13. It can most reasonably be inferred that the beads men- tioned in the first paragraph were most likely used as: B. trade goods. C. weights for measuring D. ornamentation. 14. In the context of the passage, the primary purpose of the second paragraph (lines 5-20 is to: human culture. specify some of the roles shells have played in G. summarize why shells stopped being used as prac- tical objects. H. illustrate how shells became more celebrated as their monetary value increased. J. explain that shells inspired competing art movements. 15. As portrayed in the fourth paragraph (lines 36-58) collectors were: compared to Dutch tulip bulb collectors, Dutch shell A. less obsessed with the security of their collections. collections. B. similarly enthusiastic in the pursuit of their C. more willing to make risky investments with their collections. D. more meticulous in keeping track of their collections. 16. The author's portrayal of the eighteenth-century Amsterdam auction in the fifth paragraph (lines 59-65 primarily serves to: F. emphasize how quickly the prices for shells had risen in the eighteenth century. G. indicate that shell collecting had become as wide- spread as art collecting. H. pinpoint the moment when collectable shells started to command higher prices than paintings. J. demonstrate that shell collectors were willing to buy shells at prices that rivaled those of paintings. 17. According to a source cited in the passage, one rea a British expedition reached Australia before a Fre expedition did was because the French expedition: A. didn't have accurate maps. B. had less experience with long voyages. C. spent time along the way collecting shells. D. spent time along the way trading butterflies shells. 18. Based on the passage, which of the following provi the best paraphrase of the statement in lines 69-70 F. Shell collectors often just guessed what the vo of a shell was. G. The rarity that caused some shells to be so v able was a perceived rarity, not an actual one. H. The scarcer a particular shell was, the m inflated its value could become. J. Shell collectors destroyed certain shells to incre their rarity. 19. According to the passage, what caused the value C. gloriamaris shells to plummet? A. Divers discovered an area where the shells w common. B. One collector sold 2,389 shells. C. An earthquake destroyed ...................................................................... D. Demand for other kinds of shells rose steeply. 20. In the passage,what is one piece of evidence used the author to emphasize the modern-day differe between the value of C.gloriamaris shells and value of Vermeer paintings? F. He points out there are currently about three do: specimens of C. gloriamaris. G. He tells the story about one early shell collec crushing a C. gloriamaris shell. H.He quotes Visscher's statement that shells playthings for children. J. He cites the price of the most recently s Vermeer painting.