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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 intention in discussing the Electoral College?
- A. Learn about the history of voting rights
- B. Have an understanding of the Electoral College
- C. Understand the role of political parties
- D. Explore the influence of media on elections
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The author's intention is to provide an explanation and understanding of the Electoral College system. The passage explains how the Electoral College operates, its purpose, and its impact on presidential elections. It clarifies the connection between the number of electoral votes a state has and its representation in Congress. By discussing the Electoral College, the author aims to educate readers on this specific aspect of the U.S. electoral process, not focusing on voting rights history, political parties' roles, or media influence on elections.
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Searching for medical information can be confusing, especially for first-timers. However, if you are patient and stick to it, you can find a wealth of information. Your community library is a good place to start your search for medical information. Before going to the library, you may find it helpful to make a list of topics you want information about and questions you have. Your list of topics and questions will make it easier for the librarian to direct you to the best resources. Many community libraries have a collection of basic medical references. These references may include medical dictionaries or encyclopedias, drug information handbooks, basic medical and nursing textbooks, and directories of physicians and medical specialists (listings of doctors). You may also find magazine articles on a certain topic. Look in the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature for articles on health and medicine from consumer magazines. Infotrac, a CD-ROM computer database available at libraries or on the Web, indexes hundreds of popular magazines and newspapers, as well as medical journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine. Your library may also carry searchable computer databases of medical journal articles, including MEDLINE/PubMed or the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Many of the databases or indexes have abstracts that provide a summary of each journal article. Although most community libraries don’t have a large collection of medical and nursing journals, your librarian may be able to get copies of the articles you want. Interlibrary loans allow your librarian to request a copy of an article from a library that carries that particular medical journal. Your library may charge a fee for this service. Articles published in medical journals can be technical, but they may be the most current source of information on medical topics.
What is the meaning of the word technical as it is used in the fourth paragraph?
- A. requiring expert knowledge
- B. incomplete
- C. foreign
- D. plagiarized
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the context of the fourth paragraph, the word 'technical' refers to information that is complex and detailed, requiring expert knowledge to understand. Medical journal articles are often technical because they are written for professionals in the field and may contain specialized terminology and in-depth analysis. Therefore, choice A, 'requiring expert knowledge,' is the correct meaning of the word 'technical' in this context.
Glass
I wonder who first discovered glass. This commodity has been a part of civilization from the very beginning. Imagine a world without glass! How dark and dismal it would be. No windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, microscopes, cameras, sparkly drinking containers or mirrors. Life would not be the same without this wonderful discovery. Thank you, whoever found glass!
Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements. It is a hard, brittle, transparent solid material composed mainly of silica, with additives to change the character of the glass. Common additives are soda, lime, lead, and boron. Each additive changes the properties of the final product. Soda and lime are the most common additives, accounting for about 90% of glass production. Adding lead increases reflectivity, causing the glass to "sparkle." The addition of boron changes the thermal and electrical properties of glass, allowing cookware that can be used in the oven without shattering.
What conclusion can be drawn from the information included in the article?
- A. New uses for glass are constantly being discovered.
- B. Glass is no longer used in modern technology.
- C. The production of glass is declining rapidly.
- D. Glass is too brittle to be used in new applications.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The article discusses the various uses and properties of glass, highlighting its significance in everyday life. It mentions that glass is a versatile material with different additives that change its properties, allowing for diverse applications such as windows, lenses, telescopes, and cookware. The article does not suggest that glass usage is decreasing or that it is too brittle for new applications. Therefore, the most appropriate conclusion from the information provided is that new uses for glass are constantly being discovered, as its properties and versatility continue to be explored.
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.
Where and when did jazz originate?
- A. Southern US, 18th century
- B. Northern US, 19th century
- C. Western US, 20th century
- D. New Orleans, 20th century
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Jazz originated in New Orleans in the 20th century. The standard legend is that it originated around the end of the 19th century in New Orleans, making the 20th century the correct time period. New Orleans is specifically mentioned as the birthplace of Jazz in the question's extract, solidifying it as the correct location of origin.
About 6% of the Earth is covered by rainforests. The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon Basin, which stretches over 2.3 million square miles across nine different South American countries. This area is double the size of all the other remaining rainforests in the world. Brazil contains 60% of the Amazonian rainforest, as it lies at the mouth of the Amazon River. This river is the second largest in the world and contains more than one-fifth of the world’s fresh water. The Amazon rainforest is classified as a type of wet broadleaf forest. The weather there is very humid and warm, with substantial rainfall contributing to the forest's rich greenery. The tree leaves are pointed and narrow, allowing raindrops to easily slide off wet plants. This tropical rainforest is home to more living species than the entire European continent, with over 400 types of insects living in a single rainforest tree, totaling around 2.5 million species. One square kilometer of rainforest may contain over 75,000 types of trees and approximately 438,000 different kinds of plants, resulting in a total of 90,000 tons of greenery overall. The Amazon rainforest is home to 2,000 species of birds and mammals, with one in every five birds in the world residing there. Local farmers have lived off this rich and diverse land for thousands of years, finding food and water without destroying the environment. The Kayapo people of Brazil farm in an environmentally friendly manner. Instead of using chemicals, they burn wood to enrich the soil and plant banana trees, which attract wasps. These wasps feed on leafcutter ants, helping to control these harmful insects. The rainforest also provides a variety of tropical fruits, such as bananas and coconuts, as food sources. Cinnamon is made from the bark of a rainforest tree, and Amazonian Indians use the fruit and stem of the Buruti plant for drinks, bread, and construction. Many other plants are used for medicinal purposes. However, the Amazon rainforest is in significant danger of disappearing. In 2003 alone, 9,169 square miles of forest were cut down in Brazil. An area the size of a football field is burned every minute, suggesting that the rainforest may be gone by the year 2030. The dangers associated with this activity are clear. Trees absorb poisonous carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. Rainforests have more oxygen and less carbon dioxide in their vicinity. When trees are cut down, the amount of carbon dioxide increases, resulting in a warmer atmosphere. This leads to global warming, which is extremely harmful to the environment. It is estimated that the burning of Brazilian rainforests alone produces 200 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Another significant danger associated with the destruction of the rainforest is the disappearance of plants and animals. When trees are cut down, plants and animals lose their food sources and gradually die out. While killing wild animals is illegal in Brazil, poaching remains a problem. An estimated 38 million animals are stolen and sold illegally each year. The most hunted animals are birds, especially parrots, followed by snakes and jaguars
According to the information given, which of the following is NOT mentioned about the Amazon Rainforest?
- A. Its total area
- B. Its bodies of water
- C. Its rainfall
- D. Its extinct animals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage provides details about the Amazon Rainforest, such as its size, location, the river Amazon, and its characteristics as a wet broadleaf forest. However, there is no mention of the specific amount of rainfall in the Amazon Rainforest. The passage focuses on various aspects of the rainforest but does not discuss its precipitation levels. Therefore, the correct answer is C: 'Its rainfall.'
Photosynthesis is a process used by plants, algae, and certain bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in sugar molecules. This process is fundamental to life on Earth as it provides the primary source of energy for nearly all organisms. The energy is captured from sunlight by a pigment in the plants called chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color.
During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil react in the presence of light to form sugars and oxygen. The oxygen is released into the atmosphere, which is crucial for the survival of most life forms on Earth. The sugars produced are used by the plant for energy and growth, storing excess energy as starch.
The process occurs in two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. In the light-dependent reactions, energy from sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll and converted into stored chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle uses the ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.
Photosynthesis not only sustains plant life but also maintains the atmospheric oxygen levels and is a key factor in the carbon cycle, helping to regulate Earth's climate.
How does photosynthesis contribute to the carbon cycle?
- A. By converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into sugars
- B. By increasing carbon dioxide absorption by animals
- C. By producing carbon monoxide
- D. By releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Photosynthesis contributes to the carbon cycle by converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into sugars. During photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce sugars. This process helps in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing its levels. The sugars produced are utilized by the plant for energy and growth, with excess energy stored as starch. Ultimately, this conversion of carbon dioxide into sugars is a crucial step in the carbon cycle, as it plays a significant role in regulating the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and maintaining the balance of gases essential for life on Earth.