Context clues

1. Read the passage then answer the question.

Construction on Florence's grand cathedral began in 1296. Over a hundred years later,however, the structure remained unfinished, with an enormous hole in the roof. The designers had intended to top the cathedral with the world's largest dome, but this plan was stymied by architectural limitations. The main factor stalling progress was the fact that no one knew how to create such a massive cupola without large, cumbersome support systems.

What is the meaning of cupola as used in the passage?

1. Dome

2. Roof

           3. Decoration 

        4. Cathedral

​2. Read the passage then answer the question.

While the political feats of her husband, President Chiang Kai-shek, may be more widely recognized Soong Mei-ling's accomplishments are just as notable. As First Lady, Soong Mei-ling introduced er husband to Western culture and ideas. Likewise, she served as her husband's emissary, or spokesperson, to west During a visit to the United States in 1943 , Soong Mei-Ling became the second woman to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress. The trip earned her the esteem of the American public, who praised her passion and her determination, and she raised billions of dollars in aid for her country.
What is the meaning of emissary, as used in the passage?

1. A person sent to a foreign country to do religious work

2. A person sent on a mission to represent another person or country

3. A secret agent

4. A soldier paid by a foreign country

3. Underline, circle or highlight the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that scrutinized means examined closely. 
 
Do human beings have the freedom to make their own choices, to act out of their own free will, or are all choices, in some sense, predetermined by prior causes and physical laws? In 2007, neuroscientist John-Dylan Haynes sought to answer this question by conduction an experiment: volunteer subjects were seated in a brain scanner and were asked to press a button with their left or right index fingers whenever they felt the urge. Hayne's team scrutinized the subjects' brain activity in real time, carefully monitoring the results and searching for patterns.

3. Underline, circle or highlight the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that innovations means inventions.

Men and women on boar​d the space station need to work out, but it is done in little to do gravity. This situation presents some unique challenges, but scientists have developed many innovations to help astronauts stay in good shape. These include special shoes and new types of weight-lifting machines, treadmills, and exercise bikes that all will work without gravity. This physical activity is important because it helps address the detrimental effects of zero gravity, such as premature aging and the loss of muscle mass and bone density.

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