Passage #7

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 31

Go to the area marked 31, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• States, are

• States are

• States,

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 32

Given that all the following statements are true, which one, if added here, would most effectively introduce the topic of this paragraph?

• The Bahamas were formed from calcium carbonate, a component of seawater.

• Calcium carbonate, a common rock substance, is also found in seawater.

• Much of the land making up the Bahamas is still underwater.

• Most types of limestone contain calcium carbonate.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 33

Go to the area marked 33, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• are building

• will build

• build

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 34

Go to the area marked 34, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• being buoyed because of

• it being buoyed by

• buoying it was

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 35

Go to the area marked 35, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• rainwater, or seawater,

• rainwater, or seawater

• rainwater or seawater

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 36

Go to the area marked 36, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• limestone, eroded caves

• limestone eroded, caves

• limestone eroded caves,

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 37

Which choice most specifically illustrates how long the cave-creating process took?

Go to the area marked 37, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• Between ice ages and the more temperate eras that followed them,

• During this extended time,

• As time passed,

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 38

Go to the area marked 38, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• repeat again and again at various different depths.

• repeat at different depths that varied.

• repeat at different depths.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 39

Go to the area marked 39, and decide which choice is the best answer.

• NO CHANGE

• caves that

• caves;

• caves,

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Passage III

Blue Holes of the Bahamas

Paragraph I

The Bahamas, a series of semitropical islands off

the southeast coast of the United (31) States, which are home

to some of the most unusual geological formations in the

world: underwater caves known as blue holes. [A] These

vertical caves were formed over thousands of years, and

their cold depths provide abundant clues to the islands'

past.

Paragraph II

(32) During the formation process, tiny grains of

calcium carbonate separated from the seawater. These

grains (33) built up, then compacted, forming the limestone

that makes up the islands. [B] Over time, rainwater

permeated the porous limestone but was trapped just

above sea level, (34) buoyed by the denser seawater below.

Jostled back and forth by tides, the layer of slightly

acidic, brackish water eroded limestone faster than

either (35) rainwater--or seawater--could alone. As the

(36) limestone eroded caves formed.

Paragraph III

(37) Over time periods in which the weather changed

drastically, sea levels rose and fell by hundreds of

feet. This allowed the cave-creating process to

(38) be a process that repeated at different depths

hundreds of feet apart. The roofs of many (39) caves

collapsed, leaving the chambers beneath exposed.

Some of these blue holes open to small contained caves

others open to miles-long interconnected tunnels. (40)

Paragraph IV

The telltale sign of a blue hole is a circular patch

of water (41) striking darker than the water surrounding

(42) them. (The darker water indicates greater depth.)

[C] Divers have found the remains of turtles and

(43) alligators. Now extinct on the islands, stalactites and

stalagmites from a time when the caves were above

sea level, and artifacts of early human inhabitants.

Paragraph V

[D] Hundreds of blue holes (44) can be sighted off the

Bahamas. So far, most remain unexplored by divers, owing

in part to the danger of cave diving. Often the only clue to

the mysteries below is the tantalizing sight of dark blue

water leading deep into the sea.

Question 40

At this point, the writer is considering adding the following true sentence:

At 663 feet deep, Dean's Blue Hole in Long

Island, Bahamas, is a popular cave-diving

destination.

Should the writer make this addition here?

• Yes, because it supports the preceding sentence by providing an example of a blue hole that is very deep.

• Yes, because it allows the reader to visualize a specific blue hole in the Bahamas.

• No, because it offers a detail that is unrelated to the paragraph's focus on the cave-creating process.

• No, because it does not provide an adequate description of Dean's Blue Hole.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5