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.

Beth was certain that tickets to the concert would sell quickly she ordered them online as soon the became available.
  • A. quickly, she
  • B. quickly, therefore
  • C. quickly, so she
  • D. quickly, then
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C, "quickly, so she," effectively connects Beth's belief about the tickets selling fast with her action of ordering them. The phrase "so she" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, clarifying that her certainty motivated her decision. Option A, "quickly, she," lacks a clear connection between her belief and action, making the sentence feel incomplete. Option B, "quickly, therefore," is overly formal for this context and implies a logical conclusion rather than a direct action stemming from her belief. Option D, "quickly, then," suggests a sequence but does not imply causation, weakening the relationship between her certainty and her decision.

Other Related Questions

Apart from being a basic requirement for plant life, the propagation of some plant species is also helped by rain.
  • A. the propagation of some plant species is also helped by rain
  • B. some plant species are also helped by rain to propagate them
  • C. rain also helps in the propagation of some plant species
  • D. it is also helpful for the propagation of some plant species to have rain
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C clearly states that rain helps in the propagation of some plant species, maintaining a straightforward structure that emphasizes the relationship between rain and propagation. Option A, while accurate, is less clear due to its passive construction, which can lead to ambiguity about what is being helped. Option B awkwardly phrases the relationship, suggesting that rain helps to propagate the plants rather than directly stating its role in the process. Option D complicates the message by using a more convoluted structure, making it less direct and harder to understand. Clarity and conciseness are essential in effectively conveying the idea.
In sentence 8 (reproduced below), which of the following best replaces 'they'? Rather than commuting long distances, they can use their home computers to maneuver simple wheeled robots around the head office
  • A. high-tech engineers
  • B. remote workers
  • C. sophisticated robots
  • D. employers
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B, "remote workers," accurately identifies the subject who would benefit from using home computers to control robots instead of commuting. This term directly relates to individuals who work from home, aligning with the context of the sentence. Option A, "high-tech engineers," is too specific and does not encompass all individuals who might work remotely. Option C, "sophisticated robots," incorrectly refers to machines rather than people, making it irrelevant in this context. Option D, "employers," shifts the focus from the workers to those who manage them, which does not fit the intended meaning of the sentence.
Elvis Presley, the legendary singer and musician, starred in several movies that being poorly received by critics but very popular with his fans.
  • A. being
  • B. were
  • C. has been
  • D. have been
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The option "were" accurately reflects the past tense, indicating that the movies were poorly received at a specific time, aligning with the historical context of Elvis Presley's film career. Option A, "being," is grammatically incorrect in this context as it does not convey a completed action. Option C, "has been," suggests an ongoing state, which is inappropriate since the movies were released in the past and are no longer being reviewed. Option D, "have been," implies a continuous relevance to the present, which does not fit the historical assessment of the films. Thus, "were" is the most suitable choice.
The historic town library is just passed the intersection of Main Street and the more residential Frederick Street.
  • A. passed
  • B. pass
  • C. past
  • D. passing
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In this context, "past" is the appropriate choice as it refers to a location beyond a point—in this case, the intersection. - **A: passed** is the past tense of "pass," which does not fit the sentence's need for a preposition indicating location. - **B: pass** is the base form of the verb and does not convey the intended meaning of being beyond the intersection. - **D: passing** suggests an ongoing action, which is not suitable here as the sentence describes a static location relative to the intersection. Thus, "past" effectively communicates that the library is located beyond the intersection.