KEY I MINI TEST 2 & 3

Model answer
The lecture attempts to provide arguments in favor of homeschooling, while the reading
passage builds an argument against this practice. The professor begins by refuting the
view given in the passage that parents who homeschool their children are not equipped
with the necessary training, skills or knowledge to adequately oversee their children's
educational development. He cites findings to show that homeschoolers, on average,
outperform their conventionally schooled peers, and presents this as evidence that what
parents lack in formal training, they more than make up for in drive and dedication.
The professor then emphasizes the importance of being able to tailor the curriculum
to the needs of an individual child. He draws attention to the fact that not having to
follow a specific curriculum affords parents greater leeway to experiment with available
options and deliver more personalized teaching which helps homeschoolers excel. This is
countered by a point in the passage, which suggests that conventional schooling provides
children with a more standardized and comprehensive education . This is, however,
presented as being critical preparation for college, preparing children to perform better
on college admission exams as well as during their college years - a point which is refuted
by the professor, who provides evidence that homeschooled children achieve higher
admission scores and have a higher graduation rate.
Regarding socialization, the professor states that homeschoolers are generally very
socially active, mature relatively faster than their conventionally schooled peers, and
score above average in psychometric tests that assess various associated aspects of
psychological well-being. This contrasts significantly with the passage's proposal that
homeschooled children do not fully develop their social skills as they are deprived of
opportunities to interact with children from different backgrounds.

MINI TEST 3
ANSWER EXPLANATIONS
READING SECTION Q::l Coral reefs
1 . . This is a Vocabulary question. The abundance of marine life is used as a
justification for the name "underwater rainforests," a point which is reinforced in the
following sentence when the author refers to coral reef ecosystems as potentially
having "the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem ." Abundance can, therefore, be
understood as having the meaning of "wealth" (choice 1).

2 c» This is a Factual Information question. The correct answer is choice 4; the

paragraph highlights the biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems by pointing out that
they contain "up to a quarter of all marine life worldwide,'' the relative size of which
is emphasized as "potentially the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem." There is no
implication that this is changing (choice 1), and no mention of a change in their rate
of expansion (choice 2). The threats to their survival are recognized , but there is no
indication that this is a recent development (choice 3).

3 .» This is a Vocabulary question. Expanding on the reference to a multitude of

"modern-day threats," the paragraph concludes with the "staggering" point that two
thirds of coral reefs are at risk of disappearing, which suggests that the threats they
face are extensive and significant. Choice 2 is the only option which conveys a sense

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of the size of the threat.

4 C. This is a Vocabulary question. The correct answer is choice 4; as the passage
specifies that the impact of fossil fuels and climate change on the ocean are a result
of emissions being absorbed "for centuries," it is clear that the phrase cumulative
impact refers to an impact that has developed over a span of time.

5 ~ This is a Factual Information question. The correct answer is choice 1; the

paragraph mentions that the ideal water temperature for coral is between "22-29
degrees Celsius." Choices 2, 3 and 4 are not mentioned at any point.

6 C. This is a Vocabulary question. The passage states that corals may perish as a
result of being "unable to withstand " a warmer environment. The implication here is
that they may die out, thereby disappearing, making choice 4 the correct answer.

7 .» This is a Negative Factual Information question. The correct answer is choice

2; coral bleaching is described as a result of algae being expelled from the coral,
not absorbed more deeply, which means that the information in choice 2 is factually
incorrect. Choice 1 is factually correct, as coral bleaching deprives the corals of
oxygen. Coral bleaching does refer to the coral reef losing its pigmentation, which
makes choice 3 factually correct and therefore an incorrect answer. Choice 4 is also
an incorrect answer, as it is true that bleaching is a result of environmental stressors
caused by global warming.

8 c» This is an Inference question. The relationship between coral polyps and

zooxanthellae is described as mutually beneficial, with the former providing
nutrients and the latter providing oxygen. It can therefore be inferred that the
survival of each party is dependent on the other's existence; the correct answer is
choice 3. The paragraph states that rising water temperatures cause corals to expel
zooxanthellae, so choice 1 is incorrect. Choice 2 is also incorrect, as it is clear that
both organisms benefit. The author makes it clear that they must coexist, which
makes choice 4 clearly incorrect.

9 c» This is a Factual Information question. The correct answer is choice 3; the

author illustrates how an increase in nutrients in the water creates "the perfect
conditions for [crown-of-thorn starfish] to thrive and multiply." There is no indication
that corals are increasing in number (choice 1), and the chemical-caused increase in
nutrients suggests a deterioration in water clarity, not an improvement (choice 2).
Choice 4 states the opposite of the information in the paragraph, which refers to an
increase in nutrient concentration, not a decrease.

10 -» This is a Vocabulary question. The author states that corals become

predisposed to infection when they are damaged by fishing methods which "can
seriously harm a reef." This clearly shows a negative outcome. Therefore, the correct
answer is choice 2, since all other choices suggest a positive result for the reef.

11 .» This is a Rhetorical Purpose question. Bottom trawling is given as an example

of a technique employed by the fishing industry which causes "irreparable damage
to reefs". Therefore, the purpose for its inclusion is to show how specific techniques
can cause destruction - and the correct answer is choice 2. Choice 1 is incorrect as,
although the example does also indicate irresponsible behavior in the fishing industry,
the focus is on the damage caused to the reef. Choice 3 is also incorrect; the example
of bottom trawling is not presented as part of a comparison between different threats.

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There is no mention of the difficulties of implementing safer fishing methods (choice 4).

12 -» This is an Insert Text question. The sentence provided, "For instance, it has
been suggested that, since the commencement of industrialization, the world's
oceans have acidified by 30%," is best inserted at square 2. The beginning of the
inserted sentence indicates that it is presenting a specific example pertaining to
a point which has just been made; this corresponds to square 2, where it serves
as an instance of the "cumulative impact" mentioned in the previous sentence. It
also refers to "the commencement of industrialization," which is a topic introduced
earlier in the paragraph, and introduces the point on acidification, which is then
explained in greater detail in the next sentence.

13 .--»-- This is a Prose Summary question. It is completed correctly below.

The correct choices are 1, 2 and 5. Choices 3, 4 and 6 are incorrect.
The passage discusses the threats facing coral reefs today.

•1 Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to environmental conditions that

threaten their physiology.

. 2 Human activity appears to be a significant cause of coral reef

deterioration worldwide.

. 5 Certain agricultural and fishing practices have affected coral reef

numbers by causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Correct choices
Choice 1: "Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to environmental conditions that threaten
their physiology" is a main point expressed in the first half of the passage. Paragraphs
2 and 3 emphasize the dangers corals face from ocean acidification and rising water
temperatures, respectively.
Choice 2: "Human activity appears to be a significant cause of coral reef deterioration
worldwide" can be considered a key theme of the passage as a whole. The author
continuously highlights human activity as being at the root of all destructive factors.
Choice 5: "Certain agricultural and fishing practices have affected coral reef numbers
by causing an imbalance in the ecosystem" is a summary of the main ideas presented
in paragraphs 4 and 5. These show specifically how agriculture and fishing have created
imbalances in nature through chemical pollution and overfishing, respectively.

Incorrect choices
Choice 3: "Coral reefs are becoming less aesthetically pleasing, which is likely to have
a negative impact on the number of people visiting coral reefs for tourism" is not an
argument which the author presents at any point. Although coral bleaching is mentioned
in paragraph 3, it is emphasized that its ramifications "are far more serious than ... the
aesthetic appearance of the reef." There is no reference to tourism in the passage at any
point.
Choice 4: "As the oceans become warmer, coral reefs are starting to adapt to this new
change" is factually incorrect. In paragraph 3, the author presents the probability that
coral reefs. unable to adapt to warmer waters, will die out.

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Choice 6: "The spread of non-native flora in the reef perimeter is destroying corals" is not
mentioned at any point in the passage.

LISTENING SECTION •~ questions 1-5

1 c» This is a Gist-purpose question. The student begins the conversation by stating
that he would like to apply for a student loan, and the conversation thereafter
focuses on his eligibility and processing an application. The correct answer is choice
3. Choice 1 is incorrect as, although he does express dissatisfaction with the lack
of financing options available to him, none of the unavailable options are loans.
Choices 2 and 4 are incorrect, as it is made clear that he has not previously applied
for a loan.

2 .. This is a Detail question. The correct answer is choice 1; the student complains
that he is not eligible because his parents live close enough that "the college seems
to think [he] should live with [his] family." It is clear that he does not have a large
income (choice 2), because he mentions finding it difficult to make ends meet. He
also mentions that he does not have a scholarship (choice 3) and he does have a job
(choice 4), meaning these cannot be reasons for his ineligibility.

3 . . c» This is a Making Inferences question. It is indicated that you should select

two correct answers. When the student inquires whether he is eligible for a student
loan, the college finance officer replies that he is eligible if he is a full-time student,
is not receiving student aid, is not in other debt, and if he can prove he needs it
for his studies. Thus it can be understood that as a part-time student (choice 1), or
having outstanding unpaid taxes (choice 4) i.e. other debt, he would not be eligible.
If he needed the money to pay tuition fees (choice 2), this would clearly fall under
the category of financial need related to his studies, and he would be eligible. Choice
3 would also make him eligible, as not receiving other forms of student aid is one of
the requirements.

4 c» This is an Understanding the Speaker's Attitude question. A note of worry creeps

into the student's voice when he asks about paying the loan back and , from this,
it can be understood that the correct answer is choice 3. This question is also the
second he asks which refers to paying back the loan; revisiting the topic indicates
that he is more concerned about this aspect than others. He does not voice any
concerns about whether he will get the loan (choice 1), nor whether it will be
sufficient (choice 2). In the case of the latter, he even names the sum himself. The
college finance officer tells him how to submit the application (choice 4), and he
does not ask any further questions about it.

5 ~ This is an Understanding the Function of What Is Said question. You are first
asked to listen to this part of the conversation:
Student So, assuming I get the loan, what happens if I have problems paying it back?
FO You do realize that an interest-free loan isn't free money?
You are then asked specifically what the finance officer means when she says, "You do
realize that an interest-free loan isn't free money?" It is clear from her tone that the
finance officer is using this phrase to emphasize a point, not because she seriously
b e liev es th at th e student doesn't want to (choice 1) or doesn't know how to repay
the loan (choice 3). There is also no reason to believe she thinks the student wasn 't

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paying attention (choice 4). By emphasizing "interest-free" and contrasting it with

"free money," it is clear that she is making th e point that "interest-free" and "free"
are not the same thing. Thus, the correct answer is choice 2.

LISTENING SECTION •~ questions 6-11

6 -» This is a Gist- content question. The co rrect answer is choice 2; the professor
discusses many different aspects of butterfly migration, including reasons for
migration , navigation , climate change and tracking migrations. Different migratory
routes (choice 1) are mentioned only intermittently, and threats to migration are
mentioned only briefly, with no specific discussion of how they might affect future
butterfly populations (choice 3). The state of research into migration (choice 4) is
only discussed toward the end of the lecture, and cannot be termed a main focus .

7 -» This is a Making Inferences question. You are first asked to listen to this part of
the lecture:
So, why migrate at all, you may be wondering? Well, during the North American
summer, the environmental conditions here pose no threat to the monarch ... but ...
but given the severity of the winters here ... like all butterflies, monarchs are delicate
little creatures and are not made to withstand extreme cold, so they migrate to
escape the extreme weather conditions.
The explanation that butterflies migrate because they are delicate and cannot
withstand extreme cold implies that such weather conditions put their lives at
risk. Thus, it can be understood that their migration is a survival mechanism, and
the correct answer is choice 2. This section does not discuss what is known by the
scientific community (choice 1), although the fact that the professor provides an
explanation would suggest that, contrary to the statement in choice 1, scientists
do indeed know a significant amount about it. Choice 3 is also incorrect, as the
temperature change cannot be termed unusual; it is clearly indicated that it is a
seasonal change after the summer. For the same reason, it cannot be considered a
new phenomenon (choice 4).

8 -» Th is is a Making Inferences question. You are first asked to listen to this part of
the lecture:
We have to remember, not only is this journey extraordinarily long, but it 's one that
they're embarking upon for the first time. As monarch butterflies can only expect to
live for a matter of months, it will be their descendants that make the return journey
back to the northern parts of the continent.
You are then asked specifically what the professor implies when he says, "... it will be
their descendants that make the return journey back to the northern parts of the
continent." Given that this comment follows a remark on the limited lifespan of
butterflies, it can be understood that the butterflies that migrate south will not live
long enough to make the return journey. Thus, the correct answer is choice 2. Choice
1 is incorrect, as the implication is that no butte rfly will fully compl et e the round trip.
There is no indication that the return journey will be more strenuous (choice 3), or
that fewer butterflies in total will make it (choice 4).

9 -» This is an Understanding the Speaker's Attitude question. The professor presents the
theory that butterflies' navigational skills are inherent, then interjects his own opinion

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- that genetics are unlikely to be "the whole picture." He continues by admitting that
genetics may be part of the reason, but that he believes environment also plays a part.
Thus, the correct answer is choice 2. Choice 1 is the first view presented - which the
professor does not consider to be wholly accurate - and is therefore incorrect. Climatic
variables are only partly accountable, in his opinion, so choice 3 cannot be correct.
Choice 4 is obviously not correct, as the professor states the opposite: that butterflies
migrate "despite never having actually seen or experienced this route before."

10 .» This is a Detail question. The correct answer is choice 2; the professor

mentions cases of butterflies turning back if they don't experience cold weather
en route. Choice 1 is incorrect as high temperatures triggering migration is not
mentioned and disruption is said to occur when the temperature fails to decrease,
not increase (choice 3). In the example given, butterflies "already in the process of
migrating south" turn back when temperatures remain warm for longer; it is not
mentioned whether temperatures delay migration in the first place (choice 4).

11 c» This is an Understanding the Function of What Is Said question. The professor

explains the process of tagging a butterfly in response to a student voicing concerns
over whether tagging harms a butterfly. Thus it is given as a reassurance that it does
not, and the correct answer is choice 4. Choice 1 is incorrect, as he does not present
it as a process demanding expertise. His reassurance as to its safety indicates that
he is not criticizing it (choice 2). Despite mentioning that he wishes to talk about
another method of tracking migration (choice 3), he does not, in fact, get around
to this in the extract, and there is no indication that the explanation of tagging is
intended to form a comparison between the two methods.

LISTENING SECTION •~ questions 12-17

12 .» This is a Gist-content question. The professor mentions the fact that Earth's
history is divided into separate periods, and then proceeds to run through them in
chronological order. It is very clear that the main topic of discussion is this geologic
timeline; the correct answer is choice 2. Although he mentions evidence from the
fossil record (choice 1) at the beginning, it is merely to substantiate the accepted
geologic timeline that he goes on to discuss. The formation of Earth (choice 3) is
mentioned briefly as part of the first time period. Environmental change (choice 4)
is mentioned at many points, and the professor dwells on it particularly in regard
to the extinction of the dinosaurs during the Mesozoic era; it is, however, a specific
point for this era , not an overall topic.

13 .» c» This is a Detail question. It is indicated that you should select two correct
answers. The professor explains that the formation of the Earth created heat, and life
could not evolve until the planet had cooled sufficiently for water to form. Thus it is
clear that these two factors, cooling and water, were the prerequisites for life, and
choices 2 and 4 are the correct answers. Choice 1 is incorrect, as it is explained that the
Earth was formed under gravitational pressure. Rising oxygen levels (choice 3) are, in
fact, mentioned as being produced by the first primitive life forms.

14 -» This is an Understanding the Function of What Is Said question. You are first
asked to listen to this part of the lecture:
This burst of life lasted around 20 million years - nothing, in geologic terms, when you
consider the time spans we deal with.

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