TOEFL 4 (READING PASSAGE 3) TOEFL READING PRACTICE WITH ANSWERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOEFL READING PRACTICE WITH ANSWERS TOEFL 4 (READING PASSAGE 3)

 

Questions 22-32 Grows are probably the most frequently met and easily identifiable members of the native fauna of the United States. The great number of tales, legends, and myths about these birds indicates that people have been exceptionally interested in them for a long time. On the other hand, when it comes to substantive-particularly behavioral-information, crows are less well known than many comparably common species and, for that matter, not a few quite uncommon ones: the endangered California condor to cite one obvious example. There are practical reasons for this. Grows are notoriously poor and aggravating subjects for field research. Keen observers and quick learners, they are astute about the intentions of other creatures, including researchers, and adapt at avoiding them. Because they are so numerous, active, and monochromatic, it is difficult to distinguish one crow from another. Bands, radio transmitters, or other identifying devices can be attached to them, but this of course requires catching live crows, who are among the wariest and most untrappable of birds. Technical difficulties aside, crow research is daunting because the ways of the birds are so complex and various. As preeminent generalists, members of this species ingeniously exploit a great range of habitats and resources, and they can quickly adjust to changes in their circumstances. Being so educable, individual birds have markedly different interests and inclinations, strategies and scams. For example, one pet crow learned how to let a dog out of its kennel by pulling the pin on the door. When the dog escaped, the bird went into the kennel and ate its food.   22. What is the main topic of the passage? (A) The ways in which crows differ from other common birds (B) The myths and legends about crows (C) The characteristics that make crows difficult to study (D) The existing methods for investigating crow behavior. 23. According to the first paragraph, what evidence is there that crows have interested people for a long time? (A) The large number of stories about crows (B) The frequency with which crows are sighted (C) The amount of research that has been conducted on crows (D) The ease with which crows are identified 24. The word "comparably" in line 5 is closest in meaning to (A) interestingly (B) similarly (C) otherwise (D) sometimes 25. In line 6, the author mentions the endangered California condor as an example of a species that is (A) smaller than the crow (B) easily identifiable (C) featured in legends (D) very rare 26 The word "them" in line 10 refers to (A) crows (B) subjects (C) intentions (D) researchers 27. According to the second paragraph, crows are poor subjects for field research for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: (A) They can successfully avoid observers (B) They are hard to distinguish from one another (C) They can be quite aggressive (D) They are difficult to catch 28. In the second paragraph, the author implies that using radio transmitters would allow a researcher who studies crow to (A) follow flocks of crows over long distances (B) identify individual crows (C) record the times when crows are most active (D) help crows that become sick or injured 29. According to the third paragraph, which of the following is true about crows? (A) They seldom live in any one place for very long (B) They thrive in a wide variety of environments. (C) They have marked preferences for certain kinds of foods (D) They use up the resources in one area before moving to another 30. In lines 19, the word "inclinations" is closest in meaning to (A) tricks (B) opportunities (C) preferences (D) experiences 31. In lines 10-21, the author mentions a pet crow to illustrate which of the following? (A) The clever ways that crows solve problems (B) The differences between pet crows and wild crows (C) The ease with which crows can be tamed (D) The affection that crows show to other creatures 32. Which of the following statements is supported by the passage? (A) Crows have relatively long lives (B) Crows have been vision (C) Crows are usually solitary (D) Crows are very intelligent

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ANSWER KEY

22.    C 23.    A 24.    B 25.    D 26.    C 27.    C 28.    A 29.    A 30.    C 31.    A 32.    B