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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 is the most likely reason male cicadas make a buzzing sound?

A. To attract a mate

B. To locate food sources

C. To orient via echolocation

D. To ward off predators

Answer Explanation:

The passage states that male cicadas make a strident, high buzzing sound to attract female cicadas when they are ready to mate. This indicates that the buzzing serves as a mating call to attract potential mates.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is A.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Reading

  • Q #1: In 1943, the war in the Pacific raged on. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt went to rally the troops' spirits, despite the disapproval of military command. Roosevelt planned a grueling itinerary. She visited several islands and hundreds of wounded in her first 6 days. The indefatigable First Lady inspected Navy hospitals, delivered a speech, attended receptions, and visited convalescing officers, all within 12 hours of her arrival. She lifted spirits among the wounded and morale among the troops. She continued her exhausting tour for a month, speaking to every patient in troop hospitals and taking down addresses to contact family members. Roosevelt traveled non-stop, risked her life, and greeted the last patient she saw with the same heartfelt sincerity as the first Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the passage?

    A. Eleanor Roosevelt did not enjoy giving oral speeches to troops.

    B. Eleanor Roosevelt was present during most battles in Asia during WWII.

    C. Eleanor Roosevelt hand wrote notes to every troop's family.

    D. Eleanor Roosevelt became First Lady before the war in the Pacific ended.

    Answer Explanation

    This conclusion is supported by the information that in 1943, during the war in the Pacific, Eleanor Roosevelt, as First Lady, went to rally the troops' spirits. This implies that she was First Lady during the war, which suggests that she assumed the role before the war in the Pacific ended.

  • Q #2: Which of the following information sources contains copyright information for a given book?

    A. Table of contents

    B. Publication page

    C. Index

    D. Title page

    Answer Explanation

    Typically, the publication page, also known as the copyright page, contains copyright information, including the copyright date, the copyright holder, and any relevant copyright notices or permissions.

  • Q #3: Letter from the Chair of Elkinsville Ecological Society Many of you have heard about the proposed northward expansion of the interstate, which currently ends just south of Elkinsville, in the recent debate over how this work will go forward, the focus has been on weighing economic costs and benefits. Indeed, many local politicians claim to favor the project because it will bring jobs in the short term and more visitors to Elkinsville in the long term. These politicians also argue that the proposed plan is the least environmentally damaging way to expand the highway farther upstate. This cannot be true, however, since the proposed expansion involves not just the widening of existing roads, but also the construction of more than a dozen miles of new-terrain highway.     Where is it most likely that readers would encounter this text?

    A. The opinion section of the Elkinsville Daily Eagle newspaper

    B. A brochure from the Elkinsville Chamber of Commerce

    C. A tenth-grade science textbook at Elkiraville High School

    D. A flyer on a bulletin board at Elkinsville City Hall

    Answer Explanation

    The passage presents a viewpoint from the Chair of the Elkinsville Ecological Society regarding the proposed expansion of the interstate highway, which is typically the kind of content found in opinion sections of newspapers, where various perspectives on current issues are shared and discussed.