39. The word "it" in line 21 refers to
(A) biological productivity
(B) oil
(C) organic material
(D) petroleum

35. According to the passage, the most dramatic change to the oceans caused by plankton during the Cretaceous period concerned (A) the depth of the water (B) the makeup of the sediment on the ocean floor (C) the decrease in petroleum-producing sediment (D) a decline in the quantity of calcareous ooze on the seafloor

36. The "white chalk cliffs of Dover" are mentioned in line 14 of the passage to (A) show where the plankton sediment first began to build up (B) provide an example of a plankton buildup that scientists cannot explain (C) provide an example of the buildup of plankton sediment (D) indicate the largest single plankton buildup on Earth

37. The word "prolific" in line 16 is closest in meaning to (A) fruitful (B) distinct (C) determined (D) energetic

38. The word "ideal" in line 19 is closest in meaning to (A) common (B) clear (C) perfect (D) immediate

40. The word "standard" in line 12 is closest in meaning to (A) practical (B) customary (C) possible (D) unusual

41. "The King’s 24 Violins" is mentioned in line 15 to illustrate (A) how the violin became a renowned instrument (B) the competition in the 1600's between French and Italian orchestras (C) the superiority of French violins (D) why the violin was considered the only instrument suitable to be played by royalty

42. What is the main idea presented in paragraph 3? (A) The violin has been modified to fit its evolving musical functions. (B) The violin is probably the best known and most widely distributed musical instrument in the world. (C) The violin had reached the height of its popularity by the middle of the eighteenth century. (D) The technique of playing the violin has remained essentially the same since the 1600's.

43. The author mentions Vivaldi and Tartini in line 20 as examples of composers whose music (A) inspired more people to play the violin (B) had to be adapted to the violin (C) demanded more sophisticated violins (D) could be played only by their students

44. The word "they" in line 23 refers to (A) Civaldi and Tartini (B) thinner strings and a higher string tension (C) small changes (D) internal structure and fingerboard

45. The word "strain" in line 23 is closest in meaning to (A) struggle (B) strength (C) strategy (D) stress