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On April 30, 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from the French. Astounded and excited by the offer of a sale and all that it would mean, it took less than a month to hear the offer and determine to buy it for $15 million. Right away the United States had more than twice the amount of land as before, giving the country more of a chance to become powerful. They had to move in military and governmental power in this region, but even as this was happening they had very little knowledge about the area. They did not even really know where the land boundaries were, nor did they have any how many people lived there. They needed to explore.
Based on the facts in the passage, what prediction could you make about the time immediately following the Louisiana Purchase?
- A. Explorers were already on their way to the region.
- B. The government aimed to increase its power.
- C. Government officials would ensure explorers were dispatched to the region.
- D. Explorers would expect compensation for their work.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The passage mentions that explorers like Lewis and Clark were sent to the newly acquired Louisiana Territory immediately after the Louisiana Purchase. This indicates that explorers were already on their way to the region following the purchase. Choice B is incorrect as there is no direct mention of the government wanting to increase its power right after the purchase. Choice C is incorrect as the passage does not state that government officials would specifically ensure explorers were dispatched to the region. Choice D is incorrect because there is no information provided in the passage about explorers expecting payment for their work.
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During the summer, Angela read the following classics: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald; Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley; A Passage to India, by E.M. Forster; and “The Cask of Amontillado,†by Edgar Allen Poe.
What is the purpose of the italics used for several of the works identified in the sentence above?
- A. to indicate a full-length published book
- B. to indicate a work of classic literature
- C. to indicate recommended summer reading
- D. to indicate books that Angela completed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The purpose of the italics used for several of the works identified in the sentence above is to indicate a full-length published book. In the provided extract, titles of books such as 'The Great Gatsby,' 'Brave New World,' 'A Passage to India,' and 'The Cask of Amontillado' are italicized to emphasize them as standalone works. This formatting convention is commonly used to highlight titles of books, magazines, movies, and other individual works in written text. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as the italics are not specifically indicating classic literature, recommended summer reading, or completion by Angela, but rather serving the general purpose of emphasizing standalone works.
Which of the following stories' messages is significantly distorted through the use of an irrelevant detail?
- A. A soft profile about a local politician's part-time rock band that mentions his political differences with his bandmates
- B. A feature story of a local business owner running for political office in which she admits to having employed illegal laborers
- C. A profile of several local Jewish and Arab business leaders that mentions ongoing hostilities in the Middle East
- D. A news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that includes details about an immigration violation he committed twenty years previously
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. In the news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that includes details about an immigration violation he committed twenty years previously, the irrelevant detail about the immigration violation distracts from the main message of the protest against property tax rates. The inclusion of this detail shifts the focus away from the citizen's current concerns and the reasons for his protest, thus distorting the story's message. Choices A, B, and C do not include irrelevant details that significantly distort the main messages of the stories. Choice A mentions political differences with bandmates but still focuses on the politician's part-time rock band. Choice B discusses the employment of illegal laborers but remains centered on the business owner's political aspirations. Choice C talks about ongoing hostilities in the Middle East but does not veer away from the main focus on the local Jewish and Arab business leaders.
The following is an excerpt of an article published by The New York Times announcing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Use the following article to answer the next five questions.
AWFUL EVENT
President Lincoln Shot by an Assassin
The Deed Done at Ford's Theatre Last Night
THE ACT OF A DESPERATE REBEL
The President Still Alive at Last Accounts No Hopes Entertained of His Recovery
Attempted Assassination of Secretary Seward
DETAILS OF THE DREADFUL TRAGEDY.
Official
War Department, Washington April 15, 1:30 A.M. - Maj. Gen. Dis.: This evening at about 9:30 P.M. at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Harris, and Major Rathburn, was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and appeared behind the President. The assassin then leaped upon the stage, brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the theatre. The pistol ball entered the back of the President's head and penetrated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has been insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying.
About the same hour an assassin, whether the same or not, entered Mr. Sewards' apartments, and under the pretense of having a prescription, was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber. The assassin immediately rushed to the bed, and inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and two on the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal. My apprehension is that they will prove fatal.
The nurse alarmed Mr. Frederick Seward, who was in an adjoining room, and hastened to the door of his father's room, when he met the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds. The recovery of Frederick Seward is doubtful.
It is not probable that the President will live throughout the night.
Gen. Grant and wife were advertised to be at the theatre this evening, but he started to Burlington at 6 o'clock this evening. At a Cabinet meeting at which Gen. Grant was present, the subject of the state of the country and the prospect of a speedy peace was discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, and spoke very kindly of Gen. Lee and others of the Confederacy, and of the establishment of government in Virginia.
All the members of the Cabinet except Mr. Seward are now in attendance upon the President. I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frederick were both unconscious.
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
In the context of the article, the word mortal means
- A. deadly.
- B. recoverable.
- C. fatal.
- D. dangerous.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the context of the article describing the assassination of President Lincoln, the word 'mortal' is used to describe a wound that will cause death. The sentence 'The wound is mortal' indicates that the wound is fatal and will result in the President's death. Therefore, the correct synonym for 'mortal' in this context is 'fatal,' meaning causing death. Choice A, 'deadly,' is the best synonym as it directly relates to causing death. Choices B and D, 'recoverable' and 'dangerous,' do not accurately reflect the meaning of 'mortal' in this context.
The loss of barrier islands through erosion poses a serious challenge to many communities along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Along with marshes and wetlands, these islands protect coastal towns from major storms. In the past seventy years, Louisiana alone has lost almost 2,000 square miles of coastal land to hurricanes and flooding. More than 100 square miles of wetlands protecting the city of New Orleans were wiped out by a single storm, Hurricane Katrina. Due to this exposure of coastal communities, recent hurricane seasons have proven the most expensive on record: annual losses since 2005 have been estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars. This unfortunate trend is likely to continue, since meteorological research shows that the Atlantic basin is in an active storm period that could continue for decades.
The passage describes recent hurricane seasons as the most expensive on record. Which of the following statements gives the implied reason for this increased expense?
- A. Hurricane Katrina was an extremely violent storm.
- B. Valuable buildings were destroyed in New Orleans.
- C. The Atlantic Basin is entering an active period.
- D. Destruction of barrier islands and coastal wetlands has left the mainland exposed.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The destruction of barrier islands and coastal wetlands has left the mainland exposed, leading to increased damage and expenses from hurricanes. This implies a direct reason for the increased cost of recent hurricane seasons. The other choices do not directly address the reason for the increased expenses. Choice A talks about the intensity of Hurricane Katrina but does not explain the overall trend of increased expenses. Choice B mentions buildings being destroyed, which is a consequence rather than a reason for increased expenses. Choice C discusses an active period in the Atlantic Basin but does not connect it to the increased costs of hurricane seasons.
The federal government regulates dietary supplements through the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The regulations for dietary supplements are not the same as those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. In general, the regulations for dietary supplements are less strict.
To begin with, a manufacturer does not have to prove the safety and effectiveness of a dietary supplement before it is marketed. A manufacturer is permitted to say that a dietary supplement addresses a nutrient deficiency, supports health, or is linked to a particular body function (such as immunity), if there is research to support the claim. Such a claim must be followed by the words “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.â€
Also, manufacturers are expected to follow certain good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure that dietary supplements are processed consistently and meet quality standards. Requirements for GMPs went into effect in 2008 for large manufacturers and are being phased in for small manufacturers through 2010.
Once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA monitors safety and product information, such as label claims and package inserts. If it finds a product to be unsafe, it can take action against the manufacturer and/or distributor and may issue a warning or require that the product be removed from the marketplace. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for regulating product advertising; it requires that all information be truthful and not misleading.
The federal government has taken legal action against a number of dietary supplement promoters or Web sites that promote or sell dietary supplements because they have made false or deceptive statements about their products or because marketed products have proven to be unsafe.
What is the main idea of the passage?
- A. Manufacturers of dietary supplements must adhere to good manufacturing practices.
- B. The FDA has a specialized program for regulating dietary supplements.
- C. The federal government prosecutes individuals who deceive the public.
- D. The FDA operates under the federal government.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main idea of the passage is that the FDA has a specialized program for regulating dietary supplements. The passage explains how the FDA regulates dietary supplements differently from drugs, focusing on the requirements for marketing, good manufacturing practices, monitoring safety, and taking action against unsafe products. Choice A is incorrect because while it mentions good manufacturing practices, it's not the central idea of the passage. Choice C is incorrect as there is no emphasis on prosecuting individuals in the passage. Choice D is incorrect because stating that the FDA is part of the federal government is not the main idea discussed in the passage.