What is all this 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. A typical definition would describe the cicada as a large, noisy insect with long, transparent wings, predominantly found in warm regions. Going into greater detail, cicadas can be recognized by their short antennae and prominent wide-set eyes. They possess delicate, translucent wings, and their characteristic feature is their loudness. Among the animal kingdom, few creatures produce a more intense sound. Specifically, it's the male cicadas that create the cacophonous buzz, generating noise levels ranging from 80 to 100 decibels, akin to the roar of a powerful engine. This is achieved through the male cicadas' unique ability to produce a strident, high-pitched sound by vibrating two membranes on their abdomen known as tymbals, effectively turning their bodies into echo chambers or drums. In contrast, female cicadas cannot replicate this buzzing but respond with a distinctive clicking sound when they are ready to mate. Although there are several species of cicada, mating typically takes place in trees wherever the female deposits the eggs into the bank. 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 mogucicada.   Which of the following words does the author use to express a derogatory tone?

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

A. A photograph of the damage taken by a bystander

B. A pamphlet about local food and shelter resources

C. A speech celebrating community first responders

D. A newspaper article about the natural disaster.

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