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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.
The author implied that:
- A. Nurseries are helpful for farmers.
- B. Nurseries are a waste of resources.
- C. Nurseries are only useful for large-scale commercial operations.
- D. Nurseries are unnecessary and rarely used.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Nurseries are helpful for farmers.' The passage discusses nurseries being special farms used to raise plants in mass quantities, which are then sold to farmers and gardeners for planting in various settings. The author highlights the importance of nurseries in providing plants, trees, and shrubs to farmers, businesses, and individuals, indicating that nurseries play a crucial role in supporting agriculture and horticulture. This is further reinforced by the mention of greenhouses within nurseries that help protect plants and create optimal growing conditions, ensuring the success of various crops. Therefore, the implication is that nurseries are beneficial and essential for farmers and those involved in planting and cultivation.
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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.
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.
Throughout this passage the word suit means
- A. A set of clothing to be worn together
- B. Any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided
- C. To be convenient or right for
- D. To request or appeal persistently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of the passage, the term 'suit' refers to any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided. In Bridge, the deck is divided into spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs, each representing a suit of cards. Understanding the concept of suits is essential in playing the game effectively, as it determines the hierarchy and rules for playing cards. This term does not relate to clothing sets, being convenient or right for something, or persistent requests or appeals, making choice B the correct interpretation in this gaming context.
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.
Blood Pressure Regulators
The body comprises systems that have evolved and diversified to maintain essential functions and processes. One such system is the cardiovascular system, which includes critical regulators of blood pressure. The heart serves as the body’s pump, ensuring a steady flow of vital oxygen to all cells while facilitating the removal of carbon dioxide and other waste products. Given that blood pressure varies at different points throughout the body, various components are necessary to regulate it effectively. Three primary components involved in blood pressure regulation are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. Baroreceptors, which are stretch receptors made up of fine branching nerve endings, are located along the walls of arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body. When these baroreceptors detect stretching in the arterial walls, they send impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, leading to an increase or decrease in blood pressure. Chemoreceptors, found along the walls of the arteries, monitor changes in oxygen levels, carbon dioxide, and pH. For instance, a drop in oxygen levels triggers these receptors to send impulses that raise blood pressure. The kidneys also play a crucial role in blood pressure regulation by absorbing salts and water while eliminating waste. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex influence the kidneys to retain or excrete salt and water, thereby affecting blood volume and, consequently, blood pressure.
Which statement is not a detail from the passage?
- A. Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings that are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body.
- B. Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH.
- C. The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes.
- D. The heart is the body’s pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because the statement inaccurately describes baroreceptors as 'rigid and static nerve endings,' whereas the passage describes baroreceptors as 'stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings.' The passage clearly states that baroreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body, and they send out impulses related to stretching along the arterial walls. Choices B, C, and D are all details accurately reflecting information provided in the passage about chemoreceptors, the kidneys' role in regulating blood pressure, and the heart as the body's pump, respectively.
Homophones
English is a vibrant, changing, dynamic language. It allows people to express their thoughts in diverse ways, as there are many synonyms and antonyms to choose from. The hardest part for the English speaker - or those learning English as a second language - is learning about homonyms. These are words that sound alike but are spelled different ways, with different meanings.
One example is "One". This word, spelled "one" means the numeral 1, an amount. If spelled "won," it means to be victorious. No wonder spelling is a difficult skill to master! Other homonyms encountered by the beginning English speaker are "to, two, too," "four, for, fore," "there, their, they're" and "son, sun" to name just a few. This is one reason that "Spell check" programs on word processing computers cannot be completely accurate, because the way a word is spelled depends on the context of the sentence. Proofreaders will always be in demand.
Which statement is a fact rather than an opinion?
- A. Homonyms make learning English more challenging.
- B. Homonyms are the most confusing aspect of English.
- C. Homonyms are words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
- D. Homonyms should be avoided in formal writing.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C, 'Homonyms are words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings,' is a fact rather than an opinion. This statement provides an objective definition of homonyms, highlighting their characteristic of sounding similar but having distinct meanings and spellings. It does not present a subjective viewpoint or evaluation. Choices A and B express opinions about the difficulty and confusion caused by homonyms, making them subjective statements. Choice D presents a recommendation regarding the use of homonyms in formal writing, reflecting a subjective stance rather than a factual statement.