Correct Answer: explain how to care for her plants
Passage Reference: Thanks for offering to look after my houseplants while I visit my sister.
Why this is correct: Almost the whole message gives Luis instructions while Nadia is away. It covers watering, light and collecting the spare key. So her main reason for writing is to explain how to care for her plants.
Tips: For a question about the main reason for writing, think about what most of the message talks about, not one small detail.
Why the other options are wrong:
- offer Mrs. Chen a new watering can: Mrs. Chen is keeping the spare key, and the watering can is for Luis.
- ask Luis to move into her apartment: Luis only needs to visit and care for the plants. Nadia never asks him to live there.
- describe her sister's garden: Nadia says she will visit her sister but gives no details about a garden there.
Correct Answer: to make them easy for Luis to find
Passage Reference: I have moved them all into the dining room, so you will not need to search around the apartment.
Why this is correct: Keeping every plant in the dining room saves Luis from searching through the apartment.
Tips: Use the result after the word 'so' to find the purpose of the move.
Why the other options are wrong:
- to give them more space to grow: Nadia discusses easier access, not giving the plants additional growing space.
- to keep Mrs. Chen away from them: Mrs. Chen only holds the spare key, and Nadia does not want to keep her away.
- to prepare them for a move outside: Nadia specifically says the tall plant should remain indoors.
Correct Answer: it should be checked on every visit
Passage Reference: Could you check it each time you visit?
Why this is correct: The fern loses moisture quickly, so Nadia asks Luis to inspect it whenever he comes.
Tips: Notice which instruction applies only to the fern.
Why the other options are wrong:
- it needs water from the kitchen jug: Nadia asks Luis to use the blue watering can instead of the jug.
- it needs to be turned toward the wall: Turning is mentioned only for the tall plant if it leans toward the light.
- it should be placed on the balcony: Nadia says the cool nights make keeping plants indoors the better choice.
Correct Answer: it may pour water too forcefully
Passage Reference: Please use that instead of the large kitchen jug, which pours too quickly and can wash soil out of the pots.
Why this is correct: The large jug releases water quickly and could push soil out of the pots.
Tips: Look for the practical problem caused by using the wrong container.
Why the other options are wrong:
- it is being used by Mrs. Chen: Mrs. Chen holds the spare key. Nadia still treats the large jug as her kitchen jug.
- it is too small for the tall plant: Nadia calls the jug large and objects to how quickly it pours.
- it has been left at Nadia's sister's home: Nadia identifies it as her kitchen jug, so it is in her apartment.
Correct Answer: turn its pot around
Passage Reference: If it does, please turn its pot around.
Why this is correct: Rotating the pot is Nadia's direct response if the tall plant bends toward the light.
Tips: Follow the condition beginning with 'If' to its requested action.
Why the other options are wrong:
- put it on the balcony overnight: Nadia says there is no need to move it outside, because the cool nights make it happier indoors.
- carry it across the hall: Mrs. Chen across the hall keeps the spare key, not the plant.
- give it to Nadia's cousin: The cousin can take over the plant care if Luis's plans change, but nobody gives her the plant.
Correct Answer: she has another person who can help if necessary
Passage Reference: My cousin lives nearby and can take over, so I do not want you to feel stuck.
Why this is correct: Nadia names her nearby cousin as a backup if Luis becomes unavailable.
Tips: Ask why mentioning another helper reduces pressure on Luis.
Why the other options are wrong:
- she expects her cousin to collect the spare key: Nadia says Luis can collect the spare key from Mrs. Chen.
- she thinks her cousin knows less about plants: Nadia says the cousin can help but makes no comparison between their plant knowledge.
- she wants Luis to visit with her cousin: The cousin would take over only if Luis's plans change. Visiting together is not suggested.
Correct Answer: help me care for them efficiently
Passage Reference: I have moved them all into the dining room, so you will not need to search around the apartment.
Why this is correct: Because the plants are together, Luis can find and care for them without searching the apartment.
Tips: Complete the sentence with the practical advantage Nadia already explained.
Why the other options are wrong:
- allow me to leave them outdoors: Nadia wants the plants kept inside, especially during cool nights.
- stop the fern from needing water: Its location does not remove the fern's need for regular checking.
- make my visits more complicated: The move simplifies Luis's task by putting the plants in one place.
Correct Answer: check the fern whenever I come
Passage Reference: Could you check it each time you visit?
Why this is correct: Luis repeats Nadia's special instruction to inspect the fern at each visit.
Tips: Match the plant that dries quickly with its special care instruction.
Why the other options are wrong:
- water every plant at once: Most plants should be watered only when their soil feels dry.
- move the fern into the kitchen: All plants are together in the dining room, and no kitchen move is requested.
- ask Mrs. Chen to take the fern: Mrs. Chen holds the spare key but has not been asked to care for a plant.
Correct Answer: pours more gently than the jug
Passage Reference: Please use that instead of the large kitchen jug, which pours too quickly and can wash soil out of the pots.
Why this is correct: The blue can avoids the strong flow that could wash soil from the pots.
Tips: Compare how the two containers pour, not where the spare key is kept.
Why the other options are wrong:
- is kept across the hall: The spare key is kept across the hall, while the can is beside Nadia's window.
- belongs to your cousin: Nadia leaves the blue can by her own window. She never connects it to a cousin.
- holds more water than the jug: The jug is described as large, and its capacity is not the reason for choosing the can.
Correct Answer: will not take it outside
Passage Reference: There is no need to move it outside. The nights have been cool, and it is happier indoors.
Why this is correct: Luis will rotate the tall plant while respecting Nadia's request to leave it indoors.
Tips: Choose the second action that is consistent with Nadia's light and temperature advice.
Why the other options are wrong:
- will move it to your sister's home: Nadia's sister is part of her travel plan, not a place for the plant.
- will water it with the jug: Luis has already agreed to use the blue watering can.
- will leave it leaning: He says he will turn the pot if it begins to lean.
Correct Answer: I have a backup person to contact
Passage Reference: My cousin lives nearby and can take over, so I do not want you to feel stuck.
Why this is correct: Nadia's cousin can replace Luis if an unexpected change prevents him from helping.
Tips: Use the phrase 'if something unexpected happens' to identify the cousin's role.
Why the other options are wrong:
- I must share every visit with her: The cousin is an alternative helper, not someone Luis must visit with.
- Mrs. Chen no longer needs the key: Luis still plans to collect the spare key from Mrs. Chen.
- the plants can be left alone: Nadia provides care instructions because the plants still need visits.
