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For thousands of years, several characteristics have been consistent across human societies around the world. Animal husbandry, agriculture, and artistic expression are some of the similarities all societies share. Another similarity is the mustache. So now I mustache a question: why have mustaches had such a notable presence in human history? Humans have been shaving for as long as there has been facial hair to shave. However, it is in the past several centuries that mustaches have undergone a more creative transformation. Now, there are many different types of mustaches. The Handlebar, Pencil, and Walrus are only a few of the many types known today. With just a sharpened razor and some mustache wax, the creativity of people and their mustaches can be endless. Though the popularity of the mustache in different cultures varies over time, it has certainly influenced other creations. In the 1800s and early 1900s, mustaches were so popular that a new style of drinking cup, the mustache cup, was created. The mustache cup had a built-in covering over the top so mustaches would not be touched by the beverage. A more recent example of the mark of mustaches can be seen by the first World Mustache Tournament in 2013. The mustache truly is part of the human experience. Due to its place in the human experience, the mustache is a symbol with varied significance: power, prestige, beauty. When one thinks of mustaches, one may think of a villain from silent films, twisting the ends of his mustache. One may also think of a respected leader with a mustache of prominence. Perhaps one may think of people with famous mustaches: Tom Selleck, Burt Reynolds, and Charlie Chaplin, to name a few. No matter what one pictures when thinking of mustaches, it is clear that the mustache has a substantial effect on human perception.

Which of the following sources should the reader consult to learn more about popular mustache styles during the 1920s?

• A. Personal letters from Charlie Chaplin to Hollywood friends
• B. Photographs of people at a state fair in 1924
• C. A population census conducted in 1920
• D. A magazine article about the World Mustache Tournament

THE Farallon Island, or devils Teeth, as they are referred to by sailors, area group of small islands with rocky, barren terrain and treacherous, 48 km (30 miles) off the coast of San Francisco, California although the islands are small, with a combined total land area of 0.41km squared (0.16 square miles), they are positioned in a major ocean current, which enables them to house dense populations of birds, rodents seals, and other water mammals.
The abundance of wildlife first attracted Russian and American fur traders in the early 1800s, who then nearly eliminated the seal population in the area. The islands then became an agricultural resource for San Francisco during the gold rush era when egg companies began harvesting bird eggs on the islands. In 1863, violence between viral egg companies erupted on the islands (known as the Egg War") which inadvertently attracted national attention and provoked lawmakers to pass legislation to protect and rehabilitate the island's natural ecosystem.
In 1881, an executive order was passed that decreed egging illegal on the Farallon's. This ended private enterprises on the islands was reinforced in 1909 when President Theodore Roosevelt created the Farallon Reservation to restore human access and preserve that northern island, and over time many of the island original inhabitants have returned.
The Farallon's are now home to the world's largest population of western gull. Seals have returned, as well as otters and sea lions, which in turn attracts great white sharks. The combination of sharks, underwater currents, and jagged coastline are probably what earned the Farallon's their nickname "Devil's Teeth," though it hasn't stopped a few adventurous people from swimming. Four people have completed the 30-mile swim from the islands to San Francisco; the fastest person completed the journey in 14 hours.

Which one of the following supports the detail that the Farallon Islands are a natural home to many animals?

• A. Ocean currents
• B. Human presence
• C. Lush landscape
• D. Abundant land

In 1932, the Australian government lost war against the native emu population. the operation that has since become known as great emu war began as an initiative to combat overpopulation of the crop-destroying birds invading farmland around Chandler and Walgooglan. The initial assault on the flightless avian began November 2 and lasted six days before the military personnel withdrew. efforts resumed on November 12, but by early December, the feathered foes had adopted guerrilla tactics against the targeted wheat fields, rendering military involvement largely ineffective. The Australian government declined further involvement with the ongoing conflict in 1934, 1943, and 1948, despite repeated pleas for assistance by the farmers in the area.

Which of the following words is a synonym for 'avian' in this passage?

• A. aircraft
• B. aerial
• C. bird
• D. flying

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.

Egg Replacements in Baking
Eggs are an important staple of many baking recipes. They serve several crucial functions, such as binding, leavening, and providing moisture to the final product. However, some people are unable to consume eggs for a variety of reasons. If you are one of these people, baking can seem daunting. Fortunately, there are several substitutions that will allow you to continue enjoying your delicious treats without using eggs.
Two popular egg replacements are applesauce and banana. These things work well enough to provide moisture to your dessert, but they are suboptimal replacements overall, because providing moisture is only one function of the egg. When using applesauce or banana in place of eggs, you may find that your baked goods crumble or do not rise properly. Luckily, here are other ways to achieve binding and leavening effects that are more similar to those of eggs.

Eggs help emulsify the disparate ingredients of your recipe into one homogenous batter or dough. To achieve this, it is most effective to use something with protein or fat that will bind to the starch. One option is a quarter cup of plain yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk for each egg- either dairy or non-dairy will work just fine. Another option is ground flax or chia seeds. For each egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground seeds with 3 tablespoons of warm water and leave the mixture to rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes before using.

Eggs help emulsify the disparate ingredients of your recipe into one homogenous batter or dough. To achieve this, it is most effective to use something with protein or fat that will bind to the starch. One option is a quarter cup of plain yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk for each egg- either dairy or non-dairy will work just fine. Another option is ground flax or chia seeds. For each egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground seeds with 3 tablespoons of warm water and leave the mixture to rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes be

Which of the following is a relevant idea needed for an objective summary of this text?

• A. Emulsification is one of the most challenging cooking tasks for the home chef.
• B. Egg substitutes should bind and leaven the recipe ingredients.
• C. The best recipe outcomes require the inclusion of eggs.
• D. Nondairy items can work as effective egg substitutes.