Reading Plus Answers Level L

Making a Difference with Song

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	Two prominent singers who are advocates for social change use their music to generate support for their causes.
Put these events in the life of Pete Seeger in the order in which they occurred, from first to last.	He became inspired on hearing the banjo being played at a music festival. He taught music and performed with a puppet troupe. He got a job in the Library of Congress’ musicology department. He served in the U.S. Army first as a mechanic, then as a musician.
Which sentence probably describes Seeger’s state of mind when he refused to testify before Congress about suspected communist sympathizers?	Seeger was adamant that freedom of speech and thought should be upheld, even though there would be negative repercussions to his career.
Which two songs did Seeger perform with his quartet, the Weavers?	“Wimoweh” “Goodnight Irene”
Why did South African government officials take away Miriam Makeba’s passport?	Makeba was openly critical of apartheid and, as a successful singer, she could influence others to oppose the system.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that best demonstrates the author’s attitude about the power of song.	“If you doubt the capacity of singing as a catalyst for positive social change, you’ve probably never viewed movies depicting civil rights era protestors walking arm in arm singing, “We Shall Overcome” as they marched to demonstrate their opposition to racial discrimination.”
In this excerpt, what does the inscription on Seeger’s banjo mean?	Music is a way to bring people together to confront hostility and turn it into harmony.
Which of the following marked a turning point in Makeba’s career?	Her marriage to Stokely Carmichael
How does this image reflect the issues in South Africa that Makeba addressed in her songs?	It depicts the deplorable living conditions for black people under apartheid.
Which sentence supports the author’s statement that song can be used as a catalyst for change?	“We Shall Overcome” became an anthem for proponents of the civil rights movement and an inspiration to freedom seekers internationally.
Why was Makeba’s performance in South Africa in 1990 so satisfying to her?	She was elated to be able to return to her home country at the moment when apartheid was ending
What does the word “trifle” mean in this Revolutionary War song?	A small, unimportant matter

Sports Bloopers/Timeout for Laughs

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	Many memorable moments in pro sports, like basketball, are remembered not for being amazing, but for being humorous.
Flicked, flocked, brandishing	Flicked, flocked, brandishing
How does this image relate to an occurrence in the selection?	The author uses it as a simile for how Marc Jackson’s body looked as he prepared to shoot a two-point layup while blindfolded.
Read these two excerpts. For which two of the following reasons could the Hornets’ optimism in their April 7, 2006, game against the Suns be considered commendable?	The Hornets had been stuck in the midst of a losing streak. • The Hornets were forced to play in an unfamiliar arena after being displaced by a natural disaster.
Put the following NBA bloopers in the order in which they occurred in NBA history, from first to last.	Darius Songalia scored a shot in the wrong basket after a ball bounced off his shoulder. Amar’e Sroudemire accidentally blindfolded Marc Jackson, who still managed to score a shot. Amar’e Sroudemire lost the number off of his jersey during a decisive moment of an important game. DeMar Rozan took a shot that got stuck on top of a blackboard camera during an NBA playoffs game.
Which of the following words could replace “proliferating” in this excerpt?	surging
From a psychological perspective, why might fans find a sports blooper so captivating?	It makes them feel better to know that even pro athletes make mistakes

The Heritage of Capoeira

Question	Answer
What is the main…	A former disguised…
According to the selection…	They both focus on the interaction, they both teach participants to control
What was the primary…	To disguise the martial…
Which two of the following…	The negative evasion…, The aerial roll…
Put the following actions…	Answer: Both capoeiristas sway back, One capoeira provokes, One capoeirista executed, Both capoeiristas…
The selection makes a comparison. It states…	Mining for gems…
What evidence does the author…	Escaped slaves…
How do these two excerpts work together?	They both illustrate…
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that uses…	They were treated as commodities
In this excerpt, the word “moreover” signals that the author is going to	Make an additional point related to the last
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that explains…	Capoeiristas never stand still, making it difficult…
In this excerpt, what is the rationale…	The car company changed the wording…

They Marched in Protest

Question	Answer
Which of the following quotes best summarizes the central…	Rights…
This is Inez Milholland. Who was she, and why…	This is an organizer…
What is the meaning of the word milieu	It mainly means setting…
The eleven marches identified…	They demonstrate…
The crowd estimate for the Million…	Systemic racist…

Robots in Disguise

Question	Answer
Which statement reflects the central idea	Although much
The author describes humans as robots	Unlike robots, humans have the power
Together, what do these excerpts show about addiction	Excerpts take multiple
Choose the sentence that best helps readers judge the validity	Indeed
Place the four phrases	The dog, No food given, While the dog, No food is presented

Aretha Franklin

Question	Answer
What statement best expresses the central idea	Aretha Franklin was a deeply admired musician…
In this sentence from the selection, the term…	Clapped enthusiastically
The first excerpt about Aretha Franklin…	Reverential and celebratory
The first excerpt is from this selection…	Aretha was unable Aretha’s career flourished
Based on this selection, which one of the following…	Laws that enforced racial segregation…
Place these events in order (First to last)	She traveled across the country with Martin Luther King Jr. Her version of Otis Redding’s song “Respect” President George W. Bush She sang at President Barack Obama

Frederick Law Olmsted: Architect

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection	A master landscape architect created…
Put these events in Olmsted’s early life in the order in which they occurred, from first to last	His mother died from an accidental… He became sick and could not attend… He worked various jobs, including sailor… He published his first book following a…
For what reason did Olmsted like to cover rocky, broken terrain with lush plants	To create a sense of nature’s abundance and peacefulness
Which two landscape features did Olmsted alter in order “to lend the landscape a sense of mystery”	Shade Light
What period in history influenced Olmsted’s belief that it was essential to preserve green and open spaces…	Industrial revolution
Which of the following would be most surprising to a visitor to central park today	It had once been a reeking swampland filled with rubbish and industrial waste
What did writer Adam Gopnik mean when he described Central Park as “a stage set”	It was a man-made site with every detail added for a specific purpose
Which quote supports Olmsted’s reputation as a mastermind of urban park design	Only a genius could have created a system that over 100 years still works
In what way are Central Park and Disney world comparable	They were both planned as artificial environments meant to create an illusion
In this excerpt, what two figures of speech does Elizabeth Barlow rogers use in her description of central park	Metaphor Alliteration

Third-Culture Kid / Living Abroad

Question	Answer
This selection is mainly about	How living abroad helped the author develop and appreciate a global identity.
This selection is an example of	Autobiography
When the narrator saw people in Japan bowing instead of shaking hands and wearing masks when they had colds, she mentions that, unlike in her native culture, this behavior shows	Consideration for the welfare of the larger group over the individual.
Read these two excerpts. How do they relate to one another?	The first offers evidence of the atypical experience of the narrator, and the second offers a typical experience.
What is the point of view of this selection?	First-person
During the uprising against the Marcos government in the Philippines…	The narrator is awoken at a sleepover… The parents take the narrator home… The family waits in the night… The family and the people celebrate…

Discover Diplomacy

Question	Answer
This selection mainly	Describes…
This is an image of the U.S. Embassy…	An embassy often have a very large staff
The 1961 Vienna…	Representatives…
This excerpt supports the idea that…	The public is more inclined…
What is the purpose of the second sentence…	To prove…
The word subtle…	Hard to perceive
This selection mentions three benefits…	The staff creates U.S. policies…

The Key to Preserving Culture/Saving a Dying Language Part 1

Question	Answer
Which statement best summarizes the central idea of this selection?	HSL is a language on the verge of disappearing and researchers are helping to keep it alive.
American Sign Language has been called “the gravest threat” to the existence of Hawaii Sign Language (HSL). Choose the sentence in this excerpt that suggests there is only one way to preserve this language.	“For it to survive, local signers will have to make a deliberate choice to use it.”
What evidence from the selection does the author give that HSL could be more beneficial to deaf humans than ASL?	HSL has a bigger “signing space” than ASL-meaningful signs that can be made anywhere from the top of the head to the bottom of the torso.
Which quote from the text best reflects the author’s point of view in writing this selection?	“But the gravest threat to HSL is American Sign Language (ASL), which is advancing across the globe from Hawaii to Thailand to Togo-just as fast as English.”
Which statement best describes why the author includes this excerpt?	To provide the perspective of an individual who uses HSL everyday

The Key to Preserving Culture / Saving a Dying Language Part 2

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection?	The issue of whether or not to formalize HSL as a language has many linguists divided
In this excerpt, Wanda Andrew describes HSL as “chop suey.” She uses this analogy to imply that HSL	Had become something other than the original language.
Read the two excerpts. An individual who does not support HSL would make which two of the following claims?	HSL is not a real language. The existence of pure HSL is questionable.
Place the following events in the correct order, from earliest to most recent, to show the introduction of ASL into Hawaii.	French Sign Language becomes the first modern system of sign language for formal instruction. French Sign Language is fused with other sign languages to create ASL. Missionaries push for ASL integration into various countries around the world. At the Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind, ASL becomes the standard.
Which quote from the selection confirms why it is vital that linguists prevent HSL from becoming extinct?	“The impending disappearance of a language puts enormous stress on a community.”
An individual who does not support HSL…	HSL is not a real language, the existence of pure

Frauds, Forgeries, and Fakes

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	A little-known Chinese painter duped the art world.
Forgers often use this tool. What do they do with this tool, and why do they do it?	They remove paint from old paintings, which leaves a canvas that looks old and worn.
Read these excerpts from the selection. Which two of the following statements are correct based on the information provided in the excerpts?	The artworks created by Qian were mainly imitative Qian’s artistic talents were apparent during his childhood and he retained those talents as an adult.
An attorney working for one of the duped art collectors compared the discovery of the 31 “unseen masterpieces” created by Qian to	Winning the lottery 31 times.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that includes a metaphor.	The smoking gun…
Put these events in the order in which they occurred, from first to last.	Qian painted Qian began Jack The Knoedler
According to the selection, “provenance” is the	History of painting’s creation, ownership, custody, and location.
Motherwell, Rothko, Pollock, and de Kooning can all be classified as	Abstract expressionist painters.

The Feathers Tell a Story

Question	Answer
Which statement best expresses the central idea of this selection?	Scientists are collaborating to correctly identify and catalog artifacts in the Powell collection, which offers a host of information about Native American culture.
The text describes scientist Carla Dove’s name as aptonymic. Considering the topic of this selection, what other name could also be considered aptonymic?	Kay Fowler
Put these events from John Wesley Powell’s life in the order in which they happened.	He fought for the Union during the Civil War. He collected Native American artifacts while mapping and exploring the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. He made his home in Washington, D.C., where he had considerable success as a scientist. He established the Bureau of Ethnology and became chief of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that best validates why an examination of the Powell collection, which has never been on display, is valuable now.	The Powell collection hasn’t received…
Based on these excerpts, it is reasonable to infer that	The primary directive in correctly identifying and cataloguing the bird materials used in the artifacts is to provide information for future researchers.

Smart, Green, and Sky-High

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection?	The development of a new smart cities is a detriment to environmental and humanistic principles and practices.
Read these two excerpts. What significant claim do both excerpts share?	Both reveal that the development of specialized cities are constructed at the expense of a country’s citizens and natural ecosystems
Read this excerpt. Bassey’s tone can best describe as	Derisive
Read this excerpt. Which statement about newly built tech-eco-utopias is correct?	Developers claim that these cities are made to resolve population issues, yet they actually contribute to global issues that deter mentally affect citizens
Which of the following statements best describes why the author begins the selection discussing Kim Jong-wins apartment?	To provide the reader a concrete example of how new smart devices impact people in all aspects of their lives.

Precious Cargo – Part 1

Moving a priceless piece of art takes a lot of time and money. Is it worth it? This is Part 1 of a two-part selection.

Question	Answer
The central idea of this text is that moving priceless artwork	can be an exacting, expensive, and risky venture.
The text describes the process of arranging loans among museums as “a ton of quid pro quo.” This is another way of saying that the loans	are complex negotiations that rely heavily on a “this for that” relationship.
How does this image connect to what you have read in this selection?	If masterpieces on loan to museums attract so many visitor that nobody can get near, one may wonder if it is worth the cost.
Caroline Campbell describes planning a major loan exhibition as a “herculean effort” that can take years. Based on what you have read, what are two reasons these projects can be extremely difficult?	There are many complex decisions to be agreed… Loan exhibitions require tedious negotiation between the museums…
Based on this excerpt, an insurance “indemnity” program helps a museum by	covering the cost of valuable artwork on loan that is accidentally damaged.

Thinking Computers / Monsters or Machines?

Question	Answer
Which statement best	Artificial intelligence is ubiquitous
Put these events…	Arab Scholar Computer IBM computer deep blue IBM Watson
Read this excerpt. For an iron…	Learn to shut
In this excerpt from the	Overabundance
What 2 pieces of info do apps	The behavior The choices
What evidence does the author	Industrial Robots
This selection explains how artificial	Machines do not double
This selection states that people	Rebellious machines have
Why does the author ask	To show that there
This selection can be best	Informational text

My Friend Jane

Question	Answer
This selection is mainly	A recount of…
In this selection, Dr. Jane Goodall took…	Other scientists could be able to study…
Technology has been an important asset…	Computers allow us…
This text is best described as	Narrative nonfiction
In this excerpt, the author uses the phrase…	Motivated and ambitious

Cold War Crisis/A Captured Spy

Question	Answer
This selection is mainly about	Global confrontation.
Based on the selection, which statement is accurate?	The United States developed the NASA cover-up plan far in advance of Power’s U-2 flight.
Which two of the following phrases could best replace the words “provocative actions” in this excerpt?	• Tactics of intimidation • Aggressive behavior
Which words best describe the Soviet’s intent towards the United States following the U-2 incident?	To embarrass and humiliate
Read the excerpt from the selection and the 2012 CNN news report. Based on these, which statement about Francis Gary Powers is correct?	Under duress he may have revealed the nature of his mission, but the U.S government did not consider him to be a traitor.
Immediately following the announcement that Powers’ plane was missing…	It grounded all U-2 planes for inspection of their oxygen systems
At the summit meeting in Washington,…	US condemnation… Assurance… A public… US punishment

Turkey’s Vibrant Capital / A Modern Ancient City

Question	Answer
Another title for this selection can be	The point where east meets west
What is the name of this historic site, which attracts many visitors to Istanbul	Grand Bazaar
Put these events in order…	The Hagia The Istanbul Archaeology The Basilica The Istanbul Modern
Based on this excerpt, which of the following is an opinion?	Today it is one of the world’s most vibrant, fascinating, and diverse cities.
Which of the following was NOT a former name for the city of Istanbul	Golden horn
In this excerpt, when the author describes kumpir as “a glorious, delectable mess”, he is	Appreciating a local specialty

African American Pioneers / First and Free

Question	Answer
This selection primarily	Describes the migration of African Americans into the Northwest Territory and their struggles and successes.
Read this excerpt. In responding to a question about the ideals of the Revolution, Harvard historian Anna-Lisa Cox argues that modern readers	Can rightly fault historical white people for being racist because they did, in fact, know better.
In the interview, Anna-Lisa Cox states that the Northwest Territories were “not an uncomplicated space, even from the beginning.” What is she referring to?	Native Americans were losing their rights in these territories at the same time African Americans were settling here to exercise their rights
Read this excerpt. The author’s intent in including this information is to	Explain the attraction of the Northwest Territory to African American settlers.
Choose the one sentence that provides evidence that African American farmers in the Northwest Territories were successful	Over and over again I would come across stories…

Techmobile

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	Science, just like the fine arts, stirs the imagination and inspires creativity.
What does the word “glitch” mean in this excerpt?	Defect in a mechanism
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that best supports Ariel’s future hopes for her dune buggy.	By putting a blind person in control of a car, we can shape policy and technology for the visually impaired.
How does Richard Feynman’s quote at the end of the selection mirror Ariel’s own life philosophy?	They both believe that innovative ideas, even if they seem crazy, should be encouraged, not blocked.
When Ariel’s teacher approached her about the contest, his tone could be described as	Straightforward and encouraging.
In this excerpt, what does Ariel mean when she says her team came together “synergistically”?	The team as a whole was greater than any single person
What does the author’s purpose in writing this selection?	To show that if you think “outside the box”
What evidence does the author give out that Ariel and Brock have thoroughly done their research before their….?	Both Brock and Ariel easily answered the questions and concerns the Virginia Tech students put before them.
Put in order the last things Ariel and her team added to or adjusted in the dune buggy before they took it for a test drive	They replaced They put They mounted Brock adjusted

Black Soldiers on the Front Lines Part 1

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection?	The shift in Civil War policy to support abolition and the resulting formation of black army regiments
Black soldiers were paid $10 a month with a $3 deduction for their uniforms. White soldiers were paid	$13 with no deduction.
Abolitionists were frustrated by the president’s hesitancy to oppose slavery. Which of the following phrases from the text best summarizes this idea?	The Second Confiscation Act gave the Union army the authority to seize slaves of Confederate supporters in Union-controlled areas, but the policy was not being enforced.
Read this excerpt. The tone can best be described as	Jubilant.
Choose the one sentence that provides evidence that racism was a factor no matter where a person fought during the Civil War.	The discrimination African American…

Black Soldiers on the Front Lines Part 2

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection?	The struggles of the reconstruction period
Choose the one sentence in this excerpt that shows readers why the author believes the Freedmen’s Bureau did not succeed.	But the Freedmen’s…
Read these two excerpts from the text. In contrast to Lincoln’s plan, Johnson’s plan	Was not as favorable to freed African Americans.
What two pieces of legislation did Congress pass in an attempt to counter Johnson’s weakening of reconstruction?	The Civil Rights Act of 1866 The Reconstruction Act of 1867
Read this excerpt. From this excerpt, the reader is persuaded that	Reconstruction was not an easy path to equality for black Americans.

Ending the Slave Trade / The Legacy of Slavery

Question	Answer
Which sentence from the text best encapsulates the main idea of this selection?	The transatlantic slave trade ended, but it left a legacy that’s still evident today.
Read these excerpts. While banning the importation of slaves in 1808 may seem like a victory, what was the actual effect?	An increase in the domestic slave market
Put the following events in the order in which they occurred.	Britain abolishes slavery in Britain. Britain abolishes slavery in any of its territories. Britain creates a network of treaties to pressure other countries to abolish slavery. Britain and the United States sign a treaty allowing them to search one another’s ships for slavery violations.
Even after slavery ended, its effects endured on an international level. Which of the following was NOT an after effect of international slavery?	The election of an American as president of Liberia
The selection explains how the slave trade depleted Africa’s population and also allowed Africa to be exploited due to	Increased familiarity with the resources of the African continent.

Black Heroes of WWI / Of Race and War

Question	Answer
This selection is mainly about	A group of brave African American soldiers overcoming racism and other obstacles to fight in World War I, and how their legacy lives on.
This image supports which idea presented in the text?	James Reese Europe’s infantry band became popular due to its unique sound and jazz roots.
Initially, the African American soldiers in the 369th Infantry Regiment were assigned	To menial military service tasks, but soon after were reassigned to valiantly fight for the French on the Western Front.
Read this quote from the text. What is Harlem Hellfighters enlistee Arthur P. Davis communicating?	For African Americans living in and around Harlem, joining the 15th Infantry was the ultimate proof of bravery and patriotism.
Read this excerpt from the beginning of the text. The author opens the text this way to	Draw the reader into a historical, factual piece of writing with a harrowing, action-packed narrative

A New World of Opportunity / The Age of Reptiles

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection	Mass extinctions on earth periodically kill off many species and allow others to prosper
Place these events in chronological order, earliest to latest	Most of Earth’s land bound together… A series of volcanic eruptions… The Great Dying marked the end… The Chicxulub Asteroid marked the end…
Based on these two excerpts, why did the author transition from the extinction of the dinosaurs to the Great Dying	The demise of the dinosaurs is a well known example of mass extinction
The author argues that mass extinction create opportunity for some groups of species. Choose two sentences from these excerpts that support this claim.	While the most severe natural cataclysms… Mass extinction eliminated many of the amphibious species…
Based on this excerpt, which happened last during the coalification process	The underground heat and pressure squeezed the water out of plant remnants
Which two periods of geological history does the author collectively refer to as the “Age of the Amphibians”?	Permian Period Carboniferous Period
Based on what you have read about the greenhouse effect…	Greenhouse gases absorb infrared energy…
Based in this excerpt what does the word “epoch” mean?	A chain of natural disasters that devastate life on Earth…

Nelle and Truman / Best Friends to Best-Selling Authors

Question	Answer
The central idea of this text can be explained as	Childhood friends who become best-selling authors and the issues that challenged their adult friendship.
Lee published “To Kill a Mockingbird” as Harper Lee because she thought people would mispronounce her first name Nelle. Based on this text, you can also conclude that	Mistaking the author for a man may have boosted the book’s success.
Read these two excerpts from the text. The author suggests that Capote was envious of Lee. Which events from the text support this?	Capote was a published author long before “To Kill aMockingbird” came out, but without Lee’s fame. Lee had won a major book award for her first novel while Capote was still working on “In Cold Blood.”
In this excerpt, why does the author use the words “now reversed” to describe Lee and Capote’s relationship?	As children Lee protected Capote from unkind boys, and as adults he looked out for her in the writing world.
Based on this selection, what led Harper Lee and Truman Capote to become inseparable childhood friends?	They had unconventional personalities and did not fit in with other children in the neighborhood.
The author notes that Lee was upset to learn Capote had “merely” dedicated the book to her. The author uses the word “merely” to emphasize that	“In Cold Blood” would not have been possible without Lee’s significant contributions

53C and Melted Shoes / Is This the World’s Toughest Race?

Question	Answer
What is the central idea…	Runners need to prepare…
From this excerpt, you can conclude that an…	Is dependent upon personal…
Which detail from the selection best supports the claim…	The race traverses…
Read the excerpt. Which of these best describes…	To reveal…
What does the phrase crown jewels…	This ultramarathon is the most difficult…

Self-Driving Cars

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	SDC’s are developing rapidly.
Based on the way it is used in this excerpt, the phrase “watershed moment”…	Critical point that marks.
Which two of the following statements are valid, based on this excerpt?	California is a pioneer. U.S. states have been fairly slow to embrace.
In this excerpt, what is the author’s purpose in mentioning the headline, “MACHINE KILLS BOY”?	To give an example of.
Which feature of SDCs would be most helpful in this setting?	Rear cross-traffic alert.
Based on these two excerpts, you could conclude the author presents…	An equal assessment of the future of self-driving cars.
Place the steps an SDC would make to navigate a city street, from first to last…	Vehicle sensors feed information to the steering system. Sensor data is used to create a 3D map of the SDC’s. The map informs the cars what to expect. Onboard sensors compare map data to real-world conditions.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that provides evidence of the value of forward-collision warning systems…	Researchers have seen a seven percent reduction in crashes for vehicles with a basic.

How We Get to the Polls / Voting in America Today Part 1

Question	Answer
Central idea	Having the right to vote…
What is the main drawback of relying on the Section 2 provision of the Voting Rights Act instead of Section 5?	Section 2 may delay persecution of civil rights violations, leaving those harmed vulnerable as they wait for an outcome.
Which two voting concepts are best linked to this image?	Voter ID and voter fraud
In this sentence, the word sovereignty is best replaced by	Authority.
The authors included this sentence in the selection mostly to	Give evidence supporting their claim about 2008 election voter turnout.

It’s a Superpower! / Step By Step to a Smarter You

Question	Answer
Which of the following quotes from this selection captures the central idea?	“Walking makes us healthier, happier, and brainier.”
Based on these two excerpts, it can be reasonably inferred that	If walking promotes the growth of synapse formation in learning, it may also help improve depression.
Read this excerpt. The author cites a 2018 study to support Shane O’Mara’s claim that walking makes us healthier and happier. Which statement is supported by the findings of this study?	Maintaining a higher level of activity today may have a positive affect on one’s outlook for decades to come.
Some people think that relying on a GPS to navigate diminishes the brain’s abilities. Choose the sentence that shows O’Mara does not agree.	“That’s absolute garbage,” says O’Mara.
The author writes that “it’s easy to start feeling like a brainless polyp” when sitting at a desk all day. Which statement expresses this comparison in a different way?	Like a jellyfish that only develops a brain while swimming, moving around activates our brains.

How We Get to the Polls / Voting in America Today Part 2

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection?	Recent social and political phenomena in America reveal voting rights may be granted in theory, yet they are not guaranteed in practice
Which one of the following could happen if the electoral college didn’t exist?	Candidates would focus campaigns in more populous places, ignoring the interests of those in rural areas.
How does this image of a Permanent Resident card relate to the selection?	Some people believe that noncitizens in the U.S who have this card and meet the other conditions should be allowed to vote, while others disagree.
Based on what you have read, why did the author most likely include this quote from Illinois governor Bruce Rauner in the selection?	To show that Republicans are not the only party that is guilty of gerrymandering districts to skew elections
In this sentence from the selection, the word “incarcerates’ ‘ most likely means…	imprisons

Is It a Crime? / In Her Own Words

Question	Answer
This speech is mainly	A plea to grant women…
Which of the following sets of words…	Logical and persuasive
Based on… what is the most likely meaning for the word “disenfranchisement?”	The state of being deprived a right
What evidence in the text supports your answer to the previous question…	Anthony creates a logical argument…
Shortly before her trial for voting…	The newspaper was mocking Anthony and expressing…

Ending Employment Discrimination

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection about affirmative action?	Progress has been made in reducing discriminatory employment practices, but there is more to be done.
The author covers at length a series of lawsuits that challenged the discriminatory hiring practices of the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Why?	To emphasize state officials’ intentional refusal year after year to comply with judicial decisions
The federal program in Excerpt 1 is known as the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Excerpt 2 is from the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause. Based on both excerpts, which question most strongly suggests why the lawsuits in Excerpt 1 were filed?	Does the MBE violate the right of every citizen to impartial treatment
In the case of the Alabama Department of Public Safety and a discrimination lawsuit, the author describes a court order meant to “level the playing field.” This refers to the	One-for-one hiring and promotion practice intended to make up for past discrimination.
Based on these two excerpts, which two of the following are reasonable conclusions?	In addition to its racial disparities, the police workplace suffers from gender inequalities Alabama is not alone in failing to adequately diversify its law enforcement workforce.

The Legacy of the Bard

Question	Answer
This selection provides an account of Shakespeare’s	Considerable prosperity and creativity
Read this excerpt from the text. Which of the following words is the correct term for creating a new word or expression?	Neologism
What factor has influenced the controversial opinion that Shakespeare may not have written the works attributed to him?	The death of personal letters, note, and other documentation left by Shakespeare
In his will, Shakespeare stated…	Some interpret this as an insult reflecting an unhappy marriage…
The text is a work of nonfiction. Which of the following subgenres of nonfiction best describes this text?	Historical biography

The Coordinates to Greatness

Question	Answer
This is primarily about…	Katherine Johnson’s life and accomplishments.
The author’s tone…	Reverential and celebratory.
Read these two excerpts. Which of the following…	Excerpt 1… is the author’s historical reimagining.
Katherine is described as…	She became the first African American.
From this excerpt, you can conclude that…	John Glenn revered and trusted.

Equality at Work

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection about affirmative action?	Progress has been made in reducing discriminatory employment practices, but there is more to be done.
The author covers at length a series of lawsuits that challenged the discriminatory hiring practices of the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Why?	to emphasize state officials’ intentional refusal year after year to comply with a judicial decision.
The federal program in Excerpt 1 is known as the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Excerpt 2 is from the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause. Based on both excerpts, which question most strongly suggests why the lawsuits in Excerpt 1 were filed?	Does the MBE violate the right of every citizen to impartial treatment?
In the case of the Alabama Department of Public Safety and a discrimination lawsuit, the author describes a court order meant to “level the playing field.” This refers to the…	one-for-one hiring and promotion practice intended to make up for past discrimination.
Based on these two excerpts, which two of the following are reasonable conclusions?	In addition to its racial disparities, the police workplace suffers from gender inequalities. Alabama is not alone in failing to adequately diversify its law enforcement workforce.

The Little Rock Nine/An Order to Integrate

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	Nine black students successfully integrated Central High School at great personal cost.
Put these events in the order in which they occurred, starting with the first.	The Supreme Court rules segregated schools violate citizens’ rights to equal protection under the law. The school board stipulates that Central High School would be open to black students. Superintendent Blossom explains the rules governing the attendance of the Little Rock Nine. Governor Faubus announces plans to bring the Arkansas National Guard to Central High School.
Which of the following was the main reason the Supreme Court ruled that schools had to be integrated?	The education provided in the segregated black schools was inferior to that in the white schools.
Which two rules of attendance did the Little Rock Nine have to obey?	To refrain from reacting to any provocations from other students To leave the school immediately at the end of each day
Why did white students tend not to make friends with the Nine?	They were afraid of retaliation from segregationists
In this excerpt, what is the meaning of the word “incessant”?	Constant
What is the most likely reason the Nine decided to proceed with their plans to enter Central High School even though they would not be permitted to participate in extracurricular activities?	They knew Central had better course offerings, facilities, and equipment than their all-black school.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that could be described as foreshadowing.	“They were prepared, or so they thought.”
Based on this selection, what was the likely state of mind of Ernest Green’s parents at his graduation?	Relieved and proud
What was the author’s purpose in listing a selection of Central’s extracurricular activities in this excerpt?	To highlight that all students are now welcome to participate in these activities
Which sentence indicates the state of mind of the Nine today?	They are gratified that their sacrifice at Central was worthwhile and has been recognized
What evidence does the author present that many segregationists in Little Rock have had a change of heart in the decades since Central was integrated?	A large interracial crowd cheered the Nine at a commemoration ceremony at Central in 1997.

A Tradition of Feathers

Question	Answer
Which statement best expresses the central idea of this selection?	Scientists are collaborating to correctly identify & catalog artifacts in the Powell collection, which offers a lot of information about Native American culture.
The text describes scientist Carla Dove’s name as aptonymic. Considering the topic of this selection, what other name could also be considered aptonymic?	Kay Fowler.
Put these events from John Wesley Powell’s life in the order in which they happened…	He fought for the Union during the Civil War. He made his home in Washington, D.C., where he had considerable success as a scientist. He established the Bureau of Ethnology and became chief of the U.S. Geological Survey. He collected Native American artifacts while mapping and exploring the Colorado River and Grand Canyon.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that best validates why an examination of the Powell collection, which has never been on display, is valuable now…	The Powell collection hasn’t received.
Based on these excerpts, it is reasonable to infer that…	The primary directive in correctly identifying and cataloging the bird materials used in the artifacts is to provide information for future researchers.

Sky Rovers

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	The potential uses of drones are virtually unlimited.
Why does the author mention the wedding ring stunt?	To illustrate that drones are being used in novel ways
Place the following uses for drones in the order the author describes them in the selection in detail, from first to last.	For military purposes In the farm business In the energy industry For package delivery
What is the objective of “Gliderpalooza”?	To capture a picture of the Atlantic’s underwater movements
According to this excerpt, the ACLU says drones potentially “could profoundly change the character of public life” because of their use by	Law enforcement to invade our privacy.
As the result of the proliferation of drones in the future, some people expect which two things to happen?	Number of jobs to increase Economy to expand
In this excerpt, the author describes an aspect of a marine drone by alluding to a glacier’s	Sluggish movement.
Which of the following is one of the author’s strongest arguments for the use of drones in agriculture?	Replacing crop dusters with unmanned aircraft could potentially save hundreds of lives.
The author bases many of his strongest arguments for the use of drones on their	Cost effectiveness.
How could a drone be used in the setting pictured?	To inspect the structures for damaged parts
In Texas, the operator of a drone	Could be fined for using it to record a neighbor without permission.
In this sentence, the word “feasible” is best replaced by the word	Viable.
Based on this excerpt, you could classify the future of drones in which two ways?	Still developing Encouragingly promising

Fake Art, Big Money

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	A little-known Chinese painter duped the art world.
Forgers often use this tool. What do they do with this tool, and why do they do it?	They remove paint from old paintings, which leaves a canvas that looks old and worn.
Read these excerpts from the selection. Which two of the following statements are correct based on the information provided in the excerpts?	The artworks created by Qian were mainly imitative. Qian’s artistic talents were apparent during his childhood and he retained those talents as an adult.
An attorney working for one of the duped art collectors compared the discovery of the 31 “unseen masterpieces” created by Qian to…	Winning the lottery 31 times.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that includes a metaphor…	The smoking gun.
Put these events in the order in which they occurred, from first to last…	Qian painted, Qian began, Jack, The Knoedler.
According to the selection, “provenance” is the…	History of painting’s creation, ownership, custody, and location.
Motherwell, Rothko, Pollock, and de Kooning can all be classified as…	Abstract expressionist painters.

Put-Downs Can Leave Deep Scars / Bullying Hurts

Question	Answer
Choose the statement that best expresses the central idea of this selection	Childhood bullying…
Copeland and his co-workers…What were the two objectives	To observe To discover
The text states that not all unkind behaviors… Which two of the following qualifies as bullying	Repeatedly behaving Targeting
Based on what you have read, the Roots program works…	Training students who get the attention…
Based on these two excerpts, you may reasonably conclude…	Promote better long term…

How War Changes Men

Question	Answer
What was the main idea of the selection	An unexpected friendship changes…
The beginning of the selection states that Hardimont was at Aix in Savoy,…	He was wealthy enough not only to own… but able to take it to a spa
In this excerpt, the word “dainty” could be best be replaced by	picky
What about Jean-Victor strikes Hardimont as “startling”?	Jean-Victor’s struggle with starvation
Put these events in the life of Jean-Victor in the order in which they occurred, starting with the earliest	Sent to live in orphanage He was an apprentice He did odd jobs He enlisted in the army
What does the animal in this image have to do with Jean-Victor?	The narrator describes Jean-Victor…
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that includes personification	The torn and shattered arbors under…
Reread these two excerpts. The change in Hardimont’s perception regarding life’s “difficult existence” can best be summarized by the saying	One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
What event does this excerpt indicate?	and returned to his aristocratic life
Based on these excerpts, how does the figurative significance of the piece of bread change?	Hunger, sacrifice

Robots Have Arrived

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	Robot technology is contributing to a safer and higher quality of life.
Today’s mitral valve surgery is different from former conventional heart surgery because the surgeon now	inserts a robot through a small incision.
The prefix of the word “tele-surgical” indicates it refers to a surgery that is performed	at a distance.
Use of robots as a means of border patrol might stir controversy because of the robot’s ability to	discharge weapons in response to illegal activity.
The most inventive feature of the lawn-mowing robot would probably be its ability	to sound an alarm if taken by a thief.
One of the first uses of robots to replace humans in the workplace was in	the automotive industry.
Based on this selection, some people have expressed concern about the proliferation of robots because they think robots	will become more intelligent than real human beings.
In this excerpt, which sentence is the key to understanding the role of robots in modern life?	Robots are ultimately controlled by humans so we can maximize their potential while minimizing the risks.
In this selection, the author bases her information on the value of robotic pets on	research results.
From this excerpt, you can tell that the author’s tone in regard to robots is	optimistic

Tennis Titan: Novak Djokovic

Question	Answer
Why does the author mention Djokovic’s impression of other players?	To illustrate his mischievous sense of humor
Put these events in the order in which they occurred, starting with the earliest.	Yugoslavia Djokovic makes Time Djokovic earns
Which of the following sentences supports the statement that Djokovic is a “complete player”?	He has developed
What does the author mean when he says Djokovic is surrounded by a “coterie”?	He collaborates
From this image, you can tell by the surface of the tennis court that Djokovic is playing at	Roland-garros stadium in Paris
What do these two excerpts say about Djokovic’s feelings about his childhood	He had both good and bad experiences
In this excerpt, which group of words best contribute to its mood	Crouched, screeched, prayed
Which of these sentences reflects Djokovic’s early development as a tennis player?	He had a natural talent
Which of the following show that Djokovic has useful skills that transcend the world of tennis?	He is a successful…, he is fluent in several languages
What is the main idea of the selection?	A pro tennis with immense natural ability earns the title of the most perfect player of all time

The Measure of Freedom / The Path to the Moon

Question	Answer
This is primarily about	Katherine Johnson’s life and accomplishments as a mathematician for NASA.
Place these events leading to the Apollo-11 lunar landing mission in order in which they occurred.	The IBM computer plots Apollo 8’s orbital flight paths coordinates and John Glenn recommends Katherine to review them. NASA conducts a trial lunar mission with Apollo 8 where the astronauts completed 10 orbits of the moon. Katherine plots the lunar module needed to ensure that astronauts on their missions get to and from the moon safely. The lunar module Eagle ensures that all astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission are successful.
Katherine is described as “a pioneer who broke the barriers of race and gender” by President Obama. Which of the following statements confirm this?	She became the first African American woman to be promoted to the Space Task Group.
From this excerpt, you can conclude that	John Glenn revered and trusted Katherine’s intellect.
Read these two excerpts. Which of the following statements about these two excerpts is correct?	Excerpt 1 explains facts about Katherine’s life in an informational tone while Excerpt 2 is the author’s historical reimagining of Katherine’s experiences.

Horror in the Dungeon

Question	Answer
The events in this tale could best be described as the expression	“Stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
Literary consonance is a poetic device in which consonant sounds are repeated, often to the emphasize a certain sensation. At one point, the narrator states the pendulum “hissed” through the air. Which words from this excerpt employ literary consonance to accentuate this “hiss”?	Sweep, steel, surcingle, scimitar
How do the items in this image figures into the narrator’s irrational state of mind?	He believes they are angels who will save him.
Based on its use in the excerpt, the word “viand” means	Food.
Poe is know for his stories evoking terror at supernatural, unearthly, inexplicable events. However, this piece varies from that construct in one key regard. Based on this excerpt, what is it?	The events in this tale are realistic, not supernatural or inexplicable.
Place these items that exist in the dungeon in the dungeon in the order in which the narrator finds them.	A cold, slimy wall A deep circular pit Massive metal plates A painting on the ceiling
The purpose of these two excerpts is to	Illustrate how disoriented the narrator was in his initial examination of the question
Why didn’t Poe reveal what was on the bottom of the pit?	He preferred to leave it to the reader’s imagination.

A Preacher Of Nonviolence

Question	Answer
Another title for this selection could be	“The Life of a Civil Rights Leader”
Dr. King learned about segregation from	personal experience
Which two early childhood experiences influenced Dr. King to devote his life to the cause of equality?	He and his father were not allowed to sit in the only seats available in a shoe store He was required to attend an all-black school, separating him from his white childhood friend
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that best explains why Dr. King chose to go to prison.	Dr. King decided to go to jail instead of paying a fine because he reasoned that he could make more people aware of the unfairness of segregation if he was imprisoned
What happened in 1954 that caused great tension in the South?	The Supreme Court issued a ruling to integrate public schools
Which sentence demonstrates that Dr. King and Coretta Scott had “much in common”?	They both were victims of the injustices of segregation
Which words in this excerpt indicate how Rosa Parks was feeling on the day she was arrested?	wearily, long day’s work
Which sentence indicates a reason why the Montgomery bus boycott was successful?	The Montgomery boycott had a negative effect on the city’s finances
The most important reason Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize was because he	led non-violent protests in the Civil Rights Movement
In this concluding paragraph, the author creates a mood of	optimism

Being Female In America

Question	Answer
Which statement from this selection best expresses the central theme?	For centuries…
The author compares novelists…	As an example of why people…
Read this excerpt from the selection… Based on these 2 excerpts and the context…	It is a literary interpretation of what it feels like…
This image shows a 1913 march for…	African American women were asked to…
This excerpt from the selection supports the overall text by demonstrating that…	Even women of color who were well-known…
Despite uniting people…	Any fight for…

New Era of Equality

Question	Answer
The main idea of this selection is related to	how the Americans with Disabilities Act was a declaration of equality for individuals with disabilities
The successful passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act can be described as a	collaborative effort
Why does President Bush compare the day of the signing of the ADA with July 4th, Independence Day?	Disabled individuals welcomed a new era of equality, independence, and freedom
President Bush describes Lisa Carl as	a “brave girl” with cerebral palsy who, thanks to the ADA, is now allowed into her local theater
After the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 but prior to the passage of the ADA, life for people with disabilities could be classified as	trying and troublesome
Read this excerpt. Based on what you have read, you can infer that “Points of Light” are	community members involved in volunteer service
In this excerpt, the President is	addressing concerns about the economic impact of the act on business practices and profits
Place these guarantees of the ADA in the order President Bush lists them, from first to last.	-prohibition of discrimination by employers access to public places such as restaurants expanded access to transportation availability of equivalent telephone services
In this excerpt, the tone of the author could be described as which two of the following?	passionate wholehearted
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that supports the President’s statement, “This act does something important for American business.”	Remember, this is a tremendous pool of people who will bring to jobs diversity, and loyalty.

Removing Racism From Athletics / Racial Stereotypes in Sports Part 1

Question	Answer
What is the central idea of this selection?	Racial stereotypes have long existed in athletics, impacting not only fans’ perspective of athletes but also athletes’ careers and performances.
Based on what you have read, you could classify the 100-meter freestyle swimming race as a	Sprint event
Consider what you have read about racial stereotyping. Compared to White athletes, Black athletes today	May experience more difficulty landing a spot on a team when being recruited to participate in a sport.
Read this excerpt. Why does the author include this statistic in the text?	To demonstrate that athletic racial stereotypes can have serious consequences outside the elite sports community.
In this sentence from the selection, the word “entropy” most closely means	Chaos.

Removing Racism From Athletics / Racial Stereotypes in Sports Part 2

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	Generations of athletes from diverse backgrounds are breaking down racial, gender, and other stereotypes in sports from amateur to professional leagues.
Ice hockey is most commonly stereotyped as	A white sport, with a lack of diversity in both players and fans.
The author of this text included information about the Blackhawks’ G.O.A.L. program most likely for which reason?	To provide readers with an example of an effort to boost diversity in hockey.
Writer Antonio De Loera-Brust differs from some of his LatinX peers in that he	id not face any economic barrier to playing hockey.
The author includes this excerpt in the text to	To show how white people internalized a sport… Alt answer: Show how a white basketball player…

A Carriage Ride

Question	Answer
Main Idea	A traveler…
Genre can be best described as	Horror or suspense fiction
The author’s descriptions of light and darkness…	Menacing
What do these 2 excerpts have in common	Both use the horses’
Which characteristic about the stranger…	His extraordinary strength
Choose the sentence that shows an example of a simile	In and out…
Why did the driver stop the carriage…	He knew Jonathan was scheduled…

World Heritage

Question	Answer
What is the main idea?	– Workers used excavation equipment – Workers extracted the blocks from the site – Workers used heavy equipment to transport -Workers secured the blocks together
Choose the sentence.	The dam construction project would result in the flooding of the river valley.
The great wall of china was originally built as	a form of protection
Why is the ongoing degradation of the Great wall of China?	Tourists deface the site even though it is legally protected as a world heritage site.
Based on this selection, which human activity.	burning of fossil fuels
Read this excerpt, If it were a part of a news story	It would probably include a quote from one of the
What is likely to have influenced the white appearance of this sample?	higher ocean temperatures.
Read these excerpts. Which two statements are about the World Heritage Sites?	– Both World Heritage sites described face the threat of deterioration. – The World Heritage Site in the first excerpt is a cultural site, while the site in the second is a natural site.
Which of the following sentences from the selection expresses the author’s opinion…	It is important to learn about your global heritage to better understand…
Based on this excerpt, the Abu Simbel project	Herculean effort.

No Driver Needed

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	SDC’s are developing rapidly
Place the steps an SDC would make to navigate…	Vehicle sensors Sensor data The map On-board
What is the biggest concern about SDC’s?	Safety and reliability
In what way will SDC’s be safer than conventional cars?	They will reduce the number of accidents
What distinguishes Google’s SDC from a conventional car?	Its SDC has no steering column, brakes, or accelerator
What are similarities of SDC’s and auto pilot? (Or something similar)	Both allow the operator to control on complex situations
In this excerpt, what is the author’s purpose in mentioning the headline, “MACHINE KILLS BOY”?	To give an example…
Based on these two excerpts, you could conclude the author presents	An equal assessment
Based on the way it is used in this excerpt, the phrase “watershed moment” means a	Critical point
Which of the following statements are valid, based on this excerpt?	California is a pioneer U.S. states have been fairly

A Sunken Steamer / Stranded at Sea Part 1

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of Part 1 of this selection?	The survivors of a shipwreck face great peril
Place these characters from the selection in the order in which they were introduced, starting with the first	Cook Oiler Correspondent Captain
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that includes an example of the figure of speech called simile	The sun swung steadily up the sky…
Which is correct about the sunken ship’s captain?	Through feeling despondent about the loss of his ship…
Look at this image. What did it represent to the men?	The men felt gulls were a sign that something bad would happen

A Sunken Steamer / Stranded at Sea Part 2

Question	Answer
Which phrase best summarizes the main idea of this selection?	Man versus nature.
In this selection, the men rely on the small dinghy for survival in the vast, churning sea. The author uses the boat as a symbol of	Human beings moving through the uncertainties and hardships of life.
Choose the sentence in this excerpt that shows why the captain seems to trust the oiler with the navigation of the dinghy.	“The oiler was a wily surfman.”
Who is Billie?	The oiler.
Based on the context of this excerpt, the word “opporobrious” means	Disparaging.
Which two statements about the people on the shore are correct?	Their message to the four men in the dinghy is unclear. They wave to the four men in the dinghy.
A motif is a recurring story element that has mood or tone. symbolic importance. A repeated motif is often used to set a story’s mood or tone. What is one motif of this selection?	drowning.
What does the object in this image have to do with the selection?	It is used as a comparison to the motion of the man swinging his coat.
The four men in the dinghy grow excited when they see people and things on shore. Put what they see in order from first to last	A waving man A man on a bicycle An omnibus A man waving a black coat
At the end of part 2 of this selection, what new danger threatens the men in the lifeboat?	A shark is circling the lifeboat.
What happens as the correspondent eows, and what does the captain do in response?	The correspondent is wondering why nature is being so cruel, and the captain encourages him to continue rowing.
The first excerpt is from part 1 and the second excerpt is from part 2. Which statement correctly states what is happening in these two excerpts?	Despite the growing desperation, the men remain compassionate and civil toward each other.
Which is correct?	The men cannot row to the shore because the waves are too rough and might sink dinghy.

A Sunken Steamer / Stranded at Sea Part 3

Question	Answer
The main idea	Men cannot defeat nature
The author of this selection used the four men in the dinghy…	The oiler
What does the narrator mean	The men’s experience has provided them
After the men jump out of the dinghy, (First to last)	The oiler The correspondent The cook The captain
While adrift, the correspondent remembers a poem The poem is relevant because the correspondent acknowledges he never…	The subject of the poem is a dying sailor

Don Quixote / A Courageous Knight

Question	Answer
What is the main idea…	A simple but…
Based on this excerpt, the main	Noble but impoverished
Read this excerpt. From it…	Pearls Whit mean tiny…
What ultimately motivates the gentleman…	He is convinced
Based on this excerpt, the word “scoured”…	Burnished
Why did he rename the horse?	He believed the horse needed an appropriate
Chose the sentence in this excerpt that best…	This, he considered
In this selection, de Cervantes…	A knight errant

Ancient Teeth and Human Roots

Question	Answer
The central idea of this selection is	Archaeological analyses…
This excerpt from the text best demonstrates how	Scientific discoveries are often…
The author included these two quotes in the selection…	To back up, to put recent…
Hypoplasias. This word closely means	Underdevelopment
Which two of the following traits…	We have jaws, We experience a longer…
Imagine you’re about to visit…	More teeth…

American Slang

Question	Answer
What is Mencken’s primary thesis?	American vernacular, with all of its idiosyncrasies and eccentricities, is worthy of the same academic analysis and literary dignity as dialects found in European countries.
Mencken includes these quotes from other American authors in order to	highlight the differences of opinion that existed even among his compatriots.
Mencken asserts the efforts of some to differentiate slang from idiomatic expressions is “largely in vain.” Why?	Language is too fluid and constantly shifts between the two domains.
How do these pieces of text work together?	They propose cooperation, as opposed to a struggle, between “British” English and “American” English dialects.
Based on the text, some etymologists claimed Shakespeare displayed a “feeble taste in language” by incorporating slang into his works. Mencken refutes this by	arguing the terms used at that time had not yet become the overused slang we know today, but rather were the inventive and necessary use of language to fill a void.
According to Mencken, who creates slang?	singular people with linguistic dexterity and inventiveness
Mencken claims that slang terms lose their substance and significance when they	are misused and overused by the masses.
In Mencken’s experience, what was the public’s preference regarding the use of slang, especially as it pertained to sports?	Most approved the use of slang, explaining that it made the game more exciting for those who were unable to watch in person and had to read about it in the papers.
In this excerpt, the phrase “stage of bombast” is used in reference to what event?	the use of pretentious words and phrases for simple things
The quotes in the conclusion leave the overall impression that	while Mencken ultimately saw American slang as having a significant role in language, he recognized others’ valid concerns regarding the potential adverse effects of its ubiquitous “muddy tide.”

Canine Cops

Question	Answer
What is the main idea of this selection?	Dogs are hardworking animals, mentally and physically well-suited to working in law enforcement.
Which type of training method is used to teach police dogs how to perform scent detection or tracking tasks?	positive reinforcement
Why are dogs so highly valued by law enforcement agencies for use in scent detection or tracking work?	Dogs can detect specific scents and track down people much faster than a human officer could because they have a sensitive sense of smell.
What could happen if a police dog exhibited an “aggressive alert” behavior while searching for an explosive device?	The dog could accidentally injure or kill itself and its handler.
When preparing police dogs for scent-detection work, which step in the dogs’ training process occurs last?	A handler has the dog reflexively dig or scratch on detecting an odor.
In this excerpt, the author creates a mood of	astonishment.
What evidence does the author give to support the claim that modern canines have evolved by selective breeding?	Some breeds of domesticated dogs are mentally and physically very different from their ancestor, the wolf.
Based on this selection, why is the job of a police dog handler described as “demanding”?	Handlers are required to train, work, and constantly accompany their dogs.
In this excerpt, the idiom “working like a dog” is an example of	simile.
What feature of the dog in this image would contribute to its strong sense of smell?	sloping, muscular neck

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