A story line is comprised of the main plot, a sequence of events involving the primary characters. There are also subplots in which the minor characters carry out their roles. The situations of the main and minor/supporting characters intertwine, thereby creating a realistic plot where people’s lives interact, just as they would in real life .

This author is making a comparison between

Mitosis refers to the process of cell division that occurs in most higher life forms. During interphase, all of the genetic material within the cell is replicate Then, the strands that contain the genetic material, which are known as chromatin, become compacted and condense Centrosomes then move to opposite ends of the cells, after which the nucleus contained in the original single cell disintegrates.

Immediately before the chromatin becomes compacted:

While some playwrights are known for writing essays defending their own work or criticizing the work of competing writers, Arthur Miller’s essays are simply about theater. While we may discover politics and favoritism when we comb through Miller’s essays looking for such things, in doing so, we may risk missing the point of the works—Miller wants only for us to benefit from his years of experience. Even his earliest essays read as virtual how-to manuals for new playwrights and directors. These works ring with clarity and forthrightness, and are filled with thoughtful and often provocative opinions. These essays teach us what the theater is, what it might be, and how to make it so.

The author suggests that Miller's essays differ from other playwrights' essays in that

Water polo, or Water ball, is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores the most goals.

Game play involves swimming, treading water (using a sort of kicking motion known as 'eggbeater kick'), players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing the ball into a net defended by a goalie. 'Man-up' (or 'power play') situations occur frequently.

Water polo, therefore, has strong similarities to the land-based game of team handball.

Which of the following is NOT a similarity between water polo and team handball?

The Founding Fathers, the framers of the Constitution, wanted to form a government that did not allow one person to have too much control. With this in mind, the framers wrote the Constitution to provide for a separation of powers, or three separate branches of the government. Each has its own responsibilities and, at the same time, they work together to make the country run smoothly and to assure that the rights of citizens are not ignored or disallowed.

In this passage, which of the following words most closely means “framers”?

Most cars today have automatic transmissions. But it is useful to know how to shift gears in a car with a standard transmission. Press the clutch pedal in with your left foot. Then use the shift lever to choose the proper gear. Release the clutch pedal while gently applying pressure to the gas pedal.

The last thing to do when shifting gears is to

Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in the 1920s happened in part because of his disorganized lab. While straightening up his lab one day, he noticed an unidentified type of mold growing in his petri dishes. All around this particular mold, staph bacteria had been killed. Fleming noted that this eradication of staph bacteria by a mold was highly unusual. Thus began his work on penicillin for which he won the Nobel Prize in 1945.

It can be inferred from the above passage that Fleming’s discovery of penicillin was partly due to

Simple machines are devices that make our lives easier. They increase the magnitude or change the direction of a force. Using simple machines makes it easier to do many kinds of work. For example, when trying to get a refrigerator onto the back of a truck, a worker will use a ramp or inclined plane. Instead of lifting something heavy a short distance, we can more easily push it over a longer distance but to the same height. The term “inclined plane” can be used to describe an escalator, staircase, or slide.

In the passage, many shoppers use an “inclined plane” to get to the second level in a mall. They are most likely traveling by:

Global warming and the greenhouse effect may not be all that human beings need to worry about. Environmentalists predict that climate change over the next 50 years will shift the current balance of ecosystems and bring new predators and prey closer together. This shift may not cause vast extinction of species, but it will most probably cause unbalanced distributions of predators and prey throughout the world. Such an altered distribution of animal species will affect humans in unpredictable ways.

The author of this selection probably feels that climate changes in the next 50 years

Located near Salisbury in the beautiful Wiltshire, England countryside is the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge. The true meaning of this ancient, awe-inspiring creation has been lost in the mists of time. Was Stonehenge a temple for sun worship, a healing center, a burial site, or perhaps a huge calendar? How did our ancestors manage to carry the mighty stones from so far away and then, using only the most primitive of tools, build this amazing structure? Surrounded by mystery, Stonehenge never fails to impress.

Which of the following titles would best summarize the point of this passage?

While only a teenager, Maria moved to New York City, in the hopes of finding a spot with a major ballet company. It was in New York City that Maria was advised not to take the name Maria Tallchief. Russian ballerinas were very much admired at the time, and many American dancers took Russian stage names. Maria, however, was very proud of her Native American heritage. She refused to change her name.

According to the passage, why did Maria keep the name Tallchief?

Before the discovery of oil, frankincense was Oman’s main source of wealth. As valuable as gold, it was revered throughout the ancient world, and fortunes were made shipping the resin throughout the Roman Empire. Although it is no longer as valued as gold, frankincense is still, in its own way, invaluable in Oman—as history and as culture.

Before the discovery of oil, frankincense was Oman’s main source of wealth. As valuable as gold, it was revered throughout the ancient world, and fortunes were made shipping the resin throughout the Roman Empire. Although it is no longer as valued as gold, frankincense is still, in its own way, invaluable in Oman—as history and as culture.

According to the passage, Oman's only export that is more valuable than frankincense is which of the following?

There is a clear formula that many students are taught when it comes to writing essays. The first is to develop an introduction, which outlines what will be discussed in the work. It also includes the thesis statement. Next comes the supporting paragraphs. Each paragraph contains a topic sentence, supporting evidence, and finally a type of mini-conclusion that restates the point of the paragraph. Finally, the conclusion sums up the purpose of the paper and emphasizes that the thesis statement was proven.

After the topic sentence, ____

Without question, the greatest appeal for most visitors to Bandhavgarh is its wildlife. The former hunting preserve of the maharajahs, the park is now home to an important tiger preserve, with perhaps the greatest density of Bengal tigers in the world. Visitors to the park can view the tigers via either jeep or elephant safari, although making the tour by elephant is recommended. The tigers are accustomed to tourists, but visitors are understandably encouraged to avoid sudden movements. In addition to Bengal tigers, Bandhavgarh is also home to numerous other animal species, as well as more than 250 species of birds.

What type of publication would this passage be most appropriate for?

In 1886, Geronimo and fewer than fifty Apache were surrounded by five thousand troops. By this point, Geronimo was the last Native American who was still resisting US troops. Because he had resisted them so fiercely, US troops viewed him as the most evil of Native Americans. After their surrender, they were taken to prisons in the southeast. Most of them never saw their homeland again. Geronimo, a proud warrior, spent the last years of his life as a celebrity. He wrote his autobiography and appeared at fairs.

The author's primary objective in writing this passage seems to be ____