REVIEW TEST H READING (PETERSON’S TOEFL SUCCESS)

(PETERSON’S TOEFL SUCCESS)

REVIEW TEST H

READING

Directions: This test consists of several passages, each followed by 10 to 15 questions. Read the passages and, for each question, choose the one best answer based on what is stated in the passage or can be inferred from the passage. As soon as you understand the directions, begin work. Passage 1 Humans have struggled against weeds since the beginnings of agriculture. Marring our gardens is among the milder effects of weeds—any plants that thrive where they are unwanted. They destroy wildlife habitats and impede farming. Their spread eliminates grazing areas and accounts for one third of all crop loss. They compete for sunlight, nutrients, and water with useful plants. They may also hamper harvesting. The global need for weed control has been answered mainly by the chemical industry. Its herbicides are effective and sometimes necessary, but some pose serious problems, particularly if they are misused. Toxic compounds may injure animals, especially birds and fish. They threaten the public health when they accumulate in food plants, groundwater, and drinking water. They also directly harm workers who apply them. In recent years, the chemical industry has introduced several herbicides that are more ecologically sound than those of the past. Yet new chemicals alone cannot solve the world’s weed problems. Hence, an increasing number of scientists are exploring biological alternatives that harness the innate weed-killing powers of living organisms, primarily insects and microorganisms. The biological agents now used to control weeds are environmentally benign and offer the benefit of specificity. They can be chosen for their ability to attack selected targets and leave crops and other plants untouched, including plants that might be related to the target weeds. They spare only those that are naturally resistant or those that have been genetically modified for resistance. Furthermore, a number of biological agents can be administered only once, after which no added applications are needed. Chemicals typically must be used several times per growing season. Biological approaches may never supplant standard herbicides altogether, but they should sharply limit the use of dangerous chemicals and reduce the associated risks. They might also make it possible to conquer weeds that defy management by conventional means. 1 With what topic does this passage primarily deal? (A) The importance of the chemical industry (B) The dangers of toxic chemicals (C) Advantages of biological agents over chemical ones (D) A proposal to ban the use of all herbicides 2 The word marring in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to (A) spoiling. (B) dividing. (C) replacing. (D) planting 3 Look at the word hamper in the bold text below: They destroy wildlife habitats and impede farming. Their spread eliminates grazing areas and accounts for one third of all crop loss. They compete for sunlight, nutrients, and water with useful plants. They may also hamper harvesting. Click on the word or phrase in the bold text that is closest in meaning to the word hamper. 4 Which of the following terms does the author define in paragraph 1? (A) Nutrients (B) Grazing areas (C) Weeds (D) Wildlife habitats 5 Look at the word harm in the bold text below: Its herbicides are effective and sometimes necessary, but some pose serious problems, particularly if they are misused. Toxic compounds may injure animals, especially birds and fish. They threaten the public health when they accumulate in food plants, groundwater, and drinking water. They also harm directly workers who apply them. Click on the word or phrase in the bold text that is closest in meaning to the word harm. 6 With which of the following statements about the use of chemical agents as herbicides would the author most likely agree? (A) It should be increased. (B) It has become more dangerous recently. (C) It is safe but inefficient. (D) It is occasionally required. 7 Which of the following is NOT given as an advantage of using biological agents over chemical herbicides? (A) They are less likely to destroy desirable plants. (B) They are safer for workers. (C) They are more easily available. (D) They do not have to be used as often. 8 According to the passage, biological agents consist of (A) insects and microorganisms. (B) useful plants. (C) weeds. (D) herbicides. 9 The following sentence can be added to the paragraph below: In contrast, some of the most effective chemicals kill virtually all the plants they come in contact with. Where would it best fit in the paragraph? The biological agents now used to control weeds are environmentally benign and offer the benefit of specificity. (1) They can be chosen for their ability to attack selected targets and leave crops and other plants untouched, including plants that might be related to the target weeds. (2) They spare only those that are naturally resistant or those that have been genetically modified for resistance. (3) Furthermore, a number of biological agents can be administered only once, after which no added applications are needed. (4) Chemicals typically must be used several times per growing season. (5) Circle the number that indicates the best position for the sentence 10 The word applications in paragraph 4 could best be replaced by which of the following? (A) Requests (B) Special purposes (C) Treatments (D) Qualifications 11 Look at the word they in the bold text below: Biological approaches may never supplant standard herbicides altogether, but they should sharply limit the use of dangerous chemicals and reduce the associated risks. Underline the word or phrase in the bold text that the word they refers to. 12 Look at the word standard in the bold text below: Biological approaches may never supplant standard herbicides altogether, but they should sharply limit the use of dangerous chemicals and reduce the associated risks. They might also make it possible to conquer weeds that defy management by conventional means. Underline the word or phrase in the bold text that is closest in meaning to the word standard. 13 Which of the following best describes the organization of the passage? (A ) A general idea is introduced, and several specific examples are given. (B) A recommendation is analyzed and rejected. (C) A problem is described, and possible solutions are compared. (D) Two possible causes for a phenomenon are compared. Passage 2 West Side Story is a musical tragedy based on William Shakespeare’s timeless love story, Romeo and Juliet. It is set in the early 1950s, when gang warfare in big cities led to injuries and even death. West Side Story transformed the Montagues and Capulets of Shakespeare’s play into rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The Sharks were newly arrived Puerto Ricans, the Jets nativeborn New Yorkers. The plot tells the story of Maria, a Puerto Rican whose brother Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks, and of Tony, a member of the Jets. As the opposing gangs battle in the streets of New York, these two fall in love. While attempting to stop a street fight, Tony inadvertently kills Maria’s brother Bernardo and is ultimately killed himself. West Side Story featured the talents of a trio of theatrical legends. Leonard Bernstein, who composed the brilliant score, was a classical composer and the conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Stephen Sondheim, making his Broadway debut, revealed a remarkable talent for writing lyrics. Among the hit songs of the play are “Tonight,” “Maria,” “America,” “Gee Officer Krupke,” and “I Feel Pretty.” Jerome Robbins’ electrifying choreography broke new ground for musical theater in the 1950s. Before West Side Story, no one thought that dance could be as integral to a narrative as the music and the lyrics. But the dances in West Side Story are among the most thrilling elements of the play. The play opened on September 26, 1957. It ran for 734 performances, toured for ten months, and then returned to New York for an additional 246 performances. The classic motion picture staring Natalie Wood was released in 1961. It garnered ten Academy Awards, including ones for Best Picture and Best Director. The play was successfully revived in New York in 1980 and then again in 1995, almost forty years after its premier performance. 14 The author’s attitude toward the play is generally (A) favorable. (B) critical. (C) emotional. (D) regretful. 15 According to the passage, when does the action of the play West Side Story take place? (A) In Shakespeare’s time (B) In the early 1950s (C) In 1957 (D) In 1980 16 It can be inferred from the passage that the Capulets and Montagues (A) were families in Shakespeare’s play. (B) were 1950s street gangs. (C) fought against the Jets and Sharks. (D) were groups of actors, dancers, and singers. 17 Look at the word rival in the bold text below: West Side Story transformed the Montagues and Capulets of Shakespeare’s play into rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. The Sharks were newly arrived Puerto Ricans, the Jets native-born New Yorkers. The plot tells the story of Maria, a Puerto Rican whose brother Bernardo is the leader of the Sharks, and of Tony, a member of the Jets. As the opposing gangs battle in the streets of New York, these two fall in love. Underline the word or phrase in the bold text that is closest in meaning to the word rival. 18 Underline the sentence in paragraph 1 that introduces the main characters in West Side Story 19 According to the article, the words to the songs of West Side Story were written by (A) Jerome Robbins. (B) Leonard Bernstein. (C) William Shakespeare. (D) Stephen Sondheim 20 The word score in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by which of the following? (A) Talent (B) Music (C) Performance (D) Dialogue 21 Look at the word electrifying in the bold text below: Jerome Robbins’ electrifying choreography broke new ground for musical theater in the 1950s. Before West Side Story, no one thought that dance could be as integral to a narrative as the music and the lyrics. But the dances in West Side Story are among the most thrilling elements of the play. Underline the word or phrase in the bold text that is closest in meaning to the word electrifying. 22 Look at the word ones in the bold text below: The play opened on September 26, 1957. It ran for 734 performances, toured for ten months, and then returned to New York for an additional 246 performances. The classic motion picture starring Natalie Wood was released in 1961. It garnered ten Academy Awards, including ones for Best Picture and Best Director. Underline the word or phrase in the bold text that the word ones refers to. 23 What can be inferred from the passage about musical plays produced before West Side Story? (A) They involved fewer songs. (B) Dance was not such an important feature in them. (C) They depended on dance and song more than on plot. (D) Legendary talents did not help create them. 24 During its initial appearance in New York, how many times was West Side Story performed? (A) 10 (B) 26 (C) 246 (D) 734 Passage 3 The National Automobile Show in New York has been one of the top auto shows in the United States since 1900. On November 3 of that year, about 8,000 people looked over the “horseless carriages.” It was opening day and the first opportunity for the automobile industry to show off its wares to a large crowd; however, the black-tie audience treated the occasion more as a social affair than as a sales extravaganza. It was also on the first day of this show that William McKinley became the first U.S. president to ride in a car. The automobile was not invented in the United States. That distinction belongs to Germany. Nikolaus Otto built the first practical internal-combustion engine there in 1876. Then, German engineer Karl Benz built what are regarded as the first modern automobiles in the mid-1880s. But the United States pioneered the merchandising of the automobile. The auto show proved to be an effective means of getting the public excited about automotive products. By happenstance, the number of people at the first New York show equaled the entire car population of the United States at that time. In 1900, 10 million bicycles and an unknown number of horse-drawn carriages provided the prime means of personal transportation. Only about 4,000 cars were assembled in the United States in 1900, and only a quarter of those were gasoline powered. The rest ran on steam or electricity. After viewing the cars made by forty car makers, the show’s audience favored electric cars because they were quiet. The risk of a boiler explosion turned people away from steamers, and the gasoline-powered cars produced smelly fumes. The Duryea Motor Wagon Company, which launched the American auto industry in 1895, offered a fragrant additive designed to mask the smells of the naphtha that it burned. Many of the 1900 models were cumbersome—the Gasmobile, the Franklin, and the Orient, for example, steered with a tiller like a boat instead of with a steering wheel. None of them was equipped with an automatic starter. These early model cars were practically handmade and were not very dependable. They were basically toys of the well-to-do. In fact, Woodrow Wilson, then a professor at Princeton University and later President of the United States, predicted that automobiles would cause conflict between the wealthy and the poor. However, among the exhibitors at the 1900 show was a young engineer named Henry Ford. But before the end of the decade, he would revolutionize the automobile industry with his Model T Ford. The Model T, first produced in 1909, featured a standardized design and a streamlined method of production—the assembly line. Its lower costs made it available to the mass market. Cars at the 1900 show ranged in price from $1,000 to $1,500, or roughly $14,000 to $21,000 in today’s prices. By 1913, the Model T was selling for less than $300, and soon the price would drop even further. “I will build cars for the multitudes,” Ford said, and he kept his promise. 25 The passage implies that the audience viewed the 1900 National Automobile Show primarily as a(n) (A) formal social occasion. (B) chance to buy automobiles at low prices. (C) opportunity to learn how to drive. (D) chance to invest in one of thirty-two automobile manufacturers. 26 According to the passage, who developed the first modern car? (A) Karl Benz (B) Nikolaus Otto (C) William McKinley (D) Henry Ford 27 Underline the sentence in paragraph 2 that explains the U.S. contribution to the early development of automobiles. 28 Approximately how many cars were there in the United States in 1900? (A) 4,000 (B) 8,000 (C) 10 million (D) An unknown number 29 Which of the following is closest in meaning to the phrase by happenstance as used in paragraph 3? (A) Generally (B) For example (C) Coincidentally (D) By design 30 Approximately how many of the cars assembled in the year 1900 were gasoline powered? (A) 32 (B) 1,000 (C) 2,000 (D) 4,000 31 According to the passage, people at the 1900 National Automobile Show favoured cars powered by (A) electricity. (B) naphtha. (C) gasoline. (D) steam. 32 Look at the word fragrant in the bold text below: The risk of a boiler explosion turned people away from steamers, and the gasoline powered cars produced smelly fumes. The Duryea Motor Wagon Company, which launched the American auto industry in 1895, offered a fragrant additive designed to mask the smells of the naphtha that it burned. Many of the 1900 models were cumbersome—the Gasmobile, the Franklin, and the Orient, for example, steered with a tiller like a boat instead of with a steering wheel. Underline the word or phrase in the bold text that is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to the word fragrant. 33 The purpose of the additive mentioned in paragraph 4 was to (A) increase the speed of cars. (B) make engines run more efficiently. (C) hide strong smells. (D) make cars look better. 34 The word cumbersome in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to (A) clumsy. (B) unshapely. (C) fragile. (D) inconvenient. 35 Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as steering with a tiller rather than with a steering wheel? (A) A Franklin (B) A Duryea (C) An Orient (D) A Gasmobile 36 Look at the phrase well-to-do in the bold text below: These early model cars were practically handmade and were not very dependable. They were basically toys of the well-to-do. In fact, Woodrow Wilson, then a professor at Princeton University and later President of the United States, predicted that automobiles would cause conflict between the wealthy and the poor. Underline the word or words in the bold text that is closest in meaning to the phrase well-to-do. 37 The following sentence can be added to paragraph 3: The cars he exhibited at the 1900 show apparently attracted no special notice. Where would it best fit in the paragraph? These early model cars were practically handmade and were not very dependable. (1) They were basically toys of the well-to-do. (2) In fact, Woodrow Wilson, then a professor at Princeton University and later President of the United States, predicted that automobiles would cause conflict between the wealthy and the poor. (3) However, among the exhibitors at the 1900 show was a young engineer named Henry Ford. (4) But before the end of the decade, he would revolutionize the automobile industry with his Model T Ford. (5) The Model T, first produced in 1909, featured a standardized design and a streamlined method of production—the assembly line. (6) Its lower costs made it available to the mass market. Circle the correct number to show where it would best fit into the paragraph. 38 What was the highest price asked for a car at the 1900 National Automobile Show in the dollars of that time? (A) $300 (B) $1,500 (C) $14,000 (D) $21,000

ANSWER KEY