<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<competency testname="Adaptive Reading Test 14" shuffle_choices="1" shuffle_questions="0" displaytype="list">
<direction><![CDATA[Choose the best answer to each question.]]></direction>
<qa name="q1168" theta="2.29411764705882" difficulty="0.269230769230769" discrimination="0.39383379313275" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1390" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[No one knows how many snow leopards there are in Russia, although poaching and illegal snares are thought to have reduced the population to less than 70 out of a global population of at least 4,700.<br><br></em>Which version of the sentence creates a more urgent tone by replacing the phrase "less than"?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[No one knows how many snow leopards there are in Russia, although poaching and illegal snares are thought to have reduced the population to SCARCELY 70 out of a global population of at least 4,700.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[No one knows how many snow leopards there are in Russia, although poaching and illegal snares are thought to have reduced the population to ABOUT 70 out of a global population of at least 4,700.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[No one knows how many snow leopards there are in Russia, although poaching and illegal snares are thought to have reduced the population to FEWER THAN 70 out of a global population of at least 4,700.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[No one knows how many snow leopards there are in Russia, although poaching and illegal snares are thought to have reduced the population to LOWER THAN 70 out of a global population of at least 4,700.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q725" theta="0.41176470588235" difficulty="0.526315789473684" discrimination="0.772163716835942" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1070" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The end of the tube, adds Distel, is Y-shaped and surrounds two tubes. Water is drawn in through one, pushed through the creature’s gills, then expelled through the other.<br><br></em>Which answer choice, if it replaced the word "expelled," would CHANGE the meaning of the second sentence?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[hurled]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[ejected]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[forced out]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[pushed out]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q1028" theta="-2.05882352941177" difficulty="0.823529411764706" discrimination="0.364589625596366" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="650" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The documentary shows her chasing her dream, working at a large engineering firm in Seattle that provides consulting, design and construction services for corporations and governments.<br><br></em>In this sentence, the word "chasing" conveys a sense of:]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[determination]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[enjoyment]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[frustration]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[resourcefulness]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q951" theta="1.58823529411764" difficulty="0.368421052631579" discrimination="0.678612053086485" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1270" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Last May, the scientists published that they had discovered three rocky bodies, named TRAPPIST-1b, -1c and -1d, orbiting the small star. Later, Gillon realized that the dip in brightness he thought came from 1d was actually caused by three planets all transiting at the same time.<br><br></em>Then, the team used the Spitzer Space Telescope, which offered an uninterrupted view of the TRAPPIST-1 system, for 20 days. They realized TRAPPIST-1 actually had seven planets, which were renamed TRAPPIST-1b through -h in order of their distance from the star.<br><br></em>Which idea is BEST supported by these paragraphs?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[Scientists sometimes have to adjust their theories when further study provides them with more evidence.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[It is very likely that further study of TRAPPIST-1 will show that there are even more planets around it.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The current method being used to study planets as they transit their stars is ineffective.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The team was careless in its initial study of the rocky bodies surrounding TRAPPIST-1.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q543" theta="0.29411764705882" difficulty="0.538461538461538" discrimination="0.5775641072346" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1050" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[On the 15th of April, around midnight, small boats were being moved toward the backs of the English war ships. We also found that the English soldiers were all taken off duty. We knew something serious was beginning.<br><br></em>What does it mean by "something serious"?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[The English were making plans against them.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Revere had started to feel like he was getting sick.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Revere had stopped being friendly with the English.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The English were having problems with their ships.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q491" theta="-2.41176470588236" difficulty="0.875" discrimination="0.353409233935251" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="590" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Now, scientists say they might have found a new Dead Sea Scroll cave. The finding was announced Wednesday.<br><br></em>Which word could replace "announced" WITHOUT changing its meaning?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[reported]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[delivered]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[discovered]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[proven]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q427" theta="0.235294117647056" difficulty="0.541666666666667" discrimination="0.652883758061283" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1040" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[One of the most important Passover customs is not eating leavened foods. That means that things like bread, muffins and pancakes are off-limits.<br><br></em>  People think this is because the Jews fled Egypt in such a hurry that there was no time for their bread to rise.<br><br></em>What does the phrase "leavened foods" mean in the selection above?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[thick bread that had time to rise]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[food that can never be eaten]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[food that was left behind]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[sweet bread that you eat as a treat]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q968" theta="-0.411764705882356" difficulty="0.619047619047619" discrimination="0.299390252294387" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="930" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The snow threat led college basketball teams to alter their travel plans for the March Madness tournament.<br><br></em>Which two words would BEST replace "led" and "alter" in the sentence above?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[caused; change]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[forced; cancel]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[influenced; fix]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[showed; transform]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q592" theta="-2.70588235294118" difficulty="0.904761904761905" discrimination="0.297015258912765" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="540" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Since ancient times it has been a highly populated and busy place. "It was the main cultural place of ancient Egypt, even the bible mentions it," he said.<br><br></em>What does the author mean by "highly populated"?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[Many people live and work there.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Many archaeologists study there.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Many pharaohs were born there.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Many treasures are buried there.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q1155" theta="2" difficulty="0.307692307692308" discrimination="0.315593165427595" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1340" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The order makes good on Trump's campaign pledge to unravel former President Barack Obama's efforts to curb global warming, eliminating nearly a dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production, especially oil, natural gas and coal.<br><br></em>Which version of this sentence creates a more aggressive tone by replacing the word "unravel"?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[The order makes good on Trump's campaign pledge to WIPE OUT former President Barack Obama's efforts to curb global warming, eliminating nearly a dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production, especially oil, natural gas and coal.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The order makes good on Trump's campaign pledge to DISMANTLE former President Barack Obama's efforts to curb global warming, eliminating nearly a dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production, especially oil, natural gas and coal.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The order makes good on Trump's campaign pledge to TAKE APART former President Barack Obama's efforts to curb global warming, eliminating nearly a dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production, especially oil, natural gas and coal.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The order makes good on Trump's campaign pledge to UNDO former President Barack Obama's efforts to curb global warming, eliminating nearly a dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production, especially oil, natural gas and coal.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q1049" theta="1.52941176470588" difficulty="0.375" discrimination="0.394552638949058" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1260" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Nudged by generous turf rebates from water districts, homeowners up and down California ripped out their shriveled lawns and replaced them with succulents and drought-tolerant native plants.<br><br></em>Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from this paragraph?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[Financial incentives contributed to Californians' motivation to conserve water at home.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Californians' lawns shriveled up because they would not get turf rebates if they watered them.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Californians replaced their lawns because they preferred the appearance of succulents to grass.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Water districts completely banned Californians from maintaining their lawns during the drought.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q320" theta="0.529411764705879" difficulty="0.5" discrimination="0.336623390989424" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1090" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[<em>Europa, an ice-covered moon of Jupiter also believed to have a subsurface ocean, might have water vapor jets spewing into space as well, similar to Enceladus. The Hubble Space Telescope has seen what looks to be vapor jets bubbling on Europa.<br><br></em>Which two words could BEST replace "subsurface" and "spewing" in the paragraph above?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[subterranean; erupting]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[congested; regurgitating]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[subpar; churning]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[concealed; cascading]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q178" theta="-0.117647058823533" difficulty="0.583333333333333" discrimination="0.49210584412688" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="980" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Which sentence supports the idea that veterans are having a hard time finding work?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[It took Francisco "Frank" Miranda, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, about three years to find a job in the civilian world that was a good fit.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[When he got out of the service, he attended Caldwell College for two years and graduated.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[This year, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. pledged to hire every veteran who wanted a job and who had left the service in the prior year.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Nationally, unemployment for veterans has been trending down, falling to 7 percent last year from 8.7 percent in 2010.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q862" theta="-0.470588235294121" difficulty="0.625" discrimination="0.485541445162911" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="920" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The two are aware of the danger, he said. "We'll do everything we can to minimize that risk, but it's not zero. But they're coming into this with their eyes open," said Musk, adding that the pair will receive "extensive" training before the flight.<br><br></em>Which option is the BEST definition of the word "extensive" as used in the second sentence?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[lengthy]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[global]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[limited]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[narrow]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q948" theta="2.58823529411764" difficulty="0.230769230769231" discrimination="0.563740311525615" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1440" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Some do – the major control region of the gene (the promoter) sits just upstream or around the start point of the gene; but there are also enhancer and silencer elements that can be positioned at very great distances along the chromosome and regulate the level of expression.<br><br></em>According to this, what is the definition of "expression"?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[the form that a gene takes in an organism]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[how a gene blends with another parent's genes]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[how a gene is passed down from a parent into an organism]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[how the gene contributes in building RNA]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q1143" theta="0.470588235294115" difficulty="0.523809523809524" discrimination="0.43545812540197" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1080" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[This has led to a number of misnomers regarding brain function, the most popular of which is the commonly held belief that there is a distinction between the left “logical” brain and the right “creative” brain. As discussed below, such complex behaviors are not determined by a specific brain region or even a specific hemisphere.<br><br></em>What is the meaning of the word "misnomers" as used in the paragraph?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[inaccuracies]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[beliefs]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[certainties]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[oversights]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q460" theta="1.17647058823529" difficulty="0.416666666666667" discrimination="0.458811687813664" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1200" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Tobacco was sometimes called "drinking smoke." It became popular in England.<br><br></em>What does the word "popular" mean in the second sentence?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[enjoyed by many people]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[accepted by many people]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[admired by many people]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[shared by many people]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q85" theta="2.64705882352941" difficulty="0.222222222222222" discrimination="0.708182250754078" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1450" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Other programs are more extensive and for children who are extremely overweight or at-risk of becoming overweight.<br><br></em>What is the meaning of the word "extensive" as used in the above sentence?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[elaborate]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[flexible]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[general]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[difficult]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q1057" theta="-1" difficulty="0.705882352941177" discrimination="0.320843177144376" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="830" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[There's plenty of people who are scared, Rosenberg said, denouncing the hoaxsters as "an embarrassment to civilized society."<br><br></em>Which option could BEST replace "denouncing" in the sentence above?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[condemning]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[boycotting]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[pardoning]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[pursuing]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q597" theta="-0.529411764705886" difficulty="0.631578947368421" discrimination="0.506285158005253" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="910" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[In the Northeast, fishing provides both food and income for fishers. Fisheries are likely to be harmed by climate change. Many fish will move north in search of cooler water. There won't be as many in the region.<br><br></em>Which word could replace "region" in the last sentence WITHOUT changing its meaning?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[area]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[country]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[department]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[ocean]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q837" theta="0" difficulty="0.576923076923077" discrimination="0.508977347629188" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1000" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[These demographic shifts were depicted in more menacing ways in other parts of popular culture. “Gangsta rap,” for example, was emerging as an expression of anger and violence among black youth.<br><br></em>How does the word "menacing" affect the tone of the sentence?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[It conveys the idea that some changes in music expressed unsettling ideas.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[It conveys the idea that it was dangerous to make unusual music.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[It conveys the sense that new forms of music struggled to find audiences.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[It conveys the sense that pop music could only succeed if it was upbeat.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q696" theta="-2.1764705882353" difficulty="0.842105263157895" discrimination="0.219084982554494" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="630" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The reason was partly because farmers used braceros and other immigrants, who did not have full rights in America.<br><br></em>Which sentence below uses "rights" in the SAME way as this sentence?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[I'm not sure if I know my rights in this situation.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[He was sure that he knew the right answer.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[There are more people who use their right hand than their left hand.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[Two rights don't make up for a big wrong.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q1095" theta="2.58823529411764" difficulty="0.230769230769231" discrimination="0.767847259088688" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1440" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The Panamanian golden frog is critically endangered.<br><br></em>Which of the following versions of the sentence MOST changes the tone?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[The Panamanian golden frog is tragically endangered.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The Panamanian golden frog is gravely endangered.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The Panamanian golden frog is seriously endangered.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The Panamanian golden frog is severely endangered.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q727" theta="0.529411764705879" difficulty="0.5" discrimination="0.639420965514707" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1090" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[To say that viruses are small is an understatement. If the human genome were a 1,200-page book, the influenza virus would be about two words. The smallest virus, circovirus, would be merely a letter or two.<br><br></em>WHY does the author compare a virus to a long book?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[to emphasize the extremely small size of a virus]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[to explain how long a human genome is]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[to illustrate what the word "understatement" means]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[to show how complex the influenza virus is]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q139" theta="1.29411764705882" difficulty="0.409090909090909" discrimination="0.520550146271287" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1220" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Select the sentence that contains a word that means "threatening."]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[Alex and Sammy live in a place where porches get shot up and the menacing slide of a passing van's door can carry a deadly threat.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[In the first six months of this year, homicides in Chicago held even at 171.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[That kind of violence takes a toll on young people - especially if they also face challenges such as poverty, broken families or jailed parents.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The boys lead their teams up and down a field in a friendly, but spirited game of pickup football.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q456" theta="-1.47058823529412" difficulty="0.761904761904762" discrimination="0.374457285161379" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="750" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The armyworm is "spreading rapidly" in Africa. It could threaten farmers in other parts of the world, too.<br><br></em>Which phrase could replace "spreading rapidly" WITHOUT changing its meaning?]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[moving quickly]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[attacking quietly]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[disappearing swiftly]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[growing slowly]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q82" theta="0.0588235294117616" difficulty="0.571428571428571" discrimination="0.418207189649351" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1010" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[Select the sentence that contains a word that is a synonym for "motive."]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[At the recent practice session, Castellanos urges Roach and Webster not to forget "your intentions, your goals, your rhythms."]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[The team will need to be at the top of its game when it arrives at the Brave New Voices contest in Philadelphia this month.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[It's an opportunity for a young person to find a door to their life. They start thinking differently about their place in the greater world and what else is out there.]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[It will be competing with 500 other teens from across the United States and from other countries.]]></answer></qa>
<qa name="q776" theta="1.70588235294117" difficulty="0.352941176470588" discrimination="0.436391522731547" guessing="0.25" distraction="1.702" group="1290" category="" correct_goto="" incorrect_goto="" branch_using=""><question><![CDATA[The Neolithic Age or New Stone Age was revolutionary. About 10,000 years ago, people learned to make better tools and weapons, built villages, and raised animals for food and work. They were beginning to live like "modern" people.<br><br></em>In the first sentence of the paragraph, the word "revolutionary" conveys a sense of:]]></question><answer goto="" value="1"><![CDATA[importance]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[adventure]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[independence]]></answer><answer goto="" value="0"><![CDATA[rebellion]]></answer></qa>
</competency>