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While hotels have traditionally held a firm grip on the market of vacation-goers, the emergence of companies fostering short-term rentals are dramatically changing the landscape of the travel industry. Before the advent of the modern online forum, short-term rentals were an arrangement limited by sheer logistics. Information about the availability of (and desire for) a short-term rental was difficult to transmit and share. However, with the current explosion of social media and cyber enterprise, the business model of short-term rentals has blossomed.
In 2011, 40% of travelers reported that they would be staying in a short-term rental during the year, as opposed to a traditional hotel. By 2013, this figure had jumped up to a staggering 49%. The short-term rental business is a $24 billion market, holding 8% of the total market of U.S. travel. Rapidly expanding and growing with the innovations of creative renters, the question that hangs in the air is what this means for communities. Short-term rentals have had a polarizing effect in many ways, becoming a source of joy for venturists and cause of dismay for many homeowners.
In recent news, there have been incredible scandals in which short-term renters have abused the property loaned to them, causing thousands of dollars' worth of property damage. Other accusations include disturbing the peace and the commission of criminal acts. Homeowners' Associations (HOAs) have been up in arms, and the legal backlash has been significant. New York enacted firm restrictions on short-term renters, and many HOAs now embed limits on the purposes that a space may be used for, barring short-term rentals.
However, this reaction is an over-reaction, and a detrimental one at that. Cities and towns that set hard limits against short-term rentals are halting the economic growth that would otherwise accompany them. Vacationers are likely to be deterred from venturing out to towns that have banned more affordable short-term rentals. While some vacationers might opt to stay at a hotel in desirable locations, as the short-term rental industry continues to grow, it will become more and more likely that vacation-goers will simply choose alternative destinations that actually allow for short-term rentals.
This is not to say, however, that short-term rentals should be completely unregulated. The key is imposing useful regulations that are mutually beneficial to both communities and to the proprietors of short-term rentals. One potential solution would be to impose reasonable taxes on visitors that use short-term rentals; having requirements for minimum stays could also ensure more consistency for the communities. This also has the added benefit of generating income for towns and cities. There is no reason why communities should see the short-term rental industry as an adversary, when it can just as easily be made into an ally.
The purpose of this passage is to __________.
advocate for a particular position
provide an objective and unbiased point of view on a complex topic
explain the intersection of community and business
point out the weaknesses in a widely accepted point of view
rationalize a negative phenomenon
Explanation
This passage is written to support short-term rentals and provide arguments as to why they should be supported. Therefore, the correct answer is "advocate for a particular position." The passage is not objective and unbiased, as it clearly has a particular agenda. While the intersection of business and community is a theme discussed in the passage, it is not the primary purpose. Short-term rentals are not a negative phenonmen, and so the answer choice, "rationalize a negative phenomenon," is also incorrect. The passage also does not "point out the weaknesses in a widely accepted point of view."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Mathew began reading many books about investing he wanted to become better at investing than Warren Buffet.
many books about investing; he wanted to become better
many books about investing he wanted to become better
many books about investing, he wanted to become better
many books about investing, he wanted to, become better
many books about investing; he wanted to, become better
Explanation
This sentence does not contain the correct punctuation where it is necessary. The sentence joins two related independent clauses together without the use of a coordinate conjunction; therefore, a semicolon is necessary between the words "investing" and "he." The correct choice is, "many books about investing; he wanted to become better."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same as the old plan, but with a much tighter time frame in which to accomplish everything.
For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was effectively the same
For all intensive purposes, the new plan was essentially the same thing
For all intensive purposes, the new plan being essentially the same
Explanation
The use of the phrase "for all intensive purposes," as it is in this sentence, is incorrect. The idiom is actually "for all intents and purposes," which indicates that every element was considered. "For all intents and purposes, the new plan was essentially the same," is the correct answer choice as it is the only one that uses the correct idiom.
Ascertaining the meaning of ancient writing is often beyond the reach of even the most learning scholars.
even the most learned scholars.
even the most learning scholars.
the most learning scholars.
even scholars most learning.
even the most learning of scholars.
Explanation
The underlined phrase has a problem with the phrase "most learning." The phrase is describing the word "scholars." While the scholars might have "the most learning," this would make them "the most learned." The correct answer is "even the most learned of scholars."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The coach said "It is always important to stretch before running."
The coach said, "It is always important to stretch before running."
The coach said "It is always important to stretch before running."
The coach said It is always important to stretch before running.
The coach said, 'It is always important to stretch before running.'
The coach said: It is always important to stretch before running.
Explanation
This sentence does not contain a comma where one is necessary. Since the phrase "It is always important to stretch before running" is a direct quote, a comma should appear after the word "said." A colon could also be used (though, commas are more appropriate), but not with single quotation marks, since this is not a quote within a quote.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming, announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge.
The company's upcoming announcement which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs put everyone, on edge.
Explanation
The phrase "which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs" is an example of a relative clause, which gives more information about its antecedent: announcement. Any such phrase that occurs in the middle of a sentence must be introduced and completed with a comma. The correct answer choice is "The company's upcoming announcement, which might decide the fate of thousands of workers' jobs, put everyone on edge."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Boswell described his conversations with Dr. Johnson and writes that Johnson's wit was unparalleled.
Dr. Johnson and wrote that
Dr. Johnson and says that
Dr. Johnson and asserts that
Dr. Johnson and has written
Dr. Johnson: claiming that
Explanation
The example sentence features a verb tense error. Since "described" is in the past tense and the writing Boswell did about Johnson contains descriptions of Johnson, the verb "writing" should agree with the tense of "described." Replacing the underlined section with "and wrote that" is the correct answer.
While "asserts" and "says" are both potentially correct verbs to insert, those options were in the present tense, and thus would be incorrect in this context.
The phrase "and has written" would need to be a separate clause, and would require a comma preceding it to be correct.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
It is important to turn in you're homework every day.
to turn in your homework every day.
to turn in you're homework every day.
to turn in: you're homework every day.
to turn: in your homework every day.
to turn in you're homework, every day.
Explanation
This sentence misuses the word "you're." This word is a contraction for "you are," when the possessive form is meant here. The correct word is "your." No additional punctuation or changes is needed, so the correct choice is, "to turn in your homework every day."
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection, was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001 following intense legal scrutiny.
Napster, the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection was shut down in 2001, following intense legal scrutiny.
Explanation
"The music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection" is a phrase modifying the subject noun "Napster." It is an appositive phrase and should, therefore, be offset by two commas. Appositives define or rename the subject of the sentence, in this case Napster (the subject) is being re-characterized as "the music sharing service considered a threat to copyright protection." The appositive must be offset with commas because it is outside of the fundamental grammatical structure of the sentence.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The scholarship allowed Mickey to travel all the way to France and staying in a five-star hotel.
The scholarship allowed Mickey to travel all the way to France and to stay in a five-star hotel.
The scholarship allowed Mickey to travel all the way to France and he could also stay in a five-star hotel.
The scholarship allowed Mickey to travel all the way to France and also staying in a five-star hotel.
The scholarship allowed Mickey traveling all the way to France and staying in a five-star hotel.
The scholarship allowed Mickey to travel all the way to France and staying in a five-star hotel.
Explanation
This sentence contains an error in parallelism. The verbs "travel" and "stay" must be in the same form. In the sentence as it is presented, "to travel" and "staying" do not match. The correct answer makes both of these terms infinitives: "to travel" and "to stay."