TOEFL Practice Test #7 3

Question 1

A TOEFL Reading passage about ancient philosophy states: "Socrates is often credited with the aphorism 'The unexamined life is not worth living.'" The word "aphorism" means:

Accepted Answer

A brief, wise saying that expresses a general truth

Answer

A lengthy philosophical argument

Answer

A logical contradiction or paradox

Answer

A formal academic definition

Question 2

In a TOEFL Listening lecture on environmental policy, a professor explains the "precautionary principle": act to prevent harm even when scientific evidence is incomplete. She gives the example of banning a pesticide suspected of harming bees before conclusive proof. What purpose does this example serve?

Accepted Answer

To illustrate how the precautionary principle is applied in real policy decisions

Answer

To argue that all pesticides should be banned immediately

Answer

To compare two competing theories of environmental regulation

Answer

To describe the specific harm that the pesticide causes to bees

Question 3

A TOEFL Reading passage about social media and mental health states: "Correlation does not imply causation, and it remains unclear whether social media use causes depression or whether individuals prone to depression are more likely to use social media heavily." The author's purpose in including this statement is to:

Accepted Answer

Caution readers against inferring a causal relationship from correlational data

Answer

Argue that social media is harmless

Answer

Define the term "depression" for the reader

Answer

Support the claim that social media causes depression

Question 4

In the TOEFL Listening section, "campus setting" conversations typically involve which of the following topics?

Accepted Answer

Students resolving academic, logistical, or social challenges on campus with the help of advisors, professors, or fellow students

Answer

Theoretical debates between academic faculty members

Answer

International news events and their effect on university policy

Answer

Lectures on psychology given by guest professors

Question 5

A student writes: "Despite the evidence, the scientist refused changing her hypothesis." What grammatical error does this sentence contain?

Accepted Answer

"Refused" requires an infinitive ("to change"), not a gerund ("changing").

Answer

The preposition "Despite" is used incorrectly.

Answer

The subject and verb do not agree in number.

Answer

"Hypothesis" should be plural.

Question 6

A TOEFL Reading passage discusses photosynthesis. Which sentence would NOT belong in the "Prose Summary" answer choices because it represents a minor detail rather than a major idea?

Accepted Answer

Spinach leaves were used in one specific laboratory experiment measuring photosynthesis rates.

Answer

Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored as glucose.

Answer

The process of photosynthesis takes place primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells.

Answer

Photosynthesis plays a critical role in the global carbon cycle by sequestering atmospheric CO2.