Buy Bangladeshi /Aasha Mehreen Amin

A couple of weeks ago there was a great deal of excitement over a promotional event hosted by the proprietors of a popular mall in Gulshan. Apparently two Hindi soap opera stars were coming to inaugurate the event. Many women no doubt rushed to the beauty parlour to look their best for Mr Bajaj, a character in one of the most seen soaps. The mall in question also happened to be 100 percent Indian. During a visit to the place, a supervisor announced proudly: "Everything here is Indian. We don't sell anything local". What she said was indeed true for not only were the saris, jewellery, shalwar kameez sets etc, all from India but even some of the salespeople. It maybe mentioned that the 'local' clientele at this mall is considerable. Many shopaholics consider this mall to be the ultimate shopping experience because of all the glamorous stuff they sell.

So what's the point? Well, for one thing, it is hard to understand that when there is already such a huge invasion of Indian and other foreign products in the regular markets, why do we need a separate shopping complex devoted to exclusively Indian goods? Of course the answer is that there is a demand for it. The popularity of Hindi soap opera and Hindi film actors and actresses, no doubt fuels the demand for clothes that will make people look like them. 1.) C. This is one of the "vocabulary" questions we told you about. Hopefully, you were able to very quickly eliminate choice B. As you will recall, we told you that the correct answer to a vocabulary type question in the SAT critical reading section is never as obvious as its primary meaning.

There is of course nothing wrong with wanting to look like a beautiful film star. But the problem is that as a result of this obsession with foreign products, our local manufacturers are suffering. Industries such as handlooms, textiles and handicrafts, not to mention cosmetics, toiletries and even biscuits face unfair competition from foreign producers. A few years ago, for instance, Bangladeshi biscuits were just as good as those from any other country. But in the last decade or so we see innumerable brands of cookies and biscuits mostly from Malaysia and Thailand pushing out the local brands from the shelves. Now we even have to eat mangoes from Pakistan and India or 'golden delicious' apples from Cape Town because there is such a dearth of local fruits available in the market.

But it is not just the non-availability of the products but also the lack of interest among Bangladeshi consumers to buy things from their own country. Many people still believe that Bangladeshi goods are just not at par with their foreign counterparts. This argument no longer carries much weight for certain products such as garments, saris and fabrics given the fact that the local versions are of high quality and design. Even the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries are coming up with goods of high standards.

The need to make our own products more fashionable and attractive cannot be emphasized enough. Recently, even the PM, in a refreshing change of subject, has appealed to the public to buy Bangladeshi-made products instead of foreign products for their Eid and Durga shopping. This she said would help the thousands of poor weavers whose livelihoods have been badly

affected by the recent floods. In recent years handloom products especially, have become more popular among local consumers but not nearly enough to capture a substantial share in the market. Urging people to take pride in Bangladeshi goods, is certainly laudable move.

But just telling people to buy things from their own land is not enough. Ultimately in a free market people will go for good quality and low price. In this respect many goods smuggled in from neighbouring countries enjoy an unfair advantage as their prices are at par or lower than the local goods. Lack of good design is another crucial factor that stands in the way of popularising our products. While some fashion houses are trying to keep in tune with current trends, most manufacturers do not invest much on designing the product to make it more appealing than the foreign counterpart. In terms of exports, the handicraft industry has suffered the most with exports falling steadily. Without a proper design institute, handicraft manufacturers find it increasingly difficult to cope with a fickle foreign market, in terms of trends and tastes.

Since its independence, India closed its doors to foreign made goods for over two decades to protect its own goods. Which is why Indians had to make do with Indian cornflakes, sodas, chocolate, cars, makeup, saris fabrics and pretty much everything else. Of course we cannot expect an approach as strict as this in present 'globalised' times. But it is high time that our own industries are given the state support they need to be able to compete with their rivals fair and square. From our part consciously buying locally made products will go a long way in helping them to get a decent share of the market. Who knows, we might even have a mall or two selling only Bangladeshi products with parlour-fresh women rushing in to meet their 'Made in Bangladesh' heartthrob of a star.

Identify the statement that supports the author's point of view.

1. Thirty-one states in the U.S. permit voters to submit absentee ballots up to 40 days before elections actually take place, and those who request an absentee ballot do not even have to give a reason for their early vote. Despite the ease and frequency of this practice, voters should not cast early ballots unless they have a truly legitimate reason, such as being physically unable to get to a polling place. Casting early ballots is bad practice because it makes fraud more possible. Millions of ballots floating around America for over a month create the potential for a serious security breach. For example, an unscrupulous elections employee could make ballots disappear or fill out signed but unmarked ballots. Early voting also prevents citizens from taking into account any late developments in a campaign. Something could happen shortly before Election Day and change a voter's opinion about the right candidate to elect, but the absentee ballot has already locked in his or her vote. Then, too, Election Day is one of our country's last remaining ways of displaying communal patriotism. No-excuse absentee balloting prevents citizens from celebrating and showing pride in our democracy by being at the polls with our fellow Americans. To be sure, advocates of early voting say it increases voter participation; however, no evidence supports that claim. On

the contrary, since 1992, every state with liberal rules for absentee ballots has actually experienced worse voter turnout than states without such rules. (Source of information: Don Campbell, "Don't Cast That Ballot-Until Election Day, That Is," USA Today, September 30, 2004, p. 21A.)

Which of the following statements could be used to support the author's point of view?

A. According to a study conducted by the Medill School of Journalism and the Campaign Study Group, failure to register is the non-voter's top reason for staying away from the polls. B. For example, absentee voting is popular in the state of Colorado; in the 2000 presidential election, Colorado had one of the highest absentee voting rates in the country. C. In fact, states with liberal absentee balloting rules saw voter turnout decline by 0.4 from election year 1988 to election year 2000, while states without liberal absentee balloting rules saw voter turnout increase by 2.2 percent from election year 1988 to election year 2000.

2. Americans rarely just sit and eat. In a national poll, 62 percent of people surveyed admitted to being too busy to sit down for a meal. Many reported eating lunch while working at their desks or eating while driving. According to nutritionists, though, this practice is unhealthy. For one thing, it tends to make us fat. Not focusing on the food we are eating while we consume it prevents from feeling really satisfied when we finish. As a result, we eat more. In addition, eating quickly while performing other tasks prevents us from realizing how much we are eating. Thus, we often consume more calories than we need or even want, and the pounds add up. Robbing ourselves of time to eat a meal without doing anything else squanders opportunities to rest and enjoy life. We also miss chances to connect with our friends and family members over shared meals. For all of these reasons, say nutritionists, we should view meals as a chance to turn everything off, sit at the table, and concentrate on enjoying the food and the company. (Source of information: Nanci Hellmich, "Most People Multitask, So Most People Don't Sit Down to Eat," USA Today, September 30, 2004, p. 8D.) Which of the following statements could be used to support the author's point of view?

A. For example, Janine Wilson, an overweight accountant with two children, regularly eats lunch at her desk and snacks while driving her car yet Wilson claims she always feels hungry. B. As several studies show, overweight people tend to eat more quickly than normal-sized people. C. Contrary to popular belief, multitasking often does not increase productivity; in time of fact, time is lost in the switch from one task to another.

3. The Miss America pageant organizers and the ABC broadcast network should stop minimizing the talent portion of the competition. Over the years, the scoring weight for talent has dropped from 40 percent to 30 percent and now to just 20 percent. At the same time, the ABC network has reduced the number of talent performances included in its broadcast. It now shows just two, as opposed to the ten featured in the 1998 broadcast. According to its critics, the Miss America competition is a trivial beauty contest with no redeeming value. Unfortunately, this point of view gains additional support when the talent portion gets minimized. Continuing to underplay the talent portion of the contest will also prevent the pageant from attracting our country's most accomplished candidates in the future. Miss America contestants are definitely much more than beautiful faces. They are strong, intelligent, talented women. They deserve to be rated as highly for these qualities as they are for physical beauty and grace, and the top ten finalists should all perform during the broadcast. A display of talent will prove that there is substance behind the pretty faces as well as entertain America with some exciting live performances. A broadcast consisting of pretty but largely mute women parading down a runway is an insult to viewers' intelligence.(Source of information: Nicole Johnson Baker, "Sadly, Miss America Pulls Plug on Talent Contest," USA Today, September 15, 2004, p. 21A.) Which of the following statements could be used to support the author's point of view?

A. After all, the Miss America pageant should reflect the real world, where brains and talent are almost always more important than physical attractiveness. B. First broadcast in 1954, the Miss America pageant is one of our nation's longest running television shows. C. Many winners of the Miss America pageant, such as Miss America 2005 Deidre Downs, have sung during their talent routines.

4. Over the last decade, many companies have relaxed their dress codes and allowed their employees to come to work in "business casual" attire rather than suits and ties. Permitting workers to dress more casually was supposed to make them more comfortable and provide them with opportunities for self-expression. However, this trend has proven counterproductive. So much so that stricter dress codes need to be reintroduced to the workplace. One reason for this is that many workers have never figured out what “business casual” means. Their employers have provided detailed descriptions of appropriate types of clothing and even posted “what to wear” photographs as illustrations. Yet, far too many employees continue to show up wearing halter tops, flip-flops, midriff-baring blouses, ragged jeans, sweat suits, and T-shirts with slogans on them. This type of casual, i.e. sloppy, style of dress produces a chain reaction of negative effects. Employees' wearing casual clothing encourages the kind of relaxed behavior that can negatively affect the production of goods and services. Customers, in turn, express their dissatisfaction and a company's image suffers.

Which of the following statements could be used to support the author's point of view?

A. Women, in particular, seem to benefit from a dress-for-success look. B. For this reason, close to 20 percent of corporations with a casual dress policy have decided to reinstate formal dress codes for employees. C. California state law prohibits employers from forbidding women to wear pants in the workplace.

5. Not so long ago, America's schoolchildren were required to memorize and recite passages from great poems, plays, documents and speeches. Thus a fifth grader might be able to declaim at will the entire Gettysburg Address; portions of the Declaration of Independence, or passages from Shakespeare's plays. After 1940, though, that tradition began to decline. It disappeared almost completely by the 1970s. Today, even highly educated people often can't recite a few lines of classic poetry or prose. This inability to recite from memory is unfortunate, for exercises in memorization have value. The ancient Greeks believed that memorizing and reciting the words of great poets, playwrights, and statesmen sharpened the mind and shaped character. Long after the demise of ancient Greece, memorization exercises gave kids as young seven or eight a taste of classic literature. Memorizing sections of literary works also taught children to reproduce the rhythms of language and exposed them to syntax, or word order, more complicated than they otherwise might have encountered. Reciting from memory also enlarged their vocabulary and improved their diction. (Source of information: Michael Knox Beran, "In Defense of Memorization," City Journal, Summer 2004, www.manhattan-institute.org) Which of the following statements could be used to support the author's point of view?

A. It's also true that the study of poetry helps children develop their analytical and critical thinking skills. B. According to a famous 1932-1940 study conducted by The American Association for the Advancement of Progressive Education, schools emphasizing problem-solving and hands-on learning instead of memorization and recitation produced students with better grades and higher intellectual drive. C. According to Susan Wise Bauer, author of The Well-Educated Mind, when students learn new words through the memorization of poetry, they are likely to use them correctly in both speaking and writing.

Which conclusion is best supported by the reading? Select the letter of the correct response.

1. Most environmental groups work to protect our planet and its inhabitants by circulating petitions, organizing protest marches, and lobbying Congressional representatives for environmentally-friendly laws. However, since it was formed in 1971, the Greenpeace environmental organization prefers to use more extreme tactics, engaging in what it calls "non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and force solutions." The group has often sent its ships - especially its flagship, the

Rainbow Warrior - to areas where nuclear testing was taking place, sometimes even succeeding in stopping the tests. In 1992, France agreed to halt nuclear tests following the Rainbow Warrior's visit to the test zone. To protest commercial whaling, Greenpeace ships have confronted whaling vessels on the high seas, and in 1982, a Greenpeace activist chained himself to a harpoon gun aboard a whaling ship in order to stop a hunt. In 1976, two Greenpeace activists protested the seal hunt in Newfoundland by shielding a baby seal with their bodies. To expose and protest illegal logging in Brazil, activists painted in huge letters the word CRIME atop a barge filled with logs. Greenpeace members have also exposed numerous cases of the dumping of toxic or radioactive waste. The organization has staged dramatic publicity stunts and demonstrations, too, in an effort to call attention to environmental issues. In 2003, for example, dozens of activists laid 12 tons of sod on the road in front of the U.S. Department of Agriculture building to call for the protection of national forests. (Source of information: Greenpeace, www.greenpeace.org.)

From this passage, a reader might logically draw which conclusion?

A. Members of Greenpeace would be likely to agree that sometimes you have to break a law in an effort to improve the world. Correct B. Members of Greenpeace would say that the media is not an essential element in the environmentalist movement. C. The Greenpeace organization would advocate the bombing of ships that refused to stop slaughtering endangered species of animals. D. Members of Greenpeace would probably agree that people who harm the environment for profit will change their ways and stop causing damage when they hear reasoned, logical arguments against their activities.

2. In 1998, figure skating champion Katarina Witt, a gold medalist in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, caused a stir when she posed nude for Playboy magazine. Right before the 2000 Olympic Games, swimmer Jenny Thompson, too, generated controversy when she appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine with only her hands covering her breasts. Just a few years later, in 2004, however, hardly anyone even raised an eyebrow when several unapologetic Olympic athletes appeared nude for Playboy and other men's magazines while they were actually competing. Even the United States Olympic Committee did not object to the athletes' actions. By they should object. In fact, we should all be appalled by these women's decision to become centerfolds. They claim that modern women have earned the right to decide how they want to be portrayed in the media. But the fact is that these nude photographs degrade the women who pose for them. Even worse, these women diminish the accomplishments of female athletes and encourage the public to view them as sex objects. When even a few athletes choose to pose nude, they severely undermine women's quest to be respected for their achievements rather than the way they look. (Source of information: Joe Drape, "Olympians Strike Pinup Pose, and Avoid Setting Off a Fuss," The New York Times, August 12, 2004, www.nytimes.com)

From this passage, a reader might logically draw which conclusion?

A. The author would probably say that it's acceptable for Hollywood actresses to appear nude in films. B. The author would probably not object to male athletes posing nude for magazines. C. The author would agree that Katarina Witt and Jenny Thompson are good role models for young girls who aspire to become Olympic athletes one day. D. The author would probably disapprove of a calendar featuring photographs of Olympic athletes in skimpy lingerie. Correct

3. In Colonial America, the hands and feet of rule-breakers and criminals were locked into wooden devices called stocks, while members of the community were encouraged to taunt and pelt them with rotten food to shame them for their transgressions. Another kind of shaming punishment is illustrated in The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel, which concerns an adulteress who is forced by community officials to wear a scarlet A on her clothes as penance for her crime. Surprisingly, these kinds of Puritan "shaming" punishments have come back into vogue. In Maryland, Texas, Georgia, and California, for example, judges have ordered shoplifters to stand outside stores with signs that announce the crime they committed. In 2003, a San Francisco judge ordered a mail thief to stand for eight hours outside a post office wearing a two-sided "sandwich board" that bore the message: "I stole mail. This is my punishment." In parts of Florida and Ohio, people who have been convicted of driving while intoxicated are issued special license plates that identify them as drunk drivers. In parts of Texas, convicted sex offenders have been ordered to put in their yards signs warning children to stay away. The U.S. Justice Department defends these kinds of shaming sentences, claiming that they are effective for punishment as well as rehabilitation. But some defense attorneys have disagreed, arguing that this kind of public humiliation amounts to "cruel and unusual punishment," which is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. (Source of information: Richard Willing, "Thief Challenges Dose of Shame as Punishment," USA Today, August 18, 2004, p. 3A.)

From this passage, a reader might logically draw which conclusion?

A. The U.S. Justice Department would agree that the way to rehabilitate wrongdoers is to use logic and appeal to their intellect rather than their emotions. B. The U.S. Justice Department would probably support a judge's decision to require a convicted criminal to appear in public in a T-shirt imprinted with the words "I broke the law." Correct C. Those who object to shaming sentences would be likely to support a judge's order requiring a convicted wife-beater to apologize to his victim on the evening news. D. A judge who believed in shaming punishment would never require a drunk driver to identify his or her crime with a special bumper sticker announcing, "I drove under the influence."

4. The notion that sunlight is bad and that people who tan are recklessly risking their lives has become conventional wisdom. However, in 2004, Michael Holick, M.D., a professor of medicine and physiology at Boston University School of Medicine, published a book entitled The UV Advantage. In his book, Holick challenges the idea that the sun is always bad, arguing that sunlight is actually necessary for good health. Not that Holick believes in being a sun worshipper; on the contrary, he began his book with the statement, "I do not advocate tanning." Yet, wrote Holick, because humans obtain 90 to 95 percent of their vitamin D from the sun and because this essential vitamin helps to strengthen bones and protect against illnesses like diabetes and multiple sclerosis, people should expose themselves to sunlight-without sun block-for five to ten minutes every day. Holick also pointed out that sun awareness campaigns have always focused on the possibility of getting malignant melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer. Yet that form of skin cancer accounts for only 10 percent of all skin cancers, so 90 percent of them are still easily treated. Not everyone, though, appreciated Holick's reasoned arguments in favor of short doses of sunlight. The month before the book came out, the sunscreen industry bought advertisements in newspapers to attack Holick's reputation. Plus, he was asked to resign his dermatology professorship at Boston University School of Medicine because his views did not match those of his colleagues in the dermatology department. Holick, who remains at Boston University as a professor of medicine and physiology, has pointed out that the dermatology community, especially the American Academy of Dermatology, received major funding from the sunscreen industry. (Source of information: Brendan O'Neill, "`They Have Vilified the Sun-and Me,'" Spiked, July 23, 2004, www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CA616.htm)

From this passage, a reader might logically draw which conclusion?

A. Michael Holick would probably argue that it's not necessary to pack sunscreen for a day at the beach. B. Michael Holick would agree that spending a lot of time in a tanning bed is a lot better for your health than lying in the sun. C. Michael Holick would say that warnings about the risk of skin cancer have been accurate. D. Michael Holick would encourage anyone who wants a deep tan to get it from a bottle or tube rather than a day spent lying in the sun.

Correct

Read each paragraph. Then the letter next to the main idea implied by the paragraph.

1. The Compaq computer company once considered changing the "Press Any Key" command on the screen to "Press Return Key" because its technical support center received numerous calls from people who couldn't find the "Any" key. One particular Compaq customer called to complain that her brand new computer wouldn't work. She said that she had unpacked the unit, plugged it in, and then sat there for 20 minutes waiting for it to come on. When the tech support employee asked her what happened when she pressed the power switch, she asked, "What power switch?" An annoyed Dell customer called the company to say that his keyboard would not work after he cleaned it by soaking it in a tub filled with soapy water for a day. An exasperated caller to IBM claimed to be having trouble printing documents. He said his computer was telling him that it "couldn't find printer." He reported that he had even turned the computer screen to face the printer, but his computer was still failing to "see" the printer. Another frustrated IBM customer called tech support after having trouble installing software. She said, "I put in the first disk, and that was OK. It said to put in the second disk, and I had some problems?.When it said to put in the third disk, I couldn't even fit it in." She apparently did not realize that Disk 1 must be removed before Disk 2 can be inserted. The Canon company received a call from a woman claiming to have printer problems. The tech support employee asked her if she was "running it under Windows." She replied, "No, my desk is next to the door. But that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window and his printer is working fine." (Source of information: "Befuddled PC Users Flood Help Lines, and No Question Seems to Be Too Basic," no author credited, Wall Street Journal, March 1, 1994.)

Main idea: A. The Compaq computer company receives large numbers of customer complaints. B. Calls for technical support suggest that some people know very little about computers. Correct C. Computer companies cannot seem to make computers that are easy to use and for that reason technical support lines are constantly busy.

2. The high-heeled shoes that are so much in fashion right now are actually terribly unhealthy for women's feet. They lift feet out of their natural position and shorten the Achilles' tendons. They put damaging pressure on nerves and remove the feet's ability to stabilize the body and absorb the impact of heel strikes while walking. Therefore, women who regularly wear high heels often suffer from sprained ankles, arthritis, shin splints, bunions, toe deformities, and back pain. But the exact opposite type of shoe, the popular flip-flop or thong sandal, is also bad for feet. Because flip-flops are flat and soft, they offer no support or protection. They can also easily catch on things and cause the wearer to trip and fall. Even athletic shoes can sometimes be unhealthy for feet. According to foot specialists, some of them don't provide enough cushioning for people with high arches. Others don't provide enough arch support for people with flatter feet. Therefore, they can cause tearing of body tissues, bruises, and sprained ankles. (Source of information: Lorraine Kreahling, "In the Relentless Pursuit of Fashion, the Feet Pay the Price," The New York Times, August 31, 2004, www.nytimes.com)

Main idea: A. Shoes are actually bad for the human foot, and we would all be better off going barefoot. B. Fashionable high-heeled shoes are bad for women's feet but that doesn't stop women from wearing them. C. Several of today's most popular shoe styles are unhealthy for the feet. Correct

3. Soon after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks upon America, New Yorkers erected a temporary "Tribute in Light" memorial near the site of the destroyed World Trade Center. The memorial beamed two powerful pillars of light into the night sky. Later, when the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation held a competition to select a design for a memorial to the victims those attacks, one of the eight finalists proposed a design called "Passages of Light: Memorial Cloud." This memorial would consist of ten thousand vertical light sources that would be suspended above visitors' heads. Another finalist's design, called "Inversion of Light" suggested turning the footprint of one of the towers into a reflecting pool above a circle of lights. Yet another finalist proposed a "Garden of Lights," in which each light represented a victim of the attack. Similarly, another of the eight finalists wanted to create "Votives (candles) in Suspension," in which lights representing each victim would hang in an underground space. (Source of information: Paul Goldberger, "The Sky Line: Memories," The New Yorker, December 8, 2003, p. 50.)

Main idea: A. Although temporary, the memorial consisting of two beams of light was the best and most powerful memorial of all. B. Americans take the design of a memorial very seriously. C. Many of the ideas for September 11 memorials revolved around the use of light as a symbol. Correct

4. Are the newer, walkie-talkie-like, push-to-talk phones better than ordinary cell phones? They're certainly quicker to use than cell phones are. Using a cell phone requires dialing a number and then waiting for it to ring, but a push-to-talk call is made by simply pressing a button that causes the phone to ring almost instantaneously. Therefore, calls can be made faster and with less work. In an emergency, the immediacy of push-to-talk calls is a definite plus. Not only do push-to-talk calls go through faster, but they are also not subject to the congestion that arises when many cell phones are trying to access a network at the same time. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, for example, push-to-talk phone calls went through when cell phone calls wouldn't. However, push-to-talk phone calls can be placed only to others who subscribe to push-to-talk service on the same network. In contrast, cell phone calls can be placed to any other phone and are not limited to certain people. Push-to-talk service also costs extra, adding about $20 per month to a typical cell phone bill. In addition, a caller on a push-to-talk phone

cannot hear the other party until he or she finishes talking and releases a button. Consequently, conversations on push-to-talk phones tend to be choppier and more unnatural than conversations on cell phones. What's more, bystanders can hear what both callers are saying. Many people say that being forced to listen to one-sided cell phone conversations is bad enough. (Source of information: "What's the Buzz?" no author credited, USA Today, October 13, 2003, p. 1D; Edward C. Baig, "Push to Talk," USA Today, October 13, 2003, p. 1D.)

Main idea: A. Push-to-talk phones are better than cell phones. B. Push-to-talk phones have both advantages and disadvantages. Correct C. Cell phones are better than push-to-talk phones.

5. Researchers Bibb Latane and John Darley wanted to find out if the presence of other people affects how individuals respond to an emergency. To that end, they conducted an experiment in which participants were placed in a room to complete a questionnaire. Some of the participants were alone, and some were with two other participants, who were actually working with the researchers. The job of the fake participants was to seem unconcerned when the smoke began to filter in. As it turned out, within four minutes, half of the participants who were working alone took action, leaving the room to report the smoke to someone in authority. Within six minutes, 75 percent of the solitary participants interpreted the smoke as a possible emergency, and took action. However, only one of the 24 participants in the presence of other people took action within four minutes. By the time the study was terminated at six minutes, only three of those working with others had left the room or called for help. Those who had remained in the smoke-filled room later said the smoke was so thick they could no longer see the questionnaire before them. Yes, they did indeed suspect a possible emergency, but seeing no sign of concern in their companions, they convinced themselves nothing was wrong. Similar behavior has been noted in classrooms and lecture halls. If no one else is asking any questions of the professor or speaker, students and audience members who are thoroughly confused generally won't raise their hands to ask for clarification because they assume-often incorrectly-that everyone but them understands what's been said. (Source of information: Sharon S. Brehm et al., Social Psychology, 5th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002, pp. 362-363.)

Main idea: A. During emergencies, people are less likely to help if other people are present. B. During emergencies, people make decisions about how to act based on the behavior of others. C. The presence and behavior of other people affects how individuals respond to threatening or confusing situations. Correct

Directions: Identify the statement that best paraphrases the topic sentence.

1. There are those who claim the American dollar bill's symbol of a pyramid topped with an eye bears a secret meaning. However, the pyramid was never meant to be mysterious. On the contrary, the pyramid on the dollar bill was a carefully chosen symbol designed to characterize the United States as a place of progress and faith. The Roman numerals on the pyramid base refer to 1776, the year the country was founded. The pyramid is also unfinished, representing our country's future growth. The eye in a triangle radiating light represents the overseeing eye of a deity. The motto above the pyramid, "Annuit Coeptis," means "He has favored our undertakings." Below the pyramid, the motto "Novus Ordo Seculorum" means "a new order of the ages." (Sources of information: U.S. Department of the Treasury Bureau of Engraving and Printing, http://www.moneyfactory.com/document.cfm/18/2041) Which of the following best paraphrases the topic sentence? A. All of the images printed on the $1 bill symbolize America's principles and goals. Correct B. The pyramid and eye on the back of the $1 bill was carefully created to represent American values. C. The dollar's symbolism is typical of American currency. D. American currency should be redesigned to better reflect our country's separation of church and state.

2. In her famous 1969 book, On Death and Dying, author Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified five stages of death (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). Ever since the publication of that best seller, Kübler-Ross's five stages have generally been accepted as accurate, even scientific. Recently, however, Kübler-Ross's well-known sequence has come under fire, in part because more attention is being paid to the eccentric views on death she publicly expressed starting in the 1970s. For instance, Kübler-Ross began claiming that death did not exist at all. Inspired by what she claimed was an "out of body" experience, she started talking about death as the fountain of youth. From her new perspective, death was not an end but the beginning of spiritual renewal, a time when people would "become complete again." Her description of death as a "sixth stage," where people refreshed themselves before returning to the living was criticized as irrational nonsense. Kübler-Ross's critics worried that she might be encouraging those of her fans who had psychological problems to embrace death as a way out of their pain. With more attention being paid to Kübler-Ross's unusual views, it's not surprising that her notions about death are being taken less seriously. (Source of information: Ron Rosenbaum, "Dead Like Her," Slate, September 23, 2004, http://slate.msn.com/id/2107069/) Which of the following best paraphrases the topic sentence? A. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross helped generations of people conquer their fear of dying.

Incorrect B. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was never afraid of expressing unpopular points of view. Correct C. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's unusual personal beliefs have caused many people to dismiss her conclusions about the five stages of death. D. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was oddly obsessed with death and dying.

3. One of the most well known first pets was Fala, Franklin D. Roosevelt's black Scottish terrier. The dog went everywhere with Roosevelt, once making the news when he was accidentally left behind on a trip to the Aleutian Islands. Roosevelt's Republican opponents accused him of spending $8 million to send a destroyer back to fetch the dog. The president's humorous defense of his dog only increased his popularity and probably helped Roosevelt win his historic fourth term. But Fala is not the only famous first pet; a number of other presidential pets have earned the public's notice. President Richard Nixon's dog Checkers, for instance, has been credited with saving his political career. In a speech on national television, Nixon defended accusations of financial irregularities by acknowledging the receipt of just one personal gift, a dog named Checkers. Nixon also claimed he would never give Checkers up. Gerald Ford's dog Liberty was so popular, the cast of the TV comedy show Saturday Night Live often included Liberty in their skits about the president. Millie, the Springer spaniel of George and Barbara Bush, appeared as the author of a New York Times bestseller. First Lady Hillary Clinton increased the fame of the Clinton's first pets with her book "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets." (Source of information: John S. Cooper, "First Pets, Part II," Suite101.com, October 27, 2000, www.suite101.com/article.cfm/4996/50455) Which of the following best paraphrases the topic sentence? A. Franklin D. Roosevelt's dog Fala was America's most famous First Pet. Incorrect B. Fala was the most well known of all of the presidential pets. C. Presidential pets are often in the news. Correct D. Several First Pets have achieved fame while residing in the White House.

4. Despite his failure as a presidential candidate, Ohio Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich's suggestion that we establish a new Department of Peace within the federal government deserves serious consideration. A Department of Peace might help stop the senseless loss of life occurring all over the globe. If we in the United States develop more peaceful ways to coexist with other nations, we might influence others as well. A Department of Peace could, for example, study the conditions that promote both domestic and international harmony. A Department of Peace could also sponsor conflict prevention and resolution initiatives in war-torn countries. It could establish a Peace Academy to train people in nonviolent conflict resolution. All of these measures could ultimately save lives here at home and abroad. Which of the following best paraphrases the topic sentence? A. For two reasons, Congress should create a Department of Peace. Correct B. A Department of Peace might help put an end to global bloodshed. Incorrect C. Congressman Dennis Kucinich is a creative problem-solver with vision. D. The U.S. government focuses too much on war and not enough on peace.

5. Several grueling races around the globe test the limits of human endurance. For instance, the Marathon des Sables is an ultramarathon held every April in Morocco. It covers 150 miles in six days through blazing heat and some of the most difficult conditions imaginable. One participant said, "The most difficult part was waking up at 5 a.m. with your legs so sore you can hardly stand up, feet blistered, bloodied and bandaged, and then having to run a marathon in 120-plus degree heat with a 20-pound pack." In the Sahara Marathon, participants run 26 miles on sand roads through the harsh and unforgiving Sahara Desert. The Jungle Marathon is a 7-day,124-mile race through the Amazon jungle of Brazil. For runners who prefer cooler climates, the Pike's Peak Marathon is known as one of the toughest in the world, for participants must run 26.3 miles up a mountain in Colorado, ascending 7,815 feet. The Everest Marathon is a 26.2-mile race over the rough mountain terrain of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Runners can also participate in the North Pole Marathon, a 26.2-mile run over Arctic ice floes in sub-zero temperatures.(Source of information: "ITT Adventurers Race Through Sahara," ITT Industries, http://www.itt.com/IOHextra/rel19/article2.html) Which of the following best paraphrases the topic sentence? Incorrect A. Marathon runners are the most physically fit people in the world. B. Some marathon runners prefer races in hot climates, while others prefer racing in cold climates. C. The Marathon des Sables is the world's most difficult race. Correct D. Many marathon races held all over the world force participants to push themselves practically to the end of human endurance.

Directions: Read each paragraph. Then select the letter next to the main idea implied by the paragraph.

1. Because early humans had to chew up plants to get enough calories to survive, their mouths contained an extra row of molar teeth. Today, however, only 5 percent of the population has a healthy set of these third molars, or wisdom teeth. Many people just have them removed. When the human diet consisted of more plant matter than animal protein, the appendix helped digest the plant matter. Now, though, this narrow, muscular tube is not only useless, it can also cause problems; every year, more than 300,000 Americans must get it removed. The coccyx, the fused vertebrae at the base of the spine, is the useless remainder of the tail that early humans lost as they evolved, and surgical removal of the coccyx has no effect on the body's performance. Like the coccyx, human body hair once had a function. Hair on the chest and back helped keep early humans warm while eyebrows kept sweat out of the eyes. Now most of the hair left on the modern human body serves no function. A trio of ear muscles once allowed early humans to move their ears just as dogs and rabbits do. Although modern humans still have these muscles, we don't use them unless we make a conscious effort to learn how to wiggle our ears. Several other small muscles in the body, which were once important for

actions like hanging, climbing, and grasping with the feet, are still present in the majority of humans, but they, too, no longer serve any function. (Source of information: Jocelyn Selim, "Useless Body Parts," Discover, June 2004, pp. 42-46.) Implied main idea: A. Early humans were more like animals than modern humans are. Correct B. Quite a few human body parts are now useless. C. Many body parts cause problems for modern humans and have to be removed. D. The human body offers much evidence that humans evolved from apes.

2. People who are exposed to a large increase in steady, prolonged background noise experience lasting elevations in their blood pressure. One study, for example, found that children who attended school near the busy, noisy Los Angeles International Airport had higher blood pressure than children attending quieter schools. If the noise is not just loud but also intermittent, those exposed to it experience symptoms of psychological distress. In a study of people living near a newly opened highway, for instance, 84 percent of those interviewed reported that were still irritated by the sound of the traffic even after a year of exposure. In other words, the sounds of the highway never receded into background noise. Several studies have shown that this noise-induced irritability can lead to increased aggression and decreased helping behavior. If sounds are not only loud and intermittent but also unpredictable, people tend to experience both behavioral and physiological symptoms of stress. For example, subjects in laboratory experiments who were exposed to noise of this type could not cope well with frustrating tasks. Their ability to perform tasks that required sustained attention to detail also suffered; in one of these studies, people subjected to loud, unpredictable noises made numerous errors as they completed proofreading tasks and tried to solve difficult puzzles. (Sources of information: Robert H. Frank, "How Not To Buy Happiness," Daedalus, Vol. 133, Issue 2, http://mitpress.mit.edu, pp. 69-79; Berglund, B., and Lindvall, T. (Eds.). "Community Noise," Archives of the Center for Sensory Research, 1995, 2(1), 1-195, http://www.nonoise.org/library/whonoise/whonoise.htm#7.6.1.2) Implied main idea: Correct A. Noise elevates stress and damages health. B. Stress is very harmful to the health. Incorrect C. America is a very noisy place. D. People who live in noisy areas tend to be stressed out and irritable.

3. In many cultures, the elderly are not only respected but also revered. In Native American, Hispanic, and Asian societies, for example, older people are cherished for their knowledge, experience, and wisdom. In mainstream American culture, however, the media feeds anxieties about aging by bombarding citizens with advertisements for creams, pills, cosmetics, hair color, diet supplements, and other products that will ward off aging and make people look and feel younger. The general population often stereotypes elderly people as slow, feeble, cranky, and burdensome. Many taxpayers resent the cost of entitlement programs, such as social security and Medicare, which benefit senior citizens. Even professionals tend to have a low opinion of the elderly. Medical students use nicknames such as "vegetable" and "Gork" (short for "God only really knows" the cause of the person's symptoms) to describe elderly patients. Very few of these students choose geriatrics for their specialty. Most doctors do not devote as much time and energy to their elderly patients as they do to their younger patients. And when elderly people become depressed, their doctors are more likely to prescribe drugs rather than send them to psychotherapists because they believe that older people are too set in their ways to be able to work through their problems. (Source of information: Kelvin L. Siefert et al., Lifespan Development, 2nd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000, p. 590.) Implied main idea: A. Many cultures respect and honor the elderly. B. Americans should respect and honor elderly citizens. C. Americans tend to be meaner and more disrespectful than people of other cultures. Correct D. Many Americas fear aging and are prejudiced against the elderly.

4. Are "third parties," the minor political parties with beliefs that differ radically from those of the Democrats and Republicans, making any progress in their quest to change how our country is run? In 2004, 210 members of the Green Party, a third party that has been in existence since 1984, held office in 27 states and the District of Columbia. Greens also held offices that included city council positions in cities such as Santa Monica, California; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Madison, Wisconsin. On the city council of the town of Arcata, California, Greens actually held a majority of the seats. Ralph Nader, the Green Party's candidate for president in both 1996 and 2000, received almost 2.9 million popular votes in the 2000 presidential election. Members of the New Party, another third party begun in 1992, have also succeeded in being elected to local offices, winning 300 of its first 400 political races in states like Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Maryland. The most successful of the third parties has been the Libertarian Party, which was formed in 1972. In 2004, 581 members of this party held office, with significant impact in California, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. The Libertarian Party has also been the only third party to have its candidates on the ballots in all 50 states in every U.S. presidential election since 1980. (Source of information: Ann O' M. Bowman and Richard C. Kearney, State and Local Government, 5th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002, p. 118.) Implied main idea:

Incorrect A. Third parties are quite different from the two major political parties. B. The Libertarian Party is the most successful of all of the third parties. Correct C. Third parties are having some success getting their candidates elected. D. During the last few decades, third parties have become as successful as the two major political parties.

5. Researchers have long debated whether it's healthier to be slim or physically fit. One recent study conducted at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston examined data on 38,000 women 45 and older, whose weight, height, and physical activity were recorded for about seven years. The researchers found that women who were overweight were three times more likely than normal-weight women to develop diabetes. Even walking four or more hours per week did not lower the overweight women's risk of getting diabetes. In another study by the University of Florida, researchers examined 906 women who had been tested for possible heart problems. They found that an obese woman who was physically fit, with a strong cardiovascular system, had a low risk of developing heart disease. But they also discovered that a slim woman who was not physically fit had a relatively high risk of developing heart disease. (Source of information: Anita Manning, "Slimness vs. Cardiovascular Fitness: Which is More Crucial?" USA Today, September 8, 2004, p. 9D.) Implied main idea: A. It's healthier to be slim than physically fit. B. It's healthier to be physically fit than slim. Correct C. Two studies suggest that women who want to avoid some major health risks may be need to keep slim as well as fit. Incorrect D. Overweight people cannot be physically fit.