TSI Assessment Practice (Reading)
Questions and Answers
Choice (D) is correct. The main idea of the passage is that underwater volcanoes receive little
attention but can be dangerous. The author explains that while "people generally do not take
note" of underwater eruptions because "the lava and smoke . . . is contained by the ocean,"
such eruptions are dangerous because they are "capable of creating huge tidal waves,
threatening coastal communities." Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage highlights
differences, not similarities, between traditional and underwater volcanoes. Choice (B) is
incorrect because although the passage notes that the lava and smoke from underwater
volcanoes is contained by the sea, that fact is not the main idea; it supports the larger point
about what people notice. Choice (C) is incorrect because the passage does not indicate that
most tidal waves are caused by underwater eruptions. - correct answer ✔✔When we think of
volcanoes, eruptions, lava, and smoke- filled air come to mind—all occurring on land. Most
people are surprised to learn about the prevalence of underwater volcanoes on our planet.
Because the lava and smoke spilling out of an active, underwater volcano is contained by the
ocean, people generally do not take note of these eruptions. However, the largest underwater
volcanoes are capable of creating huge tidal waves, threatening coastal communities.
(The main idea of the passage is that...)
A. traditional volcanoes and underwater volcanoes are similar
B. the lava and smoke from an underwater volcano is contained by the sea
C. most tidal waves are caused by underwater volcanoes
D. underwater volcanoes receive little attention but can be dangerous
Choice (A) is correct. The author of the passage states that Franzen refers to his own work as
belonging to a "high-art literary tradition" and to Oprah's book club choices as being
"schmaltzy," or overly sentimental, and "one-dimensional." These details suggest that Franzen
felt that his own book is of higher quality than other books chosen for the book club. In other
words, Franzen's criticism of the Oprah Book Club was motivated by his pride, or his sense of
self-importance. Choices (B) and (C) are incorrect because there is no indication in the passage
that Franzen felt any anger or was trying to be insensitive. Choice (D) is incorrect because there
, is no indication that Franzen's comments about Oprah's choices were ignorant or uninformed. -
correct answer ✔✔In 2010, talk show host Oprah Winfrey and novelist Jonathan Franzen kissed
and made up after a nine-year feud. In 2001, Franzen was disinvited from appearing on
Winfrey's TV show to pitch his novel The Corrections after he made it clear that he was unhappy
about the book's being chosen for the Oprah Book Club. Describing his work as
"in the high-art literary tradition," Franzen said he didn't want to be associated with the Club,
which he accused of occasionally choosing "schmaltzy, one-dimensional" novels. But Winfrey is
apparently able to forgive and forget: she chose Franzen's next novel, Freedom, for her book
club and said of it, "Now you haven't heard me say this word often, but this book is a
masterpiece."
(The passage implies that Franzen's criticism of the Oprah Book Club was motivated primarily
by...)
A. pride
B. anger
C. insensitivity
D. ignorance
Choice (B) is correct. The author discusses Noah Webster and the idea that he deserves the title
of Founding Father. The author clearly considers Webster important, citing his "still-influential
dictionary" and his attempt to "legitimize an 'American English.'" Choice (A) is incorrect because
although the author mentions that the Founding Fathers authored certain documents, he or she
offers no specific praise of the Founding Fathers. Choices (C) and (D) are incorrect; although
the author mentions Webster's attempt "to legitimize an 'American English'" and to create an
American English dictionary, neither of these points is the main focus of the passage. - correct
answer ✔✔The main authors of The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are
usually thought of as America's "Founding Fathers." Other, less known personages also deserve
the title, however, and Noah Webster was one
of these. Through his writings, which include the still- influential dictionary that bears his name,
Webster sought to legitimize an "American English" that was independent of British spelling and
pronunciation. For instance, Webster removed the "u" from "colour," creating the distinct
American version of the word.
(What is the main purpose of this passage?...)
Questions and Answers
Choice (D) is correct. The main idea of the passage is that underwater volcanoes receive little
attention but can be dangerous. The author explains that while "people generally do not take
note" of underwater eruptions because "the lava and smoke . . . is contained by the ocean,"
such eruptions are dangerous because they are "capable of creating huge tidal waves,
threatening coastal communities." Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage highlights
differences, not similarities, between traditional and underwater volcanoes. Choice (B) is
incorrect because although the passage notes that the lava and smoke from underwater
volcanoes is contained by the sea, that fact is not the main idea; it supports the larger point
about what people notice. Choice (C) is incorrect because the passage does not indicate that
most tidal waves are caused by underwater eruptions. - correct answer ✔✔When we think of
volcanoes, eruptions, lava, and smoke- filled air come to mind—all occurring on land. Most
people are surprised to learn about the prevalence of underwater volcanoes on our planet.
Because the lava and smoke spilling out of an active, underwater volcano is contained by the
ocean, people generally do not take note of these eruptions. However, the largest underwater
volcanoes are capable of creating huge tidal waves, threatening coastal communities.
(The main idea of the passage is that...)
A. traditional volcanoes and underwater volcanoes are similar
B. the lava and smoke from an underwater volcano is contained by the sea
C. most tidal waves are caused by underwater volcanoes
D. underwater volcanoes receive little attention but can be dangerous
Choice (A) is correct. The author of the passage states that Franzen refers to his own work as
belonging to a "high-art literary tradition" and to Oprah's book club choices as being
"schmaltzy," or overly sentimental, and "one-dimensional." These details suggest that Franzen
felt that his own book is of higher quality than other books chosen for the book club. In other
words, Franzen's criticism of the Oprah Book Club was motivated by his pride, or his sense of
self-importance. Choices (B) and (C) are incorrect because there is no indication in the passage
that Franzen felt any anger or was trying to be insensitive. Choice (D) is incorrect because there
, is no indication that Franzen's comments about Oprah's choices were ignorant or uninformed. -
correct answer ✔✔In 2010, talk show host Oprah Winfrey and novelist Jonathan Franzen kissed
and made up after a nine-year feud. In 2001, Franzen was disinvited from appearing on
Winfrey's TV show to pitch his novel The Corrections after he made it clear that he was unhappy
about the book's being chosen for the Oprah Book Club. Describing his work as
"in the high-art literary tradition," Franzen said he didn't want to be associated with the Club,
which he accused of occasionally choosing "schmaltzy, one-dimensional" novels. But Winfrey is
apparently able to forgive and forget: she chose Franzen's next novel, Freedom, for her book
club and said of it, "Now you haven't heard me say this word often, but this book is a
masterpiece."
(The passage implies that Franzen's criticism of the Oprah Book Club was motivated primarily
by...)
A. pride
B. anger
C. insensitivity
D. ignorance
Choice (B) is correct. The author discusses Noah Webster and the idea that he deserves the title
of Founding Father. The author clearly considers Webster important, citing his "still-influential
dictionary" and his attempt to "legitimize an 'American English.'" Choice (A) is incorrect because
although the author mentions that the Founding Fathers authored certain documents, he or she
offers no specific praise of the Founding Fathers. Choices (C) and (D) are incorrect; although
the author mentions Webster's attempt "to legitimize an 'American English'" and to create an
American English dictionary, neither of these points is the main focus of the passage. - correct
answer ✔✔The main authors of The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are
usually thought of as America's "Founding Fathers." Other, less known personages also deserve
the title, however, and Noah Webster was one
of these. Through his writings, which include the still- influential dictionary that bears his name,
Webster sought to legitimize an "American English" that was independent of British spelling and
pronunciation. For instance, Webster removed the "u" from "colour," creating the distinct
American version of the word.
(What is the main purpose of this passage?...)
