READING COMPREHENSION

MOCK TEST

Reading

• This section is designed measures the ability to read and understand short passages similar in topic and style to those found in North American universities and colleges. Examinees read a variety of short passages on academic subjects. Each passage is followed by a number of questions about the material. To avoid creating an advantage to individuals in any one field of study, sufficient context is provided so that no subject-specific familiarity with the subject matter is required to answer the questions.

4 Major types of texts:

• Exposition – includes descriptions, comparisons, contrasts, explanations and elaborations

• Argumentation – presents a point of view about a topic and provide supporting evidence in favor of a position in the analysis of the topic. These texts are found in Editorials, Essays etc.

• Historical/Biographical narrative – aims to inform the reader through a narrative of true events in the history of a discipline: Sociology, Literature, Art etc.

3 Major task types:• Reading to find information– Scanning for key facts and important information– Increasing reading fluency

• Reading for basic comprehension– Understanding general topic or main idea, major points, important

facts, details, vocabulary in context, and pronoun references– Making inferences about what is implied in a passage

• Reading to learn• Recognizing organization and purpose of a passage• Understanding relationship between ideas• Organizing information on a chart or summary to recall major

information• Inferring how ideas connect to each other

Examples of questions

• “From the passage, it can be inferred that which of the following characteristics:”

• “What is the primary purpose of the passage?”• “The phrase “……" in line … is closest in meaning

to:”• “The passage primarily discusses:”• “The word “…" in line … refers to:”• “The author mentions all of the following…

EXCEPT:”• “Where in the passage does the author provide a

term for…?”

1) (A) A famous sign2) (C) in the entire world3) (B) the movie industry4) (A) the sign5) (A) 19236) (D) It was the most expensive area of Los Angeles.7) (B) it was not fixed8) (C) Fifty years old.9) (D) Exchanged for a newer one10) (C) They helped get the money.

11) (B) a large pirate treasure12) (A) They killed lots of people.13) (D) gathered14) (A) died15) (A) Art objects16) (C) Approximate17) (D) $100,000,00018) (B) efortless19) (C) has not all been found20) (D) additional pieces that turn up from the Whidah’s treasure

21) (A) people combined work with recreation22) (B) Everyday23) (A) existence24) (C) Get rid of trees25) (D) It was rather quiet.26) (B) talk27) (C) enthusiastically28) (B) competition made the work fun29) (C) Lines 7-830) (D) History

31) (D) clear up misconceptions about sharks32) (C) careless33) (D) short34) (A) whale shark35) (D) All sharks have extremely sharp teeth.36) (D) a bone in the mouth.37) (B) hunted38) (C) only if it is bothered39) (A) a dwarf shark40) (C) Lines 13-14

41) (C) storm surges42) (B) they are caused by sudden changes in high and low tides43) (D) moved44) (C) are far more dangerous on the coast than in the deep ocean45) (B) deep46) (A) arrive without warning47) (C) these tsunamis48) (D) disastrous49) (D) might not be the greatest tsunami ever50) (B) was far more destructive close to the source than far away