SAT Practice Test 8

Reading Test

65 Minutes 52 Questions

This section corresponds to Section 1 of your answer sheet.

Directions: Read each passage or pair of passages, then answer the questions that follow. Choose your answers based on what the passage(s) and any accompanying graphics state or imply.

1. 1. Questions 1–10 are based on the following passage.

   2. This passage is adapted from “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, a famous story that combines elements of fantasy and reality. This excerpt begins with the protagonist realizing he has literally turned into a giant, beetle-like insect.

      One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armor-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked. “What’s happened to me?” he thought. It wasn’t a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table—Samsa was a travelling salesman—and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer. Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. Drops of rain could be heard hitting the pane, which made him feel quite sad. “How about if I sleep a little bit longer and forget all this nonsense,” he thought, but that was something he was unable to do because he was used to sleeping on his right, and in his present state couldn’t get into that position. However hard he threw himself onto his right, he always rolled back to where he was. He must have tried it a hundred times, shut his eyes so that he wouldn’t have to look at the floundering legs, and only stopped when he began to feel a mild, dull pain there that he had never felt before.       He thought, “What a strenuous career it is that I’ve chosen! Travelling day in and day out. Doing business like this takes much more effort than doing your own business at home, and on top of that there’s the curse of travelling, worries about making train connections, bad and irregular food, contact with different people all the time so that you can never get to know anyone or become friendly with them.” He felt a slight itch up on his belly; pushed himself slowly up on his back towards the headboard so that he could lift his head better; found where the itch was, and saw that it was covered with lots of little white spots which he didn’t know what to make of; and when he tried to feel the place with one of his legs he drew it quickly back because as soon as he touched it he was overcome by a cold shudder. He slid back into his former position. “Getting up early all the time,” he thought, “it makes you stupid. You’ve got to get enough sleep. Other travelling salesmen live a life of luxury. For instance, whenever I go back to the guest house during the morning to copy out the contract, these gentlemen are always still sitting there eating their breakfasts. I ought to just try that with my boss; I’d get kicked out on the spot. But who knows, maybe that would be the best thing for me. If I didn’t have my parents to think about I’d have given in my notice a long time ago, I’d have gone up to the boss and told him just what I think, tell him everything I would, let him know just what I feel. He’d fall right off his desk! And it’s a funny sort of business to be sitting up there at your desk, talking down at your subordinates from up there, especially when you have to go right up close because the boss is hard of hearing. Well, there’s still some hope; once I’ve got the money together to pay off my parents’ debt to him—another five or six years I suppose—that’s definitely what I’ll do. That’s when I’ll make the big change. First of all though, I’ve got to get up, my train leaves at five.”

   1. According to the passage, Gregor initially believes his transformation is a

      1. curse.
      2. disease.
      3. nightmare.
      4. hoax.

   2. As used in line 12, “proper” most nearly means

      1. called for by rules or conventions.
      2. showing politeness.
      3. naturally belonging or peculiar to.
      4. suitably appropriate.

   3. The passage most strongly suggests which of the following about Gregor’s attitude toward his profession?

      1. He is resentful.
      2. He is diligent.
      3. He is depressed.
      4. He is eager to please.

   4. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

      1. Lines 14–18 (“A collection . . . gilded frame”)
      2. Lines 22–24 (“Gregor then turned . . . quite sad”)
      3. Lines 54–60 (“Other . . . the spot”)
      4. Lines 66–70 (“And it’s . . . hard of hearing”)

   5. What central idea does the passage communicate through Gregor’s experiences?

      1. Imagination is a dangerous thing.
      2. People are fearful of change.
      3. Dreams become our reality.
      4. Humankind is a slave to work.

   6. The passage most strongly suggests that which of the following is true of Gregor?

      1. He feels a strong sense of duty toward his family.
      2. He is unable to cope with change.
      3. He excels in his profession.
      4. He is fearful about his transformation.

   7. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

      1. Lines 11–14 (“What’s happened . . . familiar walls”)
      2. Lines 22–24 (“Gregor then turned . . . quite sad”)
      3. Lines 36–43 (“Doing business . . . with them”)
      4. Lines 70–73 (“Well, there’s still . . . what I’ll do”)

   8. As used in line 33, “floundering” most nearly means

      1. thrashing.
      2. painful.
      3. pitiful.
      4. trembling.

   9. The author most likely includes a description of Gregor’s itch in lines 43–51 to

      1. remind the reader that Gregor has turned into an insect.
      2. emphasize the disconnect between Gregor’s thoughts and his actual situation.
      3. give important details about what Gregor’s new body looks like.
      4. show that Gregor’s thoughts are focused on the changes to his body.

   10. The function of the final sentence of the excerpt (“First of all though, I’ve got to get up, my train leaves at five”) is to

       1. provide a resolution to the conflict Gregor faces.
       2. foreshadow the conflict between Gregor and his boss.
       3. illustrate Gregor’s resilience and ability to move on.
       4. emphasize Gregor’s extreme sense of duty.

2. 1. Questions 11–20 are based on the following passage.

   2. This passage is adapted from Hillary Rodham Clinton’s speech titled “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights,” addressed to the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995.

      If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, it is that human rights are women’s rights. . . . And women’s rights are human rights. Let us not forget that among those rights are the right to speak freely and the right to be heard. Women must enjoy the right to participate fully in the social and political lives of their countries if we want freedom and democracy to thrive and endure. It is indefensible that many women in nongovernmental organizations who wished to partic- ipate in this conference have not been able to attend— or have been prohibited from fully taking part. Let me be clear. Freedom means the right of people to assemble, organize, and debate openly. It means respecting the views of those who may disagree with the views of their governments. It means not taking citizens away from their loved ones and jailing them, mistreating them, or denying them their freedom or dignity because of the peaceful expression of their ideas and opinions. In my country, we recently celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of women’s suffrage. It took one hundred and fifty years after the signing of our Declaration of Independence for women to win the right to vote. It took seventy-two years of organized struggle on the part of many courageous women and men. It was one of America’s most divisive philosophical wars. But it was also a bloodless war. Suffrage was achieved without a shot fired. We have also been reminded, in V-J Day observances last weekend, of the good that comes when men and women join together to combat the forces of tyranny and build a better world.       We have seen peace prevail in most places for a half century. We have avoided another world war. But we have not solved older, deeply-rooted problems that continue to diminish the potential of half the world’s population.       Now it is time to act on behalf of women everywhere. If we take bold steps to better the lives of women, we will be taking bold steps to better the lives of chil- dren and families too. Families rely on mothers and wives for emotional support and care; families rely on women for labor in the home; and increasingly, families rely on women for income needed to raise healthy children and care for other relatives. As long as discrimination and inequities remain so commonplace around the world—as long as girls and women are valued less, fed less, fed last, overworked, underpaid, not schooled and subjected to violence in and out of their homes— the potential of the human family to create a peaceful, prosperous world will not be realized. Let this conference be our—and the world’s— call to action. And let us heed the call so that we can create a world in which every woman is treated with respect and dignity, every boy and girl is loved and cared for equally, and every family has the hope of a strong and stable future.

   11. What is the primary purpose of the passage?

       1. To chastise those who have prevented women from attending the conference
       2. To argue that women continue to experience discrimination
       3. To explain that human rights are of more concern than women’s rights
       4. To encourage people to think of women’s rights as an issue important to all

   12. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 4–5 (“Let us . . . be heard”)
       2. Lines 9–12 (“It is indefensible . . . taking part”)
       3. Lines 37–39 (“But we have . . . population”)
       4. Lines 44–48 (“Families . . . other relatives”)

   13. As used in line 28, “divisive” most nearly means

       1. conflict-producing.
       2. carefully watched.
       3. multi-purpose.
       4. time-consuming.

   14. Based on the speech, with which statement would Clinton most likely agree?

       1. More men should be the primary caregivers of their children in order to provide career opportunities for women.
       2. Women do not need the support and cooperation of men as they work toward equality.
       3. Solutions for global problems would be found faster if women had more access to power.
       4. The American movement for women’s suffrage should have been violent in order to achieve success more quickly.

   15. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 6–8 (“Women . . . endure”)
       2. Line 30 (“Suffrage . . . shot fired”)
       3. Lines 44–48 (“Families . . . other relatives”)
       4. Lines 49–55 (“As long . . . realized”)

   16. As used in line 26, “organized” most nearly means

       1. arranged.
       2. cooperative.
       3. hierarchical.
       4. patient.

   17. Which claim does Clinton make in her speech?

       1. The conference itself is a model of nondiscrimination toward women.
       2. Democracy cannot prosper unless women can participate fully in it.
       3. Women’s rights are restricted globally by the demands on them as parents.
       4. Women are being forced to provide income for their families as a result of sexism.

   18. Clinton uses the example of V-J Day observations to support the argument that

       1. campaigns succeed when they are nonviolent.
       2. historical wrongs against women must be corrected.
       3. many tragedies could have been avoided with more female participation.
       4. cooperation between men and women leads to positive developments.

   19. According to lines 35–39, problems that affect women

       1. harm half of the world’s women.
       2. are worldwide and long-standing.
       3. could be eliminated in half a century.
       4. are isolated to a few less developed countries.

   20. The fifth paragraph (lines 13–20) can be described as

       1. a distillation of the author’s main argument.
       2. an acknowledgment of a counterargument.
       3. a veiled criticism of a group.
       4. a defense against an accusation.

3. 1. Questions 21–31 are based on the following passages and supplementary material.

   2. The following passages discuss the history and traditions associated with tea.

      Passage 1

      Europe was a coffee-drinking continent before it became a tea-drinking one. Tea was grown in China, thousands of miles away. The opening of trade routes with the Far East in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries gave Europeans their first taste of tea. However, it was an unpromising start for the beverage, because shipments arrived stale, and European tea drinkers miscalculated the steeping time and measurements. This was a far cry from the Chinese preparation techniques, known as a “tea ceremony,” which had strict steps and called for steeping in iron pots at precise temperatures and pouring into porcelain bowls. China had a monopoly on the tea trade and kept their tea cultivation techniques secret. Yet as worldwide demand grew, tea caught on in Europe. Some proprietors touted tea as a cure for maladies. Several European tea companies formed, including the English East India Company. In 1669, it imported 143.5 pounds of tea—very little compared to the 32 million pounds that were imported by 1834. Europeans looked for ways to circumvent China’s monopoly, but their attempts to grow the tea plant (Latin name Camellia sinensis) failed. Some plants perished in transit from the East. But most often the growing climate wasn’t right, not even in the equatorial colonies that the British, Dutch, and French controlled. In 1763, the French Academy of Sciences gave up, declaring the tea plant unique to China and unable to be grown anywhere else. Swedish and English botanists grew tea in botanical gardens, but this was not enough to meet demand.       After trial and error with a plant variety discovered in the Assam district of India, the British managed to establish a source to meet the growing demands of British tea drinkers. In May 1838, the first batch of India-grown tea shipped to London. The harvest was a mere 350 pounds and arrived in November. It sold for between 16 and 34 shillings per pound. Perfecting production methods took many years, but ultimately, India became the world’s largest tea-producing country. By the early 1900s, annual production of India tea exceeded 350 million pounds. This voluminous source was a major factor in tea becoming the staple of European households that it is today.

      Passage 2

      In Europe, there’s a long tradition of taking afternoon tea. Tea time, typically four o’clock, means not just enjoying a beverage, but taking time out to gather and socialize. The occasion is not identical across Europe, though; just about every culture has its own way of doing things.       In France, for example, black tea is served with sugar, milk, or lemon and is almost always accompanied by a pastry. Rather than sweet pastries, the French prefer the savory kind, such as the gougère, or puff pastry, infused with cheese.       Germans, by contrast, put a layer of slowly melting candy at the bottom of their teacup and top the tea with cream. German tea culture is strongest in the eastern part of the country, and during the week tea is served with cookies, while on the weekend or for special events, cakes are served. The Germans think of tea as a good cure for headaches and stress. Russia also has a unique tea culture, rooted in the formalism of its aristocratic classes. Loose leaf black tea is served in a glass held by a podstakannik, an ornate holder with a handle typically made from silver or chrome—though sometimes it may be goldplated. Brewed separately, the tea is then diluted with boiled water and served strong. The strength of the tea is seen as a measure of the host’s hospitality. Traditionally, tea is taken by the entire family and served after a large meal with jams and pastries. Great Britain has a rich tradition of its own. Prior to the introduction of tea into Britain, the English had two main meals, breakfast and a second, dinner-like meal called “tea,” which was held around noon. However, during the middle of the eighteenth century, dinner shifted to an evening meal at a late hour; it was then called “high tea.” That meant the necessary introduction of an afternoon snack to tide one over, and “low tea” or “tea time” was introduced by British royalty. In present-day Britain, your afternoon tea might be served with scones and jam, small sandwiches, or cookies (called “biscuits”), depending on whether you’re in Ireland, England, or Scotland. Wherever they are and however they take it, Europeans know the value of savoring an afternoon cup of tea.

      

      Data from Euromonitor International and World Bank.

   21. Based on the information provided in Passage 1, it can be inferred that

       1. European nations tried to grow tea in their colonies.
       2. European tea growers never learned Chinese cultivation techniques.
       3. Europeans’ purpose in opening trade routes with the Far East was to gain access to tea.
       4. Europeans believed tea was ineffective as a treatment against illness.

   22. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 6–9 (“However . . . measurements”)
       2. Lines 17–18 (“Some . . . maladies”)
       3. Lines 26–29 (“But . . . French controlled”)
       4. Lines 40–42 (“The harvest . . . per pound”)

   23. Based on the information in Passage 1, what would have been the most likely result if the British had not been able to grow tea in India?

       1. Tea would have decreased in price across Europe.
       2. The British would have learned to grow tea in Europe.
       3. Europeans would have saved their tea for special occasions.
       4. China would have produced more tea for the European market.

   24. As used in line 23, “circumvent” most nearly means

       1. destroy.
       2. get around.
       3. ignore.
       4. compete with.

   25. It can be inferred from both Passage 1 and the graphic that

       1. English botanical gardens helped make the United Kingdom one of the highest tea-consuming countries in the world.
       2. if the French Academy of Sciences hadn’t given up growing tea in 1763, France would be one of the highest tea-consuming countries in the world.
       3. Britain’s success at growing tea in India in the 1800s helped make the United Kingdom one of the highest tea-consuming nations in the world.
       4. China’s production of tea would be higher if Britain hadn’t discovered a way to grow tea in India in the 1800s.

   26. It is reasonable to infer, based on Passage 2, that

       1. serving tea is an important part of hosting guests in Russia.
       2. Germans generally avoid medicine for stress.
       3. drinking tea in modern Britain is confined to the upper classes.
       4. the usual hour for drinking tea varies across Europe.

   27. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 50–52 (“Tea time . . . socialize”)
       2. Lines 65–66 (“The Germans . . . stress”)
       3. Lines 73–74 (“The strength . . . hospitality”)
       4. Lines 84–86 (“That meant . . . royalty”)

   28. As used in line 68, “aristocratic” most nearly means

       1. culinary.
       2. political.
       3. rigid.
       4. noble.

   29. Compared with France’s tradition of tea-drinking, having tea in Germany

       1. is more formal.
       2. involves sweeter food.
       3. requires greater solitude.
       4. is more of a meal than a snack.

   30. Which statement is the most effective comparison of the two passages’ purposes?

       1. Passage 1’s purpose is to describe the early history of tea in Europe, while Passage 2’s purpose is to compare European cultural practices relating to tea.
       2. Passage 1’s purpose is to argue against the Chinese monopoly of tea, while Passage 2’s purpose is to argue that Europeans perfected the art of tea drinking.
       3. Passage 1’s purpose is to express admiration for the difficult task of tea cultivation, while Passage 2’s purpose is to celebrate the rituals surrounding tea.
       4. Passage 1’s purpose is to compare Chinese and European relationships with tea, while Passage 2’s purpose is to describe the diffusion of tea culture in Europe.

   31. Both passages support which generalization about tea?

       1. Tea drinking in Europe is less ritualized than in China.
       2. Coffee was once more popular in Europe than tea was.
       3. India grows a great deal of tea.
       4. Tea is a staple of European households.

4. 1. Question 32–42 are based on the following passage.

   2. The following passage is adapted from an article about the Spinosaurus, a theropod dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period.

      At long last, paleontologists have solved a century- old mystery, piecing together information discovered by scientists from different times and places. The mystery began when, in 1911, German paleontologist Ernst Stromer discovered the first evidence of dinosaurs having lived in Egypt. Stromer, who expected to encounter fossils of early mammals, instead found bones that dated back to the Cretaceous period, some 97 to 112 million years prior. His finding consisted of three large bones, which he preserved and transported back to Germany for examination. After careful consideration, he announced that he had discovered a new genus of sauropod, or a large, four-legged herbivore with a long neck. He called the genus Aegyptosaurus, which is Greek for Egyptian lizard. One of these Aegyptosaurs, he claimed, was the Spinosaurus. Tragically, the fossils that supported his claim were destroyed during a raid on Munich by the Royal Air Force during World War II. The scientific world was left with Stromer’s notes and sketches, but no hard evidence that the Spinosaurus ever existed. It was not until 2008, when a cardboard box of bones was delivered to paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim by a nomad in Morocco’s Sahara desert, that a clue to solving the mystery was revealed. Intrigued, Ibrahim took the bones to a university in Casablanca for further study. One specific bone struck him as interesting, as it contained a red line coursing through it. The following year, Ibrahim and his colleagues at Italy’s Milan Natural History Museum were looking at bones that resembled the ones delivered the year before. An important clue was hidden in the cross-section they were examining, as it contained the same red line Ibrahim had seen in Morocco. Against all odds, the Italians were studying bones that belonged to the very same skeleton as the bones Ibrahim received in the desert. Together, these bones make up the partial skeleton of the very first Spinosaurus that humans have been able to discover since Stromer’s fossils were destroyed. Ibrahim and his colleagues published a study describing the features of the dinosaur, which point to the Spinosaurus being the first known swimming dinosaur. At 36 feet long, this particular Spinosaurus had long front legs and short back legs, each with a paddle-shaped foot and claws that suggest a carnivorous diet. These features made the dinosaur a deft swimmer and excellent hunter, able to prey on large river fish. Scientists also discovered significant aquatic adaptations that made the Spinosaurus unique compared to dinosaurs that lived on land but ate fish. Similar to a crocodile, the Spinosaurus had a long snout, with nostrils positioned so that the dinosaur could breathe while part of its head was submerged in water. Unlike predatory land dinosaurs, the Spinosaurus had powerful front legs. The weight of these legs would have made walking upright like a Tyrannosaurus rex impossible, but in water, their strong legs gave the Spinosaurus the power it needed to swim quickly and hunt fiercely. Most notable, though, was the discovery of the Spinosaurus’s massive sail. Made up of dorsal spines, the sail was mostly meant for display. Ibrahim and his fellow researchers used both modern digital modeling programs and Stromer’s basic sketches to create and mount a life-size replica of the Spinosaurus skeleton. The sketches gave them a starting point, and by arranging and rearranging the excavated fossils they had in their possession, they were able to use technology to piece together hypothetical bone structures until the mystery of this semiaquatic dinosaur finally emerged from the murky depths of the past.

   32. Which of the following best summarizes the central idea of this passage?

       1. Paleontologists were able to identify a new species of dinosaur after overcoming a series of obstacles.
       2. Most dinosaur fossils are found in pieces and must be reconstructed using the latest technology.
       3. The first evidence of the Spinosaurus was uncovered by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer.
       4. Fossils of an aquatic dinosaur called the Spinosaurus were first found in Egypt in the early twentieth century.

   33. According to the passage, the fossils Stromer found in the Egyptian desert were

       1. younger and smaller than he expected.
       2. younger and larger than he expected.
       3. older and smaller than he expected.
       4. older and larger than he expected.

   34. Based on the information in the passage, the author would most likely agree that

       1. aquatic dinosaurs were more vicious than dinosaurs that lived on land.
       2. too much emphasis is placed on creating realistic models of ancient dinosaurs.
       3. most mysteries presented by randomly found fossils are unlikely to be solved.
       4. the study of fossils and ancient life provides important scientific insights.

   35. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 13–15 (“After careful . . . long neck”)
       2. Lines 53–56 (“Scientists also . . . fish”)
       3. Lines 59–61 (“Unlike . . . front legs”)
       4. Lines 72–78 (“The sketches . . . past”)

   36. As used in line 37, the phrase “against all odds” most nearly means

       1. by contrast.
       2. at the exact same time.
       3. to their dismay.
       4. despite low probability.

   37. The author uses the phrases “deft swimmer” and “excellent hunter” in line 51 to

       1. produce a clear visual image of the Spinosaurus.
       2. show how the Spinosaurus searched for prey.
       3. create an impression of a graceful but powerful animal.
       4. emphasize the differences between aquatic and land dinosaurs.

   38. The information presented in the passage strongly suggests that Ibrahim

       1. chose to go into the field of paleontology after reading Stromer’s work.
       2. was familiar with Stromer’s work when he found the fossils with the red lines.
       3. did not have the proper training to solve the mystery of the Spinosaurus on his own.
       4. went on to study other aquatic dinosaurs after completing his research on the Spinosaurus.

   39. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 24–27 (“It was . . . revealed”)
       2. Lines 44–47 (“Ibrahim . . . swimming dinosaur”)
       3. Lines 53–56 (“Scientists also . . . fish”)
       4. Lines 69–72 (“Ibrahim and . . . skeleton”)

   40. As used in line 76, “hypothetical” most nearly means

       1. imaginary.
       2. actual.
       3. possible.
       4. interesting.

   41. Which statement best describes the relationship between Stromer’s and Ibrahim’s work with fossils?

       1. Stromer’s work was dependent on Ibrahim’s work.
       2. Stromer’s work was contradicted by Ibrahim’s work.
       3. Ibrahim’s work built on Stromer’s work.
       4. Ibrahim’s work copied Stromer’s work.

   42. Which of the following is most similar to the methods used by Ibrahim to create a life-size replica of the Spinosaurus?

       1. An architect using computer software and drawings to create a scale model of a building
       2. A student building a model rocket from a kit in order to demonstrate propulsion
       3. A doctor using a microscope to study microorganisms unable to be seen with the naked eye
       4. A marine biologist creating an artificial reef in an aquarium to study fish

5. 1. Questions 43–52 are based on the following passage and supplementary material.

   2. The following passage is adapted from an essay about intricacies and implications of laughter.

      Today’s technology and resources enable people to educate themselves on any topic imaginable, and human health is one of particular interest to all. From diet fads to exercise trends, sleep studies to nutrition supplements, people strive to adopt healthier lifestyles. And while some people may as- sociate diets and gym memberships with sheer enjoy- ment, most of the population tends to think of per- sonal healthcare as a necessary but time-consuming, energy-draining, less-than-fun aspect of daily life. Yet for centuries, or perhaps for as long as conscious life has existed, sneaking suspicion has suggested that fun, or more accurately, funniness, is essential to human health. Finally, in recent years this notion, often phrased in the adage, “Laughter is the best medicine,” has materialized into scientific evidence. When a person laughs, a chemical reaction in the brain produces hormones called endorphins. Other known endorphin-producing activities include exercise, physical pain, and certain food choices, but laughter’s appearance on this list has drawn increasing empirical interest. Endorphins function as natural opiates for the human body, causing what are more commonly referred to as “good feelings.” A boost of endorphins can thwart lethargy and promote the mental energy and positivity necessary to accomplish challenging tasks. Furthermore, recent data reveal that the laughter-induced endorphins are therapeutic and stress reducing. This stress reduction alone indicates significant implications regarding the role of laughter in personal health. However, humor seems to address many other medical conditions as well. One study from Loma Linda University in California found that the act of laughing induced immediate and significant effects on senior adults’ memory capacities. This result was in addition to declines in the patients’ cortisol, or stress hormone, measurements. Another university study found that a mere quarter hour of laughter burns up to 40 calories. Pain tolerance, one group of Oxford researchers noticed, is also strengthened by laughter—probably due to the release of those same endorphins already described. And a group of Maryland scientists discovered that those who laugh more frequently seem to have stronger protection against heart disease, the illness that takes more lives annually than any other in America. Studies have shown that stress releases hormones that cause blood vessels to constrict, but laughter, on the other hand, releases chemicals that cause blood vessels to dilate, or expand. This dilation can have the same positive effects on blood flow as aerobic exercise or drugs that help lower cholesterol. Already from these reputable studies, empirical data indicates that laughter’s health benefits include heart disease prevention, good physical exertion, memory retention, anxiety reduction, and pain resilience—not to mention laughter’s more self-evident effects on social and psychological wellness. Many believe that these findings are only the beginning; these studies pave the way for more research with even stronger evidence regarding the powerful healing and preventative properties of laughter. As is true for most fields of science, far more can be learned. As for how laughter is achieved, these studies used various methods to provoke or measure laughter or humor. Some used comedy films or television clips; others chose humor-gauging questionnaires and social—or group—laughter scenarios. Such variance suggests that the means by which people incorporate laughter into their daily routine matters less than the fact that they do incorporate it. However, it should be said that humor shared in an uplifting community probably offers greater benefits than that found on a screen.       It is believed that young people begin to laugh less and less as they transition to adulthood. Time-pressed millennials might, in the interest of wellness, choose isolated exercise instead of social- or fun-oriented leisure activities. However, this growing pool of evidence exposes the reality that amusement, too, can powerfully nourish the health of both mind and body. Humor is no less relevant to well-being than a kale smoothie or track workout. But, then, some combination of the three might be most enjoyable (and, of course, beneficial) of all.

      

   43. The author would most likely characterize the study findings mentioned in the passage as

       1. irrelevant.
       2. very promising.
       3. inconclusive.
       4. mildly interesting.

   44. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 4–6 (“From diet . . . lifestyles”)
       2. Lines 14–17 (“Finally, . . . evidence”)
       3. Lines 18–19 (“When a person . . . endorphins”)
       4. Lines 74–77 (“Such variance . . . incorporate it”)

   45. Which statement best explains the relationship between endorphin production and mental outlook?

       1. Increasing a person’s amount of endorphins encourages a positive state of mind.
       2. The act of laughing produces endorphins, which can offer a person protection against heart disease.
       3. Research indicates that chemical reactions in the brain produce endorphins.
       4. If a person has more endorphins, he or she has a difficult time tolerating pain.

   46. As used in line 57, “reputable” most nearly means

       1. honorable.
       2. distinguished.
       3. celebrated.
       4. credible.

   47. Which of the following statements can be concluded from the passage?

       1. Laughing alone or in the company of others benefits people’s health equally.
       2. There is reason for optimism about future research into laughter’s health benefits.
       3. Public support for the idea that laughter is healthy is somewhat limited.
       4. Physical exercise is sufficient to maintain and improve mental health.

   48. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

       1. Lines 11–14 (“Yet for centuries, . . . health”)
       2. Lines 32–35 (“This stress . . . well”)
       3. Lines 63–67 (“Many believe . . . of laughter”)
       4. Lines 87–91 (“Humor is . . . of all”)

   49. Which reason best explains why the author chose to discuss the function of endorphins in lines 23–26 (“Endorphins . . . good feelings”)?

       1. To reach a wider audience without a background in physiology
       2. To support the claim that laughter affects an individual’s mental state
       3. To show that laughter is one of several endorphin-producing activities
       4. To demonstrate why scientists have an interest in studying laughter

   50. As used in line 15, “adage” most nearly means

       1. remark.
       2. comment.
       3. cliché.
       4. proverb.

   51. Which value shown on the graph most closely relates to the idea in line 78 that “humor shared in an uplifting community” increases resilience to pain?

       1. –25
       2. 0
       3. 20
       4. 75

   52. The information in the passage strongly suggests that

       1. older adults prefer to laugh in a community setting rather than watch funny movies.
       2. adults who laugh less as they age are at greater risk for heart disease.
       3. millennials are in danger of developing heart disease from too much exercise.
       4. soon doctors will be using laughter to treat most diseases.

If you finish before time is called, you may check your work on this section only. Do not turn to any other section in the test.