SECTION 2

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

Time - 25 minutes
(including the reading of the directions)
Now set your clock for 25 minutes.

This section is designed to measure your ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard
written English. There are two types of questions in this section, with special directions for each t ype.

Structure

Directi ons: These questions are incomplete sentences. Beneath each sentence you will see four
words or phrases, marked (A), (B), (C), and (D). Choose the one word or phrase that best
completes the sentence. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in
the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Look at the following examples.

Example I Sample Answer

The president the election by a

landslide. (A) won
(B) he won
(C) yesterday
(D) fortunately

The sentence should read, “The president won the election by a landslide.” Therefore, you
should choose answer (A).

Example II Sample Answer

When the conference?

(A) the doctor attended
(B) did the doctor attend
(C) the doctor will attend
(D) the doctor’s attendance

The sentence should read, “When did the doctor attend the conference?” Therefore, you should choose
answer (B).

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1. In the early 1900s, Eastman 7. Researchers have begun studying what
inexpensive Brownie box cameras. is on human circadian rhythms.
(A) it developed (A) it is the effect of light
(B) it was developed (B) the light affects
(C) developed (C) is affecting the light
(D) developing (D) the effect of light

2. the discovery of the fossilized 8. If calcium oxide remains exposed to air,

remnants of tides in one-billion-year-old to calcium carbonate.
rocks. (A) turning
(A) Geological reports (B) turns
(B) Geologists report (C) it turns
(C) The reports of geologists (D) the turn
(D) Geologists’ reports
9. Some early batteries used concentrated
3. The Brookl yn Bridge took nitric acid, gave off
thirteen years to complete. poisonous fumes.
(A) in New York (B) (A) they
is in New York (C) it (B) then they
is in New York (D) (C) but they
which New York (D) but they had

4. Genes control all of the physical 10. The sound produced by an object
we inherit. in a periodic way involves more than the
(A) that traits simple sine wave.
(B) that are traits (A) it vibrates
(C) traits that (B) vibrating
(D) traits are that (C) is vibrating
(D) vibrates
5. Indigo can be extracted from a plant, and
then to dye cloth blue. 11. Prior to the discovery of anesthetics in
(A) it 1846, surgery was done was still
(B) using conscious.
(C) using it (A) while the patient
(D) it can be used (B) the patient felt
(C) during the patient’s
6. in the United States spends 900 (D) while patiently
hours per year in class and 1,170 hours in
front of the television.
(A) The average third-grader
(B) The third grade is average
(C) There are three grades
(D) Three average grades

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12. The drastic decline of the beaver helps to 14. A yacht is steered with a rudder,
illustrate what to the ecosystems of the flow of water that passes the
the North American continent. hull. (A) which deflecting
(A) happening (B) deflects
(B) the happening (C) it deflects
(C) has happened (D) which deflects
(D) about happening
15. For top speed and sudden acceleration, the
13. The use of shorthand died out in the accelerator pump feeds
additional
Middle Ages because of with gasoline from the float chamber into
witchcraft. above the venturi tube.
(A) the association was imagined (A) the air flows
(B) associate the imagination (B) the air flow
(C) imagine the association (C) the air is flowing
(D) the imagined association (D) flows the ai

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 Written Expression

Directions: In these questions, each sentence has four underlined words or phrases. The
four underlined parts of the sentence are marked (A), (B), (C), and (D). Identify the one underlined
word or phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be correct. Then, on your answer
sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer
you have chosen.

Look at the following examples.

Example I Sample Answer

The four string on a violin are t uned

A B C D

in fifths.

The sentence should read, “The four strings on a violin are tuned in fifths.” Therefore, you
should choose answer (B).

Example II Sample Answer

The res earch for the book Roots taking

A B C

Alex Haley twel ve years

D

The sentence should read, “The research for the book Roots took Alex Haley twelve years.”
Therefore, you should choose answer (C).

16. In 1732, coach travelers could got from New York to Philadelphia in about two
da ys.
A B C D

17. Some of the District of Columbia are on low-lying, marshy

ground.
A B C D

18. Georgia’s economy is based main on

agriculture
A B C D

19. The Paul Revere House was b uilt in 1676, and today its the ol dest wooden building in
Boston.
A B C D

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20. Conifers such as cedars, firs, and pines bear its seeds in cones.
A B C D

21. A dome is a semispherical structures on top of a b uilding

A B C D

22. Succulents suck up water in just a few hour, but they can store it in their stems for months.
A B C D

23. Flying buttresses enabled builders to p ut up tall but thinnest stone walls.
A B C D

24. Weather forecasters moni tor barometric pressures and record they on charts as isobars.
A B C D

25. In man y languages the forms of a word varies to express such contrasts as number, gender, and tense.
A B C D

26. A Milky Way object that erupted in the constellation Scorpius has provides information to
A B
astronomers since July.
C D

27. Much fossils are found in coal-beari ng rocks.

A B C D

28. When salt is added to ice, this mixture becomes col dl y enough to freeze ice cream.
A B C D

29. During the eighteenth and nineteenth cent uries Long Island was chi efl y an agricult ural region
A B C
with fishing, whaling, and b uild ships as the important industries.
D

30. No one who has studied the Battle of Little Bighorn know the exact route that Custer and his
A B C
detachment took.
D

31. The folktales which the brothers Grimm had collecting were transl ated into English in 1823.
A B C D

32. In our solar system, nine planets, fifty-seven moons, several dozen comets, several million
A B
asteroids, and billions of meteorites have so far been discover.
C D

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33. From the 1 850s until after the turn of the century, many of America’s super-rich famili es made
A B C
Newport his favorite summer resort.
D

34. Mars may l ooks red because it is cover ed with a layer of soft red iron oxide.
A B C D

35. The radioactive substances that pose the greatest harm to humanity have neither very short or
A B C
very long half lives.
D

36. A robin cocks its head to peer at a worm with one eyes and not to hear it, as was once thought.
A B C D

37. Film sound is often recor d by an analog system which like the compact disc, uses light.
A B C D

38. The scribes of the Middle Ages used quill pens t o produce their high decorated manuscripts.
A B C D

39. The principles of physics described by Christian Doppler in 1842 for the movement of stars has
A B
been adapted to evaluate the movement of blood within the heart.
C D

40. The Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft were the first vehicles of humankind to venture beyond the
A B
limits of ours solar
system. C D

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 SECTION 3
READING COMPREHENSION
Time—5 5 minutes
(including the reading of the directions)
Now set your clock for 55 minutes.

This section is designed to measure your ability to read and understand short passages similar in topi
c and style to those that students are likely to encounter in North American universities and
colleges. This section contains reading passages and questions about the passages.

Directi ons: In this section you w read several passages. Each one is followed by a number of
questions about it. You are to choose the one best answer, (A), (B), (C), or (D), to each
question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that
corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Answer all questions about the information in a passage on the basis of what is stated
or implied in that passage.

Read the following passage:

John Quincy Adams, who served as the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to
1829, is today recognized for his masterful statesmanship and diplomacy. He dedicated his life
to public service, both in the presidency and in the various other political offices that he held.
Line Throughout his political career he demonstrated his unswerving belief in freedom of speech, the
(5) Antislavery cause, and the right of Americans to be free from European and Asian domination.

Example I Sample Answer

To what did John Quincy Adams devote his

life? (A) Improving his personal life
(B) Serving the public D
(C) Increasing his fortune
(D) Working on his private business

According to the passage, John Quincy Adams “dedicated his life to public service.” Therefore,
you should choose answer (B).

Example II Sample Answer

In line 4, the word “unswerving” is closest in meaning to

(A) moveable
(B) insignificant D
(C) unchanging
(D) diplomatic

The passage states that John Quincy Adams demonstrated his unswerving belief “throughout
his career.” This implies that the belief did not change. Therefore, you should choose answer (C).
Questions 1—9

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 The largest diamond ever found is the Cullinan Diamond. This diamond weighed 3,106
carats in its uncut state when it was discovered in South Africa on January 25, 1905.
The Cullinan Diamond was cut into 9 major stones and 96 smaller ones. The largest of the cut
stones, and still the largest cut diamond in the world, is the pear-shaped Cullinan I at 530
carats. This diamond, which is also known as the Greater Star of Africa, is more than 2 inches
(5.4 cm)
long and 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) wide. It became part of the British crown jewels in 1907.
1. What is the best title for this passage? 4. It can be inferred from the passage that
(A) Diamond Cutting the Cullinan Diamond was cut into how
(B) The Worlds Biggest Diamond, Uncut many total stones?
and Cut (A) 9
(C) Measuring Diamonds in Carats (B) 96
(D) The British Crown Jewels (C) 105
(D) 3,106
2. The word “uncut” in line 2 is closest in
meaning to which of the following? 5. The word “major” in line 3 could best be
(A) Finished replaced by
(B) Unnatural (A) well-known
(C) Pear (B) military
(D) Whole (C) natural
(D) big
3. The word “discovered” in line 2 is closest
in meaning to
(A) created
(B) found
(C) buried
(D) weighed

6.

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7. Which of the following is NOT true about 9. According to the passage, what happened
Cullinan I? to Cullinan I?
(A) It was cut from the Cullinan (A) It remained in Africa.
Diamond. (B) It was cut into smaller stones.
(B) It weighs 3,106 carats. (C) It was cut and changed into the
(C) It is the biggest cut diamond in the Greater Star of Africa.
world. (D) It became the property of the British
(D) It is sometimes called the Greater Royal family.
Star of Africa.
10. Where in the passage does the author
8. All of the following are true about the mention the Cullinan Diamond’s weight
shape of the Greater Star of Africa when it was mined?
EXCEPT that (A) Lines 1 - 2
(A) it is in the shape of a pear (B) Line 3
(B) it is 5.4 centimeters long (C) Lines 4 - 5
(C) it is longer than it is wide (D) Line 6
(D) it is 4.4 inches wide

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Questions 10-20

Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by Atlanta pharmacist John S. Pemberton. The name for
the product was actually proposed by Pemberton’s assistant, Frank Robinson. The name was taken
from the two most unusual ingredients in the drink, the South American coca leaf and the
African cola nut.
The recipe for today’s Coca-Cola is very well guarded. Many of the ingredients are known;
in addition to coca leaves and cola nut, they include lemon, orange, lime, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla,
caramel, and sugar. The proportions of the ingredients and the identity of Coke secret ingredients
are known by only a few of the Coca-Cola Company’s senior corporate officers.
11. The passage mainly discusses 15. A “recipe” in line 5 is
(A) the success of the Coca-Cola (A) information about drugs for a
Company pharmacy
(B) the unusual ingredients in Coca-Cola (B) a description of how to prepare
(C) John S. Pemberton something
(D) Coca-cola`s recipe and who (C) an accounting statement
developed it (D) a corporate organizational plan

12. According to the passage, who created 16. The passage states that the recipe for
Coca-Cola? Coca-Cola is
(A) The Coca-Cola Company (A) well known
(B) John S. Pemberton (B) known by only a limited number of
(C) Pemberton’s assistant people
(D) Frank Robinson (C) unknown
(D) published information
13. The word “unusual” in line 3 is closest in
meaning to 17. Which of the following is NOT
(A) uncommon mentioned as an ingredient of Coca-Cola?
(B) important (A) Orange leaves
(C) unused (B) Nutmeg
(D) tasty (C) Citrus fruits
(D) Sugar
14. Which of the following is NOT true about
the name Coca-Cola? 18. The word “secret” in line 7 could best be
(A) The name “coca” comes from the replaced by
coca leaf. (A) unrevealed
(B) The name “cola” comes from the cola (B) delicious
nut. (C) business
(C) Frank Robinson suggested the name. (D) speechless
(D) The inventor came up with the name.

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19. It can be inferred from the passage that 20. The word “senior” in line 8 could best be
(A) the public knows all the ingredients in replaced by
Coca-Cola (A) trustworthy
(B) the public is not sure that coca leaves (B) high-level (C)
are used in Coca-Cola more mature (D)
(C) the public does not know how many really decisive
cola nuts are used in a batch of Coca-
Cola 21. Where in the passage does the author
(D) no one knows the exact proportions of mention who gave Coca-Cola its name?
ingredients used in Coca-Cola (A) Lines 1 - 2
(B) Lines 3 - 4
(C) Line 5
(D) Lines 7 - 8

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Questions 21 - 30

Most people would say that the world’s tallest mountain is Mount Everest. This mountain in the
Himalayas is just over 29,000 feet high.
However, if mountains are measured a little bit differently, then the tallest mountain on
Earth is Mauna Kea, in the Hawaiian Islands. Mauna Kea is only about 14,000 feet above sea level,
so in comparison to Mount Everest it just does not look anywhere near as high as Mount Everest to a
person standing at sea level.
Mauna Kea, however, does not begin at sea level. It rises from an ocean floor that is more than
16,000 feet below the surface of the water. This mountain therefore measures more than 30,000
feet from it base to its top, making it a higher mountain than Mount Everest.
22. The main idea of the passage is that 26. According to the passage, Mauna Kea is
(A) Mount Everest is the world’s how far above the level of the water?
tallest mountain (A) 14,000 feet
(B) Mount Everest and Mauna Kea are (B) 16,000 feet
located in different parts of the world (C) 29,000 feet
(C) Mauna Kea’s base is below sea level (D) 30,000 feet
(D) Mauna Kea could be considered the
tallest mountain in the world 27. The expression “in comparison to” in
lines 4 and 5 could best be replaced by
23. Which of the following is NOT stated (A) close to
about Mount Everest? (B) in relation to
(A) Many people believe it is the world’s (C) as a result of
tallest mountain. (D) because of
(B) It is part of the Himalayas.
(C) It is over 29,000 feet high. 28. It is implied in the passage that Mauna
(D) It rises from the ocean floor. Kea does not seem as tall as Mount
Everest because
24. The word “just” in line 2 could best be re (A) people do not want to look at it
by (B) part of Mauna Kea is under water
(A) noticeably (C) Mount Everest has more
(B) soon (C) (D) snow Mauna Kea is in a different part
barel y (D) of the world than Mount Everest
recently
29. The word “floor” in line 7 could best be
25. The expression “a little bit” in line 3 is replaced by
closest in meaning to (A) carpet
(A) a small size (B) bottom
(B) quite (C) roof
(C) somewhat (D) water
(D) extremely

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30. The passage indicates that Mauna Kea 31. Where in the passage does the author
(A) measures 16,000 feet from top to mention Mount Everest’s total height?
bottom (A) Lines 1—2
(B) is completely covered with water (B) Lines 4—6
(C) is more than half covered by water (C) Line 7
(D) is 1,000 feet shorter than Mount (D) Lines 8—9
Everest

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Questions 31 - 40

When Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492, there were already an estimated thirty to
forty million people living in North and South America. It has therefore been quite easy for some to
refute the idi that Columbus “discovered” America. How and when these inhabitants came to
America has been the source of much scientific research and discussion.
Most archeologists agree that the first Americans,the true “discoverers” of America,came
from northeastern Asia. There is also a considerable amount of proof that inhabitants have been in the
Americas for at least 15,000 years.
To get to the Americas, these people had to cross over the 55-mile-wide Bering Strait that
separates Asia and North America. According to one theory, these people crossed over during
periods when a land bridge existed between the two continents. During Ice Ages, so much of the
Earth’s water was frozen that the sea levels dropped, and it was possible to walk from Asia to
North
America.
32. What is the author’s main purpose? 35. It is implied in the passage that
(A) To explain how Columbus discovered (A) Columbus was really the first person
America in America
(B) To show how people came to America (B) scientists are sure about America’s
before Columbus first inhabitants
(C) To demonstrate the importance to (C) Columbus arrived at almost the same
archeologists of northeastern time as America’s first inhabitants
Asia (D) all is not known about America’s
(D) To explain how to cross the Bering first inhabitants
Strait
36. There is general agreement that the first
33. In 1492, how many people were probably people who came to North America came
in the Americas? from
(A) Fewer than thirty million (A) Europe
(B) Exactly thirty million (B) South America
(C) Forty million or fewer (C) northeastern Asia
(D) At least forty million (D) Africa

34. The word “refute” in line 3 is closest in 37. The word “considerable” in line 6 could
meaning to best be replaced by which of the
(A) theorize following?
(B) support (A) Large
(C) contradict (B) Weak
(D) defend (C) Well-known
(D) Considerate

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38. The word “separates” in line 9 is 40. The word “frozen” in line 11 could best
closest in meaning to be replaced by
(A) differentiates (A) cool
(B) divides (B) dirty
(C) joins (C) solid
(D) crosses (D) wet

39. Which of the following is NOT stated 41. Where in the passage does the author
about the Bering Strait? mention how long people have probably
(A) It is 55 miles wide. been in the Americas?
(B) It separates North America and Asia. (A) Lines 1 - 2
(C) It was probably a land bridge during (B) Lines 3 - 4
the Ice Ages. (C) Lines 6 - 7
(D) It is a land bridge today. (D) Lines 8 - 9

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Questions 41 - 50

Alpha Centauri is a triple-star system. One of the three stars in Alpha Centauri is Proxima
Centauri, which is the nearest star to the Earth, except of course for the Sun. The name
“Proxima” comes from a Latin word which means “close.”
Even though Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Earth outside of our solar system, it is
not really close. Interstellar distances are so large that they are almost impossible to imagine. A
person traveling in a modern spacecraft would not arrive at Proxima Centauri within this lifetime
or the next, or even ten lifetimes because the distance is so great. Light travels at a speed of
186,000 miles per second, and it still takes light more than four years to travel from Proxima
Centauri to the Earth.
Alpha Centauri can be easily seen in the night sky without a telescope from certain parts of the
Earth. It is the third brightest star in the sky, out of approximately 6,000 visible stars. It cannot
be seen from most parts of the United States because most of the United States is too far north;
however; it can be seen from the southern parts of the southernmost states.
42. The main subject of this passage is 45. “Interstellar distances” in line 5 are
(A) the closest stars to the Earth (A) distances between stars
(B) modern space travel (B) distances between the Earth and
(C) the speed of light various stars
(D) interstellar distances (C) distances measured by the speed of
light
43. The passage indicates that which of (D) distances from the Sun to each of the
the following is NOT true? planets, including the Earth
(A) Alpha Centauri is composed of three
stars. 46. It can be inferred from the passage that if
(B) Proxima Centauri is the closest star to a person left in one of today’s spacecrafts,
the Earth. he or she would arrive at Alpha Centauri
(C) Proxima Centauri is one of the stars in (A) within this lifetime
Alpha Centauri. (B) within the next lifetime within
(D) It is possible to see Alpha Centauri (C) ten lifetimes
from the Earth. (D) after more than ten lifetimes

44. The word “comes” in line 3 could best be 47. The word “great” in line 7 could best be
replaced by replaced by which of the following?
(A) travels (A) Famous
(B) is derived (B) Well-known
(C) is directed (C) Accomplished
(D) visits (D) Big

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48. Which of the following is true according to 50. It can be inferred from the passage that
the passage? from Alaska Alpha Centauri is
(A) Light travels at 186,000 miles per (A) always visible
hour. (B) frequently visible
(B) A person could travel from Earth to (C) occasionally visible
Proxima Centauri in four years. (D) never visible
(C) Light from Proxima Centauri
reaches the Earth in more than four 51. Where in the passage does the author
years. explain how fast light can travel?
(D) It is 186,000 miles from the Earth to (A) Lines 1 - 2
Proxima Centauri. (B) Line5
(C) Lines 7 - 9
49. The word “brightest” in line 11 could best (D) Lines 10 – 11
be replaced by
(A) smartest
(B) palest
(C) shiniest
(D) largest

This is the end of TOEFL Practice Test 2

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