PSAT Week 4

Which statement best describes the overall structure of the passage?

• The author describes a discovery in underwater caves, and then explains why the discovery is important.

• The author presents an argument for conducting additional research in underwater caves, and then gives evidence to support the argument.

• The author presents a series of events that occurs in underwater caves, and then describes how the events are related.

• The author describes a phenomenon found in underwater caves, and then explains what caused the phenomenon.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Based on the passage, Iliffe’s perspective on studying the blue holes is that it is

• challenging to understand why the water in the caves has such unique properties.

• perplexing to find so many strange life-forms in unexpected places.

• dangerous to venture into unexplored territories.

• exciting to explore the unknown.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What does Iliffe’s use of the phrase “sheets of bacteria” (lines 34-35) suggest about the blue hole?

• There was a limited variety of bacterial forms in the blue hole.

• There was a great amount of bacteria in the blue hole.

• The bacteria in the blue hole were compressed at deep levels.

• The bacteria in the blue hole had multiple layers of food supplies.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Which choice best supports the conclusion that different types of bacteria in the deeper layers of blue holes have adapted to varying levels of darkness?

• Lines 25-30 (“Within... layers”)

• Lines 36-39 (“Another... saltwater”)

• Lines 39-42 (“These... dimmer”)

• Lines 53-56 (“The fact... Earth”)

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

As used in line 52, “extreme” most nearly means

• outermost

• severe

• thrilling

• ultimate

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

According to the passage, blue holes could help reveal how life may have evolved on this planet because the bacteria in the blue holes

• can live in complete darkness.

• can survive without food sources.

• cannot survive without some form of air.

• cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which choice provides the best evidence for living in complete darkness?

• Lines 43-46 (“In the cave... added”)

• Lines 58-61 (“These bacterial... explained”)

• Lines 65-69 (“Specifically... said”)

• Lines 72-75 (“As far... said”)

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Based on the table, which of the following supports the greatest bacterial growth?

• Salt water adjacent to the cave wall

• A mix of freshwater and salt water adjacent to the cave wall

• A distance of 2.0 cm into the cave wall at a depth where freshwater and salt water mix

• A distance of 8.0 cm into the cave wall at a depth where there is only freshwater

Which idea from the passage is supported by the information in the table?

• Bacteria in blue holes differ from one another due to varying food sources.

• Bacteria have evolved over millions of years.

• The density of the bacteria varies across water depths in blue holes.

• The types of bacteria living in each blue hole differ significantly.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RI.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7