1.
It has long been accepted that the Americas were colonized by a migration of peoples from Asia slowly traveling across a land bridge called Beringia (now the Bering Strait between northeastern Asia and Alaska) during the last Ice Age. The first water craft theory about this migration was that around 11,000-12,000 years ago there was an ice-free corridor stretching from eastern Beringia to the areas of North America south of the great northern glaciers. It was this midcontinental corridor between two massive ice sheets—the Laurentide to the east and the Cordilleran to the west—that enabled the southward migration. But belief in this ice-free corridor began to crumble when paleoecologist Glen MacDonald demonstrated that some of the most important radiocarbon dates used to support the existence of an ice-free corridor were incorrect. He persuasively argued that such an ice-free corridor did not exist until much later, when the continental ice began its final retreat. Support is growing for the alternative theory that people using watercraft, possibly skin boats, moved southward from Beringla along the Gulf of Alaska and then southward along the Northwest Coast of North America possibly as early as 16,000 years ago. This route would have enabled humans to enter southern areas of the Americas prior to the melting of the continental glaciers. Until the early 1970s, most archaeologists did not consider the coast a possible migration route into the Americas because geologists originally believed that during the last Ice Age the entire Northwest Coast was covered by glacial ice. It had been assumed that the ice extended westward from the Alaskan/Canadian mountains to the very edge of the continental shelf—the flat, submerged part of the continent that extends into the ocean. This would have created a barrier of ice extending from the Alaska Peninsula, through the Gulf of Alaska and southward along the Northwest Coast of North America to what is today the state of Washington. The most influential proponent of the coastal migration route has been Canadian archaeologist Knut Fladmark. He theorized that with the use of watercraft, people gradually colonized unglaciated refuges and areas along the continental shelf exposed by the lower sea level. Fladmark's hypothesis received additional support from the fact that the greatest diversity in Native American languages occurs along the west coast of the Americas, suggesting that this region has been settled the longest. More recent geologic studies documented deglaciation and the existence of icefree areas throughout major coastal areas of British Columbia, Canada, by 13,000 years ago. Research now indicates that sizable areas of southeastern Alaska along the inner continental shelf were not covered by ice toward the end of the last Ice Age. One study suggests that except for a 250-mile coastal area between southwestern British Columbia and Washington State, the Northwest Coast of North America was largely free of ice by approximately 16,000 years ago. Vast areas along the coast may have been deglaciated beginning around 16,000 years ago, possibly providing a coastal corridor for the movement of plants, animals, and humans sometime between 13,000 and 14,000 years ago. The coastal hypothesis has gained increasing support in recent years because the remains of large land animals, such as caribou and brown bears, have been found in southeastern Alaska dating between 10,000 and 12,500 years ago. This is the time period in which most scientists formerly believed the area to be inhospitable for humans. It has been suggested that if the environment were capable of supporting breeding populations of bears, there would have been enough food resources to support humans. Fladmark and others believe that the first human colonization of America occurred by boat along the Northwest Coast during the very late Ice Age, possibly as early as 14,000 years ago. The most recent geologic evidence indicates that it may have been possible for people to colonize ice-free regions along the continental shelf that were still exposed by the lower sea level between 13,000 and 14,000 years ago. The coastal hypothesis suggests an economy based on marine mammal hunting, saltwater fishing, shellfish gathering, and the use of watercraft. Because of the barrier of ice to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and populated areas to the north, there may have been a greater impetus for people to move in a southerly direction.
2.
Teachers, it is thought, benefit from the practice of reflection, the conscious act of thinking deeply about and carefully examining the interactions and events within their own classrooms. Educators T. Wildman and J. Niles (1987) describe a scheme for developing reflective practice in experienced teachers. This was justified by the view that reflective practice could help teachers to feel more intellectually involved in their role and work in teaching and enable them to cope with the paucity of scientific fact and the uncertainty of knowledge in the discipline of teaching. Wildman and Niles were particularly interested in investigating the conditions under which reflection might flourish—a subject on which there is little guidance in the literature. They designed an experimental strategy for a group of teachers in Virginia and worked with 40 practicing teachers over several years. They were concerned that many would be "drawn to these new, refreshing conceptions of teaching only to find that the void between the abstractions and the realities of teacher reflection is too great to bridge. Reflection on a complex task such as teaching is not easy." The teachers were taken through a program of talking about teaching events, moving on to reflecting about specific issues in a supported, and later an independent, manner. Wildman and Niles observed that systematic reflection on teaching required a sound ability to understand classroom events in an objective manner. They describe the initial understanding in the teachers with whom they were working as being "utilitarian … and not rich or detailed enough to drive systematic reflection." Teachers rarely have the time or opportunities to view their own or the teaching of others in an objective manner. Further observation revealed the tendency of teachers to evaluate events rather than review the contributory factors in a considered manner by, in effect, standing outside thesituation. Helping this group of teachers to revise their thinking about classroom events became central. This process took time and patience and effective trainers. The researchers estimate that the initial training of the teachers to view events objectively took between 20 and 30 hours, with the same number of hours again being required to practice the skills of reflection. Wildman and Niles identify three principles that facilitate reflective practice in a teaching situation. The first is support from administrators in an education system, enabling teachers to understand the requirements of reflective practice and how it relates to teaching students. The second is the availability of sufficient time and space. The teachers in the program described how they found it difficult to put aside the immediate demands of others in order to give themselves the time they needed to develop their reflective skills. The third is the development of a collaborative environment with support from other teachers. Support and encouragement were also required to help teachers in the program cope with aspects of their professional life with which they were not comfortable. Wildman and Niles make a summary comment "Perhaps the most important thing we learned is the idea of the teacher-as-reflective-practitioner will not happen simply because it is a good or even compelling idea." The work of Wildman and Niles suggests the importance of recognizing some of the difficulties of instituting reflective practice. Others have noted this, making a similar point about the teaching profession's cultural inhibitions about reflective practice. Zeichner and Liston (1987) point out the inconsistency between the role of the teacher as a (reflective) professional decision maker and the more usual role of the teacher as a technician, putting into practice the ideas of others. More basic than the cultural issues is the matter of motivation. Becoming a reflective practitioner requires extra work (Jaworski,1993) and has only vaguely defined goals with, perhaps, little initially perceivable reward and the threat of vulnerability. Few have directly questioned what might lead a teacher to want to become reflective. Apparently, the most obvious reason for teachers to work toward reflective practice is that teacher educators think it is a good thing. There appear to be many unexplored matters about the motivation to reflect—for example, the value of externally motivated reflection as opposed to that of teachers who might reflect by habit.
3.
When the Hawaiian Islands emerged from the sea as volcanoes, starting about five million years ago, they were far removed from other landmasses. Then, as blazing sunshine alternated with drenching rains, the harsh, barren surfaces of the black rocks slowly began to soften. Winds brought a variety of life-forms. Spores light enough to float on the breezes were carried thousands of miles from more ancient lands and deposited at random across the bare mountain flanks. A few of these spores found a toehold on the dark, forbidding rocks and grew and began to work their transformation upon the land. Lichens were probably the first successful flora. These are not single individual plants: each one is a symbiotic combination of an alga and a fungus. The algae capture the Sun's energy by photosynthesis and store it in organic molecules. The fungi absorb moisture and mineral salts from the rocks, passing these on in waste products that nourish algae. It is significant that the earliest living things that built communities on these islands are examples of symbiosis, a phenomenon that depends upon the close cooperation of two or more forms of life and a principle that is very important in island communities. Lichens helped to speed the decomposition of the hard rock surfaces, preparing a soft bed of soil that was abundantly supplied with minerals that had been carried in the molten rock from the bowels of Earth. Now, other forms of life could take hold: ferns and mosses (two of the most ancient types of land plants) that flourish even in rock crevices. These plants propagate by producing spores—tiny fertilized cells that contain all the instructions for making a new plant—but the spores are unprotected by any outer coating and carry no supply of nutrient. Vast numbers of them fall on the ground beneath the mother plants. Sometimes they are carried farther afield by water or by wind. But only those few spores that settle down in very favorable locations can start new life; the vast majority fall on barren ground. By force of sheer numbers, however, the mosses and ferns reached Hawaii, survived, and multiplied. Some species developed great size, becoming tree ferns that even now grow in the Hawaiian forests. Many millions of years after ferns evolved (but long before the Hawaiian Islands were born from the sea), another kind of flora evolved on Earth: the seed-bearing plants. This was a wonderful biological invention. The seed has an outer coating that surrounds the genetic material of the new plant, and inside this covering is a concentrated supply of nutrients. Thus, the seed's chances of survival are greatly enhanced over those of the naked spore. One type of seed-bearing plant, the angiosperm, includes all forms of blooming vegetation. In the angiosperm the seeds are wrapped in an additional layer of covering. Some of these coats are hard—like the shell of a nut—for extra protection. Some are soft and tempting, like a peach or a cherry. In some angiosperms the seeds are equipped with gossamer wings, like the dandelion and milkweed seeds. These new characteristics offered better ways for the seeds to move to new habitats. They could travel through the air, float in water, and lie dormant for many months. Plants with large, buoyant seeds—like coconuts—drift on ocean currents and are washed up on the shores. Remarkably resistant to the vicissitudes of ocean travel, they can survive prolonged immersion in saltwater. When they come to rest on warm beaches and the conditions are favorable, the seed coats soften. Nourished by their imported supply of nutrients, the young plants push out their roots and establish their place in the sun. By means of these seeds, plants spread more widely to new locations, even to isolated islands like the Hawaiian archipelago, which lies more than 2,000 miles west of California and 3,500 miles east of Japan. The seeds of grasses, flowers, and blooming trees made the long trips to these islands. (Grasses are simple forms of angiosperms that bear their encapsulated seeds on long stalks.) In a surprisingly short time, angiosperms filled many of the land areas on Hawaii that had been bare.
4.
According to paragraph 1, the theory that people first migrated to the Americas by way of an ice-free corridor was seriously called into question by
Correct Answer
B. The demonstration that certain previously accepted radiocarbon dates were incorrect
Explanation
The correct answer is the demonstration that certain previously accepted radiocarbon dates were incorrect. This explanation is supported by the phrase "paleoecologist Glen MacDonald's argument that the original migration occurred much later than had previously been believed." The incorrect radiocarbon dates would have caused a misinterpretation of the timing of the migration, therefore calling into question the theory of an ice-free corridor as the route of migration.
5.
The word "persuasively" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
C. Convincingly
Explanation
The word "persuasively" in the passage indicates that the author is able to present their arguments or ideas in a compelling and convincing manner. This means that the author is able to influence or sway the reader's opinion effectively. Therefore, the word "convincingly" is the closest in meaning to "persuasively".
6.
Paragraph 2 begins by presenting a theory and then goes on to
Correct Answer
D. Explain why the theory was not initially considered plausible
Explanation
The correct answer is "explain why the theory was not initially considered plausible". This is because the paragraph is discussing the reasons why the theory was quickly accepted and then rejected, but it does not mention anything about the theory not being initially considered plausible.
7.
The phrase "prior to" is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
A. Before
Explanation
The phrase "prior to" is closest in meaning to "before." It indicates that something happened or should happen before a specific event or time. It implies a temporal sequence where the mentioned event or time comes after the mentioned action or period.
8.
Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the underlined sentence in passage 3? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Correct Answer
C. The fact that the greatest diversity of Native American languages occurs along the west coast of the Americas lends strength to Fladmark's hypothesis.
Explanation
The sentence states that the region with the longest settlement also has the greatest diversity in Native American languages. The correct answer reflects this by stating that the fact that the greatest diversity of Native American languages occurs along the west coast of the Americas supports Fladmark's hypothesis. The other options either change the meaning or leave out essential information.
9.
The author's purpose in paragraph 4 is to
Correct Answer
A. Indicate that a number of recent geologic studies seem to provide support for the coastal hypothesis
Explanation
The author's purpose in paragraph 4 is to indicate that a number of recent geologic studies seem to provide support for the coastal hypothesis. The paragraph discusses how these studies have found evidence of early human settlement along the coast of Alaska, suggesting that humans may have migrated to America through a coastal route. This supports the idea that the coastal hypothesis, which suggests that early humans arrived in America by following the coastline, is supported by scientific evidence. The paragraph does not discuss simultaneous migrations or the timing of human arrival compared to animals and plants, so those options can be ruled out. Additionally, the paragraph does not mention specific regions like British Columbia and Washington State, so that option can also be ruled out.
10.
According to paragraph 5, the discovery of the remains of large land animals supports the coastal hypothesis by providing evidence that
Correct Answer
C. Humans probably would have been able to find enough resources along the coastal corridor
Explanation
The discovery of the remains of large land animals supports the coastal hypothesis by providing evidence that humans probably would have been able to find enough resources along the coastal corridor. This suggests that the coastal areas were rich in resources, making it a viable option for humans to adapt their hunting techniques and survive in these environments.
11.
The word "inhospitable" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
B. Not suitable
Explanation
The word "inhospitable" in the passage refers to a situation or environment that is not suitable or welcoming. It implies that the place or conditions are not conducive to being hospitable or accommodating. Therefore, the closest meaning to "inhospitable" is "not suitable."
12.
According to paragraph 5, the most recent geologic research provides support for a first colonization of America dating as far back as
Correct Answer
B. 14,000 years ago
Explanation
According to paragraph 5, the most recent geologic research supports the idea that the first colonization of America occurred 14,000 years ago.
13.
The word "impetus" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
D. Incentive
Explanation
The word "impetus" refers to a driving force or motivation that encourages someone to take action. Similarly, an "incentive" is something that motivates or encourages someone to do something. Therefore, "incentive" is the closest in meaning to "impetus" in the passage.
14.
The word "justified" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
A. Supported
Explanation
In the passage, the word "justified" indicates that something is being backed up or supported. It implies that there is evidence or reasoning provided to prove or validate a certain belief or action. Therefore, "supported" is the closest meaning to the word "justified" in the passage.
15.
According to paragraph 1, it was believed that reflection could help teachers
Correct Answer
B. Strengthen their intellectual connection to their work
Explanation
The correct answer is "strengthen their intellectual connection to their work." This is supported by the statement in paragraph 1 that reflection can help teachers "deepen their understanding of the intellectual principles of teaching and strengthen their intellectual connection to their work." This suggests that reflection can enhance the teachers' connection to their profession and their engagement with the intellectual aspects of teaching.
16.
The word "flourish" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
C. Succeed
Explanation
In the passage, the word "flourish" is used to describe a positive outcome or progress. This suggests that the word is closest in meaning to "succeed," as it implies a favorable or thriving situation.
17.
All of the following are mentioned about the experimental strategy described in paragraph 2 EXCEPT:
Correct Answer
D. It involved having teachers record in writing their reflections about teaching.
Explanation
The given correct answer is that the experimental strategy did not involve having teachers record in writing their reflections about teaching. The other options in the question all mention aspects of the experimental strategy, such as it being used by a group of teachers over a period of years, involving teachers taking part in discussions of classroom events, and being designed for teachers to eventually reflect without help from others. However, there is no mention of teachers recording their reflections in writing in the paragraph.
18.
The word "objective" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
A. Unbiased
Explanation
The word "objective" means not influenced by personal feelings or opinions, and is synonymous with "unbiased." In the passage, it suggests that the information presented is based on facts and not subjective judgments or preferences. Therefore, "unbiased" is the closest in meaning to "objective" in this context.
19.
According to paragraph 3, what did the teachers working with Wildman and Niles often fall to do when they attempted to practice reflection?
Correct Answer
C. Examine thoughtfully the possible causes of events in their classrooms
Explanation
The teachers working with Wildman and Niles often failed to examine thoughtfully the possible causes of events in their classrooms when they attempted to practice reflection.
20.
How is paragraph 4 related to other aspects of the discussion of reflection in the passage?
Correct Answer
A. It describes and comments on steps taken to overcome problems identified earlier in the passage.
Explanation
The correct answer is "It describes and comments on steps taken to overcome problems identified earlier in the passage." This means that paragraph 4 discusses the actions taken to address the issues mentioned earlier in the passage. It provides a solution or strategy to overcome the problems related to reflection.
21.
It can be inferred from paragraph 5 that the teachers working with Wildman and Niles held which of the following beliefs concerning reflection?
Correct Answer
D. Teachers can afford to engage in reflection only after other needs have been met.
Explanation
The correct answer suggests that the teachers believed that they can only engage in reflection once their other needs have been fulfilled. This implies that they prioritize meeting their basic needs before engaging in reflective practices.
22.
According to paragraph 6, teachers may be discouraged from reflecting because
Correct Answer
B. The benefits of reflection may not be apparent immediately
Explanation
Teachers may be discouraged from reflecting because the benefits of reflection may not be apparent immediately. This means that teachers may not see immediate results or improvements from reflecting on their teaching practices, which can discourage them from continuing the practice. It suggests that some teachers may prefer to focus on other aspects of their job that they believe will have more immediate impact, rather than investing time and effort in reflection.
23.
Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the underlined sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Correct Answer
C. Many aspects of the motivation to reflect have not been studied, including the comparative benefits of externally motivated and habitual reflection among teachers.
24.
The phrase "at random" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
D. Without a definite pattern
Explanation
The phrase "at random" in the passage refers to something that is done without a definite pattern. It implies that the action or event is unpredictable and lacks a specific order or sequence.
25.
Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the underlined sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Correct Answer
C. The first organisms on these islands worked together closely in a relationship known as symbiosis, which is particularly important on islands.
Explanation
The sentence states that the first organisms on these islands worked together closely in a relationship known as symbiosis, which is particularly important on islands. This captures the essential information that symbiosis is a close cooperation between organisms and that it is especially important in island environments.
26.
It can be inferred from paragraph 2 that the fungi in lichens benefit from their symbiotic relationship with algae in what way?
Correct Answer
A. The algae help the fungi meet some of their energy needs.
Explanation
The fungi in lichens benefit from their symbiotic relationship with algae because the algae help meet some of their energy needs. This implies that the algae provide the fungi with a source of energy, which is advantageous for the fungi's survival and growth.
27.
The word "abundantly" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
B. Plentifully
Explanation
The word "abundantly" in the passage indicates a large amount or quantity of something. It suggests that whatever is being referred to is available in great supply or is plentiful. Therefore, the closest meaning to "abundantly" is "plentifully", as it conveys the idea of something being present in large quantities.
28.
The word "propagate" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
A. Multiply
Explanation
In the passage, the word "propagate" is used. This word refers to the action of reproducing or increasing in number. It implies the process of multiplying or spreading something, such as ideas or organisms. Therefore, the closest meaning to "propagate" in this context is "multiply."
29.
According to paragraph 3, what was the relationship between lichens and ferns in the development of plant life on Hawaii?
Correct Answer
A. Ferns were able to grow because lichens created suitable soil. It is broken down quickly in the intestine.
Explanation
The correct answer states that ferns were able to grow because lichens created suitable soil. This means that lichens played a role in creating the necessary conditions for ferns to thrive. The fact that the soil created by lichens is quickly broken down in the intestine suggests that it is a nutrient-rich soil that can support fern growth. This explanation implies a symbiotic relationship between lichens and ferns, where the lichens provide the soil and the ferns benefit from it.
30.
The word “This” in the passage refers to
Correct Answer
D. The development of plants that produce seeds
Explanation
The passage is discussing the word "This" which refers to the development of plants that produce seeds. The passage does not mention anything about the spread of ferns and mosses in Hawaii, the creation of the Hawaiian Islands, or the evolution of ferns. Therefore, the correct answer is the development of plants that produce seeds.
31.
Why does the author mention "a nut," "a peach," and "a cherry"?
Correct Answer
D. To illustrate the variety of coverings among angiosperm seeds
Explanation
The author mentions "a nut," "a peach," and "a cherry" to illustrate the variety of coverings among angiosperm seeds. Each of these examples represents a different type of covering that can be found on angiosperm seeds, highlighting the diversity in their appearances. This helps to emphasize the point that angiosperm seeds can have a wide range of coverings, showcasing the variety within this group of plants.
32.
The word "dormant" in the passage is closest in meaning to
Correct Answer
B. Inactive
Explanation
The word "dormant" in the passage refers to something that is not currently active or not showing any signs of activity. It suggests a state of rest or inactivity. Therefore, the word "inactive" is the closest in meaning to "dormant" as it also implies a lack of activity or motion.
33.
According to paragraph 5, a major reason that coconuts can establish themselves in distant locations is that their seeds can
Correct Answer
B. Float and survive for long periods in ocean water
Explanation
According to paragraph 5, coconuts can establish themselves in distant locations because their seeds can float and survive for long periods in ocean water.