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.

Read the passage below and then choose the best answer to each question. Answer the questions on the basis of wha the passage. Passage In 1968, a high-school student in Japan discovered the fossilized bones of a plesiosaur, a giant m reptile that lived some 85 million years ago. Shark teeth stuck in the plesiosaur's bones, and othe tooth fossils found nearby, suggest that this plesiosaur was attacked by a group of what were ess miniature great white sharks. The plesiosaur discovery reveals that ancient sharks, which were th have eaten only fish, may also have attacked reptiles. After the discovery, researcher Kenshu Shi said, "It is still possible they could've eaten fish, but at least this fossil shows the plesiosaur was c food items."
The author of the passage does which of the following?
  • A. Relates a personal anecdote
  • B. Provides statistical data
  • C. Quotes a named authority
  • D. Challenges an official view
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The author quotes a named authority to lend credibility to their argument, enhancing the passage's persuasive impact. This approach allows the reader to see the author's position supported by established expertise. Option A is incorrect as there is no personal anecdote shared; the focus remains on authoritative sources. Option B is not applicable since the passage lacks statistical data, relying instead on qualitative support. Option D is also wrong; the author does not challenge an official view but rather reinforces their argument through the cited authority, maintaining a respectful stance towards existing perspectives.

Other Related Questions

Why is the phrase "Amerigo the discoverer" (sentence 2) placed in quotation marks?
  • A. To show that it is important
  • B. To indicate that it is a direct quotation from a book
  • C. To question whether Vespucci really discovered America
  • D. To highlight the differences between the map and the book
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The phrase "Amerigo the discoverer" is placed in quotation marks to indicate that it is a direct quotation from a book, reflecting the specific wording used by the author. This helps readers recognize that the phrase is not the writer's own interpretation but a citation from another source. Option A is incorrect because quotation marks do not inherently signify importance. Option C misinterprets the purpose of the quotation marks, as they do not imply skepticism about Vespucci's discovery. Option D is also inaccurate, as the quotation marks focus on the phrase itself rather than any differences between a map and a book.
We can infer that the reason the glass tubes were bent was that
  • A. the Paris Exposition display was considered unsatisfactory
  • B. straight tubes are not as bright as bent ones
  • C. it is difficult to form letters with straight tubes
  • D. neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The bending of glass tubes is primarily linked to the ability to form letters and shapes, making option C the most logical choice. Bent tubes allow for the creation of recognizable letters, essential for signage. Option A suggests the display's quality influenced the design, but it lacks direct relevance to the functionality of the tubes. Option B implies that brightness is affected by the shape of the tubes, which is misleading; brightness is more about gas type and tube diameter than shape. Option D inaccurately claims that neon gas burns out quickly in straight tubes; gas longevity is not dependent on tube shape but rather on electrical conditions and gas quality.
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.
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.