9. The word “perspective” on line 46 is closest in meaning to

a. sense of values

b. point of view

c. calculation

d. complication


10. Paragraph 6 supports which of the following statements about the
factors that are essential for the survival of a species?

a. The most important factor for the survival of a species is its
ability to compete and adapt to gradual changes in its
environment.

b. The ability of a species to compete and adapt to a gradually
changing environment is not the only ability that is essential for
survival.

c. Since most extinctions of species are due to major meteorite
impacts, the ability to survive such impacts is the most
important factor for the survival of a species.

d. The factors that are most important for the survival of a species
vary significantly from one species to another.


















11. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the
following sentence?

Earth is a target in a cosmic shooting gallery, subject to random violent
events that were unsuspected a few decades ago.

Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential
information.

a. Until recently, nobody realized that Earth is exposed to
unpredictable violent impacts from space.

b. In the last few decades, the risk of a random violent impact from
space has increased.

c. Since most violent events on Earth occur randomly, nobody can
predict when or where they will happen.

d. A few decades ago, Earth became the target of random violent
events originating in outer space.


12. According to the passage, who conducted investigations about the
current dangers posed by large meteorite impacts on Earth?

a. Paleontologists

b. Geologists

c. The United States Congress

d. NASA














13. Look at the four letters (A, B, C, and D) that indicate where the
following sentence could be added to the passage in paragraph 6.

This is the criterion emphasized by Darwin’s theory of
evolution by natural selection.

Where would the sentence best fit?

Impacts by meteorites represent one mechanism that could cause
global catastrophes and seriously influence the evolution of life all
over the planet. (A) According to some estimates, the majority of all
extinctions of species may be due to such impacts. (B) Such a
perspective fundamentally changes our view of biological evolution.
(C) The standard criterion for the survival of a species is its success
in competing with other species and adapting to slowly changing
environments. (D) Yet an equally important criterion is the ability of
a species to survive random global ecological catastrophes due to
impacts.

Choose the place where the sentence fits best.

a. Option A

b. Option B

c. Option C

d. Option D


















14. An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is
provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE
answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage.
Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express
ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the
passage. This question is worth 2 points.

Write your answer choices in the spaces where they belong. You can
write in the number of the answer choice or the whole sentence.



Scientists have linked the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous with a meteorite impact on Earth.


•

•

•

Answer choices

(1) Scientists had believed for centuries that meteorite activity influenced
evolution on Earth.

(2) The site of the large meteorite impact at the end of the Cretaceous
period was identified in 1990.

(3) There have also been large meteorite impacts on the surface of the
Moon, leaving craters like Tycho.

(4) An iridium-enriched sediment layer and a large impact crater in the
Yucatán provide evidence that a large meteorite struck Earth about
65 million years ago.

(5) Large meteorite impacts, such as one at the end of the Cretaceous
period, can seriously affect climate, ecological niches, plants, and
animals.

(6) Meteorite impacts can be advantageous for some species, which
thrive, and disastrous for other species, which become extinct.

Key to Reading Section:


1. d
2. c
3. c
4. b
5. a
6. c
7. c
8. b
9. b
10. b
11. a
12. d
13. d
14. 4,5,6

alıntı:ets.org