Reading Practice Test

PPE article: When was the first mask designed to protect patients created?

1897 - the key word in the question is "patients." The passage states that a mask was designed in 1897 "to keep doctors from coughing or sneezing on patients undergoing surgery."

FAFH article: Which statement is not a detail from the passage? A Eating breakfast away from home can result in an increase in fatty protein consumption. B Eating food away from home is connected to bad food choices. C In general, people who eat breakfast away from home consume more calories. D Eating dinner away from home results in less vegetable consumption.

A Eating breakfast away from home can result in an increase in fatty protein consumption. - For this question, eliminate answer choices that ARE explicitly stated in the passage. The correct choice will be entirely out of scope. The passage does not mention an increase in fatty protein consumption anywhere and is therefore the answer.

FAFH article: What statement does the author imply? A Home-cooked meals often have a greater nutritional value than meals from restaurants. B Fast food places, like McDonald's, are less healthy than higher-end restaurants like a steakhouse. C The obesity epidemic in America is due to our obsession with eating out. D Dinner is the least healthy meal you can eat away from home.

A Home-cooked meals often have a greater nutritional value than meals from restaurants. - The author focuses on the issues with eating away from home. Therefore, the only other option is eating AT home, meaning home-cooked meals have the higher nutritional value than the meals away from home that they are being compared to. There is no evidence for any of the other statements.

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is used in many fields, but often connected most immediately to the healthcare industry. Medical patients see doctors and nurses dawned in gloves, scrubs, gowns, masks, and even glasses or face shields. This practice was not always in effect, however; it took centuries for scientific knowledge to recognize the importance of PPE and implement it across the world.One of the most iconic examples of early PPE is that of the plague doctor—which, coincidentally, also demonstrates the extreme lack of knowledge humans had on diseases at the time. During the 17th century bubonic plague, doctors could be seen wearing long coats, leather gloves, and ominous-looking beaked masks. This eccentric outfit was to protect the medical professionals from "miasma." Doctors believed that the plague (and other ailments) were spread through poisoned air; the beaked mask, stuffed with dozens of herbs and perfumes, was meant to purify the air before the physician can breathe it in. The long, curved beak supposedly gave the air enough time to be suffused by the aromatic fumes. This, of course, did nothing to protect the plague doctors.It took hundreds of years for modern protective equipment to start to take shape. The first rubber surgical gloves were made in 1893 by Goodyear (the tire company), and the first surgical masks were worn in 1897 to keep doctors from coughing or sneezing on patients undergoing surgery. In fact, surgical masks are still for this purpose—not to prevent airborne diseases from being breathed in. A plague in 1910 brought on the development of a mask designed to protect the wearer, which was very important for the dawn of the Spanish flu in 1918. Today, the N-95 masks doctors wear are direct descendants from this early respirator.Despite their existence, it took a few years for protective wear to catch on. Masks weren't common until after 1920 following a bit of public mockery of them in previous decades. A study examining a century of surgery photographs discovered that it wasn't until after 1950 that every person in the operating room wore full medical gear—gloves, masks, scrubs, and caps. Thankfully, PPE is the industry standard now, all the better for both patients and practitioners. Which of the following is the best summary of the passage? A It took many decades of scientific advancement and evolving perspectives in medicine for healthcare providers to have the personal protective equipment we know today. B The plague doctor uniform is an early example of PPE, even though it was based on a misunderstanding of how disease spread. It wasn't until the 1950s that full, appropriate medical gear was worn. C The first surgical gloves were made in 1893 by Goodyear. The first surgical masks came four years later. Unfortunately, these revolutionary inventions weren't taken seriously until decades later, which may have cost many their lives. D PPE is a vital part of the healthcare industry. It is designed to protect both the wearer and the patient. Surgical masks are meant to keep surgeons from coughing or sneezing on a patient, while N-95 respirators and their early predecessors are meant to prevent airborne diseases from being breathed in.

A It took many decades of scientific advancement and evolving perspectives in medicine for healthcare providers to have the personal protective equipment we know today

Nanometer article: Which claim from the passage best describes the benefits of nanotechnology? A Scientists can develop novel technologies and products. B Nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers. C The different colors can be used in simple medical tests to indicate infection or disease. D Unique properties of materials emerge.

A Scientists can develop novel technologies and products. - Nanotechnology is the science of studying very small particles of matter. The author states that it is a new field that may help scientists develop new technologies and products that will be helpful in industry and medicine as a result of the different ways that matter behaves at the nanoscale.

Aside from the uterus itself, the placenta is, perhaps, the most important organ directly involved with pregnancy. It is an organ that only exists during pregnancy; it is delivered after birth. Connected to the fetus through the umbilical cord, the placenta is a nutrient-rich organ attached to the wall of the uterus. It not only nourishes the fetus with crucial gases (i.e., oxygen), but it also protects the fetus by carrying away wastes.Some scientists describe the placenta as a kind of "trading post." It exchanges nutrients between the blood supplies of the mother and the fetus—although the blood supplies do not intermingle throughout this process. Nutrients from the fetal blood and maternal blood are instead exchanged and regulated via blood vessels that filter each source without bringing them in direct contact. Since the maternal blood delivers nutrients to the fetus, pregnant people should strive for a healthy lifestyle. Certain substances can pass through the placenta, causing problems for the developing fetus. Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are among the products that can cause lifelong medical complications or disorders. Which sentence best summarizes the passage's main idea? A. "Aside from the uterus itself, the placenta is, perhaps, the most important organ directly involved with pregnancy." B. "Some scientists describe the placenta as a kind of 'trading post.'" C. "Nutrients from the fetal blood and maternal blood are instead exchanged and regulated via blood vessels that filter each source without bringing them in direct contact." D. "Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are among the products that can cause lifelong medical complications or disorders."

A. "Aside from the uterus itself, the placenta is, perhaps, the most important organ directly involved with pregnancy."

Cancer society link: Which phrase from the passage has about the same meaning as "are believed to be related to" in the first paragraph? A. "can be tied to" (paragraph 1) B. "disproportionately affect" (paragraph 1) C. "are among the most visible" (paragraph 2) D. "still has a long road ... ahead" (paragraph 3)

A. "can be tied to" (paragraph 1)

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease that has garnered the attention of the media in recent years. Medical studies have indicated that American football players have a higher chance of developing CTE than many other athletes because of the repeated brain trauma that results from helmet-to-helmet collisions on the field. Some studies have found that nearly 87 percent of all football players show signs of CTE. This is a troubling statistic, considering that CTE has been linked to memory loss, mood disorders, and even dementia. There is also a strong correlation with CTE and suicide, and it may be the high percentage of suicides among former NFL players that has shed light on the troubling symptoms of chronic head trauma.Many organizations, colleges, and high schools have responded by introducing stricter standards for concussion protocols and head-to-head collisions. However, even these protocols have done little to mitigate the traumatic consequences of accidental helmet-to-helmet collisions that occur on a daily basis on football fields across the country. Many concerned parents have begun to ask if football is too violent a sport for their children. It may be too early for Americans to honestly answer this question, but there is certainly room for growing concern. Recent statistics show a decline in enrollment in youth football programs across the country, and for good reason: head trauma—no matter how many times or how often—appears to have long-term effects on the brain and the mind. Which sentence best summarizes the passage's main idea? A. CTE is a degenerative brain disease that a large percentage of American football players develop. B. CTE has been linked to memory loss, mood disorders, dementia, and suicide among former NFL players. C. Many organizations, colleges, and high schools have introduced stricter standards for concussion protocols and head-to-head collisions. D. Stricter protocols have done little to alleviate the results of accidental helmet-to-helmet collisions that occur on football fields.

A. CTE is a degenerative brain disease that a large percentage of American football players develop.

Lyme reading: Which detail supports the idea that most people recover quickly from Lyme disease? A. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. B. Lyme disease can be easily prevented. C. Not everyone with Lyme disease will get a rash. D. Most cases require the tick to be attached for two days.

A. Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.

Digital age: In the second paragraph, what does the word endure mean? A. bear the pain B. brave the hardships C. survive the shortages D. continue living

A. bear the pain

Uterus: What is the meaning of the word intermingle in the second paragraph? A. intermix B. interact C. amalgamate D. fuse

A. intermix

CTE: Readers can infer from reading this passage that professional football's future ________. A. may be threatened B. will not be affected by CTE studies C. will definitely be threatened D. should be threatened, due to suicides among former players

A. may be threatened

Pain: In the last paragraph, the phrase "a double-edged sword" means that the absence of pain can be ________. A. positive or negative B. mild or unbearable C. caused by knife wounds D. even more painful than pain

A. positive or negative

Pain: On which system of the human body does the author focus in this passage? A. the neurological system B. the immune system C. the circulatory system D. the cardiovascular system

A. the neurological system

Cancer society link: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay? A. to suggest "the necessity of anti-smoking campaigns" B. to scare smokers into quitting cigarette smoking immediately C. to honor the research done by the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society D. to express anger at big tobacco companies that continue to target people who do not realize how harmful smoking can be

A. to suggest "the necessity of anti-smoking campaigns"

Alexander Fleming passage: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay? A. to suggest changing the ways we use antibiotics B. to suggest that people need to stop taking so many antibiotics C. to honor Alexander Fleming's groundbreaking discovery of penicillin D. to suggest that factory farmers need to start treating their animals more humanely

A. to suggest changing the ways we use antibiotics

A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. A DNA molecule is 2 nanometers in diameter. Protein molecules are about 10 nanometers in diameter. A human hair is 100,000 nanometers in diameter. But what is a nanometer and how does it relate to technology? Nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, a scale at which unique properties of materials emerge that can be used to develop novel technologies and products. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ from the properties of matter either at smaller scales, such as atoms, or at larger scales that we use in everyday life such as millimeters or inches. Nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter only a few nanometers in size. Gold nanoparticles are made of the same material as in jewelry. But when light interacts with particles of gold, different colors are reflected. The different colors can be used in simple medical tests to indicate infection or disease. Metals such as copper become extremely rigid at the nanoscale, rather than bendable as in copper wires seen in everyday use. What is the major difference between matter at the nanoscale and matter at larger scales such as millimeters or inches? A At the nanoscale, metals are bendable, and at larger scales they are rigid. B Matter has different and special characteristics at the nanoscale. C At the nanoscale, matter has the same properties as matter at the atomic level. D There is no difference.

B Matter has different and special characteristics at the nanoscale. - Nanotechnology is the science of studying very small pieces of matter. A nanometer is bigger than an atom, but smaller than a millimeter. The author explains that matter at the nanoscale and matter at larger scales both have different and special characteristics: "At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ from the properties of matter either at smaller scales, such as atoms, or at larger scales that we use in everyday life such as millimeters or inches."

Nanometer article: Which of the following statements is not a detail from the passage? A Nanotechnology is unique because small scale materials have different properties than at other sizes. B The rigidity of nanoscale copper is useful for medical testing and equipment. C Protein molecules are larger than DNA molecules. D At the nanoscale, gold reflects different colors than at visible scales like millimeters or centimeters.

B The rigidity of nanoscale copper is useful for medical testing and equipment. - The article does mention that copper at the nanoscale is more rigid, but it only specifies that gold, not copper, is useful for medical tests. The other statements are true (the article states the sizes of protein molecules and DNA molecules in nanometers, showing that the former is larger than the latter).

PPE article: What is the author's purpose? A. To entertain readers of the improper origins of PPE B To inform readers of how the PPE we use today came about C To persuade readers to protect themselves by wearing PPE D To inform readers of how the plague doctor was responsible for the development of masks we wear today

B To inform readers of how the PPE we use today came about - The passage is informational; it does not try to tell readers to wear PPE, nor is it for entertainment about the origins of PPE, since it gives a general overview of its development throughout history. There is no evidence given that the plague doctor masks directly led to modern masks, and the passage focuses more broadly on all forms of protective wear.

Inflammation: Which sentence best summarizes the passage's main idea? A. "Inflammation is a word that resonates throughout the health and wellness industries today." B. "[A]t a biological level, inflammation is caused by the aggressive chemical signals sent by immune cells calling on other cells and substances to converge on the injury or infection to protect and heal it." C. "Inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis can have debilitating effects." D. "Anti-inflammatory medications and certain steroids can lessen the inflammation and relieve some of the symptoms."

B. "[A]t a biological level, inflammation is caused by the aggressive chemical signals sent by immune cells calling on other cells and substances to converge on the injury or infection to protect and heal it."

Digital age: Which sentence best summarizes the passage's main idea? A. "In the digital age ... it is hard to imagine a world without modern medical breakthroughs." B. "[T]he scientific and technological advancements that followed the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century and the Civil War in the nineteenth century [were] the beginnings of modern medicine." C. "[O]n October 16, 1846, the first public demonstration of using ether to render a patient unconscious and immune to pain during surgery made waves throughout the medical community." D. "[T]he unprecedented bloodshed of the Civil War resulted in many medical innovations."

B. "[T]he scientific and technological advancements that followed the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century and the Civil War in the nineteenth century [were] the beginnings of modern medicine."

Inflammation: According to the passage, what causes inflammation? A. "swelling and soreness of an injured or infected part of the body" B. "chemical signals sent by immune cells calling on other cells ... to converge" C. "heat and redness, and fluids [leaking] into the surrounding tissue" D. "pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and other symptoms"

B. "chemical signals sent by immune cells calling on other cells ... to converge"

Inflammation is a word that resonates throughout the health and wellness industries today. Though seemingly pervasive, inflammation is hardly ever explicitly defined. What is the medical definition of inflammation? What are some of its causes?We typically think of inflammation as the swelling and soreness of an injured or infected part of the body. That part of the body may also appear red and be hot to the touch. But, at a biological level, inflammation is caused by the aggressive chemical signals sent by immune cells calling on other cells and substances to converge on the injury or infection to protect and heal it. Blood flow is increased, causing the heat and redness, and fluids can leak into the surrounding tissue, causing the swelling and soreness.Although inflammation is, first and foremost, one of the body's most vital forms of defense, it can also be detrimental if it does not "turn off" or if it rushes to the aid of otherwise healthy tissue. Inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or rheumatoid arthritis can have debilitating effects. Chronic inflammation can cause pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and other symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications and certain steroids can lessen the inflammation and relieve some of the symptoms. Which of the following statements can the reader infer from the passage? A. Inflammation is mainly detrimental to the body. B. Inflammation is caused by the body's own immune system. C. Inflammation is always a good sign: it means the immune system is working well. D. When a body part becomes too inflamed, the immune system rushes to heal that body part.

B. Inflammation is caused by the body's own immune system.

Pain: Which sentence best summarizes the passage's main idea? A. Many people wonder why we feel pain when we are injured, or why some patients feel phantom pain. B. Pain is a complicated biological process, one that many people misjudge or do not understand. C. When you stub your toe, your brain analyzes the sensory signals coming from your injury. D. Anti-inflammatory medications can lessen or ease pain by affecting neurological processes.

B. Pain is a complicated biological process, one that many people misjudge or do not understand.

Lyme reading: Which of the following is included in the passage regarding tick bite symptoms? A. Symptoms are noticeable in the early stages of the disease. B. Symptoms can vary from fevers, weakness, and achy joints. C. rash containing several red rings will appear a week after a tick bite. D. Not everyone with Lyme disease will experience symptoms.

B. Symptoms can vary from fevers, weakness, and achy joints.

Lyme reading: What is the primary purpose of this passage? A. To inform the reader about Lyme disease prevention tactics. B. To inform the reader on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Lyme disease. C. To persuade readers to take preventative measures regarding Lyme disease. D. To inform readers of the consequences of PTLD and CLD.

B. To inform the reader on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Lyme disease.

Alexander Fleming passage: Readers can infer from reading this passage that the author feels ________ about the "dramatic rise in drug-resistant bacterial infections." A. relieved B. concerned C. infuriated D. enthralled

B. concerned

CTE: What is the meaning of the word garnered in the first sentence? A. harvested B. gotten C. stored D. accumulated

B. gotten

Have you ever wondered why exactly we feel pain when we get hurt? Or why some patients feel phantom pain even in the absence of a real trauma or damage? Pain is a highly sophisticated biological mechanism, one that is often downplayed or misinterpreted. Pain is much more than a measure of tissue damage—it is a complex neurological chain reaction that sends sensory data to the brain. Pain is not produced by the toe you stubbed; rather, it is produced once the information about the "painful" incident reaches the brain. The brain analyzes the sensory signals emanating from the toe you stubbed, but the toe itself is not producing the sensation of pain.In most cases, the brain offers accurate interpretations of the sensory data that is sent to it via the neurological processes in the body. If you hold your hand too close to a fire, for instance, the brain triggers pain that causes you to jerk your hand away, preventing further damage.Phantom pain, most commonly associated with the amputation or loss of a limb, on the other hand, is triggered even in the absence of any injury. One possible explanation is that the spinal cord is still processing sensations from that area.The science of pain management is complex and still poorly understood. However, anesthetics or anti-inflammatory medications can reduce or relieve pain by disrupting the neurological pathways that produce it. The absence of pain, however, is a double-edged sword—sometimes pain is the only clue to an underlying injury or disease. Likewise, an injury or disease can dull or eliminate pain, making it impossible to sense when something is actually wrong. Readers can infer from the passage that pain is ________. A. simple: pain is painful B. more complicated than most people know C. caused by the body's system of endocrine glands D. often exaggerated in patients' minds

B. more complicated than most people know

Pain: What does the term "phantom pain" mean in the first and third paragraphs? A. ghostly pain B. pain that is not the result of an injury C. mild pain D. pain that is "a double-edged sword"

B. pain that is not the result of an injury

Cancer society link: Readers can infer from reading this passage that the author thinks all cigarette smokers ________. A. are uneducated B. should quit smoking C. are low-class people D. should stop smoking near their children

B. should quit smoking

Digital age: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage? A. to inform readers about the latest breakthroughs in surgical techniques B. to give a history of modern medicine from the 1840s through the early 1900s C. to inform readers about "barbaric" medical practices that occurred in army hospitals during the Civil War D. to convince readers that the Civil War was

B. to give a history of modern medicine from the 1840s through the early 1900s

Uterus: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay? A. to persuade pregnant women to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drugs B. to inform readers about the placenta functions during pregnancy C. to explain the "trading post" metaphor that some scientists use D. to advise women to have their placentas checked regularly

B. to inform readers about the placenta functions during pregnancy

FAFH article: What is the meaning of the word "associated" in the first paragraph? A Specialized B Predated C Connected D Obfuscated

C Connected - In saying the two things are "associated," the author intends to describe two ideas that are linked or intrinsically connected.

FAFH article: What is the main idea of the passage? A With so many factors going into a person's lifestyle, it is hard to definitively say that eating away from home leads to worse diet quality. B Eating meals away from home is correlated with fewer servings of vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. C Eating away from home appears to lead to a less balanced and healthy diet. D Eating meals away from home increases caloric intake, which, in turn, promotes weight gain.

C Eating away from home appears to lead to a less balanced and healthy diet. - The main idea is the overarching theme or topic that a passage focuses on. No details (servings of food groups, confounding factors, caloric intake) are included in the main idea.

Nanometer article: What statement is supported by the passage? A All materials will look and behave differently at the nanoscale, so they can all be used for technological and medical advancement. B Precious metals are more valuable at the nanoscale. C Nanotechnology has the potential to save lives through certain applications. D Nanotechnology can be used in practically every industry.

C Nanotechnology has the potential to save lives through certain applications. - The correct answer is only statement directly supported by the passage, as the paragraph mentions the technology's application in finding infections and diseases

PPE article: What is the meaning of "eccentric" in the second paragraph? A Traditional B Familiar C Outlandish D Vital

C Outlandish - Something is eccentric if it appears outlandish or bizarre

PPE article: Which detail is not included in the passage? A Masks were not universally worn by medical staff before 1920. B The beak of a plague doctor mask was full of perfumes meant to purify the air that the doctor would breathe. C Scrubs helped protect doctors from the Spanish flu. D N-95 masks protect health professionals from any particles they might have breathed in.

C Scrubs helped protect doctors from the Spanish flu.

The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 revolutionized medical care. The widespread use of penicillin and other antibiotics has saved millions of people from the deadliest bacterial infections known to humans and prevented the spread of bacterial diseases. But we have relied on antibiotics too heavily, which has undermined their effectiveness as bacteria evolve resistance to these drugs.To add to the problem, factory farms across the United States are inundating pigs, cattle, chickens, and turkeys with cocktails of antibiotics to prevent diseases from proliferating among their tightly packed livestock. Because livestock manure is used as fertilizer, drug-resistant bacteria are spreading within the soils and waterways of farms, contaminating even plant-producing environments. The result: a dramatic rise in drug-resistant bacterial infections, sickening two million people per year and killing 23,000 in the United States alone. Which sentence best summarizes the passage's main idea? A. "The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 revolutionized medical care." B. "The widespread use of penicillin and other antibiotics has saved millions of people from the deadliest bacterial infections known to humans and prevented the spread of bacterial diseases." C. "But we have relied on antibiotics too heavily, which has undermined their effectiveness as bacteria evolve resistance to these drugs." D. "Because livestock manure is used as fertilizer, drug-resistant bacteria are spreading within the soils and waterways of farms, contaminating even plant-producing environments."

C. "But we have relied on antibiotics too heavily, which has undermined their effectiveness as bacteria evolve resistance to these drugs." - The passage is mainly about ways that the overuse of antibiotics has led drug-resistant bacteria to evolve.

Studies by the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society link the prevalence of over a dozen types of cancer to smoking cigarettes: colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia, among others, are believed to be related to heavy tobacco smoking. Even though cigarette use has been plummeting in the United States, close to 40 million people continue to smoke. This number is troubling, especially when one considers that nearly 30 percent of all cancer-related deaths in the United States can be tied to smoking. To make matters worse, cigarette-linked cancers disproportionately affect men of color, especially if they come from lower-income communities. This means that smoking continues to be not only an issue of public health, but also one of social equity.Smoking is linked to other health problems as well. Heart disease and stroke are among the most visible, but cigarette smoke affects nearly every organ in the human body. It is correlated with birth defects, lower sperm counts, diabetes, lower bone density, tooth loss and gum disease, and more.Continuing research reinforces the necessity of anti-smoking campaigns, both government funded and grassroots. The numbers show that such campaigns work, encouraging people to quit smoking. For the moment, however, the United States still has a long road of anti-smoking campaigning ahead. Which sentence best summarizes the passage's main idea? A. "Studies ... link the prevalence of over a dozen types of cancer to smoking cigarettes." B. "Even though cigarette use has been plummeting in the United States, close to 40 million people continue to smoke." C. "This number [40 million smokers] is troubling, especially when one considers that nearly 30 percent of all cancer-related deaths in the United States can be tied to smoking." D. "[The fact that 'cigarette-linked cancers disproportionately affect men of color'] means that smoking continues to be not only an issue of public health, but also one of social equity."

C. "This number [40 million smokers] is troubling, especially when one considers that nearly 30 percent of all cancer-related deaths in the United States can be tied to smoking."

Cancer society link: In the last sentence, what does the phrase "still has a long road ... ahead" mean? A. People should not smoke on public transportation. B. A cancer patient has a long, grueling treatment program to suffer through. C. Anti-smoking campaigns still have a lot more work to do in the United States. D. Even if you drive with the window open, you should not smoke while driving. Feedback

C. Anti-smoking campaigns still have a lot more work to do in the United States.

Lyme disease is caused by ticks. More specifically, Lyme disease is caused by Borrellia bacteria, which are carried by ticks. When ticks infected with this bacteria bite humans, the bacteria can be transmitted into the bloodstream, causing an illness known as Lyme disease. The symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle pain. One of the most noticeable signs is a rash that looks like a series of red rings radiating out from the bite. This usually appears a week after the tick bite. However, not everyone with Lyme disease gets this rash. The good news is that Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics. Most people recover quickly and fully. However, if Lyme disease is not treated properly, patients can suffer from debilitating symptoms weeks, months, and even years after the bite. This condition is known as post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) or chronic Lyme disease (CLD). To protect yourself from Lyme disease, always cover your skin with clothing or insect repellent when hiking or camping. If you get bitten by a tick, remove the tick right away; most cases of Lyme disease require the tick to be attached for 36 to 48 hours. If red rings appear, see a doctor right away. Lyme disease can be harmful, but it is preventable and treatable with early intervention. Question: What is the main idea of the passage? A. Lyme disease can be life-threatening if not treated properly in the early stages. B. Lyme disease is characterized by its symptoms, including a distinct rash and fever. C. Lyme disease produces various symptoms, but it is preventable and can be treated in its early stages. D. If caught in the early stages, Lyme disease is an easily treatable illness.

C. Lyme disease produces various symptoms, but it is preventable and can be treated in its early stages.

Digital age: According to the passage, how did the Civil War affect modern medicine? A. The war caused advancements in medicine to cease for a few years. B. The war did not greatly affect modern medicine. C. The war caused advancements in many branches of medicine. D. The war encouraged surgeons to use ether as an anesthetic.

C. The war caused advancements in many branches of medicine.

Lyme reading: Why would the author include the detail "most cases of Lyme disease require the tick to be attached for 36 to 48 hours" in paragraph 4? A. To offer an example of a quick recovery from the disease. B. To contradict the argument regarding the severity of Lyme disease. C. To support the reasoning behind immediate tick removal. D. To inform the reader regarding the cause of Lyme disease.

C. To support the reasoning behind immediate tick removal.

Inflammation: In the second paragraph, what does the word aggressive mean? A. violent B. destructive C. forceful D. hardline

C. forceful

Inflammation: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay? A. to advise readers on ways to treat patients with IBD or rheumatoid arthritis B. to warn readers with inflammatory diseases not to take too many steroids C. to define inflammation and inform readers about its causes and effects D. to point out that research scientists are still searching for the causes of inflammation

C. to define inflammation and inform readers about its causes and effects

CTE: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay? A. to reassure readers that football players' brains can heal from CTE B. to suggest that, following any kind of head trauma, an athlete should take several months off to heal C. to suggest that football may be too violent a sport for children and teenagers to play D. to persuade readers not to allow their children to play high school sports such as football

C. to suggest that football may be too violent a sport for children and teenagers to play

Uterus: Readers can infer from reading this passage that during pregnancy, the placenta is second in importance to the ________. A. mother B. fetus C. uterus D. blood

C. uterus

Food away from home (FAFH) has been associated with poor diet quality in many studies. It is difficult, however, to measure the effect of FAFH on diet quality since many unobserved factors, such as food preferences and time constraints, influence not just our choice of where to eat, but also the nutritional quality of what we eat.Using data from 1994-96 and 2003-04, this study applies fixed-effects estimation to control for such unobservable influences and finds that, for the average adult, FAFH increases daily caloric intake and reduces diet quality. The effects vary depending on which meals are consumed away from home. On average, breakfast away from home decreases the number of servings of whole grains and dairy consumed per 1,000 calories and increases the percent of calories from saturated and solid fat, alcohol, and added sugar (SoFAAS) in a day. Dinner away from home reduces the number of servings of vegetables consumed per 1,000 calories for the average adult. Breakfast and lunch away from home increase calories from saturated fat and SoFAAS on average more among dieters than among non-dieters. Some of the overall negative dietary effects decreased between 1994-96 and 2003-04, including those on whole grain, sodium, and vegetable consumption. Which meal(s) eaten away from home have worse results for dieters than for non-dieters? A The article doesn't state which meal is the worse for non-dieters. B Dinner eaten away from home is worse because people consume fewer whole grains and vegetables. C Breakfast eaten away from home is worse because it increases the percent of calories from saturated and solid fat, alcohol, and added sugar (SoFAAS) in a day. D Breakfast and lunch eaten away from home are worse because they increase the percent of calories from saturated fats.

D Breakfast and lunch eaten away from home are worse because they increase the percent of calories from saturated fats. - The paragraph states that breakfast and lunch away from home increase calories from saturated fat more among dieters than for non-dieters.

Nanometer article: What is the meaning of the word properties in the passage? A Physical spaces B Types C Abilities D Qualities or attributes

D Qualities or attributes - A property is a quality, trait, or attribute that something possesses. The word has other meanings, but this is how it is being used here.

PPE article: Which of the following is implied? A Plague doctors knew that their beaked masks and leather gloves wouldn't protect them, but there was nothing they could do. B Health professionals today only wear PPE because they have to. C The Spanish flu caused as much panic and devastation as the bubonic plague. D There was skepticism in the early 20th century medical community of the supposed effectiveness of PPE.

D There was skepticism in the early 20th century medical community of the supposed effectiveness of PPE. - The last paragraph mentions that PPE took a while "to catch on" and received some "public mockery" in the decades preceding the year 1920, which would be the first two decades of the 20th century. There is no indication that plague doctors were aware their uniforms didn't work; in fact, the passage explains their reasoning behind wearing it. There is also no mention of the opinions or motivations of healthcare workers now, nor the amount of panic experienced during any epidemic.

Nanometer article: What is the author's primary purpose in writing this essay? A To explain how to utilize the nanoscale B To review the conversion between the nanoscale and nanotechnology C To advocate for the usage of more nanotechnology D To describe what nanotechnology is

D To describe what nanotechnology is - The overall tone of the passage is informational and fairly dry. The topic is nanotechnology and the paragraph explains in some detail what it is and what its value is.

FAFH article: Why is it difficult to measure the effect of food away from home on diet quality? A People eat out too much, so it is not possible to collect accurate data. B Researchers are unable to assess the nutritional quality of people's diets. C Peoples' food preferences are too complex and may even be unmeasurable. D Too many unknown variables affect the data.

D Too many unknown variables affect the data. - To answer the question, look for clues in the second sentence in addition to the word "why." The answer lies in "many unobserved factors" and the more specific "such as food preferences and time constraints." The correct answer is supported by the following: "many unobserved factors, such as food preferences and time constraints, influence not just our choice of where to eat but also the nutritional quality of what we eat."

CTE: In the second paragraph, the author writes, "It may be too early for Americans to honestly answer this question, but there is certainly room for growing concern." To which question does the author refer? A. Is playing professional football worth suffering memory loss, mood disorders, and dementia? B. Should football fans stop attending games and watching football on television? C. Is CTE so painful that it causes sufferers to commit suicide? D. Is tackle football too violent a sport for children?

D. Is tackle football too violent a sport for children?

Pain: According to the passage, what is true of phantom pain? A. It is psychological, not physical; in other words, it is not real. B. Biologists are mystified by this kind of pain. C. It occurs because the body remembers how painful it felt when a limb was severely injured. D. It may happen because the spinal cord is still processing sensations from an amputated limb

D. It may happen because the spinal cord is still processing sensations from an amputated limb

Alexander Fleming passage: Which of the following is NOT listed as a detail in the passage? A. Factory farms give antibiotics to pigs, cattle, chickens, and turkeys. B. Factory farmers give their animals "cocktails of antibiotics"—more than one kind of antibiotics. C. On factory farms, livestock are packed closely together. D. On some farms, free-range chickens and turkeys can wander about the property.

D. On some farms, free-range chickens and turkeys can wander about the property.

CTE: Which of the following is NOT listed as a detail in the passage? A. Studies have shown that American football players have a higher chance of developing CTE than other athletes do. B. When playing football, players sustain repeated brain trauma from helmet-to-helmet collisions. C. Studies have shown that nearly 87 percent of all football players show signs of CTE. D. Professional football organizations across the United States are taking responsibility for the high incidence of CTE among players.

D. Professional football organizations across the United States are taking responsibility for the high incidence of CTE among players.

Lyme reading: Which of the following is NOT true regarding protection from Lyme disease? A. If bitten by a tick, it should be removed as soon as possible. B. Covering skin when camping can help prevent tick bites. C. Insect repellent can ward off ticks. D. Protective clothing is the most effective prevention strategy.

D. Protective clothing is the most effective prevention strategy.

Lyme reading: What can be inferred from patients with chronic Lyme disease (CLD)? A. The tick was attached for up to 48 hours. B. Antibiotic treatment must have been ineffective. C. They did not have noticeable symptoms. D. The disease was not treated thoroughly.

D. The disease was not treated thoroughly.

Uterus: Which of the following is NOT listed as a detail in the passage? A. The placenta is delivered after the baby is born. B. The placenta is attached to the uterine wall. C. Some scientists call the placenta a "trading post." D. The placenta protects the fetus from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

D. The placenta protects the fetus from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

Cancer society link: Which of the following is NOT listed as a detail in the passage? A. The American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society have sponsored studies that show smoking cigarettes causes cancer. B. Studies show that more than a dozen kinds of cancer can be caused by cigarette smoking. C. Cigarette smoking is also linked to heart disease, strokes, birth defects, and diabetes. D. Tobacco companies advertise cigarettes on billboards and smaller signs in low-income neighborhoods.

D. Tobacco companies advertise cigarettes on billboards and smaller signs in low-income neighborhoods.

In the digital age, with all its technological advances, it is hard to imagine a world without modern medical breakthroughs. But what we now consider "modern" medicine is still a relatively new phenomenon, having truly begun to develop in the nineteenth century. Many historians look to the scientific and technological advancements that followed the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century and the Civil War in the nineteenth century as the beginnings of modern medicine.Before the 1840s, surgery did not include the use of anesthesia. But on October 16, 1846, the first public demonstration of using ether to render a patient unconscious and immune to pain during surgery made waves throughout the medical community. Before the discovery of anesthesia, patients had to merely endure as doctors sliced into their bodies with scalpels. The types of surgeries that could be performed remained limited because it was nearly impossible to carry out more advanced operations or research while patients were writhing in pain.Just twenty years later, the unprecedented bloodshed of the Civil War resulted in many medical innovations. Although many of the battlefield practices seem barbaric by today's standards, the sheer volume of medical need encouraged medical personnel, public health advocates, scientists, and inventors to seek more effective and humane treatment. Advances in amputation techniques, infection control, and transport of patients all stem from Civil War medicine. In addition, plastic surgery and prosthetics design took turns for the better after the war. As a result, the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries witnessed a wave of new medicines, tools, and technologies. Which of the following statements can the reader infer from the passage? A. During the Civil War, army doctors performed so many surgeries that they often ran out of ether. B. After the Civil War there was a shortage of men, so United States medical schools began accepting women. C. During the Civil War there was little money available to buy ether, and surgeons stopped using it for a few years. D. Years after the Civil War was over, surgical patients benefitted from the sheer number of surgeries army doctors performed during the war.

D. Years after the Civil War was over, surgical patients benefitted from the sheer number of surgeries army doctors performed during the war.

Digital age: The author writes that "plastic surgery and prosthetics design took turns for the better" after the Civil War ended. Readers can infer that this occurred because so many soldiers ________ as a result of the war. A. suffered post-traumatic stress disorder B. dreamed of going to medical school C. died of injuries and diseases D. lost limbs and were disfigured

D. lost limbs and were disfigured

Alexander Fleming passage: In the last sentence, what does the word dramatic mean? A. theatrical B. impressive C. thrilling D. striking

D. striking

Uterus: In the last sentence the author writes, "Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are among the products that can cause lifelong medical complications or disorders." For whom or what can these substances cause "lifelong complications or disorders"? A. the uterus B. the placenta C. the mother D. the baby

D. the baby

Alexander Fleming passage: What is the meaning of the word revolutionized in the first sentence? A. rebelled and rejected authority B. protested unfair treatment C. inspired hopeful thoughts D. transformed and modernized

D. transformed and modernized

Inflammation: In the last paragraph, what does the word debilitating mean? A. devastating and unbearable B. inconvenient and bothersome C. medicating and healing D. weakening or incapacitating

D. weakening or incapacitating

Lyme reading: What is the meaning of the word chronic in the third paragraph? Acute Crippling Persistent Drastic

Persistent - acute is usually used to contrast the word chronic