from ,begin bold,Charles Francis Hall, and the North Pole,end bold,
Among the many exploring expeditions that have crossed the Arctic Circle with the sole view of reaching the North Pole, one only has sailed entirely under the auspices of the United States. This expedition . . . was intrusted to a born Arctic explorer, Charles Francis Hall. Born in 1821, in Rochester, N.H., Hall early quitted his native hills for the freer fields of the West, as the Ohio Valley was then called, and later settled in Cincinnati. There was ever a spirit of change in him, and as years rolled on he passed from blacksmith to journalist, from stationer to engraver. Through all these changes of trades he held fast to one fancy, which in time became the dominating element of his eventful career: in early youth, fascinated with books of travel relating to exploration in the icy zones, he eagerly improved every opportunity to increase his Arctic library, which steadily grew despite his very limited resources.
(from "Charles Francis Hall, and the North Pole" by General A. W. Greely)
Question 1
This question has two parts. Answer Part A, and then answer Part B.
,begin emphasis,Part A,end emphasis,
This sentence is from the passage.
"This expedition . . . was intrusted to ,begin emphasis,a born Arctic explorer,end emphasis,, Charles Francis Hall."
What does the phrase ,begin emphasis,a born Arctic explorer,end emphasis, suggest about Hall?
Question 1 Answer options with 4 options
1.
He read many books about exploring the Arctic.
2.
He left home to further his plans for Arctic exploration.
3.
He had a lifelong interest and natural ability in Arctic exploration.
4.
He pursued a variety of jobs before he decided to explore the Arctic.
Question 2
,begin emphasis,Part B,end emphasis,
Which detail from the passage ,begin emphasis,best,end emphasis, supports the correct answer from Part A?
Question 2 Answer options with 4 options
1.
"Hall early quitted his native hills for the freer fields of the West"
2.
"There was ever a spirit of change in him"
3.
"he passed from blacksmith to journalist, from stationer to engraver"
4.
"he held fast to one fancy"
Question 1 Answer: 3. He had a lifelong interest and natural ability in Arctic exploration.
Question 2 Answer: 4. "he held fast to one fancy"
[1] Many people are familiar with the piano, but not everyone knows that it represents the evolution of keyboard instruments developed over several centuries. The piano is just one of many types of keyboard instruments used by musicians throughout history.
[2] Keyboard instruments have been in use since the 1300s but did not become well-established among composers and performers until somewhat later. In the 1500s, for example, a keyboard instrument known as the harpsichord rose to prominence. It is one of the earliest keyboard instruments to become favored by musicians and composers of Western classical music, for both solo and ensemble (group) playing. In the 1700s, pipe organs enjoyed great popularity, especially for music played in churches. France, Italy, and Germany all developed distinct organ-building styles. Music composed in these countries often reflects these stylistic features including stronger or sweeter sounds, or differing sound quality. The piano first gained popularity during the 1800s. It was a favorite instrument not only of the so-called Romantic composers, known for their emotional expression, but also of amateur performers. In an era when television and radio did not exist, many people played piano in their homes to pass the time and entertain family members and friends.
[3] Of these three instruments, the harpsichord and piano are the most similar due to their use of strings to produce sound—the pipe organ relies on wind pipes. However, they are completely different in almost every other respect. First, the ,begin italics,mechanism,end italics, which produces the sound is distinct. Harpsichord strings are plucked by a quill when a key is pressed, somewhat like a guitar pick is used to sound a guitar string. The piano, on the other hand, has hammers which strike the strings when the key is pressed, making them resonate. Another noticeable difference lies in the instruments' ability to control ,begin italics,dynamics,end italics,, or the volume of the sound being produced. Harpsichords operate at a relatively consistent volume, no matter how gently or forcefully the keys are pressed. Pianos, on the other hand, are dynamic wonders—a gentle touch produces a soft sound, while more forceful playing can be used to produce a louder sound. Finally, the two instruments differ in the ,begin italics,range,end italics, of sound they can produce from low to high pitches. That is, they have different numbers of keys. The harpsichord has a much narrower range than the piano, or fewer keys from left to right, usually five octaves or fewer (if 12 keys make 1 octave). In contrast, the piano has a full seven octaves plus three additional keys, for a total of 88 keys in all. While these instruments are very different in mechanism, dynamics, and range, both the harpsichord and piano have their place in the Western classical music tradition. Their differences allow them to fulfill distinct but complementary roles and produce music of a completely different sound quality.
Question
The author presents information using a chronological structure in paragraph 2 and a compare/contrast structure in paragraph 3.
Are these structures effective in supporting the author's thesis that musicians have used many keyboard instruments throughout history?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
No, because only the chronological section supports the thesis. It shows the prominence of several instruments, while the compare/contrast section focuses primarily on the differences between the two.
2.
No, because only the compare/contrast section supports the thesis. It describes how the keyboard instruments were alike, while the chronological section merely lists popular instruments.
3.
Yes, both structures support the thesis. The chronological section explains how keyboard instruments developed over time, and the compare/contrast section places them into distinct categories.
4.
Yes, both structures support the thesis. The chronological section provides interesting details about the piano, and the compare/contrast section emphasizes similarities between the piano and the harpsichord.
Answer: 3. Yes, both structures support the thesis. The chronological section explains how keyboard instruments developed over time, and the compare/contrast section places them into distinct categories.
from ,begin bold,Middlemarch,end bold,
It was hardly a year since they had come to live at Tipton Grange with their uncle, a man nearly sixty, of acquiescent temper, miscellaneous opinions, and uncertain vote. He had travelled in his younger years, and was held in this part of the county to have contracted a too rambling habit of mind. Mr. Brooke's conclusions were as difficult to predict as the weather; it was only safe to say that he would act with benevolent intentions, and that he would spend as little money as possible in carrying them out. For the most glutinously indefinite minds enclose some hard grains of habit.
(from ,begin underline,Middlemarch,end underline, by George Eliot)
Question
This sentence is from the passage.
"For the most glutinously indefinite minds enclose some ,begin emphasis,hard grains of habit,end emphasis,."
What does the phrase ,begin emphasis,hard grains of habit,end emphasis, refer to in this passage?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
Mr. Brooke is a man of "miscellaneous opinions."
2.
Mr. Brooke "had travelled in his younger years."
3.
Mr. Brooke is "as difficult to predict as the weather."
4.
Mr. Brooke "would spend as little money as possible."
Question Answer: 4. Mr. Brooke "would spend as little money as possible."
The chaotic appearance of this jumbled landscape presented substantial challenges to the first geologists who attempted to map the very complex geologic history of this area. It should be of little surprise to anyone that initial hypotheses explaining geological events here have been subjected to challenge and revision as the area has undergone continuous study. The geological history of Big Bend will continue to evolve as we make new discoveries and are able to more accurately piece together this magnificent story.
paragraph 2,Big Bend National Park has often been described as a "geologist's paradise," but it has also been called a "geologist's nightmare." . . . Rock strata [are] exposed at odd angles, standing vertical, or turned completely upside down. Rocks often appear to be completely displaced and do not "fit" within the areas in which they are found. Clearly there have been many geologic processes and forces at work over a vast expanse of time. This makes the interpretation of Big Bend's geologic history very difficult.
(from "Geology of Big Bend" by National Park Service)
Question
This sentence is from the passage.
"Big Bend National Park has often been described as a ',begin emphasis,geologist's paradise,end emphasis,,' but it has also been called a ',begin emphasis,geologist's nightmare,end emphasis,.'" (Paragraph 2)
What do the contrasting phrases ,begin emphasis,geologist's paradise,end emphasis, and ,begin emphasis,geologist's nightmare,end emphasis, mean in this passage?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
The area includes new rock formations, but they are difficult to access.
2.
The area reveals past geological events, but they are difficult to explain.
3.
The area is changing, making rock formations difficult to date accurately.
4.
The area has irregular topography, making exploration slow and difficult.
Question Answer: 2. The area reveals past geological events, but they are difficult to explain.
from ,begin bold,The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling,end bold,
Having, therefore, determined to commit these boys to the tuition of a private tutor, Mr. Thwackum was recommended to him for that office, by a very particular friend, of whose understanding Mr. Allworthy had a great opinion, and in whose integrity he placed much confidence. This Thwackum was fellow,superscript,1,baseline, of a college, where he almost entirely resided; and had a great reputation for learning, religion, and sobriety of manners. And these were doubtless the qualifications by which Mr. Allworthy's friend had been induced to recommend him; though indeed this friend had some obligations to Thwackum's family, who were the most considerable persons in a borough which that gentleman represented in parliament.
Thwackum, at his first arrival, was extremely agreeable to Allworthy; and indeed he perfectly answered the character which had been given of him. Upon longer acquaintance, however, and more intimate conversation, this worthy man saw infirmities in the tutor, which he could have wished him to have been without; though as those seemed greatly overbalanced by his good qualities, they did not incline Mr. Allworthy to part with him: nor would they indeed have justified such a proceeding; for the reader is greatly mistaken, if he conceives that Thwackum appeared to Mr. Allworthy in the same light as he doth to him [the reader] in this history; and he is as much deceived, if he imagines that the most intimate acquaintance which he himself could have had with that divine,superscript,2,baseline,, would have informed him of those things which we, from our inspiration, are enabled to open and discover. Of readers who, from such conceits as these, condemn the wisdom or penetration of Mr. Allworthy, I shall not scruple to say that they make a very bad and ungrateful use of that knowledge which we have communicated to them.
(from ,begin underline,The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling,end underline, by Henry Fielding)
,fill in the blank,
,begin bold,,superscript,1,baseline, fellow:,end bold, an associate
,begin bold,,superscript,2,baseline, divine:,end bold, theologian, clergyman
Question
What is the effect of the irony in the first paragraph?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
It highlights Mr. Allworthy's generosity in hiring Thwackum solely on the basis of his friend's recommendation.
2.
It illustrates Mr. Allworthy's innocence as he is unable to see beyond Thwackum's reputation to his true qualities.
3.
It shows the friend's immorality and unreliability as he purposely deceives Mr. Allworthy about Thwackum's deficiencies.
4.
It creates doubt about Thwackum's favorable recommendation by revealing how the friend is indebted to Thwackum's family.
Question Answer: 4. It creates doubt about Thwackum's favorable recommendation by revealing how the friend is indebted to Thwackum's family.
he passage.
Information
This semester, with some trepidation, I decided to take a class on Shakespeare's tragedies. I appreciate that Ms. Robertson establishes clear expectations for students: the course requirements are ,begin underline,rigorous,end underline, but fair. On the first day of class, she handed out a detailed syllabus listing all the required readings, in-class projects, homework assignments, and tests. The course is definitely challenging, but in a good way, and Ms. Robertson is always very supportive and encouraging.
Question
Select the ,begin emphasis,two,end emphasis, words that are most similar in meaning to ,begin emphasis,rigorous,end emphasis, as it is used in the passage.
Answer options with 5 options
1.
demanding
2.
harsh
3.
rigid
4.
severe
5.
thorough