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In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States by adding 828,000 square miles of land to the nation. This acquisition resulted in the U.S. having unexplored territory. So, in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson asked Congress for approval to fund an expedition. The goals of the expedition were to explore the new territory and to find a practical route to the western part of the country. Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis to lead this expedition. Lewis selected William Clark as second in command. This was the birth of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
What is the meaning of acquisition as used in the passage?
The meaning of acquisition as used in the passage is the act of acquiring or obtaining something, specifically in this case, the addition of 828,000 square miles of land to the United States through the Louisiana Purchase.
What is the meaning of acquisition as used in the passage?
The meaning of acquisition as used in the passage is the act of acquiring or obtaining something, specifically in this case, the addition of 828,000 square miles of land to the United States through the Louisiana Purchase.
Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that acquisition means addition. There may be more than one correct choice.
The text from the paragraph that best helps understand that acquisition means addition is: "In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States by adding 828,000 square miles of land to the nation."
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Although plants don't talk, they do communicate with each other by sending messages. For example, scientists have found that some trees can communicate to share resources like water. They do this by sending messages through an underground network. A certain kind of fungus connects all the trees in the forest together, forming a large network. Scientists believe this information-sharing web may allow larger, older trees to help younger trees survive. This improves the health of the entire forest. The details of how the communication works are still obscure, so further research is needed to better understand the process.
What is the meaning of obscure as used in the passage?
The meaning of obscure as used in the passage is unclear or not well-known.
Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that obscure means not clearly understood. There may be more than one correct choice.
The text from the paragraph that best helps understand that obscure means not clearly understood is: "The details of how the communication works are still obscure, so further research is needed to better understand the process."
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Sedimentary rock forms in layers over time. When the layers form, plant and animal remains can create fossils in the rock. Older rock layers are usually found deeper underground. Unfortunately, movements of Earth's tectonic plates can cause some older layers to appear higher than younger layers. This movement makes determining the age of rocks challenging. However, geologists can use fossils to help them decipher the age of rock layers. This is why fossils are so important.
What is the meaning of decipher as used in the passage?
The meaning of decipher as used in the passage is to decode or interpret information in order to understand it.
Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that decipher means figure out. There may be more than one correct choice.
The text from the paragraph that best helps understand that decipher means figure out is: "However, geologists can use fossils to help them decipher the age of rock layers."
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In the early days of automobiles, rain was a real problem for drivers. Water covered the windshields, so drivers had to open their windows and stick their heads outside to see! When Mary Anderson saw drivers struggling in the rain, she thought she could help. Anderson started working on designs for a rain-clearing device. Even after many failures, she kept experimenting. This persistence resulted in Mary Anderson's invention of the modern windshield wiper. Her design put a rubber blade on a wooden stick. Today's wipers use the same basic principle that Mary Anderson dreamed up in 1903.
What is the meaning of persistence as used in the passage?
The meaning of persistence as used in the passage is the quality of continuing to do or try something despite difficulties or obstacles.
Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that persistence means the quality of continuing in spite of difficulty. There may be more than one correct choice.
The text from the paragraph that best helps understand that persistence means the quality of continuing in spite of difficulty is: "Even after many failures, she kept experimenting."
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In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on the shores of what came to be called the New World. Other explorers and settlers soon followed Columbus from Europe, many seeking gold and riches. These colonists brought many things with them from Europe, introducing new plants and animals to North America. They also brought several European maladies. The natives of North America had never before been exposed to these strange new diseases. As a result, many became very ill and died. We don't know the full effect that the Europeans had on the native populations. However, many historians believe that up to ninety-five percent of native populations died as a result.
What is the meaning of maladies as used in the passage?
The meaning of maladies as used in the passage is diseases or illnesses.
Select the text from the paragraph that best helps you understand that maladies means sicknesses. There may be more than one correct choice.
The text from the paragraph that best helps understand that maladies means sicknesses is: "They also brought several European maladies."
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In 1773, the British Parliament passed the Tea Act, which would have given the East India Company a monopoly on the American colonies' tea market. The American colonists feared that this special advantage would allow the company to control tea sales. In defiance of the act, the colonists resisted the British by either turning ships away from ports or threatening ships with violence. The Sons of Liberty, a group dedicated to protecting the rights of colonists, led an unforgettable demonstration. They put their plan into action on the night of December 16, 1773. While in disguise, they boarded three ships in the Boston Harbor and destroyed over ninety thousand pounds of tea by throwing it overboard. Today, this famous event is known as the Boston Tea Party.
What is the meaning of defiance as used in the passage?