Long Before the Weather Forecast Appeared on the Nightly Local

question 175

Multiple Choice

Long before the weather forecast appeared on the nightly local news, farmers had their own way of predicting the weather. This makes sense because, after all, their livelihood depended on it. While some people might discount their predictions as mere tall tales, there is indeed some truth in many of their sayings. For instance, there is an old saying: "Frogs croaking in the lagoon means rain will come real soon." Frogs are cold-blooded amphibians, so they require moist skin and relatively high temperatures to be active. Their croaking implies that the temperature and humidity are high-and these can often precede summer thunderstorms. Far from being a pest, this creature can actually give a farmer insight into approaching weather patterns. It's probably even be more accurate than a weather forecast on the nightly news!
What is the main idea of the passage?

• A)Farmers have unique ways of predicting the weather.
• B)Frogs can alter their environments to some degree.
• C)Farmers can use frogs to help get rid of pests.
• D)Some animals can be hurt by heavy summer downpours.

---

Definitions:

Intake Valve

A valve in an engine that opens to allow air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber during the intake stroke.

Compression Stroke

The stage of engine operation during which the air-fuel mixture is compressed in the cylinder by the upward motion of the piston.

Torque

A rotational force that is applied to an object, typically measured in Newton-meters or foot-pounds.

Work Performed

Refers to the tasks or duties completed during a period of work or a project.