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.

The retired government official spoke _______ about foreign policy and international trade
  • A. as knowing
  • B. in knowledge
  • C. knowledgeably
  • D. knowledgeable
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The sentence requires an adverb to describe how the retired government official spoke. Option C, "knowledgeably," correctly functions as an adverb, indicating that the official spoke with knowledge about foreign policy and international trade. Option A, "as knowing," is grammatically incorrect and does not convey the intended meaning. Option B, "in knowledge," is awkward and does not fit the context of how someone speaks. Option D, "knowledgeable," is an adjective and would not appropriately modify the verb "spoke." Thus, C is the only option that fits both grammatically and contextually.

Other Related Questions

Which change is needed in the fourth paragraph?
  • A. In sentence 15, change 'immanent' to 'eminent'
  • B. In sentence 15, change 'dual' to 'duel'
  • C. In sentence 16, change 'inspire' to 'aspire'
  • D. In sentence 17, change 'proceeded' to 'preceded'
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A is the necessary change because "immanent" refers to something inherent or existing within, while "eminent" means distinguished or prominent, which fits the context better. Option B is incorrect; "dual" refers to two parts, whereas "duel" implies a contest between two. The intended meaning likely relates to duality, making "dual" appropriate. Option C is also wrong; "inspire" means to motivate, while "aspire" means to aim for something. The original term suits the context of motivation. Option D misuses "proceeded" (to move forward) instead of "preceded" (to come before), which is not the intended meaning in context.
Which version of the underlined portion in sentence 14 (reproduced below) most effectively elaborates on the idea presented at the beginning of the sentence? In spite of his concern over time constraints—the occasion was an important one—he resolved to compose a relevant tribute.
  • A. (as it is now)
  • B. the event would be held in the nation's capital!—
  • C. only two days until the ceremony!—
  • D. the president would hear him recite!—
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A maintains the focus on the significance of the occasion while acknowledging the speaker's time constraints, creating a balanced perspective. It emphasizes the importance of the tribute without introducing unrelated details. Option B diverts attention to the location, which, while noteworthy, does not enhance the understanding of the speaker's internal conflict. Option C mentions the urgency but lacks context about the event's significance, making it less effective in elaborating on the initial idea. Option D highlights the audience but shifts focus away from the speaker's concerns, failing to connect back to the tribute's relevance.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed? Because of this model, which gives residents an incentive to protect wildlife, important wildlife populations are increasing at record rates.
  • A. After sentence 2
  • B. After sentence 4
  • C. After sentence 7
  • D. After sentence 10
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Placing the sentence after sentence 7 is ideal as it follows a discussion about the benefits of the model, directly linking the incentive to the positive outcomes for wildlife populations. This placement emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship effectively. Option A, after sentence 2, disrupts the flow, as earlier sentences may not yet establish the model's context. Option B, after sentence 4, is too early in the discussion, lacking sufficient background on the model's impact. Option D, after sentence 10, may dilute the sentence's significance, as it would be too far removed from the relevant context, making the connection less impactful.
Which of the following is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 13 (reproduced below)? But hunters capable of successfully hunting either aggressive animal should prefer buffalo; since one reaps more food from a larger animal.
  • A. (as it is now)
  • B. buffalo: since
  • C. buffalo,
  • D. buffalo since
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B, "buffalo: since," effectively links the two independent clauses while maintaining clarity. The colon indicates that the second clause explains the reasoning behind the preference for buffalo, enhancing the flow of the sentence. Option A retains the original structure, which creates a comma splice, leading to grammatical confusion. Option C, "buffalo," uses a comma, which incorrectly separates the clauses and disrupts the logical connection between them. Option D, "buffalo since," lacks punctuation, making it less clear that the second part elaborates on the first, resulting in a run-on sentence. Thus, option B is the most precise and grammatically correct choice.