TOEFL IBT Reading Practice Test 44 from TOEFL iBT Activator Reading Intermediate

TOEFL IBT Reading Practice Test 44 from TOEFL iBT Activator Reading Intermediate

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Reading Directions: This section measures your ability to understand academic passages in English.

The Reading section is divided into separately timed parts.

Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question for each passage is worth more than 1 point. The directions for the last question indicate how many points you may receive. You will now begin the Reading section. There are three passages in the section. You should allow 20 minutes to read each passage and answer the questions about it. You should allow 60 minutes to complete the entire section.

At the end of this Practice Test, you will find an answer key, information to help you determine your score, and explanations of the answers.

Passage 1: Eclipses

P1: The word eclipse refers to astronomical occasion when the light of one celestial object is partly or completely blocked by the shadow of another object. Eclipses are usually classified as solar or lunar. They occur as often as seven times in a year.

P2: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. It partly or totally blocks the Earth’s view of the Sun. This happens when the Moon is exactly between the Sun and the Earth. A solar eclipse can only occur when the Moon is a new moon. Thousands of years ago, solar eclipses were terrifying events because everything went dark and no one could understand why. Today solar eclipses are no longer frightening, and hundreds of people do travel to areas where a solar eclipse is occurring. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon and only a faint corona can be seen. It is rare and usually lasts for a few minutes. A partial eclipse occurs when the Moon covers parts of the Sun. The longest solar eclipses occur when the Earth is farthest from the Sun, making the solar disc smaller and the Moon is at closest to the Earth, making the Moon’s diameter larger.

P3: A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through a part of the Earth’s shadow. The earliest recorded lunar eclipse happened on March 19, 721 B.C. A lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon and when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a single line. A The shadow of the Earth is divided into two parts. B The outer part of the shadow is called the penumbra. In the penumbra, the Earth can block only part of the Sun’s rays which reach the Moon. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. C The inner part is the umbra, a region where the Earth blocks all the direct sunlight. D When the Moon travels completely under the Earth’s umbra, the Moon partly disappears or has a red glow.

Directions: Mark your answer by filling in the oval next to your choice.

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

(A) Eclipses are heavenly events involving the Sun, Moon and Earth.

(B) Solar eclipses do not occur as often as lunar eclipses.

(U) Solar and lunar eclipses cannot occur unless the Moon is full.

(D) Celestial objects are visible in the sky when an eclipse occurs.

2. The word blocked in paragraph 1 could best be replaced by

(A) tied

(B) found

(C) hidden

(D) colored

3. According to the passage, which of the following is a reason why solar eclipses terrified ancient people?

(A) The Moon appeared bigger than the Sun.

(B) Both the Moon and the Sun were visible in the sky.

(C) People did not know the reason why everything grew dark.

(D) The Sun was not as bright as it used to be.

4. Which of the sentences best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

(A) People travel to see solar eclipses for a religious reason.

(B) People are not afraid of solar eclipses, and they want to see them.

(C) Solar eclipses are now the most important events of the year.

(D) People travel to see solar eclipses because they are terrified.

5. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 2 as a possible consequence of a solar eclipse EXCEPT that
(A) the Sun appears as a shining band.

(D the Sun’s rays are completely blocked out.

(C) the Sun partly disappears for a short time.

(D) the Sun’s corona can be seen.

6. The word rare in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

(A) complex

(B) cold

(C) uncommon

(D) dangerous

7. What can be inferred about solar eclipses?

(A) They are not as attractive as they were in the past

(B) They are harder to study than lunar eclipses.

(C) They are Interesting events for a lot of people.

(D) They occur only in the daytime.

8. The phrase outer part in paragraph 3 refers to

(A) the Earth’s shadow

(B) a single line

(C) umbra

(D) penumbra

9. Look at the four squares [A] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

“The penumbra does not cause any noticeable darkening of the Moon’s surface.”

Where would the sentence best fit?

(A) A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through a part of the Earth’s shadow. The earliest recorded lunar eclipse happened on March 19, 721 B.C. A lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon and when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a single line. The penumbra does not cause any noticeable darkening of the Moon’s surface. The shadow of the Earth is divided into two parts. B The outer part of the shadow is called the penumbra. In the penumbra, the Earth can block only part of the Sun’s rays which reach the Moon. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. C The inner part is the umbra, a region where the Earth blocks all the direct sunlight. D When the Moon travels completely under the Earth’s umbra, the Moon partly disappears or has a red glow.

(B) A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through a part of the Earth’s shadow. The earliest recorded lunar eclipse happened on March 19, 721 B.C. A lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon and when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a single line. A The shadow of the Earth is divided into two parts. The penumbra does not cause any noticeable darkening of the Moon’s surface. The outer part of the shadow is called the penumbra. In the penumbra, the Earth can block only part of the Sun’s rays which reach the Moon. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. C The inner part is the umbra, a region where the Earth blocks all the direct sunlight. D When the Moon travels completely under the Earth’s umbra, the Moon partly disappears or has a red glow.

(C) A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through a part of the Earth’s shadow. The earliest recorded lunar eclipse happened on March 19, 721 B.C. A lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon and when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a single line. A The shadow of the Earth is divided into two parts. B The outer part of the shadow is called the penumbra. In the penumbra, the Earth can block only part of the Sun’s rays which reach the Moon. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. The penumbra does not cause any noticeable darkening of the Moon’s surface. The inner part is the umbra, a region where the Earth blocks all the direct sunlight. D When the Moon travels completely under the Earth’s umbra, the Moon partly disappears or has a red glow.

(D) A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through a part of the Earth’s shadow. The earliest recorded lunar eclipse happened on March 19, 721 B.C. A lunar eclipse can only occur with a full moon and when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a single line. A The shadow of the Earth is divided into two parts. B The outer part of the shadow is called the penumbra. In the penumbra, the Earth can block only part of the Sun’s rays which reach the Moon. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. C The inner part is the umbra, a region where the Earth blocks all the direct sunlight. The penumbra does not cause any noticeable darkening of the Moon’s surface. When the Moon travels completely under the Earth’s umbra, the Moon partly disappears or has a red glow.

10. Directions: Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match them to the eclipse to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used.

Types of eclipse:

• Solar eclipse
• Lunar eclipse 

Answer Choices

(A) Occurs several times a month

(B) Has a reddish color when it passes under umbra

(C) Occurs when the Moon is in the middle of the Earth and Sun

(D) Is partial when it passes through penumbra

(E) Happens when light is blocked by the Moon

(D Occurred on March 19, 721 B.C.

(G) Happens when the Moon is a new moon

(H) Blocks the Earth’s view of other planets

Answer Keys for Passage 1 Here:

Reading Passage 2 Here