tsia2 reading and writing practice test 2

A placement test used in Texas to assess a student's readiness for college-level coursework in math, reading, and writing.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.
Although she had not grown up playing soccer, Jeanette was such an outstanding athlete, she scored more goals than any other member of the soccer team.
  • A. athlete, she
  • B. athlete, she had
  • C. athlete that
  • D. athlete that she
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D, "athlete that she," effectively introduces a defining clause that clarifies Jeanette's exceptional abilities. The word "that" connects her status as an athlete to her achievement, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship. Option A, "athlete, she," lacks a connector, making the sentence feel abrupt and incomplete. Option B, "athlete, she had," introduces unnecessary past tense that does not align with the context of her current achievements. Option C, "athlete that," is missing a crucial pronoun, making it grammatically incorrect. Thus, D provides the most coherent and grammatically sound structure.

Other Related Questions

Why does the author mention that only men signed the Mayflower Compact?
  • A. To show the similarities between the Compact and the Constitution
  • B. To suggest that the Compact was not a perfect model of government
  • C. To indicate that men were better lawmakers than women
  • D. To imply that only men were on board the Mayflower
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The mention of only men signing the Mayflower Compact highlights the limitations of this early governance document, suggesting it was not a perfect model of government. It reflects the societal norms of the time, where women's voices were excluded from formal political processes, indicating a lack of representation. Option A incorrectly suggests a direct comparison with the Constitution, which is not the focus. Option C perpetuates a gender bias that is not supported by the text. Option D misinterprets the context; while only men signed, it does not imply that only men were aboard the Mayflower, as historical records show women were present as well.
The passage is mainly discussing the Mississippi River's
  • A. depth
  • B. length
  • C. width
  • D. location
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The passage primarily focuses on the Mississippi River's width, detailing its varying measurements at different points along its course. This emphasis on width is crucial for understanding the river's impact on surrounding ecosystems and human activities. Option A, depth, is mentioned but not the main focus, making it less relevant. Option B, length, while significant, does not capture the central theme of the passage. Option D, location, is addressed but serves more as context rather than the primary discussion point. Therefore, width is the key aspect highlighted throughout the text.
According to scientists, the seven separate continents of the world, in the far distant past, one vast land mass.
  • A. the world, in the far distant past
  • B. the world, being in the far distant past
  • C. the world were, in the far distant past
  • D. the world was, in the far distant past
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D accurately uses the verb "was," which agrees with the singular subject "the world." This structure clearly conveys that, historically, the continents formed one vast land mass. Option A lacks a verb, making it an incomplete thought. Option B incorrectly uses "being," which is not suitable in this context and disrupts the sentence's clarity. Option C uses "were," which does not agree with the singular subject and creates confusion about the subject-verb relationship. Thus, D is the only option that maintains grammatical correctness and clarity.
The author of Passage 1 would probably say that the claims in the last sentence of Passage 2 ("Someday... notice") are
  • A. disappointing and inaccurate
  • B. stimulating and insightful
  • C. optimistic but vague
  • D. alarming but truthful
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The claims in the last sentence of Passage 2 are likely viewed as disappointing and inaccurate because they may contradict the author's perspective in Passage 1, which emphasizes realism over idealism. Option B, "stimulating and insightful," misinterprets the author's critical stance; the claims are not presented as thought-provoking. Option C, "optimistic but vague," overlooks the author's likely skepticism towards vague claims that lack concrete support. Option D, "alarming but truthful," fails to capture the author's likely rejection of the claims as factual, indicating a more critical viewpoint.