What to expect and how to prepare

Final Exam Basic PointersUnit 9Called My Reading Lab Test32 Multiple Choice Questions based on four readings

(8 per reading)150 points (15% of final grade)Three Hours per attemptEach attempt must be taken in one sittingYou can retake the examSave frequentlyYou can navigate all the pages until you hit submitBe sure to hit submitIf you have a tech problem, call tech supportDo not wait until Tuesday of Unit 9 to take the exam;

problems are more easily fixed during the week then at the end

Ways to PrepareReview reading strategies and practice themThe test is about applying these strategies to

improve comprehensionPractice by Reading for Understanding using

the Reading Level Activities in My Reading Lab

Taking the ExamMake sure you are well-restedMake sure you have a secure connection and

three uninterrupted hoursTake your timePlan ahead; schedule two times at least so

you have a back up plan

NavigationMake sure you click the "Save Answers" button

before advancing to the next page (we also suggest clicking on save answers while you are working)Complete all of the pages before submitting your my Reading Lab Test for instructor review

Do NOT use your browser's 'Back' and 'Forward' buttons during the My Reading Lab Test

Please use the provided links for navigation

Suggested Test-Taking StrategyFocus on one page at a time4 pages = 45 minutes per page (use a timer!)Pre-Read – skim the questions so you know what

to look for in the reading; you may want to jot down key words

Read – make key word notes as you read; use the pre-reading questions as your guide

Answer the questions – use your notes and refer back to the reading

Check answers – double-check your answers against your notes and the reading

Move on to the next page when you are done; allow time for each page

Infer do not AssumeBe Careful About Reading Into the

Passage Read the following passage about dream jobs and complete the statements.

Sample Passages

Read the PassageLet me know when you are doneWe will share and discuss results!!!

Sample Passage 1The Environment and Vocabulary1. Humankind’s relationship to the land played a strong role in the development of linguistic differences. The environment even affects vocabulary. For example, the Spanish language, derived from Castile, a land rimmed by hills and high mountains, is especially rich in words describing rough terrain, allowing speakers of this tongue to distinguish even subtle differences in the shape and configuration of mountains. Similarly, Scottish Gaelic possesses a rich vocabulary to describe types of rough terrain—a common attribute of the Celtic languages, spoken by hill peoples. In the Romanian tongue, also born of a rugged terrain, words relating to mountainous features tend to be keyed to use of that terrain for livestock herding. English, by contrast, developed in wet coastal plains, and our language, consequently, is very poor in words describing mountainous terrain. By contrast, English abounds with words describing flowing streams. In the rural American South alone, one finds river, creek, branch, fork, prong, run, bayou, and slough. This indicates that the area is a well-watered land with a dense network of steams.2. Clearly, then, language serves an adaptive strategy, at least in traditional societies. Vocabularies are highly developed for those features of the environment that involve livelihood. Without such detailed vocabularies, it would be difficult to communicate sophisticated information relevant to the adaptive strategy.—from Jordan, et al., The Human Mosaic, 7th edition, 1997

Sample Passage 2Passive smoking, the breathing in of air polluted by the secondhand tobacco smoke of others, has become a widely discussed subject in many cities. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon Generalʹs office has labeled smoking as a significant contributor to the air pollution problem. The smoke issuing from the end of a burning cigarette contains high levels of carbon monoxide. While circulating fans may dilute the smoke, the carbon monoxide levels in smoke-filled rooms still can cause health problems for people who have chronic bronchitis, lung ailments, or heart disease. Scientists have also proven that nicotine builds up in the blood of nonsmokers who are exposed to cigarette smoke hour after hour. As a result, several major cities have banned smoking in all public places, including restaurants and bars.

Sample Passage 3Answer the following questions using this passage from Shirley Jacksonʹs short story, ʺThe Lottery.ʺ The original paraphernalia for the lottery had been lost long ago, and the black box now resting on the stool had been put into use even before Old Man Warner, the oldest man in town, was born. Mr. Summers spoke frequently to the villagers about making a new box, but no one liked to upset even as much tradition as was represented by the black box. There was a story that the present box had been made with some pieces of the box that had preceded it, the one that had been constructed when the first people settled down to make a village here. Every year, after the lottery, Mr. Summers began talking again about a new box, but every year the subject was allowed to fade off without anything being done. The black box grew shabbier each year; by now it was no longer completely black but splintered badly along one side to show the original wood color, and in some places faded or stained.

Sample Passage 4Lenders commonly assess the credit payment history provided by one or more credit bureaus when deciding whether to extend a personal loan. For example, financial institutions may rely on this information when they decide whether to approve your credit card application, to provide you with a car loan, or to provide you with a home (mortgage) loan. The credit score can also affect the interest rate that is quoted on the loan that you request. A high score could reduce your interest rate substantially, which may translate into savings of thousands of dollars in interest expenses over time. (adapted from Madura. Personal Finance. 3rd ed. 2007, p. 177.)

Sample Passage 5Building Your Own Financial Plan 1Two major components of any good personal financial plan are a personal cash flow statement and a balance sheet. 2If you are a full-time student, prepare your cash flow statement based upon your anticipated cash flow at graduation. 3The first step is to break down all expenses into the frequency in which you are/will be paid. 4For example, if your car insurance is $700 per year and you are paid monthly, divide the $700 by 12. 5If you are paid biweekly, divide the $700 by 26. 6Personal flow statements should be set up based upon the frequency of your pay. 7This way, each time you are paid, you can distribute your paycheck to the appropriate cash out-flow categories. 8If , after preparing your personal cash flow statement, you have an excess of cash outflows over cash inflows, you should review in detail each cash outflow to determine its necessity and whether it can realistically be reduced in order to balance your cash inflows and outflows. (adapted from Madura. Personal Finance. 3rd ed. Pearson Education, Inc., 2007. p. 46)

SubmittingWhen you are finished with the My Reading

Lab Test, click on the "Submit for Grade" button

Please note: Once you click the "Submit for Grade" button, you will NOT be able to edit or change any of your answers

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