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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.
What statement is implied by the paragraph?
- A. Much needed pasture and farmland can be obtained by clearing the land.
- B. People should leave the rainforest alone to evolve.
- C. Deforestation has long-term consequences we still do not know about.
- D. Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is a consequence of progress.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Deforestation has long-term consequences we still do not know about.
Rationale:
1. The paragraph discusses the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and highlights the long-term implications of deforestation.
2. It mentions the loss of habitat for creatures leading to extinction and the depletion of oxygen causing global warming.
3. The statement implies that there are ongoing and potentially unknown consequences of deforestation.
4. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on the immediate benefits of clearing land for pasture, ignoring the long-term consequences discussed.
5. Choice B is too simplistic and does not address the complexity of the issue as presented in the paragraph.
6. Choice D is also incorrect as it oversimplifies the issue by associating deforestation solely with progress without considering the negative impacts discussed.
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Changing Time: I have a major problem with Daylight Saving Time (DST). I really wish they would abolish the practice of changing the time on us every year. 'Spring ahead, Fall back' should disappear from our language.
Although an early goal of DST was to reduce evening usage of incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of electricity, modern heating and cooling usage patterns greatly differ, and research about how DST currently affects energy use is limited and often contradictory. The reason for the time shift has become irrelevant.
DST's occasional clock shifts present other challenges. They complicate timekeeping and can disrupt meetings, travel, billing, recordkeeping, medical devices, and heavy equipment. Many computer-based systems can adjust their clocks automatically, but this can be limited and error-prone, particularly when DST rules change.
I vote to abolish DST. Can I count on your vote?
To what word or phrase does the word 'they' in the third paragraph refer?
- A. Clock shifts.
- B. Computer-based systems.
- C. DST's.
- D. Challenges.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clock shifts. In the third paragraph, the word 'they' refers to the subject of the previous sentence, which is "occasional clock shifts." This is evident from the context that follows, discussing how the clock shifts complicate timekeeping and disrupt various aspects. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because 'they' does not directly refer to computer-based systems (B), DST's (C), or challenges (D) in the given paragraph. The key to identifying the correct answer lies in understanding the pronoun reference and its connection to the context provided in the surrounding sentences, which clearly point to clock shifts as the subject referred to by 'they.'
A Bit About Bicycles: Children begin to taste freedom on bicycles. Historians believe that bicycles began around 3500 B.C. in the Middle East although it took 53 centuries before bicycles were fashioned in the way we know them today.
With over 1500 moving parts, bicycles are complex yet simple machines and amazingly the basic design has not changed since the 1880s. A few tweaks have been added, such as gears and hand-operated brakes, but bicycles remain a steady source of exercise and entertainment for both children and adults. Some forms of bicycling are mountain biking and BMX biking which is similar to cross-country motorcycle racing.
In many countries around the world, bicycles are a necessary part of daily existence. Bicycling in China is imperative if you want to go places, due to the vast population in a relatively small area. Bicycles are coming back in high demand all over the world.
In recent years, what has been added to the basic design of bicycles?
- A. Mountain handles and gears.
- B. Complex machinery and mirrors.
- C. Hand-operated brakes and cross-country handles.
- D. Gears and hand-operated brakes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Gears and hand-operated brakes. Gears and hand-operated brakes have been added to the basic design of bicycles in recent years. Gears allow riders to adjust the resistance and speed of pedaling, making it easier to ride on different terrains. Hand-operated brakes provide better control and safety for stopping the bike.
Explanation:
1. Mountain handles and gears (Choice A) is incorrect because mountain handles are not a common addition to the basic design of bicycles, and the only addition mentioned in the text is gears and hand-operated brakes.
2. Complex machinery and mirrors (Choice B) is incorrect as the text highlights that bicycles are complex yet simple machines, and mirrors are not mentioned as a recent addition to the basic design.
3. Hand-operated brakes and cross-country handles (Choice C) is incorrect because cross-country handles are not mentioned in the text as an addition to the basic design of bicycles in recent years.
Therefore, the correct
Doppler Effect
Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance's screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight?
What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.
Which sound waves have a lower pitch?
- A. Sound waves that are closer together
- B. Sound waves that are farther apart
- C. Sound waves that travel a long distance
- D. Sound waves that travel a short distance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sound waves that are farther apart have a lower pitch. In the Doppler Effect, as a source of sound moves away from a listener, the sound waves get stretched out, causing a decrease in frequency and resulting in a lower pitch. Conversely, when a source of sound moves toward a listener, the sound waves get compressed, leading to an increase in frequency and a higher pitch. This phenomenon explains why the pitch of sound changes depending on whether the source is moving towards or away from the listener.
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 bodyÄ€™s cardiovascular system. The bodyÄ€™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 bodyÄ€™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 best summary of this passage?
- A. The bodyÄ€™s pump, the heart, regulates the flow of oxygen to all cells of the body and discards waste products like carbon dioxide. The kidneys assist by absorbing salts and water.
- B. There are several systems that maintain the body's natural functions. The cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys.
- C. Baroreceptors, located along the walls of arteries, help regulate blood pressure by sending impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins.
- D. Chemoreceptors monitor changes in oxygen levels that impact blood pressure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it provides a concise and accurate summary of the passage. It highlights the different components involved in regulating blood pressure, including baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys within the cardiovascular system. This choice effectively captures the main points discussed in the passage, emphasizing the systems responsible for maintaining the body's natural functions and regulating blood pressure.
Exams
Subjective exams measure your ability in several areas. Besides recall information, you must be able to organize content logically and intelligently express yourself in a clearly understood manner. Subjective tests provide a greater opportunity for students to show their broad knowledge of a subject area. Answers may be in the form of paragraphs or lengthy essays.
When you review for an essay exam, concentrate on main ideas rather than details. Since essay tests are limited to a few questions, they are likely to deal with more important ideas of a subject. Prepare a list of questions that you think might be asked. Write an answer to each of your questions. Rather than writing complete sentences, jot down your thoughts in outline form. Doing so will help you organize the information so that you can express yourself clearly.
When you take the test, read through all the questions before you start to write. Allot time for each question, allowing more time for questions worth the most points. Read each question carefully to determine exactly what is being asked. Pay attention to words such as define, illustrate, explain, list, compare, and contrast. Each word requires a different type of response.
In answering subjective questions, the student should
- A. keep it brief and specific.
- B. capitalize the matching letters.
- C. include more than is asked.
- D. write out the words - true or false.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When answering subjective questions, it is advised to keep responses brief and specific, as indicated in the passage. While subjective exams allow for detailed answers, focusing on main ideas and organizing thoughts clearly is crucial. This approach suggests that students should provide concise and to-the-point responses while still ensuring they cover the topic adequately. Therefore, option A aligns best with the recommended strategy for answering subjective questions.