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.

The retired government official spoke _______ about foreign policy and international trade
  • A. as knowing
  • B. in knowledge
  • C. knowledgeably
  • D. knowledgeable
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The sentence requires an adverb to describe how the retired government official spoke. Option C, "knowledgeably," correctly functions as an adverb, indicating that the official spoke with knowledge about foreign policy and international trade. Option A, "as knowing," is grammatically incorrect and does not convey the intended meaning. Option B, "in knowledge," is awkward and does not fit the context of how someone speaks. Option D, "knowledgeable," is an adjective and would not appropriately modify the verb "spoke." Thus, C is the only option that fits both grammatically and contextually.

Other Related Questions

With four recent United States presidents being left-handed Ford, the elder Bush, Clinton and Obama the stigma associated with left-handedness largely vanishing
  • A. left-handedness largely vanishing
  • B. left-handedness has largely vanished
  • C. left-handedness being largely vanished
  • D. left-handedness and largely vanished
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B effectively conveys that left-handedness has significantly decreased in societal stigma. The present perfect tense ("has largely vanished") indicates a change that started in the past and continues to the present, aligning well with the context of the sentence. Option A uses "largely vanishing," which is awkward and suggests an ongoing process rather than a completed change. Option C's "being largely vanished" is grammatically incorrect, as "being" does not fit with the passive construction. Option D incorrectly combines "and" with "largely vanished," creating a fragment that lacks clarity and coherence.
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.
Which of the following sentences contains information irrelevant to the passage as a whole and should be deleted?
  • A. Sentence 4
  • B. Sentence 5
  • C. Sentence 7
  • D. Sentence 9
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Sentence 7 introduces an anecdote that, while interesting, does not contribute to the main argument of the passage. Its narrative focus distracts from the central theme, making it less relevant. Sentence 4 provides essential context that supports the overall message, while Sentence 5 summarizes key points, reinforcing the passage’s purpose. Sentence 9 offers a concluding thought that ties back to the main argument, enhancing the reader's understanding. Thus, only Sentence 7 diverges from the primary focus, warranting its removal for clarity and coherence.
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.