0 of 45 Questions completed
Questions:
You have already completed the test section before. Hence you can not start it again.
Test Section is loadingâŚ
You must sign in or sign up to start the test section.
You must first complete the following:
0 of 45 Questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), (0)
Earned Point(s): 0 of 0, (0)
0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0)
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is perhaps unsurprising that fad diets are so common given the level of obesity in American society. But over the long term, most fad diets are harmful both to the health and to the waistline. Many such diets advocate cutting out one major nutrient, such as fats or carbohydrates. Others suggest fasting over long periods or eating from fixed menu options that may not meet the bodyâs needs. Most of these diets are highly impractical, and many lead directly or indirectly to binge eating and other unhealthy behaviors.
The topic of this paragraph is:
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is perhaps unsurprising that fad diets are so common given the level of obesity in American society. But over the long term, most fad diets are harmful both to the health and to the waistline. Many such diets advocate cutting out one major nutrient, such as fats or carbohydrates. Others suggest fasting over long periods or eating from fixed menu options that may not meet the bodyâs needs. Most of these diets are highly impractical, and many lead directly or indirectly to binge eating and other unhealthy behaviors.
The topic sentence of this paragraph is:
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is perhaps unsurprising that fad diets are so common given the level of obesity in American society. But over the long term, most fad diets are harmful both to the health and to the waistline. Many such diets advocate cutting out one major nutrient, such as fats or carbohydrates. Others suggest fasting over long periods or eating from fixed menu options that may not meet the bodyâs needs. Most of these diets are highly impractical, and many lead directly or indirectly to binge eating and other unhealthy behaviors.
If the author added a description of a man who attempted several fad diets and ended up heavier than ever, what type of information would this be?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is perhaps unsurprising that fad diets are so common given the level of obesity in American society. But over the long term, most fad diets are harmful both to the health and to the waistline. Many such diets advocate cutting out one major nutrient, such as fats or carbohydrates. Others suggest fasting over long periods or eating from fixed menu options that may not meet the bodyâs needs. Most of these diets are highly impractical, and many lead directly or indirectly to binge eating and other unhealthy behaviors.
Read the following description of the paragraph:
The author argues unfairly against fad diets without taking their good qualities into account.
Why is this not a valid description of the main idea?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is perhaps unsurprising that fad diets are so common given the level of obesity in American society. But over the long term, most fad diets are harmful both to the health and to the waistline. Many such diets advocate cutting out one major nutrient, such as fats or carbohydrates. Others suggest fasting over long periods or eating from fixed menu options that may not meet the bodyâs needs. Most of these diets are highly impractical, and many lead directly or indirectly to binge eating and other unhealthy behaviors.
Why doesnât a statistic about early childhood obesity rates belong in this paragraph?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is challenging to grow tomatoes in a cool, wet climate with a short growing season. In this kind of marginal area, it is rarely successful to sow seeds directly in the garden. It is better to plant seeds in pots indoors, or to buy plant starts at a nursery. If possible, select seed varieties from local seed companies. These are more likely than national brands to carry tomato varieties that fruit quickly. Plant your starts outdoors only after your warm season begins in earnest. Water the plants regularly all summer, and watch the fall forecasts and harvest as many tomatoes as possible before the cool and rain return to spoil the crop.
Which phrase most accurately states the topic of this paragraph?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is challenging to grow tomatoes in a cool, wet climate with a short growing season. In this kind of marginal area, it is rarely successful to sow seeds directly in the garden. It is better to plant seeds in pots indoors, or to buy plant starts at a nursery. If possible, select seed varieties from local seed companies. These are more likely than national brands to carry tomato varieties that fruit quickly. Plant your starts outdoors only after your warm season begins in earnest. Water the plants regularly all summer, and watch the fall forecasts and harvest as many tomatoes as possible before the cool and rain return to spoil the crop.
Which sentence best summarizes the main idea of this paragraph?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is challenging to grow tomatoes in a cool, wet climate with a short growing season. In this kind of marginal area, it is rarely successful to sow seeds directly in the garden. It is better to plant seeds in pots indoors, or to buy plant starts at a nursery. If possible, select seed varieties from local seed companies. These are more likely than national brands to carry tomato varieties that fruit quickly. Plant your starts outdoors only after your warm season begins in earnest. Water the plants regularly all summer, and watch the fall forecasts and harvest as many tomatoes as possible before the cool and rain return to spoil the crop.
How does the supporting detail about local seed companies help develop the main idea?
A topic sentence always expresses:
Supporting details must:
A __________ would be most helpful for showing how many units of various products a business has sold.
Read the passage with the summary below and answer the following question.
Passage:
Nobody groaned when Candace arrived at the door. Several peopleâs smiles did look a bit plastic for a moment, but they could hardly be blamed for that.
Poor Gladys, who had to sit right next to Candace on the couch, accepted her fate with good grace. Afterward she developed a hilarious and highly popular impression of Candaceâs donkey bray laugh, but in the moment Gladys was the picture of welcome and friendliness.
All of the invited guests took their cue from Gladys and showed Candace a good time. By the time Candace went home, she looked pink with pleasure at how well sheâd been treated. It was quite inspiring. After all, well-bred kids should never be unkind.
Summary:
When a widely disliked girl named Candace arrives uninvited to a party, all the invited guests pretend to welcome her. Because they resist the urge to be cruel to her face, they congratulate themselves on their so-called kindness.
Which detail in the summary is implicitly but not explicitly included in the original text?
Read the passage with the summary below and answer the following question.
Passage:
Nobody groaned when Candace arrived at the door. Several peopleâs smiles did look a bit plastic for a moment, but they could hardly be blamed for that.
Poor Gladys, who had to sit right next to Candace on the couch, accepted her fate with good grace. Afterward she developed a hilarious and highly popular impression of Candaceâs donkey bray laugh, but in the moment Gladys was the picture of welcome and friendliness.
All of the invited guests took their cue from Gladys and showed Candace a good time. By the time Candace went home, she looked pink with pleasure at how well sheâd been treated. It was quite inspiring. After all, well-bred kids should never be unkind.
Summary:
When a widely disliked girl named Candace arrives uninvited to a party, all the invited guests pretend to welcome her. Because they resist the urge to be cruel to her face, they congratulate themselves on their so-called kindness.
Why wouldnât an effective summary comment on Candaceâs personality?
Read the passage with the summary below and answer the following question.
Passage:
Nobody groaned when Candace arrived at the door. Several peopleâs smiles did look a bit plastic for a moment, but they could hardly be blamed for that.
Poor Gladys, who had to sit right next to Candace on the couch, accepted her fate with good grace. Afterward she developed a hilarious and highly popular impression of Candaceâs donkey bray laugh, but in the moment Gladys was the picture of welcome and friendliness.
All of the invited guests took their cue from Gladys and showed Candace a good time. By the time Candace went home, she looked pink with pleasure at how well sheâd been treated. It was quite inspiring. After all, well-bred kids should never be unkind.
Summary:
When a widely disliked girl named Candace arrives uninvited to a party, all the invited guests pretend to welcome her. Because they resist the urge to be cruel to her face, they congratulate themselves on their so-called kindness.
Which sequence shows in what order the events occurred?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
Dear Dr. Rodriguez,
I am writing to request that you change my daughter Ameliaâs chemistry grade. Amelia is a brilliant and capable girl who does not deserve an F in your class. Incidentally, I am sure you recall our familyâs substantial donation to your school district last year. I was led to believe we would no longer be troubled by petty grade issues or incompetent teachers after I wrote that check. In fact, I feel compelled to forward this message to your superiors to make certain the issue is dealt with promptly, and to ensure that we have no future misunderstandings.
Sincerely,
Violetta D. Johannsen
Which adjective best describes the tone of this passage?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
Dear Dr. Rodriguez,
I am writing to request that you change my daughter Ameliaâs chemistry grade. Amelia is a brilliant and capable girl who does not deserve an F in your class. Incidentally, I am sure you recall our familyâs substantial donation to your school district last year. I was led to believe we would no longer be troubled by petty grade issues or incompetent teachers after I wrote that check. In fact, I feel compelled to forward this message to your superiors to make certain the issue is dealt with promptly, and to ensure that we have no future misunderstandings.
Sincerely,
Violetta D. Johannsen
Which phrase from the passage has an openly hostile and superior tone?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
Dear Dr. Rodriguez,
I am writing to request that you change my daughter Ameliaâs chemistry grade. Amelia is a brilliant and capable girl who does not deserve an F in your class. Incidentally, I am sure you recall our familyâs substantial donation to your school district last year. I was led to believe we would no longer be troubled by petty grade issues or incompetent teachers after I wrote that check. In fact, I feel compelled to forward this message to your superiors to make certain the issue is dealt with promptly, and to ensure that we have no future misunderstandings.
Sincerely,
Violetta D. Johannsen
What mood would this passage most likely evoke in the chemistry teacher, Dr. Rodriguez?
Read the text below and answer the following question.
WiseWear gear provides you with cutting-edge technology to enhance your performance and optimize your training. WiseWear products include sensors to track your heart rate, activity level, and calorie burn during workouts. Information is automatically uploaded to your phone and organized so you can track your improvement over time with just a tap of the screen.
Concerned about comfort? Weâve got you covered. WiseWear clothing is made with high-tech synthetic compression fabrics to promote circulation and wick away sweat while you work out.
Top-level pro athletes, like ultra-marathoner Uri Schmidt, rely on WiseWear for training and competition. Shouldnât you do the same?
The purpose of this passage is to:
Read the text below and answer the following question.
WiseWear gear provides you with cutting-edge technology to enhance your performance and optimize your training. WiseWear products include sensors to track your heart rate, activity level, and calorie burn during workouts. Information is automatically uploaded to your phone and organized so you can track your improvement over time with just a tap of the screen.
Concerned about comfort? Weâve got you covered. WiseWear clothing is made with high-tech synthetic compression fabrics to promote circulation and wick away sweat while you work out.
Top-level pro athletes, like ultra-marathoner Uri Schmidt, rely on WiseWear for training and competition. Shouldnât you do the same?
With which statement would the author of this passage most likely agree?
Read the text below and answer the following question.
WiseWear gear provides you with cutting-edge technology to enhance your performance and optimize your training. WiseWear products include sensors to track your heart rate, activity level, and calorie burn during workouts. Information is automatically uploaded to your phone and organized so you can track your improvement over time with just a tap of the screen.
Concerned about comfort? Weâve got you covered. WiseWear clothing is made with high-tech synthetic compression fabrics to promote circulation and wick away sweat while you work out.
Top-level pro athletes, like ultra-marathoner Uri Schmidt, rely on WiseWear for training and competition. Shouldnât you do the same?
Which detail from the passage, if true, is factual?
Read the text below and answer the following question.
WiseWear gear provides you with cutting-edge technology to enhance your performance and optimize your training. WiseWear products include sensors to track your heart rate, activity level, and calorie burn during workouts. Information is automatically uploaded to your phone and organized so you can track your improvement over time with just a tap of the screen.
Concerned about comfort? Weâve got you covered. WiseWear clothing is made with high-tech synthetic compression fabrics to promote circulation and wick away sweat while you work out.
Top-level pro athletes, like ultra-marathoner Uri Schmidt, rely on WiseWear for training and competition. Shouldnât you do the same?
The author of the passage includes details about WiseWearâs comfort and ease of use in order to appeal to the readers:
Read the text below and answer the following question.
WiseWear gear provides you with cutting-edge technology to enhance your performance and optimize your training. WiseWear products include sensors to track your heart rate, activity level, and calorie burn during workouts. Information is automatically uploaded to your phone and organized so you can track your improvement over time with just a tap of the screen.
Concerned about comfort? Weâve got you covered. WiseWear clothing is made with high-tech synthetic compression fabrics to promote circulation and wick away sweat while you work out.
Top-level pro athletes, like ultra-marathoner Uri Schmidt, rely on WiseWear for training and competition. Shouldnât you do the same?
The author most likely includes the detail about a famous ultra-marathoner in order to make readers:
What is the most likely purpose of a popular science book describing recent advances in genetics?
Consider the following chart and answer the question.
Age (in months) | 3rd Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 5th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 10th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 25th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 50th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 75th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 90th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 95th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 97th Percentile Length (in centimeters) |
0 | 45.09488 | 45.57561 | 46.33934 | 47.68345 | 49.2864 | 51.0187 | 52.7025 | 53.77291 | 54.49527 |
0.5 | 47.46916 | 47.96324 | 48.74248 | 50.09686 | 51.68358 | 53.36362 | 54.96222 | 55.96094 | 56.62728 |
1.5 | 50.95701 | 51.47996 | 52.29627 | 53.69078 | 55.28613 | 56.93136 | 58.45612 | 59.38911 | 60.00338 |
2.5 | 53.62925 | 54.17907 | 55.03144 | 56.47125 | 58.09382 | 59.74045 | 61.24306 | 62.15166 | 62.74547 |
3.5 | 55.8594 | 56.43335 | 57.31892 | 58.80346 | 60.45981 | 62.1233 | 63.62648 | 64.52875 | 65.11577 |
4.5 | 57.8047 | 58.40032 | 59.31633 | 60.84386 | 62.5367 | 64.22507 | 65.74096 | 66.64653 | 67.23398 |
5.5 | 59.54799 | 60.16323 | 61.10726 | 62.6759 | 64.40633 | 66.12418 | 67.65995 | 68.57452 | 69.16668 |
6.5 | 61.13893 | 61.77208 | 62.7421 | 64.35005 | 66.11842 | 67.8685 | 69.42868 | 70.35587 | 70.95545 |
At three and a half months, a baby girl in the 50th percentile is about _________ centimeters long.
Consider the following chart and answer the question.
Age (in months) | 3rd Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 5th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 10th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 25th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 50th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 75th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 90th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 95th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 97th Percentile Length (in centimeters) |
0 | 45.09488 | 45.57561 | 46.33934 | 47.68345 | 49.2864 | 51.0187 | 52.7025 | 53.77291 | 54.49527 |
0.5 | 47.46916 | 47.96324 | 48.74248 | 50.09686 | 51.68358 | 53.36362 | 54.96222 | 55.96094 | 56.62728 |
1.5 | 50.95701 | 51.47996 | 52.29627 | 53.69078 | 55.28613 | 56.93136 | 58.45612 | 59.38911 | 60.00338 |
2.5 | 53.62925 | 54.17907 | 55.03144 | 56.47125 | 58.09382 | 59.74045 | 61.24306 | 62.15166 | 62.74547 |
3.5 | 55.8594 | 56.43335 | 57.31892 | 58.80346 | 60.45981 | 62.1233 | 63.62648 | 64.52875 | 65.11577 |
4.5 | 57.8047 | 58.40032 | 59.31633 | 60.84386 | 62.5367 | 64.22507 | 65.74096 | 66.64653 | 67.23398 |
5.5 | 59.54799 | 60.16323 | 61.10726 | 62.6759 | 64.40633 | 66.12418 | 67.65995 | 68.57452 | 69.16668 |
6.5 | 61.13893 | 61.77208 | 62.7421 | 64.35005 | 66.11842 | 67.8685 | 69.42868 | 70.35587 | 70.95545 |
Samantha, a 6-week-old baby, is measured at 59 centimeters. How does her length compare to most babies her age?
Consider the following chart and answer the question.
Age (in months) | 3rd Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 5th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 10th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 25th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 50th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 75th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 90th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 95th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 97th Percentile Length (in centimeters) |
0 | 45.09488 | 45.57561 | 46.33934 | 47.68345 | 49.2864 | 51.0187 | 52.7025 | 53.77291 | 54.49527 |
0.5 | 47.46916 | 47.96324 | 48.74248 | 50.09686 | 51.68358 | 53.36362 | 54.96222 | 55.96094 | 56.62728 |
1.5 | 50.95701 | 51.47996 | 52.29627 | 53.69078 | 55.28613 | 56.93136 | 58.45612 | 59.38911 | 60.00338 |
2.5 | 53.62925 | 54.17907 | 55.03144 | 56.47125 | 58.09382 | 59.74045 | 61.24306 | 62.15166 | 62.74547 |
3.5 | 55.8594 | 56.43335 | 57.31892 | 58.80346 | 60.45981 | 62.1233 | 63.62648 | 64.52875 | 65.11577 |
4.5 | 57.8047 | 58.40032 | 59.31633 | 60.84386 | 62.5367 | 64.22507 | 65.74096 | 66.64653 | 67.23398 |
5.5 | 59.54799 | 60.16323 | 61.10726 | 62.6759 | 64.40633 | 66.12418 | 67.65995 | 68.57452 | 69.16668 |
6.5 | 61.13893 | 61.77208 | 62.7421 | 64.35005 | 66.11842 | 67.8685 | 69.42868 | 70.35587 | 70.95545 |
The value in the bottom right corner of this chart is 70.95545. This number represents:
Consider the following chart and answer the question.
Age (in months) | 3rd Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 5th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 10th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 25th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 50th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 75th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 90th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 95th Percentile Length (in centimeters) | 97th Percentile Length (in centimeters) |
0 | 45.09488 | 45.57561 | 46.33934 | 47.68345 | 49.2864 | 51.0187 | 52.7025 | 53.77291 | 54.49527 |
0.5 | 47.46916 | 47.96324 | 48.74248 | 50.09686 | 51.68358 | 53.36362 | 54.96222 | 55.96094 | 56.62728 |
1.5 | 50.95701 | 51.47996 | 52.29627 | 53.69078 | 55.28613 | 56.93136 | 58.45612 | 59.38911 | 60.00338 |
2.5 | 53.62925 | 54.17907 | 55.03144 | 56.47125 | 58.09382 | 59.74045 | 61.24306 | 62.15166 | 62.74547 |
3.5 | 55.8594 | 56.43335 | 57.31892 | 58.80346 | 60.45981 | 62.1233 | 63.62648 | 64.52875 | 65.11577 |
4.5 | 57.8047 | 58.40032 | 59.31633 | 60.84386 | 62.5367 | 64.22507 | 65.74096 | 66.64653 | 67.23398 |
5.5 | 59.54799 | 60.16323 | 61.10726 | 62.6759 | 64.40633 | 66.12418 | 67.65995 | 68.57452 | 69.16668 |
6.5 | 61.13893 | 61.77208 | 62.7421 | 64.35005 | 66.11842 | 67.8685 | 69.42868 | 70.35587 | 70.95545 |
At 2.5 months, Candice is 63.5 centimeters long. Which statement about her length is correct?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is a well-known fact that CAT News is a so-called âfake newsâ site presenting highly biased and negatively influential stories to its viewers. Watching a CAT News broadcast feels like stepping into a slightly deranged and extremely angry alternate universe. Cynical exaggerations of violence dupe naĂŻve viewers into believing the world is falling apart outside the confines of their gated retirement communities.
One assumption behind the argument in this passage is that:
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is a well-known fact that CAT News is a so-called âfake newsâ site presenting highly biased and negatively influential stories to its viewers. Watching a CAT News broadcast feels like stepping into a slightly deranged and extremely angry alternate universe. Cynical exaggerations of violence dupe naĂŻve viewers into believing the world is falling apart outside the confines of their gated retirement communities.
The opening sentence of this paragraph should raise a careful readerâs suspicions because it:
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is a well-known fact that CAT News is a so-called âfake newsâ site presenting highly biased and negatively influential stories to its viewers. Watching a CAT News broadcast feels like stepping into a slightly deranged and extremely angry alternate universe. Cynical exaggerations of violence dupe naĂŻve viewers into believing the world is falling apart outside the confines of their gated retirement communities.
Which detail would strengthen the validity of the authorâs claims about CAT News?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
It is a well-known fact that CAT News is a so-called âfake newsâ site presenting highly biased and negatively influential stories to its viewers. Watching a CAT News broadcast feels like stepping into a slightly deranged and extremely angry alternate universe. Cynical exaggerations of violence dupe naĂŻve viewers into believing the world is falling apart outside the confines of their gated retirement communities.
Which tactic would not improve the validity of the argument about CAT News?
_____________ provide information that is simplified or highly summarized.
Read the following passage and answer the question.
Fly Lake is the heart and soul of our town, and it needs our help. The environmental problems are obvious everywhere. The parking lot and path to the lake are strewn with beer cans and other litter. A half-dead grove of oaks bears the scars of a careless visitorâs untended fire. Other trees are tagged with spray-painted graffiti. Any visitor who bothers to walk past this depressing scene all the way to the edge of the lake will notice piles of discarded fishing gearâbut the fishing is terrible these days. Beneath the surface, hardly anything is still swimming. The lake has long been a source of recreation, tourist revenue, and food for the people of our town, but if current trends continue, it will no longer be able to fulfill any of these roles. For the greater good, we need funding and workers to clean up Fly Lake.
This passage is best described as:
Read the following passage and answer the question.
Fly Lake is the heart and soul of our town, and it needs our help. The environmental problems are obvious everywhere. The parking lot and path to the lake are strewn with beer cans and other litter. A half-dead grove of oaks bears the scars of a careless visitorâs untended fire. Other trees are tagged with spray-painted graffiti. Any visitor who bothers to walk past this depressing scene all the way to the edge of the lake will notice piles of discarded fishing gearâbut the fishing is terrible these days. Beneath the surface, hardly anything is still swimming. The lake has long been a source of recreation, tourist revenue, and food for the people of our town, but if current trends continue, it will no longer be able to fulfill any of these roles. For the greater good, we need funding and workers to clean up Fly Lake.
Which two organizational schemes best describe the structure of the text?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
Fly Lake is the heart and soul of our town, and it needs our help. The environmental problems are obvious everywhere. The parking lot and path to the lake are strewn with beer cans and other litter. A half-dead grove of oaks bears the scars of a careless visitorâs untended fire. Other trees are tagged with spray-painted graffiti. Any visitor who bothers to walk past this depressing scene all the way to the edge of the lake will notice piles of discarded fishing gearâbut the fishing is terrible these days. Beneath the surface, hardly anything is still swimming. The lake has long been a source of recreation, tourist revenue, and food for the people of our town, but if current trends continue, it will no longer be able to fulfill any of these roles. For the greater good, we need funding and workers to clean up Fly Lake.
If this text were to continue for a few more paragraphs, which genre label would best apply to it?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
Fly Lake is the heart and soul of our town, and it needs our help. The environmental problems are obvious everywhere. The parking lot and path to the lake are strewn with beer cans and other litter. A half-dead grove of oaks bears the scars of a careless visitorâs untended fire. Other trees are tagged with spray-painted graffiti. Any visitor who bothers to walk past this depressing scene all the way to the edge of the lake will notice piles of discarded fishing gearâbut the fishing is terrible these days. Beneath the surface, hardly anything is still swimming. The lake has long been a source of recreation, tourist revenue, and food for the people of our town, but if current trends continue, it will no longer be able to fulfill any of these roles. For the greater good, we need funding and workers to clean up Fly Lake.
Which statement best expresses the unstated theme of the passage?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
What happens when you walk barefoot from the swimming pool onto a section of sun-baked pavement? Ouch! The soles of your feet burn, and you might start to hop up and down and then quickly scamper away to a cooler, shaded spot of ground. What happened?
Thank specialized cells . . . . Networks of connected cells called neurons make up your bodyâs electrical, or nervous, system. This system works to communicate messages, such as, ââQuick, move off the hot pavement!ââ Cells of the nervous system (specifically neurons) possess special features and a unique shape, both of which suit them for their job in communication. Or, as scientists like to put it, structure determines function.
Neurons have long, spindly extensions called axons that carry electrical and chemical messages. These messages convey information to your brainâââThe ground is burning hot!âââand responses back from the brainâââPick up your foot!ââ
To transmit these messages, charged particles (primarily sodium ions), jet across a nerve cell membrane, creating an electrical impulse that speeds down the axon. When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the axon, it triggers the neuron to release a chemical messenger (called a neurotransmitter) that passes the signal to a neighboring nerve cell. This continues until the message reaches its destination, usually in the brain, spinal cord, or muscle.
Most neurons can convey messages very fast because they are electrically insulated with a fatty covering called myelin. Myelin is formed by Schwann cellsâone of the many types of glial cells that supply support and nutrition to nerve cells.
Nerves coated with myelin transmit messages at a speed of about 250 miles per hour, plenty of time for the message to get to your brain to warn you to lift your foot before it burns.
One reason young children are at a higher risk for burning themselves is because the neurons in childrenâs bodies do not become fully coated with myelin until they are about 10 years old. That means it takes dangerously long for a message like, ââThe stove is hot!ââ to reach a young childrenâs brains to tell them to pull their hands away.
Myelin formation (and consequently the conduction of nervous system messages) can be disrupted by certain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Symptoms such as numbness, double vision, and muscle paralysis all result from faulty nerve conduction that ultimately impairs muscle cell function.
The text is from the U.S. National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
Why does the author mention multiple sclerosis at the end of the text?
Read the passage below and answer the following question.
What happens when you walk barefoot from the swimming pool onto a section of sun-baked pavement? Ouch! The soles of your feet burn, and you might start to hop up and down and then quickly scamper away to a cooler, shaded spot of ground. What happened?
Thank specialized cells . . . . Networks of connected cells called neurons make up your bodyâs electrical, or nervous, system. This system works to communicate messages, such as, ââQuick, move off the hot pavement!ââ Cells of the nervous system (specifically neurons) possess special features and a unique shape, both of which suit them for their job in communication. Or, as scientists like to put it, structure determines function.
Neurons have long, spindly extensions called axons that carry electrical and chemical messages. These messages convey information to your brainâââThe ground is burning hot!âââand responses back from the brainâââPick up your foot!ââ
To transmit these messages, charged particles (primarily sodium ions), jet across a nerve cell membrane, creating an electrical impulse that speeds down the axon. When the electrical impulse reaches the end of the axon, it triggers the neuron to release a chemical messenger (called a neurotransmitter) that passes the signal to a neighboring nerve cell. This continues until the message reaches its destination, usually in the brain, spinal cord, or muscle.
Most neurons can convey messages very fast because they are electrically insulated with a fatty covering called myelin. Myelin is formed by Schwann cellsâone of the many types of glial cells that supply support and nutrition to nerve cells.
Nerves coated with myelin transmit messages at a speed of about 250 miles per hour, plenty of time for the message to get to your brain to warn you to lift your foot before it burns.
One reason young children are at a higher risk for burning themselves is because the neurons in childrenâs bodies do not become fully coated with myelin until they are about 10 years old. That means it takes dangerously long for a message like, ââThe stove is hot!ââ to reach a young childrenâs brains to tell them to pull their hands away.
Myelin formation (and consequently the conduction of nervous system messages) can be disrupted by certain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Symptoms such as numbness, double vision, and muscle paralysis all result from faulty nerve conduction that ultimately impairs muscle cell function.
The text is from the U.S. National Institute of General Medical Sciences.â
What is the main idea of the passage?
The authorâs __________ is the reason for writing.
Read the paragraph below and answer the following question.
Faith sighed as the old lady cooed at the baby and blabbed about her own childrenâs early days. Four kids! They all walked and talked early! They were little geniuses! Blah blah blah! Faith spent twenty-four hours a day caring for a drooling, incontinent little person, and as a reward she had to hear constant stories about other drooling, incontinent little people. Maybe she should take a tip from the baby and erupt into a random fit of screaming.
The tone of the passage is:
Read the paragraph below and answer the following question.
Faith sighed as the old lady cooed at the baby and blabbed about her own childrenâs early days. Four kids! They all walked and talked early! They were little geniuses! Blah blah blah! Faith spent twenty-four hours a day caring for a drooling, incontinent little person, and as a reward she had to hear constant stories about other drooling, incontinent little people. Maybe she should take a tip from the baby and erupt into a random fit of screaming.
Select the correct order of the events.
Read the paragraph below and answer the following question.
Faith sighed as the old lady cooed at the baby and blabbed about her own childrenâs early days. Four kids! They all walked and talked early! They were little geniuses! Blah blah blah! Faith spent twenty-four hours a day caring for a drooling, incontinent little person, and as a reward she had to hear constant stories about other drooling, incontinent little people. Maybe she should take a tip from the baby and erupt into a random fit of screaming.
Imagine that the author ends the passage with this additional sentence:
âInstead, as the lady continued to coo and asked for permission to hold her, the baby burped up the undigested contents of nutritious slosh onto the womanâs shoulder.â
How does this change affect the overall story?
Read the paragraph below and answer the following question.
The theater was packed. The audience watched with rapt attention as the characters lost their homes, their jobs, their sense of security, even their most basic beliefs. A few characters managed to save a family member. Most kept small keepsakes in their pockets. But by the end, they had almost nothing left of the world before disaster struck. When the show was over, the audience filed out smiling. After all, thereâs nothing more fun than the end of the worldâas long as itâs fictional.
What is the tone of the passage?
The bar graph below provides information about book sales for The Comings, the first book in a trilogy. Study the image and answer the following question.
Which type of book has sold the most copies?
The bar graph below provides information about book sales for The Comings, the first book in a trilogy. Study the image and answer the following question.
The marketing director for The Comings wants to use a different strategy for publishing book #2 in the series. Which argument does the bar graph best support?