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 context, which revision would most improve sentence 12 (reproduced below)? I am aware that what I see as determination, they sometimes see as a lack of realism.
  • A. Change 'I am aware' to 'I notice'.
  • B. Change 'what I see' to 'the quality that I know'.
  • C. Change 'they' to 'other people'.
  • D. Delete 'sometimes'.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C enhances clarity by specifying "other people," which provides context and distinguishes the speaker's perspective from that of others. This improves understanding of the differing viewpoints on determination and realism. Option A, changing "I am aware" to "I notice," makes the statement less reflective and diminishes the depth of understanding conveyed. Option B's revision to "the quality that I know" complicates the sentence unnecessarily, losing the personal touch that "what I see" offers. Option D, deleting "sometimes," removes the nuance that acknowledges variability in perception, which is essential for conveying the complexity of differing opinions.
Which of the following sentences contains information irrelevant to the passage as a whole and should be deleted?
  • A. Sentence 4
  • B. Sentence 5
  • C. Sentence 7
  • D. Sentence 9
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Sentence 7 introduces an anecdote that, while interesting, does not contribute to the main argument of the passage. Its narrative focus distracts from the central theme, making it less relevant. Sentence 4 provides essential context that supports the overall message, while Sentence 5 summarizes key points, reinforcing the passage’s purpose. Sentence 9 offers a concluding thought that ties back to the main argument, enhancing the reader's understanding. Thus, only Sentence 7 diverges from the primary focus, warranting its removal for clarity and coherence.
The best placement for sentence 12 within the third paragraph would be
  • A. where it is now
  • B. before sentence 11
  • C. after sentence 13
  • D. after sentence 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Placement of sentence 12 where it currently is allows for a logical flow of ideas, maintaining coherence within the paragraph. It connects well with the preceding sentence, enhancing clarity and emphasizing the main point. Option B disrupts this flow by placing sentence 12 before sentence 11, which may confuse readers regarding the sequence of thoughts. Option C, placing it after sentence 13, would create a disjointed structure, as it would separate related ideas. Option D, positioning it after sentence 14, risks losing the contextual relevance, diminishing the paragraph's overall impact.
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.