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A Day with Humpbacks

I sit on the headlands of Neah Bay, Washington, and watch a mother humpback and her calf slip through the icy Pacific waters. I recognize this whale by her distinctive tail pattern, as unique to this humpback as my fingerprints are to me. Once, heavy hunting using harpoons extirpated the species from the region, and only a ban on whaling allowed populations of humpbacks to recover.

As this gray female rises to the surface, she exhales, sending up a spout nearly 20 feet high. She rolls on her side and lifts her scalloped-edge flipper in salute, then slaps it on the water. I adjust my lens and take my shot. This is the only type of whale hunting I find acceptable-hunting with a camera.

What is the main idea conveyed in the passage?

• A. Humpback whales are commonly found in the waters near Washington.
• B. Humpback whale populations have rebounded after nearly being eradicated.
• C. The author has never encountered this specific humpback whale before.
• D. Both cameras and harpoons are utilized for hunting humpback whales.

Dear Aunt Suzanne,
I have a few minutes before I get on the bus to Galway back to Dublin and wanted to tell you how my trip to Ireland is going. We just spent two days in Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, which are just off the central west coast of Ireland. We tool a ferry from Galway, a ride that takes about an hour and was quite gray and stormy.
For an Island that is only about 12 square miles, there is a lot to do and see on Inis Mor! After eating stew and vegetable soup and brown bread with butter, we went to the seater market, where all kinds of woolen products are sold. The Aran Islands are known for their wool because sheep thrive here and generations have used woolen sweaters and hats to survive long cold days of fishing on the open sea. In fact, I learnt that each family or clan has its own signature knitting pattern and some are able to tell which family someone belongs to by the pattern of their sweater! The Healy pattern is an interesting combination of twists and braids, and I found you a birthday souvenir with a beautiful example.
The next day, we rented bicycles and toured the island. We saw ancient ruins, a prehistoric hill fort, and a white sand beach. We also climbed down to a mysterious rock formation known as “The Worm Hole,” a rectangular hole in a stone shore that fills with thrashing waves and looks like it houses a terrible serpent (see attached photo). The Worm Hole was difficult to find, and when we stopped someone for directions, she only spoke Gaelic. Sometimes this island seems stuck in an earlier time.
I’m excited to see you when I get home. I have lots more pictures to share!

Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

• A. Bicycles are the primary mode of transportation on the island.
• B. Eva is fluent in the Gaelic language.
• C. Healy is a known Irish family or clan.
• D. The Worm Hole is a rock formation that resembles a serpent.

An Ode to Naps

The rain is tapping footsteps on the roof
It sounds a lovely dance inside my head
This peaceful aura only serves as proof
That I should dodge my work to lie in bed


The pillows pull me in with their behest
A trap that I do not want to escape
The blankets form a most enticing nest
They wrap me in a shroud that won't undrape

I'm tempted further by my furry friends
They've taken o'er the mattress in a pile
Oh, how I want to nestle in with them!
But first, I know that I must work awhile

I promise, bed, I will be back for you
I'll surely nap before the day is through

Which pair of words from the poem should be conveyed to an illustrator creating art for publication?

• A. Shroud, nest
• B. Aura, roof
• C. Dance, tempted
• D. Footsteps, enticing

Studies that more than 9 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced since 1950, more than four times the volume of Mt. Everest, and about 75% of it remains in Landfills or has entered the environment as pollution. As material, plastic has many advantages. However, it is difficult to recycle because popular single use and convenience items, such as packaging and water bottles are ;low in quality and value when recycled. part of the magic of plastics is that it seemingly lasts forever. but when it cannot be re-used efficiently, it leads to stark realities like an island of plastic, twice the size of Texas, floating in the pacific ocean. plastic is consumed by fish and birds an is seeping into the air, water and our food.

Based on the evidence from the passage, which of the following is the most likely inference?

• A. If we increased production of single-use plastic packaging, more plastic would be recycled.
• B. Plastic makes life convenient, but its use has so many drawbacks that its use should be reduced.
• C. The best thing about plastic is that it is recyclable; a renewable resource, most of the plastic that has been produced has been recycled.
• D. A renewable resource, most of the plastic that has been recycled.

What is all this talk of cicadas lately in the United States? You may be wondering why the media has featured it, but in fact, the discussion about Cicadas has emerged about as predictably as the Cicadas themselves from their underground refuge. Let’s get oriented with some background on Cicadas.
What is a Cicada? A typical definition will at least tell you that a cicada is a large, loud insect with transparent wings, mostly found in warm countries. A more detailed response might also inform you that cicadas have short antennae and wide-set eyes that jut out, with delicate, translucent wings- and not only is the cicada loud, but few creatures make a louder sound. In fact, it is male cicadas that are the noisy ones, to the tune of 80 to 100 decibels, which is like the roar od a loud engine. This is because male cicadas make a strident high buzzing by vibrating two membranes on its abdomen called tymbals, effectively turning its body into a kind of echo chamber or drum. Female cicadas cannot replicate the buzzing, though they respond with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate.
Although there are several species of cicada, mating typically takes place in trees whereafter the female deposits the eggs into the bark. When the eggs hatch, the larval cicadas, called nymphs, drop to the ground and burrow. They then live as nymphs for the most of their lives over 6 feet underground, with both male and female cicadas dying within weeks of their emergence from the soil. This is particularly true for north American cicadas, especially the Magicicada, or periodical cicadas, which regularly emerge in intervals of 13 or 17 years, depending on the species and the location. This is why talk of cicadas in the media is as predictable as their emergence in the U.S.

Why do male cicadas make a buzzing sound?

• A. To locate food resources.
• B. To attract a mate.
• C. To ward off predators.
• D. Media attention.