Questions 1 – 7
The Amateur Naturalists Reading Passage has eight paragraphs A - H. Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter A - H in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.
1. The definition of phenology
Answer: B
Explanation: The author concisely defines phenology in Line 2 of Paragraph B, stating it to be a study of cyclic biological or natural events. While the definition is not expansive, it is further supported by an example in Lines 3 and 4, where the author explains how seasonal timing can be affected by temperature changes.
2. How Sparks first became aware of amateur records
Answer: C
Explanation: The answer to this question is in Line 1, Paragraph C of the Amateur Naturalists Reading Passage. Specifically, the author reveals that Tim Sparks was made aware of amateur phenological records when a colleague presented him with the Marshams’ generational notes.
3. How people reacted to their involvement in data collection
Answer: H
Explanation: According to Terry Root, an ecologist from the University of Michigan, most people are excited about getting involved in data collection. As such, Root believes that supplementing scientific information with amateur phenological notes empowers the average person as it makes them feel that their hobby is helping a greater cause.
4. The necessity to encourage amateur data collection
Answer: G
Explanation: The entirety of Paragraph G in the Amateur Naturalists Reading Passage answers this question. Lines 1 and 2, for example, reveal how amateur phenological notes are fundamentally based on scientific observation, thereby making them valuable. And while there can be improvements made in the process, in the end, the author explains how it is almost only possible to gather massive volumes of data by enlisting the aid of the masses.
5. A description of using amateur records to make predictions
Answer: E
Explanation: The answer to this question lies in the example in Lines 6, 7 and 8 of Paragraph E. The author clearly states that Terry Root used the notes of amateur birdwatchers and combined them with additional records and predictive climate models. From there, Root surmised that the North American waterfowl count would drop due to global warming.
6. Records of a competition providing clues to climate change
Answer: D
Explanation: The author mentions how Rafe Sagarin studied the results of an annual betting contest that was held since 1917 on the Tenana River, Alaska. Lines 3, 4 and 5 shed more light on how Sagarin analyzed the historical records to conclusively identify the signs of climate change based on the river thawing earlier than it previously did.
7. A description of a very old record compiled by generations of amateur naturalists
Answer: A
Explanation: According to the author, Robert Marsham began recording phenological data from his estate grounds in the 1700s. Following his passing, his descendants continued to add to his notes up until the mid-1900s. This is stated explicitly in Line 6, Paragraph A of the Amateur Naturalist Reading Passage.