SpEd k-12 Praxis Part 2 of 2

Questions 11-12 refer to the following excerpt. The twilight of evening. Big flakes of wet snow are whirling lazily about the street lamps, which have just been lighted, and lying in a thin soft layer on roofs, horses' backs, shoulders, caps. Iona Potapov, the sledge-driver, is all white like a ghost. He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent. If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off. . . . His little mare is white and motionless too. . . . She is probably lost in thought. Anyone who has been torn away from the plough, from the familiar gray landscapes, and cast into this slough, full of monstrous lights, of unceasing uproar and hurrying people, is bound to think. —Anton Chekhov, from "Misery" A link between setting and characterization is best illustrated by which of the following lines from the excerpt? A. "Big flakes of wet snow are whirling lazily about the street lamps, which have just been lighted, and lying in a thin soft layer on roofs," B. "He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent." C. "If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off." D. "His little mare is white and motionless too. . . . She is probably lost in thought."

C. "If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off." The passage establishes a dreary mood through the use of imagery related to twilight, snow, and "gray landscapes." The quoted line mentions elements of the setting, a "snowdrift," and by indicating that Iona would not necessarily shake a snowdrift off, it hints that Iona is troubled.

In the following excerpt, Alexis de Tocqueville reflects on his experience as a traveler to the United States. An American attends to his private concerns as if he were alone in the world, and the next minute he gives himself up to the common weal as if he had forgotten them. At one time he seems animated by the most selfish cupidity, at another by the most lively patriotism. The human heart cannot be thus divided. The inhabitants of the United States alternately display so strong and so similar a passion for their own welfare and for their freedom, that it may be supposed that these passions are united and mingled in some part of their character. —Alexis de Tocqueville, from Democracy in America Which of the following excerpts from the passage best captures the experience of Tocqueville as a confounded outsider? A. "as if he were alone in the world" B. "the next minute he gives himself up to the common weal" C. "The human heart cannot be thus divided." D. "it may be supposed that these passions are united and mingled"

C. "The human heart cannot be thus divided." This excerpt best captures Tocqueville's deep confusion about what he perceived as a fundamental contradiction in the American experience of democracy.

Using the topographic map shown, which of the following is most likely the highest elevation point in this area? A. 480 feet B. 800 feet C. 1,240 feet D. 1,600 feet

C. 1,240 feet By following the contour line labels as they increase in value, the numbers rise to a small hilltop, in the right half of the map, where the maximum altitude value is 1,240.

Year Number of Acres of Wheat Planted (in millions) 2001 9.8 2002 9.8 2003 9.7 2004 10.5 2005 x The average (arithmetic mean) number of acres of wheat planted in State K for the years shown in the table was 10.0 million acres. Which of the following is closest to the value of x ? A. 9.8 B. 10.0 C. 10.2 D. 10.5

C. 10.2 Option (C) is correct. The average number of acres, in millions, of wheat planted for the 5 years shown is 9.8+9.8+9.7+10.5+x/5 = 10.0 Thus, x=(5)(10) − (9.8+9.8+9.7+10.5) = 50 − 39.8 = 10.2

The chart above shows the time, in minutes, that all the fourth-grade students attending Haddon Elementary School spent reading one day last week. How many students read less than 20 minutes on that day? A. 0 B. 8 C. 15 D. 23

C. 15 Based on the chart, there are 3 students that read for 5 minutes, 7 students that read for 10 minutes, and 5 students that read for 15 minutes. This totals 15 students that read less than 20 minutes.

Cards in a deck are worth either two points or one point. In a game, a player earns points by drawing cards from the deck. One player drew nine times as many two-point cards as one-point cards and scored a total of 38 points. How many two-point cards did the player draw? A. 2 B. 9 C. 18 D. 19

C. 18 Let T be the number of two-point cards drawn and let U be the number of one-point cards drawn. It is given that T=9UT=9U. The total score is 38=2T+U38=2T+U. Substitute T=9UT=9U in the second equation, then 38=2(9U)+U=18U+U=19U38=2(9U)+U=18U+U=19U. Then U=2U=2 and the number of two-point cards is T=18T=18.

A topographic map of mountain trails has a scale of 1:70,0001:70,000 inches. One of the trails on the map is 18 inches long. Which of the following is the best estimate of the length of the trail, in miles, on the ground? (12 inches = 1 foot and 5,280 feet = 1 mile.) A. 0.9 B. 2.0 C. 20.0 D. 23.9

C. 20.0 Option (C) is correct. The scale on the map indicates each 1 inch on the map corresponds to 70,000 inches on the ground. A trail that is 18 inches long on the map is 18 × 70,000 = 1,260,000 inches on the ground. Converted to miles, 1,260,000 inches×1 foot/12 inches × 1 mile/5,280 feet ≈ 20.0miles.

Kellie puts 6 blue marbles, 7 green marbles, and 8 red marbles in a small box. She shakes the box and selects a marble at random, which is green. Kellie sets aside the green marble, shakes the box, and selects a second marble at random. What is the probability that the second marble selected will be green or red? A. 2/3 B. 3/4 C. 7/10 D. 15/21

C. 7/10 Option (C) is correct. When Kellie selects the second marble, there are 6 blue marbles, 6 green marbles, and 8 red marbles in the box, for a total of 20 marbles. Therefore, the probability of selecting a green or red marble is (6+8)/20 = 14/20 = 7/10

Which of the following best describes the Monroe Doctrine, promulgated by President Monroe in 1823? A. A publication from the first Continental Congress that outlined Federalist principles B. The first plan for self-government adopted in the English colonies C. A document intended to end European colonization in the Western Hemisphere D. One of the first documents to oppose slavery in the United States

C. A document intended to end European colonization in the Western Hemisphere The Monroe Doctrine was written in 1823 by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and was made American policy by President James Monroe. Monroe declared that the United States would not interfere with any existing European colonies in the Americas but would oppose the establishment of any new colonies.

Who is most likely to vote in an election? A. A college student from the West Coast B. An unemployed carpenter living in the rural South C. A well-educated, wealthy woman living in a suburb in the Midwest D. An 18-year-old man from a large city on the East Coast

C. A well-educated, wealthy woman living in a suburb in the Midwest Political science research shows that individuals with higher incomes and greater education are more likely to vote in elections than individuals with lower incomes and less education. Also, older citizens are more likely to vote than younger citizens.

The diameter of a human red blood cell ranges between 6.2 and 8.2 thousandths of a millimeter. Which of the following is an equivalent measure of the diameter of a human red blood cell? A. Between 0.62 and 0.82 millimeter B. Between 0.062 and 0.082 millimeter C. Between 0.0062 and 0.0082 millimeter D. Between 0.00062 and 0.00082 millimeter

C. Between 0.0062 and 0.0082 millimeter One thousandth of a millimeter is 1/10^3 of a millimeter. Therefore, 6.2 × 1/10^3 = 0.0062 and 8.2 × 1/10^3 = 0.0082.

All of the following were characteristic of the interaction between China and Great Britain in the 1800s EXCEPT: A. China used military means to resist the importation of opium. B. China agreed to grant treaty ports to Great Britain. C. Great Britain colonized large areas of southern and central China. D. Great Britain joined with other Western powers to crush the Boxer Rebellion.

C. Great Britain colonized large areas of southern and central China. This question tests your knowledge of the relationship between European powers and Asia in the period of nineteenth-century European imperialism. Note that this is an EXCEPT question, which means you are looking for the single choice that is not characteristic of the interaction between China and Great Britain. European powers, including Great Britain, did not colonize large portions of China.

"There are no crimes and no criminals in these days," he said, querulously. "What is the use of having brains in our profession? I know well that I have it in me to make my name famous. No man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study and of natural talent to the detection of crime which I have done. And what is the result? There is no crime to detect, or, at most, some bungling villany with a motive so transparent that even a Scotland Yard official can see through it." —Arthur Conan Doyle, from A Study in Scarlet What does the highlighted sentence reveal about the speaker of the passage? A. He is upset that criminals use their intellect to evade capture. B. He does not believe intelligence is necessary to catch criminals. C. He does not believe criminals pose a challenge to detectives' intellect. D. He is annoyed that intelligent detectives have captured the current criminals.

C. He does not believe criminals pose a challenge to detectives' intellect. The use of the highlighted sentence serves to reinforce the rest of the clues in the passage that the speaker is confident in his skills at crime detection and does not believe that criminals pose a challenge for him.

In exposing the organizational and cultural factors that influence teachers' decisions to stay in their positions, migrate to other schools, or leave teaching entirely, we know that mentoring can address some conditions, thereby increasing new teacher retention. We define mentor as an experienced teacher who assists, coaches, consults with, collaborates with, and guides new teachers to support their transition from novices to successful educators committed to the profession. —Carol A. St. George and Sheila B. Robinson, from "Making Mentoring Matter: Perspectives from Veteran Mentor Teachers" It can be inferred that the authors would most agree with which of the following statements? A. New teachers need to be mentored to become great teachers. B. The mentoring system can be overwhelming for new teachers. C. Mentoring is an effective way to alleviate new teachers' concerns. D. Research fails to support the effectiveness of mentoring systems.

C. Mentoring is an effective way to alleviate new teachers' concerns. Since the passage mentions that the retention rate of new teachers rises as a result of mentoring, it can be inferred that teachers who are not mentored may not have had their concerns addressed early on, which may contribute to them leaving the teaching profession.

The invention of the first known practical telescopes in the seventeenth century enabled astronomers to observe rings around which of the following planets? A. Mars B. Neptune C. Saturn D. Venus

C. Saturn Saturn, the second largest planet in the solar system, has the most extensive ring system in the solar system. Saturn's disklike rings were first observed and described in the seventeenth century after the invention of the first known practical telescopes.

At the end of the twentieth century, which of the following regions had the highest rate of deforestation when calculated as a percentage of the total area of rain forest in the region? A. Central Africa B. South America C. Southeast Asia D. Eastern Europe

C. Southeast Asia This question tests your knowledge of the rain forest biomes of the world. Although environmentalists became increasingly concerned during the 1990s as the Brazilian government extended transportation networks and resource development projects into the country's Amazon basin, razing hundreds of thousands of acres of the region's lush tropical rain forest, the actual rate of deforestation as a percentage of the total area of rain forest has been moderate. About 5 percent of the total rain forest has been cleared. The rate of deforestation is highest in southern and southeastern Asia, primarily associated with commercial timber exploitation.

Which of the following factors contributed significantly to the start of the Second World War? A. The competition between European powers for territories in Africa B. The establishment of a military alliance among the major European powers C. The belief among many Germans that they had to pay too much in reparations after the First World War D. The desire for the Russian Empire to expand its influence into the Mediterranean region

C. The belief among many Germans that they had to pay too much in reparations after the First World War The Nazi Party exploited the belief among many people in Germany who thought the amount of the reparations they had to pay after the war was unfair, and this allowed them to take control of the German government. The other options are incorrect because they all contributed to the start of the First World War.

The town reacted to us as its inhabitants had reacted to all things new before our coming. It regarded us a while without curiosity but with caution, and after we were seen to be harmless (and children) it closed in around us, as a real mother embraces a stranger's child. Warmly, but not too familiarly. —Maya Angelou, from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Which of the following best describes how the town reacted to the children's presence? A. The children were sincerely welcomed as part of the community. B. The townspeople were immediately intrigued by the new residents. C. The children were taken in slowly and kindly, but with wariness. D. The townspeople were brash and unwelcoming of anyone, including young people.

C. The children were taken in slowly and kindly, but with wariness. The author characterizes the children's admittance into the community as gradual and warm but still careful and distant even after their acceptance.

A tiny moon as white and small as a single jasmine flower Leans all alone above my window, on night's wintry bower, Liquid as lime-tree blossom, soft as brilliant water or rain She shines, the first white love of my youth, which all sin cannot stain. —D. H. Lawrence What does the connotation of the word "white" suggest in the poem? A. The color of the flower blossom B. The distance of the moon C. The purity of the past love D. The chill of the winter evening

C. The purity of the past love The speaker compares his past love to a white blossom to suggest that she is pure, and "sin cannot stain" her.

Questions 3-5 refer to the following poem. The Deserted House Life and Thought have gone away Side by side, Leaving door and windows wide: Careless tenants they! All within is dark as night: In the windows is no light: And no murmur at the door, So frequent on its hinge before. Close the door, the shutters close, Or thro' the windows we shall see The nakedness and vacancy Of the dark deserted house. Come away: no more of mirth Is here or merry-making sound. The house was builded of the earth, And shall fall again to ground. Come away: for Life and Thought Here no longer dwell; But in a city glorious—A great and distant city—have bought A mansion incorruptible. Would they could have stayed with us. —Alfred, Lord Tennyson Which of the following best describes the theme of the poem? A. The effects of utter loneliness B. The possibility of human rebirth C. The transience of human existence D. The necessity of suitable shelter

C. The transience of human existence The poem uses the extended metaphor of an empty house to represent the body of a person for whom "Life and Thought" have gone away. The final lines reveal that Life and Thought have found a home in a "distant city" and a "mansion incorruptible," implying the existence of life outside the confines of a human body.

Questions 16-17 refer to the following poem. November This is the treacherous month when autumn days With summer's voice come bearing summer's gifts. Line Beguiled, the pale down-trodden aster lifts (5)Her head and blooms again. The soft, warm haze Makes moist once more the sere and dusty ways, And, creeping through where dead leaves lie in drifts, The violet returns. Snow noiseless sifts Ere night, an icy shroud, which morning's rays (10)Will idly shine upon and slowly melt, Too late to bid the violet live again. The treachery , at last, too late, is plain; Bare are the places where the sweet flowers dwelt. What joy sufficient hath November felt? (15)What profit from the violet's day of pain? — Helen Hunt Jackson In the poem, the flowers represent which of the following? A. The hopefulness for a mild winter B. The transition from autumn to winter C. The wistfulness for warmer days D. The progression from hope to indifference

C. The wistfulness for warmer days The delicate flowers bloom amid nature's preparations for winter, making people crave the warm days of summer and early autumn.

sing the map scale bar shown, what distance would a one-foot line on the map represent on the surface of Earth? A. Twelve feet B. Twelve hundred feet C. Twelve miles D. Twelve hundred miles

C. Twelve miles If the scale is one inch on the map equals one mile in the real world, then twelve inches (one foot) on the map equals twelve miles on Earth's surface.

Which of the following was a major reason the population of the English colonies in North America grew more rapidly than the population of the French colonies in North America? A. Unlike British ships, French ships carrying settlers had to avoid English warships blockading the coast of France. B. Land for settlement was scarcer in the French colonies than in the English colonies. C. Unlike the French Crown, the English Crown allowed religious dissenters to leave the homeland for North America. D. The discovery of gold in the English colonies attracted settlers from several western European nations.

C. Unlike the French Crown, the English Crown allowed religious dissenters to leave the homeland for North America. The principal religious dissenters in France were the Huguenots, French Protestants who had broken away from the Catholic Church. The French monarchy did not allow them to migrate to the North American colonies. In contrast, the British monarchy allowed religious dissenters to leave, and Puritans migrated to the Americas in large numbers.

A zoo will build a new enclosure for birds in the shape of a rectangular prism. The height of the bird enclosure will be 120 feet, and the perimeter of the rectangular base will be 240 feet. What is the maximum volume that the bird enclosure can have? A. 28,800 cubic feet B. 324,000 cubic feet C.432,000 cubic feet D. 864,000 cubic feet

C.432,000 cubic feet The perimeter of the rectangular base of the enclosure will be 240 feet. Therefore, the sum of the length and the width of the rectangular base must be 120 feet. Since the height of the cage is fixed to be 120 feet, the maximum volume can be found by finding the maximum area of the rectangular base. The area of a rectangle with a fixed perimeter is a maximum when the rectangle is a square (that is, when the length equals the width). Therefore the length and the width measures must both be 60 feet. The volume of the enclosure is then given by: Height × Width × Length = 120×60×60=432,000 cubic feet.

Questions 3-5 refer to the following poem. The Deserted House Life and Thought have gone away Side by side, Leaving door and windows wide: Careless tenants they! All within is dark as night: In the windows is no light: And no murmur at the door, So frequent on its hinge before. Close the door, the shutters close, Or thro' the windows we shall see The nakedness and vacancy Of the dark deserted house. Come away: no more of mirth Is here or merry-making sound. The house was builded of the earth, And shall fall again to ground. Come away: for Life and Thought Here no longer dwell; But in a city glorious—A great and distant city—have bought A mansion incorruptible. Would they could have stayed with us. —Alfred, Lord Tennyson Which of the following lines from the poem best conveys the poem's tone? A. "Life and Thought have gone away" B. "Careless tenants they!" C. "Close the door, the shutters close," D. "The nakedness and vacancy"

D. "The nakedness and vacancy" "Nakedness" and "vacancy" suggest a vulnerability and emptiness of the house, which contribute to the solemn tone of the poem.

In the following diary entry, a young girl describes her experience at school with a group of refugees who have recently fled from Europe to the United States. I brought the refugee kids oranges today. Can you believe it—they didn't know you're supposed to peel oranges first. One boy tried to eat one like an apple. He made an awful face, but then he ate it anyway. I showed them how to peel oranges with the second one. —Jane Yolen, from "Suzy and Leah" Which of the following pieces of textual evidence best supports the inference that the refugees had to adapt to a new culture? A. "brought the refugee kids oranges today" B. "One boy tried to eat one" C. "He made an awful face" D. "didn't know you're supposed to peel oranges"

D. "didn't know you're supposed to peel oranges" The phrase "didn't know you're supposed to peel oranges" clearly indicates a typical experience of an immigrant or outsider—the need to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances. In this case, the young boy's mistake causes him to make a disgusted face.

Steve received $100.00 for his birthday on Thursday and spent the whole amount over the following three days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The ratio of the amount he spent on Friday to the amount he spent on Saturday to the amount he spent on Sunday was 5:4:165:4:16. How much did Steve spend on Sunday? A. $16 B. $20 C. $32 D. $64

D. $64 Since there are 5+4+16=255+4+16=25 parts of the $100, it follows that on Friday, Steve spent $100×5/25 = $20; on Saturday, he spent $100×4/25=$16; and on Sunday he spent $100×16/25=$64

Megan bought a watch in a store. The watch was on sale for 20 percent off the original price. Megan has the store credit card and she received an additional 15 percent off the discounted price. On the final sale the store applied a sales tax of 7 percent. If the original price of the watch was $100, what price did Megan pay for the watch? A.$28.00 B. $69.55 C. $72.00 D. $72.76

D. $72.76 The original price of the watch was $100. After the first discount the watch's price is 20 percent off, or 80 percent of the original price, which is $80.00. After the second discount the watch's price is 85 percent of $80.00, which is $68.00. Finally the sales tax rate is applied, and 7 percent of $68.00 is $4.76. This is added to $68.00 for a total of $72.76. So Megan paid $72.76.

At a fruit store, apples cost $1.19 per pound, and 4 oranges cost $1.00. If a customer bought x pounds of apples and y oranges, which of the following expressions represents the total amount paid, in dollars? A. 2.19(x+y/4) B. 2.19(x+y) C. 1.19x+1.00y D. 1.19x+0.25y

D. 1.19x+0.25y Since apples cost $1.19 per pound and the customer bought x pounds, the total cost, in dollars, for apples was $1.19x$1.19x. Each group of 4 oranges cost $1.00; at this rate, the price of one orange is $0.25. The total cost can be represented by 1.19x + 1.00y/4 which is equal to 1.19x+0.25y

Year Stock Price per Share 2013 $59 2014 $62 The table shows the price per share for a certain stock on January 1 for the years 2013 and 2014. What was the percent change in the price of the stock, rounded to the nearest whole percent, from 2013 to 2014? A. 2% B. 3% C. 4% D. 5%

D. 5% Option (D) is correct. The percent change in the price per share from 2013 to 2014 is (62−59/59 100=5.08%) which is 5%, rounded to the nearest whole percent.

If a machine working at a constant rate makes 33 1/3 aluminum cans each second, how many hours will it take for the machine to make 612,000 cans? A. 306.3 hours B. 306.0 hours C. 30.6 hours D. 5.1 hours

D. 5.1 hours The machine makes 33 1/3 = 100/3 cans per second, or 100/3×60×60=120,000 cans per hour. Therefore, it will take 612,000/120,000=5.1 hours for the machine to produce the desired number of aluminum cans.

Monika has a bag containing red, green, blue, black, and yellow chips. If Monika selects a chip at random from the bag, the probability that a yellow chip will be selected is 1/12. If there are 5 yellow chips in the bag, what is the total number of chips in the bag? A. 12 B. 24 C. 48 D. 60

D. 60 Let T be the total number of chips in the bag. Since there are 5 yellow chips in the bag, the probability that a yellow chip will be selected at random is 5/T. It is given that the probability of selecting a yellow chip is 1/12, thus 5/T=1/12 and solving for T by cross multiplying, (5)(12) = (T)(1), yields T=60T=60.

DOGS AND CATS ON A LARGE FARM Dog Cat Total Male 42 10 52 Female 9 39 48 Total 51 49 100 The numbers of male and female dogs and cats on a farm is categorized in the table shown. What percentage of the female animals on the farm are cats? A. 18.75% B. 39.00% C. 79.59% D. 81.25%

D. 81.25% There are 48 female animals on the farm, 39 of which are cats. Therefore, the percentage of female animals that are cats is 39/48 = 0.8125 = 81.25%

For which of the following is the gravitational potential energy definitely increasing? A. A turtle swimming slowly along the bottom of a pond B. A horse galloping around a race track C. A person lounging at the beach D. A hiker walking from the bottom to the top of a tall mountain

D. A hiker walking from the bottom to the top of a tall mountain Gravitational potential energy is the energy that an object has due to its mass and its height relative to a reference point. If Earth's surface is the reference point, then a hiker walking from the bottom to the top of a tall mountain is definitely gaining potential energy.

Harriet Tubman made which of the following contributions to the abolitionist movement? A. Writing Uncle Tom's Cabin, a novel chronicling the abuses of slavery B. Editing The Liberator, an abolitionist newspaper C. Leading a slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831 D. Acting as a conductor on the Underground Railroad

D. Acting as a conductor on the Underground Railroad This question asks you to identify the role Harriet Tubman played in the abolitionist movement. All of the choices were attempts to oppose slavery. Harriet Tubman, however, was a conductor on the Underground Railroad and helped hundreds of runaway slaves to escape to the North by hiding them in locations provided by abolitionist supporters.

The following is an excerpt from a student's original short story. Late one evening just as he was about to settle into bed, Steven heard several loud thuds coming from his closet. Then, remembering the scary movie he watched at his friend's house the week before, he swiftly grabbed the baseball on his nightstand and tossed it at the closet door just as the boy in the movie had done, hoping to warn whatever creepy creature might be lurking in there. The noise immediately stopped. After a few minutes of mustering his courage, he crept over and courageously yanked the door open. Out jumped his brother, Sammy, yelling "Gotcha!" Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage? A. Cause and effect B. Spatial order C. Problem and solution D. Chronological order

D. Chronological order The events are organized in a chronological sequence. First he heard the noise, then he remembered the movie, next he threw the ball, and after that the noise stopped and he gained his confidence before finally opening the door.

In the graph above, the horizontal axis is the temperature of a location in degrees Celsius and the vertical axis is the temperature of the same location in degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature readings in both Celsius and Fahrenheit for four locations A, B, C, and D are shown. For which location was the temperature −18°−18° Celsius and 0° Fahrenheit? A. A B. B C. C D. D

D. D The horizontal axis represents the degrees Celsius, and the vertical axis represents the degrees Fahrenheit. Thus point D on the graph (−18,0) corresponds to −18° Celsius and 0° Fahrenheit.

"Ashes!" the doorman shouted. Some tittered to relieve the unbearable tension, some cast him a reproachful glance, Grace Wexler clicked her tongue, and Sydelle Pulaski shh-ed. "It was just a joke," Sandy tried to explain. "You know, ashes scattered to the winds, so the one who wins the windfall gets—Oh, never mind." —Ellen Raskin, from The Westing Game Which of the following phrases most nearly means the same as "tittered" as used in the excerpt? A. Vacated quickly B. Glowered scornfully C. Whispered carefully D. Giggled nervously

D. Giggled nervously The word "giggled" means to laugh and is synonymous for "titter." Nervous laughter was a tactic employed by some of the characters to hopefully quell the uncomfortable atmosphere.

In the early years of European exploration and settlement of North America, the Native American population changed in which of the following ways? A. It grew, largely as a result of the spread of European crops. B. It decreased, largely as a result of European military attacks. C. It decreased, largely as a result of changes in the climate. D. It decreased, largely as a result of the spread of infectious diseases from Europeans.

D. It decreased, largely as a result of the spread of infectious diseases from Europeans. This question tests your ability to identify an important factual connection between two events during the period of European exploration and colonization. European explorers introduced a host of epidemic diseases to the native populations they encountered upon their arrival in North America. With no immunity from these foreign illnesses, indigenous peoples died in tremendous numbers from smallpox, measles, and other contagious diseases.

The following is an excerpt from a student's persuasive letter. Childhood obesity is a problem that needs a solution—fast. We are the first generation with a shorter life expectancy than that of our parents, thanks in part to the processed and sugar-filled foods we are subjected to in our meal choices here at Rosemont High. One step I urge you to take in the right direction is providing healthier lunches for your students. We might not make the best choices outside of school, but when given healthy foods as the only options in the place where we spend the majority of our lives, we can make progress. The language and style of the letter suggest that it was intended for which of the following audiences? A. Current students B. Business owners C. Faculty members D. School administrators

D. School administrators The author's use of "your students" and references to the school environment indicate that this letter is intended for the decision makers, such as administrators, of a local school. The language and vocabulary are of an appropriate level of formality to serve as an address to a group of decision makers on behalf of the student body.

(1) Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on February 12, 1809. (2) Lincoln passed the bar exam in 1836, became a lawyer, and was given the nickname "Honest Abe." (3) He married Mary Todd in 1842, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1846, and was inaugurated as President of the United States in 1861. (4) Lincoln is most remembered for his famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, which he delivered in 1863 at the dedication ceremony for the Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg. Which of the following sentences is best characterized as an opinion? A. Sentence 1 B. Sentence 2 C. Sentence 3 D. Sentence 4

D. Sentence 4 The word "most" is subjective and indicates an opinion. Another writer might argue that Lincoln is most remembered for other achievements.

If a state's population increases, its representation in Congress is most likely to change in which of the following ways? A. The size of Congress will be increased to account for the population increase. B. The state will gain representation in both the House and the Senate. C. The state will gain representation in the Senate only. D. The state will gain representation in the House only.

D. The state will gain representation in the House only. In the House, representation is based on population, meaning that if a state has an increase in population, it will mostly likely gain representation in the House.

A student conducts an investigation at home to test how using different strengths of a water-soluble fertilizer affects the growth of bean plants. The student plants bean seeds in three different types of potting soils, sets the pots randomly on windowsills around the home, where they receive different amounts of light, and waters the bean plants with random volumes of the fertilizer solutions. Which of the following statements expresses the major concern about the experimental design? A. The type of soil and amount of light should not matter, but the volume of fertilizer solution used should be the same for each plant. B. The amount of light and volume of fertilizer solution should not matter, but the type of soil used should be the same for each plant. C. The volume of fertilizer solution and type of soil should not matter, but the amount of light received should be the same for each plant. D. The type of soil, amount of light, and volume of fertilizer solution may affect plant growth and should be the same for each plant.

D. The type of soil, amount of light, and volume of fertilizer solution may affect plant growth and should be the same for each plant. When conducting an investigation, only a single independent variable, in this case, the strength of the fertilizer solution, should be manipulated. If more than one independent variable is manipulated, it is impossible to determine which variable is responsible for any observed changes in the dependent variable, which is, in this case, the growth of the bean plants.

The following is an excerpt from a speech given by writer John Steinbeck upon his acceptance of the Nobel Prize in Literature. "Furthermore, the writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit—for gallantry in defeat—for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally-flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man, has no dedication nor any membership in literature." John Steinbeck's attitude toward the role of the writer can best be described as which of the following? A. The writer must seek to reveal universal truths of the human experience. B. The writer must serve as a counterpoint to hatred and ignorance. C. The writer must celebrate and preserve civilization's achievements. D. The writer must strive to have faith in and reveal humanity's goodness.

D. The writer must strive to have faith in and reveal humanity's goodness. Language throughout the excerpt, such as "the bright rally-flags of hope," "passionately believe in the perfectibility of man," and "to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness," emphasizes the author's belief in the writer's role to reveal and represent the best of humanity.

The white feathers of the white-tailed ptarmigan in winter plumage make it nearly invisible against its snowy surroundings. The phenomenon is an example of A. sexual reproduction B. homeostasis C. ecological succession D. evolutionary adaptation

D. evolutionary adaptation The white feathers of the white-tailed ptarmigan in winter plumage are an example of camouflage, an evolutionary adaptation that increases the survival rates of organisms with certain traits. Ptarmigans with winter plumage that blends with the snow are not as likely to be preyed on by predators that use vision to hunt and are more likely to survive to reproduce and pass along the genes for white winter plumage.

The unemployment rate is a measure of the percent of the A. total population that is unemployed B. adult population that is unemployed C. labor force that is laid off from work D. labor force that is unemployed

D. labor force that is unemployed The unemployment rate is the ratio of the number of people unemployed to those in the labor force. Those individuals employed and seeking employment are considered to be in the labor force. The unemployed consist of those laid off and those persons who are entering the labor market for the first time, and those who are returning after additional training and education.

All of the following are aspects of disagreement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict EXCEPT A. territorial borders B. water rights C. religious claims to land D. state control of the economy

D. state control of the economy It is the only option that describes something that is not a prominent aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Neither side of the conflict has officially listed state control of the economy as a source of disagreement or dispute; Israel has a largely capitalist economy, while the Palestinian political economy is more of a hybrid between a market economy and state-directed development (in the West Bank, the Gazan economy is significantly underdeveloped and partially underground).

Questions 8-10 refer to the following poems. Piano Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me; Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings Line And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings. (5) In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide. So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour (10) With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past. —D. H. Lawrence Oft, in the Stilly NightScotch Air Oft, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me,Line Fond Memory brings the light (5) Of other days around me; The smiles, the tears, Of boyhood's years, The words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone,( 10) Now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light (15) Of other days around me. When I remember all The friends, so link'd together, I've seen around me fall, Like leaves in wintry weather; (20) I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, Whose garland's dead, (25) And all but he departed! Thus in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. —Thomas Moore Which of the following quotes from "Oft, in the Stilly Night" conveys a tone that is most different from the tone of "Piano"? A. "Fond Memory brings the light" (line 3) B. "The smiles, the tears, / Of boyhood's years" (lines 5-6) C. "The words of love then spoken" (line 7) D." I feel like one /Who treads alone" (lines 19-20)

D." I feel like one /Who treads alone" (lines 19-20) The lines offer a glimpse of the loneliness felt by the speaker in "Oft, in the Stilly Night" as he compares a fondness for his past with the loneliness of losing those in his present. The sadness described is distinct from the bittersweet nostalgia of remembrance conveyed by the speaker in "Piano."

If a country imposes a tariff on imports, which of the following will occur? A. The loss in consumer surplus will exceed the gain in producer surplus. B. The loss in producer surplus will exceed the gain in consumer surplus. C. The gain in consumer surplus will exceed the loss in producer surplus. D. The gain in producer surplus will exceed the loss in consumer surplus.

The loss in consumer surplus will exceed the gain in producer surplus.

Will bought a book on sale for 25% off the original price. The original price of the book was $25.99 and the total amount paid included a 6% sales tax. Which of the following represents the total amount Will paid for the book, in dollars? A. (25.99)(0.75)(1.06)(25.99)(0.75)(1.06) B. (25.99)(0.25)(1.06)(25.99)(0.25)(1.06) C. (25.99)(0.75)(0.06)(25.99)(0.75)(0.06) D. (25.99)(0.25)(0.06)

A. (25.99)(0.75)(1.06)(25.99)(0.75)(1.06) The original price of the book is $25.99 and it is on sale for 25% off, so the sale price is (25.99)(1−25/100)= (25.99)(0.75). The sales tax rate is 6%, so the total amount paid is (25.99)(0.75)+(25.99)(0.75)(0.06)= (25.99)(0.75)(1.06).

A glass manufacturer shipped 250 bottles from their factory to a customer in New York. Upon arrival, the customer found that 10 percent of the bottles had been broken during shipping. How many of the bottles were NOT broken? A. 225 B. 200 C. 175 D. 25

A. 225 If 10 percent of the bottles were broken, then 90 percent were not broken, 90 percent of 250 is 225.

A student has been given an assignment to write a research paper about the United States Civil War. Which of the following is a secondary source that the student might use for the project? A. A social studies textbook B. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address C. The diary of a Confederate soldier D. A photograph from the Battle of Antietam

A. A social studies textbook

The graph shows the closing price of Company X's stock on 4 days last week, Monday through Thursday. The average (arithmetic mean) closing price of the stock for 5 days last week, Monday through Friday, was $23.30. On which day was the closing price of Company X's stock the same as the closing price on Friday? A. Monday B. Tuesday C. Wednesday D. Thursday

A. Monday Option (A) is correct. Let x be the closing price for Company X's stock on Friday. Since the 5-day average price of the stock was $23.30, then $23.30 = $25.00+$26.50+$20.50+$19.50+x/5. Hence, (5)($23.30)=$91.50+x, and x=$25.00. Consequently, the closing price of Company X's stock on Friday was the same as the closing price on Monday.

Jean participated in two stages of a bicycling race. The first stage was 400 kilometers, and his average speed was 25 kilometers per hour. The second stage was 360 kilometers, and his average speed was 24 kilometers per hour. What was Jean's total time cycling in the two stages? A. 30 hours B. 31 hours C. 32 hours D. 33 hours

B. 31 hours In the first stage, the time Jean traveled was 400 kilometers/25 kilometers per hour= 16hours and during the second stage, 360 kilometers/24kilometersper hour= 15hours Therefore, Jean's total time was 15+16=3115+16=31 hours.

Which of the following organelles are directly involved in cellular respiration, the breakdown of sugars for energy? A. Chloroplasts B. Mitochondria C. Ribosomes D. Vacuoles

B. Mitochondria Cellular respiration takes place in the cytoplasm and mitochondria. Energy that is released by the breakdown of sugars is used for the formation of ATP molecules, which are the primary source of energy for many cellular processes.

Match the pilgrimage sites of four major world religions to their correct locations on the map. A. Jerusalem B. Mecca C. Vatican City D. Varanasi

C, A, B, D The line in the upper left-hand corner is where Vatican City is located. The line underneath Vatican City is where Jerusalem is located. The lowest line on the map, underneath Jerusalem, is where Mecca is located. The line furthest to the right is where Varanasi is located.

Which of the following powers does the Constitution grant to the president? A. Declaring war B. Levying taxes C. Making appointments D. Submitting a budget to Congress

C. Making appointments The Constitution grants the president the power to make appointments.

Never forget you are part of a community. Never forget you are part of a nation. Never forget that you're part of a human family. Don't be one of those people who stands on top of a mast, like a flag, beating in the wind, making noise, showing your colors, but not helping us move anywhere. Be that piece of fabric a little below that flag. Clinging to the mast, you are a sail, that very fabric of your being, you're manifesting not by dancing in the wind, whichever way it blows, but you're facing it. Because of your courage you're helping the whole ship move forward. — Cory Booker Which of the following best describes the speaker's purpose? A. To inform B. To entertain C. To inspire D. To explain

C. To inspire

Which of the following developments contributed to the trends shown in the graphs above? A. Increasing federal subsidies to support family farms B. Decreasing rainfall across the United States C. Increasing prices for United States agricultural products D. Increasing mechanization of agriculture

D. Increasing mechanization of agriculture The graphs show two interrelated trends, a decline in the number of farms between 1940 and 1990 and an increase in the average size of farms in the same period. Many factors contributed to these trends, but a major one was the increased use of agricultural machinery, which made it more efficient to farm large tracts of land. Despite federal subsidies to small farmers, family farms were increasingly replaced by large agribusinesses, which could produce crops more cheaply. Agricultural prices varied greatly in between 1940 and 1990, but were generally driven downward, not upward, by mechanization.

A company charges $0.25 per square yard to remove snow after a storm. How much will the company charge to remove snow from a driveway that is 12 yards long and 7 yards wide and a sidewalk that is 40 yards long and 1 yard wide? A.$10.75 B.$19.50 C.$21.00 D.$31.00

D.$31.00 The question requires computing the area of the driveway, which is 12×7 square yards = 84 square yards, and the area of the sidewalk, which is 40×1 square yards = 40 square yards. Therefore the total area is 124 square yards. The company charges $0.25 per square yard for snow removal, so the total cost is $0.25 per square yard times 124 square yards, which is $31.00.

During each 8-hour workday, Fred estimates that he spends about 15% of his time filling out payroll forms. If Fred works 5 days each week and 50 weeks each year, based on his approximation, which of the following is the best estimate of the number of hours Fred spends filling out payroll forms each year? A. 3 B. 30 C. 300 D. 3,000

Option (C) is correct. The estimated number of hours per year is (15/100)(8 hours/day)(5 days/week)(50 weeks/year)=300 hours/year.

Which of the following was a major effect of the Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica? A. The decimation of native populations exposed to European diseases B. The formation of alliances of native peoples to resist the Spanish invaders C. The revival of Maya culture D. The expulsion of Catholic missionaries

The Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica (what is today Mexico and Central America) in the early sixteenth century had many significant effects, many of which were global in nature. The relative isolation of the Americas from the rest of the world made the native peoples of the Americas extremely susceptible to European or Old World diseases, and later to African diseases.

Samantha drove 90 miles in 3 hours and then stopped for lunch. After lunch she drove 240 miles in 4 hours. What was Samantha's average speed during the time she was driving, rounded to the nearest integer? ______ miles per hour

The correct answer is 47 miles per hour. Average speed is given by total distance divided by total time. The total distance traveled is 90+24090+240 miles, and the total time traveled is 3+4 hours. Thus the average speed is 90+240/3+4= 330/7= 47 1/7 miles per hour. Rounded to the nearest integer, this is 47 miles per hour.

Which of the following is the best example of a perfectly competitive product market? A. A corn farmer who sells corn in the national commodity markets B. A single firm that sells highly differentiated tennis shoes in the nation's retail stores C. A single company in competition with the United States Postal Service D. A company that hires its laborers from a single labor union pool

A. A corn farmer who sells corn in the national commodity markets This question tests your knowledge of product markets. A characteristic of pure competition is that the firm produces a homogeneous product and is a small part of the total supply such that it cannot influence market price and total output.

Questions 3-5 refer to the following poem. The Deserted House Life and Thought have gone away Side by side, Leaving door and windows wide: Careless tenants they! All within is dark as night: In the windows is no light: And no murmur at the door, So frequent on its hinge before. Close the door, the shutters close, Or thro' the windows we shall see The nakedness and vacancy Of the dark deserted house. Come away: no more of mirth Is here or merry-making sound. The house was builded of the earth, And shall fall again to ground. Come away: for Life and Thought Here no longer dwell; But in a city glorious—A great and distant city—have bought A mansion incorruptible. Would they could have stayed with us. —Alfred, Lord Tennyson In the final stanza, Tennyson uses which of the following literary devices to enhance the poem's meaning? A.Allusion B.Irony C.Hyperbole D.Alliteration

A. Allusion The lines "But in a city glorious—/A great and distant city—have bought/A mansion incorruptible" allude to the biblical notion of "heaven."

Tom Rasberry collected samples of the ant . . . and sent them off to a lab at Texas A&M to be identified. But taxonomy—the process of ordering living things into species—is arguably more an art than a science, and figuring out what species the ants were, and where they came from, quickly became vexing. Academics from other institutions swarmed in to debate, for example, the significance of four tiny hairs on the ant's thorax. For years, they hurtled through a series of wrong answers, but the consensus eventually leaned toward a certain invasive ant, called Nylanderia pubens . . . . —Jon Mooallem, from "There's a Reason They Call Them 'Crazy Ants'" Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage? A. Classification of the ant's species was an arduous and drawn-out matter. B. There was considerable debate regarding the process of classifying the ant. C. The ant was studied and classified as the Nylanderia pubens species. D. Small physical features factor into the classification of species.

A. Classification of the ant's species was an arduous and drawn-out matter. The passage highlights the difficulties both scientifically and academically with the classification of the ant.

I looked dizzily, and beheld a wide expanse of ocean, whose waters wore so inky a hue as to bring at once to my mind the Nubian geographer's account of the Mare Tenebrarum. A panorama more deplorably desolate no human imagination can conceive. To the right and left, as far as the eye could reach, there lay outstretched, like ramparts of the world, lines of horridly black and beetling cliff, whose character of gloom was but the more forcibly illustrated by the surf which reared high up against its white and ghastly crest, howling and shrieking forever. —Edgar Allan Poe, from A Descent into the Maelström Which of the following best describes the mood created by the imagery in the passage? A. Foreboding B. Melancholic C. Contemplative D. Cynical

A. Foreboding The overall tone of the passage is best described as dark or foreboding; words such as "ghastly" in the passage best help to identify the tone.

The pitch perceived by a musician listening to a sound is analogous to which of the following wave properties? A. Frequency B. Speed C. Amplitude D. Intensity

A. Frequency The perceived pitch of a sound is the ear's response to the frequency of the sound wave. In a practical sense, pitch and frequency are the same.

Which THREE of the following countries has had a woman president or prime minister? A. India B. Israel C. Mexico D. Great Britain

A. India B. Israel D. Great Britain India, Israel, and Great Britain have all had women in the top leadership position in government. They were, respectively, Indira Gandhi, Golda Meir, and Margaret Thatcher.

Which of the following is true of jury duty in the United States? A. It is compulsory for all citizens that are summoned. B. Retirees are not eligible to serve on juries. C. Jurors risk losing their jobs if their trial takes too long. D. People are only called for jury duty once in their lifetime.

A. It is compulsory for all citizens that are summoned. Although there are exceptions granted, all citizens must respond each time they are summoned for jury duty.

Old Major ... was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite willing to lose an hour's sleep in order to hear what he had to say. At one end of the big barn, on a sort of raised platform, Major was already ensconced on his bed of straw, under a lantern which hung from a beam. He was twelve years old and had lately grown rather stout, but he was still a majestic-looking pig with a wise and benevolent appearance in spite of the fact that his tushes had never been cut. —George Orwell, from Animal Farm Which of the following themes are best supported by the author's description of Old Major? A. Leadership and influence B. Dignity and grace C. Dissent and rebellion D. Power and corruption

A. Leadership and influence The description of Old Major in the excerpt shows that he is highly regarded and looked to as a leader. The animals' taking the time to congregate and listen to his speech indicates his power and their respect for him. The description of Old Major as "ensconced" in the barn with a light shining above him despite his age and stoutness suggests he is superior to the others in both intelligence and respect. Language such as "majestic" and "benevolent" suggests positive connotations.

In its purest form, a direct democracy exists when citizens do which of the following? A. Participate without intermediaries in political decision-making B. Elect representatives to participate in political decision-making C. Directly elect a chief executive who writes all legislation D. Vote to approve or overturn laws passed by elected representatives

A. Participate without intermediaries in political decision-making This question asks you to recognize the definition of an important political term, direct democracy. In a representative democracy, as in the United States, voters elect representatives who in turn make political decisions. In a pure direct democracy, the right to make political decisions is instead exercised directly by citizens, acting under procedures of majority rule.

Technology has become the heartbeat of today's society; nearly everyone depends on and benefits from technology. By bringing the Internet and smart devices into the classroom, teachers give students the tools for maximum learning through easy access to vital information. Even districts that may not be able to afford up-to-date devices for all students are adopting bring-your-own-device programs, which permit students to bring their own tablets, e-readers, and smartphones to class. In an increasingly technology-driven culture, depriving students of access to these devices would inhibit their growth and learning. Based on the information in the passage, the author would most likely agree with which of the following statements? A. Technology is shaping the way students relate to the world. B. Information found online is more useful than the content of textbooks. C. Technology will take the place of teachers in the classroom. D. Cell phones should be turned off during class to prevent distractions.

A. Technology is shaping the way students relate to the world. The author cites many ways that having access to technology helps students, and it is likely that he or she believes that having information readily available helps to make the learning more hands on and relevant to students in an ever-changing world. The author even states that technology is the "heartbeat" of the world, thus implying how important he or she thinks technology is.

Which of the following is a characteristic of socialism as an economic system? A. The production and distribution of the nation's output are determined by central government planners. B. The decisions about production and distribution of the nation's output are made by individual households and firms. C. Central planners impose production rules and regulations on privately owned businesses. D. Central planners impose taxes on corporate profits and rents.

A. The production and distribution of the nation's output are determined by central government planners. This question tests your knowledge of types of economic systems. Socialism is an economic system by which government decision-makers make decisions regarding the production and distribution of goods and services in key industries.

Which of the following is most likely true about organisms that are producers in an ecosystem? A. They contain chlorophyll. B. They are decomposers. C. They produce hemoglobin. D. They are consumed by carnivores.

A. They contain chlorophyll. Organisms that are producers use energy from the Sun to synthesize sugar through the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that absorbs light energy that is required for photosynthesis. It is found in cyanobacteria and in chloroplasts of algae and plants. Energy stored in sugar molecules is transferred to organisms, called primary consumers, in the next trophic level, who feed on the producers.

The Truth Friend, though thy soul should burn thee, yet be still. Thoughts were not meant for strife, nor tongues for swords. He that sees clear is gentlest of his words, And that's not truth that hath the heart to kill. The whole world's thought shall not one truth fulfil. Dull in our age, and passionate in youth, No mind of man hath found the perfect truth, Nor shalt thou find it; therefore, friend, be still. Watch and be still, nor hearken to the fool, The babbler of consistency and rule: Wisest is he, who, never quite secure, Changes his thoughts for better day by day: To-morrow some new light will shine, be sure, And thou shalt see thy thought another way. —Archibald Lampman Which of the following statements best describes the speaker's attitude about truth? A. Truth is a concept that changes with the introduction of new ideas. B. People are best able to identify the truth when they are young. C. It is wise to seek a fixed interpretation of truth. D. People should argue strongly to defend their individual ideas of truth.

A. Truth is a concept that changes with the introduction of new ideas. The speaker identifies the truth as a relative concept, where no perfect interpretation is possible and where a reinterpretation is often necessary ("And thou shalt see thy thought another way").

Store A: $1.10 Store B: $1.25 Store C: $1.10 Store D: $1.25 Store E: $1.25 Store F: $1.15 Store G: $1.00 Luis noted the price of a particular type of candy bar at 7 different stores and recorded the prices, as shown above. What is the median of the prices Luis recorded? A. $1.12 B. $1.15 C. $1.18 D. $1.25

B. $1.15 To find the median of a list of numbers, arrange the numbers in order, from least to greatest, and the median is the number in the middle of the list. The list shown, in order from least to greatest, is: $1.00, $1.10, $1.10, $1.15, $1.25, $1.25, $1.25. The number in the middle of this list, the fourth item in the list, is $1.15.

Three friends at a restaurant got the bill that included two appetizers for $12.25 each, three main dishes for $17.50 each, and two desserts for $7.75 each. The three friends agreed to add a 15 percent tip and each pay 1/3 of the total bill. Which of the following is the best estimate of how much each of the three friends will pay? A. $26 B. $36 C. $56 D. $96

B. $36 The bill can be estimated by adding an approximate value of each dish and multiplying by the number of dishes: 12×2+18×3+8×2 = 20×2+54 = 94. Since 15 percent of $94 is about $14, total bill is about $108. Of the estimates shown, $36 is the best approximation of each of the three friend's share of the total bill.

There are 5 students in the Chess Club, and 2 students will be selected at random to represent the club in a statewide competition. How many possible selections of groups of 2 students are possible? A. 5 B. 10 C. 60 D. 120

B. 10 Option (B) is correct. The number of combinations of n objects taken k at a time is given by the formula: (n/k)=n!/k!(n−k)! The number of selections of 2 students from a group of 5 students is given by (5/2)=5!/2!(5−2)!= (5)(4)(3)(2)(1)/((2)(1))((3)(2)(1))= 120/12= 10.

A class recorded measurements of the volume and mass of three samples of a certain substance on the graph shown. The students noticed that the three points appear to lie on a line. The students drew a trend line that connects the three points and used the trend line to estimate the volume and mass for other samples of the substance. Based on the trend line, which of the following is the best estimate of the mass of a sample with a volume of 4 cubic centimeters? A. 10.0 grams B. 11.5 grams C. 14.0 grams D. 15.5 grams

B. 11.5 grams The points (1, 2.5)and (2, 5.5) lie on the line. Using the point-slope formula, the equation of the line through these points is y=3x−0.5, where x is the volume and y is the mass of a sample of the substance. If x=4, then the mass is given by y=(3)(4) − 0.5 = 12 − 0.5 = 11.5 grams.

The United States five-cent coin is made of metal that is comprised of 1/4 nickel and 3/4 copper. The mass of each five-cent coin is 5 grams. How many grams of nickel are needed to make 100 five-cent coins? A. 75 grams B. 125 grams C. 250 grams D. 375 grams

B. 125 grams Option (B) is correct. There are (5)(100)=500(5)(100)=500 grams of metal in 100 five-cent coins. Since 1/4 of the metal is nickel, the total amount of nickel is 1/4(500)=125 grams.

For each meal purchased at a restaurant, all customers are allowed to randomly select one of three discount tickets. The tickets are all equally likely to be selected and consist of discounts for $1, $3, or $5 on the next purchase of a meal. A customer purchased two meals. The customer will select one discount ticket, replace it, and then select a second discount ticket. What is the probability that the customer will select two tickets with discounts of $3 and $5? A. 1/9 B. 2/9 C. 1/3 D. 2/3

B. 2/9 Option (B) is correct. There are two ways to compute this probability. The first method is to enumerate the event space of possible selections of discount tickets: (1,1), (1,3), (1,5), (3,1), (3,3), (3,5), (5,1), (5,3), (5,5), where each pair indicates the tickets that could be selected. Winning one $3 discount ticket and one $5 discount ticket happens in two events, namely (3,5) and (5,3). Therefore the desired event happens in 2 out of 9 possible events; the probability is 2/9. Another way to look at this problem is by using the probability of each event. Each ticket has probability 1/3 of being selected. Because each event is equally likely and the tickets are replaced after each selection, the probability of selecting first a $3 discount ticket followed by a $5 discount ticket is (1/3)(1/3)=1/9. The probability of selecting first a $5 discount ticket followed by a $3 discount ticket is also 1/9. Therefore, the probability of selecting both a $3 discount ticket and a $5 discount ticket is 1/9+1/9=2/9.

The circumference of the circular Ferris wheel shown is 544 yards. Which of the following is closest to the diameter of the Ferris wheel in feet? A. 260 B. 519 C. 1,040 D. 5,124

B. 519 The circumference C of a circle of radius R is given by the formula C=2Rπ. Therefore, the radius of the Ferris wheel is R=544/2π ≈ 86.58 yards. The diameter is two times the radius, so the diameter of the Ferris wheel is about 173.16 yards. Since 1 yard=3 feet, the radius is (173.16)(3)=519.48≈519 feet.

Questions 16-17 refer to the following poem. November This is the treacherous month when autumn days With summer's voice come bearing summer's gifts. Line Beguiled, the pale down-trodden aster lifts (5)Her head and blooms again. The soft, warm haze Makes moist once more the sere and dusty ways, And, creeping through where dead leaves lie in drifts, The violet returns. Snow noiseless sifts Ere night, an icy shroud, which morning's rays (10)Will idly shine upon and slowly melt, Too late to bid the violet live again. The treachery , at last, too late, is plain; Bare are the places where the sweet flowers dwelt. What joy sufficient hath November felt? (15)What profit from the violet's day of pain? — Helen Hunt Jackson The author uses the words "treachery" and "treacherous" to convey which of the following? A. A feeling of worry caused by autumn's dangerous snow showers B. A feeling of deception caused by the changing weather of autumn C. A feeling of betrayal when dead leaves disguise the flowers' beauty D. A feeling of annoyance at the poor timing of the late-blooming flowers

B. A feeling of deception caused by the changing weather of autumn The weather in the month of November is unpredictable. One moment it is snowing, and the next it is warm and hazy, the perfect weather for flowers to bloom yet quickly be vanquished by the cold again. The month is treacherous for reminding us of spring and summer while it really is moving us closer to winter.

Questions 8-10 refer to the following poems. Piano Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me; Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings Line And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings. (5) In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide. So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour (10) With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past. —D. H. Lawrence Oft, in the Stilly NightScotch Air Oft, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me,Line Fond Memory brings the light (5) Of other days around me; The smiles, the tears, Of boyhood's years, The words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone,( 10) Now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light (15) Of other days around me. When I remember all The friends, so link'd together, I've seen around me fall, Like leaves in wintry weather; (20) I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, Whose garland's dead, (25) And all but he departed! Thus in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. —Thomas Moore In each poem, the speaker experiences which of the following? A. A painful childhood experience B. A longing for the past C. A fond memory of a mother D .A sadness for absent friends

B. A longing for the past In both poems, the speakers express a longing for the past (such as in the lines "I weep like a child for the past" and "Fond Memory brings the light").

Which of the following statements is true regarding the population pyramid shown? A. Males have a longer average life span. B. Females have a longer average life span. C. There are more female children than female adults. D. There are more male children than male adults.

B. Females have a longer average life span. By comparing the bar graphs of the female age groups over 65 years old to the male age groups in the same categories, the population of older females is much larger than the older male population, indicating that the average life span of women is longer than that of men.

Questions 11-12 refer to the following excerpt. The twilight of evening. Big flakes of wet snow are whirling lazily about the street lamps, which have just been lighted, and lying in a thin soft layer on roofs, horses' backs, shoulders, caps. Iona Potapov, the sledge-driver, is all white like a ghost. He sits on the box without stirring, bent as double as the living body can be bent. If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off. . . . His little mare is white and motionless too. . . . She is probably lost in thought. Anyone who has been torn away from the plough, from the familiar gray landscapes, and cast into this slough, full of monstrous lights, of unceasing uproar and hurrying people, is bound to think. —Anton Chekhov, from "Misery" In the third sentence, the simile "white like a ghost" suggests which of the following about Iona? A. His appearance terrifies those around him. B. He has gone through a traumatic experience. C. He has been frightened by something in the street. D. His appearance blends into the scenery around him.

B. He has gone through a traumatic experience. The figurative language of "white like a ghost" is often used to describe someone's appearance after something terrible has happened, and other textual evidence (such as the line "If a regular snowdrift fell on him it seems as though even then he would not think it necessary to shake it off") supports the reading that Iona has experienced something traumatic.

The Moon's gravitational pull on Earth causes water on the side of Earth facing the Moon to bulge toward the Moon. Which of the following usually results at locations where the bulge is large? A. Tsunamis B. High tides C. Typhoons D. Waterspouts

B. High tides High tides usually result in locations where the bulge is large. Water on the opposite side of Earth, where the gravitational pull is exceeded by inertia, also bulges. Therefore coastal areas generally experience two high tides and two low tides each day, as Earth makes one complete rotation.

The following is an excerpt from a student's personal narrative. It all began when my friends surprised me by taking me to breakfast. Then shortly before lunch, I learned that a friend who had recently moved away would soon be visiting. To top all of this off, my parents gave me a puppy as a present for my birthday. The day will forever stay with me as a special memory in my life. Which of the following is the most appropriate topic sentence to add to the beginning of the paragraph? A. My parents were anticipating that my day would be full of surprises. B. I am not sure I have ever experienced a more thrilling day than that birthday. C. When I think back on it, I can't believe my family is so kind to me. D. When I woke up, I noticed that the glaring sky was a dull, gray color.

B. I am not sure I have ever experienced a more thrilling day than that birthday. This sentence adequately sets the scene for the sentences that follow because all of the details in the body of the paragraph support the idea that the day was thrilling.

Which of the following would be considered a violation of citizens' Fourth Amendment rights? A. The government seizing private land for public use B. Police searching a home without probable cause C. The Ten Commandments being displayed in a local courthouse D. A newspaper refusing to publish a controversial editorial

B. Police searching a home without probable cause The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from unreasonable search and seizure.

Those who set themselves up as instructors in the discipline of positive thinking—coaches, preachers, and gurus of various sorts—have described this effort with terms like "self-hypnosis," "mind control," and "thought control." In other words, it requires deliberate self-deception, including a constant effort to repress or block out unpleasant possibilities and "negative" thoughts. The truly self-confident, or those who have in some way made their peace with the world and their destiny within it, do not need to expend effort censoring or otherwise controlling their thoughts. —Barbara Ehrenreich, from Bright-Sided Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage? A. People are easily manipulated by those who claim to be experts in positive thinking. B. Positive thinking as prescribed by self-help experts is an unhealthy form of delusion. C. People can achieve true happiness by focusing their minds on positive thoughts. D. Positive thoughts are most effective when they are accompanied by positive actions.

B. Positive thinking as prescribed by self-help experts is an unhealthy form of delusion. The author explains that people who follow experts' advice and attempt to control their thoughts by thinking positively often practice self-deception and suppress unpleasant thoughts instead of accepting them.

Voter turnout is typically highest in which of the following elections? A. Off-year congressional elections B. Presidential general elections C. Presidential primary elections D. Local elections

B. Presidential general elections Voter turnout is highest in general presidential elections.

The drawing above most closely illustrates which of the following? A. Federalism B. Separation of powers C. Nationalism D. Checks and balances

B. Separation of powers The cartoon shows three separate objects, labeled "judicial," "executive," and "legislative," which symbolize how each branch is a separate entity, or separation of powers.

To answer the question of whether matter is conserved in a chemical reaction that produces a gas and a solid, a student will need to measure which of the following? A. The pressure in the reaction container after the reaction is complete B. The initial mass of reactants and the total mass of products and any remaining reactants C. The total volume of the gas that is produced D. The reaction temperature at regular intervals of time while the reaction proceeds

B. The initial mass of reactants and the total mass of products and any remaining reactants The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a chemical reaction. According to the law, the mass of the reactants consumed should be equal to the mass of the products. Thus the initial mass of the reactants should be equal to the total mass of the products plus any unconsumed reactants that remain.

Questions 8-10 refer to the following poems. Piano Softly, in the dusk, a woman is singing to me; Taking me back down the vista of years, till I see A child sitting under the piano, in the boom of the tingling strings Line And pressing the small, poised feet of a mother who smiles as she sings. (5) In spite of myself, the insidious mastery of song Betrays me back, till the heart of me weeps to belong To the old Sunday evenings at home, with winter outside And hymns in the cosy parlour, the tinkling piano our guide. So now it is vain for the singer to burst into clamour (10) With the great black piano appassionato. The glamour Of childish days is upon me, my manhood is cast Down in the flood of remembrance, I weep like a child for the past. —D. H. Lawrence Oft, in the Stilly NightScotch Air Oft, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me,Line Fond Memory brings the light (5) Of other days around me; The smiles, the tears, Of boyhood's years, The words of love then spoken; The eyes that shone,( 10) Now dimm'd and gone, The cheerful hearts now broken! Thus, in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light (15) Of other days around me. When I remember all The friends, so link'd together, I've seen around me fall, Like leaves in wintry weather; (20) I feel like one Who treads alone Some banquet-hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, Whose garland's dead, (25) And all but he departed! Thus in the stilly night, Ere Slumber's chain has bound me, Sad Memory brings the light Of other days around me. —Thomas Moore The poem "Piano" conveys which of the following themes? A. The struggle to keep from being overcome by one's feelings B. The nostalgia for youth amid the experiences of adulthood C. The sadness of an adult about mistakes made in the past D. The importance of family at every stage of a person's life

B. The nostalgia for youth amid the experiences of adulthood The speaker has a reservation about thinking about the past but then finds himself fondly but longingly wrapped up in memories of his youth and his mother playing the piano.

The length of a rectangle is 5ab5ab feet and the width is 3ab3ab feet, where a and b are positive constants. Which of the following statements is true? Select all that apply. A. The perimeter of the rectangle is 8ab feet. B. The perimeter of the rectangle is 16ab⁢ feet. C. The area of the rectangle is 15a^2b^2 square feet. D. The area of the rectangle is 125a^3b^3 square feet.

B. The perimeter of the rectangle is 16ab⁢ feet. C. The area of the rectangle is 15a^2b^2 square feet. The perimeter of the rectangle is 2(5ab+3ab)=16ab feet, and the area is (5ab)(3ab)=15a^2b^2 square feet.

A group of students measured the boiling point of three different samples of pure water. Each measurement was made by a different student using the same thermometer. Their measurements were 94ºC, 99ºC, and 104ºC. Which of the following most likely accounts for the discrepancy in the measurements? A. The markings on the thermometer are not accurate. B. The students misread the markings on the thermometer. C. Three different hot plates were used to heat the water samples. D. The water samples were heated for different lengths of time.

B. The students misread the markings on the thermometer. The error that most likely accounts for the discrepancy in the measurements is that the students misread the markings on the thermometer. The temperature at which water boils (100ºC at a pressure of 1 atmosphere) is the same regardless of what hot plate is used and how long the water is heated. If the thermometer had inaccurate markings, the students' measurements would likely all be either above or below the known boiling point.

Which of the following is a provision in the United States Constitution concerning political parties? A. There may be only two major political parties in the United States. B. There is nothing written in the Constitution about political parties. C. Political parties must be registered with federal officials to receive federal funding. D. The Constitution specifies that leaders of political parties must be at least 35 years of age. Correct Answer: B

B. There is nothing written in the Constitution about political parties. The United States Constitution does not directly address the issue of political parties.

Once the incredible sale was announced, the store was filled with obstreperous customers. People were pushing and yelling at one another in order to be the first to get the best deals. Which of the following words is the most accurate synonym for "obstreperous" as used in the excerpt? A. Excited B. Unruly C. Unique D. Oblivious

B. Unruly The synonym "unruly" is most appropriate based on the context clues in the sentence.

The fundamental economic problem stems from A. high unemployment and inflation B. scarce resources and unlimited wants C. lack of economic growth D. lack of competition and free markets

B. scarce resources and unlimited wants This question tests your understanding of the economic problem that is the central focus of economics. All of the choices deal with economic problems related to inefficiencies, but the fundamental economic problem arises because of scarcity and the unlimited nature of human wants.