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On February 2 of each year, the United States observes the unusual holiday of Groundhog Day, a day of hope that winter is over and spring is beginning. This tradition has been officially observed in the U.S. 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 meteorologist. 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 groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. At the turn of the twentieth century, townspeople formed the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to perpetuate the joyful rituals and events surrounding Groundhog Day. Over the years, these 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 although 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 a Gregorian calendar. Nevertheless, a visit to Pennsylvania to see Punxsutawney Phil and all of the fun he inspires each year might just provide the touch of hope needed to reach the end of winter Which of the following pairs of search terms entered into a search engine with the phrase "Groundhog Day" is likely to produce information about the origin of Groundhog Day?

A. Habitat and diet

B. Weather and farming

C. History and folklore

D. Holiday and festivities

Answer Explanation:

Entering the search terms "Groundhog Day" along with "History and folklore" is likely to produce information about the origin and historical development of Groundhog Day as a tradition, including its folkloric roots and how it came to be observed in various cultures and towns.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Reading

  • Q #1: 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 their 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. 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 Magiccodo, or periodical cicadas, which regularly... Which of the following best describes the theme of this passage?

    A. Media attention to cicadas can also bring attention to climate change.

    B. Media attention to cicadas is as predictable as cicada life cycles.

    C. Disinformation in the media is responsible for conflicting information about the cicada life cycle.

    D. Disinformation in the media falsely identifies climate change as the root cause of the cicada's near extinction.

    Answer Explanation

    The passage discusses how media attention to cicadas has emerged predictably, much like the emergence of cicadas themselves from underground, indicating a parallel between the cyclical nature of cicada life cycles and the predictability of media attention to them.

  • Q #2: If a user of this phone system wants to find the most recently deleted message, listen to it, and then record a reply, which of the following sequences of numbers will the user select?

    A. 4,7,2

    B. 3,2,2

    C. 2.4.7.2

    D. 1,6,7,1

    Answer Explanation

     To find the most recently deleted message, listen to it, and then record a reply, the user would select the sequence of numbers 4, 7, 2. This corresponds to the actions described in the passage as follows: 4 (Listen to deleted message), 7 (Reply), 2 (Record).

  • Q #3: Beard Superiority Unlike most others who follow along with popular trends, I am able to truly see that the beard is superior to the mustache. First, you have so much more hair and space to work with when styling a beard than you do with a mustache. You can trim and cut a beard into so many styles: the Muttonchop, the Goatee, the Stubble, and the Chin Strap. You can even add things to your beard: braids, beads, glitter, and color possibilities of what you can add to a beard are endless! There are even professional competitions that surround the stylish nature of beards. Which of the following can be inferred from the evidence given in the passage?

    A. No competitions exist for the best mustache.

    B. The writer is a professional barber.

    C. The writer enjoys having a beard.

    D. Mustaches cannot easily be styled.

    Answer Explanation

    The writer's enjoyment of having a beard can be inferred from the passage's positive portrayal of the various styling options and possibilities for beards, along with the mention of professional competitions related to beards.