Analyzing Nonfiction and Informational Text Practice Questions Questions 1 through 4 refer to the following passage about communication technology and the accompanying cartoon. SOCIAL NETWORKING AT WHAT COST? + Sit in any restaurant or coffee shop long ‘enough, and you're bound to witness a familiar scene: a couple, a family, or a group of friends gathered to enjoy a meal, but instead of con- versing, each person at the table sits staring at his or her cell phone. In this age of social media, the question arises: does technology enhance or limit our ability to make strong emotional connections with other people? 2 Social networks have broadened with the expansion of communication technology. We connect easily with new acquaintances, old friends, potential clients, and complete strang- ers, For loved ones who are separated by distance, technology provides an important lifeline. Soldiers, deployed for long tours of duty, meet their newborn children over video chat. Grandparents, limited by ill health, watch their grandchildren grow through pictures and je0s posted to social medi ® With all the benefits of social media, however, come considerable costs. Each new connection we make (and old acquaintance we maintain) demands time, energy, and emotional invest- ment. This often comes at the expense of time we could give to the most important people in our lives. Moreover, much of what we share through social media is superficial or entertain ing. Only when technology is used to enhance our deepest, most valuable connections can it be considered real progress for humankind. (© 2011 Peter Mule fiom Catoonbank.cam. ll ight reserved 96 ]& _ Unit1: Reasoning through Language Arts 1. What is the purpose of the passage and the graphic? A. to discuss different forms of social media B, to suggest a new form of communication technology C. to examine ways in which modern families use technology to communicate D. to discuss whether communication tech- nology helps or hurts relationships What is the topic of the passage and the graphic? ‘A. maintaining long-distance relationships B. how technology affects interpersonal con- nections CC. the its of social media D. the expense of new technologies Which of the following details in the graphic sup- ports the author's point of view in the passage? ‘A. The caption reveals that the woman is. expecting friends to visit, B. The woman in the cartoon is speaking on the phone with a computer nearby. C. The woman in the cartoon is alone. D. The caption reveals that the woman's friends will use their phones during their visit. Together, the graphic and the passage sup- port which of the following conclusions? ‘A. New communication technologies may offer exciting ways for people to establish new friendships. B. New communication technologies may adversely impact important human rela- tionships. C. New communication technologies may offer positive solutions for friends who are separated by distance. D. New communication technologies may help people to complete several tasks at once.Questions 5 through 8 refer to this passage about the giant squid. THE GIANT SQUID: MORE THAN COLOSSAL? The giant squid is the world’s longest cepha- lopod. Based on measurements of over 100 full specimens (including adult and adolescent individuals) recovered from the stomachs of sperm whales and other predators, scientists have determined that the giant squid can reach a length of 13 meters. ‘Some have argued that the honor of longest cephalopod should instead go to the colos- sal squid, a distant relative of the giant squid, but this belief is incorrect. It is true that the colossal squid may outweigh its giant cousin, However, of the few specimens of the colos- sal squid (all of them juveniles) described in the scientific literature, the longest measured ten meters. Therefore, the giant squid wins the length contest No other cephalopod is even close in length to either of these animals. For example, the giant Pacific octopus, the world’s longest octopus species, has a maximum arm span of only about six meters. The giant squid’s status as the world’s longest cephalopod remains uncontested. . The main point of the passage is that ‘A. the colossal squid weighs more than the giant squid B. the giant squid is the world’s longest ceph- alopod C. the giant Pacific octopus is the world’s longest octopus species D. the giant squid can reach a length of 13 meters 6. 7. Which of the following best summarizes the writer's argument in paragraph 27 A. The colossal sq cephalopod. B. The colossal squid is a distant relative of the giant squid, ©. The giant Pacific octopus is not as long as the giant squid. D. The giant squid is tonger than the colossal squid. is the world’s longest What evidence is given to support the writer's argument in paragraph 2? A. The colossal squid can weigh more than the giant squid. B. The giant squid is the world's longest cephalopod. C. The length of the longest known colossal squid specimen is ten meters. D. The giant Pacific octopus has a maximum arm span of only about six meters. Which of the following is an example of faulty reasoning that weakens the writer’s argu- ment? A. The longest known colossal squid is ten meters long, so there is no colossal sq longer than the longest giant squid. B. The giant Pacific octopus is the world’s longest species of octopus, but it is not as long as the giant squid. C. Many specimens of the giant squid have been measured. D. Because sperm whales prey on giant squid, they must also prey on colossal squid. Chapter 2: Analyzing Nonfiction and Informational Text. J{ 97Questions 9 through 15 refer to these two passages al Passage 1 ‘The use of mercury amalgam for dental filings has already been banned in several European nations, and it should also be banned in the United States. The mercury contained in amalgam fillings slowly leaches into the mouth and is swallowed. It is then absorbed by the small intestine and accumulates in various body tissues, including the brain, kidney, and liver. In 2001, a study reported that patients with a higher number of amalgam filings also had higher ‘occurrences of cancer, respiratory disease, and dis- eases of the nervous system. Therefore, it is clear that this accumulated mercury causes a variety of health problems. In addition to its health impact, the meroury released from dental amalgam has a number of dam- aging environmental consequences. Mercury waste produced by dental offices is sometimes directly dis- posed of into sewage water or landfills. Mercury can, leach from landfills into groundwater and get into riv- ers and lakes. It has been estimated, for example, that dental amalgam is the source of 4 percent of the mercury found in the water of Lake Superior. Due to the alarming health and environmental con- ‘sequences of mercury amalgam, dental filings should be made from resin composites instead. These com- posites are already becoming popular due to their cosmetic appeal, so banning mercury amalgam will create no consumer backlash. There are demonstra- ble advantages (and no disadvantages) to banning ‘mercury dental amalgam in the United States. 98 [{ Unit 1: Reasoning through Language Arts bout mercury. Passage 2 In recent years, uneducated consumers have expressed a growing fear of the mercury commonly found in dental filings. The environmental impact of mercury is serious, and the release of mercury into the ‘environment must be better controlled. However, the health risks associated with meroury amalgam filings, are minimal. It is well known that people who have mercury amalgam filings absorb small amounts of mercury. However, most of this mercury is excreted in the urine. To date, no convincing scientific study has demonstrated that mercury absorbed from dental fill ings causes any serious health problems. Because mercury amalgam fillings tend to last longer than resin composite fillings, amalgam is preferable for use whenever there is no cosmetic need for a tooth- colored filling. However, the disposal of mercury amalgam in dental offices absolutely must be regulated. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 40 to 50 percent of the mercury in the wastewater pro- cessed at public treatment plants comes from dental amalgam. This is inexcusable, especially because devices that remove mercury from wastewater are inexpensive and easy for dental offices to use. While mercury amalgam should remain available because it is more durable than composites, every dental office must have a device to remove mercury from waste- water., 9. The topic of both passages is A. groundwater contamination B. mercury dental amalgam C. resin composite filings D. dental health risks 10. What is the main argument of Passage 1? A. Mercury amalgam fillings are not unhealthy, but their disposal should be regulated for environmental reasons. B. Resin composite should replace mercury amalgam for dental fillings because it tends to last longer. . Mercury amalgam fillings should be banned because they are unhealthy and bad for the environment. D. Mercury dental amalgam leaches mercury into a patient’s mouth and can damage the liver. 11. Which statement best describes the support ing evidence in paragraph 3 of Passage 2? A. It appears convincing at first glance, but no source is cited. B. It is a seemingly convincing statistic, but the source is untrustworthy. C, Its an unconvincing statistic from an untrustworthy source. D. Itis a convincing statistic from a reliable source. 12. In paragraph 3, the author of Passage 1 states that “These composites are already becoming popular due to their cosmetic appeal, so banning mercury amalgam will create no consumer backlash.” Which of the following is an assumption the author of Passage 1 makes about consumers? ‘A. Consumers have no other reason, such as cost or durability, to prefer mercury amal- gam to composite fillings. B. Consumers will be happy with whatever material they are offered for dental filings. C. Consumers are not generally vocal about their preferences. D. Consumers never discuss the choice of filling material with their dentists. 18. The writer of Passage 2 would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements? A. Mercury amalgam fillings should be banned because they are unhealthy. B. Resin composite filings look better than mercury amalgam fillings when each is used on visible tooth surfaces. C. Mercury contamination of public wastewa- ter is an unimportant issue. D. Resin composite fillings are preferable to mercury amalgam in all cases. 14. Which of the passages has weaker support- ing evidence and why? A. Passage 1, because it cites no sources for the study or the statistic it cites B, Passage 1, because it argues that mer- cury should be banned in dental fillings C. Passage 2, because it cites the Environmental Protection Agency as the source of a statistic it cites D. Passage 2, because it argues that mer- cury used by dental offices should be bet- ter regulated 16. The information presented in Passage 2 suggests that Passage 1 includes which of the following examples of faulty reasoning? ‘A. Resin composites are already gaining in popularity. B. The use of mercury dental amalgam has already been banned in several European nations, C. The mercury released from dental amal- gam has damaging environmental conse- quences. D. Mercury that accumulates in body tissues causes a variety of health problems. Answers and explanations start on page 649. Chapter 2: Analyzing Nonfiction and Informational Text J{ 99