Nokea
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.
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VIOLENCE: Lately, studies have been done to decide whether a relationship exists between violence on television and mounting violence in the streets of the United States. More and better research is needed to assess fully the effects of exposure to violence on human behavior. However, early results seem to indicate that some people are influenced negatively by what they see on TV, especially young children. Since children born today, on an average, are exposed to seven hours of TV daily, some changes seem needed. Consultants have advised network officials to reconsider certain policies if they wish to avoid the pitfalls of increased government regulations.
The author seems to support:
- A. A complete deregulation of television programming.
- B. Violence on television, if it has artistic merit.
- C. Further research into the effects of TV violence.
- D. Public control of TV programming.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Further research into the effects of TV violence.
Rationale:
1. The passage highlights the need for more and better research to fully understand the effects of exposure to violence on human behavior.
2. The author acknowledges that early results suggest some negative influence on people, especially young children, indicating the importance of further investigation.
3. By emphasizing the need for more research, the author is advocating for a more informed approach to addressing the issue of violence on television.
4. The other choices are incorrect:
- A: Complete deregulation of television programming goes against the author's suggestion for changes and avoiding pitfalls.
- B: Supporting violence on television based on artistic merit is not the focus of the passage, which highlights negative influences.
- D: Public control of TV programming is not explicitly supported in the passage; the emphasis is on research to understand the effects of TV violence.
A BIT ABOUT BICYCLES
Today, bicycles are so common that it's hard to believe they haven't always been around. But two hundred years ago, bicycles didn't even exist, and the first bicycle, invented in Germany in 1818, was nothing like our bicycles today. It was made of wood and didn't even have pedals. Since then, however, numerous innovations and improvements in design have made the bicycle one of the most popular means of recreation and transportation around the world. In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, dramatically improved upon the original bicycle design. Macmillan's machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. He also used foot-operated cranks like pedals, so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. It didn't look much like a modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel. In 1861, the French Michaux brothers took the evolution of the bicycle a step further by inventing an improved crank mechanism. Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, revolutionized bicycle design. He made the front wheel many times larger than the back wheel, put a gear on the pedals to make the bicycle more efficient, and lightened the wheels by using wire spokes. Although this bicycle was much lighter and less tiring to ride, it was still clumsy, extremely top heavy, and ridden mostly for entertainment. It wasn't until 1874 that the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene. (14) Invented by another Englishman, H.J. Lawson, the "safety bicycle" would look familiar to today's cyclists. This bicycle had equal-sized wheels, which made it less prone to toppling over. Lawson also attached a chain to the pedals to drive the rear wheel. With these improvements, the bicycle became extremely popular and useful for transportation. Today they are built, used, and enjoyed all over the world.
What has been added to the basic design of the bicycle?
- A. Gears and hand-operated brakes
- B. Electric motors and GPS systems
- C. Air conditioning and heated seats
- D. Folding frames and built-in speakers
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Gears and hand-operated brakes. Over the years, the basic design of the bicycle has evolved through various innovations and improvements. Gears and hand-operated brakes were added to enhance the efficiency, speed, and safety of bicycles. These additions have significantly contributed to making bicycles more versatile and practical for both recreation and transportation purposes. Electric motors and GPS systems, air conditioning and heated seats, as well as folding frames and built-in speakers are not traditional features found in the basic design of bicycles.
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that defends the body against attacks by foreign invaders. These invaders are primarily microbes—tiny organisms such as bacteria, parasites, and fungi—that can cause infections. Viruses also cause infections, but are too primitive to be classified as living organisms. The human body provides an ideal environment for many microbes. It is the immune system’s job to keep the microbes out or destroy them. The immune system is amazingly complex. It can recognize and remember millions of different enemies, and it can secrete fluids and cells to wipe out nearly all of them. The secret to its success is an elaborate and dynamic communications network. Millions of cells, organized into sets and subsets, gather and transfer information in response to an infection. Once immune cells receive the alarm, they produce powerful chemicals that help to regulate their own growth and behavior, enlist other immune cells, and direct the new recruits to trouble spots. Although scientists have learned much about the immune system, they continue to puzzle over how the body destroys invading microbes, infected cells, and tumors without harming healthy tissues. New technologies for identifying individual immune cells are now allowing scientists to determine quickly which targets are triggering an immune response. Improvements in microscopy are permitting the first-ever observations of living B cells, T cells, and other cells as they interact within lymph nodes and other body tissues. In addition, scientists are rapidly unraveling the genetic blueprints that direct the human immune response, as well as those that dictate the biology of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The combination of new technology with expanded genetic information will no doubt reveal even more about how the body protects itself from disease.
What is the meaning of the word enlist as it is used in the second paragraph?
- A. call into service
- B. write down
- C. send away
- D. put across
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'call into service.' In the context of the paragraph, the word 'enlist' is used to describe the action of recruiting or bringing in other immune cells to trouble spots. This aligns with the meaning of 'call into service,' as it reflects the process of mobilizing additional immune cells to respond to an infection. The other choices, 'write down,' 'send away,' and 'put across,' do not accurately capture the intended meaning of 'enlist' in this context.
Isaac Asimov: Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992) was a very prolific writer, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Most of Asimov's popularized science books explain scientific concepts in a historical way, going as far back as possible to a time when the science in question was at its simplest stage.
Asimov is widely considered a master of the science-fiction genre and, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke, was considered one of the 'Big Three' science-fiction writers during his lifetime. He also wrote mysteries and fantasy, as well as a great amount of nonfiction. Asimov wrote the Lucky Starr series of juvenile science-fiction novels using the pen name Paul French.
Asimov was afraid of flying, so he seldom traveled great distances, partly because his aversion to flying complicated the logistics of long-distance travel. He did enjoy traveling on cruise ships, and on several occasions he became part of the cruise's entertainment, giving science-themed talks. Asimov was an able public speaker, and enjoyed speaking to groups, especially at science fiction conventions.
For what type of writing was Mr. Asimov most famous?
- A. Popular Science.
- B. Science Fiction.
- C. Mystery.
- D. Juvenile Fiction.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Science Fiction. Asimov was most famous for his works of science fiction, where he excelled as a master of the genre. This is supported by the information in the extract that mentions Asimov's prolific writing in science fiction, his inclusion in the 'Big Three' science-fiction writers, and his juvenile science-fiction novels. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as Asimov's primary fame and recognition come from his contributions to the science fiction genre rather than popular science, mystery, or juvenile fiction.
The Game of Bridge
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.
How does the author want 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 author aims to convey a positive and encouraging tone towards learning the game of Bridge. Throughout the passage, the author emphasizes that with time, effort, and a good teacher, even novices can become proficient in Bridge. The descriptions of the game mechanics and the mention of becoming proficient suggest that the author wants readers to feel confident and excited about learning and mastering Bridge, making choice C, 'Confident and excited about learning the game of Bridge,' the correct answer.