READING TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 1-5)

READING

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 1-5)

TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 1-5): Study each of the passages and choose the best answers to the questions that follow.

PASSAGE ONE (Questions 1-5)

Lincoln’s now famous Gettysburg Address was not, on the occasion of delivery, recognized as the masterpiece that it is today. Lincoln was not even the primary speaker at the ceremonies, held at the height of the Civil War in 1863, to dedicate the battlefield at Gettysburg. The main speaker was orator Edward Everett, whose two-hour speech was followed by Lincoln’s shorter remarks. Lincoln began his small portion of the program with the words that today are immediately recognized by most Americans: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” At the time of the speech, little notice was given to what Lincoln had said, and Lincoln considered his appearance at the ceremonies rather unsuccessful. After his speech appeared in print, appreciation for his words began to grow, and today it is recognized as one of the all-time greatest speeches.

1	The main idea of this passage is that A.       the Gettysburg Address has always been regarded as a masterpiece. B.       at the time of its delivery the Gettysburg Address was truly appreciated as a masterpiece. C.       it was not until after 1863 that Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg took its place in history. D.       Lincoln is better recognized today than he was at the time of his presidency.	4	When did Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address begin to receive pubic acclaim? A.        After it had been published. B.        Immediately after the speech. C.        Not until the present day. D.        After Lincoln received growing recognition .
2	Which of the following is NOT true about the ceremonies at Gettysburg during the Civil War? A.       Everett was the main speaker. B.       Everett gave a two-hour speech. C.       Lincoln was the closing speaker of the ceremonies. D.       Lincoln’s speech was longer than Everett’s
3	According to the passage, when Lincoln spoke at the Gettysburg ceremonies, A.       his words were immediately recognized by most Americans. B.       he spoke for only a short period of time. C.       he was enthusiastically cheered. D.       he was extremely proud of his performance.	5	Look at the word it in the passage. Click on the word or phrase that it refers to.

PASSAGE TWO (Questions 6-12)

Hay fever is a seasonal allergy to pollens. The term “hay fever,” however, is a less than adequate description since such an attack can be brought on by sources other than hay-producing grasses and since an attack of this allergy does not incur fever.

The causes of hay fever can be quite varied. Hay fever is generally caused by air-borne pollens, particularly ragweed pollen. The amount of pollen in the air is largely dependent on geographical location, weather, and season. In the eastern section of the United States, for example, there are generally three periods when pollen from various sources can cause intense hay fever sufferings; in the springtime months of March and April, when pollen from trees is prevalent, in the summer months of June and July, when grass pollen fills the air, and at the end of August, when ragweed pollen is at its most concentrated levels.

What results from an attack of hay fever is not a fever. Instead, a person with hay fever will suffer symptoms such as red and itching eyes, a swollen and runny nose, and repeated bouts of sneezing.

6	Which of the following would be the best title for the passage? A.    The Relationship between Season and Allergies B.    Misconceptions and Facts about Hay Fever C.    Hay Fever in the Eastern United States D.    How Ragweed Causes Hay Fever	9	Which of the following is NOT true about hay fever in the eastern United States? A.    Suffering from hay fever is equally severe year-round. B.    Pollen from trees causes hay fever suffering in the spring. C.    Grass pollen fills the air earlier in the year than ragweed pollen. D.    Ragweed pollen is most prevalent at the end of the summer.
7	According to the passage, which of the following helps to explain why the term “hay fever” is somewhat of a misnomer? A.       A strong fever occurs after an attack. B.       The amount of pollen in the air depends on geographical location. C.       Hay fever is often caused by ragweed pollen. D.       Grass pollen is prevalent in June and July	10	Click on the drawing that represents a potential cause of hay fever.
8	Which of the following is NOT discussed in the passage as a determining factor of the amount of pollen in the air? A.       Place B.       Climate C.       Time of year D.       Altitude	11	Which of the following is NOT a symptom of hay fever? A.       A high fever B.       A runny nose C.       Red eyes D.       Persistent sneezing
		12	Click on the paragraph that outlines how, when, and where hay fever develops.

PASSAGE THREE (Questions 13-19)

Theories about the movement of the continents have evolved over time as the ability to conduct scientific study of the continents has improved. Thus, today’s theory of plate tectonics, rather than contradicting its predecessor, had its roots in the older theory of continental drift.

According to the theory of continental drift, the continents are not fixed in position but instead move slowly across the surface of the earth, constantly changing in position relative to one another. This theory was first proposed in the eighteenth century when mapmakers noticed how closely the continents of the earth fit together when they were matched up. It was suggested then that the present – day continents had once been one large continent that had broken up into pieces which drifted apart.

Today the modern theory of plate tectonics has developed from the theory of continental drift. The theory of plate tectonics suggests that crust of the earth is divided into six large, and many small, tectonic plates that drift on the lava that composes the inner core of the earth. These plates consist of ocean floor and continents that quite probably began breaking up and moving relative to one another more than 200 million years ago.

13	The topic of this passage is A.    continental drift B.    the theory of plate tectonics C.    the development of ideas about the movement of the earth’s surface D.    eighteenth-century mapmakers	17	According to the passage, what constitutes a tectonic plate? A.    Lava B.    Only the continents C.    The inner core of the earth D.    The surface of the land and the floor of the oceans
14	The passage states that theory of continental drift developed as a result of A.       the fixed positions of the continents B.       the work of mapmakers C.       the rapid movement of continents D.       the fit of the earth’s plates	18	Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage? A.       Two unrelated theories are presented. B.       Two contrasting opinions are stated. C.       A theory is followed by an example. D.       One hypothesis is developed from another.
15	Look at the word they in paragraph 2. Click on a word or phrase that they refers to	19	Click on the paragraph that describes the earlier the theory.
16	Which of the following is NOT true about the theory of plate tectonics? A.       It is not as old as the theory of continental drift. B.       It evolved from the theory of continental drift. C.       It postulates that the earth’s surface is separated into plates. D.       It was proposed by mapmakers.

 

ANSWER KEY

1	C	11	A
2	D	12	P2
3	B	13	C
4	A	14	B
5	his speech	15	continents
6	B	16	D
7	C	17	D
8	D	18	D
9	A	19	P2
10	A