Module 3 EST 1, 2026

Passage 1
At a neuroscience education symposium, a cognitive scientist declared, “Our goal is to
help students understand memory not as a video recorder, but as a dynamic,
reconstructive process shaped by emotion, attention, and prior knowledge.” A high
school biology teacher responded with a sigh, “That’s fascinating. I’d settle for my
students remembering the steps of mitosis from one week to the next.”

Passage 1
At a neuroscience education symposium, a cognitive scientist declared, “Our goal is to help students understand memory not as a video recorder, but as a dynamic, reconstructive process shaped by emotion, attention, and prior knowledge.” A high school biology teacher responded with a sigh, “That’s fascinating. I’d settle for my students remembering the steps of mitosis from one week to the next.”

Passage 2
From The Astronomer’s Vigil
by L. C. Harrow

1. 1. The observatory’s windows rattled softly as the midnight wind swept across the mountain ridge.
   2. I leaned over the telescope once more, my fingers trembling as the star’s faint signal flickered on the monitor.
   3. A voice called my name from the doorway, but I could not bring myself to respond.
   4. The realization struck me with the force of a physical blow: after years of searching, I had finally found evidence of a planet capable of supporting life.

Passage 2
From The Astronomer’s Vigil
by L. C. Harrow

1. 1. The observatory’s windows rattled softly as the midnight wind swept across the mountain ridge.
   2. I leaned over the telescope once more, my fingers trembling as the star’s faint signal flickered on the monitor.
   3. A voice called my name from the doorway, but I could not bring myself to respond.
   4. The realization struck me with the force of a physical blow: after years of searching, I had finally found evidence of a planet capable of supporting life.

Passage 3

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 18th century, fundamentally transformed manufacturing, transportation, and daily life. Having developed steam engines that could power textile mills and locomotives, Britain’s economic dominance during this period was unprecedented. The new technologies spread gradually to continental Europe and North America, creating ripple effects that would reshape global trade patterns for generations.

Passage 4 
In recent years production of petroleum has averaged about 78 million barrels each year, making Illinois the eighth largest petroleum producing state. The major oil area is the deep part of the Illinois Basin in the southcentral and southeastern parts of the state, but significant discoveries have been made recently in central and western Illinois. There are about 490 oil fields in Illinois, ranging from a few to several thousand acres in size.

Oil has been discovered in rocks of the Pennsylvanian, Mississippian, Devonian, Silurian, and Ordovician Systems, but the Mississippian are the most productive and account for about 76 percent of our total oil production.

Passage 4 
In recent years production of petroleum has averaged about 78 million barrels each year, making Illinois the eighth largest petroleum producing state. The major oil area is the deep part of the Illinois Basin in the southcentral and southeastern parts of the state, but significant discoveries have been made recently in central and western Illinois. There are about 490 oil fields in Illinois, ranging from a few to several thousand acres in size.

Oil has been discovered in rocks of the Pennsylvanian, Mississippian, Devonian, Silurian, and Ordovician Systems, but the Mississippian are the most productive and account for about 76 percent of our total oil production.

Passage 4 
In recent years production of petroleum has averaged about 78 million barrels each year, making Illinois the eighth largest petroleum producing state. The major oil area is the deep part of the Illinois Basin in the southcentral and southeastern parts of the state, but significant discoveries have been made recently in central and western Illinois. There are about 490 oil fields in Illinois, ranging from a few to several thousand acres in size.

Oil has been discovered in rocks of the Pennsylvanian, Mississippian, Devonian, Silurian, and Ordovician Systems, but the Mississippian are the most productive and account for about 76 percent of our total oil production.

Passage 5

Working Women of Coastal Peru
by Elena Marquez

[9] Women participate in nearly every stage of small-scale fishing, from mending nets to sorting the daily catch. Yet it is unnecessary to list each specific task. What matters is that coastal families depend on the combined labor of men and women to sustain their livelihood, especially during difficult seasons. It is important to note that this is not because men avoid strenuous duties, [10] and only because traditional fishing relies so heavily on manual effort that the work must be shared by all available hands. As a rule, men handle the most physically demanding responsibilities, [11] hauling the boats ashore and lifting crates of fish bound for the market.

Passage 5

Working Women of Coastal Peru
by Elena Marquez

[9] Women participate in nearly every stage of small-scale fishing, from mending nets to sorting the daily catch. Yet it is unnecessary to list each specific task. What matters is that coastal families depend on the combined labor of men and women to sustain their livelihood, especially during difficult seasons. It is important to note that this is not because men avoid strenuous duties, [10] and only because traditional fishing relies so heavily on manual effort that the work must be shared by all available hands. As a rule, men handle the most physically demanding responsibilities, [11] hauling the boats ashore and lifting crates of fish bound for the market.

Passage 5

Working Women of Coastal Peru
by Elena Marquez

[9] Women participate in nearly every stage of small-scale fishing, from mending nets to sorting the daily catch. Yet it is unnecessary to list each specific task. What matters is that coastal families depend on the combined labor of men and women to sustain their livelihood, especially during difficult seasons. It is important to note that this is not because men avoid strenuous duties, [10] and only because traditional fishing relies so heavily on manual effort that the work must be shared by all available hands. As a rule, men handle the most physically demanding responsibilities, [11] hauling the boats ashore and lifting crates of fish bound for the market.

Plastic waste enters the oceans from many sources, including rivers, coastal cities, and ships, and is carried by surface currents into large circular systems of currents called gyres. In these gyres, floating debris slowly gathers into broad “garbage patches,” the largest of which is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch between California and Hawaii. Over time, sunlight and waves break larger items such as bottles, bags, and fishing gear into tiny fragments known as microplastics, which can be eaten by fish, seabirds, and other marine animals that mistake them for food. Because plastic does not fully decompose in seawater, these particles can persist for decades or longer, spreading throughout the water column and even settling on the seafloor.

Plastic waste enters the oceans from many sources, including rivers, coastal cities, and ships, and is carried by surface currents into large circular systems of currents called gyres. In these gyres, floating debris slowly gathers into broad “garbage patches,” the largest of which is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch between California and Hawaii. Over time, sunlight and waves break larger items such as bottles, bags, and fishing gear into tiny fragments known as microplastics, which can be eaten by fish, seabirds, and other marine animals that mistake them for food. Because plastic does not fully decompose in seawater, these particles can persist for decades or longer, spreading throughout the water column and even settling on the seafloor

Passage 7

As we continue our observation of the reaction, we note more closely the features of the mixture in the flask. [14]He is perfectly clear and is abruptly clouded by the [15]introduction of a silver nitrate solution. Between these changes the precipitate forms like snowflakes from side to side, now suspended, now settling, but accumulating more densely toward the bottom of the vessel, leaving the greater volume of clear liquid [16]at the upper region

Passage 7

As we continue our observation of the reaction, we note more closely the features of the mixture in the flask. [14]He is perfectly clear and is abruptly clouded by the [15]introduction of a silver nitrate solution. Between these changes the precipitate forms like snowflakes from side to side, now suspended, now settling, but accumulating more densely toward the bottom of the vessel, leaving the greater volume of clear liquid [16]at the upper region

Passage 7

As we continue our observation of the reaction, we note more closely the features of the mixture in the flask. [14]He is perfectly clear and is abruptly clouded by the [15]introduction of a silver nitrate solution. Between these changes the precipitate forms like snowflakes from side to side, now suspended, now settling, but accumulating more densely toward the bottom of the vessel, leaving the greater volume of clear liquid [16]at the upper region

Passage 8

It should not pass unnoticed in this connection that the arches and the channels of aqueducts and also many kinds of reservoirs and distribution tanks are sometimes remarkably durable. It is true that some of the latter have been supposed to owe their longevity to its usefulness in maintaining water pressure and other conditions which, supporting the structure, strengthen the foundations, and these, passing through the test of time and remaining functional, may serve generations.

Passage 8

It should not pass unnoticed in this connection that the arches and the channels of aqueducts and also many kinds of reservoirs and distribution tanks are sometimes remarkably durable. It is true that some of the latter have been supposed to owe their longevity to its usefulness in maintaining water pressure and other conditions which, supporting the structure, strengthen the foundations, and these, passing through the test of time and remaining functional, may serve generations.

Passage 9

Early public speakers often delivered long talks without any amplification, so they relied on breath control and memorization to stay clear and steady. The speaker’s success depended on careful[19] ______, since there were no microphones to support the voice. [20]_____, when audiences grew and halls became larger, speakers started reshaping their style to project more strongly and organize ideas more formally.

Passage 9

Early public speakers often delivered long talks without any amplification, so they relied on breath control and memorization to stay clear and steady. The speaker’s success depended on careful[19] ______, since there were no microphones to support the voice. [20]_____, when audiences grew and halls became larger, speakers started reshaping their style to project more strongly and organize ideas more formally.

Passage 10

The Lapita people were among the earliest seafaring communities to spread across parts of the Pacific, carrying distinctive pottery styles and practical knowledge for long ocean voyages. In several excavated sites, researchers [21]______ fragments of decorated pottery alongside everyday tools. Archaeologists study the patterns stamped into Lapita ceramics because these designs can help trace movement between islands and connections among communities.[22]

Passage 10

The Lapita people were among the earliest seafaring communities to spread across parts of the Pacific, carrying distinctive pottery styles and practical knowledge for long ocean voyages. In several excavated sites, researchers [21]______ fragments of decorated pottery alongside everyday tools. Archaeologists study the patterns stamped into Lapita ceramics because these designs can help trace movement between islands and connections among communities.[22]

Passage 11

In many regions, reliable water did not come from constant rainfall but from careful planning and shared labor. Communities learned to locate springs, dig wells, and build channels so that water could be stored and directed to fields and towns even during dry seasons.

Passage 11

In many regions, reliable water did not come from constant rainfall but from careful planning and shared labor. Communities learned to locate springs, dig wells, and build channels so that water could be stored and directed to fields and towns even during dry seasons.

Passage 12

Oil has shaped Saudi Arabia’s economy and daily life not only through energy exports but also through the infrastructure built around extraction, refining, and transport. In a different way, big cities also depend on steady inflows of essential goods: before dawn, shipments arrive and workers move quickly so the city can function once the streets fill.