TSI ASSESSMENT PRACTICE (READING) COMPLETE EXAM SOLUTION

TSI ASSESSMENT PRACTICE (READING) COMPLETE EXAM SOLUTION 2022/2023 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 - ANS IS 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 - ANS IS 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 - ANS IS 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. If you are committed to healthy, green living and want to reduce your environmental footprint, you might consider expanding your daily diet to include bugs. Supporters of the edible insect initiative rightfully argue that farming insects has a much lower environmental impact than does raising livestock since bugs are easier to harvest and require a fraction of the water and land space that cattle need. Indeed, the high-protein, low-fat health benefits of bug-eating have long been known. For hundreds of years, crickets, silkworms and even tarantulas have been served roasted, stewed and fried at the dinner tables of many cultures. (Which words best describe the author's attitude toward the "edible insect initiative"?...) A. awe and amazement B. interest and support C. disgust and distaste D. fear and apprehension - ANS IS Choice (B) is correct. The author of the passage is interested in and supportive of the edible insect initiative. He or she addresses the reader directly, urging, "you might consider expanding your daily diet to include bugs." The author also shows support for the edible insect movement by stating that advocates of the movement "rightfully" argue that "farming insects has a much lower environmental impact than does raising livestock." Choice (A) is incorrect because although the author expresses support for the edible insect initiative, he or she does not speak with awe and amazement, or great wonder. Choices (C) and (D) are incorrect because the author is positive about the movement, showing interest and support rather than fear or disgust. Long thought to be a case of mistaken identity, the discovery of the Bornean rainbow toad by European explorers in 1924 was recently verified by scientists. The explorers had made a blackand-white sketch of an unusual toad they had found in the jungles of Southeast Asia, christening it the Bornean rainbow toad. Skeptical but curious, scientists recently went to look for the toad—and ended up finding three specimens. (The passage implies which of the following about the Bornean rainbow toad?...) A. Some people doubted the existence of the toad. B. Scientists were confident that they would find the toad. C. The surviving toads have been relocated to Europe. D. No human being had seen the toad since 1924. - ANS IS Choice (A) is correct. The author suggests that some people doubted the existence of the Bornean rainbow toad: they "thought [it] to be a case of mistaken identity" and were "skeptical." In other words, some people thought the "European explorers" were documenting another, already known kind of toad, and had not discovered a new toad. This is supported by the fact that the discovery was not "verified" for many years. Choices (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect: the author suggests that scientists did not expect to find the Bornean rainbow toad, there is no indication that the recently-found toads were taken to Europe, and it is unlikely that no human being—including non-scientists—had seen any specimen of the toad since 1924.