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A Day with Humpbacks I sit on the headlands of Neah Bay, Washington, and watch a mother humpback and her calf slip through the icy Pacific waters. I recognize this whale by her distinctive tail pattern, as unique to this humpback as my fingerprints are to me. Once, heavy hunting using harpoons extirpated the species from the region, and only a ban on whaling allowed populations of humpbacks to recover. As this gray female rises to the surface, she exhales, sending up a spout nearly 20 feet high. She rolls on her side and lifts her scalloped-edge flipper in salute, then slaps it on the water. Fadjust my lens and take my shot. This is the only type of whale hunting I find acceptable with a camera. Which of the following statements conveys the main idea of the passage?

A. Humpback whales travel in waters near Washington.

B. This particular humpback whale has never been seen previously by the author.

C. Cameras and harpoons are both ways of hunting humpback whales

D. Humpback whale populations are finally recovering after nearly being wiped out.

Answer Explanation:

The main idea of the passage is that humpback whale populations are finally recovering after nearly being wiped out due to heavy hunting using harpoons, and the author is now observing and photographing these recovered humpback whales in Neah Bay, Washington.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Reading

  • Q #1: Dear Aunt Suzanne, I have a few minutes before I get on the bus from Galway back to Dublin and wanted to tell you how my class trip to Ireland is going. We just spent 2 days on Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, which are just off the central west coast of Ireland. We took a ferry from Galway, a ride that takes about an hour and was quite gray and stormy. For an island that is only about 12 square miles, there is a lot to do and see on Inis Mor! After eating steak and vegetable stew and brown bread with butter, we went to the sweater market, where all kinds of woolen products were sold. The Aran Islands are known for their wool because sheep thrive here and generations have used woolen sweaters and hats to survive long cold days of fishing on the open sea. In fact, I learned that each family or clan has its own signature knitting pattern and some are able to tell which family someone belongs to by the pattern of their sweater! The Healy pattern is an interesting combination of twists and braids, and I found you a birthday souvenir with a beautiful example The next day, we rented bicycles and toured the island. We saw ancient ruins, a prehistoric hill fort, and a white sand beach. We also climbed down to a mysterious rock formation known as The Worm Hole" a rectangular hole in a stone shore that fills with thrashing waves and looks like it houses a terrible serpent (see attached photo). The Worm Hole was difficult to find, and when we stopped someone for directions, she only Spoke Gaelic Sometimes this island seems stuck in an earlier time. Which of the following details supports the inference that Eva's family has Irish roots?

    A. Eva has found an example of the Healy knitting pattern for her aunt

    B. Eva is learning about the culture and traditions in Ireland.

    C. Eva is communicating with her aunt while on a class trip to Ireland

    D. Eva is taking a lot of pictures while on her trip to Ireland.

    Answer Explanation

    The detail that supports the inference that Eva's family has Irish roots is that she has found an example of the Healy knitting pattern for her aunt. This suggests that Eva is aware of her family's connection to Irish culture and traditions, as indicated by the specific knitting pattern she has chosen as a souvenir.

  • Q #2: What source would be most useful in determining the reliability of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions over a number of years?

    A. A memoir from a member of The Groundhog Club

    B. A historical survey of customs in Pennsylvania

    C. A record of weather patterns in the last decade

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

    Answer Explanation

    A record of weather patterns in the last decade would be the most useful source in determining the reliability of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions over a number of years. By comparing the groundhog's predictions with actual weather outcomes, you can assess the accuracy of his forecasts and evaluate his reliability as a weather predictor.

  • Q #3: Gold is a widely known metal, often used for making jewelry. Pure gold is called 24-carat gold, but there is also 14-carat gold. Because gold is a soft metal, it is sometimes combined with another metal to harden it, such as copper. Fourteen-carat gold is named as such because 14 out of the 24 carats, approximately 60%, is gold and the remaining 10 carats, or 40%, is some other metal. Which of the following is the purpose of the passage above?

    A. To analyze

    B. To inform

    C. To compare

    D. To recommend

    Answer Explanation

    The purpose of the passage is to inform the reader about gold, its purity levels (24-carat and 14-carat), and how it is combined with other metals to create jewelry.