tsia2 reading and writing practice test 2

A placement test used in Texas to assess a student's readiness for college-level coursework in math, reading, and writing.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.
Although she had not grown up playing soccer, Jeanette was such an outstanding athlete, she scored more goals than any other member of the soccer team.
  • A. athlete, she
  • B. athlete, she had
  • C. athlete that
  • D. athlete that she
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D, "athlete that she," effectively introduces a defining clause that clarifies Jeanette's exceptional abilities. The word "that" connects her status as an athlete to her achievement, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship. Option A, "athlete, she," lacks a connector, making the sentence feel abrupt and incomplete. Option B, "athlete, she had," introduces unnecessary past tense that does not align with the context of her current achievements. Option C, "athlete that," is missing a crucial pronoun, making it grammatically incorrect. Thus, D provides the most coherent and grammatically sound structure.

Other Related Questions

What does the passage suggest about the light bulbs used in the first train signaling systems?
  • A. They were very fragile.
  • B. They were all the same color.
  • C. They were only illuminated at night.
  • D. They were also used to signal automobile drivers.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The passage indicates that the light bulbs in the first train signaling systems were designed to emit a specific color to convey signals, suggesting uniformity in color for clarity and safety. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not mention the fragility of the bulbs. Option C is misleading; while the bulbs may have been primarily used at night, the passage does not explicitly state that they were only illuminated then. Option D is also incorrect; the passage focuses on train signaling without reference to their use for automobile drivers. Thus, the emphasis on color highlights the importance of consistent signaling in train operations.
The term "heliotropic" (sentence 5) most probably means
  • A. having a flexible pulvinus
  • B. flowering in the bud stage
  • C. having brightly-colored flowers
  • D. turning toward the Sun
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

"Heliotropic" refers to the phenomenon where plants or flowers turn towards the Sun to maximize light exposure, which is essential for photosynthesis. This behavior is crucial for their growth and survival. Option A, "having a flexible pulvinus," describes a specific structural feature of some plants but does not capture the essence of heliotropism. Option B, "flowering in the bud stage," pertains to a developmental phase unrelated to sunlight orientation. Option C, "having brightly-colored flowers," focuses on visual attributes rather than movement towards light. Thus, only option D accurately reflects the meaning of heliotropic.
We can infer that the reason the glass tubes were bent was that
  • A. the Paris Exposition display was considered unsatisfactory
  • B. straight tubes are not as bright as bent ones
  • C. it is difficult to form letters with straight tubes
  • D. neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The bending of glass tubes is primarily linked to the ability to form letters and shapes, making option C the most logical choice. Bent tubes allow for the creation of recognizable letters, essential for signage. Option A suggests the display's quality influenced the design, but it lacks direct relevance to the functionality of the tubes. Option B implies that brightness is affected by the shape of the tubes, which is misleading; brightness is more about gas type and tube diameter than shape. Option D inaccurately claims that neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes; gas longevity is not dependent on tube shape but rather on electrical conditions and gas quality.
The historic town library is just passed the intersection of Main Street and the more residential Frederick Street.
  • A. passed
  • B. pass
  • C. past
  • D. passing
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In this context, "past" is the appropriate choice as it refers to a location beyond a point—in this case, the intersection. - **A: passed** is the past tense of "pass," which does not fit the sentence's need for a preposition indicating location. - **B: pass** is the base form of the verb and does not convey the intended meaning of being beyond the intersection. - **D: passing** suggests an ongoing action, which is not suitable here as the sentence describes a static location relative to the intersection. Thus, "past" effectively communicates that the library is located beyond the intersection.