tsia2 reading and writing practice test 1

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

Constructed in 1889 of thousands of tons of iron, millions visit the Eiffel Tower which is a beloved landmark of modern Paris.
  • A. millions visit the Eiffel Tower, which is a beloved landmark of modern Paris
  • B. millions visit the beloved Eiffel Tower, a landmark of modern Paris
  • C. the Eiffel Tower is a beloved landmark of modern Paris visited by millions of people
  • D. the Eiffel Tower, visited by millions of people and a beloved landmark of modern Paris
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A effectively captures the essence of the Eiffel Tower's significance, emphasizing both its popularity and status as a beloved landmark. The structure of the sentence flows smoothly, maintaining a clear connection between the millions of visitors and the landmark itself. Option B, while similar, places "beloved" before "Eiffel Tower," which slightly alters the emphasis and disrupts the natural rhythm of the sentence. Option C is overly wordy and less engaging due to its passive construction, detracting from the lively image of the tower as a vibrant tourist attraction. Option D, although informative, is less direct and slightly awkward in phrasing, making it less effective in conveying the intended message.

Other Related Questions

In many cases, they are poets and novelists, not historians, who catch the spirit of an era
  • A. they are
  • B. those
  • C. that is
  • D. it is
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The phrase "it is" effectively introduces the main idea of the sentence, emphasizing the poets and novelists' role in capturing the spirit of an era. This construction clearly states a fact about their significance. Option A, "they are," shifts focus away from the overarching statement and makes the sentence less impactful. Option B, "those," lacks the necessary clarity and directness, making the sentence feel incomplete. Option C, "that is," suggests a definition rather than emphasizing the poets and novelists' importance, weakening the statement's overall strength.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 4 (reproduced below)? He knew that he was the first poet to participate in these prestigious ceremonies; therefore, he contemplated which poem would be appropriate for the occasion.
  • A. (as it is now)
  • B. ceremonies, therefore,
  • C. ceremonies, therefore;
  • D. ceremonies, therefore
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A maintains the original structure, effectively connecting the two independent clauses with a semicolon. This punctuation is appropriate as it separates related but distinct ideas: the poet's recognition and his subsequent contemplation. Option B incorrectly uses a comma before "therefore," which fails to properly separate the clauses and creates a comma splice. Option C introduces an unnecessary semicolon before "therefore," which disrupts the flow and is grammatically incorrect since "therefore" is not an independent clause. Option D lacks punctuation after "ceremonies," making it a run-on sentence and confusing the relationship between the ideas.
With four recent United States presidents being left-handed Ford, the elder Bush, Clinton and Obama the stigma associated with left-handedness largely vanishing
  • A. left-handedness largely vanishing
  • B. left-handedness has largely vanished
  • C. left-handedness being largely vanished
  • D. left-handedness and largely vanished
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B effectively conveys that left-handedness has significantly decreased in societal stigma. The present perfect tense ("has largely vanished") indicates a change that started in the past and continues to the present, aligning well with the context of the sentence. Option A uses "largely vanishing," which is awkward and suggests an ongoing process rather than a completed change. Option C's "being largely vanished" is grammatically incorrect, as "being" does not fit with the passive construction. Option D incorrectly combines "and" with "largely vanished," creating a fragment that lacks clarity and coherence.
In context, which revision of the underlined portion would best combine sentences 7 and 8 (reproduced below)? Docile animals like antelope are easier to catch. A predominance of their bones could suggest that hunters of the time were not capable of regularly capturing more dangerous prey.
  • A. catch, a
  • B. catch, so a
  • C. catch, but a
  • D. catch, for a
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B, "catch, so a," effectively conveys a cause-and-effect relationship between the ease of capturing docile animals and the implications regarding hunters' capabilities. The use of "so" indicates that the prevalence of antelope bones is a direct result of hunters' inability to capture more dangerous prey. Option A, "catch, a," lacks a conjunction that connects the two ideas, making the relationship unclear. Option C, "catch, but a," introduces a contrast that does not exist between the statements, as both sentences support the notion of hunters' limitations. Option D, "catch, for a," implies a reason but does not capture the clear consequence intended in the context.