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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.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is C.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Reading

  • Q #1: 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. 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 Grounding Day?

    A. Habitat and diet

    B. Weather and farming

    C. History and folklore

    D. Holiday and festivities

    Answer Explanation

    The passage is about the origin of the ground hog day and the legend around it.

  • Q #2: 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 this Mor! After eating steak and vegetable stew and brown bread with butter, we went to the sweater market, where all kinds of woolen products are 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 healthy 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 rums, a prehistoric hill fort, and a white sand beach. We climbed down to a mysterious rock formation known as the “wormhole,” a rectangular hole in a stone shore that fills with thrashing waves and looks like houses of a terrible serpent. The wormhole will be difficult to find, and when we stopped someone for directions, she only spoke Galect. Sometimes this island seems stuck in an earlier fame. Which of the following additional sources would have a comparable theme to the passage?

    A. An instructional book on knitting

    B. An essay about Irish agriculture

    C. A journal entry about Dublin’s food and weather

    D. A postcard sent from the Aran islands

    Answer Explanation

    A postcard from Aran Islands would have a comparable theme since the passage is about a trip to Ireland but more specifically, Aran Islands.

  • Q #3: 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.