Taxidermy

Taxidermy is the art of preserving animals. This craft blends art, science, and craftsmanship to create lifelike representations of animals in naturalistic settings for display, education, or research. Taxidermists often work for museums, creating or restoring exhibits, but they also serve hunters and fishermen who wish to preserve their trophies.

The process of taxidermy involves careful skinning and tanning of the hide, molding and sculpting an accurate form of the animal's body, and then meticulously attaching the prepared skin onto the form. The final step requires detailed painting and grooming to enhance the realism of the animal. This meticulous process allows for the natural beauty and majesty of wildlife to be preserved and appreciated.

This profession requires not only technical skills but also a respect for nature and wildlife ethics, ensuring that the practice promotes conservation and appreciation of biodiversity. Ethical practices are ensured through strict regulation. Laws differ by country, but they share common elements designed to protect wildlife. In the United States, for example, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) enforces laws that regulate which species can be taxidermized. Endangered species and migratory birds, for instance, are protected under specific acts. To work with these animals, taxidermists must obtain special permits.

Moreover, taxidermists are often required to keep detailed records of their work, including the origins of each specimen and its treatment process. This documentation helps wildlife officials track the use of animal parts, prevent illegal trade, and manage animal populations, ensuring that local ecosystems remain balanced and illegal hunting is minimized.

It's essential for aspiring and practicing taxidermists to understand and comply with these laws to avoid legal complications and contribute to ethical wildlife management and conservation. Ethical taxidermy practices promote conservation and respect for wildlife, aligning with modern ecological values and animal welfare standards.

What is the author’s perspective on taxidermy?

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Godmother of Rock and Roll

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, hailed as the "Mother of Rock and Roll," profoundly influenced iconic musicians like Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Little Richard. Born in 1915 in Arkansas to farm laborers and gospel musicians, her deep roots in spiritual music and her pioneering guitar style forged a sound that laid the groundwork for rock and roll.

Tharpe began performing at age 4 in a traveling evangelical troupe. Renowned for her exceptional guitar skills and powerful voice, she captivated audiences across the United States. primarily at religious services. As she traveled, Rosetta absorbed jazz and blues influences. Her fusion of spiritual lyrics with electric guitar sounds broke traditional gospel molds and introduced elements that would define a new musical genre.

In the 1930s, Rosetta's performances in Harlem became a hit, especially with white audiences. Signing with Decca Records, she became one of the first gospel singers to record with a major label. Her 1944 hit "Strange Things Happening Every Day," is often credited as one of the first rock and roll records. Her Innovative use of distortion and electric guitar was revolutionary, shaping the emerging genre's sound.

After two unhappy marriages, Rosetta openly embraced her queer identity within the music industry. She teamed up with her partner, Marie Knight, on the hit "Up Above My Head." Long before civil rights and marriage equality, the two performed as queer Black women in a relationship-a groundbreaking and defiant act.

Despite her profound influence on music and societal norms, Tharpe's contributions were largely overlooked in her lifetime, particularly in mainstream rock and roll history. Only years after her death was her legacy fully recognized. Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Tharpe is now celebrated as a pivotal figure in the genre's development.

The evidence is irrelevant the focus is on her personal life rather than her musical contributions and distracts from the purpose.

Considering the evidence provided in the passage, how effective is the claim that Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a pioneer in the rock and roll genre?

BUTTERBEAN FOR MAYOR

Butterbean wants to be YOUR new mayor. Is there an election coming? No. Can dogs even be mayors? Unclear. But consider what Butterbean has to offer:

FRIENDS WITH EVERYONE

Big dogs. Small dogs. In-between dogs. All the people. If you go for walks, you've met Butterbean and she loves you.

JUST A REGULAR DOG

Butterbean is a regular dog for regular folks. She's not a fancy breed, just

a dog. Sure, maybe she eats more socks than her vet recommends, but nobody's perfect.

- HATES RATS

You hate rats. Butterbean hates rats, too. She will not rest until they have all been chased from our streets. By her, personaly

Can Butterbean count on YOUR vote? Or at least a treat?

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the passage?

Alice was not scared. Not at all. Maybe a little bit. But she was determined to confront the ghost in her house. Alice lived in a farmhouse built in 1921. All of the floors and doors were original; the doors even had skeleton key locks. But by far the most terrifying part of the house was the basement. She kept that door locked and ignored the thumps, crashes, and cries that came from below the house. What made Alice determined to confront the ghost today was the especially loud crashes the previous night. She'd gotten no sleep, convinced the ghost was going to break through the door and do something horrible. What, she wasn't sure, but the ghost would do something.

Alice hadn't seen the ghost, but what else could be making loud noises in an old house? The one time she had been down in the basement was after buying the house unseen. Once she saw the shelves with old glass jars, she was a little put off. But what made her keep the door shut and locked was the abrupt end of the concrete floor halfway across the room. Because nothing good ever happened in a basement with a dirt floor. Alice had seen enough horror movies to know that

Alice stared at the basement door, trying to gather enough confidence to open it and march down the stairs like she owned the place. Because she did-or she would, once she finished paying her mortgage in 30 years Alice took a deep breath and yanked the door open. She marched down the stairs, only to stop abruptly at the bottom. Because she was face to face with not a ghost at all. It was a calico cat, one who looked utterly unimpressed by her brave journey into the basement

Which of the following would be relevant evidence to conclude the basement has a ghost?

Mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris) are truly a unique species. This gecko is small, as it only grows up to 10 cm or 4 inches. With a range of Hawai, the South Pacific islands, and Central and South America these geckos have one of the largest ranges among reptiles.

What really sets this species apart is how they reproduce. Mourning geckos are all female and reproduce through parthenogenesis, where the mother essentially clones herself to create her offspring. However, their genes have the ability to recombine to allow genetic variation and mutation. Like many other geckos, mourning geckos lay two eggs at a time several times a year. The eggs incubate for 65 to 103 days.

Which of the following is a conclusion the reader might draw from the Information in the passage?

An Ode to Naps

The rain is tapping footsteps on the roof

It sounds a lovely dance inside my head

This peaceful aura only serves as proof

 That I should dodge my work to lie in bed

The pillows pull me in with their behest

A trap that I do not want to escape

The blankets form a most enticing nest

They wrap me in a shroud that won't undrape

I'm tempted further by my furry friends

They've taken o'er the mattress in a pile

Oh, how I want to nestle in with them

But first, I know that I must work awhile

I promise, bed, I will be back for you I surely nap before the day is through

Which of the following pairs of words from the text is relevant Information to pass onto an illustrator who is creating art related to the poem for publication?

Alice was not scared. Not at all. Maybe a little bit. But she was determined to confront the ghost in her house. Alice lived in a farmhouse built in 1921. All of the floors and doors were original; the doors even had skeleton key locks. But by far the most terrifying part of the house was the basement. She kept that door locked and ignored the thumps, crashes, and cries that came from below the house. What made Alice determined to confront the ghost today was the especially loud crashes the previous night. She'd gotten no sleep, convinced the ghost was going to break through the door and do something horrible. What, she wasn't sure, but the ghost would do something.

Alice hadn't seen the ghost, but what else could be making loud noises in an old house? The one time she had been down in the basement was after buying the house unseen. Once she saw the shelves with old glass jars, she was a little put off. But what made her keep the door shut and locked was the abrupt end of the concrete floor halfway across the room. Because nothing good ever happened in a basement with a dirt floor. Alice had seen enough horror movies to know that

Alice stared at the basement door, trying to gather enough confidence to open it and march down the stairs like she owned the place. Because she did-or she would, once she finished paying her mortgage in 30 years Alice took a deep breath and yanked the door open. She marched down the stairs, only to stop abruptly at the bottom. Because she was face to face with not a ghost at all. It was a calico cat, one who looked utterly unimpressed by her brave journey into the basement

Which of the following is misleading information that Alice uses to support her argument that the house is "terrifying"?

Alice was not scared. Not at all. Maybe a little bit. But she was determined to confront the ghost in her house. Alice lived in a farmhouse built in 1921. All of the floors and doors were original; the doors even had skeleton key locks. But by far the most terrifying part of the house was the basement. She kept that door locked and ignored the thumps, crashes, and cries that came from below the house. What made Alice determined to confront the ghost today was the especially loud crashes the previous night. She'd gotten no sleep, convinced the ghost was going to break through the door and do something horrible. What, she wasn't sure, but the ghost would do something.

Alice hadn't seen the ghost, but what else could be making loud noises in an old house? The one time she had been down in the basement was after buying the house unseen. Once she saw the shelves with old glass jars, she was a little put off. But what made her keep the door shut and locked was the abrupt end of the concrete floor halfway across the room. Because nothing good ever happened in a basement with a dirt floor. Alice had seen enough horror movies to know that

Alice stared at the basement door, trying to gather enough confidence to open it and march down the stairs like she owned the place. Because she did-or she would, once she finished paying her mortgage in 30 years Alice took a deep breath and yanked the door open. She marched down the stairs, only to stop abruptly at the bottom. Because she was face to face with not a ghost at all. It was a calico cat, one who looked utterly unimpressed by her brave journey into the basement

Which of the following phrases from the passage added humor to an otherwise fearful mood?

Sales Associate Position

Salary: $15 to $18 per hour

Job Type: Full time or Part time

Shift and Schedule: Weekdays, Evenings, Weekends

About Us: Button Land is the number one destination for buttons. We are dedicated to providing any button our customers could need. In addition to utility buttons, we stock a variety of antique and vintage buttons. Our team is passionate about helping our customers find the perfect button.

Qualifications: Previous sales and customer service experience preferred but will consider candidates without this experience who have a passion for buttons. Candidates must have strong communication, time management, and social skills. All candidates must be willing to work weekends.

Which of the following conclusions does the information in the passage support?

Taxidermy

Taxidermy is the art of preserving animals. This craft blends art, science, and craftsmanship to create lifelike representations of animals in naturalistic settings for display, education, or research. Taxidermists often work for museums, creating or restoring exhibits, but they also serve hunters and fishermen who wish to preserve their trophies.

The process of taxidermy involves careful skinning and tanning of the hide, molding and sculpting an accurate form of the animal's body, and then meticulously attaching the prepared skin onto the form. The final step requires detailed painting and grooming to enhance the realism of the animal. This meticulous process allows for the natural beauty and majesty of wildlife to be preserved and appreciated.

This profession requires not only technical skills but also a respect for nature and wildlife ethics, ensuring that the practice promotes conservation and appreciation of biodiversity. Ethical practices are ensured through strict regulation. Laws differ by country, but they share common elements designed to protect wildlife. In the United States, for example, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) enforces laws that regulate which species can be taxidermized. Endangered species and migratory birds, for instance, are protected under specific acts. To work with these animals, taxidermists must obtain special permits.

Moreover, taxidermists are often required to keep detailed records of their work, including the origins of each specimen and its treatment process. This documentation helps wildlife officials track the use of animal parts, prevent illegal trade, and manage animal populations, ensuring that local ecosystems remain balanced and illegal hunting is minimized.

It's essential for aspiring and practicing taxidermists to understand and comply with these laws to avoid legal complications and contribute to ethical wildlife management and conservation. Ethical taxidermy practices promote conservation and respect for wildlife, aligning with modern ecological values and animal welfare standards.

What is the author’s perspective on taxidermy?

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Godmother of Rock and Roll

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, hailed as the "Mother of Rock and Roll," profoundly influenced iconic musicians like Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Little Richard. Born in 1915 in Arkansas to farm laborers and gospel musicians, her deep roots in spiritual music and her pioneering guitar style forged a sound that laid the groundwork for rock and roll.

Tharpe began performing at age 4 in a traveling evangelical troupe. Renowned for her exceptional guitar skills and powerful voice, she captivated audiences across the United States. primarily at religious services. As she traveled, Rosetta absorbed jazz and blues influences. Her fusion of spiritual lyrics with electric guitar sounds broke traditional gospel molds and introduced elements that would define a new musical genre.

In the 1930s, Rosetta's performances in Harlem became a hit, especially with white audiences. Signing with Decca Records, she became one of the first gospel singers to record with a major label. Her 1944 hit "Strange Things Happening Every Day," is often credited as one of the first rock and roll records. Her Innovative use of distortion and electric guitar was revolutionary, shaping the emerging genre's sound.

After two unhappy marriages, Rosetta openly embraced her queer identity within the music industry. She teamed up with her partner, Marie Knight, on the hit "Up Above My Head." Long before civil rights and marriage equality, the two performed as queer Black women in a relationship-a groundbreaking and defiant act.

Despite her profound influence on music and societal norms, Tharpe's contributions were largely overlooked in her lifetime, particularly in mainstream rock and roll history. Only years after her death was her legacy fully recognized. Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Tharpe is now celebrated as a pivotal figure in the genre's development.

The evidence is irrelevant the focus is on her personal life rather than her musical contributions and distracts from the purpose.

Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the passage about Sister Rosetta Tharpe?