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.

In context, which revision would most improve sentence 12 (reproduced below)? I am aware that what I see as determination, they sometimes see as a lack of realism.
  • A. Change 'I am aware' to 'I notice'.
  • B. Change 'what I see' to 'the quality that I know'.
  • C. Change 'they' to 'other people'.
  • D. Delete 'sometimes'.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C enhances clarity by specifying "other people," which provides context and distinguishes the speaker's perspective from that of others. This improves understanding of the differing viewpoints on determination and realism. Option A, changing "I am aware" to "I notice," makes the statement less reflective and diminishes the depth of understanding conveyed. Option B's revision to "the quality that I know" complicates the sentence unnecessarily, losing the personal touch that "what I see" offers. Option D, deleting "sometimes," removes the nuance that acknowledges variability in perception, which is essential for conveying the complexity of differing opinions.

Other Related Questions

The hikers had a relatively easy trek to the top of the mountain, but they found the decent more difficult than they had expected.
  • A. decent
  • B. descend
  • C. decant
  • D. descent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The term "descent" refers to the act of going down, which aligns perfectly with the context of the hikers finding the return journey more challenging. Option A, "decent," describes something of acceptable quality, which does not fit the context of a journey. Option B, "descend," is a verb meaning to go down, but the sentence requires a noun to describe the action taken by the hikers. Option C, "decant," refers to pouring a liquid from one container to another, which is unrelated to hiking or movement. Thus, "descent" is the most appropriate choice.
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.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 8 (reproduced below)? In fact, the word 'banana' comes from the Arabic word for 'finger.'
  • A. (as it is now)
  • B. word, 'banana,' comes from the Arabic word for 'finger.'
  • C. word, 'banana' comes from the Arabic word for, 'finger.'
  • D. word, 'banana,' comes from the Arabic word for 'finger'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A maintains the original structure and punctuation, which correctly presents the information without unnecessary alterations. The phrase is clear and grammatically correct, effectively linking the word "banana" to its Arabic origin. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "banana," which disrupts the flow and introduces an unnecessary pause. Option C misplaces the comma after "finger," creating confusion about the relationship between the words. Option D incorrectly adds a comma after "banana," which is not required and affects the clarity of the sentence. Thus, A is the most effective choice.
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.