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.

Beth was certain that tickets to the concert would sell quickly she ordered them online as soon the became available.
  • A. quickly, she
  • B. quickly, therefore
  • C. quickly, so she
  • D. quickly, then
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C, "quickly, so she," effectively connects Beth's belief about the tickets selling fast with her action of ordering them. The phrase "so she" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, clarifying that her certainty motivated her decision. Option A, "quickly, she," lacks a clear connection between her belief and action, making the sentence feel incomplete. Option B, "quickly, therefore," is overly formal for this context and implies a logical conclusion rather than a direct action stemming from her belief. Option D, "quickly, then," suggests a sequence but does not imply causation, weakening the relationship between her certainty and her decision.

Other Related Questions

Our math teacher claimed that calculus, despite its complexities, were as easy as any other subject.
  • A. were as
  • B. was as
  • C. is to be
  • D. to be
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

In this context, the subject "calculus" is singular, so it requires a singular verb form. "Was as" correctly matches the singular subject, indicating that calculus is being compared to other subjects in the past. Option A, "were as," incorrectly uses the plural verb "were," which does not agree with the singular noun "calculus." Option C, "is to be," implies a future action or state, which does not fit the intended meaning of comparing past experiences. Option D, "to be," lacks a verb and does not form a complete thought, making it grammatically incorrect.
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 clearly states that rain helps in the propagation of some plant species, maintaining a straightforward structure that emphasizes the relationship between rain and propagation. Option A, while accurate, is less clear due to its passive construction, which can lead to ambiguity about what is being helped. Option B awkwardly phrases the relationship, suggesting that rain helps to propagate the plants rather than directly stating its role in the process. Option D complicates the message by using a more convoluted structure, making it less direct and harder to understand. Clarity and conciseness are essential in effectively conveying the idea.
According to scientists, the seven separate continents of the world, in the far distant past, one vast land mass.
  • A. the world, in the far distant past
  • B. the world, being in the far distant past
  • C. the world were, in the far distant past
  • D. the world was, in the far distant past
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D accurately uses the verb "was," which agrees with the singular subject "the world." This structure clearly conveys that, historically, the continents formed one vast land mass. Option A lacks a verb, making it an incomplete thought. Option B incorrectly uses "being," which is not suitable in this context and disrupts the sentence's clarity. Option C uses "were," which does not agree with the singular subject and creates confusion about the subject-verb relationship. Thus, D is the only option that maintains grammatical correctness and clarity.
In 1952, Dwight Eisenhower was elected President of the United States, he won 55% of the vote.
  • A. he won
  • B. he had won
  • C. with winning
  • D. winning
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The phrase "winning" effectively conveys the action of Eisenhower's election in a succinct manner, emphasizing the achievement without the need for auxiliary verbs. Option A, "he won," is grammatically correct but less fluid in this context. It shifts focus to a completed action rather than the ongoing significance of his victory. Option B, "he had won," uses the past perfect tense, which implies a prior context that isn’t necessary here and complicates the sentence unnecessarily. Option C, "with winning," introduces an awkward prepositional phrase that detracts from the clarity and directness of the statement.