TSI Assessment Practice (Reading) questions
and answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
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
- correct answer 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.
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
- correct answer 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.
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?...)
A. To praise the Founding Fathers
B. To present information about an important American
C. To define and explain "American English"
D. To distinguish American dictionaries from British
dictionaries
- correct answer 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.
and answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
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
- correct answer 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.
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
- correct answer 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.
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?...)
A. To praise the Founding Fathers
B. To present information about an important American
C. To define and explain "American English"
D. To distinguish American dictionaries from British
dictionaries
- correct answer 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.
