KEY FOR READING PASSAGE 2
14. Vocabulary [C]
Q. The word mitigate in the passage is closest in meaning to14. Vocabulary I (C)
Why? relieve can replace mitigate in this context. —See Clue 14(C)[lines 3-6]
• mitigate v. to lessen the unpleasant effects of a situation
• relieve v. to free or lessen someone’s pain or unpleasant feelings
15. Factual Information I (D)
Q. According to paragraph 1, what is the purpose of the Millennium Environmental Assessment?
Why? —See Clue 15(D)[lines 10-15]
► The aims of this research program are to provide people—both decision-making officials and the general public—with information about the likely future consequences of current human activity that affects the ecosystem.
16. Vocabulary I (C)
Q. The word fundamental in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? basic can replace fundamental in this context —See Clue 16(C)]lines 30-31]
• fundamental adj. relating to the most basic and key parts of something
• basic adj. forming the base or most necessary part of something
17. Inference I (A)
Q. It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that focusing exclusively on the marketability of a natural resource is hazardous because
Why? (A) can be inferred from the information in lines 38-40. —See Clue 17(A)
Why Not? (B), (D) Not supported / (C) Incorrect —See lines 38-42
18. Rhetorical Purpose I (D)
Q. Why does the author mention Chicago in paragraph 3?
Why? Chicago is mentioned as an example of a region that forests provided with nonmarketable but economically valuable services. —See Clue 18(D)[lines 51-54]
19. Negative Fact I (A)
Q. All of the following are mentioned in the passage as nonmarketable services provided by the ecosystem EXCEPT
Why? -See Clue 19(A)[lines 38-41]
Why Not? (B) Mentioned in lines 25-26 / (C) Mentioned in lines 45-46 / (D) Mentioned in lines 52-54
20. Inference I (B)
Q. It can be inferred from paragraph 4 that the MA believes the general public
Why? (B) can be inferred from the information in lines 55-60. 20{B)[lines 55-60]
Why Not? (A), 1C), (D) Not supported
21. Vocabulary I (A)
Q. The word epic in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? huge can replace epic in this context -*~See Clue 21(A)[lines 73-74, 75-76]
• epic adj. surpassing the ordinary or usual, particularly in scope or size
• huge adj. very large in size, amount, or degree
22. Sentence Simplification I (B)
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? The MA report makes it evident that humankind has arrived at a point in time // where the only way to lessen environmental problems is at an international level, // for resolving the planet’s ecological imbalance is an issue too great for single countries or individual people to tackle.
Why Not? (A) Not mentioned
(C) Information that international cooperation is necessary is left out
(D) Incorrect
23. Inference I (D)
Q. What can be inferred from paragraph 5 about the solution to the current pollution crisis?
Why? (D) can be inferred from the information in lines 77-82. ^See Clue 23(D)
Why Not? (A) Incorrect / (B) Not mentioned / (C) Incorrect ^See lines 77-82
24. Reference 1 (D)
Q. The word it in the passage refers to
Why? … action to protect the environment from decisions that would exploit it. ^See Clue 24(D)[lines 93-95]
25. Vocabulary I (D)
Q. The word obligation in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? responsibility can replace obligation in this context. **See Clue 25(D)[lines 104-107]
• obligation n. moral or legal duty and expectation of doing something
• responsibility n. duty to be in charge of something, so that you make decisions and are accountable
26. Insert Text I [B]
Q. Look at the four squares [|] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Why? [A] Environmental problems have reached such epic proportions that any countermeasure will need to be on the scale of an international environmental movement. [B] There are several components to this kind of environmental movement At the base of an effective environmental movement, there must be a change in individuals’ attitudes toward preserving the ecosystem. [C]
► ‘this kind of environmental movement’ in the given sentence refers to ‘an international environmental movement.’ And the decisive clue is the repetition of the phrase ‘environmental movement’ through the three successive sentences.
27. Prose Summary
Q. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This ciuestion is worth 2 points.
Why? The research presented in the MA report demonstrates that it is essential to protect the planet’s ecology, even though the task will require major efforts.
| Correct Answer Choices | Clues in the passage |
| (B) Although some natural resources cannot be bought or sold, they nonetheless form critical parts of the Earth’s ecology. | Clue 27(B)[lines 25-29] Although some of these assets—like erosion control and cultural heritage— are often underappreciated because they cannot be marketed for economic gain, they are nonetheless very valuable resources. |
| (C) Preserving the planet’s ecology has the potential to provide people with significant economic returns. | Clue 27(C)[lines 65-68] ecologically preserved Canadian wetlands are worth nearly 6,000 US dollars per hectare, but only 2,500 dollars per hectare when intensively farmed |
| (D) An environmental movement can only succeed if it occurs at both global and individual levels. | Clue 27(D)[lines 71-72] the only way to lessen environmental problems is at an international level [lines 80-82] there must be a change in individuals’ attitudes toward preserving the ecosystem |
► The whole passage focuses on the value of our ecosystem and the importance of an environmental movement at the international level. And it follows that <(B) Value of natural resources — (C) Economic returns of preserving the planet’s ecology — (D) Necessity of the environmental movement on global and individual scales) **-See <Graphic Organize/> on p. 333
Why Not? (A) Mentioned in lines 8-10, but minor / (E), (F) Not mentioned
READING PASSAGE 1
4. Inference I (A)
Q. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 5 about animal activity during midday?
Why? (A) can be inferred from the information in lines 47-49. <*See Clue 4(A)
Why Not? (B), (D) Incorrect *~See lines 47-49/ (C) Not supported
5. Factual Information I (C)
Q. According to paragraph 6, kangaroos and cheetahs lick their paws because
Why? —See Clue 5{C)[lines 53-55]
► Cheetahs and kangaroos, for example, lick their paws because the resulting evaporation of water dissipates heat…
Why Not? (A), (B), (D) Not mentioned
6. Reference I (C)
Q. The word them in the passage refers to
Why? Cheetahs and kangaroos, for example, lick their paws because the resulting evaporation of water dissipates heat, helping them maintain comfortable body temperatures. «-See Clue 6(C)[lines 53-56]
7. Rhetorical Purpose I (B)
Q. In paragraph 7, the author illustrates the potential efficiency of adaptations to arid climates by
Why? ~See Clue 7(B)[lines 66-69]
8. Factual Information I (C)
Q. According to paragraph 8, some insects meet their water requirements by
Why? ~See Clue 8(C)[lines 73-75]
► their water requirements are fulfilled by the water content in the foods they eat.
Why Not? (A), (B), (D) Not mentioned
9. Vocabulary I (C)
Q. The word parched in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? dry can replace parched in this context. »See Clue 9<C)[lines 95-97]
• parched adj. extremely dry, due to hot weather
• dry adj. lack of water or liquid
10. Inference I (B)
Q. Based on the information in paragraph 8 and paragraph 9, what can be inferred about addax?
Why? (B) can be inferred from combining the information in lines 82-86 and lines 93-94. —See Clue 10(B)
Why Not? (A), (C) Incorrect —See lines 82-86,93-94/ (D) Not supported
11. Vocabulary I (C)
Q. Based on the information in paragraph 10, which of the following best explains the term
Why? -See Clue 11 (C)lines
12. Insert Text | [A]
Q. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Why? Many species avoid the heat by seeking shelter in microclimates—areas that can be considered miniature ”climates* in a sense, for their environmental conditions differ, in terms of temperature, from the larger climate they are contained within. [A] In the desert, such microclimates may exist in the form of shaded refuges or underground retreats. For example, kangaroo rats hide away in a type of underground microclimate—deep burrows that keep them cool. [B]
► ‘such microclimates* in the given sentence refers to ‘microclimates.*
13. Schematic Table
Q. Directions: Complete the table by matching the statements below.
Select the appropriate statements from the answer choices and match them to the type of adaptation to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used. This question is worth 4 points.
Why?
| Correct Answer Choices | Clues in the passage | |
| Temperature | (A) Nocturnal desert species are primarily active during the night. | Clue 13(A)[lines 30-32] By waiting until the sun sets to begin their periods of activity, nocturnal animals avoid the heat by coordinating their habits. |
| (B) In microclimates, some species avoid the general conditions of the regional climate. | Clue 13(B)[lines 21-23] Many species avoid the heat by seeking shelter in microclimates—areas that can be considered miniature ‘climates* | |
| (F) Certain species have the ability to adjust their coloration. | Clue 13(F)[lines 40-41] Some animals have evolved advantageous coloration | |
| (G) When animals pant, they increase the rate of evaporation from the respiratory tract. | Clue 13(G)[lines 57-61] cheetahs … employ evaporative cooling in the form of panting, which facilitates evaporation from the respiratory system | |
| Aridity | (D) For grey kangaroos, embryonic diapause facilitates survival in desert regions. | Clue 13(D)[lines 106-111] During embryonic diapause,… In this manner, the mother is able to conserve water and at the same time increase her baby’s chances of survival |
| (E) As they excrete biological wastes, some species expel concentrated urine. | Clue 13(E)[lines 93-94] these animals discharge highly concentrated urine | |
| (1) Desert conditions cause some species to temporarily stop breeding. | Clue 13(l)[lines 102-104] Grey kangaroos also stop breeding when there are insufficient water supplies |
Why Not? (C), (H) Not mentioned
1. Rhetorical Purpose I (B)
Q. In paragraph 1, why does the author mention
Why? **See Clue 1(B)[lines 7-9]
2. Sentence Simplification I (B)
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? Maintaining optimal body temperatures is critical for animals in a variety of climates, // but in regions where environmental temperatures range to high extremes, // control over body temperature is particularly essential, // often making the difference between life and death.
Why Not? (A), (C), (D) Information about how maintaining optimal body temperatures is critical for desert animals is left out.
3. Vocabulary I (C)
Q. The word scorching in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? burning can replace scorching in this context. *See Clue 3(C)[lines 16-17]
scorching adj. extremely hot
• burning adj. on fire