Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension Related

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Photosynthesis is a process used by plants, algae, and certain bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in sugar molecules. This process is fundamental to life on Earth as it provides the primary source of energy for nearly all organisms. The energy is captured from sunlight by a pigment in the plants called chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color.
During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil react in the presence of light to form sugars and oxygen. The oxygen is released into the atmosphere, which is crucial for the survival of most life forms on Earth. The sugars produced are used by the plant for energy and growth, storing excess energy as starch.
The process occurs in two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. In the light-dependent reactions, energy from sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll and converted into stored chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle uses the ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.
Photosynthesis not only sustains plant life but also maintains the atmospheric oxygen levels and is a key factor in the carbon cycle, helping to regulate Earth's climate.

How does photosynthesis contribute to the carbon cycle?

  • A. By converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into sugars
  • B. By increasing carbon dioxide absorption by animals
  • C. By producing carbon monoxide
  • D. By releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Photosynthesis contributes to the carbon cycle by converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into sugars. During photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce sugars. This process helps in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing its levels. The sugars produced are utilized by the plant for energy and growth, with excess energy stored as starch. Ultimately, this conversion of carbon dioxide into sugars is a crucial step in the carbon cycle, as it plays a significant role in regulating the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and maintaining the balance of gases essential for life on Earth.

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Nurseries
If you thought nurseries were just for babies, well, think again! Being special kinds of farms, nurseries are used to raise plants in mass quantities. Plants, trees, and shrubs are typically grown in nurseries and then sold to farmers and gardeners to plant in homes, businesses and farms. Most nurseries are found in the more rural parts the country because much land is required to have a viable nursery. If a nursery sells plants to others, it must obtain a special permit from the local city or county, which keeps the competition fair and does not saturate the market with a large number of nurseries selling similar products.
Also on the grounds of nurseries are greenhouses which are made of glass or plastic panes that protect the plants from weather elements that may harm them and cause them not to grow and develop. The glass panels in greenhouses allow for sunlight to enter and moisture to be trapped inside. This creates a tropical environment which allows orchids and poinsettias to grow. It ensures that vegetables and fruits will grow large, which makes them valuable to farmers.

Why do they need a special permit?

  • A. To ensure that nurseries follow safety regulations.
  • B. Too many nurseries mean that there are not enough buyers for the plants that need to be sold.
  • C. To control the quality of plants sold in nurseries.
  • D. To provide financial assistance to new nursery owners.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Nurseries need a special permit to prevent oversaturation of the market with a large number of nurseries selling similar products. If there are too many nurseries, it can lead to a situation where there are not enough buyers for the plants being produced, which can impact the businesses' sustainability and profitability. By regulating the number of nurseries through permits, the local government aims to maintain a balance between supply and demand in the market.

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that is passed down through families. It is caused by a defective gene
that makes the body produce abnormally thick and sticky fluid, called mucus. This mucus builds
up in the breathing passages of the lungs and in the pancreas. The buildup of mucus results in
life-threatening lung infections and serious digestion problems. The disease may also affect the
sweat glands and a man's reproductive system. Millions of Americans carry a CF gene, but do
not have symptoms. This is because a person with CF must inherit two defective genes, one from
each parent. About 1 in 29 Caucasian Americans have the CF gene. It is more common among
those of northern or central European descent. Most children with CF are diagnosed by age 2.
For a small number, the disease is not detected until age 18 or older. These children often have a
milder form of the disease.

Which of the following describes the purpose of the passage?
A. To describe the causes of cystic fibrosis
B. To explain how cystic fibrosis is passed down through families
C. To overview the causes of CF and how it is carried
D. To review why some Americans have CF, but others do not

Which of the following groups is most likely to carry the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene?

  • A. African Americans
  • B. Asian Americans
  • C. Caucasian Americans
  • D. Native Americans
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is more common among those of northern or central European descent, making Caucasian Americans most likely to carry the CF gene. The passage mentions that about 1 in 29 Caucasian Americans have the CF gene. While individuals of any ethnic background can carry the CF gene, it is more prevalent in Caucasian populations, as stated in the passage.

Foodborne illnesses are contracted by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Harmful chemicals can also cause foodborne illnesses if they have contaminated food during harvesting or processing. Foodborne illnesses can cause symptoms ranging from upset stomach to diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Most foodborne infections are undiagnosed and unreported, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year about 76 million people in the United States become ill from pathogens in food. About 5,000 of these people die. Harmful bacteria are the most common cause of foodborne illness. Some bacteria may be present at the point of purchase. Raw foods are the most common source of foodborne illnesses because they are not sterile; examples include raw meat and poultry contaminated during slaughter. Seafood may become contaminated during harvest or processing. One in 10,000 eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella inside the shell. Produce, such as spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and melons, can become contaminated with Salmonella, Shigella, or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Contamination can occur during growing, harvesting, processing, storing, shipping, or final preparation. Sources of produce contamination vary, as these foods are grown in soil and can become contaminated during growth, processing, or distribution. Contamination may also occur during food preparation in a restaurant or a home kitchen. The most common form of contamination from handled foods is the calicivirus, also called the Norwalk-like virus. When food is cooked and left out for more than two hours at room temperature, bacteria can multiply quickly. Most bacteria don’t produce an odor or change in color or texture, so they can be impossible to detect. Freezing food slows or stops bacteria’s growth, but does not destroy the bacteria. The microbes can become reactivated when the food is thawed. Refrigeration also can slow the growth of some bacteria. Thorough cooking is required to destroy the bacteria.

What is the main topic of the passage?

  • A. foodborne illnesses
  • B. the dangers of uncooked food
  • C. bacteria
  • D. proper food preparation
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The main topic of the passage is foodborne illnesses. It extensively discusses how they are contracted, the symptoms they can cause, common sources of contamination, and preventive measures. While the passage also touches upon related topics such as bacteria, the dangers of uncooked food, and proper food preparation, the primary focus remains on foodborne illnesses and their various aspects.

Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance's screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight?
What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.

What is the main idea of the passage?

  • A. Trains and ambulances emit loud noises.
  • B. Low-frequency waves produce high-pitched sounds.
  • C. High-frequency waves result in low-pitched sounds.
  • D. The Doppler Effect explains why sound is heard more strongly initially and then faintly after a moving object has passed.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The main idea of the passage is to explain the scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. The passage describes how when a train or ambulance moves towards a listener, sound waves are compressed, resulting in a higher frequency and pitch. Conversely, as the objects move away, the sound waves stretch, leading to a lower frequency and pitch. The Doppler Effect is the reason why sound is heard louder as the object approaches and then fades as it moves away. This explanation aligns with choice D, making it the correct answer.

Exams
Subjective exams measure your ability in several areas. Besides recall information, you must be able to organize content logically and intelligently express yourself in a clearly understood manner. Subjective tests provide a greater opportunity for students to show their broad knowledge of a subject area. Answers may be in the form of paragraphs or lengthy essays.
When you review for an essay exam, concentrate on main ideas rather than details. Since essay tests are limited to a few questions, they are likely to deal with more important ideas of a subject. Prepare a list of questions that you think might be asked. Write an answer to each of your questions. Rather than writing complete sentences, jot down your thoughts in outline form. Doing so will help you organize the information so that you can express yourself clearly.
When you take the test, read through all the questions before you start to write. Allot time for each question, allowing more time for questions worth the most points. Read each question carefully to determine exactly what is being asked. Pay attention to words such as define, illustrate, explain, list, compare, and contrast. Each word requires a different type of response.

Compared to objective exams, essay tests contain

  • A. no good answers.
  • B. more questions.
  • C. harder questions.
  • D. fewer questions.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Essay tests are limited to a few questions, focusing on the more important ideas of a subject. This means they contain fewer questions compared to objective exams, which typically cover a wider range of topics and have more questions. The passage emphasizes that essay tests require students to organize their thoughts and express themselves clearly, indicating a deeper examination of essential concepts rather than a larger quantity of questions.

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