Student often vacillate between speech topics when given too much time to make a decision.

 

Which of the following is the meaning of the word "vacillate" as used in the sentence above?

In 1907, Edith Cavell, a British nurse, was appointed head nurse of the Berkendael Medical Institute in Belgium. In 1914, at the start of World War I and the German occupation of Belgium, Cavell joined the Red Cross to support the nursing effort. The Berkendael Institute was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers of all nationalities. During this time, Cavell helped soldiers treated there to escape to neutral Holland. In 1915, she was arrested by local German authorities for abetting the escape of 200 soldiers and was sentenced to death. Cavell's case received significant press coverage around the world, especially in Britain and the United States. In the weeks after her death, the number of men enlisting to serve in World War I greatly increased.

Which of the following context clues allows the reader to infer the meaning of the word "abetting" as used in the paragraph?

The Bermuda Triangle

The area known as the Bermuda Triangle has become such a part of popular culture that it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction. The interest first began when five Navy planes vanished in 1945, officially resulting from "causes or reasons unknown." The explanations about other accidents in the Triangle range from the scientific to the supernatural. Researchers have never been able to find anything truly mysterious about what happens in the Bermuda Triangle, if there even is a Bermuda Triangle. What is more one of the biggest challenges in considering the phenomenon is deciding how much area actually represents the Bermuda Triangle. Most consider the Triangle to stretch from Miami out to Puerto Rico and to include the island of Bermuda. Others expand the area to include all of the Caribbean islands and to extend eastward as far as the Azores, which are closer to Europe than they are to North America.

The problem with having a larger Bermuda Triangle is it increase the odds of accidents. There is near-constant travel, by ship and plane, across the Atlantic, and accidents are expected to occur. In fact, the Bermuda Triangle happens to fall within one of the busiest navigational regions in the world, and the reality of greater activity creates the possibility for more to go wrong. Shipping records suggest that there is not a greater than average loss of vessels within the Bermuda Triangle, and many researchers have argued that the reputation of the Triangle makes any accident seem out of the ordinary. In fact, most accidents fall within the expected margin of error. The increase in ships from East Asia no doubt contributes to an increase in accidents. And as for the story of the Navy planes that disappeared within the Triangle, many researchers now conclude that it was the result of mistakes on the part of the pilot who were flying into storm clouds and simply got lost.

Which of the following represents an opinion statement on the part of the author?

The day began when my watch beeped at 4:30 a.m. The alarm was supposed to sound at 7:30, but I had forgotten to change the time back to my time zone after my last business trip in Boston. It was a struggle to stay awake for everything I needed to get done. First, I groggily showered, washed my hair, and blow dried it. Then, I kept yawning while I got dressed, but before I got dressed I had to iron my silky blouse. Next, I finally got to have my hot coffee while I styled my hair and put on my makeup. Finally, I was wide awake and at my bus stop ten minutes early so I could arrive at my audition on time.

Which of the following actions did the protagonist of the passage perform first?

"Yo Ho, a Pirate's Book For Me"

Book Review by Stephen Davidson from the online blog Popular Reads

In the 17th century, there were people who called the sea home and sought extraordinary adventures. These people were called pirates. Pirates, or privateers as they were sometimes called, have long been a part of popular culture in the 21st century in books, television shows, plays, and movies. With so many pieces of media about pirates, one would not think that anything else would be needed. That would be a mistaken belief.Pirates: A Swashbuckling History by Grace O'Malley Teach, a popular fiction writer, is a wonderful addition to the popular fiction on pirates. She brings a fresh take on mythology from the world of piracy. Each chapter of this 168 page book is dedicated to a famous (or possibly infamous) pirate from history, from the dreaded Blackbeard to the fierce Mary Reed. As she explores these legends with her vivid writing style, it is like the pirates leap from the pages of the book and begin battling in right in front of my eyes. In addition to her excellent writing bringing the stories to life, artistic representations of each of the pirates has been created for this book by up and coming illustrator Edward Teach, the author's brother, who just began a comic series about British history.Some of the content can get a little graphic in its violence, which is what we should really all expect from a book about pirates. However, I believe that this book is the perfect present for the young children that haven't yet found a love of reading. I would also recommend this as a fun read when relaxing on a boat or by the beach to really get in the mindset of piracy and adventure. No matter where this book is read, I can guarantee that this is a purchase is worth it!

"Yo Ho, a Pirate's Book For Me"What is the author's purpose for writing this book review?

Which word of the following words has a positive connotation?
Pick one word.

In 1907, Edith Cavell, a British nurse, was appointed head nurse of the Berkendael Medical Institute in Belgium. In 1914, at the start of World War I and the German occupation of Belgium, Cavell joined the Red Cross to support the nursing effort. The Berkendael Institute was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers of all nationalities. During this time, Cavell helped soldiers treated there to escape to neutral Holland. In 1915, she was arrested by local German authorities for abetting the escape of 200 soldiers and was sentenced to death. Cavell's case received significant press coverage around the world, especially in Britain and the United States. In the weeks after her death, the number of men enlisting to serve in World War I greatly increased.

What can you conclude about the effect Edith Cavell's death had on the British and American people?

NCKGABBH

Copy the string of letters above on a piece of paper.

• Cross out the first and last letters.
• Replace the letter B with the letter Q.
• Insert a U after each Q.
• Switch the first and last letters.

Which of the following letter sequence remains on the page?

The following is an excerpt from a letter written by a woman in the 1930s in the Midwest to her relatives on the East Coast about the Dust Bowl:The dust has been mighty fierce. We have to keep the doors and windows shut tight, but the dirt gets right on through. When we open the door to that whirling dust, we are glad enough to run back inside with the soot all covering everything. We have to eat quick before the dirt settles on our food. You can't even see the lights in the house if you're outside it. One morning, so restless of the inside for days, I took a walk, and when I turned back I couldn't see the house. I knew the direction, so I kept on, and was close before I could see its outline. It sure made me feel lonely.

What information could someone writing a research paper about the Dust Bowl find in this letter?

Car Owner's Manual: Table of Contents:

Chapter I: Vehicle Instruments

Chapter II: Safety Options

Chapter III: Audio, Climate, and Voice Controls

Chapter IV: Pre-Driving and Driving Chapter V: Routine Maintenance

Chapter VI: Emergencies

Chapter VII: Consumer Resources

To which chapter should Regina turn if she needs to find out what to do if the car begins overheating?

The day began when my watch beeped at 4:30 a.m. The alarm was supposed to sound at 7:30, but I had forgotten to change the time back to my time zone after my last business trip in Boston. It was a struggle to stay awake for everything I needed to get done. First, I groggily showered, washed my hair, and blow dried it. Then, I kept yawning while I got dressed, but before I got dressed I had to iron my silky blouse. Next, I finally got to have my hot coffee while I styled my hair and put on my makeup. Finally, I was wide awake and at my bus stop ten minutes early so I could arrive at my audition on time.

Which of the following inferences can the reader logically make after reading this passage?