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APTIS GENERAL: Reading Practice Test 5

(35 minutes)
Part 1: Choose the word (A,B,C) that fits in the gap. The answer to question 0 is
an example.
Hey Adela,
I just (0) _____ your message. I can definitely help you with your homework
I am (1.1) _____ busy tonight, so come over at 5:30 pm.
What subjects are you studying (1.2) _____ ?
I’m not (1.3) _____ at Math, but I am quite alright at English.
You can also (1.4) _____ dinner with us.
My mom is (1.5) ________ tacos.

0. A. got B. took C. found

1.1 A. too B. so C. not
1.2 A. for B. with C. at
1.3 A. bad B. good C. smart
1.4 A. have B. take C. get
1.5 A. doing B. making C. taking

Part 2: The sentences below are from a story. Order the sentences (B-
F) to make a story. The first sentence (A) is an example.
Gilberto’s Day

A The alarm clock was buzzing loudly.

B As he brushed his teeth, he looked at his phone.
C It was already 9 am and he was late for school!
D He was still quite tired and groggy.
E Grumpily, Gilberto got out of bed.
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F It’s because he had been up late the night before.

0. A.
2.1 ________
2.2 ________
2.3 ________
2.4 ________
2.5 ________

The sentences below are from a set of instructions. Order the

sentences (B-F) to make a story. The first sentence (B) is an example.

Field Trip Instructions

A So, please make sure you go to the bathroom beforehand.
B Please arrive at school at 7am sharp.
C During the journey, we will not be stopping.
D Once attendance is taken, the busses will be loaded.
E However, please check your seat number before this to minimize confusion.
F In fact, we will only wait 10 minutes for late arrivals.
0. B.
3.1 ________
3.2 ________
3.3 ________
3.4 ________
3.5 ________

Part 3: Read the four opinions about school policies posted on a

student forum. Then, answer the questions.
Person A: At my school, we are required to wear a school uniform and maintain a neat,
tidy appearance. Not only does this include a white dress shirt with our school crest, but
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it must be worn tucked in with grey trousers. In the winter, we have the flexibility to wear
a school-approved navy-blue cardigan. However, as a male, there is no summer
weather alternative. It’s completely unfair. Girls get to wear a pleated skirt as an option.
Why can’t boys wear shorts? I am working on a petition to introduce this notion so that
hopefully by the second semester, this will change. I already have 200 signatures and I
just need 300 more from students before I present it to the principal.

Person B: As a freshman, I despised my high school’s uniform. I was always searching

for unique ways to express my individuality with jewellery or funky socks. Of course this
was often met with detentions as these accessories were not approved in the dress
code. As I became a senior, I learned to sew in order to alter the uniform to be more
flattering. Students loved the way that my uniform fit so I started charging them to
modify theirs too. It was a sweet way to earn some extra cash. My principal wasn’t a fan
of that either, but there was nothing he could do about it. We had all bought our
uniforms from the authorized store and there was nothing in the school policy about
making changes to it!

Person C: I don’t mind the uniform at my high school. It lets me hit snooze a few more
times than I normally would have if I had to choose my outfits every day. Those extra
minutes of sleep mean that I am more alert in my morning classes. Moreover, I also
think it’s the great equalizer. Let’s take my family as an example: There are 5 of us kids
in my household, so keeping up with the latest trends is not an option. I remember in
primary school, I was often bullied for wearing my sister’s hand-me-downs. By having
everyone wear the same clothes as one another makes us all alike.

Person D: I’m on the fence about uniforms. I’m all for the fact that they promote a
collective spirit. The entire student body gets to show off a sense of school pride and
belonging. It makes us seem like we are a part of one big family. That being said, my
particular school’s uniform is so uncomfortable. The material they used in production is
so itchy and unbreathable. What’s more is that my mom constantly has to mend holes
that appear at the seams of my trousers! You’d think for the arm and a leg that they
charge they would hold up better!

Which person …
4.1. has an overall positive view on uniforms? ________
4.2 has mixed feelings about uniforms? ________
4.3 learned a new skill? ________
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4.4 started a movement? ________

4.5 found a loophole to the rules? ________
4.6 finds the uniform to be low quality? ________
4.7 believes uniforms are discriminatory? ________

Part 4: Read the text. Match the headings (A-H) to the paragraphs (19-
25). The answer to question 0 is an example. There is one heading
that you will not use.
(0) How many times have you heard that you need to eat your fruits and veggies? Or
have had your parents swap out the biscuits in your lunch bag for an apple? From a
young age, our parents have been trying to encourage us to eat healthy foods, whether
that be drinking a glass of milk in the morning or having two litres of water a day.
Although we often find a way to sneak in some crisps or ice-cream when no one is
looking, maybe our parents have valid concerns about what we should be incorporating
in our everyday diets.
(5.1) Let’s consider the nutrients that our bodies need. We have always been told that
we need to make sure that we get enough calcium. This is key for building strong bones
and teeth, especially in our teenage years when our body is still changing. I also try to
have some freshly-squeezed orange juice to improve my Vitamin C intake to help my
immune system so that I don’t get sick. Moreover, as a wearer of glasses, I have been
advised that eating carrots is an essential source of Vitamin A, which is important to
strengthen your eyes.
(5.2) What’s more in addition to the immediate benefits is the long-term ones. Studies
have shown that time and time again, eating healthy is associated with prevention of
heart disease and strokes. Combined with some form of physical activity, 4/5 cases of
these ailments could have been prevented. This research has also shown that healthy
lifestyles are connected to reduced cancer risks and better quality of life overall. Many
also maintain their diabetes by monitoring what they eat.
(5.3) Another valuable aspect of healthy eating is feeling happier overall. Avoiding
unhealthy foods, like soda and sweets, is linked to higher energy levels and less
symptoms of depression. These treats contain high-processed carbohydrates and
greatly affect your blood sugar levels. Instead, opt for Vitamin B12 which can be found
in a variety of whole foods and some meats as well. When you have more energy
throughout the day, you will surely feel more productive.
(5.4) Nevertheless, all of this is easier said than done. In the past, families prioritized
eating together and cooking wholesome food almost every night. Perhaps this was
because one parent stayed at home all day. However, today, most households have
two working parents. After a long day, the last thing a tired mother or father wants to do
is cook, so eating out is much more common. Nowadays, we are faced with temptations
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on every corner. The increase in both availability and choice of fast food options is
much more prominent than in our parents’ days, leading us to unhealthy food choices.
(5.5) As we are all aware, this poor food selection has led to an increase in obesity. This
is not new information and the problem continues to get worse and worse. It has gotten
so bad that we are now being urged by society to lose weight by whatever means
necessary. As a teenager, weight loss fads that are more destructive than beneficial are
popping up on social media. Influencers fill their feeds with information about how they
restricted their caloric intake to dangerously low values and have sponsored posts
promoting detoxifying teas. With society’s message loud and clear amplified by what
they see on their phones, teens may be coerced into the idea that these weight loss
strategies are valid.
(5.6) In this sense, education is important to debunking unsubstantiated healthy
lifestyles. In additional to regular physical education classes, teachers should focus on
the benefits of healthy eating and the negative impacts of not doing so. Moreover, in a
digital age, learning appropriate critical thinking techniques to be able to discern
whether the health advice you read about online is true or not should also be included in
the curriculum.
(5.7) Nonetheless, the responsibility of education extends beyond this. The government
must also fund initiatives and programs to promote healthy lifestyles. For example,
Britain has introduced a sugar tax on sugary drinks on order to reduce childhood and
adult obesity. Despite being a recent program, the country has already seen as much as
a 10% reduction in consumption of the product in only two years. By lowering the price
of healthy foods and taxing junk food, people will be encouraged to make better choices
that will save them money and their lives.

A. What Schools Can Do

B. National Role
C. The Risks of Trendy Diets
D. Parental Expectations
E. Deterring Disease
F. Modern Situations
G. Key Vitamins and Minerals
H. A Mood Boost
I. Future Success
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