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Reading FSA Prep

Total questions: 74

Worksheet time: 2hrs 46mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”


Which word tells a reader most about the text while previewing it?

a)

obey

b)

groom

c)

idea

d)

puppy

2.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!” What is the problem in the text?

a)

Nick’s parents think that he is not capable of taking care of a puppy

b)

Nick is allergic to puppies.

c)

Nick’s parents think that puppies are not a lot of work.

d)

Nick’s parents think that the family should get a puppy right away.

3.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

A person who volunteers is someone who

a)

studies for tests.

b)

does no work at all.

c)

gets a raise.

d)

does work without being paid.

4.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

Nick’s parents say he isn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. Which word or phrase means capable?

a)

interested

b)

angry about

c)

afraid of

d)

able to

5.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

What does the phrase have no idea mean?

a)

do not understand

b)

can’t think

c)

ran out of ideas

d)

have an active imagination

6.

Nick wanted a puppy, so he decided to become a volunteer at the animal shelter. He was hoping to convince his parents that he was ready to take care of a puppy. He volunteered at the shelter twice each week, on Tuesdays after school and on Saturdays.

While he was there, Nick did several things. He walked the dogs and washed and brushed them. Grooming the long-haired dogs took a long time! He cleaned up the dogs’ kennels, too. He also played with the puppies to help get them used to people. Sometimes he gave them baths as well. Once in a while, Nick spent time with the kittens and cats, but he preferred working with the dogs. There was always plenty to do at the shelter, so Nick was never bored.


  1. What does the first sentence tell about this text?
a)

This text is about volunteering at an animal shelter.

b)

This text is about taking shelter during a storm.

c)

This text is about adopting an animal.

d)

This text is about different animals.

7.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

What detail does the author include to explain why Nick plays with the puppies?

a)

to help them learn to eat and drink

b)

so he can stop being afraid of dogs

c)

to help them get used to people

d)

so he can learn about the different breeds of dog

8.

To which word can the suffix –ing be added?

a)

also

b)

dogs

c)

care

d)

plenty

9.

What is a kennel?

a)

place for animals

b)

kind of food

c)

piece of clothing

d)

helper

10.

Which word means once in a while?

a)

often

b)

never

c)

occasionally

d)

daily

11.

Nick volunteered at the animal shelter for three months. He learned a great deal about raising puppies and training them. Every time he learned something new, he practiced it. He also told his parents about what he was learning. He wanted to persuade them that he could be trusted with a puppy of his own. One afternoon, Dad picked Nick up from volunteering and asked him how the day went.

“Oh, it went great,” Nick answered enthusiastically. “They even let me help introduce the dogs to people who want to adopt them!”

“That’s terrific!” Dad answered with a grin. “I’m so glad you’re getting this experience. You’ll need it for our new puppy!”

“We’re getting a puppy?” Nick practically shouted. “That’s awesome! I can’t wait!”


Which question would help readers monitor their reading and understand the text?

a)

Does Nick have a sister?

b)

What do cats eat?

c)

Will Nick get to have a puppy of his own?

d)

What is the weather outside?

12.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

Why is Nick so interested in telling his parents what he is learning?

a)

He does not want to volunteer at the shelter.

b)

He wants to stay home from school.

c)

He wants to persuade them to volunteer at the shelter.

d)

He wants to persuade them that he can be trusted with a puppy.

13.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

Which is a synonym for convince?

a)

practice

b)

volunteer

c)

trust

d)

persuade

14.

Direction: Read the text and then answer the questions


Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.”

“And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.”

Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

Which word helps to explain Nick’s behavior and mood at the end of the text?

a)

learned

b)

persuade

c)

enthusiastic

d)

help

15.

What had made this a good year for apples?

a)

the autumn

b)

the weather

c)

the sunny day

16.

Who said, "I think I can smell an apple pie baking right now." ?

a)

Jason's mother

b)

Jason's father

c)

Jason

17.

How often did Jason's family go to U Pick M Orchard?

a)

once

b)

every year

c)

each spring

18.

Did Jason enjoy picking apples?

a)

No, he didn't want to o to pick apples with his parents.

b)

No, he stayed in the car, while his parents picked apples.

c)

Yes, because he loved apple pie.

19.

What did Jason mean when he said he could almost smell the apple pie baking now?

a)

His mother was baking an apple pie.

b)

There was someone at the U Pick M Orchard baking a pie.

c)

He knew his mom was going to bake an apple pie.

20.

Jason and his family were from ________________________.

a)

New York

b)

New Jersey

c)

New Orleans

21.

We don't want the pies to be sour.

sour means....

a)

to taste sweet

b)

to taste like lemons

c)

to taste ripe

22.

Complete the sentence.

"I will bring an apple _______________________,"he said.

a)

picker

b)

hand

c)

basket

23.

What other title will be appropriate for this short passage?

a)

Jason Loves Apple Pies

b)

The Love For Apples

c)

Apples Are Sweet

24.

How many bushel baskets Jason and his family were able to fill?

a)

three

b)

one

c)

two

25.

Floods can cause tremendous damage. They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind. It can take months to clean up after a flood.

What is the main idea?

a)

Floods can cause a lot of damage.

b)

Floods cause mudslides.

c)

Floods damage houses and roads.

26.

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.

Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

a)

Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

b)

Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way

c)

Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

d)

They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

27.
The peregrine falcon is a beautiful wild bird. It is also one of the fastest. In 1978, the peregrine falcon was placed on the endangered species list. The main reason the peregrine falcon was dying out was the use of pesticides. 
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 
a)
The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest wild birds
b)
It was placed on the endangered species list
c)
It was dying out because of pesticides
d)
The peregrine falcon is an amazing bird
28.
Soccer is known in some countries as football. It is a popular sport across the world, with over 200 countries playing the sport. It is estimated that over 250 million people, both men and women, play soccer. The sport has been part of the Olympic games from 1900 to 1928 and from 1936 to today.
 What is the main idea?
a)
Soccer is important at the Olympics.
b)
Soccer is a worldwide sport.
c)
Soccer is also called football.
d)
Soccer is played by men and women.
29.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals. Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


Which title best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

a)

Wild Animals in Art

b)

Hidden Prehistoric Paintings

c)

Exploring Caves Respectfully

d)

Determining the Age of French Caves

30.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals. Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.

Based on the passage, what is probably true about the south of France?

a)

It is home to rare animals.

b)

It has a large number of caves.

c)

It is known for horse-racing events.

d)

It has attracted many famous artists.

31.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them.


The words pays heed to are closest in meaning to _______.

a)

discovers

b)

watches

c)

notices

d)

buys

32.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


According to the passage, which animals appear most often on the cave walls?

a)

Birds

b)

Bison

c)

Horses

d)

Wild cats

33.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

The word depict is closest in meaning to _______.

a)

show

b)

hunt

c)

count

d)

draw

34.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


Why was painting inside the Lascaux complex a difficult task?

a)

It was completely dark inside.

b)

The caves were full of wild animals.

c)

Painting materials were hard to find.

d)

Many painting spaces were difficult to reach.

35.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex.


The word They refers to _______.

a)

walls

b)

artists

c)

animals

d)

materials

36.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


According to the passage, all of the following have caused damage to the paintings EXCEPT _______.

a)

temperature changes

b)

air movement

c)

water

d)

light

37.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


What does the passage say happened at the Lascaux caves in 1963?

a)

Visitors were prohibited from entering.

b)

A new lighting system was installed.

c)

Another part was discovered.

d)

A new entrance was created.

38.
Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.
Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?
a)
Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is
b)
Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way
c)
Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short
d)
They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area
39.
"I hate the idea of having all those people out there watching me...I just don't like it when I'm around so many people. I wish I just could hide somewhere," whispered Violet.
What can you infer about Violet?
a)
She is energetic
b)
She is shy
c)
She is mean
d)
She hates people
40.
What text features can give you a clue of what the main idea is?
a)
Title
b)
Headings
c)
Pictures
d)
All of these
41.
Were you born after 1985? If so, how long do you expect to live? Most people born after 1985 can expect to live more than 70 years. Of course, this is just a guess based on past records. By the way, females can expect to live about six years longer than males. That’s taken from past records too!
What is the paragraph mostly about?
a)
how long you might expect to live
b)
about the health of females
c)
why people live to be 70
d)
tells that people live to be 100
42.
Someday we will all have robots that will be our personal servants. They will look and behave much like real humans. We will be able to talk to these mechanical helpers and they will be able to respond in kind! Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience. They will be smart, strong, and untiring workers whose only goal will be to make our lives easier.
What is this selection mainly about?
a)
Someday we will have robots that will be our personal servants.
b)
We will be able to talk to robots and they will be able to respond.
c)
You should give up if you are the Robots will look and behave much like real humans.
d)
Amazingly, the robots of the future will be able to learn from experience.
43.
Jenny visited her grandmother in the hospital.  She saw how kind and helpful the nurses were to her grandmother.  Now she wants to be a nurse when she grows up.  She wants to help sick people get well. 
What is the main idea?
a)
Jenny got sick.
b)
Jenny wants to be a nurse.
c)
Her grandmother was in the hospital.
d)
Jenny was glad the nurses were being kind to her grandmother.
44.
Yesterday was my birthday. When I woke up, I noticed my brother Josh hung up a big sign that said,"Happy Birthday, Charles!" Mom made spaghetti for dinner.
It's my favorite food in the whole world. My friend Dave came over and handed me a wrapped gift. I wondered what it was. It was a new basketball! I had a great day.

What is the main idea of this paragraph?
a)
Josh got lots of gifts.
b)
Charles got a lot of gifts.
c)
Charles had a great birthday.
d)
Josh had a great birthday.
45.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow. Refer to the text to check your answers when appropriate.


You know that you're doing something big when your company name becomes a verb. Ask Xerox. In 1959 they created the first plain paper copy machine. It was one of the most successful products ever. The company name Xerox grew into a verb that means "to copy," as in "Bob, can you Xerox this for me?" Around 50 years later, the same thing happened to Google. Their company name grew into a verb that means "to do an internet search." Now everyone and their grandma knows what it means to Google it.


Unlike Xerox, Google wasn't the first company to invent their product, not by a long shot. Lycos released their search engine in 1993. Yahoo! came out in 1994. AltaVista began serving results in 1995. Google did not come out until years later, in 1998. Though a few years difference may not seem like much, this is a major head start in the fast moving world of tech. So how did Google do it? How did they overtake their competitors who had such huge leads in time and money? Maybe one good idea made all the difference.


There are millions and millions of sites on the internet. How does a search engine know which ones are relevant to your search? This is a question that great minds have been working on for decades. To understand how Google changed the game, you need to know how search engines worked in 1998. Back then most websites looked at the words in your query. They counted how many times those words appeared on each page. Then they might return pages where the words in your query appeared the most. This system did not work well and people often had to click through pages and pages of results to find what they wanted.


Google was the first search engine that began considering links. Links are those blue underlined words that take you to other pages when you click on them. Larry Page, cofounder of Google, believed that meaningful data could be drawn from how those links connect. Page figured that websites with many links pointing at them were more important than those that had few. He was right. Google's search results were much better than their rivals. They would soon become the world's most used search engine.


It wasn't just the great search results that led to Google becoming so well liked. It also had to do with the way that they presented their product. Most of the other search engines were cluttered. Their home pages were filled with everything from news stories to stock quotes. But Google's homepage was, and still is, clean. There's nothing on it but the logo, the search box, and a few links. It almost appears empty. In fact, when they were first testing it, users would wait at the home page and not do anything. When asked why, they said that they were, "waiting for the rest of the page to load." People couldn't imagine such a clean and open page as being complete. But the fresh design grew on people once they got used to it.


These days Google has its hands in everything from self-driving cars to helping humans live longer. Though they have many other popular products, they will always be best known for their search engine. The Google search engine has changed our lives and our language. Not only is it a fantastic product, but it is also a standing example that one good idea (and a lot of hard work) can change the world.


1. Which event happened last?

a)

Lycos released their search engine.

b)

Yahoo! released their search engine.

c)

Google released its search engine.

d)

Xerox released their copy machine.

46.

2. Which statement would the author of this text most likely disagree with?

a)

Part of Google's success is due to the design of its homepage.

b)

Google succeeded by following examples of others in their field.

c)

Google wasn't the first search engine, but it was the best.

d)

Google's success may not have been possible without Larry Page.

47.

3. Which best expresses the main idea of the third paragraph?

a)

There are lots and lots of websites connected to the internet.

b)

Google created a better way to organize search results.

c)

Many smart people have worked on search engines over the years

d)

Older search engines used unreliable methods to order results.

48.

4. What is the author's main purpose in writing this article?

a)

To explain how Google overtook its rivals

b)

To compare and contrast Google and Xerox

c)

To persuade readers to use Google for internet searches

d)

To discuss how companies can influence language over time

49.

5. Which statement would the author most likely agree with?

a)

Google became successful because its founders were well-connected.

b)

Google was the world's first and best search engine.

c)

Google changed the world by solving an old problem in a new way.

d)

Google's other products are now more important to its success than search.

50.

6. Which best expresses the main idea of the fourth paragraph?

a)

Links allow people to surf from one website to the next.

b)

Larry Page's ideas about links helped Google get to the top.

c)

Larry Page contributed to the internet by inventing the link.

d)

Google is a website that serves important links to users.

51.

7. Which best explains why the author discusses Xerox in this text?

a)

He is discussing big companies that came before Google.

b)

He is explaining how companies must change with the times.

c)

He is showing how companies can affect our language.

d)

He is comparing and contrasting Google and Xerox.

52.

8. How did Google improve search quality in 1998?

a)

They counted how many times queries appeared on each page.

b)

They looked more closely at the words in search queries.

c)

They linked to more pages.

d)

They studied the relationships of links.

53.

9. Which was cited as a reason why Google became so popular?

a)

Google's homepage was clean.

b)

Google provided catchy news stories on its homepage.

c)

Google homepage loaded quickly.

d)

Google provided useful stock quotes on their homepage.

54.

10. Which title best expresses the author's main purpose in writing this text?

a)

Xerox Vs. Google: Battle of the Titans

b)

Search Engines: How They Work and Why They're Important

c)

A Better Way: How Google Rose to the Top

d)

Search Engines: A Short History of Important Tools

55.

People do not really use music to charm snakes. Snakes have no ears, so the snake can't hear a flute. The snake charmer startles the snake by waving a hand near it. The snake lifts its head to look around. The charmer then says back and forth or moves the flute. The snake moves its head to keep an eye on the movement. This paragraph mainly tells:

a)

why flute music charms snakes

b)

why snakes can't hear sounds

c)

how people really charm snakes

56.

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information. That's why they use pictures. The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.

Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

a)

Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

b)

Pictures help weather reporters get information out in a fast way

c)

Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

d)

They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

57.

The old man was walking down the street slowly. Since he was a pedestrian, he stayed along the outer edges of the lanes and was careful to keep to the crosswalks as he crossed to other streets.


What does the word "pedestrian" mean in the paragraph above?

a)

a person traveling on foot

b)

a person traveling in a car

c)

a person resting from traveling

58.

Steel is a very important metal which is used for many things. In the United States, the automobile industry uses the most steel. Steel is used in putting up buildings, in making cans and containers, and in making farm and factory machines.


The main idea is:

a)

The auto industry is the most important.

b)

The United States produces the most steel in the world.

c)

Steel is used for many purposes.

59.

Fish, nuts, and seeds have protein. Protein helps your body build muscle and build up immunity to illnesses. It is important to get enough protein in your diet to keep you strong so that you can get all of your work done.


It is likely that:

a)

You need to have protein once a month.

b)

You don't need to eat protein.

c)

You need to have protein every day.

60.
The peregrine falcon is a beautiful wild bird. It is also one of the fastest. In 1978, the peregrine falcon was placed on the endangered species list. The main reason the peregrine falcon was dying out was the use of pesticides. 
Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail? 
a)
The peregrine falcon is one of the fastest wild birds
b)
It was placed on the endangered species list
c)
It was dying out because of pesticides
d)
The peregrine falcon is an amazing bird
61.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals. Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


Which title best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

a)

Wild Animals in Art

b)

Hidden Prehistoric Paintings

c)

Exploring Caves Respectfully

d)

Determining the Age of French Caves

62.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals. Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.

Based on the passage, what is probably true about the south of France?

a)

It is home to rare animals.

b)

It has a large number of caves.

c)

It is known for horse-racing events.

d)

It has attracted many famous artists.

63.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


According to the passage, which animals appear most often on the cave walls?

a)

Birds

b)

Bison

c)

Horses

d)

Wild cats

64.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


Why was painting inside the Lascaux complex a difficult task?

a)

It was completely dark inside.

b)

The caves were full of wild animals.

c)

Painting materials were hard to find.

d)

Many painting spaces were difficult to reach.

65.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex.


The word They refers to _______.

a)

walls

b)

artists

c)

animals

d)

materials

66.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


According to the passage, all of the following have caused damage to the paintings EXCEPT _______.

a)

temperature changes

b)

air movement

c)

water

d)

light

67.

When another old cave is discovered in the south of France, it is not usually news. Rather, it is an ordinary event. Such discoveries are so frequent these days that hardly anybody pays heed to them. However, when the Lascaux cave complex was discovered in 1940, the world was amazed. Painted directly on its walls were hundreds of scenes showing how people lived thousands of years ago. The scenes show people hunting animals, such as bison or wild cats. Other images depict birds and, most noticeably, horses, which appear in more than 300 wall images, by far outnumbering all other animals.

Early artists drawing these animals accomplished a monumental and difficult task. They did not limit themselves to the easily accessible walls but carried their painting materials to spaces that required climbing steep walls or crawling into narrow passages in the Lascaux complex. Unfortunately, the paintings have been exposed to the destructive action of water and temperature changes, which easily wear the images away. Because the Lascaux caves have many entrances, air movement has also damaged the images inside. Although they are not out in the open air, where natural light would have destroyed them long ago, many of the images have deteriorated and are barely recognizable. To prevent further damage, the site was closed to tourists in 1963, 23 years after it was discovered.


What does the passage say happened at the Lascaux caves in 1963?

a)

Visitors were prohibited from entering.

b)

A new lighting system was installed.

c)

Another part was discovered.

d)

A new entrance was created.

68.

When you go to sleep at night, you probably think that you are not doing much. Your body is in one place, your eyes are closed, and you don’t talk to people. But your body is doing more than you think it is! Scientists have used special, sophisticated machines to study the way people sleep. They have found that your brain is actually very busy when you sleep. There are several stages of sleep in a sleep cycle. You go through the sleep cycle multiple times each night. Your brain’s activity level is a little different in each stage. The final stage of the cycle is called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM, your eyes are moving even though you are asleep. That is how this stage got its name. Most of your dreams occur during REM sleep.


What is your brain doing while you are sleeping?

a)

It is not able to work.

b)

It is only a little busy.

c)

It is also asleep.

d)

It is very busy.

69.

When you go to sleep at night, you probably think that you are not doing much. Your body is in one place, your eyes are closed, and you don’t talk to people. But your body is doing more than you think it is! Scientists have used special, sophisticated machines to study the way people sleep. They have found that your brain is actually very busy when you sleep. There are several stages of sleep in a sleep cycle. You go through the sleep cycle multiple times each night. Your brain’s activity level is a little different in each stage. The final stage of the cycle is called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM, your eyes are moving even though you are asleep. That is how this stage got its name. Most of your dreams occur during REM sleep.


What is true about people during REM sleep?

a)

They dream.

b)

They are awake.

c)

They talk a lot.

d)

They feel sick

70.

When you go to sleep at night, you probably think that you are not doing much. Your body is in one place, your eyes are closed, and you don’t talk to people. But your body is doing more than you think it is! Scientists have used special, sophisticated machines to study the way people sleep. They have found that your brain is actually very busy when you sleep. There are several stages of sleep in a sleep cycle. You go through the sleep cycle multiple times each night. Your brain’s activity level is a little different in each stage. The final stage of the cycle is called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. During REM, your eyes are moving even though you are asleep. That is how this stage got its name. Most of your dreams occur during REM sleep


How else could you say asleep?

a)

Slept

b)

Sleep

c)

Sleeping

d)

Sleepwalk

71.

Do you ever remember your dreams? You may not remember what you dream, but you probably dream every night—almost everyone does. Why do you have dreams? Scientists disagree on exactly why you dream. Some say it is your brain’s way of processing things. You learn a lot and have a lot of things happen to you, so while you sleep, your brain processes that information. Dreaming might be the way your brain makes sense of what happens to you. Some say that dreams are the way your brain solves problems. Suppose you are upset about something. Dreams may be a way for your brain to help you feel better. People may not agree on why you dream. But everyone agrees that dreaming is very important. You need to dream so that your brain is ready for the next day


What is this text mostly about?

a)

How to fall asleep

b)

Where to find a good bed

c)

How many hours of sleep you need

d)

Dreams

72.

Do you ever remember your dreams? You may not remember what you dream, but you probably dream every night—almost everyone does. Why do you have dreams? Scientists disagree on exactly why you dream. Some say it is your brain’s way of processing things. You learn a lot and have a lot of things happen to you, so while you sleep, your brain processes that information. Dreaming might be the way your brain makes sense of what happens to you. Some say that dreams are the way your brain solves problems. Suppose you are upset about something. Dreams may be a way for your brain to help you feel better. People may not agree on why you dream. But everyone agrees that dreaming is very important. You need to dream so that your brain is ready for the next day


Which statement about dreams is not true?

a)

Nobody knows exactly why people dream.

b)

Only a few people dream.

c)

Dreaming is very important.

d)

There are several ideas about why people dream.

73.

Do you ever remember your dreams? You may not remember what you dream, but you probably dream every night—almost everyone does. Why do you have dreams? Scientists disagree on exactly why you dream. Some say it is your brain’s way of processing things. You learn a lot and have a lot of things happen to you, so while you sleep, your brain processes that information. Dreaming might be the way your brain makes sense of what happens to you. Some say that dreams are the way your brain solves problems. Suppose you are upset about something. Dreams may be a way for your brain to help you feel better. People may not agree on why you dream. But everyone agrees that dreaming is very important. You need to dream so that your brain is ready for the next day


What do we process in the same way we process information?

a)

Problems

b)

Socks

c)

Products

d)

Paper

74.

Sleep is a very important part of staying healthy. When you are asleep, your brain uses that time to take care of itself. Some scientists think your brain sorts things out when you sleep and that it also replaces chemicals it needs. The rest of your body needs sleep, too. While you are sleeping, your body stays busy by using that time to heal itself. It also uses that time to build up your immune system, which is the system your body uses to fight off germs. Your body also uses your sleep time to build up muscles, bones, and tissues so that you can grow. Sleep helps you think clearly and stay in a better mood. That helps you to cope better with a busy day


What would be a good title for this text?

a)

How the Brain Helps You Learn

b)

Why Do We Sleep?

c)

Build Up Your Muscles!

d)

How Does the Immune System Work?