Information & Ideas Mastery

1. A passage discusses how coral reefs support 25% of marine species despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor. It then explains threats from warming waters, acidification, and pollution, before describing conservation efforts.

The primary purpose of the passage is to:

A) Argue that coral reefs are more important than other marine ecosystems
B) Explain the ecological significance of coral reefs and the challenges they face
C) Criticize governments for failing to protect coral reefs
D) Describe the life cycle of coral organisms

2. A historian writes: "While the popular narrative credits a single inventor, the development of the telephone involved multiple innovators working simultaneously on similar technologies. Bell simply reached the patent office first."

It can be inferred that the author believes:

A) Bell stole ideas from other inventors
B) The common understanding of the telephone's invention is oversimplified
C) Multiple inventors should share the patent for the telephone
D) Patent offices should change their policies

3. A study finds that students who take handwritten notes retain information better than those who type notes on laptops. Researchers hypothesize that the slower pace of handwriting forces students to process and summarize information rather than transcribing verbatim.

Which finding, if true, would most weaken the researchers' hypothesis?

A) Students who type notes can review them more easily than those with handwritten notes
B) Students who type notes but are instructed to summarize rather than transcribe show similar retention to handwriters
C) Handwritten notes are often less complete than typed notes
D) Some students prefer typing because it's faster

4. Data shows that Country X's renewable energy production increased from 15% to 35% of total energy between 2010 and 2020, while fossil fuel production decreased from 80% to 60%.

Based on the data, which statement is accurate?

A) Country X eliminated its dependence on fossil fuels
B) Renewable energy production more than doubled as a percentage of total energy
C) Country X now produces more renewable energy than fossil fuel energy
D) The decrease in fossil fuel percentage equals the increase in renewable percentage

5. A passage about sleep research explains that teenagers' circadian rhythms naturally shift later, making early school start times biologically challenging. It cites studies showing improved academic performance and reduced car accidents in districts that delayed start times.

Which choice best describes the function of the studies mentioned?

A) To prove that teenagers are lazier than adults
B) To provide evidence supporting the benefits of later school start times
C) To criticize current educational policies
D) To explain how circadian rhythms work

6. An author describes ancient Roman concrete as remarkably durable, noting that structures like the Pantheon have stood for nearly 2,000 years. The author then explains that modern scientists have discovered the Romans used volcanic ash, which creates a stronger chemical bond than modern Portland cement.

The passage suggests that:

A) Modern buildings will not last as long as Roman structures
B) Volcanic ash is the only component of Roman concrete
C) Understanding ancient techniques could improve modern construction materials
D) The Pantheon is the oldest building in the world

7. A graph shows coffee consumption (cups per day) for different age groups: 18-29 (1.5 cups), 30-49 (2.8 cups), 50-64 (3.1 cups), 65+ (2.4 cups).

Based on the data, which conclusion is best supported?

A) Coffee consumption increases steadily with age
B) Middle-aged adults consume the most coffee on average
C) Young adults should drink more coffee
D) Coffee consumption will continue to rise in future generations

8. A passage discusses how urban light pollution affects migrating birds, which navigate partly by starlight. Studies show birds become disoriented near brightly lit cities, sometimes circling buildings until exhausted.

Which evidence would best support adding that light pollution is a significant conservation concern?

A) Descriptions of how beautiful city lights look from above
B) Statistics on the number of birds killed annually due to building collisions during migration
C) Information about other navigational methods birds use
D) The history of electric lighting in major cities

9. A researcher argues that social media use correlates with increased anxiety in teenagers, but acknowledges that anxious teenagers might simply be more drawn to social media. The researcher calls for longitudinal studies to determine causation.

The researcher's acknowledgment primarily serves to:

A) Dismiss the connection between social media and anxiety
B) Recognize a limitation in the current evidence
C) Argue that social media is beneficial for anxious teenagers
D) Prove that teenagers use social media excessively

10. A passage about invasive species explains that zebra mussels, introduced to North American waters in the 1980s, have caused billions of dollars in damage by clogging water intake pipes and outcompeting native species.

The passage primarily serves to:

A) Describe the biology of zebra mussels
B) Illustrate the ecological and economic impacts of an invasive species
C) Argue that all non-native species are harmful
D) Explain how zebra mussels arrived in North America