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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.
What is the main idea of this passage?
- A. Water is formed from the joining of two hydrogen atoms to one atom of oxygen.
- B. Water is a versatile and important universal solvent.
- C. The different components of the water cycle are precipitation, evaporation, and condensation.
- D. Rain is a trivial part of the life cycle.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The main idea of the passage is to explain the different components of the water cycle, which include precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. The passage describes how water moves through these stages, highlighting the importance of each step in maintaining life on Earth. Options A and B are incorrect as they do not capture the central theme of the water cycle, and option D is misleading as rain, a form of precipitation, plays a crucial role in the cycle.
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Mr. Rogers' Biography: 'It's a wonderful day in the neighborhood!' This familiar line always began the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood program on PBS.
The amazing Fred Rogers brought a special message to children around the world. He believed that each person is unique and wonderful in his or her own way and we should accept others just the way they are without trying to change or improve them. Mr. Rogers spread his tolerance message far and wide through the daily broadcasts of his television show, his many books, and finally after his retirement through his website specifically designed for children. Through these venues, Mr. Rogers helped children deal with the real- world things that bothered them, such as doctor visits, haircuts, and new siblings.
Fred Rogers left a legacy of kindness, acceptance, and an unending love of learning for all generations.
The author wrote this passage because he/she
- A. Wanted to persuade you to buy books written by Fred Rogers.
- B. Wanted to entertain you with amusing anecdotes from Fred Roger’s life
- C. Felt there wasn’t enough written about Fred Rogers.
- D. Wanted to inform the reader about Fred Roger’s message.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Wanted to inform the reader about Fred Rogers' message. The passage clearly states that Mr. Rogers spread a message of acceptance and tolerance, helping children deal with real-world issues. The purpose of the passage is to inform the reader about Mr. Rogers' beliefs and the impact of his work, not to persuade readers to buy books, entertain with anecdotes, or address a lack of information. Therefore, the correct choice is D as it aligns with the passage's content and theme.
The Electoral College: 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 particular state. It’s all very confusing, but the founding fathers knew what they were doing. By having and using the Electoral College, candidates 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.
In the passage, the word 'cast' means to
- A. throw.
- B. turn and send in a particular direction.
- C. select actors for a play.
- D. give one's vote.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: give one's vote. In the context of the passage, the word 'cast' is used to refer to the action of states giving their electoral votes to a candidate based on the popular vote. This interpretation aligns with the electoral process described in the passage, where states allocate their electoral votes to the winning candidate.
Choice A (throw) is incorrect because 'cast' in this context does not imply physically throwing something. Choice B (turn and send in a particular direction) is incorrect as it does not capture the voting action described in the passage. Choice C (select actors for a play) is incorrect as it does not relate to the electoral process or voting.
Therefore, the most appropriate interpretation of 'cast' in this passage is to give one's vote, making option D the correct answer.
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.
What was the authorÄ€™s primary purpose for writing this essay?
- A. To persuade the reader to conserve water
- B. To persuade the reader that runoff is not the best way to collect water
- C. To analyze different types of runoff
- D. To inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The author's primary purpose for writing the essay is to inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle. The essay discusses the different phases of the water cycle, including precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and condensation. The descriptions provided aim to educate the reader about how water moves through the environment in a continuous cycle, highlighting its importance in sustaining life on Earth. There is no explicit attempt to persuade the reader to conserve water or to argue against runoff as a way to collect water, making these choices incorrect. Choice C is also incorrect as the essay focuses on explaining the stages of the water cycle rather than analyzing different types of runoff.
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 pathogens as it is used in the first paragraph?
- A. diseases
- B. vaccines
- C. disease-causing substances
- D. foods
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'disease-causing substances.' Pathogens refer to microorganisms such as bacteria, parasites, or viruses that can cause diseases. In the context of foodborne illnesses, pathogens are substances that contaminate food and lead to infections when consumed. Understanding the term 'pathogens' is crucial in identifying sources of contamination and preventing foodborne illnesses.
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.
Why is photosynthesis important for life on Earth?
- A. It helps plants grow faster
- B. It maintains atmospheric oxygen levels
- C. It increases water availability in the soil
- D. It decreases carbon dioxide levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth because it maintains atmospheric oxygen levels. During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in sugars, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. This oxygen is essential for the survival of most life forms on Earth. While photosynthesis does support plant growth and energy storage, its primary significance lies in its role in oxygen production, which is vital for sustaining life on our planet.