Nokea
ZUMBA:
In 1998, Colombian choreographer and aerobics instructor Beto Pérez introduced the world to a new exercise craze. It was a bit of serendipity that led him to invent Zumba. He left his usual music for class at home and had to improvise around a series of hip-hop cassettes he happened to have. The resulting dance moves were a hit with the class. By 2001, Pérez, who had moved to Miami, released some videos featuring his new Rumbacize, or Zumba, routines. The rest is history; Zumba remains wildly popular, and classes are now found all over the world.
Zumba features four Caribbean and South American rhythms: merengue from the Dominican Republic, salsa from Cuba, reggaeton from Puerto Rico, and cumbia from Colombia. Instructors often include other styles such as flamenco, mambo, samba, and tango. The goal is to get people moving for an hour of aerobic dance. A study at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse determined that Zumba is a highly effective, full-body workout. It allows heart rates to alternate, similar to more typical interval workouts, thus burning more calories than many other exercise programs, including kickboxing and power yoga. The dance movements also aid with flexibility and core strength.
Importantly, Zumba classes provide good workouts for both very fit and less-fit participants. Even better, because the movements are fun and the music is lively, participants tend to come back.
What is the meaning of the word serendipity as it is used in the first paragraph?
- A. Chance
- B. Persistence
- C. Foreboding
- D. Expertise
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The word "serendipity" refers to a fortunate coincidence or chance, describing how Beto P©rez invented Zumba accidentally.
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States offer a variety of home and community-based services aimed at enabling seniors to remain in their homes rather than transitioning to assisted-living or nursing homes. Caregiver and respite services are available in most states. Senior Companion or Friendly Visitor Programs are designed to provide social interaction for seniors. Volunteers, usually older retirees, visit the senior for conversation or simple recreational activities. In addition to preventing the isolation that often poses a mental and physical health risk to seniors, companions may alert families and doctors to new and potentially troubling health conditions.
Local offices for aging typically provide short- or long-term assistance with household chores. They offer transportation services to medical appointments, pharmacies, or grocery stores. For low-income seniors or seniors on fixed incomes, home repair assistance and heating or cooling assistance are available. Seniors who require wheelchairs may request modifications such as ramps and grab bars to make their homes more accessible.
By the year 2030, one in five Americans will be retirement age, and seniors will outnumber children for the first time in history. The state resources provided for our older relatives will become increasingly important as the population ages.
What is the meaning of the word respite as used in the first paragraph?
- A. Relief
- B. Treatment
- C. Guardian
- D. Specialist
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this context, 'respite' refers to relief, providing caregivers with temporary rest or a break from their caregiving duties. The word 'respite' is associated with giving caregivers a brief period of relief, not with treatment, guardianship, or specialization. The extract mentions 'respite services' along with caregiver services, indicating that respite is a form of support or relief for caregivers.
Microsurgery as we know it today was developed in Sweden in the 1920s for use on animals. The first microsurgery used a monocular microscope, but soon a Swedish doctor developed a surgical binocular microscope, which became widely used in delicate ear operations. It was not until the 1960s that microscopy was first used to augment neurovascular surgery. Surgeons found that with the help of the microscope, they could repair the tiniest of blood vessels and even reconstruct vessels in partially amputated limbs.
In that same decade, a German surgeon developed the diploscope, which consisted of two independent binocular microscopes. This innovation allowed a surgeon to use high magnification while a surgical assistant followed along at a lower magnification, thereby observing a larger area of operation and addressing potential issues more effectively. This improvement in microscopy led to advances in plastic surgery, an area of medicine that regularly requires work on the tiniest of blood vessels and nerves.
Technological advances have continued to expand the possibilities of microsurgery. Surgeons can now perform procedures on cerebral aneurysms, reverse vasectomies, and improve breast reconstruction after cancer surgery. New tools such as telerobotic arms connected to microsurgical forceps and video microscopy, where the operative field is displayed in high definition on a TV monitor, have made even the most complex surgeries routine.
What is the meaning of the word delicate as used in the first paragraph?
- A. Subtle
- B. Fragile
- C. Refined
- D. Intricate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of microsurgery, the word 'delicate' refers to the intricate, precise, and fine nature of surgeries performed using microscopy. These surgeries require intricate attention to detail and precision due to the small and delicate structures involved, making 'intricate' the most appropriate synonym. 'Subtle' implies understated or not obvious, 'fragile' suggests easily broken or damaged, and 'refined' refers to something developed or improved over time, none of which fully capture the detailed and precise nature of microsurgery. Therefore, 'intricate' is the correct answer.
Microsurgery as we know it today was developed in Sweden in the 1920s for use on animals. The first microsurgery used a monocular microscope, but soon a Swedish doctor developed a surgical binocular microscope, which became widely used in delicate ear operations. It was not until the 1960s that microscopy was first used to augment neurovascular surgery. Surgeons found that with the help of the microscope, they could repair the tiniest of blood vessels and even reconstruct vessels in partially amputated limbs.
In that same decade, a German surgeon developed the diploscope, which consisted of two independent binocular microscopes. This innovation allowed a surgeon to use high magnification while a surgical assistant followed along at a lower magnification, thereby observing a larger area of operation and addressing potential issues more effectively. This improvement in microscopy led to advances in plastic surgery, an area of medicine that regularly requires work on the tiniest of blood vessels and nerves.
Technological advances have continued to expand the possibilities of microsurgery. Surgeons can now perform procedures on cerebral aneurysms, reverse vasectomies, and improve breast reconstruction after cancer surgery. New tools such as telerobotic arms connected to microsurgical forceps and video microscopy, where the operative field is displayed in high definition on a TV monitor, have made even the most complex surgeries routine.
The passage mentions all of these uses for microscopy EXCEPT ___________.
- A. Ear surgery
- B. Amputations
- C. Vasectomies
- D. Reconstructions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The passage discusses various uses of microscopy in surgery, including ear surgery, amputations, and reconstructions. However, vasectomies are not mentioned as an application of microscopy in the text. Therefore, vasectomies are the exception among the listed uses. Choices A, B, and D are supported by details in the extract, making them incorrect answers. The passage highlights the uses of microscopy in delicate ear operations, repairing blood vessels in partially amputated limbs, and improving breast reconstructions. While vasectomies are mentioned briefly in the extract, they are not connected to the application of microscopy in the context of surgeries.
HEAT EXHAUSTION:
One of the human effects of the climate crisis is that as temperatures climb, more and more people are in danger of heat exhaustion. A recent spate of triple-digit temperatures occurred in states where such temperatures are rare. Municipalities provided cooling centers, which doubtless saved some lives. Knowing the signs of heat exhaustion can help you protect yourself on the hottest of days. Left untreated, heat exhaustion may lead to heatstroke, which can be fatal.
If you are forced to be outside and active in a place where high temperatures combine with high humidity, monitor your body for unusual reactions. People with heat exhaustion may sweat heavily yet have skin that feels clammy or cold. They may have a sudden sharp headache or muscle cramps and experience dizziness when standing up, which can lead to nausea. If you notice that your heart is racing and you feel faint, stop your activity at once. Find a cool place to rest, and hydrate immediately with water or an electrolyte-fortified sports drink.
If you suddenly stop sweating entirely, become confused, or cannot drink, you need immediate medical attention. Be aware that certain medical conditions—such as obesity or any condition that requires you to take beta blockers, tranquilizers, or antipsychotics—may exacerbate your reaction to excessive heat. If your weight or medications make you susceptible to heat exhaustion, avoid all physical activity when the heat index is over 90 degrees.
In this passage, which of these is not mentioned as a possible sign of heat exhaustion?
- A. Dizziness
- B. Nausea
- C. Headache
- D. Drowsiness
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The passage mentions dizziness, nausea, and headache as symptoms but does not list drowsiness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tickborne diseases doubled in the United States between the years 2004 and 2016. Lyme disease, in particular, is difficult to diagnose due to its disparate symptoms that mimic other diseases, making it greatly underreported. As a result, the prevalence of Lyme disease is thought to be even higher than the CDC suggests.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread through a relationship involving three animals. This relationship starts with the white-footed mouse (or in California, the Western gray squirrel), which is prone to infection by the bacterium. Ticks in their larval form feed on the blood of these mice. If the mouse is infected, the tick becomes infected as well. After passing through a dormant phase, the tick nymph, usually the size of a poppy seed, seeks another blood meal. This meal might come from another mouse, a human, or a dog or cat.
The nymphs then molt into active adults, whose primary food source is the whitetail deer. They mate on the deer, drop off, and lay their eggs, thus starting the cycle over again. Humans can be bitten by either an infected nymph or a full-grown adult tick. For Lyme disease transmission, the tick needs to attach for about 36 hours. Unfortunately, tick bites are easy to overlook; they do not itch like mosquito bites or sting like deerfly bites. Many people go without treatment for months until a test clarifies their seemingly unrelated symptoms, which may include joint pain, a rash, fatigue, swollen glands, chills or fever, headache, or even paralysis.
If you know you have been bitten by a tick, time is of the essence. It is important to see a doctor, get tested, and receive treatment promptly.
What is the meaning of the word disparate as used in the first paragraph?
- A. Unusual
- B. Diverse
- C. Trivial
- D. Damaging
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Disparate" means diverse or different. The passage discusses how Lyme disease has various symptoms that mimic other diseases, making it difficult to diagnose.