TSI Reading Practice Test

Question 1

Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the statement or passage: The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most important ecosystems in the world. However, it is slowly being destroyed. Areas of the rainforest are being cleared for farms and roads, and much of the wood is also being harvested and sold. There are several compelling reasons to protect this area. First, a significant number of pharmaceuticals are made from plants that have been discovered in the rainforest, and it's quite possible there are still important plants that have not yet been discovered. Secondly, the rainforest provides a significant portion of the world's oxygen and also absorbs great amounts of carbon dioxide. Without rainforests, global warming could accelerate.   The main purpose of the passage is

Accepted Answer

to explain why the Amazon Rainforest should be protected.

Answer

The passage begins by stating the Amazon Rainforest's importance and destruction, then explicitly lists "several compelling reasons to protect this area." It proceeds to detail these reasons, such as the source of pharmaceuticals and its role in oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption. Therefore, the main purpose is to explain why the rainforest should be protected.

Question 2

Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the statement or passage:  Howard Gardner was a psychologist best known for developing the theory of multiple intelligences. Basically, the theory states that the idea of general intelligence or overall intelligence is somewhat inaccurate. This is because people often show intelligence in different areas. He argued that there are actually different types of intelligence. One type of intelligence that Gardner identified was interpersonal intelligence. People who possess this type of intelligence relate and interact well with others. Intrapersonal intelligence, on the other hand, implies that people are in touch with their own feelings. They enjoy thinking about theories and developing their own thoughts and ideas. People who have linguistic intelligence learn best by taking notes and reading textbooks. These people usually excel in traditional academic environments, as many academic subjects stress these types of activities. The other types of intelligence are kinesthetic, musical, spatial, and logical/mathematical.  We can conclude from the passage that :

Accepted Answer

people who have a high level of interpersonal intelligence work well in groups.

Answer

The passage defines interpersonal intelligence by stating, "People who possess this type of intelligence relate and interact well with others." Working well in groups is a direct and logical extension of relating and interacting effectively with others. This connection makes option C the correct conclusion.

Question 3

Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the statement or passage. The Internet has made life a whole lot easier for many people, but being online also brings with it very real risks. Hackers can steal personal and financial information. There are several precautions that computer users can take to minimize the level of risk that is involved with being online. One of the most obvious safety precautions is to purchase a good anti-virus and anti-spyware program. Passwords are also a very important part of online security, and several tips can help users create more secure passwords. First, they should be something that can easily be remembered, but they shouldn't be something others can guess easily. Your first or last name, phone number, or the name of your street are all bad choices, as people could learn this information quite easily. Longer passwords are more secure, and those that use a mixture of upper and lower case letters and a combination of letters and numbers are more secure than those that don't. Finally, passwords should be changed often. This can make remembering them more difficult, but the extra effort is worth the added security.   The main purpose of this passage is to

Accepted Answer

outline important considerations for passwords.

Answer

While the passage mentions online risks and anti-virus programs, a significant portion is dedicated to the importance of passwords and providing "several tips" for creating more secure ones. It details characteristics like length, character mixture, and frequency of change. This focus clearly indicates the main purpose is to outline important considerations for passwords.

Question 4

Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the statement or passage:  When people are conducting research, particularly historical research, they usually rely on primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are the more direct type of information. They are accounts of an event that are produced by individuals who were actually present. Some examples of primary sources include a person's diary entry about an event, an interview with an eyewitness, a newspaper article, or a transcribed conversation. Secondary sources are pieces of information that are constructed through the use of other, primary sources. Often, the person who creates the secondary source was not actually present at the event. Secondary sources could include books, research papers, and magazine articles.   From the passage it can be assumed that

Accepted Answer

primary sources provide more accurate information than secondary sources.

Answer

The passage describes primary sources as "more direct type of information" and "accounts of an event that are produced by individuals who were actually present." In contrast, secondary sources are "constructed through the use of other, primary sources" by someone often "not actually present." The directness and eyewitness nature of primary sources inherently suggest they provide more accurate information.

Question 5

Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the statement or passage: Many people fail to realize just how crucial getting a good night's sleep actually is. It is usually suggested that adults get about seven hours of sleep every night, and younger children should get even more. Sleep has several benefits. First, it is believed to improve memory. This is one reason why it is always preferable to sleep the night before a test rather than stay up for the entire night to review the information. On a related note, sleep also improves concentration and mental alertness. Those who get sufficient sleep are able to concentrate on work tasks better and also react faster when they are driving a car, for example. Finally, people who get enough sleep have better immunity against illness. The reason for this is not fully understood, but researchers believe that an increase in the production of growth hormone and melatonin plays a role.   The main purpose of this passage is

Accepted Answer

to talk about the benefits of sleep.

Answer

The passage explicitly states, "Sleep has several benefits," and then proceeds to list and elaborate on these advantages. It discusses how sleep improves memory, concentration, mental alertness, and immunity against illness. This structure clearly indicates that the main purpose is to inform the reader about the various benefits of getting sufficient sleep.

TSI Practice Test

TSI Practice Test

TSI Reading Practice Test