In most cases, ferns are easy plants for the beginning gardener to grow. There are hundreds of species around the world that require only soil, a little compost, and water. After the initial planting and care for the plant, many ferns can survive outdoors on their own. They only needed to be weeded and thinned occasionally.

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Beowulf is an epic poem that is important because it is often viewed as the first significant work of English literature. Although it was first written in 700 it is thought to be even hundreds of years older than that. It is believed that the story of Beowulf was told for centuries before it ever made its way on to paper. It is still taught today in various schools and universities.

Beowulf is a significant poem because:

Tsunamis are large waves or earthquakes caused by earthquakes or underwater landslides. The word “tsunami” is a Japanese word meaning “harbor wave” because of the destructive effects that these waves have had on coastal Japanese communities.

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The Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the United States government. The stated mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance; helping people outside the United States to understand American culture; and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries.

Which of the following activities would NOT fit the stated goals of the Peace Corps?

Although much about dolphin communication remains a mystery, scientists have discovered three distinct sounds that dolphins frequently make: chirps, clicks, and whistles. Scientists have learned that dolphins use clicks to create a sonar map, which allows them to navigate and hunt. But apart from possibly transmitting location, the clicks do not appear to serve any communication purpose. Rather, research indicates that dolphins communicate with each other by whistling. This discovery has necessitated further investigation, as scientists are not yet sure whether the whistles comprise a complex system of linguistic communication or a simple set of sonic cues like the ones used by other animal species.

Based on the passage, the most reasonable inference is that

There was once a dog who used to snap at people and bite them without any provocation, and who was a great nuisance to everyone who came to his master’s house. So his master fastened a bell round his neck to warn people of his presence. The dog was very proud of the bell, and strutted about tinkling it with immense satisfaction. But an old dog came up to him and said, “The fewer airs you give yourself the better, my friend. You don’t think, do you, that your bell was given to you as a reward of merit? On the contrary, it is a badge of disgrace.”

From this passage, you can infer that the Aesop fable is teaching:

The Ring of Fire runs from Alaska, along the west coast of North and South America, to the southern tip of Chile. The ring also runs down the east coast of Asia. Starting in the far north, it passes through Russia, Japan, the Philippines, and New Guinea. It continues down past Australia. Some of the most destructive volcanic eruptions ever recorded have occurred along the Ring of Fire.

According to the passage, where would a destructive volcanic eruption be most likely to happen?

A sonnet is a specific type of poem. It has 14 lines. The lines must rhyme in a set pattern. Sometimes, the last six lines of a sonnet contrast with the first eight lines. Many sonnets are love poems.

To be a sonnet, a poem must

More American children are obese than ever before. Experts blame increased television watching, easy access to junk food, less outdoor exercise, and unhealthy school lunches as possible culprits.

In this context, the word culprits means

Comets have been known of since antiquity, unlike many of the planets and other small bodies in space. In fact, Chinese records dating as far back as 240 B.C. mention Halley’s Comet in particular. The famous Bayeux Tapestry, which portrays the Norman Conquest in 1066, also shows the image of Halley’s Comet.

The best title for this passage is

Getting Americans off the couch and onto their feet could save an estimated 200,000 lives a year, says the surgeon general. Yet most of us are either sedentary or only minimally active. Confusion may keep many couch potatoes from getting into shape. People still ask questions like: How often should I exercise? (The more, the better, but at least 30 minutes nearly every day.) Does it have to be 30 minutes straight? (No, shorter bouts are fine.) Do I need to go to the gym? (No, walking, dancing, lawn mowing, and gardening are fine, if they’re intense enough.) Still, in a world where infomercials, magazines, videos, and friends may give conflicting advice, misunderstanding abounds.

The author of this passage would agree that:

The NFL and Super Bowl organizers intend to take incredible security measures on February 2, 2014. In addition to a tailgating ban, there will also be no unauthorized taxis or car services bringing fans to the game. The 80,000 ticket holders will have to arrive by way of charter bus called the Fan Express, which costs $51, by way of the NJ Transit, or with the use of a parking pass, of which there are less than 13,000 available.

According to the passage, what is the approximate number of ticket holders who will not have a parking pass to use for the NFL Super Bowl?

Cats are by far a superior pet compared to dogs. They are perfect for the working person, as they don't mind being left alone during the day. In addition, they are very easy to litter train. They require little care or effort, and are much cheaper to feed compared to dogs.

The author's purpose in writing this passage is:

Regular weight lifting has been shown to improve muscle mass in people of all ages. Even ninety-year-old participants in weight-lifting studies benefited by supplementing their muscle mass.

It can be inferred from the above passage that

The debate continues among experts concerning whether organic foods are more healthy or just more expensive. Organic foods are those that are free of artificial pesticides and fertilizers and contain no herbicides.

Organic foods are

According to a recent study, sports cause the most accidental injuries for children. Sports-related injuries increase with age, and adolescence is the peak time period for such injuries to occur.

The best title for this selection is

Considering that tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world, it is quite likely that many of you enjoy tea on a regular basis. In many countries, it is a part of daily rituals or a mark of status and luxury. However, tea started out as much more than just an enjoyable drink. While no one is sure of its origins, some believe that it started out as a health tonic in ancient China and has slowly spread around the world since. The world of tea is absolutely fascinating, so put on the kettle and join us as we explore this wonderful beverage.

From this passage, the author would agree:

Tucked away in Southeast Portland near the Sellwood Bridge is Oaks Amusement Park, one of the oldest continuously operated amusement parks in the United States. A modest operation, the park currently includes about two dozen rides that operate seasonally, a skating rink that is open year-round, and picnic grounds. The Oaks has been a part of the lives of many Portlanders and other Oregonians for nearly a hundred years, and many people hold fond memories of it.

From this passage, you can infer:

In an age that stresses the importance of water conservation, there are many plants that require less water than other more traditionally grown plants. In order to optimize their water usage efficiency, experts recommend watering such plants during the cooler times of the day.
One may conclude from the above statements that water efficient plants should be watered

In Alaska, there are long periods of darkness in certain regions since much of the state is located so far north of the Arctic Circle. Thus, those regions above the Arctic Circle experience unending daylight in certain summer months and unending darkness in some winter months.
It can be inferred from the above passage that

In 2011, the Ohio Turnpike raised its limit to 70 and recorded its lowest traffic fatality rate ever that year. The higher speed limit attracts travelers to use the safer, limited-access, divided highways of the interstates from more traditional roads. That makes both types of roads safer.

Why does increasing the speed limit on interstates make traditional roads safer?

The phenomenon of planetary alignment only occurs once every several hundred years. Such an alignment occurs when all of the planets line up on the right side of the sun within 90° of each other or closer. This positioning of the planets is visible to the naked eye. A true planetary alignment occurred in May of 2002. Before that, such an alignment had not occurred since April of 1128.

The following fact is not mentioned in the selection: