Nokea
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 toolÄ€™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 is the best definition of efficient as used in the third paragraph?
- A. Productive without waste
- B. Cost-effective
- C. Performing well with minimal effort
- D. Optimal use of resources
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The term 'efficient' in the context of the third paragraph refers to being 'productive without waste.' When something is efficient, it means it is able to achieve maximum productivity with minimal resources or effort. In this case, the chopstick is described as an efficient tool for eating, implying that it allows individuals to consume food effectively without unnecessary wastage. Hence, option A, 'Productive without waste,' best defines the term 'efficient' in this context.
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Foodborne illnesses are contracted by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Harmful chemicals can also cause foodborne illnesses if they have contaminated food during harvesting or processing. Foodborne illnesses can cause symptoms ranging from upset stomach to diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Most foodborne infections are undiagnosed and unreported, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year about 76 million people in the United States become ill from pathogens in food. About 5,000 of these people die.
Harmful bacteria are the most common cause of foodborne illness. Some bacteria may be present at the point of purchase. Raw foods are the most common source of foodborne illnesses because they are not sterile; examples include raw meat and poultry contaminated during slaughter. Seafood may become contaminated during harvest or processing. One in 10,000 eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella inside the shell. Produce, such as spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and melons, can become contaminated with Salmonella, Shigella, or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Contamination can occur during growing, harvesting, processing, storing, shipping, or final preparation. Sources of produce contamination vary, as these foods are grown in soil and can become contaminated during growth, processing, or distribution. Contamination may also occur during food preparation in a restaurant or a home kitchen.
The most common form of contamination from handled foods is the calicivirus, also called the Norwalk-like virus.
When food is cooked and left out for more than two hours at room temperature, bacteria can multiply quickly. Most bacteria don't produce an odor or change in color or texture, so they can be impossible to detect. Freezing food slows or stops bacteria's growth, but does not destroy the bacteria. The microbes can become reactivated when the food is thawed.
Refrigeration also can slow the growth of some bacteria. Thorough cooking is required to destroy the bacteria.
What is the meaning of the word sterile as it is used in the second paragraph?
- A. free of bacteria
- B. healthy
- C. delicious
- D. impotent
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the context of the second paragraph, the term 'sterile' refers to being free of bacteria. Raw foods are mentioned as the most common source of foodborne illnesses because they are not sterile, meaning they are not free of bacteria. Foods like raw meat, poultry, and eggs can be contaminated with harmful bacteria like Salmonella. Understanding the term 'sterile' in this context is crucial to grasp the importance of proper food handling and cooking techniques to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Lightning Strikes
The old wives' tale of "Lightning never strikes twice" has been proven untrue time and time again. Lightning forms from negative and positive charges within clouds and from the earth below. When these charges react with each other, the air between the cloud and the earth ionizes, which produces a lightning flash. Lightning is actually a series of multiple events consisting of a leader stroke of lightning, followed by as many as 40 smaller strokes of lightning. Being just split seconds apart, these strokes of lightning often reflect off the lining of the clouds.
Lightning rods that extend from above the roof to the ground protect buildings by forming a low resistance path for the lightning so that the lightning does not enter the building, but rather defuses as it penetrates the ground.
Some myths about lightning need to be explained. Lightning does strike tall buildings often, and during a particularly violent storm, a tall building may be hit by lightning several times. The safest place during a thunder and lightning storm is in a metal car or lying flat, face down, in the open, not under a tree as the myth suggests.
Many people believe that thunder and lightning are connected; however, this proves to be true only about 50% of the time, so if you're waiting for the clap of thunder, you're missing out on some exciting strokes of lightning!
Lightning causes injuries, deaths, and forest fires each year. However, some scientists reveal the positive aspects of lightning because it releases nitrogen into the atmosphere which the raindrops then deliver to earth to fertilize our soil.
What does the word 'penetrates' mean?
- A. To shield
- B. To pierce
- C. To cover
- D. To obscure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The word 'penetrates' means 'to pierce'. In the context provided, it refers to lightning diffusing into the ground by breaking through a surface. The sentence '...defuses as it penetrates the ground' indicates that the lightning breaks through the ground rather than shielding, covering, or obscuring it.
Changing Time: I have a major problem with Daylight Saving Time (DST). I really wish they would abolish the practice of changing the time on us every year. 'Spring ahead, Fall back' should disappear from our language.
Although an early goal of DST was to reduce evening usage of incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of electricity, modern heating and cooling usage patterns greatly differ, and research about how DST currently affects energy use is limited and often contradictory. The reason for the time shift has become irrelevant.
DST's occasional clock shifts present other challenges. They complicate timekeeping and can disrupt meetings, travel, billing, recordkeeping, medical devices, and heavy equipment. Many computer-based systems can adjust their clocks automatically, but this can be limited and error-prone, particularly when DST rules change.
I vote to abolish DST. Can I count on your vote?
To what word or phrase does the word 'they' in the third paragraph refer?
- A. Clock shifts.
- B. Computer-based systems.
- C. DST's.
- D. Challenges.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clock shifts. In the third paragraph, the word 'they' refers to the subject of the previous sentence, which is "occasional clock shifts." This is evident from the context that follows, discussing how the clock shifts complicate timekeeping and disrupt various aspects. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because 'they' does not directly refer to computer-based systems (B), DST's (C), or challenges (D) in the given paragraph. The key to identifying the correct answer lies in understanding the pronoun reference and its connection to the context provided in the surrounding sentences, which clearly point to clock shifts as the subject referred to by 'they.'
The Electoral College has nothing to do with college and contains no students. The Electoral
College consists of votes that each state acquires based on the number of representatives it has in Congress. Each state has two electoral votes because each state has two senators. The remaining electoral votes are determined by the number of Congressmen, the number of which is based on the
population of the state established by the Census taken each decade.
During the presidential election, most states cast all their electoral votes for the candidate who
wins the popular vote in that state. ItĆ¢Ä‚¬Ä„¢s all very confusing, but the founding fathers know what they were doing. By having and using the Electoral College candidatesĆ¢Ä‚¬Ä„¢ campaign in every state, but just because they win the popular vote across the country doesn't mean they will always win the election. Case in point, in election 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote across the country,
but George W. Bush won more electoral votes. Therefore, he became our 43rd president.
The author's reason for writing this piece seems to be to
- A. Inform the reader
- B. Teach the reader
- C. Persuade the reader
- D. Entertain the reader
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Inform the reader.' The author's main purpose in the passage is to provide information about the Electoral College and how it functions. The passage explains the concept, structure, and historical context of the Electoral College without attempting to persuade or entertain the reader. The information presented is factual and intended to educate the reader on the subject matter, making 'Inform the reader' the most appropriate choice.
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.