TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Test 05
This section measures your ability to understand academic passages in English.
The Reading section is divided into 2 separately timed parts.
Most questions are worth 1 point but the last question in each set is worth more than 1 point. The directions indicate how many points you may receive.
There are three passages on the short format and five passages on the long for- mat. After each passage, you will answer 12-14 questions about it.
You may now begin the Reading section.
Passage 1 | Archaeology
Carbon-14 Dating Method
Radiocarbon dating is a scientific method used for determining the approximate ages of organic archaeological samples. Although there are several other techniques employed s to estimate the ages of ancient remains, carbon-14 (also known as 14C) is the most commonly used.
The radiocarbon dating method measures the amount of 14C in organic material in order to ascertain how much time has passed since an organism’s death. This method has been employed to determine the ages of subjects that lived as long as fifty thousand years ago. Although radiocarbon dating cannot directly calculate the ages of inorganic materials, such as coins, organic matter discovered on the same ground level, or stratum, can provide an accurate estimate based on the presumption that both objects once coexisted. Because of its broad applications, radiocarbon dating is utilized in various fields, such as archaeology, anthropology, and geology.
Prior to the advent of radiocarbon dating, researchers studying ancient artifacts 25 were able to conclude that when objects were uncovered at archaeological sites, the deeper they were found in the ground, the older they were. Scientists also deduced that remnants discovered on a similar stratum were most 30 likely comparable in age. There were, however, some obstacles to this method of dating artifacts. Accurately determining the age of a sample required confirmation from written records, and if no such records existed—due to is the age of the item, for example—verifying the time frame was virtually impossible. Moreover, samples found at similar ground depths but at great distances apart could not automatically be assumed to be equivalent without other supporting evidence.
Fortunately, the radiocarbon dating technique, developed in 1949 by Willard F. Libby, helped to resolve these problems. When 14C, which is naturally present in very small quantities in the air, is absorbed by living organisms, some of it remains in their tissues. 14C is created in the upper atmosphere where it unites with oxygen and transforms into carbon dioxide (CO2). In this form, it is integrated into the Earth’s ecology, as plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and pass along the 14C to organisms higher up in the food chain; animals devour plants, taking in 14C, and humans in turn consume 5 both. Throughout an organism’s life cycle, it constantly takes in 14C. [A] When living things die, however, 14C stops being absorbed, and the amount inside the dead organism begins to decay. [B] Libby found that by measuring the 0 amount of 14C that was left in organic material, the age of the subject could be estimated, as the rate of decay, or half-life of 14C, is gradual yet steady. [C] Various radioactive substances have different rates of decay, ranging from <5 seconds to thousands of years. [D] In the case of 14C , it takes 5,730 years for half of the initial quantity of the 14C that was absorbed by an organism to disappear after it has died. It takes another 5,730 years for half of the remaining half to decay, and so on. This means if Libby discovered that 14C from an organic sample gave off half as much radiation as modem 14C, he could estimate the sample to be approximately 5,730 years old.
There are limits to this procedure, however—namely, that it can only estimate the ages of organic objects that are less than fifty thousand years old. In objects older than that, the quantity of 14C is too small for scientists to examine and render a reliable conclusion. But, overall, the technique is still highly dependable. To demonstrate its effectiveness, the radiocarbon dating method has been tested on historically recorded artifacts whose ages are known, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and pieces of an Egyptian tomb; the results have been very impressive—the ages calculated by the radiocarbon dating technique closely match the ages of the artifacts as -o documented in historical records. These tests have proven that radiocarbon dating is an invaluable tool, one which will undoubtedly continue to be used in the future for a variety of applications.
1. The word ascertain in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) study
(B) discover
(C) remember
(D) suggest
2. 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.
(A) Coins are an example of inorganic matter commonly found on a stratum.
(B) Radiocarbon dating cannot provide information about the age of organic matter.
(C) It is possible to estimate the age of inorganic matter that is found on the same stratum as objects they coexisted with.
(D) Some objects cannot be radiocarbon- dated, but their ages likely match those of objects on the same stratum.
4. Based on the information in paragraph 1 and paragraph 2, radiocarbon dating is used more often than other dating methods because it
(A) can be applied in many ways
(B) can be used to date inorganic samples
(C) is faster than other dating methods
(D) is the cheapest method
3. The word its in the passage refers to
(A) estimate
(B) presumption
(C) radiocarbon dating
(D) archaeology
5. According to paragraph 3, before radiocarbon dating scientists relied on the assumption that the artifacts that are the deepest underground
(A) are the most common
(B) are found on different strata
(C) are the oldest
(D) are very similar to one another
6. The word remnants in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) rocks
(B) ancestors
(C) remains
(D) techniques
7. According to paragraph 3, how did scientists determine the ages of archaeological samples before radiocarbon dating?
(A) They referred to historical records.
(B) They compared items from different strata.
(C) They contrasted items found in different areas.
(D) They measured the amount of oxygen in items.
8. According to paragraph 4, how did Libby’s technique benefit the field of archaeology?
(A) It used 14C to identify archaeological samples buried underground.
(B) It found small quantities of 14C in the air.
(C) It naturally absorbed 14C from archaeological samples.
(D) It used 14C to estimate the ages of archaeological samples.
9. What can be inferred from paragraph 4 about the rates of decay of some radioactive substances?
(A) They are too fast to be useful for dating purposes.
(B) They do not have half-lives.
(C) They are more consistent than 14C.
(D) They are too difficult to calculate.
10. According to paragraph 5, radiocarbon dating cannot accurately date samples older than fifty thousand years because
(A) there are no samples that survive more than fifty thousand years
(B) the amount of 14C is very small in samples older than fifty thousand years
(C) there are no written records from fifty thousand years ago
(D) it takes fifty thousand years for 14C to develop in samples
11. Why does the author mention the Dead Sea Scrolls in paragraph 5?
(A) To suggest that there would be no way to estimate the ages of ancient artifacts without radiocarbon dating
(B) To contrast objects older than fifty thousand years with objects that are more modern
(C) To give an example of an artifact that cannot be accurately tested using radiocarbon dating
(D) To support the claim that radiocarbon dating is an effective way to date ancient artifacts
12. Look at the four squares m that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
This slow rate of decay makes 14C ideal for use in determining the ages of ancient artifacts.
Where would the sentence best fit?
13. 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.
The radiocarbon dating method is a procedure that measures the amount of 14C in organic remains and uses that information to accurately estimate the ages of old artifacts.
*
*
*
Answer Choices
(A) Because 14C is present in the atmosphere, it is constantly absorbed by living things and can be found in every organism.
(C) Comparing an artifact with historical records is a useful way of determining its origin and age, but it is not always accurate.
(E) Scientists have verified the preciseness of the radiocarbon dating method by testing it on artifacts whose ages are known.
(B) UC, which is formed in the upper atmosphere, is a component of air all over the Earth.
(D) Although radiocarbon dating is limited to artifacts less than fifty thousand years old, it is a dependable and invaluable tool.
(F) Radiocarbon dating is useful in fields other than archaeology, such as anthropology and geology.
Reading Passage 2 Reading Passage 3 Answer Keys & Explanation
Passage 2 | Meteorology
Dust Devils and Tornadoes
Vortexes are formed from the rotational movement of a fluid. If this fluid is water, the phenomenon is a whirlpool, as seen when water exits a tub through a drain. If it is a gas, such as air, the correct term for the vortex is a whirlwind. Different types of whirlwinds materialize all over the world, and they are divided into two main categories. The greater whirlwinds are made up of funnel clouds, waterspouts, and the infamous tornado. The most representative type of lesser whirlwind is commonly referred to as a “dust devil.” Though both whirlwinds, dust devils and tornadoes form under very dissimilar ‘•s circumstances and display many contrasting qualities.
A dust devil is created when a column of air suddenly heats up relative to the surrounding temperature. Because of heat’s 20 natural tendency to rise, the hot air moves upward as it displaces the cooler air around it, spinning rapidly just like water running down a drain. This rotational motion is the most efficient way for fluids to travel through a « confined space.
When it first begins to develop, the devil is invisible, as only the air is moving, but the spinning winds quickly pick up particles and other debris from the ground and carry them up the vortex, giving it a discemable shape and size. Dust devils get their name because these lesser whirlwinds often form in areas containing loose dirt or other fragmented materials that are easily carried by the whirlwind. However, they can also arise over water, snow, and even fire. The specific substances transported by the vortex determine the appearance of the devil.
Due to the requirement of heat in the formation of a dust devil, the sun is quite important. Sunny, clear, dry weather with little or no wind offers the prime conditions for the generation of a devil. Deserts are obviously the most common sites of this phenomenon. Heat radiating from the hot, flat sand easily creates the thermally charged columns. Yet, dust devils can occur in any location where the right conditions are present. They range from a few to hundreds of meters in height, with diameters anywhere from tens of meters to less than one. They are typically short-lived and do not pose much of a threat.
Whereas heated air is responsible for producing dust devils, greater whirlwinds such as tornadoes form as a result of the movement of cold air. Most tornadoes are spawned by powerful thunderstorm systems. When the colder air of the storm front overtakes an area of warmer air, the latter is forced to rise rapidly and begins to spin as it does in a dust devil. Combined with the winds already present in the thunderstorm clouds, the rising air can be sculpted into a narrow column, increasing its rotational speed. For reasons still unknown, it is then possible for this vortex to grow in strength and become a funnel cloud.
Funnel clouds appear to descend from the overhanging storm clouds because they pull moisture from the clouds down into the – vortex. However, this does not always happen, meaning that the whirlwind could develop unseen. If the funnel cloud reaches the ground, visible or not, it is called a tornado. Sometimes, tornadoes are not detected until their contact with the ground begins to kick up dust and debris. Tornadoes that happen to form over a body of water are referred to as waterspouts.
Tornadoes occur worldwide, but some regions are more prone to this phenomenon than others. [A] Perhaps the most famous is America’s “tornado alley,” an area that covers several midwestern states, where cold air from the Rocky Mountains or Canada often meets warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico.[B] The ability of these whirlwinds to exceed wind speeds of 480 km/h poses great risks to life and property, killing approximately sixty people each year in the United States. B The deadliest tornado in U.S. history occurred in 1925, raging through Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana and taking 695 lives. Tornadoes can be anywhere from a few dozen meters to more than five kilometers in width. Like dust devils, the average tornado is somewhat short-lived, lasting less than ten minutes, but some continue their destructive wanderings for an hour or longer.
14. The word it in the passage refers to
(A) fluid
(B) water
(C) phenomenon
(D) whirlpool
15. According to paragraph 1, how are whirl¬winds categorized?
(A) They are divided according to their intensity.
(B) They are distinguished by where they form.
(C) They are grouped by the frequency of their appearance.
(D) They are classified according to the fluid they contain.
16. How does the author explain the movement of heated air in paragraph 2?
(A) By contrasting the properties of air and water
(B) By first describing the movement of cold air
(C) By explaining the effect a dust devil has on it
(D) By comparing it to a more familiar phenomenon
17. The word confined in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) warm
(B) limited
(C) twisted
(D) specific
18. 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.
(A) Dust devils remain unseen until their winds draw in materials that provide a visible form to the swirling vortex.
(B) The shape and size of a dust devil depends on the kinds of particles its winds pick up from the ground.
(C) It may be difficult to identify a devil when rt first begins to form because the air aione cannot be seen.
(D) Once enough debris is incorporated into the vortex, the devil grows in size until it becomes large enough to see.
19. According to paragraph 4, how does desert sand contribute to the formation of a dust devil?
(A) It is easily transported because of its small size.
(B) It warms columns of air by reflecting the sun’s heat.
(C) Sand dunes cause the wind’s rotational movement.
(D) It dries the air, causing it to rise rapidly.
20. In paragraph 5, the author states that a vortex within a thunderstorm is made to spin faster when
(A) its temperature rises
(B) it grows larger
(C) its width is decreased
(D) it meets a funnel cloud
21. The word spawned in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) controlled
(B) covered
(C) produced
(D) pushed
22. The word detected in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) compared
(B) understood
(C) checked
(D) noticed
23. According to the passage, the vortexes of tornadoes and dust devils are invisible unless
(A) thunderstorms are present in the vicinity
(B) they last for more than ten minutes
(C) they form over areas containing water, snow, or fire
(D) substances of some kind are moved by the whirlwind
24. The word prone in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) subject
(B) used
(C) known
(D) related
25. From paragraph 7, it can be inferred that “tornado alley” in America
(A) creates whirlwinds that then travel north into Canada
(B) experiences the most tornadoes per year of any region
(C) lies between contrasting climatic zones
(D was the location of the deadliest tornado in the world
26. Look at the four squares H that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Some of the most frequent and violent tornado activity on Earth takes place here.
Where would the sentence best fit? Click on a square fl 11 to add the sentence to the passage.
27 Directions: Complete the table by matching the phrases below.
Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match them to the type of whirlwind to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used. This question is worth 4 points.
Drag your answer choices to the spaces where they belong. To remove an answer choice, click on it To review the passage, dick View Text
| Answer Choices
(A) Arise due to the advancement of cold air |
Dust Devils |
| * | |
| * | |
| Tornadoes | |
| * | |
| * | |
| * | |
| Both | |
| * | |
| * |
Reading Passage 1 Reading Passage 3 Answer Keys & Explanation
Passage 3 | Literature
Influences on The Call of the Wild
Because Jack London was a rather prolific writer, producing a large body of work throughout his career, an analysis of his writing style is perhaps most effective ’ when focused on a single representative work because a comprehensive survey of his writing would only provide a superficial overview of London’s tendencies as a writer without examining the nature of his writing. Two components that are central to London’s writing are his biographical experiences and his philosophical notions, both of which feature prominently in The Call of the Wild, the novel for which he is best known.
[A] London held a variety of unusual jobs that provided him with ideas for his later writings, but one of his most influential experiences—that supplied him with a sizable reserve of source material—was his expedition 20 into the Klondike as a gold prospector. [B] When the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1897, thousands of people traveled to Yukon Territory, a northern Canadian province near Alaska. [C] Through the winter of that year, London searched for gold with little success. [D] However, journaling throughout his stay in the Klondike, London recorded his experiences and the stories he heard from other prospectors there. These writings became the basis for several later works, and this subject matter brought him his first literary acclaim by capturing the attention of the American public.
After leaving the Klondike in 1898, London turned to his writing as a source of income. Eventually, one of his short stories about the North was accepted for publication, and this first sale initiated his career as a writer. In 1904, London published The Call of the Wild, a novel that was initially received positively and that has grown in popularity to become a part of the American literary canon.
The Call of the Wild draws upon London’s experiences in northern Canada, but it also incorporates many of his personal beliefs about nature and humanity—themes guided by the philosophers that deeply influenced him. One of the theories that London applied to his writing was the idea of environmental determinism, which suggests that humans are products of their environments. Their behavior is primarily determined by their surroundings, and the expectations of society only have a secondary influence. This belief is at the root of London’s writing, especially his works about the harsh climate of the Klondike. London’s interest in environmental determinism led to the frequent portrayal of situations in which characters must behave in ways that conflict with what society deems moral and correct.
In The Call of the Wild, the Klondike—a location with which London was personally familiar—presents an ideal setting for an exploration of London’s philosophical ideas. Through his central character. Buck, a dog taken from his comfortable life in California and sent to work in the Klondike, London suggests that the environment—here, the climate of the Yukon —is the main force shaping our behavior. In fact, its influence is powerful enough to contradict even the most fundamental social laws about morality. Buck identifies “the reign of primitive law,” which supersedes the rules he had become accustomed to in his former life. “The facts j of life took on a fiercer aspect and…he faced it with all the latent cunning of his nature aroused.” Buck realizes that the “civilized” ethics of his former life no longer apply, and he adopts a new code of behavior, which, though cruel compared to the morals taught by society, enables him to adjust to life in the Klondike. London makes it clear that the inability to perceive and accept the laws of the wild results in death. In the novel, after s continually failing to recognize the behavioral rules determined by their environment. Buck’s three gold-seeking masters become its victim, dying as they try to cross a frozen body of water.
It is certainly evident in The Call of the Wild that London’s writing is heavily influenced by his experiences and philosophical ideas. With his Klondike expedition inspiring the novel’s setting, London creates a stage for conveying his thoughts about human behavior and society.
28. The word comprehensive in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) careful
(B) broad
(C) scholarly
(D) brief
29. According to paragraph 2, why did London go to the Klondike?
(A) To search for gold
(B) To pursue a career as a writer
(C) To find source material for his writing
(D) To study the effects of the harsh climate on people
Paragraph 2 is marked with an arrow
30. The word initiated in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) stalled
(B) overlooked
(C) changed
(D) began
31. What can be inferred from paragraph 3 about London’s writing?
(A) It earned him money.
(B) it was misunderstood by the public.
(C) It was not considered very important
(D) It was difficult to understand.
Paragraph 3 is marked with an arrow i^i.
32. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 4 about London’s philosophical beliefs?
(A) They were revolutionary during his lifetime.
(B) They were not widely known in American culture.
(C) They were offensive to many people.
(D) They were influenced by several different philosophers.
33. In paragraph 4, why does the author mention environmental determinism?
(A) To give an example of one way London’s philosophical interests influenced his writing
(B) To support the claim that London’s primary interest as a writer was in making money
(C) To introduce the idea that London’s writing receives more credit than it deserves
(D) To explain why London often chose to use animals as main characters instead of humans
34. According to the passage, what kind of writing did London originally become famous for?
(A) Journal writing about gold prospecting
(B) Stories set in northern Canada
(C) Histories on the Klondike Gold Rush
(D) Essays about environmental determinism
35. According to paragraph 5, London used the main character, Buck, to show that
(A) the primary influence on our behavior is our environment
(B) society’s moral rules are stronger than people want to admit
(C) people do not appreciate what they have until it is absent
(D) few people are strong enough to survive in a world without social rules
Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow [■*].
36. The word its in the passage refers to
(A) environment
(B) climate
(C) Yukon
(D) behavior
37. The word primitive in the passage is closest in meaning to
(A) high
(B) respectful
(C) instinctive
(D) angry
38. 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.
(A) In order to adjust to his new life. Buck’s behavior must become harsher than it was before.
(B) Buck discovers that he does not need society to tell him what is right and wrong.
(C) Even though the Klondike is different. Buck maintains his sense of self.
(D) After spending time in the Klondike, Buck finds he can no longer remember his old morals.
39. Look at the four squares m that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
These people, like London, envisioned wealthy futures for themselves and were willing to endure the many hardships that would, they believed, bring them closer to their fortunes.
Where would the sentence best fit?
Click on a square U to add the sentence to the passage.
40. 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.
Jack London’s work was influenced by ideas and experiences that the author was exposed to.
*
*
*
Answer Choices
(A) The Call of the Wild is based on London’s time in the Klondike, where he worked as a gold prospector.
(C) In 1898, London published his first short story and soon after began to rely on his writing as a means of economic support.
(E) London’s novels quickly became successful, and audiences eagerly anticipated the author’s future work.
(B) The Call of the Wild was written from the perspective of an animal rather than from the point of view of a person.
(D) London’s writing was influenced by the ideas of environmental determinism, a philosophy to which he subscribed.
(F) Through the central character in The Call of the Wild, London shows that the environment is the main influence on our behavior.
Drag your answer choices to the spaces where they belong. To remove an answer choice, click on it To review the passage, click View Text.
Reading Passage 1 Reading Passage 2 Answer Keys & Explanation