On February 2 of each year, the United States observes the unusual holiday Groundhog Day, a day of hope that winter is over and spring is beginning. The tradition has been officially observed in the US since the 1800s and is believed to have developed from European folk traditions in which a bear, fox, badger, or even hedgehog would serve as the symbolic metrologist. Although other cultures and towns observe Groundhog Day (or something similar) the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania takes special pride in being home to the one true forecasting, the groundhog, Punxsutawney Grounding Club to perpetuate the joyful rituals and events surrounding Groundhog Day. Over the years, these rituals and events have come to include a scavenger hunt, a talent show, and a ball.

Legend has it that on Groundhog Day the official weather-forecasting groundhog awakens from hibernation and comes out of his burrow to look for his shadow. If he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are to come and Punxsutawney Phil goes back to bed. However, if he does not see his shadow, Punxsutawney Phil takes this as a sign that spring has arrived and he remains above ground. Of course, common sense tells us that February 2 is too early for spring to begin and that while animals may be attuned to various elements of nature from which humans might learn, they are unlikely to act on their instincts based on a schedule set by the Gregorian calendar. Nevertheless, a visit to Pennsylvania to the Punxsutawney Phil and all the fun inspires each year might provide the loath of hope needed to reach the end of winter.

Which of the following pairs of search terms entered into a search engine with the phrase “Groundhog Day” is likely to produce information about the origin of Grounding Day?

In 1943, the war in the Pacific raged on. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt went to rally the troops’ spirits, despite the disapproval of military command. Roosevelt planned a grueling itinerary. She visited several islands and hundreds of wounded in her first 6 days. The indefatigable First Lady inspected Navy hospitals, delivered a speech, attended receptions, and visited convalescing officers, all within 12 hours of her arrival. She lifted spirits among the wounded and morale among the troops. She continued her exhausting tour for a month, speaking to every patient in troop hospitals and taking down addresses to contact family members. Roosevelt traveled non-stop, risked her life, and greeted the last patient she saw with the same heartfelt sincerity as the first.

Which of the following publications would have a different point of view of Eleanor Roosevelt compared to the author’s point of view?

On February 2 of each year, the United States observes the unusual holiday Groundhog Day, a day of hope that winter is over and spring is beginning. The tradition has been officially observed in the US since the 1800s and is believed to have developed from European folk traditions in which a bear, fox, badger, or even hedgehog would serve as the symbolic metrologist. Although other cultures and towns observe Groundhog Day (or something similar) the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania takes special pride in being home to the one true forecasting, the groundhog, Punxsutawney Grounding Club to perpetuate the joyful rituals and events surrounding Groundhog Day. Over the years, these rituals and events have come to include a scavenger hunt, a talent show, and a ball.

Legend has it that on Groundhog Day the official weather-forecasting groundhog awakens from hibernation and comes out of his burrow to look for his shadow. If he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are to come and Punxsutawney Phil goes back to bed. However, if he does not see his shadow, Punxsutawney Phil takes this as a sign that spring has arrived and he remains above ground. Of course, common sense tells us that February 2 is too early for spring to begin and that while animals may be attuned to various elements of nature from which humans might learn, they are unlikely to act on their instincts based on a schedule set by the Gregorian calendar. Nevertheless, a visit to Pennsylvania to the Punxsutawney Phil and all the fun inspires each year might provide the loath of hope needed to reach the end of winter.

Which of the following evidence from the passage supports the inference that Grounding Day is an entertaining tradition?

Beard Superiority

Unlike most others who follow along with popular trends, I am able to truly see that the beard is superior to the mustache. First, you have so much more hair and space to work with when styling a beard than you do with a mustache. You can trim and cut a beard into so many styles, the Muttonchop, the Goatee, the Stubble, the Chin Strap. You can even add things to your beard, braids, beads, glitter, and color- the possibilities of what you can add to a beard are endless. There are even professional competitions that surround the stylish nature of beards.

Which of the following can be inferred from the evidence given in the passage?

What is all this of cicadas lately in the United States? You might be wondering why the media has featured it. but in fact. the discussion about cicadas has emerged about as predictably as the cicadas themselves from their underground refuge. Let's get oriented with some background on cicadas.

What is a cicada? A typical definition will at least tell you that the cicada is large. loud insect with long transparent wings. mostly found in warm countries. A more detailed response might also inform you that cicadas have short antennae and wide-set eyes that jut out. With delicate. translucent wings — and that not only as the cicadas loud. but few creatures make a louder sound. In fact. it male hat are the noisy ones to the tune of 80 to 100 dec. bels, with "ke the roar of a loud engine, This is because male cicadas make a strident. high boning by vibrating two membranes on the abdomen called tymbals, effectively turning its body int a kind of echo chamber or drum. Female cicadas cannot replicate the buzzing, though they respond with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate.

Although there are several species of cicada, mating typically takes place in trees wherever the female deposits the eggs into the bank. When the eggs hatch, the larval cicadas, called nymphs, drop to the ground and burrow. They then live as nymphs for most of their lives over 6 feet underground with both male and female cicadas dying within weeks of their emergence from the soil. This is particularly true for North American cicadas especially the mogucicada.  

Which of the following statements from the passage offers evidence that female cicadas do not have tymbals attached to their abdomen

This label appears on a bottle of over-the-counter cold medicine

This medication should be used to treat mild respiratory infections. Do not take this product unless directed by a doctor if you have a long-term respiratory problem such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis

Which of the following statements best summarizes the warning label?

Peanut Butter Cookies

Grandma Harry 30 minutes         Cookies/Desserts        Makes 1 dozen 

1 egg white

¾ cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup flour

Beat egg white until foamy. Stir in sugar, and beat again until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in peanut butter and vanilla. Add flour in small increments until dough forms. Chill dough for at least 2 hours. Roll into balls, roll in sugar, press down with a fork, and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet. These are very fragile.

Which of the following statements is true?

Peanut Butter Cookies

Grandma Harry 30 minutes         Cookies/Desserts        Makes 1 dozen 

1 egg white

¾ cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup flour

Beat egg white until foamy. Stir in sugar, and beat again until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in peanut butter and vanilla. Add flour in small increments until dough forms. Chill dough for at least 2 hours. Roll into balls, roll in sugar, press down with a fork, and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet. These are very fragile.

Which of the following conclusions can be taken from the passage?

SAJOFEWJKE

(New) Copy the inner string above on a piece of paper. Cross out the second and last letters. Replace all vowels with the letter C. Insert an O before second C. Cross out the first and third letters. Double the second letter.

Which of the following letter sequences remains on the page?
Follow the instructions keenly.

Dear Aunt Suzanne,

I have a few minutes before I get on the bus from Galway back to Dublin and wanted to tell you how my class trip to Ireland is going. We just spent 2 days on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, which are just off the central west coast of Ireland. We took a ferry from Galway, a ride that takes about an hour and was quite gray and stormy.

For an island that is only about 12 square miles, there is a lot to do and see on this Mor! After eating steak and vegetable stew and brown bread with butter, we went to the sweater market, where all kinds of woolen products are sold. The Aran Islands are known for their wool because sheep thrive here and generations have used woolen sweaters and hats to survive long cold days of fishing on the open sea. In fact, I learned that each family or clan has its own signature knitting pattern and some are able to tell which family someone belongs to by the pattern of their sweater! The healthy pattern is an interesting combination of twists and braids and I found you a birthday souvenir with a beautiful example.

The next day, we rented bicycles and toured the island. We saw ancient rums, a prehistoric hill fort, and a white sand beach. We climbed down to a mysterious rock formation known as the “wormhole,” a rectangular hole in a stone shore that fills with thrashing waves and looks like houses of a terrible serpent. The wormhole will be difficult to find, and when we stopped someone for directions, she only spoke Galect. Sometimes this island seems stuck in an earlier fame.

Which of the following additional sources would have a comparable theme to the passage?

Dear Aunt Suzanne,

I have a few minutes before I get on the bus from Galway back to Dublin and wanted to tell you how my class trip to Ireland is going. We just spent 2 days on inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, which are just off the central west coast of Ireland. We took a ferry from Galway, a ride that takes about an hour and was quite gray and stormy.

For an island that is only about 12 square miles, there is a lot to do and see on this Mor! After eating steak and vegetable stew and brown bread with butter, we went to the sweater market, where all kinds of woolen products are sold. The Aran Islands are known for their wool because sheep thrive here and generations have used woolen sweaters and hats to survive long cold days of fishing on the open sea. In fact, I learned that each family or clan has its own signature knitting pattern and some are able to tell which family someone belongs to by the pattern of their sweater! The healthy pattern is an interesting combination of twists and braids and I found you a birthday souvenir with a beautiful example.

The next day, we rented bicycles and toured the island. We saw ancient rums, a prehistoric hill fort, and a white sand beach. We climbed down to a mysterious rock formation known as the “wormhole,” a rectangular hole in a stone shore that fills with thrashing waves ad looks like houses of a terrible serpent. The wormhole will be difficult to find, and when we stopped someone for directions, she only spoke Galect. Sometimes this island seems stuck in an earlier fame.

Which of the following details supports the inference that Eva’s family has irish roots?