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One of the best ways to understand a group of people is to know what makes them laugh. Laughter encompasses the limits of the soul and serves social, psychological, and physiological functions. In humor, life is redefined and accepted. Irony and satire provide much keener insights into a group's collective psyche and values than do years of research. It has always been a great disappointment to Native Americans that the humorous side of their life has not been mentioned by experts on native American affairs. Rather, the image of the stern-faced redskin has been presented by the American Westerns.
What is implied by this paragraph?
- A. Native Americans really are as stern and serious as white men make them out to be.
- B. Humor is the same all over the world.
- C. Native American humor deserves more attention.
- D. The subject has a fear of heights.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage highlights the importance of understanding a group of people through their humor, emphasizing that Native American humor has been overlooked and deserves more recognition. It mentions the disappointment that Native Americans feel due to the stereotypical portrayal of them as stern-faced in American Westerns, indicating a need for a deeper exploration of their humorous side. Therefore, the correct implication is that Native American humor deserves more attention, making option C the correct answer.
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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 ancestry predominated at the time of the first census?
- A. Native Americans
- B. Negroes
- C. English
- D. Hispanic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: At the time of the first census in 1790, the passage states that more than 80% of the white citizens traced their ancestry back to England. This indicates that English ancestry predominated at that time. The passage also mentions the presence of Native Americans, Negroes, and immigrants from various other regions, but in terms of predominant ancestry, it was the English.
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.
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
The Electoral College has nothing to do with college and contains no students. It consists of votes that each state acquires based on the number of representatives it has in Congress. Each state has two electoral votes because every state has two senators. The remaining electoral votes are determined by the number of Congressmen, which is based on the population of the state, as established by the Census taken every decade. During the presidential election, most states cast all their electoral votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. Although this system can be confusing, the founding fathers knew what they were doing. The Electoral College encourages candidates to campaign in every state. However, winning the popular vote across the country does not guarantee winning the election. A notable example is the 2000 election, where Al Gore won the popular vote nationwide, but George W. Bush secured more electoral votes, ultimately becoming the 43rd president.
What is the author's reason for writing this piece?
- A. Entertain the reader with anecdotes
- B. Persuade the reader to support a specific candidate
- C. Teach the reader about the Electoral College
- D. Criticize the electoral process
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author's intent in writing this piece is primarily to educate the reader about the Electoral College. The passage provides a detailed explanation of how the Electoral College works, including its structure and the role it plays in presidential elections. It aims to inform the audience about a complex system in a straightforward manner, rather than entertaining, persuading, or criticizing. Therefore, the correct answer is C.
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 is the best summary of the passage?
- A. Electric currents within the body are due to electrostatic charges set off by the heart. Medical staff are trained to recognize any abnormalities within the heart.
- B. Every individual has unique electric currents on the surface of the body. The ECG measures and records these electric currents.
- C. The ECG systematically and rather quickly measures the stages at which the "wave of excitation" occurs within the heart and records them. This wave has three distinct steps that spread from the SA node to the AV node.
- D. The ECG measures the electric currents within the body. These currents are detected on the surface of the body when the body is connected to an amplifier.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it accurately summarizes the passage by highlighting that the ECG systematically measures the stages of the 'wave of excitation' within the heart. This wave has three distinct steps that spread from the SA node to the AV node. The other options either focus on general information about electric currents or do not capture the specific details provided in the passage about the ECG and the heart's electrical activity.
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 does 'cavorting' mean in the second paragraph?
- A. Making balloon animals
- B. Hitting each other
- C. Squirting water at the audience
- D. Running and jumping
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of the passage, 'cavorting' generally means to jump or leap around in a lively or playful way. It describes clowns moving about energetically in a fun and playful manner, aligning with the idea of running and jumping. The word 'cavorting' adds to the colorful and exciting imagery of the circus performance described in the text.