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What effect does your voice have on others? Does it persuade or irritate, attract or repel? One of
the worst qualities is harshness. If you ever get the feeling that people are uncomfortable when you speak, it may be that your harsh tones are jarring their eardrums. Your voice will sound
unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, to loud, or too nasal. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw. Tension tightens muscles and blocks the relaxed voice tones essential to a pleasing impression. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than men, which usually makes them
less desirable public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.
Which statement from the selection presents a fact rather than an opinion?
- A. One of the worst voice qualities is harshness.
- B. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw.
- C. Your voice will sound unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, too loud, or too nasal.
- D. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than men, which usually makes them less desirable as public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it presents a factual statement about the source of harsh voice qualities, attributing them to excessive tension in the throat and jaw. This statement is based on a cause-and-effect relationship and can be objectively verified. In contrast, options A, C, and D involve subjective judgments or generalizations, making them opinions rather than verifiable facts. By identifying the cause of harsh voice qualities, option B stands out as a factual statement that provides a clear explanation for the undesirable voice characteristic, distinguishing it from the subjective nature of the other options in the selection.
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Food
Food and drink are necessary and desirable, but their
abuse can cause serious physical and metal problem.
Many physicians believe that overeating is one of the
country's main health problems, since it places a great
strain on the heart, can lead to diabetes, and often shortens
the individual's life span. To fill an emotional void. People
often turn to food when they are bored or lonely.
Another area of concern is alcohol consumption. The
results of alcohol abuse are widely publicized. The social
drinker who becomes alcoholic, the drunken driver's
contribution to highway death, spousal and child abuse,
are all concomitant problems associated with alcohol
abuse.
As used in the last sentence of this paragraph, the term 'concomitant' most nearly means:
- A. Accompanying
- B. Quiet
- C. Separate
- D. Unpredictable
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the context provided, 'concomitant' in the last sentence of the paragraph means 'accompanying' or 'associated with.' The sentence is discussing the various issues that arise in relation to alcohol abuse, such as becoming alcoholic, contributing to highway deaths, and spousal and child abuse. Therefore, the correct term to use here is 'accompanying,' making choice A the correct answer.
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 body’s cardiovascular system. The body’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 body’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 does the word 'evolved' mean in the first paragraph?
- A. To spread
- B. To gradually develop
- C. To revolve
- D. To shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The term 'evolved' in the context of the first paragraph means 'to gradually develop.' The sentence refers to the systems in the body evolving and diversifying over time to maintain natural functions. Evolution implies a gradual process of development and change over time, making choice B the correct answer.
Glass: I wonder who first discovered glass. This commodity has been a part of civilization from the very beginning. Imagine a world without glass! How dark and dismal it would be. No windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, microscopes, cameras, sparkly drinking containers or mirrors. Life would not be the same without this wonderful discovery. Thank you, whoever found glass!
Glass is not an element, but a combination of several elements. It is a hard, brittle, transparent solid material composed mainly of silica, with additives to change the character of the glass. Common additives are soda, lime, lead, and boron. Each additive changes the properties of the final product. Soda and lime are the most common additives, accounting for about 90% of glass production. Adding lead increases reflectivity, causing the glass to 'sparkle.' The addition of boron changes the thermal and electrical properties of glass, allowing cookware that can be used in the oven without shattering.
What statement is implied by the article?
- A. Glass is an essential part of our lives.
- B. The use of glass preceded civilization.
- C. Glass is used in all aspects of our daily lives.
- D. Glass is a modern invention.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Glass is described as a commodity that has been a part of civilization from the very beginning, implying its essential role in our lives.
Step 2: The article highlights various crucial uses of glass in our daily lives, such as windows, corrective lenses, telescopes, etc.
Step 3: The author expresses gratitude for the discovery of glass, indicating its significance and essential nature.
Step 4: Therefore, the correct statement implied by the article is that "Glass is an essential part of our lives."
Summary:
- Choice A is correct because the article emphasizes the essential role of glass in civilization and daily life.
- Choices B and D are incorrect as the article does not mention that glass use preceded civilization or that glass is a modern invention.
- Choice C is incorrect as the article does not state that glass is used in all aspects of daily life, only highlighting specific important uses.
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Which transitional expression best replaces 'ultimately' in the following sentence: 'Ultimately, condensation happens when water vapor cools'?
- A. While
- B. Furthermore
- C. Since
- D. Moreover
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The word 'ultimately' is used to indicate the final step in a process. 'While' can serve as a transition that suggests a time-based connection, which works well in the context of the water cycle's progression. The other options, such as 'furthermore' and 'moreover,' are used to add information, and 'since' indicates causality, none of which is appropriate in this context.
The Summer Olympic Games. Once every four years the countries of the world send their best and brightest to participate in the Summer Olympic Games. The site for the event is decided years before, and most countries contend strongly for the privilege to host the Games. The 2008 games were held in Bejing, China.
There is a lot of pageantry and tradition attached to the event. The opening ceremony is elaborate and awe-inspiring. China put on a spectacularly beautiful fireworks display to welcome the world's athletes in 2008.
The track events, water events (swimming, diving) and precision activities such as archery and rhythmic gymnastics are wonderful to watch. Seeing these athletes perform their special skills is a treat for those of us who achieve a vicarious satisfaction from it. Everyone roots for the athletes from their own country and we thrill when our anther is played during the medal ceremony. Being an Olympian is an honor every athlete dreams of.
What is the main reason that athletes want to participate in the Olympics?
- A. They have a patriotic pride in their performance.
- B. They get a sizable stipend for their performance.
- C. Travel to foreign countries.
- D. They can win a scholarship for future education.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The passage emphasizes that athletes from different countries participate in the Olympics, and the audience "roots for the athletes from their own country." It highlights the honor and pride associated with representing one's country on a global stage. Thus, the main motivation for athletes is their patriotic pride, making answer A the correct one. The passage does not mention financial rewards, scholarships, or travel as primary motivations.