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Question 1 · ReadingThe town's trail guide describes three loops that begin at the same parking area. The shortest loop stays on level ground and takes about 30 minutes. The middle loop adds a gentle hill and a view of the river. The longest loop climbs to a rocky overlook and requires sturdy shoes. All three paths are marked with colored blazes. The guide recommends carrying water and checking the weather before starting any hike.
What is the author's main purpose in this paragraph?
- A. To discourage all hiking in the area.
- B. To inform readers about the options and basic preparations for the trails.
- C. To sell hiking equipment from a specific store.
- D. To provide a complete history of the parking area and of the town that maintains the trails.
Show the answer
B. To inform readers about the options and basic preparations for the trails.The paragraph outlines the three loops and gives practical recommendations.
Streetlights hummed above the empty avenue. Shop windows held mannequins frozen in last season's clothes. A single taxi idled at the corner, its roof light dark. Farther down the block a neon sign flickered, spelling half a word before going dark again. The pavement still held the day's heat. Somewhere a metal gate rattled once and then fell silent. The city at that hour felt paused between one day and the next.
What stylistic feature is most evident in the excerpt?
- A. Short, image-focused sentences that create a quiet, suspended mood.
- B. Long, complex sentences filled with dialogue.
- C. Repeated use of exclamation points for excitement.
- D. A formal academic tone with technical terms.
Show the answer
A. Short, image-focused sentences that create a quiet, suspended mood.Brief sentences centered on visual and auditory images produce a still, nighttime atmosphere.
Observers counted birds at the same wetland on the first Saturday of each month for a year. January through March showed mostly ducks and geese. April and May added large numbers of shorebirds. June through August were dominated by herons and egrets. September and October brought another wave of shorebirds, while November and December returned to waterfowl. The pattern repeated the following year.
What inference about seasonal presence is supported by the counts?
- A. The same bird types are present in equal numbers every month.
- B. Herons are the only species that ever visits the wetland.
- C. No birds were observed in winter.
- D. Shorebirds appear mainly in spring and fall while herons dominate summer.
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D. Shorebirds appear mainly in spring and fall while herons dominate summer.Shorebirds peak in April-May and September-October; herons and egrets dominate June-August.
The safety notice used the phrase immediate action required in large type at the top. Below it, short sentences listed three steps: unplug the unit, move it away from walls, and call the service number printed on the label. The final line read Do not attempt repairs yourself. No decorative language or extra explanation appeared.
How does the wording of the notice affect its tone?
- A. It sounds optional and relaxed.
- B. It is humorous and light-hearted.
- C. Urgent and clear, through direct commands and the phrase "immediate action required."
- D. It is vague and open to many interpretations.
Show the answer
C. Urgent and clear, through direct commands and the phrase "immediate action required."The large-type phrase and imperative sentences produce an urgent, unambiguous tone.
One energy-saving tip is to replace older light bulbs with LED versions that use less electricity for the same brightness. Another tip is to unplug devices that draw power even when turned off, such as phone chargers left in outlets. Both actions lower a household's monthly bill. The first change lasts for years once the bulbs are installed. The second requires a daily habit but costs nothing. Together the two steps address both long-term equipment and everyday behavior.
What synthesis connects the two energy-saving tips?
- A. Only bulb replacement produces any measurable savings.
- B. Unplugging devices costs more over time than buying new bulbs, so it is the weaker of the two tips.
- C. The tips complement each other by combining a one-time upgrade with an ongoing habit.
- D. Neither tip affects electricity use.
Show the answer
C. The tips complement each other by combining a one-time upgrade with an ongoing habit.LED replacement is a lasting equipment change; unplugging is a free daily practice; together they cover both areas.
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