1. The human brain is often compared to a computer, but this analogy has limitations. While both process information, the brain is far more complex and adaptable. Neurons in the brain can form new connections and change existing ones, a property known as neuroplasticity. This allows the brain to learn, remember, and recover from injury in ways that computers cannot. What is the main point of comparison between the brain and a computer in this passage?

2. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a solid island of trash, but rather a soup of microplastics suspended throughout the water column. These tiny plastic particles pose a significant threat to marine life, as they can be ingested by animals and accumulate in the food chain. The existence of this patch highlights the global problem of plastic pollution and the need for more sustainable practices in plastic production and disposal. What is the main misconception addressed in this passage?

3. The "Sapir-Whorf hypothesis," also known as linguistic relativity, proposes that the structure of a language influences its speakers' worldview or cognition. This hypothesis suggests that the language we speak shapes the way we think and perceive the world. While the strong version of this hypothesis (linguistic determinism) is generally not accepted by modern linguists, a weaker version suggesting that language influences thought to some degree is still debated. Research in this area has explored how different languages categorize colors, express time, and describe spatial relationships, and how these differences might affect cognition. What is the main idea of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis as described in this passage?

4. The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, marked a major turning point in Earth's ecology and humans' relationship with their environment. The onset of industrialization, coupled with the growing use of fossil fuels and the large-scale extraction of mineral resources, has led to a sustained period of pollution, environmental degradation, and social change. Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of this passage?

5. Despite its name, the koala is not a bear. It is a marsupial, related to kangaroos and wombats. Koalas are found in the eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia, where they feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. These leaves are toxic to most animals, but koalas have a specialized digestive system that allows them to detoxify the leaves. Based on this passage, which of the following statements is most likely true?

6. The "Pygmalion effect," also known as the "Rosenthal effect," is a psychological phenomenon wherein high expectations lead to improved performance. The effect is named after the Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had carved. In educational settings, the Pygmalion effect suggests that teachers' expectations of their students can become self-fulfilling prophecies. If a teacher believes a student is bright, they may unconsciously give the student more opportunities to succeed, leading to improved performance. Conversely, low expectations may result in poorer performance, a phenomenon sometimes called the "Golem effect." This effect highlights the power of expectations and the importance of positive reinforcement in education and other areas of life. What is the main idea of the Pygmalion effect as described in this passage?

7. The "Pareto principle," also known as the "80/20 rule," states that for many outcomes, roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes. This principle was named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in 1896 that about 80% of Italy's land was owned by 20% of the population. The Pareto principle has been applied to various fields, including business (where it's often observed that 80% of sales come from 20% of clients), software (80% of errors come from 20% of code), and even personal time management. It's important to note that the 80/20 ratio is not exact and can vary, but the principle illustrates that a minority of causes often lead to a majority of results. This concept can be useful in prioritizing tasks and focusing on the most impactful activities. According to the passage, what does the Pareto principle primarily illustrate?

8. The "Bayes' theorem," named after 18th-century British mathematician Thomas Bayes, is a probability theory used to update the likelihood of a hypothesis when new evidence is presented. It describes the probability of an event, based on prior knowledge of conditions that might be related to the event. This theorem is particularly useful in understanding how the probability that a theory is true is affected by a new piece of evidence. Bayes' theorem has wide applications in science, engineering, and artificial intelligence, particularly in machine learning algorithms. It's used in spam filters, medical diagnosis, and even in legal proceedings to assess the strength of evidence. The theorem is expressed mathematically as P(A|B) = P(B|A) * P(A) / P(B), where A and B are events and P(B) ≠ 0. What is the primary use of Bayes' theorem as described in this passage?

9. The concept of sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This approach balances economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. It recognizes that economic progress often comes at the expense of the environment and seeks to find ways to advance human well-being while preserving natural resources and ecosystems. What is the primary goal of sustainable development according to this passage?

10. The Doppler effect is a change in the frequency of a wave for an observer moving relative to its source. It is commonly experienced with sound waves, such as when a car with a siren passes by, but it also occurs with light waves. This phenomenon has important applications in various fields, including meteorology, where it is used in weather radar to detect the motion of air in the atmosphere, and astronomy, where it helps scientists measure the speed at which distant galaxies are moving away from Earth. What is the best explanation for why the Doppler effect occurs?