For each item, decide whether the topic listed for the paragraph is too broad, too narrow, or the
correct topic for the paragraph. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
Noise can increase the secretion of adrenaline1
in humans, perhaps because our distant ancestors
associated loud sounds, like a lion's roar or a baby's scream, with danger. The greater the sound,
the greater the adrenaline rush. Dr. Les Blomberg theorizes that racetracks try to be as loud as
possible because the noise excites the fans. That's why exercise classes crank up the decibels,2
and rock bands, and action movies, he observes. In effect, noise becomes a drug they're
pumping out and into you.
Adapted from Richard Wolkomir and Joyce Wolkomir, Noise Busters, Smithsonian, March 2001, 99.
Topic: Noise
a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. correct topic
Question 2For each item, decide whether the topic listed for the paragraph is too broad, too narrow, or the
correct topic for the paragraph. Choose the letter of the correct answer.
Family composition is dynamic and is associated with critical parental and economic resources. In
2009, 70 percent of children ages 017 lived with two parents, 26 percent with one parent, and 4
percent with no parents. Among children living with two parents, 88 percent lived with two
married parents (biological or adoptive). Among children living with one parent, 79 percent lived
with their single mother (without a cohabiting partner). Among children living with neither
parent, 52 percent lived with a grandparent. Six percent of all children ages 017 lived with a
parent or parents who were cohabiting.
Family and Social Environment.
http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/famsoc.asp. 1 Sept. 2010.
Web.
Topic: Children
a. too broad
b. too narrow
c. correct topic
