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Blood Pressure Regulators
The body is composed of systems that have evolved and diversified in order to maintain the natural functions and processes they regulate. One such system that has these regulators is the bodyā€™s cardiovascular system. The bodyā€™s pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the discard of carbon dioxide and other waste products, is the heart.
Because blood pressure varies at different points within the body, differing components are needed to keep the bodyā€™s blood pressure regulated. Three of the basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings and are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body as well. Impulses are related to this stretching along the arterial walls, which causes these baroreceptors to send out even more impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, causing the blood pressure to go either up or down.
Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH. Just think! A fall in oxygen causes receptors to send impulses to raise the blood pressure.
The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex cause the kidney to keep or let go of any salt and water. This has an influence on blood volume and consequently on blood pressure.

What is the primary purpose of this passage?

  • A. To inform the reader about the dangers of high blood pressure
  • B. To inform the reader how high blood pressure leads to a higher risk of heart attack
  • C. To inform the reader how the cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure
  • D. To persuade the reader that controlling one's blood pressure is important
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary purpose of this passage is to inform the reader about how the cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure. The text explains the role of various components such as baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys in maintaining blood pressure within the body. It focuses on the mechanisms and functions of these regulators rather than discussing the dangers of high blood pressure, its link to heart attacks, or persuading the reader to control their blood pressure.

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People of Hispanic origin were on the North American continent centuries before settlers arrived
from Europe in the early 1600s and the thirteen colonies joined together to form the United
States in the late 1700s. The first census of the new nation was conducted in 1790, and counted about four million people, most of whom were white. Of the white citizens, more than 80%
traced their ancestry back to England. There were close to 700,000 slaves and about 60,000 "free Negroes". Only a few Native American Indians who paid taxes were included in the census count, but the total Native American population was probably about one million. By 1815, the population of the United States was 8.4 million. Over the next 100 years, the
country took in about 35 million immigrants, with the greatest numbers coming in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1882, 40,000 Chinese arrived, and between 1900 and 1907, there were more
than 30,000 Japanese immigrants. But by far, the largest numbers of the new immigrants were
from central, eastern, and southern Europe. An enormous amount of racial and ethnic assimilation has taken place in the United States. In 1908, play-write Israel Zangwill first used the term "melting pot" to describe the concept of a place where many races melted in a crucible and re-formed to populate a new land. Some years during the first two decades of the 20th century, there were as many as one million new
immigrants per year, an astonishing 1 percent of the total population of the United States.
In 1921, however, the country began to limit immigration, and the Immigration Act of 1924
virtually closed the door. The total number of immigrants admitted per year dropped from as many as a million to only 150,000. A quota system was established that specified the number of
immigrants that could come from each country. It heavily favored immigrants from northern and western Europe and severely limited everyone else. This system remained in effect until 1965, although after World War II, several exceptions were made to the quota system to allow in
groups of refugees.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'concept' in line 16?

  • A. location
  • B. type
  • C. complexity
  • D. thought
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In this context, the word 'concept' refers to an idea or a notion, which aligns closely with the meaning of 'thought'. The term 'location' (choice A) refers to a place, 'type' (choice B) refers to a category or classification, and 'complexity' (choice C) refers to the state of being intricate or complicated, none of which match the context of the word 'concept' in the given line.

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.

Which gas is crucial for the survival of most life forms and is released during photosynthesis?

  • A. Nitrogen
  • B. Carbon dioxide
  • C. Oxygen
  • D. Hydrogen
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: During photosynthesis, oxygen is crucial for the survival of most life forms and is released into the atmosphere. Oxygen is a byproduct of the photosynthetic process, where carbon dioxide and water react in the presence of light to form sugars and oxygen. This released oxygen is essential for the respiration of many living organisms, making it a critical component for their survival. Without the oxygen released during photosynthesis, many organisms would not be able to carry out cellular respiration, which is vital for their energy production and survival.

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 of the following words is an antonym for the word 'comprised'?

  • A. Incorporate
  • B. Encompass
  • C. Exclude
  • D. Embody
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The term 'comprised' means to include or contain. An antonym would be a word that signifies the opposite of including or containing. The correct answer, 'Exclude,' means to leave out or omit, which is the opposite of comprising.

Laughter: One of the best ways to understand a group of people is to know what makes them laugh. Laughter encompasses the limits of the soul and serves social, psychological, and physiological functions. In humor, life is redefined and accepted. Irony and satire provide much deeper insights into a group's collective psyche and values than do years of research. It has always been a great disappointment to Native Americans that the humorous side of their life has not been mentioned by experts on Native American affairs. Rather, the image of the stern-faced redskin has been presented by the American Westerns.

The author seems to

  • A. take an impartial view on the issue.
  • B. favor the current image of the Native Americans.
  • C. oppose spending money on Native American affairs.
  • D. favor research into Native American humor.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the author expresses disappointment that experts on Native American affairs have not mentioned the humorous side of their life. This indicates a favor towards research into Native American humor.

A is incorrect because the author shows a clear opinion on the issue by expressing disappointment. B is incorrect as the author criticizes the current image of Native Americans. C is incorrect as there is no mention of opposing spending money on Native American affairs.

In summary, the author favors research into Native American humor as it is highlighted as a neglected aspect that should be explored further.

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.

Which statement from the passage is a fact?

  • A. Each state casts their electoral votes during the Presidential election.
  • B. Candidates only campaign in states where they think they can win.
  • C. The Electoral College is a college in Washington D.C.
  • D. The government randomly assigns electoral votes to states.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Each state casts their electoral votes during the Presidential election. This statement is a fact because it accurately describes the process of how each state participates in the Electoral College by casting their electoral votes based on the popular vote within that state.

Rationale:
1. The passage clearly states that during the presidential election, most states cast all their electoral votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that particular state. This confirms that each state indeed casts their electoral votes.
2. The Electoral College is a system where states cast their electoral votes, not the candidates. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the role of states in the process.

Summary:
Choice A is the correct answer as it aligns with the explanation provided in the passage about how each state participates in the Electoral College by casting their electoral votes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the factual information provided in the passage.

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