Reading Comprehension Related

Neurologists and biological psychologists have witnessed a sharp increase in the knowledge and
understanding of particular structures of the brain over the past two decades. As technology
becomes ever more advanced, scientists are able to isolate the functions of even small regions of
the human brain. One noteworthy discovery is the role of the amygdala in human fear and
aggression. The amygdala, a small, almond-shaped conglomerate, is just one part of the limbic
system. Located at the very center of the brain, the limbic system is the core of our 'emotional
brain;' each individual structure in the limbic system is somehow connected to an aspect of
human emotion. Scientists have found that electrode stimulation of the amygdala can elicit

extreme and aggressive acts. Patients or experimental subjects who experience this utter rage and
fearlessness have no rational foundation for their reaction. In other words, this aggression is
wholly attributable to electrode stimulation. On the other hand, patients with trauma or damage
to this structure exhibit a complete absence of aggression. Researchers find that no amount of
poking, prodding or harassment will evoke even remotely aggressive responses from these
subjects.

The author suggests that persistent passivity and imperturbability may be a direct result of which of the following?

• A. Drug-induced stimulation of the amygdala.
• B. A stroke resulting in severe tissue damage in the limbic system.
• C. Encephalitis due to head trauma.
• D. Activation of a strategically implanted electrode in a patient's amygdala.

The White Elephant: Centuries ago, In Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers to give a white elephant to those who displeased them. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was a gift from the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for the elephant in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the recipient and in many cases the entire family became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term 'white elephant' as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The parlor game of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings a wrapped gift and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The second person can choose a new gift or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly gifts and 'stealing' someone else's gift.

Why is an unwanted gift called a 'white elephant'?

• A. Gifts are never unwanted.
• B. It is a good gift to give at the party.
• C. It is a rare thing to get an unwanted gift.
• D. Siam rulers punished with the gift.

People of Hispanic origin were on the North American continent centuries before settlers arrived
from Europe in the early 1600s and the thirteen colonies joined together to form the United
States in the late 1700s. The first census of the new nation was conducted in 1790, and counted about four million people, most of whom were white. Of the white citizens, more than 80%
traced their ancestry back to England. There were close to 700,000 slaves and about 60,000 "free Negroes". Only a few Native American Indians who paid taxes were included in the census count, but the total Native American population was probably about one million. By 1815, the population of the United States was 8.4 million. Over the next 100 years, the
country took in about 35 million immigrants, with the greatest numbers coming in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1882, 40,000 Chinese arrived, and between 1900 and 1907, there were more
than 30,000 Japanese immigrants. But by far, the largest numbers of the new immigrants were
from central, eastern, and southern Europe. An enormous amount of racial and ethnic assimilation has taken place in the United States. In 1908, play-write Israel Zangwill first used the term "melting pot" to describe the concept of a place where many races melted in a crucible and re-formed to populate a new land. Some years during the first two decades of the 20th century, there were as many as one million new
immigrants per year, an astonishing 1 percent of the total population of the United States.
In 1921, however, the country began to limit immigration, and the Immigration Act of 1924
virtually closed the door. The total number of immigrants admitted per year dropped from as many as a million to only 150,000. A quota system was established that specified the number of
immigrants that could come from each country. It heavily favored immigrants from northern and western Europe and severely limited everyone else. This system remained in effect until 1965, although after World War II, several exceptions were made to the quota system to allow in
groups of refugees.

According to the passage, which of the following statements is true?

• A. A quota system was in place from 1908.
• B. A peak period of immigration was in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
• C. Slaves were not counted in the first census.
• D. Only those who paid taxes were included in the first census.

Eating
Consumption of food is a universal necessity. Different
cultures have developed different methods to accomplish
the task. It is interesting to discover these differences and
learn new ways to do things.
European cultures developed cutlery (knives, forks, and
spoons) to enable people to efficiently eat their food.
Correct use of this toolĆ¢ā‚¬ā„¢s changes with the times-what was
polite in 1800 may not be considered proper manners
today.
China developed the chopstick as an efficient tool for
eating. Mastery of the use of chopsticks can be difficult
for the person not raised in the culture. The attempts of a
novice to use chopsticks can be very amusing to the
watcher, but frustrating for the hungry diner.
Space travel has created new challenges for consuming
food. Squeeze bottles and other unique packaging have
enabled space travelers to get their needed nutrition.
Chopsticks and forks do not work well in space.

What conclusion can be drawn about the article?

• A. The author explains differences in eating processes.
• B. The author thinks chopsticks are funny.
• C. The best way to eat food is with cutlery.
• D. Space flight is fun and exciting.

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