The Summer Olympic Games. Once every four years the countries of the world send their best and brightest to participate in the Summer Olympic Games. The site for the event is decided years before, and most countries contend strongly for the privilege to host the Games. The 2008 games were held in Bejing, China.
There is a lot of pageantry and tradition attached to the event. The opening ceremony is elaborate and awe-inspiring. China put on a spectacularly beautiful fireworks display to welcome the world's athletes in 2008.
The track events, water events (swimming, diving) and precision activities such as archery and rhythmic gymnastics are wonderful to watch. Seeing these athletes perform their special skills is a treat for those of us who achieve a vicarious satisfaction from it. Everyone roots for the athletes from their own country and we thrill when our anther is played during the medal ceremony. Being an Olympian is an honor every athlete dreams of.
What is the meaning of the word 'roots' as used in the third paragraph?
- A. The part of a plant under the ground.
- B. To wish the success of.
- C. A musical tone upon which a piece of music is based.
- D. To dig in the earth with a snout.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of the third paragraph, the word 'roots' is used to describe how people support and cheer for the athletes from their own country. 'To wish the success of' is the correct interpretation, making choice B the correct answer. The other definitions of 'roots' refer to different meanings that do not fit the context of cheering for athletes.
You may also like to solve these questions
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.
According to the passage, what is the purpose of lightning rods?
- A. Increase the frequency of lightning strikes
- B. Protect buildings by drawing lightning away from them
- C. Attract lightning to specific locations
- D. Store electrical energy from lightning strikes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Lightning rods are used to protect buildings by drawing lightning away from them. By providing a low resistance path for the lightning to follow, the lightning rod helps to prevent the lightning from entering the building and instead safely diffuses it into the ground. This helps to minimize the risk of damage to the structure and reduce the potential for fires caused by lightning strikes. Therefore, lightning rods do not increase the frequency of lightning strikes (choice A), attract lightning to specific locations (choice C), or store electrical energy from lightning strikes (choice D), as their primary function is to protect buildings by safely directing lightning away from them.
What effect does your voice have on others? Does it persuade or irritate, attract or repel? One of
the worst qualities is harshness. If you ever get the feeling that people are uncomfortable when you speak, it may be that your harsh tones are jarring their eardrums. Your voice will sound
unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, to loud, or too nasal. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw. Tension tightens muscles and blocks the relaxed voice tones essential to a pleasing impression. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than men, which usually makes them
less desirable public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.
Which statement from the selection presents a fact rather than an opinion?
- A. One of the worst voice qualities is harshness.
- B. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw.
- C. Your voice will sound unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, too loud, or too nasal.
- D. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than men, which usually makes them less desirable as public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it presents a factual statement about the source of harsh voice qualities, attributing them to excessive tension in the throat and jaw. This statement is based on a cause-and-effect relationship and can be objectively verified. In contrast, options A, C, and D involve subjective judgments or generalizations, making them opinions rather than verifiable facts. By identifying the cause of harsh voice qualities, option B stands out as a factual statement that provides a clear explanation for the undesirable voice characteristic, distinguishing it from the subjective nature of the other options in the selection.
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.
What is produced in the Calvin cycle during photosynthesis?
- A. ATP
- B. Glucose
- C. Water
- D. Oxygen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During the Calvin cycle, which is the second stage of photosynthesis, the primary product produced is glucose. The Calvin cycle utilizes the ATP and NADPH generated in the light-dependent reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, a simple sugar. Glucose serves as a vital energy source for the plant and is also essential for the growth and development of the organism. Therefore, the correct answer is option B, 'Glucose.' Options A, C, and D (ATP, Water, and Oxygen) are not the direct products of the Calvin cycle but play important roles in different stages of photosynthesis.
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2:00 a.m.? Have you kicked the blankets off to the floor from tossing and turning? Many longtime suffers of Insomnia know these situations all too well. As many as 17% of Americans find the restful break of sleep hard to achieve.
Lack of sleep affects intellectual abilities at work or school by causing a deficit in memory, attention, and concentration which in turn creates a feeling of irritation or depression. Chronic insomnia can result from a medical illness, a psychiatric condition, or from sleep apnea, a condition where an individual actually stops breathing during sleep. Sleep hygiene, developing good sleep habits, and non- pharmacological therapies such as herbs and spices are some solutions to Insomnia.
What is a solution to insomnia?
- A. Developing good sleep habits and using herbs and spices.
- B. Increasing caffeine intake.
- C. Watching television before bed.
- D. Taking frequent naps during the day.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Developing good sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment, along with using herbs and spices like chamomile or lavender, can help in managing insomnia. These strategies promote better sleep quality, aid in falling asleep faster, and staying asleep longer by relaxing the mind and body before sleep.
"Don't be afraid." Sounds simple, but for some people it's not. Having the normal maction of being scared or frightened helps you to survive threats of all kinds, both physical and verbal. Most mild fears are outgrown during childhood; however, severe fears, called phoblas, are extreme and unreasonable. Phobias cause out-of-control feelings such as sickness, headaches, ulcers, and high blood pressure. Specific phoblas center around things, activities, or situations while people with social phoblas feel anxiety over social settings where they fear embarrassing situations.
Another type of phobia called panic disorder causes people to sweat, tremble, or even faint due to overwhelming panic which may occur at any time. By talking, breathing deeply, and visualizing, a person can gain control over debilitating phobias
What physical ailments can phobias cause?
- A. Ulcers and hypertension
- B. Nausea and dizziness
- C. Asthma and diabetes
- D. Insomnia and fatigue
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phobias can lead to physical ailments such as ulcers and hypertension. The text mentions that severe fears, known as phobias, can result in out-of-control feelings causing sickness, headaches, ulcers, and high blood pressure. Therefore, choice A, 'Ulcers and hypertension,' is the correct answer as these are specifically cited as physical ailments associated with phobias.
Nokea