READING COMPREHENSION
Questions 1–10 are based on the following passage, which was
written in 1992 by France Bequette, a writer who specializes
... [Show More] in
environmental issues.
The ozone layer, the fragile layer of gas surrounding our planet
between 7 and 30 miles above the Earth’s surface, is being rapidly
depleted. Seasonally occurring holes have appeared in it over the
Poles and, recently, over densely populated temperate regions of the
northern hemisphere. The threat is serious because the ozone layer
protects the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which is harmful
to all living organisms.
Even though the layer is many miles thick, the atmosphere in it is
tenuous and the total amount of ozone, compared with other
atmospheric gases, is small. Ozone is highly reactive to chlorine,
hydrogen, and nitrogen. Of these, chlorine is the most dangerous
since it is very stable and long-lived. When chlorine compounds reach
the stratosphere, they bond with and destroy ozone molecules, with
consequent repercussions for life on Earth.
In 1958, researchers began noticing seasonal variations in the
ozone layer above the South Pole. Between June and October the
ozone content steadily fell, followed by a sudden increase in
November. These fluctuations appeared to result from the natural
effects of wind and temperature. But while the low October levels
remained constant until 1979, the total ozone content over the Pole
was steadily diminishing. In 1985, public opinion was finally roused by
reports of a ―hole‖ in the layer.
The culprits responsible for the hole were identified as compounds
known as chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs. CFCs are compounds of
chlorine and fluorine. Nonflammable, nontoxic, and noncorrosive, theyhave been widely used in industry since the 1950s, mostly as
refrigerants and propellants and in making plastic foam and insulation.
In 1989 CFCs represented a sizeable market valued at over $1.5
billion and a labor force of 1.6 million. But with CFCs implicated in
ozone depletion, the question arose as to whether we were willing to
risk an increase in cases of skin cancer, eye ailments, even a lowering
of the human immune defense system—all effects of further loss of
the ozone layer. And not only humans would suffer. So would plant
life. Phytoplankton, the first link in the ocean food chain and vital to the
survival of most marine species, would not be able to survive near the
ocean surface, which is where these organisms grow.
In 1990, 70 countries agreed to stop producing CFCs by the year
2000. In late 1991, however, scientists noticed a depletion of the
ozone layer over the Arctic. In 1992 it was announced that the layer
was depleting faster than expected and that it was also declining over
the northern hemisphere. Scientists believe that natural events are
making the problem worse. The Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines,
which erupted in June 1991, released 12 million tons of damaging
volcanic gases into the atmosphere.
Even if the whole world agreed today to stop all production and
use of CFCs, this would not solve the problem. A single chlorine
molecule can destroy 10,000–100,000 molecules of ozone.
Furthermore, CFCs have a lifespan of 75–400 years and they take ten
years to reach the ozone layer. In other words, what we are
experiencing today results from CFCs emitted ten years ago.
Researchers are working hard to find substitute products. Some are
too dangerous because they are highly flammable; others may prove
to be toxic and to contribute to the greenhouse effect—to the process
of global warming. Nevertheless, even if here is no denying that the
atmosphere is in a state of disturbance, nobody can say that the
situation will not improve, either in the short or the long term,
especially if we ourselves lend a hand.
1. Which is the main idea of the second paragraph?
(A) The ozone layer is fragile and needs protection.
(B) Ozone is highly reactive to chlorine, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
(C) Chlorine compounds pose a significant risk to the ozone layer.(D) Chlorine is stable and long-lived.
2. Which is the meaning of the word repercussions as used inthe
second paragraph?
(A) Conclusions.
(B) Effects.
(C) Injuries.
(D) Questions.
3. Which information is not given as a detail in the passage?
(A)CFCs take ten years to reach the ozone layer.
(B)Phytoplankton live near the surface of the ocean.
(C)Loss of the ozone layer could lead to an increase in skin cancer
rates.
(D) CFCs were phased out as a result of the Montreal Protocol.
4. Which answer option is the best summary of the passage?
(A)The ozone layer is located between 7 and 30 miles above the
surface of the Earth, and it is in danger as a consequence of
global warming.
(B)Depletion of the ozone layer can lead to higher rates of skin
cancer and widespread loss of ocean life, and banning CFCs will
help solve this problem.
(C)The ozone layer is at risk of significant depletion due to the
presence CFCs in the atmosphere, even if further CFC use were
to stop completely. However, humans can improve the situation if
they rise to the challenge.
(D)CFCs are chemical compounds widely used in refrigerants and
propellants. The compounds are dangerous to the ozone layer
but represent more than $1.5 billion in revenue to plastics and
chemical companies.
5. Why does the author mention phytoplankton in the fifth paragraph?(A)To show that a depleted ozone layer affects more than just
humans.
(B) To show how fragile ocean life can be.
(C) To compare the value of marine species to the value of CFCs.
(D) To explain where much of the planet’s photosynthesis occurs.
6. Which is the author’s primary purpose in writing this piece?
(A)To convince readers to stop using CFCs.
(B)To inform readers about the dangers of CFCs.
(C)To argue that the planet is warming due to a depleted ozone
layer.
(D) To explain the nature of the ozone layer.
7. Which statement is an opinion?
(A)The ozone layer has shown steady depletion for several
decades.
(B)Chlorine-based compounds can be especially dangerous to the
ozone layer because of chlorine’s stability and longevity.
(C)CFCs represented more than $1.5 billion in market value in 1989.
(D)CFCs pose a greater long-term threat to human well-being than
any other risk factor.
8. Which detail supports the idea that CFCs pose a long-term threatto
the ozone layer?
(A)A single chlorine molecule can destroy 10,000–100,000 ozone
molecules.
(B) CFCs have been in wide use since the 1950s.
(C)CFCs have a lifespan of 75–400 years and take ten years to
reach the ozone layer.
(D)The ozone layer protects the Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet
radiation.9. Why does the author mention the Arctic in the sixth paragraph?
(A)To illustrate how ozone depletion has worsened and spread.
(B)To provide a counterargument to the idea that ozone depletion is
a global problem.
(C)To show that natural phenomena can also play a role in ozone
depletion.
(D) To explain how weather patterns affect the ozone layer.
10. Which is the meaning of the word fluctuations as used inthe
second paragraph?
(A) Damages.
(B) Depletions.
(C) Variations.
(D) Uncertainties.
VOCABULARY
1. Select the meaning of the underlined word in thefollowing
sentence.
Through simple diffusion, oxygen can permeate the cell membrane.
(A) Pass through.
(B) Dissolve.
(C) Damage.
(D) Reinforce.
2. Select the meaning of the underlined word in the following
sentence.
After tests were completed, he was told that the growth on his leg
was benign.(A) Spreading.
(B) Cancerous.
(C) Harmless.
(D) Common.
3. Which is the best definition of the word vascular?
(A) Pertaining to breathing.
(B) Pertaining to blood vessels.
(C) Pertaining to dementia.
(D) Pertaining to the heart.
4. Select the meaning of the underlined word in thefollowing
sentence.
After noting that the patient’s mood was labile, the nursediscovered
that he had stopped taking his prescribed antipsychotic medication.
(A) Elevated.
(B) Depressed.
(C) Hostile.
(D) Unstable.
5. Which word meaning ―provided evidence against‖ best fits inthe
sentence?
The patient’s continued dizziness and slurred speech
his discharge from the hospital.
(A) Conducted.
(B) Contraindicated.
(C) Contracted.
(D) Constricted.
6. Select the meaning of the underlined word in the followingsentence.
Although the victim was struck by a cyclist at high speed, she was
ambulatory when she arrived at the emergency room.
(A) Able to walk.
(B) Able to be carried.
(C) Losing consciousness.
(D) Transported by a vehicle.
7. Which is the best definition of the word transdermal?
(A) Through or by way of the skin.
(B) Through or by way of the mouth.
(C) Through or by way of the blood.
(D) Through or by way of the extremities.
8. Which word meaning ―sample‖ best fits in the sentence?
The nurse took the patient’s tissue to the lab for
testing.
(A) Necropsy.
(B) Specimen.
(C) Example.
(D) Spectrum.
9. Which is the best definition of the word therapeutic?
(A) Toxic.
(B) Prescribed.
(C) Additional.
(D) Curative.
10. Which word meaning ―open‖ best fits in the following sentence?The nurse had to ensure that the victim maintained a/an
airway during the procedure.
(A) Occluded.
(B) Constricted.
(C) Patent.
(D) Latent.
GRAMMAR
1. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
(A) There are not nearly enough sterile needles to administer the
vaccination to everyone.
(B) Despite the doctor’s warning, he was not ready for the strong
affects of the medication.
(C) Her and me both took patients up to Radiology at around the
same time.
(D) The couple claimed that the unattended backpack turned in to
the reception desk was their’s.
2. Select the best words for the blanks in the following sentence.
Anyone who drive a manual transmission vehicle
also be able to drive an automatic transmission vehicle.
(A) Shall; shall not.
(B) Might; must not.
(C) Should; can.
(D) Can; should.
3. Which word is used incorrectly in this sentence?
The difference among ibuprofen and aspirin is significant,
particularly with regard to side effects.(A) Difference.
(B) Among.
(C) Is.
(D) With.
4. Which sentence is grammatically incorrect?
(A) The gurney which was in the hallway belonged to the ambulance
service, while the gurney in the drop-off bay belonged to the
hospital.
(B) There was a large amount of paperwork still incomplete when he
was admitted.
(C) Hannah thought she did badly on her test, but she ended up
scoring near the top of her class.
(D) The nurse read off the list of potential side effects to the blind
patient.
5. Which word from the following sentence is an adverb?
Gerry often found himself checking in with other night-shift staff
during his off-hours.
(A) Often.
(B) In.
(C) Other.
(D) During.
6. Which word is used incorrectly in this sentence?
The patients in the urgent care facility had been waiting forhours
and was growing impatient.
(A) Facility.
(B) Had.
(C) Waiting.(D) Was.
7. Which word from the following sentence is a conjunction?
The nurse could not find an available examination room, so he
conducted the screening in an empty office.
(A) Could.
(B) Available.
(C) So.
(D) [Show Less]