TOEFL Reading Skill 1 -4

Before ballpoint pens or fountain pens, pens were made from goose feathers. These goose feathers, called quills, were sharpened and dipped into inkwells, where they absorbed enough ink to write a few words. It was necessary to keep an inkwell very close by, as frequent dipping was necessary.

These quill pens were one of the earliest products “designed” specifically for left and right-handed people. Feathers from the left wing of the goose worked best for right-handers because of the way that the feathers arched. Feathers from the right wing were preferred by left-handers.

1. Which of the following is the best title for this passage?

• Early Ballpoint and Fountain Pens

• Quill Pens for Lefties and Righties

• Where Quill Pens Came From

• Various Uses for Goose Feathers

Before ballpoint pens or fountain pens, pens were made from goose feathers. These goose feathers, called quills, were sharpened and dipped into inkwells, where they absorbed enough ink to write a few words. It was necessary to keep an inkwell very close by, as frequent dipping was necessary.

These quill pens were one of the earliest products “designed” specifically for left and right-handed people. Feathers from the left wing of the goose worked best for right-handers because of the way that the feathers arched. Feathers from the right wing were preferred by left-handers.

2. According to the passage, a quill came from ...

• a tree

• a bird

• a piece of metal

• a fountain pen

Before ballpoint pens or fountain pens, pens were made from goose feathers. These goose feathers, called quills, were sharpened and dipped into inkwells, where they absorbed enough ink to write a few words. It was necessary to keep an inkwell very close by, as frequent dipping was necessary.

These quill pens were one of the earliest products “designed” specifically for left and right-handed people. Feathers from the left wing of the goose worked best for right-handers because of the way that the feathers arched. Feathers from the right wing were preferred by left-handers.

3. The passage indicates that a quill pen could have enough ink to write ...

• one or two pages

• for about one hour

• a couple of words

• numerous sentences

Before ballpoint pens or fountain pens, pens were made from goose feathers. These goose feathers, called quills, were sharpened and dipped into inkwells, where they absorbed enough ink to write a few words. It was necessary to keep an inkwell very close by, as frequent dipping was necessary.

These quill pens were one of the earliest products “designed” specifically for left and right-handed people. Feathers from the left wing of the goose worked best for right-handers because of the way that the feathers arched. Feathers from the right wing were preferred by left-handers.

4. Which of the following is NOT true about quill pens, according to the passage?

• Left-handers were unable to use quill pens.

• Left-handed people generally preferred quills from the right wing.

• Right-handers could use quill pens.

• Right-handed people generally preferred quills from the left wing.

Before ballpoint pens or fountain pens, pens were made from goose feathers. These goose feathers, called quills, were sharpened and dipped into inkwells, where they absorbed enough ink to write a few words. It was necessary to keep an inkwell very close by, as frequent dipping was necessary.

These quill pens were one of the earliest products “designed” specifically for left and right-handed people. Feathers from the left wing of the goose worked best for right-handers because of the way that the feathers arched. Feathers from the right wing were preferred by left-handers.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that quill pens ...

• are still used regularly today

• are preferred over ballpoint pens

• are the best pens for left-handers

• are no longer used much

The English names of the last four months of the Gregorian calendar (September, October, November, December) have rather interesting histories. The Gregorian calendar is the twelve-month calendar, so these months are the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth month respectively. However, their months do not reflect their positioning in the calendar. The name September comes from the Latin word ‘septum’, which means ‘seven’. This month was originally the name of the seventh rather than the ninth month. Similarly, the name October comes from the Latin ‘octo’ (‘eight’); the name November comes from the Latin ‘novem’ (‘nine’); the name December comes from the Latin ‘decem’ (‘ten’).

6. The main topic of this passage is ...

• the origin of certain month names

• the Gregorian calendar

• the numbers in Latin

• ten and twelve-month calendar

The English names of the last four months of the Gregorian calendar (September, October, November, December) have rather interesting histories. The Gregorian calendar is the twelve-month calendar, so these months are the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth month respectively. However, their months do not reflect their positioning in the calendar. The name September comes from the Latin word ‘septum’, which means ‘seven’. This month was originally the name of the seventh rather than the ninth month. Similarly, the name October comes from the Latin ‘octo’ (‘eight’); the name November comes from the Latin ‘novem’ (‘nine’); the name December comes from the Latin ‘decem’ (‘ten’).

7. The first month on the Gregorian calendar is probably ...

• (A) March

• May

• January

• December

The English names of the last four months of the Gregorian calendar (September, October, November, December) have rather interesting histories. The Gregorian calendar is the twelve-month calendar, so these months are the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth month respectively. However, their months do not reflect their positioning in the calendar. The name September comes from the Latin word ‘septum’, which means ‘seven’. This month was originally the name of the seventh rather than the ninth month. Similarly, the name October comes from the Latin ‘octo’ (‘eight’); the name November comes from the Latin ‘novem’ (‘nine’); the name December comes from the Latin ‘decem’ (‘ten’).

8. The passage states that in the original version of the calendar, September was the name ...

• the sixth month

• the seventh month

• the eighth month

• the ninth month

The English names of the last four months of the Gregorian calendar (September, October, November, December) have rather interesting histories. The Gregorian calendar is the twelve-month calendar, so these months are the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth month respectively. However, their months do not reflect their positioning in the calendar. The name September comes from the Latin word ‘septum’, which means ‘seven’. This month was originally the name of the seventh rather than the ninth month. Similarly, the name October comes from the Latin ‘octo’ (‘eight’); the name November comes from the Latin ‘novem’ (‘nine’); the name December comes from the Latin ‘decem’ (‘ten’).

9. It can be inferred from the passage that November ...

• used to be the ninth month of the year

• is no longer part if the Gregorian calendar

• has always been the eleventh month

• was not part of the original Gregorian calendar

The English names of the last four months of the Gregorian calendar (September, October, November, December) have rather interesting histories. The Gregorian calendar is the twelve-month calendar, so these months are the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth month respectively. However, their months do not reflect their positioning in the calendar. The name September comes from the Latin word ‘septum’, which means ‘seven’. This month was originally the name of the seventh rather than the ninth month. Similarly, the name October comes from the Latin ‘octo’ (‘eight’); the name November comes from the Latin ‘novem’ (‘nine’); the name December comes from the Latin ‘decem’ (‘ten’).

10. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage about December?

• It is the twelfth month on the Gregorian calendar.

• Its name is derived from a Latin word.

• Its meaning comes from the number ten.

• It has 31 days.