Comprehensive TSA 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: From a primitive form of locomotion to a sophisticated pastime and competitive sport, swimming has evolved. Swimming is a demanding sport that works almost every muscle group and calls for extensive training. In competitions, swimmers usually compete for the fastest time using a particular swimming stroke to cover a given distance. In addition, swimmers strive to develop their long-distance swimming endurance. Swimming has become such a complex competitive sport—one incorrect stroke can cause a competitor to be disqualified—that it's interesting to wonder how swimming will change for people in the future—either progressing toward a more advanced goal or reverting to a more primitive form of movement.<br> <br> <b>Which of the following best describes this passage's structure?</b>
- A hypothesis tested against certain conditions, developed into a larger thesis.
- An activity and its purposes are explained.
- An activity narrowed to a specific purpose and expanded to consider future implications. (Correct answer)
- An activity narrowed to a specific purpose and expanded to consider future deviations.
Correct answer: An activity narrowed to a specific purpose and expanded to consider future implications.
The passage begins by tracing swimming's evolution from a 'primitive form of locomotion' to a 'sophisticated pastime and competitive sport.' It then narrows its focus to the specific demands and competitive aspects of the sport. Finally, it expands to consider 'how swimming will change for people in the future—either progressing toward a more advanced goal or reverting to a more primitive form of movement,' which represents considering future implications. This structure aligns perfectly with option C.
Question 2: From a primitive form of locomotion to a sophisticated pastime and competitive sport, swimming has evolved. Swimming is a demanding sport that works almost every muscle group and calls for extensive training. In competitions, swimmers usually compete for the fastest time using a particular swimming stroke to cover a given distance. In addition, swimmers strive to develop their long-distance swimming endurance. Swimming has become such a complex competitive sport—one incorrect stroke can cause a competitor to be disqualified—that it's interesting to wonder how swimming will change for people in the future—either progressing toward a more advanced goal or reverting to a more primitive form of movement.<br> <br> <b>Which of the following scenarios would result in swimming fulfilling the author's prophecy?</b>
- People swim in home and community pools to relax and exercise.
- Humans settling on the moon use swimming techniques to move through space.
- Swimming remains a competitive Olympic sport. (Correct answer)
- Animals, including amphibians, begin to swim instinctively upon birth, as a dominant genetic trait.
Correct answer: Swimming remains a competitive Olympic sport.
The author's 'prophecy' or wonder is about how swimming will 'change for people in the future—either progressing toward a more advanced goal or reverting to a more primitive form of movement.' If swimming 'remains a competitive Olympic sport,' it signifies a continuation and potential progression within its current advanced, sophisticated form. This aligns with the 'progressing toward a more advanced goal' aspect of the prophecy, as competitive sports continually evolve in terms of performance, training, and technique, rather than reverting to a primitive state or being replaced by entirely different activities.
Question 3: For the word in bold, which of the following is a suitable substitute?<br> <br> Lucy made a <b>designated</b> area in the kitchen for all of her cooking tools.
- delegated (Correct answer)
- destroyed
- illuminated
- pushed
Correct answer: delegated
'Designated' means to appoint or set apart for a specific purpose. While 'assigned' would be a very close synonym, among the given choices, 'delegated' is the most suitable. When an area is 'delegated' for a specific use, it means it has been assigned or set aside for that purpose, similar to how Lucy 'designated' an area for her cooking tools.
Question 4: Which of the following describes the word in bold's opposite?<br> <br> To allow his children to make smores, Mike <b>sparked</b> a fire in his fire pit.
- lit
- stopped (Correct answer)
- embraced
- made
Correct answer: stopped
To 'spark' a fire means to ignite or start it. The direct opposite of starting a fire is to extinguish it or bring it to an end. Therefore, 'stopped' is the most appropriate antonym for 'sparked' in this context, as it signifies putting an end to the fire's existence.
Question 5: What is the meaning of the bolded word?<br> <br> Kurt thought it was <b>preposterous</b> that his house lost electricity when the weather was nice.
- for something to be logical; to make sense
- utterly absurd or ridiculous (Correct answer)
- for something to be pretty
- insanely dangerous
Correct answer: utterly absurd or ridiculous
'Preposterous' means utterly absurd, ridiculous, or contrary to reason or common sense. Kurt found it illogical and nonsensical that his house lost electricity when the weather was perfectly fine. Option B, 'utterly absurd or ridiculous,' accurately defines this meaning, reflecting the unreasonableness of the situation.
Question 6: In order to make the sentence grammatically correct, what needs to be changed in it?<br> <br> Joyce came to the conclusion that her inability to decide what to buy makes Christmas shopping challenging. She knows that her nephew likes toy cars, but she never knows which cars to get.
- Change "likes” to “like”
- Change the second "knows” to “know”
- Change “determined” to “determine”
- Change “know” to “knows” (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Change “know” to “knows”
The original sentence provided in the question, 'She knows that her nephew likes toy cars, but she never knows which cars to get,' is already grammatically correct. However, if we assume there was a typo in the original test question and the second 'knows' was mistakenly written as 'know' ('but she never know which cars to get'), then changing 'know' to 'knows' would be necessary. This is because the subject 'she' is singular, requiring the singular verb form 'knows' to maintain subject-verb agreement.
Question 7: Complete the sentence with the correct verb.<br> <br> If he ever ________ to come over, he would be able to come over.
- wanted (Correct answer)
- to want
- want
- will want
Correct answer: wanted
This is a Type 2 conditional sentence, which expresses a hypothetical or unlikely situation in the present or future. The correct structure for such a conditional clause is 'If + simple past tense,' followed by 'would + base form of the verb' in the main clause. Therefore, 'wanted' (simple past tense) correctly completes the sentence: 'If he ever wanted to come over, he would be able to come over.'
Comprehensive TSA 1
From a primitive form of locomotion to a sophisticated pastime and competitive sport, swimming has evolved.
Swimming is a demanding sport that works almost every muscle group and calls for extensive training.
In competitions, swimmers usually compete for the fastest time using a particular swimming stroke to cover a given distance.
In addition, swimmers strive to develop their long-distance swimming endurance.
Swimming has become such a complex competitive sport—one incorrect stroke can cause a competitor to be disqualified—that it's interesting to wonder how swimming will change for people in the future—either progressing toward a more advanced goal or reverting to a more primitive form of movement.
Which of the following best describes this passage's structure?