Welcome to your Reading and Writing - Module 1
While researching misinformation, a communications student gathered these notes: • Social media algorithms prioritize engagement over accuracy • Emotionally provocative content spreads faster than neutral information • Corrections often fail to reach audiences who saw original false claims • "Illusory truth effect" makes repeated exposure increase perceived credibility • Prebunking (warning about manipulation tactics) shows promise • Media literacy education has mixed effectiveness • Platform interventions like labels have limited impact The student wants to explain why misinformation persists despite correction efforts. Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Anthropologists studying food taboos have observed that prohibitions against certain foods often serve social functions beyond nutrition or hygiene. Shared dietary restrictions create group identity and distinguish communities from their neighbors. The avoidance of pork among Jews and Muslims, beef among Hindus, and various animals among different Indigenous peoples reinforces cultural boundaries and transmits values across __________. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The following text is from Jane Austen's 1813 novel "Pride and Prejudice." It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. What tone does Austen establish through these opening lines?
The following text is from Toni Morrison's 1987 novel "Beloved." 124 was spiteful. Full of a baby's venom. The women in the house knew it and so did the children. For years each put up with the spite in his own way, but by 1873 Sethe and her daughter Denver were its only victims. The grandmother, Baby Suggs, was dead, and the sons, Howard and Buglar, had run away by the time they were thirteen years old—as soon as merely looking in a mirror shattered it. What effect does Morrison create through her opening sentences?
While researching sleep disorders, a medical student compiled these notes: • Insomnia affects approximately 30% of adults at some point • Chronic insomnia correlates with increased risk of depression and anxiety • Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production • Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) shows 70-80% effectiveness • Sleep medications carry risks of dependency and next-day impairment • Consistent sleep schedules help regulate circadian rhythms • Caffeine has a half-life of 5-6 hours affecting sleep quality The student wants to recommend non-pharmaceutical interventions for insomnia. Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Volcanologists monitoring active volcanoes use multiple indicators to forecast eruptions, including seismic activity, ground deformation, gas emissions, and thermal anomalies. No single indicator reliably predicts eruptions, but changes across multiple parameters often precede volcanic events. __________ successful prediction requires integrating diverse data streams and understanding each volcano's unique behavioral patterns, as volcanoes that have been dormant for centuries may behave differently than those erupting frequently. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Economists studying the gig economy have noted fundamental shifts in how people conceptualize work and employment. Traditional employment offered stability, benefits, and predictable income in exchange for fixed schedules and employer control. Gig work promises flexibility and autonomy but transfers risk to workers who must navigate fluctuating demand, provide their own equipment, and forgo employer-sponsored benefits. __________ this trade-off affects workers differently depending on their financial security and access to alternative safety nets. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Jazz emerged in early twentieth-century New Orleans from the convergence of African American musical traditions, including blues, ragtime, and spirituals. The genre's emphasis on improvisation distinguished it from classical music's reliance on written scores. Musicians developed distinctive styles through spontaneous creativity within established harmonic frameworks. __________ improvisational nature made jazz a vehicle for individual expression while maintaining connection to collective musical traditions. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, transformed European society by making written material accessible beyond monasteries and universities. Before this innovation, books were laboriously copied by hand, making them expensive and rare. The press enabled mass production of texts, accelerating the spread of ideas during the Renaissance and Reformation. __________ revolutionary impact on knowledge dissemination has led historians to compare it to the internet's effect on modern information sharing. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The mimic octopus, discovered in 1998 off the coast of Indonesia, possesses an extraordinary ability that distinguishes it from other cephalopods. While many octopuses can change color and texture for camouflage, the mimic octopus actually impersonates other marine animals. Scientists have documented it copying the appearance and movements of lionfish, flatfish, sea snakes, and jellyfish. This behavioral flexibility suggests a level of cognitive sophistication that researchers are only beginning to understand. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? The mimic octopus's ability to imitate multiple species demonstrates remarkable behavioral __________.
Recent advances in CRISPR gene editing technology have enabled precise modifications to DNA sequences, raising hopes for treating genetic diseases previously considered incurable. Scientists have successfully corrected mutations causing sickle cell disease in laboratory settings, and clinical trials are underway for various conditions. __________ the technology also raises ethical concerns about potential misuse, particularly regarding heritable modifications that would affect future generations. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Historians analyzing the Civil Rights Movement have increasingly emphasized the grassroots organizing that preceded and enabled landmark legislation. While figures like Martin Luther King Jr. provided crucial leadership and visibility, thousands of lesser-known activists built local organizations, registered voters, and sustained communities through years of dangerous work. __________ acknowledging these contributions provides a more complete understanding of how social change actually occurs. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Psychologist Carol Dweck's research distinguishes between "fixed mindset"—believing abilities are innate and unchangeable—and "growth mindset"—believing abilities develop through effort and practice. Students with growth mindsets embrace challenges as learning opportunities rather than threats to their self-image. When encountering difficulty, they persist rather than withdraw, viewing struggle as evidence of learning rather than lack of ability. __________ educational interventions teaching growth mindset have improved academic outcomes across diverse student populations. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Behavioral economists studying charitable giving have identified that donors respond more strongly to individual stories than to statistical information about need. A photograph and biography of one suffering child elicits more donations than data showing millions affected by famine. This "identifiable victim effect" presents challenges for organizations addressing large-scale problems, as the suffering most amenable to emotional connection may not represent the most __________ use of charitable resources. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?
The placebo effect—improvement in symptoms after receiving inactive treatments—demonstrates the powerful connection between mind and body in healing. Patients who believe they are receiving effective medication often experience genuine physiological changes, including altered brain chemistry and reduced inflammation. Remarkably, some studies show placebo effects even when patients know they are receiving placebos, suggesting that the ritual of treatment itself carries therapeutic __________. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?
Marine biologists have observed that coral reefs, despite covering less than one percent of the ocean floor, support approximately twenty-five percent of all marine species. These underwater ecosystems provide nursery habitats for commercially important fish, protect coastlines from storm damage, and generate billions in tourism revenue. The ongoing degradation of coral reefs through warming oceans, acidification, and pollution therefore represents not merely an ecological crisis but an economic and social __________ as well. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?
Forensic botanists analyze plant evidence to solve crimes, using pollen, seeds, leaves, and wood fragments to establish timelines and locations. A body discovered in a forest might carry pollen from plants that bloom only during specific seasons, helping investigators determine when death occurred. Similarly, plant material on a suspect's clothing can place them at a crime scene. This specialized field combines botanical expertise with criminal investigation techniques. The text suggests that forensic botany is primarily valuable because it can:
The following text is from Ralph Ellison's 1952 novel "Invisible Man." I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I have been surrounded by mirrors of hard, distorting glass. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination—indeed, everything and anything except me. What does the narrator suggest about his "invisibility"?
Urban beekeeping has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity over the past decade, with rooftop hives appearing on hotels, restaurants, and corporate buildings in major cities worldwide. Proponents argue that urban bees face fewer pesticides than their rural counterparts and benefit from the diverse flowering plants found in parks and gardens. However, some ecologists worry that the influx of honeybees may compete with native pollinators for limited floral resources. Which choice best describes the function of the last sentence in the text?
The concept of "food miles"—the distance food travels from farm to consumer—has influenced consumer behavior and environmental policy. Advocates argue that locally grown food reduces transportation emissions and supports regional economies. __________ recent research complicates this narrative, demonstrating that production methods often matter more than transportation distance. A tomato grown in a heated greenhouse nearby may have a larger carbon footprint than one shipped from a region where it grows naturally outdoors. Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition?
Researchers studying bilingualism have documented cognitive advantages extending beyond language itself. Bilingual individuals frequently outperform monolinguals on tasks requiring attention switching, inhibitory control, and mental flexibility. These executive function benefits appear to result from the constant practice of managing two language systems—suppressing one language while using another. Some studies suggest these cognitive advantages may even delay the onset of dementia symptoms by several years, making bilingualism a potential factor in long-term brain health. Based on the text, which statement best describes the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive function?
Neuroscientists investigating phantom limb pain—sensations seemingly originating from amputated limbs—have developed mirror therapy as a treatment. Patients view their intact limb's reflection positioned to appear where the missing limb would be. Moving the intact limb while watching its reflection often reduces phantom pain, apparently by resolving conflicts between motor commands and sensory feedback. This counterintuitive treatment illustrates how the brain constructs bodily experience through integration of multiple __________. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?
Archaeologists excavating ancient Mesopotamian sites have uncovered clay tablets containing the earliest known written legal codes. The Code of Hammurabi, dating to approximately 1754 BCE, prescribed specific punishments for various offenses, establishing the principle that laws should be publicly displayed and consistently applied. __________ legal philosophy influenced subsequent civilizations and remains foundational to modern jurisprudence. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Cognitive psychologists studying decision-making have identified "anchoring bias"—the tendency to rely heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making judgments. In negotiations, the initial offer powerfully influences final outcomes regardless of its reasonableness. Real estate agents exploit this bias by showing overpriced properties first, making subsequent listings seem like bargains. Understanding anchoring helps explain why first impressions, whether of prices or people, prove so __________ to subsequent revision. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?
The discovery of high-temperature superconductors in 1986 revolutionized materials science and earned its discoverers a Nobel Prize. Traditional superconductors required cooling to near absolute zero, making practical applications extremely limited. The new materials, while still requiring significant cooling, operated at temperatures achievable with liquid nitrogen rather than expensive liquid helium. This breakthrough opened possibilities for more __________ applications in power transmission, medical imaging, and magnetic levitation. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?
While researching renewable energy, an environmental science student gathered these notes: • Solar panel efficiency has increased from 6% in 1954 to over 20% today • Solar installation costs have dropped 90% since 2010 • Intermittency remains a challenge—solar produces no power at night • Battery storage technology is improving but adds significant cost • Solar farms require large land areas that may compete with agriculture • Rooftop solar reduces transmission losses and land use concerns • Solar manufacturing has environmental impacts including toxic materials The student wants to present solar energy's promise while acknowledging limitations. Which choice most effectively uses information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Ecologists studying keystone species—organisms whose impact on ecosystems far exceeds their abundance—have documented dramatic cascading effects when these species are removed or reintroduced. When wolves returned to Yellowstone National Park after seventy years of absence, they reduced elk populations and altered elk grazing patterns. Vegetation recovered along streams, stabilizing riverbanks and providing habitat for songbirds and beavers. These far-reaching consequences from a single species' presence demonstrate ecosystem __________. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word?
