Reading Comprehension Related

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.

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 state. It's all very confusing, but the founding fathers know what they were doing. Downloaded by Abdul Hamid (a.ahamid2181@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|10672023 HESI A2 V2 Grammar, Vocab, Reading, & Math Questions with Answers). 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 is a fact?

• A. Each state casts its electoral votes during the Presidential election.
• B. Every state always votes for the same candidate in every election.
• C. Electoral votes are only counted if a candidate has a majority in Congress.
• D. States can choose not to participate in the Presidential election.

A BIT ABOUT BICYCLES
Today, bicycles are so common that it's hard to believe they haven't always been around. But two hundred years ago, bicycles didn't even exist, and the first bicycle, invented in Germany in 1818, was nothing like our bicycles today. It was made of wood and didn't even have pedals. Since then, however, numerous innovations and improvements in design have made the bicycle one of the most popular means of recreation and transportation around the world. In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, dramatically improved upon the original bicycle design. Macmillan's machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. He also used foot-operated cranks like pedals, so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. It didn't look much like a modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel. In 1861, the French Michaux brothers took the evolution of the bicycle a step further by inventing an improved crank mechanism. Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, revolutionized bicycle design. He made the front wheel many times larger than the back wheel, put a gear on the pedals to make the bicycle more efficient, and lightened the wheels by using wire spokes. Although this bicycle was much lighter and less tiring to ride, it was still clumsy, extremely top heavy, and ridden mostly for entertainment. It wasn't until 1874 that the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene. (14) Invented by another Englishman, H.J. Lawson, the "safety bicycle" would look familiar to today's cyclists. This bicycle had equal-sized wheels, which made it less prone to toppling over. Lawson also attached a chain to the pedals to drive the rear wheel. With these improvements, the bicycle became extremely popular and useful for transportation. Today they are built, used, and enjoyed all over the world.

After reading this article, the reader learned that:

• A. Bicycles have changed significantly over the years.
• B. Modern bicycles are used for both recreation and transportation.
• C. Bicycling is gaining in popularity all over the world.
• D. Bicycles are not a recent invention and have a long history.

ALL THE JAZZ
Jazz has been described as "the art of expression set to music" and "America's great contribution to music." It has served as popular art, enjoying periods of widespread public interest during the "jazz age" of the 1920s, the "swing era" of the late 1930s, and the peak popularity of modern jazz in the late 1950s. The standard narrative is that jazz originated around the end of the 19th century in New Orleans before moving up the Mississippi River to cities like Memphis, St. Louis, and finally Chicago. Jazz emerged by blending elements of ragtime, marching band music, and the blues. However, its roots trace back to tribal African drum beats and European musical structures. Buddy Bolden, a New Orleans barber and cornet player, is generally considered the first real jazz musician, emerging around 1891. What sets jazz apart from earlier musical forms is its emphasis on improvisation. Unlike traditional music, where composers write entire pieces on paper for musicians to follow exactly, jazz offers a starting point—a skeletal guide for musicians to improvise around. Many early jazz musicians were poor sight readers, with some unable to read music at all. Consequently, they often struggled to make a living, working menial jobs to survive. The second wave of New Orleans jazz musicians included notable figures like Joe Oliver, Kid Ory, and Jelly Roll Morton. These artists formed small bands, built upon earlier styles, and enhanced the music's complexity, achieving greater success. This energetic style became known as "hot jazz" due to its fast tempos and rhythmic drive. A young cornet player named Louis Armstrong was discovered by Joe Oliver in New Orleans. Armstrong went on to become one of the greatest and most successful musicians of all time, later emerging as a global star. The impact of Armstrong and other talented early jazz musicians transformed our perception of music.

What is the definition of CONFLUENCE?

• A. Melding
• B. Influence
• C. Intersection
• D. Coming together

The regulation of dietary supplements falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which applies different standards compared to those governing prescription and over-the-counter medications. In general, the regulations for dietary supplements are less stringent. Manufacturers are not required to demonstrate the safety or effectiveness of a dietary supplement prior to its marketing. However, they are allowed to make claims about addressing nutrient deficiencies, supporting health, or being associated with specific bodily functions, provided that research backs these assertions. These claims must be accompanied by a disclaimer stating, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” Additionally, manufacturers are expected to adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure consistent processing and quality standards, with requirements that took effect in 2008 for larger manufacturers and are being phased in for smaller ones by 2010. Once a dietary supplement is available on the market, the FDA monitors its safety and product information, including label claims and package inserts. If a product is deemed unsafe, the FDA has the authority to take action against the manufacturer or distributor, which may include issuing warnings or requiring product removal. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees advertising regulations, ensuring that all promotional materials are truthful and not misleading. Consequently, the federal government has pursued legal action against numerous dietary supplement promoters or websites that have made false claims or marketed unsafe products.

What does the phrase 'phased in' mean as it is used in the third paragraph?

• A. stunned into silence
• B. confused
• C. implemented in stages
• D. legalized