PREVIEW TEST 3

Reading
This section of the test measures your ability to understand the meaning of words and to comprehend
written materials.

Directions: The remainder of this section contains several passages, each followed by 10–14
questions. Read the passages and, for each question, choose the one best answer—(A), (B), (C), or
(D)—based on what is stated in or on what can be inferred from the passage.

Passage 1 developed coke smelting, the Colonies did not

The technology of the North American colonies follow suit because they had plenty of wood and
did not differ strikingly from that of Europe, but besides, charcoal iron was stronger than coke
in one respect, the colonists enjoyed a great iron. Coke smelting led to technologic innova-
advantage. Especially by comparison with Britain, tions and was linked to the emergence of the
Americans had a wonderfully plentiful supply of Industrial Revolution. In the early nineteenth
wood. century, the former colonies lagged behind
The first colonists did not, as many people Britain in industrial development because their
imagine, find an entire continent covered by a supply of wood led them to cling to charcoal
climax forest. Even along the Atlantic seaboard, iron.
the forest was broken at many points. Neverthe-
less, all sorts of fine trees abounded, and through 1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
the early colonial period, those who pushed
westward encountered new forests. By the end (A) The advantages of using wood in the
of the colonial era, the price of wood had risen colonies
slightly in eastern cities, but wood was still (B) The effects of an abundance of wood
extremely abundant. on the colonies
The availability of wood brought advantages (C) The roots of the Industrial Revolution
that have seldom been appreciated. Wood was a (D) The difference between charcoal iron
foundation of the economy. Houses and all and coke iron
manner of buildings were made of wood to a
2. The word strikingly in the first paragraph is
degree unknown in Britain. Secondly, wood was
closest in meaning to
used as fuel for heating and cooking. Thirdly, it
was used as the source of important industrial (A) realistically.
compounds, such as potash, an industrial alkali; (B) dramatically.
charcoal, a component of gunpowder ; and (C) completely.
tannic acid, used for tanning leather. (D) immediately.
The supply of wood conferred advantages
but had some negative aspects as well. Iron at
that time was produced by heating iron ore with
charcoal. Because Britain was so stripped of
trees, she was unable to exploit her rich iron
mines. But the American colonies had both iron
ore and wood; iron production was encouraged
and became successful. However, when Britain

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PREVIEW TEST 3: READING

3. Which of the following is a common 7. Why does the author mention gunpowder
assumption about the forests of North in paragraph 3?
America during the colonial period?
(A) To illustrate the negative aspects of
(A) They contained only a few types of trees. some industrial processes
(B) They existed only along the Atlantic (B) To give an example of a product made
seaboard. with wood compounds
(C) They had little or no economic value. (C) To remind readers that the colonial era
(D) They covered the entire continent. ended in warfare
(D) To suggest that wood was not the only
4. Look at the word plentiful in the bold text important product of the colonies
below:
8. The phrase follow suit in paragraph 4
Especially by comparison with Britain,
means
Americans had a wonderfully plentiful
supply of wood. (A) do the same thing.
(B) make an attempt.
The first colonists did not, as many (C) have the opportunity.
people imagine, find an entire conti- (D) take a risk.
nent covered by a climax forest. Even
along the Atlantic seaboard, the forest 9. According to the passage, why was the use
was broken at many points. Neverthe- of coke smelting advantageous?
less, there was an abundant supply of
fine trees of all types, and through the (A) It led to advances in technology.
early colonial period, those who (B) It was less expensive than wood
pushed westward encountered new smelting.
forests. (C) It produced a stronger type of iron
than wood smelting.
Underline the word or phrase in the bold (D) It stimulated the demand for wood.
text that has the same meaning as plentiful.
10. Look at the phrase cling to in the bold text
5. According to the passage, by the end of the below:
colonial period, the price of wood in
eastern cities Britain abandoned the charcoal method
and went on to develop coke smelting.
(A) rose quickly because wood was The colonies did not follow suit be-
becoming so scarce. cause they had plenty of wood, and
(B) was much higher than it was in besides, charcoal iron was stronger
Britain. than coke iron. Coke smelting led to
(C) was slightly higher than in previous technological innovations and was
years. linked to the emergence of the Indus-
(D) decreased rapidly because of lower trial Revolution. The former colonies
demand for wood. lagged behind Britain in industrial
development because their supply of
6. What can be inferred about houses in wood led them to cling to charcoal
Britain during the period written about in iron.
the passage?
Underline the word or phrase in the bold
(A) They were more expensive than text that is most nearly OPPOSITE in
American houses.
meaning to the phrase cling to.
(B) They were generally built with
imported materials. 11. Put an X next to the paragraph that outlines
(C) They were typically smaller than the main disadvantage of an abundance of
homes in North America. wood.
(D) They were usually built from materials
other than wood.

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Passage 2 13. Look at the word He in the bold text

The Peales were a distinguished family of below:
American artists. Charles Willson Peale is best The Peales were a distinguished family
remembered for his portraits of leading figures of of American artists. Charles Willson
the American Revolution. He painted portraits of Peale is best remembered for his
Franklin and Jefferson and over a dozen of portraits of leading figures of the
George Washington. His life-size portrait of his American Revolution. He painted
sons Raphaelle and Titian was so realistic that portraits of Franklin and Jefferson and
George Washington reportedly once over a dozen of George Washington.
tipped his hat to the figures in the picture.
Charles Willson Peale gave up painting in Underline the word or phrase in the bold
his middle age and devoted his life to the Peale text that the word He refers to.
Museum, which he founded in Philadelphia. The
14. The author probably mentions that Wash-
world’s first popular museum of art and natural
ington
science, it featured paintings by Peale and his
tipped his hat to the figures in the painting
family as well as displays of animals in their
(paragraph 1) to indicate that
natural settings. Peale found the animals himself
and devised a method of taxidermy to make the (A) Charles Willson Peale’s painting was
exhibits more lifelike. The museum’s most very lifelike.
popular display was the skeleton of a mast- (B) Washington respected Charles Willson
odon—a huge, extinct elephant—which Peale Peale’s work.
unearthed on a New York farm in 1801. (C) Washington was friendly with
Three of Peale’s seventeen children were Raphaelle and Titian Peale.
also famous artists. Raphaelle Peale often painted (D) the painting of the two brothers was
still lifes of flowers, fruit, and cheese. His works extremely large.
show the same luminosity and attention to detail
that the works of the Dutch masters show. In the 15. Look at the word displays in the bold text
late eighteenth century, however, portraiture was below:
the rage, and so Raphaelle Peale found few The world’s first popular museum of
buyers for his still lifes at the time. His brother art and natural science, it featured
Rembrandt studied under his father and painted paintings by Peale and his family as
portraits of many noted people, including one of well as displays of animals in their
George Washington. Another brother, Rubens natural settings. Peale found the
Peale, painted mostly landscapes and portraits. animals himself and devised a method
James Peale, the brother of Charles Willson of taxidermy to make the exhibits more
Peale, specialized in miniatures. His daughter lifelike.
Sarah Miriam Peale was probably the first
professional female portrait painter in America. Underline the word or phrase in the bold
text that has the same meaning as displays.
12. What is the main topic of the passage? 16. For which of the following terms does the
(A) The life of Charles Willson Peale author give a definition in the second
(B) Portraiture in the eighteenth century paragraph?
(C) The Peale Museum (A) Natural science
(D) A family of artists (B) Skeleton
(C) Taxidermy
(D) Mastodon

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17. Which of the following questions about the Passage 3

Peale Museum does the passage NOT According to the best evidence gathered by
supply enough information to answer? space probes and astronomers, Mars is an
(A) Who found and prepared its animal inhospitable planet, more similar to Earth’s Moon
exhibits? than to Earth itself—a dry, stark, seemingly
(B) In what city was it located? lifeless world. Mars’ air pressure is equal to
(C) Where did its most popular exhibit Earth’s at an altitude of 100,000 feet. The air
come from? there is 95 percent carbon dioxide. Mars has no
(D) In what year was it founded? ozone layer to screen out the sun’s lethal
radiation. Daytime temperatures may reach above
18. The word unearthed in the second freezing, but because the planet is blanketed by
paragraph is closest in meaning to the mere wisp of an atmosphere, the heat
(A) displayed. radiates back into space. Even at the equator, the
(B) dug up. temperature drops to −50°C (−60°F) at night.
(C) located. Today there is no liquid water, although valleys
(D) looked over. and channels on the surface show evidence of
having been carved by running water. The polar
19. Look at the word rage in the bold text below: ice caps are made of frozen water and carbon
dioxide, and water may be frozen in the ground
His works show the same luminosity and as permafrost.
attention to detail that the works of the Despite these difficult conditions, certain
Dutch masters show. In the late eigh- scientists believe that there is a possibility of
teenth century, however, still lifes were transforming Mars into a more Earth-like planet.
not the fashion. Portraiture was the rage, Nuclear reactors might be used to melt frozen
and so Raphaelle Peale found few buyers gases and eventually build up the atmosphere.
at that time. This in turn could create a greenhouse effect
Underline the word or phrase in the bold that would stop heat from radiating back into
text that has the same meaning as rage. space. Liquid water could be thawed to form a
polar ocean. Once enough ice has melted,
20. According to the passage, Rembrandt Peale suitable plants could be introduced to build up
and his father both painted the level of oxygen in the atmosphere so that, in
time, the planet would support animal life from
(A) miniatures.
Earth and even permanent human colonies. “This
(B) portraits of George Washington.
was once thought to be so far in the future as to
(C) paintings of flowers, fruit, and cheese.
be irrelevant,” said Christopher McKay, a
(D) pictures of animals.
research scientist at the National Aeronautics and
21. Underline the sentence in paragraph 3 in which Space Administration. “But now it’s starting to
the author compares the paintings of one of look practical. We could begin work in four or
the Peale family with those of other artists. five decades.”
The idea of “terra-forming” Mars, as
22. Which of the following is NOT one of the enthusiasts call it, has its roots in science fiction.
children of Charles Willson Peale? But as researchers develop a more profound
understanding of how Earth’s ecology supports
(A) Titian Peale
life, they have begun to see how it may be
(B) Rubens Peale
possible to create similar conditions on Mars.
(C) Raphaelle Peale
Don’t plan on homesteading on Mars any time
(D) Sarah Miriam Peale
soon, though. The process could take hundreds
23. The author’s attitude toward the Peales’ is or even thousands of years to complete, and the
in general cost would be staggering.
(A) envious.
(B) puzzled.
(C) admiring.
(D) disappointed.

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24. With which of the following is the passage 30. It can be inferred from the passage that the
primarily concerned? greenhouse effect mentioned in the second
paragraph is
(A) The possibility of changing the Martian
environment (A) the direct result of nuclear reactions.
(B) The challenge of interplanetary travel (B) the cause of low temperatures on
(C) The advantages of establishing colonies Mars.
on Mars (C) caused by the introduction of green
(D) The need to study the Martian ecology plants.
(D) a possible means of warming Mars.
25. The word stark in the first paragraph is
closest in meaning to 31. Look at the word thawed in the bold text
below:
(A) harsh.
(B) unknown. Frozen water could be thawed to form
(C) dark. a polar ocean. Once enough ice has
(D) distant. melted, suitable plants could be intro-
duced to build up the level of oxygen in
26. The word there in the first paragraph refers the atmosphere so that, in time, the
to planet would support animal life from
(A) a point 100 miles above the earth. Earth and even permanent human
(B) the earth’s moon. colonies.
(C) Mars. Underline the word or phrase in the bold
(D) outer space. text that has the same meaning as thawed.
27. According to the passage, the Martian 32. Look at the word feasible in the bold text
atmosphere today consists mainly of below:
(A) carbon dioxide. “Not many years ago, no one would
(B) oxygen. have considered this a viable plan,”
(C) ozone. said Christopher McKay, a research
(D) water vapor. scientist at the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration. “But now it’s
28. Underline the sentence in the first para-
graph that explains why Mars is so cold at starting to look feasible. We could
night. begin work in four or five decades.”
Underline the word or phrase in the bold
29. Which of the following does the author text that has the same meaning as feasible.
NOT list as a characteristic of the planet
Mars that would make colonization difficult? 33. According to Christopher McKay, the
(A) There is little liquid water. possibility of transforming Mars
(B) Daytime temperatures are dangerously (A) could only occur in science fiction
high. stories.
(C) The sun’s rays are deadly. (B) will not begin for hundreds, even
(D) Nighttime temperatures are extremely thousands of years.
low. (C) is completely impractical.
(D) could be started in forty to fifty years.

34. According to the article, the basic knowl-

edge needed to transform Mars comes from
(A) the science of astronomy.
(B) a knowledge of Earth’s ecology.
(C) data from space probes.
(D) science fiction stories.

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PREVIEW TEST 3: READING

35. Look at the word they in the bold text versely influence diet. The degree to which poor
below: nutrition affects susceptibility to colds is not yet
clearly established, but an inadequate diet is
The idea of “terra-forming” Mars, as suspected of lowering resistance in general.
enthusiasts call it, has its roots in
science fiction. But as researchers
develop a more profound understand- 37. The paragraph that precedes this passage
ing of how Earth’s ecology supports most probably deals with
life, they have begun to see how it may (A) minor diseases other than colds.
be possible to create similar conditions (B) the recommended treatment of colds.
on Mars. (C) a factor that affects susceptibility to
Underline the word or phrase in the bold colds.
text that the word they refers to. (D) methods of preventing colds among
elderly people.
36. The word staggering in the third paragraph
is closest in meaning to 38. Which of the following is closest in
meaning to the word particulars in the first
(A) astonishing. paragraph?
(B) restrictive.
(C) increasing. (A) Minor errors
(D) unpredictable. (B) Specific facts
(C) Small distinctions
Passage 4 (D) Individual people
Another critical factor that plays a part in 39. What does the author claim about the study
susceptibility to colds is age. A study done by the discussed in the passage?
University of Michigan School of Public Health
revealed particulars that seem to hold true for (A) It contains many inconsistencies.
the general population. Infants are the most (B) It specializes in children.
cold-ridden group, averaging more than six colds (C) It contradicts the results of earlier
in their first year. Boys have more colds than studies in the field.
girls up to age three. After the age of three, girls (D) Its results apparently are relevant for
are more susceptible than boys, and teenage girls the population as a whole.
average three colds a year to boys’ two.
40. According to the passage, which of the
The general incidence of colds continues to
following groups of people is most likely to
decline into maturity. Elderly people who are in
catch colds?
good health have as few as one or two colds
annually. One exception is found among people (A) Infant boys
in their twenties, especially women, who show a (B) Young girls
rise in cold infections, because people in this age (C) Teenage boys
group are most likely to have young children. (D) Elderly women
Adults who delay having children until their
thirties and forties experience the same sudden
increase in cold infections.
The study also found that economics plays
an important role. As income increases, the
frequency at which colds are reported in the
family decreases. Families with the lowest
income suffer about a third more colds than
families at the highest end. Lower income in
general forces people to live in more cramped
quarters than those typically occupied by
wealthier people, and crowding increases the
opportunities for the cold virus to travel from
person to person. Low income may also ad-

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SECTION 3: READING

41. Look at the word incidence in the bold 44. The author’s main purpose in writing the
text below: last paragraph of the passage is to
The general incidence of colds contin- (A) explain how cold viruses are
ues to decline into maturity. Elderly transmitted.
people who are in good health have as (B) prove that a poor diet causes colds.
few as one or two colds annually. One (C) discuss the relationship between
exception is found among people in income and frequency of colds.
their twenties, especially women. The (D) discuss the distribution of income
rate at which they are infected with among the people in the study.
colds rises because people in this age
group are most likely to have young 45. Look at the word cramped in the bold text
children. below:

Underline the word or phrase in the bold Families with the lowest income suffer
text that has the same meaning as a third more colds than families at the
incidence . highest end. Lower income in general
forces people to live in more cramped
42. There is information in the second para- quarters than those typically occupied
graph of the passage to support which of by wealthier people, and crowded
the following conclusions? conditions increase the opportunities
for the cold virus to travel from person
(A) Men are more susceptible to colds
to person.
than women.
(B) Children infect their parents with Underline the word or phrase in the bold
colds. text that has the same meaning as
(C) People who live in a cold climate have cramped.
more colds than those who live in a
warm one. 46. The following sentence can be added to
(D) People who don’t have children are paragraph 3.
more susceptible to colds than those Low income may also have an adverse
who do. effect on diet.
43. Look at the phrase people in this age group Where would it best fit in the paragraph?
in the bold text below:
The study also found that economics plays
Elderly people who are in good health an important role. (A) As income increases,
have as few as one or two colds annu- the frequency at which colds are reported
ally. One exception is found among in the family decreases. (B) Families with
people in their twenties, especially the lowest income suffer a third more colds
women. The rate at which they are than families at the highest end. (C) Lower
infected with colds rises because income in general forces people to live in
people in this age group are most more cramped quarters than those typically
likely to have young children. Adults occupied by wealthier people, and crowded
who delay having children until their conditions increase the opportunities for
thirties and forties experience the same the cold virus to travel from person to
sudden increase in cold infections. person. (D) The degree to which deficient
nutrition affects susceptibility to colds is
Underline the word or phrase in the bold not yet clearly established. (E) However, an
text that refers to the phrase inadequate diet is suspected of lowering
people in this age group . resistance in general.
Circle the letter in parentheses that
indicates the best position for the sentence.

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PREVIEW TEST 3: READING

47. Look at the word deficient in the bold text 49. What is the main topic of the passage?
below: (A) The relationship between a plant’s
Lower income in general forces people roots and its shoots
to live in more cramped quarters than (B) What can be learned by growing roots
those typically occupied by wealthier in isolation
people, and crowded conditions (C) How plants can be grown without roots
increase the opportunities for the cold (D) What elements are necessary for the
virus to travel from person to person. growth of plants
The degree to which deficient nutrition
50. The word themselves in the first paragraph
affects susceptibility to colds is not yet
refers to
clearly established. However, an
inadequate diet is suspected of lowering (A) plant physiologists.
resistance in general. (B) solutions.
(C) laboratory flasks.
Underline the word or phrase in the bold (D) roots.
text that has the same meaning as deficient.
51. According to the passage, what is ATP?
48. The author’s tone in this passage could best
be described as (A) A biochemical process
(B) The tip of a root
(A) neutral and objective. (C) A chemical compound
(B) humorous. (D) A type of plant cell
(C) tentative but interested.
(D) highly critical. 52. The word intact in the second paragraph is
closest in meaning to
Passage 5 (A) mature.
About fifty years ago, plant physiologists set out (B) wild.
to grow roots by themselves in solutions in (C) whole.
laboratory flasks. The scientists found that the (D) tiny.
nutrition of isolated roots was quite simple. They
required sugar and the usual minerals and 53. The use of the phrase comes in handy in the
vitamins. However, they did not require organic second paragraph indicates that the process is
nitrogen compounds. These roots got along fine (A) useful.
on mineral inorganic nitrogen. Roots are capable (B) predictable.
of making their own proteins and other organic (C) necessary.
compounds. These activities by roots require (D) successful.
energy, of course. The process of respiration
uses sugar to make the high energy compound 54. It can be inferred from the passage that, in
ATP, which drives the biochemical reactions. the early spring, the buds of plants
Respiration also requires oxygen. Highly active (A) “export” protein in the form of amino
roots require a good deal of oxygen. acids.
The study of isolated roots has provided an (B) do not require water.
understanding of the relationship between shoots (C) have begun photosynthesizing.
and roots in intact plants. The leaves of the (D) obtain organic compounds from the roots.
shoots provide the roots with sugar and vitamins,
55. Which of the following best describes the
and the roots provide the shoots with water and
organization of the passage?
minerals. In addition, roots can provide the
shoots with organic nitrogen compounds. This (A) The results of two experiments are
comes in handy for the growth of buds in the compared.
early spring when leaves are not yet functioning. (B) A generalization is made and several
Once leaves begin photosynthesizing, they examples of it are given.
produce protein, but only mature leaves can (C) The findings of an experiment are
“export” protein to the rest of the plant in the explained.
form of amino acids. (D) A hypothesis is presented, and several
means of proving it are suggested.

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