Reading Comprehension Pre-Test
SECTION 3
READING COMPREHENSION
Time—5 5 minutes
(including the reading of the directions)
Now set your clock for 55 minutes.
This section is designed to measure your ability to read and understand short passages similar in topic and style to those that students are likely to encounter in North American universities and colleges. This section contains reading passages and questions about the passages.
Directions: In this section you w read several passages. Each one is followed by a number of questions about it. You are to choose the one best answer, (A), (B), (C), or (D), to each question. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Answer all questions about the information in a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage.
Read the following passage:
John Quincy Adams, who served as the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1829, is today recognized for his masterful statesmanship and diplomacy. He dedicated his life to public service, both in the presidency and in the various other political offices that he held. Throughout his political career he demonstrated his unswerving belief in freedom of speech, the antislavery cause, and the right of Americans to be free from European and Asian domination.
Example I
To what did John Quincy Adams devote his life?
(A) Improving his personal life
(B) Serving the public D
(C) Increasing his fortune
(D) Working on his private business
According to the passage, John Quincy Adams “dedicated his life to public service.” Therefore, you should choose answer (B).
Example II
In line 4, the word “unswerving” is closest in meaning to
(A) moveable
(B) insignificant D
(C) unchanging
(D) diplomatic
The passage states that John Quincy Adams demonstrated his unswerving belief “throughout his career.” This implies that the belief did not change. Therefore, you should choose answer (C).
Questions 1—9
The largest diamond ever found is the Cullinan Diamond.
This diamond weighed 3,106 carats in its uncut state when it was discovered in South Africa on January 25, 1905.The Cullinan Diamond was cut into 9 major stones and 96 smaller ones. The largest of the cut stones, and still the largest cut diamond in the world, is the pear-shaped Cullinan I at 530 carats.
This diamond weighed 3,106 carats in its uncut state when it was discovered in South Africa on January 25, 1905.The Cullinan Diamond was cut into 9 major stones and 96 smaller ones. The largest of the cut stones, and still the largest cut diamond in the world, is the pear-shaped Cullinan I at 530 carats.
This diamond, which is also known as the Greater Star of Africa, is more than 2 inches (5.4 cm)
long and 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) wide. It became part of the British crown jewels in 1907.
1. What is the best title for this passage?
(A) Diamond Cutting
(B) The Worlds Biggest Diamond, Uncut and Cut
(C) Measuring Diamonds in Carats
(D) The British Crown Jewels
2. The word “uncut” in line 2 is closest in meaning to which of the following?
(A) Finished
(B) Unnatural
(C) Pear
(D) Whole
3. The word “discovered” in line 2 is closest in meaning to
(A) created
(B) found
(C) buried
(D) weighed
4. It can be inferred from the passage that the Cullinan Diamond was cut into how many total stones?
(A) 9
(B) 96
(C) 105
(D) 3,106
5. The word “major” in line 3 could best be replaced by
(A) well-known
(B) military
(C) natural
(D) big
6. Which of the following is NOT true about Cullinan I?
(A) It was cut from the Cullinan Diamond.
(B) It weighs 3,106 carats.
(C) It is the biggest cut diamond in the world.
(D) It is sometimes called the Greater Star of Africa.
7. All of the following are true about the shape of the Greater Star of Africa EXCEPT that
(A) it is in the shape of a pear
(B) it is 5.4 centimeters long
(C) it is longer than it is wide
(D) it is 4.4 inches wide
8. According to the passage, what happened to Cullinan I?
(A) It remained in Africa.
(B) It was cut into smaller stones.
(C) It was cut and changed into the Greater Star of Africa.
(D) It became the property of the British Royal family.
9. Where in the passage does the author mention the Cullinan Diamond’s weight when it was mined?
(A) Lines 1 - 2
(B) Line 3
(C) Lines 4 - 5
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