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PASSAGE 1
Certainly no creature in the sea is odder than the common sea cucumber. All living
creature, especially human beings, have their peculiarities, but everything about the
little sea cucumber seems unusual. What else can be said about a bizarre animal that,
Line among other eccentricities, eats mud, feeds almost continuously day and night but can
(5) live without eating for long periods, and can be poisonous but is considered supremely
edible by gourmets?
For some fifty million years, despite all its eccentricities, the sea cucumber has
subsisted on its diet of mud. It is adaptable enough to live attached to rocks by its tube
feet, under rocks in shallow water, or on the surface of mud flats. Common in cool
(10) water on both Atlantic and Pacific shores, it has the ability to suck up mud or sand and
digest whatever nutrients are present.
Sea cucumbers come in a variety of colors, ranging from black to reddish-brown to
sand-color and nearly white. One form even has vivid purple tentacles. Usually the
creatures are cucumber-shaped-hence their name-and because they are typically
(15) rock inhabitants, this shape, combined with flexibility, enables them to squeeze
into crevices where they are safe from predators and ocean currents.
Although they have voracious appetites, eating day and night, sea cucumbers have
the capacity to become quiescent and live at a low metabolic rate-feeding sparingly
or not at all for long periods, so that the marine organisms that provide their food have
(20) a chance to multiply. If it were not for this faculty, they would devour all the food
available in a short time and would probably starve themselves out of existence.
But the most spectacular thing about the sea cucumber is the way it defends itself.
Its major enemies are fish and crabs, when attacked, it squirts all its internal organs
into the water. It also casts off attached structures such as tentacles. The sea cucumber
(25) will eviscerate and regenerate itself if it is attacked or even touched; it will do the same
if the surrounding water temperature is too high or if the water becomes too polluted.
8. What does the passage mainly discuss?
(A) The reason for the sea cucumber's name
(B) What makes the sea cucumber unusual
(C) How to identify the sea cucumber
(D) Places where the sea cucumber can be found
9. In line 3, the word "bizarre" is closest in meaning to
(A) odd
(B) marine
(C) simple
(D) rare
10. According to the Passage, why is the shape of sea cucumbers important?
(A) It helps them to digest their food.
(B) It helps them to protect themselves from danger.
(C) It makes it easier for them to move through the mud.
(D) It makes them attractive to fish.
11. The words "this faculty" in line 20 refer to the sea cucumber's ability to
(A) squeeze into crevices
(B) devour all available food in a short time
(C) suck up mud or sand
(D) live at a low metabolic rate
12. The fourth paragraph of the passage primarily discusses
(A) the reproduction of sea cucumbers
(B) the food sources of sea cucumbers
(C) the eating habits of sea cucumbers
(D) threats to sea cucumbers' existence
13. The phrase "casts off" in line 24 is closest in meaning to
(A) grows again
(B) grabs
(C) gets rid of
(D) uses as a weapon
14. Of all the characteristics of the sea cucumber, which of the following seems to fascinate the
author most?
(A) What it does when threatened
(B) Where it lives
(C) How it hides from predators
(D) What it eats
15. Compared with other sea creatures the sea cucumber is very
(A) dangerous
(B) intelligent
(C) strange
(D) fat
16. What can be inferred about the defense mechanisms of the sea cucumber?
(A) They are very sensitive to surrounding stimuli.
(B) They are almost useless.
(C) They require group cooperation.
(D) They are similar to those of most sea creatures.
17. Which of the following would NOT cause a sea cucumber to release its internal organs into the water?
(A) A touch
(B) Food
(C) Unusually warm water
(D) Pollution
18. Which of the following is an example of behavior comparable with the sea cucumber living at a low metabolic rate?
(A) An octopus defending itself with its tentacles
(B) A bear hibernating in the winter
(C) A pig eating constantly
(D) A parasite living on its host's blood