dormant: (of an animal) having normal physical functions slowed down or stopped for a period of time; in (or as if in) a deep sleep. Blooms in Death Valley In March 2016, Death Valley National Park in California experienced a rare occurrence: thousands of yellow wildflowers covered the region in a "super bloom." Why was this unusual? Death Valley is the hottest and driest place in North America. The area's average yearly precipitation is just two inches, making it a challenging place for flowers to grow. However, in October 2015, the valley had received more than three inches of rain in some areas. As a result of the unusually wet season, wildflower seeds that had been lying dormant underground suddenly began to grow, producing an abundance of golden blooms. What is the main idea of the passage?

grant: a sum of money given by a government or other organization land formation: rocks or series of rocks having some common characteristic. What's Beneath Your Plane? As Shane Loeffler, a geology student at the University of Minnesota, was flying home from Europe, he looked down at the landscape and began to wonder what he was flying over. He realized that a plane flight would be a good opportunity for people to learn about the geological features of the earth below them. As a result of this experience, with a grant from the National Science Foundation, he created a free app called Flyover Country. The app provides users with information on natural formations, man-made features like dams, and even where fossils can be found. The features are pinpointed on a map that corresponds to the landscape below the plane. What is the main idea of the passage?

propaganda: biased or misleading information used to increase a political cause or point of view consume: eat, drink, or ingest Eat Carrots, See Better? Carrots contain high amounts of vitamin A and are good for general eye health. However, carrots will not improve night vision. That myth goes back to British propaganda during World War II. In 1940, the German Luftwaffe, or air force, began bombing Britain at night. In response, the British government ordered people to turn off their lights; the government wanted to make it difficult for German pilots to hit their targets. A new technology, radar, allowed the British air force to track and shoot down the German planes without light. To keep the technology secret, the government told the media that their pilots could see the German planes because they consumed so many carrots. Consequently, people began to believe that eating carrots would help them see better in the dark. What is the main idea of the passage?

edible: something you can eat evolved: grow or cause to grow The Evolving Human Skeleton Our early ancestors were hunter-gatherers who obtained food by hunting and by searching for edible wild plants. They needed strong bones, including large, strong jaws that enabled them to eat tough, uncooked foods. When our ancestors developed agriculture, however, their diet changed. They began growing plants, such as grains and beans, and raising animals for food; they also started cooking their foods, making them softer and easier to chew. Consequently, the human skeleton underwent radical changes. Over time, the human jaw became smaller and changed shape. Other bones also evolved, becoming lighter, especially in the joints, as result of both dietary changes and a less active lifestyle. What is the main idea of the passage?

recreational: an activity done for fun commercial: making or intended to make money Goodbye, Cod The Atlantic cod was once the mainstay of the United States fishing industry. However, warming of the ocean along the shores of New England has caused the stock of cod to disappear almost completely. According to scientists at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Gulf of Maine is heating up faster than a majority of the rest of the planet's oceans. As a result of warmer ocean waters, female cod produce fewer offspring, and these fish are less likely to survive to maturity. Even though recreational cod fishing was banned in 2014, and strict limitations were placed on the number of fish commercial fishermen could catch, these measures have not been enough to protect the cod. What is the main idea of the passage?

recreational: an activity done for fun commercial: making or intended to make money Goodbye, Cod The Atlantic cod was once the mainstay of the United States fishing industry. However, warming of the ocean along the shores of New England has caused the stock of cod to disappear almost completely. According to scientists at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the Gulf of Maine is heating up faster than a majority of the rest of the planet's oceans. As a result of warmer ocean waters, female cod produce fewer offspring, and these fish are less likely to survive to maturity. Even though recreational cod fishing was banned in 2014, and strict limitations were placed on the number of fish commercial fishermen could catch, these measures have not been enough to protect the cod. What is the text structure of this passage?

produce: (verb) to make utilized: (verb) to use; used Two Kinds of Iron The human body needs iron to produce hemoglobin, a substance that helps red blood cells transport oxygen. Without enough iron, a person may feel tired and weak. Dietary sources of iron include plant sources, such as vegetables and beans, and animal foods, including poultry, red meat, and fish. However, plant and animal sources are not equal. The iron in plants, called nonheme iron, is not easily absorbed by the human digestive system. For example, a half cup of cooked spinach contains a healthy dose of over three milligrams of iron. Unfortunately, only five percent of that iron can be used by the body. On the other hand, the iron in animal foods, called heme iron, is better utilized. Heme iron is contained within a ring of protein, which helps the body to absorb it easily. What is the main idea of the passage?

anti: against innovative: new or creative Pink Against Bullying In 2007, a boy in Nova Scotia, Canada, wore a pink polo shirt on his first day of high school. According to students, bullies threatened the boy because of his shirt color. Two seniors, David Shepherd and Travis Price, were disturbed by the bullying and came up with an innovative response. They emailed classmates, explaining the situation and suggesting that everyone wear pink the next day. They also bought fifty pink shirts to distribute at school. When the boy who had been threatened arrived for his second day of high school, he was met by hundreds of his fellow students wearing pink. The action served as a clear anti-bullying message. The news of the event quickly spread to other schools, many of which instituted their own "Pink Shirt Days." What is the main idea of the passage?

collapse: fall down alternative: another way Roach Robots to the Rescue When buildings collapse, it is extremely difficult to safely locate and rescue people trapped inside. Victims may be wedged into small spaces, and unstable rubble could collapse on rescue workers. An alternative to human rescue workers may be robotic cockroaches. Real cockroaches are protected by strong yet flexible exoskeletons. They can also flatten their bodies through tiny cracks. A robotics researcher from Harvard University and a biomechanics expert from the University of California, Berkeley, were inspired to create mini robots that have the same features. The roach robots can squeeze through small spaces and skitter over unstable environments. Fitted with cameras and microphones, they could be used in disasters to locate victims. What is the main idea of the passage?

Roach Robots to the Rescue When buildings collapse, it is extremely difficult to safely locate and rescue people trapped inside. Victims may be wedged into small spaces, and unstable rubble could collapse on rescue workers. An alternative to human rescue workers may be robotic cockroaches. Real cockroaches are protected by strong yet flexible exoskeletons. They can also flatten their bodies through tiny cracks. A robotics researcher from Harvard University and a biomechanics expert from the University of California, Berkeley, were inspired to create mini robots that have the same features. The roach robots can squeeze through small spaces and skitter over unstable environments. Fitted with cameras and microphones, they could be used in disasters to locate victims. What is this passage's text structure?

reduces: lessens transfer: bring or send Get Your Zzzs If you've ever had a sleepless night, you know that a lack of sleep can make you feel sluggish. Yet failing to get a good night's sleep can also have more serious consequences. Sleep plays an important role in the process of learning new information. A lack of sleep reduces a person's ability to pay attention and concentrate, which makes learning more difficult. In addition, sleep is necessary for remembering information. In 2009, researchers discovered that brain patterns called sharp wave–ripple complexes consolidate memories—that is, fix them in the brain—and transfer them to long-term storage. These brain waves happen most often during the deepest phases of sleep. Thus, you may have a hard time remembering what you learned during the day if you don't get enough sleep. What is the main idea of the passage?

boasts: talk with pride distinctive: different; unique See the title of this passage? It provides a clue on the main idea. Midwestern Cheeses A majority of the cheesemaking plants in the United States are located in the Midwest; Wisconsin alone boasts more than one hundred creameries. Some cheese experts claim the best cheese made in America comes from this region. Why are Midwestern cheeses so good? One reason is that grass grows well there, so cows can graze year-round. The milk of grass-fed cows has a distinctive, earthy flavor. In addition, limestone rock is prevalent in the Midwest. When water flows through limestone, the limestone filters iron out of the water, resulting in a sweeter taste. Cows drink this water and eat grass nourished by the water, so they produce sweeter milk. What is the main idea of the passage?

noteworthy: interesting, significant, or unusual suited: right or appropriate for something Résumé or CV? When applying for a new job, you may be asked to submit a résumé or a CV. Both documents serve as an introduction and provide information that is useful to employers. The word résumé is French and means "summary." A résumé presents an overview of your employment history and education. CV is short for the Latin phrase curriculum vitae and translates as "the course of my life." Like a résumé, a CV provides a review of your work history and education, though it often goes into more detail about work history. In addition, a CV includes special skills, noteworthy accomplishments, and any personal traits that make you especially suited for the job. What is the main idea of the passage?

Résumé or CV? When applying for a new job, you may be asked to submit a résumé or a CV. Both documents serve as an introduction and provide information that is useful to employers. The word résumé is French and means "summary." A résumé presents an overview of your employment history and education. CV is short for the Latin phrase curriculum vitae and translates as "the course of my life." Like a résumé, a CV provides a review of your work history and education, though it often goes into more detail about work history. In addition, a CV includes special skills, noteworthy accomplishments, and any personal traits that make you especially suited for the job. What is the text structure of the passage?

Black mambas are fast, aggressive, and venomous. It's no wonder that they're considered the world's deadliest snake. In general, the snakes actually try to avoid confrontation. However, a perceived threat to a black mamba will result in several reactions meant to warn a potential victim. First, the black mamba raises its head, spreads out its neck-flap, opens its black mouth, and hisses. A threat that continues will lead to a more dangerous reaction: the mamba will bite its victim repeatedly, injecting its poisonous venom. For most of history, a mamba bite would mean certain death. Today, though, an effective antivenom is available. According to the text, which is correct?

The grizzly is a large, powerful bear standing about six feet tall and weighing approximately eight hundred pounds. Due to the bear's impressive size and intimidating strength, many early settlers who explored the American west documented their encounters with the bear. When Lewis and Clark were traveling to the Pacific in 1805, for example, Lewis recorded how grizzlies surrounded their camp in Montana. As settlers continued to push westward, grizzlies were hunted and pushed out. Therefore, the majority of grizzlies in the American west have disappeared. Today, it's estimated that only one thousand grizzlies remain in the United States. What is the text structure of this passage?

Although the U.S. women's hockey team clinched the 2016 world championship, players were paid far less than male hockey players. The women threatened to boycott the 2017 world championship until their demands for fairer treatment were met. Days before the deadline, they reached an agreement with U.S.A. Hockey and took to the ice. The U.S. women's soccer team also faced a similar issue. Though they have been hugely successful, their pay was not equal to the men's team. In 2016, they filed a complaint against the U.S. Soccer Federation, resulting in better wages and benefits. What is the text structure of this passage?

In the event of a global disaster, how can governments prevent a crippling loss of resources? One safety measure is the Doomsday Vault, established in 2008. The vault is located in an arctic region of Norway and contains nearly one million seed samples of important foods crops. The seeds can be used to restart agricultural production in case some varieties are wiped out. Another vault in the same region helps protect information rather than seeds. At the Arctic World Archive, documents and archives from around the world are stored safely offline, so there's no threat of cyber attack. What is the text structure of this passage?

In the event of a global disaster, how can governments prevent a crippling loss of resources? One safety measure is the Doomsday Vault, established in 2008. The vault is located in an arctic region of Norway and contains nearly one million seed samples of important foods crops. The seeds can be used to restart agricultural production in case some varieties are wiped out. Another vault in the same region helps protect information rather than seeds. At the Arctic World Archive, documents and archives from around the world are stored safely offline, so there's no threat of cyber attack. What is the problem and solution of this passage?

A fact can be proven. An opinion is something a person believes, thinks, and feels. Which of the following is a fact?

Members of the American Political Science Association once rated Abraham Lincoln as the greatest president in the history of the United States. Fact or Opinion?

In a 2013 survey, the majority of college students in the U.S. and Germany said that they prefer reading print books to using digital readers. Fact or Opinion?

Which of the following is a fact?

J.R.R Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" are two of the best-selling novels ever published. Fact or Opinion?