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The ability to see at a distance, in good light, does not diminish as a result of aging to the extent
that other visual acuities do. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more common to younger eyes,
while presbyopia, or farsightedness, more commonly afflicts people as they age. The word
presbyopia comes from Greek presbys, "old man," and opia, "eye," and names a condition in
which, because the lens of the eye hardens slightly and loses elasticity as a person ages, one
cannot as easily focus sharply on nearby objects. This condition leads to the familiar habit of
lifting up one's glasses and bringing an object or reading material close to the face so that the
eyes can more easily focus on it. The function of the lens is to accommodate different focal
points so that sensory data can be correctly directed to the retina for interpretation into images by
the brain. Corrective lenses, particularly bifocals or progressive lenses, adjust for the focal point
aberration. In essence, they do the work that the eye can no longer do for itself.
The author of the passage would probably agree with which of the following statements relating corrective lenses and aging eyes?
- A. A dancer with a broken bone needs a cast to protect it.
- B. A hiker reinforces a fraying backpack strap with duct tape.
- C. A traveler gets a passport before going abroad.
- D. An athlete stretches before a game to avoid a potential injury.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage discusses how aging eyes experience presbyopia, where the lens loses elasticity, making it difficult to focus on nearby objects. Corrective lenses, like bifocals or progressive lenses, compensate for this loss of focusing ability. Similarly, a hiker reinforcing a fraying backpack strap with duct tape is akin to using corrective lenses to address the issue of aging eyes. Just as duct tape helps repair the strap, corrective lenses help address the vision problem associated with aging eyes. The other choices do not directly correlate with the relationship between corrective lenses and aging eyes as discussed in the passage.
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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.
Centuries ago, in the country of Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers
that displeased them by giving the offender a white elephant. Because the animal was could not
be made to work as other elephants did, but still had to be fed hundreds of pounds of fruit and cared for in the most lavish style. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the
recipient and in many cases they became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term "white elephant" as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The way of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings, and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The
second person can choose or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly
gifts and "stealing" someone else.
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. People tried very hard not to offend the king, so they would not receive a white elephant.
- C. White elephants were highly prized as they were very hard workers in the cane fields.
- D. The people of Siam vied for the honor of receiving the king's gift or a white elephant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. In ancient Siam, receiving a white elephant was considered a burden and a sign of displeasure from the rulers. The white elephant was not a useful animal for work like other elephants and was costly to maintain, leading to financial difficulties for the recipient. Therefore, people made efforts not to offend the king to avoid receiving such an unwanted and costly gift, which could lead to their impoverishment.
Electrocardiogram
The rhythmic sounds of "beep... beep... beep..." signify the measurement of the heart muscle's strength. This rhythmic signal varies from person to person and is recorded as an electrocardiogram (ECG). Within the body, a complex array of systemic neural responses generates electric currents that can be detected on the skin's surface. When a person is connected to an amplifier, these impulses are captured by an electrocardiograph. Most of the information gathered pertains to the heart, as it emits electric currents in waves. This "wave of excitation" propagates through the heart wall and is associated with electrical changes. The process occurs in three distinct phases. First, the "wave of excitation," accompanied by an electrical change, lasts for about 1 to 2 seconds following the contraction of the cardiac muscle. These electrical impulses are rhythmically discharged from the sinoatrial (SA) node, which acts as the heart's natural pacemaker, signaling the atrium to contract. The peak of the ECG reading is attributed to the atrioventricular (AV) node, which triggers the excitation of the ventricles. Finally, as the ventricles relax, any changes in the wave pattern can alert trained medical personnel to potential abnormalities within the heart.
What are the three phases of the "wave of excitation"?
- A. The discharge from the SA node, the peak ECG, and the excitement of the ventricle.
- B. The excitement of the ventricle, the relaxing of the ventricle, and the systemic neural response.
- C. The contraction of the atrium, the relaxation of the atrium, and the contraction of the ventricle.
- D. The excitation of the atrium, the excitement of the ventricle, and the relaxing of the ventricle.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'The excitation of the atrium, the excitement of the ventricle, and the relaxing of the ventricle.' The 'wave of excitation' in the heart occurs in three main steps. Firstly, the excitation starts with the discharge from the SA node, indicating the contraction of the atrium. Secondly, the peak ECG reading is caused by the excitement of the ventricle. Lastly, the wave ends with the relaxing of the ventricle. Understanding these steps is crucial for interpreting electrocardiograms and identifying any abnormalities in the heart's electrical activity.
A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. A DNA molecule is 2 nanometers in diameter. Protein
molecules are about 10 nanometers in diameter. A human hair is 100,000 nanometers in diameter.
But what is a nanometer and how does it relate to technology? Nanotechnology is defined as the
understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, a scale at
which unique properties of materials emerge that can be used to develop novel technologies and
products. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ
from the properties of matter either at smaller scales, such as atoms, or at larger scales that we
use in everyday life such as millimeters or inches. Nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring,
modeling, and manipulating matter only a few nanometers in size. Gold nanoparticles are made
of the same material as in jewelry. But when light interacts with particles of gold, different colors
are reflected. The different colors can be used in simple medical tests to indicate infection or
disease. Metals such as copper become extremely rigid at the nanoscale, rather than bendable as
in copper wires seen in everyday use.
What is the major difference between matter at the nanoscale and matter at larger scales such as millimeters or inches?
- A. At the nanoscale, metals are bendable, and at larger scales, they are rigid.
- B. Matter has different and special characteristics at the nanoscale.
- C. At the nanoscale, matter has the same properties as matter at the atomic level.
- D. There is no difference.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Matter at the nanoscale exhibits unique properties that differ from those at larger scales, such as millimeters or inches. At the nanoscale, materials show novel characteristics that emerge due to their size, leading to different behaviors compared to the same materials at larger scales. This difference in behavior is a key aspect of nanotechnology, where understanding and controlling matter at the nanoscale allow for the development of innovative technologies and products.
ALL THE JAZZ
Jazz has been described as "the art of expression set to music" and "America's great contribution to music." It has served as popular art, enjoying periods of widespread public interest during the "jazz age" of the 1920s, the "swing era" of the late 1930s, and the peak popularity of modern jazz in the late 1950s. The standard narrative is that jazz originated around the end of the 19th century in New Orleans before moving up the Mississippi River to cities like Memphis, St. Louis, and finally Chicago. Jazz emerged by blending elements of ragtime, marching band music, and the blues. However, its roots trace back to tribal African drum beats and European musical structures. Buddy Bolden, a New Orleans barber and cornet player, is generally considered the first real jazz musician, emerging around 1891. What sets jazz apart from earlier musical forms is its emphasis on improvisation. Unlike traditional music, where composers write entire pieces on paper for musicians to follow exactly, jazz offers a starting point—a skeletal guide for musicians to improvise around. Many early jazz musicians were poor sight readers, with some unable to read music at all. Consequently, they often struggled to make a living, working menial jobs to survive. The second wave of New Orleans jazz musicians included notable figures like Joe Oliver, Kid Ory, and Jelly Roll Morton. These artists formed small bands, built upon earlier styles, and enhanced the music's complexity, achieving greater success. This energetic style became known as "hot jazz" due to its fast tempos and rhythmic drive. A young cornet player named Louis Armstrong was discovered by Joe Oliver in New Orleans. Armstrong went on to become one of the greatest and most successful musicians of all time, later emerging as a global star. The impact of Armstrong and other talented early jazz musicians transformed our perception of music.
Derivation of the word "Jazz"
- A. East coast slang
- B. West coast slang
- C. Southern dialect
- D. Northern jargon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'West coast slang.' The word 'Jazz' is believed to have originated as West coast slang, specifically in the early 20th century. It was initially used in reference to a style of music that emerged in African American communities. Over time, the term 'Jazz' became widely recognized and associated with this unique genre of music, known for its improvisational elements and rhythmic complexities.