In many bilingual communities of Puerto Rican Americans living in the

Question

In many bilingual communities of Puerto Rican
Americans living in the mainland United States,
people use both English and Spanish in a single
conversation, alternating between them smoothly and
  (5)   frequently even within the same sentence. This
practice—called code-switching—is common in
bilingual populations. While there are some cases that
cannot currently be explained, in the vast majority of
cases subtle factors, either situational or rhetorical,
  (10)   explain the use of code-switching.

Linguists say that most code-switching among
Puerto Rican Americans is sensitive to the social
contexts, which researchers refer to as domains, in
which conversations take place. The main
  (15)   conversational factors influencing the occurrence of
code-switching are setting, participants, and topic.
When these go together naturally they are said to be
congruent; a set of three such congruent factors
constitutes a conversational situation. Linguists
  (20)   studying the choice between Spanish and English
among a group of Puerto Rican American high school
students classified their conversational situations into
five domains: family, friendship, religion, education,
and employment. To test the effects of these domains
  (25)   on code-switching, researchers developed a list of
hypothetical situations made up of two of the three
congruent factors, or of two incongruent factors,
approximating an interaction in one of the five
domains. The researchers asked the students to
  (30)   determine the third factor and to choose which mix of
language—on a continuum from all English to all
Spanish—they would use in that situation. When
given two congruent factors, the students easily
supplied the third congruent factor and strongly
  (35)   agreed among themselves about which mix they
would use. For instance, for the factors of participants
“parent and child” and the topic “how to be a good
son or daughter,” the congruent setting chosen was
“home” and the language mix chosen was Spanish
  (40)   only. In contrast, incongruent factors such as the
participants “priest and parishioner” and the setting
“beach” yielded less agreement on the third factor of
topic and on language choice.

But situational factors do not account for all
  (45)   code-switching; it occurs even when the domain
would lead one not to expect it. In these cases, one
language tends to be the primary one, while the other
is used only sparingly to achieve certain rhetorical
effects. Often the switches are so subtle that the
  (50)   speakers themselves are not aware of them. This was
the case with a study of a family of Puerto Rican
Americans in another community. Family members
believed they used only English at home, but their
taped conversations occasionally contained some
  (55)   Spanish, with no change in situational factors.
When asked what the presence of Spanish signified, they
commented that it was used to express certain
attitudes such as intimacy or humor more
emphatically.    1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

(A) The lives of Puerto Rican Americans are affected in various ways by code-switching.
(B) It is not always possible to explain why codeswitching occurs in conversations among Puerto Rican Americans.
(C) Rhetorical factors can explain more instances of code-switching among Puerto Rican Americans than can situational factors.
(D) Studies of bilingual communities of Puerto Rican Americans have caused linguists to revise many of their beliefs about codeswitching.
(E) Most code-switching among Puerto Rican Americans can be explained by subtle situational and rhetorical factors.

2 
 2. In lines 56–59, the author mentions the family members’ explanation of their use of Spanish primarily in order to

(A) report evidence supporting the conclusion that the family’s code-switching had a rhetorical basis
(B) show that reasons for code-switching differ from one community to another
(C) supply evidence that seems to conflict with the researchers’ conclusions about why the family engaged in code-switching
(D) refute the argument that situational factors explain most code-switching
(E) explain how it could be that the family members failed to notice their use of Spanish

3 
 3. Which one of the following questions is NOT characterized by the passage as a question to which linguists sought answers in their code-switching studies involving high school students?

(A) Where do the students involved in the study think that a parent and child are likely to be when they are talking about how to be a good son or daughter?
(B) What language or mix of languages do the students involved in the study think that a parent and child would be likely to use when they are talking at home about how to be a good son or daughter?
(C) What language or mix of languages do the students involved in the study think that a priest and a parishioner would be likely to use if they were conversing on a beach?
(D) What topic do the students involved in the study think that a parent and child would be most likely to discuss when they are speaking Spanish?
(E) What topic do the students involved in the study think that a priest and parishioner would be likely to discuss on a beach?

4 
 4. The primary function of the third paragraph of the passage is to

(A) consider a general explanation for the phenomenon of code-switching that is different from the one discussed in the preceding paragraphs
(B) resolve an apparent conflict between two explanations for code-switching that were discussed in the preceding paragraphs
(C) show that there are instances of code-switching that are not explained by the factors discussed in the previous paragraph
(D) report some of the patterns of code-switching observed among a family of Puerto Rican Americans in another community
(E) show that some instances of code-switching are unconscious

5 
 5. Based on the passage, which one of the following is best explained as rhetorically determined code-switching?

(A) A speaker who does not know certain words in the primary language of a conversation occasionally has recourse to familiar words in another language.
(B) A person translating a text from one language into another leaves certain words in the original language because the author of the text invented those words.
(C) For the purpose of improved selling strategies, a businessperson who primarily uses one language sometimes conducts business in a second language that is preferred by some people in the community.
(D) A speaker who primarily uses one language switches to another language because it sounds more expressive.
(E) A speaker who primarily uses one language occasionally switches to another language in order to maintain fluency in the secondary language.

6 
 6. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would most likely agree with which one of the following statements?

(A) Research revealing that speakers are sometimes unaware of code-switching casts doubt on the results of a prior study involving high school students.
(B) Relevant research conducted prior to the linguists’ work with high school students would lead one to expect different answers from those the students actually gave.
(C) Research conducted prior to the study of a family of Puerto Rican Americans was thought by most researchers to explain codeswitching in all except the most unusual or nonstandard contexts.
(D) Research suggests that people engaged in codeswitching are usually unaware of which situational factors might influence their choice of language or languages.
(E) Research suggests that the family of Puerto Rican Americans does not use code-switching in conversations held at home except for occasional rhetorical effect.

7 
 7. Which one of the following does the passage offer as evidence that code-switching cannot be entirely explained by situational factors?

(A) Linguists have observed that bilingual high school students do not agree among themselves as to what mix of languages they would use in the presence of incongruent situational factors.
(B) Code-switching sometimes occurs in conversations whose situational factors would be expected to involve the use of a single language.
(C) Bilingual people often switch smoothly between two languages even when there is no change in the situational context in which the conversation takes place.
(D) Puerto Rican Americans sometimes use Spanish only sparingly and for rhetorical effect in the presence of situational factors that would lead one to expect Spanish to be the primary language.
(E) Speakers who engage in code-switching are often unaware of the situational factors influencing their choices of which language or mix of languages to speak.

8 
 8. Which one of the following, if true, would most cast doubt on the author’s interpretation of the study involving the family discussed in the third paragraph?

(A) In a previous twelve-month study involving the same family in their home, their conversations were entirely in English except when situational factors changed significantly.
(B) In a subsequent twelve-month study involving the same family, a particular set of situational factors occurred repeatedly without any accompanying instances of code-switching.
(C) In a subsequent twelve-month study involving the same family, it was noted that intimacy and humor were occasionally expressed through the use of English expressions.
(D) When asked about the significance of their use of Spanish, the family members replied in English rather than Spanish.
(E) Prior to their discussions with the researchers, the family members did not describe their occasional use of Spanish as serving to emphasize humor or intimacy.

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 43   
 Difficulty Level:   700

RC Butler 2021  -  Practice Two RC Questions Everyday.   
Passage # 299 Date: 29-Jul-2021
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2021 .  Click here for Details

swan17 · Answer

Please explain Q2, thanks

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. In lines 56–59, the author mentions the family members’ explanation of their use of Spanish primarily in order to

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Explanation

Paragraph 3 , the source of the detail in question, offers an additional explanation of some codeswitching that centers—as  (A)  has it—on the rhetorical reason for tossing in some Spanish during an otherwise English conversation. Expressing attitudes like humor is certainly a  “rhetorical effect,”  and that’s what the family says they were doing.

(B)  Reasons for code-switching differ because contexts differ, not because one community or another has a different purpose in mind.  Lines 44–49  spell this out. Those different communities were used for the studies in  paragraphs 2 and 3  doesn’t mean that each community has its own unique reasons.

(C)  Opposite. The family’s explanation is consistent with, rather than in  “conflict with,”  the researchers’ conclusion. The latter proposed that rhetorical purposes underlay the code-switching, and the former concurs.

(D)  Actually, the detail in question, and  paragraph 3  in general, serve to refute an argument (one not offered by the author) that all code-switching has a situational base.

(E)  The family’s comment shows that their topic of interest had shifted from  “do we use Spanish at home?”  to  “why we used Spanish as we did.”  An explanation of the use of Spanish is irrelevant to the question of why it wasn’t noticed.

Answer: A

kashishDhir · Answer

How to approach Q6?
All the options seem right

kashishDhir · Answer

How to approach Q6 and Q8?
All the options seem right

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

6. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would most likely agree with which one of the following statements?

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Explanation

(A)  implies that the unawareness of the family in  paragraph 3  somehow contradicts the findings of the students in  paragraph 2 . We’ve already dismissed that suggestion in question 4,  choice (B).

(B)  There’s no sense that anyone was surprised at the results of the high school study  (lines 36–43) . The results showed quite the reverse—they supported the notion that congruence brings about uniformity of language.

(C)  It’s an overstatement to say that paragraph 3 is offered as an explanation of  “the most unusual or nonstandard contexts.”  Rhetorical code-switching is different, but not outlandishly so, from situational code-switching.

(D)  We cannot proceed from the fact that the family was unaware of its occasional code-switching to (D)’s general pronouncement that code-switchers are  “usually unaware of situational factors.”  It’s a huge scope shift.

(E)  Here’s your correct answer, which directly echoes the substance of paragraph 3: the family’s conversations  “occasionally contained some Spanish,”  so the bulk of them must have been conducted in English, just as the family believed  (lines 52–53).

Answer: E

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi kashishDhir Click on the link below for the OE to question #6 https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-many-bili ... l#p2832400 Explanation 8. Which one of the following, if true, would most cast doubt on the author’s interpretation of the study involving the family discussed in the third paragraph? Difficulty Level: Hard Explanation The evidence (the family threw in Spanish even though the situational factors would’ve led us to expect English only) is connected to the conclusion (the codeswitching was rhetorically based) by the assumption that situational factors didn’t come into play. But if (A) is true—and remember, (A) involves a full year’s worth of eavesdropping on the family—then paragraph 3’s dismissal of situational factors is suspect. (B) This choice contradicts nothing. It’s totally predictable that similar situational factors will lead to similar code-switching events. (C) misunderstands paragraph 3. The researchers didn’t claim that Spanish was the only way that a Puerto Rican American family could express intimacy and humor, simply that the unexpected appearance of Spanish was explicable on the basis of such rhetorical aims. (D) Is this reply an example of code-switching? Who knows? And even if it is, we don’t know enough about the situational or rhetorical factors at work to infer whether this reply is or is not consistent. (E) suggests that the researchers somehow tainted the family’s view of their own use of language. But maybe it never before occurred to the family to consider the reasons for their occasional use of Spanish. The family’s prior behavior neither weakens nor strengthens the logic of the passage. Answer: A

ParnikaGoyal · Answer

Sajjad1994  Can you share explanation for Q7?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

7. Which one of the following does the passage offer as evidence that code-switching cannot be entirely explained by situational factors?

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

As if the work on the last three questions wasn’t enough, your Roadmap offers a reminder that because not all code-switching is explained by paragraph 2’s situational factors, paragraph 3 becomes necessary. And that paragraph begins by asserting, as does (B), that even when code-switching is unexpected, it can appear.

(A)  The students only failed to agree when, in the case of the priest/parishioner scenario, the factors weren’t congruent. That has everything to do with situational factors.

(C)  The issue is not any lack of “change in the situational context,” but code-switching that is separate from, or irrelevant to, situational factors.

(D)  Opposite. In the situation described in  lines 50–55 , it was English that was the primary conversational language in the Puerto Rican-American family.

(E)  Like  (A)  and  (C) , this choice depends on the situational factor explanation, when the question explicitly directs us to go beyond it.

Answer: B

akt715 · Answer

For Q2, As per my understanding C is wrong because Researchers did not conclude anything about about why the family engaged in code-switching. It is the author who concluded this and gave an example of an study to support the conclusion. Am I correct ??

Sajjad1994 · Answer

(C)  is opposite. The family’s explanation is consistent with, rather than in  “conflict with,”  the researchers’ conclusion. The latter proposed that rhetorical purposes underlay the code-switching, and the former concurs.

abhola · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja

In the explanation provided for Q8, it is mentioned that "situational factors did not come into play" is an assumption. But usually, we define assumption as an *unstated* premise, and the assumption under discussion is very clearly stated in the passage (- without any change in situational factors).

Could you please help me understand why this piece is still considered an assumption? I would classify it as another premise used in the author's conclusion but not necessarily an assumption.

I think I may sound excessively prudent but understanding this distinction would help in my CR understanding in general.

Regards.

GMATNinja · Answer

On the GMAT, the most useful definition of an assumption of an argument is something which  strengthens  the conclusion, and which is  necessary  to reach that conclusion. The question of whether the assumption is explicitly stated or not, on the other hand, is a less reliable criterion, so it's better not to focus on that.

In this case, the idea that situational factors did not come into play in the taped conversations is  necessary  to reach the conclusion that "situational factors do not account for all code-switching." In that sense, it makes sense to consider this an assumption of the argument.

Overall, what makes (A) the best answer is that it "casts doubt on the author’s interpretation of the study." If a twelve month study showed that the same family only switched to Spanish "when situational factors changed significantly," as (A) says, this would contradict the evidence cited by the author to support the conclusion. So, it would cast doubt on that conclusion.

I hope that helps!

rhngeorge · Answer

Please explain the answer to Q3 and why Option A is wrong

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. Which one of the following questions is NOT characterized by the passage as a question to which linguists sought answers in their code-switching studies involving high school students?

Difficulty Level:   700+

Explanation

This one is an interesting question, but it does require that you become intimately familiar with the details of  lines 24–43  and then slog through lengthy answer choices, and all of that effort may not be worth the one point it yields. Maybe just guess and move on? Three of the choices deal with the parent/child interaction, and two with the priest/parishioner interaction. And remember, in both cases, the students were given two of the three factors (participants/setting/topic) and asked two questions: what would be the third congruent factor, and which language would be used?

In the parent/child interaction, students were given participants and topic. The third factor is setting, which  (A)  asks about; and the language is what  (B)  asks about.

In the priest/parishioner interaction, students were given participants and location (the beach). Hence, the inquiry centered on what the topic might be, which  (E)  addresses, and (again) what the language would be, which  (C)  addresses.

That leaves  (D), “What topic would be chosen?” , which cannot be a question the researchers were trying to answer because the students were given that topic:  “how to be a good child.”

Answer: D

shauryahanda · Answer

Hi  Sajjad1994 , can you help with the explanation for que 4, thanks

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. The primary function of the third paragraph of the passage is to

Difficulty Level:   550

Explanation

We discussed the intent of paragraph 3 when, two questions ago, we considered the intent of a detail within that paragraph. The  last 16 lines  are there to offer an additional reason for code-switching that goes beyond paragraph 2’s situational factors, and that’s  (C) . (Note that the next four questions will all partake from this same well of information!)

(A)  There is no  “general explanation,”  just a pair of them, the first of which (paragraph 2) seems to be at play more often than the one in paragraph 3. Certainly paragraph 3 is much less general than paragraph 2, contrary to (A).

(B)  There is no conflict to resolve. In some cases, code-switching is unexpected, and those cases are what paragraph 3 addresses.

(D)  does describe the text of paragraph 3 but not the reason it’s there.  (D)  ignores  lines 44–49  altogether, but those lines are the essential transition to paragraph 3, as well as the support for correct  choice (C).

(E)  The unconsciousness is mentioned as evidence of how subtle this particular code-switching is  (lines 49–50) ; however, it’s a side note, not the main point of the paragraph.

Answer: C

vaibhavgautam · Answer

In Ques 7 of this passage, I found Options B & C to be very similar. Can anyone explain why B is right and C is wrong?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation posted here https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-many-bili ... l#p2836940 Best.

siddhantvarma · Answer

This was quite a fun passage considering the questions challenged the overall understanding of the passage. Took 16mins and 45 seconds and got all 8 questions correct.

Passage Breakdown   (These are the exact notes I took when reading the passage)   :
P1:  Code-switching is prevalent in many bilingual communities in America and it can be majorly explained using certain factors
 P2 : Situational factors or conversational factors affect code switching which primarily includes setting, participant and topic (Example of a relevant study is cited here)
 P3 : Non-situational or rhetorical effects also govern code-switching sometimes to express intimate and human feelings naturally where people don't consciously follow code-switching (Again, an example of a relevant study is cited here)

Detailed passage breakdown     (Used the above and my understanding of the passage to formulate this)     :  
The passage discusses the phenomenon of code-switching among Puerto Rican Americans in the United States within bilingual communities. Code-switching is influenced by various factors, primarily situational and rhetorical. Situational factors include the setting, participants, and topic of conversation, which, when congruent, make predicting language choice easier. A study involving high school students demonstrated this by asking them to predict language use based on given factors.

Additionally, the passage highlights that not all instances of code-switching can be explained by situational factors alone. Some code-switching occurs for rhetorical reasons, such as to express intimacy or humor more emphatically, even when situational factors suggest the use of a single language. This was evidenced by a study of a Puerto Rican American family who unconsciously used Spanish occasionally to achieve certain rhetorical effects.

Question Analysis:

1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?  
  Correct Answer: (E) Most code-switching among Puerto Rican Americans can be explained by subtle situational and rhetorical factors.

Pre-thinking:  The passage discusses how code-switching among Puerto Rican Americans can be attributed to both situational and rhetorical factors. Note that even though in the first paragraph  "While there are some cases that cannot currently be explained..." , it only refers to exceptional cases so we can't use this to conclude that code-switching cannot be explained.

(A) The lives of Puerto Rican Americans are affected in various ways by code-switching. 
This is too broad and does not capture the specific focus on situational and rhetorical factors. The Puerto Rican Americans case is just an example to further explain the main point of the passage.   Hence we can rule out A.

(B) It is not always possible to explain why codeswitching occurs in conversations among Puerto Rican Americans. 
While true in some cases, the passage primarily emphasizes that most instances can indeed be explained. We're given various examples (students and the Puerto Rican family) where we can say that it's possibly to explain why codeswitching occurs (situational in former, rhetorical in latter).   B is out.

(C) Rhetorical factors can explain more instances of code-switching among Puerto Rican Americans than can situational factors. 
The passage does not make a comparative claim that rhetorical factors explain more than situational factors.   C is clearly out.

(D) Studies of bilingual communities of Puerto Rican Americans have caused linguists to revise many of their beliefs about codeswitching. 
The passage does not suggest that existing beliefs have been revised.   Out of scope, D is out.

2. In lines 56–59, the author mentions the family members’ explanation of their use of Spanish primarily in order to

Correct Answer: (A) report evidence supporting the conclusion that the family’s code-switching had a rhetorical basis

Explanation:  The family’s use of Spanish to express intimacy or humor indicates that their code-switching is driven by rhetorical reasons, aligning with the idea that rhetorical factors play a role.

(B) show that reasons for code-switching differ from one community to another 
The passage does not compare different communities.   Out of scope.

(C) supply evidence that seems to conflict with the researchers’ conclusions about why the family engaged in code-switching 
The evidence supports, rather than conflicts with, the researchers’ conclusions.   C is incorrect.

(D) refute the argument that situational factors explain most code-switching 
The purpose is not to refute situational factors but to provide an additional explanation.   D is incorrect.

(E) explain how it could be that the family members failed to notice their use of Spanish 
This can be a trap answer for some, because you might relate rhetorical with "being unware of using code switching" which is correct, but the explanation isn't meant to help conclude this, we already know this, the bigger picture or the purpose of the explanation is to cite evidence and support the overall conclusion that in this case the family used rhetorical code-switching than situational.   E can be ruled out.

3. Which one of the following questions is NOT characterized by the passage as a question to which linguists sought answers in their code-switching studies involving high school students?

Correct Answer: (D) What topic do the students involved in the study think that a parent and child would be most likely to discuss when they are speaking Spanish?

Explanation:  The passage does not address this question. The study focuses on situational factors (setting, participants, topic) and their congruence, not specifically on the topic of conversations in Spanish. Even in the student examples cited, the topic was fixed.

(A) Where do the students involved in the study think that a parent and child are likely to be when they are talking about how to be a good son or daughter? 
This is directly addressed in the study. 
 
 (B) What language or mix of languages do the students involved in the study think that a parent and child would be likely to use when they are talking at home about how to be a good son or daughter? 
This is covered by the study.
 
 (C) What language or mix of languages do the students involved in the study think that a priest and a parishioner would be likely to use if they were conversing on a beach? 
This scenario is also part of the study’s exploration of incongruent factors.
 
 (D) What topic do the students involved in the study think that a parent and child would be most likely to discuss when they are speaking Spanish? 
This is not covered in any of the studies.

(E) What topic do the students involved in the study think that a priest and parishioner would be likely to discuss on a beach?
This is similarly explored in the study.

4. The primary function of the third paragraph of the passage is to

Correct Answer: (C) show that there are instances of code-switching that are not explained by the factors discussed in the previous paragraph

Explanation:  The third paragraph introduces the idea that code-switching can occur for rhetorical reasons even when situational factors suggest it should not, providing an additional layer of explanation. Minor details like instances of code-switching cited, the Puerto Rican American family example is more like supporting information. The bigger picture is to tell readers that code-switching can occur for rhetorical reason and imply that situational factors are not sufficient to explain code switching.

(A) consider a general explanation for the phenomenon of code-switching that is different from the one discussed in the preceding paragraphs 
The paragraph adds to, rather than replaces, the previous explanations.

(B) resolve an apparent conflict between two explanations for code-switching that were discussed in the preceding paragraphs 
There is no conflict being resolved.

(C) show that there are instances of code-switching that are not explained by the factors discussed in the previous paragraph 
Yes, this is exactly what the third paragraph talks about and appears to be the overall big picture the author is trying to communicate with the third paragraph.

(D) report some of the patterns of code-switching observed among a family of Puerto Rican Americans in another community 
While it does report on a family, the primary function is to show unexplained instances by situational factors.

(E) show that some instances of code-switching are unconscious 
This is a minor point; the main focus is on rhetorical reasons

5. Based on the passage, which one of the following is best explained as rhetorically determined code-switching?   Correct Answer: (D) A speaker who primarily uses one language switches to another language because it sounds more expressive.

Explanation:  This option directly reflects the rhetorical reason for code-switching, such as to convey intimacy or humor more effectively.

(A) A speaker who does not know certain words in the primary language of a conversation occasionally has recourse to familiar words in another language. 
This is more about linguistic necessity, not rhetorical effect.

(B) A person translating a text from one language into another leaves certain words in the original language because the author of the text invented those words. 
This involves translation practices, not conversational code-switching.

(C) For the purpose of improved selling strategies, a businessperson who primarily uses one language sometimes conducts business in a second language that is preferred by some people in the community. 
This is strategic, not rhetorical.

(D) A speaker who primarily uses one language switches to another language because it sounds more expressive. 
 
The passage indicates that the rhetorical purpose of code-switching is to express an intimate or more humor meaning and in turn, be more expressive.

(E) A speaker who primarily uses one language occasionally switches to another language in order to maintain fluency in the secondary language. 
This is about maintaining language skills, not rhetorical purposes.

6. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would most likely agree with which one of the following statements?   Correct Answer: (E) Research suggests that the family of Puerto Rican Americans does not use code-switching in conversations held at home except for occasional rhetorical effect.

Explanation:  This aligns with the study’s findings that the family uses Spanish for rhetorical reasons even though they believe they speak only English.

(A) Research revealing that speakers are sometimes unaware of code-switching casts doubt on the results of a prior study involving high school students. 
There is no indication that unawareness casts doubt on the high school study.

(B) Relevant research conducted prior to the linguists’ work with high school students would lead one to expect different answers from those the students actually gave. 
The passage does not suggest prior research expectations were different.

(C) Research conducted prior to the study of a family of Puerto Rican Americans was thought by most researchers to explain codeswitching in all except the most unusual or nonstandard contexts. 
The passage does not discuss prior research to this extent.

(D) Research suggests that people engaged in codeswitching are usually unaware of which situational factors might influence their choice of language or languages. 
This is not a key point made in the passage.

(E) Research suggests that the family of Puerto Rican Americans does not use code-switching in conversations held at home except for occasional rhetorical effect. 
This goes well the findings of the study that the family even though generally converse in English for rhetorical reasons use Spanish.

7. Which one of the following does the passage offer as evidence that code-switching cannot be entirely explained by situational factors?

Correct Answer: (B) Code-switching sometimes occurs in conversations whose situational factors would be expected to involve the use of a single language.

Explanation:  This directly supports the idea that situational factors alone cannot fully explain code-switching, as seen in conversations that still involve switching languages despite congruent situational factors.

(A) Linguists have observed that bilingual high school students do not agree among themselves as to what mix of languages they would use in the presence of incongruent situational factors. 
This pertains to incongruent factors, not unexplained code-switching with congruent factors.

(B) Code-switching sometimes occurs in conversations whose situational factors would be expected to involve the use of a single language.

(C) Bilingual people often switch smoothly between two languages even when there is no change in the situational context in which the conversation takes place. 
This supports rhetorical reasons but not the primary point of situational congruence.

(D) Puerto Rican Americans sometimes use Spanish only sparingly and for rhetorical effect in the presence of situational factors that would lead one to expect Spanish to be the primary language. 
This is about rhetorical use in expected Spanish contexts, not situational unexplained switching.

(E) Speakers who engage in code-switching are often unaware of the situational factors influencing their choices of which language or mix of languages to speak. 
Awareness is not the focus here.

8. Which one of the following, if true, would most cast doubt on the author’s interpretation of the study involving the family discussed in the third paragraph?

(A) In a previous twelve-month study involving the same family in their home, their conversations were entirely in English except when situational factors changed significantly. 
This directly challenges the current study’s findings. The only time code-switching happened was for situational reasons. The author interpreted that situational reasons are not sufficient and rhetorical reasons may come into play but if only situational factors influenced code-switching for the family, it would cast doubt on the author's interpretation that situational factors can not sufficiently provide reasoning for code-switching stating that they're indeed sufficient.   A sounds good, let's hold onto it.

(B) In a subsequent twelve-month study involving the same family, a particular set of situational factors occurred repeatedly without any accompanying instances of code-switching. 
This might support situational factors but does not directly challenge rhetorical findings.   B is out.

(C) In a subsequent twelve-month study involving the same family, it was noted that intimacy and humor were occasionally expressed through the use of English expressions. 
This seems tempting. It tells us that the family used their primary language even to be more expressive and didn't resort to code-switching. This tells us that in that twelve-month study, they did not do any code-switching at all. So while it's telling us something new, it doesn't case doubt on the Author's interpretation. To cast doubt on the Author's interpretation, we want code-switching to happen, but not for rhetorical reasons.   We can rule out C.

(D) When asked about the significance of their use of Spanish, the family members replied in English rather than Spanish. 
This only strengthens the fact they use English primarily and doesn't tell us anything about code-switching.   D is out.

(E) Prior to their discussions with the researchers, the family members did not describe their occasional use of Spanish as serving to emphasize humor or intimacy. 
Okay so humor or intimacy wasn't expressed with the occasional use of Spanish, but there could be other emotions that may have been expressed with their occasional use of Spanish. This is incomplete reasoning so   we can rule out E as well.

In many bilingual communities of Puerto Rican Americans living in the

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