Achieve 3000: Notes from the Emoji Graveyard

The Article states: To begin with, keep in mind that emojis take up significant cell phone memory space. So the UC is disinclined to populate the emoji world with an excess of new choices. In addition, emojis aren't intended to represent every single object on the planet. Sure, they can help us express ourselves better and more creatively—but they're meant to be the seasonings, not the meal itself. The author's purpose for writing this passage was to __________. A. explain why the Unicode Consortium only approves a select number of emojis annually B. suggest that cell phone memory space be increased to allow for a greater selection of emojis C. persuade readers to express themselves better by replacing words with emojis whenever possible D. propose that the Unicode Consortium's guidelines for selecting new emojis are too strict Submit

A. explain why the Unicode Consortium only approves a select number of emojis annually

The Article states: Another important criterion is that the emoji has some notable metaphoric or symbolic meaning. For example, a mule represents stubbornness, a pig suggests slovenliness, and a spider evokes ookiness, but what does a walnut or a squirrel symbolize? True, a squirrel could suggest a prudent person who stockpiles for the future, but let's be realistic, how often will someone need to use that concept in a text? Which is the closest synonym for the word stockpiles? A. expends B. amasses C. pilfers D. dismantles

B. amasses

Based on the Article, the reader can predict that __________. A. people will soon run out of ideas for new emojis to submit to the Unicode Consortium for consideration B. there will be a greater number of proposed emojis rejected by the Unicode Consortium next year than the number approved C. the Unicode Consortium will decide to change its criteria for evaluating new submissions so that more emojis can be approved each year D. an emoji of George Washington riding a bike will be one of the next emojis approved by the Unicode Consortium

B. there will be a greater number of proposed emojis rejected by the Unicode Consortium next year than the number approved

What is a cause and effect relationship that takes place in the Article? A. Because a new emoji must be one that will be frequently used, many people were disappointed when the UC rejected an emoji of George Washington jumping on a trampoline. B. Since emojis take up a lot of memory space on cell phones, the UC was formed to limit the frequency of emoji use on cell phones. C. Because the UC approves only about 70 proposals for new emojis annually, winning approval for an emoji idea is highly unlikely. D. Since the UC approved emojis representing people with disabilities, emojis of geometric shapes and an ear with a hearing aid were added.

C. Because the UC approves only about 70 proposals for new emojis annually, winning approval for an emoji idea is highly unlikely.

Which of these is most important to include in a summary of this Article? A. The UC has rejected many plant and animal emojis, including a potted cactus, a squirrel, a werewolf, and various types of dinosaurs. B. Among those emojis rejected by the UC are George Washington jumping on a trampoline, a turtle with a fried egg on its back, and a spider on skis. C. Each year, the UC approves a limited number of new emojis based on the criteria that they will be frequently used, have a symbolic meaning, and are breaking new ground. D. Although an emoji of a squirrel might represent a person who stores things away for the future, it would rarely be useful.

C. Each year, the UC approves a limited number of new emojis based on the criteria that they will be frequently used, have a symbolic meaning, and are breaking new ground.

Which passage from the Article best supports the idea that proposals for new emojis come from the general public? A. Here's just a small sampling of ones the UC rejected in recent years, beginning with hands and faces: a forlorn face with three unsightly red splotches on it, a befuddled face that smells something bad but doesn't know where the smell is coming from, a disgruntled face banging its head against a wall, two hands doing a high five, and a single hand doing a mic drop. That last one seemed like a shoo-in, but nope! B. A third important criterion is that the emoji breaks new ground, which brings us to the 59 distinct emojis that the UC approved for release in 2019. (The total amount comes to 230 if you tally up the variations in gender and skin tone.) Many of the new emojis represent people previously left out of the mix, most notably individuals with disabilities. The emoji world now includes a deaf man and woman, an ear with a hearing aid, people in both motorized and manual wheelchairs, people with probing canes, a guide dog, and a mechanical arm and leg. C. So you've come up with a totally awesome idea for a brand-new emoji that you think people everywhere will want to use like now. Well, don't just sit there with your thumbs in texting position waiting for it to pop up on your emoji menu. Submit your idea to the Unicode Consortium (UC) in Silicon Valley, California, for consideration. D. The most important selection criterion for an emoji-to-be is frequency of usage, meaning millions of people will use it a lot, which rules out George Washington on a trampoline and most of the other emoji rejects listed above. Another important criterion is that the emoji has some notable metaphoric or symbolic meaning.

C. So you've come up with a totally awesome idea for a brand-new emoji that you think people everywhere will want to use like now. Well, don't just sit there with your thumbs in texting position waiting for it to pop up on your emoji menu. Submit your idea to the Unicode Consortium (UC) in Silicon Valley, California, for consideration.

Which is the closest synonym for the word befuddled? A. enthralled B. despondent C. confounded D. listless

C. confounded

Which question is not answered by the Article? A. When did the Unicode Consortium initially begin awarding the UC-approved designation to some emojis? B. How does the Unicode Consortium decide which emojis to approve when considering new ideas? C. What is the approximate number of emojis that have been approved by the Unicode Consortium since its inception? D. How are the committee representatives serving as part of the Unicode Consortium selected for their positions?

D. How are the committee representatives serving as part of the Unicode Consortium selected for their positions?