What is the meaning of the word 'pathogens' as it is used in the first paragraph?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the context provided, 'pathogens' refers to disease-causing substances such as bacteria and viruses. These microorganisms can contaminate food and lead to foodborne illnesses. Choice A ('diseases') is incorrect as pathogens themselves cause diseases but are not diseases. Choice B ('vaccines') is incorrect as vaccines are used to prevent diseases caused by pathogens. Choice D ('foods') is incorrect as pathogens are not foods, but rather contaminants that can be found in food.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the context provided, 'composed' means to consist of. The paragraph explains that a drop of water is composed of an oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, 'To be uniquely discovered,' is incorrect as it does not relate to the composition of a drop of water. Choice C, 'To be set apart,' and Choice D, 'To be surprised,' are also incorrect as they do not convey the meaning of 'composed' as it is used in this paragraph.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The author's primary purpose for writing the essay is to inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle. The essay discusses the various stages of the water cycle, including precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and condensation. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the essay focuses on explaining the water cycle stages rather than persuading the reader to conserve water, discussing the effectiveness of runoff, or analyzing different types of runoff.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the context provided, 'popular' refers to magazines intended for the general public. The paragraph mentions that Infotrac indexes hundreds of popular magazines and newspapers, including medical journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine. These magazines target a wide audience, making choice D ('for the general public') the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not align with the context of the paragraph.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: requiring expert knowledge.' In the context provided, 'technical' refers to articles that demand expert knowledge to understand. The passage mentions that articles published in medical journals can be technical, meaning they are complex and require specialized expertise to comprehend. Choice B, 'incomplete,' is incorrect as 'technical' does not imply incompleteness. Choices C and D, 'foreign' and 'plagiarized,' are also incorrect as they do not align with the context of the passage.