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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.
What is implied by the article?
- A. Siam was renamed Thailand in the past.
- B. People enjoy giving and receiving gifts.
- C. The author dislikes parlor games.
- D. Elephants are easy to take care of and train.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'People enjoy giving and receiving gifts.' The passage discusses the custom of giving unwanted white elephants as gifts in ancient Siam, leading to financial burdens for the recipients. It then transitions to how the term 'white elephant' is used today to denote an unwanted gift and mentions a gift exchange game played during the holiday season. The passage emphasizes the enjoyment people have in giving and receiving gifts, as seen in the holiday gift exchange game described, rather than focusing on disliking parlor games or the ease of taking care of elephants.
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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.
What inference can be drawn from the article?
- A. English is an easy language to learn.
- B. English grammar rules are universal and straightforward.
- C. English is a difficult language to master.
- D. English vocabulary is consistent and predictable.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct inference that can be drawn from the article is that English is a difficult language to master. The article discusses the challenges English speakers and learners face with homonyms, words that sound alike but are spelled differently with different meanings. It emphasizes the complexity of mastering English spelling and the presence of homonyms like 'one' and 'won,' 'to, two, too,' 'four, for, fore,' 'there, their, they're,' and 'son, sun.' This complexity is highlighted as a reason why spelling can be challenging to master, leading to the conclusion that English is a difficult language to learn and master.
The most important factor in any highway safety program is the responsible citizen-driver: YOU. Since you are a consumer, drive a car, vote, and pay taxes, you are a power to be considered. Your voice can Influence legislation at the federal, state, and local government levels. You can insist on better roads and safer cars by being a consumer advocate.
Your attitude about driving affects your making safe driving decisions while on the road. Your immediate concern, however, should be to drive safely in a property Inspected car, wear a safety belt, and never mix liquor with driving.
What is the best meaning of the word 'advocate' as used in the fourth sentence of this paragraph?
- A. Supporter
- B. Opponent
- C. Critic
- D. Observer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this context, the word 'advocate' means a supporter. A consumer advocate is someone who actively supports and promotes the interests and rights of consumers. By insisting on better roads and safer cars, a consumer advocate works to improve safety for all drivers. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is A: 'Supporter.'
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2:00 a.m.? Have you kicked the blankets off to the floor from tossing and turning? Many longtime suffers of Insomnia know these situations all too well. As many as 17% of Americans find the restful break of sleep hard to achieve.
Lack of sleep affects intellectual abilities at work or school by causing a deficit in memory, attention, and concentration which in turn creates a feeling of irritation or depression. Chronic insomnia can result from a medical illness, a psychiatric condition, or from sleep apnea, a condition where an individual actually stops breathing during sleep. Sleep hygiene, developing good sleep habits, and non- pharmacological therapies such as herbs and spices are some solutions to Insomnia.
What was the author's intention when writing this passage?
- A. Developing good sleep habits and using herbs and spices.
- B. To explain insomnia and propose some solutions for the condition.
- C. Watching television before bed.
- D. Taking frequent naps during the day.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the author's intention in the passage is to explain insomnia and provide solutions for the condition. The passage discusses the impact of insomnia on intellectual abilities and mentions solutions such as developing good sleep habits, non-pharmacological therapies like herbs and spices, and addressing underlying causes like medical illnesses or psychiatric conditions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the primary focus of the passage, which is to address insomnia and its solutions.
Blood Pressure Regulators
The body is composed of systems that have evolved and diversified in order to maintain the natural functions and processes they regulate. One such system that has these regulators is the bodyÄ€™s cardiovascular system. The bodyÄ€™s pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the discard of carbon dioxide and other waste products, is the heart.
Because blood pressure varies at different points within the body, differing components are needed to keep the bodyÄ€™s blood pressure regulated. Three of the basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings and are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body as well. Impulses are related to this stretching along the arterial walls, which causes these baroreceptors to send out even more impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, causing the blood pressure to go either up or down.
Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH. Just think! A fall in oxygen causes receptors to send impulses to raise the blood pressure.
The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex cause the kidney to keep or let go of any salt and water. This has an influence on blood volume and consequently on blood pressure.
What is a major difference in the way baroreceptors and chemoreceptors work from the way the kidneys work?
- A. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors both work within the wall of the arteries, sending out impulses to raise or lower blood pressure, whereas the kidneys help control blood volume.
- B. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors both work to help maintain blood volume, whereas the kidneys take care of salts, water, and waste removal.
- C. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors must work together to control blood pressure, whereas the kidneys work with the adrenal cortex.
- D. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors are both located near the adrenal cortex, whereas the kidneys are located near the heart.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors function by sensing changes in the body's blood pressure within the walls of the arteries and sending signals to raise or lower blood pressure accordingly. On the other hand, the kidneys play a role in controlling blood volume by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. This contrast highlights a major difference between how baroreceptors/chemoreceptors regulate blood pressure and how the kidneys manage blood volume. While the former adjust blood pressure directly, the kidneys affect blood volume, which indirectly influences blood pressure. Therefore, option A correctly distinguishes the roles of baroreceptors/chemoreceptors and kidneys in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis.
Blood Pressure
Lub-dub! Lub-dub! Lub-dub! This sound is made by the rapid contracting and extending of the chamber doors on the inside of the heart. This ventricular contracting injects roughly 70 mL of blood into a vascular system with a given volume at differing pressure. Blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arterial system; and it is typically taken in the brachial artery of the arm because the pressure at different places along the circulatory route is different. Blood pressure is simply the force that the blood exerts in all directions within any given area and is the basis for the movement of blood from the heart, through the body, and back to the heart. This pressure is commonly expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure or “high peak†pressure takes place within the arterial system as ventricles contract and force blood into the arteries. The diastolic pressure or “low peak†pressure takes place within this arterial system just before the next ventricular contraction. An increase in blood pressure can occur if the arterial walls lose some of their elasticity with age or disease.
Which is the best summary of this passage?
- A. The heart pumps roughly 70 mL of blood by rapidly contracting and extending the chamber doors of the heart. Disease and age affect the pressure of blood on arterial walls.
- B. The brachial artery of the arm is usually used to take blood pressure, although the pressure is different in different parts of the body.
- C. The measurement of the ratio of systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure is known as blood pressure.
- D. The force that blood exerts on arterial walls is known as blood pressure and is measured as a ratio of the systolic pressure or "high peak" over the diastolic pressure or "low peak"
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct summary of the passage is that blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on arterial walls, measured as a ratio of systolic pressure over diastolic pressure. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the passage, including the definition of blood pressure, its measurement, and the role of systolic and diastolic pressures. The other options either focus on specific details or do not encompass the main concept of blood pressure as explained in the passage.