On a class hike, students recorded plants and animals from the riverbank up to a rocky ridge. Near the river, the air felt moist, the soil was deep, and tall trees provided shade. Higher on the slope, the wind was stronger, the ground was sandy, and short shrubs clung to the rocks. The teacher asked them to group their notes by region. They noticed that one broad area near the river shared similar conditions and species, while a different area on the ridge had its own typical features. The boundary between regions was not a sharp line, but the patterns were clear. By comparing rainfall, temperature, and plant types, the class mapped each region on a simple sketch. Understanding each region helped them predict where certain insects would likely be found.

Which option best shows what region means in this text?

Engineers design every part of a bridge to match its main function. The function is the job the bridge must do: carry people and vehicles safely across a gap such as a river or valley. Strong cables or arches transfer weight to the supports, while the deck provides a flat surface for traffic. Materials are chosen for their strength and flexibility so the structure can withstand wind and changing temperatures. By testing models, engineers observe how forces act on the bridge and revise the design until it meets its purpose. If the function changes, the design changes too; a footbridge for hikers does not need the same features as a highway bridge. Knowing the function helps engineers decide which plan will work best.

Which option best shows what 'function' means in this text?

When a shell or bone is buried under layers of mud, it does not become a fossil right away. Over thousands of years, the soft parts decay, and minerals in water slowly fill the spaces left behind. As more sediment piles on top, the pressure hardens the material into rock. Later, wind or flowing water may wear away the surface and uncover the fossil. Scientists can observe these steps in rock layers and use evidence to reconstruct what happened. Because each step must occur in order, paleontologists describe fossil formation as a process. First there is burial, then mineral replacement, and finally exposure. By tracing this sequence, researchers can conclude where and when an organism lived. Understanding the process helps them compare fossils from different sites and explain how Earth's surface has changed over time.

What does the word 'process' most likely mean as used in the passage?

In our school garden, we collect food scraps and dry leaves to make compost. The transformation doesn't happen all at once. First, we layer the materials. Then we add water and mix. Over weeks, tiny organisms break the scraps into dark soil. This step-by-step process creates rich compost we can use to feed plants. If we skip a step, like adding water, the change slows down. By following the same order each time, we can predict the results. Gardeners record each stage to see what works best. The process also reduces trash, because banana peels and apple cores become useful again. When the compost is ready, it looks and smells like healthy soil, not like leftovers.

What does the word process most likely mean as used in the passage?

Cartographers, or mapmakers, divide the world into regions to help readers understand patterns. A region is an area with features that belong together. On a climate map, for instance, a dry region might be shaded one color, while a rainy area is shaded another. On a culture map, a region could be a place where people speak similar languages or celebrate related holidays. Drawing regional boundaries does not mean the land is fenced in; it simply groups places that share important traits. When students analyze regions, they can compare one area to another and explain why certain crops grow or why certain buildings are common. Seeing how regions overlap also helps them realize that one place can belong to more than one group at the same time.

What does the word "region" most likely mean as used in the passage?

During a summer survey, park rangers mapped the forest to identify places likely to dry out. They divided the park into four regions: the shaded canyon, the windy ridge, the lakeshore, and the open meadow. In each region, they measured soil moisture and counted plants that conserve water. The lakeshore region stayed damp because water seeped into the soil, while the ridge region dried quickly. By comparing data from one region to another, the rangers could decide where to place warning signs and where to focus patrols. They noted that animals also moved from region to region as conditions changed. This helped the team plan safe trails for visitors.

What does the word "region" most likely mean as used in the passage?

The school science club wanted to clean muddy pond water. They designed a simple filter using a plastic bottle, gravel, sand, and cloth. First, they cut the bottle and set the cloth at the opening. Next, they poured in layers of gravel and sand. Then they slowly poured the pond water through the filter. Clearer water dripped out the bottom. The teacher reminded them that the process takes patience because the water must pass through each layer in order. The students drew a diagram and labeled each step. When they rushed, tiny particles slipped through and the water stayed cloudy. By following the same process several times, they could predict the result and compare samples. Later, they planned to change one step, like adding charcoal, to see how that would affect the process.

What does the word process most likely mean as used in the passage?

Maps often divide a country into regions to make patterns easier to study. For example, a mountain region has steep slopes, thin air, and cooler temperatures, while a coastal region has sandy shores, salty breezes, and milder weather. Farmers, scientists, and planners compare data from each region to decide what crops to plant, where to build roads, or how to protect wildlife. The boundaries are not always exact lines, but the areas share important features such as climate, landforms, or types of plants. When we group places this way, we can observe similarities and explain differences. Describing regions helps us predict what we might find if we visit a new place with the same conditions.

What does the word 'region' most likely mean as used in the passage?

Geographers divide the world into regions to make patterns easier to study. A region can be a group of states that share a warm climate, a mountain chain, or an area where people speak the same language. The borders of a region are not always drawn by fences; instead, they are based on features that places have in common. For example, the coastal region includes towns next to the ocean, even if those towns belong to different countries. When students compare rainfall or crops, they often examine one region at a time so they can focus on similarities. Choosing a region helps scientists and historians organize information and explain how places are connected.

What does the word region most likely mean as used in the passage?

In a suspension bridge, each part has a specific function, or job, that helps the whole structure stay strong. The tall towers transfer the load to the ground. Cables stretch between the towers and hold up the roadway. Smaller vertical lines connect the main cable to the deck, which is the flat surface cars travel across. When wind pushes against the bridge, the parts work together to maintain balance. Engineers test models to see whether each component performs its function under stress. If a part fails to do its job, they change the design so the bridge can safely carry weight over a wide span.

Which option best shows what "function" means in this text?