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The White Elephant: Centuries ago, In Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers to give a white elephant to those who displeased them. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was a gift from the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for the elephant in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the recipient and in many cases the entire family became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term 'white elephant' as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The parlor game of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings a wrapped gift and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The second person can choose a new gift or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly gifts and 'stealing' someone else's gift.
Why is an unwanted gift called a 'white elephant'?
- A. Gifts are never unwanted.
- B. It is a good gift to give at the party.
- C. It is a rare thing to get an unwanted gift.
- D. Siam rulers punished with the gift.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the passage explains that in Siam, rulers would give white elephants as a punishment to those who displeased them. The recipient couldn't refuse the gift and had to care for the elephant, leading to financial burden and impoverishment. This origin of the term 'white elephant' as an unwanted gift is clearly stated.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the passage explicitly states that a white elephant is specifically an unwanted gift given as a punishment by rulers in Siam, and it is not related to the general concept of gift-giving or party games.
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About 6% of the earth is covered by rainforests. The largest rainforest in the world is the
Amazon Basin, which stretches over 2.3 million square miles in nine different South American countries. This area is double the length of all the other remaining rainforests in the world. Brazil contains 60%of the Amazonian rainforest, since it lies at the mouth of the river Amazon. This river is the second largest in the world and contains more than one-fifth of the world's fresh water. The Amazon rainforest is a type of wet broadleaf forest. The weather there is very humid and warm as it rains quite a bit. Because of the high rainfall, the forest is very rich and green. The
tree leaves are pointed and narrow so that the raindrops can easily drop off wet plants. This
tropical rainforest has more living species than the entire European continent. There are over 400 types of insects living in one single rain forest tree for a total of 2.5 million species. One square kilometer of rainforest may contain over 75,000 types of trees and approximately 438,000
different kinds of plants, which comes to a total of 90,000 tons of greenery overall. The Amazon rainforest is home to 2,000 birds and mammals, with one in every five birds in the world living there. Local farmers have lived off this rich and diverse land for thousands of years. They have been able to find food and water here without destroying the land. The Kayapo people of Brazil
farm in an environmentally-friendly way. Instead of chemicals, they use burned wood to enrich the soil, and plant banana trees, which attract wasps. These wasps then feed on leafcutter ants and get rid of these harmful insects. The rainforest also offers a lot of tropical fruits, such as bananas and coconuts, as food.
Cinnamon is made from the bark of a rainforest tree. Amazonian Indians use the fruit and stem
of the Buruti plant as a drink, to make bread and to build houses. Many other plants are used as medicine. But the Amazon rainforest is in very big danger of disappearing. 9,169 square miles of
forest have been cut down in 2003 in Brazil alone. An area of the size of a football field is burned down basically every minute, which means that the rain forest may be gone by the year 2030.The dangers related to this type of activity are obvious. Trees take in poisonous carbon
dioxide from the air and give off oxygen. There is more oxygen and less carbon dioxide around a
rainforest. When trees are cut down, however, the amount of carbon dioxide increases, and the
air gets warmer. This leads to global warming, which is extremely harmful to the environment. It
is estimated that the burning of Brazilian rainforests alone produces 200 million metric tons of carbon dioxide ayear. Another danger connected with destroying the rainforest is the disappearance of plants and animals. When trees are cut down, plants and animals have no more
food left and slowly die out. Killing wild animals is illegal in Brazil, but there is plenty of stealing going on. 38 million animals are stolen and sold illegally each year. The most hunted
animals are birds, especially parrots, followed by snakes and the jaguar.
Which of the following statements is true about the Amazon Basin?
- A. It is not much larger than all the other rainforests in the world combined.
- B. It is more than one-fifth the size of all the other rainforests in the world combined.
- C. The tree leaves there have a specific shape to allow raindrops to fall off easily.
- D. It is a habitat for many mammals and birds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Amazon Basin, the largest rainforest in the world, covers over 2.3 million square miles, which is more than one-fifth the size of all the other remaining rainforests in the world combined. This vast rainforest is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, making it a vital ecosystem for biodiversity. The specific shape of the tree leaves in the Amazon Basin is designed to allow raindrops to easily fall off, contributing to the high rainfall and lush greenery of the forest. Additionally, the Amazon Basin is indeed a habitat for over 2,000 birds and mammals, showcasing the rich biodiversity present in this unique ecosystem.
The Rainforest: The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin—roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States—covers some 40% of the South American continent, and portions of eight countries. The basin is drained by the Amazon River, the world’s largest river in terms of discharge, and the second longest river in the world after the Nile.
Since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometers (232,000 square miles) of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. This deforestation is mainly due to land clearing for pastureland by commercial and speculative interests, misguided government policies, and commercial exploitation of forest resources.
Deforestation of the rainforest has long-term implications. The loss of habitat for many creatures ensures their extinction. The loss of vegetation depletes the oxygen in the atmosphere, which some say causes global warming.
What statement is implied by the paragraph?
- A. Much needed pasture and farmland can be obtained by clearing the land.
- B. People should leave the rainforest alone to evolve.
- C. Deforestation has long-term consequences we still do not know about.
- D. Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is a consequence of progress.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Deforestation has long-term consequences we still do not know about.
Rationale:
1. The paragraph discusses the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and highlights the long-term implications of deforestation.
2. It mentions the loss of habitat for creatures leading to extinction and the depletion of oxygen causing global warming.
3. The statement implies that there are ongoing and potentially unknown consequences of deforestation.
4. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on the immediate benefits of clearing land for pasture, ignoring the long-term consequences discussed.
5. Choice B is too simplistic and does not address the complexity of the issue as presented in the paragraph.
6. Choice D is also incorrect as it oversimplifies the issue by associating deforestation solely with progress without considering the negative impacts discussed.
Doppler Effect
Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulanceÄ€™s screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight?
What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.
What is the author's primary purpose in discussing the Doppler Effect in this essay?
- A. To entertain the reader with information about trains and ambulances
- B. To inform the reader about avoiding accidents involving trains and ambulances
- C. To inform the reader about how movement affects sound
- D. To analyze the difference between train and ambulance sounds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author's primary purpose in writing the essay about the Doppler Effect is to inform the reader about how movement affects sound. The essay explains the scientific phenomenon of the Doppler Effect and how it influences the perception of sound when objects like trains and ambulances are in motion. The focus is on how the movement of these objects toward or away from the listener alters the frequency and pitch of the sound waves. The essay aims to educate the reader on this specific aspect of physics rather than entertain or analyze differences between train and ambulance sounds.
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
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The phrase 'phased in' means implemented in stages. In this context, it refers to the gradual introduction or implementation of requirements for good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for small manufacturers over a period of time. It does not signify being stunned into silence, confused, or legalized, but rather a methodical and gradual approach to enforcing regulations.
About 6% of the earth is covered by rainforests. The largest rainforest in the world is the
Amazon Basin, which stretches over 2.3 million square miles in nine different South American countries. This area is double the length of all the other remaining rainforests in the world. Brazil contains 60%of the Amazonian rainforest, since it lies at the mouth of the river Amazon. This river is the second largest in the world and contains more than one-fifth oftheworldĆ¢Ä‚¬Ä„¢sfresh water. The Amazon rainforest is a type of wet broadleaf forest. The weather there is very humid and warm as it rains quite a bit. Because of the high rainfall, the forest is very rich and green. The
tree leaves are pointed and narrow so that the raindrops can easily drop off wet plants. This
tropical rainforest has more living species than the entire European continent. There are over 400 types of insects living in one single rain forest tree for a total of 2.5 million species. One square kilometer of rainforest may contain over 75,000 types of trees and approximately 438,000
different kinds of plants, which comes to a total of 90,000 tons of greenery overall. The Amazon rainforest is home to 2,000 birds and mammals, with one in every five birds in the world living there. Local farmers have lived off this rich and diverse land for thousands of years. They have been able to find food and water here without destroying the land. The Kayapo people of Brazil
farm in an environmentally-friendly way. Instead of chemicals, they use burned wood to enrich the soil, and plant banana trees, which attract wasps. These wasps then feed on leafcutter ants and get rid of these harmful insects. The rainforest also offers a lot of tropical fruits, such as bananas and coconuts, as food.
Cinnamon is made from the bark of a rainforest tree. Amazonian Indians use the fruit and stem
of the Buruti plant as a drink, to make bread and to build houses. Many other plants are used as medicine. But the Amazon rainforest is in very big danger of disappearing. 9,169 square miles of
forest have been cut down in 2003 in Brazil alone. An area of the size of a football field is burned down basically every minute, which means that the rain forest may be gone by the year 2030.The dangers related to this type of activity are obvious. Trees take in poisonous carbon
dioxide from the air and give off oxygen. There is more oxygen and less carbon dioxide around a
rainforest. When trees are cut down, however, the amount of carbon dioxide increases, and the
air gets warmer. This leads to global warming, which is extremely harmful to the environment. It
is estimated that the burning of Brazilian rainforests alone produces 200 million metric tons of carbon dioxide ayear. Another danger connected with destroying the rainforest is the disappearance of plants and animals. When trees are cut down, plants and animals have no more
food left and slowly die out. Killing wild animals is illegal in Brazil, but there is plenty of stealing going on. 38 million animals are stolen and sold illegally each year. The most hunted
animals are birds, especially parrots, followed by snakes and the jaguar.
What does the sentence 'people of Brazil farm in an environmentally friendly way' mean in paragraph 3?
- A. They do not poison the soil when farming.
- B. They use natural chemicals to enrich the soil.
- C. They plant and preserve banana trees.
- D. They do not kill insects even if they are harmful.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'They do not poison the soil when farming.' The statement in the paragraph refers to the environmentally friendly farming practices of the Kayapo people in Brazil. Instead of using harmful chemicals, they opt for burned wood to enrich the soil. This sustainable approach helps maintain the fertility of the land without causing harm to the environment. It highlights their conscious effort to farm in a way that is beneficial and sustainable for the ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment while meeting their agricultural needs.