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Visiting Thomas Jefferson's family estate, Monticello, reveals a modern man who kept busy with home improvement projects, studying and recording weather patterns, and extensive gardening. Monticello's gardens clearly reflect Jefferson as a scientist/nature-lover/designer, as evidenced by hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables on the property. While many of Jefferson's gardening experiments failed to thrive, he was never discouraged. "The failure of one thing is repaired by the success of another," Jefferson wrote.According to this passage, Monticello is A Thomas Jefferson's gardens. B Thomas Jefferson's home. C Thomas Jefferson's experiments. D Thomas Jefferson's nickname

B Thomas Jefferson's home.

The process of learning to play a musical instrument can be slow and often difficult. If you continue to apply yourself, however, the reward can be immense personal satisfaction. By becoming a musician, you can gain a greater understanding of something that touches many people's lives each day.In this passage, the word "apply" means to A put on. B submit. C devote. D learn.

devote.

Watching a seaplane land requires an immediate shift in thinking. As you spot the plane in the distance, traveling closer and closer to the surface of the water, you begin to imagine that the plane is going to crash into the sea. Then you spot the floats in place of tires and realize that this particular plane is going to land right on the watery landing strip. Soon you see a rubber boat emerge from the plane's door and the plane's passengers rowing ashore. This passage is mainly about A flying a seaplane. B watching a seaplane land. C landing a seaplane. D getting out of a seaplane.

watching a seaplane land.

The eastern part of Texas will ambush the senses of all who enter it with preconceptions of sand and cacti around every bend. It has a look and atmosphere that does not fit the boots-and-saddle image of the state. The author implies that the look and atmosphere of east Texas does NOT resemble that of the 1 marshlands.2 mountains.3 seashore.4 desert.

desert

Most major American cities gain fame for particular landmarks or events. A little known list, however, names American cities that have had the "first" of something. For example, Cincinnati, Ohio, is credited with having the first ambulance service in 1865. The first city with a commercial radio station is considered to be Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1920. The first parking meter made its debut in 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.In this context, the word "debut" means A history. B first appearance. C closing. D first withdrawal.

first appearance.

Erin opened her eyes to yet another weekday without a job. "10:00," she said to herself. "What's the point of even getting up? It's not like I have anywhere to go." She thought about her husband, hard at work miles away. He was probably hoping that she was in the midst of polishing up her resume. "It's not even worth dusting off," Erin muttered to herself. She closed her eyes and rolled back over. The tone of the passage is one of A gloom. B sympathy. C terror. D anticipation.

gloom

The free market theory states that individuals and organizations will make decisions about how to spend their money to achieve their goals. The theory says that people will seek their own happiness and, since they can only make money by serving someone else's wants or needs, the whole society benefits when an individual or organization makes money. In this context, the word "needs" means A misfortune B requirements C obligations D benefits

requirements

The origin of playing cards isn't certain. Some believe that because paper was invented in China, the first playing cards likely originated there, too. Others believe they may have originated in the Muslim world. At first glance, playing a game of cards may appear to be a simple way for many people to pass the time together or alone. And, although we don't know for sure where cards came from, one thing is certain—when two people engage with each other over a deck of cards, the outcome can be unpredictable and sometimes surprising.The passage suggests that A playing cards were invented in Peru. B many fortunes have been won and lost over cards. C you never know what might happen during a card game. D card playing was once banned in China.

you never know what might happen during a card game

Watching tourists take pictures of bison or bears at Yellowstone National Park can be a frightening experience. In an effort to get a good close-up shot, many people are getting dangerously close to the animal(s), forgetting that these huge creatures are living in their natural habitat, which is being invaded by humans. It is best to stay in your car and avoid the temptation to get a prize family photo.This passage would be best titled A "Family Vacations" B "Risky Picture-Takers" C "Yellowstone National Park" D The Natural Habitat of Bison and Bears

"Risky Picture-Takers"

Recently, newspaper offices across the country have been shut down because of declining readership and diminishing advertising revenue. It is understandable that not every town and city in the country can support its own newspaper, especially when businesses that buy advertising are also closing left and right. The loss of the local newspaper is a tragedy, however. Newspapers are essential communication vehicles that strengthen the rich fiber of the American way of life. The loss of these institutions, no matter what size community they served, will have a lasting negative effect on our culture. The author believes that the recent loss of many newspapers A was bound to happen. B is only a temporary situation. C is the fault of bad management. D will weaken American culture.

will weaken American culture

Cyclists competing in the Tour de France use two different bicycle types during the competition; a road bike and a time trial bike. Both types are lightweight and built to go at high speeds. The 10-speed drive trains of these bikes give the racers the option of choosing from several different gears as they adjust to different terrains and courses. Based on the information in this passage, the two types of bikes A satisfy different needs of Tour de France racers. B are required by the Tour de France official rules. C are limited in speed. D are extremely expensive.

A satisfy different needs of Tour de France racers.

The ancient Olympic Games were great Greek festivals. These festivals inspired the modern Olympic Games and included both opening and closing ceremonies and a program of competitive events. Some of the favorite events were wrestling, boxing matches, and horse races. The Olympic Games have changed over time but continue to be respected and enjoyed worldwide. The best title for this passage is A "A History of Greek Festivals" B "Early Olympic Games" C Competitive Olympic Events D "The Changing World

B "Early Olympic Games"

Those interesting-looking structures called silos dotting America's countryside must be properly maintained and used to ensure the safety of the farmers who work in and around them. Potential hazards include being trapped in the grain, falling into the silo, collapse of the silo, insufficient oxygen inside the structure, heat inside the silo, and chemical explosions. Silos should be checked often for safety issues including damaged or broken ladders, faulty equipment, packed grain, and improper air circulation. Of course, all machinery, such as augers, needs to be in good working order at all times and emergency escape plans known and practiced by all farm workers. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage? A Most farms are inherently safe. B Silos with insufficient ventilation can be dangerous. C It is very common for silos to explode or collapse. D Silos should be replaced frequently.

Silos with insufficient ventilation can be dangerous.

More and more people who ski can be seen wearing helmets. It used to be the case that downhill racers and other skiing professionals were the only skiers you would ever see wearing a helmet. Similar to what was seen in the sport of bicycle riding, the trend has now migrated to the general skiing population. Some of the first general-population skiers seen wearing helmets were children and younger skiers, but now you can find men and women of all ages and abilities wearing helmets on the ski slopes. Which of the following is most likely true based on the information in the passage? A Helmets keep your head warm. B Skiing can be dangerous. C Helmets aren't as expensive as they used to be. D Wearing a helmet means you are a professional skier.

Skiing can be dangerous.

The eastern part of Texas will ambush the senses of all who enter it with preconceptions of sand and cacti around every bend. It has a look and atmosphere that does not fit the boots-and-saddle image of the state. The author implies that the look and atmosphere of east Texas does NOT resemble that of the 1 marshlands. 2 mountains. 3 seashore. 4 desert.

desert

With their soaring prices and sweet-talking methods, the wedding industry continues to financially exploit many spouses-to-be and their unsuspecting families. How many parents are ready to refuse a doe-eyed bride? While many suspect that paying extra for seat covers and rose-shaped butter is a bit ridiculous, checks are signed and delivered nonetheless. As nauseatingly senseless as the bells and whistles of a wedding day are, many families fall prey to the notion of a "dream wedding."The author believes that expensive weddings A are fun to attend. B prove that future brides are selfish during that phase of life. C usually take place due to the parents' insistence. D are often a sign of giving in to a particular industry.

are often a sign of giving in to a particular industry.

A hummingbird is one of the smallest animals. It can weigh less than a nickel. A hummingbird's wings beat so fast that they produce a humming noise. This almost constant motion while flying burns a lot of calories.The above passage states that hummingbirds A are the smallest animals on earth. B often weigh more than a nickel. C are among the fastest animals. D burn a lot of calories while flying.

burn a lot of calories while flying.

A thin transparent layer of oxide protects the metal titanium against corrosion. The same thin layer attracts artists interested in making their art with the help of technology. By using heat or electricity, an artist can thicken the oxide layer and thereby turn the metal a range of vivid colors. According to the passage, some artists work with titanium because it 1 is transparent. 2 does not corrode. 3 generates its own heat. 4 can assume a variety of colors.

can assume a variety of colors.

A thin transparent layer of oxide protects the metal titanium against corrosion. The same thin layer attracts artists interested in making their art with the help of technology. By using heat or electricity, an artist can thicken the oxide layer and thereby turn the metal a range of vivid colors. According to the passage, some artists work with titanium because it 1 is transparent. 2 does not corrode. 3 generates its own heat. 4 can assume a variety of colors.

can assume a variety of colors.

"Be sure to take your time on your way to the auction," Aunt Jane emphatically advised, her eyes as big as saucers. "It rained like the dickens last night, and wet leaves can make for slick road surfaces."The passage's tone is A cynical. B scolding. C warm. D cautionary.

cautionary

The orientation of a large expanse of glass in a house is important. Improperly positioned, it can cost precious fuel dollars, whereas good orientation can minimize heat lost in the winter and gained in the summer. The best direction to face is south, to make good use of solar energy. Since the sun is low in the southern sky during the winter, orienting any glass in that direction will allow light to shine through and help heat the home. During the summer, the sun is higher in the sky, and an overhang from the roof will shield the glass from direct sunlight. According to the passage, large expanses of glass should be positioned to 1 take advantage of summer sunlight. 2 control heat gain and loss. 3 shield the house from the low winter sun. 4 avoid blockage of sunlight by an overhanging roof.

control heat gain and loss.

Although vitamin and mineral supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years, for many, there is very little scientific evidence that they actually improve health. Some supplements, however, have been shown to be beneficial for certain people and conditions. A good example is calcium. Calcium is a mineral that is necessary for the human body to function properly, but many people do not get the recommended amounts of calcium from their food. In these cases a calcium supplement can be beneficial. The main idea of this passage is that A vitamin and mineral supplements are popular. B in certain situations some supplements can be beneficial. C many people take too much calcium. D calcium is a mineral necessary for health.

in certain situations some supplements can be beneficial.

While appearing to be a simple game, checkers is actually quite complicated. Mathematically, there are about 500 quintillion possible ways to win the game. In fact, university scientists have used checkerboards in complicated mathematical simulations. However, checkers continues to be mostly a fun game for those who play it, even during keen competition.In this context, the word "keen" means A distressing. B meager. C intense. D droll.

intense

Technological advances in communication have, undoubtedly, made our lives easier in many ways. However, "easier" is not the equivalent of "better." Cell phones, while convenient, cause many people to have rudely loud conversations in public. E-mail, while quick, has bested more personal forms of correspondence. Text messaging, while immediate, prevents real conversations and even helps students to cheat on tests. The author feels that technological advances in communication A have improved our quality of life in many ways. B have no redeeming qualities. C are the main cause of cheating on tests. D make many of our interactions less polite and more impersonal.

make many of our interactions less polite and more impersonal.

For training guide dogs to become reliable and dependable requires the dog to learn many specific tasks. A guide dog must be able to stay on a direct route while ignoring other animals and people as well as distractions like smells and unimportant sounds. The dog must maintain a pace appropriate for its handler and must stay to the left, slightly ahead of the handler. When an obstacle presents itself, the dog must recognize it, avoid it, and find alternative ways to go around it. There are also a variety of verbal commands that a guide dog must understand and obey. This passage suggests that guide dogs A often undergo alternative training. B must be sufficiently trained. C must rely on their handlers. D are scarce and difficult to find.

must be sufficiently trained

The popular game of basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a physician, educator, and clergyman, at what was known at the time as the Young Men's Christian Association Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. The sport gained popularity and spread rapidly through the United States and Canada. The National League was the first professional basketball league and was formed in 1898.According to this passage, James Naismith was responsible for A inventing the game of basketball. B organizing the first professional basketball league. C establishing the National League of basketball. D recruiting players for a college football team.

organizing the first professional basketball league.

For many years it was thought that human beings could only perceive four tastes: sour, salty, sweet, and bitter. These are known as primary tastes because they cannot be replicated by mixing together any of the other tastes. It is now known that there is a fifth primary taste, umami, which is a pleasant savory taste and occurs in meat, fish, vegetables, and dairy products. The passage indicates that A there are six primary tastes. B umami is an unpleasant taste. C primary tastes are created by mixing flavors. D umami is the fifth primary taste.

primary tastes are created by mixing flavors

While the invention of the Highland kilt has usually been attributed to an Englishman, recent research has given way to the idea that the kilt was actually developed by Scottish Highlanders themselves. The original kilt, the feileadh mor or "big wrap," consisted of two large pieces of cloth joined together lengthwise and worn both below and above the waist. Due to its bulkiness, the fabric was trimmed down to the waist and also shortened. The feileadh beag or "little wrap" looked more similar to kilts worn today. Highlanders are proud of their unique costume and its designation as the Scottish National Dress.According to the passage, the Highlander kilt was originally A developed by an Englishman. B considered too short. C worn only below the waist. D somewhat unmanageable.

somewhat unmanageable

The pyramids of Egypt were built as tombs, or burial rooms, for ancient Egyptian kings. The Egyptians wrapped the kings' bodies with cloth before they were buried. They called this process mummification. Gold and treasures usually filled several rooms inside the pyramid.This passage is mainly about A the mummification process. B building Egyptian pyramids. C the burial of Egyptian kings. D ancient burial room design.

the mummification process

They returned to the beach, where blankets spotted the slope to the water. An advancing wall of clouds, black and gray, darkening the expanse of ground beneath, approached from the west. To the east and above them, the sky remained clear, the sun warm, as if collaborating in the deception. The "deception" referred to in the passage is that 1 there is no storm approaching. 2 the sky is clear in the east. 3 it is too cold to swim. 4 the sun is warm.

there is no storm approaching

They returned to the beach, where blankets spotted the slope to the water. An advancing wall of clouds, black and gray, darkening the expanse of ground beneath, approached from the west. To the east and above them, the sky remained clear, the sun warm, as if collaborating in the deception. The "deception" referred to in the passage is that 1 there is no storm approaching. 2 the sky is clear in the east. 3 it is too cold to swim. 4 the sun is warm.

there is no storm approaching.

Coffee has as rich and varied a history as its different forms have today. In ancient times, the effect of the coffee bean on human behavior was often regarded as mystical and even evil. Brewed coffee was first considered an acceptable beverage by the Turks, who also added spices such as anise, cinnamon, and cloves to the brew. For centuries, coffee was kept as a well-guarded secret until an Arab named Baba Budan smuggled some coffee beans to India and started growing the beans himself. Today, coffee is grown and enjoyed worldwide and is one of few crops that can be profitably exported by many third-world countries.In this context, the word "regarded" means A observed closely. B accounted for. C thought of in a certain way. D highly valued and respected.

thought of in a certain way.

Every day when Susan arrived at the building where she worked on West 83rd Street, she would call out "good morning" to Charlie the security guard. As she strode into the office each day at precisely 8 a.m., she cheerfully greeted everyone as she made her way to her office. Susan's breezy attitude was an inspiration to everyone she worked with, but especially to those who knew she was suffering with painful arthritis. In this passage, the word "breezy" most nearly means A upbeat. B indifferent. C angry. D windy.

upbeat.