TSI ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION TEST 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ 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 . 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 . 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.
◉ 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 . Answer: 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
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ 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 . 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 . 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.
◉ 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 . Answer: 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
