12. Which of the following statements best represents the passage's central claim about the Red Delicious? F. Though genetic changes belped the Red Delicious its decreasing popularity. achieve popularity, they eventually contributed to G. Due to the ease of fostering genetic changes in the Red Delicious, it became the apple of choice for H. Despite intense competition, the superior taste of the Red Delicious Jed to its domination of the market. J. Because the Red Delicious increased the size of the apple market, the development of new apple varieties intensified. 13. Which of the following events referred to in the pas- sage occurred first chrosologically? A. Stark Brothers' Nursery paid 6,000 for one limb in a New Jersey orchard. B. Stark Brothers' Nursery held a contest to find a new apple variety. C. The Red Delicious accounted for 75 percent of Washington's apple crop. D. The Red Delicious was featured at the World's Fair. 14. Based on the passage, the phrase "selective breeding had taken its toll"(line 63) most specifically refers to: F. the financial cost of the genetic development of the Red Delicious. G. Burford's opinion that the Red Delicious was hurt- ing overall sales of apples. H. the market share lost by the Red Delicious to new apple varieties. J. the deterioration of the taste and texture of the Red Delicious. 15. Which of the following statements best summarizes the sixth paragraph (lines 70-82) ? A. In the 1990s, consumer preference for Red Deli- cious continued to increase leading to an 800 million surplus for US apple growers. B. In the 1990s, consumer preference for fruit other than apples caused US and Chinese apple growers to lose money. C. In the 1990s, consumer preference for new apple varieties and increased competition from overseas led to financial losses for US apple growers. D. In the 1990s, consumer preference for redder apples and the planting of too many Red Delicious trees led to financial losses for US apple growers. 16. In the first,paragraph, the seeding in Hiatt's orchard is portrayed as: persistent. scruffy. hostilé. J. ordinary. 17. As it is used in line 18 the word secured most nearly means: A. fastened B acquired C. guaranteed D fortified. 18. According to the passage, which of the following methods did the Stark Brothers'Nursery use to bring the Stark Delicious to the attention of apple growers? F. Tasting contests G . Competitive pricing C. Competitive advertising J. Traveling salesmen 19. The passage claims that which of the following fea- tures helps extend the shelf life of apples? A. Thick skin B. Shiny skin C. Firm flesh D. Sweet flesh 20. In the context of the passage, the information between the dashes in lines 85-87 mainly serves to: F. show that Red Delicious production stabilized in 2011. G. contrast the decline in Red Delicious production with the increase in Gala production. H. specify the size of the US apple harvest. illustrate the continued domination of the market by the Red Delicious.