Read the sentences.

the event that fooled the public and the authorities was proof of their calculating ways. their efforts, experience, and resolve are impressive, but the thefts they committed will not be forgotten.

which word has the closest meaning to calculating as it is used in the first sentence?

1. devious

2. skilled

3. passionate

4. professional

Read this passage: many manufacturers prefer plastic as a material for containers because it can be molded into many shapes. but plastic is not very strong. it must be fused with glass or steel for strength. it is also not very durable. even the strongest plastic can break under enough pressure. the biggest disadvantage to using plastic is that it does not decompose. while plastic can be recycled, doing so is tedious and difficult. while it may be more expensive and difficult to work with, aluminum is a much stronger building material with far greater tensile strength. it conducts electricity because it is metal. best of all, aluminum is very easy to recycle. even if it is thrown away, it decomposes much more quickly than most manufacturing materials. how does the compare-and-contrast organizational pattern of the passage support the author's purpose? a. the passage gradually leads up to the point about decomposition to inform the reader about the importance of recycling plastics. b. the passage lists the advantages and disadvantages of each material to make a case for the use of plastic and not aluminum in containers. c. the passage begins with a description of plastic's problems in order to call attention to the good qualities of aluminum. d. the passage shows the superiority of aluminum in order to make a case for the production of stronger plastics.

Walking is not the most exciting form of exercise a person can take on for fitness. yet it is low impact and requires no fancy equipment. that makes walking a simple activity for those new to exercise. walking is less likely than other exercises to cause injury to leg tendons and muscles. all it requires is a good pair of sneakers-no cables, stylish outfits, or weights required. of course, a person could increase the benefit of a workout by adding weights or speed walking. identify the main idea of this paragraph. walking is a difficult and safe exercise for beginners. walking is an easy and safe exercise for beginners. walking is a boring and dangerous form of exercise. walking is an exciting and very effective form of exercise.

Which characteristic is common to memoirs? a. they analyze all sides of a particular issue. b. they give the entire life story of an author. c. they may include fictional characters. d. they are written in first-person point of view.