Information Passage Help (page 2)

Consider the purpose for which the passage was written. What clues can you deduce from the writing style about the author's attitude toward the subject? Is the attitude positive? Negative? Objective? Try to pick out individual words that further each writer's intent and support each writer's opinion. If it helps, underline or make notes on important points. Active reading techniques like these will keep you focused on some very detailed reading comprehension passages.

Passage 1

In 1899, Czar Nicholas II of Russia invited the nations of the world to a conference at The Hague. This conference—and a follow-up organized by Theodore Roosevelt in 1907—ushered in a period of vigorous growth in international law. This growth was in response to several factors, not the least of which was modern warfare's increasing potential for destruction. The recently concluded Civil War in the United States made this potential clear.

During this growth, the subjects of international law were almost exclusively restricted to the relationships that countries had with one another. Issues of trade and warfare dominated both the disputes and the agreements of the period. _____, the developments of this period paved the way for further expansion of international law, which has occurred in the last several years. _____, organizations such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice are greatly concerned not only with the way countries deal with one another, but with the ways in which they treat their own citizens.

1. Which words or phrases, if inserted in order into the blanks in the passage, would help the reader understand the sequence of the author's ideas?
   1. Therefore; In addition
   2. However; Now
   3. Furthermore; Yet
   4. Even if; On the other hand
2. According to the passage, what was the impact of the U.S. Civil War on the development of international law?
   1. It allowed armaments manufacturers to test new weapons.
   2. It diminished the influence of the United States internationally.
   3. It resulted in the suspension of agriculture exports from southern states.
   4. It highlighted the increasing destructive capabilities of modern warfare.
3. Which of the following is the best meaning of the underlined phrase ushered in as it is used in the passage?
   1. escorted
   2. progressed
   3. guarded
   4. heralded

Passage 2

A healthy diet with proper nutrition is essential for maintaining good overall health. Since the discovery of vitamins earlier in this century, people have routinely been taking vitamin supplements for this purpose. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is a frequently used nutritional standard for maintaining optimal health. The RDA specifies the recommended amount of a number of nutrients for people in different age and sex groups. The National Research Council's Committee on Diet and Health has proposed a definition of the RDA to be that amount of a nutrient which meets the needs of 98% of the population.

The RDA approach ______. First, it is based on the assumption that it is possible to accurately define nutritional requirements for a given group. However, individual nutritional requirements can vary widely within each group. The efficiency with which a person converts food intake into nutrients can also vary widely. Certain foods when eaten in combination actually prevent the absorption of nutrients. For example, spinach combined with milk reduces the amount of calcium available to the body from the milk. Also, the RDA approach specifies a different dietary requirement for each age and sex; however, it is clearly unrealistic to expect a homemaker to prepare a different menu for each family member. Still, although we cannot rely solely upon RDA to ensure our overall long-term health, it can be a useful guide so long as its limitations are recognized.

4. Which of the following would best fit in the blank in the first sentence of paragraph 2?
   1. is based on studies by respected nutritionists
   2. has a number of shortcomings
   3. has been debunked in the last few years
   4. is full of holes
5. With which of the following would the author most likely agree?
   1. The RDA approach should be replaced by a more realistic nutritional guide.
   2. The RDA approach should be supplemented with more specific nutritional guides.
   3. In spite of its flaws, the RDA approach is definitely the best guide to good nutrition.
   4. The RDA approach is most suitable for a large family.

Passage 3

Businesses today routinely keep track of large amounts of both financial and non-financial information. Sales departments keep track of current and potential customers; marketing departments keep track of product details and regional demographics; accounting departments keep track of financial data and issue reports. To be useful, all this data must be organized into a meaningful and useful system. Such a system is called a management information system, abbreviated MIS. The financial hub of the MIS is accounting.

Accounting is the information system that records, analyzes, and reports economic transactions, enabling decision makers to make informed choices when allocating scarce economic resources. It is a tool that enables the user, whether a business entity or an individual, to make wiser, more informed economic choices. It is an aid to planning, controlling, and evaluating a broad range of activities. A financial accounting system is intended for use by both the management of an organization and those outside the organization. Because it is important that financial accounting reports be interpreted correctly, financial accounting is subject to a set of _____ guidelines called "generally accepted accounting principles" (GAAP).

6. This passage is most likely taken from
   1. a newspaper column.
   2. a business textbook.
   3. an essay about modern business.
   4. a government document.
7. The word that would fit most correctly into the blank in the final sentence is
   1. discretionary.
   2. convenient.
   3. austere.
   4. stringent.
8. According to the information in the passage, which of the following is least likely to be a function of accounting?
   1. helping business people make sound judgments
   2. assisting with the marketing of products
   3. producing reports of many different kinds of transactions
   4. assisting companies in important planning activities

Passage 4

Typically, people think of genius, whether it manifests in Mozart's composition of symphonies at age five or Einstein's discovery of relativity, as having a quality not just of the supernatural, but also of the eccentric. People see genius as a good abnormality; moreover, they think of genius as a completely unpredictable abnormality. Until recently, psychologists regarded the quirks of genius as too erratic to describe intelligibly; however, Anna Findley's groundbreaking study uncovers predictable patterns in the biographies of geniuses. These patterns do not dispel the common belief that there is a kind of supernatural intervention in the lives of unusually talented men and women, however, even though they occur with regularity. ______, Findley shows that all geniuses experience three intensely productive periods in their lives, one of which always occurs shortly before their deaths; this is true whether the genius lives to 19 or 90.

9. Which word or phrase, if inserted into the blank space of the passage, best defines the relationship of the last sentence in the passage to the one preceding it?
   1. For example
   2. Despite this
   3. However
   4. In other words
10. According to the information presented in the passage, what is the general populace's opinion of genius?
    1. It is predictable and uncommon.
    2. It is supercilious and abnormal.
    3. It is unpredictable and erratic.
    4. It is extraordinary and erratic.
11. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
    1. Understanding Mozarts and Einsteins
    2. Predicting the Life of a Genius
    3. The Uncanny Patterns in the Lives of Geniuses
    4. Pattern and Disorder in the Lives of Geniuses
12. Given the information in the passage, which of the following statements is true?
    1. Anna Findley is a biographer.
    2. All geniuses are eccentric and unpredictable.
    3. Geniuses have three prolific times in their lives.
    4. Mozart discovered relativity.

Passage 5

O'Connell Street is the main thoroughfare of Dublin City. Although it is not a particularly long street, Dubliners will proudly tell the visitor that it is the widest street in all of Europe. This claim usually meets with protests, especially from French tourists, claiming the Champs Elysees of Paris as Europe's widest street. But the witty Dubliner will not easily relinquish bragging rights and will trump the French visitor with a fine distinction: The Champs Elysees is a boulevard; O'Connell is a street.

Divided by several important monuments running the length of its center, the street is named for Daniel O'Connell, an Irish patriot. ___________. O'Connell stands high above the unhurried crowds of shoppers, business people, and students on a sturdy column, surrounded by four serene angels seated at each corner of the monument's base. Further up the street is the famous General Post Office that locals affectionately call the GPO. During the 1916 rebellion, the GPO was taken over from British rule and occupied by Irish rebels, sparking weeks of armed combat in the city's center. To this day, the angels of O'Connell's monument bear the marks of the fighting: One sits reading calmly, apparently unaware of the bullet hole dimpling her upper arm; another, reaching out to stroke the ears of a huge bronze Irish wolfhound has survived what should be a mortal wound to her heart.

13. Which sentence, if inserted in the blank space in the passage, would be the most correct and contribute the most pertinent information to that paragraph?
    1. His monument stands at the lower end of the road, that is, the end closest to the river Liffey that bisects Dublin.
    2. Other monuments along the street include statues to Charles Parnell, Anna Livia Plurabelle, and James Joyce.
    3. Dublin tourist buses leave from this site every 20 minutes.
    4. Daniel O'Connell was an important Irish nationalist, who died before the 1916 rebellion.
14. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?
    1. Dublin's Famous Monuments
    2. The Irish Take Pride in Their Capital City
    3. The Widest Street in Europe
    4. Sights and History on Dublin's O'Connell Street
15. What is the best definition for the underlined word trump as it is used in the first paragraph of the passage?
    1. to trumpet loudly, to blare or drown out
    2. to trample
    3. to get the better of by using a key or hidden resource
    4. to devise a fraud, to employ trickery
16. With which of the following statements about the people of Dublin would the author of the passage most likely agree?
    1. They are proud of their history but lack industry.
    2. They are playful and tricky.
    3. They are rebellious and do not like tourists.
    4. They are witty and relaxed.

Passage 6

The subject of the next two passages is the same, but the way they are written is different. Read them carefully and answer the questions.

Excerpt from Chamber of Commerce brochure

Dilly's Deli provides a dining experience like no other! A rustic atmosphere, along with delicious food, provide an opportunity to soak up the local flavor. Recently relocated to the old market area, Dilly's is especially popular for lunch. At the counter, you can place your order for one of Dilly's three daily lunch specials or one of several sandwiches, all at reasonable prices. Once you get your food, choose a seat at one of the four charming communal tables. By the time you are ready to carry your paper plate to the trash bin, you have experienced some of the best food and one of the most charming companies our city has to offer.

Restaurant review

Yesterday, I was exposed to what has been called "a dining experience like no other." At lunchtime, Dilly's Deli is so crowded, I wondered when the fire marshal had last visited the establishment. The line snaked out the door to the corner, and by the time I reached the counter, I was freezing. I decided on the hamburger steak special; the other specials being liver and onions or tuna casserole. Each special is offered with two side dishes, but there was no potato salad left and the green beans were cooked nearly beyond recognition. I chose the gelatin of the day and what turned out to be the blandest coleslaw I have ever eaten. At Dilly's, you sit at one of four long tables. The couple sitting across from me was having an argument. The truck driver next to me told me more than I wanted to know about highway taxes. After I had tasted all of the food on my plate, I rose to leave, whereupon one of the people working behind the counter yelled at me to clean up after myself. Throwing away that plate of food was the most enjoyable part of dining at Dilly's.

17. If you go to lunch at Dilly's Deli, you could expect to see
    1. a long line of customers.
    2. the fire marshal.
    3. the restaurant critic from the newspaper.
    4. homemade pie.
18. Both passages suggest that if you eat lunch at Dilly's Deli, you should expect to
    1. sit next to a truck driver.
    2. place your order with the waiter who comes to your table.
    3. dress warmly.
    4. carry your own food to your table.
19. Which of the following illustrates the restaurant critic's opinion of the food at Dilly's Deli?
    1. "At Dilly's, you sit at one of four long tables."
    2. "At lunchtime, Dilly's Deli is so crowded, I wondered when the fire marshal had last visited the establishment."
    3. "After I had tasted all of the food on my plate, I rose to leave, whereupon one of the people working behind the counter yelled at me to clean up after myself."
    4. "Throwing away that plate of food was the most enjoyable part of dining at Dilly's."
20. The main purpose of the restaurant review is to
    1. tell people they probably don't want to eat at Dilly's Deli.
    2. make fun of couples who argue in public.
    3. recommend the hamburger steak special.
    4. warn people that Dilly's Deli tends to be crowded.
21. The main purpose of the Chamber of Commerce brochure is to
    1. profile the owner of Dilly's Deli.
    2. describe in detail the food served at Dilly's Deli.
    3. encourage people to eat at Dilly's Deli.
    4. explain the historical significance of the Dilly's Deli Building.

Passage 7

The Hopkinton Town Council met last night to address the question of building a skate-board ramp in Wilcox Park, but the public response segment of the meeting took much longer than anticipated, and the question had to be shelved until next meeting.

Chairman Mark Santucci opened the floor for public comment soon after the issue was raised, and for the next two hours the public took advantage of the opportunity. An estimated 375 local residents turned out for the meeting, and nearly 200 of those present stepped to the microphone to voice their views.

Many residents were vehemently opposed to the proposal to build a large skate boarding area in the southeast corner of the park. The proposed facilities would include a "tunnel," several ramps, and a "dish"—all made of cement for use by skate-boarders.

"The last thing we need in this town," stated Michael Fritz of Hopkinton, "is more graffiti. If we put in a skate board park, that's exactly what we'll get for our efforts."

A few of those who spoke, however, endorsed the proposal.

"Our kids need fresh air and exercise," complained Betty Kelly of Hopkinton. "They spend too much time as it is playing video games. This would give them someplace to go."

The next meeting was scheduled for June 15.

22. What is the central issue that is causing conflict in Hopkinton, according to this passage?
    1. the delay in resolving the skate boarding issue
    2. whether taxpayers should pay for park improvements
    3. the moral implications of skate boarding
    4. whether the town should build a skate board park
23. What is the central argument of Betty Kelly's comments?
    1. Kids need more freedom and less supervision.
    2. Kids need a place to play outdoors.
    3. Parents nowadays are irresponsible.
    4. The town council needs to be more responsive.
24. The underlined word vehemently, as used in the passage, most nearly means
    1. vehicle.
    2. passive.
    3. inadvertently.
    4. passionately.
25. Why did the Town Council shelve the proposal until next meeting?
    1. They were divided 50/50 on the issue.
    2. They needed more time for research.
    3. The chairman had another engagement.
    4. The public response took longer than expected.



Passage 8

During those barren winter months, with windows overlooking long-dead gardens, leafless trees, and lawns that seem to have an ashy look about them, nothing soothes the jangled nerves more than the vibrant green of plants surrounding the living spaces of one's home. People browse through garden stores just to get a whiff of chlorophyll and to choose a plant or two to bring spring back into their winter-gray lives.

Now there is even more of a need for "the green," in light of recent articles warning us of the hazards of chemicals that we, ourselves, introduce into our homes. Each time we bring clothes home from the cleaners, we release those chemicals into the closed-in air of our dwellings. Every cleanser releases its own assortment of fumes. Some of the chemicals are formaldehyde, chlorine, benzene, styrene, etc. Read the labels on many home products, the ingredients aren't even listed! During the winter, when those same windows are shut tight, we breathe in these chemicals—causing symptoms much like allergies. In fact, most people probably dismiss the effects of these chemicals simply as a flare up of some allergy or other. The truth is that we are experiencing a syndrome that is called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Now, what has this got to do with green plants? Everything healthy! Research has been conducted with two types of plants that have actually removed much of these harmful chemicals from the air.

The two plants that seem to be the best bet for ridding one's home of such chemicals are ferns and palms. These plants release moisture as part of photosynthesis and, as they do, pull chemicals from the air into their leaves. Even NASA has conducted some greenhouse experiments for long-term space exploration. Within hours, their plants [palms] had removed almost all traces of formaldehyde in the room. Both species of plants are ancient, dating back more than a hundred million years. Another trait they share is that they both live long lives, 100 years or more. This we expect from trees, but ferns and palms are plants; plants that can grow to 65 feet in the proper setting! Even their individual leaves live for one to two years [ferns] and one to nine years [palms]. Perhaps it is their primal qualities that have contributed to their ability to purify their environment.

26. What is the main idea of the passage?
    1. Our homes are full of contaminants.
    2. Our allergies are caused by chemicals found in the home.
    3. All plants release moisture in the home.
    4. Certain plants can purify the home of many harmful chemicals.
27. According to the passage, when a few harmful chemicals combine, they can
    1. cause us to experience allergies.
    2. cause a monumental task for homeowners.
    3. contribute to a syndrome called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
    4. contribute to photosynthesis in plants.
28. The passage indicates that research
    1. has only been conducted using specific plants.
    2. has only been conducted by NASA.
    3. has not identified the sources of these chemical impurities.
    4. has only benefited long term space exploration.
29. The passage infers a relationship between the antiquity of ferns and palms and their ability to
    1. live long.
    2. purify the air.
    3. grow leaves that live long.
    4. react successfully in research experiments.
30. A good title for this passage is
    1. Research in the New Millennium.
    2. Home Dangers.
    3. Common Houseplants May Purify Your Home.
    4. NASA Experiment Finds the Cure.

Passage 9

Despite their similarities, the pyramids of Egypt and Mesoamerica seem to be unrelated because of distinct differences in the time of construction as well as their design and function. Historians have discovered that the construction of the pyramids in Egypt and Mesoamerica are separated by over 2,000 years. The Egyptians used only cut stone quarried many miles away from the pyramid sites—a construction method that enabled them to construct sturdy buildings that could withstand the test of time.

On the other hand, the pyramids of Mesoamerica were not built to withstand the ravages of time. Rather, the step pyramids rose in tiers, on the top of which a small temple was erected. Unlike the Egyptians, they used irregular stones.

Also, they did not share the same basic design function. The Egyptian pyramids were private tombs meant to separate the pharaoh's remains from the mainstream of society and protect him for eternity, while the pyramids of Mesoamerica were primarily public temples of ritual and celebration.

31. The main idea of this passage is best summed up in which statement?
    1. Pyramids in Egypt and Mesoamerica are similar.
    2. Egyptians assisted Mesoamerican pyramid builders.
    3. Pyramids in Egypt and Mesoamerica have distinct differences.
    4. Scientists do not know who built the pyramids.
32. This passage best supports the statement that
    1. the Egyptians used stone quarried many miles away from the pyramid site.
    2. the pyramids of Mesoamerica were built to last for eternity.
    3. the Egyptian pyramids were public tombs.
    4. the Egyptian and Mesoamerican pyramids were built during the same time period.
33. The passage best supports the statement that
    1. Egyptian and Mesoamerican pyramids shared the same design function.
    2. both pyramids were used as temples of ritual and celebration.
    3. Egyptian and Mesoamerican pyramids shared the same construction methods.
    4. Mesoamerican pyramids were used for ritual and celebration.
34. The underlined word eternity in the passage most nearly means which of the following?
    1. for a short time
    2. temporary
    3. for all time
    4. never

Passage 10

Beginning March 1, the company will be instituting a new dress code. Employees are to be professional in their appearance at all times. "Professional attire" is a flexible term to some degree, but the final judgment shall be left to management in all areas. Some guidelines include the following:

Men:

• Neckties are recommended for all salaried and exempt employees. Non-exempt and hourly employees may or may not be required to wear neckties, depending upon job duties and the discretion of management.
• Sweaters or sports jackets are not required, but may still be considered appropriate for certain situations, such as meetings with clients. Management retains the option to mandate such in certain circumstances.
• Blue jeans are never appropriate, except on certain specified days—such as "casual Fridays" or "dress-down days," at the discretion of management.
• Sneakers and running shoes are not appropriate unless the employee's duties require excessive walking or stand-up work, or when required by medical or health issues. Management shall retain the right to make specific exceptions as necessary.

Women:

• Pant-suits are acceptable, provided that they retain a professional appearance.
• Shorts, "hot pants," "culottes," and similar attire is never appropriate. This includes "dress-down days" and other times of casual attire.
• Skirts and dresses should be of at least moderate length, reaching the knees. Dresses and skirts above the knees are considered inappropriate at all times, including "dress-down days" and other times of casual attire.
• Blue jeans are never appropriate, except on certain specified days—such as "casual Fridays" or "dress-down days," at the discretion of management.
• Sneakers and running shoes are not appropriate unless the employee's duties require excessive walking or stand-up work, or when required by medical or health issues. Management shall retain the right to make specific exceptions as necessary.
35. What is the main idea of this passage?
    1. Employees must follow orders.
    2. Management has the final say.
    3. Employees must always appear professional.
    4. Blue jeans are unacceptable in the work place.
36. The underlined word mandate, as used in the passage, most nearly means
    1. to make something optional.
    2. a common form of office communication.
    3. to enjoy a social outing with friends.
    4. to make something a requirement.
37. From this dress code, you could infer that T-shirts are
    1. walways appropriate.
    2. acceptable if they have no writing or advertising.
    3. left up to the discretion of the employee.
    4. never appropriate.
38. What is the tone of this memo?
    1. informative
    2. angry
    3. sad
    4. humorous