Chapter 11

Reading Practice Test 1

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READING TEST

35 Minutes—40 Questions

DIRECTIONS: There are four passages in this test. Each passage is followed by several questions. After reading each passage, choose the best answer to each question and blacken the corresponding oval on your answer document. You may refer to the passages as often as necessary.

Passage I

PROSE FICTION: The following passage is adapted from the short story “Between Two Homes” by Herbert Malloy (© 1993 by Herbert Malloy).

1.   It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that the narrator thinks air travel is:

A.   the most enjoyable way to travel.

B.   an ordinary part of the world.

C.   more uncomfortable than convenient.

D.   somewhat unnatural in what it makes possible.

2.   The first three paragraphs (lines 1–23) establish all of the following about the narrator EXCEPT that he is:

F.   onboard an airplane

G.   traveling east.

H.   departing from Denver.

J.   noticing sights below.

3.   The point of view from which the passage is told is best described as that of:

A.   a young adult returning from a vacation to Southern California.

B.   an adult relating his reactions to visiting to his hometown.

C.   a young adult awakening from a long coma.

D.   an adult who prefers Southern California to his new home.

4.   According to the narrator, which of the following things is relatively new to his parents’ house?

F.   Certain trinkets on the wall.

G.   The fridge.

H.   His father’s brown Lexus.

J.   The bird-feeders.

5.   The passage contains recurring references to all of the following EXCEPT:

A.   difficulty sleeping.

B.   birds.

C.   grids of light.

D.   dancing.

6.   The narrator indicates that the most upsetting habit of his parents is:

F.   buying new cars.

G.   how and where they fall asleep.

H.   what they watch on television.

J.   how many trinkets they buy.

7.   According to the passage, the coma victim has a sense of time as a relative phenomenon because:

A.   ten years had gone by quickly.

B.   he was a physicist.

C.   it was a side effect of his medical treatments.

D.   it was the focus of his research before his coma.

8.   Based on the narrator’s account, all of the following are part of the present, rather than the past, in his hometown EXCEPT:

F.   the closed dance studio.

G.   the upcoming show marquee.

H.   Summit Station.

J.   the burnt remains of a shopping center.

9.   Details in the passage most strongly suggest that one characteristic of the narrator’s hometown is:

A.   flat stretches.

B.   palm trees.

C.   oak trees.

D.   perpendicular streets.

10.   When the narrator refers to science as “that rock of immutable truths” (lines 69–70), he is most likely directly referring to:

F.   the unchanging nature believed to be characteristic of scientific knowledge.

G.   the physicist’s inability to understand the recent advances in science.

H.   the body of research conducted in the physicist’s field during his coma.

J.   the ten years’ worth of scientific advances that the narrator had missed.

Passage II

SOCIAL SCIENCE: The following passage is adapted from the 2002 article “Indigenous Goes Global” by Sally Mayfield.

11.   In the context of the passage, the statement “the men of the village were deeply suspicious” (lines 23–24) most nearly suggests that Mayan men:

A.   felt uneasy about the potential interest in employing their village’s women.

B.   didn’t believe that MayaWorks representatives were who they said they were.

C.   rarely were visited by people who could speak Spanish.

D.   were skeptical that the women of the village had artistic talents.

12.   The main purpose of the second paragraph (lines 8–21) is to:

F.   lend support to the notion that women in Guatemala deserve stronger legal rights.

G.   point out the small number of people who live in Amazon villages.

H.   establish the value that programs such as MayaWorks could provide.

J.   explain how Berhorst Partners for Development became based in Guatemala.

13.   The passage indicates all of the following as problems initially faced by the fledgling Mayan artisans EXCEPT that:

A.   they lacked a mannequin to facilitate designing headwear.

B.   they could not communicate well in Spanish-speaking marketplaces.

C.   they did not have looms capable of making yard-width fabrics.

D.   they were unable to find material for the hanging rods in their wall hangings.

14.   It can most reasonably be inferred from the passage that regarding MayaWorks, the author feels:

F.   appreciative of the organization’s methods and intentions.

G.   convinced that mountain villagers in other countries will join MayaWorks.

H.   doubtful about the quality of the artisans’ wares.

J.   confused by the organization’s conflicting priorities.

15.   Which of the following assumptions would be most critical for a reader to accept in order to agree with the author’s claims in the passage?

A.   Mayan communities should fully assimilate into their surrounding Spanish-speaking communities.

B.   One’s self-esteem can be improved by performing productive work in exchange for money.

C.   Mayan artisans have much difficulty in adapting to design specifications of items that are not traditionally Mayan.

D.   Most major banks would consider the Mayan artist cooperatives to be appealing candidates for loans.

16.   The passage indicates that approximately how many wall hangings were part of the initial order filled by the Agua Caliente village?

F.   Eight

G.   A dozen

H.   One hundred

J.   One thousand

17.   According to the passage, when villagers were told of the religious function of a kippah, they became even more:

A.   confused about its shape.

B.   appreciative of their mannequin.

C.   intrigued about Judaism.

D.   dedicated to their work.

18.   The passage states that each of the following is among the products made by MayaWorks artists EXCEPT:

F.   yarmulkes.

G.   wall hangings.

H.   mass-manufactured textiles.

J.   placemats.

19.   The main function of the last paragraph (lines 83–95) is to:

A.   discuss the specific terms and requirements of several types of loans.

B.   describe some important ways that outside investment has helped strengthen Mayan communities.

C.   itemize some of the ways Mayan artisans have reinvested their earnings.

D.   demonstrate that Mayan villagers are as trustworthy in business as they are skilled in art.

20.   The passage indicates that the efforts of MayaWorks to increase the Spanish literacy of the Mayan community may succeed because they:

F.   have instilled in the Mayan women an economic incentive to learn Spanish.

G.   have familiarized Mayan women with the bartering rules of Guatemalan marketplaces.

H.   convinced Mayan women that their traditions will be better preserved in Spanish.

J.   designed a more innovative and thoughtful literacy campaign than had previous initiatives.

Passage III

HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from the article “Life in the Pits” by Bob Gullberg (© 2003 by Hennen Press).

Mozart and Handel refer to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91), Classical-era composer, and George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), Baroque-era composer.

21.   The author mentions Automobile Monthly and his mechanical bent primarily to suggest that his:

A.   infatuation with cars was at one time as intense as his passion for music.

B.   interest in and love of all things motorized has remained unchanged throughout his life.

C.   experience with motorized things accounts for his mechanical style of playing music.

D.   obsession with automotive knowledge distracted him from focusing on music.

22.   In the first paragraph, the author most nearly characterizes his upbringing as:

F.   easy and usually spent working with his brother.

G.   frustrating yet able to translate easily into music.

G.   somewhat satisfying yet ultimately unable to captivate.

J.   unfulfilling and invariably resulting in his parents’ approval.

23.   Based on the passage, which of the following was most likely the first to engage the author’s passionate interest?

A.   Automobiles

B.   Archery

C.   Dinosaurs

D.   Music

24.   Viewed in the context of the passage, the statement in lines 39–43 is most likely intended to suggest that:

F.   music more vividly conveys some experiences than do visual or written accounts.

G.   movies can provide a misleading experience of what a thunderstorm is like.

H.   news reports should more accurately reflect emotional experiences.

J.   thunderstorms are among the hardest experiences to accurately replicate.

25.   The passage suggests that the lepidopterist netting butterflies represents:

A.   the author as a child, relishing learning foreign expressions.

B.   the author presently, enjoying his most recent passion.

C.   Ms. Fenchurch, with her boundless energy.

D.   the opening movement of The Tempest.

26.   In the context of the passage, lines 34–39 are best described as presenting images of:

F.   jealously, mercy, and resentment.

G.   hate, fear, and disbelief.

H.   conflict, optimism, and love.

J.   chaos, resolution, and relaxation.

27.   The author discusses “playing notes in a particular order” (lines 81–82) as part of Ms. Fenchurch’s argument that:

A.   the order of notes matters less than the speed at which they are played.

B.   all music consists of the same parts but rearranged in creative ways.

C.   while one aims to be skilled at performing notes, one should also aim to convey their meaning.

D.   although communication is important, there is more joy to be found in composition itself.

28.   Which of the following does NOT reasonably describe a transition presented by the author in lines 27–34?

F.   Lightness to darkness

G.   Calm to thrilling

H.   Apprehension to fright

J.   Overwhelmed to peaceful

29.   The main purpose of the last paragraph is to:

A.   describe the lasting influence of Ms. Fenchurch’s encouragement.

B.   present an anecdote that conveys Ms. Fenchurch’s unique conducting style.

C.   provide detailed background information about Ms. Fenchurch.

D.   illustrate the effect music has on teachers such as Ms. Fenchurch.

30.   The passage is best described as being told from the point of view of a musician who is:

F.   telling a linear story that connects momentous events from the beginning of his career to some from the end.

G.   describing how modern works of music such as The Tempest have advanced the vision of classical composers such as Mozart and Handel.

H.   suggesting that people who have an interest in universal languages would be well served in studying music.

J.   marveling at his eventual choice of career and considering the people and interests that contributed to it.

Passage IV

NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from the article “Debunking the Seahorse” by Clark Millingham (© 2002 by Halcyon Press).

31.   The passage notes that the courtship rituals of seahorses include:

A.   males snapping their heads at females.

B.   camouflaging their body coloring.

C.   allowing sea water to open the brood pouch.

D.   daily meetings for two weeks.

32.   The passage states that the seahorse’s swimming ability is hindered by its:

F.   tapered body shape.

G.   weak caudal fin.

H.   fluttering dorsal fin.

J.   lack of teeth.

33.   Which of the following pieces of information does the most to resolve scientists’ confusion as to why male seahorses both compete for mates and give birth?

A.   The fact that the female seahorse possesses an ovipositor.

B.   Pierre Robinson’s research on the total energy investment of each sex.

C.   The habit of seahorses to mate with only one partner.

D.   The length of time male seahorses devote to courtship rituals.

34.   One of the main ideas established by the passage is that:

F.   seahorses are actually quite capable swimmers, despite their unusual appearance.

G.   scientists cannot come up with any coherent explanation for why male seahorses have the evolutionary burden of gestation.

H.   the brood pouch of the male is located on its ventral side.

J.   it is not customary in the animal kingdom for animals to keep the same mating partner for life.

35.   As it is used in line 13, the word signature most nearly means:

A.   distinctive-looking.

B.   very useful.

C.   autograph.

D.   legally obligated.

36.   The main purpose of the fourth paragraph (lines 46–55) is to describe the:

F.   process linking fertilization to hatching.

G.   intricacies of the seahorse’s capillary network.

H.   quantity of fry to which males give birth.

J.   amount of salinity seahorse eggs can tolerate.

37.   The passage most strongly emphasizes that the monogamy of seahorse mates is most advantageous for the transition from:

A.   low-salinity to high-salinity.

B.   one birthing cycle to the next.

C.   fertilization to incubation.

D.   courtship to mating.

38.   As it is used in line 80, the word lost most nearly means:

F.   mislaid.

G.   disoriented.

H.   squandered.

J.   defeated.

39.   According to the passage, which of the following aspects of a male seahorse’s pregnancy provides the best evidence that the seahorse species conforms to the idea behind Bateman’s Principle?

A.   Brood pouch

B.   Ovipositor

C.   Prolactin

D.   Oxygen intake

40.   The passage indicates that the brood pouch becomes increasingly saline because seahorse eggs:

F.   would otherwise run the risk of prematurely hatching.

G.   begin gestation in a low salinity environment but ultimately get released into the surrounding water.

H.   have salt extracted from them by the capillary network that delivers oxygen to the brood pouch.

J.   receive the hormone prolactin but do not have the exposure to salt that other mammals do.

END OF TEST 3
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