Context Clues
Marcus took his turn at the front of the line.
In which sentence is the meaning of turn closest to its meaning in the passage above?
C. You must wait your turn to buy your popcorn.
Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison was born Chloe Wofford in Lorain, Ohio. She was the second child of four. Morrison attended Howard University where she earned her B.A. in English. After receiving a Master's in English from Cornell University, she returned to her alma mater to teach. Between her work at Howard and rearing her two sons as a single mother, Morrison got involved with a group of writers and poets. She brought a short story about a little girl who wished for blue eyes to one of their meetings. That story became Morrison's first novel, The Bluest Eye. The book was published in 1970.
The author most likely wrote this selection in order -
A. to persuade people to read Toni Morrison's novels.
D. to share Toni Morrison's life story with readers.
Rubik's Cube was originally named the Magic Cube by its creator, Erno Rubik, a Hungarian. What Rubik probably never imagined in 1974 was that the cube would gain world-wide popularity for a long time. The rights to the cube were acquired by Ideal Toys in 1980. Since then, the cube went on to sell more than 300 million units all over the world. In fact, many contests started being held for solving it. For the 15th anniversary of the cube, Diamond Cutters International honored the cube by creating a fully functional gold, silver and jeweled version of it. Rubik's Cube continues to enjoy its popularity today.
The passage is organized in a sequence because it shows -
A. the events in the development of the Rubik's Cube in the order in which they happened.
Blooms in Death Valley
In March 2016, Death Valley National Park in California experienced a rare occurrence: thousands of yellow wildflowers covered the region in a "super bloom." Why was this unusual? Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. The area's average yearly precipitation is just two inches, making it a challenging place for flowers to grow. However, in October 2015, the valley had received more than three inches of rain in some areas. As a result of the unusually wet season, wildflower seeds that had been lying dormant underground suddenly began to grow, producing an abundance of golden blooms.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A - Because of an unusual amount of rain, thousands of wildflowers grew in Death Valley in 206
B - Because of the hot, dry conditions in Death Valley, it is difficult for flowers to grow there
C - In October of 2015, Death Valley received an unusual amount of rain.
D - Wildflowers produce majestic and beautiful golden blooms.
The president said that his belief in freedom of expression is as solid as the ground we stand on.
Part 1) What type of figurative language is this?
Metaphor / Simile / Personification
Part 2) What does the author's language suggest?
A - The president's belief in freedom of expression is recorded in a document
B - The president's belief in freedom of expression is firm and unwavering
B - The president's belief in freedom of expression is firm and unwavering
Over the years, many musicians have tried to blend different styles of music to create a new, unique style. This method is called fusion. In other words, when different musically inclined people collaborate and create an exceptional style, it is called fusion music. For example, musicians created jazz fusion by combining jazz harmonies with rock and R&B music.
What does collaborate mean as used in the passage?
A - to unite
Known in its early years as “Grape Vine Prairie,” Grapevine, Texas, is named for the wild mustang grapes that grow in the area. Settlement of Grapevine began in the 1840s, making it one of the oldest settled areas of Texas. The population was slow to rise and even fell in the period between the two World Wars because of the poor economy. Grapevine resides on the shores of Grapevine Lake, a man-made lake created by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1952. Largely a farming village for most of the 19th century, it was not until the establishment of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1974 that the city was able to grow significantly. Although Grapevine is a fully urbanized locale, it has several festivals in the fall to celebrate its agricultural roots.
What is the best way to describe the author's purpose in writing this piece?
D. to convey details about the city of Grapevine, Texas
A biological toilet, or composting toilet, isn't hooked up to sewer lines. The unit has a seat and a lid, but not a toilet bowl filled with water. How does it function? First, the waste is deposited into the unit in the normal way. After that, natural processes take over: ninety percent of the waste is water, which evaporates into the air. The toilet usually has fans and ventilation to assist in this process. The solid part of the waste then remains in a chamber, where it decomposes. Specialized bacteria digest the waste, given the right combination of oxygen, moisture, and heat. When the decomposition process is complete, the compost from the toilet can be removed and used in gardens and around trees.
What organizational structure does this text primarily use?
A - problem-solution
B - compare & contrast
C - sequential
D - descriptive
To Stand or Not to Stand?
In 2016, Vallecito Elementary School in San Rafael, California, became the first U.S. school to replace all of its ordinary desks with raised desks that students stand at. Speaking to a reporter from TIME for Kids magazine, one student at the school gave the standing desks high praise. "You feel happier, you're less tired, and you're more active," she said. According to several studies, children working at standing desks burn more calories and are more focused on tasks. However, some teachers and parents are opposed to the change. They are concerned that standing for long periods of time could cause fatigue, strain on the legs and feet, or posture problems. In addition, standing desks are more expensive than seated desks. Only time will tell whether standing desks will prove to be the next big trend or a failed experiment.
A - Some people say that standing desks promote good study habits, but others are wary about the new desks.
B - Studies have shown that standing desks help students focus on their schoolwork while being more active.
C - Standing desks are much for expensive than traditional desks
D - Students have high praise for standing desks.
A - Some people say that standing desks promote good study habits, but others are wary about the new desks.
Samuel had always been a patient young man. He was raised with four sisters by a single mother, just him and these five females. Often, he felt like an alien among them, as so many things about these women just didn’t make sense. One or another of his sisters would erupt in a volcano of emotion, for what seemed like Samuel to be the smallest of issues. That didn’t happen to Samuel. To him, his emotions always felt room temperature, neither cold nor hot. Samuel regularly found himself sitting on the couch like an unmovable mountain while the fury of his mom and sisters exploded in flames all around him. Samuel was always at peace while his sisters seemed always to be declaring war.
Part 1) What type of figurative language is "erupt in a volcano of emotion"?
Metaphor / Simile / Personification
Metaphor
A. One of his sisters would have a strong outburst of emotion.
My grandfather remembers his "good old days" and blames my peers' love of technology on the zeitgeist.
What is the meaning of zeitgeist?
C. spirit of the time
Watch the tides roll in and out from your own magnificent room at Sunburst Resorts. At Sunburst Resorts, we offer you three locations just a few steps away from Kauai's famed beaches. Each of our bungalows features a lavish, yet comfortable, interior that will make you feel right at home in Hawaii. In addition, enjoy our open-air spa where you can get our signature massages and facials. You can have a massage while the pleasant ocean breeze flows over your skin. So don't hesitate one more moment—come to Sunburst Resorts.
What is the author's purpose for writing this passage?
to persuade tourists to visit the resort
An ascetic is a person who devotes his or her life to self-discipline. An ascetic does this by living an extremely simple life. For example, an ascetic will deny him or herself normal pleasures of life. What most people cannot live without, like the Internet or television, the ascetic gives up easily.
Ascetics believe that the mind and body need to change through control. They exercise a control of bodily actions, speech, and thoughts.
Although some might view asceticism as negative, those who practice it find peace in it. In addition, having a control of one's senses gives a person satisfaction. Ascetics experience a greater peace of mind than the average people.
How does the organizational structure of the passage support the author's purpose?
A. It gives facts and examples about the idea of an ascetic.
Eat Carrots, See Better?
Carrots contain high amounts of vitamin A and are good for general eye health. However, carrots will not improve night vision. That myth goes back to British propaganda during World War II. In 1940, the German Luftwaffe, or air force, began bombing Britain at night. In response, the British government ordered people to turn off their lights; the government wanted to make it difficult for German pilots to hit their targets. A new technology, radar, allowed the British air force to track and shoot down the German planes without light. To keep the technology secret, the government told the media that their pilots could see the German planes because they consumed so many carrots. Consequently, people began to believe that eating carrots would help them see better in the dark.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A - During World War II, the British government told the media that their pilots ate lots of carrots
B - Contrary to popular belief, eating carrots will not improve your night vision.
C - Because of a British media campaign, people thought eating carrots would improve their night vision
D - The invention of radar allowed the British to easily spot and shoot down enemy aircraft
C - Because of a British media campaign, people thought eating carrots would improve their night vision
As Helge Gram turned the corner into Via Condotti in the dusk a military band came down the street playing "The Merry Widow" in such a crazy, whirling time that it sounded like wild bugle calls. The small, dark soldiers rushed past in the cold afternoon, more like a Roman cohort intent on attacking barbarian hosts than peaceful men returning to their barracks for supper. That was perhaps the cause of their haste, Helge thought, smiling to himself, for as he stood there watching them, his coat-collar turned up for the cold, a peculiar atmosphere of history had pervaded him—but suddenly he found himself humming the same tune, and continued his way in the direction where he knew the Corso lay.
How does the author's use of similes in the first paragraph develop the setting?
A. They show how the atmosphere of the Corso affects Helge's mood in a positive way.
B. They compare the busyness of the Corso with Helge's hometown of Christiania.
C. They emphasize how startled Helge is to see military troops occupying Rome.
D. They illustrate how the sounds and sights of Rome are different from what Helge expects.
D. They illustrate how the sounds and sights of Rome are different from what Helge expects.
Galvanization
Hot-dip galvanizing is a process in which part of a product is submerged in a bath of molten zinc to produce corrosion-resistant metal. The impact of this reaction helps to produce long-lasting and corrosion-free goods. The process is extremely simple and has an advantage over other corrosion protection measures.
Define impact as it is used in the passage.
B. to have a strong effect on
The scientific study of amphibians and reptiles is known as herpetology. The name comes from the Greek root herpeton which means “creeping animal.” Those who study this field of biology are known as herpetologists, though they prefer to call themselves “herpers.” Modern herpetologists specialize in a particular field of study, and it is rare to find one who focuses on general herpetology. They find work in a variety of careers, such as field research, nature guides, professors, veterinarians, museum curators, and so on. Few universities offer degrees in herpetology, so it is a highly competitive and close-knit field.
What is the best way to describe the author's purpose in writing this piece?
Most people think of a person lying on the couch reflecting on memories to a doctor when they think of psychology. In fact, psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Although psychology was studied as a philosophical subject in ancient civilizations, it began to be studied experimentally in nineteenth-century Germany. German physician Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879. It was Sigmund Freud, the Austrian physician, who made psychology widely popular.
However, psychology is more complex than that and includes many branches. Biological psychology is focused on the study of the biological reasons for human or animal actions. Similarly, clinical psychology is concerned with the treatment of diseases or problems of the mind. While cognitive psychology is about the mental processes or thoughts, behavioral psychology is mostly about the study of behavior. Another interesting branch of psychology is the comparative one: it is mostly limited to the study of animal behavior and mental life. Developmental psychology seeks to understand how people change their behavior as they age. Another important branch is social psychology as it studies human beings in social situations. There are many branches of psychology that study specific fields such as sports, industrial, and educational psychology. Researchers have spent a lot of time studying the mind and behavior of people and animals.
How does the organizational structure of this passage support the author's purpose?
B. It reveals how psychology is in fact complex.
Synesthesia: Mixed-Up Senses
We generally think of our senses as having completely separate functions. This is a logical assumption; after all, we can't see with our ears or taste with our eyes. For people with a condition called synesthesia, however, senses can be conflated, or mixed together. In fact, the word synesthesia, derived from Greek, literally means "sensations together." This combining of senses causes interesting sensory experiences. For example, some synesthetes (people who experience synesthesia) imagine tasting a particular flavor whenever they hear a certain sound. Others "hear" a sound in their minds whenever they touch a certain object. The most common types of synesthesia involve colors. In one common subtype, for instance, synesthetes associate different colors with different letters of the alphabet. Typically, synesthetes are not bothered by their synesthesia; in fact, many enjoy it.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A - People with synesthesia experience a fusing of different senses
B - People with synesthesia may hear a sound when they touch an object
C - Senses generally have completely different functions
D - People with synesthesia get more enjoyment from life
A - People with synesthesia experience a fusing of different senses
While the plumber was under the sink fiddling with the pipes, the drain burped up a spray of brown water.
Part 1) What type of figurative language is this?
Metaphor / Simile / Personification
2) What is the author's meaning?
A - The plumber burped
B - The drain noisily released some water
C - The water was putrid and dark
D - The plumber was skilled
Personification
B - The drain noisily released some water
Cheryl could not believe that she called Gertrude "Aunt Mole" at the holiday party; she could not face her relatives after her gaffe.
What is the meaning of gaffe?
D. blunder
Title: Joe Biden is not failing or flailing
Here's an apparently unpopular opinion: Joe Biden is not failing or flailing. His presidency is not in peril.
It's hard to see this through the blizzard of over-the-top headlines such as, "Biden Can Still Rescue His Presidency," "How the Biden Administration Lost Its Way" and "Biden's Epic Failures."
Everyone needs to take a breath: It's been one year. These headlines could just as easily read, "Joe Biden Fails to Fix Every Problem in the World in 365 days."
The author's primary purpose is to -
A - persuade the reader to vote for Joe Biden in 2024
B - inform the reader about the progress of the Biden administration
C - convince the reader that Biden's administration is doing better than what most people believe
D - advocate the reader that volunteer for Biden's challenger next election
C - convince the reader that Biden's administration is doing better than what most people believe
Gemstones of all shapes, sizes, and colors have served as ornamental decorations for centuries. Among the oldest gemstones is jade, which is rooted in many different cultures, most notably in China. Jade refers to two different types of minerals with similar properties: nephrite and jadeite.
Nephrite has been carved in China for thousands of years. Much of the jade that was used in ancient China was nephrite because of its availability. Nephrite is a calcium-magnesium silicate, a durable material, that is slightly softer than quartz. Nephrite is so tough that it can be used for weapons and other tools. Nephrite can appear translucent or opaque and can come in a small range of colors that include green, brown, and white.
Since being introduced in the 1800s to China, jadeite has become more popular than nephrite because of its rarity and color variations. Jadeite is a sodium-aluminum silicate, which makes it a tougher material than nephrite. Because of its durability, jadeite can also be used for weapons and tools. Jadeite has a large selection of colors, such as yellow, purple, pink and green.
Based on the overall structure, how does the author develop the passage?
Overlooked Women in Science
Historically, men have dominated the field of science, and many women have not received professional credit or public recognition for their work. Rosalind Franklin, for example, was a chemist who did groundbreaking research into the structure of DNA, a type of molecule in cells that helps control their growth, activity, and reproduction. Franklin's X-ray photograph of DNA was shared, without her knowledge, with biologist James Watson. Franklin's work helped Watson and fellow researcher Francis Crick discover the structure of DNA, but she received no credit when they won a Nobel Prize for their model of DNA in 1962. Another scientist denied credit for her work was Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Bell Burnell was a postgraduate student in 1967 when she discovered the first radio pulsars—small, dense rotating stars that emit radio waves. However, the credit was given to her supervisor, Antony Hewish, who received a Nobel Prize in 1974.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A - Jocelyn Bell Burnell failed to receive credit for her discovery of radio pulsars
B - Men have dominated the field of science throughout history
C - James Watson stole the credit from Rosalind Franklin for her X-ray photograph of DNA
D - Women have often failed to receive the credit they deserve for scientific work
The best university of all is a collection of books.
Part 1) Is this a simile, metaphor, or personification?
Part 2) What is the author’s meaning?
A – All universities should have a large book collection
B – Reading books can provide a person with an excellent education
C – A university can be judged by the size of its book collection
D – People who attend a university should first read a large collection of books
metaphor
B – Reading books can provide a person with an excellent education