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In 2015, 28 countries, including Estonia, Portugal, Slovenia, and Latvia,
scored significantly higher than the United States on standardized high school
math tests. In the 1960s, the United States consistently ranked first in the
world. Today, the United States spends more than $800 billion dollars on
education, which exceeds the next highest country by more than $600 billion
dollars. The United States also leads the world in spending per school-aged
child by an enormous margin.
If these statements above are factual, which of the following statements must be correct?
- A. Outspending other countries on education has benefits beyond standardized tests.
- B. The US education system is corrupt and ineffective.
- C. The standardized math tests do not accurately reflect American proficiency.
- D. Spending more money does not guarantee success on standardized tests.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Based on the information provided in the extract, it is evident that despite the United States spending a substantial amount on education, it does not translate to top performance in standardized math tests. Countries spending less outperformed the United States, indicating that spending more money does not guarantee success on standardized tests. Choice A is incorrect because the extract does not specify benefits beyond tests. Choice B is incorrect as the extract does not explicitly state that the US education system is corrupt and broken. Choice C is incorrect as the extract talks about the performance on standardized math tests rather than American proficiency in general.
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NOTE: The instructor of a history class has just finished grading the essay exams from his students, and the results are not good. The essay exam was worth 70% of the final course score. The highest score in the class was a low B, and more than half of the class of 65 students failed the exam. In view of this, the instructor reconsiders his grading plan for the semester and sends out an email message to all students.
Which of the following best describes the instructor's purpose in writing this email to his students?
- A. to berate students for the poor scores they received on the recent essay exam
- B. to encourage students to continue working hard despite failure
- C. to give students the opportunity to make up the bad score and avoid failing the course
- D. to admit that the essay exam was likely too difficult for most students
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The instructor's primary purpose in writing the email is to offer students the chance to make up the bad score they received on the recent essay exam, which was worth 70% of their final course score. The email does not berate students for their poor performance, nor does it admit that the exam was too difficult. While the instructor does offer encouragement to students who choose to complete an extra credit project, the main focus is on providing an opportunity to improve their scores and avoid failing the course.
What outdoorsy, family adventure can you have on a hot, summer day? How about spelunking? If you live in an area that is anywhere near is guided, lit cave, find out the hours of operation and hit the road towards it as soon as you can. Hitch up the double jogging stroller and make your way out into the wilderness, preferably with a guide, and discover the wonders of the cool, dark earth even while it is weltering hot in the outside world. It will be 58 degrees in that cave, and you can explore inside for as long as you please. Best part? The absolutely awesome naps that the kids will take after such an exciting adventure! Be sure to bring the following items: - Bottled water - Light-up tennis shoes if you have them (they look fabulous in the dark) - Flashlights or glow sticks just for fun - Jackets - Changes of clothes in case of getting muddy and/or dirty
Given the style of writing for the passage, which of the following magazines would be the best fit for this article?
- A. Scientific Spelunking
- B. Family Fun Days
- C. Adventures for Men
- D. Mud Magazine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The article's style is light-hearted and aimed at families looking for outdoor adventures. It suggests activities suitable for families with children, making Family Fun Days the best fit among the given magazine options. 'Scientific Spelunking' may focus more on the scientific aspects rather than family-friendly fun. 'Adventures for Men' may cater to a male audience rather than families. 'Mud Magazine' seems more focused on mud-related content, which doesn't align with the family-friendly, outdoor adventure theme of the article.
George Washington emerged out of the American Revolution as an unlikely
champion of liberty. On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress
created the Continental Army, and John Adams, serving in the Congress,
nominated Washington to be its first commander. Washington fought under
the British during the French and Indian War, and his experience and prestige
proved instrumental to the American war effort. Washington provided
invaluable leadership, training, and strategy during the Revolutionary War. He
emerged from the war as the embodiment of liberty and freedom from
tyranny.
After vanquishing the heavily favored British forces, Washington could have
pronounced himself as the autocratic leader of the former colonies without
any opposition, but he famously refused and returned to his Mount Vernon
plantation. His restraint proved his commitment to the fledgling state's
republicanism. Washington was later unanimously elected as the first
American president. But it is Washington's farewell address that cemented his
legacy as a visionary worthy of study.
In 1796, President Washington issued his farewell address by public letter.
Washington enlisted his good friend, Alexander Hamilton, in drafting his
most famous address. The letter expressed Washington's faith in the
Constitution and rule of law. He encouraged his fellow Americans to put aside
partisan differences and establish a national union. Washington warned
Americans against meddling in foreign affairs and entering military alliances.
Additionally, he stated his opposition to national political parties, which he
considered partisan and counterproductive.
Americans would be wise to remember Washington's farewell, especially
during presidential elections when politics hits a fever pitch. They might want
to question the political institutions that were not planned by the Founding Fathers, such as the nomination process and political parties themselves.
Which of the following guides would be the best for Raul?
- A. A Beginner's Guide to Giza (2015)
- B. The Life of Zahi Hawass (2014)
- C. A History of Hieroglyphics (2013)
- D. Who Built the Great Pyramids? (2015)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The best guide for Raul would be 'Who Built the Great Pyramids?' as it focuses on the construction of the pyramids, providing detailed research on the topic. Choices A, B, and C are less relevant as they do not specifically address the construction of the pyramids. Choice A is about Giza in general, Choice B is a biography, and Choice C is about hieroglyphics, none of which directly relate to the construction of the pyramids.
How are Hypotheses Confirmed? Most scientists agree that while the scientific method is an invaluable methodological tool, it is not a failsafe method for arriving at object ruth. It is a debatable, for example, whether a hypothesis can actually be confirmed by experience. When a hypothesis is of the form "All x and y," it is commonly believed that a piece of evidence that is both x and y confirms the hypothesis. For example, for the hypothesis "All monkeys are hairy," a particular monkey that is hairy is thought to be a confirming piece of evidence for the hypothesis. A problem arises when one encounters evidence that disproves a hypothesis: while no scientist would argue that one piece of evidence proves a hypothesis, it is possible for one piece of evidence to disprove a hypothesis. To return to the monkey example, one hairless monkey out of one billion hairy monkeys disproves the hypothesis "All monkeys are hairy." Single pieces of evidence then, seem to affect to given hypothesis in radically different ways. For this reason, the confirmation of hypotheses is better described as probabilistic. Hypotheses that can only be proven or disproven based on evidence need to be based on probability because sample sets for such hypotheses are too large. Int eh monkey example, every single monkey in the history of monkeys would need to be examined before the hypothesis could be proven or disproven. By making confirmation a function of probability, one may make provisional or working conclusions the tallow for the possibility of given hypothesis being disconfirmed in the future. Int he monkey case, then, encountering a hairy monkey would slighting rise the probability that "all monkeys are hairy," while encountering a hairless monkey would slightly decrease the probability that "all monkeys are hairy." This method of confirming hypotheses is both counterintuitive and controversial, but it allows for evidence to equitably affect hypotheses and it does not require infinite sample sets for confirmation or disconfirmation.
Using the same reasoning as that in the passage, an automobile with eighteen wheels does what to the following hypothesis: 'All automobiles have only four wheels'?
- A. It proves the hypothesis.
- B. It raises the hypothesis's probability.
- C. It disproves the hypothesis.
- D. It decreases the hypothesis's probability.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An automobile with eighteen wheels contradicts the hypothesis that 'All automobiles have only four wheels.' This contradiction reduces the probability that the hypothesis is true. The hypothesis is not proven by the presence of an eighteen-wheel automobile, nor does it raise the probability of the hypothesis being true. Instead, it directly challenges the hypothesis, leading to a decrease in its probability of being correct.
An adult skeleton had 206 bones. The skeleton has two major divisions: the axil skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton, which consists of 80 bones including the skull, vertebrae, and rib, is located down the center of the body. The axial skeleton protects vital organs such as the brain and heart. The appendicular skeleton consists of 126 ones of the arms, legs, and the bones that attach these bones to the axial skeleton. The appendicular skeleton includes the scapulae (shoulder blades), clavicles (collarbones), and pelvic (hip) bones.
Which of the following bones are located in the hand?
- A. fibula
- B. metacarpals
- C. metatarsals
- D. ulna
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, metacarpals. The metacarpals are the bones located in the hand, making up the palm and connecting to the fingers (phalanges) and wrist bones (carpals). The fibula and ulna are located in the leg and arm respectively, while the metatarsals are found in the foot. The axial skeleton consists of bones down the center of the body, including the skull, vertebrae, and ribs, while the appendicular skeleton includes bones of the arms, legs, and their attachments to the axial skeleton.