depends on the recommended dose.

Original: "The city invested heavily in public transit, and as a result, car usage declined sharply." Which sentence best simplifies it?

Answer: Heavy investment in public transit caused a sharp drop in car use.

'As a result' marks the investment as the cause of declining car use.

Original: "Few scientists, if any, dispute that the climate is warming." Which sentence best simplifies it?

Answer: Almost no scientists deny that the climate is warming.

'Few, if any' means hardly any scientists dispute the warming.

Original: "The artist worked in obscurity for years before her paintings suddenly became famous." Which sentence best simplifies it?

Answer: The artist was unknown for years until her paintings became famous.

It keeps the years of obscurity followed by sudden fame.

In sentence simplification, what does a 'distractor' choice typically do?

Answer: It looks plausible but distorts, omits, or adds meaning

Distractors seem reasonable but subtly change the original's meaning.

Original: "Although technology has made communication faster, it has not necessarily made it more meaningful." Which sentence best simplifies it?

Answer: Technology speeds up communication but does not always make it more meaningful.

'Although' contrasts faster communication with no guarantee of more meaning.

Original: "The committee postponed the vote, fearing that public opposition would derail the proposal." Which sentence best simplifies it?

Answer: The committee delayed the vote because it feared public opposition would block the proposal.

It keeps the delay and the fear of opposition blocking the proposal.