TSI Assessment Practice (Reading)
Exam 2025 Questions and Answers
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 - 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
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,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
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, B. anger
C. insensitivity
D. ignorance - 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?...)
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Exam 2025 Questions and Answers
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 - 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
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,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
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, B. anger
C. insensitivity
D. ignorance - 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?...)
COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
