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What is all this of cicadas lately in the United States? You might be wondering why the media has featured it. but in fact. the discussion about cicadas has emerged about as predictably as the cicadas themselves from their underground refuge. Let's get oriented with some background on cicadas. A typical definition would describe the cicada as a large, noisy insect with long, transparent wings, predominantly found in warm regions. Going into greater detail, cicadas can be recognized by their short antennae and prominent wide-set eyes. They possess delicate, translucent wings, and their characteristic feature is their loudness. Among the animal kingdom, few creatures produce a more intense sound. Specifically, it's the male cicadas that create the cacophonous buzz, generating noise levels ranging from 80 to 100 decibels, akin to the roar of a powerful engine. This is achieved through the male cicadas' unique ability to produce a strident, high-pitched sound by vibrating two membranes on their abdomen known as tymbals, effectively turning their bodies into echo chambers or drums. In contrast, female cicadas cannot replicate this buzzing but respond with a distinctive clicking sound when they are ready to mate. Although there are several species of cicada, mating typically takes place in trees wherever the female deposits the eggs into the bank. When the eggs hatch, the larval cicadas, called nymphs, drop to the ground and burrow. They then live as nymphs for most of their lives over 6 feet underground with both male and female cicadas dying within weeks of their emergence from the soil. This is particularly true for North American cicadas especially the mogucicada.   Which of the following words does the author use to express a derogatory tone?

A. Noisy

B. Delicate

C. Predictable

D. Roar

Answer Explanation:

Noisy - the term noisy expresses a low opinion about the cicadas

Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Reading

  • Q #1: Peanut Butter Cookies Grandma Harry 30 minutes         Cookies/Desserts        Makes 1 dozen  1 egg white ¾ cup sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ cup flour Beat egg white until foamy. Stir in sugar, and beat again until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in peanut butter and vanilla. Add flour in small increments until dough forms. Chill dough for at least 2 hours. Roll into balls, roll in sugar, press down with a fork, and bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet. These are very fragile. Which of the following statements is true?

    A. Each ball of dough must be pressed down with a fork before baking

    B. The egg white and vanilla are beaten together in a bowl

    C. When beating the eggs and sugars, you shouldn’t stop until soft peaks form

    D. After adding flour, the cookies are baked for 10 to 12 minutes

    Answer Explanation

    Choice A: Each ball of dough must be pressed down with a fork before baking.

    In the provided recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies, it mentions rolling the dough into balls, rolling them in sugar, pressing them down with a fork, and then baking them for 10 to 12 minutes. This step of pressing the dough balls with a fork before baking helps create the characteristic crisscross pattern on peanut butter cookies and aids in even baking.

  • Q #2: On February 2 of each year, the United States observes the unusual holiday Groundhog Day, a day of hope that winter is over and spring is beginning. The tradition has been officially observed in the US since the 1800s and is believed to have developed from European folk traditions in which a bear, fox, badger, or even hedgehog would serve as the symbolic metrologist. Although other cultures and towns observe Groundhog Day (or something similar) the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania takes special pride in being home to the one true forecasting, the groundhog, Punxsutawney Grounding Club to perpetuate the joyful rituals and events surrounding Groundhog Day. Over the years, these rituals and events have come to include a scavenger hunt, a talent show, and a ball. Legend has it that on Groundhog Day the official weather-forecasting groundhog awakens from hibernation and comes out of his burrow to look for his shadow. If he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are to come and Punxsutawney Phil goes back to bed. However, if he does not see his shadow, Punxsutawney Phil takes this as a sign that spring has arrived and he remains above ground. Of course, common sense tells us that February 2 is too early for spring to begin and that while animals may be attuned to various elements of nature from which humans might learn, they are unlikely to act on their instincts based on a schedule set by the Gregorian calendar. Nevertheless, a visit to Pennsylvania to the Punxsutawney Phil and all the fun inspires each year might provide the loath of hope needed to reach the end of winter. What source would be most useful in determining reliability of Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions over a number of years?

    A. A historical survey of customs in Pennsylvania

    B. An encyclopedia entry on mammals in the northeast U.S

    C. A record of weather patterns in the last decade

    D. A memoir from a member of the Groundhog Club

    Answer Explanation

    Weather patterns in the last decade would determine the reliability of the predictions of the symbolic metrology of the Groundhog’s day.

  • Q #3: What is all this talk of cicadas lately in the United States? You might be wondering why the media has featured it, but in fact, the discussion about cicadas has emerged about as predictably as the cicadas themselves from their underground refuge. Let's get oriented with some background on cicadas. What is a cicada? A typical definition will at least tell you that the cicada is large, loud insect with long transparent wings and it is mostly found in warm countries. A more detailed response might also inform you that cicadas have short antennae and wide-set eyes that jut out. With delicate, translucent wings — and that not only are the cicadas loud, but few creatures make a louder sound. In fact, it is the male cicadas that are the noisy ones to the tune of 80 to 100 decibels, with sound like the roar of a loud engine. This is because male cicadas make a strident, high buzzing sound by vibrating two membranes on the abdomen called tymbals, effectively turning its body into a kind of echo chamber or drum. Female cicadas cannot replicate the buzzing, though they respond with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate. Although there are several species of cicada, mating typically takes place in trees wherever the female deposits the eggs into the bank. When the eggs hatch, the larval cicadas, called nymphs, drop to the ground and burrow. They then live as nymphs for most of their lives over 6 feet underground with both male and female cicadas dying within weeks of their emergence from the soil. This is particularly true for North American cicadas especially the mogucicada.   Which of the following events happens first after the male cicada calls to the female cicada, according to the passage?

    A. The male and female mate in the trees

    B. The female deposits the eggs

    C. Nymphs drop to the ground

    D. The female makes a clicking sound

    Answer Explanation

    When the male cicada calls out to the female cicada with the loud buzzing sound, the female would then respond with her own sounds.

    According to the passage, female cicadas cannot replicate the buzzing, though they respond with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate. This is the next thing that happens after the male cicada calls out.