Linking San Francisco to Marin County in California, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. The bridge crosses over a narrow strait which connects the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. Prior to the bridge, people traveled by ferry boat across the strait.
Although most people thought a bridge was necessary to expedite travel, some residents of the
bay area felt the risk of building the bridge was too great. Joseph Strauss believed that nothing was impossible, and dreams would never come to fruition if risks weren't taken. So, he decided to gather the best and brightest builders, architects, and workers to embark on the challenge of
building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. With safety nets in place, the construction began in 1937. Building the anchorages first, the
builders then move on to the towers on each end, and then to the three-foot thick cables to support the suspension bridge. Lastly, workers labored to complete the roadway which became
the most dangerous and treacherous part of the entire task. The builders had to keep the bridge
balance, so it wouldn't fall into the bay.
Today, over sixty-five years later, the bridge remains a life-line for the people of the San Francisco Bay Area.
In the passage the word embark means to:
- A. Put or go on board a ship
- B. Remove the covering from a tree
- C. Speak harshly to others
- D. Being an undertaking
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context provided in the passage, the word 'embark' is used to describe the action taken by Joseph Strauss to start on the challenge of building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. 'Embark' in this context means to undertake or start an important or challenging task. Therefore, the correct answer is D: 'Being an undertaking.' This choice aligns with the idea of starting a challenging project, as seen in the passage.
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The ebb and flow of laughter and silence fills the room as four old friends gather to engage in a
round of Bridge playing. For the beginner, Bridge can be complicated, but with time, effort, and a good teacher, even the novice can become proficient. Composed of two main parts, bidding and playing, Bridge requires the player's undivided attention. The dealer deals the entire deck of playing cards evenly between the for players, with
each person receiving thirteen cards. In the bidding portion of the game, the four suits of cards in the deck are ranked highest to lowest as follows: spades, hearts, diamonds, and finally clubs. However, during play all the suits of cards are
considered equals, and they go from highest to lowest from the ace being high to the two cards
being low. The highest number of tricks wins. A trick is one card played by each player for a
total of four. After the lead player lays down his/her card, the other players follow suit, if
possible. The highest card within the four "same suit" cards played wins the trick and picks up all
four cards. If a player cannot follow suit, he/she plays any card, but to make the game more
interesting and challenging, one suit is named a trump suit which means that if a player plays a
card from the trump suit, it always wins the trick. If two cards from the trump suit are played, the
highest card within the trump suit wins the trick. Obviously, the team with the most tricks wins
the hand.
The author wants the reader to feel
- A. As though the game of Bridge is too hard for novices to learn.
- B. Frustrated and confused about playing Bridge.
- C. Confident and excited about learning the game of Bridge.
- D. Overwhelmed by all the rules for the game of Bridge.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage describes Bridge as a game that may seem complicated for beginners but can be learned with time, effort, and the guidance of a good teacher. The detailed explanation of the game rules and mechanics is aimed at providing a clear understanding and fostering confidence and excitement about learning Bridge. The mention of how even novices can become proficient with practice and the breakdown of the game's components in a structured manner suggests that the author's intention is to make the reader feel confident and enthusiastic about delving into the world of Bridge.
Mr. Rogers' Biography: 'It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood!' This familiar line always began the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood program on PBS.
The amazing Fred Rogers brought a special message to children around the world. He believed that each person is unique and wonderful in his or her own way and we should accept others just the way they are without trying to change or improve them. Mr. Rogers spread his tolerance message far and wide through the daily broadcasts of his television show, his many books, and finally after his retirement through his website specifically designed for children. Through these venues, Mr. Rogers helped children deal with the real- world things that bothered them, such as doctor visits, haircuts, and new siblings.
Fred Rogers left a legacy of kindness, acceptance, and an unending love of learning for all generations.
Why did Fred Rogers design and develop a television show for children?
- A. He wanted to do it for his own children.
- B. He wanted to help children deal with real-world problems.
- C. He wanted to spread cheer throughout his neighborhood.
- D. He wanted to become famous.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: He wanted to help children deal with real-world problems. Fred Rogers designed and developed a television show for children with the intention of providing them with a platform to address real-world issues and challenges they face. This is evident from the excerpt mentioning how he helped children deal with things like doctor visits, haircuts, and new siblings. The show aimed to offer guidance and support to children in navigating these experiences.
Choice A is incorrect because there is no mention in the text that he created the show for his own children specifically. Choice C is incorrect as the primary focus of the show was not just to spread cheer but to provide meaningful support and guidance to children. Choice D is incorrect as there is no indication that Fred Rogers' motivation was to become famous; rather, his focus was on helping children and spreading a message of kindness and acceptance.
Mr. Rogers' Biography
"It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood!" This familiar line always began the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood program on PBS. The amazing Fred Rogers brought a special message to children around the world. He believed that each person is unique and wonderful in his or her own way and we should accept others just the way they are without trying to change or improve them. Mr. Rogers spread his tolerance message far and wide through the daily broadcasts of his television show, his many books, and finally after his retirement through his website specifically designed for children. Through these venues, Mr. Rogers helped children deal with the real world things that bothered them, such as doctor visits, haircuts, and new siblings.
Fred Rogers left a legacy of kindness, acceptance, and an unending love of learning for all generations
What did Fred Rogers believe in, according to the passage?
- A. Uniformity
- B. Conformity
- C. Uniqueness
- D. Obedience
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fred Rogers believed in uniqueness, as mentioned in the passage. He emphasized that each person is unique and wonderful in their own way, advocating for acceptance without the need to change or improve others. This aligns with his message of embracing individuality and diversity, making 'Uniqueness' the correct answer.
Glass
I wonder who first discovered glass. This commodity has been a part of civilization from the very beginning. Imagine a world without glass! How dark and dismal it would be. No windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, microscopes, cameras, sparkly drinking containers or mirrors. Life would not be the same without this wonderful discovery. Thank you, whoever found glass!
Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements. It is a hard, brittle, transparent solid material composed mainly of silica, with additives to change the character of the glass. Common additives are soda, lime, lead, and boron. Each additive changes the properties of the final product. Soda and lime are the most common additives, accounting for about 90% of glass production. Adding lead increases reflectivity, causing the glass to "sparkle." The addition of boron changes the thermal and electrical properties of glass, allowing cookware that can be used in the oven without shattering.
What statement is implied by the article?
- A. Glass is an essential part of our lives.
- B. Glass is rarely used in everyday items.
- C. Glass production is harmful to the environment.
- D. Glass technology is outdated and ineffective.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Glass is an essential part of our lives.' The article highlights the significance of glass in various aspects of human life, such as windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, microscopes, cameras, drinking containers, and mirrors. It emphasizes how life would be different and lacking without the presence of glass. Furthermore, the text expresses gratitude for the discovery of glass, indicating its essential role and impact on civilization. Hence, the implication throughout the article is that glass is indeed an indispensable and fundamental component of our daily existence.
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.
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