TSI ASSESSMENT PRACTICE (READING) COMPLETE EXAM SOLUTION
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
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
