SOLUTION & EXPLANATION FOR TOEFL IBT READING PRACTICE TEST 03 ( FROM TOEFL IBT IVY’S READING 15 ACTUAL TESTS)
KEY
1.(C) 2. (D) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (A) 6.(B) 7. (A) 8. (C) 9 (A) 10. (D) 11.(D) 12.(A) 13. (B), (C), (F)
1. Vocabulary | (C)
Q. The word livelihoods in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? incomes can replace livelihoods in this context.
• livelihood n. how you earn money to live
• income n. money you earn from your job or that you receive from investments, the government etc.
2. Factual Information | (D)
Q. According to paragraph 2, the two sides of a weathervane ornament must be unequal in surface area so that
Why? ~See Clue 2(D)[tines 21-24]
► In order to operate correctly, the ornament must be equal in weight but unequal in surface area on either side of its central axis.
3. Vocabulary | (D)
Q. The word affixed in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? attached can replace affixed in this context. See Clue 3(D)[lines 16-191
• affix v. to attach or stick something to something else
• attach v. to fasten or link one object to another
4. Rhetorical Purpose | (C)
Q. Why does the author give information about medieval European weathervanes in paragraph 3?
Why? Information about medieval European weathervanes is given in order to contrast them with early American weathervanes in terms of religious meaning. •*See Clue 4(C)[lines 28-35]
5. Sentence Simplification I (A)
Q. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Why? They were also prevalent in medieval Europe among the wealthy, when ornaments frequently possessed some sort of religious significance, // but by the time the American colonists started producing weathervanes, things had changed;//ornaments made in America were seldom influenced by religion.
Why Not? (B) Information about the ornaments of early American weathervanes is left out.
(C) Incorrect
(D) Not mentioned
6. Factual Information I (B)
Q. According to the information in paragraph 5, how are banner and silhouette ornaments similar?
Why? «See Clue 6(B)[lines 61-62]
Why Not? (A) Incorrect ~-See lines 56-60/(C) Incorrect ~See lines 65-66/ (D) Not mentioned
7. Reference I (A)
Q. The word they in the passage refers to
Why? Silhouette vanes were the prevailing models in previous centuries because of the ease and low cost of their production, and they also experienced a revival in the early 1900s. —See Clue 7(A)[lines 63-66]
8. Rhetorical Purpose I (C)
Q. The author mentions Mass production in paragraph 6 to
Why? Mass production is mentioned as a background for the advent of full-bodied ornaments. —See Clue 8(C) Line 86*8, 93-96]
9. Vocabulary I (A)
Q. The word render in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? present can replace render in this context —See Clue 9(A)[lines 82-85]
• render v. to represent or depict
• present v. to convey or show something intended using precise methods
10. Factual Information I (D)
& According to the passage, the only type of weathervane ornament that would display words would belong to the
Why? -See Clue 10(D)[lines 53-55]
11. Rhetorical Purpose I (D)
Q. Why does the author mention Collectors and historians in paragraph 7?
Why? Collectors and historians are mentioned as examples of groups that highly appreciate weathervanes. —See Clue 11(D)[lines 98-101]
12. Insert Text | A
Q. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Why? A fixed rod comprises the lower portion. A It is installed onto a desired surface, usually the roof of a building, and does not move. Frequently, there are directional arms branching out from the center of the rod to indicate the four directions; the letters *N,* E” “S,” and *W” are often affixed to the appropriate arms. B
► ‘It* in the given sentence refers to *A fixed rod.
13. Prose Summary
Q. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points
| Correct Answer Choices | Clues in the passage |
| (B) Though always comprising the same basic components, weathervanes continuously changed in style and significance, with many ornament variations appearing in America. | Clue 13(B)[lines 13-14] Styles abound, but all weathervanes display a similar structure.
[lines 29-35] in medieval Europe among the wealthy, when ornaments frequently possessed some sort of religious significance, but… things had changed; ornaments made in America were seldom influenced by religion. [lines 45-46] American craftspeople are credited with introducing the great variety of ornament styles |
| (C) Banners and silhouettes are the simplest forms of weathervane ornament and were popular most likely because they were so easy to create. | Clue 13(C)[lines 47-48] Among these, the most basic is known as the banner style [lines 59-61] The simplest version of these figural ornaments is what is called a silhouette. Similar to banner-style creations
[lines 63-65] Silhouette vanes were the prevailing models in previous centuries because of the ease and low cost of their production |
| (F) Of the more complex styles, low-relief ornaments represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship, whereas full-bodied ornaments are very intricate and are the most valuable today. | Clue 13(F)[lines 78-80] This style is considered the crowning achievement of the American weathervane craft
[lines 87-88] a new, more complicated style emerged. Known as full-bodied ornaments [lines 101-104] Authentic full-bodied weathervanes can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, and even simple banner-style ornaments are worth large sums. |
► The whole passage focuses on the development of American weathervanes, mainly their different types and historical significance. And it follows that <(B) The change of style and meaning of weathervanes — (C) Banner-style ornaments and silhouette ornaments — (F) Low-relief ornaments and full-bodied ornaments and their artistic value) –See (Graphic Organized on p,273 os Why Not? (A) Not mentioned / (D) Mentioned in lines 48-53, but minor / (E) Mentioned in lines 71-74, 78-82, but minor
SOLUTION & EXPLANATION FOR TOEFL IBT READING PRACTICE TEST 03 ( FROM TOEFL IBT IVY’S READING 15 ACTUAL TESTS)
KEY
14. Vocabulary | (B)
Q. The word attributes in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? features can replace attributes in this context. —See Clue 14(B)[lines 1-4, 9-11]
attribute n. quality, feature, or characteristic, especially one that is considered to be good or useful
feature n. specific part of something that you notice because it seems important, interesting, or typical
15. Reference I (A)
Q. The word it in the passage refers to a-
Why? This correlation enables university professors or administrators to accurately predict a student’s GPA by looking at his or her class attendance record. Or, conversely, it allows them to estimate how well a class was attended by looking at the grades received by the students in that class. —See Clue 15(A)[lines 2329]
16. Sentence Simplification I (D)
Q. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Why? For example, it has been proven that, // on average, the more class sessions college students attend during a semester, // the higher their final grade in that class will be.
Why Not? (A), (B) Not mentioned
(C) Not mentioned (the passage says the more classes attended, the higher their grade, but the converse is not always true)
17. Factual Information I (A)
Q. According to paragraph 3, how does a two-axis graph display the variables of a correlation?
Why? -See Clue 17(A)[lines 36-39]
> … with values on the horizontal x-axis representing one variable and values on the vertical y-axis representing the other.
Why Not? (B) Incorrect —See lines 41-45/(C) Incorrect —See lines 36-39/(D) Incorrect —See lines 41-45
18. Factual Information I (C)
Q. According to paragraph 4, when one variable in a positive correlation increases, the other variable
Why? -See Clue 18(C)[lines 59-60]
19. Rhetorical Purpose I (B)
Q. In paragraph 5, how does the author explain the appearance of a negative correlation line on a graph?
Why? -See Clue 19(B)[lines 71-75]
Why Not? (A), (C) Not mentioned / (D) Incorrect —See lines 72-75
20. Vocabulary I (B)
Q. The word practically in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? usefulness can replace practicality in this context.
• practicality n. capability or suitability of being used; usefulness
• usefulness n. degree of utility or the state of being of use
21. Vocabulary I (C)
Q. The word engenders in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? brings about can replace engenders in this context ^See Clue 2UC)llines 94-96]
• engender v. to be the cause or to produce a situation
• bring about to cause something to happen
22. Factual Information I (D)
Q. In paragraph 7, the author states that negative correlations
Why? –See Clue 22(D)[lines 89-91]
Why Not? (A)-(C) Not mentioned
23. Negative Fact I (C)
Q. According to the passage, correlations do all of the following EXCEPT
Why? ~ See Clue 23(C)[lines 101-103]
► They can label a relationship as either positive or negative, but they cannot explain the causes behind the relationship.
| Incorrect Answer Choices | Mentioned in the passage |
| (A) facilitate the study of two-variable relationships | [lines 5-6] correlations help describe the relationship between the two variables. |
| (B) enable researchers to make predictions about relationships | [lines 13-15] Using a proven correlation, researchers only have to measure one of the two variables. |
| (D) create specific images on a two-axis graph | [lines 36-36] This relationship is easily plotted on a standard two-axis graph |
24. Insert Text | C
Q. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Why? A For instance, researchers should not assume that watching television necessarily engenders bad grades. B The opposite might be true: students who frequently get bad grades become discouraged with schoolwork and choose to watch television instead. C Or there could be a third, unmeasured variable that acts on the relationship, such as the influence of the student’s parents. This dilemma is part of the definition of correlations.
► ‘This dilemma’ refers to the three preceding possibilities.
25. Schematic Table
Q. Directions: Complete the table by matching the statements below.
Select the appropriate statements from the answer choices and match them to the type of correlation to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used. This question is worth 3 points.
| Correct Answer Choices | Clues in the passage | |
| Positive
Correlation |
(A) Shows the relationship between the number of classes attended and a student’s final grade | Clue 25(A)[lines 20-23] the more class sessions college students attend during a semester, the higher their final grade in that class will be |
| (C) As one variable decreases, the other variable also decreases. | Clue 25(C)[lines 59-60] They (Both variables) either increase together or decrease together | |
| (E) Can create a graphed line that progresses down and to the left | Clue 25(E)[lines 41-45] Because both sets of values in a positive correlation progress in the same way (increasing, in this case), a line will be graphed that slants up and to the right. | |
| Negative
Correlation |
(B) Allows researchers to estimate a student’s grades by observing how much television the student watches | Clue 25(B)[lines 79-84] The more television the student watches, the lower his or her grades tend to be. Or, to say it another way, students who spend fewer hours watching television tend to have higher grades in school. |
| (F) As one variable decreases, the other variable increases. | Clue 25(F)[lines 63-64] As one variable increases, the other decreases by a proportionate amount. |
Why Not? (D) Incorrect / (G) Incorrect —-See lines 91-94
Solution for Reading Passage 3
SOLUTION & EXPLANATION FOR TOEFL IBT READING PRACTICE TEST 03 ( FROM TOEFL IBT IVY’S READING 15 ACTUAL TESTS)
KEY
26. Rhetorical Purpose | (C)
Q. Why does the author mention Hawaii in paragraph 1?
Why? – See Clue 26(C)[lines 9^11]
27. Reference I (B)
Q. The word they in the passage refers to
Why? … there were hundreds of Kress stores situated in cities in twenty-eight states, including Hawaii.
In addition to providing quality items at low prices, they also possessed truly unique and appealing designs **See Clue 27<B)[lines 9-13]
28. Vocabulary I (B)
Q. The word meticulously in the passage is closest in meaning to »
Why? carefully can replace meticulously in this context. See Clue 28(B)[lines 20-24]
• meticulously adv. in a meticulous manner
* meticulous adj. very careful about small details, and constantly ensuring that everything is done correctly
• carefully adv. in a cautious manner
29. Inference I (B)
Q. From paragraph 2, it can be inferred that most owners of discount stores around 1900
Why? (B) can be inferred from the information in lines 18-22. ~-See Clue 29(B)
Why Not? (A), (C), (D) Not supported
30. Vocabulary I (A)
Q. The word linger in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? remain can replace linger in this context. ~See Clue 30(A)[lines 23-24]
• linger v. to continue to exist
• remain v. to continue to be in a constant state
31. Factual Information I (D)
Q. In paragraph 3, what does the author state about the locations of Kress five-and-dimes? .
Why? ~See Clue 31(D)[lines 52-53]
► Frequently erected along cities’ primary downtown thoroughfares,…
Why Not? (A)-(C) Not mentioned
32. Vocabulary I (C)
Q. The word optimum in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? best can replace optimum in this context. See Clue 32(C)[lines 57-61]
• optimum adj. most desirable or favorable;
• best adj. most suitable, useful, or satisfactory
33. Inference I (C)
Q. From the information in paragraph 2 and paragraph 4, what can be inferred about Kress stores in the 1930s?
Why? (C) can be inferred from the information in lines 61-65. —See 33(C)
Why Not? (A), (B) Not supported / (D) Incorrect “-See lines 20-22
34. Vocabulary I (D)
Q. The word hailed in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? praised can replace hailed’m this context. —See Clue 34(D)[lines 79-81]
• hail v. to describe with emphasis someone or something as being excellent 9
praise v. to declare that you admire and approve of someone or something
35. Factual Information I (A)
Q. According to paragraph 5, Edward Sibbert was
Why? -See Clue 35<A)[lines 75-76]
Why Not? (BHD) Not mentioned
36. Rhetorical Purpose I (D)
Q. The author discusses Genesco Inc. in paragraph 6 to
Why? Genesco Inc. is discussed as the company that acquired Kress & Co. and finally dissolved it. —See Clue 36(D)[lines 87-91]
37. Sentence Simplification I (B)
Q. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Why? Though the old five-and-dimes are now filled with different businesses. // as mementos from a time when a city’s Main Street was the center of its community and culture, // they are valuable resources for municipalities currently seeking to revitalize their downtown districts.
Why Not? (A) Information about the historical value of old five-and-dimes and their functions today is left out
(C) Not mentioned
(D) Information about the historical value of old five-and-dimes and their current uses is left out.
38. Insert Text | (C)
Q. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Why? [B]… the remarkable thing about Kress architecture was that each store was fashioned specifically to complement the structures that surrounded it as well as the culture of the area. [C] A broad range of styles was utilized, among them Italian Renaissance, Mayan Revival, and Art Deco. Frequently erected along cities’ primary downtown thoroughfares, Kress five-and-dimes both blended with and helped define the Main Streets of twentieth century America. [D]
39. Prose Summary
Q. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Why? Around the turn of the twentieth century, Samuel Henry Kress founded what turned out to be one of the most pervasive chains of five-and-dime discount stores.
| Correct Answer Choices | Clues in the passage |
| (A) In addition to their large selections of low-priced goods, Kress stores attracted customers with their extravagant interior and exterior designs. | Clue 39(A)[lines 11-13] In addition to providing
quality items at low prices, they also possessed truly unique and appealing designs [lines 38-41] the store interiors were not the only attraction of the Kress chain, for each location’s facade also represented a stunning architectural achievement |
| (D) By utilizing low-cost materials and labor during the Great Depression, Kress was able to greatly expand his business, eventually maintaining hundreds of stores nationwide. | Clue 39(D)[lines 61-65] Taking advantage of the cheap labor and materials that resulted from the economic downturn, Kress was able to construct many more stores than would have been possible otherwise.
[lines 69-70] By 1944, there were more than 200 Kress five-and-dimes operating throughout the U.S. |
| (F) The Kress five-and-dimes finally shut down in 1980, but the impressive architecture of their buildings has endured and is still an important feature of many American cities. | Clue 39(F)[lines 90-94] in 1980, it decided to dissolve the company altogether. Kress’s legacy, however, has survived, as Main Streets in cities all over America still contain their monumental Kress buildings. |
► The whole passage focuses on the reasons why Kress & Co. was successful and its historical value. And it follows that ((A) The key factors to the success of Kress & Co. — (D) Expansion of Kress & Co. — (F) Disappearance of Kress & Co.