Streaming Platforms and Recommendation Algorithms
Streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Spotify, are praised for their personalized recommendation systems. Once the algorithm adapts to a user’s tastes, the platform can provide content that feels tailored and engaging. Many users find themselves spending hours exploring content because every suggestion matches their interests.
However, these recommendation systems are not without limitations. One challenge is the creation of a “filter bubble,” where users are mostly exposed to content similar to what they already enjoy. This can limit diversity and prevent discovery of new genres or topics. Additionally, platforms must be careful with sensitive content, such as graphic violence or adult themes. Algorithms may restrict the recommendation of such content to prevent exposing a general audience to material that could be disturbing.
The writer of the passage intends to…

Streaming Platforms and Recommendation Algorithms
Streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Spotify, are praised for their personalized recommendation systems. Once the algorithm adapts to a user’s tastes, the platform can provide content that feels tailored and engaging. Many users find themselves spending hours exploring content because every suggestion matches their interests.
However, these recommendation systems are not without limitations. One challenge is the creation of a “filter bubble,” where users are mostly exposed to content similar to what they already enjoy. This can limit diversity and prevent discovery of new genres or topics. Additionally, platforms must be careful with sensitive content, such as graphic violence or adult themes. Algorithms may restrict the recommendation of such content to prevent exposing a general audience to material that could be disturbing.
On the basis of the passage, it can be predicted that …

Digital Innovation in Modern Supermarkets
Supermarkets that succeed in adopting digital innovation are the ones that create a seamless and engaging shopping experience. Leading supermarkets invest in emerging technologies early and experiment with store layouts, product placements, and digital services to see what enhances customer satisfaction. These innovators often set the standard for the industry by demonstrating effective approaches to integrating technology.
The “smart store” concept blends physical and digital formats to provide a personalized experience across in-store and online channels. Sensors, mobile apps, and connected devices are used to streamline operations and give a unified view of inventory, customer preferences, and orders. Despite relying on advanced technology, smart stores aim to feel welcoming and intuitive rather than overwhelming, offering convenience and a more human-centered shopping experience.
By using digital tools creatively, supermarkets can increase customer engagement and loyalty. However, balancing personalization with privacy remains a challenge, as understanding individual customer preferences while protecting data is increasingly complex.
What is the subject of the passage?

Protecting Consumers from Counterfeit Products During Online Shopping
As online shopping continues to grow, government agencies are working to protect consumers from counterfeit products that may pose serious safety risks. The Consumer Safety and Protection Office (CSPO) has introduced a new online shopping guide, offering tips on identifying fake products, protecting personal and financial information, and recognizing suspicious websites. The guide also includes videos, infographics, and checklists for safer shopping.
Buying counterfeit goods can be dangerous. Fake electronics may overheat, toy products can break easily causing injury, and counterfeit cosmetics may contain harmful chemicals. Additionally, fraudulent websites can steal customers’ data, leading to financial loss and identity theft. Online marketplaces are especially vulnerable to these scams, as unscrupulous sellers can hide behind anonymity.
The CSPO collaborates with federal and private partners to prevent the sale and distribution of counterfeit products. By monitoring websites, social media, and online marketplaces, the CSPO aims to safeguard U.S. consumers and businesses while ensuring the integrity of intellectual property rights. These efforts help minimize economic losses and protect public health by preventing hazardous products from entering the market.
The purpose of the passage is to …

The Effects of Drugs on Heart Health
The consumption of narcotics and illegal substances does not only affect mental and behavioral health; it can also severely damage the heart and even cause death. The impact of these drugs on cardiac health ranges from mild disturbances to fatal outcomes.
There are several drugs particularly dangerous to the heart, including cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy. These drugs increase the level of catecholamine hormones, causing the heart to work harder. This results in a sudden rise in blood pressure and a higher demand for oxygen by the heart muscles. Long-term use may weaken blood vessel walls, leading to tears in arteries and coronary arteries, impairing heart pumping, disturbing heart rhythm, and potentially causing cardiac arrest.
Another group of substances includes hallucinogens such as LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) and psilocybin. They also elevate heart rate and blood pressure, though not as drastically as cocaine or amphetamines. Rarely, they can trigger tachyarrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats excessively fast.
Morphine and its derivatives, while primarily used as strong pain relievers, can have severe cardiovascular effects when misused. High doses reduce heart performance, may cause shocks, cardiac arrest, and pulmonary edema, a condition in which the lungs fill with fluid.
Marijuana, in high amounts, can lower blood pressure and heart rate. Severe cases may result in cardiac arrest or death. Overall, the abuse of these substances poses significant risks to heart health and can be life-threatening.
Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

Mirrorless Cars and Camera Technology
Before car designers envisioned fully autonomous vehicles, they explored alternatives to conventional side mirrors. Recently, several automakers have presented video-based systems that could replace side mirrors with small cameras. Continental, a leading automotive parts supplier, is among those pioneering this technology.
In a modified Audi A6, Continental demonstrated its system. Compact cameras mounted on the sides of the car replace traditional mirrors and transmit real-time images to screens inside the vehicle. These displays are positioned near the driver’s natural line of sight, providing a wider field of view than conventional mirrors and minimizing blind spots. The cameras can also adjust automatically to sunlight or nighttime conditions and help drivers maneuver in tight parking areas.
Automakers are awaiting regulatory approval, as many countries still require physical mirrors on vehicles. Philipp Hoffmann, BMW’s project manager for camera monitor systems, anticipates road tests of mirrorless vehicles in Europe, followed by trials in Asia. He expressed optimism that similar approval may be granted in the United States.
His optimism is supported by recent initiatives. Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, is testing autonomous trucks in Nevada with screens replacing mirrors, and BMW has received an exemption from the U.S. Transportation Department to allow a BMW 7 Series to park itself using an automatic parking system while the driver remains outside the vehicle.
Replacing side mirrors with cameras could also reduce costs. Repairing a conventional side mirror can be expensive—for instance, a replacement for a 2016 Acura RLX costs nearly $950. Mr. McConnell from Continental noted that eliminating the need for structural supports for mirrors could save manufacturers money in production.

A research indicates forest bathing also provides a defense against the pangs of anxiety, stress, depression, and other inflictions on one’s mind. In recognition of its potential to help, Japan has included it in its national health service as an intervention for mental health. Shinrin-yoku seems to have a positive impact on post-traumatic stress disorder, has been observed to have benefits for those dealing with insomnia, and has improved the mood of people with unhealthy alcohol use. One study even did something as simple as studying facial expressions and found that people became happier by spending a few hours in the embrace of green. Such is the power of the forest that even video of it can induce some of the same physical reactions.

There is no singular way to practice forest bathing, nor is there an exact amount of time prescribed. Some practitioners suggest that a single session last from two to four hours, but some research has demonstrated that even 15 minutes can have beneficial short-term effects on mental health. There are a range of activities within forest bathing including walking, standing, sitting, and deep breathing all while being mindful of one’s senses. Dr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki of Chiba University, among the world’s foremost experts on shinrin-yoku and an author of a popular book on the subject, suggests turning off your phone and engaging in shikan shoyou, which translates to “nothing but wandering along.” “Pay attention to any areas of stiffness or pain the body and consciously relax them,” Miyazaki writes. “Become aware of your present mental and emotional states….

Pay attention to the experience of walking and keep your awareness engaged in this experience. Be aware of the beginning, the middle and the end of your stepping. Walk as silently as possible.

Will forest bathing in Portland Japanese Garden solve all your woes? No, but it can be your bulwark against the anxieties of today’s tumultuous times. As our chief curator, Sadafumi Uchiyama once expressed in an interview with The Dirt, “…We are a place, an occasion in time, to enable them to think
and have conversation that otherwise may T be harder to have elsewhere…Somehow the Garden brings emotional stability” Join Portland Japanese Garden as a member and visit often-inner peace is here, in the green.

Ops//panese gorden.org)
Forest bathing is beneficial for people, EXCEPT….

A research indicates forest bathing also provides a defense against the pangs of anxiety, stress, depression, and other inflictions on one’s mind. In recognition of its potential to help, Japan has included it in its national health service as an intervention for mental health. Shinrin-yoku seems to have a positive impact on post-traumatic stress disorder, has been observed to have benefits for those dealing with insomnia, and has improved the mood of people with unhealthy alcohol use. One study even did something as simple as studying facial expressions and found that people became happier by spending a few hours in the embrace of green. Such is the power of the forest that even video of it can induce some of the same physical reactions.

There is no singular way to practice forest bathing, nor is there an exact amount of time prescribed. Some practitioners suggest that a single session last from two to four hours, but some research has demonstrated that even 15 minutes can have beneficial short-term effects on mental health. There are a range of activities within forest bathing including walking, standing, sitting, and deep breathing all while being mindful of one’s senses. Dr. Yoshifumi Miyazaki of Chiba University, among the world’s foremost experts on shinrin-yoku and an author of a popular book on the subject, suggests turning off your phone and engaging in shikan shoyou, which translates to “nothing but wandering along.” “Pay attention to any areas of stiffness or pain the body and consciously relax them,” Miyazaki writes. “Become aware of your present mental and emotional states….

Pay attention to the experience of walking and keep your awareness engaged in this experience. Be aware of the beginning, the middle and the end of your stepping. Walk as silently as possible.

Will forest bathing in Portland Japanese Garden solve all your woes? No, but it can be your bulwark against the anxieties of today’s tumultuous times. As our chief curator, Sadafumi Uchiyama once expressed in an interview with The Dirt, “…We are a place, an occasion in time, to enable them to think
and have conversation that otherwise may T be harder to have elsewhere…Somehow the Garden brings emotional stability” Join Portland Japanese Garden as a member and visit often-inner peace is here, in the green.

Ops//panese gorden.org)
It seems that fidgety times trigger…..

Rock weathering is a process of weakening and breaking down of rocks and minerals. Both non-living elements, such as variations in temperature, flora and fauna, acids, salts, and liquid or solid water, can cause this. Rocks on the Earth’s surface tend to weather faster than those underground. Weathering is one of the processes that lead to soil production.

Different types of weathering affect rocks. These consist of chemical weathering, biological weathering, and physical or mechanical weathering. The process of physical weathering essentially fragments. rocks. Freezing and thawing water is one way that physical deterioration occurs. Water may easily pass through any pores or fissures in rocks while it is liquid. The water will expand inside those rocks if it freezes.

A weathering process known as honeycomb weathering can be triggered by salt. By capillary action, groundwater pours into rock pores and finally evaporates. This produces crystals of salt, which raise the pressure within rocks. The rocks will eventually break. This may leave behind honeycomb-like salt crystal pits. In dry areas, salt crystallization weathering is frequently observed.
Extremes in temperature can also have an impact on how rocks weather. Thermal stress is one term for one kind of physical weathering process. This is a typical feature of desert regions, where overnight lows can be relatively chilly and midday highs can be extremely hot. Over time, rocks that experience frequent extreme temperature swings will eventually fracture and flake, the process known as exfoliation.

TEXT 2

The deterioration and corrosion of racks, metal, and man-made materials is known as weathering. Chemical and physical weathering are the two primary categories. Acid rain is one instance of chemical weathering for rocks. Scientists believe that rock weathering can play important role in preventing global warming by controlling the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The elements contained in volcanic rocks react with water or air in the atmosphere and absorb carbon.

Natural rock weathering process can take millions of years, making it too slow to counteract global warming. However, rock weathering accelerates when the rock is crushed into fine dust. It is distributed throughout croplands worldwide. This enhanced rock weathering has the potential to store 215 billion tons of carbon dioxide aver the course of the next 75 years, according to previous study.

Researchers from University of California applied crushed rock, both metabasalt and olivine, on 5 acres of a fallowed confield in the Sacramento valley. In comparison to plots without crushed rock, they discover that during the study, the crushed rock plots stored 0.15 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare. If this amount of carbon was removed across California cropland, it would equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road per year.

It appears that many hardworking researchers are now looking for answers to how process of rock weathering occurs in dry areas.
It is known that dry lands cover 41% of earth/stotal area, and they are growing as a result of climate change. This according to some prominent researchers, makes it even more crucial into Improved rock weathering in dry lands
The word “it” in Text 2 paragraph 2 refers to…

Rock weathering is a process of weakening and breaking down of rocks and minerals. Both non-living elements, such as variations in temperature, flora and fauna, acids, salts, and liquid or solid water, can cause this. Rocks on the Earth’s surface tend to weather faster than those underground. Weathering is one of the processes that lead to soil production.

Different types of weathering affect rocks. These consist of chemical weathering, biological weathering, and physical or mechanical weathering. The process of physical weathering essentially fragments. rocks. Freezing and thawing water is one way that physical deterioration occurs. Water may easily pass through any pores or fissures in rocks while it is liquid. The water will expand inside those rocks if it freezes.

A weathering process known as honeycomb weathering can be triggered by salt. By capillary action, groundwater pours into rock pores and finally evaporates. This produces crystals of salt, which raise the pressure within rocks. The rocks will eventually break. This may leave behind honeycomb-like salt crystal pits. In dry areas, salt crystallization weathering is frequently observed.
Extremes in temperature can also have an impact on how rocks weather. Thermal stress is one term for one kind of physical weathering process. This is a typical feature of desert regions, where overnight lows can be relatively chilly and midday highs can be extremely hot. Over time, rocks that experience frequent extreme temperature swings will eventually fracture and flake, the process known as exfoliation.

TEXT 2

The deterioration and corrosion of racks, metal, and man-made materials is known as weathering. Chemical and physical weathering are the two primary categories. Acid rain is one instance of chemical weathering for rocks. Scientists believe that rock weathering can play important role in preventing global warming by controlling the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The elements contained in volcanic rocks react with water or air in the atmosphere and absorb carbon.

Natural rock weathering process can take millions of years, making it too slow to counteract global warming. However, rock weathering accelerates when the rock is crushed into fine dust. It is distributed throughout croplands worldwide. This enhanced rock weathering has the potential to store 215 billion tons of carbon dioxide aver the course of the next 75 years, according to previous study.

Researchers from University of California applied crushed rock, both metabasalt and olivine, on 5 acres of a fallowed confield in the Sacramento valley. In comparison to plots without crushed rock, they discover that during the study, the crushed rock plots stored 0.15 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare. If this amount of carbon was removed across California cropland, it would equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road per year.

It appears that many hardworking researchers are now looking for answers to how process of rock weathering occurs in dry areas.
It is known that dry lands cover 41% of earth/stotal area, and they are growing as a result of climate change. This according to some prominent researchers, makes it even more crucial into Improved rock weathering in dry lands
An explanation of rock weathering that occurs in dry areas can be found in…

An actor creates and performs a character by using cognitive empathy or Theory of Mind (ToM). It is the ability to represent others’mental states. ToM plays a critical role in understanding and navigating social situations. Reflection into the character’s mental life depends on the actor’s approach to character performance. This may be an important part of the character-creation process. This process involves the exploration of the history, motivation, beliefs, and values of the character.
This exploration often goes well beyond the information contained within the script. In other words, for many actors, creating a character involves a complex application of ToM, which includes several brain regions such as the temporoparietal junction and posterior cingulate/precuneus

The temporoparietal junction works in processing and judgments of self and others. According to some studies, overcoming self-other interference and ToM is a deeply integrated process. Finding show that simulating others has been shown to influence self-knowledge. In this simulation, trait and memory measures become similar to a simulated other after adopting their perspective. Some brain regions are deactivated when trained actors use the first person fictional perspective of a character to answer questions. This is in contrast to a situation when actors answered questions from their own perspective. It suggests that acting may involve the suppression of self-processing. Adapted from.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

TEXT 2

According to a recent study, when actors take on a new character, they may be able to suppress their everyday self. This implies that theater training may have big impact on the fundamental mechanisms of the human brain. Researchers in this study worked in collaboration with Flute Theater. They created and delivered interactive productions of Shakespeare for autistic individuals and their families. They used a series of sensory drama games, known as the Hunter Heartbeat Method.

The team used wearable brain imaging technologies and physiological measurement devices. They were first introduced at UCLS Department of Biomedical Engineering. Both devices were used to evaluate the brain activity of actors as they rehearsed scenes from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The findings showed that when the actors heard their own name during the performance. their responds was suppressed in the left anterior prefrontal cortex of the brain.
This usually associated with self-awareness The same result was witnessed consistently in six actors who were tested when rehearsing several times over a week. Meanwhile, when the performers were not in acting conditions, they responded normally to hearing their own name.

According to the lead researcher, this is the first time that neuroscientists have been able to record brain activity in actors as they perform a role. We hope that this study will help us understand what theater training does to the brain and to build new connections between neuroscientists and theater professionals.
Which of the following sentences from Text 2 is an opinion?

An actor creates and performs a character by using cognitive empathy or Theory of Mind (ToM). It is the ability to represent others’mental states. ToM plays a critical role in understanding and navigating social situations. Reflection into the character’s mental life depends on the actor’s approach to character performance. This may be an important part of the character-creation process. This process involves the exploration of the history, motivation, beliefs, and values of the character.
This exploration often goes well beyond the information contained within the script. In other words, for many actors, creating a character involves a complex application of ToM, which includes several brain regions such as the temporoparietal junction and posterior cingulate/precuneus

The temporoparietal junction works in processing and judgments of self and others. According to some studies, overcoming self-other interference and ToM is a deeply integrated process. Finding show that simulating others has been shown to influence self-knowledge. In this simulation, trait and memory measures become similar to a simulated other after adopting their perspective. Some brain regions are deactivated when trained actors use the first person fictional perspective of a character to answer questions. This is in contrast to a situation when actors answered questions from their own perspective. It suggests that acting may involve the suppression of self-processing. Adapted from.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

TEXT 2

According to a recent study, when actors take on a new character, they may be able to suppress their everyday self. This implies that theater training may have big impact on the fundamental mechanisms of the human brain. Researchers in this study worked in collaboration with Flute Theater. They created and delivered interactive productions of Shakespeare for autistic individuals and their families. They used a series of sensory drama games, known as the Hunter Heartbeat Method.

The team used wearable brain imaging technologies and physiological measurement devices. They were first introduced at UCLS Department of Biomedical Engineering. Both devices were used to evaluate the brain activity of actors as they rehearsed scenes from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The findings showed that when the actors heard their own name during the performance. their responds was suppressed in the left anterior prefrontal cortex of the brain.
This usually associated with self-awareness The same result was witnessed consistently in six actors who were tested when rehearsing several times over a week. Meanwhile, when the performers were not in acting conditions, they responded normally to hearing their own name.

According to the lead researcher, this is the first time that neuroscientists have been able to record brain activity in actors as they perform a role. We hope that this study will help us understand what theater training does to the brain and to build new connections between neuroscientists and theater professionals.
The results of the evaluation of actors brain activity when performing a character can be found in…

TEXT 1

Male squid, which mate and then leave, are known for not being good parents. The little, shiny big fin reef squid, which lives on coral reels all over the world, may be the first squid to care for its young.

Once a bigger male has mated with a female, he stays close to keep other males from mating with her. When the female is ready to lay her fertilized eggs, she looks for a coral crack that is safe from currents and predators. After she has done laying eggs, the male will protect her for a short time and then move on to mate with other females.

Eduardo Sampaio, a biologist, observed something strange in the Red Sea in Egypt. When the male squid had already paired up, a dominant male would scare off rivals by waving his tentacles and making his skin flash white with black stripes. Then he would leave his mate for a few seconds to swim into a crack where eggs were laid. Sampaio said that it was the first time anything like this had ever happened.
Samantha Cheng, an expert on biodiversity at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, said that male big fin reef squid In Indonesia in 2013 did something similar. Nonetheless, it had not been described before in the scientific references about any squid. octopus, or other cephalopod

In a newspaper published in Ecology. Sampaio and Cheng explain the behavior and why they think it is a form of paternal care. “Location probing” is common among species that only have one mate, but paternal care is rare among cephalopods. More research is still needed to know more about this rare phenomenon.

TEXT 2

How does the colossal squid swim? Nobody has ever seen a live colossal squid swimming, so this is a difficult question to answer. The scientists had to look at how other closely related squid swim and come up with the theory about how the colossal squid moves. Colossal squids are part of the Cranchiidae family, known as the glass squids. There are many videos of squid species swimming, including the glass squid

Cranchiidae or glass squid have a very different outward appearance or morphology from most squid. They have forward-facing eyes, which give them binocular vision. This also means they cannot hold their arms out directly in front as they would not be able to see. Most other squids have eyes on the sides of the head. They do not have to lift their arms out of their field of vision and can swim with their arms flat.

Most of the cranchiidae hold their arms either up over their heads in the ‘cockatoo’ position, or down in the ‘reverse cockatoo’ position. Scientist think that the colossal squid, like other cranciidae, does not usually swim with its arms held flat out. However, there is an ongoing debate about whether the colossal squid swims in the ‘cockatoo position, or reverse cockatoo’ position.
The team reasoned that if the colossal squid held its arms up in the cockatoo position, the lower arms would be longer, as they would have to reach further to meet the tips of the upper arms. Careful measurement of the colossal squid’s arms showed that the lower arms are longer. The position and direction of the non-swivelling hooks on the arms also suggest that the colossal squid uses the cockatoo position. However, this is all just hypothesis; until someone sees a colossal squid swimming, we will not know for sure. This is a process of science.
What is the relationship between Text 1 and 2?

Artificial Intelligence (Al) is rapidly entering health care and serving major roles. These include automating routine tasks in medical practice and managing medical resources. As developers create Al systems to take on these tasks, several risks and challenges emerge.

The most obvious risk is that Al systems will sometimes be wrong. This can result in patient injury or other health-care problems An Al system possibly recommends the wrong drug for a patient or fails to notice a tumor on a radiological scan. Of course, many injuries occur due to medical error in the health care system today, even without the involvement of Al. Al errors potentially different for at least two reasons. First, patients and providers may react differently to injuries resulting from software than from human error. Second, if Al systems become widespread, an underlying problem in one Al system might result in injuries to thousands of patients.

Moreover, training Al systems requires large amount of data from sources. However, health data are often problematic. Data are typically fragmented across many different systems. Even aside from the variety just mentioned, patients typically see different providers and switch insurance companies. This would lead to data split in multiple systems and multiple formats.

Another set of risks arise around privacy. The requirement of large datasets creates incentives for developers to collect such data from many patients. Some patients may be concerned that this collection may violate their privacy. In fact, lawsuits have been filled based on data-sharing between large health care systems and Al developers.

The integration of Al into the health system will undoubtedly change the role of health care providers.
A hopeful vision is that providers will be enabled to provide more-personalized and better care, freed to spend more time interacting with patients as humans. A less hopeful vision would see providers struggling to weather monsoon of uninterpretable predictions and recommendations from competing algorithms In either case, medical education will need to prepare providers to evaluate and interpret the Al systems they will encounter in the evolving health care environment.

Adapted from https/www.brooking edu/
Which of the following best restates the underlined sentence in paragraph 5?

From small committees to national elections, group decision making can be complicated. Unfortunately, it may not always settle on the best choice. That’s partly because some members of the group do research on their own, and others take their cues from the people around them.

That distinction is readily observed around election time. “Many voters couldn’t tell you the policy platforms for the candidates they’re voting for,” says applied mathematician Vicky Chuqiao Yang at the Santa Fe Institute. “Many individuals are uninformed, and they’re most likely to rely on information they get from others.”

Social scientists have long sought ways to study the phenomenon of group decision-making, but that’s a tricky undertaking. Researchers in a range of disciplines have tried to tackle the problem, with parallel efforts often leading to conflicting conclusions. Most existing models examine the effect of a single variable, which means they don’t capture the whole picture.

“The outcome of collective decision making is the result of complex interactions of many variables,” says Yang, “And those interactions are rarely taken into account” in previous work. To overcome that challenge, Yang recently developed a mathematical framework that captures the influence of multiple interactions among members of a group. “You can plug in multiple effects and see their behavior and how they manifest in the group at the same time,” she explains.

Those effects include the influence of social learners. The model predicted, for example, that decision-making groups have a critical threshold of people who get their information from others. Below that threshold, the group chooses the high-quality outcome. Above it, the group can end up choosing the better or worse option.

The mathematical model is both simple and general. It can accurately reflect the multitude of moving parts within a system.
The model also predicted a significant role for “committed minorities” or people who refuse to change their minds, no matter the evidence.

These committed minorities can be bolstered. Yang says, by social leamers, though every group is different. Yang says she hopes the model will help bring together parallel work from different disciplines. ……”but we don’t yet have a holistic understanding that gives a recipe for good collective decision making she said. “Our work brings us one step closer to it.”

Adipted from httpwww.scienodaily.com
The options that best completes the missing part of the sentence in the last paragraph is…..

From small committees to national elections, group decision making can be complicated. Unfortunately, it may not always settle on the best choice. That’s partly because some members of the group do research on their own, and others take their cues from the people around them.

That distinction is readily observed around election time. “Many voters couldn’t tell you the policy platforms for the candidates they’re voting for,” says applied mathematician Vicky Chuqiao Yang at the Santa Fe Institute. “Many individuals are uninformed, and they’re most likely to rely on information they get from others.”

Social scientists have long sought ways to study the phenomenon of group decision-making, but that’s a tricky undertaking. Researchers in a range of disciplines have tried to tackle the problem, with parallel efforts often leading to conflicting conclusions. Most existing models examine the effect of a single variable, which means they don’t capture the whole picture.

“The outcome of collective decision making is the result of complex interactions of many variables,” says Yang, “And those interactions are rarely taken into account” in previous work. To overcome that challenge, Yang recently developed a mathematical framework that captures the influence of multiple interactions among members of a group. “You can plug in multiple effects and see their behavior and how they manifest in the group at the same time,” she explains.

Those effects include the influence of social learners. The model predicted, for example, that decision-making groups have a critical threshold of people who get their information from others. Below that threshold, the group chooses the high-quality outcome. Above it, the group can end up choosing the better or worse option.

The mathematical model is both simple and general. It can accurately reflect the multitude of moving parts within a system.
The model also predicted a significant role for “committed minorities” or people who refuse to change their minds, no matter the evidence.

These committed minorities can be bolstered. Yang says, by social leamers, though every group is different. Yang says she hopes the model will help bring together parallel work from different disciplines. ……”but we don’t yet have a holistic understanding that gives a recipe for good collective decision making she said. “Our work brings us one step closer to it.”

Adipted from httpwww.scienodaily.com
The paragraph following the passage most likely discusses…

Without audience, men run slower and women faster. The lack of spectators during the coronavirus pandemic appears to have had a noticeable effect on the performance of athletes at the 2020 Biathlon World Cup, a new study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) in Psychology of Sport and Exercise shows. According to the new analysis, women also perform better in complex tasks, such as shooting, when an audience was present while men did not.

‘Social facilitation theory states that a person’s performance is impacted if other people watch them. The mere presence of an audience improves the performance of simple tasks, especially those that require stamina. “The studies have been relatively clear so far. “However, the results are more heterogeneous when it comes to more complex coordinative tasks, explains Amelie Heinrich from the Institute of Sports Science at MLU. In general, it is assumed that performance tends to get worse when there is an audience.

Heinrich is a sports psychology expert. She coaches Germany’s junior biathlon squad. In her new study, she took advantage of the special situation in sport caused by the coronavirus. She compared the running times and shooting successes of male and female biathletes from the 2018/2019 season with their performances in the 2020 season in the sprint and mass start events. “The men’s results were as expected. They ran faster with an audience present, but performed more poorly in shooting,” says Heinrich. While cross-country skiing mainly requires stamina, shooting is a coordinative task. “Interestingly, it was the other way around for women. They ran slower in the presence of spectators, but on average, it took them an entire second less to make their shot and, at least in the sprint, their scoring performance was five percent higher.

“To our knowledge, this is the first time that a study was able to show a different effect of the audience on men and women,” says Professor Oliver Stoll, head of the sports psychology section at MLU….

Adapted from:https//www.sciencedaily.com/
Based on the result of Heinrich’s study, in an archery game without spectators, men will perform… and women will perform…

Without audience, men run slower and women faster. The lack of spectators during the coronavirus pandemic appears to have had a noticeable effect on the performance of athletes at the 2020 Biathlon World Cup, a new study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) in Psychology of Sport and Exercise shows. According to the new analysis, women also perform better in complex tasks, such as shooting, when an audience was present while men did not.

‘Social facilitation theory states that a person’s performance is impacted if other people watch them. The mere presence of an audience improves the performance of simple tasks, especially those that require stamina. “The studies have been relatively clear so far. “However, the results are more heterogeneous when it comes to more complex coordinative tasks, explains Amelie Heinrich from the Institute of Sports Science at MLU. In general, it is assumed that performance tends to get worse when there is an audience.

Heinrich is a sports psychology expert. She coaches Germany’s junior biathlon squad. In her new study, she took advantage of the special situation in sport caused by the coronavirus. She compared the running times and shooting successes of male and female biathletes from the 2018/2019 season with their performances in the 2020 season in the sprint and mass start events. “The men’s results were as expected. They ran faster with an audience present, but performed more poorly in shooting,” says Heinrich. While cross-country skiing mainly requires stamina, shooting is a coordinative task. “Interestingly, it was the other way around for women. They ran slower in the presence of spectators, but on average, it took them an entire second less to make their shot and, at least in the sprint, their scoring performance was five percent higher.

“To our knowledge, this is the first time that a study was able to show a different effect of the audience on men and women,” says Professor Oliver Stoll, head of the sports psychology section at MLU….

Adapted from:https//www.sciencedaily.com/
The author would apparently agree on what was found in the study that men run faster with an audience present is similar to phenomenon between…

Artificial Intelligence or Al is a term which simply means the machine intelligence. Lately there has been a popular debate whether Al is considered as a threat or a benefit to humans Even though portrayed as a threat on the account of the loss of jobs. Al is promising solution in disaster response and for medical applications with efficiency and high precision compared to human.

Al has proven to be a solution to natural disasters which affect different places globally The success of any humanitarian intervention depends on quality information, which is in the heart of Al system. For example, the Artificial Intelligence Disaster Response has been applied in different catastrophes. In this case, Al comes handy as a partner in helping humans prevent the aftermath of disaster. Therefore, artificial intelligence is able to solve tasks that are otherwise complicated and time-consuming for human.

Apart from disaster responses. Al also plays a critical role in field of medicine including research, training, and diagnosis of diseases. Medical Al deals with the construction of Al systems and programs that can make diagnosis and therapy recommendations easier. It is evident that Al has not only revolutionized the medical field but also promised its sustainability.

However, Al also presents the existential threat of loss of jobs. Research predicts that artificial intelligence already has and poses an existential threat to labor market. The emergence of intelligent algorithm that controls robot has led to the loss of jobs that are otherwise tiring and monotonous to humans. Even so, not all jobs in entirety will be affected. Rather, even the existence of Al in workplace would require the supports of experts, which is also another frontier of job creation. In sum, even though Al poses a threat to the labor market, it creates an avenue for employement as well.
In conclusion, amid the fear that Al is a threat, either now or in the future, it is clear that it has substantial and critical benefits for humans. Using the system that mimic human and animal intelligence is the next frontier in solving problem within society.

Adapted from https://gradecrest.com/
Which of the following is NOT correct according to the passage?

Artificial Intelligence or Al is a term which simply means the machine intelligence. Lately there has been a popular debate whether Al is considered as a threat or a benefit to humans Even though portrayed as a threat on the account of the loss of jobs. Al is promising solution in disaster response and for medical applications with efficiency and high precision compared to human.

Al has proven to be a solution to natural disasters which affect different places globally The success of any humanitarian intervention depends on quality information, which is in the heart of Al system. For example, the Artificial Intelligence Disaster Response has been applied in different catastrophes. In this case, Al comes handy as a partner in helping humans prevent the aftermath of disaster. Therefore, artificial intelligence is able to solve tasks that are otherwise complicated and time-consuming for human.

Apart from disaster responses. Al also plays a critical role in field of medicine including research, training, and diagnosis of diseases. Medical Al deals with the construction of Al systems and programs that can make diagnosis and therapy recommendations easier. It is evident that Al has not only revolutionized the medical field but also promised its sustainability.

However, Al also presents the existential threat of loss of jobs. Research predicts that artificial intelligence already has and poses an existential threat to labor market. The emergence of intelligent algorithm that controls robot has led to the loss of jobs that are otherwise tiring and monotonous to humans. Even so, not all jobs in entirety will be affected. Rather, even the existence of Al in workplace would require the supports of experts, which is also another frontier of job creation. In sum, even though Al poses a threat to the labor market, it creates an avenue for employement as well.
In conclusion, amid the fear that Al is a threat, either now or in the future, it is clear that it has substantial and critical benefits for humans. Using the system that mimic human and animal intelligence is the next frontier in solving problem within society.

Adapted from https://gradecrest.com/
How does the author organize the idea in paragraphs 2 and 3?