ACT Reading Prep

For many decades, polio research centered on treating symptoms as well as developing a vaccine to prevent polio. There was no known cure for people already infected with polio, so doctors focused on managing the disease’s debilitating effects. Scientists and doctors concentrated on making the polio patient more comfortable and preventing fatalities. During the 1920s, the iron lung became a common device used to assist polio patients in breathing. When using the iron lung, patients would lie in a metal, human-sized tank for long periods of time. Sometimes, polio patients would have to continue this treatment their entire lives. Serum therapy was also attempted. During this type of treatment, polio victims would receive doses of serum extracted from polio-recovered monkeys, humans, and even horses. After nearly 20 years of research and trials, serum therapy was finally abandoned and deemed unsuccessful.

As it is used in the passage (line 33) the word debilitating most nearly means:

• invigorating.

• crippling.

• coercing.

• revitalizing.

In the medical field, other debates occurred regarding the proper treatment of polio patients. Initially, it was thought that diseased limbs should be immobilized and even placed in casts. In addition, polio patients were prescribed complete bed rest. However, other theories suggested that paralyzed arms and legs should be wrapped in hot compresses and exercised regularly to prevent muscular atrophy. This latter approach soon became typical protocol because it seemed to relieve some pain and discomfort.

As it is used in the fifth paragraph, the phrase “became typical protocol” implies that:

• the most common practice for treating polio became widely accepted

• medical experts debated with scientists regarding the proper treatment of polio

• doctors and scientists had yet to discover an effective polio treatment.

• there was no consistent or widespread treatment for those infected with polio.

After receiving wilderness training in Washington D.C., Meriwether Lewis set out on July 5, 1803, picked up guns at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and then moved to Pittsburgh to pick up a 55-foot keelboat. Floating it down the Ohio, he met with Clark in Indiana, who took over command of the boat and crew, while Lewis then rode on to get supplies in St. Louis. Months later, in May, the entire party gathered in St. Louis. The forty-some men were to travel from there to the Pacific Ocean in only the keelboat and two smaller boats, all of which were moved by sails, towropes, poles, or oars.

As it is used in the 2nd paragraph (lines 22–32), the word party most nearly means:

• a joyous celebration.

• a group of people setting out on a trip.

• a segment of the population.

• a meeting to discuss business matters.

Throughout it all, including long winters and the harsh conditions of wildness living, the travelers continued to forge west in search of an efficient trade route using only the rivers. In September of 1806, some three years after they started on their voyage, Lewis, Clark, and their team made it to the Pacific Ocean. Relying on the Missouri and Columbia rivers as their main “highways,” and taking the help of friendly Indian tribes whenever they could, the expedition was a success, and served as an example for all manner of westward expansion.

It can be inferred that the word forge as it is used in Paragraph 5 (lines 55–65) refers to:

• creating new tools out of metal.

• searching for food.

• continuing a journey.

• crossing a river on foot.