Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension Related

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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.

What is the purpose of lightning rods according to the passage?

  • A. Attract lightning to specific locations
  • B. Protect buildings by drawing lightning away from them
  • C. Increase the frequency of lightning strikes
  • D. Store electrical energy from lightning strikes
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The passage explains that lightning rods protect buildings by providing a low resistance path for lightning, diverting it away from the building and safely into the ground. This helps prevent lightning from directly striking and damaging the building, making choice B the correct answer. Lightning rods do not attract lightning to specific locations (choice A), increase the frequency of lightning strikes (choice C), or store electrical energy from lightning strikes (choice D), as their primary function is to protect structures by providing a path for lightning to follow.

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Food

Food and drink are necessary and desirable, but their abuse can cause serious physical and mental problems. Many physicians believe that overeating is one of the countryā€™s main health problems, since It places a great strain on the heart, can lead to diabetes, and often shortens the individual's life span. To fill an emotional void, people often turn to food when they are bored or lonely.
Another area of concern is alcohol consumption. The results of alcohol abuse are widely publicized. The social drinker who becomes alcoholic, the drunken drivers contribution to highway deaths, spousal and child abuse, are all concomitant problems associated with alcohol abuse.

The author seems to

  • A. Favor moderation.
  • B. oppose regulation of personal habits.
  • C. favor a strict diet.
  • D. oppose drinking alcohol.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The passage discusses the problems associated with food and alcohol abuse, emphasizing the health risks related to overeating and alcohol consumption. However, it does not advocate for extreme measures such as strict diets or complete opposition to alcohol. Instead, the author's focus on the consequences of abuse suggests a preference for moderation in eating and drinking habits. Therefore, the correct answer is A, indicating that the author seems to favor moderation.

Violence: Lately, studies have been done to decide whether a relationship exists between violence on television and mounting violence in the streets of the United States. More and better research is needed to assess fully the effects of exposure to violence on human behavior. However, early results seem to indicate that some people are influenced negatively by what they see on TV, especially young children. Since children born today, on an average, are exposed to seven hours of TV a day, some changes seem needed.
Consultants have advised network officials to reconsider certain policies if they wish to avoid the pitfalls of increased government regulations.

The theme of the article seems to be to

  • A. persuade people to support censorship of television.
  • B. inform people about the debate over TV violence.
  • C. alarm people about the effects of television violence.
  • D. persuade people to relax controls over TV programming.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: B (inform people about the debate over TV violence)

Rationale:
1. The passage discusses studies on the relationship between TV violence and real-life violence.
2. It mentions the need for more research to fully understand the effects of violence on behavior.
3. It emphasizes the negative influence of TV violence, especially on young children.
4. The passage concludes with a recommendation for network officials to reconsider policies.
5. Therefore, the theme is to inform people about the ongoing debate and concerns regarding TV violence.

Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: The passage does not explicitly advocate for censorship of television.
C: While the passage discusses negative effects of TV violence, it does not aim to alarm people.
D: The passage does not suggest relaxing controls over TV programming; in fact, it hints at the need for changes.

The Rainforest

The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin -- roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States -- covers some 40% of the South American continent, and portions of eight countries. The basin is drained by the Amazon River, the world's largest river in terms of discharge, and the second longest river in the world after the Nile.

Since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometers (232,000 square miles) of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. This deforestation is mainly due to land clearing for pastureland by commercial and speculative interests, misguided government policies, and commercial exploitation of forest resources.

Deforestation of the rainforest has long-term implications. The loss of habitat for many creatures ensures their extinction. The loss of vegetation depletes the oxygen in the atmosphere, which some say causes global warming.

Which statement is a fact rather than an opinion?

  • A. Deforestation causes global warming.
  • B. The rainforest is essential to life on Earth.
  • C. South American countries must stop deforestation of the rainforest immediately.
  • D. Over 600,000 square kilometers (232,000 square miles) of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed since 1970.
    Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Option D states a measurable fact: 'A vast amount of square mileage of Amazon rainforest has been destroyed since 1970,' supported by the specific figure provided in the passage (over 600,000 square kilometers or 232,000 square miles). The other options express opinions or interpretations about the consequences of deforestation rather than stating factual information. It is crucial for students to differentiate between facts, which are objective and verifiable, and opinions, which are subjective beliefs or interpretations.

Food

Food and drink are necessary and desirable, but their abuse can cause serious physical and mental problems. Many physicians believe that overeating is one of the countryā€™s main health problems, since It places a great strain on the heart, can lead to diabetes, and often shortens the individual's life span. To fill an emotional void, people often turn to food when they are bored or lonely.
Another area of concern is alcohol consumption. The results of alcohol abuse are widely publicized. The social drinker who becomes alcoholic, the drunken drivers contribution to highway deaths, spousal and child abuse, are all concomitant problems associated with alcohol abuse.

As used in the last sentence of this paragraph, the term 'concomitant' means

  • A. quiet
  • B. unpredictable
  • C. separate
  • D. accompanying
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The term 'concomitant' refers to something that accompanies or occurs alongside something else. In the context of the sentence, it describes the problems associated with alcohol abuse that occur together with issues such as drunken driving and spousal or child abuse. Therefore, the correct answer is D, meaning 'accompanying.'

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 stated in the passage?

  • A. Physical illness can cause insomnia.
  • B. Exercise improves sleep quality.
  • C. Healthy diet prevents sleep disorders.
  • D. Insomnia is always caused by stress.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct statement found in the passage is that physical illness can cause insomnia. The passage mentions that chronic insomnia can result from a medical illness, a psychiatric condition, or from sleep apnea, a condition where an individual stops breathing during sleep. This indicates a direct link between physical health issues and the development of insomnia. While exercise, healthy diet, and stress can also impact sleep quality, the passage emphasizes the connection between physical illnesses and insomnia.

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