CliffsTestPrep TOEFL CBT PRACTICE TEST 2 READING SECTION (2)

CliffsTestPrep TOEFL CBT

PRACTICE TEST 2

READING SECTION (2)

Directions: This section measures your ability to read and understand written English similar to that which one may expect in a college or university setting. Read each passage and answer the questions based on what is stated or implied in the passage. Circle or mark the correct answer in the book or write it on a separate piece of paper.

 

PASSAGE 2

The term lichen refers to any of over 20,000 species of thallophytic plants that consist of a symbiotic association of algae and fungi, plural for alga and fungus. Previously, lichens were classified as single organisms until scientists had the benefit of microscopes, at which time they discovered the association between algae and fungi. Thus, the lichen itself is not an organism, but the morphological and biochemical product of the association. Neither a fungus nor an alga alone can produce a lichen. The intimate symbiotic relationship between these two living components of a lichen is said to be mutualistic, meaning that both organisms benefit from the relationship. It is not certain when fungi and algae came together to form lichens for the first time, but it certainly occurred after the mature development of the separate components. It appears that the fungus actually gains more benefit from the relationship than does the alga. Algae form simple carbohydrates that, when excreted, are absorbed by fungi cells and transformed into a different carbohydrate. Algae also produce vitamins that the fungi need. Yet, fungi also contribute to the symbiosis by absorbing water vapor from the air and providing shade for the algae, which are more sensitive to light. Lichens grow relatively slowly, and it is uncertain how they propagate. Most botanists agree that reproduction is vegetative because portions of an existing lichen break off and fall away to begin a new organism nearby. Lichens are hardy organisms, being found in hostile environments where few other organisms can survive. Humans have used lichens as food and as sources of medicine and dye. The presence of lichens is a sign that the atmosphere is pure. Lichens help reduce erosion by stabilizing soil. They also are a major source of food for the caribou and reindeer that live in the extreme north.

 

12	Which of the following is true about the association of the lichen? A.     The association is more beneficial to the alga. B.     The association is solely of benefit to the fungus. C.     The association is merely a joint living arrangement, with neither organism receiving any benefit from the other. D.     The association is beneficial to each organism, although it provides more benefit to the fungus.	19	The author implies that vegetative reproduction means A.    vegetables combine with other vegetables. B.    reproduction occurs using vegetative plant growth. C.    new organisms are grown from pieces of existing organisms. D.    propagation occurs slowly
13	The word previously in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to A.       currently. B.       formerly. C.       believed. D.       no longer.	20	The author states that A.       fungi are more sensitive to light than algae. B.       neither plant is sensitive to light. C.       neither plant individually can thrive in sunlight. D.       algae are more sensitive to light than fungi.
14	Prior to the invention of microscopes, what did scientists believe about lichens? A.       The entire plant was an alga. B.       The entire plant was a fungus. C.       A lichen constituted a single plant. D.       The fungus was the catalyst of the association.	21	The word nearby at the end of paragraph four is closest in meaning to A.       almost. B.       completely. C.       connected. D.       close.
15	The word intimate in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to A.       distant. B.       parasitic. C.       close. D.       unusual.	22	The word hardy at the beginning of the last paragraph is closest in meaning to A.       tender B.       ubiquitous. C.       scarce. D.       strong.
16	The author uses the word mutualistic in paragraph two to describe A.       the fungus’ benefits from the association. B.       the harmful effects of the relationship. C.       the joint benefit each organism receives from the relationship. D.       the alga’s benefits from the association.	23	The word hostile in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to A.        unusual. B.        dry. C.        harsh. D.        complex.
17	The author implies that A.       neither plant requires carbohydrates to survive. B.       the fungus manufactures carbohydrates on its own. C.       the alga receives carbohydrates from the fungus. D.       the fungus uses the carbohydrates manufactured by the alga.	24	The author indicates that lichens are beneficial because they A.     purify the air. B.     reduce fungi. C.     destroy algae. D.    reduce soil erosion.
18	The author states that the relationship between the words fungus/fungi and alga/algae is A.        singular/plural. B.        compound/complex. C.        symbiotic/disassociated. D.        mutual/separate.

 

ANSWER KEY

12	D	The association is beneficial to each organism, although it provides more benefit to the fungus. This is indicated in the third paragraph, in which the author states, It appears that the fungus actually gains more benefit from the relationship than does the alga.
13	B	formerly.
14	C	A lichen constituted a single plant. This is indicated in the first paragraph, in which the author states, Previously, lichens were classified as single organisms until scientists had the benefit of microscopes . . . .
15	C	close.
16	C	the joint benefit each organism receives from the relationship.
17	D	the fungus uses the carbohydrates manufactured by the alga. This is indicated in the third paragraph, where the author states, Algae form simple carbohydrates that, when excreted, are absorbed by fungi cells and transformed into a different carbohydrate.
18	A	singular/plural. The author explains in the first paragraph that fungus and alga are singular and fungi and algae are plural forms of the words.
19	C	new organisms are grown from pieces of existing organisms. This is explained in the fourth paragraph, where the author states, Most botanists agree that reproduction is vegetative because portions of an existing lichen break off and fall away to begin a new organism nearby.
20	D	algae are more sensitive to light than fungi. This is explained in the third paragraph, in which the author states, Yet, fungi also contribute to the symbiosis by absorbing water vapor from the air and providing shade for the algae, which are more sensitive to light.
21	D	close.
22	D	strong.
23	C	harsh.
24	D	reduce soil erosion.