TPO 7-1 The Geologic History of the Mediterranean

Lin G.
153 words 9 learners

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words only definitions & notes
  1. geologist
    a specialist in the history of the Earth recorded in rocks
    In 1970 geologists Kenneth J. Hsu and William B.F.
  2. collect
    gather
    Ryan were collecting research data while aboard the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger.
  3. research
    a seeking for knowledge
    Ryan were collecting research data while aboard the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger.
  4. data
    a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
    Ryan were collecting research data while aboard the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger.
  5. aboard
    on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
    Ryan were collecting research data while aboard the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger.
  6. vessel
    an object used as a container, especially for liquids
    Ryan were collecting research data while aboard the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger.
  7. challenger
    the contestant you hope to defeat
    Ryan were collecting research data while aboard the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger.
  8. objective
    the goal intended to be attained
    An objective of this particular cruise was to investigate the floor of the Mediterranean and to resolve questions about its geologic history.
  9. particular
    unique or specific to a person or thing or category
    An objective of this particular cruise was to investigate the floor of the Mediterranean and to resolve questions about its geologic history.
  10. cruise
    travel about for pleasure, relaxation, or sightseeing
    An objective of this particular cruise was to investigate the floor of the Mediterranean and to resolve questions about its geologic history.
  11. investigate
    conduct an inquiry of
    An objective of this particular cruise was to investigate the floor of the Mediterranean and to resolve questions about its geologic history.
  12. relate
    give an account of
    One question was related to evidence that the invertebrate fauna (animals without spines) of the Mediterranean had changed abruptly about 6 million years ago.
  13. evidence
    knowledge on which to base belief
    One question was related to evidence that the invertebrate fauna (animals without spines) of the Mediterranean had changed abruptly about 6 million years ago.
  14. invertebrate
    any animal lacking a backbone or notochord
    One question was related to evidence that the invertebrate fauna (animals without spines) of the Mediterranean had changed abruptly about 6 million years ago.
  15. fauna
    all the animal life in a particular region or period
    One question was related to evidence that the invertebrate fauna (animals without spines) of the Mediterranean had changed abruptly about 6 million years ago.
  16. abruptly
    quickly and without warning
    One question was related to evidence that the invertebrate fauna (animals without spines) of the Mediterranean had changed abruptly about 6 million years ago.
  17. organism
    a living thing that can act or function independently
    Most of the older organisms were nearly wiped out, although a few hardy species survived.
  18. hardy
    having rugged physical strength
    Most of the older organisms were nearly wiped out, although a few hardy species survived.
  19. species
    taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
    Most of the older organisms were nearly wiped out, although a few hardy species survived.
  20. survive
    continue in existence after
    Most of the older organisms were nearly wiped out, although a few hardy species survived.
  21. manage
    be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
    A few managed to migrate into the Atlantic.
  22. migrate
    move from one country or region to another and settle there
    A few managed to migrate into the Atlantic.
  23. migrant
    traveler who moves from one region or country to another
    Somewhat later, the migrants returned, bringing new species with them.
  24. migration
    the movement of persons from one locality to another
    Why did the near extinction and migrations occur?
  25. occur
    come to pass
    Why did the near extinction and migrations occur?
  26. task
    any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
    Another task for the Glomar Challenger’s scientists was to try to determine the origin of the domelike masses buried deep beneath the Mediterranean seafloor.
  27. scientist
    a person with advanced knowledge of empirical fields
    Another task for the Glomar Challenger’s scientists was to try to determine the origin of the domelike masses buried deep beneath the Mediterranean seafloor.
  28. determine
    find out or learn with certainty, as by making an inquiry
    Another task for the Glomar Challenger’s scientists was to try to determine the origin of the domelike masses buried deep beneath the Mediterranean seafloor.
  29. origin
    the place where something begins
    Another task for the Glomar Challenger’s scientists was to try to determine the origin of the domelike masses buried deep beneath the Mediterranean seafloor.
  30. structure
    a complex entity made of many parts
    These structures had been detected years earlier by echo-sounding instruments, but they had never been penetrated in the course of drilling.
  31. detect
    discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
    These structures had been detected years earlier by echo-sounding instruments, but they had never been penetrated in the course of drilling.
  32. instrument
    the means whereby some act is accomplished
    These structures had been detected years earlier by echo-sounding instruments, but they had never been penetrated in the course of drilling.
  33. penetrate
    pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
    These structures had been detected years earlier by echo-sounding instruments, but they had never been penetrated in the course of drilling.
  34. dome
    a concave shape whose concavity faces downward
    Were they salt domes such as are common along the United States Gulf Coast, and if so, why should there have been so much solid crystalline salt beneath the floor of the Mediterranean?
  35. gulf
    an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land
    Were they salt domes such as are common along the United States Gulf Coast, and if so, why should there have been so much solid crystalline salt beneath the floor of the Mediterranean?
  36. coast
    the shore of a sea or ocean
    Were they salt domes such as are common along the United States Gulf Coast, and if so, why should there have been so much solid crystalline salt beneath the floor of the Mediterranean?
  37. processed
    subjected to a special treatment
    With question such as these clearly before them, the scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger processed to the Mediterranean to search for the answers.
  38. search
    look or seek
    With question such as these clearly before them, the scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger processed to the Mediterranean to search for the answers.
  39. august
    profoundly honored
    On August 23, 1970, they recovered a sample.
  40. recover
    regain or make up for
    On August 23, 1970, they recovered a sample.
  41. sample
    a small part intended as representative of the whole
    On August 23, 1970, they recovered a sample.
  42. consist
    have its essential character
    The sample consisted of pebbles of hardened sediment that had once been soft, deep-sea mud, as well as granules of gypsum and fragments of volcanic rock.
  43. sediment
    matter that has been deposited by some natural process
    The sample consisted of pebbles of hardened sediment that had once been soft, deep-sea mud, as well as granules of gypsum and fragments of volcanic rock.
  44. fragment
    a piece broken off or cut off of something else
    The sample consisted of pebbles of hardened sediment that had once been soft, deep-sea mud, as well as granules of gypsum and fragments of volcanic rock.
  45. indicate
    designate a place, direction, person, or thing
    Not a single pebble was found that might have indicated that the pebbles came from the nearby continent.
  46. continent
    one of the large landmasses of the earth
    Not a single pebble was found that might have indicated that the pebbles came from the nearby continent.
  47. furthermore
    in addition
    Furthermore, the gypsum was found to possess peculiarities of composition and structure that suggested it had formed on desert flats.
  48. possess
    have ownership of
    Furthermore, the gypsum was found to possess peculiarities of composition and structure that suggested it had formed on desert flats.
  49. composition
    the way in which someone or something is put together
    Furthermore, the gypsum was found to possess peculiarities of composition and structure that suggested it had formed on desert flats.
  50. suggest
    make a proposal; declare a plan for something
    Furthermore, the gypsum was found to possess peculiarities of composition and structure that suggested it had formed on desert flats.
  51. desert
    leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
    Furthermore, the gypsum was found to possess peculiarities of composition and structure that suggested it had formed on desert flats.
  52. layer
    a single thickness of some substance or material
    Sediment above and below the gypsum layer contained tiny marine fossils, indicating open-ocean conditions.
  53. contain
    hold or have within
    Sediment above and below the gypsum layer contained tiny marine fossils, indicating open-ocean conditions.
  54. tiny
    very small
    Sediment above and below the gypsum layer contained tiny marine fossils, indicating open-ocean conditions.
  55. marine
    of or relating to the sea
    Sediment above and below the gypsum layer contained tiny marine fossils, indicating open-ocean conditions.
  56. fossil
    the remains of a plant or animal from a past geological age
    Sediment above and below the gypsum layer contained tiny marine fossils, indicating open-ocean conditions.
  57. condition
    a mode of being or form of existence of a person or thing
    Sediment above and below the gypsum layer contained tiny marine fossils, indicating open-ocean conditions.
  58. basin
    a bowl-shaped vessel used for holding food or liquids
    As they drilled into the central and deepest part of the Mediterranean basin, the scientists took solid, shiny, crystalline salt from the core barrel.
  59. shiny
    reflecting light
    As they drilled into the central and deepest part of the Mediterranean basin, the scientists took solid, shiny, crystalline salt from the core barrel.
  60. core
    the center of an object
    As they drilled into the central and deepest part of the Mediterranean basin, the scientists took solid, shiny, crystalline salt from the core barrel.
  61. silt
    mud or clay or small rocks deposited by a river or lake
    Interbedded with the salt were thin layers of what appeared to be windblown silt.
  62. formulate
    prepare according to instructions
    The time had come to formulate a hypothesis.
  63. hypothesis
    a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
    The time had come to formulate a hypothesis.
  64. investigator
    someone who inquires carefully
    The investigators theorized that about 20 million years ago, the Mediterranean was a broad seaway linked to the Atlantic by two narrow straits.
  65. broad
    having great extent from one side to the other
    The investigators theorized that about 20 million years ago, the Mediterranean was a broad seaway linked to the Atlantic by two narrow straits.
  66. linked
    connected, as railway cars or trailer trucks
    The investigators theorized that about 20 million years ago, the Mediterranean was a broad seaway linked to the Atlantic by two narrow straits.
  67. narrow
    not wide
    The investigators theorized that about 20 million years ago, the Mediterranean was a broad seaway linked to the Atlantic by two narrow straits.
  68. strait
    a narrow channel joining two larger bodies of water
    The investigators theorized that about 20 million years ago, the Mediterranean was a broad seaway linked to the Atlantic by two narrow straits.
  69. evaporate
    change into gas or steam
    Crustal movements closed the straits, and the landlocked Mediterranean began to evaporate.
  70. increase
    a process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous
    Increasing salinity caused by the evaporation resulted in the extermination of scores of invertebrate species.
  71. salinity
    the relative proportion of salt in a solution
    Increasing salinity caused by the evaporation resulted in the extermination of scores of invertebrate species.
  72. evaporation
    the process of becoming a suspension of particles in the air
    Increasing salinity caused by the evaporation resulted in the extermination of scores of invertebrate species.
  73. tolerant
    showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
    Only a few organisms especially tolerant of very salty conditions remained.
  74. remaining
    not used up
    As evaporation continued, the remaining brine (salt water) became so dense that the calcium sulfate of the hard layer was precipitated.
  75. brine
    a strong solution of salt and water used for pickling
    As evaporation continued, the remaining brine (salt water) became so dense that the calcium sulfate of the hard layer was precipitated.
  76. dense
    having high compaction or concentration
    As evaporation continued, the remaining brine (salt water) became so dense that the calcium sulfate of the hard layer was precipitated.
  77. precipitate
    bring about abruptly
    As evaporation continued, the remaining brine (salt water) became so dense that the calcium sulfate of the hard layer was precipitated.
  78. soluble
    capable of being dissolved in some solvent
    In the central deeper part of the basin, the last of the brine evaporated to precipitate more soluble sodium chloride (salt).
  79. vast
    unusually great in size or amount or extent or scope
    Before this happened, however, the Mediterranean was a vast desert 3,000 meters deep.
  80. deluge
    a heavy rain
    Then, about 5.5 million years ago came the deluge.
  81. adjustment
    the act of making something different
    As a result of crustal adjustments and faulting, the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean now connects to the Atlantic, opened, and water cascaded spectacularly back into the Mediterranean.
  82. connect
    fasten or put together two or more pieces
    As a result of crustal adjustments and faulting, the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean now connects to the Atlantic, opened, and water cascaded spectacularly back into the Mediterranean.
  83. cascade
    a small waterfall or series of small waterfalls
    As a result of crustal adjustments and faulting, the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean now connects to the Atlantic, opened, and water cascaded spectacularly back into the Mediterranean.
  84. turbulent
    characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
    Turbulent waters tore into the hardened salt flats, broke them up, and ground them into the pebbles observed in the first sample taken by the Challenger.
  85. observe
    watch attentively
    Turbulent waters tore into the hardened salt flats, broke them up, and ground them into the pebbles observed in the first sample taken by the Challenger.
  86. normal
    being approximately average or within certain limits
    As the basin was refilled, normal marine organisms returned.
  87. ooze
    pass gradually or leak or as if through small openings
    Soon layer of oceanic ooze began to accumulate above the old hard layer.
  88. accumulate
    get or gather together
    Soon layer of oceanic ooze began to accumulate above the old hard layer.
  89. provide
    give something useful or necessary to
    The salt and gypsum, the faunal changes, and the unusual gravel provided abundant evidence that the Mediterranean was once a desert. gypsum: a mineral made of calcium sulfate and water
  90. abundant
    present in great quantity
    The salt and gypsum, the faunal changes, and the unusual gravel provided abundant evidence that the Mediterranean was once a desert. gypsum: a mineral made of calcium sulfate and water
  91. mineral
    a solid inorganic substance occurring in nature
    The salt and gypsum, the faunal changes, and the unusual gravel provided abundant evidence that the Mediterranean was once a desert. gypsum: a mineral made of calcium sulfate and water
  92. paragraph
    one of several distinct subdivisions of a text
    Paragraph 1: In 1970 geologists Kenneth J. Hsu and William B.F.
  93. passage
    the act of moving from one state or place to the next
    1．The word “objective” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○achievement ○requirement ○purpose ○feature 2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?
  94. meaning
    the message that is intended or expressed or signified
    1．The word “objective” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○achievement ○requirement ○purpose ○feature 2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?
  95. achievement
    the action of accomplishing something
    1．The word “objective” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○achievement ○requirement ○purpose ○feature 2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?
  96. requirement
    necessary activity
    1．The word “objective” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○achievement ○requirement ○purpose ○feature 2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?
  97. purpose
    what something is used for
    1．The word “objective” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○achievement ○requirement ○purpose ○feature 2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?
  98. feature
    a prominent attribute or aspect of something
    1．The word “objective” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○achievement ○requirement ○purpose ○feature 2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?
  99. mention
    make reference to
    1．The word “objective” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○achievement ○requirement ○purpose ○feature 2．Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a change that occurred in the fauna of the Mediterranean?
  100. disappear
    become invisible or unnoticeable
    ○Most invertebrate species disappeared during a wave of extinctions.
  101. author
    a person who writes professionally
    3．What does the author imply by saying “Not a single pebble was found that might have indicated that the pebbles came from the nearby continent”?
  102. imply
    express or state indirectly
    3．What does the author imply by saying “Not a single pebble was found that might have indicated that the pebbles came from the nearby continent”?
  103. obvious
    easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
    ○The most obvious explanation for the origin of the pebbles was not supported by the evidence.
  104. explanation
    making something understandable
    ○The most obvious explanation for the origin of the pebbles was not supported by the evidence.
  105. source
    the place where something begins
    ○The different pebbles could not have come from only one source.
  106. infer
    conclude by reasoning
    4．Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 3 about the solid gypsum layer?
  107. deserts
    an outcome (good or bad) that is well merited
    ○It contained sediment from nearby deserts.
  108. select
    pick out or choose from a number of alternatives
    Select the TWO answer choice from paragraph 3 that identify materials discovered in the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin.
  109. identify
    recognize as being
    Select the TWO answer choice from paragraph 3 that identify materials discovered in the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin.
  110. material
    the substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
    Select the TWO answer choice from paragraph 3 that identify materials discovered in the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin.
  111. discover
    determine the existence, presence, or fact of
    Select the TWO answer choice from paragraph 3 that identify materials discovered in the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin.
  112. receive
    get something; come into possession of
    To receive credit you must select TWO answers.
  113. describe
    give a statement representing something
    ○To describe the physical evidence collected by Hsu and Ryan
  114. physical
    involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
    ○To describe the physical evidence collected by Hsu and Ryan
  115. explain
    make plain and comprehensible
    ○To explain why some of the questions posed earlier in the passage could not be answered by the findings of the Glomar Challenger
  116. pose
    assume a bearing as for artistic purposes
    ○To explain why some of the questions posed earlier in the passage could not be answered by the findings of the Glomar Challenger
  117. evaluate
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    ○To evaluate techniques used by Hsu and Ryan to explore the sea floor
  118. technique
    a practical method or art applied to some particular task
    ○To evaluate techniques used by Hsu and Ryan to explore the sea floor
  119. explore
    travel to or penetrate into
    ○To evaluate techniques used by Hsu and Ryan to explore the sea floor
  120. difficult
    requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish
    ○To describe the most difficult problems faced by the Glomar Challenger expedition
  121. problem
    a question raised for consideration or solution
    ○To describe the most difficult problems faced by the Glomar Challenger expedition
  122. expedition
    an organized group of people undertaking a journey
    ○To describe the most difficult problems faced by the Glomar Challenger expedition
  123. accord
    concurrence of opinion
    According to paragraph 4, which of the following was responsible for the evaporation of the Mediterranean’s waters?
  124. responsible
    worthy of or requiring trust; held accountable
    According to paragraph 4, which of the following was responsible for the evaporation of the Mediterranean’s waters?
  125. crust
    a hard outer layer that covers something
    ○The movements of Earth’s crust
  126. accumulation
    a gain or increase in something over time
    ○The accumulation of sediment layers
  127. level
    a relative position or degree of value in a graded group
    ○Changes in the water level of the Atlantic Ocean
  128. temperature
    the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment
    ○Changes in Earth’s temperature 8.
  129. population
    the people who inhabit a territory or state
    The word “scores” in the passage is closest in meaning to ○members ○large numbers ○populations ○different types 9.
  130. extinct
    no longer in existence
    According to paragraph 4, what caused most invertebrate species in the Mediterranean to become extinct?
  131. chemical
    produced by reactions involving atomic or molecular changes
    ○The evaporation of chemicals necessary for their survival
  132. survival
    the state of remaining alive
    ○The evaporation of chemicals necessary for their survival
  133. inability
    lack of capacity to do something
    ○Their inability to tolerate the increasing salt content of the Mediterranean 10.
  134. tolerate
    put up with something or somebody unpleasant
    ○Their inability to tolerate the increasing salt content of the Mediterranean 10.
  135. content
    satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
    ○Their inability to tolerate the increasing salt content of the Mediterranean 10.
  136. sentence
    a string of words satisfying grammatical rules of a language
    Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?
  137. essential
    basic and fundamental
    Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?
  138. highlight
    an area of brightness in a picture
    Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?
  139. spectacular
    sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
    ○The cascades of water from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean were not as spectacular as the crustal adjustments and faulting that occurred when the Strait of Gibraltar was connected to those seas.
  140. creation
    the act of starting something for the first time
    ○As a result of crustal adjustments and faulting and the creation of the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlantic and Mediterranean were connected and became a single sea with spectacular cascades of water between them.
  141. fresh
    recently made, produced, or harvested
    ○Fresh
  142. temperate
    not extreme
    ○Temperate
  143. shape
    a perceptual structure
    Thus, scientists had information about the shape of the domes but not about their chemical composition and origin.
  144. direction
    a line leading to a place or point
    13．Direction: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below.
  145. brief
    of short duration or distance
    13．Direction: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below.
  146. summary
    a brief statement that presents the main points
    13．Direction: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below.
  147. complete
    having all necessary qualities
    Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage.
  148. minor
    inferior in number or size or amount
    Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage.
  149. researcher
    a scientist devoted to systematic investigation
    ○Researchers collected fossils to determine which new species migrated from the Atlantic with older species.
  150. existence
    the state or fact of being
    ○Scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger were the first to discover the existence of domelike masses underneath the seafloor.
  151. reveal
    make visible
    ○Samples recovered from the expedition revealed important differences in chemical composition and fossil distribution among the sediment layers.
  152. difference
    the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
    ○Samples recovered from the expedition revealed important differences in chemical composition and fossil distribution among the sediment layers.
  153. distribution
    the act of spreading or apportioning
    ○Samples recovered from the expedition revealed important differences in chemical composition and fossil distribution among the sediment layers.
Created on Mon Feb 18 08:47:55 EST 2013

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