Reading Comprehension UTBK 2

The word “revolutionary” as used in line 15, means…

• Dangerous

• Extremist

• Momentous

• Militarist

The implication in this passage is that…

• Only a German physics could discover such a theory

• Quantum theory, which led to the development of twentieth century physics, is basically a mathematical formula

• Planck’s constant was not discernible before 1900

• Radiation was hard to study

“An idea” as used in line 5, refers to…

• A model of matter

• Emission of electromagnetic radiation

• Quantums

• The equation that described the distribution of radiation accurately over the range of low to high frequencies

Atmosphere of Venus

Data from the Pioneer spacecraft of NASA apparently prove the theory that the high surface temperature of Venus is due to an atmospheric greenhouse effect caused mainly by a blanket of carbon dioxide. Such a greenhouse effect is created when energy in the form of sunlight easily passes through a planet’s atmosphere, warms its surface, and is converted to heat radiation that is then held in by the atmosphere from top to bottom. Venus has a relatively thin atmosphere like the Earth’s, but Venus’ atmosphere consists of more than ninety percent carbon dioxide, compared to less than four percent in that of the Earth. Because of its higher percentage of carbon dioxide, Venus’ atmosphere traps much more heat radiation than does the Earth’s. Thus, the Venus studies are believed to be important to the understanding of possible adverse effects on the Earth’s agriculture that could result from the long-term use of fossil fuels, which add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

1. According to the passage, data from the Venus study can be used to____________

• measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere accurately.

• increase the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

• test the efficiency of the spacecraft sent to Venus by NASA.

• predict future agricultural problems on Earth.

• determine the topography and the surface characteristics of the Earth.

Atmosphere of Venus

Data from the Pioneer spacecraft of NASA apparently prove the theory that the high surface temperature of Venus is due to an atmospheric greenhouse effect caused mainly by a blanket of carbon dioxide. Such a greenhouse effect is created when energy in the form of sunlight easily passes through a planet’s atmosphere, warms its surface, and is converted to heat radiation that is then held in by the atmosphere from top to bottom. Venus has a relatively thin atmosphere like the Earth’s, but Venus’ atmosphere consists of more than ninety percent carbon dioxide, compared to less than four percent in that of the Earth. Because of its higher percentage of carbon dioxide, Venus’ atmosphere traps much more heat radiation than does the Earth’s. Thus, the Venus studies are believed to be important to the understanding of possible adverse effects on the Earth’s agriculture that could result from the long-term use of fossil fuels, which add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

3. One can infer from the passage that____________

• there is no difference between the atmospheres of Venus and the Earth.

• the atmosphere of the Earth consists of mainly carbon dioxide.

• the more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the warmer the world will tend to get.

• lack of atmosphere causes a very high surface temperature on Venus.

• Venus had once enjoyed a climate of the sort hospitable to life.

How Does Brain Work?

Theories about how brain works remain a topic of debate. It is agreed, though, that the hippocampus, a part of the brain, is undeniably important for memory. When we experience something, the information is sent via our senses to the hippocampus, where it is processed. Scientists believe that brain cells called neurons first transform the sensory stimuli we experience into images in our immediate memory. Then, these images are sent to the hippocampus and stored temporarily in short-term memory. In the hippocampus, information is organized, and it is during this process that parts of the image of our experience fade away. Finally, certain information is then transferred to long-term memory in a section in the frontal lobe of the brain known as the cerebral cortex. Scientists think this process may happen while we are sleeping, but exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another is a mystery.

4. This reading is mainly concerned with__________

• how to improve our memory.

• why some of the information in short-term memory fades away.

• illness that results in severe memory loss.

• how human brain processes and stores information.

• the importance of neurons in transferring sensory stimuli.

How Does Brain Work?

Theories about how brain works remain a topic of debate. It is agreed, though, that the hippocampus, a part of the brain, is undeniably important for memory. When we experience something, the information is sent via our senses to the hippocampus, where it is processed. Scientists believe that brain cells called neurons first transform the sensory stimuli we experience into images in our immediate memory. Then, these images are sent to the hippocampus and stored temporarily in short-term memory. In the hippocampus, information is organized, and it is during this process that parts of the image of our experience fade away. Finally, certain information is then transferred to long-term memory in a section in the frontal lobe of the brain known as the cerebral cortex. Scientists think this process may happen while we are sleeping, but exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another is a mystery.

6. It is pointed out in the reading that__________

• the brain was not considered as a highly complex organ in the past.

• damage to hippocampus doesn’t cause memory loss.

• all of the information stored in the short term is transferred to the longtime memory.

• hippocampus is in the frontal lobe of the brain.

• scientists agree that the hippocampus is important in processing information.

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle occupies a disturbing and almost unbelievable place in the world’s catalog of unexplained mysteries. More than a hundred planes and ships have vanished in this area into the air since 1945, and more than a thousand lives have been lost, without a single body or even a piece wreckage from the vanishing planes or ships having been found. Many of the planes concerned have vanished while in normal radio contact with their base until the very moment of their disappearance, while others have radioed the most extraordinary messages, implying that they could not get their instruments to function, that their compasses were spinning, that the sky had turned yellow and hazy on a clear day, and the ocean, which was calm nearby, didn’t look right without further clarification of what was wrong.

10. One can infer from the reading that_________

• the wreckages of some ships and planes have been found in the Bermuda Triangle.

• the number of incidents involving lost ships is no larger than that of any other heavily traveled region of the world.

• the ships. and the planes couldn’t contact their base due to the lack of equipment.

• the weather in Bermuda Triangle is always stormy.

• the first mention of disappearances in the area was made in 1945.

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle occupies a disturbing and almost unbelievable place in the world’s catalog of unexplained mysteries. More than a hundred planes and ships have vanished in this area into the air since 1945, and more than a thousand lives have been lost, without a single body or even a piece wreckage from the vanishing planes or ships having been found. Many of the planes concerned have vanished while in normal radio contact with their base until the very moment of their disappearance, while others have radioed the most extraordinary messages, implying that they could not get their instruments to function, that their compasses were spinning, that the sky had turned yellow and hazy on a clear day, and the ocean, which was calm nearby, didn’t look right without further clarification of what was wrong.

12. The reading mainly deals with_________

• why so many ships and planes disappear in the Bermuda Triangle.

• the mysterious disappearances of ships and planes in the Bermuda Triangle.

• the location of the Bermuda Triangle.

• the frequency of the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle.

• the unpredictable weather conditions in the Bermuda Triangle.

Opera

Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. By contrast, in musical theater an actor’s dramatic performance is primary, and the music plays a lesser role. The drama in opera is presented using the primary elements of theater such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.

14. We can understand from the reading that_________

• people are captivated more by opera than musical theater.

• drama in opera is more important than the music.

• orchestras in operas can vary considerably in size.

• musical theater relies above all on music.

• there is an argument over whether the music is important or the words in opera.