TSI Reading Practice Test 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the excerpt: "Despite its reputation as a solitary predator, the wolf is a deeply social animal that relies on pack cooperation to hunt, raise young, and defend territory." What does the author want readers to reconsider?
- The common assumption that wolves are entirely solitary creatures (Correct answer)
- Whether wolves should be protected by law
- The hunting habits of all predatory animals
- Whether wolf packs are aggressive toward humans
Correct answer: The common assumption that wolves are entirely solitary creatures
The word "despite" signals a contrast with the common belief. The author aims to correct the misconception that wolves are purely solitary.
Question 2: What type of evidence would most strengthen the argument that reading fiction improves empathy?
- A controlled study measuring empathy scores before and after reading fiction (Correct answer)
- A personal anecdote from one reader who feels more empathetic
- A quote from a famous author praising fiction
- A list of popular fiction titles
Correct answer: A controlled study measuring empathy scores before and after reading fiction
Empirical evidence from controlled studies is the strongest form of support for a scientific claim because it minimizes bias and demonstrates causation or correlation statistically.
Question 3: A passage uses the phrase "a double-edged sword" to describe social media. This is an example of which literary device?
- Idiom used as a metaphor (Correct answer)
- Simile
- Alliteration
- Onomatopoeia
Correct answer: Idiom used as a metaphor
"A double-edged sword" is an idiomatic metaphor meaning something has both benefits and drawbacks. It is not a simile (no "like/as"), not alliteration, and not onomatopoeia.
Question 4: Which question addresses an author's bias in an informational text?
- Does the author selectively present evidence that favors one side? (Correct answer)
- Does the text include charts and graphs?
- Is the text written in first person or third person?
- How long is each paragraph?
Correct answer: Does the author selectively present evidence that favors one side?
Bias is identified by evaluating whether evidence is selected or presented in a one-sided way. Length, format, and point of view alone do not indicate bias.
Question 5: A passage describes a scientist's career from early experiments to major discoveries to retirement. What text structure does this represent?
- Chronological narrative (Correct answer)
- Problem-solution
- Cause-effect
- Compare-contrast
Correct answer: Chronological narrative
Tracing a career from beginning to end in time order is chronological narrative structure, which is commonly used in biographies and historical accounts.
Question 6: The word "mitigate" appears in this sentence: "Planting trees along city streets can mitigate the urban heat island effect." What does "mitigate" mean?
- Reduce or lessen (Correct answer)
- Eliminate completely
- Create or cause
- Measure accurately
Correct answer: Reduce or lessen
"Mitigate" means to lessen the severity or impact of something. The context — trees reducing (not eliminating) heat — confirms this meaning.
TSI Reading Practice Test 3
Read the excerpt: "Despite its reputation as a solitary predator, the wolf is a deeply social animal that relies on pack cooperation to hunt, raise young, and defend territory." What does the author want readers to reconsider?