What is the author's purpose in discussing aquatic insects in relation to those that spend their entire lives in the air?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The author's purpose in discussing aquatic insects in relation to those that spend their entire lives in the air is to emphasize the adaptability and complexity of insect life cycles. The author highlights how some insects transition between aquatic and aerial environments, showcasing the diverse strategies and features these insects possess to thrive in different habitats. Choice B is incorrect because the author is not solely comparing aquatic insects with those that remain airborne, but rather exploring their adaptability. Choice C is incorrect as the focus is not on highlighting unique features but on showcasing the transition between environments. Choice D is incorrect as the author is not questioning the validity of studying insects in only one environment but rather demonstrating the fascinating dual-life cycles of certain insects.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Metaphor. The transition from water to air is described metaphorically in the passage, highlighting the significant change in the insects' environment. The passage discusses how certain insects start their life underwater and then transition to the air, symbolizing a transformation. This metaphorical description enhances the reader's understanding of the insects' life cycle. Choice B, Simile, is incorrect because a simile involves comparing two unlike things using 'like' or 'as,' which is not evident in the passage. Choices C and D, Alliteration and Hyperbole, are incorrect as they are not used in the passage to describe the transition from water to air. Therefore, the best literary device used in this context is a metaphor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The spiracles in insects serve the crucial function of allowing them to breathe atmospheric air even when submerged. The passage explains that insects have a system of branching air-tubes that carry atmospheric air with oxygen to all tissues. The air enters these tubes through paired air-holes or spiracles, enabling insects to respire even when they are underwater. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the spiracles do not protect internal organs from water pressure, filter oxygen from water for underwater breathing, or expel carbon dioxide from the body. The primary role of spiracles is to facilitate respiration by allowing insects to access atmospheric air.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the life cycle of insects is divided between water and air to demonstrate the evolutionary advantages of this adaptation. Insects have evolved to inhabit both aquatic and aerial environments, allowing them to thrive in diverse conditions. Choice A is incorrect because the division between water and air in the life cycle does not solely highlight adaptability but also evolutionary strategies. Choice B is incorrect because the question focuses on the reason for the specific division in the life cycle, not on environmental challenges. Choice C is incorrect because while metamorphosis is part of the life cycle, it does not directly explain why it is divided between water and air.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'The absurdity of the British aristocracy and its social conventions.' The central theme of Wilde's play, as revealed through satire, is the critique of the absurdities and trivialities of the British aristocracy. Wilde uses clever dialogue, puns, and irony to expose the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper classes. While sincerity and honesty in personal relationships are explored in the play, they are not the central theme. Choice C, the dual nature of social standing and resulting conflicts, is a partial theme but not the central one. Choice D, the challenges of maintaining personal integrity in a hypocritical society, touches on a theme present in the play, but it is not as central as the critique of the British aristocracy's absurdities and social conventions.