13. Vocabulary I (D)
Q. The word exclusive in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? unique can replace exclusive in this context. –See Clue 13(D)[lines 1-5]
• exclusive adj. available or belonging only to specific people, and not shared
• unique adj. being the only one of its kind, special
14. Factual Information I (D)
Q. According to paragraph 1, what is true about the relationship between mammoths and elephants?
Why? –See Clue 14(D)[lines 3-6] an Why Not? (A), (B) Incorrect –See lines 3-6/(C) Not mentioned
15. Sentence Simplification I (D)
Q. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Why? Some of the most significant finds have involved // complete mammoth carcasses preserved in the glaciers and permafrost // of Siberia and Alaska, which are particularly useful to scientists // because they provide samples of tissue, hair, and even undigested food from these creatures that perished so long ago.
Why Not? (A) Information about what mammoth carcasses provide is left out.
(B) Information about where mammoth carcasses were discovered and what they provide is left out.
(C) Information about other types of remains is not mentioned.
16. Inference I (B)
Q. What can be inferred from the discussion of fossilized teeth in paragraph 2?
Why? (B) can be inferred from the information in lines 28-30. “-See Clue 16(B)
Why Not? (A), (D) Not supported / (C) Incorrect <*See lines 16-19
17. Vocabulary I (A)
Q. The word remnants in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? traces can replace remnants in this context. <^See Clue 17(A)[lines 26-28]
• remnant n. surviving trace or sign of something that once existed but exists or appears no more
• trace n. small sign revealing that someone or something was present or existed
18. Vocabulary I (C)
Q. The word (Tails in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? characteristics can replace traits in this context. –See Clue 18(C)[lines 31-34]
• trait n. specific quality in someone’s character
• characteristic n. quality or feature of something or someone that is typical of them and easily identifiable
19. Rhetorical Purpose ! (C)
Q. Why does the author mention the ekphant-like trunk in paragraph 3?
Why? The elephant-like trunk is mentioned in order to give an example of the common traits among the different mammoth species. —See Clue 19(C)[lines 33-34]
20. Inference I (A)
Q. From paragraph 4, it can be inferred that tusk length in mammoths was
Why? (A) can be inferred from combining the information in lines 44-46 and lines 49-51. —See Clue 20(A)
Why Not? (B)-(D) Not supported
21. Vocabulary I (B)
Q. The word withstand in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? bear can replace withstand in this context. —See Clue 21(B)[lines 68-70]
• withstand v. to be strong enough to remain unaffected by something such as great heat, cold, pressure etc.
• bear v. to bravely endure through a painful, difficult, or upsetting situation
22. Negative Fact ! (C)
Q. According to paragraph 5, the woolly mammoth differed from other mammoths in all of the following EXCEPT
Why? -See Clue 22{C)[lines 75-78]
Why Not? (A) —See lines 68-70/ (B) —See lines 61-63/(D) —See lines 65-68
23. Factual Information I (A)
Q. According to paragraph 6, the Wrangel Island pygmies
Why? —See Clue 23(A)]lines 83-86] m Why Not? (B), (D) Not mentioned / (C) Incorrect —See lines 83-86
24. Reference I (A)
Q. The word them in the passage refers to
Why? This species most likely evolved from Columbian mammoths that wandered over to the islands … the limited space and resources available on the islands forced IMP to evolve smaller bodies in order to adapt. —See Clue 24<A)[lines 90-92, 95-97]
25. Insert Text |C
Q. Look at the four squares [] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Why? B To withstand the frigid climate, the woolly mammoth developed long, dense coats of hair and fur, giving it a truly extraordinary appearance. C It also maintained a thick layer of fat just beneath the outer skin that served as insulation from the cold. With a height of ten feet and weighing about five tons, it was much smaller than the Columbian mammoth, and its tusks were also slightly shorter, reaching a maximum length of fourteen feet. D
► Also is used to supplement the preceding information. continued
26. Schematic Table
Q. Directions: Complete the table by matching the phrases below.
Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match them to the species of mammoth to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used. This question is worth 4 points.
| Correct Answer Choices } | Clues in the passage | |
| Columbian
Mammoth |
(A) Was probably the largest land mammal of its time | Clue 26(A)[lines 1-6] The two modern elephant species maintain the exclusive status of being the largest land mammals on the planet. In the past, however, they had to share this distinction. Their closest prehistoric relatives were the mammoths
[lines 44-45] The Columbian mammoth (Mammuthus columbi) was the largest of all the mammoths. |
| (H) Appeared first around 100,000 years ago | Clue 26(H)[lines 54-56] Fossil evidence shows that this species lived between 100,000 and 9,000 years ago | |
| (1) Is known to have lived in a tropical environment | Clue 26(1 Klines 51-54] It made its home in the warmer regions of North America, reaching as far south as Central America. | |
| (B) Is more likely to have been preserved in glaciers | Clue 26(B)[lines 61-63] inhabiting, unlike many other mammoths, the far northern expanses of the globe | |
| Woolly Mammoth | (E) Existed simultaneously on multiple continents | Clue 26(E)[lines 65-68] it occupied a range along the entire northern rim, from the British Isles east through Siberia, over the Bering land bridge, and into northern Canada |
| Pygmy Mammoth | (D) Became extinct most recently | Clue 26(D)[lines 100-101] these miniature mammoths lasted longer than any other species |
| (F) Evolved in isolated habitats | Clue 26(F)[lines 95-96] the limited space and resources available on the islands |
Why Not? (C) Not mentioned / (G) Incorrect *■-See lines 75-78
Solution for Reading Passage 3