Reading Comprehension

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Over the last few decades, medical experts have changed their thinking on the health effects of some common foods and beverages. Higher-fat foods and some alcoholic beverages like red wine and beer, once viewed as top threats to a healthy lifestyle, are now seen by many as less harmful and even as having some health benefits. But there is perhaps no topic that the medical community has reversed its
thinking on more often than coffee. Since long before the advent of modern medicine, public opinion regarding the health effects of coffee has been diverse and ever-changing. Opinion on coffee's health effects can be traced back several centuries. In the 1600s, doctors in England touted coffee as a cure for alcoholism, but some women complained that coffee was making their husbands impotent. They may have been correct, as caffeine is a
diuretic and can irritate the prostate (dehydration and prostatitis can both lead to erectile dysfunction). In the late 1700s, coffeehouses began opening all over colonial America, where coffee was seen as a healthy stimulant that helped the colonists work longer hours. But by the early 1900s, public concern grew as coffee consumption was blamed for a variety of common ailments, such as nervousness, indigestion, and insomnia. In the 1970s, medical journals published studies that linked coffee consumption with high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks. In 2001, a meta-study indicated that coffee was responsible for a 20% increase in risk for urinary tract cancer. But starting in 2007, to the surprise of many, meta-studies began to show positive health effects of coffee consumption. A 2007 study showed that coffee was viewed by many as "practically a health food." However, CNN also warned that given the long history of flip-flops on the health effects of coffee, medical and public opinion on coffee could easily turn negative again.

Which statement is supported by the passage?

  • A. In the 2000s, studies showed negative health effects of coffee consumption.
  • B. In the 1600s, some believed that coffee caused erectile dysfunction.
  • C. In the late 1900s, public opinion on coffee shifted from positive to negative.
  • D. In the 1800s, American colonists saw coffee as a healthy stimulant.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The passage discusses the changing opinions on the health effects of coffee over different time periods. It mentions that in the 1600s, some women complained that coffee was making their husbands impotent, which supports the idea of negative health effects. It also highlights that in the 2000s, studies showed positive health effects of coffee consumption, indicating a shift in thinking. Therefore, choice A is the statement supported by the passage, as it aligns with the information provided.

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Searching for medical information can be confusing, especially for first-timers. However, if you are patient and stick to it, you can find a wealth of information. Your community library is a good place to start your search for medical information. Before going to the library, you may find it helpful to make a list of topics you want information about and questions you have. Your list of topics and questions will make it easier for the librarian to direct you to the best resources. Many community libraries have a collection of basic medical references. These references may include medical dictionaries or encyclopedias, drug information handbooks, basic medical and nursing textbooks, and directories of physicians and medical specialists (listings of doctors). You may also find magazine articles on a certain topic. Look in the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature for articles on health and medicine from consumer magazines. Infotrac, a CD-ROM computer database available at libraries or on the Web, indexes hundreds of popular magazines and newspapers, as well as medical journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine. Your library may also carry searchable computer databases of medical journal articles, including MEDLINE/PubMed or the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Many of the databases or indexes have abstracts that provide a summary of each journal article. Although most community libraries don’t have a large collection of medical and nursing journals, your librarian may be able to get copies of the articles you want. Interlibrary loans allow your librarian to request a copy of an article from a library that carries that particular medical journal. Your library may charge a fee for this service. Articles published in medical journals can be technical, but they may be the most current source of information on medical topics.

What is the meaning of the word technical as it is used in the fourth paragraph?

  • A. requiring expert knowledge
  • B. incomplete
  • C. foreign
  • D. plagiarized
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the context of the fourth paragraph, the word 'technical' refers to information that is complex and detailed, requiring expert knowledge to understand. Medical journal articles are often technical because they are written for professionals in the field and may contain specialized terminology and in-depth analysis. Therefore, choice A, 'requiring expert knowledge,' is the correct meaning of the word 'technical' in this context.

People of Hispanic origin were on the North American continent centuries before settlers arrived
from Europe in the early 1600s and the thirteen colonies joined together to form the United
States in the late 1700s. The first census of the new nation was conducted in 1790, and counted about four million people, most of whom were white. Of the white citizens, more than 80%
traced their ancestry back to England. There were close to 700,000 slaves and about 60,000 "free Negroes". Only a few Native American Indians who paid taxes were included in the census count, but the total Native American population was probably about one million. By 1815, the population of the United States was 8.4 million. Over the next 100 years, the
country took in about 35 million immigrants, with the greatest numbers coming in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1882, 40,000 Chinese arrived, and between 1900 and 1907, there were more
than 30,000 Japanese immigrants. But by far, the largest numbers of the new immigrants were
from central, eastern, and southern Europe. An enormous amount of racial and ethnic assimilation has taken place in the United States. In 1908, play-write Israel Zangwill first used the term "melting pot" to describe the concept of a place where many races melted in a crucible and re-formed to populate a new land. Some years during the first two decades of the 20th century, there were as many as one million new
immigrants per year, an astonishing 1 percent of the total population of the United States.
In 1921, however, the country began to limit immigration, and the Immigration Act of 1924
virtually closed the door. The total number of immigrants admitted per year dropped from as many as a million to only 150,000. A quota system was established that specified the number of
immigrants that could come from each country. It heavily favored immigrants from northern and western Europe and severely limited everyone else. This system remained in effect until 1965, although after World War II, several exceptions were made to the quota system to allow in
groups of refugees.

Why did the author write the passage?

  • A. to outline the ways immigration has been restricted
  • B. to emphasize the impact of migrants from Europe
  • C. to explain and give examples of the concept of a 'melting pot'
  • D. to summarize the main features of immigration
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the passage provides a comprehensive overview of the history of immigration in the United States. It covers various aspects such as the origins of different ethnic groups, the influx of immigrants from Europe and Asia, the term 'melting pot,' and the evolution of immigration policies over time. The passage summarizes key features of immigration, including population numbers, demographic groups, major immigrant waves, and changes in immigration laws. Therefore, the main purpose of the passage is to summarize the main features of immigration in the United States.

Eating
Consumption of food is a universal necessity. Different
cultures have developed different methods to accomplish
the task. It is interesting to discover these differences and
learn new ways to do things.
European cultures developed cutlery (knives, forks, and
spoons) to enable people to efficiently eat their food.
Correct use of this toolā€™s changes with the times-what was
polite in 1800 may not be considered proper manners
today.
China developed the chopstick as an efficient tool for
eating. Mastery of the use of chopsticks can be difficult
for the person not raised in the culture. The attempts of a
novice to use chopsticks can be very amusing to the
watcher, but frustrating for the hungry diner.
Space travel has created new challenges for consuming
food. Squeeze bottles and other unique packaging have
enabled space travelers to get their needed nutrition.
Chopsticks and forks do not work well in space.

What statement can be implied from the content of the article?

  • A. Diversity is interesting to learn about.
  • B. Eating in space can be time-consuming.
  • C. The author thinks cutlery is the best tool to use to consume food.
  • D. The author enjoys trying new food.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, 'Diversity is interesting to learn about.' The passage discusses how different cultures have developed various tools for eating, such as cutlery in European cultures and chopsticks in China. It highlights the differences in eating practices and how space travel has introduced new challenges for consuming food. The passage's focus on cultural diversity and unique eating tools makes it clear that the implication is about the interest in learning about diverse eating practices, making choice A the most suitable answer.


"Phobias — 'Don’t be afraid.' Sounds simple, but for some people it's not. Having the normal reaction of being scared or frightened helps you to survive threats of all kinds, both physical and verbal. Most mild fears are outgrown during childhood; however, severe fears, called phobias, are extreme and unreasonable. Phobias cause out-of-control feelings such as sickness, headaches, ulcers, and high blood pressure. Specific phobias center around things, activities, or situations while people with social phobias feel anxiety over social settings where they fear embarrassing situations. Another type of phobia called panic disorder causes people to sweat, tremble, or even faint due to overwhelming panic which may occur at any time. By talking, breathing deeply, and visualizing, a person can gain control over debilitating phobias

What does the author want the reader to know about phobias?

  • A. Phobias help people to survive threats.
  • B. That phobias are debilitating.
  • C. Phobias only happen in social settings.
  • D. That people can gain control over phobias.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The passage emphasizes that phobias are severe and unreasonable fears that can lead to debilitating physical and emotional symptoms, such as sickness and high blood pressure. While the author also mentions that people can gain control over phobias, the primary focus of the passage is to highlight their debilitating nature. Therefore, the correct answer is B, as it accurately reflects the author's intent to inform readers about the debilitating effects of phobias.

The 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 particular state. It’s all very confusing, but the founding fathers knew what they were doing. 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 from the passage is a fact?

  • A. Each state casts their electoral votes during the Presidential election.
  • B. Candidates only campaign in states where they think they can win.
  • C. The Electoral College is a college in Washington D.C.
  • D. The government randomly assigns electoral votes to states.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Each state casts their electoral votes during the Presidential election. This statement is a fact because it accurately describes the process of how each state participates in the Electoral College by casting their electoral votes based on the popular vote within that state.

Rationale:
1. The passage clearly states that during the presidential election, most states cast all their electoral votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that particular state. This confirms that each state indeed casts their electoral votes.
2. The Electoral College is a system where states cast their electoral votes, not the candidates. Therefore, the statement accurately reflects the role of states in the process.

Summary:
Choice A is the correct answer as it aligns with the explanation provided in the passage about how each state participates in the Electoral College by casting their electoral votes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the factual information provided in the passage.

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