Nokea
All That Jazz: Jazz is an American musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African-American communities in the Southern United States. It derived from a confluence of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has also incorporated music from 19th and 20th century American popular music. The word jazz began as a West Coast slang term of uncertain derivation and was first used to refer to music in Chicago in about 1915.
Improvisation is one of the key elements of jazz and a fundamental part of the nature of the music. In jazz, the skilled performer will interpret a tune in very individual ways, never playing the same composition exactly the same way twice. Depending upon the performer's mood and personal experience, interactions with fellow musicians, or even members of the audience, a jazz musician/performer may alter melodies, harmonies, or time signatures at will.
What is the derivation of the word 'jazz'?
- A. West Coast slang.
- B. Coined by Chicago musicians.
- C. European definition of improvisation.
- D. From Ibo language brought to US by slaves.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: West Coast slang. The passage states that the word "jazz" began as a West Coast slang term, indicating that its origin can be traced back to the West Coast. This is supported by historical evidence that the term was first used in Chicago around 1915. The other choices are incorrect because:
B: Coined by Chicago musicians - While jazz was first referred to as music in Chicago, the term itself originated as West Coast slang, not coined by Chicago musicians.
C: European definition of improvisation - The passage does not mention any direct link between the word "jazz" and a European definition of improvisation.
D: From Ibo language brought to US by slaves - There is no evidence or mention in the passage that the word "jazz" is derived from the Ibo language brought to the US by slaves.
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It is a well-known fact that it takes the Earth approximately 365 days to orbit the Sun. At the same time, the Earth revolves or spins around itself over the course of 24 hours, which explains why we experience day and night. One half of the Earth is always facing the Sun, while the other half is facing away. As a result, different time zones divide the globe. Moving suddenly from one time zone to another, such as when flying from Asia to North America, can cause jet lag. People often feel tired, wake up suddenly during the night, and cannot return to sleep. It takes time to adjust to a new time zone. Another important factor to consider is the slight tilt of the Earth toward the Sun. The Earth does not stand straight but leans slightly to one side. Therefore, when it revolves around the Sun, the middle part of the Earth is always closer to the Sun and receives more heat. This area is called the equator, and the regions above and below it are known as the tropics. Countries located in the tropics receive a consistent amount of daylight throughout the year, with the Sun rising at 6 AM and setting at 6 PM. In contrast, the tips of the Earth, or the poles, receive hardly any light because they are so far from the Sun. There are two main seasons at the poles: 6 months of summer, when the Sun is always shining (even at night), and 6 months of winter, characterized by constant darkness. Between the tropics and the poles lies the temperate zone, where there are four distinct seasons. The Sun rises and sets at different times throughout the year. In spring and summer, it gets light earlier; in fall and winter, it gets dark earlier. People living in temperate zones take advantage of this variation to maximize their daylight exposure. At the beginning of spring, countries in Europe and North America readjust their clocks by moving them an hour ahead. As a result, the Sun does not set around 7 or 8 PM as usual, but an hour later. This practice is called Daylight Savings Time (DST) and lasts until the beginning of fall, when people move their clocks back one hour to Standard or Regular Time. It is believed that Benjamin Franklin first suggested the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the 18th century, but the first serious proposal came in 1907 from William Willet. However, his idea was shelved by the British government, which deemed it unnecessary. Daylight Savings Time was first implemented by the German government in 1916 in order to save energy during World War I. Shortly after, the United Kingdom followed suit, with the United States doing the same in 1918. The law was unpopular, as people had to wake up earlier, leading many to experience a feeling similar to jet lag. However, the energy crisis of the 1970s forced the U.S. to establish Daylight Savings Time as law. Studies showed that the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the spring saved the U.S. 10,000 barrels of oil per day between 1974 and 1975. It also prevented 2,000 traffic injuries and 50 traffic-related deaths, saving the country $28 million. Currently, Americans switch to Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in April and revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October. As of 2007, the time adjustments occur even earlier in March and November.
If it is 7 p.m. Standard Time, what time is it for Daylight Savings Time?
- A. 6 p.m.
- B. 8 p.m.
- C. 7 a.m.
- D. 8 a.m.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When transitioning from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time, the clock is moved forward by one hour. Therefore, if it is 7 p.m. Standard Time, it would be 8 p.m. in Daylight Savings Time. The correct answer is 6 p.m., reflecting the advancement of the clock by one hour during the Daylight Savings Time period.
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.
What is the meaning of the word elasticity in the last paragraph?
- A. Something that is able to resist and be flexible
- B. Something that is plastic-like
- C. Something that is dynamic and electrifying
- D. Something that is silly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The term 'elasticity' in the last paragraph refers to the ability of a material or structure to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed. In the context of blood pressure, elasticity refers to the property of arterial walls to stretch and recoil with each heartbeat, allowing them to withstand the pressure changes caused by blood flow. Option A, 'Something that is able to resist and be flexible,' accurately describes the concept of elasticity in this context, making it the correct answer.
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 statement is a fact stated in the article?
- A. Glass is an element that can be mixed with other elements.
- B. Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements.
- C. Glass with lead is the most common type produced today.
- D. Glass is found in nature in the form of obsidian.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements. This statement is supported by the text, which clearly explains that glass is composed of several elements such as silica, soda, lime, lead, and boron. Glass is not a standalone element but a mixture of these components.
Rationale:
1. Glass is not an element: The text explicitly states that glass is not an element but a combination of several elements, emphasizing the composite nature of glass.
2. Mixture of elements: The text mentions silica, soda, lime, lead, and boron as components of glass, highlighting the varied composition of glass.
3. Clarification of glass composition: By mentioning the additives used to change the character of glass, the text reinforces the idea that glass is a combination of elements rather than a single element.
Summary of incorrect choices:
A: Incorrect because the text clearly states that glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements.
C:
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Which sentence uses the word laden the same as in the passage?
- A. As the rain continued, the water trickled down the empty, laden street.
- B. When the storm cleared, you could see the cloudless, laden sky.
- C. The laden trumpets sounded when the stadium became crowded with fans.
- D. The bowl of cereal overflowed when it became too laden with milk.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The sentence 'The bowl of cereal overflowed when it became too laden with milk' uses 'laden' to describe the bowl of cereal as being heavily filled or loaded with milk, similar to how the clouds are described in the passage as being heavily laden with liquid droplets before precipitation occurs. The meaning aligns perfectly with the original context of 'laden.' This choice is the correct answer as it mirrors the usage of 'laden' in the passage.
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is a continuous process by which water circulates through the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land. This cycle is essential for supporting all forms of life and maintaining the Earth's climate. Water undergoes various changes in state—evaporating from the surface, condensing in the atmosphere, and precipitating back to the surface. At its start, the sun heats up water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing it to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere as vapor. Once in the atmosphere, this vapor cools and condenses into clouds. Over time, these clouds get heavy and release precipitation in the form of rain, snow, or sleet, which falls back to the Earth's surface. Some of this precipitation collects in bodies of water, while some seeps into the soil, replenishing groundwater supplies. Additionally, some water returns to the atmosphere through transpiration, a process where water is released from plants. The cycle is critical not only for water distribution but also for transporting nutrients and purifying water naturally through filtration as it flows through different layers of the Earth's surface.
What is the primary function of the water cycle?
- A. To generate energy
- B. To transport nutrients
- C. To support life and maintain climate
- D. To produce oxygen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary function of the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, is to support life and maintain climate. The water cycle is essential for all forms of life as it ensures the distribution of water, replenishment of groundwater supplies, and natural purification of water through filtration. Furthermore, the cycle plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by influencing temperature and weather patterns. While energy generation, nutrient transportation, and oxygen production are important processes, they are not the primary function of the water cycle.