1. The word significant in the passage is closest inmeaning to
A numerous
B important
C unexplained
D sudden
2. Theword relatively in the passage is closest in meaningto
A surprisingly
B collectively
C comparatively
D characteristically
3.The word diversification in the passage is closest in meaning to
A emergenceof many varieties
B steady decline in number
C gradual increase in bodysize
D sudden disappearance
Paragraph2: Scientists have asked importantquestions about this explosion for more than a century. Why did it occur so latein the history of Earth? The origin of multicellular forms of life seems arelatively simple step compared to the origin of life itself. Why does thefossil record not document the series of evolutionary changes during theevolution of animals? Why did animal life evolve so quickly? Paleontologistscontinue to search the fossil record for answers to these questions.
4.The period discussed in the passage is referred to as an explosion becauseit
A occurred 0.6 billion years ago, late in Earth’s history
B wascharacterized by the unusually fast evolution of many new life-forms.
C Wascharacterized by widespread animal extinction
D Was characterized by violentvolcanic eruptions
5. According to Paragraph2, which of the following isNOT a question that paleontologists asked about the Cambrian explosion?
A Whywas the origin of life a simple step in Earth’s history?
B Why did it take solong for multicellular organisms to develop?
C Why did animal life evolve sorapidly?
D Why does the fossil record lack evidence of animal evolution duringthat time?
6. Which of the following best describes the relationshipbetween Paragraph2 and Paragraph3?
A Paragraph2 puts forward severalscientific claims, one of which is rejected in Paragraph3
B Paragraph2 posesseveral questions, and Paragraph3offers a possible answer to one ofthem
C Paragraph2 presents outdated traditional views, whileParagraph3presents the current scientific conclusions.
D Paragraph2 introducesa generalization that is illustrated by specific examples inParagraph3
Paragraph3: One interpretation regarding the absence offossils during this important 100-million-year period is that early animals weresoft bodied and simply did not fossilize. Fossilization of soft-bodied animalsis less likely than fossilization of hard-bodied animals, but it does occur.Conditions that promote fossilization of soft-bodied animals include very rapidcovering by sediments that create an environment that discourages decomposition.In fact, fossil beds containing soft-bodied animals have been known for manyyears.
7. The word promote in the passage is closest in meaningto
A complicate
B prevent
C encourage
D affect
Paragraph4:The Ediacara fossil formation, which contains the oldest known animal fossils,consists exclusively of soft-bodied forms. Although named after a site inAustralia, the Ediacara formation is worldwide in distribution and dates toPrecambrian times. This 700-million-year-old formation gives few clues to theorigins of modern animals, however, because paleontologists believe itrepresents an evolutionary experiment that failed. It contains no ancestors ofmodern animal groups.
