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.

Such problems are expensive for a government to solve, and often a 'solution' that helps one group hurts another.
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.

Other Related Questions

In context, which revision of the underlined portion would best combine sentences 7 and 8 (reproduced below)? Docile animals like antelope are easier to catch. A predominance of their bones could suggest that hunters of the time were not capable of regularly capturing more dangerous prey.
  • A. catch, a
  • B. catch, so a
  • C. catch, but a
  • D. catch, for a
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B, "catch, so a," effectively conveys a cause-and-effect relationship between the ease of capturing docile animals and the implications regarding hunters' capabilities. The use of "so" indicates that the prevalence of antelope bones is a direct result of hunters' inability to capture more dangerous prey. Option A, "catch, a," lacks a conjunction that connects the two ideas, making the relationship unclear. Option C, "catch, but a," introduces a contrast that does not exist between the statements, as both sentences support the notion of hunters' limitations. Option D, "catch, for a," implies a reason but does not capture the clear consequence intended in the context.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)? Cavendish bananas might appear to be strong, with its thick skins and ability to be shipped long distances without rotting or even bruising.
  • A. (as it is now)
  • B. its'
  • C. their
  • D. there
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In this context, "Cavendish bananas" is plural, so using "their" is appropriate to match the subject. This option correctly indicates possession, referring to the bananas' thick skins. Option A maintains the original phrasing, which incorrectly uses "its," a singular possessive pronoun, creating a mismatch with the plural subject. Option B, "its'," is also incorrect as it implies a possessive form that doesn't apply here, and it is not a standard grammatical form. Option D, "there," is unrelated to possession and does not fit the context of the sentence.
In context, which of the following sentences would most effectively be placed immediately after sentence 10 (reproduced below)? Eventually my stubbornness paid off.
  • A. Stubbornness seems to run in my family, since my brother is just as stubborn as I am.
  • B. Stubborn people can achieve much success and satisfaction.
  • C. I still like to juggle, even though I am no better at it now than I was in grade school.
  • D. I became a pretty competent juggler and am now almost as skilled as my brother.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D seamlessly follows the statement about stubbornness, directly linking the trait to a tangible outcome: becoming a competent juggler. This connection emphasizes the payoff of stubbornness, reinforcing the idea that persistence leads to success. Option A, while mentioning family stubbornness, diverges from the personal achievement theme and lacks direct relevance to the juggling context. Option B generalizes about stubbornness without connecting to the narrator's specific experience. Option C shifts focus to juggling skills without addressing the outcome of stubbornness, making it less effective in this context.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)? Agricultural activities can disrupt animal's natural habitats.
  • A. (as it is now)
  • B. animal's natural habitat's.
  • C. animals' natural habitats.
  • D. animals natural habitats
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C, "animals' natural habitats," is the best choice because it correctly uses the plural possessive form. Since multiple animals are affected, the apostrophe is placed after "animals" to indicate that the habitats belong to them. Option A retains the original error of using the singular possessive "animal's," which is incorrect when referring to multiple animals. Option B incorrectly adds an unnecessary apostrophe after "habitat," suggesting possession that does not apply here, leading to confusion. Option D lacks the necessary apostrophe to indicate possession, making it grammatically incorrect.