Question

Cicada Emergence

What is all this talk of cicadas lately in the United States? You might be wondering why the media has featured it, but in fact, the discussion about cicadas has emerged about as predictably as the cicadas themselves from their underground refuge. Let's get oriented with some background on cicadas.

What is a cicada? A typical definition will at least tell you that the cicada is large, loud insect with long transparent wings and it is mostly found in warm countries. A more detailed response might also inform you that cicadas have short antennae and wide-set eyes that jut out. With delicate, translucent wings — and that not only are the cicadas loud, but few creatures make a louder sound. In fact, it is the male cicadas that are the noisy ones to the tune of 80 to 100 decibels, with sound like the roar of a loud engine. This is because male cicadas make a strident, high buzzing sound by vibrating two membranes on the abdomen called tymbals, effectively turning its body into a kind of echo chamber or drum. Female cicadas cannot replicate the buzzing, though they respond with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate.

Although there are several species of cicada, mating typically takes place in trees wherever the female deposits the eggs into the bank. When the eggs hatch, the larval cicadas, called nymphs, drop to the ground and burrow. They then live as nymphs for most of their lives over 6 feet underground with both male and female cicadas dying within weeks of their emergence from the soil. This is particularly true for North American cicadas especially the Magicicada.

Stimulus 1 of 6

Which of the following events happens first after the male cicada calls to the female cicada, according to the passage?

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

The female makes a clicking sound

Rationale :

🎯The passage clearly states that after the male cicada makes a strident buzzing sound, the female responds with a clicking sound when she is ready to mate. 🎯This is the first event after the male’s call, which then leads to mating, egg deposition, and nymphs burrowing.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

Cicadas and public interest about cicadas are cyclical

Rationale :

▶The passage repeatedly emphasizes the cyclical nature of both cicada emergences and the public fascination surrounding them. ▶Phrases like "cyclical rhythms of nature," "occur... in massive numbers," and "just like clockwork" clearly point to a recurring, predictable pattern. ▶It also notes that public interest surges alongside these emergences every few years, mirroring the insects’ life cycle.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers:

Noisy

Rationale :

🟣The word “noisy” carries a derogatory tone in this context. 🟣Although the passage is informative, describing cicadas’ volume as “noisy” rather than using a more neutral or scientific term like “loud” or “sonorous” introduces a mildly negative connotation. 🟣“Noisy” often implies annoyance or disruption, suggesting some discomfort with the sound they make.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Media attention to cicadas is as predictable as cicada life cycles

Rationale :

📌The passage compares the predictable emergence of cicadas to the predictable media coverage they receive. 📌"The discussion about cicadas has emerged about as predictably as the cicadas themselves from their underground refuge."-the theme is that media attention is predictable and cyclical, just like the cicada's life cycle.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

To attract a mate

Rationale :

✍Male cicadas produce loud buzzing sounds by vibrating two membranes on their abdomen called tymbals, which turn their bodies into natural echo chambers.

✍This sound can reach 80 to 100 decibels, making them among the loudest insects.

✍ The passage clearly states that female cicadas do not produce this sound but instead respond with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate. ✍This demonstrates that the buzzing serves as a mating signal from the male to the female.

✍This acoustic behavior is a reproductive strategy, especially in species like Magicicada, where synchronized mass emergences are designed to maximize reproductive success through such calls.

✍Therefore, the primary purpose of the buzzing is to attract a mate, which is biologically essential since adult cicadas die within weeks after emerging, giving them a short window for reproduction.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

“Female cicadas cannot replicate the buzzing..”

Rationale :

🎯This statement serves as direct evidence that female cicadas lack tymbals, the vibrating membranes located on the male cicada’s abdomen used to produce their characteristic buzzing sound.

🎯The passage previously explains that males generate noise using tymbals, and then contrasts this by stating that females cannot replicate the buzzing. 🎯This contrast implies a structural absence, indicating that females do not possess the same sound-producing anatomy. 🎯Therefore, this line confirms the anatomical difference between male and female cicadas regarding sound production.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Mustaches cannot easily be styled.

Rationale :

🔹The passage emphasizes the styling versatility of beards by stating that there is “so much more hair and space to work with” compared to a mustache.

🔹It also highlights the many beard styles and additions possible, such as braids and glitter. 🔹While it does not explicitly say that mustaches cannot be styled, the contrast strongly implies that mustaches lack the same level of flexibility and variety, leading to the inference that they cannot be styled as easily.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Beards may be a hazard in professional lines of employment.

Rationale :

🟣A counterclaim presents an opposing viewpoint to the original argument.

🟣The passage argues that beards are superior to mustaches, focusing on their styling versatility and popularity, including competitions.

🟣The statement that beards may be a hazard in professional lines of employment introduces a practical concern that challenges their superiority — suggesting that beards may not always be appropriate or safe, depending on the setting.

🟣This directly opposes the one-sided praise in the original argument and is thus an effective counterclaim.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

Praises

Rationale :

💎In the sentence, “The athlete enjoyed the accolades of her teammates...”, the context suggests she is being recognized or celebrated for her achievement — scoring the winning goal. 💎The word “accolades” refers to expressions of approval, praise, or admiration. 💎Therefore, the best synonym in this context is “praises.”

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

Legend

Rationale :

⏺A legend, also known as a map key, is the section of a map that explains the meaning of symbols, colors, and lines used on that specific map. ⏺It helps the reader understand what each symbol represents, such as roads, rivers, or landmarks. ⏺This makes it the correct tool for interpreting map-specific symbols.

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QLexNursing

9 :
The athlete enjoyed the accolades of her teammates when she scored the winning goal. Which of the following words is the best synonym for the word "accolades" in the sentence above?

10 :
Which of the following provides information about symbols used on a specific map?

QLexNursing

9 : The athlete enjoyed the accolades of her teammates when she scored the winning goal. Which of the following words is the best synonym for the word "accolades" in the sentence above?

10 : Which of the following provides information about symbols used on a specific map?

9 :
The athlete enjoyed the accolades of her teammates when she scored the winning goal. Which of the following words is the best synonym for the word "accolades" in the sentence above?

10 :
Which of the following provides information about symbols used on a specific map?