Reading Objective 01 (Main Idea)

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OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
Objectives for Reading Comprehension Section 
Main Idea 
~ 1. Focus on the main idea. 
2. Observe the flow of ideas. 
Inference 
3. Draw logical inferences. 
4. Make accurate predictions. 
Specific Information 
5. Interpret common features. 
6. Recognize restated information. 
Reference 
7. Identify referents. 
Vocabulary 
8. Increase your vocabulary systematically. 
9. Recognize ineffective strategies for dealing with vocabulary questions. 
10. Use effective strategies for dealing with vocabulary questions. 
Objective 1: Focus on the Main Idea 
Reading is concerned with meaning to a greater extent than it was with form, although the two are 
interdependent. We read for the ideas contained in the reading. Not all the ideas, however, are of 
equal importance. Efficient readers understand not only the ideas but also their relative 
significance, as expressed by the author; in other words, that some of the ideas are superordinate 
while others are subordinate. 
Speakers and writers have a number of ways of indicating the n:lative importance that should be 
attached to the ideas they express. In speaking, such ways include stress, tone of voice, and body 
language. These means, however, are not available to writers. Of particular note among the means 
at writers' disposal are where to position one idea or another and whether to put an idea in a main 
or subordinate clause. 
The whole issue of main and subordinate ideas provides strong evidence that word-by-word 
reading in a foreign language is just as worthless as it would be in the reader's native language. In 
fact, students who read in a foreign language must discriminate between what matters more and 
what matters less, just as they would in their own language. 
The Reading Comprehension Section always includes questions that focus directly on the issue of 
main idea. Most of these questions concern the main idea of a passage, but some may focus on 
the main idea of a given paragraph or of a single, complicated sentence. Even where a question is 
not explicitly concerned with main idea, the question of discrimination remains an essential 
concern of all efficient readers. This group of exercises provides practice in determining the main 
idea. 
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3 READING COMPREHENSION 
Exercise R 1.1 
Objective: To distinguish degrees of generality among the individual words or expressions. 
Directions: Choose the most general word or phrase in each set. Write your answer in the blank. 
Example: ___C_ (A) chemist 
(B) physicist 
(C) scientist 
(D) biologist 
1. (A) company 9. (A) dolphin 
(B) organization (B) sea anemone 
(C) partnership (C) sea lion 
(D) government agency (D) sea creature 
2. (A) animal 10. (A) increase 
(B) mammal (B) affect 
(C) amphibian (C) reduce 
(D) reptile (D) darken 
3. (A) dolphin 11. (A) cardiologist 
(B) man (B) doctor 
(C) elephant (C) pediatrician 
(D) mammal (D) intern 
4. (A) addition 12. (A) knife 
(B) calculation (B) scalpel 
(C) subtraction (C) cutting implement 
(D) multiplication (D) tool 
5. (A) secretary 13. (A) fuel 
(B) employee (B) fuel oil 
(C) teacher (C) oil 
(D) police officer (D) gas 
6. (A) anger 14. (A) living matter 
(B) revulsion (B) grass 
(C) emotion (C) vegetation 
(D) fear (D) tree 
7. (A) brochure 15. (A) glider 
(B) novel (B) jet plane 
(C) reading matter (C) airliner 
(D) magazine (D) aircraft 
8. (A) cartoonist 16. (A) widen 
(B) artist (B) lengthen 
(C) painter (C) increase 
(D) sculptor (D) multiply 
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OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
___ 1 7. (A) Head of State 
(B) King 
___ 19. (A) vessel 
(C) Monarch 
(D) Emperor 
(B) fishing vessel 
(C) oil tanker 
(D) ocean liner 
___ 18. (A) whisky 
(B) alcoholic beverage 
(C) brandy 
___ 20 (A) crimson 
(B) scarlet 
(C) red 
(D) drink (D) brick-red 
Exercise R 1.2 
Objective: To distinguish degrees of generality among phrases. 
Directions: Choose the most general phrase in each set. Write your answer in the blank. 
Example: __12_ (A) going dancing at a disco 
(B) reading a good book 
(C) having a picnic in the country 
(D) spending free time 
1. (A) repairing dilapidated woodwork 
(B) planning the order of renovations 
(C) restoring an old house 
(D) purchasing fixtures and materials 
2. (A) haircuts to suit the contours of the face 
(B) permanent waves 
(C) manicures and pedicures 
(D) beauty-salon services 
3. (A) investigating original sources 
(B) carrying out research 
(C) reading background material 
(D) testing hypotheses 
4. (A) reduction in T lymphocytes 
(B) secretion of hormones leading to increased heart rate 
(C) stress-induced changes in the body's immune system 
(D) alterations in the hypothalamus 
5. (A) writing a term paper 
(B) completing a course in your major 
(C) deciding on an outline 
(D) choosing a topic according to guidelines provided 
6. (A) working as an actor 
(B) attending rehearsals 
(C) learning lines 
(D) forging a career 
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3 READING COMPREHENSION 
7. (A) looking after a motor vehicle 
(B) following the service guide 
(C) maintaining the engine 
(D) caring for the bodywork 
8. (A) studying the physical conditions of pandas in remote areas 
(B) concentrating undernourished pandas in collection areas 
(C) foraging for umbrella bamboo, the staple diet of pandas 
(D) ensuring the survival of the Great Panda 
9. (A) reducing income tax rates 
(B) reducing budget deficits 
(C) expanding the money supply 
(D) running a country's economy 
___ 10. (A) being in the Navy 
(B) serving one's country 
(C) being a member of the armed services 
(D) serving as an ambassador 
Exercise R 1.3 
Objective: To distinguish degrees of generality among sentences. 
Directions: Choose the most general sentence in each set. Write your answer in the blank. 
Example: __lL (A) The hotel offers complimentary coffee from 7 to 10 a.m. daily. 
(B) There are many reasons why guests feel at home at the Glorietta Bay Inn. 
(C) The coin-operated laundry room has an ironing board, and an iron is 
available for the use of guests. 
(D) There are a number of extra services at the Glorietta Bay Inn including 
baby-sitting. 
1. (A) Recently, reports on Kevin Costner, Princess Diana, and General Colin Powell 
have all appeared. 
(B) People magazine contains articles on people in the news, unusual happenings, 
and the latest entertainment events. 
(C) Typical of the unusual was an article on recipes for and the benefits of 
earthworms. 
(D) The reviews are entertainingly written and sometimes highly critical though they 
are shorter than in some older, established magazines. 
2. (A) The speaker related a number of amusing anecdotes, which were well told as 
well as intrinsically comical. 
(B) The talk covered every aspect of the subject and included examples from other, 
related fields. 
(C) All of those attending the lecture felt that they learned something new and 
interesting from the speaker. 
(D) The lecture was wide-ranging, amusing, and informative. 
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OBJECTIVE 1 : FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
3. (A) The orbit of Uranus does not follow the orbit calculated for it because it is being 
pulled slightly off course by the gravitational attraction of another, unknown 
planet. 
(B) The tiny planet Pluto is too small to account for the distortion of Uranus' orbit. 
(C) The planetoid Chiron, discovered in 1977, is too small to cause the irregularity 
exhibited in Uranus' orbit. 
(D) Planetary observations show why astronomers believe a tenth planet may exist. 
4. (A) When rib roasts are on sale, you should ask your butcher to cut one into steaks 
for you. 
(B) If you debone whole chicken breasts yourself, you can save more than a dollar 
per pound on chicken cutlets. 
(C) By following our special cost-cuttingmeat guide you can reduce your family's 
meat bill by as much as 50 percent. 
(D) When buying a whole shell of beef to be cut into steaks, you should keep in mind 
that there can be as many as five pounds of water per twenty pounds. 
5. (A) In short, science-fiction writing offers the reader the entire universe and all of the 
past, present, and future. 
(B) One thing that all good science-fiction stories have in common is that they deal 
with the idea of change. 
(C) The middle range of stories often deals with the frontiers of modern knowledge 
and the ethics involved in scientific decisions. 
(D) Modern science fiction covers a wide range of topics, from stories about robots 
and high technology to fantasies about enchanted kingdoms in outer space. 
6. (A) Stray animals usually do not trust people. 
(B) Stray animals almost never make good pets. 
(C) Most stray animals have received little or no training. 
(D) Stray animals are frequently the victims of poor nutrition and lack of medical 
treatment. 
7. (A) Undoubtedly, the most important decision was the one concerning the 
rebuilding of the Otter Creek bridge. 
(B) There was some opposition to the proposal to increase the budget for law 
enforcement, but it eventually passed. 
(C) At their last meeting this year, the town council made a number of long-awaited 
decisions. 
(D) A few members wanted to earmark extra funds for next year's town festival, but 
a majority felt that the limited resources available should be used for other, more 
pressing needs. 
8. (A) Newborn babies sob seemingly in sympathy when they hear the cries of other 
babies. 
(B) A calm baby does not cry if it hears a recording of its own cries. 
(C) The crying of a baby chimpanzee has no effect on newborn human babies. 
(D) Newborn babies can distinguish among their own cries, the cries of other babies, 
and the cries of non-human babies. 
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3 READING COMPREHENSION 
9. (A) Microwave ovens have eliminated many of the inconveniences previously 
associated with the preparation of meals. 
(B) Many foods can go directly from the freezer to the microwave oven without 
being defrosted. 
(C) Many microwave ovens can be pre-set to cook your food while you are away 
from the kitchen. 
(D) The microwave oven has greatly reduced the amount of time it takes to cook a 
meal. 
___ 1 0. (A) Many people think social anthropologists spend their time measuring the size of 
people's heads or other parts of their bodies. 
(B) Perhaps because it is a relatively new discipline, social anthropology causes a 
great deal of confusion among laymen. 
(C) Some misunderstandings undoubtedly derive from the fact that many social 
anthropologists work in areas where archaeologists are seeking, or have sought, 
clues to man's past. 
(D) It is a popular misconception that social anthropology focuses exclusively on 
pyramids, old temple sites, and other archaeological remains. 
Exercise R 1.4 
Objectives: (i) To determine the point of view expressed m a sentence or passage by 
identifying the main idea. 
(ii) To recognize in which part of the sentence evidence (apparently) favoring a 
particular point of view is likely to be put forward. 
Directions: (i) Check (./) (A) or (B) in response to the question at the head of each pair of 
Example: 
items. 
(ii) Underline the part of the item you have checked (./), (A) or (B), favoring 
the point of view mentioned in the question. 
(iii) Then, notice that the other sentence or passage also contains information 
favorable to the particular point of view asked about, even though an opposite 
point of view is expressed. Underline the part of this item that seems to 
support the point of view you are looking for. Note: ~o key has been provided 
for this, but the example gives a model for focusing your ideas in this way. 
Which of the following statements was written by a baseball fan? 
./(A) Although American football is a game of great appeal, it fails to match the extraordinary 
individual skills or the season-long build up of excitement that professional baseball 
provides. 
(B) Professional baseball used to be a wonderful game, the nation's favorite; but times have 
changed and baseball has fallen behind the times, its place in the country's heart having 
been taken by professional football. 
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OBJECTIVE 1 : FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
1. Which of the following statements was written by a supporter of gun-controllaws? 
(A) It is not our desire to curtail individual freedoms, but we cannot allow the purchasing 
of small arms to spread unchecked. 
(B) Much as we appreciate the fear that widespread ownership of small arms leads to 
increased bloodshed, we insist on the fundamental right of American citizens to freely 
defend themselves and their families. 
2. Which of the following statements was written by a person who likes Cleveland? 
(A) For all its boosters' claims that Cleveland has again become a city to be proud of, 
there's a great deal to be said for the jokes you hear about it on radio and television. 
(B) Despite the jokes about Cleveland you hear on radio and television, thanks to recent 
municipal efforts, it has once again become a city to be proud of. 
3. Which of the following statements was written by someone who prefers large cars to small 
ones? 
(A) Their excellent gas mileage and even their improved interior design notwithstanding, 
today's compact cars simply fail to provide the feel a traditional motorist yearns for. 
(B) They lack some of the size and even the character of the full-sized cars we were 
accustomed to, but today's compacts more than make up for this with their excellent 
gas mileage. 
4. Which of the following statements was written by an opponent of bullfighting? 
(A) Though bullfighting may have its detractors, those are usually people who either have 
never been to a bull-ring or are quite unable to appreciate the bravery and the art 
involved. 
(B) Hemingway and his ilk may write all they want about the drama of the bullfight, or the 
matador's "grace under pressure," but that does nothing to mitigate the suffering of the 
innocent bull. 
5. Which of the following statements was written by a proponent of the view that live theater is 
dying? 
(A) In this modern age, with its freely available entertainment, accessible at the turn of a 
switch, the live theater is merely a peripheral activity, however much it might have been 
a vehicle for cultural progress in the past. 
(B) Of course the theater has suffered from competition that takes advantage of modern 
technology. All the same, there is a qualitative difference in being present at an actual 
performance which, though it may be a luxury, will never be replaced by second-hand 
audience participation. 
6. Which of the following statements was written by a vegetarian? 
(A) The argument is sometimes put forward that man is not naturally a vegetarian since he 
was originally omnivorous. Whilst such a claim may contain a grain of truth, it 
nevertheless ignores the obvious fact that there are many aspects of the original human 
condition that we have seen fit to improve. 
(B) In spite of the insistence of those who exclude meat and fish from their diet that such a 
course is both spiritually and physically beneficial, there is no evidence that fighting is 
less prevalent or exceptional longevity more likely in areas where vegetarianism is the 
rule. 
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3 READING COMPREHENSION 
7. Which of the following statements was written by a detractor of the President? 
(A) The President has certainly achieved a number of minor improvements and there is no 
denying that thus far, the country has not quite gone to rack and ruin under his 
leadership. Nevertheless, one searches in vain for the great attitudinal and economic 
breakthroughswe were so lavishly promised during the course of his campaign. 
(B) Though the great breakthroughs the President has promised obviously take some time 
to engineer, he can nonetheless already point to significant improvements in the 
nation's standard of living, which are portents of the exciting changes soon to be 
implemented. 
8. Which of the following statements was written by a person in favor of small-town life? 
(A) Possibly there are those who derive pleasure from turning back the clock and seeking 
out the virtues we fondly imagine to have been associated with life in small towns in 
bygone days. Yet the most superficial perusal of contemporary accounts dealing with 
such an existence makes it quite clear that sterile deprivation of life's true pleasures 
would be a much more accurate assessment. 
(B) It is true that city-dwellers and suburbanites have access to certain facilities that may be 
denied to the inhabitants of small towns. What they miss, however, far outweighs such 
advantages, which, in any case, the vast majority rarely has the time or energy to take 
advantage of. 
9. Which of the following statements was written by someone who opposes a particular job 
applicant? 
(A) Smith certainly has a number of qualities that would appeal to my colleagues on the 
selection panel. However, it should be noted that he has a history of flitting from one 
job to another that is hardly consistent with this company's management approach. 
(B) Although Smith has shown a perhaps regrettable tendency in the past to move rather 
quickly from one job to another, he is clearly the best-qualified candidate and would 
undoubtedly respond to our own brand of company loyalty. 
10. Which of the following statements were written by a tour operator? 
(A) The cost of the tour is admittedly high. Against this, though, consideration must be 
given to the fact that it offers a unique opportunity to visit one of the world's most 
extraordinary tourist attractions in the company of congenial fellow-explorers and 
expert guides. 
(B) However unusual the opportunity or expert the accompanying personnel, these can 
hardly be a justification for charging an amount that appears to fall not far short of the 
Gross National Product in some of the world's less developed nations, including that 
which is the destination of this "extraordinary" tour. 
Exercise R 1.5 
Objective: To predict a writer's point of view on the basis of partial sentences. 
Directions: Mark the following sentences F (for) or A (against), according to whether you think 
the writer will favor or oppose the matter (or person) in question. 
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OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
Part A 
F 1. In spite of the difficulties associated with .... 
2. While it cannot be denied that problems will need to be overcome .... 
3. In view of the objections raised .... 
4. Thanks to his hard work, dedication, and unstinting loyalty .... 
5. Given the generally disappointing reaction to the plan .... 
6. Because of the controversy surrounding this recommendation .... 
7. For all his obvious weaknesses .... 
8. He may well have certain habits we would all disapprove of .... 
9. Of course, everyone appreciated the excitement generated by the team .... 
___ 10. As a result of the overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to this idea .... 
PartB 
A 1. . .. his undoubted talents notwithstanding. 
2. . .. he is, nevertheless, the sort of man we are looking for. 
3 .... however enthusiastically he may be recommended. 
4. . .. despite the expense involved. 
5. . .. all the same, there are strong reservations in some quarters. 
6 .... whereas this candidate is one of doubtful ability. 
7. . .. nonetheless, we should take advantage of this unusual opportunity. 
8. . .. much as I respect her excellent reputation as a judge. 
9. . .. yet this should not prejudice our opinion of him. 
____ 10 .... even though I think he is an excellent statistician. 
Exercise R 1.6 
Objective: To choose the best tide for an article on the basis of three main ideas from the article. 
Directions: Read the three topic sentences from three paragraphs of an article. Choose the best 
tide for the article. Write your answer in the blank. 
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3 READING COMPREHENSION 
Example: ____[____ The water smoker rs part Chinese smoker and part suburban-American 
barbecue grill. 
To cook a venison ham, for example, you build a charcoal fire in the bottom pan. 
You should follow the instruction book very carefully until you learn enough to 
begin experimenting with your water smoker. 
(A) The Best Recipes for Cooking ~nison 
(B) Organizing a Backyard Barbecue 
(C) Joy of Cooking with Smoke 
1. Some interesting research is now being done on liquid injection-molded (LIM) 
tires. 
LIM tires are built in three stages. 
Because these tires have no carcass, the part of the tire that leaves the road reverts 
to its normal shape almost immediately. 
(A) Tire Studies 
(B) The Revolutionary UM Tires 
(C) New Ideas for Your NextAutomobile 
2. The Venezuelan capital has many large shopping centers called "centros 
comerciales." 
A lifetime could be spent sampling the many cuisines of Caracas' restaurants. 
The Spanish flavor of the city is reflected in the popular Flamenco clubs. 
(A) Sights and Sounds of ~nezuela 
(B) The Spanish Influence in ~nezuela 
(C) Caracas Cornucopia 
3. Researchers believe that MAO (monoamine oxidase) in the brain has an effect on 
behavior by breaking down the chemical neurotransmitters that carry messages 
between neurons. 
Scientists have found a connection between levels of MAO and adult behavior. 
One study found that there was a similar relationship between behavior and MAO 
levels in infants. 
(A) MAO and Behavior Patterns 
(B) Chemicals in the Brain 
(C) MAO's Effect on Adult Behavior 
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OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
4. "No one knows the ways of the wind and the caribou," says an old Chipewyan 
proverb. 
The migratory habits and the numbers of the caribou were unknown to man until 
this century. 
Much of the mystery of caribou movement and numbers began to disappear when 
biologists were able to survey and count the animals from the air. 
(A) The Caribou in the Nineteenth Century 
(B) Collecting Information on the Caribou 
(C) Chipewyan Dependence on the Caribou 
5. A mounting body of evidence suggests that fighting violence with violence rarely 
deters a crime in progress and greatly increases the chances of changing a robbery 
into a violent attack on the victim. 
One report shows that at least 100,000 handguns are stolen from private owners 
each year, the vast majority during burglaries. 
Moreover, a study of robberies in eight American cities says that in less than 4 
percent of the crimes did the victim have the opportunity to use a weapon. 
(A) What Happens to the Victims of Crime? 
(B) Is Your Family Safe? 
(C) Should You Arm Yourself against Crime? 
6. Proponents of father-attended childbirth assert that the father's experience 
encourages him to develop a closer bond with his child. 
As a father of three teenagers from a previous marriage, one man compared his 
past experience as a new father to being in the delivery room during the birth of 
his newborn daughter. 
Women report that they are much less anxious and more aware of what is going on 
when their husbands are with them when they give birth. 
(A) The Father-Daughter Relationship 
(B) Baby's First View of Life 
(C) Dad in the Delivery Room 
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3 READING COMPREHENSION 
7. In contrast to classical music, which is restricted by form and by tradition, jazz is 
spontaneous and free-form. 
Jazz is a native American music which was developed by American Blacks in the 
South. 
The influences ofWest African music, spirituals,and the blues are evident in jazz. 
(A) The Origins of American Music 
(B) The Story of Jazz 
(C) The Future of Jazz in America 
8. To lose weight permanently, a dieter needs a nutritionally balanced eating plan that 
reduces caloric intake by cutting down on certain foods without eliminating them 
completely. 
To lose weight that is fat instead of water, a dieter must lose weight gradually. 
Dieters should also have occasional treats to avoid the feeling of permanent 
deprivation, which can lead to food binges when the resolve to diet weakens. 
(A) Fat Diets 
(B) Dieting Tips 
(C) Recipes for Dieters 
9. The notion that exercising parental power is bad developed out of early 
psychoanalytic theory, which suggested many neuroses are caused by the 
repression of a child's natural impulses. 
Today, child psychologists insist that children actually like to be disciplined and that 
set rules which are consistently enforced make a child feel protected and loved. 
____ ..... The necessity for a balance between love and discipline in raising good kids is not 
~· just a hunch or theory. 
(A The Family as a Disciplined Democracy 
(B) Disciplined Parents and Free Children 
(C) Discipline: An Old Theory Gains New Ground 
___ 10. Even at the molecular level, change is not spontaneous. 
Resistance to change obviously occurs in the biological realm. 
Nature has special rewards for living systems which seek improvement. 
(A) Change: The Special Rewards in Nature 
(B) Change: Nature Resists but Rewards 
(C) Change: A Problem of Molecular Biology 
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OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
Exercise R 1. 7 
Objective: To evaluate alternative titles for short passages. 
Directions: In the blanks provided, check (./) the best title for the passage. Mark the other 
possibilities A or B to explain why they are not suitable titles. 
A: too broad B: too narrow 
Example: 
When tobacco leaves are a ripe, yellowish green, they are picked and the curing process is 
begun. The leaves are first hung in sheds to dry to a rich golden color, a process artificially 
encouraged in nontropical regions by charcoal fires or gas burners. The leaves are then piled 
up to form huge "bulks" weighing thousands of pounds each. The pressure of the leaves on 
each other and the temperatures of up to 100 degrees that are generated set up a fermentation 
process that develops the natural aroma and flavor of the leaf. 
Next, the leaves are packed into bales and go through a second fermentation under controlled 
atmospheric conditions. The stacked bales are rotated and the leaves are checked regularly 
until they are fully cured. The entire process from harvesting through aging takes from six 
months to three or more years, depending on the area where the tobacco is grown, on the 
curing techniques, and on the quality of the leaf. 
_A_ 1. The Tobacco Industry 
___L_ 2. Curing Tobacco 
_B_ 3. Effects of Fermentation on Tobacco Curing 
1. Asteroids, even small ones, can be devastating if they hit the earth. The Grand Canyon, 
which is almost a mile wide, might have been created by an asteroid only 150 feet in 
diameter. Experts estimate that if an object 500 feet in diameter were to hit the earth, it 
could set fire to trees within a radius of 30 miles, knock down houses within one of 100 
miles, and change weather patterns worldwide for as long as a year because of the dust it 
would throw up. 
In the near future, it may be possible to prevent such disasters. A scanning system may soon 
be able to provide information on the brightness and position of objects in space. The 
system would be able to indicate changes in the position of these celestial objects and tell us 
if there is an asteroid headed for earth. A bomb could then be carried to the asteroid by a 
spacecraft and fired by a radio signal from earth. The explosion would cause small change 
in the asteroid's orbit, but if done early enough, a very slight change would be enough to 
cause the asteroid to miss the earth. 
___ 1. Asteroid Risk Resolved? 
___ 2. The Story of Asteroids 
___ 3. Creation of the Grand Canyon 
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3 READING COMPREHENSION 
2. As urban apartments have come to constitute the background against which the lives of 
more and more people are lived out and as actual citiscapes have come to seem less and less 
attractive to many, so the designing and decoration of such apartments have come to 
respond increasingly to a search for interior harmony. It is no longer so much the outward 
view from windows, garden, or terrace which is of most concern to the architect, but rather 
the creation of interior views by means of spatial sculpturing. 
In this regard, clean lines and the absence of clutter are seen as particularly conducive to 
achieve the desired effect and this means, among other things, concealing mechanical and 
electronic equipment in cabinetwork or behind paneling. 
This whole refocusing inward has given rise to controversy since some claim that it lessens 
the sense of living in a community, while others insist that it protects the apartment -dwellers 
from a sense of alienation. This is not the place to express a view one way or the other, but 
one thing that can be said is that the "interior-view" approach is here to stay - for the 
moment. 
___ 1. Cabinetwork and Paneling Apartments 
___ 2. Living in an Urban Setting 
___ 3. Urban Apartment Design.·An Inward Look 
3. Physical growth among the Quechua of Peru is notably slower than among people in the 
United States, as is evidenced by a number of developmental characteristics, including a 
delay of the adolescent growth spurt until the early twenties or even later. Such retardation 
is, naturally, one of the effects of an insufficient intake of calories or proteins, but it also 
provides an excellent example of adaptation. Indeed, it is estimated that retarded growth, 
between the ages of fifteen and twenty, saves on the average Quechua's caloric intake 
requirement by more than 44,000 calories each year. While this may not seem greatly 
significant by American standards, such adaptation means that some 1 00 square yards less 
cropland needs to be planted each year for every Quechua who remains physically 
immature. 
___ 1. Growth Differences between Quechua andYoung People in the United States 
___ 2. Effective Adaptation in the Quechuan Maturation Process 
___ 3. The Quechua of Peru 
4. The caterpillar larva of Glaucopsyche lygdamus, a small butterfly found in the western part of 
the United States, has virtually no independent means of protecting itself from the attacks of 
predatory flies and wasps. If successful, such attacks result in the eggs of the predators being 
laid in the caterpillar and the latter's eventual death at the hands of the young it has been 
host to. Without outside help, it would not be long before Glaucopsyche lygdamus 
disappeared altogether. 
As a means of ensuring its survival, the caterpillar has developed an interesting symbiotic 
relationship with ants of the Formica genus. The caterpillar provides sugar-water, which it 
secretes by means of a gland specifically adapted to the purpose, for these ants and, in 
exchange, the ants offer what can best be described as a bodyguard service. What they do, 
in fact, is surround the caterpillar and squirt an irritant at marauding flies and wasps. 
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OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS ON THE MAIN IDEA 
The arrangement works well for both sides: the ants enjoy a ready supply of sugar-water, 
while the butterfly has a much higher chance of survival. 
___ 1. Symbiosis: Nature's "Way of Living Together 
___ 2. Glaucopsyche lygdamus and Formica ants: An Example of Symbiosis 
___ 3. Glaucopsyche lygdamus: The Larval Stage 
5. Violent thunderstorms are impressive phenomena wherever they occur. There are, however, 
certain characteristics of thunderstormsin the Great Plains region of the United States 
which result in an effect which is extraordinarily different from that caused by such storms 
in cities or hill country. 
The first difference is that a storm can be seen approaching from miles away. This approach 
gives the spectator an unusual perspective and allows him to see the complete storm as if it 
were a moving entity with defmed borders. Even before the storm comes into sight, 
however, its approach can be both heard as rolling thunder and sensed as a sharp 
temperature drop. 
As the storm advances, like some unstoppable giant, it blacks out the daylight and thus 
heightens the effect of the flashes of lightning with their almost simultaneous accompanying 
peals of deafening thunder. 
The fmal difference is the commonness with which hail is a feature of Great Plains 
thunderstorms. This hail is not just common - or garden - hail with pea-sized hailstones. 
Indeed, Spaniards in the sixteenth century spoke of hail the size of bowls, and Native 
Americans of the Plains also reported hail of extraordinary dimensions. Doubtless, the size 
lost nothing in the telling, but, even today, the hailstones in Great Plains thunderstorms are 
often described as being the size of large marbles or golfballs. 
___ 1. weather of the Great Plains 
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2. Hail in the Great Plains: Truth and Legend 
3. Thunderstorms in the Great Plains 
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