Reading Test Practice

1. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. commonly

• B. as to

• C. as

• D. on

Answer explanation

Collocation:

49. refer: referred to (as)

2. Which of the following best matches the meaning and connotation of SCOURGE?

• A. curse

• B. change

• C. blessing

• D. audacity

Answer explanation

Connotative and Denotative Meanings

Scourge = thing that causes great trouble/suffering

Clues from context: 'it spells the decline and fall of literacy' = negative connotation

3. What word fits best in the blank?

• A. Subsequently

• B. Nevertheless

• C. Rather

• D. Purposefully

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Logical Connection

A - Chronological (A then B)

B - Conjunction (A and B, surprising)

C - Disjunction (A or B)

D - Cause/Effect

It's not A, it's B.

4. What does John McWhorter imply with the sentence “If humanity had existed for 24 hours, then writing only came along at about 11:07 p.m.?”

• A. Writing is not as important as spoken language.

• B. Humans have existed for a very long time.

• C. Humans should have developed writing at an earlier stage in their history.

• D. The history of writing is very short compared to human history.

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Logical Connection

If, then = Implication.

One thing can only happen if some condition if fulfilled

5. Why does the author include the information that just about everyone learns to speak, though not everyone learns to write?

• A. To refute the idea that speaking is not important for communication.

• B. As evidence that speaking is the basic way in which humans communicate.

• C. As an example of why writing is a kind of artifice.

• D. To explain how speaking and writing differ.

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Understanding Why

Speaking is a fundamental mode of human communication.

For one... = evidence

Moreover, ... = conjunction (both things happen)

6. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. develops

• B. begs

• C. faces

• D. provides

Answer explanation

Collocation:

35. opportunity: provide an opportunity

7. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. follow

• B. convey

• C. suit

• D. pose

Answer explanation

Collocation:

31. message: convey a message

8. Which word fits best in the blank?

• A. vest

• B. engage

• C. seek

• D. follow

Answer explanation

Collocation:

23. follow: follow the rules

9. What can be inferred from the passage?

• A. Without recent technology, it would be impossible for people to write like they

  speak.

• B. If we had invented writing earlier in our history, then we would have more technology.

• C. Neither writers nor speakers could get immediate feedback before texting was invented.

• D. Both writing and texting have contributed to linguistic decline since their introduction.

Answer explanation

Implications and Inferences

Logical Connection

A. Implication - Technology = people can speak like they write

B. Implication X - Writing does not create technology

C. Conjunction (A and B) X - speakers get feedback

D. Conjunction (A and B) X - writing has not contributed to linguistic decline

10. Which of the following statements would John McWhorter be most likely to agree with?

• A. Texting is an important method of communication that does not have a negative

  impact on literacy.

• B. Texting is new and unique, but it will be detrimental to young people’s writing skills.

• C. Texting is inconsequential because it will quickly be replaced by a new way to communicate.

• D. Speaking and writing should no longer be considered different.

Answer explanation

Connotative and Denotative Meanings

texting = important, miraculous. very positive

A. postitive

B. neutral/negative

C. negative

D. neutral/negative