This essay is previously used in the chapter. You may choose to skip over it.
As in the case of so many words used by the biologist and physiologist,
the word acclimatization is hard to define. With increases
in scientific knowledge and understanding, meanings of words change.
Originally the term acclimatization was taken to mean only the ability
of human beings, animals or plants to accustom themselves
to new and strange climatic conditions, primarily altered temperature.
A person or a wolf moves to a hot climate and is uncomfortable there,
but after a time is better able to withstand the heat. But aside
from temperature, there are other aspects of climate. A person or
an animal may become adjusted to living at higher altitudes than
those it was originally accustomed to. At very high altitudes, such
as those that aviators may be exposed to low atmospheric pressure
becomes a factor of primary importance. In changing to a new environment,
a person may, meet new conditions of temperature or pressure, and
in addition may have to contend with different chemical surroundings.
On high mountains, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere may be
relatively small; in crowded cities, a person may become exposed
to relatively high concentrations of carbon dioxide or even carbon
monoxide, and in various areas may be exposed to conditions in which
the water content of the atmosphere is extremely high or extremely
low. Thus, in the case of humans, animalsand even plants, the concept
of acclimatization includes the phenomena of increased toleration
of high or low temperature, of altered pressure, and of changes
in the chemical environment.
Let us define acclimatization, therefore, as the process in which
an organism or a part of an organism becomes inured to an environment
which is normally unsuitable to it or lethal for it. By and large,
acclimatization is a relatively slow process. The term should not
be taken to include relatively rapid adjustments such as those that
our sense organs are constantly making. This type of adjustment
is commonly referred to by physiologists as "adaptation." Thus, our touch sense soon becomes accustomed to the pressure of our clothes
and we do not feel them; we soon fail to hear the ticking of a clock;
obnoxious orders after a time fail to make much impression on us,
and our eyes in strong light rapidly become insensitive.
The fundamental fact about acclimatization is that all animals and
plants have some capacity to adjust themselves to changes in their
environment. This is one of the most remarkable characteristics
of living organisms, a characteristic for which it is extremely
difficult to find explanations.
1. According to the reading
selection, all animals and plants
(A) have an ability for
acclimatization.
(B) can adjust to only one change in the environment at a time.
(C) are successful in adjusting themselves to changes in their environments.
(D) can adjust to natural changes in the environment but not to artificially
induced changes.
(E) that have once acclimatized themselves to an environmental change can
acclimatize themselves more rapidly to subsequent changes.
2. It can be inferred from
the reading selection that
(A) every change in the environment requires acclimatization by living things.
(B) plants and animals are more alike than they are different.
(C) biologist and physiologists study essentially the same things.
(D) the explanation of acclimatization is specific to each plant and animal.
(E) as science develops, the connotation of terms may change.
3. According to the reading selection, acclimatization
(A) is similar
to adaptation.
(B) is more important today than it was formerly.
(C) involves positive as well as negative adjustment.
(D) may be involved with a part of an organism but not with the whole
organism.
(E) is more difficult to explain with the more complex present-day
environment than it was formerly.
4. By inference
from the reading selection, which one of the following would NOT require
the process of acclimatization?
(A) an ocean fish placed in a lake
(B) a shallow diver making a deep dive
(C) an airplane pilot making a high-altitude flight
(D) a person going from daylight into a darkened room
(E) a businessman moving from Denver, Colorado, to New Orleans, Louisiana
5. According to the passage, a major distinction between acclimatization
and adaptation is that acclimatization
(A) is more important
than adaptation.
(B) is relatively slow and adaptation is relatively rapid.
(C) applies to adjustments while adaptation does not apply to adjustments.
(D) applies to terrestrial animals and adaptation to aquatic animals.
(E) is applicable to all animals and plants and adaptation only to
higher animals and man.
6. The word "inured" in the first sentence of paragraph two most likely
means
(A) exposed
(B) accustomed
(C) attracted
(D) associated
(E) in love with
7. The function of paragraph 2 in the passage as a whole is to
(A) Illuminate the human element of acclimatization
(B) Explain the role of scientists in acclimatization research
(C) Provide a definition corresponding to the examples sighted in
paragraph 1.
(D) Detail the environmental adjustments animals make to their environment
(E) Show the links between important terms used elsewhere in
the essay
8. The author is most likely:
(A) A researcher in the field of adaptive mechanisms
(B) A student of biology
(C) A veterinarian looking to explain an issue of importance
(D) The editor of a scientific publication
(E) The founder of a new field of science
Play by Play
PARAGRAPH 1
(1) As in the case of so many words used by the biologist and physiologist, the word acclimatization is hard to define. With increases in scientific knowledge and understanding, meanings of words change. (2) Originally the term acclimatization was taken to mean only the ability of human beings, animals or plants to accustom themselves to new and strange climatic conditions, primarily altered temperature. A person or a wolf moves to a hot climate and is uncomfortable there, but after a time is better able to withstand the heat. (3) But aside from temperature, there are other aspects of climate. (4) A person or an animal may become adjusted to living at higher altitudes than those it was originally accustomed to. At very high altitudes, such as those that aviators may be exposed to, low atmospheric pressure becomes a factor of primary importance. In changing to a new environment, a person may, meet new conditions of temperature or pressure, and in addition may have to contend with different chemical surroundings. (5) On high mountains, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere may be relatively small; in crowded cities, a person may become exposed to relatively high concentrations of carbon dioxide or even carbon monoxide, and in various areas may be exposed to conditions in which the water content of the atmosphere is extremely high or extremely low.(6) Thus, in the case of humans, animals, and even plants, the concept of acclimatization includes the phenomena of increased toleration of high or low temperature, of altered pressure, and of changes in the chemical environment.
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(1) This first sentence sets up the whole thing. The passage will be a discussion of the meaning of acclimatization. First sentences are often topic sentences, and the topic sentence of the first paragraph is often the main idea.
(2) Setting up a contrast: old definition vs. new model. Acclimatization meant getting used to a hotter or colder climate. If you live in Vermont, think of moving to Florida.
(3) "But" means contrast. That was then, this is now. Old definition vs. new, more encompassing one. The definition of acclimatization is going to expand.
(4) We thought we had the meaning down, but there's more. Adjusting to temperature is not the only thing that defines acclimatization. Adjusting to altitude and chemicals is also part of the definition.
(5) High oxygen vs. low oxygen, high pollution vs. low pollution, high humidity vs. low humidity. People survive by adjusting to all these differing environmental conditions.
(6) The author's use of "thus" clues us into a main idea statement. We now read that acclimatization includes a broad scope of adjustments to the environment. (Note that this is a different definition than the early definition which only included temperature change adjustments. The new definition goes further.) Old definition vs. new definition. |
PARAGRAPH 2
(1) Let us define acclimatization, therefore, as the process in which an organism or a part of an organism becomes inured to an environment which is normally unsuitable to it or lethal for it. (2) By and large, acclimatization is a relatively slow process. (3) The term should not be taken to include relatively rapid adjustments such as those that our sense organs are constantly making. This type of adjustment is commonly referred to by physiologists as "adaptation." Thus, our touch sense soon becomes accustomed to the pressure of our clothes and we do not feel them; we soon fail to hear the ticking of a clock; obnoxious orders after a time fail to make much impression on us, and our eyes in strong light rapidly become insensitive. |
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(1) A new definition, wow! That's important. Make sure you know the contrast between the old definition (temperature) and the new, improved one (temperature, pressure, chemicals).
(2) OK—the new definition encompasses a lot more than the old one. But, there are stil limits. Now that they have told us what is included, they are going to tell us what it's not.
(3) Another important contrast: fast vs. slow. Acclimatization is slow. It's what happens when you've been spending considerable time in a new environment. |
PARAGRAPH 3
The fundamental fact about acclimatization is that all animals and plants have some capacity to adjust themselves to changes in their environment. This is one of the most remarkable characteristics of living organisms, a characteristic for which it is extremely difficult to find explanations. |
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First sentences of last paragraphs are usually important, especially when they contain a giveaway phrase like “"fundamental fact." Keywords: “capacity for change”. The author is summarizing the passage's main points: acclimatization is a very special ability shared by all animals and plants. |
1.What
is the passage type?
Subject: Science
Action: Describe
2. What is each paragraph about?
P1: Acclimatization: more than
just temperature
P2: Fast adjustment = adaptation
vs. slow adjustment = acclimatization
P3: Characteristic of all
living things = Capacity for change
3.
What is the organization?
This is a contrast
passage. We have: old definition (adjust to temperature) vs. new (adjust
to many environmental factors). Two definitions
are contrasted
Temperature |
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temperature and more |
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Chosen definition is
clarified |
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Slow vs. fast |
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General idea is summarized |
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We can change! |
4. What is the big idea?
Animals and plants can adjust to
their environments in various ways.
5.
What is the author’s purpose?
The author wants to set the
record straight by introducing a more nuanced definition of an important term,
acclimatization.
Explanations
1. According to the reading selection, all animals and plants
(A) have an ability for acclimatization.
(B) can adjust to only one change in the environment at a time.
(C) are successful in adjusting themselves to changes in their environments.
(D) can adjust to natural changes in the environment but not to artificially induced changes.
(E) that have once acclimatized themselves to an environmental change can acclimatize themselves more rapidly to subsequent changes.
Type: Detail of the passage
(A) The beginning of the last paragraph states that "The fundamental
fact about acclimatization is that all animals and plants have some
capacity to adjust themselves to changes in their environment." Therefore we know that all animals and plants have the ability
to for acclimatization. Choices B, D, and E are wrong because the
passage just doesn’t say anything to support these statements.
In fact, in the case of D, it actually contradicts what we learned
in the passage: that it is possible to acclimate to artificial changes,
such as pollution. Choice C is incorrect because it’s
going further than the passage takes us. The passage says all living
things have the capacity for change, but doesn’t state that
all animals and plants always succeed in adjusting to all changes
in all environments. (400)
2. It can be inferred from the reading selection that
(A) every change in the environment requires acclimatization by living things.
(B) plants and animals are more alike than they are different.
(C) biologist and physiologists study essentially the same things.
(D) the explanation of acclimatization is specific to each plant and animal.
(E) as science develops, the connotation of terms may change.
Type:
Inference
(E) The third sentence in paragraph 1 tells us that the term acclimatization
originally meant an organism could adjust to temperature changes.
Later, in the last sentence of paragraph 1, we learn that the term
now referes to an organism's ability to adjust to changes in temperature,
pressure and chemical environment. Choices A, B, C, and D are incorrect
because one cannot infer any of these statements from the passage. Plants and animals are
more alike than they are different? Huh? Carrots and cats
have more similarities than differences? Seems doubtful, but
in any case, all that matters here is that the passage doesn't address
this.
(700)
3. According to the reading selection, acclimatization
(A) is similar to adaptation.
(B) is more important today than it was formerly.
(C) involves positive as well as negative adjustment.
(D) may be involved with a part of an organism but not with the whole organism.
(E) is more difficult to explain with the more complex present-day environment than it was formerly.
Type: Definition of a term or phrase
(A) Acclimatization and adaptation are both forms of adjustment. Accordingly,
these two processes are similar. The difference between the two terms,
however, is brought out in the second sentence in second paragraph.
Don't let this distinction throw you off. No, acclimatization
and adaptation are not the
same, but
they are similar. Though the passage never overtly states this
fact, it can be inferred from the description of adaptation that it
is similar to acclimatization. Choice D is incorrect because the passage
does not say anything about the parts of the organism versus the whole.
The first line of the second paragraph says that the whole organism,
or a part of it, may change to suit a new environment, but not that
either must take place. Choices B, C, and E are incorrect because
the passage simply doesn't indicate that any of these choices are
true. (500)
4. By inference from the reading selection, which one of the following would NOT require the process of acclimatization?
(A) an ocean fish placed in a lake
(B) a shallow diver making a deep dive
(C) an airplane pilot making a high-altitude flight
(D) a person going from daylight into a darkened room
(E) a businessman moving from Denver, Colorado, to New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Inference
(D) A person going from daylight into a darkened room is an example
of adaptation, not acclimatization. See the second through fourth
sentences in paragraph two, where the author describes the definition
of adaptation. Choices A, B, C, and E all require the process of acclimatization,
so they are incorrect. An ocean fish placed in a lake (A) is a chemical
change. Choices B, C, and E are all pressure changes. Acclimatization,
according to the new definition in the passage, deals with both
chemical and pressure changes. (600)
5. According to the passage, a major distinction between acclimatization and adaptation is that acclimatization
(A) is more important than adaptation.
(B) is relatively slow and adaptation is relatively rapid.
(C) applies to adjustments while adaptation does not apply to adjustments.
(D) applies to terrestrial animals and adaptation to aquatic animals.
(E) is applicable to all animals and plants and adaptation only to higher animals and man.
Type: Detail
of the passage
(B). See the third and fourth sentences of paragraph two: "The
term should not be taken to include relatively rapid adjustments such
as those that our sense organs are constantly making. This type of
adjustment is commonly referred to by physiologists as adaptation." Choices A, D, and E are incorrect because the passage does
not contain any evidence to back up these claims. These are all just
made-up distinctions that are never mentioned in the passage, and,
remember, the passage is all we have to base our answers upon. Choice
C is partially correct in that acclimatization does apply to adjustments,
but the choice is incorrect because adaptation also applies to adjustments.
6. The word "inured" in the first sentence of paragraph two most likely means
(A) exposed
(B) accustomed
(C) attracted
(D) associated
(E) in love with
Type: Definition
of a term or phrase
(B) "Inured" most
nearly means "accustomed". The sentence is describing an
organism surviving in an environment it normally would not be able to
cope with. This question is very detailed and further knowledge of
the passage outside the contextual sentence provides you with little
help. If you are having trouble with this kind of question read each
choice into the sentence and chose the one that best gets at the overall
point being made. Most of the choices don't make sense with the concept
of the organism becoming inured to "an environment which is normally
unsuitable to it or lethal for it. Would an organism survive
in a normally lethal environment if it was simply "exposed"
(A) or "attracted" (C) to it, for example? (400)
7. The function of paragraph 2 in the passage as a whole is to
(A) Illuminate the human element of acclimatization
(B) Explain the role of scientists in acclimatization research
(C) Provide a definition corresponding to the examples sighted in paragraph 1.
(D) Detail the environmental adjustments animals make to their environment
(E) Show the links between important terms used elsewhere in the essay
Type:
Function of a part of the passage (Advanced)
(C) The purpose of the second paragraph is to explain the definition
of acclimatization. The end of paragraph 1 provides examples of acclimatization,
and the first line of paragraph 2 provides the direct definition of
the term. The rest of the paragraph provides a secondary definition
of adaptation: to support the definition of acclimatization by showing
what it is NOT. (A) and (B) contain a detail of the paragraph but
do not relate to its overall function. (D) is incorrect because the
paragraph does not show environmental adjustments for animals in detail,
only humans. (E) is incorrect because the paragraph contains the term
adaptation which is not used elsewhere in the essay. (700)
8. The author is most likely:
(A) A researcher in the field of adaptive mechanisms
(B) A student of biology
(C) A veterinarian looking to explain an issue of importance
(D) The editor of a scientific publication
(E) The founder of a new field of science
Type: Identity of the author (Advanced)
(A) The author describes acclimatization in detail and his tone is
one of experience. The author is familiar with acclimatization at
a very high level. He or she is unlikely to be a student (B) since
the passage is long, detailed and historical. The author is unlikely
to be a veterinarian (C), as the issue of acclimatization applies
to humans, as well as to animals. (D) and (E) are tricky, but they
are incorrect. (D) is incorrect because there is nothing in the passage
to indicate that the author is an editor specifically (as opposed
to a contributor) to a scientific publication. (E) is also incorrect
because, although the author attempts to clarify and explain the nuances
of acclimatization, this does not constitute the creation of a new
field of science. (700)
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