READING SECTION

Directions
In this section, you will read three passages and answer reading comprehension questions
about each passage. Most questions are worth one point, but the last question in each set
is worth more than one point. The directions indicate how many points you may receive.

You have 60 minutes to read all of the passages and answer the questions. Som e passages
include a word or phrase followed by an asterisk (*). Go to the bottom of the page to see a
definition or an explanation of these words or phrases.

439
Practice Test 1

Questions 1-12

Pansperm ia
The idea that life did not originate on Earth, but was carried here either deliberately or by
natural processes, has Us roots at least as far back as the ancient Greeks. This idea, often
referred to as panspermia, took on a scientific form in the work of various nineteenth-century
authors. It later gained widespread popular appeal through the work of the Swedish chemist
Svante Arrhenius, who argued that spores of life could survive in space and travel between
star systems through the pressure of soiar radiation.
The panspermia hypothesis eventually fell out of favor for a variety of reasons. Skeptics
pointed out that microorganisms could not possibly survive the damage caused by ultraviolet
radiation and cosmic rays while being propelled out of a solar system away from a star.
Indeed, it was unclear how biological material could escape from a planet by natural
processes in the first place. If unprotected, the molecules of life would quickly be destroyed
by radiation near the ejecting planet. Furthermore, it was not clear how microorganisms,
having made a journey across the huge distances of interstellar space, could have safely
descended to the surface of the Earth or any other planet. Arrhenius himself argued that
organisms caught inside meteorites would be subjected to incandescent* temperatures while
entering the atmosphere of a terrestrial body. Such heat would destroy any life-forms lucky
enough to have survived to this point.
Despite the seeming impiausibifity* of the panspermia hypothesis, some theorists
have resurrected the notion in recent decades since laboratory research has shown that
many of the objections to the hypothesis can be overcome. Scientists have shown that
microorganisms protected from radiation by grains of material could be ejected from a solar
system if the repulsive force (p) of the ejecting star is greater than the attractive force (g) of
the star's gravity. Such ejecting stars cannot be too luminous since brighter stars emit too
much uitravioiet radiation for the survival of bacteria. Organisms can only enter new solar
：； systems whose stars* p/g ratio is low, thus allowing the gravity to pu)l the microbes into the
planetary orbits. According to some researchers, material ejected from a planetary system
：： could also eventually become part of an interstellar molecular cloud, which eventually
produces a new planetary system as well as a large number of comets. Comets can retain
; microorganisms protected by other material and water, and impact onto new planets, which
：； by then would have cooled sufficiently for the life in the grains to take hold.
Further supporting evidence about the likelihood of survival of bacteria traveling through
space and entering a planetary atmosphere has been gained from studies of a meteorite of
Martian origin found in Antarctica in 1984. Whether or not the meteorite contains fossils of
Martian bacteria (and many researchers now seem to reject this possibility), microscopic
studies of its internal structure have shown that the interior was not heated to more than 40
degrees Celsius since before leaving the Martian surface, in other words, neither the original
impact that must have ejected the rock away from the Martian surface nor the heat generated
by its entry into the Earth's atmosphere did, in fact, melt or vaporize the internal portions of
the meteorite. So it is quite possible that any life-form that had undergone such a trip would
survive. A s for the long journey itself, experiments aboard a European Space Agency mission
have shown that bacterial spores can survive in deep space for at least five years. This is
sufficient time for viable interplanetary travel, although not, of course, for interstellar travel.
Today, the panspermia hypothesis is being regarded with less skepticism than formerly.
Although the orthodox view is still that life evolved on Earth (and possibly other planets in the
universe) without extraterrestrial input, more and more research is pointing to the feasibility

440
 Practice Test 1

ijof some form of interstellar '"seeding." Wickramasinghe and Hoyle, who championed the
| hypothesis of the interstellar transmission of life during the 1970s, argued persuasively that
I prebiotic chemicals have been shown to exist by remote sensing data of Comet Halley.
| Furthermore, they point out that evidence for viable microorganisms existing in comets could
I be attained in the near future if unmanned space missions could capture and return to Earth
1 with cometary material.
|
| In ca n d e sce n t: producing a brighUght after being heated to a high temperature
1 Aim piausibility: the condition of being difficult to believe

Early supporters of the panspermia N [Refer to the fu!! passage.]

hypothesis ;
丨

( X ) rejected the main elements of the

hypothesis
argued that some primitive life has ：
；
been detected on a comet
C c]) pointed out that space missions will ：;
find life elsewhere ；}
suggested that the “seeds” of life ；|
may have been deliberately planted ^

2. The word "propelled" in the passage is ：| The panspermia hypothesis eventually fell out of
closest in meaning to i| favor for a variety of reasons. Skeptics pointed out that
( X ) rejected ;! microorganisms could not possibly survive the damage
d D plunged )| caused by ultraviolet radiation and cosmic rays while being
( c [ ) heaved !j ：propelledi out of a solar system away from a star, indeed,
|j it was unclear how biological materia! could escape from a
thrust
planet by natural processes in the first place. If unprotected,
；j the molecules of life would quickiy be destroyed by radiation
；i near the ejecting planet. Furthermore, it was not clear how
microorganisms, having made a journey across the huge
ij distances of interstellar space, could have safely descended
ij to the surface of the Earth or any other pianet. Arrhenius
j；himself argued that organisms caught inside meteorites
I would be subjected to incandescent temperatures while
：；entering the atmosphere of a terrestrial body. Such heat
■
；： would destroy any life-forms lucky enough to have survived
i to this point

441
Practice Test 1

3. According to the passage, the [Refer to the full passage.]

panspermia hypothesis fell out of favor i
for ail of the following reasons E X C E P T
；; !

CK) the potential damage caused by 丨.； ■ 1

ultraviolet radiation
d D the unlikelihood of natural
processes leading to the ejection 丨
:丨 !
of biological material :| 1
C〇) the probability that heat would fi 1
destroy incoming life-forms
the knowledge that life can't exist
s!l f
elsewhere in the universe l
一 ^ . .…. j

;4. The word11resurrected ” in the passage Despite the seeming impSausibility of the panspermia |
is closest in meaning to ； hypothesis, some theorists have resurrected the notion in I
( X ) destroyed recent decades since laboratory research has shown that i
Cb^> reintroduced ! many of the objections to the hypothesis can be overcome, j
;'LScientists have shown that microorganisms protected from
C © initiated
radiation by grains of material could be ejected from a |
C £ ) succeeded
solar system if the repulsive force (p) of the ejecting star
| is greater than the attractive force (g) of the star's gravity. (
； Such ejecting stars cannot be too luminous since brighter |
：■ stars emit too much ultraviolet radiation for the survival ]
1： of bacteria. Organisms can only enter new solar systems 1
：： whose stars' p/g ratio is low, thus allowing the gravity to pull
the microbes into the planetary orbits. According to some
;1 researchers, material ejected from a planetary system could
.1 also eventually become part of an interstellar molecular
! cloud, which eventually produces a new planetary system
卜 :: as well as a large number of comets. Comets can retain
j： microorganisms protected by other material and water, and
：； impact onto new planets, which by then would have cooled
sufficiently for the life in the grains to take hold. i

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 Practice Test 1

The word retain " in the passage is Despite the seeming implausibility of the panspermia
closest in meaning to ) hypothesis, some theorists have resurrected the notion in
；
( X ) prevent | recent decades since laboratory research has shown that
( T ) erode j many of the objections to the hypothesis can be overcome,
j Scientists have shown that microorganisms protected from
® avert
j radiation by grains of material could be ejected from a
( 2 ) keep
| solar system if the repulsive force (p) of the ejecting star
I is greater than the attractive force (g) of the star's gravity.
| Such ejecting stars cannot be too luminous since brighter
| stars emit too much ultraviolet radiation for the survival
| of bacteria. Organisms can only enter new solar systems
| whose stars' p/g ratio is tow, thus allowing the gravity to pull
| the mierobes into the planetary orbits. According to some
I researchers, material ejected from a planetary system couid
| also eventually become part of an interstellar molecular
j cloud, which eventually produces a new planetary system
I as well as a large number of comets. Comets can retain!
| microorganisms protected by other material and water, and
j impact onto new planets, which by then would have cooled
I sufficiently for the life in the grains to take hold.

6. According to the passage, the I [Refer to the full passage.]

panspermia hypothesis is
( X ) of historical interest only
( X ) being taken seriously again
C © not really good science
( d^) probably true

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Practice Test 1

7. The word " i t s i n the passage refers to Further supporting evidence about the likelihood of
(X ) the Martian ： survival of bacteria traveling through space and entering
CE) the bacteria 丨 ： a planetary atmosphere has been gained from studies of
;； a meteorite of Martian origin found in Antarctica in 1984.
Cc) the meteorite
；： Whether or not the meteorite contains fossiis of Martian
C ® the interior
•j bacteria (and many researchers now seem to reject this
■ ；possibility), microscopic studies of its internal structure
ii have shown that the interior was not heated to more than
40 degrees Celsius since before ieaving the Martian surface,
!：i In other words, neither the original impact that must have
： ejected the rock away from the Martian surface nor the
; heat generated by its entry into the Earths atmosphere
： ；did, in fact, melt or vaporize the internal portions of the
t；meteorite. So it is quite possible that any life-form that
had undergone such a trip would survive. As for the long
i journey itself, experiments aboard a European Space
Agency mission have shown that bacterial spores can
i：survive in deep space for at least five years. This is sufficient
iime for viable interplanetary travel, although not, of course,
for interstellar travel.

8. The phrase ltsuch a trip" in the passage
refers to
( X ) a journey from Mars to Earth
C D the descent through Earth’s
atmosphere
C c]) a trip from another solar system
C £ ) interstellar traveling
Further supporting evidence about the likelihood of
survival of bacteria traveling through space and entering
L a planetary atmosphere has been gained from studies of
a meteorite of Martian origin found in Antarctica in 1984.
Whether or not the meteorite contains fossils of Martian
bacteria (and many researchers now seem to reject this
i possibility), microscopic studies of its 丨 ntema丨structure
；i have shown that the interior was not heated to more than
; 40 degrees Celsius since before leaving the Martian surface.
:； in other words, neither the original impact that must have
': ejected the rock away from the Martian surface nor the
：， heat generated by its entry into the Earths atmosphere
：；did, in fact, melt or vaporize the internal portions of the
■■ meteorite. So it is quite possible that any life-form that
； had undergone such a trip would survive. A s for the long
： journey itself, experiments aboard a European Space
ij Agency mission have shown that bacterial spores can
[! survive in deep space for at least five years. This is sufficient
time for viable interplanetary travel, although not, of course,
^ for interstellar travel.

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 Practice Test 1

9. According to the passage, the meteorite [Refer to the full passage.]

found in Antarctica
C a ) does not contain bacteria fossils
d ] ) might contain bacteria fossils
C c ) has fossils originating on Earth
C 2 ) could not originate from Mars

10. Which of the sentences below best
expresses the essential information
in the highlighted sentence in the
passage? Incorrect choices change the
meaning in important ways or leave out
essentia! information.
(X ) Nowadays, the panspermia
hypothesis has been more or less
rejected.
CX) Currently, the panspermia
hypothesis is looked on with more
astonishment than previously.
Cc) These days, the panspermia
hypothesis is judged more
plausible than before.
C2) The modern scientific
establishment now generally
accepts the validity of the
panspermia hypothesis.
Today, the panspermia hypothesis is being regarded j
:]
with?iess skeptiGism:than formerly^ Although the orthodox
view is still that life evolved on Earth (and possibly other
| planets in the universe) without extraterrestrial input, more
* and more research is pointing to the feasibility of some form
| of interstellar "seeding." Wickramasinghe and Hoyle, who
championed the hypothesis of the interstellar transmission
of life during the 1970s, argued persuasively that prebiotic
chemicals have been shown to exist by remote sensing data
of Comet Halley. Furthermore, they point out that evidence
for viable microorganisms existing in comets could be
attained in the near future if unmanned space missions could |
capture and return to Earth with cometary material. 1

:■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ...... . ........ ••• ■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■:二 」

11 Look at the four squares [■ ] that The panspermia hypothesis eventually fell out of
indicate where the following sentence 圓favor for a variety of reasons. 0 Skeptics pointed out that
could be added to the passage. microorganisms could not possibly survive the damage

應.
I
caused by ultraviolet radiation and cosmic rays while being
However, even if organisms were
趕
propelled out of a solar system away from a star. Indeed,
somehow shielded inside fine
it was unclear how biological materia! couid escape from a S I
grains of carbon they would be too
planet by natural processes in the first place. S If unprotected,
heavy to be ejected from a planetary
the molecules of life would quickly be destroyed by radiation
system by the pressure of radiation.
near the ejecting planet 醱 Furthermore, it was not clear how 1
Where would the sentence best fit? microorganisms, having made a journey across the huge
I distances of interstellar space, could have safely descended
Ghoose the letter of the square that shows
j to the surface of the Earth or any other planet. ^ Arrhenius
1 where the sentence should be added.
j himself argued that organisms caught inside meteorites
| would be subjected to incandescent* temperatures while
| entering the atmosphere of a terrestrial body. Such heat
I would destroy any life-forms iucky enough to have survived
I to this point.

44 5
Practice Test 1

12. Directions: Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match
them to the category to which they relate. T H R E E of the answer choices wi!i NOT be
used. Th is question is worth 4 points.

Write the letters of the answer choices in the spaces where they belong.
Refer to the full passage.

Answ er C hoices Argum ents A gainst

( A ) Prebiotic chemicals exist in Pansperm ia H ypothesis
comets.
C F ) Bright stars emit a lot of
ultraviolet radiation.
Distances in interstellar space
are huge.
d D Comets are made up of water
Support for Pansperm ia
and other materials.
H ypothesis
( T ) Interstellar space has ultraviolet
radiation and cosmic rays.
( T ) Meteorites are subjected to
burning temperatures when
entering Earth's atmosphere.
C g ]) Meteorites from Mars have
been found on Earth in areas
of Antarctica where the cold
temperatures protected
life-forms.
C E ) The meteorite found in Antarctica
contained froze 门fossils.
( T > Bacterial spores have been
shown capable of surviving for
several years in space.
C T ) Stars with a repulsive force
greater than their attractive force
are able to eject material.

446
 Practice Test 1

Questions 13-25

i Ocean Energy System s

In recent years, the oceans have been seen as a potential source of energy. Oceans
； are huge reservoirs of renewable energy, which have yet to be properly harnessed*. Some
i estimates say that during the second decade of this century, ocean energy sources will
； generate more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power a million homes
; in the industrialized world. Several technologies have been developed for exploiting these
I resources in a practical way, among which ocean thermal energy conversion (O TEC) is one
i of the most promising. Experimental O TEC plants have been constructed using different
I operating principles, although as yet no large-scale commercially viable plant has been
| launched.
I The basic operation behind this system uses the heat energy stored in the oceans as a
{ source of power. The plant exploits the difference in water temperature between the warm
i surface waters heated by the sun and the colder waters found at ocean depths. A minimum
I temperature difference of 20 degrees Celsius between surface and depth is required for
j efficient operation, and this situation is typically found only in tropical and subtropical
| regions of the world. There are two basic kinds of O T E C system: the open cycle system and
| the closed cycle system. In the open cycle system, the warm surface water is converted
| into steam in a partial vacuum and this steam drives a turbine connected to an electrical
| generator. In a closed cycle system, the warm surface water is used to boil a fluid, such as
j ammonia, which has a low boiling point. In both systems cold water pumped up from the
i ocean depths condenses the vapor. In the open system, the steam is condensed back into
S a liquid by cold water pumped from deep-ocean water and then discharged. In the closed
J system, the condensed ammonia is used to repeat the cycle continuously. Various hybrid
i systems using characteristics of both open and closed cycle plants have also been designed,
j The O T E C system is potentially an important source of clean, renewable energy, which
j could significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear fission. Unlike other forms
i of renewable energy, such as those provided directly by the sun and wind, O T E C plants
i can generate power 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Furthermore, the design of this
! technology avoids any significant release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. O TEC can
offer other important benefits apart from power production. Aquaculture is one important
spinoff. It may also be economically feasible to extract minerals from the pumped seawater.
Freshwater for drinking and irrigation is another by-product, and this will be an important
■i advantage in regions where freshwater is limited.
ij Some drawbacks to this form of power generation have been noted. Perhaps the
：j biggest drawback at present is the high capital cost of initial construction due mainly to the
：; expense of the large pipeline used to pump water from 1,000 meters below the surface.
纪 .
U Furthermore, the conversion of thermal to electrical energy in the O T E C system works at
!| very low efficiency, which means that these plants will have to use a lot of water to generate
j practical amounts for the power grid. For this reason, the net power output is reduced, since
|| a significant portion of the output must be used to pump water. There are also potential
-j ecological drawbacks, since the water discharges will change the water temperature and
disturb some marine habitats. This impact could, however, be minimized if the water is
丨丨discharged at greater depths.
The main obstacle created by high initial expenses will have to be met before O TEC
：; competes with conventional alternatives, and until such time, O T E C will remain restricted to
：； experimental plants. When technology permits lower start-up costs, this technology will make
an important contribution to world energy requirements.

^harnessed: controlled for use

447
Practice Test 1

13. "The word “ v ia b le ” in the passage is In recent years, the oceans have been seen as a
closest in m eaning to potential source of energy. O ceans are huge reservoirs of
(X ) clever renewable energy, which have yet to be properly harnessed.
Som e estim ates say that during the second decade of
C E3 feasible
this century, ocean energy sources wiii generate more
C c> optim istic
than 1,000 m egaw atts of electricity, w hich is enough to
CH) convenient
pow er a million hom es in the industrialized w orld. Several
technologies have been developed for exploiting these
resources in a practical way, among w hich ocean therm al
energy conversion (OTEC) is one of the m ost prom ising.
Experim ental OTEC plants have been constructed using
different operating principles, although as yet no large-scale
com m ercially viable plant has been launched.

14. !t can be inferred from the passage that [Refer to the full passage.]
( 2 ) renewable energy can be put into :
reservoirs !
( X ) the experim ental plants are ready
to be launched
〇 the oceans could be used in the
future to generate electricity
(D ^) 1,000 m egawatts of electricity is
the am ount needed in the average
home

15. According to the passage, what can be [R efer to the full passage.]
inferred about the factor that allows the ；
ocean to be used as an energy s o u rc e ? i丨

( X ) The oceans are so large that they ;

can produce a lot of energy.
C T ) In polar clim ates, the sun does
not sufficiently heat the deeper
water for practical energy use.
The oceans can store vast
am ounts of heat energy to be
used to run basic electricity 丨

plants.
C 5 ) The plants are typically found
in the tropical and subtropical
regions of the world because of
the warm weather.

448
 Practice Test 1

16. According to the passage, in w hat way [Refer to the full passage.]
are the basic kinds of OTEC system s
sim ilar?
( X ) They turn surface w ater into
steam.
( T ) They use cold w ater to cause
condensation.
Cc^) They discharge unused w ater into
the ocean.
( 2 ) They convert water in a vacuum .

17. The p h ra s e 11other fo rm s f in the 1 The OTEC system is potentially an im portant source of
passage refers to energy produced clean, renew able energy, w hich could significantly reduce
through our reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear fission. Unlike |
( £ ) fossil fuels and nuclear fission ：other fo rm s ；of renew able energy, such as those provided |
chem ical reactions directly by the sun and wind, OTEC plants can generate |
pow er 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Furtherm ore, j
C ^ ) OTEC systems
the design of this technology avoids any significant release |
C ^ ) sun and wind
o f carbon dioxide into the atm osphere. OTEC can offe r other |
im portant benefits apart from pow er production. A quaculture |
is one im portant spinoff, it may also be econom ically feasible J
to extract m inerals from the pum ped seawater. Freshw ater |
for drinking and irrigation is another by-product, and this will 1
be an im portant advantage in regions w here freshw ater is |
limited. 8

18. In paragraph 3, what can be inferred # The OTEC system is potentially an im portant source o f 1
about the different sources o f energy? clean, renew able energy, which could significantly reduce |
( X ) W e rely too much on fossil fuels our reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear fission. Unlike j
and nuclear fission. other form s of renew able energy, such as those provided J
Cb^> Renewable energy releases a directly by the sun and wind, OTEC plants can generate 1
tot o f carbon dioxide into the pow er 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Furtherm ore, |
atm osphere. the design of this technology avoids any significant release p
o f carbon dioxide into the atm osphere. OTEC can offer other 1
Energy from OTEC is provided
im portant benefits apart from pow er production. A quaculture |
directly by the sun and wind.
is one im portant spinoff. It m ay also be econom ically feasible |
® Energy form s other than OTEC do
to extract m inerals from the pum ped seawater. Freshw ater |
not have im portant benefits.
I for drinking and irrigation is another by-product, and this wi!i |
Paragraph 3 is marked with an arrow [晬 ] . be an im portant advantage in regions w here freshw ater is j
limited. *1

449
Practice Test 1

19. In paragraph 3, why does the author
w rite about aquaculture and mineral
extractions?
( X ) To give exam ples o f possible
developm ents related to OTEC
C F ) To dem onstrate what other
activities can be done in the
ocean
(c^> To point out O TEC's advantages
in regions o f limited resources
( 2 ) To show how the environm ent
can be im proved by using clean,
renewable energy
Paragraph 3 is marked with an arrow [峥 ] .
蜂 The OTEC system is potentiaily an im portant source of
；clean, renewable energy, which could significantly reduce
our reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear fission. Unlike
： other form s o f renewable energy, such as those provided
directly by the sun and wind, OTEC plants can generate
丨 pow er 24 hours per day， 365 days per ye a r Furtherm ore,
；i the design of this technology avoids any significant release
;； of carbon dioxide into the atm osphere. OTEC can offer other :
〇 im portant benefits apart from pow er production. Aquaculture ；
is one im portant spinoff. It m ay also be econom ically feasible ;
；； to extract m inerals from the pum ped seawater. Freshwater
h for drinking and iririgation is another by-product, and this will .
jl be an im portant advantage in regions w here freshw ater is
!： limited.

20. According to the passage, ad o f the [R efer to the full passage.]

follow ing are problem s w ith the OTEC
system as a power-generating system !； |
EXCEPT
( X ) the costs of constructing the
power system
1； ；
Cb} the dam age caused to fishing
grounds
C c) the effect of discharged water on
j i
the environm ent !；
C d ]) the am ount o f w ater needed ij i
to produce a usefu 丨am ount of IH ；
i
electricity
j . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,j

21. The word 11conventional" in the 丁 he main obstacle created by high initial expenses will ：]
passage is closest in meaning to have to be met before OTEC com petes w ith conventional
( X ) conservative )} alternatives, and until such time, OTEC will remain restricted ^
■I to experim ental plants. W hen technology perm its lower start - ；
C j ) traditional
^ up costs, this technology will make an im portant contribution ;i
Cc^) tentative
; to world energy requirem ents.
C 2 ) natural

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 Practice Test 1

| 22. W hich o f the sentences below best
| expresses the essential inform ation
| in the highlighted sentence in the
| passage? Incorrect choices change the
| m eaning in im portant w ays or leave out
| essentia! inform ation.
| ( X ) W ater outflow tem peratures could
| upset local m arine life.
| Cb^> W ater discharges will disturb the
I ecology of the oceans.
1 ( c [ ) The OTEC system has a tendency
| to upset marine environm ents.
| O utflow s of w ater will affect
| could, however, be m inimized if the w ater is discharged at
I the ocean tem perature at great
| greater depths.
I depths.
i.:: 二 二 : 二 rji’r二
Som e draw backs to this form o f pow er generation have
been noted. Perhaps the biggest draw back at present is
the high capital cost of initial construction due m ainly to the
expense o f the large pipeline used to pum p w ater from 1,000
m eters below the surface. Furtherm ore, the conversion
o f therm al to electrical energy in the OTEC system w orks
at very low efficiency, w hich means that these plants will
have to use a lot of w ater to generate practical am ounts
for the pow er grid. For this reason, the net pow er output is
reduced, since a significant portion o f the output m ust be
used to pump water. There are also potential ecological ：
draw backs, since the w ater discharges will change the w a te r:
tem perature and disturb som e m arine h a b ita ts .ith is im pact

23. W hich o f the follow ing statem ents m ost [Refer to the full passage.] j
accurately reflects the author's opinion
about OTEC technology?
( X ) OTEC will eventually supply m ost
o f the w orld's energy needs.
C §]) The disadvantages o f OTEC
energy outweigh its advantages.
C 〇 ^) OTEC technology has a useful
role to play in total energy
production.
C 2 ) O nly very large OTEC plants can
be m ade efficient.

「兹■ -赛
24. Look at the four squares _ ] that |] The OTEC system is potentially an im portant source of
indicate where the following sentence I! clean, renew able energy, w hich could significantly reduce
•1— «1
could be added to the passage. |l our reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear fission. H Unlike
•
- t-J ■■
l| other form s o f renew able energy, such as those provided I
The nutrient-rich cold w ater is
lj directly by the sun and wind, OTEC plants can generate 7
-::
「■/

an excellent medium for growing

1'■

phytoplankton, which provide support
for various com m ercially exploitable
p fish and shellfish.
W here w ould the sentence best fit?
Choose the letter o f the square that shows
w here the sentence should be added.
；j pow er 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Furtherm ore,
|! the design o f this technology avoids any significant release
|i of carbon dioxide into the atm osphere. OTEC can offer
other im portant benefits apart from pow er production. H
：j A quaculture is one im portant spinoff. B It m ay also be
econom ically feasible to extract m inerals from the pum ped
丨丨 seawater. H Freshwater for drinking and irrigation is another
by-product, and this will be an im portant advantage in
regions w here freshw ater is limited.

451
Practice Test 1

25. D ire c tio n s : An introductory sentence for a brief sum m ary of the passage is provided
below. Com plete the sum m ary by circling the TH R EE answ er choices that express
the m ost im portant ideas in the passage. Som e sentences do not belong in the
sum m ary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are
m inor ideas in the passage. T h is q u e s tio n is w o rth 2 p o in ts ,

W rite the letters o fth e answer choices in the spaces where they belong.
R efer to the full passage.

T he OTEC sys te m o f p o w e r g e n e ra tio n is a p ro m is in g s o u rc e o f e n e rg y.

A n s w e r C h o ic e s

C £ ) OTEC system s use ocean ( D [) OTEC plants can produce m ore

tem perature differences at
different clim ates to create a
significant am ount o f energy.
C K ) OTEC system s can produce
clean, renewable energy w ithout
harmful environm ental effects.
( 2 ) The OTEC system's pum p would
require a significant am ount of
energy of the total output.
than enough electricity to supply
over a million energy users.
( T ) The OTEC system can generate
pow er nonstop, unlike other
renew able resources like sun
and wind energy.
( T ) The OTEC system has the added
benefit o f providing nutritious
cold w ater suitable for fish
production.

452
 Practice Test 1

Questions 26-39

Neolithic A griculture Development

In the Neolithic period, starting around 10,000 years ago, perhaps the m ost im portant
econom ic revolution in human history occurred - the com m encem ent o f agriculture and
the dom estication of anim als for hum an consum ption. From this point in tim e, people could
start to rely on a more consistent and much increased food supply. A s a corollary of this,
considerably larger populations could be supported and people could settle in one place
w ithout the need to m igrate in search o f food supplies. Equally im portant, the surpluses of
crops and anim als m eant that not all the population needed to dedicate their tim e and energy
to farm ing; som e could now learn specialized skills such as crafts or trade. The building
o f perm anent settlem ents where skills could be developed brought about the conditions
necessary for the first growth o f towns. But several thousand years elapsed between the
beginnings o f agriculture and the rise of w hat w e call civilization about 6,000 years ago.
Recent evidence seem s to indicate that white the N eolithic revolution first took place in the
M iddle East - in the valleys of the Tigris-E uphrates and o f the Nile - it occurred independently
in other areas of the world. The origins o f the revolution are not known in great detail, but it is
known that the wild grasses that w ere the ancestors o f w heat and barley grew natively in the
Eastern M editerranean area. It m ay be that M esolithic (M iddle Stone Age) foragers* sim ply
supplem ented their diet by reaping these wild grasses, and later cam e to understand the
advantage of returning som e o f the grain to the soil as seed. W hatever the case, we know
that at an early date people living in the Eastern M editerranean region, who lived by hunting,
fishing, and gathering, began to make sickles, w ith stone teeth set in bone handles. Such
tools were certainly used for reaping som e grass crop, w hether cultivated or wild.
Around this tim e, other com m unities in the Middle East cultivated plants from w hich they
learned how to obtain flour. Evidence show s that they ground down the grain with a sim ple
type of mill, consisting of a large saddle-shaped stone on which a sm aller stone was rubbed
up and down. The livestock they bred - cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats - w as exploited for
their meat, skins, and milk.
Both in Egypt and M esopotam ia, the periodic floods o f great rivers such as the Nile
and the Tigris-E uphrates not only supplied w ater to the fields but also brought down fresh
soil in the form o f fertile m uddy sedim ents. This sedim ent was deposited on flood plains
around such rivers, thus annually restoring the fruitfulness o f the land. This regular flooding
and sedim ent deposit allowed these early farm ers to continue cultivating the sam e fields
repeatedly for generations w ithout exhausting the fe rtility o f the soil, and crop surpluses
were, therefore, available to allow an increase in population and a growth in trade and skills
developm ent. The area available fo r cultivation was expanded when people learned to draw
o ff the river w ater into m an-m ade irrigation canals and ditches, w atering and fertilizing larger
and larger areas of land. v-
；
The practice o f artificial irrigation affected the soil in various ways, but not always for
the good. Since the channels w ere often shallow, there was frequently a great loss o f w ater
through evaporation in a hot clim ate. This could lead to a m arked increase in soil salinity,
since the salts held in solution or suspension were deposited as the w ater evaporated, and
too much salinity could eventually dam age the soil. But overall the effect of the irrigation
system was to create an artificial environm ent ~ and to som e extent an artificial clim ate - w ith
a range of conditions that favored both human experim ent and agricultural developm ent.
巳 eyond this, settled agriculture led to the developm ent of property rights and hence to a

legal fram ew ork and m echanism s to enforce laws. This in turn led to a m ore extensive
and hierarchical governm ent organization and hence to ihe developm ent of large, stable
com m unities.

^ fo ra g e rs : people who go searching for food

453
Practice Test 1
26. The woixTcorollary” 丨 n the passage is
closest in meaning to
C £ ) basis
C f]) result
C c ) source
® purpose
27. According to paragraph 1, what
condition allowed people to learn
specialized skills?
( X ) 丁he ability to migrate
C £ ) The growth of population
C c]) The surplus of farm products
The spread of settlements
Paragraph 1 is marked with an arrow [晬 ]■
45 4
In the Neolithic period, starting around 10,000 years
ago, perhaps the most important economic revolution in
; ; human history occurred - the commencement of agriculture ；:
and the domestication of animais for human consumption.
From this point in tinne, people could sta rtto 「ely on a more j
■| consistent and much increased food suppiy. A s a corollary ;j
；| of this, considerably larger populations could be supported |
ij and people could settle in one place without the need |
jj to migrate in search of food supplies. Equally important, jj
El the surpluses of crops and animals meant that not all the |
population needed to dedicate their time and energy to I
farming; some Gould now learn specialized skills such as j
；j crafts or trade. The building of permanent settlements where jj
fi skills could be developed brought about the conditions j
4 necessary for the first growth of towns. But several thousand j
H years elapsed between the beginnings of agriculture and the |
rise of what we call civilization about 6,000 years ago. I
；：] ||
r # In the Neolithic period, starting around 10,000 years |
L ago, perhaps the most important economic revolution in 1
human history occurred - the commencement of agriculture j
1 and the domestication of animals for human consumption. |
From this point in time, people could start to rely on a more j
consistent and much increased food supp 丨y. As a corollary 1
of this, considerably larger populations could be supported I
n and people could settle in one place without the need 1
; to migrate in search of food supplies. Equally important, j
：；the surpluses of crops and animals meant that not all the j
population needed to dedicate their time and energy to 1
farming; some could now learn specialized skills such as 1
: : crafts or trade. The building of permanent settlements where |
: skills could be developed brought about the conditions I
i necessary for the first growth of towns. But several thousand 1
：； years elapsed between the beginnings of agriculture and the 1
rise of what we call civilization about 6,000 years ago. I

H 28. According to paragraph 1, why did
:: people migrate before the Neolithic
revolution?
;； ( X ) To search for better climates
To improve trading skills
:i C c ) To avoid enemies
H To find food
■
； people could settle in one place without the need to migrate ::
d Paragraph 1 is marked with an arrow [岭 ].
29. Which of the sentences below best
expresses the essentia! information
in the highlighted sentence in the
passage? Incorrect choices change the
meaning in important ways or leave out
essential information.
( A ) The conditions for the growth of
the first towns were established
in permanent settlements where
skills developed.
C§]) The first towns and the skills
that were developed were also
found in the earliest permanent
settlements.
C © Skills were developed and early
permanent settlements were
established before towns could be
built
The conditions necessary for
permanent settlements and the
practice of skills were found in the
first towns.
Practice Test 1
丨峰 In the Neolithic period, starting around 10,000 years 丨
丨
; ago, perhaps the most important economic revolution in j
1 human history occurred - the commencement of agriculture ■;
j and the domestication of animals for human consumption.
'i From this point in time, people could start to reiy on a more ■：
j consistent and much increased food supply. A s a corollary of j
;| this, considerably larger populations could be supported and ：i
：| in search of food supplies. Equally important, the surpluses ； ：
of crops and animals meant that not aii the population
| needed to dedicate their time and energy to farming; some
; could now learn specialized skills such as crafts or trade. n
： The building of permanent settlements where skills could be
! developed brought about the conditions necessary for the :丨
■| first growth of towns. But several thousand years elapsed ]：
；i between the beginnings of agriculture and the rise of what 丨 丨
we call civilization about 6,000 years ago. ^
_ !n the Neolithic period, starting around 10,000 years
p ago, perhaps the most important economic revolution in
I human history occurred - the commencement of agriculture
j and the domestication of animals for human consumption.
| From this point in time, people could start to rely on a more
I consistent and much increased food supply. A s a corollary of
j this, considerably larger populations could be supported and
| people could settle in one place without the need to migrate
| in search of food supplies. Equally important, the surpluses
j of crops and animals meant that not all the population
needed to dedicate their time and energy to farming; some
could now learn specialized skills such as crafts or trade.
| ：The building of permanent settlements where skills couid be;
"developed brought about the conditions necessary for the;
| [first growth；of；townsq But several thousand years elapsed
i between the beginnings of agriculture and the rise of what
j we call civilization about 6,000 years ago.
455
Practice Test 1

30. The word 'Independently" in the i Recent evidence seems to indicate that while the
passage is closest in meaning to ^ Neolithic revolution first took place in the Middle East ™ in the
( A ) separately ； valleys of the Tigris-Euphrates and of the Nile - it occurred
C C ) collectively independently in other areas of the world. The origins of
^ the revolution are not known in great detail, but it is known
Cc!) individually
originally
it that the wild grasses that were the ancestors of wheat and
; ; barley grew natively in the Eastern Mediterranean area. It
：i may be that Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) foragers simply
y supplemented their diet by reaping these wild grasses,
r：| and later came to understand the advantage of returning
丨some of the grain to the soil as seed. Whatever the case,
:丨we know that at an early date people living in the Eastern
；j Mediterranean region, who lived by hunting, fishing, and
;j gathering, began to make sickles, with stone teeth set in
I bone handles. Such tools were certainly used for reaping
j some grass crop, whether cultivated or wild.

31. According to paragraph 2, sickles
found in the eastern Mediterranean are
evidence that
C a ) the makers of these sickles were
skilled craftsmen
C E ) wild grasses were eaten before
domesticated grasses
(C]> the sickles were useful for fishing
and hunting
( 2 ) grasses were cut down for food
consumption
1
Paragraph 2 is marked with an arrow [岭 ].
I bone handles. Such tools were certainly used for reaping
岭 Recent evidence seems to indicate that while the
Neolithic revolution first took place in the Middle East - in the
valleys of the Tigris-Euphrates and of the Nile - it occurred
independently in other areas of the world. The origins of
the revolution are not known in great detail, but it is known |
that the wild grasses that were the ancestors of wheat and
barley grew natively in the Eastern Mediterranean area. It
may be that Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) foragers simply
supplemented their diet by reaping these wild grasses,
and later came to understand the advantage of returning
some of the grain to the soil as seed. Whatever the case,
we know that at an early date people living in the Eastern
Mediterranean region, who lived by hunting, fishing, and
gathering, began to make sickles, with stone teeth set in
some grass crop, whether cultivated or wild.

32, The word "fertileHin the passage is ：! Both in Egypt and Mesopotamia, the periodic floods
closest in meaning to i of great rivers such as the Nile and the Tigris-Euphrates
( X ) forceful i not only supplied water to the fields but also brought
( T ) productive ! down fresh soil in the form of fertile muddy sediments,
j This sediment was deposited on flood plains around
( 2 ^ creative
i such rivers, thus annually restoring the fruitfulness of the
C d]> shallow
I land. This regular flooding and sediment deposit allowed
I these early farmers to continue cultivating the same fields
； repeatedly for generations without exhausting the fertility
i of the soil, and crop surpluses were, therefore, available to
1 allow an increase in population and a growth in trade and
i skills development. The area available for cultivation was
j expanded when people learned to draw off the river water
? into man-made irrigation canals and ditches, watering and
， fertilizing larger and larger areas of 丨and.

456

33. According to paragraph 4, why was it
easy for people to grow food near large
rivers?
( X ) Flooding eroded the soil.
C E ) The soil was continuously
enriched.
© Surplus crops were regular.
The population was large enough.
I Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow [ ^ ] .
I
I allow an increase in population and a growth in trade and
| 34. According to paragraph 4, why did
1 early Neolithic people build irrigation
| ditches?
J (X ) To increase the growing areas
I (T^) To enlarge the fertilized areas
(2 ) To produce crop surpluses
C© To water the early canals
Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow [峰 ].
35. The word t[；Th isf in the passage
refers to
irrigation
( X ) hot climate
(^ e v a p o r a tio n
loss of water
1 I of property rights and hence to a legal framework and
1 j mechanisms to enforce laws. This in turn led to a more
j j extensive and hierarchical government organization and
I J hence to the development of large, stable communities.
Practice Test 1
^ Both in Egypt and Mesopotamia, the periodic floods
of great rivers such as the Nile and the Tigris-Euphrates
not only supplied water to the fields but also brought
down fresh soil in the form of fertile muddy sediments.
This sediment was deposited on flood plains around
such rivers, thus annually restoring the fruitfulness of the
land. This regular flooding and sediment deposit allowed
these early farmers to continue cultivating the same fields
repeatedly for generations without exhausting the fertility
of the soil, and crop surpluses were, therefore, available to
skills development. The area available for cultivation was
expanded when people learned to draw off the river water
into man-made irrigation canals and ditches, watering and
fertilizing larger and larger areas of land. I
丨丨昤 Both irt Egypt and Mesopotamia, the periodic floods
I of great rivers such as the Nile and the Tigris-Euphrates
| not only supplied water to the fields but also brought
I down fresh soil in the form of fertile muddy sediments.
I This sediment was deposited on flood plains around
I such rivers, thus annually restoring the fruitfulness of the
I land. This regular flooding and sediment deposit allowed
I these early farmers to continue cultivating the same fields
I repeatedly for generations without exhausting the fertility
1 of the soil, and crop surpluses were, therefore, available to
allow an increase in population and a growth in trade and
skills development. The area available for cultivation was
expanded when people learned to draw off the river water
into man-made irrigation canals and ditches, watering and
fertilizing larger and larger areas of land.
娜ik
l"*1*S' …一 a. 一— 丨....一
i The practice of artificial irrigation affected the soil
| in various ways, but not always for the good. Since the
channels were often shallow, there was frequently a great |
loss of water through evaporation in a hot climate. This could
lead to a marked increase in soil salinity, since the salts
I held in solution or suspension were deposited as the water
I evaporated, and too much salinity could eventually damage
I the soil. But overall the effect of the irrigation system was
I
I
to create an artificial environment - and to some extent an
r.
I artificial climate - with a range of conditions that favored |
I both human experiment and agricultural development. |
S Beyond this, settled agriculture led to the development j
1
|
j
j
457
Practice Test 1
36. According to paragraph 5, what
negative effect did the building of
irrigation ditches create?
( X ) Too much salt in the soil
A worsening climate
Cc^) Destruction of settlements
( 2 ) Too much experimentation
Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow [峰 ].
37. What can be inferred from paragraph 5 # The practice of artificial irrigation affected the soil
about the development of an organized i：in various ways, but not always for the good. Since the
government?
C £ ) Stable communities function best ■ loss of water through evaporation in a hot climate. This could
with a hierarchical government.
C C ) Human experiment is most often
practiced if government enforces
laws.
( c ] ) An organized government is
necessary to extend artificial
irrigation.
( 2 ) The need to enforce property
laws required government
organization.
Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow [峰 ]. ：： hence to the development of large, stable communities.
38. Look at the four squares H ] that
indicate where the following sentence
could be added to the passage.
In much of the Middle East region, the
earth was mainly watered not by rain
but by natural irrigation.
Where would the sentence best fit?
Choose the 丨etter of the square that shows
where the sentence should be added.
458
The practice of artificial irrigation affected the soil
in various ways, but not always for the good. Since the
channels were often shallow, there was frequently a great
loss of water through evaporation in a hot climate. This could
lead to a marked increase in soil salinity, since the salts
held in solution or suspension were deposited as the water
evaporated, and too much salinity could eventually damage
the soil. But overall the effect of the irrigation system was
to create an artificial environment —and to some extent an
artificial climate - with a range of conditions that favored
both human experiment and agricuttura! development.
Beyond this, settled agriculture led to the development
of property rights and hence to a legal framework and
mechanisms to enforce laws. This in turn led to a more
extensive and hierarchical government organization and
hence to the development of iarge, stable communities.
：: channels were often shallow, there was frequently a great
；
; lead to a marked increase in soil salinity, since the salts
held in solution or suspension were deposited as the water ,
evaporated, and too much salinity could eventually damage
: the soil. But overall the effect of the irrigation system was
i to create an artificial environment - and to some extent an j
： artificial climate - with a range of conditions that favored |
i both human experiment and agricultural development. |
Beyond this, settled agriculture led to the development ||
of property rights and hence to a legal framework and |
: : mechanisms to enforce laws. This in turn led to a more |
: extensive and hierarchical government organization and ：j
;]
B Both in Egypt and Mesopotamia, the periodic floods of ：l
great rivers such as the Nile and the Tigris-Euphrates not |
only supplied water to the fields but also brought down |
fresh soil in the form of fertile muddy sediments. H This j
sediment was deposited on flood plains around such rivers, |
thus annually restoring the fruitfu丨ness of the land _ This I
regular flooding and sediment deposit allowed these early j
farmers to continue cultivating the same fields repeatedly ；|
for generations without exhausting the fertility of the soil, j
and crop surpluses were, therefore, available to aiiow an j
increase in population and a growth in trade and skills J
development. H The area available for cultivation was 1
expanded when people learned to draw off the river water j
into man-made irrigation canais and ditches, watering and 1
fertilizing larger and larger areas of land. ^
il
：39. Directions: An introductory sentence of a brief summary of the passage is provided
：
below. Complete the summary by selecting the T H R E E answer choices that express
the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the
summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are
;； minor ideas in the passage. T h is question is worth 2 points,
?；：i

-iWrite^the：
letters^oMhe；
answer；choices in the-spaces ：
where；
they；
belong.;
：
Refer to the fu" passage.

During the Neolithic period, people started to dom esticate anim als, grow
crops, and build permanent se ttlem en ts, 丨
eading eventually to the beginnings
of civilization.

A nsw er C h o ices

( X ) It is likely that early hunters Cp]) We know that early people

ate wild grasses and later
understood how to cultivate,
reap, and grind grain.
( X ) The floodwaters of rivers in the
Middle East enriched the soil,
which led to food surpluses and
an enlarged population.
® At one time, people in the
Eastern Mediterranean region
lived by hunting animals,
catching fish, and gathering
edible plants.
learned how to cultivate grasses
since they developed a simple
type of grinding mill.
( T ) The large increase in the number
of irrigation canals led to the
worsening of the soil condition
due to deposits of salt.
C E ) Artificial irrigation increased the
arable area, and despite some
negative effects, overall this
development led to improvement
in life and eventually to an
organized government system.
Directions
!n this section, you wil! read three passages and answer reading comprehension questions
about each passage. Most questions are worth one point, but the last question in each set
is worth more than one point. The directions indicate how many points you may receive.

You have 60 minutes to read ail of the passages and answer the questions. Som e passages
include a word or phrase followed by an asterisk (*). Go to the bottom of the page to see a
definition or an explanation of these words or phrases.
Practice Test 2

Questions 1-12

Two Atom ic C lo cks

The nucleus of a radioactive atom disintegrates spontaneously and forms an atom of
： a different element while emitting radiation in the process. The original atom is called the
parent isotope* and its stable product is called the daughter or progeny isotope. For example,
rubidiuin-87 decays by emitting an eiectron from its nucleus to form a stable daughter called
strontium-87. Because the rate of nuclear decay is constant regardless of temperature 、
and pressure conditions, radioactive decay provides a dependable way of keeping time.
Radioactive isotopes alter from one type of atom to another at a fixed rate from the moment
； they are created anywhere in the universe. Since we can calculate the decay rate and also
count the number of newly formed progeny atoms and the remaining parent atoms, we can
; use the ratio as a kind of dock to measure the age of minerals and other materials.
The rate at which a radioactive element decays is known as the half-life of the element.
丁his is the time necessary for one-half of the origina丨number of radioactive atoms in a sample
: t o decay into a daughter product After two half-lives, the number of atoms remaining after the

first half-life will have decayed by half again. Thus, the number of remaining parent atoms is :丨
； reduced geomeiricaily over time. With some elements, the half-life is very long. Rubidium-87, ;
■ for example, has a half-life that has been estimated at nearly 48.8 billion years, much longer
i than the current estimated age of the universe. With other elements, this period can be as short
;： as a few days or even minutes. If we know the half-life of a decaying element, it is possible to
：calculate the ratio of parent to stable progeny that will remain after any given period of time. ;：
：
Geologists use a sensitive instrument called a mass spectrometer to detect tiny quantities
：： of the isotopes of the parent and progeny atoms. By measuring the ratio of these, they
> can calculate the age of the rock in which the rubidium originally crystallized. Because the
number of progeny is growing as the parent is decaying and this is occurring at a constant
；rate, after one-half life the ratio is one parent io one progeny. After two half-lives the ratio is
； 1 to 3.
Rubidium-87 has often been used to date rocks since it is a widespread element. Various ；|
elements including rubidium are incorporated into minerals as they crystallize from magma* ：|
丨）〇「 metamorphic rock. During this process the rubidium is separated from any strontium 4
^ progeny that existed before the rock formed and so we know that the measurable alteration [：j
from parent to progeny can be dated from this point. A s the radioactive decay of rubidium-87 ：1
begins, new progeny atoms of strontium-87 start to accumulate in the rock. In the dating ：|
：; of rocks using these elements, it is important that the rock sample has not been altered
: subsequent to its formation by other geologic processes or contamination of any kind. Rocks j
: as old as 4 ‘6 biHiort years can be dated with some degree of reliability using this method.
Another radioactive element usefu 丨for dating is carbon-14, which decays into nitrogen-14- >
：； With a half-life of 5,730 years, carbon-14 decays much more rapidly than rubidium-87
and so is useful for measuring the ages of objects from the recent historical and geologic
past, such as fossils, bones, wood, and other organic materials. Whereas rubidium-87 is
incorporatedinto rocks during thei「formation, carbon-14, which is an essential element of the
■ cells of organisms, becomes incorporated into living tissues as organisms grow. The ratio of ；
. carbon-14 to stable carbon 丨 sotopes in the organism is the same as it 丨s in the atmosphere. ;
When a living organism dies, no more carbon dioxide is absorbed and so no new carbon
isotopes are added. The daughter nitrogen-14 isotope, existing in gaseous form, leaks out of
： the dead organism, and thus, we cannot use it to compare the ratio of original to daughter as
: is done with rubidium-87 and its daughter. However, as the amount of carbon-14 in the dead
organism becomes less over time, we can compare the proportion of this isotope remaining
: with the proportion that is in the atmosphere and from this calculate the approximate number

482
 Practice Test 2

| of years since the organism has died. Dating dead organic material by this method is
moderately reliable in samples up to about 50,000 years old, but beyond that the accuracy
becomes unreliable.

| *isotope: one of the differing forms of an atomic element

fj *magma: materia! that is in liquid form and which cools on the Earth's surface to form rock

1. The word ^alterf in the passage is The nucleus of a radioactive atom disintegrates
closest in meaning to spontaneously and forms an atom of a different element
( X ) adapt while emitting radiation in the process. The original atom
change is called the parent isotope and its stable product is called
the daughter or progeny isotope. For exam ple, 「 ubidium-87
C D revise
〇
decays by emitting an electron from its nucleus to form
( 2 ) vary
a stable daughter called strontium-87. Because the rate
of nuclear decay is constant regardless of temperature
and pressure conditions, radioactive decay provides a
dependable way of keeping time. Radioactive isotopes alter:
from one type of atom to another at a fixed rate from the
moment they are created anywhere in the universe. Since
we can calculate the decay rate and also count the number
of newly formed progeny atoms and the remaining parent
atoms, we can use the ratio as a kind of clock to measure
the age of minerals and other materials.

2. The rate of nuclear decay in rubidium-87 [Refer to the full passage.]

C X ) is always the same
changes over time
depends on temperature
C 〇^) depends on temperature and
pressure

i ■"a .
3. The word “ 丁his ” in the passage refers to tj The rate at which a radioactive element decays is known
( X ) element I as the half-life of the element Th is ：is the time necessary
half-life | for one-half of the original number of radioactive atoms in a
|j sample to decay into a daughter product. After two half-lives,
C c ) rate
| the number of atoms remaining after the first ha 丨 Wife w"l
Cp]) time
j have decayed by half again. Thus, the number of remaining
| parent atoms is reduced geometrically over time. With
j some elements, the ha!f~life is very long. Rubidium-87, for
I example, has a halMife that has been estimated at nearly
| 48.8 billion years, much longer than the current estimated
age of the universe. With other elements, this period can be
as short as a few days or even minutes. If we know the half-
life of a decaying element, it is possible to calculate the ratio
of parent to stable progeny that will remain after any given
period of time.

483
Practice Test 2

4. The half-life of an element [Refer to the full passage.]

( X ) is a reliable way of measuring "
sample size
( T ) is a measure of decay rate in
radioactive elements
( © is considered an unreliable way of
calculating age
( J ) is approximately half the age of the ：
atoms it contains

：5. What can be inferred about the reliability ：:

； [Refer to the full passage.]
of using radioactive atoms to calculate
ages of rock samples?
( X ) The reliability increases over time.
The reliability decreases with older
samples.
C c]) The reliability of the parent atom is
greater than the progeny.
C 〇2) The reliability of the progeny atom
is greater than the parent.

6. According to the passage, from what [Refer to the full passage.]

point can we measure the ages of
r； rocks?
(X ) From the point at which
rubidium-87 became part of
^ the rock structure
From the point at which
::: stroniium-87 started to decay
丨 ： C 〇D From the point at which the rocks
； ： rubidium-87 and strontium-87
joined
C 〇]) From the point at which !ater
contamination entered the rock
samples

484
厂
Practice Test 2

7. The word 11essential " in the passage is i Another radioactive element useful for dating is
closest in meaning to i carbon-14, which decays into nitrogen-14. With a half-life
CA) redundant j of 5,730 years, carbon-14 decays much more rapidly than
(X ) stable i rubidium-87 and so is useful for measuring the ages of
^ objects from the recent historical and geologic past, such
CC] ) dependable
； as fossils, bones, wood, and other organic materials.
CD] ) vital
| Whereas rubidium-87 is incorporated into rocks during
i their formation, carbon-14, which is an essential element
of the ceils of organisms, becomes incorporated into living
； tissues as organisms grow. The ratio of carbon-14 to stable
i carbon isotopes in the organism is the same as it is in
；j the atmosphere. When a living organism dies, no more
：! carbon dioxide is absorbed and so no new carbon isotopes
are added. The daughter nitrogen-14 isotope, existing in
5 gaseous form, leaks out of the dead organism, and thus, we
I cannot use it to compare the ratio of original to daughter as
is done with rubidium-87 and its daughter. However, as the
amount of carbon-14 in the dead organism becomes less
over time, we can compare the proportion of this isotope
remaining with the proportion that is in the atmosphere and
from this calculate the approximate number of years since
the organism has died. Dating dead organic material by this
method is moderately reliable in samples up to about 50,000
years old, but beyond that the accuracy becomes unreliable.

8. According to paragraph 5, what happens :i 晬 Another radioactive element useful for dating is
to an organism after it dies? carbon-14, which decays into nitrogen-14. Wiih a half-life
C a ^> ^ tends to deteriorate rapidly. of 5,730 years, carbon-14 decays much more rapidly than
C b^> The various carbon isotopes rubidium-87 and so is useful for measuring the ages of
decay. objects from the recent historical and geologic past, such
as fossils, bones, wood, and other organic materials.
The supply of carbon-14 is no
:i Whereas rubidium-87 is incorporated into rocks during
longer replenished.
! their formation, carbon-14, which is an essential element
The stable carbon isotopes
；j of the cells of organisms, becomes incorporated into living
deteriorate.
：| tissues as organisms grow. The ratio of carbon-14 to stable
Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow [蛛 ]. ；| carbon isotopes in the organism is the same as it is in
^ the atmosphere. When a living organism dies, no more
h carbon dioxide is absorbed and so no new carbon isotopes
are added. The daughter nitrogen-14 isotope, existing in
gaseous form, leaks out of the dead organism, and thus, we
i cannot use it to compare the ratio of original to daughter as
is done with rubidium-87 and its daughter. However, as the
] amount of carbon-14 in the dead organism becomes less
over time, we can compare the proportion of this isotope
；j remaining with the proportion that is in the atmosphere and
from this calculate the approximate number of years since
the organism has died. Dating dead organic materia! by this
1 method is moderately reliable in samples up to about 50,000
years old, but beyond that the accuracy becomes unreliable.

48 5
Practice Test 2

9. According to paragraph 5, why can't # Another radioactive element useful for da言 ing is
scientists compare the ratio of carbon-14 carbon-14, which decays into nitrogen-14. With a half-life
to nitrogen-14? of 5,730 years, carbon-14 decays much more rapidly than
C £ ) The amount of nitrogen-14 is not rubidiun>87 and so is useful for measuring the ages of
predictable. ： objects from the recent historical and geoiogic past, such
( X ) The ratio of these two elements as fossils, bones, wood, and other organic materials.
doesn’t change. ； Whereas rubidium-87 is incorporated into rocks during ■
；
their formation, carbon-14, which is an essential element
C c ) Nitrogen-14 has an unpredictable
of the cells of organisms, becomes incorporated into living :丨
decay rate.
；: tissues as organisms grow. The ratio of carbon-14 to stable \
(D^) Carbon-14 tends to evaporate too
： carbon isotopes in the organism is the same as it is in
quickly.
； the atmosphere. When a living organism dies, no more ;
Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow [峰 ]. ■；carbon dioxide is absorbed and so no new carbon isotopes
：； are added. The daughter nitrogen-14 isotope, existing in ;;
'■ gaseous form, leaks out of the dead organism, and thus, we !
；s cannot use it to compare the ratio of original to daughter as
is done with rubidium-87 and its daughter. However, as the |
: amount of carbon-14 in the dead organism becomes less %
； ：overtime, we can compare the proportion of this isotope |
remaining with the proportion that is in the atmosphere and ；)
=； from this calculate the approximate number of years since I
：； the organism has died. Dating dead organic material by this j
; method is moderately reliable in samples up to about 50,000 |
i-
; years old, but beyond that the accuracy becomes unreliable. 1

；10. According to paragraph 5, the amount ：： # Another radioactive element useful for dating is
of carbon-14 in an organism ； ：carbon-14, which decays into nitrogen-14. With a half-life
( X ) replaces other carbon isotopes p of 5,730 years, carbon-14 decays much more rapidly than
after an organism dies j：：rubidium-87 and so is useful for measuring the ages of

d l ) tends to be the same as the other B objects from the recent historical and geologic past, such
carbon isotopes as fossils, bones, wood, and other organic materials.
：; Whereas rubidium-87 is incorporated into rocks during
C © increases rapidly when an
: : their formation, carbon-14, which is an essentia 丨element
organism dies
of the cells of organisms, becomes incorporated into living
C g ) deteriorates from the moment of
■ tissues as organisms grow. The ratio of carbon-14 to stable
death
: carbon isotopes in the organism is the same as it is in
： Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow [^ ]. :； the atmosphere. When a living organism dies, no more
carbon dioxide is absorbed and so no new carbon isotopes
; are added. The daughter nitrogen-14 isotope, existing in
： gaseous form, leaks out of the dead organism, and thus, we
cannot use it to compare the ratio of original to daughter as
is done with rubidium-87 and its daughter. However, as the
amount of carbon-14 in the dead organism becomes less
over time, we can compare the proportion of this isotope
remaining with the proportion that is in the atmosphere and
from this calculate the approximate number of years since
the organism has died. Dating dead organic material by this
method is moderately reliable in samples up to about 50,000
years old, but beyond that the accuracy becomes unreliable.

486
 Practice Test 2

i l l Look at the four squares H 3 that
I indicate where the following sentence
| could be added to the passage.
||
| Both the unstable carbon-14 and
| stable carbon isotopes are taken in
| from the carbon dioxide present in
| the atmosphere.
I
I Where would the sentence best fit?
I tissues as organisms grow. M The ratio of carbon-14 to
f Choose the letter of the square that shows
l where the sentence should be added.
Another radioactive element useful for dating is
：carbon-14, which decays into nitrogen-14. H With a half-
； life of 5,730 years, carbon-14 decays much more rapidiy
; than rub idinm-87 and so is useful for measuring the ages
l of objects from the recent historical and geologic past,
such as fossils, bones, wood, and other organic materials.
Whereas rubidium-87 is incorporated into rocks during
their formation, carbon-14, which is an essential element
of the cells of organisms, becomes incorporated into iiving
stable carbon isotopes in the organism is the same as it is
in the atmosphere. H When a living organism dies, no more
carbon dioxide is absorbed and so no new carbon isotopes
are added. 0 The daughter nitrogen-14 isotope, existing in
j gaseous form, leaks out of the dead organism, and thus, we
： cannot use it to compare the ratio of original to daughter as
| is done with rubidium-87 and its daughter. However, as the
j amount of carbon-14 in the dead organism becomes less
! over time, we Gan compare the proportion of this isotope
j remaining with the proportion that is in the atmosphere and
i from this calculate the approximate number of years since
! the organism has died. Dating dead organic material by this
； method is moderately reliable in samples up to about 50,000
| years old, but beyond that the accuracy becomes unreliable.

12. Directions: Select the appropriate phrases from the answer choices and match the
dating technique to which they relate. TWO of the answer choices will NOT be used.
Th is question is worth 4 points.

Write the letters of the answer choices in the spaces where they belong. ；
Refer to the fu!i passage.

Answ er C h o ices Rubidium -87

( X ) Can be used for dating artifacts
made of bones or wood
Destroys progeny isotopes
Cc^) Essential to iiving organisms
Has a haif-life of billions of
years
Carbon-14
( X ) Incorporated into minerals when
they crystallized
CE) Progeny cannot be used for
dating
C g ^) Unreliable for dating samples
( S ) Used for dating dead trees
( T ) Used for dating rocks

487
Practice Test 2

Questions 13-25

Dem ographic Transition

Historically, as countries have developed industrially, they have undergone declines in
; death rates followed by declines in birth rates. Over time they have tended to move from rapid
： increases in population to slower increases, then to zero growth and finally to population
decreases. The model which demographers use to help explain these changes in population
： growth is known as the demographic transition model. In order io properly appreciate the
： demographic transition model, it is necessary to understand two basic concepts: the crude'"
birth rate (CBR) and the crude death rate (CDR). The C B R is determined by taking the
： number of births in a country in a given year and dividing it by the total population of the
； country and then multiplying the answer by one thousand. So, for example, the C B R of the
： United States in 2004 was 14 (in other words, there were 14 births per thousand living people
： in that year). C D R is worked out in a similar way. The C D R for the United States in 2004 was
： 8 per thousand.
The first stage of the demographic transition model portrays a preindustriai era when both
：； the birth rate and the death rate were high. Typically, women gave birth to a large number
; of babies. This was partly due to cultural and religious pressures but also because families
i required a large number of children, since often many didn't survive into adulthood due to
：： the harsh living conditions. Furthermore, children were needed to help adults work the land
or perform other chores. The death rate was high due to the high incidence of diseases
; and famine and also because of poor hygiene. Total population tended to fluctuate due to
occasiona 丨epidemics, but overall there was only a very gradua 丨 丨ong-ternn increase during
； this stage.
During the second stage, improvements in hygiene, medical care, and food production led
-； to a decrease in the death rate in newly industrializing regions of Western Europe. However,
;:； birth rates remained high due to tradition and because many people were involved in agrarian
occupations. The combination of a lowered C D R and a stable C B R led to dramatic increases
in population starting at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
In stage three, birth rates also began to fall. In cities there was less incentive to produce
J large numbers of children, since city dwellers no longer worked the Sand, and the cost of
H raising children in an urban environment was greater than in rural districts. Furthermore, more
f：children survived into adulthood due to improved living conditions. These economic pressures
；■ led to a lower C B R and over time the numbers of people being born started to approximate
;; the numbers dying.
The final stage, which some demographers have called the postindustrial stage, occurs
^ when birth rates and death rates are about equal. In this case there is zero natural population
growth. Over time the birth rate may fail below the death rate, and without immigration the
：： total population may slowly decrease. By the early twenty-first century, several European
countries were experiencing population declines due to the C D R outstripping the C B R .
;： For example, in Italy in 2004 there were about 9 births per thousand against 10 deaths per
thousand.
The demographic transition took about 200 years to complete in Europe. Many developing
countries are still in stage two of the demographic transition model: births far outstrip deaths.
In these countries, C D R has declined due to improvements in sanitation and increases in
food productivity, but the birth rate has still not adjusted downward io the new realities of
; improved living conditions. This imbalance of births over deaths in the developing world is the
:： fundamental reason for the dramatic population explosion in the latter half of the twentieth
: century. However, population statistics indicate that in many 丨 ess developed countries the
: C B R s have begun to decline over recent decades, giving rise to optimism in some quarters
： about future trends. The rapid industrialization of many parts of the developing world has
： meant that these countries have reached stage three of the model much faster than countries

488
 Practice Test 2

；i in the developed world did during the nineteenth century. This fact has led many
:i demographers to predict that world population will reach an equilibrium level sooner and at a
lower total than more pessimistic earlier predictions.
*crude: not analyzed into specific classes

13. 丁he word “丨

it ” in the passage refers to | Historically, as countries have developed industrially, they
( X ) population I have undergone declines in death rates followed by declines
( T ) year § in birth rates. Over time they have tended to move from
rapid increases in population to slower increases， then to
<21) country
I zero growth and finally to population decreases. The model
C g ) number
j which demographers use to help explain these changes in
1 population growth is known as the demographic transition
| model, in order to properly appreciate the demographic
I transition mode!, it is necessary to understand two basic
1 concepts: the crude birth rate (CB R ) and the crude death
I rate (CDR). The C B R is determined by taking the number of
I births in a country in a given year and dividing it; by the total
I population of the country and then multiplying the answer
I by one thousand. So, for example, the C B R of the United
J States in 2004 was 14 (in other words there were 14 births
I per thousand living people in that year). C D R is worked out
I in a similar way. The C D R for the United States in 2004 was
1 8 per thousand.

14. According to paragraph 1, what is
useful about the demographic transition have undergone declines 丨
model?
( X ) It helps explain trends in
population growth over time.
( T ) it can be used to measure birth
and death rates.
© !t clarifies the causes of
population increase.
C © ft predicts the relative speed of
population patterns.
Paragraph 1 is marked with an arrow [晬 ]■
峰 Historically, as countries have developed industrially, they
n death rates followed by declines
1 in birth rates. Over time they have tended to move from
rapid increases in population to slower increases, then to
zero growth and finally to population decreases. The model
which demographers use to help explain these changes in
population growth is known as the demographic transition
model. In order to properly appreciate the demographic
transition model, it is necessary to understand two basic |
concepts: the crude birth rate (CB R ) and the crude death
rate (CDR). The C B R is determined by taking the number of
births in a country in a given year and dividing it by the total
population of the country and then multiplying the answer
by one thousand. So, for example, the C B R of the United
States in 2004 was 14 (in other words there were 14 births
per thousand living people in that year). C D R is worked out
in a similar way. The C D R for the United States in 2004 was
8 per thousand.

489
Practice Test 2
15. The word " portrays ” in the passage is
closest in meaning to
(X ) suggests
CE) represents
Cc^) transmits
C2) associates
16. !n paragraph 2, which of the following is
NOT mentioned as relevant to the high
birth rates in the preindustrial stage?
( X ) The high level of childhood deaths
C F ) The need for help in work
situations
(C^> The pressures of tradition
C ^ ) The high rate of maternal deaths
Paragraph 2 is marked with art arrow
17. What can be inferred from paragraph 2
about the effect of epidemic diseases
on population during the preindustriat | the death rate were high. Typically, women gave birth to a
stage?
( X ) They tended to dramatically lower |] religious pressures but also because families required a
the population growth.
C D They caused the population to
decline temporarily.
They reduced overall population
significantly.
C d } They led to sudden overall
increases in the birth rate.
Paragraph 2 is marked with an arrow [峰 ]■
490
The first stage of the demographic transition model
；： portrays a preindustria丨era when both the birth rate and
!; the death rate were high. Typically, women gave birth to a
; large number of babies. This was partly due to cultural and
'I religious pressures but also because families required a
： large number of children, since often many didn't survive into
：； adulthood due to the harsh living conditions. Furthermore,
children were needed to help adults work the iand or
“ perform other chores. The death「ate was high due to the
!| high incidence of diseases and famine and also because
N of poor hygiene. Total population tended to fluctuate due
I：to occasional epidemics, but overall there was only a very
gradual long-term increase during this stage.
^ T h e first stage of the demographic transition model
portrays a preindustrial era when both the birth rate and
the death rate were high. Typically, women gave birth to a
large number of babies. This was partly due to cultural and
religious pressures but also because families required a
large number of children, since often many didn't survive into
adulthood due to the harsh living conditions. Furthermore,
children were needed to help adults work the land or
perform other chores. The death rate was high due to the
high incidence of diseases and famine and also because
of poor hygiene. Total population tended to fluctuate due
to occasional epidemics, but overallthere was only a very
gradual long-term increase during this stage.
ii # The first stage of the demographic transition mode!
?] portrays a preindustriai era when both the birth rate and
f) large number of babies. This was partly due to cultural and
[i large number of children, since often many didn't survive into
rj adulthood due to the harsh living conditions. Furthermore,
N children were needed to help adults work the iand or
p perform other chores. The death rate was high due to the
〇high incidence of diseases and famine and also because
of poor hygiene. Total population tended to fluctuate due
to occasional epidemics, but overall there was only a very
gradual long-term increase during this stage.
 Practice Test 2

18. The word '"agrarian " in the passage is During the second stage, improvements in hygiene,
ciosesi in meaning to i medical care, and food production led to a decrease in
C a ) basic i the death rate in newly industrializing regions of Western
menial ^ Europe. However, birth rates remained high due to tradition
and because many people were involved in agrarian
Cc^> farming
occupations. The combination of a lowered C D R and a
C 〇 ^) village
stable C B R led to dramatic increases in population starting
at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

19. According to paragraph 4, what was ： ^ In stage three, birth rates also began to fall, in cities there
one of the main causes of the drop in j was less incentive to produce large numbers of children,
birth rates? j since city dwellers no longer worked the land, and the cost
(X ) The improvements in hygiene j of raising children in an urban environment was greater
C§^) The lack of agricultural work | than in rural districts. Furthermore, more children survived
I into adulthood due to improved living conditions. These
(2 ) The development of urbanization
economic pressures ted to a lower C B R and over time the
C〇D The superior environment 1
numbers of people being born started to approximate ihe
Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow [岭 ]. numbers dying.

20. Which of the sentences below best The final stage, which some demographers have called
expresses the essential information the postindustrial stage, occurs when birth rates and death
in the highlighted sentence in the rates are about equal, in this case there is zero natural
passage? Incorrect choices change the population growth. Overtime, the birth rate may fail below
meaning in important ways or leave out the death rate, and without immigration the total population
essential information. may slowly decrease.! By the early twenty-first century,
several European countries were experiencing population
( X ) The population gradually declines
declines due to the C D R outstripping the C B R . For example,
when there is no immigration and
in Italy in 2004 there were about 9 births per thousand
deaths exceed births.
against 10 deaths per thousand.
C E ) in time there may be an overall
drop in population as the birth
rate and death rate fluctuate.
.-■'V
〇 The relationship between birth
and death rates is an important
reason for limiting immigration.
C J ) If population losses arenl
replaced through immigration, the
birth rate may fall below the death
rate.

491
Practice Test 2

21. The word equilibrium in the passage The demographic transition took about 200 years to
is closest in meaning to ： complete in Europe. Many developing countries are stiii
( X ) economic in stage two of the demographic transition model: births
C b ]) stable far outsirip deaths, in these countries, C D R has declined
；： due to improvements in sanitation and increases in food
C c ) variable
： productivity, but, the birth rate has still not adjusted
fixed
;； downward to the new realities of improved living conditions.
； This imbalance of births over deaths in the developing
; world is the fundamental reason for the dramatic population
：； explosion in the latter half of the twentieth century. However,
population statistics indicate that in many less developed
：； countries the C B R s have begun to decline over recent
： decades, giving rise to optimism in some quarters about

::future trends. The rapid industrialization of many parts of

：： the developing world has meant that these countries have
reached stage three of the model much faster than countries
in the developed world did during the nineteenth century.
This fact has led many demographers to predict that world
H population will reach an equilibrium level sooner and at a
lower total than more pessimistic earlier predictions.

22. According to paragraph 6, what is
at the root of the huge population
；； increases during the twentieth century?
( X ) The improvements in health
；! throughout the developing world
| The fact that birth rates are
increasing in many countries
| The lack of resources in many
developing countries
| ( 2 ) The failure of the C D R to respond
to economic pressures
Paragraph 6 is marked with an arrow [ ^ ] .
^ The demographic transition took about 200 years to
complete in Europe. Many developing countries are still
in stage two of the demographic transition model: births
far outstrip deaths. In these countries, C D R has declined
due to improvements in sanitation and increases in food
productivity, but the birth rate has still not adjusted
downward to the new realities of improved living conditions.
This imbalance of births over deaths in the developing
world is the fundamental reason for the dramatic population
explosion in the latter half of the twentieth century. However,
population statistics indicate that in many less developed
countries the C B R s have begun to decline over recent
decades, giving rise to optimism in some quarters about
future trends. The rapid industrialization of many parts of
the developing world has meant that these countries have
reached stage three of the model much faster than countries
in the developed world did during the nineteenth century.
This fact has led many demographers to predict that world
population will reach an equilibrium level sooner and at a
lower totai than more pessimistic earlier predictions.

492
 Practice Test 2

23. Why does the author mention the [Refer to the fuii passage.]
optimism felt in some quarters about
future population trends?
C K ) To introduce the fact that birth
rates in some developing
countries may be declining faster
than anticipated
C X ) To emphasize that most
researchers have taken a
pessimistic view of population
expansion
C © To show that the demographic
transition is a valid mode! of
population trends
( 5 ) To suggest that some countries
have worked hard at reducing
birth rates

|| 24. Look at the four squares [B ] that j !rt stage three, birth rates also began to fail. H in cities there ■!
■{ indicate where the following sentence I was less incentive to produce large numbers of children,
could be added to the passage. | since city dwellers no longer worked the land, and the cost !{
I of raising children in an urban environment was greater than [i
Industrialization had led to
I p in rural districts. 0 Furthermore, more children survived ;j
；| increased urbanization.
p into adulthood due to improved living conditions. H These ;j
Where would the sentence best fit? | economic pressures led to a lower C B R and over time the |j
;| I numbers of people being born started to approximate the ij
ij Choose the letter of the square that shows
；! where the sentence should be added. I numbers dying. M ；]
睡

493
Practice Test 2

25. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided
below. Complete the summary by selecting the T H R E E answer choices that express
the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the
summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are
minor ideas in the passage. T h is question is worth 2 points.

Write the Setters of the answer choices in ihe spaces where they belong.
Refer to the fuli passage.

The demographic transition model links trends in population growth 史〇 the

level of industrial development.

Answ er Choices

( X ) Preindustrial populations C d^) Improvements in medical

tended to increase due to the
large numbers of births and a
slowly declining death rate.
( T ) Due to economic pressures,
the birth rate dropped to match
the death rate, leading to zero
growth and eventually a decline
inpopulation,
(C^) High birth and death rates are
associated with a preindustrial
stage of development when
there was only a gradual
increase in overall population
numbers.
techniques led to a dramatic ;:；
drop in death rates, allowing
h
industrialization to increase. j]
C X ) Dramatic increases in population y
occurred when the death rates
declined due to improvements in
the quality of life.
( T ) The final stage of demographic ”
transition occurs when birth rates
outstrip death rates, leading to a
new round of population growth.

494
 Practice Test 2

Q uestions 2 6 -3 9

Communicating with the Future

in the 1980s the United States Department of Energy was looking for suitable sites to
bury radioactive waste material generated by its nuclear energy programs. The government
was considering burying the dangerous waste in deep underground chambers in remote
desert areas. The problem, however, was that nuclear waste remains highly radioactive for
thousands of years. The commission entrusted with tackling the problem of waste disposal
was aware that the dangers posed by radioactive emissions must be communicated to our
descendants of at least 10,000 years hence. So the task became one of finding a way to tell
future societies about the risk posed by these deadly deposits.
Of course, human society in the distant future may be well aware of the hazards of
radiation. Technologica 丨advances may one day provide solutions to this dilemma. But the
belief in constant technological advancement is based on our perceptions of advances
made throughout history and prehistory. We cannot be sure that society won't have slipped
backward into an age of barbarism* due to any of several catastrophic events, whether the
result of nature such as the onset of a new ice age or perhaps humankind's failure to solve
the scourges of war and pollution. In the event of global catastrophe, it is quite possible that
humans of the distant future will be on the far side of a broken link of communication and
technological understanding.
The problem then becomes how to inform our descendants that they must avoid areas
of potential radioactive seepage* given that they may not understand any currently existing
language and may have no historical or cultural memory. So, any message dedicated to
future reception and decipherment must be as universally understandable as possible.
It was soon realized by the specialists assigned the task of devising the communication
system that any material in which the message was written might not physically endure the
great lengths of time demanded. The second law of thermodynamics shows that all material
disintegrates over time. Even computers that might carry the message cannot be expected to
endure long enough. Besides, electricity supplies might not be available in 300 generations.
Other media storage methods were considered and rejected for similar reasons.
The task force under the linguist Thomas Sebeok finally agreed that no foolproof
way would be found to send a message across so many generations and have it survive
physically and be decipherable by a people with few cultural similarities to us. Given this
restriction, Sebeok suggested the only possible solution was the formation of a committee
of guardians of knowledge, its task would be to dedicate itself to maintaining and passing
on the knowledge of the whereabouts and dangers of the nuclear waste deposits. This so-
calied atomic priesthood would be entrusted with keeping knowledge of this tradition alive
through millennia and in developing the tradition into a kind of mythical taboo forbidding
people to tamper in any way with the nuclear waste sites. Only the initiated atomic priesthood
of experts would have the scientific knowledge to fully understand the danger. Those outside
the priesthood would be kept away by a combination of rituals and legends designed to warn
off intruders.
This proposal has been criticized because of the possibility of a break in continuity of
the original message. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that any warning or sanction
passed on for millennia would be obeyed, nor that it could survive with its original meaning
intact. To counterbalance this possibility, Sebeok's group proposed a l[relay system" in which
information is passed on over relatively short periods of time, just three generations ahead.
The message is then to be renewed and redesigned if necessary for the following three
generations and so on over the required time span. !n this way information could be relayed
into the future and avoid the possibility of physical degradation.

495
Practice Test 2

A second defect is more difficult to dismiss, however. This is the problem of social
exclusiveness brought about through possession of vital knowledge. Critics point out that
the atomic priesthood could use its secret knowledge to control those who are scientifically
：ignorant. The establishment of such an associatipn of insiders holding powerful knowledge
： not available except in mythic form to nonmembers would be a dangerous precedent for
： future social developments.
■ ^barbarism: a state of existence in which the experience, habits, and culture of modern
: life are absent
. ^seepage: an amount of liquid or gas that flows through another substance

26. The word chambers" in the passage in the 1980s the United States Department of Energy i
is closest in meaning to . . was looking for suitable sites to bury radioactive waste
( X ) cavities i；material generated by its nuclear energy programs. The ：!
partitions government was considering burying the dangerous waste ;j
;； in deep underground chambers in remote desert areas. j
C c ) openings
；■ The problem, however, was that nuclear waste remains :丨
C ]) fissures
〇
;| highly radioactive for thousands of years. The commission ■：!
；; entrusted with tackling the problem of waste disposal was ：j
fj aware that the dangers posed by radioactive emissions must i
be communicated to our descendants of at least 10,000 j
years hence. So the task became one of finding a way to |
teil future societies about the risk posed by these deadly !|
U
!：i deposits. jj

27. What problem faced the commission ；：i [Refer to the full passage.]
assigned to deal with the burial of |l
nuclear waste? i
i
( X ) How to reduce the radioactive life |
of nuclear waste materials |
C F ) How to notify future generations |
of the risks of nuclear H
contamination iN
；
'：

( 2 ) How to form a committee that !：S

could adequately express various fj
nuclear risks
a!：
C g ) How to choose burial sites so as
to minimize dangers to people H

496
 Practice Test 2

28. in paragraph 2, the author explains
the possible circumstances of future
societies
C £ ) to warn us about possible natural
catastrophes
C E ) to highlight humankind's inability
to resolve problems
C 〇^} to question the value of our trust 丨;
in technological advances
( 2 ) to demonstrate the reason
nuclear hazards must be
communicated
Paragraph 2 is marked with an arrow [岭 ].
^ Of course, human society in the distant future may
be well aware of the hazards of radiation. Technological
advances may one day provide solutions to this dilemma.
But the belief in constant technological advancement is
based on our perceptions of advances made throughout
history and prehistory. We cannot be sure that society won't
have slipped backward into an age of barbarism due to any
of several catastrophic events, whether the result of nature
such as the onset of a new ice age or perhaps humankind's
!
failure to solve the scourges of war and pollution. In the
；；
event of global catastrophe, it is quite possible that humans
：；
of the distant future will be on the far side of a broken link of
|j
communication and technological understanding.

29. The worcHscourges!” in the passage is Of course, human society in the distant future may
closest in meaning to be well aware of the hazards of radiation. Technological
(X ) worries advances may one day provide solutions to this dilemma.
CT) pressures But the belief in constant technological advancement is
based on our perceptions of advances made throughout
(c[) afflictions
history and prehistory. We cannot be sure that society won't
C 〇]) annoyances
have slipped backward into an age of barbarism due to any
of severa 丨catastrophic events, whether the result of nature
such as the onset of a new ice age or perhaps humankind's
failure to solve the ：
SG〇urgesi of war and pollution. In the
event of global catastrophe, it is quite possible that humans
of the distant future will be on the far side of a broken link of
communication and technological understanding.
■■ 纖■之■纖微織懸厲纖泛縱纖綠織

■ ,
30. Which of the sentences below best
expresses the essentia! information
in the highlighted sentence in the
passage? Incorrect choices change the
meaning in important ways or leave out
essential information.
| The problem then becomes how to inform our
I；descendants that they must avoid areas of potential
：| radioactive seepage given that they may not understand
!| any currently existing language and may have no historical
ij or cultural memory. So, any message dedicated ：to future ：
I] reception and decipherment must be as universal!y r:r?.

(X ) A message for future generations ij understandable as possible ： ；

must be comprehensible to
anyone in the world.
C b^> A universally understandable
message must be deciphered for
future generations.
Cc) Any message that is globally
understandable must be received
and deciphered.
C d ]) The message that future
generations receive and interpret
must be dedicated.
■ ................

497
Practice Test 2
31. in paragraph 4, the author mentions the
second taw of thermodynamics
C a } to contrast the potential life span
of knowledge with that of material
objects
( T ) to give the basic scientific reason
behind the breakdown of material
objects
C g ) to show that knowledge can be
sustained over millennia
C E ) to support the view that nuclear
waste wii! disperse with time
Paragraph 4 is marked with an arrow [^ ].
32. The word " its" in the passage refers to
( X ) knowledge
C £ ) guardians
C © committee
:：
丨 ( 2 ) solution
498
!i was soon realized by the specialists assigned the task
of devising the communication system that any materia丨in
which the message was written might not physically endure
the great lengths of time demanded. The second law of
thermodynamics shows that all material disintegrates over
time. Even computers that might carry the message cannot
be expected to endure long enough. Besides, electricity
supplies might not be available in 300 generations. Other
media storage methods were considered and rejected for
similar reasons.
The task force under the linguist Thomas Sebeok finally
agreed that no foolproof way would be found to send a
message across so many generations and have it survive
physically and be decipherable by a people with few cultural
similarities to us. Given this restriction, Sebeok suggested
the only possible solution was the formation of a committee
of guardians of knowledge. Its task would be to dedicate
itself to maintaining and passing on the knowledge of the
whereabouts and dangers of the nuclear waste deposits.
This so-ca!ied atomic priesthood would be entrusted with
keeping knowledge of this tradition alive through millennia
and in developing the tradition into a kind of mythical taboo
forbidding people to tamper in any way with the nuclear
waste sites. Only the initiated atomic priesthood of experts
would have the scientific knowledge to fully understand the
danger. Those outside the priesthood would be kept away
by a combination of rituals andlegends designed to warn
off intruders.
 Practice Test 2

| 33. In paragraph 5, why is the proposed
; committee of guardians referred to as
the "atomic priesthood11?
| ( X ) Because they would be an
J exclusive religious order
j C K ) Because they would develop
1 mythical taboos surrounding their
1 traditions
j (C^) Because they would use rituals
| and legends to maintain their
| exclusiveness
p ( 2 ) Because they would be an
j exclusive group with knowledge
I about nuclear waste sites
I would have the scientific knowledge to fully understand the
j Paragraph 5 is marked with an arrow [ ] .
^ The task force under the linguist Thomas Sebeok finally
agreed that no foolproof way would be found to send a
message across so many generations and have it survive
physically and be decipherable by a people with few cultural
similarities to us. Given this restriction, Sebeok suggested
the only possible solution was the formation of a committee
of guardians of knowledge. Its task would be to dedicate
itself to maintaining and passing on the knowledge of the
whereabouts and dangers of the nudear waste deposits.
This so-caiied atomic priesthood would be entrusted with
keeping knowledge of this tradition a!ive through millennia
and in developing the tradition into a kind of mythical taboo
forbidding people to tamper in any way with the nuclear
waste sites. Only the initiated atomic priesthood of experts
danger. Those outside the priesthood would be kept away
by a combination of rituals and legends designed to warn off
intruders.

1
' 3 4 . The word [1；sanction：Min the passage is :； This proposal has been criticized because of the possibility
closest in meaning to i of a break in continuity of the original message. Furthermore, |
( X ) security j there is no guarantee that any warning or ^sanction：! passed j
C |^ ) approval | on for millennia would be obeyed, nor that it could survive |
| with its original meaning intact. To counterbalance this |
Cc^) counsel
J possibility, Sebeok's group proposed a "relay system" in which j
penalty
| information is passed on over relatively short periods of time, |
I just three generations ahead. The message is then to be 1
| renewed and redesigned if necessary for the following three |
1 generations and so on over the required time span, in this |
I way information could be relayed into the future and avoid the j
I possibility of physical degradation. 1
L

j 35. According to the author, why did the [Refer to the full passage.]
j task force under Sebeok propose
8 a relay system for passing on
J information?
|l __ 1
I ( X ) To compensate for the fact that
J meaning will not be stable over
| long periods of time
| C E ) To show that Sebeok's ideas
l|
| created more problems than they
| solved
p
1 C © To contrast Sebeok's ideas with
those proposed by his main critics
C © To support the belief that breaks
^ in communication are inevitable
1 over time
I
l,,„ - .. ►- ... .............................. . H•
«

499
Practice Test 2

36. According to paragraph 7, the second ^ A second defect is more difficult to dismiss, however. This
defect of the atomic priesthood 丨丨isthe problem of social exclusiveness brought aboutthrough
proposal is that it could lead to possession of vita! knowledge. Critics point out that the
( X ) the possible misuse of exclusive j atomic priesthood could use its secret knowledge to control
knowledge | those who are scientifically ignorant. The establishment of
d D the establishment of a such an association of insiders holding powerful knowledge
scientifically ignorant society not available except in mythic form to nonmembers would be
a dangerous precedent for future social developments.
C c]) the priesthood's criticism of points
concerning vital knowledge
Cp^) the nonmembers turning
knowledge into dangerous
mythical forms
Paragraph 7 is marked with an arrow ( ^ ) .

37. All of the following are mentioned in [Refer to the full passage.]
the passage as difficulties in devising a
communication system with the future
EXCEPT
( X ) the loss of knowledge about
todays civilization
C§]) the failure to maintain
communication links
C c]) the inability of materials to endure
over time
C d } the exclusiveness of a priesthood

38. Look at the four squares [圈 ] that
indicate where the following sentence
could be added to the passage.
Perhaps scientists will find efficient
ways to deactivate radioactive
materials.
Where would the sentence best fit?
Choose the letter of the square that shows
where the sentence should be added.
Of course, human society in the distant future may be
； well aware of the hazards of radiation. @ Technological
：； advances may one day provide solutions to this dilemma.
： @ But the belief in constant technological advancement is
based on our perceptions of advances made throughout
^ history and prehistory. M We cannot be sure that society
won't have slipped backward into an age of barbarism due
S to any of several catastrophic events, whether the result
of nature such as the onset of a new ice age or perhaps
1 humankind's failure to solve the scourges of war and
pollution. H In the event of global catastrophe, it is quite
；i possible that humans of the distant future will be on the far
side of a broken link of communication and technological
understanding.

500
；| 39. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided
below. Complete the summary by selecting the T H R E E answer choices that express
the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the
summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are I
minor ideas in the passage. Th is question is worth 2 points.

Write the Setters of the answer choices in the spaces where they belong.
Refer to the fuil passage.

The problem of how to pass on knowledge of the dangers posed by buried

radioactive waste w as addressed by a com m ission of experts.

A nsw er C hoices

C a ) A task force argued that The atomic priesthood proposal

a select group should be
entrusted with passing on
knowledge of the dangers of
radioactive deposits by using a
relay system.
C b ) Electricity supplies may not
exist in the future, so computers
should not be entrusted with
storage of vital information,
C © Technological improvements
will possibly aiiow future
generations to decontaminate
nuclear waste.
.....
has been criticized due to its
potential for creating a future
society divided into those who
hold special knowledge and
those who don!t.
C | [) The atomic priesthood would
develop rituals and legends
designed to warn off trespassers
into the nuclear burial sites.
( T ) Various means of storing and
passing on inforrmation are
unreliable over time because of
the difficulty of communicating
with future societies and the
likely physical decay of storage
media.