Reading

(Ques on papers)

Compiled by Mr. Yann

2022-2023
PRACTICE TEST 1 READING TEST 41

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I
PROSE FICTION: This passage is adapted from to a seaman unless it be the sea itself, which is the
Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness © 1899. mistress of his existence and as inscrutable as destiny.
For the rest, after his hours of work, a casual stroll or
a casual spree on shore suffices to unfold for him the
The Nellie, a cruising ship, swung to her anchor 45 secret of a whole continent, and generally he finds the
without a flutter of the sails, and was at rest. The tide secret not worth knowing. The stories of seamen have
had come in, the wind was nearly calm, and being a direct simplicity, the whole meaning of which lies
bound down the river, the only thing for the ship was within the shell of a cracked nut. But Marlow was not
5 to come to and wait for the turn of the tide. typical, and to him the meaning of an episode was not
The Director of Companies was our captain and 50 inside like a kernel but outside, enveloping the tale,
our host. We four affectionately watched his back as he which brought it out only as a glow brings out a haze,
stood in the bow looking toward the sea. On the whole in the likeness of one of these misty halos that some-
river there was nothing that looked half so nautical. times are made visible by the spectral illumination of
10 He resembled a pilot, which to a seaman is trustwor- moonshine.
thiness personified. It was difficult to realize his work 55 His remark did not seem at all surprising. It was
was not out there in the luminous estuary, but behind just like Marlow. It was accepted in silence. No one
him, within the brooding gloom. took the trouble to grunt even; and presently he said,
Between us there was, as I have already said very slow—“I was thinking of very old times, when
15 somewhere, the bond of the sea. Besides holding our the Romans first came here, nineteen hundred years
hearts together through long periods of separation, it 60 ago.” And at last, in its curved and imperceptible fall,
had the effect of making us tolerant of each other’s the sun sank low, and from glowing white changed to
stories—and even convictions. The Lawyer—the best a dull red without rays and without heat, as if about to
of old fellows—had, because of his many years and go out suddenly, stricken to death by the touch of that
20 many virtues, the only cushion on deck, and was gloom brooding over a crowd of men.
lying on the only rug. The Accountant had brought 65 Marlow broke off. Flames glided in the river,
out already a box of dominoes, and was toying archi- small green flames, red flames, white flames, pursuing,
tecturally with the pieces. Marlow sat cross-legged, overtaking, joining, crossing each other—then separat-
leaning against the mast. He had sunken cheeks, a ing slowly or hastily. The traffic of the great city went
25 yellow complexion, a straight back, and, with his arms on in the deepening night upon the sleepless river. We
dropped, the palms of his hands outwards, resembled 70 looked on, waiting patiently—there was nothing else to
an idol. The Director, satisfied the anchor had good do; but it was only after a long silence, when he said,
hold, made his way forward and sat down amongst us. in a hesitating voice, “I suppose you fellows remem-
We exchanged a few words lazily. Afterwards there ber I did once turn fresh-water sailor for a bit,” that we
30 was silence on board the yacht. For some reason or knew we were fated, before the ebb began to run, to
another we did not begin that game of dominoes. We 75 hear about one of Marlow’s inconclusive experiences.
felt meditative, and fit for nothing but placid staring.
“And this also,” said Marlow suddenly, “has been
one of the dark places of the earth.” He was the only
35 man of us who still “followed the sea.” The worst
that could be said of him was that he did not repre- 1. The narrator’s point of view is that of:
sent his class—always the same. In their unchanging A. an omniscient observer.
surroundings, the foreign shores, the foreign faces glide B. a member of the ship’s crew.
past, veiled not by a sense of mystery but by a slightly C. another ship’s captain.
40 disdainful ignorance; for there is nothing mysterious D. a person watching from shore.

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42 PRACTICE TEST 1 READING TEST

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2. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that the 7. According to the passage, how did the men aboard the
crew most likely did not play dominoes because: Nellie feel about the Director?
F. they were simply too tired. A. They respected and trusted him.
G. they did not get along well enough to play a game B. They felt that he was lazy.
together. C. They despised and rejected him.
H. the Director would not have approved of game- D. They thought that he was gloomy.
playing.
J. the sea was too rough.

3. Which of the following are explanations given by the

narrator as to why the Lawyer used the ship’s only
cushion? 8. The reaction of the narrator to Marlow’s story can be
I. He was very old. most accurately described as:
II. He would not allow anyone else to use it. F. malicious annoyance.
III. He was greatly respected by the ship’s crew. G. resigned tolerance.
A. I and II only H. genuine interest.
B. I only J. sincere appreciation.
C. I and III only
D. II only

4. As it is used in line 32 of the passage, the word placid

most nearly means:
F. calm.
G. straightforward. 9. According to the passage, which of the following was
H. nervous. not an effect of the “bond of the sea” (line 15)?
J. playful. A. It allowed the men to look past each other’s criminal
backgrounds.
5. According to the passage, how was Marlow unlike B. The men did not mind listening to each other’s
typical seamen? meandering tales.
A. Marlow was content to stay in one place, while most C. It eased the loneliness of extended periods of time
men of the sea prefer to roam and explore. away from each other.
B. Marlow believed his home was the ship, while most D. The men were able to be more tolerant of each
sailors believed their home was the sea. other’s beliefs.
C. Marlow found the sea inexplicable and full of
secrets, while a typical sailor understands the mys-
teries of the water.
D. Marlow wove complicated and ambiguous tales,
while most seamen prefer to tell simple and clear
tales. 10. The main point of the second paragraph is:
F. The ship’s captain is better suited to be an aviator
6. It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that than a sailor.
Marlow is about to tell a story: G. The captain is unaware of the great amount of hard
F. that explains why he is now a freshwater sailor. work that lies ahead of him.
G. that is short and funny, like most of the stories he H. An unqualified and inexperienced businessman is
tells. serving as the captain of the Nellie.
H. that had a profound effect on him. J. The narrator and other crew members greatly
J. about a man that he saved from drowning in a river. respect their ship’s captain.

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PRACTICE TEST 1 READING TEST 43

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PASSAGE II China become more desperate for fuel sources. Some
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage discusses some social 60 of the more daring politicians and business leaders
and economic issues regarding liquid natural gas as believe that building new liquid natural gas facilities
an energy source. will help companies and consumers take advantage of
future increased liquid natural gas imports. Currently,
Canada is the largest liquid natural gas supplier for
Although oil and gasoline remain important 65 the United States. However, liquid natural gas imports
energy sources, it is natural gas that currently supplies from Canada will decrease considerably in the next
around 25 percent of America’s energy needs. A recent decade as Canadian consumption increases and sup-
study shows that natural gas use was roughly 22 trillion plies of natural gas dwindle. Therefore, consumers and
5 cubic feet (TCF) annually. Natural gas demand is business leaders should not rely on liquid natural gas
increasing at phenomenal rates because of its ability 70 to solve America’s energy needs and consumers should
to create cleaner fuel for electrical power. Experts pre- continue to expect high prices as demand grows and
dict that annual demand is likely to increase to almost supplies decline.
32 TCF in less than a decade. At a consumption rate
10 of 32 TCF per year, the United States would only have
about a five-year supply of natural gas. Known natural
gas reserves in North America are quickly becoming 11. According to the passage, current known North
exhausted. In fact, in the past thirty years, known sup- American supplies of natural gas are:
plies have dwindled from almost 300 TCF to around A. sufficient to provide the United States with natural
15 150 TCF.
It is no wonder that natural gas has become a con- gas for the next thirty years.
troversial and critical topic of discussion among politi- B. down approximately 50 percent from thirty years
cians, business leaders, and consumers. It is apparent ago.
that the United States will need to drastically increase C. decreasing at a rate of 25 percent per year.
20 imports of natural gas to relieve shortages. One way D. extremely difficult to access.
that economists believe this can be done is by importing
liquid natural gas. Experts predict that liquid natural
gas imports will increase by almost 500 percent in a few 12. The author of the passage would most likely agree with
short years. Currently, the country imports very little
25 liquid natural gas. The process of transporting liquid which of the following statements?
natural gas is complicated and expensive. This is the F. Liquid natural gas will never be a viable source of
most obvious reason why America has been reluctant energy in the United States.
to choose liquid natural gas over other energy sources. G. America’s energy needs will not be met by the use
Converting natural gas into liquid natural gas involves of liquid natural gas alone.
30 cooling natural gas as it is collected to −260◦ F. This H. The populations of Japan and China are growing too
transforms the gas into a liquid, which is then injected rapidly to be served by liquid natural gas.
into a specially designed vessel for transport. When J. Until another reliable energy source is discovered,
the liquid natural gas reaches its destination, the liquid liquid natural gas is the best solution to the world’s
is reheated into its original gaseous state and allowed
35 to flow into a pipeline. Even though new technology energy problems.
has considerably decreased transportation costs for liq-
uid natural gas, it is still often uneconomical. This is
especially true for nations with other energy sources. 13. One of the main ideas of the passage is that:
One of the largest misconceptions about liquid A. energy sources are dwindling around the world.
40 natural gas is that it is an abundant source of natural B. natural gas supplies one-quarter of America’s
gas. While liquid natural gas imports continue to energy needs.
increase, the public demand for natural gas increases C. liquid natural gas takes millions of years to form.
at an even higher rate. Even though the United States D. the known supply of liquid natural gas is limited.
has several facilities that can process liquid natural gas,
45 these facilities are consistently unable to obtain enough
liquid natural gas to operate at their fullest capacity.
Even when liquid natural gas is obtainable, there is a 14. It can be inferred from the second paragraph (lines
fear that low natural gas prices in the United States will 16–38) that America’s reluctance to choose liquid
make liquid natural gas uneconomical. Most business natural gas over other energy sources will:
50 leaders and politicians are reluctant to create new facili- F. not prevent America from importing more liquid
ties to process liquid natural gas because these facilities natural gas from other countries.
are expensive and risky. This limits the capacity to pro- G. induce Japan and China to build new liquid natural
cess liquid natural gas even if it becomes more readily gas processing facilities.
available.
55 The United States also faces competition from H. most likely continue until the cost and problems
Asia in securing liquid natural gas. Competition for associated with liquid natural gas can be reduced.
liquid natural gas will most likely become even more J. lead to a decrease in the current demand for liquid
ferocious as other populous countries like Japan and natural gas in other countries, such as Canada.

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15. According to the passage, which of the following 18. The passage states that all of the following are reasons
countries supplies the most liquid natural gas to the for America’s reluctance to choose liquid natural gas
United States? EXCEPT:
A. Japan. F. the expense of transporting liquid natural gas.
B. China. G. the increasing demand for liquid natural gas.
C. Canada. H. the difficulty in processing liquid natural gas.
D. Asia. J. the possibility of low natural gas prices.

16. According to the third paragraph (lines 39–54), miscon-

ceptions exist about liquid natural gas regarding: 19. The passage states that which of the following is true
about natural gas?
I. its abundance. A. It currently supplies more than half of America’s
II. the expense of converting it. energy needs.
III. public demand for it. B. The United States has an unlimited supply of natural
gas.
F. I only C. Canada is the world’s largest exporter of natural gas.
G. II only D. Annual demand for natural gas is increasing at a
H. II and III only rapid rate.
J. I, II, and III

17. As it is used in line 6, the word phenomenal most nearly 20. As it is used in line 32, the word vessel most nearly
means: means:
A. annual. F. process.
B. efficient. G. source.
C. extraordinary. H. facility.
D. inconsequential. J. container.

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PRACTICE TEST 1 READING TEST 45

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PASSAGE III business and social duties would move forward easily.
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from The 60 In fact, whatever our plans, in calling the day a good
Nature of Goodness by George Herbert Palmer day we meant to speak of it as excellently adapted to
©1903. something outside itself.
A usage more curious still occurs in the nursery.
There when the question is asked, “Has the baby
My reader may well feel that goodness is already 65 been good?” one discovers by degrees that the anx-
the most familiar of all the thoughts we employ, and yet ious mother wishes to know if it has been crying or
he may at the same time suspect that there is something quiet. This elementary life has as yet not acquired
about it perplexingly remote. Familiar it certainly is. It positive standards of measurement. It must be reckoned
5 attends all our wishes, acts, and projects as nothing in negative terms, a failure to disturb.
else does, so that no estimate of its influence can be 70 This signification of goodness is lucidly put in the
excessive. When we take a walk, read a book, pick out remark of Shakespeare’s Portia, “Nothing I see is good
a dress, visit a friend, attend a concert, cast a vote, enter without respect.” We must have some respect or end in
into business, we always do it in the hope of attaining mind in reference to which the goodness is compared.
10 something good. Since they are so frequently encoun- Good always means good “for.” That little preposition
tering goodness, both laymen and scholars are apt to 75 cannot be absent from our minds, though it need not
assume that it is altogether clear and requires no expla- audibly be uttered. The knife is good for cutting and the
nation. But the very reverse is the truth. Familiarity day for business. Omit the “for,” and goodness ceases.
obscures. It breeds instincts and not understanding. So To be bad or good implies external reference. To be
15 woven has goodness become with the very web of life good means to be an efficient means; and the end to
that it is hard to disentangle. 80 be furthered must be already in mind before the word
Consequently, we employ the word or some good is spoken.
synonym of it during pretty much every waking hour of In short, whenever we inspect the usage of the
our lives. Wishing some test of this frequency I turned word good, we always find behind it an implication of
20 to Shakespeare, and found that he uses the word “good” some end to be reached. Good is a relative term. The
fifteen hundred times, and its derivatives “goodness,” 85 good is the useful, and it must be useful for something.
“better,” and “best,” about as many more. He could Silent or spoken, it is the mental reference to some-
not make men and women talk right without incessant thing else which puts all meaning into it. So Hamlet
reference to this concept. says, “There’s nothing either good or bad, but thinking
25 How then do we employ the word “good”? I do makes it so.” No new quality is added to an object or
not ask how we ought to employ it, but how we actually 90 act when it becomes good.
do. For the present, we shall be engaged in a psycho-
logical inquiry, not an ethical one. We need to get at
the plain facts of usage. I will therefore ask each reader
30 to look into his own mind, see on what occasions he
uses the word, and decide what meaning he attaches to 21. One of the main arguments the author is trying to make
it. Taking up a few of the simplest possible examples, in the passage is that:
we will through them inquire when and why we call A. the word good always connotes the same idea no
things good. matter the context of the usage, whether people
35 Here is a knife. When is it a good knife? Why, realize it or not.
a knife is made for something, for cutting. Whenever B. although the word good is used frequently, the exact
the knife slides evenly through a piece of wood, and definition and connotation of the word is difficult to
with a minimum of effort on the part of him who steers identify precisely.
it, when there is no disposition of its edge to bend or
40 break, but only to do its appointed work effectively, C. things or people are either good or not good;
then we know that a good knife is at work. Or, looking goodness is not a quality that is debatable.
at the matter from another point of view, whenever the D. a debate of ethics, not psychology, will most clearly
handle of the knife neatly fits the hand, following its identify the exact definition and connotation of the
lines and presenting no obstruction, we may say that word good.
45 in these respects also the knife is a good knife. That is,
the knife becomes good through adaptation to its work,
an adaptation realized in its cutting of the wood and in 22. The main idea of the sixth paragraph (lines 63–69)
its conformity to the hand. Its goodness always has is that:
reference to something outside itself, and is measured F. it is irrelevant for a mother to inquire if her baby
50 by its performance of an external task. has been well-behaved or not.
Or take something not so palpable. What glorious G. a baby has not been alive long enough to be judged
weather! When we woke this morning, drew aside our as either good or bad.
curtains and looked out, we said “It is a good day!”
And of what qualities of the day were we thinking? We H. since the baby is so young, it is not judged as good
55 meant, I suppose, that the day was well fitted to its by what it does, but rather what it does not do.
various purposes. Intending to go to our office, we saw J. whether or not a baby has been crying is not a
there was nothing to hinder our doing so. We knew that significant standard upon which to determine its
the streets would be clear, people in an amiable mood, goodness.

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23. According to the passage, why does the author concern 27. As it is used in the passage, the word palpable most
himself with Shakespeare’s usage of the word good? nearly means:
A. He was seeking confirmation for his belief that both A. apparent.
the use of the word and the concept of good are B. powerful.
strikingly common. C. drab.
B. He was looking for a definition of the concept of D. complicated.
good and turned to Shakespeare for inspiration.
C. He was trying to understand the lack of the concept 28. The main argument that the author tries to make in the
of good and goodness in the works of Shakespeare. seventh paragraph (lines 70–81) is that:
D. He was seeking support for his belief that F. it is always clear what is meant when someone
Shakespeare was able to use the concept of good describes something as good.
more effectively than any other author. G. the concept of being good is entirely different than
the concept of being good for.
24. The author of the passage asserts that the weather and H. it is often easier to understand the concept of good
a knife are similar because: without using the phrase good for.
F. both are defined as good if and only if they can be J. the word good is relative, finding meaning only
helpful to many people for a variety of reasons. when there is a specific end in mind.
G. neither can be defined as good unless they remain
consistent and unchanged in the wake of fluctuating
circumstances. 29. It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that the
H. both are defined as good when their characteristics author would agree that the word good actually means:
serve appropriate external circumstances. A. measurable.
J. neither one can be good unless a universal definition B. significant.
of the concept is accepted. C. persistent.
D. practical.
25. As it is used in line 70, the word lucidly most nearly
means: 30. When, referring to the role of goodness in life, the
A. obscurely. author states, “no estimate of its influence can be
B. inappropriately. excessive” (lines 6–7), he most likely means that:
C. enthusiastically. F. people must be careful not to allow the search for
D. coherently. goodness to monopolize their lives.
G. it is impossible to over-emphasize the power that
26. The author argues that a knife may be described as good: the quest for goodness has on us.
F. only if it cuts wood. H. it is impossible to conceptualize and grasp the
G. only if it is made for something other than cutting. definition of the word good.
H. only as it relates to something other than itself. J. people often inaccurately describe the role that
J. only if it requires extra effort in its use. goodness plays in their own lives.

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PRACTICE TEST 1 READING TEST 47

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PASSAGE IV occasionally will eat other farm vegetables as well.
NATURAL SCIENCE: The Armored Armadillo Armadillos provide some benefits however, as they eat
many annoying and harmful insects and are often used
Meandering along the shoulder of the highway, in medical research. Interestingly enough, they are the
the armadillo is surprisingly unaffected by its 65 only mammal besides humans that can contract leprosy.
surroundings. This nomad of the desert appears to have While armadillos are seen as strange and often
no cares in the world, and really, why should he, when troublesome animals, they are unique and valuable for
5 he carries on his back a natural suit of armor? He looks research. This armored native of the south will most
far more awkward than do most animals, yet this alien likely continue to fascinate and charm people for many
creature handles himself remarkably well. For such a 70 years to come.
small animal, the armadillo can withstand a surprising
amount of aggression from most predators. Although
10 his shell is far from impenetrable, the armadillo can 31. The author likens armadillos scurrying under thorn
rest assured that he is safer than many animals who
wander the Texas roads. bushes to “tanks strengthening their positions” in
The Dasypus novemcinctus, or nine-banded Paragraph 2 because:
armadillo, is characterized by the bands that arch across A. armadillos are well armored and thorn bushes give
15 its back. The bands are made of bony plates and them even more protection.
are covered with leathery skin—these plates, in fact B. an armadillo’s shell is as hard as steel.
cover the animal’s back, sides, tail, and the top of C. the scurrying of an armadillo sounds like a tank
its head, creating a somewhat turtle-like shell. The rolling over land.
interesting thing about the nine-banded armadillo is D. the armadillo resembles a tank in appearance.
20 that the number of bands on its back may be any-
where between seven and eleven; nine is just the most
common number. Contrary to popular belief, only one
species of armadillo can roll itself into a ball; the 32. The author calls the armadillo an “alien creature” in
three-banded armadillo does this as its primary defense the first paragraph because:
25 against predators. Other armadillos often scurry under F. not much is known about armadillos.
thorn bushes, rather like tanks strengthening their G. armadillos come from another planet.
position.
Armadillos are, on average, two and a half feet H. armadillos are very aggressive.
long and they typically weigh between eight and J. an armadillo’s unique appearance makes it stand
30 sixteen pounds, although across different species those out.
numbers can vary dramatically. Nine-banded females
give birth once a year, generally to four identical young,
which come from a single fertilized egg. The nine-
banded armadillo is the only species of animal in which 33. The passage indicates that, unlike some other desert
35 this remarkable trait occurs. The four-month-long ges- animals, the armadillo:
tation period is more than enough time for the offspring A. lacks a means of defending itself.
to develop, as they are born fully formed with their eyes B. can go without drinking water for long periods of
open. After a few hours they begin to walk and are able time.
to distance themselves from their mothers after only a C. reproduces many times each year.
40 few months. Few animals are able to outrun a startled D. can withstand most predators’ attacks.
armadillo, and if chased into its burrow, the animal is
able to arch its armor against the burrow walls, making
the armadillo nearly impossible to become dislodged;
this is quite frustrating to dogs and other animals who 34. As it is used in the passage (line 42), the phrase “arch
45 would like to eat the armadillo. In addition to threats of its armor” most nearly means:
being eaten by an opportunistic predator, the armadillo F. to construct.
must also endure a more severe danger: automobiles. G. to curve.
A significant number of armadillos die each year after H. to dig.
being struck by cars.
50 Armadillos can be found in the northern parts of J. to fight.
South America and as far north as the State of Texas.
Nine-banded armadillos prefer warm climates and like
to build burrows in the wet soil near streambeds, which 35. Based on information in the passage, the author feels
they often share with other species, such as rabbits and that the nine-banded armadillo is especially unique
55 opossums. Armadillos are nocturnal, and they spend
their evenings digging for grubs and other invertebrates because:
which make up the majority of their diet. A. it can curl into a ball.
Most Texans see the armadillo as a pest, since the B. it is the rarest type of armadillo.
creatures have a tendency to ruin corn by eating the C. it gives birth to four identical young.
60 parts of the plants that are low to the ground; they D. its diet consists entirely of grubs.

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36. The passage indicates that most Texans consider the 39. The passage indicates that, at birth, armadillos:
armadillo to be both: A. are utterly helpless.
F. rare and sacred. B. are identical to adults.
G. strange and interesting. C. are able to see.
H. annoying and helpful. D. are totally independent.
J. valued and dangerous.

37. What does the passage state is one of armadillo’s

greatest threats?
A. farmers.
B. cars.
C. opossums.
D. dogs.

38. The passage states that, in the Southern United States, 40. According to the passage, the scientific name Dasypus
armadillos do damage to: novemcinctus is unique to:
F. crops. F. the three-banded armadillo.
G. deserts. G. the six-banded armadillo.
H. rivers. H. all armadillos.
J. houses. J. the nine-banded armadillo.

END OF THE READING TEST.

STOP! IF YOU HAVE TIME LEFT OVER, CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY.
124 PRACTICE TEST 2 READING TEST

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I lately, and sometimes they forget to do it, so I end up

PROSE FICTION: The Summer Sandwich Club having to throw something together at the last minute.
I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen any more.”
Maxwell was one of those kids I know I will
remember for the rest of my life. I first met Max three 45 “It happens to the best of us; I just wanted to
summers ago when he showed up at the park on the first make sure you knew what he was eating. After a couple
day of camp with his mother Katherine. After a brief days of him being hungry I got worried and wondered
5 good morning, he went off to play with the rest of the who was making his lunch for him. See you tomorrow
five and six year olds who I would be counseling for the morning then.”
next several weeks. As his mother walked back to her
car, I couldn’t help but notice that she looked as though 50 Several days later I expected to see Max eating
she had just finished running a marathon; however, that a sandwich went I went over to him at lunchtime. His
10 thought left my mind soon after she drove away, as I lunch once again consisted entirely of junk food. Some-
was surrounded by the smiling faces of thirty brand thing had to change; at the very least he needed to be
new campers. eating much less sugar.
The summer started off great, and Max and I hit it 55 “Katherine,” I called to his mother as she stepped
off right away; he looked up to me as an older brother, out of her car that afternoon. I really had no idea what
15 and I thought he was a great little kid. There were a I was supposed to say. It was quite a predicament. “We
few things that stuck out in my mind as odd, though, really need to fix this problem with Max’s lunch.”
like when he would complain of being hungry an hour
or so after lunch at least once or twice a week. By the “Jake, I know, it’s just that the house payment was
third week of camp, I decided that it was something 60 due yesterday, and I haven’t had the, uh, time to get
20 I needed to investigate, and during lunch time I went to the grocery store,” she trailed off. “Things are just
over to his table and asked if I could sit next to him. a little hard for us right now.”
He giggled and said, “Sure Jake,” feeling special that
I would want to spend my lunch break with him. His She was obviously self-conscious at the moment,
lunch consisted of a bag of potato chips, a can of soda, and I felt bad for having brought it up again. I told
25 and a chocolate bar—hardly a healthy meal for a five 65 her that I had a plan, and not to worry about it. After
year old. I offered him half of my sandwich and his explaining what I meant, the look on her face was one
eyes lit up like it was his birthday. of relief and thanks, and she and Max headed home for
That afternoon, when Katherine came to pick Max the day.
up from the park, I pulled her aside to discuss the lunch For the rest of the summer, I spent my lunches
30 issue. 70 with Max and his friends, having meetings of what we
called the “Sandwich Club”: every day I would bring a
“Katherine, Maxwell needs to have a healthy couple of extra sandwiches, and anybody who wanted
lunch.” She looked down at the ground. to try one could have some. Max never seemed to care
what kind of sandwiches I brought to the club, but just
“What do you mean, Jake?” 75 giggled and smiled up at me every afternoon.
“I mean Max can not keep eating junk food At the end of the summer, I got a letter from
35 every day.” Katherine, thanking me for being so kind to she and
Max. I wrote back telling her that I could hardly wait
“Oh. That. I’m sorry about that. It’s just that I until the next meeting of the “Sandwich Club,” and to
work back-to-back jobs every night and barely make it 80 tell Max that I said hello.
home in time to get him out of bed and dressed before For the next two years, the “Sandwich Club” had
camp starts in the morning. His babysitter is supposed regular meetings, Monday-Friday at noon, all summer
40 to pack Max’s lunch for him at night when she puts long. After that, Max and his mother moved to be closer
him to bed. We have had a couple of new babysitters to his grandparents, and I went back to having my lunch

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85 with the rest of the staff. But for those few years, the 6. The passage makes it clear that the “Sandwich Club”:
“Summer Sandwich Club” brought joy to one camp F. lasted as long as Max was a camper.
counselor and many young campers. G. met only when it rained.
H. was an insult to Katherine.
1. When Jake says, “It happens to the best of us,” he is J. was Max’s favorite part of camp.
primarily saying that:
A. he understands that sometimes things happen that
are beyond our control.
B. Katherine is a perfect parent, and he is surprised that
Max is unhappy. 7. You may reasonably infer from the details in the passage
C. Max is a picky eater and would not eat a healthy that Katherine and Max:
lunch anyway. A. dislike Jake.
D. Max is his favorite camper, despite the problems B. are very wealthy.
faced by Max’s mother. C. do not trust other people.
D. have little money.
2. It can be reasonably inferred from the conversations
with Jake, that Katherine:
F. is a stay-at-home-mother.
G. does not care about her son.
H. works two jobs to make ends meet.
J. believes that junk food is healthy. 8. Katherine can most accurately be characterized as:
F. indifferent and withdrawn.
3. The idea that Jake’s mother is trying her best to take care G. caring but distracted.
of her son is least supported by which of the following H. cruel and arrogant.
quotations from the passage? J. friendly but aloof.
A. “It’s just that I work back-to-back jobs every night
and barely make it home in time to get him out of
bed and dressed before camp starts in the morning.”
B. “Katherine, Maxwell needs to have a healthy
lunch.” 9. The word issue, as it is used in line 30, most nearly
C. “Things are just a little hard for us right now.” means:
D. “I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen any more.” A. publication.
B. incident.
4. As it is used in line 57 the word predicament most nearly C. idea.
means: D. problem.
F. joke.
G. solution.
H. complaint.
J. challenge.
10. The title, “The Summer Sandwich Club,” combined
5. It can be inferred from the passage that Jake is: with details presented in the passage imply that:
A. Max’s older brother. F. everyone loves sandwiches.
B. dissatisfied with his job. G. Jake only eats sandwiches in the summer.
C. a good influence on Max. H. children should join clubs to make friends.
D. someone Max barely knows. J. the club was created because of Max.

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PASSAGE II the Missouri and Columbia rivers as their main “high-
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Lewis and Clark Go West ways,” and taking the help of friendly Indian tribes
whenever they could, the expedition was a success,
Over two hundred years ago, at the request of and served as an example for all manner of westward
President Jefferson, the corps of volunteers for “North 65 expansion.
Western Discovery” set off under the command of Despite the success of their expedition, proving
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to find the fastest that there was indeed a water route from the Missis-
5 water route across North America. The path they were sippi River to the Pacific Ocean, future travelers to the
to carve out would be the first of its kind; they were West found faster passage on land, utilizing the Oregon
setting a course through the territory of potentially dan- 70 Trail. Keelboats were eventually replaced by covered
gerous Indian tribes and ferocious animals. None but wagons and trains, and America pushed ever onward
the fearless and inventive, the most resourceful and into the West. The settlers who came after Lewis and
10 curious, would dare to undertake such a venture. In Clark went forward with blind-devotion knowing then
1803, virtually no one had attempted to cross the stretch that it could be done. The initial breakthrough into that
of land between the mighty Mississippi and the vast 75 unknown land was all that the country really needed.
Pacific Ocean using only water routes. All of the won- From there on out, the rest was history.
ders of those states in the West are, in part, the result
15 of this expedition. These intrepid pioneers, especially 11. One of the main points that the author seeks to make in
Lewis and Clark, deserve to be remembered now some the passage is that westward expansion:
two centuries after their courageous journey into the A. was never attempted prior to the Lewis and Clark
unknown lands west of the Mississippi. The rolling expedition.
hills of the breadbasket, the ski-resorts in the snow- B. was a challenging but important aspect of the growth
20 capped Rocky Mountains, and the lush, fertile valleys of the United States.
of the coast echo the bravery of all those involved.
After receiving wilderness training in Washington C. led to the discovery of many new and dangerous
D.C., Meriwether Lewis set out on July 5, 1803, picked Indian tribes.
up guns at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and then moved to D. resulted in the development of the corps of volun-
Pittsburgh
25 to pick up a 55-foot keelboat. Floating it teers for “North Western Discovery.”
down the Ohio, he met with Clark in Indiana, who
took over command of the boat and crew, while Lewis 12. The focus of the passage can best be summarized as a
then rode on to get supplies in St. Louis. Months later, study of both the:
in May, the entire party gathered in St. Louis. The
30 forty-some men were to travel from there to the Pacific F. Lewis and Clark Expedition and the characteristics
Ocean in only the keelboat and two smaller boats, all of of the United States in the early 1800s.
which were moved by sails, towropes, poles, or oars. G. history of Midwest development and the Lewis and
The beginning of their journey was a voyage Clark Expedition.
of confirmation; traders had gathered information of H. Lewis and Clark Expedition and the legendary
35 various possible water routes to the Pacific, and Lewis Northwest Passage.
and Clark’s job was to confirm the truth of such reports J. losses and difficulties faced by the Lewis and Clark
and observe anything else of importance along the way. Expedition.
They also catalogued new species of plants and animals
which they encountered, and worked toward peace with
40 several Indian tribes. History tells us that the few mes- 13. According to the information presented in the passage,
sages the men were able to send back told of their which of the following best describes the relationship
health and high spirits. They were all eager to explore between the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the settlers
just what might lie beyond the Mississippi. who came after them?
Despite having adequate supplies and equipment, A. Everyone to follow the Expedition used Lewis and
45 including guns, the men’s journey was still a danger- Clark’s water route.
ous one. They were traversing the wild and until this B. The settlers who went west after the Expedition were
point, the only other individuals to have crossed it were
fur traders and trappers. It was largely Indian terri- much more cautious.
tory and although most tribes, such as the Otos, the C. Both the Lewis and Clark expedition and the future
50 Missouris, and the Mandans were friendly, the Sioux settlers suffered great losses.
and the Blackfeet tried to impede the group’s progress D. The Lewis and Clark Expedition gave others confi-
on more than one occasion. Illness claimed the life of dence to head West.
one man early, but despite the strenuous pace of the
expedition, there were no further losses. 14. According to the passage, the motivation for the Lewis
55 Throughout it all, including long winters and the
harsh conditions of wildness living, the travelers con- and Clark Expedition was to:
tinued to forge west in search of an efficient trade route F. make money.
using only the rivers. In September of 1806, some three G. catalog the animals of North America.
years after they started on their voyage, Lewis, Clark, H. discover a water route to the Pacific.
60 and their team made it to the Pacific Ocean. Relying on J. reach the Rocky Mountains.

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15. As it is used in the 2nd paragraph (lines 22–32), the 19. As it relates to the passage, all of the following were
word party most nearly means: methods used to move the boats EXCEPT:
A. a joyous celebration. A. man power.
B. a group of people setting out on a trip. B. wind power.
C. a segment of the population. C. rowing power.
D. a meeting to discuss business matters. D. steam power.

16. As it is depicted in the passage, the initial mood of the

Lewis and Clark expedition can best be described as:
F. hopelessly discouraged.
G. eagerly determined.
H. remarkably cautious.
J. overtly happy.

17. It can be inferred that the word forge as it is used in

Paragraph 5 (lines 55–65) refers to:
A. creating new tools out of metal.
B. searching for food.
C. continuing a journey.
D. crossing a river on foot.
20. According to the passage, in the early part of their jour-
18. According to the passage, which of the following were ney members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were
the primary dangers faced by the Lewis and Clark doing all of the following EXCEPT:
expedition? F. receiving wilderness training.
F. Illness and lack of motivation. G. cataloguing new species of plants and animals.
G. Fast moving water. H. confirming possible water routes across the conti-
H. Wagons that fell apart. nent.
J. Conflicts with the indigenous people. J. sending back messages regarding their status.

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PASSAGE III 60 The Door to the Woods (1971) and Maine – Toward the
HUMANITIES: Colorful Reflections on Fairfield Porter Harbor (1967).
When he died in 1975, on a morning walk along
My first encounter with the international artist the ocean, he left the world as one of the most respected
and art critic Fairfield Porter was actually through the art critics in the past century. On top of that, his work
poetry of his wife, Anne (Channing) Porter. While 65 as a painter is still viewed within the art community
both grew to become quite celebrated in their crafts, as amazingly distinctive and especially representative
5 Fairfield’s story is unique. of his life. It is sad to say that now, however, some
Born into an affluent, artistic family in 1907, the thirty years after his death, he is still virtually unknown
boy who was to one day become a renowned artist outside of art circles. This remarkably insightful, artic-
and respected art critic showed a comparative lack of 70 ulate, creative individual needs to be discovered by the
artistic ability when seen next to his siblings. While common man and revered for his continuing influence
10 his older brother Eliot took to photography, Fairfield on the artists of today. The words of this intellectual
Porter, despite being remarkably intelligent, appeared were some of the best and most honest critiques of art
to be lacking any natural artistic talents. It seemed ever spoken.
that, although a member of a family full of artists, his
true skill lay in the critiquing of others’ artistry. This 21. The main purpose of the passage can best be described
15 was evidenced in his second year at Harvard by Fair- as an attempt to:
field’s decision to pursue art history as his major field of A. explain Porter’s renowned ability to candidly
study. After studying at Harvard under Arthur Pope and
then traveling briefly through Europe, Fairfield came address artists’ works.
back to the United States to further his education at B. illustrate the influence several renowned artists had
20 the Art Students League in New York City. There he on the works of Porter.
became acquainted with the famed photographer Alfred C. appraise Porter’s unusual methods of painting and
Stieglitz—the work of whom is said to have positively critiquing artwork.
influenced Fairfield’s paintings to some degree. D. chronicle Porter’s life, particularly the events and
Between the years 1931 and 1932, Fairfield spent beliefs that shaped his career.
25 the majority of his time in Italy learning to appreci-
ate and critique the works of the great Renaissance
painters. His training came from both direct study 22. The author’s attitude towards the subject of the passage
under world-famous art historian Bernard Berenson, can best be characterized as:
and from countless hours spent in museums and
30 galleries observing the greatest pieces of Italian art. F. detached interest.
Following his marriage to Anne upon his return G. amused tolerance.
from Italy, Fairfield spent the better part of the next two H. warm appreciation.
decades developing his skills as a painter while caring J. deep abhorrence.
for his autistic son. During this period his meetings with
35 the French Intimist painter Willem De Kooning would
prove to have a profound effect on his later works. 23. As described in the passage, Porter’s method of crit-
Porter was the first to publicly acclaim the work of icizing art can best be summarized by which of the
Kooning. following statements?
In fact, what made Porter so famous was his knack A. Porter’s criticisms were frank and forthright, and
40 for responding directly to an artist’s work. He found were based solely on his evaluation of the piece of
fault with the common “talk based” criticism that spoke
to art only in reference to its past or to some vague the- art that he was appraising.
oretical framework; such criticism attempted to shape B. Porter criticized art based on the context of the paint-
the future of art and was far too biased for Porter. ing and conceptual structures that he found most
45 His time as an art critic for such publications as Art useful in his evaluations.
News and The Nation ended, however, in 1961 when C. Porter’s critiques were comparable to those of
he decided to pursue a full-time painting career. Bernard Berenson, who greatly influenced Porter’s
The other side of his fame, his uncommon outlook on art.
approach to painting, is just as important to the D. Porter targeted his criticisms at helping artists by
50 understanding of Fairfield Porter’s contributions to the attempting to influence their forthcoming works.
world of art. His personal philosophy comes from a
blending of two views; art should be personal, emo-
tional, and representative of its subject, while at the 24. Porter’s painting style can be described by all of the
same time be boldly colorful, expressive, and gener- following EXCEPT:
55 ally abstract. Drawing on his vast knowledge of art
history, especially the styles of French Intimism, Porter F. stirring.
fused these two feelings to create a powerful, emotive G. vivid.
collection of paintings about families, individuals, and H. trite.
the home, as well as moving nature scenes such as J. individualistic.

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25. Without the first paragraph, the passage would lose: 28. According to the passage, when did Fairfield Porter
A. an overview of the passage as a whole. become serious about becoming an artist?
B. a brief introduction and transition into the topic. F. Immediately upon his return from Italy.
C. important detail that later becomes relevant to the G. While he was studying at the Art Students League.
passage. H. Just before his death in 1975.
D. an explanation of the logic behind the author’s J. Approximately thirty years after he returned from
viewpoint. Italy.

26. In line 11, the statement “despite being remarkably

29. The third paragraph states that, during 1931 and 1932,
intelligent” is intended to:
Fairfield Porter was:
F. call attention to the fact that although Porter was
A. continuing his training as an art critic.
a well-respected art critic, he failed to impress his
B. the greatest art critic in Italy.
college professors.
C. planning his marriage to Anne Channing.
G. communicate to the reader that Porter’s lack of a
D. training to become a Renaissance painter.
formal education did not detract from his ability to
critique art.
H. emphasize to the reader that Porter’s high level of 30. The author uses the phrase “other side of his fame”
intelligence was not related to his artistic ability. (line 48) most likely in order to:
J. inform the reader that Porter’s position as an art F. suggest that Fairfield Porter was better known as an
critic was so difficult that it challenged his intellect. artist than as an art critic.
G. indicate that Fairfield Porter was both a renowned
27. The word revered in line 71 most nearly means: art critic and painter.
A. trusted. H. show that Fairfield Porter was not aware of his
B. depreciated. popularity as a painter.
C. reminiscent. J. suggest that other art critics of the time were more
D. honored. famous than was Fairfield Porter.

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PASSAGE IV mapped the likely interactions between certain galax-
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage discusses some of ies and the surrounding dark matter, and those models
the controversy surrounding the existence of dark 60 have shown not only the possibility that dark matter
matter in the universe. is responsible for the warped shape of the Milky Way,
but that the relationship between the dark matter and
the Magellanic clouds is dynamic; the movement of
Dark matter in the universe is believed by some the clouds through the dark matter seems to create a
scientists to be a substance that is not readily observable 65 wake that enhances their gravitational influence on the
because it does not directly refract light or energy. Its Milky Way.
existence can only be deduced because of the effect that
5 it has on surrounding matter. In fact, some members of
the scientific community have argued that dark mat-
ter does not actually exist. Others, however, believe in
its existence, in part because the scientific community 31. As it is used in line 14, the term phenomena most nearly
does not have a complete understanding of gravita- means:
10 tional science. On the other hand, some would argue A. occurrences.
that it is the understanding of gravitational science that B. problems.
leads most scientists to believe in the existence of dark C. attitudes.
matter, because without dark matter, there are many D. surprises.
cosmological phenomena that are difficult to explain.
15 For example, dark matter in the universe may
have a peculiar effect on the Milky Way galaxy. Some
scientists believe that the interaction between dark mat-
ter and other smaller, nearby galaxies is causing the
Milky Way galaxy to take on a warped profile. It has
20 been asserted that not only does dark matter exist, it 32. The passage states that some members of the scientific
may also be responsible for the Milky Way’s unusual community are reluctant to believe in the existence of
shape. The interaction referenced involves two smaller dark matter because:
galaxies near the Milky Way, called Magellanic clouds, F. there is absolutely no evidence for the existence of
moving through an enormous amount of dark matter, dark matter.
25 which, in effect, enhances the gravitational pull that the G. no one understands how to apply gravitational
two Magellanic clouds could have on the Milky Way science.
and other surrounding bodies. Without the existence of H. dark matter cannot be directly observed.
the dark matter, the Magellanic clouds would not have
sufficient mass to have such a strong effect on the bend J. dark matter has little effect on surrounding matter.
30 of the Milky Way galaxy.
The strongest evidence for the validity of this
hypothesis rests in Newtonian physics, and the hypoth-
esis that anything with mass will exert a gravitational
pull. The Milky Way and other galaxies with pecu-
35 liar warped shapes are being molded by a gravitational 33. What does the passage offer as evidence for the exis-
force. However, there is nothing readily observable tence of dark matter?
with sufficient mass that could cause such a high level A. A complete understanding of gravitational science.
of distortion via gravitational pull in the vicinity of B. The enormous mass of Magellanic clouds.
the Milky Way. Therefore, something that is not easily
40 observed must be exerting the necessary force to create C. The shape of the Milky Way galaxy.
the warped shape of the galaxy. D. A photograph taken with the aid of a refracting
Aaron Romanowsky and several colleagues have telescope.
questioned the effect that dark matter might have on
galaxies. They point to the existence of several ellipti-
45 cal galaxies surrounded by very little dark matter as
evidence that dark matter is not, in fact, the cause
of the warped galaxies. While they do not claim that 34. According to the passage, what is Aaron Romanowsky’s
their findings should be interpreted to conclude that theory regarding dark matter?
dark matter does not exist, they apparently believe F. It cannot be conclusively proven that dark matter
50 that the results of their studies cast doubt on some affects the shape and formation of galaxies.
of the conventional theories of galaxy formation and G. The discovery of certain galaxies disproves the
manipulation.
Several models constructed by researchers from theory that dark matter exists in the universe.
the University of California at Berkeley, however, H. Computer models suggest that dark matter is respon-
55 point to the idea that dark matter is the most likely sible for warped galaxies.
explanation for the distorted shape of the Milky Way J. Dark matter has not effect at all on the shape of a
and other galaxies. Using computer models, they have galaxy.

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35. The last paragraph supports the general hypothesis 39. According to the passage, dark matter cannot be readily
provided earlier in the passage that: detected because:
A. the effect of Magellanic clouds on galaxies is A. dark matter does not actually exist.
enhanced by dark matter. B. most of the dark matter in the universe is hidden
B. computer models are necessary for an understanding behind galaxies.
of gravitational science. C. it does not directly interact with light or energy.
C. dark matter has little to no effect on the formation D. it has no effect on the surrounding matter.
of certain cosmological phenomena.
D. the shape of the Milky Way galaxy can be deduced
by observing the matter surrounding it.

36. The main purpose of the third paragraph is to point out

that:
F. dark matter was first discovered by applying
Newtonian physics.
G. different viewpoints exist regarding gravitational
science.
H. galaxies with peculiar shapes could not exist in the
presence of dark matter.
J. scientific theories provide support for the existence
of dark matter in the universe.

37. The word conventional in line 51 most nearly means:

A. easily understood.
B. formally disputed.
C. strictly interpreted.
D. generally accepted.
40. The passage supports which of the following statements
38. Which one of the following is NOT mentioned in the about dark matter?
passage as a scientific theory regarding dark matter? F. Its existence is inferred by some researchers based
F. The existence of dark matter cannot be proved by on observations of cosmological bodies composed
direct observation. of ordinary matter.
G. Dark matter may be responsible for the shape of the G. Its existence has been conclusively proven by com-
Milky Way. puter models.
H. It is certain that dark matter has no influence on H. If it does not exist, the universe is largely empty.
surrounding celestial bodies. J. Its presence is readily observable to researchers who
J. Magellanic clouds require the presence of dark completely understand how to apply gravitational
matter in order to influence the shape of galaxies. science.

END OF THE READING TEST.

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208 PRACTICE TEST 3 READING TEST

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I the Yankees in such a scornful way it made me feel

PROSE FICTION: This passage is adapted from The Story that it was quite a disgrace not to be born in the South.
of a Bad Boy by Thomas Bailey Aldrich © 1869. 45 And this impression was strengthened by Aunt Chloe,
who said, “there wasn’t no gentlemen in the North no
I call my story the story of a bad boy, partly to way.”
distinguish myself from those faultless young gentle- To be frank, my idea of the North was not at all
men who generally figure in narratives of this kind, accurate. I supposed the inhabitants were divided into
and partly because I really was not an angel. I may two classes—hunters and schoolmasters. I pictured it to
5 truthfully say I was an amiable, impulsive lad, and no 50 be winter pretty much all the year round. The prevailing
hypocrite. I didn’t want to be an angel; I didn’t think style of architecture I took to be log-cabins.
the sermons presented to me by the Reverend Hawkins With this picture of Northern civilization in my
were half so nice as Robinson Crusoe; and I didn’t eye, the reader will easily understand my terror at the
send my pocket-change to the needy, but spent it on bare thought of being transported to Rivermouth to
10 peppermint-drops and taffy candy. In short, I was a 55 school, and possibly will forgive me for kicking over
real human boy, such as you may meet anywhere in little Sam, when my father announced this to me. As
New England, and not like the impossible boy in a for kicking little Sam, I always did that, more or less
storybook. gently, when anything went wrong with me.
Whenever a new scholar came to our school, My father was greatly perplexed and troubled by
15 I used to confront him at recess with the following 60 this violent outbreak. As little Sam picked himself up,
words: “My name’s Tom Bailey; what’s your name?” my father took my hand in his and led me thoughtfully
If the name struck me favorably, I shook hands with to the library. I can see him now as he leaned back
the new pupil cordially; but if it didn’t, I would turn in the bamboo chair and questioned me. He appeared
and walk away, for I was particular on this point. Such strangely puzzled on learning the nature of my
20 names as Higgins, Wiggins, and Spriggins were offen- 65 objections to going North, and proceeded at once to
sive affronts to my ear; while Langdon, Wallace, Blake, knock down all my pine log houses, and scatter all the
and the like, were passwords to my confidence and hunters and schoolmasters with which I had populated
esteem. the greater portion of the Eastern and Middle States.
I was born in Rivermouth almost fifty years “Who on earth, Tom, has filled your brain with
25 ago, but, before I became very well acquainted with 70 such silly stories?” asked my father calmly.
that pretty New England town, my parents moved to “Aunt Chloe, sir; she told me.”
New Orleans, where my father invested in the banking My father devoted that evening and several sub-
business. I was only eighteen months old at the time sequent evenings to giving me a clear and succinct
of the move, and it didn’t make much difference to me account of New England: its early struggles, its
30 where I was because I was so small; but several years 75 progress, and its present condition—faint and confused
later, when my father proposed to take me North to be glimmerings of which I had obtained at school, where
educated, I had my own views on the subject. I instantly history had never been a favorite pursuit of mine.
kicked over the little boy, Sam, who happened to be I was no longer unwilling to go North; on the
standing by me at the moment, and, stamping my foot contrary, the proposed journey to a new world full of
35 violently on the floor, declared that I would not be taken 80 wonders kept me awake nights. Long before the mov-
away to live among a lot of Yankees! ing day arrived I was eager to be off. My impatience
You see I was what is called “a Northern man was increased by the fact that my father had purchased
with Southern principles.” I had no recollection of for me a fine little Mustang pony, and shipped it to
New England: my earliest memories were connected Rivermouth two weeks before the date set for our own
40 with the South. I knew I was born in the North, but 85 journey. The pony completely resigned me to the situa-
hoped nobody would find it out. I never told my tion. The pony’s name was Gitana, which is the Spanish
schoolmates I was a Yankee because they talked about for “gypsy,” so I always called her Gypsy.

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PRACTICE TEST 3 READING TEST 209

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Finally the time came to leave the vine-covered 6. As he is revealed in the conversation he has with his
mansion among the orange-trees, to say goodbye to son, the narrator’s father can best be characterized as:
90 little Sam (I am convinced he was heartily glad to get F. understanding and patient.
rid of me), and to part with Aunt Chloe. I imagine them G. stern and unforgiving.
standing by the open garden gate; the tears are rolling H. proud but uneducated.
down Aunt Chloe’s cheeks; Sam’s six front teeth are
glistening like pearls; I wave my hand to him manfully. J. ignorant but affectionate.
95 Then I call out “goodbye” in a muffled voice to Aunt
Chloe; they and the old home fade away. I am never to
see them again!
7. The narrator’s point of view is that of:
A. a young boy.
1. Which of the following persons mentioned in the pas- B. an adult.
sage had the greatest effect on the narrator’s negative C. an omniscient observer.
views of life in the North? D. a psychologist.
A. Sam
B. Aunt Chloe
C. Tom Bailey 8. The sixth paragraph suggests that the narrator’s rela-
D. Reverend Hawkins tionship with little Sam is primarily characterized by:
F. the narrator’s patience with Sam.
2. As it is used in line 18, cordially most nearly means: G. Sam’s annoyance with the narrator.
F. angrily. H. the narrator’s abuse of Sam.
G. strikingly. J. Sam’s respect for the narrator.
H. sincerely.
J. offensively.

3. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that, as 9. It can reasonably be inferred that, when the narrator
compared to most boys in New England, the narrator describes himself as “a Northern man with Southern
was: principles,” he means that:
A. no better behaved, but no worse behaved. A. even though he now lives in the South, he has
B. more angelic and innocent. retained and is proud of his Northern heritage.
C. less hypocritical but more troublesome. B. he is first and foremost a Yankee, as he was born
D. very different in many ways. in the North, reluctantly adapting to a Southern
lifestyle.
4. According to the passage, which of the following names C. he has successfully reconciled his conflicting alle-
were acceptable to the narrator? giances, subscribing to some Northern values and
I. Higgins some Southern values.
II. Blake D. although he was born in New England he identifies
III. Wallace more closely with the way of life and culture of the
F. I only South.
G. III only
H. II and III only
J. I and III only
10. It can reasonably be inferred that the author included
5. The narrator’s initial feeling toward moving to the second paragraph to:
Rivermouth can best be described as: F. support the narrator’s assertion that he is a “faultless
A. indifferent, as he was too young to know any better. young gentleman.”
B. reluctant until his father dispelled inaccuracies about G. show just how much confidence and self-esteem the
life in the North. narrator possesses.
C. apprehensive because he would be forced to leave H. contradict the narrator’s belief that he was not a
his pony, Gypsy, behind. well-behaved, amiable boy.
D. excited until he realized that he would have to part J. provide an example of how the narrator is both
with Aunt Chloe and little Sam. friendly and fickle.

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PASSAGE II that they should make that new start with a clear and
SOCIAL SCIENCE: This passage is adapted from The 60 definite view of their national constitution, and with
American Republic: Constitution, Tendencies, and a distinct understanding of their political mission in
Destiny by O.A. Brownson © 1866. the future of the world. The citizen who can help his
countrymen to do this will render them an important
The ancients summed up the whole of human service and deserve well of his country, though he may
wisdom in the maxim “Know Thyself,” and certainly 65 have been unable to serve in her armies and defend
there is for an individual no more important and no her on the battle-field. The work now to be done by
more difficult knowledge, than knowledge of himself. American statesmen is even more difficult and more
5 Nations are only individuals on a larger scale. They delicate than that which has been accomplished by our
have a life, an individuality, a reason, a conscience, and brave armies. As yet the people are hardly better pre-
instincts of their own, and have the same general laws 70 pared for the political work to be done than they were
of development and growth, and, perhaps, of decay, at the outbreak of the civil war for the military work
as the individual man. Equally important, and no less they have so nobly achieved. But, with time, patience,
10 difficult than for the individual, is it for a nation to and good-will, the difficulties may be overcome, the
know itself, understand its own existence, powers and errors of the past corrected, and the government placed
faculties, rights and duties, constitution, instincts, ten- 75 on the right track for the future.
dencies, and destiny. A nation has a spiritual as well
as a material existence, a moral as well as a physical 11. The author’s tone toward the subject of the passage can
15 existence, and is subjected to internal as well as exter- best be characterized as:
nal conditions of health and virtue, greatness and
grandeur, which it must in some measure understand A. impassioned.
and observe, or become lethargic and infirm, stunted B. indifferent.
in its growth, and end in premature decay and death. C. whimsical.
20 Among nations, no one has more need of full D. resigned.
knowledge of itself than the United States, and no one
has, to this point, had less. It has hardly had a distinct
consciousness of its own national existence, and has 12. The main idea of the passage can best be summarized
lived the naive life of the child, with no severe trial, by which of the following statements?
25 till the recent civil war, to throw it back on itself and F. The United States will forever be disposed to
compel it to reflect on its own constitution, its own repeating political mistakes of the past.
separate existence, individuality, tendencies, and end. G. A country has the responsibility of providing safety
The defection of the slaveholding States, and the fear- and stability to its citizens in the form of a national
ful struggle that has followed for national unity and constitution.
30 integrity, have brought the United States at once to H. It is imperative that the United States comprehend
a distinct recognition of itself, and forced it to pass
from thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless adoles- its identity as a nation, which can be accomplished
cence to grave and reflecting manhood. The nation has through an understanding of its unique qualities.
been suddenly compelled to study itself, and from now J. The United States is not prepared or able to reunite
35 on must act from reflection, understanding, science, as one nation after the ideological division that
and statesmanship, not from instinct, impulse, pas- caused the Civil War.
sion, or caprice, knowing well what it does, and why it
does it. The change which four years of civil war have
wrought in the nation is great, and is sure to give it the 13. As used in line 24 of the passage, naive most nearly
40 seriousness, the gravity, and the dignity it has so far means:
lacked. A. aware.
Though the nation has been brought to a con- B. inexperienced.
sciousness of its own existence, it has not, even yet, C. difficult.
attained a full and clear understanding of its own D. incapable.
45 national constitution. Its vision is still obscured by the
floating mists of its earlier morning, and its judgment
rendered indistinct and indecisive by the wild theories 14. According to the passage, what caused the United States
and fancies of its childhood. The national mind has to “pass from thoughtless, careless, heedless, reckless
been quickened, the national heart has been opened, adolescence to grave and reflecting manhood (lines 31–
50 the national disposition prepared, but there remains 33)”?
the important work of dissipating the mists that still
linger, of brushing away these wild theories and fan- F. A difficult and controversial legal trial that captured
cies, and of enabling it to form a clear and intelligent the whole country’s attention
judgment of itself, and a true and just appreciation of G. The ratification of the final draft of the constitution
55 its own constitution tendencies. H. International questioning regarding the integrity and
As the individual states have vindicated their viability of America’s government
national unity and integrity, and are preparing to make J. The secession of the southern states and the conflict
a new start in history, nothing is more important than that ensued

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15. Which of the following statements best summarizes the 18. As it is used in line 56, the word vindicated, in this
main point of the first paragraph? context, most nearly means:
A. Understanding one’s own strengths and weaknesses F. justified.
is a difficult yet important task, not only for indi- G. weakened.
viduals, but for nations as a whole. H. squandered.
B. The spirituality of individuals should be dictated by J. separated.
the nation’s government.
C. Comparing a nation to a person is an inaccurate
analogy that only leads to confusion and misrep-
resentation.
D. The United States was founded upon a principle of 19. A recurring metaphor the author uses in the piece
law originating from the ancient world. compares the United States to:
A. a battlefield, where two separate armies are clashing
16. According to the author, a citizen who helps his coun-
over political issues.
trymen to develop “a distinct understanding of their
B. an ancient sage, who is admired for his great
political mission in the future of the world” (lines
knowledge and wisdom.
61–62) should be:
C. a scholar, who is dedicated to the pursuit of higher
F. enlisted in the military.
education.
G. ignored.
D. a man, who begins as an immature child and grows
H. revered.
into a wise and experienced adult.
J. tried for treason.

17. According to the last paragraph, what does the author

believe will happen if the United States is able to fully
understand its own constitution and political duty on a
global scale? 20. According to the passage, what does the author assert
A. Disagreements will be resolved diplomatically, ren- will happen to the United States if the nation does not
dering warfare obsolete. become more aware of itself and its role in the global
B. The nation, as a whole, will reconcile its previous community?
missteps and have a more hopeful future. F. The country will erupt in a civil war.
C. Citizens will be no more prepared for future con- G. Its citizens, no longer having a conscience or moral
flicts and understanding the past and present of the compass, will rebel against the government.
nation’s politics will have no benefit. H. The nation will become weak, leading to its eventual
D. The government, realizing the inadequacies of the downfall.
constitution, will take the necessary steps to improve J. Its strength and power will continue to grow,
upon it. becoming a global leader in industry.

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PASSAGE III of the human spirit. Faulkner continued to explore
HUMANITIES: William Faulkner: Great Southern Author the interconnections between his characters and their
counterparts in the real world until his death in 1962.
Born in Mississippi in 1897, William Faulkner In the months before his death, Faulkner updated
is touted as the master of such revolutionary literary 65 his will, leaving the bulk of his manuscripts to the
devices as stream of consciousness, multiple narra- Faulkner Foundation at the University of Virginia,
tions, and time-shifts within a narrative. During a where he had been appointed its first Writer-in-
5 career that spanned more than three decades, Faulkner Residence. While the original documents are protected,
produced literary works filled with emotional turmoil electronic versions of the collection are freely available
and unflinching honesty. His unique interpretation of 70 to scholars of great Southern literature and others inter-
history is highlighted in the symbolism and imagery ested in gaining additional insight into the life’s work
of his writing. It has also been argued that Faulkner’s of a truly revolutionary American author.
10 works are some of the best representations of Southern
Gothic literature ever written. 21. As it is used in line 22, the word immersed most nearly
It is clear that Faulkner’s Deep South roots greatly means:
influenced his writing. He was a prolific writer whose A. depicted.
works both parallel and depart from popular myths of B. submerged.
15 southern culture. Faulkner’s remarkable understanding C. related.
of race relations and his clever satire of Southern char- D. interpreted.
acters stemmed from his memories of growing up in
rural Mississippi. He set many of his short stories and 22. The author describes Faulkner’s writing as all of the
novels in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, based following EXCEPT:
20 on what Faulkner referred to as “my own little postage F. symbolic.
stamp of native soil,” Lafayette County, Mississippi.
It was there, immersed in traditional southern lore, that G. honest.
William Faulkner began to write of the great political, H. malicious.
social, and economic transformation taking place in the J. tumultuous.
25 Deep South, depicting traditional society in timeless
human dramas. 23. One of the main ideas of the passage is that:
Faulkner came from an old and relatively promi- A. Faulkner was devoted to his southern roots.
nent Southern family. He grew up surrounded by B. authors employed revolutionary literary devices.
traditional folklore, family stories, accounts from the C. Faulkner was a prominent author with strong con-
30 Civil War, and lectures about being a Southern gentle- victions.
man. In his works, Faulkner examined how traditional D. many of Faulkner’s books were considered failures.
values and beliefs affected Southern society after the
Civil War. Faulkner particularly abhorred the rampant
racism and abuse that African Americans suffered in 24. As it is used in line 33, the word abhorred most nearly
35 the South. Although Faulkner’s novels do not shy away means:
from describing the brutality and anguish that life can F. greatly enjoyed.
bring, his works are filled with profound compassion G. strongly disliked.
and humor. Faulkner refused to avoid painful or contro- H. firmly believed in.
versial issues and he was intrigued with understanding J. clearly misunderstood.
40 human freedom. His work explores, condemns, and
analyzes obstructions to human freedom and happi- 25. The author suggests which of the following about
ness by examining racism, shame, fear, false pride, Faulkner’s attitude toward racism in the South?
and abstract ideals. Much of Faulkner’s exploration is A. He felt that racism was a necessary evil.
done using brilliant symbolism and exquisite dialogue.
45 For example, his novel The Sound and the Fury, B. He hated racism and sought to expose it in his
published in 1929, dealt with the painful demise of writing.
a distinguished southern family and demonstrated a C. He shied away from any discussion of racism.
rich variety of literary styles, relying most heavily on D. He was not concerned about racism as a social issue.
stream-of-consciousness writing, in which a character’s
50 thoughts are conveyed in a manner roughly akin to the 26. The main emphasis of the fourth paragraph (lines 52–63)
way the human mind actually works. is to:
Faulkner’s mastery of unique literary styles was F. provide support for Faulkner’s belief that he was a
formally recognized when, much to his surprise, he failed author.
was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1949. G. question the claim that Faulkner was a master of
55 Always his own harshest critic, William Faulkner con-
sidered many of his books failures because they did not unique literary styles.
live up to his high expectations. However, it is clear that H. summarize the value and importance of Faulkner’s
Faulkner’s experimental literary techniques simultane- vision as an author.
ously perplexed and challenged his readers, who were J. sharpen the distinction between Faulkner’s different
60 more often than not inspired by his insightful analysis techniques.

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PRACTICE TEST 3 READING TEST 213

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27. With which of the following statements about 29. The author uses the term “counterparts” (line 63) most
Faulkner’s literary style would the author most likely likely in order to:
agree? A. disprove the theory that fictional characters can be
A. It had never been utilized by authors of southern based on real people.
culture. B. reveal the source of Faulkner’s literary methods.
B. It was generally less effective than more traditional C. indicate that Faulkner’s characters were often based
approaches. on real people.
C. It has often been employed by 20th-century authors. D. cast doubt on the idea that readers often identify
D. It was an innovative approach to discussions of with fictional characters.
social issues.
30. Which of the following best states the main purpose of
the passage?
F. To suggest that some writers are more deserving of
major literary awards.
28. The passage states that The Sound and the Fury G. To describe one man’s desire to write about impor-
depicted: tant social issues.
F. the tragic downfall of a respected family. H. To review the use of certain literary devices in best-
G. the profound rise to freedom of Civil War slaves. selling novels.
H. a harsh criticism of William Faulkner. J. To illustrate one author’s understanding of and
J. an inspirational look at southern life. commitment to his craft.

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PASSAGE IV 60 Though many of the features of the comical Yogi
NATURAL SCIENCE: Those Jellystone Bears Bear are likely the result of pure imagination, there
is scientific fact behind at least some of his activities.
Over the years, there have been countless fans Despite his apperance as a brown bear, the distinctive
of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Yogi feeding behaviors of the American black bear match
Bear. The cartoon series enjoyed by young and old 65 remarkably well with the habits of the cartoonish cul-
alike revolved mostly around the misadventures of this prit. The uncanny truth behind little known scientific
5 loveable bear and his sidekick Boo-Boo as they facts such as these should make everyone think twice
attempted to snag “pic-a-nic” baskets in the made-up the next time they sit down to watch Saturday morning
land of Jellystone Park. It’s not often that people think cartoons.
about where the ideas for these cartoons characters
come from, which brings up an interesting point: do
10 bears actually search for food left in picnic baskets
and unattended campsites? Anyone who has watched
an episode of Yogi Bear can see that the bears’ behav-
ior goes far beyond the limits of what is natural. The 31. The main idea of the passage is that:
thing which must be explored, then, is which of those A. cartoon characters should never be based on real
15 humorous antics were license on the part of Hanna- animals.
Barbera, and which were actually based on the bear’s B. bears have some unique eating habits that are
normal behaviors. comically portrayed on television.
Remarkably enough, bears have been known to
seek out food from some unlikely sources, including C. bears are generally solitary creatures, but they
20 picnic baskets, on top of their usual diet of berries, sometimes venture into human habitats.
insects, and fish. Bears work throughout the summer D. there is little scientific data to support the com-
and fall to build up fat stores so as to have energy parison between “Yogi Bear” and the American
enough to last them through their winter hibernations. black bear.
Related to this is their need to replenish their depleted
25 reserves when they wake up in the spring. Food is gen-
erally scarce in the early spring, and consequently they
will gladly indulge in any foods that are high in pro-
teins or fats. This is the main reason for many incidents
involving bears entering campsites in search of food. 32. The passage states that bears maintain large territories
30 Although this behavior may seem strange, it is
no more than the result of nature equipping bears with in order to:
a variety of traits that allow them to remain well fed F. avoid contact with humans.
in increasingly human-populated habitats. Specifically, G. develop stronger social relationships.
the American black bear, Ursus americanus, has color H. ensure that they have enough food.
35 vision and has been observed by scientists using its J. more easily locate abandoned campsites.
color vision to distinguish between varying food items
at close range. On top of this, all bears have an acute
sense of smell and can use their especially sensitive lips
to locate food. These sensory talents contribute to the
40 bears’ remarkably high intelligence and curiosity, giv-
ing them the ability to open closed containers if they 33. The passage states that which of the following is a
believe food is inside. Their exploratory and naviga-
tional skills are also worthy of note—most bears will regular staple of a bear’s diet?
maintain vast territories in order to obtain food from A. Picnic baskets
45 a variety of sources. Bears may even vary their sleep B. Garbage
cycles in areas where there is a large degree of human C. Insects
activity, either feasting on road-side garbage during the D. Small mammals
day or scouring campsites for leftovers at night.
Yet another strange but true comparison is that
50 Yogi and Boo-Boo have developed a social relationship
much like the ones that will form between wild bears
when several animals find themselves sharing a limited
number of food sources. Generally solitary, black bears 34. As it is used in line 37, the word acute most nearly
will create a hierarchical order in situations where paths
55 cross in pursuit of food, so as to assure that all animals means:
remain adequately fed. While it is unlikely that any F. small.
black bears in nature would actually send a cub after a G. sharp.
camper’s lunch, the behavioral relationships that might H. reduced.
inspire the creation of such a story are indeed real. J. abnormal.

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35. According to the passage, which of the following traits 39. What is the main idea of the second paragraph (lines
CANNOT be attributed to bears? 18–29)?
A. Intelligent A. Despite the scarcity of food in the spring, most bears
B. Curiosity avoid human contact.
C. Solitary B. Bears must sometimes supplement their regular
D. Anti-social diets with food found near humans.
C. Bears engage in strange behaviors to maintain social
36. With which of the following statements would the order.
author most likely agree? D. It is important that humans avoid any contact with
F. Bears are particularly resourceful. bears during the summer and fall.
G. Bears cannot tolerate human food.
H. Bears eat voraciously throughout the winter.
J. Bears have only one method of obtaining food.

37. The author mentions all of the following as potential

food sources for bears EXCEPT:
A. garbage.
B. general stores.
C. fish and berries.
D. unattended campsites. 40. One of the main observations made in the next-to-last
paragraph (lines 49–59) is that:
38. The passage suggests that one of the differences F. black bears often rely on their cubs to secure food.
between the American black bear and other bears is the G. black bears will act as a group in order to secure
American black bear’s: food.
F. acute sense of smell. H. black bears are incapable of securing food without
G. abnormal sleep patterns. help from humans.
H. color vision. J. black bears secure food in a manner completely
J. sensitive lips. unique to the species.

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288 PRACTICE TEST 4 READING TEST

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I 45 the ball with speed and hurled himself towards the first
PROSE FICTION: Football Failures defender.
Joe felt the crunch of pads and brought his forearm
A cold wind soothed the faces of the sweaty men under the other man’s shoulder pads. Lifting with his
huddled on the muddy field. The team stared at the goal arms and legs, he threw the lesser player onto his back.
line and focused on the game-ending, season-defining 50 The meager lineman lay stunned for a moment, which
play in front of them. Dusty air filled their lungs with greatly amused Joe, assuming the two yards he had sent
5 each deep heave they mustered. his man back was more than enough to free the rusher
For almost two hours the men had battled their to enter the endzone. This lucid moment lasted but a
opponents on the barren football field. Joe, the center, split second before Joe again lunged toward an upright
could see the coach describing the play to a younger 55 opponent.
player. He was one of the grunts, a lineman, big and tall Joe turned abruptly at the sound of a whistle
10 and eager to push open gaps for the backs. The under- and strained to find the scoring rusher. Something
classman’s labored jog back to the huddle mirrored was wrong. Joe’s teammates stood stunned, staring at
every man’s fatigue. the pile of defensive players who had fallen on their
The quarterback confirmed the play and articu- 60 running back. Referees began pulling men off the heap.
lated it to his team. Joe saw his mouth move but could With only a few men left on the ground, Joe could
15 not hear the words; nonetheless, he knew his blocking see the ball, still in the backfield, and in the arms of
assignment. The hiss of the crowd muffled all sound on an opponent. He heard his coach from the sideline:
the field. Suddenly, Joe picked a voice out of the din, “Fumble? Are you kidding me? I can’t believe you
and turned his attention to his good friend Mark. “This 65 guys!”
is it guys,” Mark was yelling. “We’ve been practicing His men had turned over possession of the ball,
20 for four months this season and for three more years and time ran out on the game. “We had them beat,
before that. It’s time we score and take home a win. you know,” Mark hissed to Joe as they walked slowly
Let’s get it done!” They all clasped hands to break the off the field. “They were dead tired. We should have
huddle and returned to their individual concentration. 70 won the game.” Their one chance was gone and now
Time seemed to drag as the team marched back they had to endure the other team’s celebration on the
25 to the line of scrimmage. Joe glared at his opponents, field. Joe’s team never liked losing, but having come
pleased by the heavy clouds of vapor billowing from so close to a victory that day meant their last-minute
their mouths. Exhaustion was written on their faces defeat would be especially disappointing.
and in their twitchy movements on the line. He turned
his head toward the place in which he wanted to force
30 a gap, then to the defensive end who stood fast with
his hands on his knees, gaze fixed on the ground. Joe
smiled inwardly; he knew his team had beaten the other
with physical play and superior endurance. Time froze 1. Joe would most likely agree with which of the following
as he prepared to snap the ball. statements about the relationship between the players on
35 Joe leaned over carefully and clutched the moist his team?
leather ball. His teammates cautiously took their places A. The players take the game very seriously and spend
right and left, lining up as in countless practice drills, little time interacting with one another.
in perfect order. Like clockwork, too, was each man’s B. Most of the players are excellent friends and main-
thorough examination of the opposing force, scanning
40 back and forth for a gap or a weak player, feeling the tain a lively atmosphere on the field.
opponents’ stares in return. Joe felt the quarterback C. The players work very hard at a common goal and
crouch behind him. The passer’s booming voice still provide support for one another to achieve it.
did not register with Joe, but instinct told him what he D. The players react poorly to their coach’s hostile
needed to know. Three staccato hikes later, he snapped yelling and find strength in their shared objection.

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PRACTICE TEST 4 READING TEST 289

3 3
2. Joe can most accurately be characterized as: 8. It can logically be inferred from the passage that the
F. self-assured and presumptuous. reason the players join hands at the end of a huddle is
G. confident but dismayed. because:
H. amiable but reserved. F. such a ritual draws attention to the quarterback, who
J. engrossed and dedicated. must announce the play.
G. the team must have the right number of players to
3. Which of the following statements does NOT describe execute the play.
one of Joe’s reactions to the events of the final play of H. it reinforces the notion of team purpose and mutual
the game? reliance essential to game play.
A. He glanced around, shocked. J. it alerts players who cannot hear the quarterback to
B. He lunged at his opponents in a blind rage. the end of the huddle.
C. He commiserated with Mark.
D. He trudged off the field with his teammates.

4. The main point of the first paragraph is that:

F. football is a game whose players can get very dirty.
G. the players have all worked hard to arrive at a crucial
point in the game.
H. the long fall sports season can include some cold-
weather days.
J. cool grass fields are ideal surfaces for football 9. A reasonable conclusion Joe draws about his first block
games. is that the block:
A. was particularly effective, leaving ample room for
5. The main point of the last paragraph is that Joe feels: the rusher to score.
A. sad as usual about the loss. B. was insufficient to make a gap for the rusher, who
B. frustrated by his teammates’ lackluster performance ended up fumbling the football.
during the final play. C. was clearly illegal, evident in the way Joe’s thrust
C. guilty that he and his teammates let down the coach. sent the opponent onto his back.
D. dejected by the loss of this important game. D. was not included in the original play.

6. According to the passage, when Joe observes the

opposing defensive line, Joe feels:
F. surprised at their resilience so late in the game.
G. quietly pleased by their signs of weakness.
H. apprehensive about their alignment.
J. pensive over the strategy of the defense.

7. Which of the following statements most accurately

expresses Mark’s feelings after the loss? 10. According to the passage, the reason the final play of
A. Mark was disappointed by the loss, but saw the the game is crucial to the success of the entire season
circumstances that led to it. is that:
B. Mark rejected the loss and held to the belief that F. no game had yet been so closely contested.
they had won. G. pride is at stake during important goal line plays.
C. Mark denied the loss at first, but was convinced by H. the game comes late in the season after many weeks
Joe that it was legitimate. of preparation.
D. Mark is angered by his team’s failure to defeat an J. the defending team appeared fatigued and easy to
inferior team. beat.

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PASSAGE II America left a pervasive cultural footprint on the coun-
SOCIAL SCIENCE: American Influences Abroad try. Although the Japanese people have embraced many
American concepts and products, they have maintained
A tourist walks along a muddy Indonesian street a distinct culture that is rich in the traditions of the past
looking for a souvenir that represents the local culture. 65 but open to Western ideas.
He stops by a small street vendor to look at the goods American commercial and cultural expansion
for sale. What he sees shocks him: T-shirts and posters abroad has created both benefits and problems. In many
5 promoting American football, basketball, and baseball places, there is still no clear picture of the future effects
teams, brand-name American food and drink, and an of Americana.
assortment of other items of Americana.
Although this example may seem surprising, it is
a reality in many countries. American culture has infli-
10 trated many nations around the world that Americans
generally consider the most exoitc. In these places, the 11. According to the first paragraph, the tourist was shocked
importation of American culture—be it by consumer because:
goods, media, or otherwise—is affecting indigenous A. he could not find any souvenirs.
peoples and their traditions. B. he expected to find souvenirs that reflected the local
15 The presence of American culture in other coun- culture.
tries receives mixed reactions. Some people praise
American business or simply find the so-called invasion C. he did not realize that the shops would be so small.
innocuous. American logos appear in quite unexpected D. he had never before been to Indonesia.
places, embodying the ubiquitous American symbols
20 worldwide. The presence of such American food and
retail goods in a foreign market might indicate that
the companies producing them are eager to support
the local economy. American corporate confidence
in a country’s markets can boost additional foreign 12. As it is used in line 19, the word ubiquitous most nearly
25 investment. In many cases, the populations of devel- means:
oping countries and highly industrialized and modern F. very expensive.
nations have embraced Americana. G. supportive.
Many other people reject what has been called H. far-reaching.
American “cultural imperialism.” Some sociologists,
30 anthropologists, and cultural experts lament the steady J. localized.
decline of distinct national, ethnic, and cultural iden-
tities as omnipresent American influences overpower
ancient traditions and beliefs.
For example, Mexico and the United States have
35 often had a tense relationship unhelped by the language
barrier. Regardless, there has been an overwhelming 13. According to the passage, some people reject Americana
influx of American ideas and products into Mexico. because:
Look to the typical Mexico tourist resort. Only about A. it boosts foreign investment in local economies.
fifty years ago the sleepy towns were still untouched by B. it modernizes the infrastructure of aging communi-
40 commercial development. They held their local culture ties.
close. Now, however, grand international hotels tower C. it pays wages that local businesses cannot compete
above the traditional colonial architecture. A walk
down a main thoroughfare in a tourist town could reveal with.
a plethora of American businesses. The local cantinas D. it dilutes indigenous cultures.
45 and native boutiques are losing the battle against large
American corporations.
Despite these issues, however, many other experts
have applauded the spread of American institutions
across the world. They point to jobs created, as well
50 as the modernization of infrastructure that comes with 14. According to the passage, the spread of American influ-
American commerce. They explain that these things ences resulted in which of the following in certain
will help bring lesser-developed nations into the mod- foreign countries?
ern world and help to decrease poverty and other I. Increased number of jobs
social ailments. In fact, many of the jobs offered by II. Modernized infrastructure
55 American companies pay handsomely compared to the
local market’s average wage. III. Decline in tourism
Furthermore, some experts point to Japan as a F. I only
prime example of where American involvement has G. II only
been beneficial. After helping to rebuild the country H. I and II only
60 both politically and economically after World War II, J. II and III only

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15. The passage suggests that tourist resorts in Mexico: 18. As it is used in line 30, the word lament most nearly
A. remain unaffected by American influences. means:
B. are struggling to maintain their cultural identity. F. embrace.
C. can only benefit from the influence of American G. enjoy.
ideas. H. deny.
D. have never been so popular with Americans. J. regret.

16. The passage indicates about America’s influence on

Japanese culture that it:
F. was detrimental to the Japanese economy. 19. According to the passage, the Indonesian street vendor
G. led to a harmonious blend of American and Japanese sold:
ideas. A. American sports memorabilia.
H. had no direct effect on Japanese politics. B. only goods manufactured in Indonesia.
J. put Japan at a distinct disadvantage in relation to C. souvenirs unsuitable for Americans.
other Asian countries. D. trinkets imported from the surrounding countries.

17. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that,

if American cultural influences continue to infiltrate
foreign markets, those markets: 20. It can be reasonably inferred from the last paragraph
I. will experience unlimited economic growth. that:
II. will not be able to maintain their unique F. American expansion abroad continues to benefit
identities. some nations.
III. could either benefit from or be harmed by such G. American expansion abroad will likely decline in
influences. the future.
A. I only H. American expansion abroad causes more problems
B. II only than it solves.
C. III only J. American expansion abroad will not be supported
D. I and II only by either Japan or Mexico.

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PASSAGE III 60 Many other styles of painting evolved from the
HUMANITIES: Artistic Styles Explored first descendants of Impressionism. Cubism, Abstract
Art, Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Mod-
Many of us have looked at a great work of art ernism, and a host of other styles have all expanded
and wondered how a person is able to paint or draw the range of acceptable artistic expression and allowed
something so lifelike and emotive. We see the mas- 65 artists to explore new and creative ways in which to
terpieces of painters such as Monet or Picasso and express themselves and their points of view. Each style
5 wonder what stirred these men to put brush to canvas has distinct ways of interpreting the world and depict-
so delicately. Most of an artist’s greatness lies in his or ing it in art. Although some have similarities, they all
her natural ability and practice of technique, but other are unique and distinguishable from one another. For
factors affect the work an artist produces. The trained 70 example, one tableau may reflect the world through
eye knows that even the smallest of details can have a rigid geometric figures while another may show life in
10 powerful impact on the meaning of an artist’s work. smooth black curves.
A formal style is among the most apparent traits of One consequence of the spread of different artistic
a work of art. One of the first popular styles was known styles is the wide variety of art people enjoy today.
as Realism. Paintings from this school focused on 75 While some favor one style over another, it is important
depicting real life unembellished with fanciful notions that these styles coexist, because a variety of techniques
15 or feelings. Realism traces its roots to ancient Rome, and opinions is the ideal environment for the evolution
where artists attempted to depict their leaders in ways of art.
that did not glamorize or gloss over unattractive phys-
ical attributes. This approach became unpopular after
a while for many different reasons, but was revived 21. As it is used in line 3, the word emotive most nearly
20 during the Renaissance. For the next several centuries, means:
Western artists attempted to portray life as realistically
as possible. A. inciting to action.
In the late 19th century, a rebellion against Real- B. expressing emotion.
ism arose in response to the rigidity and staleness some C. inducing impassiveness.
25 saw in the style. As a result, many artists began paint- D. defining artistry.
ing in the Impressionist style, which allowed for more
creativity. Monet and Manet, two prominent painters,
used this style of painting, characterized by its subtle
use of light and color to create a dreamlike quality in
30 scenes of the natural world. 22. The author mentions all of the following as adaptations
Impressionist painters use small brush strokes of Impressionism EXCEPT:
with unmixed primary colors to simulate reflected light. F. Modernism.
The result is a picture that appears hazy, leaving a gen- G. Cubism.
eral “impression” upon the viewer. The large number H. Realism.
35 of young painters who took up Impressionism resulted J. Expressionism.
in it being a very vigorous and contentious school of
thought. Impressionistic style is still popular with both
art collectors and museum-goers.
Several new styles grew out of the Impressionist
40 movement that actually rejected all or some of the 23. The author suggests that Realists were most interested
beliefs held by Impressionists. Some of these styles in depicting:
became schools of thought in their own right, while A. ancient Romans as glamorous figures.
others simply existed as one artist’s trademark way of B. people and places as they actually appeared.
painting. Post-Impressionism is one example of a style C. unattractive physical attributes of Western artists.
45 that grew out of the naturalistic form of Impression- D. the dreamlike quality of the real world.
ism. Post-impressionism uses form and color to reflect
art in a more personal and subjective way than did its
predecessor.
Another style that grew out of Impressionism was
50 Pointillism. Georges Seurat led this movement, which 24. The main emphasis of the second paragraph (lines
emphasized the application of paint in small dots and 11–22) regarding the Realist approach is that:
brush strokes to create the effect of blending and F. despite fluctuations in its popularity, it is an endur-
luminosity. ing style.
Vincent Van Gogh, a well-known artist, adapted
55 Impressionism to his own unique method. Although a G. it regained popularity during the Renaissance.
real school of thought never followed his style of paint- H. it was the only formal style of painting in ancient
ing, he is nonetheless regarded as a brilliant painter for Rome.
his use of bold, bright colors and even larger and bolder J. while it was popular during the Renaissance, it fell
brush strokes. out of favor shortly thereafter.

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25. Which of the following best states the main point of the 28. The author claims that Impressionism:
passage? F. was unable to expand the range of artistic expres-
A. Painters must adapt to a changing world. sion.
B. Artistic styles have evolved over the years. G. was the precursor of both Realism and Pointillism.
C. Some styles of painting are more popular than H. paved the way for many other creative artistic styles.
others. J. evolved from other styles, such as Abstract Art and
D. Artists often change their styles based on popular Cubism.
demand.
29. The author of the passage indicates that Post-
26. As it is used in line 43, the phrase “artist’s trademark” Impressionism, as compared to Impressionism, is:
most nearly means: A. more personal.
F. prime example. B. less subjective.
G. legal background. C. less natural.
H. formal training. D. more vigorous.
J. unique style.
30. According to the passage, artists rebeled against Real-
27. The passage suggests that Impressionist painters: ism because:
A. rejected Realism. F. it used light and color to embellish the real world.
B. were unpopular. G. it traced its roots to ancient Rome.
C. embraced Realism. H. it glossed over the true feelings of the artists.
D. were rigid and stale. J. it did not allow for freedom of artistic expression.

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PASSAGE IV 60 other important contributions to the field of genetics,
NATURAL SCIENCE: Heredity and Gene-linkage: A Pos- led to his being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology
sible Relationship or Medicine in 1933.
Current research exploring the significance of
The ability of every organism on earth to repro- linked genes reveals that many factors affect the trans-
duce is the hallmark of life. Reproduction can be either 65 mission of certain traits from parents to offspring. The
asexual, involving a single parent, or sexual, involving location of genes on a particular chromosome is but one
two parents. Sexual reproduction begets offspring that of a multitude of determinants involved in whether or
5 inherit half of their genes from each parent. This trans- not a characteristic will be inherited.
mission of genes from one generation to the next is
called heredity.
Each hereditary unit, the gene, contains specific
encoded information that translates into an organism’s
10 inherited traits. Inherited traits range from hair color,
to height to susceptibility to disease. Genes are actu-
ally segments of the DNA molecule, and it is the 31. The main idea of the passage is that:
precise replication of DNA that produces copies of A. fruit flies are excellent experimental organisms.
genes that can be passed from parents to offspring. B. chromosomes contain many different genes.
15 DNA is subdivided into chromosomes that each include C. the position of genes on a given chromosome can
hundreds or thousands of genes. The specific traits or affect the inheritance of certain traits.
characteristics of each offspring depend on the arrange- D. linked genes are primarily responsible for all of
ment and combination of the chromosomes supplied by the mutations associated with body color and wing
both parents. shape.
20 Genes located on the same chromosome tend to
be inherited together. Transmission of these so-called
linked genes can affect the inheritance of two dif-
ferent characteristics. Thomas Hunt Morgan was the
first biologist to associate specific genes with specific
25 chromosomes. In the early 20th century, Morgan
selected a species of fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster,
on which to study his genetic theory. The fruit fly is a 32. The passage states that a hereditary unit is called:
prolific breeder, producing hundreds of offspring in a
single mating. In addition, the fruit fly has only four F. a chromosome.
30 pairs of easily distinguishable chromosomes, making G. a gene.
it the ideal experimental organism. Soon after Morgan H. an organism.
commenced working with Drosophila, he began to J. a characteristic.
notice variations in certain traits.
For example, Morgan noticed that the natural
35 characteristics of Drosophila included gray bodies
and normal wings. However, mutant examples of
these characteristics sometimes appeared; these flies
had black bodies, and much smaller, vestigial wings.
Morgan crossed female flies that appeared normal, but
40 carried the mutant genes, with males that exhibited the 33. The passsage states that all of the following are exam-
mutations. He expected the offspring to include equal ples of inherited traits EXCEPT:
numbers of gray flies with normal wings, black flies A. hair color.
with vestigial wings, gray flies with vestigial wings, B. molecules.
and black flies with normal wings. What he found was C. height.
45 a disproportionate number of gray flies with normal D. disease susceptibility.
wings and black flies with vestigial wings, which sug-
gested to him that the genes for body color and wing
size are transmitted together from parents to offspring
because they are located on the same chromosome and
50 must be somehow linked.
Additional research conducted by Morgan on
D. melanogaster demonstrated that many, often spon-
taneous mutations occur across generations. These
observations, together with the results of experiments 34. As it is used in line 28, the word prolific most nearly
55 carried out to test his theory on linked genes, led means:
Morgan to postulate that the location of the genes on F. easily distinguishable.
the chromosomes contributes to the likelihood of any G. characteristically ideal.
given gene being transmitted from parent to offspring. H. clearly superior.
This theory of linear arrangement, along with Morgan’s J. highly productive.

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35. According to the passage, asexual reproduction 39. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?
involves: A. Current research into the effects of linked genes is
A. two parents. insufficient.
B. either one or two parents. B. The location of genes on a chromosome is not
C. one parent. important to the transmission of genetic material
D. no parents. from parent to offspring.
C. Certain characteristics will never be inherited, due
36. With which of the following statements would the to their association with linked genes.
author most likely agree? D. The transmission of genetic material is affected
F. There is still much to learn about the way in which by more than simply the location of genes on a
genes are transmitted. chromosome.
G. It is no longer necessary to study the effects of
linked genes.
H. The Drosophila melanogaster is the best organism
on which to experiment for all genetic research.
J. All genes that are located on the same chromosome
are somehow linked.

37. What, according to the passage, was the primary rea-

son that Thomas Hunt Morgan chose to experiment on
Drosophila melanogaster?
A. It had many easily distinguishable chromosomes.
B. It was able to produce many offspring in a short
period of time.
C. It exhibited many different mutations.
D. It was the only organism that had linked genes.

38. The passage suggests that mutant genes: 40. According to the passage, if the genes for blue eyes and
F. are always apparent in an organism’s physical brown hair are located on the same chromosome:
characteristics. F. none of the offspring will have both blue eyes and
G. can sometimes be suppressed, causing the organism brown hair.
to appear normal. G. all of the offspring will have both blue eyes and
H. are never transmitted from parent to offspring. brown hair.
J. can clearly be seen on the chromosomes on which H. both of the traits are considered mutations.
they are located. J. a certain number of offspring will inherit both traits.

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I creek feeds a large pump that draws the water through a
PROSE FICTION: The Lessons of Wilderness Living 45 particulate filter and into a large holding tank. A much
smaller pipe takes some of this water through a series
Members of modern society are fortunate to enjoy of purification devices. Inside, every sink has three
many conveniences once unheard of or reserved for the taps: two blue and one red. Guests are used to the blue
elite. Imagine, if you can, only one day without running ones, drinkable hot and cold water, but the red one
water. It strains the mind to think of all the daily rituals 50 always requires an explanation. My contribution over
5 one would have to change if the tap suddenly went dry. the summer was to design a sign for each sink explain-
People today take electricity for granted, too. Lately, ing the ways one could use the unpurified water from
I’ve realized that while reliance on modern technol- the red tap that came directly from the holding tank.
ogy can improve the efficiency and quality of life, it Showering and cleaning are the most important uses,
also keeps people from learning meaningful lessons 55 but “red” water is also useful for the garden or to give to
10 about living with the earth. The conservation ethics the dogs.
that I gained this summer while working at a hunting The roof of the lodge is layered with solar cells
lodge I could not have learned elsewhere. to take advantage of the bright, clear summer sky.
The lodge is located on a massive, little known On average, the 10-room lodge can generate the
lake in northern Canada, closer to the Arctic Circle than 60 same amount of power as a conventional two-bedroom
15 it is to the U.S. border. Every spring, the lodge reopens apartment uses. Naturally, this poses challenges. The
to welcome scores of dedicated anglers itching to dip biggest conservation measure I could see was total lack
a line in the nearby pristine creeks. By summer, the of electronics, with the exception of the computer in
small lodge fills to capacity with eager hunters. On the the back office, which I’ve never seen turned on. The
guided treks, these men and women primarily chase 65 ceiling of every room has a large skylight, eliminating
20 migratory birds and caribou, but I have seen plenty of the need for electric light during the day. At night, a
other unique game come back to the lodge kitchen for limited set of high-efficiency fluorescent bulbs illumi-
preparation. Every hunter agrees that what one finds nates the corridors and public spaces. Staff is equipped
at the lodge is a truly luxurious hunting experience. with flashlights for use in closets, outside, or in other
Many people are surprised to find the lodge is totally 70 unlit spaces. Interestingly, the low lighting seems to
25 self-sufficient, with the exception of the food staples it foster an “early to bed, early to rise” mentality among
receives by small airplane. For a whole season, I was the guests, who always rave about how rested they feel
“off the grid,” totally dependent on the lodge to provide after a week’s stay.
me with heat, light, water, and sanitation. Guests and staff alike stay warm with heavy
When I asked the owner why he built his 75 woolen blankets, or, as my boss once quipped,
30 modern-looking log lodge so far beyond the reach of “personal insulating devices.” A full-circle fireplace in
civilization, he replied, “I didn’t really like hunting the center heats the main space. Smoke floats up the
anywhere the sewer line ran.” Or electricity or tele- chimney while the heavy stainless steel hood reflects
phone or the water main, I thought to myself. The boss heat to all corners of the room. When guests close their
is a peculiar man, but I see why he had no reservations 80 room doors at night, they can barely hear the high-
35 about setting up shop so deep in the wilderness. He speed electric impellers that draw warmth from the fire
had learned to love it years ago when he was an elite into the rooms.
mountain soldier in the army. He always mentioned The lodge is a model of efficiency in an often-
that life wasn’t as difficult in the sub-arctic wilderness unforgiving territory. My summer there taught me to
as people think. Of course, he had a lodge to run, and 85 budget more carefully my consumption of water and
40 not everyone was as hardy as he. His creative solutions power. It is such discipline that will be necessary
to the lack of infrastructure are impressive. in the future when costs of these commodities might
The first necessity of employees and guests is be so high that civilization can no longer take their
clean water for cooking, eating, and washing. A nearby abundance for granted.

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1. Which of the following disadvantages of modern utili- 7. What does the narrator suggest is a central characteristic
ties is best supported by the details in the passage? of modern society’s water and power consumption?
A. Public water and electricity are currently very A. Temperance
expensive. B. Resourcefulness
B. Utility commodities might eventually run out. C. Exorbitance
C. Public utility lines reinforce the divide between D. Caution
densely populated cities and sparse wilderness.
D. Municipal water and electricity are taken for
granted, so most people never learn to live without
them.

2. One can reasonably infer from the passage that a person

who were to drink from a red tap would most likely:
F. prefer cooler water.
G. have to become accustomed to water with added
chlorine or fluoride. 8. As it is used in line 27, the word grid most likely means:
H. be disappointed by the low pressure. F. roadway system.
J. risk falling ill from waterborne pathogens. G. map.
H. utility system.
3. Given the way he is presented in the passage, the boss J. populated land.
of the lodge can best be described as:
A. sheltered and timid.
B. vain and insincere.
C. eccentric and enterprising.
D. brash and calculating

4. The narrator’s comment about “luxurious” hunts

(lines 22–23) refers to trips that:
F. provide amenities such as gourmet food.
G. are all-inclusive, where no one need bring personal 9. The boss would most likely agree with which of the
equipment. following characterizations of his lodge?
H. expose hunters to an unusual variety of game. A. It is rustic, unrefined, and occasionally uncomfort-
J. educate guests on arctic ecology as they hunt. able.
B. It retains its wilderness charm in spite of concessions
5. The second and third paragraphs suggest that, if not for to some modern conveniences.
the need to host a variety of guests, the boss would C. It establishes an oasis in the barren North for guests
prefer: demanding luxury.
A. a lodge closer to city services. D. It focuses on premium lodging, with some guests
B. a more modest lodge with fewer creature comforts. choosing to participate in guided hunts.
C. a large hunting estate with modern improvements.
D. a wilderness skills training facility.

6. Which of the following conclusions about the relation-

ship between the narrator and the boss is best supported
by the details in the passage?
F. The narrator does not fully grasp the boss’s rationale
for having such an isolated lodge, but admires his
ingenuity nonetheless.
G. The boss largely ignores the narrator and the rest of 10. It is most reasonable to infer from the passage that the
the workforce, focusing instead on the guests, but creeks near the lodge are pristine because:
the narrator does not resent him for it. F. they teem with fish.
H. The boss is very shy and the narrator obliges him G. the lodge only draws water from one of them.
with privacy. H. civilization is not present to alter or pollute them.
J. The narrator is an inquisitive person whose frequent J. many specialty fishes can be readily caught in their
questions irritate the boss. waters.

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PASSAGE II as numerous troops returned home and polio epidemics
SOCIAL SCIENCE: A Cure for Polio once again increased, attention was turned back to this
dreaded disease. Finally, a breakthrough occurred dur-
In the early twentieth century, no other disease ing the early 1950s when a medical researcher named
caused as much fear and anxiety in the United States 65 Jonas Salk developed an effective vaccine using the
as paralytic poliomyelitis. Paralytic poliomyelitis, tissue culture method. Salk discovered that injecting
more commonly known as polio, was a particularly elements of the dead polio virus into healthy patients
5 devastating disease because of its effect on children. was effective, because vaccinated patients would build
Many children stricken with polio became permanently antibodies against the dead virus. These acquired
confined to wheelchairs or died at a very early age. 70 antibodies prevented any future infection.
It was during the summer of 1916 that Americans Later, another medical researcher named Albert
first realized that polio was a threatening and Sabin developed an even easier method of distributing
10 deadly disease. As a virus, polio seemed to spread the vaccine. Sabin’s vaccine became known as the oral
most quickly and easily during the summer months. polio vaccine. This innovation eliminated the use of
Throughout that fateful summer, New York City expe- 75 needles; the vaccine was administered by mouth. Chil-
rienced a polio epidemic that killed 9,000 people and dren had no difficulty tolerating the vaccine because
left 27,000 paralyzed. it was infiltrated into a sugar cube. By 1955, the Salk
15 Even though polio was not a new disease, med- vaccination trials were deemed successful. The gov-
ical experts around the turn of the century were still ernment quickly established a program to administer
uncertain about how to prevent it. While it is difficult 80 vaccines to everyone in the country. By the early 1960s,
to determine polio’s first appearance in history, various the oral Sabin vaccine replaced the Salk injections. The
accounts of lameness and paralysis suggest that polio Sabin vaccine was a live, attenuated virus that provided
20 can be traced back to early Egypt. It was probably longer-lasting effects. By 1964, only 121 cases of polio
not until 1908, when two Austrian physicians identi- were reported. This was a dramatic decrease from the
fied the submicroscopic virus, that scientists began to 85 58,000 cases reported in 1952.
have an accurate understanding of the disease. Until While the scourge of polio is well under control in
1908, conditions such as overheating, chilling, and the United States, it is still a dangerous disease world-
25 even teething were thought to cause polio’s symptoms. wide. Polio is especially a threat in more remote and
Some scientists and doctors even believed that diseases undeveloped countries. In addition, 500,000 Americans
such as whooping cough and pneumonia were the cause 90 continue to live with the effects of childhood polio
of polio. infections that began decades ago.
For many decades, polio research centered on
30 treating symptoms as well as developing a vaccine
to prevent polio. There was no known cure for peo- 11. According to the passage, the most significant effects
ple already infected with polio, so doctors focused on
managing the disease’s debilitating effects. Scientists of the polio epidemic in America were on:
and doctors concentrated on making the polio patient A. the development of government programs.
35 more comfortable and preventing fatalities. During the B. children stricken with the disease.
1920s, the iron lung became a common device used C. the medical community that attempted to cure polio.
to assist polio patients in breathing. When using the D. public involvement in promoting the vaccine.
iron lung, patients would lie in a metal, human-sized
tank for long periods of time. Sometimes, polio patients
40 would have to continue this treatment their entire lives.
Serum therapy was also attempted. During this type of
treatment, polio victims would receive doses of serum 12. As it is used in the passage (line 33) the word debilitat-
extracted from polio-recovered monkeys, humans, and ing most nearly means:
even horses. After nearly 20 years of research and trials, F. invigorating.
45 serum therapy was finally abandoned and deemed G. crippling.
unsuccessful. H. coercing.
In the medical field, other debates occurred J. revitalizing.
regarding the proper treatment of polio patients. Ini-
tially, it was thought that diseased limbs should be
50 immobilized and even placed in casts. In addition,
polio patients were prescribed complete bed rest. How-
ever, other theories suggested that paralyzed arms 13. According to the information presented in the passage,
and legs should be wrapped in hot compresses and what would likely have happened if the iron lung had
exercised regularly to prevent muscular atrophy. This not been invented?
55 latter approach soon became typical protocol because
it seemed to relieve some pain and discomfort. A. Some polio patients would have perished more
During World War II, the effort to cure and prevent quickly.
polio in the United States was stalled because medical B. Paralysis in children would have worsened.
researchers became more involved with military issues C. Patients would not have received proper bed rest.
60 and diseases overseas. However, at the end of the War, D. Muscular atrophy would not have been prevented.

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14. According to the passage, why did medical research first 18. It can be reasonably inferred that the author would prob-
focus on the treatment of polio’s symptoms, instead of ably consider which of the following to be most similar
the disease itself? to the discussion of polio in the passage?
F. Scientists and medical experts did not understand F. Malnutrition and starvation in developing countries.
the cause of polio. G. Researching and developing a cure for cancer.
G. A cure for the debilitating disease had recently been H. Obesity in the United States.
discovered. J. Social security deficits leading to poverty.
H. Funds were not available from the government to
develop a cure for polio.
J. Medical researchers were fearful of working with
the polio virus.

15. As it is used in the fifth paragraph, the phrase “became

typical protocol” implies that:
A. the most common practice for treating polio became 19. According to the passage, which of the following is
widely accepted. NOT true regarding polio?
B. medical experts debated with scientists regarding A. One of the most incapacitating effects of polio was
the proper treatment of polio. the fact that it made it difficult to breathe properly.
C. doctors and scientists had yet to discover an effec- B. Whooping cough and pneumonia were both thought
tive polio treatment. to be caused by polio infection.
D. there was no consistent or widespread treatment for C. The season and time of year seemed to have an
those infected with polio. impact on the spread of the crippling disease.
D. Children seemed to bear the brunt of the attack of
16. Based on the passage, the author’s discussion of the the polio virus.
polio virus emphasizes the:
F. consequential debate about dead versus live viruses
for vaccines.
G. competition among medical researchers to develop
a cure.
H. complexity of the disease and the difficulty in
discovering a cure. 20. Based on the overall tone of the passage, which of the
J. lack of understanding in the medical community following statements best summarizes the author’s per-
about curing diseases. spective on the effects of the American polio epidemic
of the early 1900s?
17. The information in the passage primarily suggests that: F. There is virtually no residual evidence of the epi-
A. the Salk vaccine was not truly successful. demic today.
B. Salk and Sabin had strong disagreements over a G. Polio continues to be a silent threat to American
polio cure. children.
C. the Salk vaccine paved the way for the Sabin oral H. The cure for polio may be temporary and prove
vaccine. ineffective in the future.
D. the use of a live virus is always better in developing J. Thousands of Americans continue to live with the
a vaccine. effects of polio.

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PASSAGE III wood, fire, metal, and earth. Each of these elements
HUMANITIES: Mythology of the Chinese Zodiac occurs two years in a row, in balance with the Yang and
Yin, the governing forces of all things. Even numbered
Everyday, one takes for granted the ease of finding years are considered Yang, and odd numbered years
out what date it is. This is simplified to such a great 65 are considered Yin. When all factors are combined, a
degree by following the Gregorian calendar, based on sixty-year repeating calendar results, the current cycle
the solar cycle, which keeps track of 365.25 days of which began in 1984.
5 each year. This has not always been the case, how- Despite its complexity, the Calendar is followed
ever. In ancient China, the calendar was based on the to a certain degree, and the Chinese New Year is
lunar cycle, and consisted of a repeating twelve-year 70 celebrated by many. Primary among the great astrolog-
sequence, each named for a different animal. ical purposes to the Zodiac is the common belief that
The origin of the twelve animals is mythological, the animal that governs the time of a person’s birth will
10 with the story being passed down from generation to influence that person’s personality for life. Whether or
generation. A common telling of the tale recounts a not that is true is a matter of debate that is sure to
celebration to honor the Jade Emperor; all of the ani- 75 continue for many years to come.
mals were expected to pay tribute to him on the night
of the New Year and the first twelve to arrive would
15 receive a great distinction. 21. The passage primarily emphasizes the idea that:
In order to reach the Emperor’s Palace, the ani- A. the animals that are included in the Chinese Zodiac
mals were required to cross a fast-moving river. The calendar all had to find ways to reach the Emperor’s
cunning rat arrived first, climbed atop the ox, who was Palace.
a much stronger swimmer than the rat, and jumped off B. the Chinese Zodiac calendar is correct in the long
20 of the ox right before reaching shore, so as to win the run, but somewhat distorted on a year-to-year basis.
race. The ox received second place, followed shortly C. the Chinese Zodiac calendar is surrounded by myths
thereafter by the tiger – the strength of both animals
allowed them to finish quickly. The rabbit followed, and legends that still permeate Chinese society
with his agility, by jumping from stone to stone across today.
25 the river. Next came the mighty and majestic dragon, D. according to the Chinese Zodiac, the animal one
who flew across the river. When asked why he was is born under will directly influence that person’s
not first, he replied that he needed to make rain for personality.
the people of Earth and was thus delayed. His kind-
ness earned him the fifth place in the cycle. During the
30 dragon’s explanation there was a galloping sound, sig- 22. The passage begins with the phrase “Everyday, one
naling the arrival of the horse. Suddenly, hidden coiled takes for granted the ease of finding out what date it is”
around the leg of the horse, appeared the snake – nearly primarily to:
as cunning as the rat – who darted in front of the horse F. draw the distinction between the ease of today’s
taking sixth place. The horse settled for seventh, just Gregorian calendar and the complexity of the
35 as a raft reached the shore with three more animals. Chinese Zodiac calendar.
The sheep (eighth), the monkey (ninth), and the rooster G. emphasize to the reader how effortless it is to use the
(tenth) had worked together to build a raft and traverse Chinese Zodiac calendar to determine the current
the river using their combined efforts. For this show date.
of teamwork they were rewarded in the order that they
40 stepped off of the raft. Next to arrive was the dog, who H. inform the reader that using a solar cycle to create
was met with questioning looks. Supposedly the best a calendar is the simplest way to discern what the
swimmer, the dog’s lateness was due to his taking a current date is.
bath in the refreshing waters of the river. His vanity J. downplay the fact that the Chinese Zodiac calendar
nearly cost him the race. Lastly was the lazy pig, who has a varying number of days each year while the
45 stopped on the other side of the river for a feast before Gregorian calendar does not.
a attempted to cross, and was so weighed down by its
meal that it arrived only moments before the Emperor
declared the race to be finished. 23. In the context of the passage, the phrase “His vanity
Missing from this list of animals is the cat. Sadly, nearly cost him the race,” suggests that the dog:
50 he was a victim of the rat’s cunning; the day before the A. felt that the water was so refreshing, he had no
race the rat informed the cat that he would awaken him choice but to bathe in it whether it lost him the race
prior to the race, so as to allow the cat to rest and save or not.
its strength for the race. The day of the race arrived, B. intended to look his best and be his cleanest when he
and the cat continued to sleep while the rat took his reached the palace, in order to honor the Emperor.
55 spot atop the ox. When the cat awoke, the race was
finished, and it has hated the rat for what it did ever C. forgot that he was in a race to reach the Emperor’s
since. Palace until he saw the pig approaching the river-
Beyond the twelve-year distinctions that the ani- bank.
mals of the Zodiac lend to the calendar, there is an D. prioritized his egotistical impulses over his desire to
60 additional ten-year overlay of five elements: water, reach the Emperor’s Palace on time.

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24. As it is used throughout the passage, the word cunning 28. According to the passage, all of the following are true
most nearly means: regarding the animals that reached the Emperor’s Palace
F. ingenuity. EXCEPT:
G. dependability. F. the rabbit was very nimble in crossing the river and
H. apprehension. made it across quite easily.
J. tolerance. G. the tiger’s vigor allowed him to swim across the
river effortlessly.
25. According to the passage, which of the following would H. the snake wound himself around the dragon’s leg to
NOT be a possible year of the Chinese Zodiac? reach the end of the race.
A. Wood, Yang, dragon, 3028 J. the pig narrowly reached the end of the race to the
B. Yin, fire, pig, 3029 Emperor’s Palace.
C. Rat, earth, Yang, 3052
D. Metal, Yin, tiger, 3030.
29. As it is used in line 9, the word mythological most
26. The narrator uses the example of the cat in the passage
closely means:
(lines 49–57) most likely in order to:
A. legitimate.
F. accentuate the fact that many animals strove to
B. bona fide.
earn the Emperor’s distinction but only a select few
C. ludicrous.
attained it.
D. legendary.
G. highlight the fact that the rat was very shrewd and
was only out for himself in the race to the Emperor’s
Palace.
H. offer proof that the cat was one of the most indolent 30. It can be reasonably inferred from the passage’s last
animals and therefore did not deserve the Emperor’s sentence that the narrator:
great distinction. F. believes that the Chinese Zodiac influences the per-
J. provide proof that, in actuality, the ox preferred the sonality of those who believe in the astrology of the
companionship of the rat to that of the cat. Chinese Zodiac system.
G. does not have a rigid stance on the multitude of
27. It can be inferred from the passage that the Emperor elements composing the Chinese Zodiac calendar
most highly valued what traits among the animals? and how these elements affect people.
A. Deceitfulness and compassion. H. thinks that calendars are too intricate to ever fully
B. Goodwill and narcissism. grasp how and when the days of each year occur.
C. Generosity and unanimity. J. is undecided as to whether or not the Chinese Zodiac
D. Gluttony and collaboration. system really has an effect on the calendar year.

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PASSAGE IV 60 chimpanzees by killing prey. Chimpanzees may also
NATURAL SCIENCE: The Eating Habits of Related use meat as a political tool to punish rivals and reward
Primates friends. However, a study also shows that female chim-
panzees that receive large portions of meat after a hunt
Scientists know very little about the eating habits have healthier and stronger offspring. This indicates
of our ancestors who lived over two and a half million 65 that there might be reproductive benefits to eating meat
years ago. To solve this problem, scientists have started as well.
examining chimpanzees’ hunting behavior and diet to The information that scientists have been able to
5 find clues about our own prehistoric past. gather regarding chimpanzee hunting behavior is shed-
It is not difficult to determine why studying chim- ding some light on the eating habits of our ancestors.
panzees might be beneficial. Modern humans and 70 Further investigation is needed, however, to pro-
chimpanzees are actually very closely related. Experts vide stronger evidence regarding this aspect of man’s
believe that chimpanzees share about 98.5 percent of prehistoric past.
10 our DNA sequence. If this is true, humans are more
closely related to chimpanzees than to any other animal
species.
In the early 1960s, Dr. Jane Goodall began 31. The main purpose of the passage is to:
studying chimpanzees in Tanzania. Before the 1960s, A. explore biological and physiological similarities
15 scientists believed that chimpanzees were strict
vegetarians. It was Goodall who first reported that meat between humans and chimpanzees.
was a natural part of the chimpanzee diet. In fact, B. examine the hunting behavior and diet of chim-
Goodall discovered that chimpanzees are actually very panzees and compare them to similar human
proficient hunters. Individual chimpanzees have been activity.
20 known to hunt and eat more than 150 small animals C. discuss the health benefits of hunting and eating
each year. Among the chimpanzees’ favorite prey are meat while simultaneously predicting the effect of
the red colobus monkey, feral pig, and various small these behaviors on chimpanzee offspring.
antelope species. The red colobus monkey is one of the D. bring attention to the pioneering research of
most important animals in the chimpanzees’ diet. In one Dr. Jane Goodall in Tanzania.
25 notable study, the red colobus monkey accounted for
more than 80 percent of the animals eaten by one group
of chimpanzees.
Despite these findings, scientists still maintain that 32. It can be inferred from the passage that chimpanzees:
chimpanzees are mostly fruit-eating creatures. In fact, F. find that the red colobus monkey is the easiest prey
30 meat composes only about 3 percent of the chimpanzee to hunt.
diet. This is substantially less than the quantity of meat G. only hunt when no other plant food is available.
consumed by the average human. Studies show that
chimpanzees do most of their hunting in the dry season. H. hunt only during the dry season when other food
August and September appear to be the most popular sources are scarce.
35 months for hunting. During the dry season, food short- J. vary their diet depending on environmental factors.
ages in the forest cause the chimpanzees’ body weight
to drop. Consequently, chimpanzees supplement their
diets with meat. During the height of the dry season, the
estimated meat intake is about 65 grams of meat per day 33. According to the passage, the word proficient (line 19)
40 for adult chimpanzees. This is comparable to the quan- most nearly means:
tity of meat eaten by modern human societies whose A. skilled.
members forage when other food sources are scarce. B. individual.
The chimpanzees’ eating habits also closely resemble C. incompetent.
those of the early human hunter-gatherers. D. important.
45 Humans and chimpanzees are the only members
of the Great Ape family that hunt and eat meat on a
regular basis. However, like chimpanzees, humans are
not truly carnivorous creatures. In fact, most ancient 34. According to the passage, which of the following state-
humans ate a diet composed mostly of plants, and even ments regarding the eating habits of chimpanzees is
50 modern humans are considered omnivores because they true?
eat fruits, vegetables, and meat. F. Chimpanzee eating habits cannot be studied in
Most people assume that food choices are based the wild.
solely on nutritional costs and benefits. Although it G. Chimpanzee eating habits are directly influenced
is clear that the hunting habits of chimpanzees are
55 guided mostly by nutritional needs, some aspects of the by social factors.
chimpanzees’ behavior are not well explained by nutri- H. It is not possible to determine the exact diet of
tion alone. Researchers suggest that chimpanzees might chimpanzees.
hunt for social gain. For instance, a male chimpanzee J. Chimpanzee eating habits are not related to those
might try to demonstrate his competence to other male of humans.

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35. Based on the context of the passage, the author most 38. It can be inferred from the passage that ancient humans
likely makes the comparison between chimpanzees and chimpanzees:
and humans (lines 45–51) in order to suggest that: F. share a DNA structure that is more similar than
A. chimpanzees are more similar to early humans than that of any two other animals.
to modern humans. G. only ate meat when fruit, grains, and vegetables
B. studies of chimpanzees will contribute to an under- were not available.
standing of early humans. H. differ from other related species.
C. early hunter-gatherers typically ate more meat than J. hunted for social gain and prestige in their com-
did chimpanzees. munities.
D. data collected on chimpanzees cannot be applied
to the study of humans.

36. As it is used in the passage, the word forage (line 42)

most nearly means: 39. According to the passage, chimpanzees hunt primarily
F. consume meats. because of:
G. alter their diets. A. increased numbers of red colobus monkeys.
H. search for food. B. food shortages during the dry season.
J. lose weight. C. their DNA sequence.
D. their preference for meat over plants.
37. According to the passage, Dr. Jane Goodall’s research
was important because:
A. Dr. Goodall was the first scientists to study chim-
panzees in their natural habitat.
B. Dr. Goodall discovered previously undocumented 40. In the context of the passage, the tone in lines 52–66
chimpanzee behavior. can best be described as:
C. Dr. Goodall had always argued that chimpanzees F. affectionate.
were actually carnivorous creatures. G. humorous.
D. Dr. Goodall discovered that red colobus monkeys H. somber.
make up 80% of chimpanzees’ diets. J. informational.

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PRACTICE TEST 6 READING TEST 453

3 3
READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I When we returned home, we unloaded all of the

PROSE FICTION: Extreme Dad supplies near the base of the tree. Looking up the
trunk, my friends and I realized we had a lot of cool
As I was growing up, each autumn brought with it building materials but no way to get them up the tree.
the excitement of a new school year and new friends. 50 At that moment, my dad emerged from the garage.
However, I did not look forward to the inevitable ques- “Here’s the last piece.” He held a climbing harness and
tion young boys pose to one another: “What does your rope in his hands. “Now I’m going to go up there
5 dad do?” Some people cannot remember being asked and build the structure, then two of you can come up
that question in school, but it bears special weight for and help with the rigging.” For the next hour, we sat
me. My father is recently retired from his career as 55 in stunned silence. My father threw one end of his
a Hollywood stunt performer. When I was a child, he rope around an upper limb, secured it, and started the
would do more death-defying tricks in a week than I’m slow process of drawing on the two mechanical ascen-
10 sure I will ever do in my lifetime. My father’s extreme ders. Before long, he had reached the notch in the tree,
career and energetic lifestyle made him the coolest dad braced himself, and sent down a length of cord to us.
in town, and I had to live up to him. 60 “Put a quarter-inch bit in the drill and send it up,”
For American boys, no piece of plywood is safe; he cried. We prepared the drill and tied it to the line.
it has “ramp” written all over. We would prop some My father hoisted it and bored the boltholes into the
15 plywood up on a cinderblock and see how high it could tree. We repeated this process with two-by-fours, bolts,
launch us on a bike or skates. That was sufficiently fun nuts, and finally the plywood square that would become
for years, but eventually my father’s reputation caught 65 the platform. My father built it with lightning speed.
up with me. Soon, my friends wanted to go bigger One of my friends gaped at how quickly my father
with the idea of a homemade launch pad. They urged could drive screws. Before long, Dad called down say-
20 me to seek my father’s help. At first, I resisted, since ing everything was finished and ready for “preliminary
I didn’t want to start a trend of hair-raising stunts on testing.” I didn’t know what he meant by that. “Stand
my neighborhood street. Who knows what the old lady 70 back, guys,” my dad called. We hastily obliged.
across the street would think? My father, already standing on the platform, looked
As it turned out, my father was more eager than strangely comfortable so high in the ponderosa tree.
25 I was to introduce some stunts to my group of friends. Granted, he was still in his harness roped to the tree, but
Instead of building a giant ramp, he suggested, why nerves have a funny way of ignoring appeals to logic.
not build a platform high in the ponderosa pine tree 75 Satisfied with his handiwork, my dad began bounc-
out back from which we could rappel to the ground? ing lightly on the balls of his feet. The platform didn’t
It sounded crazy to me, but I yielded to my father. budge. Next, he started jumping up and down violently.
30 He loved the cliché appeasement, “Trust me; I’m a This shook the platform and made the tree sway, but
professional.” So, that afternoon, my friends, father, everything seemed soundly built and tightly secured.
and I piled in the truck and headed for the lumberyard. 80 “All right, now we learn to rappel.”
By this time, I was starting to warm to the idea of a My father slid down his rope and called us to join
rappelling platform in my backyard. My friends could him in the attic of the garage. I had only seen what was
35 hardly contain their excitement. After all, they were up there a few times, and it mostly bored me. Behind
about to do something crazy under the supervision of an old armoire, though, was a dusty black trunk that
a real stuntman! 85 I had never seen before. My father began pulling ropes
My father cruised the aisles at the lumberyard with and harnesses from it, then carabiners and rappelling
amazing deftness and efficiency. As he waited for some devices. We eagerly grabbed the equipment and took it
40 plywood to be cut, he filled his cart with all kinds to the backyard. My father fit us for the harnesses and
of materials that little boys love: nails, screws, glue, began an impromptu lesson on the critical safety rules
chain, cable, nuts, and bolts. This would be the first 90 of climbing and rappelling.
time my friends and I had built anything out of shiny, In a few hours and after a little practice off the
new parts. No doubt this would be the most awesome roof of the house, we were all ready to tackle the huge
45 stunt in town! tree in the back yard.

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1. The passage establishes that the narrator and his father 6. Which of the following statements best describes the
have all of the following traits in common EXCEPT: way the fourth paragraph (lines 38–45) functions in the
A. an innate desire for danger. passage as a whole?
B. a taste for exhilarating activities. F. It reveals the reason for the narrator’s qualms about
C. a pleasant attitude toward others. asking his father for help, as expressed in the second
D. an awareness of the fun that boys like to have. paragraph.
G. It details the mundane task of shopping for materi-
als, which includes waiting for lumber to be cut and
finding the appropriate hardware.
H. It shows the reader that as the plan to build the rap-
2. Which of the following is NOT an accurate description pelling platform was moving forward, the narrator
of the passage? was warming to it.
F. A story about boys who endeavor to perform stunts J. It divides the passage into two parts, one about the
and are helped by a professional. narrator’s relationship with his father and the other
G. A glimpse at one boy’s change from being hesitant about tree climbing and rappelling.
about to being proud of his father’s occupation.
H. A look at how a group of boys had a great time,
despite some early misgivings. 7. The statement “eventually my father’s reputation caught
J. A portrait of a boy struggling to overcome the up with me” (lines 17–18) functions in the passage to
popularity of his father. support the narrator’s view that:
A. his father’s lifestyle made keeping boyhood friends
difficult.
B. his father’s unusual career pulled him into uncom-
mon adventures.
3. In both the first paragraph (lines 1–12) and the sec- C. his friends would have stopped building ramps if his
ond paragraph (lines 13–23) the author is portraying a father was not a stunt performer.
narrator who: D. his father disapproved of untrained boys performing
A. feels compelled to act differently from his father to stunts on bikes and skates.
avoid earning his negative reputation.
B. acts without caution in dangerous situations. 8. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage as a
C. hesitates to involve his father in activities involving whole that the narrator views his father’s reputation as
his friends. one that developed:
D. loathes the reputation that precedes his father. F. to a degree that was exceptional even in the
Hollywood stunt community, but not in his resi-
dential neighborhood.
G. to a degree that was common among all profession-
4. At the time of writing the story, the narrator is: als in the area and, therefore, unremarkable.
F. an adult reflecting on a difficult period he had as a H. to a lesser degree than those of the narrator’s friends’
youth. fathers, in spite of a clear status disparity between
G. a youth describing an example of the adventures he his family and theirs.
has with his father. J. to a degree that was based on his years of per-
H. an adolescent analyzing how his father embarrasses forming film stunts professionally, establishing his
him. popularity with neighborhood youth.
J. an adult reminiscing fondly about a childhood
memory. 9. As it is used in line 54, rigging most nearly means:
A. platform bracing.
B. branch trimming.
C. nuts and bolts.
5. The passage states that the narrator had to cope with his D. rope system.
father’s reputation as:
A. famously daring and socially engaging. 10. The narrator can most accurately be characterized as:
B. severe and unyielding to the narrator’s wishes. F. anxious and uncertain.
C. incorrigibly unmindful of the narrator and the nar- G. level-headed but fun-loving.
rator’s friends’ activities in the neighborhood. H. strong-willed but compassionate.
D. prone to reckless stunts and outlandish behavior. J. creative and enthusiastic.

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PASSAGE II 60 and quartered—this most exotic form of execution was
SOCIAL SCIENCE: The Gunpowder Plot intended as a lesson to the public: treason would not
be tolerated under any circumstances.
Remember, remember the 5th of November, Currently, on November 5 of each year, British
The gunpowder treason and plot. children burn effigies of Fawkes and recite the
I know of no reason why gunpowder treason 65 renowned poem as a way of remembering this influ-
Should ever be forgot. ential figure of the past. Guy Fawkes Day serves as a
chilling reminder to everyone, not just the British, that
5 This famous children’s poem speaks directly to if pressed hard enough, an individual will press back.
the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in which a group of No brutal threat can stop the most committed believer
Roman Catholic coconspirators attempted to blow up 70 from rising in defense of his beliefs.
Westminster Palace during the formal opening of
Parliament. King James I of England (James VI
10 of Scotland) was in attendance to address the joint
assembly of the House of Lords and the House of 11. One of the points the author seeks to make in the
Commons. The failed bomb plot certainly could have passage is that some English Roman Catholics in 1605:
killed the King and potentially the rest of the English
Legislature; it would have been a near-complete A. were convicted of treason for supporting the king.
15 removal of the aristocracy. Guy Fawkes was instrumen- B. sought religious freedom by rebelling against the
tal in the final stages of the plot, but was apprehended current regime.
just prior to completing his work. Shortly thereafter, C. were forced into hiding by the powerful religious
Fawkes and his coconspirators were put to death for minority behind the monarchy.
treason and attempted murder. It has been said by D. gained notoriety by conspiring against the Roman
20 many—quite tongue-in-cheek—that Guy Fawkes was Catholic church.
the only man ever to enter Parliament with honest
intentions.
The plot, masterminded by Robert Catesby, had
surprising origins. He and Guy Fawkes, along with
25 several other Roman Catholics, were thought to be 12. The author asserts that the Gunpowder Plot coconspi-
denouncers of the king’s own Church of England. rators were generally:
Consequently, they risked civil and criminal penalties. F. capable and sufficiently covert.
In realizing that Spain, at the time a great Catholic
world power, was involved in too many wars to help G. inept but sufficiently covert.
30 the cause of English Catholics, Catesby decided that H. capable but insufficiently covert.
unless something was done from within, nothing would J. inept and insufficiently covert.
likely change.
Luck smiled upon the plotters when they stumbled
upon a cellar for rent beneath the House of Lords; the
35 original plan, to dig a mineshaft beneath Westminster,
proved remarkably difficult, the rock and debris 13. The author uses the description of the modern Guy
requiring removal in secret. Being able to rent a cel- Fawkes Day to point out that some acts are:
lar under Parliament expedited their efforts immensely, A. too powerful to let their lessons fade into history.
allowing them to fill the cellar with 1,800 pounds of B. so powerful that adults must make light of them for
40 gunpowder. their children’s sake.
The one crucial flaw in the plot, though, was C. more powerful for people today than they were at
that several conspirators had scruples over the potential
for harm to other Catholics likely to be in attendance the time they occurred.
during the opening address. One of the men wrote D. so powerful that children must be reminded of their
45 a letter of warning to Lord Monteagle, a fellow depravity.
Catholic, who received it on October 26. Learning
about the letter the following day, several conspira-
tors wished to abort the plan, yet the decision was
made to continue when Guy Fawkes confirmed that
50 nothing within the cellar had been discovered. Despite 14. When the author asserts that Guy Fawkes had honest
Fawkes’ confidence, Lord Monteagle took the letter intentions (lines 21–22), he most likely means that
seriously, and tasked the secretary of state with com- members of parliament are:
pleting a search of all spaces beneath Westminster. F. not concerned about their perception among the
Early in the morning on November 5, Fawkes was people.
55 apprehended in the cellar. Over the next few days,
he was tortured until he confessed the identities of G. too detached from average citizens to provide effec-
the other individuals who contributed to the plot. tive leadership.
On January 31, 1606, each man convicted of treason H. prepared to surrender power to religious minorities.
was taken to Old Palace Yard to be hanged, drawn, J. prone to exploiting their power by being deceitful.

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15. According to the passage, when are citizens most 18. The passage makes the claim that brutal threats from
pressed to act against the government? the government are not a solution to the risk of public
A. When parliament meets in joint session rebellion because:
B. When there is collusion between the monarch and F. harsh punishment of dissenters only breeds further
the judiciary contempt.
C. When personal beliefs are threatened G. there will always be certain individuals who risk the
D. When there are bad economic times punishment to overthrow a government.
H. weapons of assassination are too easily concealed
to provide reasonable security for government offi-
16. As it is used in line 60, the word exotic means:
cials.
F. alluring.
J. often the inciting rebels are impossible to locate.
G. mysterious.
H. unusual. 19. As it is used in lines 33–34, the phrase stumbled upon
J. foreign. most nearly means:
A. discovered.
17. According to the passage, under which of the follow- B. tripped over.
ing government actions would an uprising most likely C. walked on.
occur? D. sought.
A. Government troops are given permission to conduct
unwarranted searches of suspected dissidents. 20. The mineshaft in line 35 refers to:
B. An average-looking murder suspect at-large prompts F. a tunnel dug to facilitate extraction of a particular
police to round up for interrogation anyone who mineral.
looks like the perpetrator. G. a metaphorical deep pit from which nothing can
C. Sales and income tax rates are raised sharply at the climb out.
same time due to budget shortfalls. H. an underground space to be filled with explosives.
D. Chocolate, gold, and other precious commodities J. a crawlspace to permit clandestine observation of
are strictly rationed during wartime. Parliament.

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PASSAGE III 60 for the rest of her life. The fallout came when
HUMANITIES: Tennessee Williams: Celebrated Tennessee blamed his parents for authorizing the oper-
Southern Gothic Writer ation. In the 1960s, he wrestled with the notion that
American literature encompasses many unique he, too, would go insane. A decade of depression took
styles and genres, including Southern Gothic. As its hold. He would, at least nominally, overcome it, but
name implies, the literature reflects life in the American 65 Tennessee Williams’ family life would haunt him the
South. It maintains some of the characteristics of rest of his days.
5 Gothic writing, such as use of the supernatural or
the ironic; however, Southern Gothic does not focus
on creating tension and suspense as do other Gothic
genres. Instead, its storylines examine Southern people
and their postbellum social structure. 21. The main purpose of the passage can best be described
10 Writers in the genre generally spurn the pre-Civil- as an effort to:
War stereotype of the plantation gentleman and the A. explain how and why Tennessee Williams’ life
glamorous Southern belle. Instead, the authors develop suited writing in the Southern Gothic style.
characters that are sinister or reclusive and not par- B. illustrate what the South was like at the time
ticularly pleasant on the surface. Nevertheless, these Tennessee Williams was writing his body of work.
15 characters usually have redeeming qualities that allow C. discuss how Tennessee Williams’ life changed dur-
and encourage the reader to sympathize with their sit- ing his youth and young adulthood.
uations and dilemmas. It is through these immoral and
unhappy personalities that the Southern Gothic writer D. describe the different elements of Southern Gothic
is able to present and explore moral issues of the style present in Tennessee Williams’ works.
20 American South, such as slavery and bigotry, without
blatant accusations.
Many American authors are known for their
Southern Gothic style. Playwright Tennessee Williams
(1911–1983) is among the most celebrated. Williams’ 22. The author’s attitude toward the subject of the passage
25 long list of plays and novels include the Pulitzer Prize can best be characterized as:
winning stage dramas A Streetcar Named Desire (1948)
and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955). Williams’ charac- F. amused tolerance.
ters are known to be modeled directly on members G. detached interest.
of his own family. For instance, it is speculated that H. warm appreciation.
30 the pitiable character Laura in The Glass Menagerie J. mild skepticism.
(1944) is modeled after Williams’ mentally disabled
sister Rose. In the same play, Amanda Wingfield is
said to mirror Williams’ own mother. Williams even
portrays himself in Suddenly, Last Summer (1958) and
35 The Glass Menagerie. His adult life, plagued with
depression and alcoholism, appears to play out in his 23. It can be reasonably inferred that the author believes
embroiled characters. Tennessee Williams’ first great success came from a play
If Tennessee Williams was a tormented man, it published in:
was due in no small part to his troubled family. A. 1944.
40 As a seven-year-old in Mississippi, Williams contracted B. 1948.
diphtheria and remained housebound for two years. C. 1955.
His mother, fearing for Tennessee’s mental wellbeing, D. 1958.
pushed him toward creative arts during his period of ill-
ness. It was she who bought him a typewriter at age 13,
45 which he heartily accepted.
Having already moved once, the Williams family
eventually relocated to St. Louis, where Tennessee’s
increasingly abusive father Cornelius squeaked out 24. According to the sixth paragraph (lines 55–66), com-
a living as a traveling shoe salesman. Tennessee’s pared to modern standards of medicine, the prefrontal
50 mother Edwina was a genteel sort prone to smother- lobotomy is described as:
ing. The most traumatic event in the young writer’s F. more apt to produce symptom improvement, but at
life, however, occurred when his sister Rose, described unacceptable risk to the patient.
as a slender, refined beauty, was diagnosed with G. more apt to cause discomfort to the patient, but in
schizophrenia.
55 Various treatments were unsuccessful during exchange for reduced mental anguish.
Rose’s years of residence in mental asylums. In 1943, H. less apt to diminish schizophrenia, and likely to
the Williams parents consented to the now-defunct pre- incapacitate the patient.
frontal lobotomy in an effort to treat her schizophrenia. J. less apt to treat mental disease, but with very
The operation was ruinous and Rose lay vegetative manageable side effects.

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25. As described in the passage, the effect Tennessee’s fam- 28. According to the author, the primary characteristic of
ily had on him can best be summarized by which of the the Southern Gothic genre is that it:
following statements? F. indirectly uses distant or malevolent characters to
A. His family’s impact can be safely overlooked raise issues of social justice.
because many other authors with less traumatic pasts G. incorporates the haunting religious themes of tradi-
have written in the Southern Gothic style. tional Gothic literature into 20th-century Southern
B. His family gave Tennessee his sense of melancholy, society.
which faded in his prosperous later years. H. is the first American genre to be able to set aside
C. His family problems directly influenced his decades the issue of slavery.
of writing and left Tennessee conflicted and dis- J. carefully avoids volatile characters, in spite of plots
traught. set in tumultuous time periods.
D. The destruction of the Williams family caused
Tennessee’s plays to turn to darker themes that did
not appeal well to audiences.

26. When the author states that Southern Gothic literature 29. The author calls some of Tennessee Williams’ characters
does not make “blatant accusations” (line 21), he most “embroiled” in line 37 most likely because they:
likely means that the genre avoids: A. exist in the sultry Southern climate at a time where
F. defending the abolition of slavery and other social dress was uncomfortably conservative.
reforms in the postbellum South. B. seem doomed to create continual problems for
G. explicitly stating who among the characters are themselves.
racist or otherwise morally corrupted. C. deal with daunting personal problems or over-
H. addressing any social problems in the South, prefer- whelming moral quandaries.
ring that the reader juxtapose his own opinion with D. bear a larger-than-life aesthetic that makes their
the facts of the plot. words and deeds uniquely impactful.
J. righteous characters who overtly decry bigoted
behavior of other characters.

27. The passage indicates that Tennessee Williams’ creative

streak began because: 30. The “social structure” mentioned in line 9 most directly
A. he was trapped in an abusive household where his refers to what the author sees as:
only refuge was in the fantasies he wrote. F. the remnants of racism and inequality in Southern
B. he was tortured by his sister’s condition and took to culture following the end of slavery.
writing as a way of searching for an explanation for G. the unspoken disparity between rich landowners and
her decline. poor farmhands at the turn of the 20th century.
C. he was severely ill as a boy and his mother took care H. the uncommon compassion and hospitality for
to engage him in creative pursuits when he could not which the South has become famous.
be physically active. J. the system of vigilante justice that arose as a con-
D. he was inspired by the success of other family sequence of inadequate policing following the Civil
members and wished to capture the feeling in prose. War.

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PASSAGE IV cowbird lays one egg in a warbler’s nest, generally only
NATURAL SCIENCE: Michigan’s Beloved Songbird one to three warbler chicks will survive. If two or more
cowbird chicks survive in a single warbler nest, none
Sometimes an object in nature is so rare that of the warblers will survive. To combat this dilemma,
it escapes mention in nature books. Such is the 65 government programs have been established to trap and
case with the delightful Kirtland’s warbler, a plump, eradicate cowbirds that attempt to nest in the warblers’
yellow-breasted bird that can be found nesting almost habitat. These efforts have greatly improved the sur-
5 exclusively in the northern half of Michigan’s Lower vival and proliferation of the Kirtland’s warbler over
Peninsula. Although this bird migrates to the Bahamas the past few decades.
for the winter, Michigan is its natural habitat. Unfortu- 70 The male Kirtland’s warbler is prized as a song-
nately, so few Kirtland’s warblers exist that the species bird, emitting a persistent, melodic song audible up to
is classified endangered. The remaining Kirtland’s a quarter-mile away. For researchers, counting these
10 warblers now enjoy living in stands of young Jack pines songs becomes important during mating season, since
located in protected Michigan forests. saving the warbler from extinction demands an annual
Interestingly, the Kirtland’s warbler nests on 75 census of the population to ensure that conservation
the ground in the jack pine forests, and not in the measures are effective.
trees themselves. Male warblers generally return to Debates periodically surface over whether to
15 Michigan in May to spend the summer. Females arrive replace the robin with the Kirtland’s warbler as
as the males stake out territory and choose a suitable Michigan’s state bird. Admirers of the Kirtland’s
nesting area. At the completion of the long journey 80 warbler argue that it is strictly a Michigan bird.
from the Bahamas to Michigan, female warblers begin Supporters of the robin point out that the Kirtland’s
to collect leaves and grass to build their nests. During warbler is only present in Michigan for, at most, half
20 this process, the female warblers’ mates provides food. of the year. Perhaps this debate will continue until more
Eventually, female Kirtland’s warblers each lay four residents have a chance to see the beautiful and elusive
to five speckled eggs. The eggs hatch in two to three 85 Kirtland’s warbler, which calls Michigan home.
weeks, and both the male and female warblers tend to
the chicks. Five weeks after they hatch, the fledglings
25 are prepared to survive on their own.
Kirtland’s warblers are extremely fastidious about
their habitat. This is probably why these birds have
become endangered. Kirtland’s warblers insist on liv-
ing in expansive areas of Jack pine forest rooted in
30 Grayling sand, which percolates quickly to prevent
flooding of nests built on or near the ground. Grayling 31. In the context of the passage as a whole, it is most
sand also supports the type of plant material that the reasonable to infer that the phrase “jack pine areas are
warblers prefer for their diet and nest building. currently managed on a rotating basis” (lines 46–47)
If not for ongoing human conservation efforts, means that:
35 this special habitat and this rare bird would probably A. resources are limited, so work must be done on one
not exist today. As the massive 19th-century logging small section of forest at a time.
boom faded in Michigan, natural forest fires increased, B. forests are occasionally burned to encourage new
fueled by the burgeoning undergrowth. Jack pine num- tree growth.
bers increased dramatically, since the tree depends on
40 regular fires to expose the seeds within its tough cones. C. lumber is harvested only as fast as tree re-growth
The early 1900s, though, saw natural fires suppressed permits.
by new forest management policies and, consequently, D. efforts to restore the Kirtland’s warbler habitat are
Jack pine forests quickly diminished. This greatly detrimental to other species.
reduced the number of nesting areas available for the
45 Kirtland’s warbler.
To correct this problem, Jack pine areas are cur-
rently managed on a rotating basis. This ensures an
appropriate number of nesting sites, which encour-
ages warblers to return and reproduce annually. The
50 protected Jack pine forests are also home to the white-
tailed deer, the black bear, the Eastern bluebird, the 32. The passage suggests that the population of the
upland sandpiper, and the snowshoe hare. Unfortu- Kirtland’s warbler declined in the past because forest
nately, for the Kirtland’s warbler, the brown-headed management policies:
cowbird is also prevalent in these woods. This brood F. failed to account for unforeseen ecological conse-
55 parasite is well known for its tendency to steal the
nests of other birds by replacing the original bird’s quences of fire prevention.
eggs with its own eggs. When the chicks are hatched, G. permitted excessive logging of nesting trees.
the warblers raise the young cowbirds as their own. H. aimed to eliminate the jack pine.
This, of course, negatively impacts the population of J. catered exclusively to the powerful industrial estab-
60 the Kirtland’s warbler. Studies have shown that when a lishment.

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33. What does the passage offer as evidence that Kirtland’s 37. The passage states that the habitat needs of the
warblers have environmental sensitivities? Kirtland’s warbler, as compared to those of other birds,
A. Cowbird eggs incubating at the expense of warbler are:
eggs A. less specific.
B. Males and females arriving in Michigan at different B. more specific.
times of year C. equally specific.
C. Long period during which hatchlings need to stay D. little understood.
in the nest
D. Nests requiring an uncommon environment

34. It can be inferred that the author feels Michigan, not

the Bahamas, is the Kirtland’s warbler’s natural habitat 38. According to the passage, which of the following
because the birds: correctly states the relationship of the Jack pine to fire?
F. inhabit very specific parts of Michigan. F. Fire is the mechanism by which cones release their
G. migrate from the tropics a great distance to summer seeds.
in Michigan. G. Fire stimulates the jack pine to produce seed-bearing
H. are protected by endangered species laws in the cones.
United States. H. Fire destroys small, weak trees, leaving room for
J. mate and raise offspring in Michigan. jack pine seeds to grow to maturity.
J. Fire expands through jack pine forests particularly
35. According to the passage, what is the reason jack pine fast.
forests declined in the early 1900s?
A. Logging in the 1800s decimated mature jack pines,
which produce hearty seeds.
B. Logging in the 1800s left room for low-growing 39. The author states that the main reason for the Kirtland’s
shrubs that accelerated the spread of many forest warbler’s decline is:
fires. A. its rapid life cycle.
C. Forest management focused on eradication of the B. cowbird infestations.
wildfires necessary for jack pine proliferation. C. strain on its habitat.
D. Forest management placed a higher value on some D. logging of jack pines in the past.
trees than others.

36. What does the author suggest in lines 54–55 by stating

that the cowbird is a “brood parasite?”
F. The cowbird exploits the nesting instincts of the 40. As it is used in lines 30–32, the term Grayling sand
Kirtland’s warbler. most nearly means:
G. The cowbird feeds on the eggs of Kirtland’s war- F. grey or silver soil, which is rich in ore deposits.
blers. G. highly permeable soil suitable for some vegetation.
H. The cowbird shows wanton disregard for the sur- H. nutrient-poor sandy soil that occurs along salt water
vival of the Kirtland’s warbler. beaches.
J. The cowbird’s appearance is marked by unappealing J. dry riverbed soil that once supported a population
plumage. of Grayling fish.

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PRACTICE TEST 7 READING TEST 541

3 3
READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I “Cecy wanted me to have a blue bodice and sash,”

PROSE FICTION: This passage is adapted from Susan 45 said Clover, “but I wouldn’t. Then she tried to persuade
Coolidge’s novel, What Katy Did © 1872. me to get a long spray of pink roses for the skirt.”
“I’m so glad you didn’t! Cecy was always crazy
The September sun was glinting cheerfully into about pink roses. I only wonder she didn’t wear them
a pretty bedroom furnished with blue. It danced on when she was married!”
the glossy hair and bright eyes of two girls, who sat
together hemming ruffles for a white muslin dress. The 50 Yes, the excellent Cecy, who at thirteen had
5 half-finished skirt of the dress lay on the bed, and as announced her intention to devote her whole life to
each crisp ruffle was completed, the girls added it to the teaching Sunday School, visiting the poor, and setting
snowy heap, which looked like a drift of transparent a good example to her more worldly contemporaries,
clouds or a pile of foamy white of egg beaten stiff had actually forgotten these fine resolutions, and before
enough to stand alone. 55 she was twenty had become the wife of Sylvester Slack,
10 These girls were Clover and Elsie Carr, and it a young lawyer in a neighboring town! Cecy’s wedding
was Clover’s first evening dress for which they were and wedding clothes, and Cecy’s house furnishing, had
hemming ruffles. It was nearly two years since a certain been the great excitement of the preceding year in
visit made by Johnnie to Inches Mills and more than Burnet; and a fresh excitement had come since in the
three since Clover and Katy had returned home from 60 shape of Cecy’s baby, now about two months old, and
15 the boarding school at Hillsover. named ‘Katherine Clover,’ after her two friends. This
Clover was now eighteen. She was a very small made it natural that Cecy and her affairs should still be
Clover still, but it would have been hard to find any- of interest in the Carr household, and Johnnie, at the
where a prettier little maiden than she had grown to time we write of, was paying her a week’s visit.
be. Her skin was so exquisitely fair that her arms and
20 wrists and shoulders, which were round and dimpled 65 “She was rather wedded to them,” went on Clover,
like an infant’s, seemed cut out of daisies or white pursuing the subject of the pink roses. “She was almost
rose leaves. Her thick, brown hair waved and coiled vexed when I wouldn’t buy the spray. But it cost lots,
gracefully about her head. Her smile was peculiarly and I didn’t want it at all, so I stood firm. Besides,
sweet, and the eyes, always Clover’s chief beauty, I always said that my first party dress should be plain
25 had still that pathetic look which made them quite 70 white. Girls in novels always wear white to their first
irresistible to anyone with a tender or sympathetic balls and fresh flowers are a great deal prettier, anyway,
heart. than the artificial ones. Katy says she’ll give me some
Elsie, who adored Clover, considered her as beau- violets to wear.”
tiful as girls in books, and was proud to be permitted
30 to hem ruffles for the dress in which she was to burst “Oh, will she? That will be lovely!” cried the ador-
upon the world. Though, as for that, not much “burst- 75 ing Elsie. “Violets look just like you, somehow. Oh,
ing” was possible in the village of Burnet, where tea Clover, what sort of a dress do you think I shall have
parties of a middle-aged description, and now and when I grow up and go to parties and things? Won’t it
then a mild little dance, rep-resented “gaiety” and be awfully interesting when you and I go out to choose
35 “society.” Girls “came out” very much as the sun it?” Clover’s smile beamed.
comes out in the morning—by slow degrees and grad- 1. When Clover says “She was rather wedded to them,”
ual approaches, with no particular one moment which (line 65) she is expressing her belief that:
could be fixed upon as having been the climax of the A. Cecy was married when she wore pink roses.
joyful event.
B. Cecy’s husband presented her with pink roses on
40 “There,” said Elsie, adding another ruffle to the their wedding day.
pile on the bed, “there’s the fifth done. It’s going to be C. Cecy seemed to have a sentimental attachment to
ever so pretty, I think. I’m glad you had it all white; pink roses.
it’s a great deal nicer.” D. Cecy believed that pink roses must only be worn at
one’s wedding.

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2. It can be reasonably inferred from the context of the 6. The passage makes it clear that Clover and Elsie:
passage that Cecy is: F. rarely have the chance to spend time together.
F. a sister of Clover and Elsie. G. often avoid spending time with Cecy.
G. a dear friend of Clover. H. take pleasure in each other’s company.
H. a middle-aged acquaintance of the Carr family. J. are completely independent of their parents.
J. approximately the same age as Elsie.
7. In the third paragraph (lines 16–27) the appearance of
3. The fact that Clover is preparing to attend a milestone Clover’s arms is compared to:
event can best be exemplified by which of the following A. those of a pretty maiden.
quotations from the passage? B. those of a baby.
A. “I always said my first party dress should be plain C. a wedding dress.
white.” D. those of her sister Elsie.
B. “with no particular one moment which could be
fixed upon as having been the climax of the joyful
8. Details in the passage suggest that Clover:
event.”
F. is aware of how beautiful the townspeople perceive
C. “Oh, Clover, what sort of dress do you think I shall
her to be.
have when I grow up and go to parties and things?”
G. is about to get married to Johnnie.
D. “and was proud to be permitted to hem ruffles for
H. is jealous of her friend Cecy’s wedding clothes.
the dress in which she was to burst upon the world.”
J. did not want to use the flowers that Cecy was
suggesting.
4. As it is used in Paragraph 3, the phrase “the eyes, always
Clover’s chief beauty, had still that pathetic look” most
nearly means that: 9. The passage indicates that Elsie’s feelings towards
F. Clover was beautiful with the exception of her Clover can best be described as:
pitiable eyes. A. admiring.
G. Clover’s eyes aroused a feeling of compassion. B. objective.
H. people often felt sorry for Clover when they looked C. malevolent.
into her eyes. D. predictable.
J. Clover had pretty eyes but very poor vision.
10. It can be reasonably inferred from the last paragraph of
5. According to the passage, before Cecy became a the passage that:
lawyer’s wife she had intended to devote her life to: F. Clover and Elsie are very close in age.
A. making evening dresses. G. Elsie is more interested in the dress than Clover is.
B. designing furniture. H. Clover and Elsie needed to hurry to finish sewing
C. performing good deeds. the skirt.
D. writing novels. J. Elsie values the opinions of her sister.

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PASSAGE II 12. According to the passage, the main focus of Smith’s
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Adam Smith and the “Invisible Hand” “invisible hand” theory is:
Doctrine F. community.
G. self-interest.
In An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the H. society.
Wealth of Nations, Scottish economist Adam Smith J. benevolence.
asserts the power of the “invisible hand,” the notion
that a society benefits from people acting in their
5 own self-interest, without regard to community service.
Wrote Smith, “It is not from the benevolence of
the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we can 13. According to the description of the “invisible hand” the-
expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own ory in the passage, what would happen in the market if
interest.” So, the butcher does not cut meat because the there were a shortage of a product?
10 community desires it, but rather because it is a means A. Stock of the product would be reduced.
to earn money. Smith points out that in the absence B. The price of the product would rise.
of fraud and deception, a mercantile transaction must C. The product would become more profitable.
benefit both parties. The buyer of a steak values the
steak more than his money, while the butcher values D. The public would have little incentive to purchase
15 the money more than the steak. the product.
The “invisible hand” is harshly criticized by par-
ties who argue that untempered self-interest is immoral
and that charity is the superior vehicle for community
improvement. Some of these people, though, fail to 14. According to the information presented in the pas-
20 recognize several important aspects of Smith’s concept. sage, which of the following best describes Adam
First, he was not declaring that people should adopt
a pattern of overt self-interest, but rather that people Smith’s view of the relationship between a baker and
already act in such a way. Second, Smith was not the community?
arguing that all self-interest is positive for society; F. The baker bakes bread to increase his wealth and
25 he simply did not agree that it was necessarily bad. also because the community desires bread.
Standing as a testament to his benevolence, Smith G. The baker values his trade as a baker; the community
bequeathed much of his wealth to charity. members value their own personal wealth.
Additionally, the “invisible hand” has come to H. The baker and the community both see money as the
stand for the resilience of the market after apparently key commodity in any mercantile transaction.
30 ruinous circumstances. Smith posited that markets J. The baker bakes in order to increase his wealth; the
naturally recover without intervention on the part of
government or similar regulatory bodies. For example, community members value the baker’s bread more
should a product be in excess production, its price in the than their money.
market would fall, providing incentive for the public to
35 purchase it, thus reducing the stock. This kind of reac-
tion leads to the “natural price” of a good or service,
which, Smith believed, was the production cost plus 15. All of the following are assertions made in of Smith’s
a reasonable profit. This idea would become central Wealth of Nations EXCEPT:
to the doctrine of the laissez-faire economists several
40 generations later. A. people naturally base their actions on what will be
Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations was written for most beneficial to themselves.
the masses and is generally accepted as the first treatise B. markets adjust to change naturally, without assis-
on economics. For these reasons, the book is thor- tance from the government.
oughly studied; for the theory within, Smith’s magnum C. the natural prices of objects should include profuse
45 opus remains controversial. It stresses low government amounts of profit.
intervention and personal action as the roots of a pros- D. all transactions that occur have some benefit to each
perous market. As societies balance the question of party involved in the transaction.
whether and how to manipulate their markets, Smith
presents a valuable warning, saying of man, “he intends
50 only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other
cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which
was no part of his intention.” 16. Which of the following is a basis upon which some
criticize Smith’s Wealth of Nations?
11. As it is used in the passage (lines 44–45), the phrase F. Market prices should not include profit.
magnum opus most nearly means: G. Commercial transactions need to benefit both
A. crowning achievement. participants.
B. manuscript. H. Falling market prices reduce the stock of products
C. attitude. that have excess production.
D. community improvement. J. Exorbitant self-interest is unethical.

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17. It can be inferred that the word benevolence, as it is 19. As described in the passage, Smith’s theory of “natural
used in line 6, primarily refers to: price” is vital to the theory of:
A. a penchant for performing generous acts. A. charitable organizations.
B. formal or obligatory politeness. B. self-interest, without regard to community service.
C. having a stubborn disposition. C. laissez-faire economics.
D. the requisite giving of payments or gifts. D. mercantile transactions absent of fraud.

20. Based on the passage as a whole, which of the follow-

18. It can be inferred from Smith’s quotation at the end ing would most likely approximate Smith’s views on
of the passage (“He intends … intention.”) that Smith competition in the marketplace?
believes that: F. Competition is a good thing because it keeps prices
F. people do not want an “invisible hand” controlling for goods and services low for the consumer.
their actions. G. The government should try to eliminate compe-
G. the “invisible hand” deters people from following tition because people make purchases based on
their selfish interests. self-interest.
H. individuals acting selfishly can unwittingly create an H. Competition is positive, for it causes profit margins
outcome that is beneficial to others. to increase and thereby increases market prices.
J. no single person intends to be selfish, but every J. The government should foster competition in order
person is. to boost the country’s economy in times of recession.

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PASSAGE III with Nyman’s round melodies to impose a trance on
HUMANITIES: Michael Nyman: Minimalist Composer the audience, infusing a cold future reality with vivid
romance.
Many people take classical music to be the Following Nyman’s snub by the Academy, the
realm of the symphony orchestra or smaller ensembles 65 composer admitted the critics tend to look down their
of orchestral instruments. Even more restrictive is noses at his work. He concedes that giving a sold-
the mainstream definition of “classical,” which only out performance at a major concert hall does little
5 includes the music of generations past that has seem- to impress them. According to Nyman, there will
ingly been pushed aside by such contemporary forms always be some stuffed shirts anxious to cry foul at
of music as jazz, rock, and rap. In spite of its 70 the new and different. Though rarely awarded for his
waning limelight, however, classical music occupies many accomplishments, Nyman certainly remains an
an enduring niche in Western culture, always the important figure in the innovation of classical music
10 subject of experimentation on the part of composers and represents a substantial reason for its persistent
and performers. popularity.
Of the various schools of composition that
emerged in the 20th century, Minimalism remains one 21. One of the main arguments the author is trying to make
of the most influential. English composer Michael in the passage is that:
15 Nyman has emerged as one of the great writers, A. until recently, classical music had been fading in
conductors, and performers of experimental and often popularity among Western societies.
minimalist pieces of music. In fact, it was he who B. Michael Nyman has produced much important
coined the term “Minimalism,” in a review of another music, but remains underappreciated.
composer’s work. Nyman’s compositions vary greatly C. modern classical music is changing the way in
20 in mood and orchestration, but generally reflect the which artists interpret the world.
characteristic tenets of minimalist fare; composer- D. The Piano gained widespread popularity because of
author David Cope defines these as silence, conceptual
forms, brevity, continuity, and strong patterns. Michael Nyman’s impressive soundtrack.
A 1976 commission led Nyman to form what
25 he once called “the loudest unamplified street band” 22. Considering the information given in the first two para-
possible. Eventually coined the Michael Nyman Band, graphs (lines 1–23), which of the following is the most
his group comprised several saxophonists and some accurate description of modern classical music?
players of ancient string and woodwind instruments of F. It lacks the intellectual richness of classical music
various medieval-sounding names. When Nyman set from earlier periods.
30 to developing material for his band, he implemented G. It has not progressed since the emergence of
piano segments for himself, a rich string section, and Minimalism.
eventually, amplification of all the instruments. In this H. It shares audiences with other forms of music, but
setting, the composer honed his style of deliberate
melodies, malleable rhythms, and precise ensemble has not stopped evolving.
35 playing. Nyman’s popularity grew within classical J. It has become more of an artistic medium than it
circles. He would often profit from it, accepting com- had been historically.
missions from celebrated orchestras, choreographers,
vocalists, and string groups. These works, though, 23. As it is used in the passage, “fare” (line 21) most nearly
would not reach his largest audience. means:
40 Nyman will be remembered by the masses for his A. a fee paid to attend a minimalist concert.
stunning film scores. His most famous achievement B. Michael Nyman’s ability to write minimalist music.
was the music for The Piano (1993), winner of the C. the collection of minimalist music.
Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious Palme d’Or award D. a feeling evoked by minimalist music.
for best picture. In the U.S., the film was nominated for
45 six Academy Awards, and won three. However, a nom-
ination was not even granted to Nyman’s soundtrack 24. Which of the following statements from the passage
for the Best Score award. Despite this oversight, the is an acknowledgment by the author that the Michael
soundtrack remains among the bestselling film music Nyman Band enjoys limited popularity?
recordings of all time. Its grace is achieved through F. “English composer Michael Nyman has emerged as
50 skillful use of the piano to replace the female lead’s one of the great writers, conductors, and perform-
voice, which is absent throughout the film. Similarly ers of experimental and often minimalist pieces of
emotive is Nyman’s composition for Gattaca (1997), music” (lines 14–17).
a film that tells the tale of a world obsessed with highly G. “Nyman’s compositions vary greatly in mood and
sophisticated bioengineering, which creates a society orchestration” (lines 19–20).
55 woefully stratified according to genetic purity. Nyman
layers repetitive melodies played on string instruments H. “These works, though, would not reach his largest
to create an atmosphere of soaring highs tempered audience” (lines 38–39).
with sorrow, but these melodies overcome hopeless J. “Despite this oversight, the music remains among
melancholy to finish on an uplifting note. The austere the bestselling film music recordings of all time”
60 blues and greens of the film’s cinematography blend (lines 47–49).

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25. The author claims Michael Nyman used the music for 28. According to the passage, by considering classical
Gattaca “to impose a trance on the audience” (lines music only a historical form of music, many people
61–62) because: lose the sense that:
A. it reverberates with layers of emotional string F. playing unamplified, traditional instruments remains
melodies. an enriching enterprise.
B. it features sorrowful melodies instead of uplifting G. classical music has never disappeared, but rather
ones. has evolved with the times.
C. it reflects the harsh reality of the world portrayed in H. Michael Nyman is a valuable contributor to Western
the film. music.
D. it dulls the raw emotion caused by the futuristic J. classical music is the highest form of recorded
crisis in the film. music.

26. When the author says that Michael Nyman is “rarely 29. The second paragraph (lines 12–23) states that, at the
rewarded” (line 70), he most likely means that time of Michael Nyman’s emergence as a composer,
Nyman: Minimalism was:
F. lacks the musical merit to deserve critical acclaim. A. in a period of stylistic turmoil.
G. produces obscure music that fails to appeal to a B. an ancient practice in classical music.
modern audience. C. a young musical style.
H. gives many long recitals throughout the year. D. invented by Michael Nyman.
J. deserves praise, but does not receive enough of it.
30. When the author says that “austere blues and greens of
27. The author implies by the phrase “snub by the the film’s cinematography blend with Nyman’s round
Academy” (line 64) that Michael Nyman: melodies” (lines 59–61), he most likely means that the
A. did not deserve to win an Academy Award film:
nomination. F. presents a conflicting viewpoint to the audience.
B. prepared a superficial composition for The Piano. G. tempers its severe elements with appeals to human
C. considers the score for The Piano his crowning emotion.
achievement. H. juxtaposes ugliness with whimsy.
D. deserved an Academy Award nomination, but was J. is really a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the
denied one. progress of science.

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PASSAGE IV 60 Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsum
NATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its and turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat of
Composition and Structure an open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,
extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degrees
The Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of the Fahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that
most fascinating and contentious piece of architecture 65 the high heat needed to process limestone is the reason
in the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusing lime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuel
on studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it sources would most likely have made the creation of
5 would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s age lime mortar highly uneconomical.
and construction. Instead of clarifying or expunging
older theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the results 31. From the author’s reference to the Great Pyramid at
of the study left the researchers mystified. Giza as both “fascinating and contentious,” (line 2) it
Robert J. Wenke from the University of can be inferred that the Great Pyramid is seen as both:
10 Washington received authorization to collect mortar A. captivating and flawless.
samples from some of the famous ancient construction
sites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. The B. placid and disputable.
mortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particles C. intriguing and controversial.
of pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using D. monotonous and statuesque.
15 radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make some
disconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, the
mortar revealed that the pyramid must have been built 32. According to the passage, the mortar used to build the
between 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average date Great Pyramid included all of the following EXCEPT:
of 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because
20 these dates claimed that the structure was built over F. charcoal.
400 years earlier than most archaeologists originally G. processed limestone.
believed it had been constructed. H. pollen.
Furthermore, archaeologists discovered something J. processed gypsum.
even more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples
25 collected appeared to be little more than processed
gypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sand 33. The passage indicates that, unlike gypsum, limestone:
and limestone found in the gypsum were not added but
were actually contaminants of the processed gypsum. A. needs extremely high temperatures to be trans-
The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an formed into mortar.
30 unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and its B. would have been very easy for ancient Egyptians to
chemical composition has been established. However, mine.
even using modern techniques, scientists have been C. was not nearly as resilient as gypsum.
unable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is stronger D. was very soluble when mixed with water.
than the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still
35 intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid was
built. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stone
blocks together like cement mortar does with modern 34. Which of the following was NOT a use of the mortar
bricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to buffer used in constructing the Great Pyramid?
the joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks F. Assisting in the placement of stone blocks
40 were put into place. G. Shielding the joints of the heavy stone blocks
Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramid H. Adhering heavy stone blocks together
assists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’s J. Diminishing friction between the stone blocks
past. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builders
would choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.
45 Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could have
been used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despite 35. It may be reasonably inferred from the passage that for
the abundance of lime, there is no evidence of lime those studying ancient pyramids:
mortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after the A. radiocarbon dating is a relatively simple method to
pyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter- find an exact date of construction.
50 mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would have B. analyzing the chemical composition of a building
been preferred. They discovered that gypsum would material allows scientists to recreate the material
have been easier to mine than limestone. In addition, being evaluated.
the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum is C. there is typically a very large gap between the
heated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some
55 of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp- conclusions of scientific researchers and those of
sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substance archaeologists.
is used for the mortar. D. when conclusive facts are not available, researchers
Despite having significant mineral resources, must sometimes speculate about the nature of certain
Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree findings.

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36. The passage indicates that the type of mortar used 39. The passage indicates that researchers believed that
in the construction of ancient Egyptian pyramids was examination of the mortar would reveal information
affected by: regarding the Great Pyramid’s:
F. the durability of the mortar. A. natural fuel sources.
G. the amount of mineral resources available. B. construction.
H. the inferences drawn by the researchers. C. durability.
J. the natural fuel sources available. D. constant temperature.

37. As it is used in line 6, the word expunging most nearly

means:
A. eliminating.
B. restoring.
C. devising.
D. obscuring.

38. Previous to the research discussed in the passage, it 40. According to the passage, which of the following is a
was believed that the Great Pyramid was constructed in reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead
approximately what year? of limestone?
F. 3377 BC F. Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.
G. 2977 BC G. Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.
H. 2577 BC H. Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.
J. 2177 BC J. Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I
PROSE FICTION: Silence: A Story of Courage and unique demographic: each crowd is unlike any other.
Healing On this bus, most everyone was either asleep or totally
oblivious. Except for one kid. He wasn’t all that
Some say that silence is a great healer. If you’d big—maybe thirteen years old—and he was seated by
said that to me two years ago, I wouldn’t have agreed. 45 himself, farther apart from the other riders than seemed
“Silence,” I would have argued, “is anything but heal- possible in such a crowded space. Unlike the others, his
ing. There is nothing therapeutic about keeping your eyes were alert. And they were glued on me.
5 feelings inside, never talking about what’s going on in Normally, I ignore people with such awkward
your life.” I now believe that silence is the reward you habits. But for some reason, I couldn’t stop staring
get from great healing, in addition to being the healer 50 back. Odder still, instead of avoiding him, I found
itself. But I didn’t know that then. myself passing an empty seat to sit down on the bench
I had never understood the value of silence. beside him. Once I did, he turned to look out the win-
10 I didn’t have to. My family was loud and happy. And dow. That’s when the strangeness of it all hit me, and
why not? Nothing serious ever went wrong—not that I started to feel a little awkward. I wanted to get back
we knew about. Sure, my siblings and I always fought 55 in control of the situation. Trying to be subtle, I looked
noisily until our mom yelled at us to stop. Then we’d him over. I noticed some scarring on his hands, and
shout and complain about injustice, but always, even- a small gash on his cheek. Suddenly, he turned and
15 tually, hug and make-up. Within the parameters of my looked me in the eye. Expecting him to say something,
innocent world, I knew silence as a lack of something: I just waited, watching. He said nothing. After about
a lack of noise, a lack of discussion, a lack of feel- 60 fifteen seconds, I couldn’t take the silence anymore.
ing, a lack of love. Maybe I was even a little afraid “Hi,” I said, trying not to appear as nervous as I
of the emptiness it created—the aural darkness where felt.
20 forgiveness never happened. I thought I knew … I was No response. He just kept staring.
very wrong. “I’m Katie.” I added a smile. Again, I received no
Jaime entered my life without much fanfare about 65 response. I gave it one more try.
two years ago. I’ll never forget the day I met him.
My university required a community service stint to “I’ve never used the bus system before. It seems
25 graduate, and I wanted to get it out of the way. I’d pretty reliable. Do you use it a lot?” Silence. My cheery
heard that the local YMCA was a good resource, and I voice sounded out of place. Other people were starting
liked working with little kids. I thought maybe they’d to stare at me. This time I gave up and turned my
let me teach swimming. So, on a cool October day in 70 head toward the front of the bus, trying to ignore the
the fall of my sophomore year, I made my way to the thirteen-year-old staring me down… again. I opened
30 YMCA looking for easy credits. my cell phone to check the time and saw that only two
I didn’t have a car at school until my junior year minutes had passed. This was going to be the longest
of college, so if I needed to go anywhere, I would bus ride ever.
generally catch a ride with a friend or walk. On that 75 Then a thin voice cut through the silence.
particular day, no friend was available and the ten-mile “I’m Jaime.”
35 walk was far beyond my dedication to public service. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that my
Consequently, I was at the mercy of public transporta- silence was the catalyst for this small victory? By
tion. Thankfully, I’d heard the local bus system was allowing Jaime the room that silence allows to make
pretty reliable. With the help of the CITA bus line 80 his own decision about talking to me, I had made a con-
map, I climbed onto Bus Route 3, paid my fifty cents, nection. Suddenly, I knew that my long held opinion
40 and scanned for a seat. Buses often have their own of silence was forever changed.

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1. Which of the following best describes the structure of 6. Which of the following statements about the people on
the passage? the bus is best supported by the passage?
A. A dialogue between two people in which both relate F. The bus is filled with fascinating people, most of
their reasons for travel in an almost equal amount whom you see on every bus ride.
of detail. G. People who ride the bus are always quiet.
B. An account of the narrator’s perspective of meeting H. You might never see the same people on any given
a life-changing new person for the first time. bus ride.
C. A character sketch of two people as related by a J. People who take the bus are dull and uninteresting.
narrator who knows both of them and their thoughts.
D. A detailed narration the narrator’s community ser-
vice projects accompanied by a description one of 7. According to the passage, the main reason the narrator
the people she helped. decided to go to the YMCA was that:
A. her university required community service credits.
2. Based on the passage, which of the following statements
B. she liked to swim.
best describes the overall attitude of the narrator towards
C. she was looking for a new job working with
the boy?
children.
F. The boy’s quiet, composed behavior challenges the
D. she was exploring her new town.
narrator and makes her initially uncomfortable.
G. The boy’s aggressive behavior frightens the narrator
and makes her angry.
H. The boy’s friendly demeanor relaxes the narrator 8. Based on the narrator’s account, the boy, Jaime, is best
and makes her more thoughtful. described as:
J. The boy’s apathy provokes the narrator and makes F. sleepy, yet hostile.
her wistful, longing for the quiet days of her youth. G. bored and antagonistic.
H. outgoing and friendly.
3. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that the J. aware, yet shy.
narrator had been raised with which of the following
attitudes towards silence?
A. It is pleasant and calming. 9. As it is used in line 15, the word parameters most nearly
B. It is positive and reaffirming. means:
C. It is dangerous and threatening. A. requirements.
D. It is empty and ominous. B. variables.
C. limitations.
4. According to the narrator, silence is usually character-
D. attributes.
ized by:
F. forgiveness.
G. absence.
H. injustice. 10. In the passage, the narrator describes her cheery voice
J. innocence. as sounding out of place most likely because:
F. the bus was silent; most of the other passengers were
5. In relation to the first paragraph’s earlier description of asleep or lost in their own thoughts.
silence, the narrator’s comments in lines 6–8 primarily G. the bus was noisy; most of the other passengers were
serve to: loudly talking to their neighbors.
A. reveal how silence heals a person. H. the bus was noisy; most of the other passengers were
B. explain how silence can actually be a positive force. arguing with their neighbors.
C. clarify why the narrator distrusts silence. J. the bus was silent; most of the other passengers were
D. suggest that silence is quite overrated. watching a scene on the street.

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PASSAGE II 60 away with the land requirement. Marius also chal-
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Julius Caesar and the Fall of the lenged the traditional structure of the army where
Roman Republic nobility were regularly given authority over lower-class
officers with more experience and ability. Julius Caesar
Caius Julius Caesar is popularly considered the later exploited this reform, promoting officers based on
founder of the Roman Empire, though it would be 65 ability not class, to tremendous success in Gaul and
more accurate to consider his political rise as mark- elsewhere.
ing the end of the Roman Republic. The distinction, Marius’ role as champion of the lower classes
5 which some would call insignificant, is more than mere was solidified when he opposed the Roman general,
semantics. The founding of the Empire rightly belongs Cornelius Sulla. Sulla was allied with the Roman
to Caesar’s great-nephew, Augustus Caesar, who was 70 Senate, who feared Marius’ ambition and influence
adopted by his uncle as his heir. The Republic had been with the masses. Sulla believed in strengthening the
under considerable stress for several years before Caius power of the Senate against the popular Assembly. To
10 Julius was born, thus he did not create the fissures that this end, he marched his armies against Rome, defeat-
led to the collapse of the Roman Republic, though he ing Marius and establishing himself as Dictator. While
did capitalize on them brilliantly. Caius Julius’ singular 75 Sulla eventually resigned the dictatorship peacefully,
success as a politician and general has guaranteed him he had exiled or killed thousands of political opponents
a place among the most influential persons in world during his reign. Some critics say the real end of the
15 history. Roman Republic occurred during the struggle between
Rome’s social troubles began in a land crisis. Marius and Sulla.
Roman armies were traditionally made up of small 80 Julius Caesar was related by marriage to both
landholders—farmers who, by law, had to own a min- Marius and Sulla. Despite this patrician background,
imum number of acres to join the military service. he chose to promote his connections to Marius. Like
20 Unfortunately, a series of wars in the late-third and the Gracchi brothers, Julius Caesar supported the redis-
early-second centuries B.C. kept these farmers away tribution of public lands to the poor and protected the
from their land, frequently leading to bankruptcy. The 85 grain supply (a large part of the unemployment dole).
small farm plots were taken over by the wealthy upper In his armies, he promoted ability before social rank.
class, who farmed the plots with slaves won in foreign He was also widely seen to support the middle and
25 wars. With no more land to farm, the returning soldiers lower classes against the privileges of the aristocracy,
settled in Rome, where they added to the unemploy- namely the Senate. The senators saw him as a traitor to
ment dole and increased political instability. Adding to 90 their class and, therefore, to the Republic itself. When
the problem, once the soldiers were landless, they could Julius Caesar was eventually assassinated by a group
no longer enlist in the army. This led to a significant of senators, the outcry from the general population
30 problem for military recruitment. was completely unanticipated. The resulting political
The first notable Romans to address both issues chaos ultimately led to the rise of Augustus Caesar
were the reformers known as the Gracchi Brothers. 91 as emperor, effectively ending the Roman Republic
Starting around 133 B.C., the older brother, Tiberius forever.
Gracchus, tried to reform the system by proposing to
35 confiscate, or take, public land to distribute to returning
soldiers. He hoped this would solve the unemployment
crisis and increase the number of men eligible for the
army. Unfortunately, the land had been leased, often at
very low rates, to wealthy members of the Roman Sen-
40 ate. At this time, Rome was governed by two political 11. The author most nearly characterizes the role Julius
bodies: the Senate and the Assembly. The Senate was Caesar plays in the fall of the Roman Republic as one
made up of wealthy landed nobility and was often in that:
conflict with the more populist Assembly. Not surpris-
ingly, the senators bitterly fought government seizure A. takes advantage of past conflicts to promote his own
45 of the land, which they considered their own property. ideals.
In the end, Tiberius Gracchus was murdered, though B. contradicts the efforts of the Gracchi brothers.
the Roman Senate passed a modified version of the C. supports the Republic despite its faults.
Gracchan land laws to quell public outrage. When the D. idealizes the position of the wealthy landed nobility.
younger brother, Gaius Gracchus, began his reforms
50 10 years later, he was able to extend political rights to 12. The main idea of the first paragraph is that the Julius
the lower classes and reduce opportunities for bribery Caesar:
and corruption among the upper classes. He, too, was F. was the founder of the Roman Empire.
murdered for pushing the system too far. G. was the grand-uncle of Augustus Caesar, who
The reforms of the Gracchus brothers were soon
55 apparently championed by a new political leader, Gaius founded the Roman Empire.
Marius, although Marius’ real fame came from his mil- H. exploited the political problems at the end of the
itary genius—especially after he brutally halted the Roman Republic for his own gain.
invasion of German tribes into Italy. He successfully J. was the most successful Roman politician and
reorganized the Roman military, in the process doing general.

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13. The author uses the remark “farmers who, by law, had 17. The author uses the events listed in lines 81–85 primar-
to own a minimum number of acres to join the military ily to:
service” (lines 18–19) primarily as an example of: A. show Julius Caesar as a true political reformer,
A. the kind of useless requirements made by the Roman despite his family connections to the aristocracy.
military. B. imply that Julius Caesar exploited his political
B. the ancient Romans’ preoccupation with farming. connections for his own gain.
C. the clash between ancient Roman agricultural soci- C. imply that Julius Caesar had no choice but to support
ety and the wealthy elite. his uncle, Marius.
D. the close traditional relationship between farming D. show that the grain supply was an important basis
and military service. of power in the Roman Republic.

14. The author indicates the common factor leading to the 18. The author implies that prominent Roman politicians
murders of the Gracchus Brothers was: who tried to limit the aristocratic power of the senators
F. aristocratic fear of political reform. often were:
G. mob violence due to political corruption. F. eventually assassinated.
H. aristocratic desire to reform the political system. B. promoted to Dictator.
J. the inability of Roman senators to rent cheap land. G. exiled to foreign countries.
H. generals in the Roman army.
15. By his statement in lines 60–63, the author most nearly
means that, unlike in past armies, in Marius’ army: 19. Which of the following is NOT listed in the passage as
A. soldiers tried to set a precedent for Julius Caesar. a political reform in the Roman Republic?
B. ability meant more than social class. A. Redistributing public land to retired soldiers.
C. nobility were often put in charge of lower-class B. Protecting the grain supply for the unemployment
soldiers. dole.
D. rank was based only on popularity. C. Extending political rights to the lower classes.
D. Eliminating slavery in the Republic.
16. The author cites all of the following as actions of
Cornelius Sulla EXCEPT: 20. The author calls which of the following a result of
F. strengthening the power of the Senate against the political chaos?
Assembly. F. The murder of the Gracchus Brothers.
G. establishing himself as Dictator. G. The rise of Cornelius Sulla as Dictator of Rome.
H. peacefully resigning his dictatorship. H. The rise of Augustus Caesar as Emperor of Rome.
J. successfully uniting his allies and opponents during J. The need for retired soldiers to receive unemploy-
his dictatorship. ment payments.

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PASSAGE III Medb’s daughter, Finnabair, is tied linguistically to
HUMANITIES: The Táin Bó Culainge: Early Irish Epic the Arthurian legend: Finnabair and Guinevere are
different spellings of the same name.
Ireland has the oldest vernacular literature in At least as interesting as the raid itself are the
Europe. Where other early European authors wrote 65 remscéla (literally, the “before stories”) that tell how
their literary works in Latin, the Irish began writing the situation for the raid came to be. The remscéla
down their stories in their own language starting at least tell how the bulls were originally two pig-keepers who
5 as early as the 6th century A.D. and continuing to the knew magic; the stories explain how the Ulstermen
modern day. While much of the earliest Irish writing came to be cursed with debilitating pain whenever their
has been lost or destroyed, several manuscripts sur- 70 country was in danger. They explain who Cú Chulainn
vive from the late medieval period (12th through 16th was and how he got his name. And, most poignantly,
centuries). These books usually contain collections of the remscéla tell how Fergus lost his crown and why
10 stories, many of which are much older than the books he agreed to fight against his countrymen. This last
themselves. story, told in the tragic legend of Deirdre and the Sons
One of the most famous of these collections is the 75 of Usnech, is one of the most striking of all the Irish
epic cycle, The Táin Bó Culainge, which in translation myths.
means “The Cattle Raid of Cooley.” It’s often abbre- Over twelve hundred years old, The Táin is cer-
15 viated to simply The Táin. In its narrowest sense, the tainly an epic work—but epic doesn’t necessarily mean
raid refers to a series of battles fought by the north- “dead.” If the images meet a cultural need, they can
ern Irish province of Connacht to steal a magic bull 80 come back to life as living artistic works. During the
from the neighboring province of Ulster. However, the English occupation of Ireland and continuing through
cycle includes many other legends that together tell the the Irish Revolution, many artists plumbed the depths
20 national story of the people of Ulster, especially dur- of Irish mythology to create what they saw as an image
ing the reign of the great Ulster king, Conchobor mac of Ireland free of English cultural repression. Writers
Nessa. 85 still call on The Táin for inspiration, just as ancient Irish
According to The Táin, Queen Medb of Connacht bards once called on the ghost of Fergus to tell them
orders the raid because there are only two magic bulls the true story of the Cattle Raid of Cooley.
25 in all of Ireland, and, as her husband, Aillil, has the
first, she determines to acquire the second. Her deter-
mination makes more sense when one considers the
laws of the time. Wives were considered legal equals 21. Which of the following statements best expresses the
to men if they came into their marriage with as much main idea of the passage?
30 or more property than their husbands. If she had less, A. The Táin tells the story of Queen Medb and the
the wife would be a legal dependent of her husband magic bull of Ulster.
and, like a child, would have limited rights of her own. B. Stories told in the vernacular are much better than
Irish queens were used to having their own political
autonomy and making their own political deals. Medb’s stories told in Latin.
35 insistence on equaling the property of her husband was C. The Táin is an epic, one of the great national stories
for reasons far more serious than vanity. of Ireland, which has inspired writers for hundreds
During the cattle raid, Medb’s forces are joined of years.
by Fergus, the former king of Ulster, and his men. D. The Táin provides an image of Ireland in the late
The bull is defended by the current king, Conchobor, medieval period, before the English occupation.
40 and the young warrior, Cú Chulainn. The middle of
the story tells of how Cú Chulainn single-handedly 22. Which of the following questions is NOT answered in
fends off Medb’s army while Conchobor’s men strug- the passage?
gle against an ancient curse. In the end, many warriors F. What is “vernacular literature?”
die, both bulls are killed, and peace is re-established
45 between Connacht and Ulster. G. Why did Queen Medb want the magic bull of
Of course, this is merely plot. Thematically, the Ulster?
work explores several great issues that would occupy H. What does “The Táin Bó Culainge” mean?
medieval authors for over six hundred years. One of J. How did the warrior, Cú Chulainn, get his name?
the most important was the lovers’ triangle between
50 the king, the queen, and the warrior hero. Think of the 23. The passage suggests that one of The Táin’s most
romances of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Sir important contributions to Irish literature is that:
Lancelot, or those of Tristran, Isolde, and her husband, A. it provides an inspirational image of Ireland free of
King Mark. In The Táin, Queen Medb takes up with English cultural repression.
the warrior Fergus, with the approval of her husband, B. it illustrates the political power of women in early
55 in order to guarantee Fergus’ allegiance during the war.
Of course, in the early Irish versions, the message is European countries.
far more subtle than an extramarital affair. Accord- C. it personifies the ancient Irish demigods, incorpo-
ing to Irish mythology, Medb was a demigoddess—the rating them into one literary figure.
personification of power itself. As she herself notes, D. it collects several important mythological stories
60 power never goes long without a suitor. Still, even into one book, making them less significant.

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24. The main function of the second paragraph (lines 12–22) 28. According to the passage, literary lovers’ triangles have
is to: included all of the following EXCEPT:
F. give a brief description of The Táin Bó Culainge. F. Queen Medb, King Aillil, and Fergus.
G. introduce the Ulster king, Conchobor mac Nessa. G. Queen Isolde, King Mark, and Sir Tristram.
H. describe Ireland’s agrarian society in the early H. Queen Guinevere, King Arthur, and Sir Lancelot.
middle ages. J. Queen Medb, King Mark, and King Arthur.
J. define an “epic cycle.”

25. All of the following details are used in the passage to

show the range of content in The Táin EXCEPT:
A. the bulls were originally pig-keepers who knew
magic.
B. the Ulstermen were cursed with debilitating pain
whenever their country was attacked.
C. Fergus was once a king of Ulster who lost his crown 29. The author most likely includes the information in lines
and subsequently agreed to fight against his old 60–63 (“Still even Medb’s daughter, Finnabair, … same
country. name”) to suggest that:
D. Deirdre was originally promised in marriage to King A. some thematic similarities between the King Arthur
Conchobor. story and The Táin are very strong.
B. medieval authors knew that Finnabair and Guinevere
26. The last paragraph establishes all of the following about were originally the same person.
The Táin EXCEPT: C. the King Arthur story is an English version of The
F. The Táin is over twelve hundred years old. Táin.
G. once a literary work is dead, it ceases to have any D. no medieval kings could fully trust their best war-
cultural significance. riors.
H. modern writers use The Táin as a source of artistic
inspiration.
J. Irish bards once called on the ghost of Fergus to tell
them the true story of The Táin.

27. One of the main points in the third paragraph

(lines 23–36) is that, under medieval Irish law:
A. bulls were important instruments of attaining polit-
ical power. 30. Which of the following phrases best describe best
B. a king was defined as the local man who had the describes why Medb wanted the magic bull of Ulster?
most cattle. F. Spiteful vanity.
C. children had limited legal rights. G. Marital jealousy.
D. women had legal rights equal to men, but only under H. Serious ambition.
certain conditions. J. Childish determination.

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PRACTICE TEST 8 READING TEST 635

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PASSAGE IV resistance from doctors comfortable with their usual
NATURAL SCIENCE: A Short History of Homeopathy practices.
In fact, Hahnemann’s methodology for scien-
Homeopathy is a system for treating physical dis- tifically testing potential treatments was remarkably
ease and other ailments using the theory of treating 65 modern. Nevertheless, his conclusions remain extraor-
“like with like.” In practice, homeopathic medicine dinarily controversial. One of the main points of
seeks substances that mimic an ailment’s symptoms; contention involves the standard homeopathic prac-
5 this sameness is considered “likeness.” The substance tice of heavy dilution to create the appropriate dose
is then diluted to infinitesimal amounts and admin- of a substance. Dilution of homeopathic substances
istered to the patient in order to cure the problem. 70 happens in stages. Hahnemann had hypothesized that
Homeopathic treatment is currently in use for every- shaking the solution after each dilution would imprint
thing from cancer to colds and flu, though many the molecular “memory” of the original substance into
10 scientists remain heavily skeptical about its efficacy. the solution, which would allow the diluted dose to be
Homeopathy was developed in the late 18th effective without the possibility of overdose or adverse
century by the German medical doctor Samuel 75 side effects.
Hahnemann. Despite being a physician himself, Modern scientists have been unable to find any
Hahnemann was deeply skeptical of the medical prac- evidence to support the theory of molecular memory. In
15 tices of his time. In general, 18th century medicine fact, the idea that diluting a substance makes it stronger
was founded on the theory of the four temperaments, runs against the principles of chemistry and physics.
or “humors”: Choleric, Melancholic, Sanguine, and 80 Moreover, scientists point to a lack of standardized
Phlegmatic. These temperaments were based on the clinical data on homeopathic treatment. Clinical studies
various possible combinations of hot and cold and wet that do show effectiveness indicate that homeopathic
20 and dry. A choleric, or angry, disposition meant that cure rates are generally equal to those of placebos.
a person had a constitution that was essentially hot Today, many conventional medical practitioners
and dry. Phlegmatic, or unemotional, persons were 85 generally disregard homeopathy. Homeopathic prac-
thought to be cold and wet. Melancholy was caused titioners are frequently termed quacks by conven-
by an excess of cold and dry, whereas Sanguine, or tional scientists. Nevertheless, homeopathy remains
25 passionate, persons were hot and wet. extremely popular both in the United States and abroad.
Humors theory was first developed by the In European countries such as France and England,
Greek physician Hippocrates, the founder of western 90 conventional doctors frequently prescribe homeopathic
medicine, and later expanded upon by Galen. When a treatments for common illnesses such as colds and flu.
person became ill, doctors believed it was because one Pharmacists who are trained to answer questions about
30 or more of the humors had come out of balance. Some the homeopathic treatments’ use and desired effects
of the best treatments were thought to be bloodletting then fill the prescriptions.
and purgation —the assumption being that these treat-
ments would effectively drain off the excess humors.
Other popular treatments included blistering plasters
35 and emetics. Often the treatment proved worse than
the disease. Many patients died from excessive blood-
loss or were poisoned by unregulated medications. In
this environment, Hahnemann’s skepticism was well 31. The passage mentions all of the following about the use
warranted. of homeopathy to treat disease EXCEPT that:
40 Hahnemann first stumbled upon his theory when A. it is used to treat everything from cancer to colds
he was investigating a common treatment for malaria, and flu.
cinchona bark. Modern scientists now know that B. it is based on the theory of treating “like with like.”
cinchona bark contains quinine—a substance still used C. its doses are administered in infinitesimal amounts.
to treat malaria—but at the time, no one knew why D. it is scientifically proven to be effective.
45 the bark was effective. Hahnemann chose to imple-
ment the concept of treating “like with like” by testing
an undiluted dose of the bark on himself. Finding that 32. According to the fifth paragraph (lines 63–75),
he had symptoms similar to those of malaria sufferers, Hahnemann hypothesized that heavily diluted sub-
Hahnemann concluded that effective drugs must pro- stances remained effective because:
50 duce symptoms in healthy people that are similar to F. shaking each dilution imprinted the molecular
those produced by the diseases that the drugs would “memory” of the original substance into the solu-
be expected to treat. Hahnemann further hypothesized tion.
that, while undiluted substances would only worsen G. substances that were too strong often had no effect
symptoms in the sick, heavily diluted substances could on the patient.
55 be effective for a cure. The doctor and his colleagues H. dilution made the substance more similar to the
then proceeded to test a variety of substances to see
what symptoms they induced, in the hopes of find- original disease.
ing cures for diseases with similar symptoms. Perhaps J. he used modern methodology for testing potential
not surprisingly, Hahnemann’s new field of homeopa- treatments, foregoing any information learned in the
60 thy (i.e. “similar suffering”) was met with considerable past.

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33. Hahnemann believed cinchona bark was an effective 37. According to the passage, a person with a sanguine dis-
treatment for malaria because it caused similar symp- position would most likely be which of the following?
toms when taken by a healthy person. According to the A. Hot and dry.
fourth paragraph, what reason would a modern scientist B. Hot and wet.
likely give for using cinchona bark to treat malaria? C. Cold and wet.
A. Recent clinical studies show that traditional D. Cold and dry.
medicines can sometimes be as effective as modern
medicines.
B. Clinical studies show cinchona bark is an effective
treatment for malaria, but only in undiluted doses.
C. Cinchona bark contains quinine, and quinine is 38. As it is used in line 62, the word practices most nearly
known to be an effective treatment for malaria. means:
D. No modern scientist would recommend using F. exercises.
cinchona bark to treat malaria. G. habits.
H. medical offices.
34. According to the passage, one of the reasons mod- J. methods of treatment.
ern scientists are unable to find evidence to support
homeopathic treatment is because:
F. homeopathic cure rates are superior to those of
placebos.
G. there is a substantial amount of standardized clinical 39. According to the passage, why did Hahnemann use
data on homeopathic treatment. heavily diluted substances to treat patients?
H. the theory of molecular memory is well-documented. A. Undiluted substances were frequently too expensive
J. the idea that diluting a substance makes it stronger for all but the richest patients.
runs against the principles of chemistry and physics. B. He believed undiluted substances would only
worsen the patient’s symptoms.
35. Information in the last paragraph indicates that: C. He believed a patient’s memory of treatment was
A. homeopathy should only be used to treat colds and more important than the treatment itself.
flu. D. It allowed him to use several different treatments on
B. based on clinical studies, conventional scientists are a single patient.
unnecessarily harsh in their judgment of homeopa-
thy.
C. despite a lack of clinical data, homeopathy remains
a popular form of treatment, even with doctors and
pharmacists. 40. In the last paragraph, the author expresses which of the
D. pharmacies are the safest places to buy homeopathic following beliefs about homeopathy?
treatments. F. Homeopathy is medically unproven and thus prac-
ticed only by quacks.
36. The passage indicates that, in the Middle Ages, ill- G. Homeopathy is a necessary form of treatment that
ness was thought to be caused by an imbalance in the should be widely used to help the sick.
“humors” that was best treated by: H. Homeopathy is a controversial form of medical
F. conditioning exercises to improve balance. treatment that is frequently used, despite a lack of
G. sitting in a sauna or steam room. supporting evidence.
H. draining off the excess humors. J. Doctors in Europe are in agreement about the
J. tilting the patient’s bed to improve blood flow. effectiveness of homeopathy.

END OF THE READING TEST.

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PRACTICE TEST 9 READING TEST 717

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I 45 We each grabbed an armful and headed towards

PROSE FICTION: Moving Day our new apartment, just a few blocks away from the
squat, industrial-looking building where John would
start teaching. The fall semester was just a few
Two sodas, four candy bars, a packet of trail mix, short weeks away. I’d always thought that university
and one bathroom break later, we’d made it. As far as 50 buildings were lofty, ivy-covered brick and stone—at
I was concerned, it was just in time. After spending least that’s what I was used to. Things were certainly
six hours in the car, my legs were in need of some different in the Midwest. After transferring some bags
5 serious stretching. I opened the door and swung my from one arm to the other, I managed to get the front
aching legs over the side of the passenger seat, let- door key out of my pocket. By the time I got the door
ting the hot, sticky air hit me like a brick wall. While 55 open, I thought John was going to topple right into the
I’m thankful for the conveniences of the modern car, apartment.
sometimes even thick, humid air, heavy with pollen There’s something monumental about taking your
10 and summer sweat, tastes a million times better than first step into a new home. For John and me, it was our
stale air conditioning. I could feel my mood begin to first home we had chosen together. Walking through
improve. 60 the door, the bags heavy on my arms, I felt like we
“So, what do you think?” were starting the first pages in the next chapter of our
I turned to look at my husband, John, as he got lives. When John had asked me to marry him and move
15 out of the car, his eyes sparkling as he awaited my to Ohio, I’d had no idea what the future held for us.
response. It was our second trip to the apartment com- Now, suddenly, I knew the future had begun. And, just
plex in the last three weeks, but this time, there was 65 as suddenly, I knew it could be anything we wanted it
something different. Three weeks ago, we were simply to be.
visitors looking to sign a rental agreement, but now,
20 we were home. “Well, this is it,” John said.
“I like it,” I answered, hoping the enthusiasm “Yep. This is it.” Looking around the empty apart-
in my voice would match the sparkle in his eyes. ment, I realized its beige walls were simply a blank
Encouraged, he smiled and turned back to the car. 70 canvas waiting for us to fill it. I felt a thrill of real
“We’d better start unloading before it gets too excitement as a slow grin spread across my face. John
25 hot,” he said. saw it and started to relax. He leaned against the door-
“Too late. I’m already sweating.” I pushed my frame and followed me with his eyes as I traced the
bangs off my forehead, hoping to prevent my hair from outline of the room. It would work. Excited to begin,
looking absolutely disgusting. John must have noticed, 75 I turned to John.
because I caught him looking at me through the rear “Well, are you ready?” I asked.
30 window. “I think so. Are you?” he replied.
“Libby, we have an entire car and trailer to
unpack. You might as well forget about looking glam- “Sure am. Let’s go.”
orous, at least for now. Besides, it’s not like we’re back With that, we dropped our armfuls in the middle of
in D.C. No C-Span cameras here!” He chuckled as he 80 the living room and headed back to the car for another
35 said it, but the sparkle had left his eyes. load. We were home.
“Yeah, yeah,” I answered, tossing my head as I
laughed gamely. I didn’t want to lose that sense of
optimism—not at the beginning. I stretched my legs
out in front of me, hoping it’d make getting out of the
40 car a little bit easier. No such luck. My knees cracked as
I stood up, and my calves were tight from the cramped
quarters. I’d had no idea my legs would miss the high
heels my feet had gladly given up. Suppressing a sigh,
I headed towards the trunk to help John unload our life.

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1. The first seven paragraphs establish all of the following 7. It is most reasonable to infer from the passage that John
about Libby EXCEPT that she: would agree with which of the following statements
A. used to live in Washington, D.C. about his wife, Libby?
B. was excited about the move from the beginning. A. Libby is an important government legislator.
C. sometimes prefers hot, sticky air to stale air- B. Libby misses wearing high-heeled shoes.
conditioning. C. Libby is somewhat vain.
D. has just rented a new apartment with her husband, D. Libby hates living in Ohio.
John.

2. According to details in the passage, Libby and John

most likely moved into their new apartment:
F. in early winter. 8. As it is used in the twelfth paragraph, the statement,
G. in late autumn. “Looking around the empty apartment, I realized its
H. in early spring. beige walls were simply a blank canvas waiting for us to
J. in late summer. fill it” primarily supports which of the following points
implied by the passage?
3. Compared to John’s initial attitude towards arriving at F. John and Libby will need to work hard to make their
their new home, Libby’s initial reaction is best described new life exciting.
as: G. John and Libby are starting a new life together filled
A. contrasting; Libby is less enthusiastic about the with exciting potential.
move. H. The apartment is not what the couple expected.
B. contrasting; Libby resents moving to Ohio. J. The apartment is industrial looking and needs a fresh
C. similar; Libby is excited to begin a new life. coat of paint.
D. similar; Libby enjoys long, cross-country trips.

4. Which of the following best describes Libby’s reaction

to her first steps into her new home?
F. Total fear. 9. The primary point of the first paragraph is that:
G. Mild dread. A. people often eat junk food on long car trips.
H. Cautious optimism. B. the main character prefers hot weather to cool
J. Real excitement. weather.
C. the main character is grateful that her long trip has
5. According to the passage, John’s new workplace is all ended.
of the following EXCEPT: D. modern cars have many conveniences, including air
A. ivy-covered brick and stone. conditioning.
B. squat.
C. industrial-looking.
D. close to John and Libby’s apartment.

6. Which of the following is NOT an accurate description 10. As it is used in the passage, the phrase unload our life
of the passage? (line 44) refers to the:
F. A story about the hardships faced by a young F. sense of loss Libby and John feel regarding their
married couple in their first home. move.
G. A glimpse into the lives of two young people as they G. many furniture items contained within the car and
enter a new phase. trailer.
H. A look at how two people with initially divergent H. disappointment Libby feels because she had to leave
viewpoints reach an understanding. Washington, D.C.
J. A snapshot of a young couple’s journey into a new J. significance of the move from Washington, D.C. to
life together. Ohio.

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PRACTICE TEST 9 READING TEST 719

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PASSAGE II budget items, such as housing, transportation, and
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Defining the Poverty Line: A Political 60 health care, has increased dramatically. Orshansky’s
Question poverty measure, which only takes into account the
ability of a household to provide itself with food, is
Poverty is an enduring problem that must be missing several essential components to be accurate
addressed by all modern societies. In fact, some ethi- in modern society. With over $60 billion in federal aid
cists say a civilization can be judged by how well it 65 tied each year to this guideline, not to mention an addi-
treats its least fortunate. By this measure, the United tional $260 billion in Medicaid spending, the fact is
5 States has much to be proud of. On a national level, the many Americans are still falling deeper into poverty
United States has done remarkable work to decrease the and failing to receive the aid they so desperately need
suffering of the poor by subsidizing food, housing, and and deserve.
education, and even by giving money directly to those 70 If reform of the measure of poverty used by soci-
who need it the most. Still, even in the public sector, ety is an obvious need, it remains to be seen why such
10 projects have to be evaluated to see if they are effec- reform has not been forthcoming. The answer lies in
tive. No one can measure the benefits of aid without the very politics that caused the measure to be created
defining what poverty is, and when someone has been in the first place. Any change in the measured poverty
lifted out of it. This leads to one very political question: 75 level of a society is an indicator of economic health
How exactly should poverty be measured? within that society, and no president has been willing
15 The question of poverty is extremely complex. to increase the perceived amount of poverty for a sta-
Should it be considered absolute—as a simple mat- tistical recalculation, no matter how justified. Indeed,
ter of the availability of food and shelter—or should some economists say that updating the poverty measure
it be relative to the goods and services enjoyed by the 80 would increase the number of those considered poor,
society as a whole? In other words, if a person can and therefore eligible for government aid, by as much
20 afford a DVD player but not to live in a safe neighbor- as 2 percentage points. That may not seem significant,
hood, is that person poor? Certainly something as fluid but in real terms it means an additional several million
as the economy can affect any number of forces to people are living below the “poverty line”—whether
cause financial suffering—sometimes quite suddenly. 85 we count them or not.
Still, according to our federal government, there is
25 a specific measure, the “poverty line,” that answers 11. In the context of lines 46–51, the statement “the mea-
the question. Such a measure was devised in 1963 by sure came to be known as the poverty line” (line 51) is
government economist Mollie Orshansky, then work- used to support the idea that:
ing for the Social Security Administration under the A. poverty can be measured and defined by a single
jurisdiction of the Office of Management and Budget. number.
30 Orshansky’s statistical measurement was one B. poor neighborhoods in the United States are marked
small part of the federal government’s plan to attack the off from richer neighborhoods by a metaphorical
difficult national economic conditions that were hurt-
ing millions of Americans in the early 1960s. President “line.”
Lyndon Johnson labeled the plan the government’s C. inflation and household size are the only variables
35 “War on Poverty,” and it led to such national programs needed to define poverty.
as Head Start, VISTA, and the Jobs Corps. Orshansky D. poor people often have to stand in line to receive
developed her poverty threshold from a Department government support.
of Agriculture study outlining the cost of nutritionally
adequate meals.
40 From the Agriculture study, Orshansky took the 12. It can be reasonably inferred from the passage that:
most economic and healthy meal design she could F. being poor means not being able to afford a DVD
find. She then estimated statistically that the average player.
American family in the 1950s spent approximately one-
third of its household income on food; from there, she G. Americans have overcome poverty in recent years.
45 multiplied by three the cost of the most economically H. defining poverty is complex and difficult to do.
efficient, nutritional diet. This multiplier effect, in the- J. lowering the poverty line would not impact the
ory, produced the level of pre-tax household income economic health of the U.S.
at or below which a family should be considered poor.
Orshansky’s calculation was distributed for use across
50 the government, and the measure came to be known 13. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that
as the poverty line. It has been scaled every year for Orshansky estimated that, in the 1950s, the percent-
inflation, and it is adjustable to household size. age of income that the average American family spent
Given the decades-old origins of this measure and on non-food items was:
the limited data available to Orshansky at the time, it is
55 fair to wonder if her standard is still accurate. Studies A. less than one-third.
show that it is not. While families today spend about B. one-third.
12 percent of their income on food—nowhere near the C. between one-third and two-thirds.
33 percent assumed in the 1950s—the cost of important D. approximately two-thirds.

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14. Which of the following best expresses the paradox 18. According to the passage, which of the following state-
described in the fifth paragraph (lines 53–69)? ments is accurate regarding the percentage of income
F. Americans today have to spend far less of their the average American family spends on food?
income on food, which makes them seem richer by F. The percentage of income the average American
Orshansky’s measure, but they have to spend far family spends on food has increased dramatically
more on other necessary items, which makes them since the 1950s.
really much poorer. G. The average American family now spends most of
G. Americans today have far more money than they did its money on food.
in the 1950s, which makes them much richer than H. The percentage of income spent on food has
they used to be. decreased from approximately 33% to approxi-
H. In America today, ensuring reliable transportation mately 12% since the 1950s.
is far more important to families than providing J. The percentage of income spent on food has
nutritious meals. increased from approximately 12% to approxi-
J. Orshansky’s economic model neglects to account mately 33% since the 1950s.
for the cost of modern technology, but it includes a
detailed discussion of the modern economy.

15. According to the passage, the impact of Orshansky’s

economic model on the distribution of federal aid to
the poor is that:
A. far more federal money is now available to help the
poor. 19. The passage implies that no president has been willing
B. poor people are unaware that they are eligible for to change the poverty measure for all of the following
$260 billion in Medicaid assistance. reasons EXCEPT:
C. legitimately poor people are not receiving the aid A. no president has been willing to increase the per-
they’re entitled to receive from the federal govern- ceived level of poverty.
ment. B. changing the poverty level will increase the number
D. poor people are not receiving government aid of people eligible for federal aid.
because the government does not know where they C. no president wants to risk making the economy look
live. less healthy.
D. poverty is an obvious problem and presidents are
16. The author traces Orshansky’s economic model back to more concerned with complex problems.
its origins in:
F. the merger between the Social Security Administra-
tion and the Office of Management and Budget.
G. President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty.”
H. President Lyndon Johnson’s Head Start program.
J. the Civil Rights movement of the early 1960s.

17. The main point of the first paragraph is that: 20. According to the passage, Orshansky’s role in President
A. the United States does an excellent job taking care Johnson’s “War on Poverty” was to:
of its poor. F. provide a precise measure of the number of poor
B. poverty is an important issue in society, and it must who needed help in the early 1960s.
be measured accurately so that aid can be given G. answer critics who complained that the government
effectively. was not doing enough to help the poor.
C. public assistance programs must be eliminated if H. provide a precise measure of the number of poor
they are found to be ineffective at alleviating people eligible for Job Corps programs.
poverty. J. support the annual budget of the Social Security
D. poverty is an issue that affects few modern societies. Administration.

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PRACTICE TEST 9 READING TEST 721

3 3
PASSAGE III the Child—where Tolkien met with his best friends to
HUMANITIES: J.R.R. Tolkien and Me discuss their ideas for writing. The sign on the pub
allegedly was the inspiration for Bilbo’s flight with the
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, better known as 65 Giant Eagles. Best of all, I had a professor who had
J.R.R. Tolkien, was many things in his long life, actually known J.R.R. Tolkien himself.
including philologist, writer, and university professor. Sr. Benedicta was a very smart but very kindly,
Of course, today, most people remember him as the elderly nun. She was no slouch as an academic and
5 author of The Lord of the Rings—a monumental work had published several highly regarded books in her
that became an epic film. 70 field. As a colleague, she had spent time with Tolkien
A friend introduced me to Tolkien’s writings when when she was newly hired at St. Stephen’s College.
I was 10 years old. Aileen gave me a copy of The One day, when she had asked me how I liked studying
Hobbit, and told me her father was reading The Lord at Oxford, I decided to tell her about my dream. I told
10 of the Rings to her and her brother at the dinner table her how, when I was a child, I had wanted so badly
every night after the family had finished eating. I read 75 to meet Tolkien. I had vividly imagined traveling to
The Hobbit and was hooked. By the time I was 14, I had Oxford, finding his little cottage, passing through the
read every piece of fiction Tolkien had published. picket fence, past the rose bushes, to finally knock at
The more I read, the more fascinated I became the great man’s door. I had even imagined him opening
15 with not only the world Tolkien had created, but with it and looking at me. I just could never, ever, think of
the man himself. I began to dream of meeting Tolkien. 80 anything to say that didn’t make me feel like a complete
I imagined someday traveling to Oxford University, idiot.
where he had been a professor of English Language Sr. Benedicta smiled indulgently at me for a
and Literature, and somehow finding the words to tell moment, and then said, “He would have encour-
20 him how meaningful his writings had been for me. aged that feeling.” Apparently, most people have this
But, growing up in the Midwest, the possibility of 85 impression of Tolkien as a gentle, grandfatherly sort of
traveling to England seemed very remote. Then I dis- man, but, unless you were his grandchild, that wasn’t
covered that Tolkien had died years before I’d even actually the case. In person, he was frequently severe
started reading The Hobbit. I forgot about my dream and not terribly friendly. I suppose it probably made
25 and got down to the business of school and sports and him a better professor. In the end, I was very glad
college applications. 90 I finally made my pilgrimage to Oxford, but consid-
I started college as a chemistry major, but by ered it for the best that I never had a chance to thank
my sophomore year, I was major-less. Somehow, J.R.R. Tolkien in person.
by my junior year, I was accepted into the Honors
30 English program. This introduced me to the Medieval 21. The point of view from which this passage is narrated
and Renaissance Collegium (MARC). The director is best described as:
of MARC thought I would be a perfect fit for a
new diploma program he was developing—an interim A. an adult reflecting on her youth.
program between undergraduate and graduate work. B. a parent recalling her daughter’s travels.
35 I applied, was accepted, and found myself faced with C. a teenager who aspires to be a writer.
my old dream: I was headed to England—to Oxford D. Sr. Benedicta, a nun who worked with J.R.R.
University, the home of my favorite author! Tolkien.
Oxford isn’t set up like most American univer-
sities. It’s not a single uniform entity. Instead, it’s a
40 collection of 39 independent colleges, each with its
own internal structure and activities, with an overlying 22. Which of the following best summarizes the emotional
administration that conducts examinations and confers shift that is presented by the narrator in the passage?
degrees. Tolkien, for example, had been a professor at F. An adult learns that she doesn’t have to meet her
45 Merton College. His close friend, C.S. Lewis, taught at heroes for them to leave a profound impression on
Magdalen College (pronounced: Mawdlin). Most stu- her.
dents identify with their college, not with the university. G. A teenager moves from appreciating fantasy novels
This means that pretty much anyone there wearing an to preferring historical fiction.
Oxford University sweatshirt is a tourist. H. An adult learns that she prefers to visit distant places
50 I loved Oxford. I loved the tiny streets and the way
the trees hid the modern shop fronts, showing only the rather than merely to read about them.
medieval towers from the rolling hills of a nearby park. J. A teenager learns first-hand that famous authors are
Even more, I loved the sense of living history—the frequently unpleasant individuals.
way the children would play carelessly under towering
55 trees among centuries-old tombstones in the back-yards
of churches, or the stories our housekeeper would tell 23. J.R.R. Tolkien is presented by the narrator as being:
of Lawrence of Arabia’s ghost who, apparently, lived
in our own quarters. When inexplicable drafts would A. gentle and grandfatherly.
sweep through my room, our housekeeper swore it was B. severe but friendly.
60 Lawrence. I loved walking every Tuesday on my way C. intelligent but caring.
to my folklore tutorial, past the pub—The Eagle and D. talented but intimidating.

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24. In the seventh paragraph, the narrator’s attitude towards 28. When the narrator says, “When inexplicable drafts
Oxford is best described as: would sweep through my room, the housekeeper swore
F. exasperated and unimpressed. it was Lawrence,” she means that:
G. fond and appreciative. F. the housekeeper believed that Lawrence of Arabia’s
H. overwhelmed and depressed. ghost haunted the student dorms.
J. disinterested and despondent. G. Lawrence of Arabia was the junior housekeeper in
charge of student rooms.
25. In the fourth paragraph, the narrator’s attitude toward H. the housekeeper was a silly, superstitious woman.
being unable to meet Tolkien can best be characterized J. the student dorms were very old and drafty.
as:
A. relieved.
B. morose.
C. angry.
D. accepting.

26. It can most reasonably be inferred that by telling

29. As it is used in line 68, the phrase “she was no slouch
Sr. Benedicta about her childhood desire to meet J.R.R.
as an academic” most nearly means:
Tolkien, the narrator intends to:
A. she had excellent posture when teaching.
F. impress her teacher by showing her dedication to
B. she had difficulty explaining technical terms.
Oxford.
C. she was an excellent researcher.
G. illustrate her love of medieval English.
D. she was new to her field.
H. create a connection to her childhood hero by talking
about him to a mutual friend.
J. pass the time of day with an interesting companion.

27. Which of the following best represents the narrator’s

initial opinions about J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings?
A. The writings were obscure and difficult to follow.
B. The writings were fascinating and made the narrator 30. As it is used in line 39, the word uniform most nearly
want to read more. means:
C. The writings were interesting, but there were far too F. solid.
many to read them all. G. similar.
D. The most interesting writings were about Oxford, H. unchanging.
England. J. consistent.

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PRACTICE TEST 9 READING TEST 723

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PASSAGE IV 60 fluctuations to be synchronized. When this happens,
NATURAL SCIENCE: El Niño: A Meteorological Enigma scientists say the resulting weather can be intensified.
Weather effects can be damaging. The warming
Almost any mention of climate change brings patterns of El Niño are one of the leading causes
thoughts of global warming, complete with mental of natural damage to coral reefs, while wider ENSO
images of rising seas and melting ice caps. While 65 fluctuations may cause flooding or drought to occur
few reputable scientists contest the reality of global on land. In these cases, extreme shifts can cause eco-
5 warming, most climatologists are also aware of other nomic pressure by disrupting entire fishing industries
powerful meteorological phenomena that shape the or damaging crops.
weather on a daily, seasonal, or even multi-year basis. Sometimes, pressure caused by intense weather
In fact, these “background oscillations,” or fluctua- 70 can have unexpected political effects. Some scientists
tions, appear to cause major climate shifts every few argue that unusually cold weather brought by a strong
10 decades. Among the most influential are the North El Niño phenomenon caused significant crop damage
Pacific Oscillation (NPO), the North Atlantic Oscil- in 1788–89, which many say contributed to the French
lation (NAO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Revolution. Other climate researchers claim that strong
and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Of 75 oscillation coupling, combined with strong El Niños
these, probably the best-known is the El Niño-Southern in the late 1930s and early 1940s, led to a profound
15 Oscillation, popularly called “El Niño.” cold snap in Northern Europe in the middle of the
The term El Niño was first reported in scien- Second World War. The scientists argue that this unex-
tific circles in 1892. It originally referred to a local pected cold snap significantly contributed to the failure
event: an annual, weak, warm ocean current that 80 of Germany to capture Moscow, which changed the
fishermen discovered along the central western coast course of World War II.
20 of South America. The current was most noticeable ENSO phenomena, along with the other three
around Christmastime, which led to its name because oscillations, are separate from those attributed to global
El Niño is Spanish for “little boy” and is frequently warming. The causes are completely independent.
used when referring to the Christ Child. (The reverse 85 However, because El Niño and global warming both
phenomenon, a cold ocean current, is known by a can result in strong temperature variability, disruptive
25 corresponding term, La Niña, Spanish for “little girl.”) rain distribution, and extreme damage to a variety of
Along this area of South America, El Niños reduce ecosystems, any synchronicity will be closely observed
the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water that sustains by scientists seeking to document the total effects
large fish populations. Predators such as larger fish and 90 of each.
sea birds depend on these populations for survival, as
30 do local fisheries.
As climatology developed as a discipline, scien- 31. The main purpose of the passage is to:
tists discovered that both trends in the current were A. explain the weather pattern known as El Niño and
part of a larger phenomenon affecting global climate describe its effects.
patterns, the Southern Oscillation. The definition of B. argue that El Niños are a far more significant source
35 El Niño has therefore expanded and continues to
change as climate researchers compile more data. Now of weather change than global warming.
scientists say that during El Niños, sea-surface tem- C. discuss the four meteorological patterns that form
peratures over a large part of the central Pacific climb global weather.
above normal and stay high for many months. This D. describe how scientists study the weather.
40 creates a large pool of warm water that coincides with
a change in wind patterns. The shift in wind patterns
changes where evaporation takes place. Together, the 32. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that
warm water and shifting wind affect where storms form scientists began to show interest in El Niño weather
and where rainfall occurs on a global level. patterns during which of the following decades?
45 Most of the time, strong El Niños bring wet
winters to the Southwestern United States and milder F. 1780s
winters to the Midwest. They tend to bring dry condi- G. 1890s
tions to Indonesia and northern Australia. They gener- H. 1930s
ally occur every two to seven years. La Niñas usually, J. 1990s
50 but not always, follow El Niños. During La Niñas,
water temperatures in the Central Pacific drop below
normal, and weather patterns shift in the other direc- 33. As presented in the passage, the statements in lines
tion. Together, the El Niño and La Niña cycles 49–81 are best characterized as:
complete the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). A. facts based on careful historical and scientific doc-
55 ENSO weather oscillations are discrete from the
NPO, NAO, and PDO weather patterns. This means uments.
one oscillation does not cause or usually influence the B. speculation based on rumor and hearsay.
others. Sometimes, however, the various oscillations C. hypotheses supported by evidence.
“beat” together at the same frequency, causing the D. estimates based on data.

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34. The author uses the information in parentheses in lines 38. Based on the passage, how should the claim that
23–25 primarily to: “pressure caused by intense weather can have unex-
F. present information related to the topic, but not pected political effects” (lines 69–70) most likely be
immediately relevant to the paragraph. interpreted?
G. suggest that La Niña is less important than El Niño. F. People are more likely to attend indoor political
H. support the use of Spanish terminology in meteoro- rallies in poor weather.
logical research. G. Severe weather caused problems that changed the
J. imply that La Niña phenomena were discovered political landscape of modern Europe.
considerably later than El Niño. H. In the 18th century, people frequently blamed their
political leadership when weather turned bad.
35. Based on the passage, some scientists speculate that J. A series of particularly severe El Niños caused
when weather oscillations “beat” at the same frequency, Germany to lose World War II.
the resulting weather:
A. is frequently neutralized.
B. is milder than normal.
C. is unusually cold.
39. According to the passage, all of the following are
D. is often intensified. negative consequences of El Niño weather patterns
EXCEPT:
36. The main purpose of the third paragraph is to:
A. damage to coral reefs.
F. provide a history of 20th century climatology.
B. flooding.
G. explain why meteorological predictions are often
inaccurate. C. drought.
H. describe how modern climatologists define El Niño D. increases in large fish populations.
phenomena.
J. show how climatologists know where rainfall will
occur worldwide.
40. The author makes which of the following comparisons
37. Suppose that a scientist was trying to determine if a between El Niño and global warming?
given year in the past had been an El Niño year. Which F. El Niño patterns and global warming have nothing
of the following would most likely indicate an El Niño to do with one another, and have no effect on global
weather pattern? weather.
A. Reports of unusually wet weather in Southern G. El Niño patterns and global warming have the same
California and reports of drought in Darwin, underlying causes.
Australia. H. The effects of El Niño patterns and global warming
B. Reports of ice storms in Wisconsin and Michigan. are easy to confuse.
C. Reports of flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia and reports J. El Niño patterns and global warming are completely
of unusually dry weather in Africa. independent, but often have the same effects on
D. Reports of drought in New Mexico and Texas. global weather.

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802 PRACTICE TEST 10 READING TEST

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READING TEST
35 Minutes—40 Questions
DIRECTIONS: This test includes four passages, each
followed by ten questions. Read the passages and choose
the best answer to each question. After you have selected
your answer, fill in the corresponding bubble on your
answer sheet. You should refer to the passages as often
as necessary when answering the questions.

PASSAGE I years of difference in your ages. He might almost be

FICTION: This passage is adapted from Jane Eyre by your father.”
Charlotte Brontë, published in 1897. “No, indeed, Mrs. Fairfax!” I exclaimed, nettled;
“he is nothing like my father! No one, who saw us
Seeing me, she roused herself: she made a sort 40 together, would suppose it for an instant. Mr. Rochester
of effort to smile, and framed a few words of congrat- looks as young, and is as young, as some men at five
ulations; but the smile expired, and the sentence was and twenty.”
abandoned unfinished. She put up her spectacles and “Is it really for love he is going to marry you?”
5 pushed her chair back from the table. she asked.
“I feel so astonished,” she began, “I hardly know 45 I was so hurt by her coldness and skepticism, that
what to say to you, Miss Eyre. I have surely not been the tears rose to my eyes.
dreaming, have I? Sometimes I half fall asleep when
I am sitting alone and fancy things that have never “I am sorry to grieve you,” pursued the widow;
10 happened. It has seemed to me more than once when “but you are so young, and so little acquainted with
I have been in a doze, that my dear husband, who died men, I wished to put you on your guard. It is an old
fifteen years since, has come in and sat down beside 50 saying that ‘all is not gold that glitters’; and in this case
me; and that I have even heard him call me by my I do fear there will be something found to be different
name, Alice, as he used to do. Now, can you tell me to what either you or I expect.”
15 whether it is actually true that Mr. Rochester has asked
you to marry him? Don’t laugh at me. But I really “Why?—am I a monster?” I said: “Is it impossi-
thought he came in here five minutes ago, and said that ble that Mr. Rochester should have a sincere affection
in a month you would be his wife.” 55 for me?”
“He has said the same thing to me,” I replied. “No: you are very well; and much improved of
late; and Mr. Rochester, I dare say, is fond of you.
20 “He has! Do you believe him? Have you I have always noticed that you were a sort of pet of his.
accepted him?” There are times when, for your sake, I have been a little
60 uneasy at his marked preference, and have wished to
“Yes.” put you on your guard; but I did not like to suggest even
She looked at me bewildered. the possibility of wrong. I knew such an idea would
shock, perhaps offend you; and you were so discreet,
“I could never have thought it. He is a proud man; and so thoroughly modest and sensible, I hoped you
25 all the Rochesters were proud: and his father at least, 65 might be trusted to protect yourself. Last night I cannot
liked money. He, too, has always been called careful. tell you what I suffered when I sought all over the
He means to marry you?” house, and could find you nowhere, nor the master
either; and then, at twelve o’clock, saw you come in
“He tells me so.” with him.
She surveyed my whole person: in her eyes I read 70 “Well never mind that now,” I interrupted impa-
30 that they had there found no charm powerful enough tiently; “it is enough that all was right.”
to solve the enigma.
“I hope all will be right in the end,” she said: “but,
“It passes me!” she continued; “but no doubt it is believe me, you cannot be too careful. Try and keep
true since you say so. How it will answer I cannot tell: Mr. Rochester at a distance: distrust yourself as well
I really don’t know. Equality of position and fortune 75 as him. Gentlemen in his station are not accustomed to
35 is often advisable in such cases; and there are twenty marry their governesses.”

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PRACTICE TEST 10 READING TEST 803

3 3
1. When Mrs. Fairfax says, “Gentlemen in his station 6. In lines 47–52, Mrs. Fairfax compares Miss Eyre
are not accustomed to marry their governesses,” she and Mr. Rochester’s relationship as possibly being
is expressing her belief that: similar to:
A. Mr. Rochester is incapable of loving Miss Eyre. F. a mystery that cannot be solved.
B. Mr. Rochester will treat Miss Eyre like a governess G. an object that appears to be something but really is
when they are married. another thing entirely.
C. Mr. Rochester may not be sincere about his feeling H. a game used to entertain the innocent and naïve.
towards Miss Eyre. J. a shiny gem that holds more value than it appears to.
D. Mr. Rochester may not really have asked Miss Eyre
to marry him. 7. We may reasonably infer from details in the passage
that Miss Eyre and Mrs. Fairfax are alike because they
2. It can be reasonably inferred from the conversation that
both:
Mrs. Fairfax believes Miss Eyre will:
A. believe that Mr. Rochester should not marry his
F. recognize that Mr. Rochester actually wants to
governess.
marry Mrs. Fairfax.
B. believe that Mr. Rochester will break Miss Eyre’s
G. marry Mr. Rochester much sooner than originally
heart.
planned.
C. are of the same age and social class.
H. no longer desire to marry Mr. Rochester.
D. believe that Mr. Rochester is fond of Miss Eyre.
J. potentially regret her decision to agree to marry
Mr. Rochester.
8. Based on the passage, Miss Eyre’s feelings about
3. Mrs. Fairfax’s opinion about Miss Eyre and Mr. her relationship with Mr. Rochester can best be
Rochester’s relationship can best be exemplified by described as:
which of the following quotations from the passage? F. unbelievable.
A. “Mr. Rochester looks as young, and is as young, as G. erratic.
some men at five and twenty.” H. diplomatic.
B. “How it will answer I cannot tell: I really don’t J. self-assured.
know.”
C. “He is a proud man; all the Rochesters were proud.” 9. It can be inferred from the passage that Mrs. Fairfax:
D. “But I really thought he came in here five minutes A. does not believe that Mr. Rochester’s actions with
ago, and said that in a month you would be his wife.” Miss Eyre are characteristic of him.
B. does not believe that Miss Eyre’s character is good
4. The phrase “you were so discreet, and so thor-
enough for Mr. Rochester.
oughly modest and sensible” (lines 63–64) is used by
C. does not believe that Miss Eyre understands how
Mrs. Fairfax to:
wealthy and important Mr. Rochester is.
F. explain why Miss Eyre should not marry
D. does not believe that Miss Eyre is being honest about
Mr. Rochester.
her feelings towards Mr. Rochester.
G. explain why it is likely that Mr. Rochester really
does not plan on marrying Miss Eyre.
H. explain why Mrs. Fairfax had not discussed 10. Details in the passage suggest that Mrs. Fairfax is uncer-
Mr. Rochester’s feelings toward Miss Eyre before. tain about Miss Eyre and Mr. Rochester’s engagement
J. insult Miss Eyre and let her know that Mrs. Fairfax because:
was disappointed in her. F. Mrs. Fairfax believes that Miss Eyre is too young
to be married.
5. The passage makes it clear that Miss Eyre and G. Mrs. Fairfax does not believe that Miss Eyre really
Mr. Rochester: loves Mr. Rochester, due to their twenty-year age
A. get married. difference.
B. do not really know each other well enough to H. Mrs. Fairfax fears that Miss Eyre will be hurt by
become engaged. her relationship with Mr. Rochester if things do not
C. will not live happily because they will be shunned go as Miss Eyre plans.
by society. J. Mrs. Fairfax believes that Miss Eyre will not enjoy
D. have a relationship that is not typical in their society. being both a governess and Mr. Rochester’s wife.

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PASSAGE II were considered property. Because America’s Consti-
SOCIAL SCIENCE: Abraham Lincoln and the American tution protects property, exclusion of slavery through
Republic 60 unfriendly legislation was unconstitutional.
Lincoln spoke about the Kansas/Nebraska Act and
Throughout the Abraham Lincoln and Stephen his opinion on the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
Douglas presidential debates, Stephen Douglas repeat- throughout the debates. He believed that popular
edly criticized Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech. In sovereignty was contrary to the principle that valued
his “House Divided” speech, Lincoln argues that the 65 freedom over slavery. The “Spirit of Nebraska” was
5 “Spirit of Nebraska,” the alleged right to choose slav- what prompted Northerners like Douglas to create
ery over freedom in territories, had invaded the country the Kansas/Nebraska Act that went against the “Spirit
and divided it. The North and the South were no longer of ’76,” which was the hope of the Founding Fathers
working together to put slavery on the road to extinc- that slavery would be strangled within the original
tion. In fact, by the late 1850s, the South had fully 70 southern states over time. Without the majority of
10 embraced slavery and wanted to expand it. This new public opinion actively opposed to slavery, Lincoln
attitude toward slavery promoted by Southerners and realized that the battle over slavery could not be won.
some Northern Democrats led Lincoln to believe that Tensions had increased dramatically in both the
they wanted to nationalize slavery. North and the South in the late 1850s. Violence in
In the Lincoln–Douglas debates, Lincoln stated 75 Kansas had turned neighbor against neighbor, and
15 that the nation was too divided to continue to compro- there were even physical fights breaking out in the
mise on slavery. Lincoln began his defense by referring Senate. The South had begun to threaten secession with
to the actions of the Founding Fathers, who had worked regularity, and many Northerners afraid of disunion
to eradicate slavery. He mentioned the unanimous were willing to sacrifice freedom to keep the country
abolition of the African slave trade, as well as the 80 together.
20 Northwest Ordinance and the lack of the word slave Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech and his argu-
in the Constitution, to show that the Founding Fathers ments in the Lincoln–Douglas debates show that he
intended slavery to be strangled in the original Southern believed that slavery was threatening to become a
States. Lincoln argued that the South had moved national institution. He saw the American public
away from this course of ending slavery. Lincoln 85 become increasingly indifferent to slavery and believed
25 also stated that the federal government, through the the people were naive to the Democratic conspiracy.
Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, By the late 1850s, Lincoln realized that a serious con-
had always regulated slavery in the territories. The flict was imminent. The North and South were drifting
Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 further and further apart and their ideologies were
were at odds with the new Dred Scott decision, which 90 becoming more different every year.
30 denied that Congress had a right to exclude slavery in 11. The function of the first paragraph in relation to the
the states. The Dred Scott decision also reinforced the
idea that African Americans were not citizens and that passage as a whole is to:
slaves could be brought into the North without gain- A. orient the reader to the subject of Stephen Douglas’s
ing their freedom. The Dred Scott decision had the policies toward slavery.
35 effect of undermining Lincoln’s Republican platform B. explain how slavery had become a national problem
that wanted to repeal the Kansas/Nebraska Act. in the 1850s.
Both in the debates and the “House Divided” C. establish an outline of Lincoln’s arguments during
speech, Lincoln repeatedly questioned the Democrats’ his debates with Stephen Douglas.
involvement in the Dred Scott decision. Lincoln D. explain and introduce the different political parties
40 suggested that a conspiracy may have taken place that existed in the 1850s.
between President Buchanan, President Pierce, Judge
Taney, and other Democrats, like Stephen Douglas.
Lincoln used evidence to show that the Democrats 12. Which of the following best describes the way the sec-
seemed to have known that the Dred Scott decision ond paragraph (lines 14–36) functions in the passage as
45 was coming. A key piece of evidence is that the Dred a whole?
Scott decision was pushed back until after the elec- F. It presents Lincoln’s arguments from an histori-
tion of 1856. In addition, the Democrats had drafted cal perspective and introduces Lincoln’s arguments
legislation in 1850 and 1854 that contained language about slavery.
which seemed to predict that Congress would not be G. It proves that Lincoln won the presidential debates
50 able to exclude slavery in the territories because of because he referenced the work of the Founding
Constitutional constraints. The Dred Scott decision Fathers to demonstrate his point.
cast doubts on the platform of the Democrats. The
Democrats had been endorsing a platform of popu- H. It sheds light on why the South supported slavery
lar sovereignty, which stated that all new states and and why many Northerners wanted to abolish it.
55 territories should be able to vote on whether slav- J. It diminishes the importance of Lincoln’s argu-
ery should be allowed within their borders. The Dred ments against the Dred Scott decision, because it
Scott decision reaffirmed for the South that slaves referenced the “House Divided” speech instead.

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PRACTICE TEST 10 READING TEST 805

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13. It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that, 17. The passage suggests that the Democrats knew the Dred
before the Dred Scott decision: Scott decision was coming because:
A. African Americans were considered citizens and A. the Dred Scott decision was postponed until after
slaves simultaneously. the 1856 presidential election.
B. both the Southern states and the Northern states had B. Stephen Douglas and other Democrats used their
abolished slavery. influence to manipulate the United State Supreme
C. no slaves were brought into the North. Court and President Buchanan.
D. it was unclear whether or not Congress could C. the Dred Scott decision was widely accepted only
exclude slavery in the states. in the states where the Democratic Party was the
majority.
14. The reference to the fights between neighbors in Kansas D. the Dred Scott decision mimicked the platform of
(lines 74–77) is used to illustrate the point made in the the Democratic Party.
passage that:
F. the people in Kansas supported Lincoln even though
Kansas was considered a slave state.
G. slavery was becoming a more divisive institu-
tion that caused tension between abolitionists and
supporters of slavery. 18. According to the passage, all of the following were
H. the actions of the Democrats caused pro-slavery given as reasons by Lincoln as proof that the Founding
feelings to spread into otherwise anti-slave states. Fathers endorsed the “Spirit of ‘76” EXCEPT:
J. slavery was slowly becoming nationalized by F. the unanimous abolition of the slave trade.
spreading into the newly acquired territories. G. the lack of the exact word slave in the Constitution.
H. the Northwest Ordinance.
15. Information in the fourth paragraph (lines 61–72) estab- J. the Declaration of Independence’s promise of life,
lishes that the “Spirit of ‘76” was: liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
A. the desire of the Founding Fathers to eliminate
slavery in America at the time the Declaration of
Independence was written.
B. the desire of the Founding Fathers to encourage slav-
ery in the original Southern states with the hope that 19. Lincoln’s accusation that some Americans wanted to
slavery would die out on its own. nationalize slavery can be supported by all of the
C. the desire of the Founding Fathers to allow each following EXCEPT:
new state that entered the Union to decide whether A. the Dred Scott decision, which supported the idea
or not to allow slavery within its borders. that Congress cannot exclude slavery in states
D. the desire of the Founding Fathers to create a new because of constitutional constraints.
nation built on the ideas of freedom, democracy, and B. the desire by many in the South for slavery to be
liberty for all citizens. allowed to expand in the territories.
C. the increased popularity of the “Spirit of Nebraska.”
16. Which of the following statements best describes how D. the popularity of the Missouri Compromise during
Lincoln felt the rest of the country was responding to the late 1850s.
the expansion of slavery?
F. Lincoln believed that most Southerners wanted to
limit slavery to the original Southern states.
G. Lincoln believed that all of the new territories
desired slavery and that the North was unwilling
to allow it. 20. The passage indicates that the late 1850s’ Democrats:
H. Lincoln believed that the South desired the expan- F. were all Southern slaveholders who wanted to
sion of slavery in the territories and the North was expand slavery into the territories.
becoming too indifferent or frightened to challenge G. used legislation in the early 1850s to support their
the South. agenda.
J. Lincoln believed that most Northerners wanted the H. had a platform that would require all territories and
territories to have slavery because they felt it would new states to allow slavery.
help strangle slavery in the original Southern states. J. supported the “Spirit of ‘76.”

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PASSAGE III 60 by Mrs. Melmoth. Again, I was received with great
HUMANITIES: This passage is adapted from the warmth and approval. My dress was white and blue,
Memoirs of Mary Robinson, published in 1895. made after the Persian costume; and though it was then
singular on the stage, I wore neither a hoop nor powder;
On the day of my first performance, the theatre my feet were bound by richly ornamented sandals, and
was crowded with fashionable spectators; the green 65 the whole dress was picturesque and characteristic.
room and orchestra were thronged with critics. My Though I was always received with the most flat-
dress was a pale pink satin, trimmed with crêpe, and tering approval, the characters in which I was most
5 richly spangled with silver. My head was ornamented popular were Ophelia, Juliet, and Rosalind. Palmira
with white feathers and my glorious suit, for the last was also one of my most approved representations. The
scene, was white satin and completely plain, except 70 last character that I played was Sir Harry Revel, in Lady
that I wore a veil of the most transparent gauze, which Craven’s comedy of The Miniature Picture; and the epi-
fell quite to my feet from the back of my head, and a logue song in The Irish Widow was my last farewell to
10 string of beads round my waist. the labor of my profession.
When I approached the side wing my heart
throbbed convulsively; I then began to fear that my
resolution would fail, and I leaned upon the Nurse’s
arm, almost fainting. Mr. Sheridan and several other 21. Which of the following descriptions most accurately
15 friends encouraged me to proceed; and at length, with and completely represents this passage?
trembling limbs and fearful apprehension, I approached A. An actress reminisces about how fame and admira-
the audience. tion changed her personality.
The thundering applause that greeted me nearly B. An actress gives a complete listing of the characters
overpowered all my faculties. I stood mute and bending that she played during her career on stage.
20 with alarm, which did not subside till I had feebly artic- C. An actress remembers specific performances and
ulated the few sentences of the first short scene, during reflects on some more memorable performances.
the whole of which I had never once ventured to look
at the audience. D. An actress seeks to explain stage fright and how she
On my return to the green room, I was again overcame her fear of performing in front of crowds.
25 encouraged, as far as my looks were deemed deserving
of approval; for of my powers nothing yet could be
known, my fears having as it were affected both my
voice and action. The second scene being the masquer-
ade, I had time to collect myself. I never shall forget 22. All of the following were clearly identified in the pas-
30 the sensation which rushed through my bosom when sage as plays that the narrator performed in EXCEPT:
I first looked towards the pit. I beheld a gradual F. A Trip to Scarborough
ascent of heads. All eyes were fixed upon me, and the G. Alexander the Great
sensation they conveyed was awfully impressive. H. The Miniature Picture
As I acquired courage, I found the applause J. Vanbrugh’s Relapse
35 augment; and the night was concluded with peals of
loud approbation. I was complimented on all sides.
I then experienced, for the first time in my life, a plea-
sure that language could not explain. I heard one of
the most fascinating men, and the most distinguished 23. As it is used in line 13, the word resolution most nearly
40 geniuses of the age, honor me with partial admiration.
The second character which I played was Amanda, means:
in A Trip to Scarborough. The play was altered from A. decision.
Vanbrugh’s Relapse; and the audience, supposing it was B. pledge.
a new piece, on finding themselves deceived, expressed C. courage.
45 a considerable degree of disapproval. I was terrified D. devotion.
beyond imagination when Mrs. Yates, no longer able
to bear the hissing of the audience, quitted the scene,
and left me alone to encounter the audience. I stood
for some moments as though I had been petrified.
50 Mr. Sheridan, from the side wing, desired me not to 24. Details in the passage suggest that:
quit the boards. The late Duke of Cumberland from the F. the narrator was not always cast to play female
stage box, bade me take courage: “It is not you, but the characters.
play, they hiss,” said his Royal Highness. I curtsied and G. the narrator preferred masquerade scenes to any
that curtsey seemed to electrify the whole house, for a
55 thundering appeal of encouraging applause followed. other scene.
The third character I played was Statira, in H. the narrator believes that no actress can be success-
Alexander the Great. Mr. Lacey, then one of the ful in theater if she has stage fright.
proprietors of Drury Lane Theatre, was the hero of J. the narrator’s stage fright disappeared because she
the night, and the part of Roxana was performed never had to face hostile audiences.

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PRACTICE TEST 10 READING TEST 807

3 3
25. It can be most reasonably concluded from the narrator’s 28. All of the following are recollections of the narrator’s
reference to her performance in A Trip to Scarborough first performance EXCEPT:
that: F. the narrator’s costumes during this performance
A. the narrator’s acting was the cause for disapproval were partially made of satin.
within the crowd. G. Nurse and Mr. Sheridan were present to assist the
B. the narrator did not become nervous in front of a narrator.
disgruntled audience. H. there was a masquerade scene in her first perfor-
C. Mrs. Yates was not as successful an actress as the mance.
narrator. J. the narrator received criticism for her opening lines
D. the narrator acted in at least one play that was not a that were delivered feebly.
completely original work.

26. According to the passage, in which order did the

following events occur in the writer’s life?
I. Appearing in The Miniature Picture
II. Playing the character of Statira in Alexander the 29. As it is used in the passage, the word faculties (line 19)
Great most nearly means:
III. Playing the character of Amanda in A Trip to A. senses.
Scarborough B. determination.
IV. Being involved in the production of The Irish C. teachers.
Widow D. emotions.
F. I, II, III, IV
G. III, II, I, IV
H. IV, III, II, I
J. II, III, IV, I

27. Which of the following best describes the narrator’s 30. The primary focus of lines 34–40 is:
experience during her first theater performance? F. the narrator’s emotions immediately after her first
A. Terrified throughout the entire performance because performance.
of the size of the audience G. the opinion of an important gentleman regarding the
B. Initially frightened and overwhelmed, but joyful by narrator’s performance.
the end of the performance H. the narrator’s elation because she had become
C. Proud of the beauty of her costume and the set of famous.
the play, but discouraged by her performance J. the narrator’s own reflections on the quality of her
D. Upset because of the difficult masquerade scene first performance.

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808 PRACTICE TEST 10 READING TEST

3 3
PASSAGE IV 60 and fish flourish in the cool waters made possible by
NATURAL SCIENCE: This passage discusses a disease the shade of ash trees. Green and white ash are also
that is detrimental to certain trees in North America. very popular in landscaping. Their decline could result
in reduced property values.
One of the greatest concerns of landscapers is tree Ash trees also represent a valuable hardwood
disease. Ash trees are among the most common trees 65 resource. An estimated 275 million feet of ash lum-
in North America, and they are also very susceptible to ber is harvested annually. In the Northeastern United
disease and decline. States, about 33 percent of the commercial forest area
5 One cause of decline in ash trees is ash yellows. includes ash trees.
This disease infects mainly white and green ash in There are no known cures for the diseases
the Northern United States. Ash yellows is caused by 70 mentioned. Experts recommend removing very sick
a phytoplasma: virus-like pathogens that are spread trees while keeping healthy trees well watered and fer-
by insects. Ash yellows leads to a gradual decline tilized. Dead limbs should also be removed to maintain
10 in tree health for about two to ten years before the the health of ash trees.
tree dies. Some common symptoms include short inter-
nodes and tufting of foliage at branch ends, pale green
or pale yellow leaves, defoliation, and a sparse canopy.
Cankers may also form on the branches and trunk.
15 Unsightly “witches’ broom” sprouts might appear on 31. According to the passage, many scientists feel that most
the branches, but it is more common for them to appear ash decline is likely caused:
on the trunk. The trunk may also develop cracks if the A. almost exclusively by ash yellows.
tree is infected with ash yellows. Rarely does an ash B. by a combination of disease and environmental
tree recover from ash yellows. Experts guess that this factors.
20 disease is more common than most homeowners realize C. by improper watering and fertilization by home-
because witches’ brooms and yellowing are not always
visible on the infected trees. Sometimes cankers and owners.
cracks are the only signs of the disease. D. by a combination of ash yellows and verticillium
The term ash decline is used to refer to a tree with wilt only.
25 more than one condition. Ash decline may involve the
ash yellows disease or another problem called verticil-
lium wilt. Ash decline is often used to describe any 32. The passage likens verticillium wilt to ash yellows in
decline in health that is unexplainable. Ash decline that:
involves branch tip death, defoliation, and a slow F. both diseases share the symptoms of cankers and
30 decline over a number of years. Trees with ash decline dieback.
may appear to recover in the spring and decline again G. verticillium is likely to be a cause of ash yellows in
in July and August.
Verticillium wilt on ash can also result in cankers white and green ash trees.
and dieback similar to ash yellows. Trying to diagnose H. poor watering and fertilization techniques can cause
35 a tree is difficult because symptoms could be caused by verticillium wilt and ash yellows.
a variety of problems. Sick ash trees may suffer from J. verticillium wilt and ash yellows were discovered
verticillium wilt, ash yellows, environmental stress, or around the same time period and kill a similar
a combination of these ailments. number of trees.
Ash yellows has been a known disease in the
40 United States since the 1930s. However, the disease
was not distinguished from general ash decline involv- 33. The difficulty in diagnosing disease in an ash tree is due
ing environmental factors until the 1980s. In the last to all of the following EXCEPT:
eighty years, North America has seen a significant
decline in some of its ash trees. A. similar diseases that have similar symptoms.
45 No single factor has been proven to cause ash B. some ash trees in decline may be unhealthy due to
decline. Ash yellows and environmental factors may environmental conditions rather than diseases.
work together to create ash decline. Studies show that C. more than one factor could be contributing to an ash
ash yellows is often detected where environmental fac- tree’s decline.
tors like water shortage or insect damage are present. D. sick ash trees are difficult to test because they
50 A survey of several Midwestern states found that some decline so rapidly.
ash decline was found to be independent of ash yellows.
The droughts in the 1980s may have caused the decline
of ash trees in the Midwest. Cold winter temperatures 34. The passage states that ash yellows is caused by:
may also play a role in decline.
55 Ash trees are important in the ecology of North F. insufficient water.
American forests. The decline of these trees may have G. virus-like pathogens.
a severe impact on the health of other plant and animal H. insects that eat or destroy the leaves of the ash trees.
communities. Green ash provides nesting sites for sev- J. cankers, witches’ broom, and cracking in the tree
eral species of birds and other wild creatures. Insects trunk.

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PRACTICE TEST 10 READING TEST 809

3 3
35. According to the passage, the author believes that: 39. According to the passage, what is NOT a characteristic
A. landscapers should never use ash trees in landscap- of the disease ash yellows?
ing designs. A. The pathogens that cause the disease are spread by
B. ash trees are the most important tree in North insects.
America. B. It causes a gradual decline in the tree’s health.
C. ash trees are important because they can provide a C. Its symptoms include a sparse canopy and defolia-
home for some wildlife. tion.
D. ash trees are essential to ecosystems because they D. It turns the leaves of ash trees bright yellow.
lock in heat from the sun to warm shady forests.

36. According to the passage, which of the following is an

argument for NOT blaming ash decline solely on ash
yellows?
F. Most ash decline is caused by verticillium wilt, not
ash yellows.
G. A study cited in the passage proves that only envi-
ronmental factors have impacted ash decline in
recent years.
H. A study mentioned in the passage shows that
drought and weather may contribute to ash decline.
J. verticillium wilt, ash yellows, and environmental
conditions all contribute to ash decline equally.

37. As it is used in line 60, the word flourish most nearly

means:
A. decorate. 40. Which of the following are accurate statements about
B. prosper. ash trees, according to the passage?
C. decline. I. Ash trees with ash yellows disease are easily
D. swim. cured.
II. Ash trees infected with ash yellows usually die
38. The author would most likely agree with which of the after having the disease for two to ten years.
following statements? III. Ash trees infected with ash yellows do not
F. It is important for research to continue into a cure usually recover.
for ash yellows. IV. Ash trees infected with ash yellows sometimes
G. Ash yellows is not worthy of continued scientific appear to recover in the spring.
research.
H. All ash trees in North America will need to be F. I, II, III, IV
destroyed to stop the spread of disease. G. II and III only
J. Ash trees are not significant to the good health of H. I and IV only
plant and animal communities. J. II, III, and IV only

END OF THE READING TEST.

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