The sat critical reading section 9 pps

Questions 4–8 are based on the following passage about asbestos.

Asbestos is generally made up of fiber bundles that can be broken up into long, thin fibers. We now know

from various studies that when this friable substance is released into the air and inhaled into the lungs over

a period of time, it can lead to a higher risk of lung cancer and a condition known as asbestosis. Asbesto￾sis, a thickening and scarring of the lung tissue, usually occurs when a person is exposed to high asbestos

levels over an extended period of time. Unfortunately, the symptoms do not usually appear until about

twenty years after initial exposure, making it difficult to reverse or prevent. In addition, smoking while

exposed to asbestos fibers could further increase the risk of developing lung cancer. When it comes to

asbestos exposure in the home, school, and workplace, there is no safe level; any exposure is considered

harmful and dangerous. Prior to the 1970s, asbestos use was ubiquitous—many commercial building and

home insulation products contained asbestos. In the home in particular, there are many places where

asbestos hazards might be present. Building materials that may contain asbestos include fireproofing mate￾rial (sprayed on beams), insulation material (on pipes and oil and coal furnaces), acoustical or sound￾proofing material (sprayed onto ceilings and walls), and miscellaneous materials such as asphalt, vinyl, and

cement used to make products like roofing felts, shingles, siding, wallboard, and floor tiles.

–THE SAT CRITICAL READING SECTION–

82

Line

(5)

(10)

4. In line 2, the word friable most nearly means

a. ability to freeze

b. warm or liquid

c. easily broken down

d. poisonous

e. crunchy

5. The main purpose of this passage is to

a. teach asbestos awareness in the home and

schools

b. explain the properties of asbestos

c. encourage preventative measures such as early

lung cancer screening

d. provide a list of materials that may include

asbestos

e. use scare tactics to make homeowners move to

newer houses

6. The word ubiquitous (line 9) and the list of

building materials containing asbestos (lines

11–14) serve primarily to

a. allay fears of becoming ill from asbestos

b. encourage reforms in building practice

c. describe the effects of asbestos in the home

d. urge readers to check their homes for asbestos

e. show how common asbestos is in homes built

before 1970

7. The tone of this passage is best described as

a. cautionary

b. apathetic

c. informative

d. admonitory

e. idiosyncratic

8. For whom is the author writing this passage?

a. professional contractors

b. students

c. school principals

d. health officials

e. lay persons

5658 SAT2006[03](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:42 PM Page 82