3A343A3A3A3A3A3 READING DIAGNOSTIC PRE-TEST (Paper) Ei) SECTION 3 READING COMPREHENSION ‘Time—S5 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 ar 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), oF (D), to each question. Then, fn your answer sheet, find the number ofthe question and fill Inthe space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen. Answer all questions about the information ina passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage. Read the following passage: John Quincy Adams, who served asthe sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1828, 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 belie in reedom of, (5). speech, the antislavery cause, and the right of Americans tobe free from European and Asian domination Example ‘Sample Answer ‘To what dil John Quiney Adams devote his fe? ®eo® (A) Improving his personal life (B) Serving the public (©) Increasing his fortune (D)_ Working on his private business According tothe passage, John Quincy Adams “dedicated his life to public service." Therefore, you should choose (B). Example It ‘Sample Answer Inne 4th word “unswerving” is closes in meaning to ®BOo (A) moveable @) insigiteant {© cockanging ©) dipiomane ‘The passage states that John Quincy Adams demonstrated his unswerving belief “throughout his career” This implies thatthe belief did not change. Therefore, you should choose (C). ‘Now begin work on the questions, Ea) DIAGNOSTIC PRE-TEST (Paper) 343343 A3A3A3A3 A343 Questions 1-9 Carbon tetrachloride isa colorless and inflammable liquid that canbe produced by combining carbon disulfide and chlorine This compound is widely used in industry today because ofits elfetiveness as a solvent as wel sits use inthe production of propellants. Line ~~ Despite its widespread use n industy, carbon tetrachloride has been banned for home use. (5) _ the past carbon tetrachloride was a common ingredient in cleaning compounds that were used ‘throughout the home, but it was found to be dangerous: when heated, it changes into a poisonous g that can cause severe illness and even death if itis inhaled, Becatse ofthis dangerous characteristic, the United States revoked permission for the home use of earbon tetrachloride in 1970. The United ‘States has taken similar action with various other chemical compounds 1. The main point ofthis passage is that 6. The word “inhaled” inline 7 losest in (A) carbon tetrachloride can be very iam dangerous when it is heated (a) warmed (B) the government banned carbon (B) breathed in tetrachloride in 1970 (©) carelessly used (©) although carbon tetrachloride can (0) blown’ legally be used in industry, is not allowed in home products 7. The word “revoked” inline 8 could most (©) carbon tetrachloride used 0 be a ceasily be replaced by regular part of cleaning compounds Aco 1e word “widely” in line 2 could most (B) granted 2. The word “widely” inline 2 could ) pened aaa amd (@) tookaway (a) grandly (B) extensively [8 Ttean be inferred from the passage that (©) largely one role ofthe U.S. government iso (D) hugely (A) regulate product safety 3, The word “banned!” in line 4 is closest in (B) prohibit any use of carbon pect tetrachloride : (©) instruct industry on cleaning (a) forbidden ‘methodologies (B) allowed (©) ban the use of any chemicals (©) suggested (©) instituted 9. ‘The paragraph following the passage most likely discusses 4. According tothe passage, before 1970 Carbon tetrachloride was (A) additional uses for carbon tetrachloride (A) used by itself 25a cleanser (B) the banning of various chemical {B) banned in industvial use ‘compounds by the US. government (©) often used asa component of cleaning (©) further dangerous effects of carbon. products tetrachloride (D) not allowed in home cleaning products (D) the major characteristics of carbon tetrachloride 5. Itis stated in the passage that when carbon tetrachloride is heated, t becomes (&) harmful (B) colorless (©) acleaning compound Omens fosoronenernc) M4 READINGLine ‘9 (00) 3434A34A3A34A3A3A3 Questions 10-19 The next artis in this survey of American artists is James Whistler: he is included in this survey of American artists because he was born in the United States although the majority of his artwork ‘vas completed in Europe, Whisiler was bor in Massachusetts in 1834, but nine years later his father ‘moved the family to St Petersburg, Russa, to work on the construction of railroad. The family returned to the United States in 1849. Two years later Whistler entered the U.S. military academy at West Point, but he was unable to graduate. A the age of twenty-one, Whistler went to Europe to study art despite familial objections, and he remained in Europe until his death ‘Whistler worked in various art forms, including etchings and lithographs. However, he is most famous for his paintings, particulaely Arrangement in Gray and Black No. : Portrait ofthe Artist's [Mother or Whistles Mother as is more commonly known. This painting shows aside view of Whistler’ mother, dressed in black and posing against a gray wal. The asymmetrical nature of the portrait, with his mother seated off-center, is highly characteristic of Whistler's work, 10, The paragraph preceding this passage 15, The word “objections” in line 7 i closest in most ikely discusses teaming to (A) a survey ofcightconth-century at () protests (@) diferent American artist @) goals {©) Whistler other famous paintings {C) spreements @) Buropean artists {D) battles 11, Which ofthe following best describes the 16, Inline, the “etchings” are information in the passage? (A) atype of painting: (A). Several artists are presented {B) thesame sa lithograph (®) Oncaniat ifeand works are {©) amar form introduced by Whistler eseribed {B) anart form involving engraving (©) Various paintings are contrasted. . . {) Whistler family ies outlined 17, The word “asymmetrical” intine 11s oseat in meaning to 12, Whistler is considered an American artist (AD proportionate because (B) uneven (A) he was born in America (©) balanced (@) he spent most of hislife in America (0) rial Served inthe US. miltary cers Cihittiaseart in 18 Which ofthe following is NOT true fae according tothe passage? (A) Whistler worked witha variety of art 13. The word “majority” in llge? closes in rae meaning to (8) Whisters Motes not the offical (A) seniory ame of his painting, @) maturiy (©) Whistler is best known for is thing. (©) large pieces {D) Whistler: Mother ie painted in somber (D) high percentage tones. 14. Itis implied in the passage that Whistler's 19. Where in the passage does the author fay was Inention the yes of artwork that Whisler (A) unable to find any work at all in. ‘was involved in? Russia (A) Lines 1-3 @) highly supportive of his desire to (B) Lines ‘ors at (©) Lines 7 (©) working cass (0) Lines 10 ©) military DIAGNOSTIC PRETEST pe) M53A43A3A3A3A3A3A3 Questions 20-30 ‘The locations of stars in the sky relative to one another do not appear tothe naked eye to change, and asa result stars are often considered tobe Fixed in position, Many unaware stargszers falsely assume that each star has its own permanent home in the nighttime sky Tn eality, though, stars are always moving, but because ofthe tremendous distances between stars themselves and from stars Earth, the changes ar barely perceptible here. An example of @ Father fast-moving star demonstrates why this misconception prevails it takes approximately 200 ‘years for a relatively rapid starlike Bernards star to move a distance inthe skies equal tothe diameter of the earths moon. When the apparently negligible movement ofthe stars is contrasted Line ) M6 ‘with the movement of the planets, the stars are seemingly unmoving 20, Which of the following isthe best tile for 26 this passage? (A) What the Eye Can See inthe Sky (B) Bernard’ Star (©) Planetary Movement (D) The Evermoving Stars 21, ‘The expression “naked eye" in ine 1 most probably refers to (A) atelescope ae (B) scientific method for observing stars (©) unassisted vision (D) a camera witha powerful lens 22, According tothe passage, the distances between the stars and Earth are (A) barely perceptible 28 (B) huge (©) fixed (D) moderate 23, The word “perceptible” in line 5 is closest {in meaning to which ofthe fellowing? (A) Noticeable (B) Persuasive (©) Conceivable (D) Astonishing , 24, Inline 6, “misconception” is closest in meaning toa(n) (a) idea (B) proven fact (©) erroneous belief (D) theory 25, ‘The passage states that in 200 years Berard’ star ean move (A) around Earth’ moon (B) next to Earths moon (©) distance equal tthe distance from Earth tothe Moon, (D) a distance seemingly equal to the ‘diameter ofthe Moon 30. READING The passage implies that from Earth it appears thatthe planets (A) are fixed in the sky (B) move more slowly than the stars (©) show approximately the same amount ‘of movement asthe stare (D) travel through the sky considerably ‘more rapidly than the stars ‘The word “negligible in line 8 could most easily be replaced by (A) negative (B) insignificant (©) rapid (D) distant Which ofthe following is NOT true according to the passage? (A) Stars do not appear tothe eye to move (B) Thelarge distances between stars and the earth tend to magnify ‘movement to the eve (©) Bernard’ star moves quickly in ‘comparison with other stars. (D) Although stars move, they seem to be fixed. ‘The paragraph following the passage most probably discusses (a) the movement ofthe planets (B) Bernards star (©) the distance from Barth to the Moon (D) why stars are always moving. ‘This passage would most probably be assigned reading in whieh course? (A) Astrology (B) Geophysics (©) Astronomy (D) Geography Een)343434343434343 Questions 31-40 thas been noted that, traditionally, courts have granted divorces on fault grounds: one spouse Is deemed tobe at fault in easing the divorce. More and more today, however, divorees are being granted on a no-fault basis. ‘Proponents of no-fault divorce argue that when a marriage fails it is rarely the case that one marriage partner is completely to blame and the other blameless, A failed marriage is mach more ‘often the result of mistakes by both partners ‘Another argument in favor of no-fault divorce is that proving fault in cour, ina public arena, i destructive process that only serves to lengthen the divorce process and that dramatically increases the negative feelings present in a divorce. Ifa couple can reach a decision to divorce without first deciding which partner isto blame, the divarce setlement can be negotiated more easily and. sine ‘) 00) ‘equitably and the postdivorce healing process can begin more rapidly. 31, What does the passage mainly discuss? 36. The passage states that a public trial to (A) Traditional grounds for divorce prove the fault of one spotise can (B) Whois at fault ina divorce (A) be satisiving to the wronged spouse (©) Why no-fault divorces are becoming (B) lead toa shorter divorce process ‘more common (©) reduce negative feclings (D) Thevarious reasons for divorces (D) bea harmful process 32, The word "spouse" in line 1 Is closes in 137. Which of the following is NOT listed in this ‘meaning toa passage as an argument in favor of no.fault ) judge divorce? (B) problem (A) Rarely isonly one marriage partner to (©) divorce decree blame fora divorce, (D) marriage partner (B) Ano-faul divorce generally cost less in legal fees. 33. According to the passage, no-fault divorces (©) Finding fault in a divorce increases (A) areon the increase negative feelings. (B) are the traditional form of divorce (©) Anovfaul divorce setlement is (©) are less popular than they used to be ‘generally easier to negotiate. (D) were granted more in the past 38. ‘The word “present” inline 9 could most 34. Ttis implied inthe passage that easily be replaced by (A) there recently has been a decrease in A) existing ‘no-fault divorces ®) ving (B) notall divorces today are no-fault, (©) introducing divorces (©) resulting Oa aire Tot aseauiable 35 he word “settlement” in ine 10s closest (D) people recover more slowly from a in meaning to ‘ofa divorce (A) development (B) serenity 35, ‘The word “Proponents” inline 4 is closest (0) discussion {in meaning to which of the following? ice (A) Advocates (B) Recipients 40, The tone ofthis passage is (©) Authorities (D) Enemies (a) emotional (B) enthusiastic (©) expository (D) reactionary Ex) DIAGNOSTIC PRETEST (Paper) 347Line 6) 0) us) (20) ae 3 A3A3A3A3A3 A343 ‘Questions 41-50 ‘Whereas literature in te first half ofthe eighteenth century in America had been largely religious and moral in tone, bythe latter half ofthe century the revolutionary fervor that was coming to life in the colonies bepan tobe reflected inthe literature ofthe time, which in turn served to further influence the population. Although not all writers ofthis period supported the Revolution, the «wo best-known and most influential writers, Ben Franklin and Thomas Paine, were both strongly supportive ofthat cause. "Ben Franklin First attained popular success through his writings in his brothers newspaper, the ‘New England Current. In these articles he used a simple style of language and common sense argumentation to defend the point of view ofthe farmer and the Leather Apron man He continued ‘withthe same common sense practicality and appeal t the common man with his work on Poor Richards Almanac from 1733 until 1758, Firmly established in his popular acceptance by the people, Franklin wrote a variety of extremely effective articles and pamphlets about the colonists’ revolutionary cause against England, ‘Thomas Paine was an Englishman working as a magazine editor in Philadelphia at the time of the Revolution. His pamphlet Common Sense, which appeared in 1776, was a force in encouraging the colonists to declare their independence from England. Then throughout the long and desperate ‘war years he published a series of Crisis papers (from 1776 until 1783) t encourage the colonists to Continue on with the struggle. The effectiveness of his writing was probably due to his emotional yet ‘oversimplified depiction ofthe cause ofthe colonists against England asa classic strugele of good and evi 41, The paragraph preceding this passage 44. Is implied inthe passage that an (A) some writers inthe American colonies (A) how literature influences the supported England during the population (B) religious and moral literature (©) literature supporting the cause of the ‘American Revolution (D) what made Thomas Paine’ Iterature sucessful 42, The word “fervor” inline is closest in ‘meaning to () war (B) anxiety “6 (©) spin 0) selon 43, The word “time inline 3 could best be replaced by (a) hour (B) period (©) appointment (D) duration 46 READING Revolution (B) Franklin and Paine were the only ‘writers to influence the Revolution (©) because Thomas Paine was an "Englishman, he supported England against the colonies (©) authors who supported England did ‘not remain in the colonies during the Revaltion The pronoun “he" in line 8 refers to (A) Thomas Paine (B) Bea Franklin (©) Bea Franklins brother (D) Poor Richard ‘The expression “point of view" in line 9 could best be replaced by w @ © © perspective sight fosoroneserncd3A3A3A3A3A3A3A4A3 47. According to the passage, the tone of Poor Richard's Almanac is (A) pragmatic (B) erudite (©) theoretical () scholacly 48, ‘The word “desperate” in line 16 could best bereplaced by (A) unending (B) hopeless (©) stratesic (©) combative 49. Where in the passage does the author describe Thomas Paine’ sisle of writing? (A) Lines 4-6 (B) Lines 8-9 (©) Lines 12-15, (D) Lines 18-20 50. The purpose ofthe passage isto (A) discuss American literature in the Fist half ofthe eighteenth century (B) ive biographical data on two "American writers (© explain which authors supported the Revolution (©) deseribe the literary influence during revolutionary America ‘This is the end of the Reading Diagnostic Pre-Test. Gircle the number of each of the questions that you answered incorrectly or were not sure of. Then you will see which skills you should be sure to review. 1. SKILL 18, SKILL4 35, SKILL 2. SKILL 19. SKILL 12 36. SKILLS 3. SKILL10 20, SKILL 37. SKILL A 4. SKILLS 21. SKILL 11 38. SKILL IL 5. SKILLS 22. SKILLS. 39. SKILL 10 6. SKILLS 28. SKILL. 40. SKILL 13 7. SKILL 10 24. SKILL. 4. SKILL. 8 25. SKILLS. 42. SKILL 10 9 26. SKILL 6. 48. SKILL 11 10. 27. SKILL 11 44. SKILL: 1, 28. SKILL A 45. SKIL 2 29, SKILL7 46. SKILL IT 1 30, SKILL 13 47. SKILLS. 14 31. SKILL 48, SKILL 10 16. 32, SKILL 10 49, SKILL 12 16. 33, SKILLS. 50, SKILL 13 M. 34. SKILL6 DIAGNOSTIC PRE-TEST pe) 349