The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida (Order Caleoptera; Family Nitidulidae), was first discovered in
Florida in June of 1998 and has now been found in six other states, George, South Carolina, North
Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Minnesota. To date, the beetle has not been found in Virginia, but the
movement of migratory beekeepers from Florida may have transported the beetle to other states. Recent
finding also indicate transport of the beetles in packages. The small hive beetle can be a destructive pest
of honey bee colonies, causing damage to comp, stored honey, and pollen. If a beetle infestation is
sufficiently heavy, they may cause bees to abandon their hive. The beetles can also be a pest of stored
combs and honey (in the comb) awaiting extraction. Beetle larvae may tunnel through combs of honey,
causing discoloration and fermentation of honey.
This passage was most likely written to

• A. inform beekeepers about a menace that may be contaminating their hives
• B. help customers understand how difficult it is to raise commercial honey
• C. spark a federal bailout of the industry
• D. convince the Pure Food and Drug Administration to take the problem more seriously
• E. warn consumers that the price of honey is likely to raise

The main purpose of this story is to appeal to the reader's interest in a subject which has been the theme
of some of the greatest writers, living and dead--but which has never been, and can never be, exhausted,
because it is a subject eternally interesting to all mankind. Here is one more book that depicts the struggle
of a human creature, under those opposing influences of Good and Evil, which we have all felt, which we
have all known.
It has been my aim to make the character of "Magdalen," which personifies this struggle, a pathetic
character even in its perversity and its error; and I have tried hard to attain this result by the least
obtrusive and the least artificial of all means--by a resolute adherence throughout to the truth as it is in
Nature. This design was no easy one to accomplish; and it has been a great encouragement to me
(during the publication of my story in its periodical form) to know, on the authority of many readers, that
the object which I had proposed to myself, I might, in some degree, consider as an object achieved.
Round the central figure in the narrative other characters will be found grouped, in sharp contrast--
contrast, for the most part, in which I have endeavored to make the element of humor mainly predominant.
I have sought to impart this relief to the more serious passages in the book, not only because I believe
myself to be justified in doing so by the laws of Art--but because experience has taught me (what the
experience of my readers will doubtless confirm) that there is no such moral phenomenon as unmixed
tragedy to be found in the world around us. Look where we may, the dark threads and the light cross each
other perpetually in the texture of human life.
Why does the author believe he is justified in using humor in the work being referenced?

• A. only because it is his artistic freedom to do so
• B. because there are no pure lines between Good and Evil or humor and tragedy
• C. because this art must represent life and life is humorous
• D. because the human characteristics of Magdalen have to show both sides of humanity to be truly
  representative and accepted as realistic by the reader
• E. just to show that he can master both the serious and humorous aspects of writing and to do so in a
  singular work is commendable

Musical notes, like all sounds, are a result of the sound waves created by movement, like the rush of air
through a trumpet. Musical notes are very regular sound waves. The qualities of these waves --how much
they displace molecules, and how often they do so--give the note its particular sound. How much a sound
wave displaces molecules affects the volume of the note. How frequently a sound wave reaches your ear
determines whether the note is high or low pitched. When scientists describe how high or low a sound is,
they use a numerical measurement of its frequency, such as "440 vibrations per second," rather than the
letters musicians use.
All of the following are true statements about pitch, according to the passage, EXCEPT:

• A. Nonmusical sounds cannot be referred to in terms of pitch.
• B. Humans' perception of pitch is not affected by the intensity of the sound wave.
• C. Pitch is closely related to the vibration of molecules.
• D. Pitch is solely determined by the frequency of the sound wave.
• E. Pitch cannot be accurately described with letter names.

I trust a proposal for matrimony would seem more ______ were it written in the sky, or written on a
scoreboard, or written in a test question for the SAT prep; which is what I am formally doing now in asking
Teressa for her hand in marriage.

• A. honorable
• B. cherished
• C. sincere
• D. appreciated
• E. aggrandized

Here my friend, about whose madness I now saw, or fancied that I saw, certain indications of method,
removed the peg which marked the spot where the beetle fell, to a spot about three inches to the
westward of its former position. Taking, now, the tape measure from the nearest point of the trunk to the
peg, as before, and continuing the extension in a straight line to the distance of fifty feet, a spot was
indicated, removed, by several yards, from the point at which we had been digging.
Around the new position a circle, somewhat larger than in the former instance, was now described, and
we again set to work with the spades. I was dreadfully weary, but, scarcely understanding what had
occasioned the change in my thoughts, I felt no longer any great aversion from the labor imposed. I had
become most unaccountably interested--nay, even excited. Perhaps there was something, amid all the
extravagant demeanor of Legrand-some air of forethought, or of deliberation, which impressed me. I dug
eagerly, and now and then caught myself actually looking, with something that very much resembled
expectation, for the fancied treasure, the vision of which had demented my unfortunate companion. At a
period when such vagaries of thought most fully possessed me, and when we had been at work perhaps
an hour and a half, we were again interrupted by the violent howlings of the dog. His uneasiness, in the
first instance, had been, evidently, but the result of playfulness or caprice, but he now assumed a bitter
and serious tone. Upon Jupiter's again attempting to muzzle him, he made furious resistance, and,
leaping into the hole, tore up the mould frantically with his claws. In a few seconds he had uncovered a
mass of human bones, forming two complete skeletons, intermingled with several buttons of metal, and
what appeared to be the dust of decayed woolen. One or two strokes of a spade upturned the blade of a
large Spanish knife, and, as we dug farther, three or four loose pieces of gold and silver coin came to
light.
At sight of these the joy of Jupiter could scarcely be restrained, but the countenance of his master wore an
air of extreme disappointment he urged us, however, to continue our exertions, and the words were hardly
uttered when I stumbled and fell forward, having caught the toe of my boot in a large ring of iron that lay
half buried in the loose earth.
We now worked in earnest, and never did I pass ten minutes of more intense excitement. During his
interval we had fairly unearthed an oblong chest of wood, which, from its perfect preservation and
wonderful hardness, had plainly been subjected to some mineralizing process--perhaps that of the
Bi-chloride of Mercury. This box was three feet and a half long, three feet broad, and two and a half feet
deep. It was firmly secured by bands of wrought iron, riveted, and forming a kind of open trelliswork over
the whole. On each side of the chest, near the top, were three rings of iron--six in all--by means of which a
firm hold could be obtained by six persons. Our utmost united endeavors served only to disturb the coffer
very slightly in its bed. We at once saw the impossibility of removing so great a weight. Luckily, the sole
fastenings of the lid consisted of two sliding bolts. These we drew back trembling and panting with anxiety.
In an instant, a treasure of incalculable value lay gleaming before us. As the rays of the lanterns fell within
the pit, there flashed upwards a glow and a glare, from a confused heap of gold and of jewels, that
absolutely dazzled our eyes.
I shall not pretend to describe the feelings with which I gazed. Amazement was, of course, predominant.
Legrand appeared exhausted with excitement, and spoke very few words. Jupiter's countenance wore, for
some minutes, as deadly a pallor as it is possible, in nature of things, for any negro's visage to assume.
He seemed stupefied thunderstricken. Presently he fell upon his knees in the pit, and, burying his naked
arms up to the elbows in gold, let them there remain, as if enjoying the luxury of a bath.
It became necessary, at last, that I should arouse both master and valet to the expediency of removing the
treasure. It was growing late, and it behooved us to make exertion, that we might get every thing housed
before daylight. It was difficult to say what should be done, and much time was spent in deliberation--so
confused were the ideas of all. We, finally, lightened the box by removing two thirds of its contents, when
we were enabled, with some trouble, to raise it from the hole. The articles taken out were deposited
among the brambles, and the dog left to guard them, with strict orders from Jupiter neither, upon any
pretence, to stir from the spot, nor to open his mouth until our return.
At what point in the excerpt was there a marked mood change?

• A. between paragraphs 5 and 6
• B. between paragraphs 4 and 5
• C. between paragraphs 1 and 2
• D. between paragraphs 3 and 4
• E. between paragraphs 2 and 3