Question

15 as used in line 5, the word \anomalies\ most nearly means
(1) seasonal changes
(2) odd occurrences
(3) dangerous incidents
(4) scheduled events

16 the first paragraph contributes to a central idea in the text by
(1) contributing historical facts
(2) contrasting early theories
(3) comparing two philosophies
(4) challenging cultural beliefs

17 the figurative language in lines 11 and 12 conveys a sense of
(1) disbelief (3) disappointment
(2) apathy (4) urgency

18 the contrast drawn between the haicheng and tangshan earthquakes (lines 8 through 26) contributes to a central idea that earthquakes are
(1) preceded by reliable signs
(2) controlled by observable factors
(3) not always predictable
(4) not often studied

19 the purpose of lines 27 through 30 is to emphasize that jian lin
(1) relied on his past experience to identify earthquakes
(2) modified his methods of observing earthquakes
(3) changed his understanding about the causes of earthquakes
(4) disagreed with his co - researcher on the measurement of earthquakes

20 the word \champions\ as used in line 31 most nearly means
(1) advisers (3) adaptors
(2) supporters (4) survivors

21 which statement reflects a long - held belief disproved by lin, stein, and king?
(1) \many earthquakes classified as main shocks are actually aftershocks\ (lines 35 and 36)
(2) \an earthquake that happened in one place would decrease the possibility of another happening nearby\ (lines 38 and 39)
(3)
ocks can be subject to two kinds of stresses\ (line 50)
(4) \faults in the ground behave much like rocks in the laboratory\ (lines 55 and 56)

22 according to lines 50 through 59, seismologists realized that the california sequence of earthquakes happened because
(1) shear stress forced rocks to fuse together
(2) clamping stress caused rocks to move apart
(3) shear stress was greater than clamping stress
(4) clamping stress balanced the shear stress

23 throughout the text, the author portrays jian lin as
(1) satisfied (3) cautious
(2) superstitious (4) dedicated

24 jian lin’s research regarding earthquakes can best be described as
(1) flawed by inconsistent methodology
(2) concurrent with prior theories
(3) challenged by conflicting findings
(4) important to future studies

Explanation:

Question 15

To determine the meaning of "anomalies", we analyze the options. "Anomalies" refer to something unusual or out of the ordinary. "Seasonal changes" (1) are regular, "dangerous incidents" (3) focus on danger not oddness, "scheduled events" (4) are planned. "Odd occurrences" (2) matches the idea of something abnormal.

The first paragraph's contribution to the central idea: "Contributing historical facts" (1) doesn't fit as it's not just facts. "Contrasting early theories" (2) – if the para contrasts old ideas, that's likely. "Comparing two philosophies" (3) – no philosophies here. "Challenging cultural beliefs" (4) – not cultural. So (2) is correct.

Figurative language in lines 11 - 12: "Disbelief" (1), "apathy" (2), "disappointment" (3) don't fit urgency. Urgency (4) – if the language creates a sense of needing action quickly, that's it. So (4) is correct.

Answer:

(2) odd occurrences

Question 16