GRE – English Reading
Passage – 1 (Sourced)
Passage
Among
the several hundred million cells that comprise the wondrously complex human
body, and thus to be theoretically detectable in lab tests and in
electron photomicrographs, a tiny fraction, no more than a few
hundred, belong to a curious subclass whose luminescence has a wavelength
distribution so unique that it is long defied explanation. Such systems
luminesce strongly in the visible region of the spectrum, but some of them do
so even more strongly at both shorter and longer wavelengths: in the
ultraviolet region and in the infrared regions.
This
odd distribution of luminescence is best explained by the pairing of a
giant red blood cell and an intensely small white blood
cell that is virtually in contact with its larger companion as the two
travels around a common centre. Such objects have become known as Clinging
cells. On photographic plates only the giant cell can be discerned, but
evidence for the existence of the tiny companions has now been supplied by
magnifying instruments capable of detecting ultraviolet luminescence at
wavelengths that are absorbed by the body's heat and therefore cannot be
detected by typical analytical instruments.
The
spectra of Clinging cells indicate that the giant red blood cell is
surrounded by very thin lipid filaments. The existence of the lipid filaments
marked such objects as being unique several decades before clinical
observations finally identified the lipid as the luminescence from the tiny
companion white blood cell. Clinging cells also flare up in outbursts
indicating the ejection of material in the form of a shell or a ring,
reminiscent of the recurrent circulation of hormonal cells. Clinging cells may
therefore represent a transitory phase in the evolution of certain types of
hormonal systems in which there is a substantial transfer of matter from the
larger partner to the smaller.
The
exact evolutionary course that turns a typical blood cell system into
a clinging one is a matter of conjecture. The comparatively small number of
known Clinging cells in our bodies suggests that if all binaries of modest mass
normally pass through a clinging phase in their evolution, the phase must be
extremely brief, perhaps as short as a millisecond.
1.
The author's primary purpose in the passage is to
(A)
demonstrate that most hormonal systems were at one time clinging
(B) dismiss current knowledge of Clinging cells as overly speculative
(C) describe Clinging cells as a distinct type of cell system
(D) present evidence that hormonal systems are formed from tiny white blood cells
(E) compare characteristics of giant red blood cells and tiny white blood cells
(B) dismiss current knowledge of Clinging cells as overly speculative
(C) describe Clinging cells as a distinct type of cell system
(D) present evidence that hormonal systems are formed from tiny white blood cells
(E) compare characteristics of giant red blood cells and tiny white blood cells
2.
The passage implies that Clinging cell systems differ from other hormonal
systems in that the former
(A)
Display luminescence patterns different from those of most hormonal systems
(B) contain two cells that revolve around a common centre
(C) possess far greater mass than other hormonal systems
(D) are more common in our bodies than other hormonal systems
(E) are the only hormonal systems that can be detected by electron microscopes
(B) contain two cells that revolve around a common centre
(C) possess far greater mass than other hormonal systems
(D) are more common in our bodies than other hormonal systems
(E) are the only hormonal systems that can be detected by electron microscopes
3.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about "the
luminescence" mentioned in line 22?
(A)
It causes certain large red blood cells to appear tiny to observers.
(B) It was incorrectly associated with hormonal cells in our bodies.
(C) It interferes with the clarity of photographs of most hormonal systems.
(D) It corresponds to the visible region of the light spectrum.
(E) It could not be positively identified from photomicrograph observations.
(B) It was incorrectly associated with hormonal cells in our bodies.
(C) It interferes with the clarity of photographs of most hormonal systems.
(D) It corresponds to the visible region of the light spectrum.
(E) It could not be positively identified from photomicrograph observations.
4.
According to the passage, the exchange of matter within a Clinging cell system
is believed to be a process in which
(A)
cell grows in mass at the expense of the other
(B) the mass of each cell remains fairly stable
(C) the mass of both cells declines
(D) both cells absorb matter emitted by other nearby cells
(E) both cells gradually return to an earlier singular state
(B) the mass of each cell remains fairly stable
(C) the mass of both cells declines
(D) both cells absorb matter emitted by other nearby cells
(E) both cells gradually return to an earlier singular state
5.
The assumption that the Clinging cell phase in the evolution of some hormonal
systems "must be extremely brief” (line) is most likely based on the fact
that
(A)
hormones are rapidly ejected from clinging systems
(B) few Clinging cells have been detected in our bodies
(C) the cells in a clinging pair are in close proximity to each other
(D) Clinging cells vary considerably in size from one another
(E) the outbursts of Clinging cells resemble those of hormonal cells
(B) few Clinging cells have been detected in our bodies
(C) the cells in a clinging pair are in close proximity to each other
(D) Clinging cells vary considerably in size from one another
(E) the outbursts of Clinging cells resemble those of hormonal cells
Answers and
Explanations for the Passage
1.
C is the correct answer. This is a main idea question and choice C matches the
passage's topic and scope. Choices A, D and E are too narrow and limited, while
B distorts the author's tone.
2.
A is correct. Although the question asks you to infer, it is actually a
description question. Choice A is suggested in the passage's first sentence.
Neither B nor C is ever suggested, while D contradicts the passage. E is
tricky, but distorts the passage.
3.
E is the correct choice to this inference question. It corresponds to
information in paragraphs 2 and 3. Choice A is not indicated by the passage,
while choice C distorts it. D seems to contrdict the passage. This is a
difficult question, as the correct answer does not appear in immediately
surrounding lines. In this case, the answer is suggested at the end of the
previous paragraph.
4.
A is correct. This is a challenging detail question with no line reference.
Choice A paraphrases information at the end of paragraph 3. Choices B and C are
inconsistent, while D and E are never suggested.
5.
B is the correct answer. Although the question includes the word
"assumption", it is actually a description question. A , D and E
mention irrelevant information, while C discusses an unrelated fact. While all
the choices are factually accurate, only B contains the relevant information.
Words and their meanings
Abyss: hole so deep as to appear bottomless
Acquiesce: agree, accept without protest
Affable: polite and friendly, easy to talk to
Ambiguous: having more than one meaning
Annex: take possession of
Aqueous: of or like water
Arduous: demanding great effort, strenuous
Aroma:
quality or surrounding atmosphere considered typical
Bellicose: inclined to fighting
Calisthenics: exercises to develop strong bodies
Captor: person who takes somebody captive
Concoct: invent, prepare by mixing together
Dangle:
hand or swing loosely
Deprive: take away from, prevent from using
Diligent: hard-working
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