Directions: Read the text below and answer the questions that follow: There is a new cell-phone ring tone that can’t be heard by most people over the age of twenty, according to an NPR report. The tone is derived from something called the Mosquito, a device invented by a Welsh security firm for the noble purpose of driving hooligans, yobs, scamps, ne’er-do-wells, scapegraces, ruffians, tosspots, and bravos away from places where grownups are attempting to ply an honest trade. The device emits a seventeen kilohertz buzz, a pitch too high for older ears to register but, is ear-splitting for younger people. A person or persons unknown have produced a copy of the Mosquito buzz for use as a cell-phone ring tone, evidently with the idea that it will enable students to receive notification of new text messages while sitting in class, without the knowledge of the teacher. The Times, in a welcome but highly uncharacteristic embrace of anarchy, has celebrated this development as an ingenious guerrilla tactic in youth’s eternal war against adult authority. But it is still not clear who is the winner? What was wrong with ‘Vibrate only’?
The phrase ‘to ply an honest trade’ means
to work steadily at one’s business
The correct answer is to work steadily at one’s business.
Additional Information: Language and Context Clues Understanding phrases like 'to ply an honest trade' often relies on knowing the individual word meanings and how they combine in a specific context. In this case, the surrounding words ("grownups are attempting to...") and the purpose of the device (driving hooligans away from places where work is done) help clarify that the phrase refers to conducting business activities. Dictionaries are excellent resources for confirming the meanings of individual words like 'ply' and understanding idiomatic expressions or common phrases.
Similar Questions
Adults can hear a sound with pitch:
Which word indicates the tone of the author in the last paragraph?
What does The Times celebrate?
Why does the author use these adjective ‘yobs, scamps, ne’er-do-wells, scapegraces, ruffians, tosspots and bravos’ to refer to younger people?
Who did Swami usually sleep with?
Swami was showered with praise for:
Select the option that correctly completes the statement. Valentina has been appointed as the Green Ambassador
Why would the police officer meet Valentina?
As a Green Ambassador, which of the following will Valentina NOT be entitled to?
Select the option that correctly answers the question.
Which of these would be the primary role of a Green Ambassador?
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
- Which framework globally guides national policies on Community Centered Disaster Risk Reduction?
- In the context of disaster governance, which principle emphasizes empowering local to take the lead in risk mitigation strategies?
- What distinguishes participatory disaster management from top-down approaches?
- Which of the following is a major barrier to effective local disaster risk reduction implementation in developing countries?
- How can technology most effectively support community-based disaster resilience?
