Exam: 986007RR – Main Ideas

Exam: 986007RR – Main Ideas
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Questions 1 to 20: Select the best answer to each question.
Note that a question and its answers may be split across a page
break, so be sure that you have seen the entire question and
all the answers before choosing an answer.
1. Which one of the following clue words indicates
chronological order?
A. Similar
B. Reason
C. Next
D. Also
This question is based on the following paragraph.
(1) Earth’s crust is made up of relatively rigid plates that
ride atop Earth’s hot, semiliquid mantle. (2) The
plates are called tectonic because they’re in constant
motion. (3) They can move because Earth’s mantle is
a very hot and semiliquid fluid called magma. (4) Volcanoes
are a result of magma rising up or erupting
through a plate, particularly where plate boundaries are moving
against each other. (5) Also, when plates
slide against each other, causing friction along adjacent
plate boundaries, earthquakes frequently occur. (6)
Therefore, we often find volcanoes and earthquakes along
plate boundaries. (7) Plates may also collide. (8)
When that happens, mountain ranges are formed. (9) For
example, the collision of the plate carrying the
Indian subcontinent created the Himalayan Mountains when it
collided with the Asian plate.
2. Which sentence in this passage introduces a new topic
that might begin a new paragraph?
A. Sentence 4
B. Sentence 6
C. Sentence 7
D. Sentence 5
3. Which one of the following pieces of writing would you be
most likely to believe as true?
A. An article on the greenhouse effect written by a
Hollywood movie star
B. A letter to the editor of a newspaper in which a citizen
explains the dangerous condition of a public building
C. An advertisement you receive in the mail regarding the
benefits of a memory pill
D. An article on heart health written by a cardiologist
This question is based on the following paragraph. The
sentences are numbered to help you answer
the question.
(1) My family has a quaint cottage at a small, private lake.
(2) The cottage is about 75 years old, but we try
to keep it in good condition. (3) The outside is white with
green trim on the windows and shutters. (4) In front of the cottage is a
flagstone walk that leads down to a stone patio. (5) The patio itself is right
next to
the water. (6) Out from the patio stretches a dock where we
keep a small rowboat tied. (7) Every summer,
my family sets aside a week when we all get together at the
lake for a family vacation/reunion.
4. What purpose do sentences 3–6 serve in this paragraph?
A. They illustrate a strong comparison.
B. They explain events in chronological order.
C. They show cause and effect.
D. They provide supporting details.
This question is based on the following paragraph.
In American society, romantic love is considered the main
reason for people to marry. On the other hand,
in some societies, romantic love is considered a form of
obsession or madness. In fact, even in many
societies where “true love” is not considered a
form of insanity, arranged marriages are still the norm. For
example, in many cultures it’s believed that marriage is
basically an economic arrangement. Thus, a farmer
needs a wife both to bear children and to share the farm
work while raising new “hands” as additional farm
labor. In other societies, marriage is mainly about
cementing connections between families. Indeed, most
marriages between members of European royal or aristocratic
lineages were primarily aimed at creating
trust, loyalty, and mutual obligations between privileged
and powerful families.
5. What is the main idea in this paragraph?
A. True love is a sound basis for marriage.
B. Different societies have different ideas about the
purpose of marriage.
C. Arranged marriages are more practical than those based on
romantic love.
D. Marriage is usually a family affair.
This question is based on the following paragraph.
In American society, romantic love is considered the main
reason for people to marry. On the other hand,
in some societies, romantic love is considered a form of
obsession or madness. In fact, even in many
societies where “true love” is not considered a
form of insanity, arranged marriages are still the norm. For
example, in many cultures it’s believed that marriage is
basically an economic arrangement. Thus, a farmer
needs a wife both to bear children and to share the farm
work while raising new “hands” as additional farm
labor. In other societies, marriage is mainly about
cementing connections between families. Indeed, most
marriages between members of European royal or aristocratic
lineages were primarily aimed at creating
trust, loyalty, and mutual obligations between privileged
and powerful families.
6. In the passage you just read, a basic contrast regarding
ideals about marriage is signaled by which word
or phrase?
A. In fact
B. In other societies
C. For example
D. On the other hand
This question is based on the following passage. The
sentences are numbered to help you answer the
question.(1) Do you enjoy being out in the fresh air? (2)
Does nature restore your spirits? (3) You might want to
consider hiking as a hobby. (4) It’s a hobby you can begin
with very little expense. (5) All you need to start
is a good pair of hiking shoes.
7. The first sentence in the paragraph helps to _______ the
main idea of the paragraph.
A. delay
B. introduce
C. specify
D. explain
This question is based on the following paragraph.
Both petroleum and coal are made up of complex carbon-based
molecules, and both originated with living
creatures of some kind. Both are vital sources of energy for
the modern world and both were formed by
geologic processes over millions of years. However,
petroleum was mainly formed from the remains of
ocean-dwelling microorganisms. Coal, on the other hand,
originated from decayed vegetation in ancient
swamps and bogs. In any case, it took millions of years for
both coal and oil to be produced. This is the
case because it took that much time for overlying sediments
to produce the unimaginable heat and pressure
that would one day allow us to harvest these energy
resources.
8. What is one clue word or phrase in the passage that
indicates a contrast?
A. Because
B. In any case
C. Both
D. However
9. While broadcasting a football game, the announcer
exclaimed, “I can’t believe it. Carl James just scored
a touchdown. That’s right; I said Carl James. Even Carl
looks as if he can’t believe it either.” What can you
infer from these statements?
A. The announcer is happy for Carl.
B. Carl is a player who is popular with the crowd.
C. The announcer is prejudiced against Carl.
D. Carl doesn’t score touchdowns very often.
This question is based on the following passage.
Both Greta and Fred were on the bus that arrived in
Pittsburgh. Fred was glad to be home. He looked
forward to visiting with old friends. Greta, on the other
hand, dreaded seeing her old boyfriend. She already
missed her days in New York City.
10. Which one of the following phrases indicates that a
contrast is being made?
A. Looked forward
B. Already missed
C. Both Greta and Fred
D. On the other hand
11. In comparing an oak tree with a maple tree, you can
correctly say thatA. oak is often used to make ships, while maple is often used
for furniture.
B. unlike oak roots, maple roots often invade water lines.
C. acorns are good to eat, while maple seeds aren’t.
D. both maple and oak trees lose their leaves in the fall.
This question is based on the following passage.
Both Greta and Fred were on the bus that arrived in
Pittsburgh. Fred was glad to be home. He looked
forward to visiting with old friends. Greta, on the other
hand, dreaded seeing her old boyfriend. She already
missed her days in New York City.
12. What can you most safely infer from the paragraph?
A. Fred once lived in Pittsburgh.
B. Greta hates her old boyfriend.
C. Fred and Greta are friends.
D. Fred is a friendly person.
This question is based on the following paragraph.
(1) Earth’s crust is made up of relatively rigid plates that
ride atop Earth’s hot, semiliquid mantle. (2) The
plates are called tectonic because they’re in constant
motion. (3) They can move because Earth’s mantle is
a very hot and semiliquid fluid called magma. (4) Volcanoes
are a result of magma rising up or erupting
through a plate, particularly where plate boundaries are
moving against each other. (5) Also, when plates
slide against each other, causing friction along adjacent
plate boundaries, earthquakes frequently occur. (6)
Therefore, we often find volcanoes and earthquakes along
plate boundaries. (7) Plates may also collide. (8)
When that happens, mountain ranges are formed. (9) For
example, the collision of the plate carrying the
Indian subcontinent created the Himalayan Mountains when it
collided with the Asian plate.
13. What is the topic sentence for this passage?
A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 4
C. Sentence 2
D. There is no single topic sentence.
14. Which one of the following words or phrases may be a
clue that a sentence is inferring cause and
effect?
A. Instead of
B. Before
C. Consequently
D. On the other hand
This question is based on the following passage.
Scientists generally agree that Earth is getting warmer due
to what’s called the greenhouse effect. A greenhouse used for plants stays warm
because sunlight and heat coming through the glass roof are mostly
trapped. The heat doesn’t radiate back into the atmosphere
because it’s partly trapped by the glass.
Something like that happens on Earth. The atmosphere acts
like a blanket that keeps the Sun’s heat from
leaking away into space.
15. In the first sentence, the phrase what’s called the
greenhouse effect presents a/an
A. illustration.
B. effect.
C. cause.
D. bias.
This question is based on the following passage.
I was in the National Forest with my camera. The day was
crisp, and the leaves were turning gold and red.
When I spotted the white-tailed buck, I froze. He wasn’t
more than 15 yards from where I was standing.
The wind must have been right, because he kept on browsing
the mossy ground. I lifted my camera very
slowly. Carefully, holding my breath, I lifted the camera to
my eye. Turning the focus ring, I framed the
deer’s head. Just as I was ready to press the shutter
release, the buck raised his head. He was looking my
way with wide eyes. Click. I took the picture. An instant
later, the deer bounded away into the forest. He
took off, but I had the shot. Today, the framed photo of
that buck hangs above our fireplace.
16. What season of the year is implied by the words you read
in the paragraph?
A. Fall
B. Summer
C. Winter
D. Spring
17. Which one of the following passages best suggests an
indirect cause?
A. We’ve learned that Sally Jones had a child, but who was
the father?
B. Because the cold front arrived, it snowed.
C. If you mix pleasure and business, business suffers.
D. Jack slew the giant because he sold the cow for magic
beans.
This question is based on the following paragraph.
Both petroleum and coal are made up of complex carbon-based
molecules, and both originated with living
creatures of some kind. Both are vital sources of energy for
the modern world and both were formed by
geologic processes over millions of years. However,
petroleum was mainly formed from the remains of
ocean-dwelling microorganisms. Coal, on the other hand,
originated from decayed vegetation in ancient
swamps and bogs. In any case, it took millions of years for
both coal and oil to be produced. This is the
case because it took that much time for overlying sediments
to produce the unimaginable heat and pressure
that would one day allow us to harvest these energy
resources.
18. What organizing principle or principles are used in this
paragraph?
A. Chronological order
B. Comparison and contrast; cause and effect
C. Chronological order; cause and effectEnd of exam
D. Cause and effect
This question is based on the following paragraph. The
sentences are numbered to help you answer
the question.
(1) Making rice pudding can be very easy. (2) First, get a
large, heavy saucepan. In the pan, measure 3
cups of whole milk, 1 cup of water, 1/2 stick of margarine
or butter, and 1/2 cup of rice. (3) Bring this
mixture to a quick boil. (4) Lower heat and slowly simmer
for 45 minutes. (5) Remove the saucepan from
the heat. (6) Add one beaten egg, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1/2
teaspoon of vanilla. (7) Stir well. (8) Serve
warm or cold. (9) Enjoy your treat.
19. What method of organization is used in this paragraph?
A. Comparison and contrast
B. Chronological order
C. Explaining an idea with examples
D. Cause and effect
20. Which one of the following statements is true regarding
paragraphs?
A. A paragraph with two main topics is called a complex
paragraph.
B. A topic sentence should not be placed in the middle of a
paragraph.
C. A paragraph should have one main topic.
D. The topic of a paragraph is always placed in the first
sentence.