Reading Practice Test 2

1. 2

Read the following short biography below and identify the main idea.The 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was known in his adult life as being a very strong, very outspoken man who intimidated many people. He was courageous and often spoke in a powerful tone. Yet when he was younger, Theodore Roosevelt was the complete opposite. In fact, as a child, he was extremely sick. He suffered from severe asthma, which made him sickly and caused his body to become weak. His father wanted his son to be a strong young man, and Theodore - who did not want to disappoint his father - decided to spend his time exercising, lifting weights, and boxing. All of the exercise and the fresh air did him good. Theodore eventually became very strong and got rid of his asthma through hard work and dedication.

What is the main idea of this biography?

2. Which word/phrase in the sentence below is redundant and can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence?The couple's abrupt decision to elope was sudden and surprised their families.

3. Teachers should limit the amount of homework students are assigned each night. Students must complete multiple homework assignments from multiple classes each night, which can result in hours of homework to complete.                , students have extracurricular activities and other obligations when the school day ends.

Which transition best connects the two pieces of supporting evidence?

4. Despite their claims, many vegans find it difficult to add enough protein to their diet.                , compare the amount of protein in a serving of meat to the amount of protein found in a serving of nuts. While the nuts offer a substantial amount of protein, it would take multiple servings to match the amount of proteins in the meat.

Which transition best connects the evidence to the claim that supports it?

5. Choose the main idea sentence in the paragraph below.Last summer, I went to Disney World with my family. I was so excited to meet all of the characters that I purchased an autograph book, and when the day was over, I had around 50 signatures! But then a terrible thing happened - I lost the book. My parents told me to be calm, that someone probably found it and brought it to the lost and found. My mom called and told the lost and found office my name. Turns out, they had the book! I almost had a horrible vacation, but thanks to the lost and found office, I did not.

6. DIRECTIONS: In the 4th century B.C., the Greek philosopher Socrates was accused of "corrupting” the youth of Athens. The passage below is from the speech he gave to an Athens jury in his defense. Read the speech, then draw inferences from it to answer the questions.

Young men of the richer classes, who have not much to do, come about me of their own accord; they like to hear the pretenders examined, and they often imitate me and proceed to examine others; there are plenty of persons, as they quickly discover, who think that they know something, but really know little or nothing; and then those who are examined by them instead of being angry with themselves are angry with me: This confounded Socrates, they say; this villainous misleader of youth! And then if somebody asks them, why, what evil does he practice or teach? They do not know, and cannot tell; but in order that they may not appear to be at a loss, they repeat the ready‐made charges which are used against all philosophers about teaching things up in the clouds and under the earth, and having no gods, and making the worse appear the better cause; for they do not like to confess that their pretense of knowledge has been detected―which is the truth; and as they are numerous and ambitious and energetic, and are drawn up in battle array and have persuasive tongues, they have filled your ears with their loud and inveterate calumnies. And this is the reason why my three accusers, Meletus and Anytus and Lycon, have set upon me; Meletus, who has a quarrel with me on behalf of the poets; Anytus, on behalf of the craftsmen and politicians; Lycon, on behalf of the rhetoricians: and as I said at the beginning, I cannot expect to get rid of such a mass of calumny all in a moment. And this, O men of Athens, is the truth and the whole truth; I have concealed nothing, I have dissembled nothing. And yet, I know that my plainness of speech makes them hate me, and what is their hatred but a proof that I am speaking the truth? Hence has arisen the prejudice against me; and this is the reason for it, as you will find out either in this or in any future inquiry.

Why does Socrates always make people angry?

7. Which word/phrase in the sentence below is redundant and can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence?The high school asked female students to submit pictures of the dresses they planned to wear to prom to ensure no students had the same identical dresses.

8. Read the following text and answer the following question.There are many different ways to prepare hot chocolate. One way is to heat water until it starts boiling. Be careful so you do not burn your hand. Add the cocoa to your water and stir until it mixes. Then you can add a splash of milk for taste and to help cool it down a little. `Adding marshmallows gives it a creamy taste and it is fun to drink the half melted ones. Marshmallows melt quickly, so be sure to add a few extra. The hot chocolate treat is delicious.

What is the Author's Purpose?

9. Read the text and answer the question.In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" - a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

Since this his inauguration speech, JFK uses it as an opportunity to puff up himself and share all of his qualifications.

10. Which word/phrase in the sentence below is redundant and can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence?After receiving two different results, the students decided to repeat the experiment again to hopefully find some consistency among them.