Reading NET Pretest

A

Have you ever visited a rain forest?  One of the earth’s most magical, treasured resources is the rain forest.  Found in many different exotic locations such as the Amazon, North America, Asia, Australia, and Africa, the rain forests have several common but unique characteristics.  All are located very closely to the tropical equator.  This location determines the high daily temperatures, which can range between 68°F and 82°F.  In addition to the high temperatures, daily rain showers account for approximately 32 feet of rain each year.  This extremely moist condition keeps the humid climate in the rain forest a tepid and damp one.  At first glance, the rain forest appears to be just a lush jungle, but a closer look reveals that this unique environment houses some of the most beautiful and exotic plants and animals in the entire world.

1.  The purpose of Paragraph A is to?

    A.  Explain the importance of the rain forest.
    B.  Define a rain forest.
    C.  Introduce the topic of this article.
    D.  Urge steps to be taken to protect rain forests.

    A.  Trees are the most important natural resource in the rain forest.
    B.  Only trees make their food through photosynthesis.
    C.  All forests have a canopy.
    D.  For photosynthesis to occur, sunlight is needed.

C

This upper layer of protruding leaves in the rain forest becomes a haven for all the vegetation hovering beneath.  However, the canopy, as breathtaking and beautiful as it is, can be very problematic for the vegetation below.  The layers upon layers of tree leaves prevent much sunlight from filtering through the leaves and finally reaching the smaller trees or flowering tropical plants below.  As a result, there is little ground vegetation below except for the thriving plants by the riverbanks.  These plants are flourishing and vegetation is extremely condensed.

3.  Which is an inference that can be drawn from Paragraph C?

    A.  The canopy covers 25% of the rain forest.
    B.  Sunlight is an essential factor in the growth of vegetation.
    C.  Rivers are in all rain forests.
    D.  Vegetation provides the rain forest a beautiful atmosphere.

D

Planning a trip?  Consider adding a stop at the rain forest.  A visit to the rain forest will reveal spectacular trees of many variant types, shapes, and sizes that all have one secret in common - the shape of their leaves.  The shape helps the leaves perform a very vital task for the survival of these tropical trees.  The leaves of the trees, all green and shiny, have a point at the tip.  This point allows water from the rain to drip to the end and drain off.  The dripping water sheds from the leaf and dries quickly before the next shower.  If the water on the leaf does not drip off, the leaf would not be able to breathe.  In addition, the moistened leaf may also become a safe habitat for fungi to thrive and eventually cause the leaf to decay.

4.  Which is not a characteristic of some tree leaves in the rain  forest?

    A. The shape of the leaves is pointed.
    B.  The rainwater quickly drips from the pointed leaves.
    C.  Leaves do not harbor fungi.
    D.  If leaves do not breathe, they do not survive.

E

There are many mysteries surrounding the rain forest.  One such mystery, the Great Buttress Mystery has baffled hundreds of scientists for many years.  Certain trees in the tropical rain forest appear to have giant appendages jetting from the foot of the Great Buttress Tree.  These protruding appendages connect between the trunk and roots under the surface of the ground.  Theoretically, it was believed that these connectors supported the tree in lightly packed soil, so they could weather the severe storms of the rain forest.  Surprisingly, however, research has proven that the survival rate of these trees in storms is not any greater than trees without these appendages.  The “Great Buttress Mystery” – why these trees have appendages still confuses scientists and remains a mystery today.

    A.  Some trees in the rain forest have giant appendages jetting from their base.
    B.  The purpose of the appendages of the Great Buttress Tree is a mystery.
    C.  These trees do not survive in storms more than any other tree.
    D.  The Great Buttress Mystery is puzzling.

F

Just like the leaves of these rain forest trees, plants too must compete for the essential sunlight.  Two types of plants faced with this challenge are lianes and epiphytes.  Lianes begin as very small shrubs that stretch their branches to neighboring trees for support as they encircle the tree trunk and keep growing upwardly until they reach that all important sunlight.  At this point, their leaves flourish, and they become one with the trees to form the spectacular canopy.  Another tropical type of plant is the epiphyte.  The colorful epiphytes are plants that grow high in the compressed canopy of trees.  They mysteriously sprout in the indentations of the tree.  If they are able to grasp enough sunlight, they survive and become beautiful accents to the rain forest canopy.  Orchids and ferns are the most common epiphytes.

6.  Which of the following statements is true according to Paragraph F?

    A.  The epiphytes are ground cover.
    B.  Lianes remain small plants.
    C.  The epiphytes grow in the crevices of the branches of the tree.
    D.  Orchids and ferns are lianes.

G

Another interesting type of tropical vegetation found in the rain forest is the “choking plant.”  This plant develops from a seed.  Once cultivated, the sturdy roots take hold deeply in the ground or search for a nearby tree where they can entwine themselves around the trunk.  With the roots firmly planted, they begin to grow thicker and thicker.  The roots eventually wrap themselves around that tree or an adjacent tree or plant until the tree or plant is killed.  The dead tree decays, and only the “choking plant” is left to search for a new victim.

    A. The dead tree or plant decays, and only the “choking plant” is left to search for a new victim.
    B.  Once cultivated, the roots take hold deeply in the ground or search for a nearby tree where they can become intertwined in the trunk.
    C.  The roots eventually wrap themselves around the tree or neighboring plant until the tree dies.
    D.  Another interesting type of vegetation found in the rain forest is the “choking plant.”

H

Today, concern for the survival of the valuable rain forests has heightened.  There is a great threat to their existence and measures need to be established to protect them.  Like all forests, the rain forests are haunted by “deforestation.”  Acres of forests are destroyed everyday with no real plan to control this devastation.  In Africa, for example, almost half of the rain forests have disappeared.  Why?  Slowly society has begun to depend on these rain forests for the vital resources that are needed.  Society has begun to utilize this precious land for farming.  When the rain forests are farmed, trees are removed to make room for these farms.  Cultivation of this land is responsible for much of the “deforestation.”  Although this type of farming may be necessary for the survival, steps need to be taken to protect the rain forest in order to maintain its vegetation and wild life. For example, farming the rain forest in one area should be limited to avoid exhaustion of  this resource.  The possibility of exhausting the resources of the rainforest must always be considered as a threat to the benefit of mankind.

8.  What is the main idea of Paragraph A – H?

    A.  The rain forests are valuable resources.
    B.  The rain forests play an important role in the ecosystem.
    C.There is a great threat to the existence the rain forests.
    D.  The rain forests, which are interesting and valuable resources, are disappearing rapidly and drastic steps need to be taken to save them.

I

Birds play a very important role in our environment and the balance of nature.  First, birds eradicate pests that are a threat to our food crops.  Each year, the bird population devours millions of harmful insects, which may invade our food supply.  Because these insects are utilized as a food supply for themselves, our food supply is protected.  But insects are not their only food supply.  Some birds such as the hawk and owls provide a great service to farmers.  They eliminate pesky rodents, which may destroy the farmer’s fruit orchards, grain fields, or poultry supply.  In addition, some feathered friends such as the vulture, crow, or sea gulls become nature’s trash collectors.  They prey on dead animals found on roads and beaches.  Birds are a valuable factor in the balance of nature equation.

9.    Which factor in Paragraph I support the topic of cleaning up the highways?

    A.  Each year the bird population devours millions of insects.
    B.  Some birds such as the vulture, crow, or seagull prey on dead animals.
    C. With the help of birds, plant seeds in one region can be transferred miles away.
    D.  Many rodents destroy the farmer’s fruit orchards, grain fields, and poultry supply.

J

Birds also contribute to our vital food supply by disseminating plant seeds throughout the world.  Plant seeds attach to their feathers and drop off as the birds fly from one destination to another.  With the help of birds, plant seeds in one distant region may be easily and efficiently transferred thousands of miles away.  If the ground and climate are favorable, the seeds germinate and the plant seed finds a new area where it can grow and flourish.  Although, most people value the bird population for its beauty, grace, and strategic flight formation, it is important to appreciate the many services that birds provide to humanity such as the distribution of plant seeds throughout the world.

    A.  Birds help in increasing the insect population.
    B.  Birds contribute to the spread of plants to remote areas.
    C.  Farmers consider hawks and vultures their enemies.
    D.  Birds are mainly considered valuable for their ability to sing.

K

Birds play a very important role in our ecology. Ornithologists have identified over 9,000 varieties of birds. To help research and preserve the different bird populations, John James, a Canadian and member of  the Audubon Society, began the practice of bird banding.  Today, millions of birds are banded and monitored throughout the world.  The banding is maintained to collect data on how long different varieties of birds live, where they migrate, and how long it takes for them to get to their locations.  Remarkably, there are a variety of birds banded in the United States found as far as Siberia in the Soviet Union.

    A. Bird banding is only done n the United States.
    B.  Bird banding is a valuable practice.
    C. Bird banding is not a valuable practice.
    D. Bird banding is limited to Canada and the United States.

L

Thanks to John James and the Audubon Society, bird banding has provided valuable research.  This research has determined the number of years a bird lives differ with each species.  For example, some Caspian terns live twenty-six years, mallards and pintails live twenty years, and osprey and ring-billed gulls live twenty-one years.  Purple martins can live fourteen years, and a chimney swift can live thirteen years.  Song sparrows live approximately half as many years less; tree sparrows, juncos, robins and cardinals live, eight, nine, eleven, and twelve years respectively.

12.    The purpose of Paragraph L is to establish which point?

    A.  Song sparrows live longer than Caspian terns.
    B.  Vital statistics are established through the help of bird banding.
    C.  Larger birds live longer.
    D.  Bird banding should not be taken seriously.

M

Although many birds that migrate do not make it to their destination because of weather, enemies, or food shortages, many do migrate farther and faster than expected.  Amazingly a pintail duck flew from Canada to England in eighteen days.  A great blue heron arrived in Coahuela, Mexico from Oregon in nineteen days.  A peregrine falcon from Greenland was found in Cuba after four months.  A water thrush from Long Island was found sixty-three days later in Venezuela.

13.    Based on Paragraph M, which of the following statements is true?

    A.  A great blue heron arrived in Cuba in four months.
    B. A water thrush from Long Island was found in Venezuela after sixty days.
    C.  A peregrine falcon flew to Canada from England.
    D.  Some birds do not arrive at their destination because of the weather.

N

For the sake of research, bird banding is important to everyone. Society as a whole can help in this important effort; if an individual sees a bird with a band, he/she should take time to report the number on the band to the phone number on the tag.  This effort is rewarded with a note of appreciation and all the known facts about that particular bird.

    A.  Bird banding is an important practice.
    B.  It is an important part of bird banding for individuals to look for banded birds and report them.
    C.  Being a bird watcher can provide entertainment.
    D.  People should learn to appreciate the beauty and services birds provide.

O

Perhaps the practice of bird banding could have helped the passenger pigeon to survive.  The passenger pigeon was a 15 inch wild pigeon.  It was light pink in color with gray feathers.  Until the 1800’s, there had been a large population of these pigeons in North America.  At one time, 2,230,000,000 birds were spotted.  Always traveling and nesting in large groups made these birds easy prey for greedy hunters.  They blinded the birds with lights and plucked them out of the tree with poles.  Some birds were even choked with burning sulfur.  Once captured, they were then shot.  Unfortunately, the passenger pigeons were either eaten or sold to markets in New York City and Chicago for a penny or two.

P

Eventually, the passenger pigeon population decreased because of its mating habits.  Realizing that the breed would become soon extinct, the last pair of passenger pigeons was harbored in the Cincinnati Zoological Garden.  It was hoped that they would eventually reproduce so that the species would survive.  They produced one egg, but, unfortunately, it did not hatch.  Soon both pigeons died, and regretfully, a breed of 9 billion had become extinct.

15.    From paragraphs O and P, you can infer which of the statements about the passenger pigeon? 

    A.  The hunters were aware that the passenger pigeons were valuable.
    B.  Extinction of the passenger pigeon was inevitable.
    C.  The possibility of the extinction of the passenger pigeon was not realized early enough.
    D.  Passenger pigeons were a hardy breed.

In captivity, the passenger pigeon

A. Fought with its mate.
B. Attacked other birds.
C. Seldom mated.
D. Refused to eat.

Q

Often thought to be an unwelcome pest in urban settings, the woodpecker has proven to be an often unappreciated, vigilant guardian of the forest.  Its specialized talents allow the woodpecker to eat the villains of the trees. All woodpeckers have the unique talent to “peck wood.”  The woodpecker feeds on the wood-boring grubs,  insects, larvae, and insect eggs.  They can eliminate many pests responsible for destroying trees by extracting them from the tree bark crevices, from beneath the bark itself, or from burrows within the wood. The woodpecker has the ability to peck through solid wood with its strong chisel tool shaped bill. Because the process requires the woodpecker to concentrate on its work, it must not be concerned with the possibility of falling from the tree. For this reason, the woodpecker has sharp, strong, powerful claws that dig deeply into the tree trunk. As an extra safety precaution, it also has a razor-sharp tail that allows the woodpecker to stick to any bark.

R

The woodpecker also helps nature’s balance by eliminating dying trees.     It searches for a decaying tree with pests. This is its first step.  Systematically, it rids the tree of its pesky problem – grubs or insects. Because of its pointed beak, the woodpecker can easily peck its way to its prey. The woodpecker can reach deep into the wood using its lengthy speared tongue to eradicate unsuspecting pests one by one. Then the ants move in and devour the remains of the tree.

S

Even though the woodpecker is a very valuable asset to nature’s balance, the woodpecker population is quickly decreasing.  This is the result of the use of insecticides that keep trees alive and healthy.  Thus, there are fewer and fewer infested trees for the woodpeckers to feed on.

    A.  Woodpeckers are vigilant protectors of the forest.
    B.  Wood-boring grubs can destroy a tree.
    C.  A woodpecker is a pest in an urban setting.
    D.  The bark of a tree is not very strong.

18.    Which of the following are three characteristics of the woodpecker in Paragraphs Q – S?

A.  The woodpeckers have pointed beaks, attack healthy trees, and are declining in number.
B.  The woodpeckers have pointed beaks, survive on wood boring insects alone, and are a developing population.
C.    The woodpeckers have pointed beaks, attack infested trees, and are growing in number.
D.    The woodpeckers have pointed beaks, attack infested trees, and are declining in number.

A.  The woodpecker is a very valuable asset to nature’s balance and it is decreasing.
B.  The woodpecker population is decreasing.
C.  The woodpecker population depends on infested trees for survival.
D.  Insecticides have helped control insects.

T

Have you ever heard of a “condor?”  Perhaps, not.  A condor will not be seen in your backyard because it requires vast stretches of empty land to exist.  Where do condors exist?  Because most areas today are very populated, the condors’ homes have been slowly depleting.  Today, there are only two small sanctuaries on the Coast Range and the Sierra Nevada.  The Sespe and the Sisquoc have provided shelter for this interesting breed.

U

These sanctuaries are not tourist attractions.  They are caves far from the roads.  It is here where the condors nest. The isolated condors do not welcome visitors to their homes.  Why?  These solitary birds do not breed easily.  A pair may only produce one egg every other year.  Unlike other birds, they do not make a nest for their egg.  Once the egg is laid on the cave floor, the condor sits on it for seven weeks.  After the egg hatches, the parents care for the new condor for about five months.  By this time, it should learn to fly. However, many candors often do not survive this five-month period. If a condor can survive, it is five or six years before breeding takes place. Only about ten pairs produce only five condors each year. A young condor may face many obstacles to survive such as having few areas to live, having difficulties breeding, needing secluded nesting spots, and facing the threat of shooting and poisoning. A survivor can live as long as forty years.  Thus, the condor’s population is slowly decreasing.

A.  Condors and its nesting practices.
B.  Condors and its sanctuaries.
C. Condor – the solitary bird.
D.  Condors and reasons for the concern for their continued existence.

21.    The main idea of Paragraph T – U is?

    A.  Condors do not live harmoniously with people.
    B.  The condor population is slowly declining due to many factors.
    C. Condors reproduce slowly.
    D.  Condors live in Sisquoc and Sespe.