PAX Prep NLN Verbal Comprehension Passages Answered, 2022-The way Things Work
It was the ancient Greeks who first had the idea that everything is made up of elements. They conjured up just four of them-earth, fire, wi
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PAX Prep NLN Verbal Comprehension Passages Answered, 2022-The way Things Work
It was the ancient Greeks who first had the idea that everything is made up of elements. They conjured up just four of them-earth, fire, wind and water. As it turned out, the idea was right but the elements were wrong. Modern elements are less evocative but more numerous. They make up just over one hundred basic substances. Some are commonplace, like hydrogen, oxygen, iron and carbon; others are rare and precious, such as mercury, uranium and gold.
Purely by the power of reason, the Greeks also made another fundamental discovery, which is that all things consist of particles called atoms. Elements are substances that contain only one kind of atom. All other substances are compounds of two or more elements in which the atoms group together to form molecules.The way molecules behave governs the workings of many machines, in particular machines such as ships, airplanes, pumps, refrigerators and combustion engines, all of which harness the ancient elements and set molecules to work.
The idea that everything is made of particles takes some imagination to understand. For example, as you read this, molecules of oxygen and nitrogen traveling at supersonic speed are bombarding you from all directions. The reason that you are unaware of this is that the molecules (which along with those others gases, make up the air) are on the small side. You could get about 400 million million of them into an empty matchbox. In fact, it would be truer to say that you could get these millions of molecules out of the matchbox, because the molecules of gases are so hyperactive that they will fill any space open to them. Like five-year-olds, they dash about in all directions. With unflagging energy, crashing into any obstacle they meet. In liquids, the molecules are less energetic and go haphazardly about ion small groups, rather like drunken dancers prone to colliding with the walls of the dance hall. The molecules in solids are the least energetic; they just huddle together like a flock of sheep shuffling around in a field.
However invisible molecules might be, their existence does explain the properties and behavior of materials that are put to use in machines. In a solid, the molecular bonds are strong and hold the molecules firmly together so that the solid is hard and rigid. The weaker bonds between liquid molecules pull them together to give the liquid a set volume, but the bonds are sufficiently weak to allow the liquid to flow. The bonds between gas molecules are weaker still. They enable the molecules to move apart so the gas expands and fills any space. In all materials, the molecules urge to stick together or spread apart is put to use in machines and devices as different as the rocket, the toilet tank and the aqualung.
David Macaulay, The way Things Work Houghton Mifflin Co 1988
Question
1 of 5
In the context of this article, the word conjured as used in paragraph one means?
A.) swept
B.) intertwined
C.) imagined
D.) conferred. - answer: imagined
The way Things Work
Based on this article, we can assume that the author
A.) does not appreciate vocabulary and illustrations.
B.) uses analogies that are confusing.
C.) believes the study of elements is no longer relevant.
D.) is knowledgeable about history and science. - answer: is knowledgeable about history and science.
The way Things Work
An appropriate title for this selection would be?
A.) Gold in the Elements.
B.) The Useless Molecule.
C.) The Makeup of Everything.
D.) How the Greeks Failed. - answer: The Makeup of Everything.
The way Things Work
From this article we can infer that?
A.) the world is not governed by particles or atoms, but is chaotic.
B.) the ancient Greeks' concept of four elements was the basis of modern science.
C.) modern science does not depend on molecular knowledge.
D.) many machines depend on the properties of molecules. - answer: many machines depend on the properties of molecules.
The way Things Work
When liquid water is changed to ice, the particles are?
A.) banded further apart.
B.) more energetic.
C.) more fluid.
D.) bound closer together. - answer: bound closer together.
The way Things Work
From the passage, we learn that ancient Greeks proposed that?
A.) the behavior of molecules cannot be observed.
B.) all things are made up of atoms.
C.) there are 105 different elements in the world.
D.) elements are substances that contain many kinds of atoms. - answer: all things are made up of atoms.
Artifacts near Rio de Janero
Which of these titles is the most appropriate for this passage? - answer: artifacts in Rio May mean Roman visit
Artifacts near Rio de Janero
If one were to look inside in amphora the bottom would appear - answer: pointed
Artifacts near Rio de Janeiro
Marx beliefs on Forest found at the site indicate that - answer: Romans sailed into the bay
Artifacts near Rio de Janeiro
Dr. Edgerton has helped the project by - answer: confirming the identity of the anphoras
Artifacts near Rio de Janeiro
From the passage it can be inferred that the Rio de Janeiro has a problem with - answer: waste disposal
Artifacts near Rio de Janeiro
According to the passage Mr. Marks cannot begin serious excavation of the site until he - answer: receives authorization from the Brazilian government
Road Runner
The sound made by the roadrunners - answer: vary with specific activity
Road Runner
Which of the titles is most appropriate for this passage ? - answer: survivors of the desert
Road Runner
The roadrunners diet for nestlings consist of - answer: reptiles
Road Runner
If the night temperature drops 50° the roadrunners internal energy censuration permits a lowering of body temperature to - 94°
Road Runner
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