tsia2 reading and writing practice test 1

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

Apart from being a basic requirement for plant life, the propagation of some plant species is also helped by rain
  • A. the propagation of some plant species is also helped by rain
  • B. some plant species are also helped by rain to propagate them
  • C. rain also helps in the propagation of some plant species
  • D. it is also helpful for the propagation of some plant species to have rain
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C effectively conveys that rain contributes to the propagation of certain plant species, maintaining a clear and direct structure. It emphasizes the role of rain without unnecessary complexity. Option A is too vague, lacking clarity about the relationship between rain and propagation. Option B introduces awkward phrasing with "are also helped," which can confuse the reader about the subject. Option D is convoluted and indirect, making it less straightforward than option C. Overall, C stands out for its clarity and conciseness.

Other Related Questions

In context, which of the following would best be inserted after sentence 6 (reproduced below) as an appropriate example? Such problems are expensive for a government to solve, and often a 'solution' that helps one group hurts another.
  • A. The creation of new watering holes for elephants provides temporary jobs for local residents.
  • B. Declaring certain areas off limits to agricultural development can dangerously limit people's food supply.
  • C. Wild animals that prey on domestic livestock are active mostly at night.
  • D. Legislation attempting to transfer responsibility for wildlife to a country's citizens has failed in other parts of Africa.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B effectively illustrates how a government solution, such as restricting agricultural development, can inadvertently harm local communities by jeopardizing their food supply. This aligns with the notion that a solution benefiting one group can negatively impact another. Option A, while relevant, focuses on temporary job creation without addressing the broader implications of resource allocation. Option C provides factual information about wildlife behavior but lacks a direct connection to the theme of conflicting interests among groups. Option D discusses legislative failures but does not exemplify the immediate consequences of a specific government action, missing the focus on direct harm to a group.
In many cases, they are poets and novelists, not historians, who catch the spirit of an era
  • A. they are
  • B. those
  • C. that is
  • D. it is
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The phrase "it is" effectively introduces the main idea of the sentence, emphasizing the poets and novelists' role in capturing the spirit of an era. This construction clearly states a fact about their significance. Option A, "they are," shifts focus away from the overarching statement and makes the sentence less impactful. Option B, "those," lacks the necessary clarity and directness, making the sentence feel incomplete. Option C, "that is," suggests a definition rather than emphasizing the poets and novelists' importance, weakening the statement's overall strength.
In context, which of the following is best to do with sentence 11 (reproduced below)? They say that successful continuation of conservancies will benefit future generations, attracting more and more tourists from around the globe.
  • A. Replace 'will' with 'is likely to'
  • B. Replace 'attracting' with 'to attract'
  • C. Replace 'They say' with 'Supporters claim'
  • D. Delete 'more and more'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Replacing "They say" with "Supporters claim" enhances clarity by specifying the source of the assertion, making the statement more authoritative. This change helps readers understand that the viewpoint is held by a specific group, which adds credibility to the claim. Option A, "is likely to," weakens the certainty of the statement, diminishing its impact. Option B, changing "attracting" to "to attract," disrupts the sentence's flow and alters its grammatical structure unnecessarily. Option D, deleting "more and more," removes emphasis on the increasing nature of tourism, which is central to the message about future benefits.
Which of the following sentences contains information irrelevant to the passage as a whole and should be deleted?
  • A. Sentence 4
  • B. Sentence 5
  • C. Sentence 7
  • D. Sentence 9
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Sentence 7 introduces an anecdote that, while interesting, does not contribute to the main argument of the passage. Its narrative focus distracts from the central theme, making it less relevant. Sentence 4 provides essential context that supports the overall message, while Sentence 5 summarizes key points, reinforcing the passage’s purpose. Sentence 9 offers a concluding thought that ties back to the main argument, enhancing the reader's understanding. Thus, only Sentence 7 diverges from the primary focus, warranting its removal for clarity and coherence.