read a passage EXERCISES

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 1

Passage: The Evolution of Photography

In the mid-19th century, photography was often viewed more as a scientific curiosity than an art form. Early techniques, such as the daguerreotype, required incredibly long exposure times, sometimes lasting up to thirty minutes. This technical constraint made it nearly impossible to capture natural movement, leading to the stiff, formal portraits typical of the era. Critics at the time argued that because a machine—the camera—produced the image, the process lacked the "soul" and creative touch of traditional painting.

However, as the century progressed, technological advancements significantly reduced exposure times and introduced more portable equipment. This allowed photographers to move out of the studio and into the streets, capturing candid moments of human life and the raw reality of war. Figures like Alfred Stieglitz began to emphasize the importance of composition, lighting, and emotional depth, arguing that the photographer’s eye was just as artistic as a painter’s brush.

By the early 20th century, photography had successfully transitioned from a technical novelty to a respected medium of expression. It began to be featured in prestigious fine art galleries, finally earning a place alongside classical arts. Today, while digital technology has changed the tools, the debate over the balance between technical skill and artistic vision remains a central theme in the world of visual media.

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   1. What is the main topic of the passage?

A) The biography of Alfred Stieglitz

B) The technical history of the daguerreotype

C) The transition of photography from science to fine art

D) The competition between painters and photographers

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   2. According to the first paragraph, why were early portraits so formal and stiff?

A) Photographers wanted to imitate classical paintings.

B) The subjects were afraid of the new technology.

C) Long exposure times prevented any movement.

D) The equipment was too expensive to use outdoors.

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   3. The word "constraint" in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to:

A) Invention

B) Limitation

C) Improvement

D) Success

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   4. What can be inferred about Alfred Stieglitz from the passage?

A) He was the inventor of the first portable camera.

B) He believed photography was purely a mechanical process.

C) He played a key role in gaining artistic recognition for photography.

D) He preferred painting over the use of daguerreotypes.

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 2

Passage: The Mechanism of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the fundamental biological process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria transform light energy into chemical energy. This complex reaction occurs primarily within the leaves, specifically inside organelles called chloroplasts. Here, the green pigment chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, which provides the necessary energy to trigger a series of chemical changes that are vital for life on our planet.

During this process, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny pores in their leaves and water from the soil through their roots. The energy from the sun is then used to break down these molecules and rearrange them into oxygen and glucose. While the oxygen is released back into the air as a byproduct, the glucose serves as the primary food source for the plant, enabling it to grow, repair tissues, and reproduce.

Beyond the survival of the plants themselves, photosynthesis is the foundation of the global food chain. Almost every living organism on Earth depends, directly or indirectly, on the energy stored in these organic molecules. Furthermore, the oxygen produced as a byproduct is what allows aerobic organisms, including humans, to breathe. Without this continuous cycle, the Earth’s atmosphere would lack the oxygen necessary to support complex life.

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1. In which part of the plant cell does photosynthesis mainly take place?

A) The roots

B) The pores

C) The chloroplasts

D) The water molecules

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  2. What is the role of chlorophyll according to the passage?

A) To release oxygen into the atmosphere

B) To absorb sunlight for energy

C) To pull water from the soil

D) To store glucose for the winter

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  3. The word "byproduct" in the second paragraph refers to:

A) The main goal of the process

0) A substance produced during the manufacture of something else

C) The energy source required for the reaction

D) The tool used to rearrange molecules

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  4. According to the passage, why is photosynthesis crucial for humans?

A) It helps plants look green and healthy.

B) It is the primary source of carbon dioxide.

C) It produces the oxygen required for breathing.

D) It prevents the sun from being too hot.

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 3

Passage: The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Great Britain in the late 1700s, represented a seismic shift in human history. Prior to this era, the majority of the population lived in rural areas, and the economy was almost entirely based on manual labor, agriculture, and small-scale handicrafts. Production was slow and limited to what could be created by hand or with the help of animals.

The catalyst for change was the invention of the steam engine and the development of new metallurgical processes. These innovations allowed for the creation of massive factories where machines could produce goods at a fraction of the time and cost of manual labor. This transition was further supported by Britain’s vast coal and iron ore reserves, as well as its extensive network of canals and colonies, which provided both raw materials and ready markets.

However, this rapid industrialization also brought significant social challenges. As people flocked to cities in search of factory work, urban centers became overcrowded, leading to poor living conditions and public health issues. The shift also altered the structure of the family, as men, women, and even children were often required to work long hours in dangerous environments. Despite these hardships, the era laid the groundwork for the modern technological world we live in today.

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1. How was the economy structured before the Industrial Revolution?

A) It was dominated by international trade.

B) It relied on manual labor and agriculture.

C) It was focused on machine manufacturing.

D) It was based on high-tech metallurgical processes.

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   2.According to the passage, what was a major reason for Britain's success in industrializing?

A) A small and manageable population

B) A lack of natural resources like coal

C) Its natural reserves and network of colonies

D) Its focus on maintaining a rural lifestyle

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   3. The word "flocked" in the third paragraph is closest in meaning to:

A) Moved in large numbers

B) Avoided

C) Complained

D) Built

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   4. What does the author suggest about the social impact of industrialization?

A) It immediately improved the quality of life for everyone.

B) it led to the end of the traditional factory system.

C) It caused overcrowding and difficult working conditions.

D) It discouraged women and children from working.

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 4

Passage: The Biology of Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. Often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," these underwater structures are built over thousands of years by tiny marine animals called coral polyps. These polyps secrete a hard outer shell of calcium carbonate, which serves as a protective skeleton. As generations of polyps die, their skeletons remain, providing a foundation for new corals to grow upon.

A fascinating aspect of coral biology is the symbiotic relationship between corals and zooxanthellae, a type of microscopic algae. The algae live inside the coral's tissues and use sunlight to perform photosynthesis, providing the coral with essential nutrients and its vibrant colors. In exchange, the coral provides the algae with a protected environment and the compounds they need for photosynthesis. This partnership is what allows reefs to thrive even in nutrient-poor tropical waters.

Despite their ecological importance, coral reefs are incredibly fragile. They cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they support approximately twenty-five percent of all marine species, including fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. Today, they face unprecedented threats from human activity. Rising ocean temperatures, caused by global climate change, can lead to "coral bleaching," a process where corals expel their algae and eventually die. Pollution and overfishing further weaken these vital structures, risking a total collapse of the marine food web.

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   1. How are the physical structures of coral reefs formed?

A) By the accumulation of tropical volcanic sand

B) By the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps

C) By underwater plants that petrify over time

D) By the crystallization of salt in warm water

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   2. What does the passage say about the relationship between corals and zooxanthellae?

A) The algae act as a parasite that eventually kills the coral.

B) It is a partnership where both organisms benefit.

C) The coral eats the algae to survive during the winter.

D) They compete for the same sunlight and space.

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   3. The word "thrive" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to:

A) Survive with difficulty

B) Grow and flourish

C) Change color

D) Hide from predators

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    4. What is "coral bleaching" according to the text?

A) A natural process that makes corals look more beautiful

B) A result of corals losing their symbiotic algae due to heat

C) A method used by scientists to clean the ocean floor

D) The process of young corals growing over old skeletons

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 5

Passage: The Mystery of the Maya Collapse

The Maya civilization was one of the most sophisticated societies of the ancient world, reaching its intellectual and artistic peak between 250 and 900 AD. Inhabiting the rainforests of modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, the Maya developed a complex writing system, an incredibly accurate calendar, and impressive architectural wonders such as the pyramids of Tikal and Palenque. Unlike other ancient empires, the Maya were organized into independent city-states rather than a single unified kingdom.

Around 900 AD, however, this flourishing civilization experienced a sudden and mysterious decline. In the southern lowlands, great cities that had been centers of trade and culture for centuries were abruptly abandoned. The population disappeared, and the jungle began to reclaim the stone temples and plazas. While the Maya people themselves did not vanish—their descendants still live in the region today—the political and social systems that sustained the "Classic" period were destroyed.

For decades, historians and archaeologists have debated the causes of this collapse. Some evidence suggests that a series of severe, prolonged droughts exhausted the region's agricultural capacity, leading to widespread famine. Others point to internal social unrest, where commoners may have revolted against the ruling elite. It is also possible that constant warfare between competing city-states further destabilized the society. Most modern scholars believe that a combination of these environmental and social factors worked together to end the era of the great Maya cities.

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   1. Which of the following describes the political organization of the Maya?

A) A single empire ruled by one powerful king

B) A collection of independent city-states

C) A nomadic society with no permanent cities

D) A democracy where leaders were elected by citizens

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   2. What happened to the Maya people after 900 AD?

A) They were completely wiped out by a natural disaster.

B) They moved to Europe to find better land.

C) They abandoned their major cities, but their descendants remained.

D) They stopped practicing agriculture and became hunters.

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   3. The word "abruptly" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to:

A) Gradually

B) Suddenly

C) Predictably

D) Quietly

 

   4. Which factor is mentioned as a possible cause for the Maya collapse?

A) An invasion from a foreign continent

B) Severe droughts affecting food production

C) The discovery of more gold in the north

D) A massive volcanic eruption in Tikal

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 6

Passage: The Power of the Sun

The Sun is the most significant object in our Solar System, a nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma that contains more than 99 percent of the system's total mass. Its immense gravity keeps every planet, from Mercury to Neptune, in its orbit. Without the Sun's constant output of light and heat, Earth would be a frozen, lifeless rock drifting through space.

At the core of the Sun, temperatures reach an astonishing 15 million degrees Celsius. Under this extreme heat and pressure, a process known as nuclear fusion occurs. During fusion, hydrogen atoms are crushed together to form helium. This reaction releases an incredible amount of energy, which travels from the core to the Sun's surface and eventually radiates out into the Solar System. It takes about eight minutes for this light to reach Earth, traveling at a speed of 300,000 kilometers per second.

This energy is what sustains life on our planet. It drives Earth’s weather patterns, ocean currents, and seasons. More importantly, it provides the light necessary for photosynthesis, the process used by plants to create the oxygen and food that humans and animals need to survive. While the Sun is currently in its stable "middle age," scientists estimate that it will continue to burn for another five billion years before it eventually runs out of fuel and expands into a red giant.

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   1. What keeps the planets in our Solar System in their orbits?

A) The magnetic field of the Earth

B) The Sun’s immense gravity

C) The speed of light

D) The vacuum of outer space

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   2. What is the primary source of the Sun’s energy?

A) The burning of liquid oxygen in the core

B) Chemical reactions between gases on the surface

C) The process of nuclear fusion

D) Volcanic activity within the plasma sphere

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   3. The word "radiates" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to:

A) Absorbs

B) Disappears

C) Spreads out

D) Cools down

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   4. What does the passage imply about the future of the Sun?

A) It will eventually stop providing energy for Earth.

B) It will continue to look exactly the same forever.

C) It will shrink until it becomes a small planet.

D) It will get colder every year starting today.

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 7

Passage: Mark Twain and American Realism

Samuel Clemens, famously known by his pen name Mark Twain, is often considered the "father of American literature." Writing in the late 19th century, Twain broke away from the formal, stiff traditions of European-influenced writing that had dominated America for decades. Instead, he sought to capture the true voice of the American people, particularly those living along the Mississippi River.

His most famous work, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was revolutionary for its use of regional dialects and "vernacular" English. By allowing his characters to speak exactly as people did in the South, Twain brought a new level of realism to fiction. This was not just a stylistic choice; it was a way to explore complex social issues, such as slavery and moral hypocrisy, through the eyes of a young, uneducated boy.

Beyond his novels, Twain was a celebrated humorist, satirist, and public speaker. He was known for his sharp wit and his ability to point out the absurdities of human nature and government. Even as he faced personal tragedies and financial loss later in his life, he remained a powerful voice in American culture. His work paved the way for future generations of writers to use their own local culture and language as a source of literary inspiration.

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   1. How did Mark Twain’s writing style differ from earlier American traditions?

A) He used more formal and poetic language.

B) He focused on European history and mythology.

C) He used regional dialects and realistic speech.

D) He only wrote non-fiction scientific reports.

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   2. Why was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn considered revolutionary?

A) It was the first book ever published in America.

B) It used common language to explore serious social problems.

C) It was written entirely in a secret code.

D) It was primarily a book about how to sail the Mississippi.

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   3. The word "hypocrisy" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to:

A) Honesty

B) Falsehood or insincerity

C) Intelligence

D) Bravery

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   4. What was a secondary career for Twain besides writing novels? 

A) A professional riverboat pilot only

B) A politician in the American South

C) A public speaker and humorist

D) A painter of realistic landscapes

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TOEFL ITP Reading Practice: Exercise 8

Passage: The Theory of Plate Tectonics

For most of human history, it was believed that the continents were fixed in place. However, in the early 20th century, the theory of continental drift—later refined into the modern theory of plate tectonics—changed our understanding of the Earth. This theory describes the Earth's lithosphere, its rigid outer shell, as being broken into several large and many smaller pieces called tectonic plates.

These plates are not stationary; they "float" on a semi-liquid layer of the mantle called the asthenosphere. Driven by intense heat from the Earth's core, the plates move slowly but constantly, typically at a rate of only a few centimeters per year. Over millions of years, these small movements have completely rearranged the map of the world, breaking apart supercontinents and forming new oceans.

The most dramatic geological events occur at the boundaries where these plates meet. At "divergent" boundaries, plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new crust. At "convergent" boundaries, plates collide, often forcing one plate beneath another and creating massive mountain ranges like the Himalayas or deep ocean trenches. Finally, at "transform" boundaries, plates slide past each other horizontally, building up tension that is eventually released in the form of powerful earthquakes.

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   1. What is the "lithosphere" as described in the passage?

A) The liquid center of the Earth

B) The Earth's rigid outer shell

C) The gas surrounding the planet

D) The deep trenches at the bottom of the ocean

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   2. What causes the tectonic plates to move?

A) The pull of the moon’s gravity

B) Strong winds on the Earth’s surface

C) Heat from the Earth’s core

D) The rotation of the Earth on its axis

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   3. The word "stationary" in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to:

A) Moving fast

B) Not moving

C) Changing shape

D) Very hot

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   4. What happens at a "transform" boundary?

A) Plates move away from each other to create magma.

B) Plates slide past each other, often causing earthquakes.

C) One plate is completely destroyed by fire.

D) New mountains are immediately formed by collision.

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Exercise 1: 1-C, 2-C, 3-B, 4-C.

Exercise 2: 1-C, 2-B, 3-B, 4-C.

Exercise 3: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-C.

Exercise 4: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B.

Exercise 5: 1-C, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B.

Exercise 6: 1-B, 2-C, 3-C, 4-A.

Exercise 7: 1-C, 2-B, 3-B, 4-C.

Exercise 8: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-B.