Nokea
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.
Which conclusion can the reader draw after reading this passage?
- A. The climate crisis has increased deaths from heatstroke.
- B. Heat exhaustion rarely occurs in dry environments.
- C. The cessation of sweat is not necessarily a positive sign.
- D. Temperatures below 90 degrees are usually not dangerous.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage notes that stopping sweating entirely is a serious sign that requires medical attention.
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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.
Omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Your body needs omega-3s; they appear in the membranes that surround every cell in your body. Some people take omega-3 supplements such as cod liver oil, but with a little dietary care, you should be able to obtain adequate omega-3s from your daily nutrition. ALA is available in plant-based oils, especially flaxseed and canola oils. Some leafy greens, wheat germ, and walnuts also contain ALA. DHA and EPA occur naturally in fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, sardines, bluefish, and salmon. Vegetarians may obtain some DHA and EPA from algal sources.
The positive effects on health of a diet rich in omega-3s are clear, although further research is needed to know exactly how omega-3s help. They seem to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries, making them critical in maintaining heart health. Researchers have found that people with a high omega-3 intake seem to have fewer colon and breast cancers. Because of the fatty acids’ effect on inflammation, some doctors find omega-3 supplements useful for asthma and arthritis patients.
Less clear are the effects on mental health, although there are health professionals who believe strongly that high levels of omega-3s can reduce depression, improve memory, and moderate symptoms of attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Until more research takes place, it is unwise to rely on omega-3s to cure mental health issues. However, ensuring that your diet contains ample amounts of these critical fatty acids is still a good idea.
What is one of the author's primary purposes in writing this essay?
- A. To persuade
- B. To entertain
- C. To analyze
- D. To reflect
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The author primarily aims to persuade the reader of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and encourages ensuring sufficient omega-3 intake through diet.
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.
The term exacerbate, as used in the last paragraph, can best be defined as ___________.
- A. To soothe
- B. To intensify
- C. To adapt
- D. To disclose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Exacerbate" means to intensify or worsen, especially in the context of medical conditions worsening heat exhaustion.
Most nail abnormalities are innocuous, but some may be clues to underlying health problems. Everyone should be alert to changes in the color, shape, or texture of his or her nails. Nails may provide an early warning sign to serious illness. White nails may indicate liver problems, especially when they are accompanied by yellowish skin on the fingers.
Yellow nails, on the other hand, usually just mean you have a treatable fungal infection. Pale nails can be a sign of anemia, whereas blue nails usually mean a lack of oxygen due to a lung or heart problem. If your usually smooth nails become pitted, this could be a sign of rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. If they are indented and soft, you may have a serious iron deficiency. If normally healthy nails suddenly crack and split, you may need to get your thyroid checked. Dark lines under the nail may indicate the deadly skin cancer, melanoma.
Any unusual changes in your nails should lead you to make an appointment with your general practitioner or with a dermatologist. Your nails may be trying to tell you something about what’s going on in the rest of your body.
What is the meaning of the word innocuous as used in the first paragraph?
- A. Undiscovered
- B. Harmless
- C. Imperceptible
- D. Purposeless
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The word "innocuous" in this context means harmless, indicating that most nail abnormalities are not dangerous.
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.
Which of the following is a conclusion that a reader can draw from this passage?
- A. Humans are not the only mammals that exhibit symptoms when infected by Borrelia burgdorferi.
- B. The life cycle of an uninfected tick includes a dormant phase before the nymph stage, which is not excluded.
- C. Unless a tick feeds on an infected mouse or squirrel, it will not spread Lyme disease.
- D. The combination of fever, headache, and joint pain is not a definite indication of Lyme disease.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The passage clearly states that for Lyme disease to spread, a tick must feed on an infected host, such as a mouse or squirrel. This conclusion can be drawn from the information provided in the extract. Choice A is incorrect because the passage does not specify that humans are the only mammals that exhibit symptoms when infected by Borrelia burgdorferi. Choice B is incorrect as the passage mentions that the life cycle of an uninfected tick includes a dormant phase before the nymph stage, without excluding it. Choice D is incorrect because the passage does not state that the combination of fever, headache, and joint pain is a definitive sign of Lyme disease.