On February 2 of each year, the United States observes the unusual holiday of Groundhog Day, a day of hope that winter is over and spring is beginning. This 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 meteorologist. 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 groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. At the turn of the twentieth century, townspeople formed the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to perpetuate the joyful rituals and events surrounding Groundhog Day. Over the years, these 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 a Gregorian calendar. Nevertheless, a visit to Pennsylvania to see Punxsutawney Phil and all of the fun he inspires each year might just provide the touch 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 Groundhog Day?

Peanut Butter Cookies

Grandma Harry 30 minutes

Cookies/Desserts

Makes 1 dozen

1 egg white

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup flour

Beat egg white until foamy. Stir in sugar, 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 cookie sheet. These are very fragile.

Which of the following statements is true?

A student newspaper editor is adding images to newspaper articles and finds a photograph of a woman smiling and standing in a swamp holding a large fish.

With which of the following articles should the student expect to place this photo?

Clara Barton Timeline

1821: Clara Barton is born in North Oxford, Massachusetts.

1831: Barton cares for her brother David after he falls from a roof and is severely injured.

1855: Barton moves to Washington D.C. to work as the first female federal patent clerk.

1861: Barton begins gathering and distributing food, clothing, and medical supplies to wounded soldiers during the Civil War.

1862: Barton works on the front lines as a self-taught nurse.

1865: After the war, Barton begins identifying anonymous soldiers to be properly buried through the Office of Missing Soldiers.

1869: Barton travels to Europe, assisting with preparing military hospitals and supplying aid to the poor.

1881: Barton petitions President Chester A. Arthur to open an American branch of the International Red Cross organization

Which of the following words as used in the timeline indicates the chronology of events in Barton's life?

Napping Across Time

Napping, a practice that weaves through the tapestry of history and culture, offers a fascinating insight into human rhythms and societal norms. Delving into the annals of time, we find ancient civilizations like the Romans embracing the afternoon "sexta," a brief slumber to restore vitality. In more recent times, the Spanish siesta carved out a sacred space in the day for rest, while the Japanese inemuri, translating to "sleeping while present," became an emblem of commitment to work.

The allure of napping knows no bounds—across continents and eras, cultures recognize the value of this midday interlude. From Mediterranean countries to the heart of Asia, napping is not merely a break; it's an art form deeply ingrained in the fabric of daily life. It's a moment to escape the relentless pace, to recalibrate the senses, and to rejuvenate the mind.

Which of the following additional pieces of information supports the claim that napping during the workday will help employees "be happier, healthier, and more productive"?

On February 2 of each year, the United States observes the unusual holiday of Groundhog Day, a day of hope that winter is over and spring is beginning. This 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 meteorologist. 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 groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. At the turn of the twentieth century, townspeople formed the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to perpetuate the joyful rituals and events surrounding Groundhog Day. Over the years, these 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 a Gregorian calendar. Nevertheless, a visit to Pennsylvania to see Punxsutawney Phil and all of the fun he inspires each year might just provide the touch of hope needed to reach the end of winter

What source would be most useful in determining the reliability of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions over a number of years?

Draw a circle. Draw a vertical line through the center of the circle. Draw a second line through the center of the circle, perpendicular to the first. Draw a square in the top left section of the circle. Rotate the circle 45° counter-clockwise. Darken the section of the circle that does not share a side with the section containing the square.

Which of the following images corresponds with the directions above?
 

Hedy Lamarr, the Inventor

Hedy Lamarr was a woman of many talents. She was first known as a European film actress in the 1930s. She began starring in American films with MGM Studios in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Some of her more popular films included Boom Town (1940) and White Cargo (1942); however, her roles generally did not include very many spoken lines and she became bored. To relieve this boredom, Lamarr took up inventing.

Hedy Lamarr did not have any formal training, but she did not allow that to stop her from teaching herself in her spare time. Although she had a number of failed inventions, such as an improved traffic light and a carbonated drink, Lamarr did not stop coming up with ideas. She even spent time working with the science engineering team employed by Howard Hughes, the aviation tycoon.

During World War I, Lamarr learned that one of the military's new technologies, radio-controlled torpedoes, were too easily jammed and redirected. She came up with a type of radio signal that changed, or "hopped, frequencies and was unable to be tracked or disrupted. With the assistance of her friend George Anthell, she was able to design the system and patent it in August 1942.

Unfortunately, the United States Navy was not interested. The technology of the era wasn't quite good enough to easily implement Lamarr's system, and the Navy was not particularly interested in civilian inventions at the time. It wasn't until 20 years later, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, that a version of Lamarr's system began appearing on Navy ships.

The work Lamarr and Antheil did creating this frequency-hopping system led to many technologies that are often taken for granted today. Their work led to the development of cell phones, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Just think, we might not have any of those things if Hedy Lamarr had been given more interesting roles.

Which of the following statements supports the claim that Hedy Lamarr made significant contributions to the advancement of technology?

The following sentences can be combined to form a paragraph. Which of the following sentences represents the main idea?

Clara Barton Timeline

1821: Clara Barton is born in North Oxford, Massachusetts.

1831: Barton cares for her brother David after he falls from a roof and is severely injured.

1855: Barton moves to Washington D.C. to work as the first female federal patent clerk.

1861: Barton begins gathering and distributing food, clothing, and medical supplies to wounded soldiers during the Civil War.

1862: Barton works on the front lines as a self-taught nurse.

1865: After the war, Barton begins identifying anonymous soldiers to be properly buried through the Office of Missing Soldiers.

1869: Barton travels to Europe, assisting with preparing military hospitals and supplying aid to the poor.

1881: Barton petitions President Chester A. Arthur to open an American branch of the International Red Cross organization

According to the timeline, which of the following events happens second after Clara is born?

An Interesting Birthday Party

On Saturday afternoon, local eccentric Dr. Oliver Creekstone held a remarkable 90th birthday party at his countryside estate. Present were 3,000 guests, four zebras, two monster trucks, and a famous bagpipe player from Scotland. Though pleased with the entertainment, attendees reportedly were shocked that the complimentary buffet contained only boiled asparagus and pickled carrots. At nightfall, the party was treated to a stunning and seemingly endless fireworks display. According to our sources, Dr. Creekstone felt that next year's birthday party would have to be even bigger and more interesting. "We'll need at least seven more zebras," he said.

Which of the following conclusions is supported by all of the details provided about the birthday party?