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The White Elephant: Centuries ago, In Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers to give a white elephant to those who displeased them. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was a gift from the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for the elephant in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the recipient and in many cases the entire family became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term 'white elephant' as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The parlor game of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings a wrapped gift and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The second person can choose a new gift or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly gifts and 'stealing' someone else's gift.
How did the people regard a white elephant?
- A. If a village elder received a white elephant, the entire village shared in the supply of meat.
- B. The people of Siam vied for the honor of receiving the king's gift of a white elephant.
- C. People tried very hard not to offend the king so they would not receive a white elephant.
- D. White elephants were highly prized as they were very hard workers in the cane fields.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the passage states that receiving a white elephant was considered a burden, leading to potential impoverishment. This implies that people tried hard not to offend the ruler to avoid receiving such a gift. Option A is incorrect as it contradicts the negative consequences associated with receiving a white elephant. Option B is incorrect as the passage does not mention people actively seeking to receive a white elephant. Option D is incorrect as there is no mention of white elephants being valued for their work abilities in the passage.
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One of the best ways to understand a group of people is to know what makes them laugh. Laughter encompasses the limits of the soul and serves social, psychological, and physiological functions. In humor, life is redefined and accepted. Irony and satire provide much keener insights into a group's collective psyche and values than do years of research. It has always been a great disappointment to Native Americans that the humorous side of their life has not been mentioned by experts on native American affairs. Rather, the image of the stern-faced redskin has been presented by the American Westerns.
What does the author seem to favor?
- A. The study of ancient Native American traditions
- B. The study of ancient American humor
- C. Research into Native American humor
- D. Preservation of Native American languages
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author expresses a preference for the research into Native American humor. The passage highlights the importance of understanding a group of people through what makes them laugh, indicating that humor provides insights into a group's collective psyche and values. The author laments the lack of attention to the humorous side of Native American life by experts in the field, suggesting a favoritism towards exploring and acknowledging Native American humor.
What effect does your voice have on others? Does it persuade or irritate, attract or repel? One of
the worst qualities is harshness. If you ever get the feeling that people are uncomfortable when you speak, it may be that your harsh tones are jarring their eardrums. Your voice will sound
unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, to loud, or too nasal. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw. Tension tightens muscles and blocks the relaxed voice tones essential to a pleasing impression. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than men, which usually makes them
less desirable public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.
What is the main idea presented in this paragraph?
- A. Some men possess harsh voices.
- B. Harsh voices are often associated with relaxed individuals.
- C. Women are perceived as less appealing political candidates due to their shriller voices.
- D. Not everyone is bothered by a harsh voice.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The paragraph discusses how women tend to have shriller voices than men, making them less desirable as public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates. It explains that harsh voice qualities usually stem from tension in the throat and jaw, more prevalent in higher-pitched voices like those of women. This suggests that women may face challenges in certain professions due to voice characteristics, impacting their perception as political candidates.
Eating
Consumption of food is a universal necessity. Different
cultures have developed different methods to accomplish
the task. It is interesting to discover these differences and
learn new ways to do things.
European cultures developed cutlery (knives, forks, and
spoons) to enable people to efficiently eat their food.
Correct use of this toolĆ¢Ä‚¬Ä„¢s changes with the times-what was
polite in 1800 may not be considered proper manners
today.
China developed the chopstick as an efficient tool for
eating. Mastery of the use of chopsticks can be difficult
for the person not raised in the culture. The attempts of a
novice to use chopsticks can be very amusing to the
watcher, but frustrating for the hungry diner.
Space travel has created new challenges for consuming
food. Squeeze bottles and other unique packaging have
enabled space travelers to get their needed nutrition.
Chopsticks and forks do not work well in space.
Which statement from the article draws a conclusion?
- A. Mastery of the use of chopsticks can be difficult.
- B. It is interesting to discover new ways to do things.
- C. What was considered polite in the 1800s may not be considered proper manners today.
- D. Chopsticks and forks do not work well in space.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The statement 'It is interesting to discover new ways to do things' draws a conclusion by highlighting the intriguing aspect of exploring different methods of eating across cultures. While the other statements provide information and observations, this statement reflects on the overall fascination with learning about diverse food consumption practices.
Electrocardiogram
Beep!Ć¢Ä‚¬Ā¦Beep!Ć¢Ä‚¬Ā¦Beep! is the audible rhythmic sound made as the strength of the heart muscle is measured. The signal cadence has a characteristic record that varies in every individual. This record is called an electrocardiogram, or ECG.
In the body, an array of systemic neural responses constantly occur, emitting electric currents. The electric currents can be detected on the surface of the body, and if a person is hooked to an amplifier, these impulses are recorded by an electrocardiograph.
Most of the information obtained is about the heart because the heart sends out electric currents in waves. This Ć¢Ä‚¬Å“wave of excitationĆ¢Ä‚¬Ā¯ spreads through the heart wall and is accompanied by electric changes. The wave takes place in three distinct steps.
Initially, the Ć¢Ä‚¬Å“wave of excitationĆ¢Ä‚¬Ā¯ accompanied by an electric change lasts for approximately 1 to 2 seconds after the contraction of the cardiac muscle. The electric impulses are discharged rhythmically from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the pacemaker of the heart. This spread of excitation over the muscle of the atrium indicates that the atrium has contracted.
Next, the peak of the ECG reading is due to the atrioventricular (AV) node, causing the ventricle to become excited.
Finally, the ventricles relax, and any changes in the wave indicate to trained medical staff any abnormalities within the heart
In the body, an array of systemic neural responses constantly occur, emitting electric currents. The electric currents can be detected on the surface of the body, and if a person is hooked to an amplifier, these impulses are recorded by an electrocardiograph. What is the meaning of the word emitting as it is used in the second paragraph?
- A. Repelling
- B. Releasing
- C. Closing
- D. Charging
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, 'Releasing.' In this context, 'emitting' refers to the action of releasing electric currents. The passage describes how electric currents are constantly emitted by systemic neural responses in the body. These emitted currents can be detected on the body's surface and recorded by an electrocardiograph. Therefore, the term 'emitting' in this context means 'releasing' electric currents.
Over the last few decades, medical experts have changed their thinking on the health effects of some common foods and beverages. Higher-fat foods and some alcoholic beverages like red wine and beer, once viewed as top threats to a healthy lifestyle, are now seen by many as less harmful and even as having some health benefits. But there is perhaps no topic that the medical community has reversed its
thinking on more often than coffee. Since long before the advent of modern medicine, public opinion regarding the health effects of coffee has been diverse and ever-changing. Opinion on coffee's health effects can be traced back several centuries. In the 1600s, doctors in England touted coffee as a cure for alcoholism, but some women complained that coffee was making their husbands impotent. They may have been correct, as caffeine is a
diuretic and can irritate the prostate (dehydration and prostatitis can both lead to erectile dysfunction). In the late 1700s, coffeehouses began opening all over colonial America, where coffee was seen as a healthy stimulant that helped the colonists work longer hours. But by the early 1900s, public concern grew as coffee consumption was blamed for a variety of common ailments, such as nervousness, indigestion, and insomnia. In the 1970s, medical journals published studies that linked coffee consumption with high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks. In 2001, a meta-study indicated that coffee was responsible for a 20% increase in risk for urinary tract cancer. But starting in 2007, to the surprise of many, meta-studies began to show positive health effects of coffee consumption. A 2007 study showed that coffee was viewed by many as "practically a health food." However, CNN also warned that given the long history of flip-flops on the health effects of coffee, medical and public opinion on coffee could easily turn negative again.
What is the main idea of the passage?
- A. Public opinion on the health effects of coffee has changed over time.
- B. Coffee consumption has been linked to many diseases.
- C. Coffee is better for one's health than generally believed.
- D. More studies are needed to determine the effects of coffee on health.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Option A accurately reflects the main theme of the passage. It discusses how the perception of coffee's health effects has evolved significantly throughout history, highlighting shifts from viewing it as a cure to associating it with various health risks, and then to recognizing potential health benefits. The passage clearly outlines the changing public opinion on coffee, demonstrating how it has shifted over time, making this the most appropriate choice to capture the essence of the text.