TSIA 2 Reading and Writing Overview

TSIA2 Reading and Writing Review

TSIA2 Reading Single Passage

Multiple Choice

1. When we think of volcanoes, eruptions, lava, and smoke-filled air come to mind—all occurring on land. Most people are surprised to learn about the prevalence of underwater volcanoes on our planet. Because the lava and smoke spilling out of an active, underwater volcano is contained by the ocean, people generally do not take note of these eruptions. However, the largest underwater volcanoes are capable of creating huge tidal waves, threatening coastal communities.

The main idea of this passage was...

• traditional volcanoes and underwater volcanoes are similar

• the lava and smoke from an underwater volcano is contained by the sea

• most tidal waves are caused by underwater volcanoes

• underwater volcanoes receive little attention but can be dangerous

Multiple Choice

3. The main authors of The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are usually thought of as America’s “Founding Fathers.” Other, less known personages also deserve the title, however, and Noah Webster was one of these. Through his writings, which include the still- influential dictionary that bears his name, Webster sought to legitimize an “American English” that was independent of British spelling and pronunciation. For instance, Webster removed the “u” from “colour,” creating the distinct American version of the word.

What is the main idea of the passage?

• To praise the Founding Fathers

• To present information about an important American

• To define and explain “American English”

• To distinguish American dictionaries from British dictionaries

Multiple Choice

If you are committed to healthy, green living and want to reduce your environmental footprint, you might consider expanding your daily diet to include bugs. Supporters of the edible insect initiative rightfully argue that farming insects has a much lower environmental impact than does raising livestock since bugs are easier to harvest and require a fraction of the water and land space that cattle need. Indeed, the high-protein, low-fat health benefits of bug-eating have long been known. For hundreds of years, crickets, silkworms and even tarantulas have been served roasted, stewed and fried at the dinner tables of many cultures.

Which words best describe the author's attitude toward the "edible insect initiative?

• awe and amazement

• interest and support

• disgust and distaste

• fear and apprehension

Multiple Choice

Long thought to be a case of mistaken identity, the discovery of the Bornean rainbow toad by European explorers in 1924 was recently verified by scientists. The explorers had made a black-and-white sketch of an unusual toad they had found in the jungles of Southeast Asia, christening it the Bornean rainbow toad. Skeptical but curious, scientists recently went to look for the toad—and ended up finding three specimens.

The passage implies which of the following about the Bornean rainbow toad.

• Some people doubted the existence of the toad.

• Scientists were confident that they would find the toad.

• The surviving toads have been relocated to Europe.

• No human being had seen the toad since 1924.

Multiple Choice

Television has been the primary source of information and entertainment for most Americans over the last 50 years. However, with Internet use on the rise year after year, some may wonder if surfing the net will soon surpass watching television as Americans’ primary leisure activity. Indeed, some recent surveys show that time spent on the Internet is now greater than time spent in front of the television. However, this statistic may not tell the whole story, as 59% of Americans say they multitask, using the Internet and watching TV simultaneously.

The main idea of the passage is that television

• is only one of many information sources

• may have become less popular than the Internet

• is watched by more people now than ever before

• focuses more on entertainment than on news

Multiple Choice

Plywood, while not the most pleasing wood to look at, has become an incredibly important building material in house construction. It is flexible, inexpensive, and strong. Its strength is due to layers of thin wood glued on top of each other with the grain of each layer making a right angle with the grain of the layer below it. This way of layering the sheets of wood makes plywood difficult to break.

According to the passage, the arrangement of the layers of thin wood explains plywoods...

• strength

• cost

• attractiveness

• flexibility

Multiple Choice

The 1922 German Expressionist film Nosferatu, directed by F. W. Murnau, is considered one of the most influential films in cinematic history—while also being a classic vampire movie. The film is closely based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula; however, the villain in the film is called “Count Orlok” rather than “Count Dracula.” The reason is that the small studio that produced the film, Prana Film, was unable to secure the rights to Stoker’s novel. In fact, shortly after finishing Nosferatu, its one and only film, Prana went bankrupt in order to dodge copyright lawsuits from Stoker’s widow.

Why does the author say that the vampire in Nosferatu is named "Count Orlok" and not "Count Dracula"?

• To show that the makers of Nosferatu made minor changes to Stoker’s novel

• To suggest that the characters in Nosferatu were based on real people instead of literary characters

• To criticize Nosferatu for its differences from its source

• To praise the makers of Nosferatu for their imagination in recreating Stoker’s novel

TSIA2 Reading Dual Passage

Multiple Choice

The author of Passage 2 probably would respond to the last sentence of Passage 1 (“Parents . . . every day!”) by

• asserting that parents should help children find a balance of indoor and outdoor activities

• claiming that young children often know more about computers than their parents do

• pointing out that many children would rather use technology than play outside

• arguing that children should be spending more time using computers

Multiple Choice

The author of Passage 1 would most likely criticize the author of Passage 2 for

• overemphasizing the strength of the data about students’ technological literacy

• overlooking the drawbacks of increasing the time children spend using technology

• dismissing as unimportant the development that occurs during outdoor activities

• exaggerating the proportion of careers that require knowledge of science and math

TSIA2 Writing Revision and Editing

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

Children who aren't nurtured during infancy are more likely to develop attachment disorders, which can cause persisting and severely problems later in life.

• which can cause persistent and severe problems

• that can cause persisting and severe problem

• they can cause persistent and severe problem

• which can cause persisting and severely problems

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

While speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving, velocity measures how fast an object is moving and also indicates in what direction it is traveling.

• and only indicates in which direction

• and also indicates in what direction

• and only indicated in what direction

• and also indicate in which directions

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

Many companies are now using social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to market there service and product.

• to market there service and product

• and market their service and products

• to market their services and products

• which market their services and products

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

An autoclave is a tool used mainly in hospitals to sterilizing surgical tools and hypodermic needles.

• to sterilizing surgical tools and hypodermic needles

• for sterilize surgical tools and hypodermic needles

• for sterilizing the surgical tool and hypodermic needle

• to sterilize surgical tools and hypodermic needles

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

The bizarre creatures known by electric eels are capable of emitting an incredible 600 volts of electricity.

• A bizarre creature known as electric eels

• The bizarre creatures known by electric eels

• The bizarre creatures known to electric eels

• The bizarre creatures known as electric eels

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

A key factor taken into account during city planning is where major services and amenities will be located.

• A key factor taken into account during city planning is

• Key factors taken into account during city planning is

• A key factor taking into account during city planning is

• Key factors, taken into accounting during city planning are

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

Jupiter with its numerous moons, and Great Red Spot, has been studied extensively by astronomers.

• Jupiter, with its numerous moons and Great Red Spot,

• Jupiter with, its numerous moons and Great Red Spot,

• Jupiter with its numerous moons, and Great Red Spot,

• Jupiter with, its numerous moons, and Great Red Spot,

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

Many gardeners are now making their own backyard compost, which is not only cheap, but also helps to cut down on landfill waste.

• which is not only done cheaply, but is also cutting down on landfills wastes

• which is, not only cheap, but also, helps to cut down on landfill waste

• which is not only cheaper, but also cuts down on landfill's waste

• which is not only cheap, but also helps to cut down on landfill waste

Multiple Choice

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.

The growth of the security industry can be large attributable to the fact that people are less trusting of others than they once were.

• The growth of the security industry can be large attributable

• The growth of the security industry can be largely attributed

• The growing of the securities industry can be largely attributable

• The growth on the security industry can be large attributed

Multiple Choice

Select the best option for replacing the underlined portion of the sentence.

Claude Monet was a famous painter who’s well-known painting includes San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk and The Water Lily Pond.

• who's well-known painting includes

• whose well-known painting including

• who well-known paintings include

• whose well-known paintings include

Multiple Choice

Rewrite the sentence in your head following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.

Bats and dolphins use a process known as echolocation, which means they emit and receive frequencies that can help them navigate through the dark night and murky waters, and also allows them to locate food sources like insects or fish.

Rewrite, beginning with Locating food sources like insects or fish

The next words will be...

• during which they emit and receive frequencies

• is done through a process known as echolocation

• helps them navigate through the dark night

• is done by bats and dolphins

Multiple Choice

Rewrite the sentence in your head following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.

Carbon dating is an accepted method used by archaeologists to figure out the age of artifacts, even though it may not be entirely accurate if samples are contaminated or if the objects to be dated are not extremely old.

Rewrite, beginning with

Even though carbon dating is not always entirely accurate,

The next words will be...

• it is an accepted method

• objects to be dated

• to figure out the age

• samples are contaminated

Multiple Choice

Rewrite the sentence in your head following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.

Chemical changes are sometimes difficult to distinguish from physical changes, but some examples of physical changes, such as melting water, chopped wood, and ripped paper, are very easy to recognize.

Rewrite, beginning with

Melting water, chopped wood, and ripped paper

The next words will be...

• are sometimes difficult to distinguish

• are very easy to recognize

• are chemical changes

• are some examples of physical changes

Multiple Choice

Rewrite the sentence in your head following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.

The theory of repressed memory was developed by Sigmund Freud, and it stated that all people store memories that cannot be accessed during daily life, but can be accessed through hypnotherapy and hypnosis.

Rewrite, beginning with

Developed by Sigmund Freud,

The next words will be...

• the theory of repressed memory

• hypnotherapy and hypnosis

• that cannot be accessed

• it stated that all people

Multiple Choice

Rewrite the sentence in your head following the directions given below. Keep in mind that your new sentence should be well written and should have essentially the same meaning as the original sentence.

Romantic poetry is an important genre, and the works are easily distinguished from other types of poetry by several characteristics, including their focus on nature and the importance that is ascribed to everyday occurrences.

Rewrite, beginning with

A focus on nature and the importance that is ascribed to everyday occurrences

The next words will be...

• from other types of poetry

• is an important genre

• are easily distinguished

• are several characteristics

Multiple Choice

What is the best way to revise and combine sentences 1 and 2?

• A group of English separatist known as the Pilgrims went to live in Amsterdam in 1608 after they left England.

• A group of English separatists known as the Pilgrims left England and went to live in Amsterdam in 1608.

• A group of English separatists known as the Pilgrims left England, they went to live in Amsterdam in 1608.

• A group of English separatists known as the Pilgrims left England since they went to live in Amsterdam in 1608.

Multiple Choice

What is the best version to sentence 3? Sentence 3 is provided again here for ease of reference.

(3) After spending a few years in their new city however many members of the group felt that they did not have enough independence.

• Put commas after the word "city" and after the word "however."

• Replace the words "did not" with the contraction "didn't."

• Place a comma after the word "years."

• Replace the word "spending" with the words "they spent."

Multiple Choice

Which one of the following words or phrases would be best inserted at the beginning of sentence 4?

• However,

• In addition,

• Therefore,

• Surprisingly,

Multiple Choice

Where is the best place to insert the following sentence?

Most of the separatists were poor farmers who did not have much education or social status.

• Before sentence 2

• Before sentence 3

• Before sentence 4

• Before sentence 5

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the best revision to sentence 5? Sentence 5 is provided again here for ease of reference.

Due to their lack of social standing, they had many financial problems that prevented them from beginning the journey.

• Place the phrase "it was said that" before "they."

• Replace the word "they" with the words "the group."

• Delete the phrase "the journey."

• Replace the word "financial" with "economic."

TSIA2 Writing Essay Expectations/Rubric

Multiple Choice

What is the main idea of an essay called?

• thesis/claim

• first topic sentence

• fact

• elaboration/

  explanation

Multiple Choice

What should you put after each topic sentence?

• Elaboration...so what? Explanation

• Topic sentences...

• Facts...For example, text evidence, proof

• Thesis statement

Multiple Choice

What should you put after each fact?

• Elaboration...so what? or Explanation

• Topic sentences...

• Facts...For example,

• Thesis statement

Multiple Choice

What is this prompt asking you?

• freedom or happiness?

• choices in life?

• freedom or limitations?

• limits or infinity?

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct set of grades for a TSI essay?

• 1-5

• 5-9

• 1-8

• 1-10

Multiple Choice

What do you need to make to pass a TSI essay?

• 100

• 5

• 70

• 4

Open Ended

List three pieces of advice you'd give a friend to help him or her pass the TSI test.