READING (20) BUILDING SKILLS CAMBRIDGE PREPARATION FOR THE TOEFL® IBT TEST

 

CAMBRIDGE PREPARATION FOR THE TOEFL® IBT TEST BUILDING SKILLS READING (20)

 

Reading Mini-test 2 Check your progress in understanding connections (Exercise R4-R8) by completing the following Mini-test. This Mini-test uses question types used in the Reading section of the TOEFL iBT test. Select the correct answer Questions 1-3 In the twentieth century, architects in large cities designed structures in a way that reduced noise and yet made living as comfortable as possible. {A} They used such techniques as making walls hollow and filling this wall space with materials that absorb noise. Thick carpets and heavy curtains were used to cover floors and windows. Air conditioners and furnaces were designed to filter air through soundproofing materials. [B] However, after much time and effort had been spent in making buildings less noisy, it was discovered that people also reacted adversely to the lack of sound. [C] Now architects are designing structures that reduce undesirable noise but retain the kind of noise that people seem to need. [D] 1 The word "They" in the passage refers to A cities B structures C architects D techniques 2 According to the passage, making walls hollow and filling this wall space with materials that absorb noise results in A filtered air B a lack of sound C an adverse reaction to noise D a reduction in undesirable noise 3 The following sentence can be added to the passage: A silent home can cause feelings of anxiety and isolation. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the sentence could be added. Where would the sentence best fit? Choose the letter of the square [■] that shows where the sentence should be added. A A B B C C D D Questions 4-6 The gambrel roof design has an enduring appeal to many builders and homeowners. Originally a feature of Dutch colonial architectural style, the gambrel is a straight double-sloped roof joined at a central ridge. [A] The main distinguishing feature is that each roof side is broken into two planes, with the lower slope inclined at a steeper pitch than the upper. Sometimes the angle of the gambrel roof becomes shallower again at the eaves and projects over the wall of the house, giving a bell-shaped appearance in cross section. [B] The main advantage of the gambrel roof is that it creates a spacious interior on the upper floor of the house. [C] This makes it a perfect choice for a growing family. [D] 4 The phrase " a feature " in the passage refers to A the gambrel roof design B the straight sloping roof C the roof design in Holland D the roof joined at a central ridge 5 The gambrel roof design of the Dutch colonial architectural style is appealing to homeowners because A it has a bell-shaped appearance B it creates a spacious upper floor C the shape is traditional D the angle becomes shallower at the eaves 6 The following sentence can be added to the passage: This spaciousness also makes the gambrel roof highly suitable for barn construction, since the upper floor can be used as a hayloft. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the sentence could be added. Where would the sentence best fit? Choose the letter of the square [■] that shows where the sentence should be added. A A B B C C D D Questions 7-9 Diamond value is based on four characteristics: carat, color, clarity, and cut. The size of a diamond is measured by carat weight. There are 100 points in a carat and 142 carats in an ounce. Each point above 1 carat is more valuable than each one below 1 carat. In other words, a stone that weighs more than 1 carat is more valuable per point than a stone that is smaller than 1 carat. The scale used for rating color begins with D, which means the gem is absolutely colorless and, therefore, the most valuable. E and F are almost colorless. All three are good for investment purposes. A stone rated between G and J is good for jewelry. Beyond J the stones take on a slightly yellowish color, which gets deeper as the grade declines. The clarity of a stone is determined by its lack of carbon spots, inner flaws, and surface blemishes. While most of these are invisible to the unaided eye, they do affect the diamond's brilliance. For jewelry, a diamond rated VVS1 (very, very slight imperfections) is as close to flawless as one will find. After that the scale goes to VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, l1,l2, and so on. → The final characteristic is cut. [A] When shaped - whether round, oval, emerald, marquise, pear, or heart - the diamond should be faceted so that light is directed into the depths of the prism and then reflected outward again. [B] A well-cut diamond will separate the light into different colors when the light is reflected. [C] Only stones of similar shape should have their reflective qualities compared, as some shapes are more reflective than others. The round shape is the most reflective.[D]   7 The word "one" in the passage refers to A a diamond B an ounce C each point D 1 carat 8 Even though they affect a diamond's brilliance, slight carbon spots, inner flaws, and surface blemishes A lack imperfections B are rated VVS1 C cannot be seen with the naked eye D can make a diamond more valuable 9 The following sentence can be added to paragraph 4:   In contrast, a nearly flawless diamond that is not professionally cut will not acquire its full reflective potential, and thus, its value may be diminished.   Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow →. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the sentence could be added. Where would the sentence best fit? Choose the letter of the square [■] that shows where the sentence should be added. A A B B C C D D Questions 10-12 People who suffer from excessive drowsiness during the daytime may be victims of a condition known as "narcolepsy." Although most people may feel sleepy while watching TV or after eating a meal, narcoleptics may fall asleep at unusual or embarrassing times. They may doze while eating, talking, taking a shower, or even driving a car. Victims can be affected in one of two ways. Most narcoleptics have several sleeping periods during each day with alert periods in between, but a minority feel drowsy almost all the time and are alert for only brief intervals. Many people with this condition also suffer from cataplexy — a form of muscular paralysis that can range from a mild weakness at the knees to complete immobility affecting the entire body. This condition lasts from a few seconds to several minutes and is often set off by intense emotions. → No reliable data exist showing how many people have narcolepsy. [A] Unfortunately, there is also little knowledge about the causes of this illness. [B] Researchers suggest that the problem may stem from the immune system's reacting abnormally to the brain's chemical processes. [C] Further studies have shown a link between narcolepsy and a number of genes, although it is quite possible for an individual to have these genes and not develop the disease. [D] There are also cases of twins where one member has narcolepsy but the other does not. Thus, an explanation based on genetics alone is not adequate. There is currently no cure for narcolepsy, so sufferers of this condition can only have their symptoms treated through a combination of counseling and drugs. The available drugs can help control the worst of the symptoms, but their administration has unwanted side effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate and, sometimes, even increased sleepiness. It is clear that improved medications need to be developed.   10 Unlike most people who may feel drowsy after a meal or while watching TV, narcoleptics A doze off at odd times B sleep most of the time C suffer in one of two ways D have no trouble falling asleep 11 The word "their " in the passage refers to A sufferers B symptoms C drugs D side effects 12 The following sentence can he added to paragraph 3:   Some estimates put the number as high as 300,000 in the United States alone.   Paragraph 3 is marked with an arrow [->]. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the sentence could be added. Where would the sentence best fit? Choose the letter of the square [■] that shows where the sentence should be added. A A B B C C D D Questions 13-15 On December 4, 1872, the brigantine Mary Celeste, carrying 1,700 barrels of crude alcohol en route from New York to Genoa, was found abandoned and drifting in the Atlantic Ocean between the Azores and Portugal. The crew of the Dei Gratia, the cargo ship that found the Mary Celeste, inspected her carefully and then sailed her to Gibraltar to collect the large salvage reward. Their report given at the inquiry suggests that the captain, his wife, his young daughter, and the seven-man crew had deserted the ship in a great hurry. The captain's bed was unmade, something unheard of in a well-run ship, which the Mary Celeste was known to be. The oilskin boots and pipes belonging to the crew had also been left, although the chronometer, sextant, and lifeboat were missing. The cargo was intact, although some barrels had leaked and two of the hatches were not in place. Several theories have been propounded to explain why those aboard left a perfectly seaworthy vessel to risk their lives on an open boat. It has been suggested that they were the victims of alien abduction or sea-monster attacks. Such outlandish notions are hardly credible. The idea that the ship was a victim of piracy can also be discounted, since the cargo and other valuables were untouched. Likewise, mutiny does not seem plausible. since the captain and first officer were known to be fair and experienced, the voyage was relatively short, and mutineers would probably have taken over the ship, not forsaken it → A possible explanation is that some event made the captain fear for the safety of the ship. [A] In fact, recently studied seismic records indicate that a violent earthquake, whose epicenter was on the seafloor in the region where the Mary Celeste was sailing, occurred some days before the ship's discovery. [B] If the ship had been subjected to intense shocks caused by the quake, all aboard may have hastily abandoned ship to avoid what they imagined might be its imminent destruction from an explosion of the combustible cargo. [C] A severed rope found dangling from the side of the Mary Celeste suggests that the evacuees trailed behind in the lifeboat, attached to the ship, waiting for the crisis to pass. [D] Great waves may then have snapped the rope and capsized the smaller boat, whose occupants would have disappeared without a trace.   13 The word " Their " in the passage refers to A the captain's family B the crew of the Dei Gratia C the crew of the Mary Celeste D all those aboard the ships sailing between the Azores and Portugal 14 The phrase " Such outlandish notions " in the passage refers to A risking their lives in an open boat B alien abduction or sea-monster attacks C piracy D mutiny 15 The following sentence can be added to paragraph 3:   The need to circulate air to prevent such a blast could explain why the crew left two hatches open.   Paragraph 3 is marked with an arrow [→]. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the sentence could he added. Where would the sentence best fit? Choose the letter of the square [■] that shows where the sentence should be added. A A B B C C D D

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