Reading TOEFL- for UTBK

Questions 1-9 based on the following passage.

The ancient Egyptians firmly believed in the afterlife and spent their time
on earth preparing for it. Elaborate burial rituals included preparing the burial
site, providing for all of the deceased’s material needs (food, clothing, jewels, and
tools of their trade), and preserving the corpse so that it would not decay. This
preservation was accomplished through a process of mummification. The ancients
left no written accounts as to the execution of this process, so scientists have had
to examine mummies and establish their own theory. The embalming process
might have taken up to seventy days for the pharaohs and nobility and only a few
days for the poor.

The embalmers spread a variety of compounds os salt, spices, and resins in

and over the corpse to preserve it. They followed this with a prescribed wrapping,
a procedure in which they wound strips of fine linen around, over, and under the
body while placing various amulets within the wrappings to protect the deceased
from harm on the long journey to the afterlife. They also painted resins over the
wrapped linen. Finally, a pharaoh or noble would have been encased in a wooden
box before being placed in a sarcophagus.

1. How have we been able to learn about the mummification process?

a. Accurate records have been handed down to us
b. Interviews with embalmers who still use the process have revealed the
secret.
c. After studying mummies, scientists have developed their own theories
d. Chemicals analysis of the compounds have led us to an explanation of
the method used.
2. The word ‘they’ line 14 refers to..
a. Embalmers
b. Spices
c. Pharaohs
 d. The poor
3. The embalmimg process can best be described as….
a. Lengthy and complicated
b. Short and simple
c. Strict and unfaltering
d. Wild and terrifying
4. The word ‘decay’ in line 4 is closest in meaning to….
a. Die
b. Deteriorate
c. Embalm
d. Rejuvenate
5. All of the following statements are true EXCEPT
a. Bodies were preserved as a matter of religious belief
b. All mummifications took seventy days to complete
c. Special compounds were used to embalm the bodies.
d. It has been difficult to determine the process used.
6. Why did ancient Egyptians mummify the deceased?
a. To preserve the body from destruction
b. To scare tomb robbers
c. To encase the body in sarcophagus
d. To protect the body from harm on the journey to the afterlife
7. It can be inferred that the Egyptians buried food, clothing, jewels, and tools
with the deceased because
a. The family did not want anyone else to share them
b. That was the wish of the deceased
c. They were afraid
d. The deceased would need them while enroute to the afterlife
8. The word ‘amulets’ in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to….
a. Weapon
b. Coins
c. Charms
d. curses
9. In paragraph 2, the word ‘accomplished’ is closest in meaning to…
 a. Performed
b. Forsaken
c. Reproduced
d. Dwindled

Questions 10-19 are based on the following passage.

The First Amendment to the American Constitution declares freedom of the

press to all people. Although this right was not officially adopted until 1791, the
famous Zenger trial of 1735 laid the groundwork for insuring this precious
freedom.

John Peter Zenger emigrated as a teenager from Germany, In 1733, he

began publishing the New York Weekly Journal. The following year, he was
arrested for writing a story about the crown-appointed governor of New York.
While Zenger was imprisoned for nine months, his wife dutifully published the
newspaper every day, bravely telling the truth about the corrupt government
officials sent by the king to govern the colonies.

Finally Zenger’s long-awaited trial took place. The hostile judge dismissed
Zenger’s local lawyers, making it necessary for his wife to seek out Andrew
Hamilton, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer. Persuaded by Hamilton the jury
bravely returned a not-guilty verdict, defying the judge’s orders for a conviction.

As a result of determination and bravery on the part of the colonists, a

lasting victory for freedom of the press was gained by a young immigrant.

10. John Peter Zenger was a…

 a. Corrupt governor of New York
b. Famous lawyer
c. Brave newspaper publisher
d. Hostile judge.
11. What political problem existed in the colonies at that time?
a. Governmet officials were corrupt
b. Newspapers exaggerated the truth about the political officials.
c. Lawyers were hostile to witnesses.
d. All newspaper publishers were imprisoned.
12. How long did it take after the Zenger trial before the concept of the
freedom of the press was officially adopted?
a. 9 months
b. 1 year
c. 56 years
d. 58 years
13.All the following are true EXCEPT
a. Despite Zenger’s imprisonment, his newspaper continued to be
published.
b. Andrew Hamilton encouraged the jury to fight for freedom
c. The jury obeyed the judge’s orders and convicted Zenger
d. The king controlled the colonies through his own appointed rulers.
14.Why was Peter Zenger arrested?
a. He emigrated from Germany
b. His wife published his newspaper for him
c. He wrote a story about the governor of New York
d. He persuaded a jury to defy the judge’s orders.
15.It can be inferred that the judge was hostile toward Peter Zenger because
the judge
a. Represented the ideas of the king
b. Hated newspaper publishers
c. Didn’t like interference with the Constitution
d. Had appointed the governor about whom Zenger wrote.
16.The word ’defying’ in line 14 is closest in meaning to..
 a. Altering
b. Defecting
c. Disregarding
d. Defending
17.In line 8, the word ‘dutifully’ is closest in meaning to
a. Faithfully
b. Carelessly
c. Unfortunately
d. Vigorously
18.The main idea of this passage is
a. Andrew Hamilton gave Americans freedim og the press
b. Peter Zenger’s persistent fight paved the way for freedom of the press
c. Judges don’t always get juries to agree with them
d. Peter Zenger’s trial prepared the way for jurors to defy judges’ orders
19.The passage indicates that the governor was appointed by the monarch of
another country in lines.
a. 3-4
b. 6-8
c. 8-9
d. 14-16

This text is for questions 20 - 28

A tapeworm is a parasite that lives in the intestines of humans and

animals. Some tapeworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall by means of
suckers in their heads. Others float freely in the intestines and absorb food
through the wall of their bodies.

A tapeworm consists of numerous segments. When a new segment forms,

the older ones move to the back of the animal. Each segment contains
hermaphroditic sexual organs (that is, male and female organs). The uterus of
each segment fills with eggs, which develop into embryos. Generally, when the
eggs are ready to hatch, the segment breaks off and is eliminated through the
host’s excretory system. These embryos hatch, develop into larvae, and grow to
adults only if ingested by an intermediate host.

One may be infected by tapeworms by eating under cooked beef, pork, or

fish. Symptoms include irregular appetite, abdominal discomfort, anemia,
weakness, and nervousness.

20.The passage implies that all of the following are true EXCEPT
a. An embryo will cease to develop if not ingested by a host
b. A tapeworm will continue to live even when segments break off
c. The segment farthest back on the tails is the oldest
d. Tapeworms always float freely in the digestive system
21.The word ‘eliminated’ in line 9 is closest in meaning to
a. Ingested
b. Expelled
c. Eaten
d. Grown
22.A hermaphrodite is
a. A tapeworm
b. A segment containing an embryo
c. A being that contains male and female sexual organs
d. An animal made of segments
23.The word ‘others’ in line 3 refers to
a. Segments
b. Embryos
c. Eggs
d. Tapeworm
24.Which of the following is probably NOT a symptom of tapeworm infestation
a. Unusual eating habits
b. Excitability
c. Deficiency of red blood cells
d. Euphoria
 25.Which of the following statements is true?
a. A tapeworm uterus contains one egg
b. Overcooked beef is a cause of tapeworms
c. A male tapeworm must always be ingested before reproduction will
occur
d. Tapeworms vary their methods of ingesting food.
26.What would be the best title for this reading passage?
a. Parasites
b. Reproduction of the tapeworm
c. The tapeworm, a Harmful Parasite
d. Segmented Parasites.
27.A tapeworm attaches itself to the intestinal wall by
a. Suction
b. Liquid
c. Food
d. Teeth
28.In line 5, the word ‘segment’ is closest in meaning to
a. Types
b. Sections
c. Organs
d. Worm

This text is for questions 29-37

In the United States, presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible
by four (1884, 1900, 1964, etc.). Since 1840, American presidents elected in years
ending with zero have died in office, with one exception. William H. Harrison, the
man who served the shortest term, died of pneumonia only several weeks after
his inauguration.

Abraham Lincoln was one of four presidents who were assassinated. He

was elected in 1860, and his untimely death only just five years later. James A
Garfield, a former Union army general from Ohio, was shot during his first year in
office (1881) by a man to whom he wouldn’t give a job. While in his second term
of office (1901), William McKinley, another Ohioan attended the Pan-American
Exposition in Buffalo, New York. During the reception, he was assassinated while
shaking hands with some of the guests. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963
in Dallas only three years after his election.

Three years after his election in 1920, Warren G. Harding died in office.
Although it was never proved, many believe he was poisoned. Franklin D
Roosevelt was elected four times (1932, 1964. 1949, and 1944), the only man to
serve so long term. He had contracted polio in 1941 and eventually died of the
illness in 1945.

Ronald Reagan, who was elected in 1980 and re-elected four years later,
suffered an assassination attempt but did not succumb to the assassin’s bullets.
He was the first to break the long chain of unfortunate events.

29.All of the following were election years EXCEPT

a. 1960
b. 1930
c. 1888
d. 1824
30.Which president served the shortest term in office?
a. Abraham Lincoln
b. Warren G Harding
c. William McKinley
d. William H. Harrison
31.Which of the following is true?
a. All presidents elected in years ending in zero have died in office.
b. Only presidents from Ohio have died in office.
c. Franklin D. Roosevelt completed four terms as president
d. Four American presidents have been assassinated
32.How many presidents elected in years ending in zero since 1840 have died
in office?
a. 7
 b. 5
c. 4
d. 3
33.The word ‘inauguration’most nearly the same as
a. Election
b. Acceptance speech
c. Swearing-in ceremony
d. Campaign
34.All of the following presidents were assassinated EXCEPT
a. John F. kennedy
b. Franklin D. Roosevelt
c. Abraham Lincoln
d. James A. Garfield
35.The word ‘whom’ in line 8 refers to
a. Garfield
b. Garfield’s assassin
c. A Union army general
d. Mckinley
36.The word ‘assassinated’is closest in meaning to
a. Murdered
b. Decorated
c. Honored
d. Sickened
37.The word ‘contracted’is closet in meaning to
a. Communicated about
b. Developed
c. Agreed about
d. Notified.