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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 large, loud insect with long transparent wings and it is 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 are the cicadas loud, but few creatures make a louder sound. In fact, it is the male cicadas that are the noisy ones to the tune of 80 to 100 decibels, with sound like the roar of a loud engine. This is because male cicadas make a strident, high buzzing sound by vibrating two membranes on the 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 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 events happens first after the male cicada calls to the female cicada, according to the passage?

A. The male and female mate in the trees

B. The female deposits the eggs

C. Nymphs drop to the ground

D. The female makes a clicking sound

Answer Explanation:

When the male cicada calls out to the female cicada with the loud buzzing sound, the female would then respond with her own sounds.

According to the passage, female cicadas cannot replicate the buzzing, though they respond with a clicking sound when they are ready to mate. This is the next thing that happens after the male cicada calls out.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Reading

  • Q #1: A teacher asks a student to wipe down the whiteboard before leaving for art class, put away the math textbooks before wiping down the whiteboard, and take the daily attendance sheet to the principal on the way to art class. Which of the following should students do first?

    A. Wipe down the whiteboard

    B. Take the daily attendance sheet to the principal

    C. Go to art class

    D. Put away the math textbooks

    Answer Explanation

    1. Wipe down the whiteboard before leaving for art class.

    2. Put away the math textbooks before wiping down the whiteboard.

    3. Take the daily attendance sheet to the principal on the way to Art class.

    Considering the sequence of tasks, the student should:

    d. Put away the math textbooks

    This task precedes wiping down the whiteboard and is part of the sequence outlined in the instructions.

  • Q #2: Phone System Quick Reference Card 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 sequence of numbers will the user select?

    A. 4,7,2

    B. 3,2,2

    C. 1,6,7,1

    D. 2,4,7,2

    Answer Explanation

    4, 7, 2

  • Q #3: 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 ad 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 details supports the inference that Eva’s family has irish roots?

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

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

    C. Eva is talking a lot of pictures while on her trip to Ireland

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

    Answer Explanation

    Eva states that, “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.”