TSI - Texas Success Initiative Reading Test #3 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following passage: "For centuries, people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. Galileo's telescopic observations challenged this view, and despite facing persecution from religious authorities, he continued to publish his findings." What can be inferred about the relationship between scientific discovery and established power structures?
- New scientific findings are always immediately accepted by society
- Scientific progress can be resisted by those whose authority it threatens (Correct answer)
- Galileo lacked sufficient evidence to support his claims
- Religious institutions have never contributed to scientific advancement
Correct answer: Scientific progress can be resisted by those whose authority it threatens
The passage describes Galileo facing persecution for publishing findings that contradicted the accepted view, implying that those in power often resist discoveries that challenge their authority.
Question 2: What does the word "persecution" most likely mean in this sentence: "Despite facing persecution from religious authorities, he continued to publish his findings"?
- Encouragement and financial support
- Harsh treatment or punishment for one's beliefs (Correct answer)
- Constructive criticism from peers
- Legal protection under the law
Correct answer: Harsh treatment or punishment for one's beliefs
In context, "persecution" refers to the harsh or unjust treatment Galileo received because his findings conflicted with the beliefs of those in power, which is why he had to continue despite it.
Question 3: A student reads a passage that describes how urban green spaces reduce stress, lower crime rates, and improve air quality in cities. Which of the following is a valid inference based on this passage?
- All cities currently have enough green spaces for their residents
- Planting trees in cities is more expensive than any other civic project
- Investing in parks and green areas may benefit urban communities in multiple ways (Correct answer)
- Urban residents prefer green spaces over all other city amenities
Correct answer: Investing in parks and green areas may benefit urban communities in multiple ways
Since the passage provides multiple benefits of green spaces—mental health, safety, and environmental—it logically supports the inference that investing in them could benefit communities in more than one way.
Question 4: An author writes an article about the dangers of social media addiction using words like "alarming," "urgent," and "crisis." Which best describes the author's purpose?
- To entertain readers with humorous anecdotes about social media
- To persuade readers that social media poses a serious threat (Correct answer)
- To objectively present both the benefits and drawbacks of social media
- To inform readers of the history of social media platforms
Correct answer: To persuade readers that social media poses a serious threat
The use of emotionally charged words like "alarming," "urgent," and "crisis" signals that the author wants to persuade readers to view social media addiction as a serious problem, not simply to inform or entertain.
Question 5: Read this sentence: "Although the report highlighted several economic benefits of the new policy, critics argued that the long-term environmental costs had been overlooked." What is the relationship between the two parts of this sentence?
- The second part provides an example of the first part
- The second part contradicts or qualifies the claim made in the first part (Correct answer)
- The second part restates the first part in different words
- The second part explains the cause of the first part
Correct answer: The second part contradicts or qualifies the claim made in the first part
The word "although" signals a contrast. The first part acknowledges benefits, while the second introduces a counterargument about overlooked environmental costs, making the relationship one of contradiction or qualification.
Question 6: A passage concludes: "Despite decades of public health campaigns, rates of preventable disease remain high in many communities, suggesting that awareness alone is not enough to drive lasting behavioral change." Which statement best summarizes the author's main point?
- Public health campaigns should be eliminated due to their high cost
- Spreading awareness is the most effective tool for improving community health
- Knowing about a health risk does not automatically lead people to change their behavior (Correct answer)
- Preventable diseases are becoming more common because of poor medical research
Correct answer: Knowing about a health risk does not automatically lead people to change their behavior
The passage explicitly states that high disease rates persist "despite" awareness campaigns, directly supporting the conclusion that awareness by itself is insufficient to produce behavioral change.
TSI - Texas Success Initiative Reading Test #3 1
Read the following passage: "For centuries, people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe.
Galileo's telescopic observations challenged this view, and despite facing persecution from religious authorities, he continued to publish his findings." What can be inferred about the relationship between scientific discovery and established power structures?