The reporter ended the press conference with a crass remark. Crass means
Rationale:
Crass means insensitive. The context of a reporter making a crass remark implies a lack of tact or consideration for the feelings of others, highlighting a blunt or rude manner of speaking.
A: witty. A witty remark is characterized by cleverness and humor, which contrasts sharply with the insensitivity implied by the term crass.
C: sophisticated. Sophisticated language denotes elegance and refinement, directly opposing the crude nature suggested by crass, highlighting a lack of subtlety.
D: philosophical. Philosophical statements involve deep contemplation and thoughtful discourse, which are not aligned with the brash and unrefined connotation of crass.
Given the terms abhor, abject, absolute, and absorb, the prefix ab- means
Rationale:
The prefix ab- means away. This is evident in words like abhor, where the term connotes a strong aversion, indicating a movement away from something that is deeply disliked or detested.
B: above The meaning of above does not relate to the prefix ab-, which does not imply a higher position or elevation in any context.
C: remove The concept of removal does not align with the prefix ab-, as it specifically suggests a departure or distancing rather than taking something away.
D: enter The idea of entering contradicts the meaning of ab-, which suggests an outward movement rather than an inward approach or inclusion.
1.When e-cigarettes, more commonly known as "vapes," first came on the market, they were touted by their makers as a far safer way to enjoy the pleasures of smoking. However, while it is true that vaping is less dangerous than cigarette smoking, recent research has revealed that the use of e-cigarettes, especially among young people. poses serious health risks.
2. Being "less dangerous" than cigarettes is hardly a stamp of approval for vapes. After all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-term cigarette smoking kills half of all users. While e-cigarettes may not be quite this deadly, it is clear that addiction to nicotine - which, the CDC notes, is present in 99% of all vape products (2022a) - is unhealthy, furthermore, scientists have yet to fully learn or understand the long-term health effects of vaping.
3. Of particular interest to health officials is the fact that vape use has reached troublesome proportions among young people, and there are specific health concerns for these younger users. According to the CDC in 2022, 1 in 7 high school students and 1 in 30 middle school students reported that they had used a vape product in the last 30 days (2022b). These numbers are deeply troubling given the unique health consequences vape products can have on young people.
4. Our brains don't finish developing until about the age of 25. According to the CDC (2022a), "Each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections - or synapses - are built between brain cells. Young people's brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed." These changes can affect processes like attention, learning, and impulse control. Furthermore, addiction to nicotine can lead to mood disorders, and nicotine can serve as a gateway drug to substances such as marijuana (which can also be delivered by vape), heroin, and cocaine. The CDC also reports that many young people are using nicotine to self-medicate, an unhealthy and ultimately ineffective way to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.
5. Beyond these risks, scientists are still learning the other possible harmful effects of e-cigarettes. The CDC notes that some ingredients in the aerosol produced by vapes may be harmful to lungs, and we may see more of this damage as use becomes long-term. Some vapes have been known to explode or catch fire, gravely injuring their users. Finally, vape juices are extremely harmful if they are ingested or get onto skin or into eyes (2022a).
6. While scientists are still learning about its effects, it is already clear that vaping is a dangerous habit, especially for young people. The Federal government, schools, parents, and the healthcare industry are grappling with ways to effectively educate young people on this dangerous habit.
Which title best reflects the content of the passage?
Rationale:
Teens and the Dangers of Vaping
This title accurately captures the essence of the passage, which discusses the serious health risks associated with vaping, particularly among young people. The extract emphasizes the alarming rates of vape use in adolescents and highlights the unique consequences this habit can have on their developing brains and overall health.
B: Vaping vs. Cigarettes: A Healthy Alternative? This option falsely implies that vaping is a safe choice compared to cigarettes, which the passage clarifies is misleading and underestimates the risks involved.
C: Vaping: A Gateway Drug. While the passage mentions that nicotine can lead to other substance use, focusing solely on this aspect neglects the broader health implications discussed throughout the text.
D: Teaching Teens Not to Vape. This title suggests a focus on educational efforts, whereas the passage primarily presents the dangers and health risks of vaping, rather than strategies to counteract it.
The funds were allocated to various organizations. Allocated means
Rationale:
Allocated means assigned. This term signifies the distribution of funds to specific organizations, indicating a deliberate decision regarding how resources are designated for particular uses or purposes, ensuring targeted support and management.
A: donated Funds are given as gifts without expectation of return, contrasting with allocated, which implies a structured and intentional distribution rather than a simple transfer of ownership.
B: promised Promised indicates a commitment to provide funds in the future, while allocated refers to immediate decisions on resource distribution, lacking the notion of future intent.
C: conveyed Conveyed implies communication or transfer of something from one entity to another, whereas allocated specifically refers to the systematic assignment of funds, not merely their movement.
1. As knowledge of climate change has expanded, so has the vocabulary surrounding the issue. Some key terms include greenhouse gas, fossil fuel, and carbon footprint. Understanding these terms can help us to recognize how changes in human activity can slow down climate change
2. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides resources on its website to help citizens better understand climate change. Most people already know that the energy provided by the sun is key to life on earth. Greenhouse gases are substances that affect the way the earth either absorbs or reflects this energy. Water vapor and carbon dioxide are two examples of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb and hold some of the sun's energy, warming the planet like a "blanket" (Basics of Climate Change, 2023). This effect is similar to the way a greenhouse traps heat to support plant life, hence the term greenhouse effect
3. Greenhouse gases are important to regulating the earth's temperature and making the planet warm enough to sustain life. Natural occurrences such as plant and animal respiration, oceanic activity, and erupting volcanoes have always released greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide When humans began extracting and burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas during the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gas emissions rose sharply, upsetting the planet's balance and trapping too much heat. The result has been a sharp increase in the earth's temperature, leading to climate change. According to Dr. Julia Rosen, a geologist and journalist (2021), the average global temperature has risen 2:2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, with the sharpest temperature rise occurring in the last 70 years.
4. Use or plastics, especially single-use plastics, also enlarges the carbon footprint since the production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels and significant resulting carbon emissions. The average consumer can reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes such as recycling, reducing dependence on single use plastics, driving a fuel-efficient vehicle with lower emissions, and switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy.
5. While 2.2 degrees may not seem like much, we are seeing the effects of the earth's warming in the form of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and severe storms (Rosen, 2021). However, scientists agree that just as human activity caused climate change, so can human activity slow it down. Individuals, corporations, and governments can take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Understanding what contributes to our carbon footprint and taking measures to reduce it are the first steps.
What would be an appropriate title for this article?
Rationale:
Understanding Climate Change Terms. This title aptly reflects the article's focus on key vocabulary related to climate change, aiding readers in grasping essential concepts necessary for recognizing human impact on the environment.
B: Determining Your Carbon Footprint. This option emphasizes individual responsibility but does not encompass the broader discussion of climate change terminology presented throughout the article, which is crucial for context.
C: Why Carbon is Bad for the Environment. While relevant, this title narrows the scope to carbon specifically, overlooking the essential vocabulary and broader context of climate change discussed in the article.
D: Eliminating Greenhouse Gases. This title suggests a focus on solutions rather than understanding terms, missing the article's emphasis on knowledge and vocabulary that enables readers to comprehend climate change issues.
The senator voted against the bill, thereby showing
Rationale:
The senator voted against the bill, thereby showing dissent. This action reflects a disagreement with the proposed legislation, indicating a stance that opposes the majority opinion or prevailing sentiment within the legislative body.
B: composure. This term implies calmness and self-control, which does not align with the act of voting against a bill that signifies a strong opinion or stance.
C: rapture. This word denotes intense joy or excitement, which contrasts sharply with the notion of voting against something, as it conveys a negative or critical sentiment.
D: constraint. This option suggests limitation or restriction, which does not accurately capture the senator's proactive choice to oppose the bill, instead of being confined or limited in decision-making.
Choose the word pair below that represents antonyms.
Rationale:
B: Sympathy - Apathy
This pair exemplifies antonyms as sympathy denotes compassion and understanding for others' feelings, while apathy signifies a lack of interest or concern, highlighting their opposing emotional responses.
A: Concede - Accept
Both terms imply agreement or acknowledgment; conceding often involves yielding to another's viewpoint, while accepting simply means recognizing it, thus lacking the contrasting quality needed for antonyms.
C: Abstract - Distract
These words are related in that abstract concepts can lead to distraction, but they do not represent opposing meanings. Both terms describe different aspects of focus and perception.
D: Ambivalent - Undecided
Ambivalent expresses mixed feelings or contradictory ideas, whereas undecided indicates a lack of decision. Though similar, they do not serve as direct opposites in meaning.
1. Forty years ago, a person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) would have found their life altered considerably. T1D frequently begins to manifest in childhood but can be diagnosed at any age. However, thanks to recent advances, managing this chronic condition now comes with conveniences that allow for less worry and fewer challenges for people who live with T1D.
2. People with T1D must be attentive to their food intake, carefully monitor their blood glucose levels, and take regular doses of insulin tasks that often make people feel alienated from their friends who are able to eat what they want without worry. If someone with T1D takes too much insulin for their food, they can experience hypoglycemia, a sudden drop in blood sugar, leading to debilitating symptoms such as headache, sweating, shakiness, and even fainting. But if they don't take enough insulin, they will experience hyperglycemia which causes symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, headaches, and blurred vision.
3. Recently, however, advances in blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery have simplified disease management for many people with diabetes. Roughly 64% of current patients with T1D in the U.S. use an insulin pump for consistent, accurate delivery of insulin rather than relying on daily insulin injections (Smith & Harris, 2018). Insulin pumps generally contain an insulin reservoir and a computer chip that monitor insulin delivery through a cannula inserted under the patient's skin, usually on the lower part of the stomach. While the cannula site must be changed every few days, the pump frees the individual from needing frequent injections and delivers insulin more consistently than Injections.
4. Additionally, patients can now also use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to promote better regulation of blood sugar. CGMs use a sensor inserted under the skin to transmit blood glucose information to a smartphone app or even directly to an insulin pump. Patients can then use an app to monitor their insulin intake and blood sugar at any given time, Furthermore, the app can alert the patient to changes in blood sugar that could lead to dangerous reactions. Patients and their caregivers can use the information stored on the app to adjust diet and Insulin delivery to promote better overall health (Wong, 2023).
5. Perhaps the most exciting recent development in diabetes management is that of the hybrid, closed-loop system, or artificial pancreas. In 2016, the FDA approved the first of these devices, which combine glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in one automated system (Smith & Harris, 2018). These systems, now commercially available, allow patients with T1D a level of ease of management that enables them to go about daily tasks without the need to carry kits containing syringes, vials, finger prick devices, and test strips.
6. While a cure for T1D remains a goal of researchers, consistent improvements in patient care and management have vastly improved life for many patients living with T1D. While patients wait for a cure, modern medical technology now offers them a vastly improved quality of life
Based on the passage, it can be concluded that
Rationale:
Advances in technology, such as the hybrid, closed-loop system, don't replace the need for a cure. While these innovations significantly enhance management and quality of life for T1D patients, they do not eliminate the underlying condition or its challenges, emphasizing that a cure remains a critical goal for ongoing research.
B: Patients with T1D who use hybrid closed-loop systems will have the same lifespan as those without T1D. The passage does not address lifespan comparisons, focusing instead on management improvements without implying equality in health outcomes.
C: Hybrid closed-loop systems will not be widely used in the future. The text discusses the FDA approval and current availability, indicating a positive trajectory for the adoption of such technologies among T1D patients.
D: New technology allows people with T1D to no longer have to monitor their condition. While technology eases management, the passage clearly states that patients must still monitor their blood sugar and insulin intake.
Winning the Nobel Prize for literature was the apex of the writer's career. Apex means
Rationale:
Winning the Nobel Prize for literature was the pinnacle of the writer's career. This term signifies the highest point of achievement, reflecting the culmination of the writer's efforts and recognition in the literary world.
A: essence. This term refers to the intrinsic nature of something, which does not convey the idea of reaching a peak or a significant accomplishment.
C: nucleus. This word denotes the central part of an object or concept, lacking the connotation of elevation or peak achievement associated with "apex."
D: bottom. This indicates the lowest point, directly opposing the notion of achieving the highest milestone in one’s career.
1. Forty years ago, a person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) would have found their life altered considerably. T1D frequently begins to manifest in childhood but can be diagnosed at any age. However, thanks to recent advances, managing this chronic condition now comes with conveniences that allow for less worry and fewer challenges for people who live with T1D.
2. People with T1D must be attentive to their food intake, carefully monitor their blood glucose levels, and take regular doses of insulin - tasks that often make people feel alienated from their friends who are able to eat what they want without worry. If someone with T1D takes too much insulin for their food, they can experience hypoglycemia, a sudden drop in blood sugar, leading to debilitating symptoms such as headache, sweating, shakiness, and even fainting. But if they don't take enough insulin, they will experience hyperglycemia which causes symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, headaches, and blurred vision.
3. Recently, however, advances in blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery have simplified disease management for many people with diabetes. Roughly 64% of current patients with T1D in the US use an insulin pump for consistent accurate delivery of insulin rather than relying on daily insulin injections (Smith & Harris, 2018). Insulin pumps generally contain an insulin reservoir and a computer chip that monitor insulin delivery through a cannula inserted under the patient's skin, usually on the lower part of the stomach. While the cannula site must be changed every few days, the pump frees the individual from needing frequent injections and delivers insulin more consistently than injections.
4. Additionally, patients can now also use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to promote better regulation of blood sugar. CGMs use a sensor inserted under the skin to transmit blood glucose information to a smartphone app or even directly to an insulin pump. Patients can then use an app to monitor their insulin intake and blood sugar at any given time. Furthermore, the app can alert the patient to changes in blood sugar that could lead to dangerous reactions. Patients and their caregivers can use the information stored on the app to adjust diet and insulin delivery to promote better overall health (Wong, 2023).
5. Perhaps the most exciting recent development in diabetes management is that of the hybrid, dosed-loop system, or artificial pancreas. In 2016, the FDA approved the first of these devices, which combine glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in one automated system (Smith & Harris, 2018). These systems, now commercially available, allow patients with T1D a level of ease of management that enables them to go about daily tasks without the need to carry kits containing syringes, vials, finger prick devices, and test strips. 6. While a cure for T1D remains a goal of researchers, consistent improvements in patient care and management have vastly improved life for many patients living with T1D. While patients wait for a cure, modern medical technology now offers them a vastly improved quality of life.
As it is used in paragraph 3, the definition of cannula is a
Rationale:
A: syringe used to give an injection. A syringe is specifically designed for administering injections, whereas a cannula serves as a tube that facilitates continuous medication delivery, distinctly different from a syringe's function.
B: vial containing medication. A vial is a container that holds liquid medication, but it does not perform any function related to delivering medication directly into the body, unlike a cannula.
C: machine that measures insulin. A machine that measures insulin does not describe a cannula, which is a physical tube used for administering insulin rather than measuring its levels in the blood.
1. "They won't starve; if they're hungry enough, they'll eat." Parents of "picky" eaters hear this statement from well-meaning friends and fellow parents all the time. However, for parents of children with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder or ARFID, the statement is untrue.
2. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), between 0.5% and 5% of the general population may have ARFD. The disorder often affects young children and can be distinguished from simple pickiness; individuals with ARFD restrict their diet so severely, they suffer poor health as a result. In very severe cases, malnutrition and failure to thrive can occur.
3. ARFID is considered an eating disorder and a psychological condition; however, unlike other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, people with ARFID do not restrict their food intake out of concern for their appearance or weight. Sufferers of ARFID limit their diet due to a lack of interest in food or out of a sense of extreme anxiety or fear around food and the process of eating (Eddy, n.d.).
4. While the causes of ARFID aren't yet well understood, traumatic events involving eating, such as a choking incident, a severe allergic reaction, or painful responses to food (cramping, diarrhea, or vomiting), can lead to worsening restrictive behavior. However, not all cases can be traced to such an incident. Children with ARFID may also suffer from sensory challenges that cause them to avoid certain food textures and flavors. Common comorbidities include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depression, and anxiety (Eddy, n.d.).
5. Attempting to pressure a child with ARFID to eat something they are uncomfortable with can heighten their anxiety around food and mealtimes. Instead, families of children with ARFID should seek treatment. Cognitive behavior therapy is the recommended treatment, though some patients may also need medication for anxiety or underlying physiological feeding issues. NEDA also notes that family-based therapy may be helpful for children with ARFID. Left untreated, ARFID can lead to serious physical health conditions in patients.
6. Multiple resources designed to help parents with children diagnosed with ARFID are available. NEDA lists a number of resources on its website, Additionally, numerous social media support groups have formed. One of the most notable resources is the Instagram feed of 8-year-old Hannah. Recently featured on ABC News, Hannah's Instagram, titled "My ARFD Life," shares videos of her experiences with foods. In a technique known as exposure therapy, Hannah is gradually introduced to new foods, exploring their texture. smell, and other features before eventually tasting them and sharing her reaction with her followers.
7. Like other mental health conditions, ARFID poses immense challenges to those who suffer from the disorder and to their families. The risks to physical and overall mental health can be scary, as well. Fortunately, as new information comes to light regarding this recently identified disorder, resources and professional knowledge have begun to increase. With proper care and support, patients with ARFID can drastically improve their quality of life.
Family-based therapy is likely helpful for families of a child with ARFID because:
Rationale:
Family members may need help learning how to interact with and support the child with ARFID. Family-based therapy provides essential strategies, fostering understanding and effective communication that can significantly improve the child's experiences and treatment outcomes.
B: ARFID might spread to other children in the family. ARFID is not contagious; it is a psychological disorder that manifests individually, not a condition that affects siblings through exposure.
C: The child with ARFID may reject therapy, so other family members may have to participate instead. While participation is valuable, therapy's primary purpose is to equip family members with skills to aid the child’s recovery.
D: The parents are likely at fault for the child's condition. Blaming parents oversimplifies ARFID, which is influenced by numerous factors including psychological and sensory challenges, not merely parental actions.
Winning the Nobel Prize for literature was the apex of the writer's career. Apex means
Rationale:
Winning the Nobel Prize for literature was the pinnacle of the writer's career. The term "pinnacle" signifies the highest point or culmination, reflecting the utmost achievement and recognition of literary success that the Nobel Prize represents in a writer’s journey.
A: nucleus A nucleus denotes a central core, not a peak accomplishment, failing to convey the ultimate achievement represented by the writer's career highlight.
B: essence Essence refers to the fundamental nature of something, lacking the connotation of a high point or peak achievement, thus missing the context of career culmination.
C: bottom Bottom indicates a low point or the least favorable position, directly opposing the idea of reaching the highest point in a career, which the Nobel Prize exemplifies.
1. Forty years ago, a person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) would have found their life altered considerably. T1D frequently begins to manifest in childhood but can be diagnosed at any age. However, thanks to recent advances, managing this chronic condition now comes with conveniences that allow for less worry and fewer challenges for people who live with T1D.
2. People with T1D must be attentive to their food intake, carefully monitor their blood glucose levels, and take regular doses of insulin tasks that often make people feel alienated from their friends who are able to eat what they want without worry. If someone with T1D takes too much insulin for their food, they can experience hypoglycemia, a sudden drop in blood sugar, leading to debilitating symptoms such as headache, sweating, shakiness, and even fainting. But if they don't take enough insulin, they will experience hyperglycemia which causes symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, headaches, and blurred vision.
3. Recently, however, advances in blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery have simplified disease management for many people with diabetes. Roughly 64% of current patients with T1D in the U.S. use an insulin pump for consistent, accurate delivery of insulin rather than relying on daily insulin injections (Smith & Harris, 2018). Insulin pumps generally contain an insulin reservoir and a computer chip that monitor insulin delivery through a cannula inserted under the patient's skin, usually on the lower part of the stomach. While the cannula site must be changed every few days, the pump frees the individual from needing frequent injections and delivers insulin more consistently than Injections.
4. Additionally, patients can now also use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to promote better regulation of blood sugar. CGMs use a sensor inserted under the skin to transmit blood glucose information to a smartphone app or even directly to an insulin pump. Patients can then use an app to monitor their insulin intake and blood sugar at any given time, Furthermore, the app can alert the patient to changes in blood sugar that could lead to dangerous reactions. Patients and their caregivers can use the information stored on the app to adjust diet and Insulin delivery to promote better overall health (Wong, 2023).
5. Perhaps the most exciting recent development in diabetes management is that of the hybrid, closed-loop system, or artificial pancreas. In 2016, the FDA approved the first of these devices, which combine glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in one automated system (Smith & Harris, 2018). These systems, now commercially available, allow patients with T1D a level of ease of management that enables them to go about daily tasks without the need to carry kits containing syringes, vials, finger prick devices, and test strips.
6. While a cure for T1D remains a goal of researchers, consistent improvements in patient care and management have vastly improved life for many patients living with T1D. While patients wait for a cure, modern medical technology now offers them a vastly improved quality of life
Why might a patient with T1D experience hypoglycemia?
Rationale:
A: They did not take enough insulin for their food intake. Insufficient insulin leads to hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, causing symptoms such as excessive thirst and frequent urination rather than a drop in blood sugar levels.
B: They drank too many fluids. Excessive fluid intake does not directly impact blood sugar levels, and it is not a recognized cause of hypoglycemia in patients with T1D.
D: They did not carefully monitor their glucose level. Failing to monitor glucose levels may lead to both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia; however, it does not specifically cause hypoglycemia without the context of insulin dosage.
When at a family event, we may call it a gathering of our
Rationale:
A: kindred.
Family events typically involve relatives and close family members, making "kindred" the most appropriate term. It emphasizes the familial bonds that unite individuals, distinguishing them from casual relationships.
B: acquaintances.
Acquaintances suggest a superficial connection rather than the deep ties present at family gatherings, where emotional bonds and shared history are paramount.
C: neighbors.
Neighbors refer to individuals living nearby and do not inherently imply familial relations, thus lacking the essence of a family-centric event.
D: friends.
While friends can attend family gatherings, the term does not specifically convey familial relationships, which are central to the concept of a family event.
One activity that the writer suggests will probably increase one's caloric need is
Rationale:
Walking up stairs increases one's caloric need. Engaging in this activity requires more energy compared to more sedentary options, thereby elevating the number of calories burned during daily activities.
A: eating half-portions in restaurants. Reducing portion sizes typically lowers caloric intake rather than increasing caloric expenditure, which does not align with enhancing one's caloric requirements.
B: decreasing trans-fat intake. While cutting trans-fats is beneficial for health, it does not inherently boost caloric needs or energy expenditure in one's daily routine.
D: using low-calorie recipes. Utilizing low-calorie recipes focuses on reducing caloric intake rather than activities that elevate caloric demand, thereby not contributing to an increased caloric requirement.
1. When e-cigarettes, more commonly known as vapes," first came on the market, they were touted by their makers as a far safer way to enjoy the pleasures of smoking. However, while it is true that vaping is less dangerous than cigarette smoking recent research has revealed that the use of e-cigarettes, especially among young people, poses serious health risks.
2. Being "less dangerous" than cigarettes is hardly a stamp of approval for vapes. After all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-term cigarette smoking kills half of all users. While e-cigarettes may not be quite this deadly, it is clear that addiction to nicotine -which, the CDC notes, is present in 99% of all vape products (2022a) - is unhealthy, furthermore, scientists have yet to fully learn or understand the long-term health effects of vaping.
3. Of particular interest to health officials is the fact that vape use has reached troublesome proportions among young people, and there are specific health concerns for these younger users. According to the CDC, in 2022, 1 in 7 high school students and 1 in 30 middle school students reported that they had usedavape product in the last 30 days (2022b). These numbers are deeply troubling given the unique health consequences vape products can have on young people.
4. Our brains don't finish developing until about the age of 25. According to the CDC (2022a), "Each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections - or synapses -are built between brain cells. Young people's brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed." These changes can affect processes like attention, learning, and impulse control. Furthermore, addiction to nicotine can lead to mood disorders, and nicotine can serve as a gateway drug to substances such as marijuana (which can also be delivered by vape), heroin, and cocaine. The CDC also reports that many young people are using nicotine to self-medicate, an unhealthy and ultimately ineffective way to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. 5. Beyond these risks, scientists are still learning the other possible harmful effects of e-cigarettes. The CDC notes that some ingredients in the aerosol produced by vapes may be harmful to lungs, and we may see more of this damage as use becomes long-term. Some vapes have been known to explode or catch fire, gravely injuring their users.
According to the passage, what is the connection between vaping and other drugs such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine?
Rationale:
Vaping can lead to experimentation with these drugs. The passage highlights that nicotine addiction can serve as a gateway to other substances like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine, particularly among young users. This connection underscores the potential risks associated with vaping, emphasizing the dangerous trajectory that may follow initial nicotine use.
A: These drugs can be delivered via vape. While some substances can be vaped, the passage focuses on addiction and experimentation rather than delivery methods, making this option insufficiently relevant.
B: Vaping produces the same effects as these drugs. The text does not equate the effects of vaping with those of harder drugs, highlighting addiction's role rather than similar outcomes.
C: Vaping is considered a safer alternative to these drugs. The passage discusses vaping's risks and potential gateway effects, contradicting the notion of it being a safer alternative to harmful substances.
Choose the word pair below that represents antonyms.
Rationale:
Benevolent-Malevolent. These two words are antonyms, with "benevolent" signifying kindness and goodwill, while "malevolent" indicates a desire to cause harm or evil, highlighting their opposing meanings clearly.
B: Malevolent-Malignant. Although both terms convey negative connotations, they do not represent direct opposites; "malignant" typically refers to harmful conditions, while "malevolent" relates to malicious intent.
C: Monopoly-Monarchy. This pair describes different concepts; "monopoly" refers to exclusive control over a market, while "monarchy" denotes a form of government led by a royal family.
D: Monotony-Benevolent. These words do not contrast in meaning; "monotony" implies dullness or lack of variety, while "benevolent" concerns an attitude of kindness and generosity, unrelated concepts.
Paul Bunyan was a man of ample height and girth. Girth means
Rationale:
Girth means circumference.
The context describes Paul Bunyan as a man of ample height and girth, indicating that girth refers to the measurement around his body, specifically his circumference, emphasizing his large size.
A: deformity. This choice suggests a physical abnormality, which does not align with the description of Paul Bunyan as a robust figure.
B: vision. This option relates to sight, which is irrelevant to the physical characteristics being described, missing the focus on body measurements.
C: intelligence. This refers to mental capacity, unrelated to physical attributes, and does not connect to the context of size and body shape.
The patient who had been bitten by the snake was given the
Rationale:
The patient who had been bitten by the snake was given the antidote. Antidotes are specifically designed to counteract the effects of venom, neutralizing toxins and providing essential treatment for snake bites, ensuring patient safety and recovery.
A: serum. While serum can contain antibodies, it does not directly counteract venom like an antidote does for snake bites.
C: anodyne. Anodyne refers to pain relief, which does not address the underlying venomous effects of a snake bite.
D: antigen. Antigens are substances that trigger immune responses, not used to treat snake bites or neutralize venom effectively.
1. As knowledge of climate change has expanded, so has the vocabulary surrounding the issue. Some key terms include greenhouse gas, fossil fuel, and carbon footprint. Understanding these terms can help us to recognize how changes in human activity can slow down climate change
2. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides resources on its website to help citizens better understand climate change. Most people already know that the energy provided by the sun is key to life on earth. Greenhouse gases are substances that affect the way the earth either absorbs or reflects this energy. Water vapor and carbon dioxide are two examples of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb and hold some of the sun's energy, warming the planet like a "blanket" (Basics of Climate Change, 2023). This effect is similar to the way a greenhouse traps heat to support plant life, hence the term greenhouse effect
3. Greenhouse gases are important to regulating the earth's temperature and making the planet warm enough to sustain life. Natural occurrences such as plant and animal respiration, oceanic activity, and erupting volcanoes have always released greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide When humans began extracting and burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas during the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gas emissions rose sharply, upsetting the planet's balance and trapping too much heat. The result has been a sharp increase in the earth's temperature, leading to climate change. According to Dr. Julia Rosen, a geologist and journalist (2021), the average global temperature has risen 2:2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, with the sharpest temperature rise occurring in the last 70 years.
4. Use or plastics, especially single-use plastics, also enlarges the carbon footprint since the production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels and significant resulting carbon emissions. The average consumer can reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes such as recycling, reducing dependence on single use plastics, driving a fuel-efficient vehicle with lower emissions, and switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy.
5. While 2.2 degrees may not seem like much, we are seeing the effects of the earth's warming in the form of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and severe storms (Rosen, 2021). However, scientists agree that just as human activity caused climate change, so can human activity slow it down. Individuals, corporations, and governments can take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Understanding what contributes to our carbon footprint and taking measures to reduce it are the first steps.
Based on the reading passage, which county-wide policy would be most effective in reducing climate change?
Rationale:
C: Provide incentives for households that install solar or wind energy and reduce plastic consumption. This option directly addresses climate change by promoting renewable energy sources and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, thereby significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints, which are essential for mitigating climate change impacts.
A: Mandate the use of energy-efficient appliances in all commercial buildings. While beneficial, this policy primarily targets energy efficiency without directly addressing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel reliance, limiting its overall impact.
B: Establish penalties for water usage over an established average level. This approach focuses on water conservation rather than tackling greenhouse gas emissions, which are pivotal in the context of climate change.
D: Provide tax benefits for individuals who carpool and plant trees. Although carpooling and reforestation can help, this option lacks a comprehensive strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, which is crucial for effective climate action.
1. Forty years ago, a person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) would have found their life altered considerably. T1D frequently begins to manifest in childhood but can be diagnosed at any age. However, thanks to recent advances, managing this chronic condition now comes with conveniences that allow for less worry and fewer challenges for people who live with T1D.
2. People with T1D must be attentive to their food intake, carefully monitor their blood glucose levels, and take regular doses of insulin - tasks that often make people feel alienated from their friends who are able to eat what they want without worry. If someone with T1D takes too much insulin for their food, they can experience hypoglycemia, a sudden drop in blood sugar, leading to debilitating symptoms such as headache, sweating, shakiness, and even fainting. But if they don't take enough insulin, they will experience hyperglycemia which causes symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, lethargy, headaches, and blurred vision.
3. Recently, however, advances in blood glucose monitoring and insulin delivery have simplified disease management for many people with diabetes. Roughly 64% of current patients with T1D in the US use an insulin pump for consistent accurate delivery of insulin rather than relying on daily insulin injections (Smith & Harris, 2018). Insulin pumps generally contain an insulin reservoir and a computer chip that monitor insulin delivery through a cannula inserted under the patient's skin, usually on the lower part of the stomach. While the cannula site must be changed every few days, the pump frees the individual from needing frequent injections and delivers insulin more consistently than injections.
4. Additionally, patients can now also use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to promote better regulation of blood sugar. CGMs use a sensor inserted under the skin to transmit blood glucose information to a smartphone app or even directly to an insulin pump. Patients can then use an app to monitor their insulin intake and blood sugar at any given time. Furthermore, the app can alert the patient to changes in blood sugar that could lead to dangerous reactions. Patients and their caregivers can use the information stored on the app to adjust diet and insulin delivery to promote better overall health (Wong, 2023).
5. Perhaps the most exciting recent development in diabetes management is that of the hybrid, dosed-loop system, or artificial pancreas. In 2016, the FDA approved the first of these devices, which combine glucose monitoring and insulin delivery in one automated system (Smith & Harris, 2018). These systems, now commercially available, allow patients with T1D a level of ease of management that enables them to go about daily tasks without the need to carry kits containing syringes, vials, finger prick devices, and test strips. 6. While a cure for T1D remains a goal of researchers, consistent improvements in patient care and management have vastly improved life for many patients living with T1D. While patients wait for a cure, modern medical technology now offers them a vastly improved quality of life.
A major advantage of the hybrid closed-loop system is that it
Rationale:
B: provides automated monitoring and insulin dosing with minimal input from the patient. This system integrates glucose monitoring and insulin delivery, allowing patients to manage their diabetes with significantly reduced effort and oversight compared to traditional methods.
A: keeps the patient disciplined about diet and treatment. Discipline in diet and treatment is essential but not a primary feature of the hybrid closed-loop system, which emphasizes automation.
C: eliminates the need for consistent treatment. The hybrid system does not remove the necessity for treatment; it streamlines it, but patients still require ongoing management of their condition.
D: results in fewer hospitalizations related to management of T1D. While it may improve management, the system does not guarantee fewer hospitalizations, as complications can still arise from the condition.
The senator voted against the bill, thereby showing
Rationale:
The senator voted against the bill, thereby showing dissent. This action indicates a disagreement with the proposed legislation, reflecting the senator's stance and principles against the prevailing consensus or majority opinion.
A: rapture Enthusiasm or overwhelming joy does not align with voting against a bill, as dissent suggests disagreement rather than an expression of delight or ecstasy regarding the legislation.
B: constraint Limitation or restraint does not apply here; the senator's vote indicates a choice made freely against the bill, showcasing a clear position rather than an imposed restriction.
C: composure Calmness and self-control do not capture the essence of opposing the bill; dissent communicates a definitive stance, illustrating a rejection of the proposal rather than mere tranquility.
Which pair of words represents synonyms?
Rationale:
C: complacent - agreeable. Both terms convey a sense of satisfaction or contentment with a situation, suggesting a willingness to accept things as they are without seeking change or improvement.
A: perceptive - obtuse. These words express opposing qualities; perceptive indicates sharpness of insight, while obtuse suggests a lack of understanding or awareness, highlighting their contrasting meanings.
B: conscientious - careless. Conscientious refers to being diligent and responsible, whereas careless implies a lack of attention or consideration, marking them as antonyms rather than synonyms.
D: submissive - aggressive. Submissive denotes yielding or compliance, while aggressive indicates forcefulness and combativeness, positioning them as diametrically opposed in terms of behavior and attitude.
Many were left destitute after the tornado. Destitute means
Rationale:
Destitute means needy. The context of the tornado indicates that many individuals lost their homes and resources, resulting in a state of extreme poverty and lack of basic necessities.
A: injured. This option does not align with the meaning of destitute, as it refers to physical harm rather than a state of lacking essential resources.
B: worried. This choice focuses on emotional distress, which does not capture the financial and material deprivation implied by the term destitute.
C: abominable. This term describes something detestable or horrible, which is unrelated to the financial hardships and necessity indicated by destitute.
1. As knowledge of climate change has expanded, so has the vocabulary surrounding the issue. Some key terms include greenhouse gas, fossil fuel, and carbon footprint. Understanding these terms can help us to recognize how changes in human activity can slow down climate change
2. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides resources on its website to help citizens better understand climate change. Most people already know that the energy provided by the sun is key to life on earth. Greenhouse gases are substances that affect the way the earth either absorbs or reflects this energy. Water vapor and carbon dioxide are two examples of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb and hold some of the sun's energy, warming the planet like a "blanket" (Basics of Climate Change, 2023). This effect is similar to the way a greenhouse traps heat to support plant life, hence the term greenhouse effect
3. Greenhouse gases are important to regulating the earth's temperature and making the planet warm enough to sustain life. Natural occurrences such as plant and animal respiration, oceanic activity, and erupting volcanoes have always released greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide When humans began extracting and burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas during the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gas emissions rose sharply, upsetting the planet's balance and trapping too much heat. The result has been a sharp increase in the earth's temperature, leading to climate change. According to Dr. Julia Rosen, a geologist and journalist (2021), the average global temperature has risen 2:2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, with the sharpest temperature rise occurring in the last 70 years.
4. Use or plastics, especially single-use plastics, also enlarges the carbon footprint since the production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels and significant resulting carbon emissions. The average consumer can reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes such as recycling, reducing dependence on single use plastics, driving a fuel-efficient vehicle with lower emissions, and switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy.
5. While 2.2 degrees may not seem like much, we are seeing the effects of the earth's warming in the form of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and severe storms (Rosen, 2021). However, scientists agree that just as human activity caused climate change, so can human activity slow it down. Individuals, corporations, and governments can take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Understanding what contributes to our carbon footprint and taking measures to reduce it are the first steps.
In order to reduce one's carbon footprint, which actions most closely align with the passage's recommendations?
Rationale:
C: Drive a hybrid vehicle and reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
This option aligns with the passage's recommendations by emphasizing the reduction of carbon emissions through the use of fuel-efficient vehicles and minimizing plastic production, both of which significantly impact an individual's carbon footprint.
A: Avoid international travel and purchase biodegradable products.
While reducing travel can lower emissions, the passage focuses on practical actions like reducing single-use plastics and driving efficient vehicles, making this option less relevant.
B: Use public transportation and limit electricity usage.
Although beneficial, the passage highlights specific actions related to vehicle efficiency and plastic reduction, indicating that this option does not fully encompass the recommended strategies.
D: Recycle household waste and plant trees in their backyard.
Recycling is mentioned, but the passage emphasizes reducing reliance on fossil fuels and plastics, making this option less aligned with the primary recommendations for reducing carbon footprints.
1. In 2010, author Rebecca Skloot published The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the story of a Black woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951. The book, an immediate bestseller, examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research and considers the implications, both positive and negative, of Henrietta Lacks's remarkable but inadvertent role in some of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century.
2. In 1951, Lacks, a 30-year-old wife and mother of five, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for treatment of cervical cancer. She was unable to pay for treatment and stayed in a segregated ward. During a procedure to place radium on her tumor, Lacks's doctor cut a sliver from the tumor, placed it in a petri dish, and handed it off to the lab assistant of George Gey, a Johns Hopkins cancer researcher. Sadly, cervical cancer is a particularly pernicious disease, and Henrietta succumbed in October 1951 after a brief but terribly painful struggle, leaving behind her young children.
3. George Gey had been trying unsuccessfully to grow human cells in culture - until Henrietta's cells arrived. Labeled HeLa, Henrietta's cancer cells doubled in culture within 24 hours - and they never stopped. HeLa cells multiplied so rapidly and persistently, Gey eventually began giving them away to other researchers. According to Skloot, Hela became the "workhorse" of research labs everywhere. They were used to test the polio vaccine and in the development of HIV medications and cancer treatments. HeLa cells were central to the development of the HPV vaccine and were some of the first human cells sent into space to determine how zero gravity affected human cellular activity.
4.While Gey never profited from Hela cells, eventually others did. HeLa "factories" soon sprang up, and researchers and labs could order vials of HeLa cells through catalogues. The production and sale of HeLa cells became a multi-million-dollar industry. Lacks's surviving children, however, continued to live in poverty in Baltimore, unaware of their mother's contributions to science
5. Media coverage and scientific interest eventually made its way to the Lacks family. Scientists sought the children's DNA to better map Henrietta's genome, and the media sought to learn more about the woman behind the cells. One journalist easily obtained Henrietta's medical records and published large portions of them without the family's knowledge or consent. Thousands profited from HeLa cells and their story, but the Lacks family never saw a penny.
6. Today, laws protect patients' privacy and require consent for all invasive medical procedures. However, the debate about who owns human tissue once it has left its owner's body is still unsettled. The legal and scientific communities must balance the rights of human subjects with the benefits to science that human cells can provide. the rare occasions when human cells provide the kind of scientific - and economic value that HeLa did, who should benefit? While there is no doubt that the Lacks family was first dismissed and later exploited, this bioethical debate is far from settled.
Which sentence from the passage expresses its main idea?
Rationale:
The book, an immediate bestseller, examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research and considers the implications, both positive and negative, of Henrietta Lacks's remarkable but inadvertent role in some of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century.
This option encapsulates the book's comprehensive exploration of societal issues tied to Henrietta's legacy and emphasizes its broader implications in medical ethics and research advancements.
B: While there is no doubt that the Lacks family was first dismissed and later exploited, this bioethical debate is far from settled. This statement focuses on the family's exploitation rather than the book's primary themes and broader societal implications.
C: Sadly, cervical cancer is a particularly pernicious disease, and Henrietta succumbed in October 1951 after a brief but terribly painful struggle, leaving behind her young children. This sentence highlights Henrietta's tragic personal story, lacking the broader thematic analysis central to the book's message.
D: The production and sale of HeLa cells became a multi-million-dollar industry. This statement addresses the economic impact of HeLa cells but overlooks the multifaceted exploration of race, ethics, and identity that defines the book's main idea.
1. In 2010, author Rebecca Skloot published The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the story of a Black woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951. The book, an immediate bestseller, examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research and considers the Implications, both positive and negative, of Henrietta Lacks's remarkable but inadvertent role in some of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century.
2. In 1951, Lacks, a 30-year-old wife and mother of five, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for treatment of cervical cancer. She was unable to pay for treatment and stayed in a segregated ward. During a procedure to place radium on her tumor, Lacks's doctor cut a sliver from the tumor, placed it in a petri dish, and handed it off to the lab assistant of George Gey, a Johns Hopkins cancer researcher. Sadly, cervical cancer is a particularly pernicious disease, and Henrietta succumbed in October 1951 after a brief but terribly painful struggle, leaving behind her young children.
3. George Gey had been trying unsuccessfully to grow human cells in culture-until Henrietta's cells arrived, Labeled HeLa, Henrietta's cancer cells doubled in culture within 24 hours - and they never stopped. Hela cells multiplied so rapidly and persistently, Gey eventually began giving them away to other researchers, According to Skloot, HeLa became the "workhorse" of research labs everywhere. They were used to test the polio vaccine and in the development of HIV medications and cancer treatments. HeLa cells were central to the development ofthe HPV vaccine and were some of the first human cells sent into space to determine how zero gravity affected human cellular activity.
It can be inferred that Rebecca Skloot
Rationale:
Rebecca Skloot disapproves of the way the science community treated Lacks and her family. The narrative highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding Lacks’s cells, emphasizing the neglect of her personal rights and the exploitation of her contribution without consent or compensation, thus underscoring Skloot's critical stance on these injustices in medical research.
A: thinks that people should profit when their tissue donations prove to be useful. Skloot's focus is on ethical considerations rather than profit, advocating for respect and consent rather than commercialization of biological materials.
C: approves of George Gey's decisions but not of other researchers' decisions. Skloot scrutinizes Gey's actions as well, emphasizing ethical breaches rather than showing any approval for the practices surrounding Lacks's cells.
D: believes HeLa's value to science outweighs Henrietta's individual rights. The text emphasizes the importance of Lacks's rights and personal story, suggesting that Skloot values individual dignity over scientific benefits derived from HeLa cells.
1. The 1960s and 1970s are often distinguished as hallmark decades for free speech and free expression in American history- the civil rights movement, feminist movement, and free speech movement all have their roots in the tumultuous Sixties and Seventies. As stated in Welner, Kim, and Biegel (2017), "In the 1960s and 1970s, free speech issues were at the forefront of education-related debates, with students asserting themselves in ways they never had before" (p. 33). The late 1960s and early 1970s were ripe with protest, specifically in response to the violent atrocities associated with the Vietnam War. Inevitably, this democratic fervor seeped into the systems and structures of K-12 public schooling. Thus, it is not surprising that this era gave birth to many of the modern constitutional debates regarding students and their First Amendment rights in public schools. In particular, this era gave birth to the landmark Supreme Court case known as Tinker v. Des Moines (1969).
2. Tinker v. Des Moines emerged from the countercultural milieu of the late Sixties: "In December 1965, a group of adults and students in Des Moines, lowa held a meeting. The group determined to publicize their objections to the hostilities in Vietnam and their support for a truce by wearing black armbands during the holiday season and by fasting on December 16 and New Year's Eve" (p. 43). Three students attending that meeting were John Tinker, 15 years old, Mary Beth Tinker, 13 years old, and Christopher Eckhardt, 16 years old. Fueled by the images they witnessed on television broadcasts, Tinker and her classmates decided to wear black armbands as a symbol of youthful resistance and patriotism. The administrators of the Des Moines Independent Community School District caught word of the upcoming protest and hastily adopted a school policy that promised to suspend any students who wore black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War. On December 16 and 17, the administration attempted to squash the public display of solidarity, all three students were suspended from school indefinitely "until they would come back without their armbands" (p. 43).
3. The students' parents fought back, suing the school for violating the children's right to free speech. After a U.S. district court - and later a U.S. court of appeals - ruled against the children and their families, citing that their protest was a disruption and breeched local school standards, the case made its way all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The resulting decision of Tinker v. Des Moines set in motion a historical tidal wave of praise and criticism. Promising that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate," the Supreme Court justices decreed a 7-2 ruling in favor of the protestors. They claimed that the students' silent and symbolic expression was protected under the U.S. Constitution, citing that all political speech in public schools remains guarded by the First Amendment so long as it does not "substantially disrupt the learning environment." In a bold move for the times, the decision claimed that "In order for [a school] to justify prohibition of a particular expression of opinion, it must be able to show that its action was caused by something more than a mere desire to avoid the discomfort and unpleasantness that always accompany an unpopular viewpoint."
4. Tinker V. Des Moines became one of the key democratic victories of the mid-late twentieth century. The decades that followed, however, created clashing currents of belief that were captured by some of the major court cases that reinterpreted the Tinker decision. For the most part, these court cases not only stood as lasting symbols of the political beliefs of the judicial majorities involved, but also as emblems of the socio-historical climate from which they resonated. Less than 20 years after Tinker V. Des Moines, the constitutional precedents made by the landmark decision quickly dissipated, receding into a new sea of social censorship for students. Constitutional reinterpretations of Tinker in the
Court decisions focusing on student free speech in the 1980s largely
Rationale:
Court decisions focusing on student free speech in the 1980s largely diverged from the Tinker ruling. This period saw significant reinterpretations of Tinker, leading to a shift away from its broad protections for student expression, as courts increasingly favored school authorities' discretion over students' First Amendment rights, reflecting changing social attitudes towards free speech in educational settings.
B: ignored the Tinker ruling. Many court decisions referenced Tinker, but they often reinterpreted its principles, rather than completely overlooking its significance, indicating a shift rather than outright neglect.
C: supported the Tinker ruling. In the 1980s, courts did not consistently uphold Tinker's protections; instead, they began to favor restrictions on student speech, reflecting the evolving legal landscape.
D: forgot about the Tinker decision. While the Tinker decision's influence diminished, it was not entirely forgotten; courts considered its implications but often prioritized other interests over student free expression in their rulings.
1. In 2010, author Rebecca Skloot published The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the story of a Black woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951. The book, an immediate bestseller, examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research and considers the Implications, both positive and negative, of Henrietta Lacks's remarkable but inadvertent role in some of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century.
2. In 1951, Lacks, a 30-year-old wife and mother of five, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for treatment of cervical cancer. She was unable to pay for treatment and stayed in a segregated ward. During a procedure to place radium on her tumor, Lacks's doctor cut a sliver from the tumor, placed it in a petri dish, and handed it off to the lab assistant of George Gey, a Johns Hopkins cancer researcher. Sadly, cervical cancer is a particularly pernicious disease, and Henrietta succumbed in October 1951 after a brief but terribly painful struggle, leaving behind her young children.
3. George Gey had been trying unsuccessfully to grow human cells in culture-until Henrietta's cells arrived, Labeled HeLa, Henrietta's cancer cells doubled in culture within 24 hours - and they never stopped. Hela cells multiplied so rapidly and persistently, Gey eventually began giving them away to other researchers, According to Skloot, HeLa became the "workhorse" of research labs everywhere. They were used to test the polio vaccine and in the development of HIV medications and cancer treatments. HeLa cells were central to the development ofthe HPV vaccine and were some of the first human cells sent into space to determine how zero gravity affected human cellular activity.
Which sentence from the passage expresses its main idea?
Rationale:
The book, an immediate bestseller, examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research and considers the implications, both positive and negative, of Henrietta Lacks's remarkable but inadvertent role in some of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century.
This option encapsulates the primary focus of the book, highlighting its exploration of societal issues and Henrietta Lacks's unexpected contributions to medical progress, emphasizing both ethical considerations and advancements.
B: Sadly, cervical cancer is a particularly pernicious disease, and Henrietta succumbed in October 1951 after a brief but terribly painful struggle, leaving behind her young children. This statement centers solely on Lacks's tragic personal experience without addressing the broader themes of race, ethics, and medical advancements.
C: The production and sale of HeLa cells became a multi-million-dollar industry. While this mentions a significant outcome of HeLa cells, it doesn't reflect the book's deeper exploration of ethical and societal implications surrounding Lacks's legacy.
D: While there is no doubt that the Lacks family was first dismissed and later exploited, this bioethical debate is far from settled. This option focuses on ethical dilemmas rather than the comprehensive examination of race, class, and medical advancements central to the book's main idea.
My employer didn't believe my claim until my colleagues……….. my story.
Rationale:
Colleagues corroborated my story. This means they supported or confirmed my account, providing the necessary validation to convince my employer of its accuracy and truthfulness, thereby strengthening my claim.
B: contradicted Colleagues contradicting my story would undermine my credibility, suggesting that my account was false or misleading, which would not help in persuading my employer of its validity.
C: counteracted If my colleagues counteracted my story, they would be actively opposing or neutralizing my claims, which would further diminish the likelihood of my employer believing in my narrative.
D: augmented If my colleagues augmented my story, they would simply add details or embellishments, which could create skepticism rather than provide the necessary support to substantiate my original claim.
Given the words idolize, cauterize, and authorize, what does the suffix -ize mean?
Rationale:
The suffix -ize means to make or treat in a certain way. This is evident in the examples provided, where each word indicates a transformation or action applied to the root word, embodying the essence of change or treatment.
B: to have the quality of. This interpretation misrepresents the action implied by -ize, as it focuses on possessing attributes rather than enacting a process of change.
C: to give power to. This definition narrowly applies to specific contexts and does not capture the broader meaning of -ize, which encompasses various actions beyond simply empowering.
D: to admire. This choice incorrectly associates -ize with feelings of respect or worship, failing to recognize that the suffix pertains to actions rather than emotional responses or states of being.
1. As knowledge of climate change has expanded, so has the vocabulary surrounding the issue. Some key terms include greenhouse gas, fossil fuel, and carbon footprint. Understanding these terms can help us to recognize how changes in human activity can slow down climate change
2. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides resources on its website to help citizens better understand climate change. Most people already know that the energy provided by the sun is key to life on earth. Greenhouse gases are substances that affect the way the earth either absorbs or reflects this energy. Water vapor and carbon dioxide are two examples of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb and hold some of the sun's energy, warming the planet like a "blanket" (Basics of Climate Change, 2023). This effect is similar to the way a greenhouse traps heat to support plant life, hence the term greenhouse effect
3. Greenhouse gases are important to regulating the earth's temperature and making the planet warm enough to sustain life. Natural occurrences such as plant and animal respiration, oceanic activity, and erupting volcanoes have always released greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide When humans began extracting and burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas during the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gas emissions rose sharply, upsetting the planet's balance and trapping too much heat. The result has been a sharp increase in the earth's temperature, leading to climate change. According to Dr. Julia Rosen, a geologist and journalist (2021), the average global temperature has risen 2:2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, with the sharpest temperature rise occurring in the last 70 years.
4. Use or plastics, especially single-use plastics, also enlarges the carbon footprint since the production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels and significant resulting carbon emissions. The average consumer can reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes such as recycling, reducing dependence on single use plastics, driving a fuel-efficient vehicle with lower emissions, and switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy.
5. While 2.2 degrees may not seem like much, we are seeing the effects of the earth's warming in the form of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and severe storms (Rosen, 2021). However, scientists agree that just as human activity caused climate change, so can human activity slow it down. Individuals, corporations, and governments can take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Understanding what contributes to our carbon footprint and taking measures to reduce it are the first steps.
Based on the passage, what conclusion can be drawn about the relationship between the Industrial Revolution and climate change? The Industrial Revolution:
Rationale:
The Industrial Revolution led to a surge in human-generated greenhouse gas emissions disrupting Earth's natural balance. This period marked a significant increase in fossil fuel consumption, resulting in higher emissions and contributing to climate change, as outlined in the extract. The balance of greenhouse gases was upset, leading to a rise in global temperatures and environmental consequences.
B: marked the beginning of dependence on greenhouse gases to regulate the planet's temperature. The passage specifies that greenhouse gases naturally help maintain temperature, but the Industrial Revolution caused excessive emissions rather than dependence.
C: prompted technological advancements with minimal environmental impact. The context discusses increased emissions from fossil fuel use during the Industrial Revolution, indicating that technological advancements came with significant environmental costs.
D: influenced the tracking of carbon footprints and development of climate policy. Although the Industrial Revolution impacted greenhouse gas emissions, the passage does not mention any direct relationship to tracking carbon footprints or climate policy development.
1. As knowledge of climate change has expanded, so has the vocabulary surrounding the issue. Some key terms include greenhouse gas, fossil fuel, and carbon footprint. Understanding these terms can help us to recognize how changes in human activity can slow down climate change
2. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides resources on its website to help citizens better understand climate change. Most people already know that the energy provided by the sun is key to life on earth. Greenhouse gases are substances that affect the way the earth either absorbs or reflects this energy. Water vapor and carbon dioxide are two examples of greenhouse gases. These gases absorb and hold some of the sun's energy, warming the planet like a "blanket" (Basics of Climate Change, 2023). This effect is similar to the way a greenhouse traps heat to support plant life, hence the term greenhouse effect
3. Greenhouse gases are important to regulating the earth's temperature and making the planet warm enough to sustain life. Natural occurrences such as plant and animal respiration, oceanic activity, and erupting volcanoes have always released greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide When humans began extracting and burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas during the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gas emissions rose sharply, upsetting the planet's balance and trapping too much heat. The result has been a sharp increase in the earth's temperature, leading to climate change. According to Dr. Julia Rosen, a geologist and journalist (2021), the average global temperature has risen 2:2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, with the sharpest temperature rise occurring in the last 70 years.
4. Use or plastics, especially single-use plastics, also enlarges the carbon footprint since the production of plastic requires the burning of fossil fuels and significant resulting carbon emissions. The average consumer can reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes such as recycling, reducing dependence on single use plastics, driving a fuel-efficient vehicle with lower emissions, and switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy.
5. While 2.2 degrees may not seem like much, we are seeing the effects of the earth's warming in the form of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and severe storms (Rosen, 2021). However, scientists agree that just as human activity caused climate change, so can human activity slow it down. Individuals, corporations, and governments can take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Understanding what contributes to our carbon footprint and taking measures to reduce it are the first steps.
In order to reduce one's carbon footprint, which actions most closely align with the passage's recommendations?
Rationale:
Driving a hybrid vehicle and reducing reliance on single-use plastics are effective ways to reduce one's carbon footprint. These actions directly address fossil fuel consumption and minimize harmful emissions, as highlighted in the passage.
B: Recycle household waste and plant trees in their backyard. While recycling is beneficial, planting trees alone may not significantly impact carbon footprint reduction compared to reducing fossil fuel reliance.
C: Use public transportation and limit electricity usage. Although public transport can lower emissions, merely limiting electricity usage does not specifically address the fossil fuels responsible for carbon footprint increases.
D: Avoid international travel and purchase biodegradable products. Avoiding travel might reduce emissions temporarily, but it doesn't tackle the broader issues of fossil fuel consumption and carbon footprint effectively.
1.When e-cigarettes, more commonly known as vapes," first came on the market, they were touted by their makers as a far safer way to enjoy the pleasures of smoking. However, while it is true that vaping is less dangerous than cigarette smoking recent research has revealed that the use of e-cigarettes, especially among young people, poses serious health risks.
2. Being "less dangerous" than cigarettes is hardly a stamp of approval for vapes. After all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-term cigarette smoking kills half of all users. While e-cigarettes may not be quite this deadly, it is clear that addiction to nicotine -which, the CDC notes, is present in 99% of all vape products (2022a) - is unhealthy, furthermore, scientists have yet to fully learn or understand the long-term health effects of vaping.
3. Of particular interest to health officials is the fact that vape use has reached troublesome proportions among young people, and there are specific health concerns for these younger users. According to the CDC, in 2022, 1 in 7 high school students and 1 in 30 middle school students reported that they had usedavape product in the last 30 days (2022b). These numbers are deeply troubling given the unique health consequences vape products can have on young people.
4. Our brains don't finish developing until about the age of 25. According to the CDC (2022a), "Each time a new memory is created or a new skill is learned, stronger connections - or synapses -are built between brain cells. Young people's brains build synapses faster than adult brains. Nicotine changes the way these synapses are formed." These changes can affect processes like attention, learning, and impulse control. Furthermore, addiction to nicotine can lead to mood disorders, and nicotine can serve as a gateway drug to substances such as marijuana (which can also be delivered by vape), heroin, and cocaine. The CDC also reports that many young people are using nicotine to self-medicate, an unhealthy and ultimately ineffective way to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. 5. Beyond these risks, scientists are still learning the other possible harmful effects of e-cigarettes. The CDC notes that some ingredients in the aerosol produced by vapes may be harmful to lungs, and we may see more of this damage as use becomes long-term. Some vapes have been known to explode or catch fire, gravely injuring their users.
Based on the passage, one could infer that
Rationale:
Vaping is more harmful to young people than to adults. Young people's brains develop differently, making them more susceptible to nicotine's effects, which can lead to significant long-term health issues, including mood disorders and impaired cognitive functions.
A: vaping is not a problem for young people in middle school. The passage highlights troubling statistics about middle school vape use, indicating it is indeed a significant concern.
C: vaping causes mental health illnesses. While vaping can lead to mood disorders, the passage does not definitively state that it directly causes mental health illnesses, only that it may contribute.
D: vaping may be more dangerous than cigarette smoking. The text states that vaping is less dangerous than smoking cigarettes, thus not supporting the idea that it is more harmful.
Which pair of words below represents antonyms?
Rationale:
Ambivalent - decisive represents antonyms. Ambivalent refers to having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas, while decisive indicates clarity and firmness in decision-making, showcasing a clear opposition in meaning.
A: unfettered - loosened both imply a lack of restraint, failing to demonstrate opposing meanings. They suggest a similar sense of freedom rather than contrasting concepts.
C: ambitious - determined both convey a strong drive to achieve goals, lacking the necessary opposition to qualify as antonyms. They do not represent conflicting ideas.
D: lucrative - profitable denote similar financial benefits, emphasizing a positive outcome rather than opposing meanings. They both suggest advantageous situations, failing to illustrate contradiction.
1. In 2010, author Rebecca Skloot published The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, the story of a Black woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951. The book, an immediate bestseller, examines the roles of race, class, gender, and ethics in medical research and considers the implications, both positive and negative, of Henrietta Lacks's remarkable but inadvertent role in some of the most significant medical advances of the twentieth century.
2. In 1951, Lacks, a 30-year-old wife and mother of five, went to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for treatment of cervical cancer. She was unable to pay for treatment and stayed in a segregated ward. During a procedure to place radium on her tumor, Lacks's doctor cut a sliver from the tumor, placed it in a petri dish, and handed it off to the lab assistant of George Gey, a Johns Hopkins cancer researcher. Sadly, cervical cancer is a particularly pernicious disease, and Henrietta succumbed in October 1951 after a brief but terribly painful struggle, leaving behind her young children.
3. George Gey had been trying unsuccessfully to grow human cells in culture - until Henrietta's cells arrived. Labeled HeLa, Henrietta's cancer cells doubled in culture within 24 hours - and they never stopped. HeLa cells multiplied so rapidly and persistently, Gey eventually began giving them away to other researchers. According to Skloot, Hela became the "workhorse" of research labs everywhere. They were used to test the polio vaccine and in the development of HIV medications and cancer treatments. HeLa cells were central to the development of the HPV vaccine and were some of the first human cells sent into space to determine how zero gravity affected human cellular activity.
4.While Gey never profited from Hela cells, eventually others did. HeLa "factories" soon sprang up, and researchers and labs could order vials of HeLa cells through catalogues. The production and sale of HeLa cells became a multi-million-dollar industry. Lacks's surviving children, however, continued to live in poverty in Baltimore, unaware of their mother's contributions to science
5. Media coverage and scientific interest eventually made its way to the Lacks family. Scientists sought the children's DNA to better map Henrietta's genome, and the media sought to learn more about the woman behind the cells. One journalist easily obtained Henrietta's medical records and published large portions of them without the family's knowledge or consent. Thousands profited from HeLa cells and their story, but the Lacks family never saw a penny.
6. Today, laws protect patients' privacy and require consent for all invasive medical procedures. However, the debate about who owns human tissue once it has left its owner's body is still unsettled. The legal and scientific communities must balance the rights of human subjects with the benefits to science that human cells can provide. the rare occasions when human cells provide the kind of scientific - and economic value that HeLa did, who should benefit? While there is no doubt that the Lacks family was first dismissed and later exploited, this bioethical debate is far from settled.
As it is used in the last sentence of paragraph 2, pernicious means
Rationale:
Cervical cancer is described as pernicious, indicating its harmful nature, characterized by a severe and aggressive progression that ultimately led to Henrietta Lacks's tragic death after a painful struggle. This aligns with the negative implications associated with the disease's impact on her life and the lives of her family.
A: mild. This term suggests a lack of severity or impact, which contradicts the description of cervical cancer as a particularly aggressive and dangerous illness affecting Henrietta Lacks.
C: mysterious. While cancer can be complex and not fully understood, the context does not support the notion of mystery but rather emphasizes the clear and harmful consequences of the disease.
D: evil. The term evil carries a moral judgment that does not accurately reflect the medical characterization of cervical cancer, which is a biological affliction rather than a moral failing.
The salesperson used deceit to sell the merchandise. Deceit means
Rationale:
Deceit means fraud. The context implies that the salesperson engaged in dishonest practices to mislead customers, which aligns perfectly with the definition of fraud, involving deception for personal gain.
A: discounting. This option refers to reducing prices, which has no connection to misleading or dishonest behavior in a sales context, failing to capture the essence of deceit.
B: charm. While charm may aid in persuasion, it does not encompass the negative connotation of deceit or the intentional misleading of customers inherent in fraudulent actions.
C: slogans. Slogans are marketing phrases designed to promote products, lacking any aspect of dishonesty or deceitfulness required to accurately define the term in this context.