TSI Reading Test #3 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Passage: "In the 19th century, many physicians dismissed handwashing as unnecessary. It took decades of evidence and advocacy from pioneers like Ignaz Semmelweis to change medical practice." What does this passage imply about scientific progress?
- Scientific progress can be slow and resistant to change even when evidence exists (Correct answer)
- Handwashing was invented in the 19th century
- All doctors in the 19th century ignored hygiene entirely
- Ignaz Semmelweis created modern medicine single-handedly
Correct answer: Scientific progress can be slow and resistant to change even when evidence exists
The passage implies that well-supported ideas (handwashing) can face resistance for decades before being accepted, highlighting how slow institutional change can be even with evidence.
Question 2: What does "advocacy" mean in context: "evidence and advocacy from pioneers like Ignaz Semmelweis"?
- Active support and promotion of a cause (Correct answer)
- Scientific research and experimentation
- Formal medical training and certification
- Legal representation in court
Correct answer: Active support and promotion of a cause
"Advocacy" is the act of publicly supporting or promoting a cause. Semmelweis advocated for handwashing by actively promoting the practice despite resistance.
Question 3: A reader finishes a passage about mindfulness meditation. Which of the following is a valid inference based on the information provided?
- Regular mindfulness practice may help reduce stress, based on the studies cited (Correct answer)
- Mindfulness meditation guarantees happiness for everyone who tries it
- The passage proved mindfulness is better than all other therapies
- Only monks and spiritual practitioners can benefit from meditation
Correct answer: Regular mindfulness practice may help reduce stress, based on the studies cited
Valid inferences are grounded in what the text actually says. "May help reduce stress, based on studies cited" stays close to the evidence without overstating it.
Question 4: An author writes in a passionate, urgent tone about deforestation. Which word best describes the author's tone?
- Impassioned (Correct answer)
- Indifferent
- Humorous
- Scholarly and detached
Correct answer: Impassioned
"Impassioned" means filled with strong emotion or urgency. A writer describing deforestation passionately and urgently conveys alarm and concern, which fits "impassioned."
Question 5: Which detail from a passage about ocean plastics would best support the claim "plastic pollution endangers marine wildlife"?
- Sea turtles frequently mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and ingest them, causing injury or death (Correct answer)
- Plastics are made from petroleum products
- The ocean covers about 71% of the Earth's surface
- Some companies have begun using biodegradable packaging
Correct answer: Sea turtles frequently mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and ingest them, causing injury or death
Only the detail about sea turtles directly connects plastic pollution to harm done to marine wildlife, making it the strongest supporting evidence for that specific claim.
Question 6: What is the difference between a summary and a paraphrase?
- A summary condenses the main ideas; a paraphrase restates the text in different words at similar length (Correct answer)
- A paraphrase shortens the text; a summary uses the same words
- Both terms describe the same process
- A summary adds the reader's opinion; a paraphrase does not
Correct answer: A summary condenses the main ideas; a paraphrase restates the text in different words at similar length
A summary captures only the essential points in brief. A paraphrase rewords the entire passage in the reader's own language at roughly the same length.
TSI Reading Test #3 2
Passage: "In the 19th century, many physicians dismissed handwashing as unnecessary.
It took decades of evidence and advocacy from pioneers like Ignaz Semmelweis to change medical practice." What does this passage imply about scientific progress?