TOEFL 12 (READING PASSAGE 1) TOEFL READING PRACTICE WITH ANSWERS

 

TOEFL READING PRACTICE WITH ANSWERS TOEFL 12 (READING PASSAGE 1)

 

Question 1-10 A seventeenth-century theory of burning proposed that anything that burns must contain material that the theorists called "phlogiston." Burning was explained as the release of phlogiston from the combustible material to the air. Air was thought essential, since it had to provide a home for the released phlogiston. There would be a limit to the phlogiston transfer, since a given volume of air could absorb only so much phlogiston. When the air had become saturated, no additional amounts of phlogiston could leave the combustible substance, and the burning would stop. Burning would also stop when the combustible substance was emptied of all its phlogiston. Although the phlogiston theory was self-consistent, it was awkward because it required that imaginative, even mysterious, properties be ascribed to phlogiston. Phlogiston was elusive. No one had ever isolated it and experimentally determined its properties. At times it seemed to show a negative weight: the residue left after burning weighed more than the material before burning. This was true, for example, when magnesium burned. Sometimes phlogiston seemed to show a positive weight, when, for example, wood burned, the ash weighed less than the starting material. And since so little residue was left when alcohol, kerosene, or high-grade coal burned, these obviously different materials were thought to be pure or nearly pure phlogiston. In the eighteenth century, Antoine Lavoisier, on the basis of careful experimentation, was led to propose a different theory of burning, one that required a constituent of air- later shown to be oxygen- for combustion. Since the weight of the oxygen is always added, the weight of the products of combustion, including the evolved gases, would always be greater than the weight of the starting material. Lavoisier's interpretation was more reasonable and straightforward than that of the phlogiston theorists. The phlogiston theory, always clumsy, became suspect, eventually fell into scientific disrepute, and was replaced by new ideas.   1 What does the passage mainly discuss? (A) The chemical composition of phlogiston. (B) Attempts to explain what happens when materials burn. (C) Limitations of seventeenth-century scientific theories. (D) The characteristics of the residue left after fires. 2 The word "it" in line 4 refers to (A) burning (B) phlogiston (C) combustible material (D) air 3 The "phlogiston transfer" mentioned in line 5 is a term used to describe the (A) natural limits on the total volume of phlogiston (B) absence of phlogiston in combustible material (C) ability of phlogiston to slow combustion (D) release of phlogiston into the air from burning material 4 The word "properties" in line 10 is closest in meaning to (A) interpretations (B) locations (C) characteristics (D) virtues 5 The phrase "ascribed to" in line 10 is closest in meaning to (A) analyzed and isolated in (B) returned to their original condition in (C) assumed to be true of (D) diagrammed with 6 The author mentions magnesium in line 14 as an example of a substance that (A) seemed to have phlogiston with a negative weight (B) leaves no residue after burning (C) was thought to be made of nearly pure phlogiston (D)was thought to contain no phlogiston 7 The "different materials" mentioned in line 17 were considered different because they (A) required more heat to burn than other substances did (B) burned without leaving much residue (C) were more mysterious than phlogiston (D) contained limited amounts of phlogiston 8 The word "constituent" in line 19 is closest in meaning to (A) component (B) opposite (C) principle (D) temperature 9 The word "Since" in line 20 is closest in meaning to (A) later (B) because (C) during (D) although 10 Which of the following is true of both the phlogiston theory of burning and Lavoisier's theory of burning? (A) Both theories propose that total weight always increases during burning. (B) Both theories are considered to be reasonable and straightforward. (C) Both theories have difficulty explaining why residue remains after burning. (D)Both theories recognize that air is important to combustion.

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ANSWER KEY

1.  B 2. D 3.  D 4. C 5. C 6. A 7.  B 8. A 9. B 10.    D

TOEFL 11 (READING PASSAGE 5) TOEFL READING PRACTICE WITH ANSWERS

 

TOEFL READING PRACTICE WITH ANSWERS TOEFL 11 (READING PASSAGE 5)

 

Question 41-50 In taking ups new life across the Atlantic, the early European settlers of the United States did not abandon the diversions with which their ancestors had traditionally relieved the tedium of life. Neither the harshness of existence on the new continent nor Line the scattered population nor the disapproval of the clergy discouraged the majority from the pursuit of pleasure. City and country dwellers. of course. conducted this pursuit in different ways. Farm dwellers in their isolation not only found it harder to locate companions in play but also thanks to the unending demands and pressures of their work, felt it necessary to combine fun with purpose. No other set of colonists too so seriously one expression of the period. "Leisure Is time for doing something useful." in the countryside farmers therefore relieved the burden of the daily routine with such relaxation as hunting. fishing, and trapping. When a neighbor needed help, families rallied from miles around to assist In building a house or barn, husking corn, shearing sheep. or chopping wood. Food, drink, and celebration after the group work provided relaxation and soothed weary muscles. The most eagerly anticipated social events were the rural fairs, Hundreds of men, women, and children attended from far and near. The men bought or traded farm animals and acquired needed merchandise while the women displayed food prepared in their kitchens, and everyone, Including the youngsters, watched or participated in a variety of competitive sports, with prizes awarded to the winners. These events typically included horse races, wrestling matches, and foot races, as well as some nonathletic events such as whistling competitions. No other occasions did so much to relieve the isolation of farm existence. With the open countryside everywhere at hand, city dwellers naturally shared in some of the rural diversions. Favored recreations included fishing, hunting1 skating, and swimming. But city dwellers also developed other pleasures. which only compact communities made possible.   41 What is the passage mainly about? (A) Methods of farming used by early settlers of the United States (B) Hardships faced by the early settlers of the United States (C) Methods of buying, selling, and trading used by early settlers of the United States (D) Ways in which early settlers of the United States relaxed 42 What can be inferred about the diversions of the early settlers of the United States? (A) They followed a pattern begun in Europe. (B) They were enjoyed more frequently than in Europe. (C) The clergy organized them. (D) Only the wealthy participated in them. 43 Which of 'he following can be said about the country dwellers' attitude toward "the pursuit of pleasure"? (A) They felt that it should help keep their minds on their work. (B) They felt that it was not necessary. (C) They felt that it should be. productive. (D) They felt that it should not involve eating and drinking. 44 The phrase "thanks to" in line 8 is closest in meaning to (A) grateful for (B) help with (C) because of (D) machines for 45 The word "their" in line B refers to (A) ways (B) farm dwellers (C) demands (D) pressures 46 What is meant by the phrase "double-purpose" in line 11 ? (A) Very frequent (B) Useful and enjoyable (C) Extremely necessary (D) Positive and negative 47 The phrase "eagerly anticipated" in line 16 is closest in meaning to (A) well organized (B) old-fashioned (C) strongly opposed (D) looked forward to 48 Which of the following can be said about the rural diversions mentioned in the last paragraph in which city dwellers also participated? (A) They were useful to the rural community. (B) They involved the purchase items useful in the home. (C) They were activities that could be done equally easily in the towns (D) They were all outdoor activities. 49 What will the author probably discuss in the paragraph following this passage? (A) The rural diversions enjoyed by both urban and rural people (B) Leisure activities of city dwellers (C) Building methods of the early settlers in rural areas (D)Changes in the lifestyles of settlers' as they moved to the cities 50 Where in the passage does the author mention factors that might prevent people from enjoying themselves? (A) Lines 3-5 (B) Lines 12-14 (C) Lines 17-20 (D) Lines 25-27

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ANSWER KEY

41.    D 42.   A 43.   C 44.   C 45.   B 46.   B 47.   D 48.   D 49.   B 50.   A