IXL A.1 Grade 9 Questions and Answers Graded A

IXL A.1 Grade 9 Questions and Answers Graded A Camera-Like Memory Do some individuals have the amazing ability to take perfectly accurate, permanent mental "snapshots," which can be stored in the brain for future retrieval? Fictional figures aside, no. But while this popular notion of "photographic memory" is unfounded, research has demonstrated the existence of a fascinating phenomenon called eidetic memory, in which memory actually does have a camera-like quality. People with eidetic memory are able to look at an object or picture and then look away or close their eyes and continue to "see" the object or picture in their minds. These images last only a few minutes at most before dissipating, and they are typically not entirely accurate. Still, the degree of detail that "eidetikers" can recall during those first few minutes is astonishing. Interestingly, the phenomenon occurs almost entirely in children, with an estimated two to ten percent of children affected; virtually all eidetikers lose their unusual ability before reaching adulthood. Individuals with eidetic memory are temporarily able to retain detailed images in their minds. These images last only a few minutes at most before dissipating, and they are typically not entirely accurate. It highlights the limitations of eidetic memory. Maggots as Medicine While serving in World War I, surgeon William Baer noticed something curious: soldiers whose wounds were infested with maggots (the wormlike immature larval form of flies) recovered faster than those whose wounds were maggot-free. Although Baer was not the first military doctor to take note of this phenomenon, he was the first to apply his observations to the problem of nonhealing wounds. In the 1920s, he began treating hospital patients' serious wounds with maggots. The maggots consumed dead tissue, effectively cleaning the wounds and helping the patients heal. While maggot therapy fell out of favor after bacteria-killing antibiotic medications were introduced, it has made a comeback in modern medicine. Many clinicians have found that the treatment can be effective for certain types of severe wounds that do not respond to antibiotics. As noted by William Baer, some severe wounds can be effectively treated with maggots, which consume dead tissue. Many clinicians have found that the treatment can be effective for certain types of severe wounds that do not respond to antibiotics. It establishes the modern-day relevance of maggot therapy. A Step for Democracy One of the most important years in the history of democracy was 1215, when King John of England signed a document called the Magna Carta. Among other things, the Magna Carta made it illegal to buy or bribe one's way out of legal trouble—previously a common practice. More important, the Magna Carta made it clear that the king of England could not change laws or impose taxes without the people's consent. Because of the Magna Carta, the barons of England, along with civic and church leaders, began having regular meetings with the king to discuss matters such as proposed new taxes. The barons were meant to represent the interests of the people who lived on their land. This practice—revolutionary at the time—laid the groundwork for the modern political system known as representative democracy. Representative democracy allows elected officials to speak for the interests of their constituents, the citizens they represent. The Magna Carta set the stage for democratic governments by affirming the rights of citizens to participate in government. Because of the Magna Carta, the barons of England, along with civic and church leaders, began having regular meetings with the king to discuss matters such as proposed new taxes. It illustrates the effect of the Magna Carta on English governance. Rosa Parks: Lifelong Activist Rosa Parks began advocating for equal rights for African Americans in the 1940s, when she was a young woman. She organized community meetings, helped find lawyers for those who had been falsely accused of crimes, and assisted citizens in navigating the cumbersome and discriminatory voter registration process. However, Parks did not become well known until 1955, when she refused a bus driver's order to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. She then helped lead a successful boycott against the bus company. In the following years, Parks continued her activism, eventually working for a U.S. congressman. In 1987, she cofounded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, an organization dedicated to training and inspiring young people. Having devoted her life to the quest for justice, Rosa Parks is considered an American hero. As an activist and a leader, Rosa Parks devoted her life to civil rights. Rosa Parks began advocating for equal rights for African Americans in the 1940s, when she was a young woman. She organized community meetings, helped find lawyers for those who had been falsely accused of crimes, and assisted citizens in navigating the cumbersome and discriminatory voter registration process. However, Parks did not become well known until 1955, when she refused a bus driver's order to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. She then helped lead a successful boycott against the bus company. In the following years, Parks continued her activism, eventually working for a U.S. congressman. In 1987, she cofounded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, an organization dedicated to training and inspiring young people. Having devoted her life to the quest for justice, Rosa Parks is considered an American hero. It compares Parks's activities early in life with her later work. Rosa Parks began advocating for equal rights for African Americans in the 1940s, when she was a young woman. It establishes when Parks began her activism. Different Kinds of Leaders Mongol leader Genghis Khan was one of the world's most formidable conquerors. Born around 1162, Genghis amassed an army of thousands of men and united the nomadic tribes of Mongolia under his rule. Next, he turned his attention to central Asia and China. Using brilliant military tactics—and extreme cruelty—he expanded the Mongol Empire to an area approximately the size of Africa. Kublai Khan, Genghis's grandson, conquered China and was a powerful leader in his own right. Yet unlike his grandfather, Kublai is remembered for governing his acquired territories fairly, rather than dominating them with military might. Instead of exploiting the people of China, Kublai sought to accommodate and embrace Chinese culture. He became the first Mongol to rule over all of China, and he founded the country's Yuan Dynasty. Genghis Khan ruled with fear and might, while Kublai Khan governed with regard for the people he ruled. Yet unlike his grandfather, Kublai is remembered for governing his acquired territories