SMA 2 (Unit 1B)

What is the main purpose of the passage?

• To provide a step-by-step guide on how to become a successful photojournalist.

• To describe the author's career path and the key lessons she learned from different life experiences.

• To explain the technical skills required to work for National Geographic.

• To argue that a job as a waitress is more educational than a college degree.

Why does the author include the list of various modes of transportation in paragraph [H]?

• To emphasize the frequent dangers and unexpected challenges she faced during her assignments.

• To provide a sense of the wide range of experiences and places her job took her.

• To highlight her preference for adventurous travel.

• To compare the efficiency of different vehicles in remote locations.

According to the passage, what specific qualities did the author learn from her first job as a waitress that helped her later as a journalist?

• The ability to work long hours and make a lot of money.

• The skill of being a patient listener and providing sincere attention.

• The ability to quickly assess people, make small talk, and work with a team.

• The knowledge of different cultures and travel.

What was the author's primary goal in her later career, as mentioned in paragraph [I]?

• To get her photos published in prestigious magazines.

• To create a series of artistic portraits of famous people.

• To have her pictures make a real difference in people's lives through fund-raising and environmental awareness.

• To win more photography awards.

The word "assess" in paragraph [A] is closest in meaning to:

• criticize.

• judge.

• evaluate.

• ignore.

In paragraph [C], the pronoun "him" refers to:

• the author.

• a writer.

• a photographer.

• Jim Vance.

Based on the information in paragraph [G], it can be inferred that the author's early career at National Geographic was characterized by:

• a sense of great confidence and ease.

• an overwhelming amount of self-doubt and anxiety.

• a series of major mistakes and failures.

• the immediate recognition of her talent by her colleagues.

Where would the following sentence best fit in paragraph [D]? This valuable skill was crucial for gaining the trust of the local people.

• At the beginning of the paragraph.

• After the first sentence: "Among the most important things I learned at the Globe was that if you can make friends with a shy Norwegian farmer and be invited to his kitchen table, you can probably do well in any culture on Earth."

• After the third sentence: "Together we would search the farming communities for stories."

• After the sixth sentence: "From Paul I learned how to be a patient listener, as well as the importance of giving each subject time and sincere attention."

Which of the following best restates the main idea of the final two paragraphs?

• The author's photography career taught her that all people are alike, despite their differences.

• The author's diverse experiences have given her profound life lessons about human connection, empathy, and the importance of listening to others.

• The author is thankful for her job because it allowed her to travel to many different countries.

• It is impossible to hate a group of people once you have worked as a photojournalist.

Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the author's relationship with Bob Gilka?

• It was a brief, professional encounter that did not develop further.

• It began with a simple favor and evolved into a crucial professional mentorship.

• Bob Gilka was initially hesitant to hire the author.

• The author was already well-known to Bob Gilka before she answered the phone.