Praxis Core Reading 5713 Test

Question 1

Oysters absorb the chemicals that are present in the water they live in; therefore, examining the chemical concentrations in oyster tissue can indicate levels of industrial pollution. However, the results of such examination must be interpreted carefully. For example, high levels of cadmium in oysters along the West Coast of the United States can be attributed not to pollution by industry, but to upwelling of deep ocean water, which contains more cadmium than surface ocean water.

The passage is primarily concerned with

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) E

Rationale

advising caution in drawing conclusions regarding the presence of pollutants in the tissue of oysters.

The passage emphasizes the need for careful interpretation of chemical concentrations in oyster tissue, particularly in relation to cadmium levels, which may not solely indicate industrial pollution. This caution stems from the influence of natural oceanic processes, such as upwelling, which can alter chemical concentrations independent of human activity.

A) suggesting a method for determining the level of pollution in ocean water
While the passage discusses the examination of oyster tissue as a means to assess pollution levels, it does not propose a specific method for this determination. Instead, it focuses on the complexities and potential misinterpretations associated with such assessments.

B) pointing out a flaw in the reasoning of scientists who study the concentration of chemicals in ocean water
The passage does highlight a misunderstanding regarding the source of cadmium levels but does not directly critique the reasoning of scientists. Rather, it underscores the importance of context when interpreting data, which is a broader caution than merely identifying flaws in reasoning.

C) warning of the danger to oysters of cadmium in ocean water
Although cadmium is mentioned, the passage does not primarily focus on the dangers it poses to oysters. Instead, it elaborates on the sources of cadmium and the implications for pollution assessment, rather than issuing a warning about its toxicity to oysters.

D) contrasting the harm done by industrial pollution with the effects of pollution from other sources
The passage does not engage in a direct comparison between industrial pollution and other sources of pollution. Instead, it emphasizes the natural origins of certain chemical concentrations, specifically cadmium, without framing it as a contrast to industrial pollution.

Conclusion
The essence of the passage is to advise caution in interpreting the presence of pollutants in oyster tissues. It suggests that while oysters can reflect environmental chemical concentrations, one must consider various factors that influence these levels, particularly natural processes like upwelling. This understanding is crucial for accurate assessments of environmental health and pollution.

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Question 2

In the past, most visitors to the Louvre museum in Paris went straight to its main attractions: the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and, of course, the Mona Lisa, who smiled at packed crowds through bulletproof glass. Less prominent objects required a marathon walk down dingy, unmarked corridors. Even then, weary art pilgrims might find their treasure locked behind a placard listing its hours as 'very irregular.' Too often the Louvre defeated its guests instead of inspiring them.

Which of the following words could be substituted for 'treasure' without substantially altering the meaning of the statement?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) C

Rationale

Desired artwork

The term "treasure" in this context refers to the valuable and sought-after pieces of art that visitors hope to find in the Louvre. "Desired artwork" effectively captures the essence of what the visitors are seeking, aligning closely with the overall theme of appreciating art.

A) Personal memento
While a personal memento holds sentimental value, it does not convey the same idea of cultural or artistic significance as "treasure" does. The text specifically discusses art pieces in a museum setting, making "personal memento" an inappropriate substitute.

B) Hard-earned cash
This option refers to money earned through work, which is entirely unrelated to the context of art and cultural artifacts. The focus of the passage is on art objects, not financial assets, rendering "hard-earned cash" a poor choice.

C) Desired artwork
This choice directly relates to the context of the Louvre, as it describes the specific type of "treasure" that visitors are looking for—valuable art. "Desired artwork" maintains the original intention of the statement, emphasizing the longing for artistic pieces.

D) Lost valuables
"Lost valuables" implies items that have been misplaced or stolen, which does not fit the context of a museum where art is on display for public admiration. This term introduces a notion of loss rather than appreciation, making it an unsuitable alternative.

E) Family heirloom
A family heirloom refers to a valuable item passed down through generations, which does not align with the context of the Louvre's collection. The passage focuses on public art, making "family heirloom" irrelevant in this scenario.

Conclusion
In this context, the word "treasure" aptly reflects the sought-after artwork within the Louvre, and "desired artwork" serves as the most fitting substitute. Other options fail to capture the essence of valuable artistic pieces and misalign with the museum's purpose, illustrating that not all synonyms effectively convey the intended meaning in a specific context.

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Question 3

One of the most successful Black inventors following the Civil War was Elijah McCoy. McCoy's basic invention, a 'drip cup,' ended complaints of waste and cost by making it unnecessary to stop and restart engines to lubricate them. McCoy opened the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Michigan, to develop and market his inventions. He worked with such intensity from 1873 to 1899 that he received 25 patents for different types of lubricators. The confidence inspired by the reliability of his lubricating devices was such that the phrase 'the real McCoy' was coined to describe machinery that contained the McCoy device, and this phrase became a part of the English language.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) D

Rationale

describe McCoy's success as an inventor.

The passage primarily highlights Elijah McCoy's achievements as an inventor, particularly focusing on his innovative contributions to lubricating machinery and the recognition he received for his work. It emphasizes his prolific output of patents and the lasting impact of his inventions, thus showcasing his success in the field.

A) contrast McCoy's success with other inventors during the Civil War
This choice incorrectly implies a comparison between McCoy and other inventors of his time. The passage does not discuss other inventors or provide any contrasting information; it solely focuses on McCoy's accomplishments and innovations.

B) present a brief biography of McCoy
While the passage provides some biographical details about McCoy, such as his establishment of the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company and the timeline of his work, it does not serve as a comprehensive biography. Instead, it emphasizes his success and inventions rather than detailing his entire life story.

C) describe the development of one of McCoy's inventions
This choice suggests that the passage focuses specifically on the developmental process of a single invention. However, the text broadly discusses McCoy's inventions and their impact rather than diving into the specifics of one particular invention's development.

E) discuss McCoy's contributions to the English language
Although the phrase "the real McCoy" is mentioned, which relates to his impact on language, this aspect is not the central focus of the passage. The primary purpose is to highlight his success as an inventor rather than his linguistic contributions.

Conclusion
The passage centers on Elijah McCoy’s achievements and success as an inventor, illustrating how his innovations significantly improved machinery and earned him recognition. While it touches on various aspects of his life and work, the overarching theme is his success in creating reliable inventions that transformed industrial practices and created a lasting legacy.

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Question 4

One of the most successful Black inventors following the Civil War was Elijah McCoy. McCoy's basic invention, a 'drip cup,' ended complaints of waste and cost by making it unnecessary to stop and restart engines to lubricate them. McCoy opened the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Michigan, to develop and market his inventions. He worked with such intensity from 1873 to 1899 that he received 25 patents for different types of lubricators. The confidence inspired by the reliability of his lubricating devices was such that the phrase 'the real McCoy' was coined to describe machinery that contained the McCoy device, and this phrase became a part of the English language.

According to the passage, 'the real McCoy' originally referred to

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

machinery that contained the drip cup invented by Elijah McCoy.

The phrase 'the real McCoy' originated to describe machinery that utilized McCoy's reliable lubricating devices, specifically his drip cup invention, which significantly improved the efficiency of engines.

A) machinery that contained the drip cup invented by Elijah McCoy
This choice accurately reflects the passage, which indicates that the phrase was coined to signify the reliability and quality of machinery equipped with McCoy's innovative lubricator, particularly the drip cup, which eliminated the need for frequent engine stops.

B) any device actually invented by Elijah McCoy
While this choice suggests a broader scope, the passage specifically attributes the phrase 'the real McCoy' to machinery containing his drip cup invention. Therefore, it does not encompass the specific context provided in the text, which focuses on a particular type of device rather than all his inventions.

C) Elijah McCoy himself
This option misinterprets the phrase's origin. Although Elijah McCoy was indeed a notable inventor, 'the real McCoy' refers to the quality of machinery, not to the inventor himself. The phrase emphasizes the quality and reliability of his inventions rather than his personal identity.

D) the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company
This choice is incorrect as the phrase does not refer to the company but rather to the machinery that incorporated McCoy's innovative lubricating devices. The company was a means of promoting his inventions, but it is not what the phrase describes.

E) later versions of the drip cup invented by Elijah McCoy
This option implies that the phrase refers to subsequent iterations of the drip cup, which is not supported by the passage. The phrase 'the real McCoy' specifically pertains to the original machinery using his drip cup, not any later adaptations.

Conclusion
The expression 'the real McCoy' originated from the reliability of machinery that utilized Elijah McCoy's drip cup, a significant innovation in engine lubrication. This phrase highlights the value and trust in McCoy's work, distinguishing authentic machinery equipped with his effective devices from inferior alternatives. Understanding this context underscores the importance of McCoy's contributions to engineering and the cultural impact of his inventions.

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Question 5

Columbia University Business School professor Sheena S. Iyengar once conducted an experiment in which she set up a tasting booth with a variety of exotic gourmet jams at an upscale grocery store. Sometimes the booth had 6 different jams, and sometimes it had 24 different jams on display. Iyengar wanted to see whether the number of jam choices made any difference in the number of jams sold. Conventional economic wisdom, of course, says that the more choices consumers have, the more likely they are to buy, because it is easier for consumers to find the jam that perfectly fits their needs. But the researcher found the opposite to be true. Of those who stopped by the 6-choice booth, 30 percent ended up buying some jam, while only 3 percent of those who stopped by the bigger booth bought anything. Why is that? Because buying jam is a snap decision. You say to yourself, instinctively, 'I want that one.' And if given too many choices, if forced to consider much more than the unconscious is comfortable with, the buyer becomes paralyzed. Snap judgments can be made in a snap simply because there are not that many options to choose from.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) C

Rationale

describe an experiment that sheds light on how people make choices

The passage centers around an experiment conducted by Sheena S. Iyengar, which investigates how the number of choices affects consumer behavior, specifically in the context of buying jam. This exploration highlights the relationship between choice overload and decision-making paralysis, thus emphasizing the nature of choices.

A) summarize one scholar's analysis of a multinational business trend
While the passage does reference a study conducted by a scholar, it does not analyze a multinational business trend. Instead, it focuses specifically on consumer choice behavior in a localized setting, making this option inaccurate.

B) suggest that it is best for companies to make a variety of products
The passage does not advocate for or against the variety of products offered by companies. Rather, it presents evidence that too many choices can hinder purchasing decisions, contradicting the notion that more variety is always beneficial.

D) illustrate the conscious mental processes involved in making judgments
The passage discusses decision-making but primarily focuses on the unconscious aspects of how choices are processed rather than detailing conscious mental processes. It emphasizes snap judgments made in response to limited options, which does not align with the conscious mental process theme.

E) compare and contrast several different methods used to sell jam to the public
The passage does not compare or contrast different sales methods; it solely presents one experiment regarding consumer choice in jam purchasing. Thus, this choice misrepresents the content and purpose of the passage.

Conclusion
The primary purpose of the passage is to describe Iyengar's experiment, which reveals how the number of choices influences consumer purchasing behavior. Through her findings, it becomes evident that too many options can lead to decision paralysis, highlighting the psychological dynamics at play in seemingly simple purchasing decisions.

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advising caution in drawing conclusions regarding the presence of pollutants in the tissue of oysters.

Desired artwork

describe McCoy's success as an inventor.

machinery that contained the drip cup invented by Elijah McCoy.

describe an experiment that sheds light on how people make choices

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