Spreading over the green-hued fields of County Galway, Ireland, Brigit’s Garden celebrates Irish folklore, mythology, and heritage. Because of the climate-moderating effects of the nearby Gulf Stream, and an abundance of water, a surprising array of colorful flowers, herbs, and vegetables thrives in this garden, which reflects the four seasons and the cycle of life. This magical Irish garden is a year-round island of serenity. The Garden Café specializes in “slow” food gathered from the garden and is considered one of the best dining experiences in Ireland.
Passage 2
People lived on the edge of the Sahara desert in North Africa thousands of years ago, since the last ice age. The climate of the Sahara was much wetter then than it is today. Evidence of this can be seen in the 30,000 petroglyphs, or rock drawings, of river animals such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses. Scientists have found a wealth of fossilized plants, and fossils of marine dinosaurs have also been found here. The modern Sahara, though, is not lush in vegetation, except in the Nile Valley, at a few oases, and in the northern highlands where Mediterranean plants such as the olive tree grow. The region has been the desert we know today for about 5,000 years. Some 2.5 million people currently live in the Sahara, almost all of them on the desert’s edge in Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria.
How are these two passages similar?
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They both focus on the development of lush gardens around the world.
They both explain the effect of large river systems on marine animals.
They both teach the reader about fossilized marine plants and animals.
They both demonstrate the effect of water on living things.
Passage 1
Spreading over the green-hued fields of County Galway, Ireland, Brigit’s Garden celebrates Irish folklore, mythology, and heritage. Because of the climate-moderating effects of the nearby Gulf Stream, and an abundance of water, a surprising array of colorful flowers, herbs, and vegetables thrives in this garden, which reflects the four seasons and the cycle of life. This magical Irish garden is a year-round island of serenity. The Garden Café specializes in “slow” food gathered from the garden and is considered one of the best dining experiences in Ireland.
Passage 2
People lived on the edge of the Sahara desert in North Africa thousands of years ago, since the last ice age. The climate of the Sahara was much wetter then than it is today. Evidence of this can be seen in the 30,000 petroglyphs, or rock drawings, of river animals such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses. Scientists have found a wealth of fossilized plants, and fossils of marine dinosaurs have also been found here. The modern Sahara, though, is not lush in vegetation, except in the Nile Valley, at a few oases, and in the northern highlands where Mediterranean plants such as the olive tree grow. The region has been the desert we know today for about 5,000 years. Some 2.5 million people currently live in the Sahara, almost all of them on the desert’s edge in Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria.
Within passage 2, what contrast can be made?
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There used to be crocodiles, but now there are camels.
Modern and ancient peoples lived at different places.
There are different climates in the eastern and western Sahara.
There are different climates during different time periods.
Passage 1
Spreading over the green-hued fields of County Galway, Ireland, Brigit’s Garden celebrates Irish folklore, mythology, and heritage. Because of the climate-moderating effects of the nearby Gulf Stream, and an abundance of water, a surprising array of colorful flowers, herbs, and vegetables thrives in this garden, which reflects the four seasons and the cycle of life. This magical Irish garden is a year-round island of serenity. The Garden Café specializes in “slow” food gathered from the garden and is considered one of the best dining experiences in Ireland.
Passage 2
People lived on the edge of the Sahara desert in North Africa thousands of years ago, since the last ice age. The climate of the Sahara was much wetter then than it is today. Evidence of this can be seen in the 30,000 petroglyphs, or rock drawings, of river animals such as crocodiles and hippopotamuses. Scientists have found a wealth of fossilized plants, and fossils of marine dinosaurs have also been found here. The modern Sahara, though, is not lush in vegetation, except in the Nile Valley, at a few oases, and in the northern highlands where Mediterranean plants such as the olive tree grow. The region has been the desert we know today for about 5,000 years. Some 2.5 million people currently live in the Sahara, almost all of them on the desert’s edge in Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria.
How can these two passages be contrasted?
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One is about a garden; the other is about a desert.
One is about plants; the other is about animals.
One involves people; the other involves fossils.
One is about the Gulf Stream; the other is about Africa.
Many of the products people use everyday are made from recycled materials. For example, products such as copy paper and folders are often made from recycled paper.
People should take aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and newspapers to local recycling facilities. This reduces the amount of trash that is left on the ground or dumped into landfills, and it makes the environment much more clean. By recycling, people also save energy. Products do not have to be made from new material when recycled material can be used.
Recycling is one small thing everyone can and should do to make the world a better place.
What is the controlling idea of this article?
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People should not throw trash on the ground.
Aluminum cans should not be recycled.
People should recycle to help the environment.
All paper is made from recycled material.
Cell phones have made the roadways more dangerous in the past several years. The American Automobile Association has released a report on cell phone usage and driving. The report found that more than 50% of American drivers have used a cell phone while driving a car. Talking on the phone also makes a driver 30% more likely to be involved in an accident. To make travelling in a car safe, people are going to have to hang up the phone and drive.
What kind of support does the author give for the statement that cell phones have made the roads more dangerous?
*
statistics
example
analogy
opinion
Forestation
Humans need oxygen to breathe, and trees are vital sources of oxygen. Humans also need trees for various purposes such as wood for fuel and making furniture. As a result, trees have to be cut on a massive scale. This process is known as deforestation. In order to keep the balance between the constant demand and supply of trees, humans need to plant more trees through different processes such as afforestation or reforestation.
The process of promoting forest growth is known as "forestation." When trees are planted in barren lands it is called afforestation. And, when trees are replanted in places where forests have been affected by deforestation, it is known as reforestation.
Nowadays, reforestation is not only utilized in deforested areas, but it is also utilized as an alternative for natural forest habitats. In countries like Finland, companies manufacturing wood products or paper are required to plant an equal or higher number of trees to make up for those they cut down. To do this, they employ summer workers who plant trees in large numbers.
Over the years, many governmental and nongovernmental groups have launched programs to promote forestation in several countries.
Read this sentence from the passage.
In order to keep the balance between the constant demand and supply of trees, humans need to plant more trees through different processes such as afforestation or reforestation.
How does this sentence contribute to the development of the central idea of the passage?
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It explains how people can change the landscape of an area.
It provides two specific ways to help curb the effects of deforestation.
It describes the concept of afforestation and its ill effects.
It gives examples of how people can help maintain the balance in nature.
Forestation
Humans need oxygen to breathe, and trees are vital sources of oxygen. Humans also need trees for various purposes such as wood for fuel and making furniture. As a result, trees have to be cut on a massive scale. This process is known as deforestation. In order to keep the balance between the constant demand and supply of trees, humans need to plant more trees through different processes such as afforestation or reforestation.
The process of promoting forest growth is known as "forestation." When trees are planted in barren lands it is called afforestation. And, when trees are replanted in places where forests have been affected by deforestation, it is known as reforestation.
Nowadays, reforestation is not only utilized in deforested areas, but it is also utilized as an alternative for natural forest habitats. In countries like Finland, companies manufacturing wood products or paper are required to plant an equal or higher number of trees to make up for those they cut down. To do this, they employ summer workers who plant trees in large numbers.
Over the years, many governmental and nongovernmental groups have launched programs to promote forestation in several countries.
How does the author develop the central idea in paragraph 3?
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The author presents the difference between afforestation and reforestation.
The author describes how deforestation can affect a whole country.
The author explains the procedure to stop deforestation in natural forest habitats.
The author gives an example of how reforestation can be implemented successfully.
Autumn
The swarming faces float across the room
With careless whispers and dreaming eyes
The pages are open and letters crawl
And, thus begins yet another fall
They seem like daffodils in the bloom
The fresh, young minds unaware of the world
Their laughter echoes like the summer rain
I wait till they are settled down again
And, then a girl motions her pals to stop
Perhaps she sees me pacing about the room
—The graying hair reflected on my chalk
And, a thousand winters weighing down my walk
From what perspective is the poem written?
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the author
the girl
the book
the teacher
1 answer
How are these two passages similar?
Answer: They both demonstrate the effect of water on living things.
Within passage 2, what contrast can be made?
Answer: There are different climates during different time periods.
How can these two passages be contrasted?
Answer: One is about a garden; the other is about a desert.
What is the controlling idea of this article?
Answer: People should recycle to help the environment.
What kind of support does the author give for the statement that cell phones have made the roads more dangerous?
Answer: statistics
How does this sentence contribute to the development of the central idea of the passage?
Answer: It provides two specific ways to help curb the effects of deforestation.
How does the author develop the central idea in paragraph 3?
Answer: The author gives an example of how reforestation can be implemented successfully.