The Mayan languages form a language family spoken in Mesoamerica and northern Central America. Mayan languages are spoken by at least 6 million indigenous Maya, primarily in Guatemala, Mexico, Belize and Honduras. In 1996, Guatemala formally recognized 21 Mayan languages by name, and Mexico recognizes eight more.
The Mayan language family is one of the best documented and most studied in the Americas. Modern Mayan languages descend from Proto-Mayan, a language thought to have been spoken at least 5,000 years ago.
Based on this passage, which of the following statements is true:
| Not much is known about the Mayan language family. | |
| Proto-Mayan is a modern variation of Mayan. | |
| The Mayan language family is well documented. | |
| Mayan languages are mainly spoken in South America. |
The Peace Corps is a volunteer program run by the United States government. The stated mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance; helping people outside the United States to understand American culture; and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries.
Which of the following activities would NOT fit the stated goals of the Peace Corps?
| Setting up a computer network for an elementary school in Taiwan. | |
| Organizing a foreign exchange program for an American high school. | |
| Organizing a protest against unfair labor laws in Bangladesh. | |
| Teaching English to local business owners in Croatia. |
Speed skating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating.
Short track speed skating takes place on a smaller rink, normally the size of an ice hockey rink. Distances are shorter than in long track racing, with the longest Olympic race being 3000 meters. Races are usually held as knockouts, with the best two in heats of four or five qualifying for the final race, where medals are awarded. Disqualifications and falls are not uncommon.
The sport originates from pack-style events held in North America and was officially sanctioned in the 1970s, becoming an Olympic sport in 1992. Although this form of speed skating is newer, it is growing faster than long track speed skating, largely because short track can be done on an ice hockey rink rather than a long-track oval.
What does the auther cite as the reason that short track speed skating is growing faster than long-track speed skating?
| Short track speed skating is more exiting because of the shorter tracks and knockout race format. | |
| Short track speed skating is more exiting due to frequent disqualifications and falls. | |
| Short track speed skating is newer and appeals to younger skaters. | |
| Short track speed skating can be played in a more accessible venue. |