TOEFL Week 2 Reading Reference Questions

​Week 2

Reading​ 2

Reference questions

Easy stuff

​Reference questions ask you to ...

identify referential relationships

Trump doesn't like Biden that much because he took his job.

Who is that 'he?'​

Who is that 'his?'​

In the exam, you see: the word 'he' refers to ...

Open Ended

It's not all that easy, though.

Kan lost almost 15 kg in less than a year, which makes him look like a different person now.

the word which refers to...

But after all ...

All the options are in the passage, not far away from the sentence in question, as they should be mentioned first then referred to.

​

​So I don't think you'd lose lots of points here.

​

Reference | Reading

Example #1

‘... these laws are universal in their application, regardless of cultural beliefs, geography, or climate. If pots have no bottoms or have large openings in their sides, they could hardly be considered containers in any traditional sense. Since the laws of physics, not some arbitrary decision, have determined the general form of applied-art objects, they follow basic patterns, so much so that functional forms can vary only within certain limits.’​

Sociology

Multiple Choice

The word they in the passage refers to

• applied-art objects

• the law of physics

• containers

• the side of pots

Example #2

‘... The first weekly newspaper in the colonies was the Boston Gazette, established in 1719, the same year that marked the appearance of Philadelphia’s first newspaper, the American Mercury, where they young Benjamin Franklin worked. By 1760 Boston had 4 newspapers and 5 other printing establishments; Philadelphia, 2 newspapers and 3 other presses; and New York, 3 newspapers. The distribution, if not the sale, of newspapers was assisted by the establishment of a postal service in 1710, which had a network of some 65 offices by 1770, serving all 13 colonies...’

​

​

Sociology

Multiple Choice

The word which in the passage refers to

• distribution

• sale

• newspaper

• postal service

Example #3

‘...Roots anchor the plant in one of two ways or sometimes by a combination of the two. The first is by occupying a large volume of shallow soil around the plants base with a fibrous root system, one consisting of many thin, profusely branched roots. Since these kinds of roots grow relatively close to the soil surface, they effectively control soil erosion. Grass roots are especially well suited to this purpose. Fibrous roots capture water as it begins to percolate into the ground and so must draw their mineral supplies from the surface soil before the nutrients are leached to lower levels...’

​

Biolog

Multiple Choice

The phrase this purpose in the passage refers to

• combining two root system

• feeding the plant

• preventing soil erosion

• leaching nutrients

The answer is always in the previous sentence. Occasionally it jumps over one but it is really rare.

Tip #1

Make sure your answer agrees with the pronoun.

They can't refer to Alice

It can't refer to the president.​

Tip #2

Replace the reference word with your answer and read the sentence to see if it fits.

Tip #3

The ride has just started!

Good luck

Buckle up guys!

The Wave Theory of Light

In 1666, Isaac Newton proposed that light consists of particles traveling only straight lines. But experiments show that the lights can travel away from a source in all directions as well as round corners. So Robert Hooke and Christian Huygens proposed an opposing theory that light as a way of moving up and down in all directions through some substance, like when a stone is dropped into water. Until the 20th century scientist did not know which theory was correct because light demonstrated characteristics of both particles and waves. Finally, in 1909, Albert Einstein reasoned that light has a double nature. It behaves like a particle under some conditions and like a wave under others. This insight led in the 1920s to an understanding of how electrons behave in a nucleus of an atom, creating a new field in physics known as quantum mechanics.​

Physics

Poll

Before Albert Einstein, were scientists in agreement on what light really was?

• Yes, they were

• No, they had opposing theories

Multiple Choice

'Albert Einstein reasoned that light has a double nature.'

The word reasoned is closest in meaning to ...

• the reason for something

• make judgements about something based on facts

Albert Einstein reasoned that light has a double nature. It behaves like a particle under some conditions and like a wave under others.

1. Locate the sentences

​

Open Ended

2. understanding sentences in question:

What is the 'double nature' suggested by Einstein?

Open Ended

The only mentioned that decides how light behave is the ______ it is in.

Multiple Choice

The word others in the passage refers to

• characteristics

• particles

• waves

• conditions

Open Ended

How do we use the structure 'some ... and ... others?'

Use it in a sentence based on what you see in the picture.

The French and Indian War

In the mid-1700, the Ohio Country, the land west of the thirteen colonies, was disputed by both the British and French, each of whom had settled parts of that territory by constructing trading posts and forts. Both countries ignored the claims of the first inhabitants, the Native American Indians. In 1753, the British sent George Washington, then a 21-year-old major, to negotiate with the French, who refused Washington’s demand that they abandon their ownership claims. In 1754, the British launched an attack on the French in what was the first battle of the French and Indian War. Both sides enlisted the aid of Indian tribes, who sought to preserve their own rights to the land. The war continued until 1763, when a treaty was signed that granted all of Canada to England, gave Louisiana to Spain, and limited France’s rights to some islands in the Caribbean and near Newfoundland.

History

Open Ended

The whole things started because of a place called ... in America.

Multiple Choice

And the fight was between ...

• the Brits and the Native Indians

• The Native Indians and the French

• The French and the Brits

• The Brits, the French and the Native Indians.

each of whom had settled part of that territory by const​ructing trading posts and forts.

1. Locate the sentences

​

Open Ended

2. Understanding the sentence in question:

The French and the Brits built trading posts and forts because they wanted to ...

Multiple Choice

The Ohio Country, the land west of the thirteen colonies, was disputed by both the British and French.

The word disputed is closest in meaning to ...

• invaded

• in disagreement

• colonised

• populated

Multiple Choice

The phrase that territory in the passage refers to ...

• Ohio Country

• the thirteen colonies

• The British and the French

• trading posts and ports

to negotiate with the French, who refused Washington's demand that they abandon their ownership claims.

1. Locate the sentences

​

Multiple Choice

2. Understanding the sentence in question:

George Washington was sent to negotiate with the French because ...

• He wanted to tell the French that the Brits were about to attack

• The Brits wanted more land in Ohio from the French

• The Brits wanted more land in Ohio from the Native Indians

Multiple Choice

... who refused George Washington's demand that they abandon their ownership claims.

The word abandon in the passage is closest in meaning to ...

• gain

• acquire

• discuss

• give up

Multiple Choice

The word their in the passage refers to ...

• The first inhabitants

• The Native American Indians

• The British

• The Frence

​- Kan

​'Guys I just don't get why this is called the French and Indian War as it was clearly between the Brits and the French ... and how they got the NativeIndians to help them with the fight...'

Development economics

Development economics is the branch of economics that focuses on the special economic problems faced by poor and undeveloped countries. Unlike classical economics, development economics studies the social and political factors that affect economic growth. It addresses the problem of Third World debt and the role of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in continuing that debt with strict repayment rules. Scholars in the field have proposed that the best long-term solution is to excuse much of the debt. Debtor nations also must be helped to establish stable governments and self-sustaining economies. The goal is to help them become trading partners with creditor nations. An important means to that end is to encourage the growth of a strong middle class. Some ways to do that include guaranteeing education for all, allowing free trade, and providing medical care. Governments must allow for elected representatives and independent court systems.

Economics

Open Ended

Having read the passage, we know that, in one word, and one word only, development economics studies ...

Multiple Choice

And having read the passage, we know that ...

• debtors lend money to creditors

• debtors borrow money from creditors

It addresses the problem of Third World debt and the role of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in continuing that debt with strict repayment rules

1. Locate the sentences

​

Multiple Choice

Unlike classical economics, development economics studies the social and political factors that affect economic growth.

What's this sentence about?

What's the subject of the sentence?

• classical economics

• development economics

• social and political factors

• economic growth

Multiple Choice

It addresses the problem of Third world debt and ...

The word addresses in the passage is closest in meaning to ...

• location of your house

• a formal speech

• to speak or write to someone

• to give attention to or deal with a problem

Multiple Choice

It addresses the problem of Third world debt and ...

The word it refers to ...

• classical economics

• development economics

• economic growth

• Third World debt

Poll

Now China has become an economic superpower, who should we do business with?

• bankrupted countries who look after every single penny in their tiny, empty pockets

• economic giants who wish to gain more power and are happy to burn their cash

Open Ended

So why are we helping lots of Third World countries like Pakistan and others in Africa and Latin America?

Open Ended

Now back to the article:

Why must debtor nations 'be helped to establish stable governments and self-sustaining economies? How can their debt be even 'excused?'

The goal is to help them become trading partners with creditor nations

1. Locate the sentences

​

Multiple Choice

Having read the previous sentence, who are getting help?

• debtor nations

• stable governments

• self-sustaining economies

• creditor nations

Multiple Choice

'The goal is to help them become trading partners with creditor nations'

The word them refers to ...

• debtor nations

• stable governments

• self-sustaining economies

• creditor nations

Open Ended

Do you know what is China doing to help Third World countries?

The Panic of 1873

The years following the Civil War saw a boom in railroad constructions. But excessive investment by speculators and overbuilding by the railroads caused chaotic, uncontrolled growth. In that era the federal government lacked the power to curb the abuses of the private railroad owners. At the same time president grants restriction on the money supply made it harder for investors to borrow the funds needed to finance the growth. The crisis culminated in the panic of 1873, when the leading investment banking firm declared bankruptcy. That had a domino effect, causing railroads to close, unemployment to soar and the New York Stock Exchange to plummet, ushering in a six-year depression. By 1877, wage cuts and poor working conditions prompt workers to go on strike. When a railroad strike stopped the trains from running, President Hayes sent in federal troops to end the work stoppage.

History

Multiple Choice

The whole thing started ...

• after the Civil War

• during Civil War

• in 1873

• in 1877

Open Ended

The first two sentences set the scene for us, telling us that there'd been a growth during that period of time. But what words indicate it was a growth in an undesirable way?

Open Ended

In the end, how did this 'chaotic, uncontrolled growth' affect people at that time?

Multiple Choice

The word boom is closest in meaning to

Multiple Choice

The word excessive is closest in meaning to

Multiple Choice

The word chaotic is closest in meaning to

Multiple Choice

The word abuse is closest in meaning to

In that era the federal government lacked the power to curb the abuse s of the private railroad owners.

1. Locate the sentences

​

Open Ended

2. understanding the sentence (syntax structure):

Fill in the blank with whatever you think that makes most sense

In ______ Rock Johnson usually goes to the gym

Open Ended

What makes your sentence right, do you think?

Open Ended

Another clue is in the following sentence:

At the same time, president grants restriction on the money supply made it harder for investors to borrow the funds needed to finance the growth

Multiple Choice

In that era, the federal government lacked the power to curb the abuses of the private railroad owners.

The phrase that era refers to ...

• the years

• the Civil War

• a boom in railroad construction

• chaotic, uncontrolled growth

Poll

Now latter part of the passage:

What were the results of the 'panic of 1873' that made it a real panic.

• Closed railroads

• higher rate of unemployment

• workers going on strike

• The president sending soldiers to stop the strike

Multiple Choice

The word troops is closest in meaning to ...

Multiple Choice

The word strike is closest in meaning to ...

Multiple Choice

The word bankruptcy is closest in meaning to ...

Open Ended

What is a 'domino effect?'

Open Ended

Put the events of the domino effect in order:

1. people started losing their job

2. the president sent troops to make the workers go 3. back to work

4. railroads closed down

5. banks went bankrupt

6. workers went on strike

Multiple Choice

That had a domino effect, causing railroads to close, unemployment to soar and the New York Stock Exchange to plummet, ushering in a six-year depression.

The word that in the passage refers to ...

• the crisis

• the Panic of 1873

• bankruptcy

• a six-year depression

Open Ended

Does anyone know how the US got out of the recession?

Lev Vygotsky's Theory of Zone of Proximal Development

Two competing theories have been advanced to explain how a child develops. One theory holds that the child is a product of his inherited traits – nature. The other maintains that a child is defined by environment – nurture. The Russian psychology Lev Vygotsky reconciled these approaches by proposing the theory of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). ZPD represents the gap between a child’s current, actual level of ability and his or her potential level. The baseline of ZPD is the child’s ability to solve problems or perform tasks without help. The upper boundary of ZPD is the level the child can reach with aid from a teacher or adult. Vygotsky proposed that a child rises through the zone by a process called scaffolding, in which a mentor provides guided, step-by-step instruction. In that way, a child ZPD constantly changes, as his independent capacity improves and his potential capacity increases

Psychology

Poll

How many previous theories are Lev Vygotsky's ZPD based on?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• x

Multiple Choice

Lev Vygotsky reconciled these approaches by proposing the theory of Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

The word reconciled in the passage is closest to meaning ...

• combine

• improve

• compare

• look down on

Multiple Choice

One theory holds that the child is a product of his inherited traits

In this sentence, we inherit ...

• a house

• DNA

• some money

• social position

Multiple Choice

The other maintains that a child is defined by environment

The word maintains is closest in meaning to ...

• continue

• keep in good condition

• express

• provide

Multiple Choice

The other maintains that a child is defined by environment

The phrase the other in the passage refers to ...

• a child

• theory

• nature

• environment

Open Ended

today we have mentioned another structure that is quite similar with 'one ... the other ...'

What is it?

I hope it hasn't gone in one ear and out the other.

Open Ended

Now the latter half of the passage:

The process in which a child develops and reaches higher and higher boundaries called

Vygotsky proposed that a child rises through the zone by a process called scaffolding, in which a mentor provides guided, step-by-step instruction.

1. Locate the sentences

​

Open Ended

2. Understanding the sentence.

How can a teacher or an adult help a child reach higher in the Theory of ZPD?

Open Ended

Break this sentence into two shorter ones:

Trump couldn't stop staring at the man's bag, in which he suspected that there was a bomb ticking.

Open Ended

Break this sentence into two shorter ones:

Biden couldn't stop staring at the man's bag, in which he hoped that Trump cold body could be discovered later.

Open Ended

Now join these two sentences together:

The bag was taken back to Trump's house.

the bag was found in his house by the police.

Multiple Choice

Vygotsky proposed that a child rises through the zone by a process called scaffolding, in which a mentor provides guided, stpe-by-step instruction.

The word which in the passage refers to ...

• a child

• a zone

• scaffolding

• instruction

you wouldn't find this passage unfamiliar

If you were a qualified one, not only on paper.

And if you were a teacher