Read the text attached.
Study Suggests Today's US Students Are Less Efficient Readers
Do today's students perform better than their peers in 1960? Given the advances in education and technology, it would be natural to assume that the answer is a resounding "yes." But, when it comes to reading efficiency, new research
suggests that that's not the case. The research, published by the International Literacy Association, compares the comprehension-based silent reading efficiency of US students (grades 2?2) in 2011 with data collected in 1960. A key finding
was that students fall further behind as they advance through the grades, wrote Alexandra Spichtig, Ph.D., Chief Resource Officer of Reading Plus, and first author of the study. The study showed that today's second-grade students are
comparable to their peers of 50 years ago, but that by the end of high school, students' comprehension-based silent reading rates average 19 percent slower than the rates of their 1960 peers. "What we know ?and the data underscore this ?
is that for many students, the progression to efficient silent reading does not develop naturally. Many students need structured silent reading instruction," explains Mark Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Plus, a web-based silent
reading program for schools. Some of the benefits of implementing silent reading instruction at home or in school are: expanded vocabulary, improved comprehension, increased efficiency, enhanced reading enjoyment, [and] improved writing
skills. Experts agree that without extensive silent reading practices in the classroom or at home, students will continue to struggle and literacy rates will continue to fall short or fall behind. "Effective reading instruction must integrate fluency,
vocabulary, and comprehension practice tailored to meet each student's unique needs. This study demonstrates that as long as structured silent reading practice is neglected in this country, the literacy problem is likely to continue," Taylor
adds. While researchers can't pinpoint reasons for the decline in silent reading efficiency from that of 50 years ago, it stands to reason that those students who engage in structured silent reading practice become more efficient readers and
take with them a love of books that lasts far past their high school graduation.
Which two of these claims does the attached text not support?
Claim 1: The benefits of silent reading skills far outweigh the time and effort it may take to teach students how to do it effectively. Claim 2: Parents must spend more time instilling a love of literature and reading in their children by reading with
them from a young age.
Claim 3: Technology is distracting today's readers, making it more difficult for them to concentrate on silent reading activity.
Claim 4: Silent reading is a skill that mist be taught how to silent read effectively.
Claim 5: There is a decline in comprehension-based silent reading rates in today's students as compared with students in 1960.
A. claims 3 and 4
B. claims 1 and 5
C. claims 2 and 5
D. claims 2 and 3
Read the text attached
Source 1: a newspaper article about the increasing teen crime rates in suburban neighborhoods
Source 2: a YouTube video about how to successfully do a kick flip with a skateboard
Source 3: an article from a skateboarding magazine about the positive impact opening a skate park had on one small town that had seen a rise in adolescent arrest rates before the park opened
Source 4: an interview with an ER doctor who has dealt with multiple injuries of children and teens who have been hit by cars while riding their skateboards
Source 5: a study that shows the positive impact on mood and mental health for people who spend time outdoors in parks or nature areas
Source 6: a biography written about Tony Hawk, a famous skateboarder, and his experiences as a teenage skater
Your Performance Task prompt requires you to write a persuasive essay to the local city council about the need for a dedicated skateboarding park in your town. Choose the two best sources from the attached text that would likely offer authoritative information you can use.
A. sources 3 and 4
B. sources 1 and 5
C. sources 5 and 6
D. sources 2 and 6
Read the text attached.
How to fight drug-resistant bacteria
This year, the U.S. reported for the first time that a patient had been infected by bacteria resistant to colistin, an antibiotic of last resort. The announcement followed several years of warnings that current antibiotics aren't diverse enough to fight pathogens as drug resistance spreads. The cover story of Chemical and Engineering News (CandEN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, sums up how researchers are trying to stay ahead of the bugs. Ann M. Thayer, a senior correspondent at CandEN, notes that antibiotic-resistant pathogens already cause at least 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths each year in the U.S. alone. And the development pipeline for new treatments to deal with this growing problem is anemic. About 40 small molecules and two dozen other approaches, such as antibodies and vaccines, are in clinical testing. Only about one in five are expected to earn approval for patient use. In addition, sparse funding, poor business prospects and regulatory issues can stand in the way of development.
Despite the hurdles, there is hope. Researchers are getting creative in their strategies for defeating infection-causing bacteria. They're designing drugs to overcome existing resistance mechanisms. Their tactics include making drugs that attack pathogens on multiple fronts, and that neutralize illness-causing bacterial toxins rather than killing the bugs themselves. To help encourage the development of new solutions, policymakers are proposing various bills to ease the financial and regulatory burdens. And new government and nonprofit funding is becoming available.
A student is going to use this text as support for his argumentative essay on the need for increased funding for drug development. He needs a counterargument to include in his essay. Which of these is the best counterargument to his claim that drug companies need increased funding for research and development into new drugs to stay ahead of the growing problem of drug-resistant pathogens?
A. Prescription drug use has become an epidemic in the United States and around the world; continuing to fund drug development will only provide new and possibly more dangerous and addictive drug for patients to be exposed to.
B. Without increased funding, researchers and scientists will not be able to find new drugs or therapy approaches to save people infected with antibiotic-resistant illnesses.
C. Some drug companies have been accused of misappropriation of funds so the government and society should not support them.
D. The fast mutation cycle of bacteria and pathogens means that scientists and researchers will forever be playing catch up as they try to develop stronger and more powerful drugs that can combat drug-resistant illnesses, so it is a waste of time, money, and resources to continue funding this kind of drug research.
Read the text attached.
How to fight drug-resistant bacteria
This year, the U.S. reported for the first time that a patient had been infected by bacteria resistant to colistin, an antibiotic of last resort. The announcement followed several years of warnings that current antibiotics aren't diverse enough to fight pathogens as drug resistance spreads. The cover story of Chemical and Engineering News (CandEN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, sums up how researchers are trying to stay ahead of the bugs. Ann M. Thayer, a senior correspondent at CandEN, notes that antibiotic-resistant pathogens already cause at least 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths each year in the U.S. alone. And the development pipeline for new treatments to deal with this growing problem is anemic. About 40 small molecules and two dozen other approaches, such as antibodies and vaccines, are in clinical testing. Only about one in five are expected to earn approval for patient use. In addition, sparse funding, poor business prospects and regulatory issues can stand in the way of development.
Despite the hurdles, there is hope. Researchers are getting creative in their strategies for defeating infection-causing bacteria. They're designing drugs to overcome existing resistance mechanisms. Their tactics include making drugs that attack pathogens on multiple fronts, and that neutralize illness-causing bacterial toxins rather than killing the bugs themselves. To help encourage the development of new solutions, policymakers are proposing various bills to ease the financial and regulatory burdens. And new government and nonprofit funding is becoming available.
Which of these claims does the attached text support?
A. Drug-resistant bacteria pose a serious health risk, and scientists are racing to keep up with new drugs to help combat illnesses.
B. Increased use of antibiotics for "minor" illnesses has led to the emergence of dangerous bacteria that is now immune to all antibiotics.
C. Drug manufacturers are wasting time and money looking for cures and vaccines for pathogens that affect relatively few people worldwide.
D. More money needs to be spent on drug research and development so that researchers can guarantee the public the creation of new drugs that could wipe out "superbugs" forever.
Read the attachments
Attachment 1
How to fight drug-resistant bacteria
This year, the U.S. reported for the first time that a patient had been infected by bacteria resistant to colistin, an antibiotic of last resort. The announcement followed several years of warnings that current antibiotics aren't diverse enough to
fight pathogens as drug resistance spreads. The cover story of Chemical and Engineering News (CandEN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, sums up how researchers are trying to stay ahead of the bugs. Ann M.
Thayer, a senior correspondent at CandEN, notes that antibiotic-resistant pathogens already cause at least 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths each year in the U.S. alone. And the development pipeline for new treatments to deal with this
growing problem is anemic. About 40 small molecules and two dozen other approaches, such as antibodies and vaccines, are in clinical testing. Only about one in five are expected to earn approval for patient use. In addition, sparse funding,
poor business prospects and regulatory issues can stand in the way of development.
Despite the hurdles, there is hope. Researchers are getting creative in their strategies for defeating infection-causing bacteria. They're designing drugs to overcome existing resistance mechanisms. Their tactics include making drugs that
attack pathogens on multiple fronts, and that neutralize illness-causing bacterial toxins rather than killing the bugs themselves. To help encourage the development of new solutions, policymakers are proposing various bills to ease the
financial and regulatory burdens. And new government and nonprofit funding is becoming available.
Attachment 2
Paraphrase A:
Researchers continue to pursue the quest to find alternative solutions to drug resistant deadly bacteria. They are exploring alternative approaches and with the support of government and nonprofit agency funding, may be getting closer to
new drug options.
Paraphrase B:
Scientists are working hard to beat drug-resistant, infection-causing bacteria. Researchers are developing drugs that can outsmart a bacteria's current means of resistance. This includes designing drugs that assault pathogens in multiple
ways and can diffuse the toxins that cause the illness rather than killing the bacteria itself. Policymakers are trying to help support the research into new drugs by proposing bills that will help lessen the financial and regulatory burdens that
currently slow down the process and the government and nonprofit agencies are also providing research funding.
Paraphrase C:
Scientists have hope, despite the challenges they face. Researchers are getting fancy in devising strategies for defeating infection-causing bacteria. Drugs designed to overcome existing resistance mechanisms are being developed. They are
focusing on making drugs that attack pathogens on multiple fronts, and neutralize illness-causing bacterial toxins rather than destroying the bugs themselves. Policymakers hope to encourage the development of new solutions by proposing
legislative bills to ease the financial and regulatory burdens, with new government and nonprofit funding also becoming available.
Paraphrase D:
Researchers are desperately searching for new alternatives to treat patients who may become infected with drug-resistant strains of bacteria. Although it seems an uphill battle, they are hopeful that new drug treatment options for patients
who are stricken with bacterial infections may soon be available and will save countless lives worldwide. Scientists are looking in to newly designed drugs that attack the offending bacteria in different ways. They are also trying to determine
how to neutralize the bacterial toxins that cause illness as opposed to killing the bacteria completely. They are getting creative in their approach on how to handle this increasing health concern. In support of these scientific advances,
government policymakers are working to get bills passed that will help ease the financial burden companies face in trying to conduct this critical research and cut back on some of the regulatory hurdles that make drug approval such a time-
consuming process. In addition to government support and assistance, nonprofit agencies are also providing private funding options.
Which of the choices in the attachment 2 is the best paraphrase of paragraph 2 of the attachment 1?
A. paraphrase D
B. paraphrase B
C. paraphrase C
D. paraphrase A
Read the paragraph attached.
Teeth Grinding Can Be A Real Headache
Did you know that if you suffer from nagging headaches ?including migraines, tension headaches and behind-the-eye pain ?your teeth could be the root of your problem? Involuntary and excessive clenching and grinding of the teeth (known in medical terms as bruxism) is a common condition, so prevalent that it affects 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. And this number continues to increase. It's probably no surprise to learn that bruxism can result in significant tooth wear and enamel erosion, leading to tooth surface sensitivity, chipped and fractured teeth, as well as a host of other dental issues that may require expensive treatment. But, what you may not realize is that over 90 percent of bruxism sufferers also experience headache pain caused by their teeth grinding. If you think about it, the link between teeth and jaw clenching, and headaches caused by teeth grinding, makes a lot of sense. Because the jaw is capable of exerting more than 250 pounds of force when clenching, this amount of force can crack a walnut. This extreme tooth-on-tooth force helps explain tooth wear caused by teeth grinding and may also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and potential TMJ issues from teeth grinding. The temporomandibular joints are flexible joints found on each side of your head in front of the ear. Responsible for all jaw movements including eating and talking, they are the most active joints in your body and thus endure a lot of wear and tear. They connect the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull. Excessive teeth clenching and grinding, which generally occurs during sleep, puts pressure on these joints and as a result can cause far-reaching pain in your temples, behind the eyes, in the back of your neck and through your cheeks and ears. The exact cause of bruxism is not known, but it is widely believed that stress is a primary trigger and once the stressful event has passed, the clenching and grinding usually subsides. However, the amount of damage and tooth wear caused by teeth grinding that can be done within a brief period can be significant. That is why it is so important that you seek treatment once you realize you are a teeth grinder, not only to stop your nagging headache pain, but also to prevent any further damage to your teeth. While there is no medication currently available to treat bruxism, dental experts recommend wearing a dental grind guard to protect the teeth from further damage and potentially help alleviate TMJ pain.
A student plans to use the attached passage as one source for his expository essay about possible sources of headaches. Which of these would be the best source of credible information he might look at to include in his research?
A. a research study from a pharmaceutical company looking for FDA approval for one of its new headache medications
B. an interview with a neurologist about the increase of patients reporting headaches related to work and family stress
C. a biology textbook explaining the anatomy of the brain
D. an essay about early dentistry written by a paleontologist who found evidence of dental work in human skeletons over 3000 years old
Read the paragraph attached.
Teeth Grinding Can Be A Real Headache
Did you know that if you suffer from nagging headaches ?including migraines, tension headaches and behind-the-eye pain ?your teeth could be the root of your problem? Involuntary and excessive clenching and grinding of the teeth (known in medical terms as bruxism) is a common condition, so prevalent that it affects 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. And this number continues to increase. It's probably no surprise to learn that bruxism can result in significant tooth wear and enamel erosion, leading to tooth surface sensitivity, chipped and fractured teeth, as well as a host of other dental issues that may require expensive treatment. But, what you may not realize is that over 90 percent of bruxism sufferers also experience headache pain caused by their teeth grinding. If you think about it, the link between teeth and jaw clenching, and headaches caused by teeth grinding, makes a lot of sense. Because the jaw is capable of exerting more than 250 pounds of force when clenching, this amount of force can crack a walnut. This extreme tooth-on-tooth force helps explain tooth wear caused by teeth grinding and may also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and potential TMJ issues from teeth grinding. The temporomandibular joints are flexible joints found on each side of your head in front of the ear. Responsible for all jaw movements including eating and talking, they are the most active joints in your body and thus endure a lot of wear and tear. They connect the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull. Excessive teeth clenching and grinding, which generally occurs during sleep, puts pressure on these joints and as a result can cause far-reaching pain in your temples, behind the eyes, in the back of your neck and through your cheeks and ears. The exact cause of bruxism is not known, but it is widely believed that stress is a primary trigger and once the stressful event has passed, the clenching and grinding usually subsides. However, the amount of damage and tooth wear caused by teeth grinding that can be done within a brief period can be significant. That is why it is so important that you seek treatment once you realize you are a teeth grinder, not only to stop your nagging headache pain, but also to prevent any further damage to your teeth. While there is no medication currently available to treat bruxism, dental experts recommend wearing a dental grind guard to protect the teeth from further damage and potentially help alleviate TMJ pain.
Which of these sentences from the attached text would best support the claim that teeth clenching or grinding should not be ignored as it can cause lasting damage?
A. While there is no medication currently available to treat bruxism; dental experts recommend wearing a dental grind guard to protect the teeth from further damage and potentially help alleviate TMJ pain.
B. Involuntary and excessive clenching and grinding of the teeth (known in medical terms as bruxism) is a common condition, so prevalent that it affects 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.
C. It's probably no surprise to learn that bruxism can result in significant tooth wear and enamel erosion, leading to tooth surface sensitivity, chipped and fractured teeth, as well as a host of other dental issues that may require expensive treatment.
D. Because the jaw is capable of exerting more than 250 pounds of force when clenching, this amount of force can crack a walnut.
Read the paragraph attached.
Teeth Grinding Can Be A Real Headache
Did you know that if you suffer from nagging headaches ?including migraines, tension headaches and behind-the-eye pain ?your teeth could be the root of your problem? Involuntary and excessive clenching and grinding of the teeth (known
in medical terms as bruxism) is a common condition, so prevalent that it affects 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. And this number continues to increase. It's probably no surprise to learn that bruxism can result in significant tooth wear and enamel
erosion, leading to tooth surface sensitivity, chipped and fractured teeth, as well as a host of other dental issues that may require expensive treatment. But, what you may not realize is that over 90 percent of bruxism sufferers also experience
headache pain caused by their teeth grinding. If you think about it, the link between teeth and jaw clenching, and headaches caused by teeth grinding, makes a lot of sense. Because the jaw is capable of exerting more than 250 pounds of
force when clenching, this amount of force can crack a walnut. This extreme tooth-on-tooth force helps explain tooth wear caused by teeth grinding and may also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and potential TMJ issues from teeth
grinding. The temporomandibular joints are flexible joints found on each side of your head in front of the ear. Responsible for all jaw movements including eating and talking, they are the most active joints in your body and thus endure a lot of
wear and tear. They connect the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull. Excessive teeth clenching and grinding, which generally occurs during sleep, puts pressure on these joints and as a result can cause far-reaching pain in your
temples, behind the eyes, in the back of your neck and through your cheeks and ears. The exact cause of bruxism is not known, but it is widely believed that stress is a primary trigger and once the stressful event has passed, the clenching
and grinding usually subsides. However, the amount of damage and tooth wear caused by teeth grinding that can be done within a brief period can be significant. That is why it is so important that you seek treatment once you realize you are
a teeth grinder, not only to stop your nagging headache pain, but also to prevent any further damage to your teeth. While there is no medication currently available to treat bruxism, dental experts recommend wearing a dental grind guard to
protect the teeth from further damage and potentially help alleviate TMJ pain.
Which of these claims does the attached paragraph support?
Claim 1: Teeth grinding can lead to long-term tooth damage.
Claim 2: Excessive teeth clenching and grinding is often done unconsciously and without realizing what is happening.
Claim 3: Brushing teeth daily with a fluoride-enhanced toothpaste can help fight the damaging effects of bruxism.
Claim 4: TMJ pain is manageable one its origins have been identified, but once a person has TMJ issues, they cannot be cured and there will be persistent issues.
Claim 5: Headache pain may be linked to your jaw and teeth.
Claim 6: The temporomandibular joint is the joint most prone to injury in the body because of the frequency of use.
A. claims 1, 3, and 6
B. claims 1, 2, and 5
C. claims 2, 4, and 5
D. claims 3, 4, and 6
Read the paragraph attached.
(1) School uniforms have a variety of benefits to the school environment. (2) First, they can help students focus more attention on their schoolwork rather than their fashion. (3) Today's students are one of the largest consumer groups in the nation and fashion is a statement students can make about themselves without saying a word. (4) Fashion is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. (5) Fashion reflects personality, but it also creates a sense of peer pressure. (6) Students who cannot afford to buy the latest fashion trends or who wear outdated clothes may be looked down upon or even bullied. (7) School uniforms help reduce the chances of cliques forming based on fashion as everyone is "equal" in their appearance. You are assigned to write an essay defending the claim that school uniforms are beneficial to student learning. Which sentence in the attached paragraph should not be included?
A. sentence 6
B. sentence 5
C. sentence 4
D. sentence 3
You are asked to write an argumentative essay in support of paternity leave being extended to new fathers. Which of these sentences would not be important to include in support of the argument?
A. Granting men paternity leave helps increase mothers' incomes as women can re-enter the workforce sooner, giving both partners an increased sense of self-worth.
B. Studies suggest that fathers who take paternity leave have an increased role in child-care-related tasks, and their involvement may have lasting impact on their children's performance in school.
C. There is a social stigma associated with men who want to take paternity leave after the birth of a child, and he may face negative criticism for this decision from friends, coworkers, and even family members
D. A child's brain develops significantly in the weeks and months following birth, and the interactions, relationships, and experiences babies are exposed to can set the stage for the rest of their lives.
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