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APTIS GENERAL: Reading Practice Test 6

Part 1: Choose the word (A,B,C) that fits in the gap. The answer to question 0 is an
example.
Hey Ian,
I was just (0) _____ if you needed a ride to school tomorrow.
I saw you waiting for the (1.1) _____ at the stop.
Normally, I (1.2) _____ my bike, but now, it is winter.
Since the weather is getting (1.3) _____ , my dad drives me.
We pass by your house, so we can (1.4) _____ you up.
You are on the (1.5) ________ to school, so it’s no problem.

Gillian
0. A. wondering B. thinking C. considering
1.1 A. bus B. car C. taxi
1.2 A. drive B. ride C. have
1.3 A. wetter B. colder C. warmer
1.4 A. get B. take C. pick
1.5 A. trip B. travel C. way
Part 2: The sentences below are from a teen’s journal. Order the sentences (B-F) to make
a story. The first sentence (A) is an example.
Bad Hair Day

A I’ve just had a terrible day at school

B Unfortunately, it was a windy day.
C As it was school photo day, I wanted to look my best.
D So, I spent one hour styling my hair before school.
E Furthermore, I couldn’t fix the mess because I forgot my brush.
F By the time I arrived at school, my hair had been ruined.
0. A.
2.1 ________
2.2 ________
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2.3 ________
2.4 ________
2.5 ________
The sentences below are from a school policy. Order the sentences (B-F) to make a
story. The first sentence (B) is an example.

Late Arrival Policy

A If you arrive at school late, you must follow these instructions.
B We have a very strict late arrival policy.
C However, before you receive this paper, you must be ready for class.
D There, you will get a signed and timed late slip from the secretary.
E That means you will have to hang up your coat and gather your belongings in your
locker beforehand.
F Unless there is a mass weather-related delay, you are required to go to the office.
0. B.
3.1 ________
3.2 ________
3.3 ________
3.4 ________
3.5 ________
Part 3: Read the four opinions posted on a sports forum. Then, answer the questions.
Person A: I am really into sports, and am always up for trying new games. When I travelled to
Canada with my family, I tried curling. I have never played it before because I live in a hot
country. I thought it would be a piece of cake. How hard can a sport that uses a broom be?
Well, I was wrong. In fact, you actually need a lot of upper body strength and balance to
succeed. Needless to say, I’m writing this the day after with bruises from falling over!
Person B: I had just moved to the United States and wanted to make friends at my school, so I
signed up for the football team. When I arrived at try-outs, we began with some agility drills and
the coach seemed pretty impressed with how fast I could sprint. Then, we were asked to throw
an oddly-shaped ball as far as we could, and I was confused. It was then I realized that the try-
outs were for American football, not European football, or soccer as it is called here. No wonder
I was the smallest person there!
Person C: When I was younger, I never wanted to play team sports. My dad would always
encourage me to join a team, but I was not interested. It’s not that I don’t like physical activity. I
love individual activities like swimming and running. My sister, who is the captain of her school’s
volleyball team, teases me and says I can’t handle competition. However, I think of myself as a
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very competitive person. I am always trying to achieve new personal records and beat my last
timing.
Person D: Growing up, my brothers used to watch professional basketball matches on TV, but I
never understood the appeal. Despite this, I fell in love with the energy in the crowd of a live
sports match. My school has a really great basketball team, and I know a few people who are
on it. I get really into the games and scream my loudest to cheer on my friends. It makes me
feel so proud. Playing it is a different story though. You wouldn’t catch me on a basketball court
even as a substitute!
Which person …
4.1. prefers to be a spectator? ________
4.2 underestimated a sport? ________
4.3 received a compliment? ________
4.4 was misunderstood by family? ________
4.5 set goals? ________
4.6 did not understand a task? ________
4.7 used a household object? ________
Part 4: Read the text. Match the headings (A-I) to the paragraphs. The answer to question
0 is an example. There is one heading that you will not use.
Fake News

(0) Novel computer virus can spread to humans! Missing Teen: Abducted by Aliens? Climate
change- not a big deal! Perhaps you have read shocking headlines similar to these on
magazines while waiting in line at the supermarket. Alternatively, you may have seen them on a
pop-up advertisement or on a link shared by a friend on a social media account. It is normal that
you are lured into picking up that magazine or clicking on links to find out more. Not only are
they meant to attract readers, but they are often misleading.
(5.1) How can we name this phenomenon? While the above headlines do not inherently tell the
whole story, they often correspond to an equally deceptive article. Nowadays, the phrase ‘fake
news’ is used frequently in media, but it often only refers to texts that contain factually false
information. However, in actual fact, a more comprehensive definition goes beyond this. The
umbrella term, ‘fake news’, also includes satire, with the purpose of making readers laugh. It is
also comprised of biased reports, particularly when they are used to support or disprove of an
important figure or to make money.
(5.2) Spreading falsities in this manner is an age-old problem. In regards to satire, parodies of
true new stories were distributed on April Fools Day (April 1st) and often taken back the next
day. On a more political note, as early as in 17th century England, fabricated reports of the
king’s health or alleged crimes were circulated in an attempt to overthrow a monarch.
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Furthermore, in an attempt to sell more newspapers, journalists would exaggerate stories, such
as those related to the notorious English serial killer, Jack the Ripper.
(5.3) Despite not being as new as everyone thinks, fake news has been exacerbated due to the
Internet and social media. While it may have roughly the same purpose, it is spread at a rate
that was previously unimaginable. By sharing stories through a click of a button, a large amount
of people can read them before they are fact-checked or deemed to be untrue. Scarcely is it
only the content being fictionalized. In today’s day and age, it is often difficult to discern whether
the source of the news is even credible.
(5.4) Let’s consider satire as an example. Though meant to be light-hearted and humorous,
news satire has become its own genre. It was believed to be started by a reporter, Samuel
Clemens, better known by his pen-name as the literary icon, Mark Twain. Clemens would often
write fictional yet realistic articles and pass them off as real events in order to make people
laugh. Today, popular sites such as The Onion have made a name for themselves by doing so.
This website offers funny spoof stories that mimic real ones with the general understanding that
they are not true.
(5.5) While identifying fake news isn’t always easy, there are some useful questions that you
can ask yourself as you are reading any text. Firstly, you should look at the source. Is it
credible? Why is the information being shared by this particular outlet? Secondly, identify the
opinion of the article. Is the author a journalist, a politician, a story-teller? Does he/she have a
message to promote? Finally, if you are still in doubt, ask an expert on the topic. This could be
your teacher or a fact-checking website.
(5.6) So how does this affect you? As students have to complete research projects from time to
time, using a non-reputable source can cause them to fail an assignment or get in trouble with
their teacher. With that in mind, teachers must guide their students on how to identify fake news.
It is more important than ever before for young people to be able to think critically about what
they read or hear. By learning these skills, students can become independent learners and
make informed decisions in the future. In fact, many schools are incorporating media literacy
into their curriculum.
(5.7) But what about in the real world? As fake news is shared so frequently, their original
source may get lost along the way and occasionally be broadcasted as true. Are there any
penalties for sources spreading misinformation? Well, in some countries, there are. For
instance, some countries in the European Union, like Germany, have introduced large fines to
social media sites that do not remove fake news. However, others maintain that this goes
against free speech and cannot impose any laws against it. Regardless, it is a government’s
responsibility to educate its citizens.

A. Defining Terms
B. A Problem Made Worse
C. Helpful Tips
D. Sensationalist Headlines
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E. Consequences Going Forward

F. Historical Background
G. How Schools Can Adapt
H. Just for Laughs
I. Doing Homework
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