What effect does your voice have on others? Does it persuade or irritate, attract or repel? One of
the worst qualities is harshness. If you ever get the feeling that people are uncomfortable when you speak, it may be that your harsh tones are jarring their eardrums. Your voice will sound
unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, to loud, or too nasal. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw. Tension tightens muscles and blocks the relaxed voice tones essential to a pleasing impression. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than men, which usually makes them
less desirable public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.
The information presented is
- A. Slanted in favor of newscasters
- B. Slanted against people with deep voices
- C. Slanted against people with piercing voices
- D. Balanced in its approach
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The information presented in the text is slanted against people with piercing voices. It highlights the negative impact of harsh voice qualities such as being shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, too loud, or too nasal. The text points out that these harsh voice qualities, often due to tension in the throat and jaw, can make a person's voice unpleasant and uncomfortable for others. While it briefly mentions women potentially having shriller voices than men, it does not specifically favor newscasters or target people with deep voices. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as the text focuses on the drawbacks associated with piercing voices.
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Doppler Effect
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.
Which sound waves have a lower pitch?
- A. Sound waves that are closer together
- B. Sound waves that are farther apart
- C. Sound waves that travel a long distance
- D. Sound waves that travel a short distance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sound waves that are farther apart have a lower pitch. In the Doppler Effect, as a source of sound moves away from a listener, the sound waves get stretched out, causing a decrease in frequency and resulting in a lower pitch. Conversely, when a source of sound moves toward a listener, the sound waves get compressed, leading to an increase in frequency and a higher pitch. This phenomenon explains why the pitch of sound changes depending on whether the source is moving towards or away from the listener.
Let's Go to the Circus
Everyone loves a circus! The bright lights, fanciful costumes, and fierce wild animals delight and entertain folks of all ages. The circus calls to the child in each one of us. Ernest Hemingway wrote that it "is the only ageless delight that you can buy for money..."
"Circus" is a magic word inspiring all sorts of exciting, colorful images. It's a theater of mind-boggling feats, elephants thundering around the rings, horses dancing, clowns cavorting and the sequins glittering under the lights.
There are historical references to animal displays and athletic competitions from the earliest days of civilization. The Romans were famous for their extravaganzas in the Coliseum. The shows we see today cannot compare to those great spectacles, but all who go to a circus enjoy the experience. It allows us all to be a child again and watch in awe as the athletes perform on the high wire or control the savage beasts in the center ring.
What sentiment does the author convey about the circus?
- A. Encourages avoiding the experience.
- B. Suggests attending a circus.
- C. States that only children can enjoy the experience.
- D. Believes the experience is too intense for children.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author expresses a positive sentiment toward the circus, emphasizing its enchanting qualities and ability to captivate individuals of all ages. The text conveys a sense of admiration for the circus experience, as seen in phrases like 'Everyone loves a circus!' and 'It allows us all to be a child again.' These lines indicate the author's fondness for the circus and encourage others to partake in its enjoyable offerings.
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.
Which statement is not listed as a detail in the passage?
- A. The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch because of high frequency and closeness of waves.
- B. The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch because of low frequency and closeness of waves.
- C. The whistling sound of the locomotive as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.
- D. The high-pitched sound of the ambulance as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage explains that the oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch due to high frequency and closeness of waves, not low frequency as stated in option B. This is a key detail mentioned in the passage. Options C and D are both mentioned in the passage as explanations for the sounds of the locomotive and ambulance, respectively, using the Doppler effect. Therefore, B is the statement not listed as a detail in the passage.
Doppler Effect
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 author's primary purpose in writing this essay?
- A. To entertain the reader with information about trains and ambulances
- B. To inform the reader about avoiding accidents involving trains and ambulances
- C. To inform the reader about how movement affects sound
- D. To analyze the difference between train and ambulance sounds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author's primary purpose in writing the essay is to inform the reader about how movement affects sound, specifically focusing on the Doppler Effect. The essay explains the scientific phenomenon of sound waves being affected by the movement of objects like trains and ambulances, resulting in changes in pitch as they approach or move away from a listener. Therefore, the correct answer is C because the main goal is to educate readers on the relationship between movement and sound.
The federal government regulates dietary supplements through the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The regulations for dietary supplements are not the same as those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. In general, the regulations for dietary supplements are less strict. To begin with, a manufacturer does not have to prove the safety and effectiveness of a dietary supplement before it is marketed. A manufacturer is permitted to say that a dietary supplement addresses a nutrient deficiency, supports health, or is linked to a particular body function (such as immunity) if there is research to support the claim. Such a claim must be followed by the words, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.†Also, manufacturers are expected to follow certain good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure that dietary supplements are processed consistently and meet quality standards. Requirements for GMPs went into effect in 2008 for large manufacturers and are being phased in for small manufacturers through 2010. Once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA monitors safety and product information, such as label claims and package inserts. If it finds a product to be unsafe, it can take action against the manufacturer and/or distributor and may issue a warning or require that the product be removed from the marketplace. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for regulating product advertising; it requires that all information be truthful and not misleading. The federal government has taken legal action against a number of dietary supplement promoters or websites that promote or sell dietary supplements because they have made false or deceptive statements about their products or because marketed products have proven to be unsafe.
What is the meaning of the word deceptive as it is used in the fifth paragraph?
- A. misleading
- B. malicious
- C. illegal
- D. irritating
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The word 'deceptive' in the context of the fifth paragraph refers to something that is misleading. When a product is deceptive, it means that the information provided about it is not truthful or accurate, leading consumers to form incorrect beliefs about its qualities. In the given excerpt, it is mentioned that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) takes action against deceptive product advertising, emphasizing the importance of providing truthful and non-misleading information to consumers. Therefore, choice A, 'misleading,' is the correct answer as it best captures the meaning of 'deceptive' in this context.
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