Reading Comprehension

Bioluminescence, defined as the emission of visible light by living organisms, is a characteristic of many near-surface ocean creatures. Most of these creatures produce light when they are irritated by something around them. Scientists have produced light the way these animals do, but the light which is produced by living creatures in the dark will always be beautiful.

There are about forty main kinds of organisms that produce bioluminescence. Of these organisms, fireflies are the best known as insects that have lights. Fireflies can control their lights so that they serve as signals between males and females. Other insects such as the cucujo beetle and the lantern fly, which are found in tropical forests, produce a very intense light. It is so bright that an army surgeon once performed an operation under the light of a beetle.

Where in the passage does the author give a definition?

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Bioluminescence, defined as the emission of visible light by living organisms, is a characteristic of many near-surface ocean creatures. Most of these creatures produce light when they are irritated by something around them. Scientists have produced light the way these animals do, but the light which is produced by living creatures in the dark will always be beautiful.

There are about forty main kinds of organisms that produce bioluminescence. Of these organisms, fireflies are the best known as insects that have lights. Fireflies can control their lights so that they serve as signals between males and females. Other insects such as the cucujo beetle and the lantern fly, which are found in tropical forests, produce a very intense light. It is so bright that an army surgeon once performed an operation under the light of a beetle.

Where in the passage does the author mention the use of the insect light to illuminate surgery?

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The word citizen comes from the Latin word civitas, meaning membership of a city. Today, citizenship refers mainly to membership in a nation. Citizenship is also called nationality, a full membership in a nation. But nationality has a wider meaning and implies a right to protection by one's own country when visiting another country. Almost all people have citizenship in at least one country.

Citizens have certain rights and duties. The rights of citizens differ from nation to nation. Many nations have constitutions that provide for basic rights known as civil rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. In order to vote, citizens must be registered and must have reached the minimum age. Like citizens' rights, the duties of citizens also differ from one nation to another. Most governments demand that citizens pay taxes, defend their countries, and obey its laws.

Where in the passage does the author discuss the origin of the word citizen?

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The word citizen comes from the Latin word civitas, meaning membership of a city. Today, citizenship refers mainly to membership in a nation. Citizenship is also called nationality, a full membership in a nation. But nationality has a wider meaning and implies a right to protection by one's own country when visiting another country. Almost all people have citizenship in at least one country.

Citizens have certain rights and duties. The rights of citizens differ from nation to nation. Many nations have constitutions that provide for basic rights known as civil rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. In order to vote, citizens must be registered and must have reached the minimum age. Like citizens' rights, the duties of citizens also differ from one nation to another. Most governments demand that citizens pay taxes, defend their countries, and obey its laws.

Where in the passage does the author mention the obligations of a citizen?

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Coral is a limestone formation formed in the sea by millions of tiny animals. Coral formations may look like large domes, small irregular crusts, or tiny organ pipes. The living coral forming animals become the color of the coral: beautiful shades of tan, orange, yellow, purple, and green. Most coral-forming animals feed at night on plankton and other small organisms. Poison cells released from their tentacles paralyze these small creatures before they are captured. In addition, hair-like structures around their mouths assist in gathering nutrients.

When these animals die, they leave limestone "skeletons" that form the foundations of barriers and ridges in the sea called coral reefs. The reefs are mostly found in warm, shallow tropical seas because they cannot live in water colder than 18° C. Coral reefs abound throughout the South Pacific, in the Caribbean Sea, in the East Indies and in the Indian Ocean. They also form around Madagascar, along the Florida coast, and along the tropical coast of Brazil.

There are three kinds of coral reefs: (1) fringing reefs; (2) barrier reefs; and (3) atolls. Fringing reefs extend from the shore into the sea. Barrier reefs follow the shoreline and form a barrier between the water near the shore and the open sea. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral island in the open sea.

Where in the passage does the author describe how coral-producing animals find food?

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Coral is a limestone formation formed in the sea by millions of tiny animals. Coral formations may look like large domes, small irregular crusts, or tiny organ pipes. The living coral forming animals become the color of the coral: beautiful shades of tan, orange, yellow, purple, and green. Most coral-forming animals feed at night on plankton and other small organisms. Poison cells released from their tentacles paralyze these small creatures before they are captured. In addition, hair-like structures around their mouths assist in gathering nutrients.

When these animals die, they leave limestone "skeletons" that form the foundations of barriers and ridges in the sea called coral reefs. The reefs are mostly found in warm, shallow tropical seas because they cannot live in water colder than 18° C. Coral reefs abound throughout the South Pacific, in the Caribbean Sea, in the East Indies and in the Indian Ocean. They also form around Madagascar, along the Florida coast, and along the tropical coast of Brazil.

There are three kinds of coral reefs: (1) fringing reefs; (2) barrier reefs; and (3) atolls. Fringing reefs extend from the shore into the sea. Barrier reefs follow the shoreline and form a barrier between the water near the shore and the open sea. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral island in the open sea.

Where in the passage does the author describe how coral-producing animals find food?

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Coral is a limestone formation formed in the sea by millions of tiny animals. Coral formations may look like large domes, small irregular crusts, or tiny organ pipes. The living coral forming animals become the color of the coral: beautiful shades of tan, orange, yellow, purple, and green. Most coral-forming animals feed at night on plankton and other small organisms. Poison cells released from their tentacles paralyze these small creatures before they are captured. In addition, hair-like structures around their mouths assist in gathering nutrients.

When these animals die, they leave limestone "skeletons" that form the foundations of barriers and ridges in the sea called coral reefs. The reefs are mostly found in warm, shallow tropical seas because they cannot live in water colder than 18° C. Coral reefs abound throughout the South Pacific, in the Caribbean Sea, in the East Indies and in the Indian Ocean. They also form around Madagascar, along the Florida coast, and along the tropical coast of Brazil.

There are three kinds of coral reefs: (1) fringing reefs; (2) barrier reefs; and (3) atolls. Fringing reefs extend from the shore into the sea. Barrier reefs follow the shoreline and form a barrier between the water near the shore and the open sea. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral island in the open sea.

Where in the passage does the author explain why and where coral reefs are formed?

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Coral is a limestone formation formed in the sea by millions of tiny animals. Coral formations may look like large domes, small irregular crusts, or tiny organ pipes. The living coral forming animals become the color of the coral: beautiful shades of tan, orange, yellow, purple, and green. Most coral-forming animals feed at night on plankton and other small organisms. Poison cells released from their tentacles paralyze these small creatures before they are captured. In addition, hair-like structures around their mouths assist in gathering nutrients.

When these animals die, they leave limestone "skeletons" that form the foundations of barriers and ridges in the sea called coral reefs. The reefs are mostly found in warm, shallow tropical seas because they cannot live in water colder than 18° C. Coral reefs abound throughout the South Pacific, in the Caribbean Sea, in the East Indies and in the Indian Ocean. They also form around Madagascar, along the Florida coast, and along the tropical coast of Brazil.

There are three kinds of coral reefs: (1) fringing reefs; (2) barrier reefs; and (3) atolls. Fringing reefs extend from the shore into the sea. Barrier reefs follow the shoreline and form a barrier between the water near the shore and the open sea. An atoll is a ring-shaped coral island in the open sea.

Where in the passage does the author describe the different kinds of reefs?

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Civil rights are the freedoms and rights that a person may have as a member of community, state, or government. Civil rights include, among others, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to peaceful assembly, and equal rights and opportunities for all people regardless of race, sex, religion, age or disability.

In some countries, civil rights are protected by law and custom. The constitutions of these countries have bills of rights that describe basic liberties and rights. Courts of law decide whether a person's civil rights have been violated. In other countries, the governments claim to respect and guarantee civil rights, but such claims differ greatly from actual conditions. In these countries, the people are denied such basic rights as freedom of speech and of the press, even though their constitutions guarantee these rights. Because of this contradiction, activists of civil rights hold campaigns to gain their rights. Civil rights campaigns consist mostly of public meetings, marches, and other forms of protests, such as people sitting down on a public highway. They also include taking test cases to court and lobbying members of the legislative body in an effort to change legislation. Such campaigns make people aware of the issues and demonstrate popular support.

All civil rights have limits so that people do not use their freedoms to violate the rights of other people. For example, a person may use freedom of speech as long as his speech will not lead to the violent overthrow of the government. In addition, a person may not use civil rights to justify actions that might seriously harm the health, welfare, safety, or morals of others.

In what lines does the author mention the kinds of civil rights?

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Civil rights are the freedoms and rights that a person may have as a member of community, state, or government. Civil rights include, among others, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the right to peaceful assembly, and equal rights and opportunities for all people regardless of race, sex, religion, age or disability.

In some countries, civil rights are protected by law and custom. The constitutions of these countries have bills of rights that describe basic liberties and rights. Courts of law decide whether a person's civil rights have been violated. In other countries, the governments claim to respect and guarantee civil rights, but such claims differ greatly from actual conditions. In these countries, the people are denied such basic rights as freedom of speech and of the press, even though their constitutions guarantee these rights. Because of this contradiction, activists of civil rights hold campaigns to gain their rights. Civil rights campaigns consist mostly of public meetings, marches, and other forms of protests, such as people sitting down on a public highway. They also include taking test cases to court and lobbying members of the legislative body in an effort to change legislation. Such campaigns make people aware of the issues and demonstrate popular support.

All civil rights have limits so that people do not use their freedoms to violate the rights of other people. For example, a person may use freedom of speech as long as his speech will not lead to the violent overthrow of the government. In addition, a person may not use civil rights to justify actions that might seriously harm the health, welfare, safety, or morals of others.

In what lines does the author mention that in some countries people cannot apply their rights?

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