Practice Test 1

In Passage 1, the speaker lists the number of commercial beekeepers in the United States. How does this develop his purpose?

• It explains the support that has maintained the honey program.

• It demonstrates the lack of a sufficient supply of domestically made honey.

• It emphasizes that a small group of farmers receives large sums of benefits from the honey program.

• It shows how few businesses are able to produce enough honey to profit without government support

Answer explanation

The speaker points out that 10 percent of honey program benefits goes to 1 percent of the 2,100 bee farmers, adding to his point that a few people are getting government support that they do not deserve.

Which word from passage 1 comes from a Latin root word meaning "settled" or "still" from the following sentence?

"In addition, the high price support led to an increase in imports of honey from abroad while domestic honey production stagnated."

• addition

• support

• increase

• abroad

• stagnated

Select two ways in which the speaker in Passage 1 develops the central idea that the honey program costs more than it is worth.

• by examining the expenses of maintaining different bee colonies

• by detailing the amount of money commercial beekeepers receive

• by explaining how much each taxpayer would save if the program ends

• by identifying programs that need more financial support than beekeepers

• by describing the honey trade activity between America and other countries

Answer explanation

In paragraph 7 the speaker details how much money commercial beekeepers make, showing that it is not equal to how much honey they produce.

In paragraphs 3 and 5, the speaker mentions several instances of Americans having to pay for honey imported from other countries because of the lack of honey being produced in America.

Why does the speaker in Passage 2 begin with the information in paragraphs 11 and 12?

• to summarize his argument about the honey program

• to demonstrate how he learned about honey production

• to present himself as a credible source on the honey program

• to show that he has built trust with people who produce honey

Answer explanation

By explaining that he listened for “3 or 4 hours” about the benefits of the program, he suggests that he has the authority to argue for the importance of the honey program.

Read this sentence from Passage 2.

“Mr. President, the chart that was shown by the Senator from South Dakota says it all.” (paragraph 13)

What does the speaker suggest about the chart with the phrase “says it all”?

• The chart explains both sides of an issue.

• The chart informs the audience in a relatable way

• The chart shows enough evidence to prove the claim.

• The chart presents an interesting visual aspect of the argument.

Answer explanation

For the chart to “say it all” means that it is able to stand alone and provide all that is needed to support a point about bee populations.

Select two reasons why the speaker in Passage 2 asks the rhetorical questions in paragraph 17.

• to show how difficult it is to study wild bees

• to shame people for knowing little about bees

• to protect the wild bees used in the honey program

• to suggest that most people take the work of bees for granted

• to acknowledge that there is limited understanding of the bee problem

Answer explanation

The question suggests that people do not think information about wild bees is important because the honey program has been successful in keeping plenty of produce available.

By explaining that wild bees are in danger and no one knows, the speaker is using the rhetorical questions to acknowledge that this information, while important, is not something most people understand.

How do the speakers in both passages address the financial aspects of the honey program differently?

• The speaker in Passage 1 argues that the cost is too high for the honey program, but the speaker in Passage 2 lists profitable alternatives.

• Both speakers mention the cost of the honey program, but the speaker in Passage 1 describes how the profits may soon begin to decrease.

• Both speakers mention the cost of the honey program, but the speaker in Passage 2 explains that the profits for agriculture in general are much higher.

• The speaker in Passage 1 shows that the cost of the honey program has stayed the same, but the speaker in Passage 2 shows that profits have varied greatly.

Answer explanation

The speaker in Passage 1 mentions how much the honey program costs, while the speaker in Passage 2 mentions this and how much profit is gained in revenue and agriculture.

Part A

How does Passage 1 use the idea of a declining bee population?

• as evidence that the honey program is unsuccessful

• as a reason why the honey program helps few farmers

• as a counterargument that explains the need for the honey program

• as support for investing the honey program money in other sweeteners

Answer explanation

In paragraph 5, the speaker points out that the trend of declining bee colonies has continued since the honey program began, showing that the program failed to improve the bee population.

Part B

How does Passage 2 use the information of a declining bee population differently than Part A?

• It identifies the exact percentage of the decline.

• It details the timeline of the decline and how to stop it.

• It examines the role of the American public in causing the decline.

• It provides a reason for the decline and highlights the lack of awareness.

Answer explanation

The speaker in Passage 2 explains that the varroa mite threat is the reason for the decline and notes that most Americans do not know about it, arguing that the commercial population needs continued protection.