Drawing Conclusions

Pretest

Read the selection and answer the questions.

Coffee has been around for over 700 years. It has been used in foods, wines, and medicine. It grows in several places in the world such as India, Africa, United States, Mexico, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. There are over 100 types of coffee; a coffee is usually named for the area in which it is grown. Different areas of the world prefer different types of coffee. Caffeine, which is a stimulant, is found in coffee, and if it is taken out, the coffee is called decaffeinated. Many people all over the world drink coffee.

1. You can conclude that
a. if a coffee is called Brazilian coffee, it might be grown in Brazil.
b. everyone loves to drink coffee.
c. South American coffee is the best.
d. it is difficult to grow coffee beans.

2. You can conclude that
a. you never can take all the caffeine out of a product.
b. people should drink decaffeinated coffee because it acts as stimulant.
c. coffee was first introduced in the West Indies.
d. coffee is usually grown in warm climates.

The Sahara desert is the largest desert in the world and takes up over three million square miles, which is almost the size of the United States. The Sahara desert is found in Africa. The Sahara isn't all just sand. It has almost 100 oases or springs of water. Oil and gas can be found under this vast desert. There are other natural resources such as: copper, iron, ore, and uranium. The desert doesn't get much rain. There aren't any paved roads, but cars can be driven on the desert floor. There are about two million people who live in the large desert.

3. You can conclude that
a. it is difficult to travel in the Sahara desert.
b. all plants die since there isn't any water.
c. people have used all the oil in the desert.
d. people like to live in the desert.

Salmon are born in fresh water but travel to salt water to live their lives and then travel back upstream to where they spawn more salmon before they die. Salmon traveling upstream are very determined to get back to where they were born. They fight against currents, whirlpools, and waterfalls; even though, man has placed some obstacles in the salmon's way by building dams or rivers. Once the salmon reaches its birthplace, it lays eggs. These eggs hatch, and the process begins again.

4. You can conclude that
a. salmon is a lazy type of fish.
b. when man develops more land, it will be more difficult for the salmon to survive.
c. salmon like to stay where they are born.
d. salmon bury their eggs underneath rocks.

5. You can conclude that
a. salmon are born in saltwater.
b. salmon can't survive in fresh water.
c. salmon is an expensive fish to eat.
d. salmon live for a very long time.

What sits on every dinner table in the United States? We use it every day on our food but rarely think about it. Salt is an extremely important mineral that our bodies need, but too much salt is not good for us. China and the United States produce the most salt in the world. Salt comes from dried seawater. Indians long ago evaporated seawater and made salt to season their food. Salt is used in many ways. Glass and soap contain salt. It is used to de-ice roads in winter. Also, it is used in medicine, oil refining, sewage treatment, cattle feed, and even to soften hard water. As you can see, salt is a very important mineral.

6. You can conclude that
a. the North might use more salt on the roads than the South.
b. the human body can live without salt.
c. The Indians used salt to preserve their meat.
d. salt makes water better tasting.

7. You can conclude that you might find salt in
a. tires.
b. erasers.
c. detergent.
d. paper.

William Shakespeare was an actor, poet, and playwright. His plays are timeless because he deals with the motivating forces behind the daily choices that man makes. He expresses himself in a lyrical way. He was born in England in 1564 and died in 1616. He understood man so well that what he had to say years ago still is appropriate about man today. He continues to influence many philosophers and writers.

8. You can conclude
a. that Shakespeare couldn't understand the people in his time.
b. that people are able to relate to Shakespeare's characters.
c. Shakespeare was the most successful as an actor.
d. no one reads Shakespeare's plays.

Carla really wanted a puppy, but her parents didn't care for dogs. Most of her friends had dogs, and she really enjoyed playing with them. Every time she asked her parents, they would say, "They are a lot of responsibility. You have to feed and play with them. Also, when they are puppies, they needed to be trained." Although her parents didn't believe she was mature enough to have a dog, she knew that she take could care of one. Carla knew she wasn't the most responsible person when it came to taking care of her toys, but a puppy would be different. Each day she made a concentrated effort to pick up her toys and help out around the house. She knew her parents were pleased with her new, responsible attitude. She was hoping her hard work would finally pay off. When she came home from school, she heard a whining noise coming from a box with air holes. Could this be what she thought it was?

9. You can conclude that
a. Carla started acting more responsible in hopes that her parents would believe she was mature enough to have a dog.
b. Carla likes to play with boxes.
c. Carla never takes care of her belongings.
d. Carla was paid for helping out around the house.

10. You can conclude that
a. her parents are going to wait for her birthday to give her a dog.
b. Carla decides not to beg her parents anymore for a puppy, and she will be happy just playing with her friends' dogs.
c. a puppy was in the box.
d. she doesn't know what responsibility is.