Question

3

maple syrup is commonly enjoyed over a tall stack of pancakes, but there are a lot of interesting facts about the sweet confection that you might not be aware of. for instance, maple syrup is made from xylem sap. this is found in black, red or sugar maple trees. when temperatures begin to plummet, maple trees keep this starch in their trunks and roots to prepare for winter. the tree works to convert this starch into sugar, which rises in the sap at the end of winter. it is during this period of time that the trees are tapped. a hole is made in the trunk so the sap can drip into a bucket. it takes up to forty years for a tree to be mature enough to tap. the sap is collected and processed by heating it until most of the water has evaporated and the concentrated syrup is left behind. for this reason, it takes many liters of sap to make one liter of maple syrup.

1. how does the last sentence develop a key concept in the selection?

a. it demonstrates that maple syrup is made by a complicated process.
b. it encourages the reader to be mindful about consuming maple syrup.
c. it helps the reader understand that maple syrup has a complicated history.
d. it helps explain why maple syrup is so affordable.

1. what is the meaning of plummet as it is used in the passage?

a. drop
b. rise
c. maintain
d. increase

Explanation:

Question 1

To solve this, analyze the last sentence and the options:

• Option a: The last sentence says it takes many liters of sap to make one liter of syrup, showing the process (collecting sap, heating to evaporate water) is complicated. This matches.
• Option b: The sentence doesn't relate to encouraging mindful consumption. Eliminate.
• Option c: The sentence is about the production process, not history. Eliminate.
• Option d: If it takes many liters of sap, maple syrup should be expensive, not affordable. Eliminate.

To find the meaning of "plummet", use context: The sentence is about temperatures and trees preparing for winter. In winter, temperatures typically drop.

• Option a: "drop" fits the context of temperatures falling for winter preparation.
• Option b: "rise" is opposite. Eliminate.
• Option c: "maintain" doesn't fit as temperatures change for winter. Eliminate.
• Option d: "increase" is opposite. Eliminate.

Answer:

a. It demonstrates that maple syrup is made by a complicated process.

Question 2