Who’s ready for a full, crazy reading lesson? In the first of its kind, I have the FULL RUNDOWN for you guys today. We’re going to go through all these questions together and pray we can make it through. I would’ve like to make this live, but premiere’s are better because I can speak to you while the video is going. Nonetheless, the lesson is on household pests, and after all the reading techniques, let’s see if you got what it takes to succeed!
[1] Including almost 10 million species and representing over 90% of life on planet Earth, insects are ubiquitous. And while humans live peacefully side by side with most insect species, some pose a threat to human activity and habitats. You need only to consider the damage caused by insects to agricultural crops, and the ramifications for food security and agricultural economies, to understand their potential to wreak havoc. But it is not only the food we grow that can be threatened by insects; our homes themselves may be impacted. And while many pests – such as cockroaches and beetles – are regarded as disgusting and unseemly on our floors and walls, others may be outright damaging and threaten the value of a homeowner’s property. Two such pests are ants and termites.
[2] To a homeowner, termites can pose a significant threat. As detritivores, termites consume dead plant matter, which includes the wood we use in construction. Thus a colony of termites may undermine the strength of timber foundations, chew through walls, and hollow out stairs in a matter of months. This not only damages the home itself, but also creates safety hazards for the human occupants. Another insect capable of chewing through wood is the humble ant. Ants may put their well-deserved reputation for industriousness to work on more than just your house; they are also attracted to foods in the home and, left unchecked, can quickly become a terrible nuisance in the kitchen or garbage areas.
[3] Of course, pests such as termites and ants can be prevented, controlled, and eradicated, primarily through the use of chemical compounds that are toxic to the pests. These chemical compounds combat the insects at a biological level. Most compounds are composed of a pesticide, a dilutant, a particulate, a thickening agent, and a surfactant system. The pesticide is the toxic chemical that kills the pest, while the dilutant ensures that the compound does not endanger its human users (still, direct exposure is not recommended). The particulate agent suspends the pesticide within the dilutant, and the thickening agent serves to make the compound easier to apply to infested areas. Finally, the surfactant lowers the surface tension of the compound, further facilitating application.
[4] When it comes to pesticides, application is key. More specifically, the compound must be applied in the correct location, either exterior to the home or on the interior. Exterior application of a pesticide will help to prevent future pests from entering the structure. This commonly involves applying a compound to outside walls, porches, and window areas. Interior application can be more challenging, since insects seek out nesting areas which are relatively inaccessible to humans. This includes hollow spaces between walls, soft spots beneath floors, and hard-to-reach corners in cabinets and other furniture. Interior application is meant to eliminate those pests which have already infested a home. Thus effective pest control involves both prevention and eradication. While many homeowners choose to take the problem into their own hands and apply pesticides themselves, others choose to support the burgeoning pest control industry, hiring professionals who have the knowledge and equipment to ensure that compounds are applied safely.
[5] Exactly how big of a threat to termites and ants pose to homeowners? Global statistics are difficult to compile, but it is estimated that in the southwestern U.S. alone termites cause approximately 1.5 billion dollars in damage each year. The scale of the problem is such that the pesticide and pest control industries are growing, and entire communities have undertaken measures to control and eradicate these insects.
[6] While biochemical solutions remain highly effective methods of pest control, there is growing opposition to the use of chemicals in and around human habitation. The move toward “organic” food – that grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides – has helped to raise awareness of the potential health risks of such chemicals. Thus natural pest control, relying on non-toxic methods and compounds, is becoming more popular. Natural methods may utilize plants or even other insects to ward off or eliminate pests. Particular plants are known to repel particular insects; for example, crushed mint leaves are touted as an effective ant deterrent.
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Questions
- The word “others” in paragraph 1 refers to…
- cockroaches and beetles
- pests
- floors and walls
- homeowners
2. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1?
- a majority of the world’s insects cause problems to humans.
- insects’ damage to homes is a greater problem than their damage to agriculture
- insects are the most common type of animals on the planet
- cockroaches and beetles are commonly misunderstood by humans
3. The word ‘unchecked’ in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
- inside
- uncontrolled
- persistent
- bothered
4. Which of the following components helps to make applying the pesticides easier?
- particulate
- dilutant
- pesticide
- surfacant
5. According to paragraph 4, which of the following is true of the interior application of pesticides?
- it is more dangerous than exterior application
- it helps to prevent an infestation from happening
- it is more difficult than exterior application
- it is not very effective
6. In paragraph 4, the author mentions “hard to reach corners in cabinets and other furniture as an example of
- common points of entry for insect infestations
- areas which should be avoided when applying pesticide
- key pathways for insects within a home
- possible nesting areas for pests
7.Which of the following best expresses the essential information highlighted sentence? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
While many homeowners choose to take the problem into their own hands and apply pesticides themselves, others choose to support the burgeoning pest control industry, hiring professionals who have the knowledge and equipment to ensure that compounds are applied safely.
- Homeowners may work alongside pest control professionals to support the safe and effect application of pesticide.
- Some homeowners choose to support the pest control industry, which hires knowledgeable and safe professionals who can assist the homeowner in applying pesticides
- Some homeowners deal with pests on their own, but others seek professional help for a higher level of safety
- Even though the pest control industry is growing some people do not wish to hire professionals and instead attempt to control pests themselves.
8. In paragraph 5, why does the author mention “1.5 billion dollars in damage?”
- to lend support to community-wide pest control solutions
- to prove that estimating the impact of pests is difficult
- to introduce the idea of natural pest control methods
- to illustrate the extent of the problem caused by termites and ants
9 Examine the four █ in the selection below and indicate at which block the following sentence could be inserted into the passage:
Another natural approach involves altering the timing or pattern of lighting, since this appears to disrupt the insects’ breeding habits.
While biochemical solutions remain highly effective methods of pest control, there is growing opposition to the use of chemicals in and around human habitation. █ [A] The move toward “organic” food – that grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides – has helped to raise awareness of the potential health risks of such chemicals. █ [B] Thus natural pest control, relying on non-toxic methods and compounds, is becoming more popular. Natural methods may utilize plants or even other insects to ward off or eliminate pests █ [C] Particular plants are known to repel particular insects; for example, crushed mint leaves are touted as an effective ant deterrent. █ [D] .
A)
B)
C)
D)
10 Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Termites and ants are pests that can damage homes by chewing through wood.
?????
a. the pest control industry is growing rapidly, and pest control professionals can help ensure safe application of pesticides.
b. pesticides may be applied outside the home for prevention and within the home to kill existing insects
c. pests do a lot of damage to homes every year, and some people are turning to more natural methods of pest control
d. pesticides alone have been found to be less effective than pesticides used in combination with natural methods of pest control
e. compounds used to eliminate pests are typically comprised of several key ingredients
f. besides damaging homes, insects can cause significant damage to agricultural crops and food supplies