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For use by our registered participants only. Not to be reproduced or copied without our consent.
The passage is
primary
concerned with
1. The author is primarily concerned with
Reading Comprehension Exercise 3 explaining how
the new theory
(2 Passages/ 15 Q’s / 20 Minutes) Advocating a return to an older can be used in
methodology. exploring gold
PASSAGE 1 Explaining the importance of a recent buried deep

A
ccording to a recent theory, Archean-age gold- theory. beneath the
quartz vein systems were formed over two Enumerating differences between two surface and in
widely used methods. conceptual
billion years ago from magmatic fluids that Describing events leading to a discovery. models. Choice B
originated from molten granitelike bodies deep beneath Challenging the assumptions on which a is the best
the surface of the Earth. This theory is contrary to the theory is based. statement of this
widely held view that the systems were deposited information.
from metamorphic fluids, that is, from fluids that
formed during the dehydration of wet sedimentary rocks. 2. According to the passage, the widely
held view of Archean-age gold-quartz Be sure to look
The recently developed theory has considerable vein systems is that such systems up the
practical importance. Most of the gold deposits ‘qualifier’
were formed from metamorphic fluids. appearing in
discovered during the original gold rushes were exposed originated in molten granitelike bodies.
at the Earth’s surface and were found because they had the question
were formed from alluvial deposits.
shed trails of alluvial gold that were easily traced by generally have surface expression.
stem. Our
simple prospecting methods. Although these same are not discoverable through chemical lookup of a
methods still lead to an occasional discovery, most tests. reference to
deposits not yet discovered have gone undetected ‘widely held
because they are buried and have no surface expression. view’ shows
3. The passage implies that which of the that the systems
The challenge in exploration is, therefore, to unravel the following steps would be the first were deposited
performed by explorers, who wish to or formed from
subsurface geology of an area and pinpoint the position maximize their chances of discovering
of buried minerals. Methods widely used today include metamorphic
gold?
analysis of aerial images that yield a broad geological fluids. Choice
overview; geophysical techniques that provide data on Surveying several sites known to have A is the best
the magnetic, electrical, and mineralogical properties of been formed more than two billion years and literal
the rocks being investigated; and sensitive chemical tests ago. paraphrase of
that are able to detect subtle chemical halos that often Limiting exploration to sites known to this
envelop mineralization. However, none of these high- have been formed from metamorphic information.
technology methods is of any value if the sites to which fluids.
Using an appropriate conceptual model
they are applied have never mineralized, and to to select a site for further exploration.
maximize the chances of discovery, the explorer must Using geophysical methods to analyze
pay particular attention to selecting the ground formation rocks over a broad area.
most likely to be mineralized. Such ground selection Limiting exploration to sites where
relies to varying degrees on conceptual models, which alluvial gold has previously been found.
take into account theoretical studies of relevant factors.
The question is about ‘maximizing the
These models are constructed primarily from empirical
chances for discovery’, and our lookup
observations of known mineral deposits and from
reveals that in order to maximize the
theories of ore-forming process. The explorer uses the
chances for discovery, an explorer must
models to identify those geological features that are
choose a ground for exploration using a
critical to the formation of the mineralization being
conceptual model. Choice C states this best
modeled, and then tries to select areas for exploration
and in a literal way. Be sure to make
that exhibit as many of the critical features as possible.
anchor phrase lookups and to pick a choice
that is a literal and paraphrased
interpretation of the anchor phrase

Page 1
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A
ccording to a recent theory, Archean-age gold-
quartz vein systems were formed over two 4. Which of the following statements about
billion years ago from magmatic fluids that discoveries of gold deposits is
originated from molten granitelike bodies deep beneath supported by information in the Our lookup of a
the surface of the Earth. This theory is contrary to the passage?
reference to
widely held view that the systems were deposited from ‘discoveries of
The number of gold discoveries made
metamorphic fluids, that is, from fluids that formed annually has increased between the time gold deposits’
during the dehydration of wet sedimentary rocks. of the original gold rushes and the reveals that the
present. deposits
The recently developed theory has considerable practical New discoveries of gold deposits are undetected so
importance. Most of the gold deposits discovered during likely to be the result of exploration far are because
the original gold rushes were exposed at the Earth’s techniques designed to locate buried they are buried
surface and were found because they had shed trails of mineralization. and have no
alluvial gold that were easily traced by simple It is likely that newly discovered gold
deposits will ever yield as much as did
surface
prospecting methods. Although these same methods manifestation.
those deposits discovered during the
still lead to an occasional discovery, most deposits not original gold rushes. Choice B is the
yet discovered have gone undetected because they are Modern explorers are divided on the best
buried and have no surface expression. question of the utility of simple information
prospecting methods as a source of new supported by an
The challenge in exploration is, therefore, to unravel the discoveries of gold deposits. explicit
subsurface geology of an area and pinpoint the position Models based on the theory that gold statement
of buried minerals. Methods widely used today include originated from magnetic fluids have contained in the
analysis of aerial images that yield a broad geological already led to new discoveries of gold
deposits.
passage.
overview; geophysical techniques that provide data on
the magnetic, electrical, and mineralogical properties of 5. It can be inferred from the passage that
the rocks being investigated; and sensitive chemical tests which of the following is easiest to
that are able to detect subtle chemical halos that often The easiest
detect?
envelop mineralization. However, none of these high- discovery is
technology methods is of any value if the sites to which A gold-quartz vein system originating in one upon which
they are applied have never mineralized, and to magmatic fluids. we can stumble.
maximize the chances of discovery, the explorer must
A gold –quartz vein system originating in According to
metamorphic fluids.
pay particular attention to selecting the ground formation the passage,
A gold deposit that is mixed with granite.
most likely to be mineralized. Such ground selection A gold deposit that has shed alluvial gold. deposits that
relies to varying degrees on conceptual models, which A gold deposit that exhibits chemical halos. had shed trails
take into account theoretical studies of relevant factors. of alluvial gold
6. The theory mentioned in line 1 relates could be easily
to the conceptual models discussed in traced by
These models are constructed primarily from the passage in which of the following
empirical observations of known mineral deposits SIMPLE
ways?
and from theories of ore-forming process. The prospecting
explorer uses the models to identify those geological It may furnish a valid account of ore-forming methods, and
features that are critical to the formation of the processes, and, hence, can support conceptual by inference the
models that have great practical significance. easiest to
mineralization being modeled, and then tries to select It suggests that certain geological formations,
areas for exploration that exhibit as many of the critical long believed to be mineralized, are in fact detect.
features as possible. mineralized, thus confirming current
conceptual models.
It suggests that there may not be enough
Our look up of a reference to conceptual model similarity across Archean-age gold-quartz
vein systems to warrant the formulation of
reveals a reference to ‘theories of ore forming conceptual models.
process’. Obviously, because the whole passage is It corrects existing theories about the
about the new theory, this theory must be a critical chemical halos of gold deposits, and thus
factor in the building of conceptual models. Choice A provides a basis for correcting current
conceptual models.
is the best and literal interpretation of the information
It suggests that simple prospecting methods
identified in the context of conceptual models and the still have a higher success rate in the
theory of ore forming process. discovery of gold deposits than do more
modern methods.

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A
ccording to a recent theory, Archean-age gold-
quartz vein systems were formed over two 7. According to the passage, methods
billion years ago from magmatic fluids that of exploring for gold that are widely Our lookup of a
originated from molten granitelike bodies deep beneath used today are based on which of reference to the
the surface of the Earth. This theory is contrary to the the following facts?
‘methods
widely held view that the systems were deposited from
widely used
metamorphic fluids, that is, from fluids that formed Most of the Earth’s remaining gold
today’ reveals
during the dehydration of wet sedimentary rocks. deposits are still molten.
that the
Most of the Earth’s remaining gold
methods are
The recently developed theory has considerable practical deposits are exposed at the surface. based on the
importance. Most of the gold deposits discovered during Most of the Earth’s remaining gold
fact that the
the original gold rushes were exposed at the Earth’s deposits are buried and have no
gold deposits
surface and were found because they had shed trails of surface expression.
are buried and
alluvial gold that were easily traced by simple Only one type of gold deposit
have no surface
prospecting methods. Although these same methods still warrants exploration, since the other
expression.
lead to an occasional discovery, most deposits not yet types of gold deposits are found in
Choice C is the
discovered have gone undetected because they are buried regions difficult to reach.
best answer
and have no surface expression. Only one type of gold deposit
consistent with
warrants exploration, since the other
this literal
The challenge in exploration is, therefore, to unravel the types are unlikely to yield
statement.
subsurface geology of an area and pinpoint the position concentrated quantities of gold.
of buried minerals. Methods widely used today include
analysis of aerial images that yield a broad geological
overview; geophysical techniques that provide data on 8. It can be inferred from the passage
The efficiency
the magnetic, electrical, and mineralogical properties of that the efficiency of model-based must depend on
the rocks being investigated; and sensitive chemical tests gold exploration depends on which how closely
that are able to detect subtle chemical halos that often of the following? resembles the
envelop mineralization. However, none of these high- site for
technology methods is of any value if the sites to which I. The closeness of the match exploration is to
they are applied have never mineralized, and to between the geological features the critical
maximize the chances of discovery, the explorer must identified by the model as features
pay particular attention to selecting the ground formation critical and the actual geological identified by the
model and on
most likely to be mineralized. Such ground selection features of a given area.
the use of a
relies to varying degrees on conceptual models, which II. The degree to which the model theory of ore
take into account theoretical studies of relevant factors. chosen relies on empirical forming
observation of known mineral process. Notice
These models are constructed primarily from deposits rather than on theories that the ‘ore
empirical observations of known mineral deposits of ore-forming processes. forming
and from theories of ore-forming process. The III. The degree to which the model process’ is
explorer uses the models to identify those chosen is based on an accurate paraphrased to
geological features that are critical to the description of the events leading ‘events leading
to mineralization. to
formation of the mineralization being modeled,
mineralization.
and then tries to select areas for exploration that A clear
exhibit as many of the critical features as I only paraphrase of
possible. II only the passage
I and II only information is a
I and III only sure indication
I, II, and III. of a correct
answer. Look
for literal and
paraphrased
GO TO PASSAGE 2 interpretations
of the passage
information
relevant to the
question.

Page 3
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1. According to the passage, all of the This is an

Passage 2 following were benefits of privatizing EXCEPT
state-owned industries in the United question and
While there is no blueprint for transforming a largely Kingdom EXCEPT: we are required
government-controlled economy into a free one, the
to identify one
experience of the United Kingdom since 1979 clearly Privatized industries paid taxes to the benefit that is
shows one approach that works: privatization, in which government.
not mentioned
state-owned industries are sold to private companies. By The government gained revenue from
selling state-owned industries. in the passage.
1979, the total borrowings and losses of state-owned
The government repaid some of its Our lookup
industries were running at about £3 billion a year. By
national debt. reveals that
selling many of these industries, the government has
Profits from industries that were still choice D
decreased these borrowings and losses, gained over £34
state-owned increased. information is
billion from sales, and now receives tax revenues from Total borrowings and losses of state- not stated as a
the newly privatized companies. Along with a owned industries decreased. benefit of
dramatically improved overall economy, the government
has been able to replay 12.5% of the net national debt privatization.
2. According to the passage, which of the
over a two-year period. following resulted in increased
productivity in companies that have
In fact, privatization has not only rescued been privatized?
Our lookup of a
individual industries and a whole economy headed for
A large number of employees chose to reference to
disaster, but also has raised the level of performance in ‘productivity
purchase shares in their companies.
every area. At British Airways and British Gas, for Free shares were widely distributed to improvement’
example, productivity per employee has risen by 20 individual shareholders. reveals that
percent. At Associated British Ports, labor disruptions The government ceased to regulate improved
common in the 1970’s and early 1980’s have now major industries. productivity
virtually disappeared. At British Telecom, there is no Unions conducted wage negotiations for came about
longer a waiting list – as there always was before employees. because the
privatization- to have a telephone installed. Employee-owners agreed to have their employees of
wages lowered. privatized
companies were
Part of this improved productivity has come given the
3. It can be inferred from the passage that
about because the employees of privatized industries the author considers labor disruptions opportunity to
were given the opportunity to buy shares in their own to be buy shares and
companies. They responded enthusiastically to the they bought
offer of shares: at British Aerospace, 89 percent of the An inevitable problem in a weak shares. Choice A
eligible workforce bought shares; at Associated British national economy. is the literal
Ports, 90 percent; and at British Telecom, 92 percent. A positive sign of employee concern interpretation
When people have a personal stake in something, they about a company. of this
think about it, care about it, and work to make it prosper. A predictor of employee reactions to a information.
company’s offer to sell shares to them.
At the National Freight Consortium, the new employee-
A phenomenon found more often in
owners grew so concerned about their company’s profits state-owned industries than in private
that during wage negotiations they actually pressed their companies.
union to lower its wage demands. A deterrence to high performance levels
in an industry.
Some economists have suggested that giving
away free shares would provide a needed acceleration of Our lookup of a reference to ‘labor disruption’ reveals that
the privatization process. Yet they miss Thomas Paine’s the labor disruptions were common in the 70’s and in the
point that “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too early 80’s and have virtually disappeared (after
lightly.” In order for the far-ranging benefits of privatization). In the 70’s and early 80’s, the industries
individual ownership to be achieved by owners, were state controlled. Choice D is the best inference that
companies, and countries, employees and other is supported by the information stated explicitly in the
individuals must make their own decisions to buy, and context of the ‘labor disruption’. Be sure not to over
they must commit some of their own resources to the interpret context specific information, or use your real
choice. world expectations to pick answer choices. Many test
takers would pick choice E because it agrees with their
real world expectation and because a similar information
is stated in a DIFFERENT CONTEXT at the beginning of
the second paragraph. Bear in mind that ‘raising the
performance levels’ is attributed to privatization and not
stated in the context of labor disruption.
Page 4
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For use by our registered participants only. Not to be reproduced or copied without our consent. about employees
buying shares in

W
hile there is no blueprint for transforming 4. The passage supports which of the companies? Our
a largely government-controlled economy following statements about employees look up reveals that
into a free one, the experience of the buying shares in their own approximately 90%
companies? of the ELIGIBLE
United Kingdom since 1979 clearly shows one employees bought
approach that works: privatization, in which state- At three different companies, shares in about 3
owned industries are sold to private companies. By approximately nine out of ten workers companies. Choice
1979, the total borrowings and losses of state-owned were eligible to buy shares in their B is the best and
industries were running at about £3 billion a year. companies. literal interpretation
By selling many of these industries, the government Approximately 90% of the eligible of this information.
has decreased these borrowings and losses, gained workers at three different companies Choice A, a
over £34 billion from sales, and now receives tax chose to buy shares in their companies. tempting one for
revenues from the newly privatized companies. The opportunity to buy shares was some, is not good
discouraged by at least some labor because it states
Along with a dramatically improved overall that 90% of
unions.
economy, the government has been able to replay Companies that demonstrated the highest employees were
12.5% of the net national debt over a two-year productivity were the first to allow their eligible to buy
period. employees the opportunity to buy shares. shares whereas the
Eligibility to buy shares was contingent passage states that
In fact, privatization has not only rescued on employees’ agreeing to increased 90% of the eligible
individual industries and a whole economy headed for work loads. ones bought shares.
disaster, but also has raised the level of performance in
every area. At British Airways and British Gas, for 5. Which of the following statements is
example, productivity per employee has risen by 20 consistent with the principle: “when people
have a personal stake in something, they
percent. At Associated British Ports, labor disruptions think about it, care about it, work to make it
common in the 1970’s and early 1980’s have now prosper?”
virtually disappeared. At British Telecom, there is no
longer a waiting list – as there always was before A ‘stake’ is an
A democratic government that decides
privatization- to have a telephone installed. that it is inappropriate to own a ‘interest’.
particular industry has in no way When you have
Part of this improved productivity has come abdicated its responsibilities as a a stake in some
about because the employees of privatized industries guardian of public trust. enterprise, you
were given the opportunity to buy shares in their own The ideal way for a government to have some
companies. They responded enthusiastically to the protect employee interests is to force interest in the
companies to maintain their share of a well being of
offer of shares: at British Aerospace, 89 percent of competitive market without government
the eligible workforce bought shares; at Associated the enterprise.
subsidies.
British Ports, 90 percent; and at British Telecom, 92 Choice C is the
The failure to harness the power of self
percent. When people have a personal stake in interest is an important reason that state-
best and literal
something, they think about it, care about it, and work to owned industries perform poorly. interpretation of
make it prosper. At the National Freight Consortium, the Governments that want to implement the information
new employee-owners grew so concerned about their privatization programs must try to quoted in the
company’s profits that during wage negotiations they eliminate all resistance to the free- question here.
actually pressed their union to lower its wage demands. market system.
The individual shareholder will reap
only a minute share of the gains from
Some economists have suggested that giving whatever sacrifices he or she makes to
away free shares would provide a needed acceleration of achieve these gains.
the privatization process. Yet they miss Thomas Paine’s
point that “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too
lightly.” In order for the far-ranging benefits of
individual ownership to be achieved by owners,
companies, and countries, employees and other
individuals must make their own decisions to buy, and
they must commit some of their own resources to the
choice.

Page 5
 ©Educational Training Services, a Division of MLI Consulting, Inc.
For use by our registered participants only. Not to be reproduced or copied without our consent.
hile there is no blueprint for transforming a largely government-controlled economy into a free one, the
experience of the United Kingdom since 1979 clearly shows one approach that works: privatization, in which
We are required
state-owned industries are sold to private companies. By 1979, the total borrowings and losses of state-owned
industries were running at about £3 billion a year. By selling many of these industries, the government has
to make an
decreased these borrowings and losses, gained over £34 billion from sales, and now receives tax revenues from
Wthe newly privatized companies. Along with a dramatically improved overall economy, the government has
inference
been able to replay 12.5% of the net national debt over a two-year period. ABOUT the
In fact, privatization has not only rescued individual industries and a whole economy headed for
disaster, but also has raised the level of performance in every area. At British Airways and British Gas, for
PRIVATIZATI
example, productivity per employee has risen by 20 percent. At Associated British Ports, labor disruptions
common in the 1970’s and early 1980’s have now virtually disappeared. At British Telecom, there is no longer a
ON PROCESS
waiting list – as there always was before privatization- to have a telephone installed. on the basis of
Part of this improved productivity has come about because the employees of privatized
industries were given the opportunity to buy shares in their own companies. They responded enthusiastically to 6. Which of the following can be information
the offer of shares: at British Aerospace, 89 percent of the eligible workforce bought shares; at Associated British
Ports, 90 percent; and at British Telecom, 92 percent. When people have a personal stake in something, they
inferred from the passage about the stated in the
think about it, care about it, and work to make it prosper. At the National Freight Consortium, the new employee-
owners grew so concerned about their company’s profits that during wage negotiations they actually pressed their
privatization process in the United context of the
union to lower its wage demands. Kingdom? privatization
process. Our
Some economists have It depends to a potentially dangerous look up reveals
suggested that giving away free degree on individual ownership of that
shares would provide a needed shares.
It conforms in its most general outlines
privatization
acceleration of the privatization process
to Thomas Paine’s prescription for
process. Yet they miss Thomas business ownership. ‘NEEDS
Paine’s point that “what we obtain It was originally conceived to include ACCELERATI
too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” In some giving away of free shares. ON’. Choice E
order for the far-ranging benefits of It has been successful, even though is the best and
individual ownership to be achieved privatization has failed in other literal
by owners, companies, and countries, countries. interpretation of
employees and other individuals must It is taking place more slowly than some the qualifier
make their own decisions to buy, and economists suggest is necessary.
found in the
they must commit some of their own context of the
resources to the choice. 7. The quotation attributed to anchor phrase
Thomas Paine in the last paragraph is ‘privatization
Our look up of information stated above reads: most probably used by the author to process’.
“Yet they miss the point” and it sure sounds like a
‘counter point’ arguing against the economists’ Counter a position that the author of the
suggestion for giving away free shares. Choice A is passage believes is incorrect.
the best answer. State a solution to a problem described
in the previous sentence.
Show how opponents of the viewpoint of
the author of the passage have supported
their arguments.
Point out a paradox contained in a
controversial viewpoint.
Present a historical maxim to challenge
the principle introduced in the third
paragraph.

REMEMBER: UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION IN THE QUESTION STEM, AND

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT PROVIDED BY THE ANCHOR PHRASE. NEVER FAIL TO
DO ANCHOR PHRASE LOOKUPS AND BE SURE TO PICK ANSWER CHOICES THAT
AGREE WITH A LITERAL AND PARAPHRASED INTERPRETATION OF PASSAGE
INFORMATION STATED IN A SPECIFIC CONTEXT. THIS SECTION IS ABOUT YOUR
ABILITY TO MAKE LOGICAL CONCLUSIONS BASED ON A CONTEXT SPECIFIC
INFORMATION. DO NOT OVER INTERPRET INFORMATION PROVIDED OR PICK
ANSWER CHOICES THAT MATCH YOUR REAL WORLD EXPECTATION BUT NOT
SUPPORTED BY THE INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY STATED IN A LIMITED CONTEXT.
CRITICALLY EXAMINE WORDS IN ANSWER CHOICES AND STAY AWAY FROM
STATEMENTS THAT ARE EXTREME, UNSURE, VAGUE, OR USE ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES; DATA, APPROACH, PRIMARY PURPOSE, ONLY
PURPOSE, MAJORITY, ILLUSTRATE, PARADOX, ARGUE, PROVE.

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