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Questions 10 through 11 are based on the following reading passage.
Among the more interesting elements ofetymology is the attempt to derive the meaning ofseemingly nonsensical expressions. Take, for instance,the increasingly archaic rural phrase “to buy a pigin a poke.” For centuries, the expression has beenused to signify the purchase of an item without fullknowledge of its condition. It relates to the commonRenaissance practice of securing suckling pigs fortransport to market in a poke, or drawstring bag.Unscrupulous sellers would sometimes attempt to dupepurchasers by replacing the suckling pig with a cat,considered worthless at market. An unsuspecting ornaïve buyer might fail to confirm the bag’s contents;a more urbane buyer, though, would be sure to checkand—should the seller be dishonest—“let the cat outof the bag.”
Questions 10 through 11 are based on the following reading passage.
Among the more interesting elements ofetymology is the attempt to derive the meaning ofseemingly nonsensical expressions. Take, for instance,the increasingly archaic rural phrase “to buy a pigin a poke.” For centuries, the expression has beenused to signify the purchase of an item without fullknowledge of its condition. It relates to the commonRenaissance practice of securing suckling pigs fortransport to market in a poke, or drawstring bag.Unscrupulous sellers would sometimes attempt to dupepurchasers by replacing the suckling pig with a cat,considered worthless at market. An unsuspecting ornaïve buyer might fail to confirm the bag’s contents;a more urbane buyer, though, would be sure to checkand—should the seller be dishonest—“let the cat outof the bag.”
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