TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Test 01 – Solution and Explanation {From TOEFl iBT IVY’S Reading 15 Actual Test }
KEY
1. Reference | (D)
Q. The phrase His source in the passage refers to
Why? … it has been estimated that the oceans could provide nearly 3,000 times the energy generated by hydroelectric dams such as the Hoover Dam. Yet, this source remains quite difficult to exploit.==>See Clue 1(D)[lines 7-11]
2. Vocabulary | (A)
Q. The word exploit in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? utilize can replace exploit in this context.
• exploit v. to use something completely
• utilize v. to use something for a specific purpose
3. Rhetorical Purpose | (C)
Q. Why does the author mention The Hoover Dam in paragraph 1?
Why? The Hoover Dam is mentioned in order to draw a comparison between two sources of renewable energy, oceans and hydroelectric dams. ==>See Clue 3(C)[lines 7-10]
4. Factual Information | (A)
Q. In paragraph 2, the author states that
Why? Waves are exemplified as one of the forms of ocean power. ==>See Clue 4(A)[lines 14-17] mm Why Not? (BHD) Not mentioned
5. Vocabulary | (A)
Q. The word induce in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? cause can replace induce in this context ==>See Clue 5(A)[lines 26-28]
• induce v. to cause a certain physical condition
• cause v. to make something occur
6. Factual Information | (D)
Q. According to paragraph 3, which of the following is true about wave-power technologies?
Why? ==>See Clue 6(D)[lines 25-28]
► All of them work because the movement of the water that the waves induce creates storable energy…
— rely on the water’s motion to create electricity _ Why Not? (A), (B) Incorrect ==>See lines 39-42/ (C) Incorrect ==>See lines 24-25
7. Factual Information | (C)
Q. According to paragraph 5, what part did the cables play in OSPREY’s design?
_ Why? ==>See Clue 7(C)[lines 70-72]
► The electricity was then transmitted to power collectors on the shore via underwater cables.
— They conducted the electricity from the generator to the shore
8. Vocabulary | (B)
Q. The word inhibited in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? prevented can replace inhibited in this context. “==>See Clue 8(B)[lines 83-86]
• inhibit v. to stop something from developing well
• prevent v. to keep something from happening, or keep someone from doing something
9. Vocabulary | (D)
Q. The word feasible in the passage is closest in meaning to
Why? appropriate can replace feasible in this context. ==>See Clue 9(D)[lines 94-95]
• feasible adj. plan, idea, or method that is likely to work
• appropriate adj. suitable for a specific time, situation, or purpose
10. Sentence Simplification | (A)
Q. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Why? For example, despite the relative abundance of proposed wave-power devices, // many have not been adequately tested, and most have been evaluated // only in artificial pools where they are not subjected to the harsh marine conditions that exist in actual oceans, ocean conditions
Why Not? (B) Information about the marine conditions in actual oceans is left out.
(C) Information about the ocean-based energy industry is not mentioned.
(D) Information that testing wave-energy collectors can lead to inconclusive results is not mentioned.
11. Inference | (D)
Q. What can be inferred from paragraph 7 about governments?
Why? (D) can be inferred from the information in lines 84-86. ==>See Clue 11(D) m Why Not? (A)-(C) Not supported
12. Negative Fact | (D)
Q. All of these are problems associated with the collection of wave energy EXCEPT
| Incorrect Answer Choices | Mentioned in the passage |
| (A) the difficulty of finding feasible locations | [lines 94-95] determining feasible locations |
| (B) the destructive power of the ocean | [line 93] the sea’s destructive forces |
13. Insert Text | D
Q. Look at the four squares [|] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.
Why? C Also, these methods demand the construction of site-specific machines that take into consideration average local wave heights and sea conditions. D Such a requirement can be quite cost-prohibitive, because engineers must create unique power generation mechanisms for each site. In other words, the ability to get power from waves differs from region to region.
► ‘Such a requirement” in the given sentence refers to “the construction of site-specific machines.” And the decisive clue is the connection between ‘demand’ and “requirement.” In other words is used to mention the preceding information again.
14. Prose Summary
Q. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Why? The quest to establish a reliable source of renewable energy has led researchers to explore a variety of means of harnessing the energy of ocean waves.
| Correct Answer Choices | Clues in the passage |
| (B) Several different methods of gathering wave energy have been developed, including floating generators and partially submerged air chambers with turbines. | Clue 14(B)[lines 24-25] There are several methods by which ocean-wave energy can be collected.
(line 31] a long floating tube [lines 35-36] the tube that can be used to drive a generator [lines 41-46] compress air in a partially submerged chamber…. Located inside this tunnel is a turbine connected to a power generator. |
| (E) Some of the advantages offered by ocean energy include low maintenance costs, little or no environmental harm, and huge production levels. | Clue 14(E)[lines 79-82] Maintenance costs are small, and the equipment does not pose any threats of environmental pollution. And best of all, the amounts of energy produced are enormous. |
| (F) Wave-energy projects are confronted by many problems, particularly the great diversity of ocean sites and the difficulty of avoiding damage to the equipment. | Clue 14(F)[lines 59-60] the ability to get power from waves differs from region to region [lines 92-96] Protecting the equipment from the sea’s destructive forces … also present formidable challenges. |
► The whole passage focuses on the methods of using wave energy and their advantages and difficulties. And it follows that ((B) Several methods of collecting wave energy —»(E) Advantages of wave energy —» (F) Difficulties in using wave energy) –See (Graphic Organizer) on p. 237
Why Not? (A) Mentioned in lines 17-20, but minor / (C), (D) Not mentioned
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