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 a large, loud insect with long transparent wings, 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 is the cicada loud, but few creatures make a louder sound. In fact, it is male cicadas that are the noisy ones, to the tune of 80 to 100 decibels, which is like the roar of a loud engine. This is because male cicadas make a strident, high buzzing by vibrating two membranes on its 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 whereafter the female deposits the eggs into the bark. Wher 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 Magicicodo, or periodical cicadas, which regularly emerge in intervals of 13 or 17 years, depending on the species and the location. This is why talk of cicadas in the media is as predictable as their emergence in the US. Which of the following events happens first after the male cicada calls to the female cicada, according to the passage?

A. You should grow a beard because they come in a variety of styles.

B. The beard is not just a passing trend.

C. Beards may be a hazard in professional lines of employment.

D. If you have a beard, you can dye it pink.

A. In the passage, the writer argues that beluga whales are so endangered, you should only hunt them with your camera

B. In the passage, the writer describes taking many photographs as the whale frolics in the icy Pacific Ocean

C. In the passage, the writer describes the whale surfacing, exhaling, and slapping her flipper on the water.

D. In the passage, the writer argues the benefits of photographing whales to enable their identification

A. Idle

B. Slow

C. Considerate

D. Meticulous