TOEFL Practice Test #7 2

Question 1

A TOEFL Reading passage on neuroscience uses the term "neuroplasticity" in the sentence: "The brain's remarkable neuroplasticity allows it to reorganize neural pathways in response to learning and injury." The word "neuroplasticity" describes:

Accepted Answer

The brain's ability to change and reorganize its structure in response to experience

Answer

The brain's rigid, unchanging structure after adulthood

Answer

The process by which neurons generate electrical signals

Answer

The measurement of brain volume using imaging technology

Question 2

In a TOEFL Listening lecture on archaeology, a professor says: "What we found at the site completely upended our initial assumptions." The phrase "upended our initial assumptions" means:

Accepted Answer

The findings overturned or dramatically challenged the archaeologists' original beliefs.

Answer

The findings confirmed what archaeologists expected to find.

Answer

The archaeologists needed to revisit the site to confirm their assumptions.

Answer

The findings were inconclusive and offered no new insights.

Question 3

A TOEFL Reading passage about ethics discusses utilitarian philosophy. The author explains: "Utilitarian theory holds that the morally correct action is the one that produces the greatest good for the greatest number." This is an example of which type of passage organization?

Accepted Answer

Definition and example

Answer

Compare and contrast

Answer

Problem and solution

Answer

Chronological order

Question 4

In the TOEFL Speaking section, Task 1 (Independent Speaking) asks the test taker to speak for how long?

Accepted Answer

45 seconds

Answer

15 seconds

Answer

30 seconds

Answer

60 seconds

Question 5

During a TOEFL Listening conversation between two students discussing a research paper, one student says: "I think our argument kind of falls apart in section 3." The phrase "falls apart" most closely means:

Accepted Answer

Loses logical coherence or becomes unconvincing

Answer

Becomes more sophisticated

Answer

Requires additional research

Answer

Needs to be reorganized into a new section

Question 6

A TOEFL Reading passage discusses the greenhouse effect. The sentence "This process, while natural, has been dramatically intensified by human industrial activity" uses the clause "while natural" to:

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge that the greenhouse effect occurs naturally before emphasizing the human-caused amplification

Answer

Argue that the greenhouse effect is not harmful because it is natural

Answer

Suggest that human activity is the only cause of the greenhouse effect

Answer

Imply that natural processes are always beneficial