Evidence/Inference and Perspective
Which detail from the text is supported by the graphic in Passage 1?
A - "But decades later, the idea has proved a huge ecological blunder." (paragraph 2)
B - "Little sea life has formed on the tires." (paragraph 3)
C - "In fact, similar problems have been reported at the tire reef's worldwide."
D - "Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed budget includes $2 million to help gather up and remove the tires." (paragraph 7)
B - "Little sea life has formed on the tires." (paragraph 3)
Read this paragraph from Passage 2.
17 - Jasmine Jeffers is proud to know a science project she helped float will be around for generations to come.
Based on the rest of the passage, why does the author introduce the passage in this way?
A - to describe how young people have a growing interest in science
B - to suggest that young people can do the work of marine biologists
C - to describe how much hard work Jeffers and her friends put into the project
D - to suggest that Jeffers was part of a team that found a way to sustain artificial reefs
D - to suggest that Jeffers was part of a team that found a way to sustain artificial reefs
Select two sentences that demonstrate how modern marine biologists feel about previous artificial reef efforts.
A - "The really good idea was to provide habitat for marine critters so we could double or triple marine life in the area." (paragraph 4)
B - "I look back now and see it was a bad idea." (paragraph 4)
C - "Gov. Charlie Crist's proposed budget includes $2 million to help gather up and remove the tires." (paragraph 7)
D - "McAllister helped put together the ill-fated reef project with the approval of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers." (paragraph 9)
E - "I believe that people who were behind the artificial tire reef promotions were well-intentioned and thought they were doing the right thing." (paragraph 11)
B - "I look back now and see it was a bad idea." (paragraph 4)
E - "I believe that people who were behind the artificial tire reef promotions were well-intentioned and thought they were doing the right thing." (paragraph 11)
Part A
What is a shared central idea in both Passage 1 and Passage 2?
A - Good intentions are the key to fixing marine ecosystems.
B - Local reef projects are more effective than state-run projects.
C - Failed attempts at fixing marine ecosystems are extremely expensive.
D - Many people are working hard to help marine ecosystems with artificial reef projects.
D - Many people are working hard to help marine ecosystems with artificial reef projects.
What information does the word hindsight indicate in paragraph 11?
A - that history has revealed how destructive the project was
B - that the scientists found ways to correct their errors in time
C - that the consequences of the actions should have been predictable
D - that more time needs to pass before the project can be deemed a success
A - that history has revealed how destructive the project was
Select two sentences that show how each passage develops the idea that people also benefit from artificial reef projects.
A - "The tires were unloaded there in 1972 to create an artificial reef that could attract a rich variety of marine life, and to free up space in clogged landfills." (paragraph 2)
B - "We've literally dumped millions of tires in our oceans,' said Jack Sobel, an Ocean Conservancy scientist." (paragraph 15)
C - "In 2005, volunteers for the Ocean Conservancy's annual international coastal cleanup removed more than 11,000 tires." (paragraph 15)
D - "They are designed to help let things grow on them,' said Veronica LaFranchise of Plantation, one of three students who led the project." (paragraph 22)
E - "'It brings together so many people and is something that shows we all can do something to protect our reefs and encourage regrowth...." (paragraph 24)
A - "The tires were unloaded there in 1972 to create an artificial reef that could attract a rich variety of marine life, and to free up space in clogged landfills." (paragraph 2)
E - "'It brings together so many people and is something that shows we all can do something to protect our reefs and encourage regrowth...." (paragraph 24)
How does paragraph 19 in Passage 2 contribute to the development of a key concept in the passage?
A - by explaining how actions today can affect the future
B - by explaining the steps necessary for ecosystem maintenance
C - by showing how the Girl Scouts made a difference in the girls' lives
D - by showing how parents and educators can work together to achieve a common goal
A - by explaining how actions today can affect the future
Which sentence from the passage helps explain why Mars might be unable to support life as Earth can?
A - "It found soil made of 20 percent clay minerals in Mars's Yellowknife Bay area." (Paragraph 6)
B - "Rover scientists think Yellowknife Bay was at the end of an ancient streambed where water flowed between ankle and hip high." ( Paragraph 7)
C - "Today, Mars lacks a thick atmosphere to trap the Sun's heat." (Paragraph 8)
D - "Some extremophiles live below the surface in water-filled holes inside rocks, where temperatures are warmer." (Paragraph 9)
C - "Today, Mars lacks a thick atmosphere to trap the Sun's heat." (Paragraph 8)
Part B
Select a sentence from each passage that supports the central idea identified in Part A.
A - "Some of the tires that were bundled together with nylon and steel have broken loose and are scouring the ocean floor across a swath the size of 31 football fields." (Paragraph 3)
B - "They're a constantly killing coral-destruction machine,' said William Nuckols, coordinator for Coastal America, a federal group involved in organizing a cleanup effort that includes Broward County biologists, state scientists and Army and Navy salvage divers." (paragraph 6)
C - "No one can say with certainty why the idea doesn't work, but one problem is that, unlike large ships that have been sunk for reefs, tires are too light." (paragraph 12)
D - "The Plantation junior was one of about 20 South Plantation High School students who recently participated in creating a series of artificial reefs off South Florida's shorts." (Paragraph 18)
E - "The balls, made of concrete and weighing from 300 to 2,000 pounds, will serve as a home for sea life." (paragraph 21)
F - "The reef balls are reportedly the only ones off Oleta River State Park and will take years of careful monitoring, long after the students have graduated." (Paragraph 31)
B - "They're a constantly killing coral-destruction machine,' said William Nuckols, coordinator for Coastal America, a federal group involved in organizing a cleanup effort that includes Broward County biologists, state scientists and Army and Navy salvage divers." (paragraph 6)
D - "The Plantation junior was one of about 20 South Plantation High School students who recently participated in creating a series of artificial reefs off South Florida's shorts." (Paragraph 18)
Read paragraph 1.
1 - For more than a century, people have wondered if there is life next door on Mars.
How does the phrase "life next door on Mars" affect the tone of the passage?
A - It creates a surprised tone to get the reader to disregard the argument
B - It sets an assertive tone to persuade the reader to accept the argument.
C - It creates a harsh tone to persuade the reader to question the argument.
D - It sets a casual tone to get the reader to take an interest in the argument.
D - It sets a casual tone to get the reader to take an interest in the argument.
What is the author's position on the possibility of life on Mars?
A - She believes life on Mars is a likely reality.
B - She thinks life forms on Mars existed before life on Earth
C - She is convinced life on Mars was unlikely to have been supported in the past.
D - She is certain life on Mars exists that is similar to complex life forms on Earth.
A - She believes life on Mars is a likely reality.
How does paragraph 10 help develop the argument about life on Mars?
A - It describes a process that could support life on Mars.
B - It evaluates the effects of sulfur on weak life forms likely found on Mars.
C - It lists possible reasons why life on Mars struggles to make food for itself.
D - It explains how scientists are working to solve problems limiting life on Mars.
A - It describes a process that could support life on Mars.
Part A
Which sentence is the central idea of the passage?
A - Signs on Mars suggest it could have once supported life forms.
B - Future space missions are likely to find definite proof of life on Mars.
C - Scientists have discovered extremophiles on Mars like those found in Antarctica.
D - Scientists are hopeful that Mars will get warm enough to support advanced life forms.
A - Signs on Mars suggest it could have once supported life forms.
In paragraph 8, what does the word debatable mean?
A - Certain
B - Heightened
C - Shady
D - Undecided
D - Undecided
Part A
According to the passage, if there is life on Mars, what is it likely to resemble?
A - Algae
B - Bacteria
C - Carbon
D - Sulfur
B - Bacteria
How does paragraph 12 advance the author's argument?
A - It introduces new scientific data as support.
B - It states the conclusion and points toward further research.
C - It revises our understanding of the nature of life on other planets.
D - It shows how other countries are becoming involved in the exploration of Mars.
B - It states the conclusion and points toward further research.
Part B
Which sentence from the passage helps develop this central idea?
A - "Images show ancient river valleys and areas carved by glaciers." (paragraph 5)
B - "Modern-day Mars averages -81 Fahrenheit (F), compared to Earth's average temperature of 57 degrees F." (paragraph 8)
C - "Some extremophiles live below the surface in water-filled holes inside rocks, where temperatures are warmer." (paragraph 19)
D - "In 2018, the ExoMars rover (developed by ESA, the European Space Agency) will look for organic molecules, the building blocks of life on Earth."
A - "Images show ancient river valleys and areas carved by glaciers." (paragraph 5)
Which statement from the passage supports the answer in Part A?
A - "But even these creatures follow the same recipe as all other life on Earth: water, warmth, a source of energy, and certain elements like carbon." (paragraph 4)
B - "Scientists have discovered bacteria, algae, and viruses in Antarctica's salty Organic Lake, which is a chilly 9 degrees F."(Paragraph 9)
C - "Oehler and her colleagues think early Martian life could have used chemical reactions called chemosynthesis to make food, much like the bacteria living in deep-sea vents on Earth." (Paragraph 10)
D - "Curiosity found two different states of sulfur compounds, suggesting life could have changed one into the other to harness energy." (Paragraph 10)
C - "Oehler and her colleagues think early Martian life could have used chemical reactions called chemosynthesis to make food, much like the bacteria living in deep-sea vents on Earth." (Paragraph 10)