Reading Post-Test (Paper) : Section 3
Reading Post-Test (Paper) : Section 3
Reading Post-Test (Paper) : Section 3
SECTION 3
READING COMPREHENSION
Time—55 minutes
(including the reading of the directions)
Now set your clock for 55 minutes.
This section is designed to measure your ability to read and understand short passages similar in
topic and style to those that students are likely to encounter in North American universities and
colleges.
Directions: In this section you will read several passages. Each one is followed by a number of
questions about it. You are to choose the one best answer, (A), (B), (C), or (D), to each question. Then,
on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and filI in the space that corresponds to the
letter of the answer you have chosen.
Answer all questions about the information in a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in
that passage.
Read the following passage:
John Ouincy Adams, who served as the sixth president of the United States from
1825 to 1829, is today recognized for his masterful statesmanship and diplomacy. He
dedicated his life to public service, both in the presidency and in the various other political
offices that he
Line held. Throughout his political career he demonstrated his unswerving belief in freedom of
L8) speech, the antislavery cause, and the right of Americans to be free from European and Asian
domination.
According to the passage, John Ouincy Adams “dedicated his life to public service.” Therefore, you
should choose (B).
The passage states that John Ouincy Adams demonstrated his unswerving belief “throughout his
career." This implies that the belief did not change. Therefore, you should choose (C).
Now begin work on the questions.
Questions 1-10
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves in front of the Sun and hides at least some part of
the Sun from the earth. In a partial eclipse, the Moon covers part of the Sun; in an annular eclipse,
the Moon covers the center of the Sun, leaving a bright ring of light around the Moon; in a total
£ine eclipse, the Sun is completely covered by the Moon.
It seems rather improbable that a celestial body the size of the Moon could completely block out
the tremendously immense Sun, as happens during a total eclipse, but this is exactly what happens.
Although the Moon is considerably smaller in size than the Sun, the Moon is able to cover the Sun
because of their relative distances from Earth. A total eclipse can last up to 7 minutes, during which
time the Moon’s shadow moves across Earth at a rate of about .6 kilometers per second.
8. The passage states that which of the 10. Where in the passage does the author
following happens during an eclipse? mention the rate of a total eclipse?
The Moon hides from the Sun. (A) Lines I —2
(B) The Moon is obscured by the Sun. (B) Lines 2-4
(C) The Moon begins moving at a speed (C) Lines 5—6
of .6 kilometers per second. Lines 8—9
(D) The Moon’s shadow crosses Earth.
Ouestions 11—20
While the bald eagle is one national symbol of the United States, it is not the only one. Uncle
Sam, a bearded gentleman costumed in the red, white, and blue stars and stripes of the nation’s flag,
is another well-known national symbol. According to legend, this character is based on Samuel
Line Wilson, the owner of a meat-packing business in Troy, New York. During the War of 1812, Sam
(5) Wilson’s company was granted a government contract to supply meat to the nation’s soldiers; this
meat was supplied to the army in barrels stamped with the initials U.S., which stood for United
States. I-However, the country was at that time relatively young, and the initials U.S. were not
commonly used. Many people questioned what the initials represented, and the standard reply
became “Uncle Sam,” for the owner of the barrels. It is now generally accepted that the figure of
(I0) Uncle Sam is based on Samuel Wilson, and the U.S. Congress has made it official by adopting a
resolution naming Samuel Wilson as the inspiration for Uncle Sam.
23. The passage describes the geography of 29. “Mesquite” in line 10 is probably
deserts as (A) a type of tree
(A) flat (B) a desert animal
(B) sandy (C) a type of cactus
( varied a geographical formation in the desert
(D) void of vegetation
30. The word “arid” in line 11 means
24. The word “source” in line 3 means deep
(A) supply dry
storage space (C) sandy
C) need (D) superficial
(D) lack 31. Where in the passage does the author
25. According to the passage, what causes an describe desert vegetation that keeps water
area to be classified as a desert? in its leaves?
Q'( The type of plants (A) Lines 1-2
(B) The geographical formations (B) Lines 3—6
(C) The amount of precipitation Lines 7—9
(D) The source of water (D) Lines 9—11