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.

2. We understand from the passage that the atmosphere of Venus____________

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____________

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 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.

5. According to the passage scientists__________

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__________

People With Extraordinary Abilities

Fictional stories about people who have extraordinary abilities have always attracted people’s attention. One of them is the story of Vera Petrova, who is able to perceive things with different parts of her skin, and through solid walls. One day she comes into his father’s office and puts her hands on the door of a locked safe. Suddenly she asks her father why he keeps so many old newspapers locked away there. Vera’s curious talent is brought to the notice of a scientific research institute and she is given a series of tests by a special commission. During these tests she manages to read a newspaper through an opaque screen and then she describes the figures and colors of a picture hidden under a carpet. During all these tests Vera is blindfolded; and, indeed, except when blindfolded she lacks the ability to perceive things with her skin. It was also found that although she could perceive things with her fingers, this ability ceased the moment her hands were wet.

7. As we understand from the reading, Vera Petrova_________

People With Extraordinary Abilities

Fictional stories about people who have extraordinary abilities have always attracted people’s attention. One of them is the story of Vera Petrova, who is able to perceive things with different parts of her skin, and through solid walls. One day she comes into his father’s office and puts her hands on the door of a locked safe. Suddenly she asks her father why he keeps so many old newspapers locked away there. Vera’s curious talent is brought to the notice of a scientific research institute and she is given a series of tests by a special commission. During these tests she manages to read a newspaper through an opaque screen and then she describes the figures and colors of a picture hidden under a carpet. During all these tests Vera is blindfolded; and, indeed, except when blindfolded she lacks the ability to perceive things with her skin. It was also found that although she could perceive things with her fingers, this ability ceased the moment her hands were wet.

8. It is pointed out in the reading that Vera Petrova loses the ability to perceive objects with her fingers_________

People With Extraordinary Abilities

Fictional stories about people who have extraordinary abilities have always attracted people’s attention. One of them is the story of Vera Petrova, who is able to perceive things with different parts of her skin, and through solid walls. One day she comes into his father’s office and puts her hands on the door of a locked safe. Suddenly she asks her father why he keeps so many old newspapers locked away there. Vera’s curious talent is brought to the notice of a scientific research institute and she is given a series of tests by a special commission. During these tests she manages to read a newspaper through an opaque screen and then she describes the figures and colors of a picture hidden under a carpet. During all these tests Vera is blindfolded; and, indeed, except when blindfolded she lacks the ability to perceive things with her skin. It was also found that although she could perceive things with her fingers, this ability ceased the moment her hands were wet.

9. According to the reading,_________

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 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.

11. It is pointed out in the passage that_________

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_________

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.

13. It is pointed out in the reading that opera_________

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_________

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.

15. It is stated in the reading that_________

1. According to the passage, which of the following is an accurate statement regarding the number of record stores?

2. Which of the following best describes the silver lining described in the last paragraph (line 76)?

3. In the context of the passage the phrase "downright prehistoric" (line 35) is used to support the idea that:

4. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that Spelling has which of the following attitudes toward consumers who have stopped using record stores?

5. In the context of the passage, the first paragraph is intended to:

6. It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that before 1999, consumers purchasing their music over the internet led to digital downloads reducing CD sales by:

7. According to the passage, what enables superstores to be able to sell products at small or even non-existent profit margins is:

8. According to the passage, what effect has Sam Walton had on the record store industry?

9. The passage offers all of the following as reasons modern consumers might not shop at record stores EXCEPT:

10. The author states that superstores will recover their initial building costs:

In passage A, the parenthetical information in line 19 and lines 21-23 mainly serves to:

Based on the assertion in Passage A that Luc’s “attitude about how people treated their pianos seemed to mirror his philosophy of life” (lines 25–26), which of the following statements would most nearly describe Luc’s philosophy of life?

As it is used in line 32, the phrase bit into most nearly means:

In the third paragraph of Passage B (lines 61–65), the author most clearly shifts from:

In Passage B, the statement that Lifschey “was not merely an excellent oboist; he was a great artist” (lines 44–45) can best be described as:

In Passage B, it can most reasonably be inferred that Heifetz’s response to the woman who congratulates him is intended to point out that:

In Passage B, the author most directly indicates that the violin is sometimes an adversary by stating that it:

Compared to Passage A, Passage B is more directly focused on the:

In contrast to the way the pianos are described in Pas- sage A, the passage author’s violin in Passage B is described as:

Which of the following assertions about instruments is most strongly supported by details provided in both Passage A and Passage B?

"Surrounded by the ancient city of Rome, Vatican City is an independent nation on the west bank of the Tiber River."

Given that all of the choices are true, which one best supports the sentence’s claim about Vatican City’s status as an independent nation?

"This tiny country—about one-sixth of a square mile in all—is also home to a disproportionately large number of sites with great historical, artistic, and religious significance."

If the writer were to delete the words tiny and disproportionately from the preceding sentence, the sentence would primarily lose:

"Scholars often probe the museums’ archives of early written works for insights into lives led long ago."

Choose the best answer.

"Accordingly, St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest cathedral in the Northern Hemisphere, is remarkable. Built upon second-century foundations."

Choose the best answer.

"St. Peter’s features a dome designed by the artist and architect Michelangelo. [BETWEEN SENTENCES] Intricate mosaics—enormous “paintings” fashioned from millions of tiny cut stones of various colors—lining each of the basilica’s several smaller domes."

Between sentences, the writer is considering adding the following true statement:

In addition to being an architect and artist, Michelangelo wrote poetry, including more than 300 sonnets.

Should the writer make this addition here?

Intricate mosaics—enormous “paintings” fashioned from millions of tiny cut stones of various colors—lining each of the basilica’s several smaller domes.

Choose the best answer.

"Intricate mosaics—enormous “paintings” fashioned from millions of tiny cut stones of various colors—line each of the basilica’s several smaller domes."

If the writer were to delete the quotation marks around the word paintings in the preceding sentence, the sentence would primarily lose a feature that suggests:

"However, to many, the most spectacular part of Vatican City is the Sistine Chapel."

Which of the following alternatives to the underlined portion would NOT be acceptable?

Rapper 50 Cent’s name may imply that he’s low on cash; but his fans know otherwise.

50 Cent’s company, G-Unit Inc., invested heavily in a company called H & H Imports; the company distributes 50 Cent’s headphones.

The stock was only trading at ten cents a share, when it comes to stocks, that’s usually a bad sign.

The support of her parents were a contributing factor in the release of her first album, which focused on gospel music.

We need to gather about four cups of spinach from the garden. At the same time, we will purchase the rest of the ingredients.

Two hundred people were standing in line for tickets when the booth opened; then, only 30 people were left.

The weather was gloomy and cold all morning. At first, the sun came out, and the temperature rose significantly.

Bill Clinton was president from 1993 to 2001. Afterward, he stayed in the public eye and supported his wife's political ambitions, including her bid to become President in 2008.

Flawless skin does not last forever. Then, it will lose its elasticity and start to droop and wrinkle.

After waiting for an hour n the rain, the sun once came out, and we were able to play.

Once called Siam, this exotic Asian country is now known as Thailand.

When we bought our house, a number of repairs needed to be made before we could move in. Fortunately, our contractor was able to fix everything. So next, we can move in and enjoy our new home.

The school's talent show will have many more acts this year. At the time of the opening act performed by the emcee, there will be a dance performance, a singing group, and a comedy skit.

Every Halloween we look forward to handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. We usually get about twenty to thirty visitors, but I remember that for a year we only got a handful.

At the beginning of the teacher's strike, it appeared as though the Board of Education was not willing to negotiate with the teachers union. But the Board of Education next gave in to the strikers' demands for higher wages and gave them a five percent salary increase.

Before Orville and Wilbur Wright invented the airplane, humans could only dream of flying. Today, we hardly give a thought to how remarkable it is to be transported above the clouds.

After you put the dry pasta in the pot of boiling water, wait for it to reboil. At that point, set the timer for the number of minutes recommended on the package.

Eighth graders can apply to multiple high schools before the deadline in December. However, they won't find out which ones have accepted them during late spring.

We lost all electrical power at 9:00 p.m. last Monday. It wasn't restored until the following afternoon.

Carol Moseley Braun was the first African American woman elected to serve as a US Senator, representing the state of Illinois. Immediately, after a lengthy period of anonymity, she ran for mayor of Chicago, but received only nine percent of the vote.

Corn originated first in the Americas and was brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus. It quickly became an important food source throughout the European continent as well as part of Africa and Asia.

For many years Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, was the tallest building in the world. Sometimes, it is not even in the top ten.

Until she wrote the first book of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling was an impoverished single mother; she subsequently became one of the wealthiest individuals in the United Kingdom.

Lead was a common ingredient in paint sold in the US for many decades. Later, it was discovered to be toxic and is no longer used.

The Cold War was one of the most interest-ing and troubling times in American history. Several dramatically important historical events¹ led to the Cold War. First, in 1939, Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In that letter, Einstein tells² Roosevelt that it was possible to create an atomic weapon, and he asked Roosevelt to fund research and experiment in atomic weapons

In that letter, Einstein tells Roosevelt that it was possible to create an atomic weapon, and he asked Roosevelt to fund research and experiment³ in atomic weapons. Roosevelt agreed, and the government created the Manhattan Project, a massive effort to develop nuclear weapons.

This was the first important step toward the Cold War. Next came the date that will live in history: August 6, 1945. The United States dropped an atomic bomb on a civilian, not military, target, Hiroshima, Japan.⁴

An estimate of ⁵ 150,000 civilians were killed in the attack. President Harry Truman and others claimed at the time that dropping the bomb was necessary to force Japan to surrender to end World War II.

President Harry Truman and others claimed at the time that dropping the bomb was necessary to force Japan to surrender to⁶ end World War II. Others argue that we used the bomb largely to show the Soviet Union that we were a superior world power.

Although the United States and the USSR were officially allies, tension⁷between the two countries were already high.

A deep ideo-logical battle between the two countries—one communist, the other capitalist—was already in place; and⁸ each country was determined to outdo the other. Two years later, in 1947, President Truman established the Truman Doctrine.

It created a “policy of containment,” which framed our foreign policy as a battle between “good” and “evil.” This dramatically increased the growing animosity between the two opposing sides.⁹

These tensions did not lead to an actual war between the world powers, which might have had disastrous results. Instead, they were the cause of years of political, economic, and diplomatic¹⁰ conflict: the Cold War.

If the alarm had gone off earlier, more people could of escaped before the building collapsed.

The principals of good sportsmanship demand that we cheer the achievements of both teams.

Neither Kelley nor Larry are planning to attend the conference in November.

The boat sailed under the bridge and was rocking from the waves.

There were less people on that cruise than usual because of the weather.

Lori said to her mother that she needed to buy some new clothes.

Softened by the boiling water, Ramona mashed the potatoes.

The founders of the United States selected the colors of the flag for their symbolism: white for the purity of the new nation's aspirations, red to stand for the blood shed gaining and keeping freedom, and blue for loyalty.

After several attempts to call, Doug still couldn't get through the line was always busy.

Because she was on a diet every day, Naomi only ate three light meals.