The California ground squirrel must constantly balancethe conflicting demands of self-preservation and predatorassessment. Because predator assessment requires a fairlyhigh degree of proximity and sensory contact, the groundsquirrel can only safely assess predators from whom thereis little to no immediate threat. For example, when avianpredators, including the red-tailed hawk and golden eagle,launch sudden, unexpected aerial attacks, self-preservationmust take precedence over the acquisition of knowledge.Rattlesnakes, on the other hand, pose relatively little immediatedanger, and give the squirrel the greatest opportunity forpredator assessment.

Predator assessment might normally be hampered by theinherent danger of the rattlesnake's lethal bite. But whilesquirrels constitute almost 70 percent of the rattlesnake'sdiet, adult ground squirrels are all but immune to rattlesnakes.Rattlesnakes hunt slowly and stalk their prey, in markedcontrast to sudden avian attacks. And even though arattlesnake's strike is fast, the ground squirrel can move muchfaster. More important, any danger posed by a snakebiteis mitigated by proteins in the squirrel's blood that conferresistance to rattlesnake venom. Adult ground squirrels willgenerally survive a rattlesnake bite that could prove lethal toa grown human. Indeed, it is the squirrel pups that are mostsusceptible to rattlesnake bites, because their smaller bodiescannot neutralize a full bite's worth of venom.

This innate resistance allows the ground squirrel to changethe dynamic of the traditional predator-prey relationshipand approach the rattlesnake in an effort to acquire usefulinformation regarding size and body temperature. Largersnakes, which deliver more venom per strike, are naturally moredangerous, as are warmer snakes, which can strike faster,from a greater distance, and with greater accuracy. Visualcues can be helpful, but the squirrel is often hampered by the

surrounding vegetation and darkness of burrows. Auditory cuesare generally more reliable. For this reason, the ground squirrelwill engage in tail-flagging, sand-kicking, and substrate-throwingin an attempt to put the snake on the defensive, and coax thesnake into rattling its tail. The sound of a particular snake'srattle "leaks" information about the snake's size and bodytemperature. Not only does this information allow the squirrel toaccurately assess the surrounding danger to itself and its pups,but it also allows the squirrel to communicate this danger (orlack thereof) to other squirrels by additional tail-flagging.

1. Which of the following can most reasonably be concludedabout adult ground squirrels on the basis of the passage?

A. They are found exclusively in California.

B. They have always been immune to rattlesnake venom.

C. They are sometimes vulnerable to a rattlesnake'svenom.

D. They generally stay away from rattlesnakes in order toprotect their young.

E. They have only avian and reptilian predators.

2. According to the passage, the adult ground squirrel generallydoes NOT engage in which of the following?

A. The self-application of snake scent

B. Acquisition of knowledge regarding a rattlesnake's size

C. Biting rattlesnakes

D. Large-scale assessment of avian predators

E. Communication with other adult ground squirrels

3. The author mentions the hunting method of rattlesnakes inorder to

A. show how the rattlesnake can sneak up on a groundsquirrel engaged in predator assessment.

B. give an example of an attack against which the adultground squirrel must defend itself in order to survive.

C. explain why 70 percent of squirrels are eaten byrattlesnakes.

D. show how the rattlesnake is different from the red-tailedhawk and golden eagle.

E. provide a secondary explanation for the adult Californiaground squirrel's ability to safely approach the rattlesnake.

4. The passage suggests which of the following about predator-prey relationships?

A. They only allow for predator assessment when there isno danger from the predator.

B. They often do not allow for a high degree of predatorassessment.

C. They are fairly traditional in their resistance to evolution.

D. They tend to minimize the predator-prey proximity.

E. They are the same regardless of the species inquestion.

An interesting quirk of the modern international automotiveindustry is the off-shore production of domestic automobilebrands combined with the simultaneous on-shore production offoreign automobile brands, a phenomenon known as ""shore-swapping."" More than half of domestic Japanese car brands,for example, are produced in the United States, while a nearlyequivalent proportion of American brands are produced inAsian countries such as Japan, China, and Korea. Althoughinternational shipping and logistics costs are expensive, thepractice of shore-swapping is quite logical and profitable.

5. Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports theconclusion above?

A. Automotive producers can sell their automobiles at apremium in their domestic markets.

B. Economic globalization has allowed for cultural normsand values to be shared across international borders.

C. Last year, Japanese consumers boycotted thepurchase of American cars, demanding better workingconditions for Japanese laborers.

D. The majority of automobiles produced via shore-swapping are sold in the market where they are produced,eliminating shipping costs.

E. Free trade with a political ally engenders internationalgoodwill.

On Earth, the dynamic between global warming and theproliferation of greenhouse gases is typically regardedas having dangerous ramifications for our planet. Thisphenomenon, however, has a potential upside when weconsider its implications for other planets. Mars has thepotential to become a new human habitat; if the carbondioxide trapped in its icy poles and in its soil were released,this currently "dead" planet could indeed become a giantgreenhouse. While the project would take hundreds of years,the result could be an Earth-like ecosystem that could producecrops and even sustain whole forests. In time, Mars could proveto be a second home to the people of Earth.

As wild as such a notion sounds, the science behind thispotential transformation is sound enough. After all, we arenow keenly aware of the atmosphere-thickening capacities ofcarbon dioxide and methane. Much of the latter is stored in ourown arctic regions; as the arctic tundra melts, vast amounts ofatmosphere-building methane are released into the air. After aseries of 18-month survey missions, habitation modules couldbe established on Mars to enable more serious work in thisdirection to go forward. Factories could then be established thatwould spew the potent gases we seek to avoid on Earth intothe planet's atmosphere. Within 200 years, the planet wouldbe sufficiently insulated to allow microbes and lichens to grow,beginning a process of rock deformation that, in combinationwith the rain that would begin to fall, would eventually providetopsoil. Once this organic soil was in place-after a few hundredyears-plants would start to flower. Boreal and even-temperateforests could grow. The Red Planet would turn green.

6. The author's main objective in writing this passage is to

A. argue for converting Mars into a planet for Earth tocolonize

B. highlight the difficulties of bringing a dead planet to life

C. explain how to a habitable environment might befashioned

D. present a detailed plan for giving Mars an atmosphere

E. illuminate the hidden similarities of Earth and Mars

7. It can be inferred from this passage that

A. Earth will eventually need to convert Mars into a newhome

B. carbon dioxide and methane are not inherently harmful

C. NASA is hard at work on plans to transform Mars into ahabitable planet

D. few people will want to uproot from their familiar livesand colonize Mars

E. once microbes take hold, plants and trees willimmediately flourish

8. The author probably mentions ""arctic tundra"" in order to

A. illustrate the ecological challenges on Earth

B. explain the presence of methane in Earth's atmosphere

C. warn the reader of a growing danger

D. explain the feasibility of an effort to transform a planet'sclimate

E. show how methane could be transported to Mars

A parents' association, noting that the new energy snack barBuzz-y-Bee contains 2 percent (by weight) of cinarol, has beenlobbying to have the snack banned from vending machines inschools. Cinarol is known to increase alertness but has alsobeen linked to an increased risk of fertility problems.

9. Which of the following is an assumption made by the parents'association?

A. All students who consume Buzz-y-Bee will later havefertility problems.

B. While currently a niche product, Buzz-y-Bee will soonbe rolled out nationwide.

C. Students will probably dislike the taste of Buzz-y-Beedue to its high cinarol content.

D. Some food that contains 2 percent (by weight) of cinarolcauses fertility problems.

E. There is no affiliation between the makers of Buzz-y-Bee and the parents' association.

10. Meiosis produces haploid daughter cells that are geneticallydifferent from each other and from the parent cell; in contrast tomitosis, which produces daughter cells identical to the parent.

A. parent cell; in contrast to mitosis, which producesdaughter cells identical to the parent

B. parent cell, and different from mitosis, which producesdaughter cells identical to the parent

C. parent cell; in contrast, mitosis produces daughter cellsidentical to the parent

D. parent cell, different from the production of daughtercells identical to the parent, known as mitosis

E. parent cell, in contrast to the production of daughtercells identical to the parent, known as mitosis

Farming Industry Expert: Meteorologists expect this springto be excessively cold and wet in the apple-growing regionsof Washington State, which is the largest producer of applesin the United States. While cold and wet weather typicallycauses a large decrease in the yield of the apple crop, ourestimations indicate that Washington apple growers will notsee a substantial reduction in revenue as a result of these less-than-favorable conditions.

11. The claim of the Farming Industry Expert is best supportedby which of the following statements?

A. The cold and wet weather is likely to increase demandfor outerwear, which is produced by a very large companybased in Washington State.

B. New York, which is the second-largest producer ofapples after Washington, is expected to have relativelymild weather that will result in higher yields of apples,pears, and other fruit.

C. This growing season, Washington apple growerswill use organic pesticides, which are better for theenvironment than the pesticides currently in use.

D. The yield of the apple crop in Washington typicallydecreases less as a result of cold and wet weather than dothe yields of some other crops.

E. The drop in supply of apples due to unfavorableweather will result in a large increase in market prices forapples.

12. Despite inflation expectations, allocations to alternativeinvestments like private equity and hedge funds remain roughlyconstant even though allocations to commodities like goldand precious metals are a market cycle that reflects whetherinflation is expected.

A. Despite inflation expectations, allocations to alternativeinvestments like private equity and hedge funds remainroughly constant even though allocations to commoditieslike gold and precious metals are a market cycle thatreflects whether inflation is expected.

B. Whether inflation is expected determines the marketcycle of allocations to commodities such as gold andprecious metals, whereas allocations to alternativeinvestments like private equity and hedge funds remainroughly constant despite inflation.

C. Allocations to commodities like gold and preciousmetals are a market cycle that reflects if inflation isexpected, whereas alternative investments like privateequity and hedge funds remain roughly constant despiteinflation.

D. The market cycle of allocations to commodities suchas gold and precious metals reflects whether inflation isexpected, whereas alternative investments such as privateequity and hedge funds remain roughly constant despiteinflation.

E. The market cycle of allocations to commodities suchas gold and precious metals reflects whether inflation isexpected, whereas alternative investments like privateequity and hedge funds remain roughly constant despiteinflation.

To the casual observer fortunate enough to have viewedthe launch of a space shuttle, the raucous torrent of waterthat flooded the launch platform may have seemed part ofa dramatic show. Those who considered the function of thewater-1,135,620 liters of it-often assumed that it served tosuppress the flames that flowed from the engine bells so thatthe shuttle did not sustain damage. Such an assumption is notentirely unfounded, given our understanding of fire's destructivenature and the extreme heat created during a launch. Theprimary function of the deluge, however, is much less intuitive-the water was intended not for flame suppression but soundsuppression.

People experience not only a constant onslaught of acousticwaves that their brains translate as sound but also infrasonicand ultrasonic waves that are so subtle as to be sensed only onan unconscious level. Sound intensity, as opposed to volume,refers to the energy of these waves and can be expressed aswork in units of microjoules or as power in units of microwatts.Early materials testing indicated that the acoustic energy oflaunch sound reflected by the Mobile Launcher Platform wasstressing the orbiter's wings and causing minor fatigue damageto the thermal curtains of the solid rocket boosters. The water,released 6.6 seconds before main engine ignition, flowed outin just 41 seconds, suppressing acoustic energy by about half.In a successful launch, by the time the flow was exhausted, theshuttle had attained enough altitude (305 meters) to escape thedamaging acoustic reflection.

13. It can be inferred from the passage that

A. acoustic energy is a daily threat to the safety of livingthings

B. casual assumptions about causes and effects may benaive

C. further materials testing on spacecraft materials shouldbe conducted

D. the Mobile Launcher Platform was poorly designed

E. observers should not have been allowed access to thelaunch viewing area

14. Which of the following would be the most likely topic fora paragraph that logically continues the passage, given anaudience of lay readers interested in this subject?

A. a mathematical representation of the suppression ofacoustic energy that resulted from launch

B. a budgetary justification for the additional expense ofthe water suppression system

C. a cautionary explanation of how acoustic energy cancause long-term hearing loss

D. a description of the safest locations from which shuttlelaunches were viewed

E. information on the development of the soundsuppression system

15. Which detail, if added to the first paragraph, would bestsupport the author's contention that assuming the water'sprimary purpose is fire suppression is the more intuitiveconclusion?

A. Observers admire those who fly the shuttle andtherefore worry about the crew's safety.

B. Observers watch the launch through binoculars andtelescopes, not from nearby.

C. Sound-suppressing water is forcefully propelled throughsix huge nozzles called ""rainbirds.""

D. Infrasonic and ultrasonic waves caused much of thesound damage to the space shuttle.

E. Flame deflectors direct the engine blast down into atrench and away from the shuttle.

16. Employers are interested not only in attracting the bestcandidate to interview and determining which candidate is bestof them all.

A. and determining which candidate is best of them all

B. and they have to determine what makes one candidatebetter than another

C. but they must understand which candidate is better thananother

D. but also in determining what makes one candidatebetter than another

E. but they have to determine what makes one better thananother

Due to budget constraints for the upcoming year, the corporateoffice of the Super Video chain has elected to reduce theamount of advertising funding it provides to individual chainstores in rural areas. To offset this loss in advertising funding,the manager of one such store, Store 123, has elected to raiselate fees from $2.00 per day to $2.50 per day. Despite the feeincrease, the store manager has not seen a reduction in thenumber of videos returned late. The manager has concludedthat the late fee increase will help to offset the cut in companyfunding.

17. Which of the following statements, if true, most strengthensthe manager's claim?

A. Since the late fee increase, salespeople at Store 123have noticed a drop in sales of used DVDs and VHStapes.

B. Store 123 had to spend a small amount of its monthlyadvertising budget to let customers know about the newlate fee.

C. Store 123 is part of Super Video's corporate videotracking system, which allows Store 123 to know exactlyhow many videos are overdue in real time.

D. Since the advertising budget reduction, Store 123 hashad to lay off one salesperson, reducing costs by tenpercent.

E. Since the fee increase, the average number of days avideo is late has not changed.

18. An unconfirmed nominee doing nothing to advance theadministration's judicial goals, the president will not considercontroversial candidates.

A. An unconfirmed nominee doing nothing to advancethe administration's judicial goals, the president will notconsider any controversial candidates.

B. That nominees do nothing to advance theadministration's judicial goals unless confirmed, whichis why the president will not consider controversialcandidates.

C. The reason that the president will not consider acontroversial candidate is because he will do nothing toadvance the administrations judicial goals unless he isconfirmed.

D. Because nominees do nothing to advance theadministration's judicial goals unless confirmed, thepresident will not consider controversial candidates.

E. Nothing is done for the judicial goals of theadministration by an unconfirmed candidate, which is whythe president will not consider any controversial candidate.

Numerous studies of chemotherapy patients over the lastten years have shown that patients who had regularlyattended support groups or received counseling experiencedsignificantly fewer side effects and shorter recovery timesfrom chemotherapy than did patients who had not. Clearly,although the mainstream scientific community has been slowto acknowledge it, psychological support has an effect on thebody's ability to heal.

19. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen theargument above?

A. The survival rates for chemotherapy patients in thestudy were virtually identical regardless of whether or notthey received support.

B. The patients who did not attend support groups chosenot to do so, even though they were healthy enough toattend.

C. Many medical doctors believe that the mind plays a rolein the causation and prevention of illness.

D. The majority of chemotherapy patients must undergomore than one round of treatment.

E. Some hospitals do not conduct support groups on theirpremises for chemotherapy patients and their families.

20. According to legal experts, doctors require that a minimumof $250,000 in malpractice coverage be purchased to protectagainst the most common types of medical lawsuits.

A. require that a minimum of $250,000 in malpracticecoverage be purchased to be protected

B. require that there be a minimum of $250,000 inmalpractice coverage to be protected

C. require that there be a minimum of $250,000 inmalpractice coverage

D. require a minimum of $250,000 in malpractice coveragefor the protection

E. require a minimum of $250,000 in malpractice coverageto be protected

21. The discovery of gold near Deadwood, South Dakota, drewadventurers and created economic competition, leading toviolence that claimed as many as 100 lives.

A. leading to violence that claimed as many as 100 lives

B. leading to violence that claimed as much as 100 lives

C. with the effect of violence that claimed as much as 100lives

D. with the effect that violence claimed as many as 100lives lost

E. and led to violence that claimed as many as 100 lives

River blindness, a devastating condition caused by waterparasites, is more common among the people of the Baka tribethan among those of other tribes in the area. River blindnesscan be prevented through water purification, improved eatinghabits, and nutritional education. Even so, the incidence ofriver blindness among the Baka tribe continues to increase,while in neighboring tribes, the incidence of river blindness isdecreasing.

22. Which of the following, if true, would best explain thesituation described above?

A. Swimming is more popular among the members of theBaka tribe than among the members of the neighboringtribes.

B. The Baka tribe is growing more quickly than anyother tribe in the area, and its lands are among the mostcrowded.

C. Unlike its neighboring tribes, which are smaller, theBaka tribe must focus more on food gathering andwater recycling than on water purification and nutritionaleducation.

D. More Baka tribe members have access to educationthan do members of neighboring tribes.

E. A decade ago, a visiting group of doctors identified thatthe occurrence of river blindness was much higher in theBaka tribe than in neighboring tribes.

Product Manager: Introducing a new board game typicallygrows our business, since new releases tend to appealto a new demographic and expand our customer base.However, our new game, Defending the Kingdom, will verylikely reduce our profits. As we already have a cooperativefantasy-themed game with a design similar to Defending theKingdom's, the launch of the new game is likely to take salesaway from our other game rather than expand our company'scustomer base. Also, since there are many up-front coststhat make Defending the Kingdom a more expensive gameto produce, profitable sales from our other game will bereplaced with lower-margin revenue.

23. In the argument above, which of the following statementsbest describes the role played by each portion in boldface?

A. The first is evidence that the Product Manager providesin support of a certain prediction; the second is thatprediction.

B. The first is a generalization that the Product Manageraccepts as true; the second is a consequence that followsfrom that generalization.

C. The first acknowledges a consideration against themain conclusion of the Product Manager; the second isthat conclusion.

D. The first is a pattern of cause and effect that theProduct Manager predicts will be repeated in the case atissue; the second acknowledges a circumstance in whichthat pattern would not hold.

E. The first is a pattern of cause and effect that theProduct Manager predicts will not hold in the case atissue; the second offers a consideration in support of thatprediction.

As many as 2,000 packages get shipped to the wrong addresseach month due to postal errors. In a concerted effort toreduce the number of mistakes, post offices implementedan eight-step method that included ZIP code verification,legibility confirmation, and new carrier training. The postmasterestimated that over a 45-day period, more than 2,040 packagesthat would otherwise have gone to the wrong address werecorrectly delivered.

24. Which of the following can be inferred from the abovestatements?

A. The eight-step method implemented by post offices willcontinue to be used in the future.

B. The eight-step method corrected many of thedeficiencies in the original package delivery system.

C. Prior to the implementation of the new method, packagedelivery personnel were negligent in performing their jobs.

D. The postmaster is uncertain about the efficacy of thenew package delivery method.

E. In the future, no packages will be shipped to the wrongaddress.

25. Effective trade practices with local tribes and newlyemerging currencies provided a strong local economy forEuropean settlers living in and around the St. Louis area.

A. living in and around the St. Louis

B. of St. Louis

C. around the vicinity of the St. Louis

D. of the St. Louis

E. in and around the St. Louis

African exploration in the late nineteenth century is almostentirely a story of white males: scientists, traders andmissionaries. Mary Henrietta Kingsley stands out as anexception.

Ostensibly, Kingsley planned her first trip to Africa so she couldconduct research on fetishes and complete the academictreatise her father, an explorer, had begun. Privately, Kingsleytold a friend she was traveling to Africa "to die," though she haddreamt of such an adventure since childhood. Nevertheless,she prepared for the trip carefully, interviewing friends, doctors,missionaries, and former explorers, all of whom advised her notto make the trek. Kingsley was undaunted and set off for WestAfrica carrying only £300, and chemicals and specimencases designed to collect samples of unknown fish and insectsfor the British Museum.

Kingsley sailed the coast, finally putting in at the mouth of theCongo. Recognizing that the natives were naturally suspiciousof Europeans traveling without an obvious purpose, Kingsleypurchased cloth and other goods in the port and traveled inlandfor six months as a trader, exchanging goods for food andshelter along the way. During this and her second trip in 1895,Kingsley demonstrated resourcefulness in dealing with suchchallenges as rescuing a native from cannibals, defeatinga leopard with a bucket of water, learning to pilot a nativecanoe up the Ogooue River, and becoming the first whitewoman and third "Englishman" to climb the 14,435 foot MountCameroon. Upon her return to London, Kingsley campaignedfor an enlightened African policy, published her bookTravels inWest Africa and advocated a forum for the serious ethnologicalstudy of Africa. Kingsley's third trip was to Cape Town duringthe 1900 Boer War. There she encountered an epidemic ofdysentery, volunteered to nurse prisoners of war, contractedtyphoid, and died.

30. What is the main purpose of this passage?

A. To demonstrate that even the most seasoned Africanexplorers are at risk due to disease.

B. To outline the early history of African exploration.

C. To establish the need for a more tolerant colonial policy

in 19 th century England.

D. To discuss the achievements of one female explorer.

E. To argue that the contributions made by womenexplorers in Africa were as important as those made bymen.

31. The author suggests that Mary Kingsley may have gone toAfrica for each of the following reasons EXCEPT:

A. to serve as an Anglican missionary

B. to complete her father's fetish research

C. to fulfill a childhood dream

D. to collect specimens of fish and insects for the BritishMuseum

E. to die

32. Mary Kingsley's reason for purchasing cloth and othersupplies at the mouth of the Congo was:

A. to be able to trade for food and shelter along the way

B. to earn extra money to finance her trip

C. to assuage the natives' concerns over her motives

D. to acquire examples of fetish sculptures for her father'sresearch

E. to acquaint the natives with European goods

33. Why does the author insert the anecdotes about Kingsley'stravels in paragraph three?

A. To show that she was not afraid of wild beasts.

B. To compare the obstacles faced by female travelerswith those faced by male explorers of the day.

C. To entice you into reading Kinsley's best-selling bookTravels in West Africa.

D. To emphasize the dangers Mary faced in her travels.

E. To illustrate Kingsley's ability to conquer a variety ofchallenges.

African exploration in the late nineteenth century is almostentirely a story of white males: scientists, traders andmissionaries. Mary Henrietta Kingsley stands out as anexception.

Ostensibly, Kingsley planned her first trip to Africa so she couldconduct research on fetishes and complete the academictreatise her father, an explorer, had begun. Privately, Kingsleytold a friend she was traveling to Africa "to die," though she haddreamt of such an adventure since childhood. Nevertheless,she prepared for the trip carefully, interviewing friends, doctors,missionaries, and former explorers, all of whom advised her notto make the trek. Kingsley was undaunted and set off for WestAfrica carrying only £300, and chemicals and specimencases designed to collect samples of unknown fish and insectsfor the British Museum.

Kingsley sailed the coast, finally putting in at the mouth of theCongo. Recognizing that the natives were naturally suspiciousof Europeans traveling without an obvious purpose, Kingsleypurchased cloth and other goods in the port and traveled inlandfor six months as a trader, exchanging goods for food andshelter along the way. During this and her second trip in 1895,Kingsley demonstrated resourcefulness in dealing with suchchallenges as rescuing a native from cannibals, defeatinga leopard with a bucket of water, learning to pilot a nativecanoe up the Ogooue River, and becoming the first whitewoman and third "Englishman" to climb the 14,435 foot MountCameroon. Upon her return to London, Kingsley campaignedfor an enlightened African policy, published her bookTravels inWest Africa and advocated a forum for the serious ethnologicalstudy of Africa. Kingsley's third trip was to Cape Town duringthe 1900 Boer War. There she encountered an epidemic ofdysentery, volunteered to nurse prisoners of war, contractedtyphoid, and died.

30. What is the main purpose of this passage?

A. To demonstrate that even the most seasoned Africanexplorers are at risk due to disease.

B. To outline the early history of African exploration.

C. To establish the need for a more tolerant colonial policy

in 19 th century England.

D. To discuss the achievements of one female explorer.

E. To argue that the contributions made by womenexplorers in Africa were as important as those made bymen.

31. The author suggests that Mary Kingsley may have gone toAfrica for each of the following reasons EXCEPT:

A. to serve as an Anglican missionary

B. to complete her father's fetish research

C. to fulfill a childhood dream

D. to collect specimens of fish and insects for the BritishMuseum

E. to die

32. Mary Kingsley's reason for purchasing cloth and othersupplies at the mouth of the Congo was:

A. to be able to trade for food and shelter along the way

B. to earn extra money to finance her trip

C. to assuage the natives' concerns over her motives

D. to acquire examples of fetish sculptures for her father'sresearch

E. to acquaint the natives with European goods

33. Why does the author insert the anecdotes about Kingsley'stravels in paragraph three?

A. To show that she was not afraid of wild beasts.

B. To compare the obstacles faced by female travelerswith those faced by male explorers of the day.

C. To entice you into reading Kinsley's best-selling bookTravels in West Africa.

D. To emphasize the dangers Mary faced in her travels.

E. To illustrate Kingsley's ability to conquer a variety ofchallenges.

34. According to many obstetricians, the intake of iron, if doublethat of nonpregnant women, may actually reduce developingiron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, further supporting thefindings of several major health organizations.

A. According to many obstetricians, the intake of iron, ifdouble that of nonpregnant women, may actually reducedeveloping iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

B. Iron, many obstetricians suggest, if double thatof nonpregnant women, may actually reduce thedevelopment risk of iron deficiency anemia duringpregnancy

C. Many obstetricians suggest that increasing iron intaketo double that of nonpregnant women may actually reducethe risk of developing iron deficiency anemia duringpregnancy

D. Many obstetricians suggest that supplementing irondouble that of nonpregnant women actually reduces therisk of developing iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

E. Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy may beat a lower risk of development if iron is taken doublenonpregnant women, according to many obstetricians

35. One reason some particle physicists are switching toastronomy late in their careers is that they tire of spendingyears constructing environments in which they can conductexperiments; astronomers have an infinite and ready-madesupply of environments at their disposal.

A. One reason some particle physicists are switchingto astronomy late in their careers is that they tire ofspending years constructing environments in which theycan conduct experiments; astronomers have an infiniteand ready-made supply of environments at their disposal

B. Late in their careers, one reason that some particlephysicists are switching to astronomy is suggested by thefact that particle physicists must spend years constructingenvironments in which they can conduct experiments,while astronomers have an infinite and ready-made supplyof environments at their disposal

C. Late in their careers, one reason that some particlephysicists are switching to astronomy is suggested by thefact that particle physicists must spend years constructingenvironments in which they can conduct experiments,while an infinite and ready-made supply of environments isat the disposal of astronomers

D. The fact that particle physicists must spend yearsconstructing environments in which they can conductexperiments while astronomers have an infinite and ready-made supply of environments at their disposal is onereason, late in their careers, some particle physicists areswitching to astronomy

E. The existence of an infinite and ready-made supply ofenvironments at the disposal of astronomers comparedwith the fact that particle physicists must spend yearsconstructing environments in which they can conductexperiments suggests one reason some particle physicistsare switching to astronomy late in their careers

The government of Country X recently enacted legislation thateliminated property tax credits for homeowners who purchasesolar water heaters. Due to this change, solar water heatersales in Country X, which have tripled over the past three years,will likely slow drastically within the next two years.

36. Which of the following statements, if true, most weakens theconclusion reached above?

A. The majority of homeowners in Country X do not own asolar water heater.

B. Home energy prices are not expected to change overthe next two years.

C. Solar water heaters are known to have less heatingcapacity than traditional water heaters.

D. Most consumers in Country X who purchased solarwater heaters over the last three years were unaware ofthe tax credit.

E. Economic research has found that solar water heatersare more expensive to keep up and replace than aretraditional water heaters.

37. Oxfordians maintain that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl ofOxford, had written the plays and poems attributed to WilliamShakespeare traditionally.

A. Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, had writtenthe plays and poems attributed to William Shakespearetraditionally

B. Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, wrote the playsand poems attributed to William Shakespeare traditionally.

C. that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, wrotethe plays and poems traditionally attributed to WilliamShakespeare.

D. that Edward de Vere, as 17th Earl of Oxford, hadwritten the plays and poems traditionally attributed toWilliam Shakespeare.

E. that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, wrote theplays and poems having been traditionally attributed toWilliam Shakespeare.

38. Within the global warming discussion, scientists still disputeabout whether current estimation techniques are adequate todetermine climate sensitivity-a measure of how responsive thetemperature of the climate system is to a change in the radiativeforcing.

A. about whether

B. as to whether

C. whether

D. whether or not

E. if

39. Although the tarantula rarely bites and is much lessvenomous than either the black widow or brown recluse,its fangs are of such size and power that they can causemechanical damage.

A. its fangs are of such size and power that they can be acause of mechanical damage

B. its fangs are so large and powerful as to causemechanical damage

C. such are the size and power of its fangs that they canbe a cause of mechanical damage

D. their fangs are large and powerful enough to cause ofmechanical damage

E. such are the size and power of its fangs that it cancause mechanical damage

A recent poll suggests that European and American playersprefer different board game experiences. For example,European players tend to prefer games that focus on clevermechanisms and shorter playing times, while American playersprefer more thematic and longer games. In most board gamestores, demonstrations focus on game mechanics and shortergame play. Additionally, the current trend in game stores is tocarry games that feature shorter playing times and are not verythematic.

40. The statements above, if true, best support which of thefollowing as a conclusion?

A. American and European players do not enjoy playinggames together.

B. People buying gifts for American players should notshop at game stores.

C. European players are more likely than Americanplayers to enjoy the demonstrations at board game stores.

D. The current games available at game stores contributeto the lack of American game players.

E. More American players than European players wouldenjoy a game about space travel.

41. The direction and length of the bee's dance tells its fellowforagers where honey will be found out.

A. tells its fellow foragers where honey will be found out

B. tells its fellow foragers where they will find honey

C. tells where honey will be found out by its fellow foragers

D. tell where honey will be found to its fellow foragers

E. tell its fellow foragers where they will find honey

42. Thomas Eagleton resigned as Democratic nominee for vicepresident after newspapers published reports that he earlierunderwent electroconvulsive therapy, under pressure frompresidential nominee George McGovern.

A. Thomas Eagleton resigned as Democratic nominee forvice president after newspapers published reports thathe earlier underwent electroconvulsive therapy, underpressure from presidential nominee George McGovern.

B. Thomas Eagleton, under pressure from presidentialnominee George McGovern after newspapers publishedreports that he had earlier underwent electroconvulsivetherapy, resigned as Democratic nominee for vicepresident

C. After newspaper reports that he had undergoneelectroconvulsive therapy, under pressure frompresidential candidate George McGovern, ThomasEagleton resigned as Democratic nominee for vicepresident.

D. Under pressure from presidential nominee GeorgeMcGovern, Thomas Eagleton resigned as Democraticnominee for vice president after newspapers publishedreports that he earlier underwent electroconvulsivetherapy.

E. Under pressure from presidential nominee GeorgeMcGovern, Thomas Eagleton resigned as Democraticnominee for vice president after newspapers publishedreports that he had undergone electroconvulsive therapy.

Doctors now believe that as many people age they will suffer anumber of mini-strokes that go undetected. However, as eachof these small strokes leads to a cumulative loss of brain tissue,a person who suffers them is much more likely to be debilitatedby a subsequent detectable stroke that in others would onlycause minor or temporary physical impairment.

43. Which of the following is the best analogy for the processdescribed above?

A. According to chaos theory, a butterfly flapping its wingsin Africa can cause a hurricane in the Caribbean.

B. People who buy lottery tickets regularly are more likelyto win a prize than those who buy tickets only occasionally.

C. Athletes who use performance enhancing drugs aremuch more likely to experience career-ending injuries thanathletes who do not.

D. Repeated exposure to hurricane-force winds causesconcrete in buildings to develop tiny cracks, as a result ofwhich an average-sized hurricane can cause an inordinatelevel of damage.

E. Random smells or sounds can trigger intense fear inpeople who have lived through childhood trauma.

44. Of all the possible threats that affect American nationalsecurity, the possibility of electromagnetic attack is maybe themore difficult for analysis.

A. is maybe the more difficult for analysis

B. is probably the most difficult to analyze

C. is maybe the most difficult for analysis

D. is probably the more difficult to analyze

E. is, it may be, the analysis that is most difficult

A new type of organism-one that exhibits signs of life onlyduring the wet season-has recently been discovered byscientists in the Namib desert. During times of drought, theorganism blends into the drab color of the sandy landscape andlies dormant. Therefore, researchers must have first discoveredthe organism during the wet season.

45. The argument depends on which of the followingassumptions?

A. No similar organism lives in the Namib desert.

B. The terrain in the Namib desert is a uniform drab color.

C. It is impossible for the organism to survive anywhereother than the Namib desert.

D. The new organism is not related to previously knownorganisms.

E. During times of drought, the organism cannot bedetected.

Most cars are built to last for more than 12 years, and ifserviced regularly, the average older car is well equippedto meet the common daily demands of running errands andcommuting to work. Nevertheless, the typical American driverbuys or leases a new car every five years.

46. The statements above, if true, best support which of thefollowing conclusions?

A. New cars offer marked improvements in performancecompared to older cars.

B. Cars that are no longer being used by their originaldrivers command a large market.

C. Today's cars are more durable than cars made in thepast due to advances in production technology.

D. The purchase or lease of new cars must be explainedby something other than the ability of cars to serve thedemands of everyday driving.

E. Cars should not last as long as they do now.

47. Formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance donot apply to small, emergent economies in the same way theyapply to established economies, because they are developingand are not in equilibrium.

A. Formulas for gross domestic product and trade balancedo not apply to small, emergent economies in the sameway they apply to established economies, because theyare developing and are not in equilibrium

B. Because they are developing and are not in equilibrium,formulas for gross domestic product and trade balance donot apply to small, emergent economies in the same waythey apply to established economies

C. Because they are developing and are not in equilibrium,small, emergent economies are not subject to the sameapplicability of formulas for gross domestic product andtrade balance as established economies

D. Because small, emergent economies are developingand are not in equilibrium, formulas for gross domesticproduct and trade balance do not apply to them in thesame way they apply to established economies

E. Small, emergent economies are not subject to theapplicability of formulas for gross domestic product andtrade balance in the same way as established economies,because they are developing and are not in equilibrium

Once the nexus of commerce, small specialty stores locateddowntown now struggle financially due to a confluence offactors. For one, their size does not permit them to negotiatefavorable terms with distributors, and as a result, they facehigher costs than do large stores in suburban strip malls. Thisleads to higher prices and lower profit margins, neither of whichis conducive to the growth of the business. Unable to expand,a business in this position is relegated to a small niche, witha limited product variety that subsequently limits the store'scustomer base.

48. If the statements above are true, then small stores would bemost likely to break the pattern described above by successfullyaccomplishing which of the following?

A. Specializing in an unusual product

B. Advertising in neighborhood papers to attract more localbusiness

C. Partnering with a larger ""parent"" organization andusing its strength to negotiate good terms with distributors

D. Educating the public about the higher prices charged tosmall businesses by distributors

E. Lobbying for increased bus service to bring suburbanconsumers downtown

An increasing number of new passenger car models are beingshipped with side-impact air bags as standard equipment, inpart because such air bags are known to be beneficial in manyaccident scenarios and in part because not having them isregarded as a marketing disadvantage. However, side-impactair bags are not entirely without risk; for example, they canresult in serious injury if a passenger is leaning against thewindow or the door when an accident takes place. Thus, aleading advocacy group has taken the position that side-impactair bags should not be made standard on all models until theirabsolute safety can be guaranteed.

49. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen theposition of the advocacy group?

A. Shoulder belts for passengers in the rear middle seat ofa vehicle save many more lives per year than side-impactair bags do.

B. Side-impact air bags have lessened the exhilaration ofdriving.

C. Each year, many people are injured when a side-impactair bag inflates against an object suspended from a coathanger in a vehicle.

D. Features should not be made standard until they areproven to be completely safe.

E. No feature of a vehicle will ever be absolutely safe.

Petroleum, which is the primary base of synthetic fibers, isa fossil fuel. By contrast, cotton is a natural fiber and thus arenewable resource. Accordingly, many well-meaning consumeradvocates recommend the purchase of cotton clothing as a wayof lessening the use of fossil fuels.

50. Which of the following, if true, casts the most doubt on thevalidity of the consumer advocates' position?

A. Other natural fibers are cheaper than cotton.

B. Converting factories that are currently set up to producesynthetic fibers into factories that process cotton fiberwould require millions of dollars in renovations.

C. Cotton production requires the heavy use of pesticidesand causes greater environmental pollution than theproduction of synthetic fibers.

D. Purely cotton clothing has been limited in its availabilityto major retail outlets.

E. More energy from fossil fuels is expended in the carefor cotton clothing over its lifetime than is used in theproduction of synthetic fibers.

The human brain is about 95 percent of its adult size by agesix. Because of this fact, researchers used to believe that one'slifelong learning capacity was determined by a fairly young age.Consequently, a great deal of attention was paid to stimulatingthe brain during early childhood. Doting new parents diligentlysupplied their offspring with flashcards, black and whitepatterned mobiles, and classical music CDs in hopes of raisingsmarter children. Scientists have since determined, however,that the gray matter responsible for intelligence continuesgrowing and making connections throughout childhoodand into adolescence. Similar to the growth of a tree, newconnections, or "branches," continue to form and grow in thefrontal lobe-responsible for planning, organizing, strategizing,and judgment-until this process, begun in the womb, peaks atthe onset of puberty (11 for girls and 12 for boys, on average).At that point, the "use it or lose it" principle kicks in. Afteryears of being over-produced, the brain's unused cells andconnections wither and die. The branches stop growing andbegin to be pruned back. How much and which parts arepruned back depend on the brain (and child) in question. Whilean important milestone in neural development, this pubescentpruning stage still does not mark the limits to one's intellectualcapacity. Recent research has found that a second wave ofbrain cell over-production occurs during adolescence, roughlybetween the ages of 10 and 13, followed by another pruningand reorganization. Scientists stress that these teenage yearsare a critical time for children, as their brain becomes hardwiredduring this time. Whether young people engage in sports andacademics or play videogames and watch TV during theseyears, the activities they engage in shape the neural pathwaysthat become fixed, potentially for life.

51. The primary purpose of this passage is to

A. explain why teenagers think differently from adults

B. disprove the importance of classical music on braindevelopment

C. convey new developments in adolescent brain research

D. clarify the "use it or lose it" principle of braindevelopment

E. refute findings that suggest a second wave of graymatter production

52. The author would most likely agree with which of thefollowing?

A. Teens should spend more time on academics thansports.

B. Cell phone use during adolescence is dangerous.

C. Flashcards do not help infant brain development.

D. Learning a new subject may be more difficult for adultsthan for young adolescents.

E. The voting age should be raised, since adolescentbrains are not fully formed.

53. The author presents the image of tree branches in order to

A. demonstrate that brain development is a naturalprocess

B. explain why certain connections are pruned while otherssurvive to become hardwired

C. clarify how gray matter grows and forms connections

D. create an extended metaphor comparing growingchildren to trees

E. show that brain cells regenerate like leaves