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.

Marco won a trophy each of the three times he competed in the junior tennis tournament, but still the first prize eluded him.
  • A. eluded
  • B. alluded
  • C. elided
  • D. allied
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

In this context, "eluded" means that the first prize was out of Marco's reach despite his successes, which fits the sentence perfectly. Option B, "alluded," refers to making an indirect reference, which does not apply here. Option C, "elided," means to omit or leave out, which does not convey the intended meaning of something being out of reach. Option D, "allied," means to join or unite, which is irrelevant in this context. Thus, "eluded" accurately captures the sense of a goal that remains unattained despite effort.

Other Related Questions

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.
The best placement for sentence 12 within the third paragraph would be
  • A. where it is now
  • B. before sentence 11
  • C. after sentence 13
  • D. after sentence 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Placement of sentence 12 where it currently is allows for a logical flow of ideas, maintaining coherence within the paragraph. It connects well with the preceding sentence, enhancing clarity and emphasizing the main point. Option B disrupts this flow by placing sentence 12 before sentence 11, which may confuse readers regarding the sequence of thoughts. Option C, placing it after sentence 13, would create a disjointed structure, as it would separate related ideas. Option D, positioning it after sentence 14, risks losing the contextual relevance, diminishing the paragraph's overall impact.
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 context, where would the following sentence best be placed? Banana consumption surpassed that of apples only 20 years after they were first introduced to Americans.
  • A. After sentence 3
  • B. After sentence 4
  • C. After sentence 6
  • D. After sentence 7
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Placing the sentence after sentence 4 provides a logical flow, as it builds on the preceding discussion about the introduction of bananas to Americans and their rising popularity. This context allows readers to understand the significance of the banana's consumption surpassing apples. Option A is too early, as it lacks the necessary context about the introduction of bananas. Option C comes too late, as it may disrupt the narrative flow established earlier. Option D is also inappropriate, as it would place the information after a conclusion, making it feel disconnected from the main discussion.