SAT "Lessons from the Torpid" passage

The passage is written from the perspective of someone who is

• actively involved in conducting hibernator research.

• a participant in a recent debate in the field of cardiology.

• knowledgeable about advances in hibernator research.

• an advocate for wildlife preservation.

It is reasonable to conclude that the main goal of the scientists conducting the research described in the passage is to

• learn how the hibernation patterns of bears and squirrels differ.

• determine the role that fat plays in hibernation.

• illustrate the important health benefits of exercise for humans.

• explore possible ways to prevent human diseases.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 1-5 (Understanding... dystrophy)

• Lines 10-13 (Fat... squirrels)

• Lines 31-35 (To...bears)

• Lines 42-46 (Once...tissues)

What main effect do the quotations by Andrews in lines 10-18 have on the tone of the passage?

• They create a bleak tone, focusing on the difficulties hibernators face during the winter.

• They create a conversational tone, relating scientific information in everyday language.

• They create an ominous tone, foreshadowing the dire results of Andrews's research.

• They create an absurd tone, using images of animals acting as if they were human.

As used in line 19, "stores" most nearly means

• preservatives.

• reserves.

• stacks.

• shelters.

Based on the passage, what is Fröbert's hypothesis regarding why bears' arteries do not harden during hibernation?

• The bears' increased plasma cholesterol causes the arteries to be more flexible.

• Sluggish circulation pinches off the blood vessels rather than hardening the arteries.

• Bears exercise in short, infrequent bursts during hibernation, which staves off hardened arteries.

• Bears possess a molecule that protects against hardened arteries.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 19-20 (Bigger...spring)

• Lines 24-27 (The brown...day)

• Lines 69-72 (Even...streaks)

• Lines 73-76 (It's...well)

Which statement about the effect of hibernation on the seven bears is best supported by the graph?

• Only one of the bears did not experience an appreciable change in its total plasma cholesterol level.

• Only one of the bears experienced a significant increase in its total plasma cholesterol level.

• All of the bears achieved the desirable plasma cholesterol level for humans.

• The bear with the lowest total plasma cholesterol level in its active state had the highest total plasma cholesterol level during hibernation.

What main effect do the quotations by Andrews in lines 10-18 have on the tone of the passage?

• They create a bleak tone, focusing on the difficulties hibernators face during the winter

• They create a conversational tone, relating scientific information in everyday language.

• They create an ominous tone, foreshadowing the dire results of Andrew's research

• They create an absurd tone, using images of animals acting as if they were human.

What information discussed in paragraph 10 (lines 58-68) is represented by the graph?

• The information in lines 58-62 ("Recent...reported")

• The information in lines 62-64 ("These... hibernation")

• The information in lines 64-65 ("Lolling...circulation")

• The information in lines 67-68 ("It's ...strokes")