ACT English Practice Test 48

Scorpion Scare

As my sister begins by Q1 telling me about the scorpion in her bed that stung her as she slumbered, I could slumbered, I could Q2 feel my eyes popping out of my head and my jaw dropping to the floor. She seemed so calm telling me this story, and all I could think Q3 about was how that she’s Q4 lucky to be alive. Diana’s terrifying story continued, detailing how her husband threw back the bed covers, began beating the dreaded thing with a broom, and then quickly flushed Q5 it down the toilet. Only later did they learn that the corpse should have been kept for identification purposes. Some Arizonan scorpions are deadlier than others Q6

, and it is important to know which species is responsible for a given attack.

My sister characteristically chose not to seek medical treatment as her upper arm first swelled, then ached with pain, and finally became numb and useless. Q7 As her condition worsened, she searched the Internet for general information, discovering time and again that species identification is important in administering proper care to the sting victim.

Scorpions will sting anyone they accidentally encounter as they crawl inadvertently Q8 into human habitats. Most problems occur at construction sites where the scorpions natural Q9 homes have been upset and uprooted by bulldozers and dump trucks. Of the ninety scorpion species native to the United States, 30 percent live in Arizona. Q10 Unfortunately, one of those species is the Bark Scorpion, just about the only species Q11 whose venom is considered truly dangerous and often fatal to humans.

My sister and her husband just moved into a new home a year ago, and dozens of homes are still being built all around them. This, indeed, is a perfect explanation for the presence of a scorpion in their bedclothes. Scorpions hide during the day and search for food and water at night. Arizonans will tell you that it’s a good idea to refrain from going barefoot in the dark, both outside and inside Q12 .

Checking your shoes and clothes before putting them on wouldn’t hurt, either, particularly if you know you’re in an area where scorpions have been found. Wherever there is one scorpion, there are probably dozens more that can be easily detected with a black light at night when they’re on the move .

[1] If a scorpion happens to sting Q13 you, please don’t follow my sister’s example. [2] All medical facilities in Arizona have antivenin on hand. [3] Seek medical treatment immediately, especially if you’ve flushed the critter down the toilet and have no way of knowing the exact nature of the perpetrator! [4] This way, you will certainly save yourself from some amount of pain and discomfort, and you might even save your life. Q14Q15