Practice Test #8

F O R T H E T O E F L®
R E A D I N G S E C T I O N

8
Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®​   
Reading Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 

 
 
The TOEFL Reading Section:  
Directions 
 
 
This section measures your ability to understand academic passages in English. 
 
There are three passages in this section. You have 54 minutes to complete the entire section. You may 
read the passages and answer the questions in any order you choose, but plan to spend about 18 minutes 
on each passage and the accompanying questions.  
 
Most questions are worth one point, but the last question for each passage is worth more than one point. 
The directions for the last question indicate how many points you may receive.  
 
At the end of this practice test, you will find an answer key, information to help determine your score, and 
explanations of the answers.  
 
Turn the page to begin the reading section.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 

 
 
Animal Communication  
 
Animals communicate with each other using stimuli known as signals. An example of this is seen in the 
three-spined stickleback, where the visual signal of a red region in the lower half of a fish signals males to 
become aggressive and signals females to mate. Other signals are chemical (pheromones), aural (sound), 
visual (courtship and aggressive displays), or tactile (touch). These types of communication may be 
instinctual​ or learned or a combination of both. These are not the same as the communication we 
associate with language, which has been observed only in humans and perhaps in some species of 
primates. 
 
A pheromone is a secreted chemical signal used to obtain a response from another individual of the same 
species. The purpose of pheromones is to elicit a specific behavior from the receiving individual. 
Pheromones are especially common among social insects, but they are used by many species to attract 
the opposite sex, to sound alarms, to mark food trails, and to elicit other, more complex behaviors. Even 
humans are thought to respond to certain pheromones. These chemicals influence human perception of 
other people. The role of pheromones in human-to-human communication is still somewhat controversial 
and continues to be researched. 
 
Songs are an example of an aural signal, one that needs to be heard by the recipient. Perhaps the best 
known of these are songs of birds, which identify the species and are used to attract mates. Other 
well-known songs are those of whales, which are of such low frequency that they can travel long distances 
underwater. Dolphins communicate with each other using a wide variety of vocalizations. Male crickets 
make chirping sounds using a specialized organ to attract a mate, ​repel​ other males, and to announce a 
successful mating. 
 
Courtship displays are a series of ritualized visual behaviors (signals) designed to attract and convince a 
member of the opposite sex to mate. Often these displays involve a series of steps, including an initial 
display by one member followed by a response from the other. If at any point the display is performed 
incorrectly or a proper response is not given, the mating ritual is abandoned and the mating attempt will 
be unsuccessful. 
 
Aggressive displays are also common in the animal kingdom. An example is when a dog bares its teeth 
when it wants another dog to back down. Presumably, these displays communicate not only the 
willingness of the animal to fight but also its fighting ability. Although these displays do signal aggression 
on the part of the sender, it is thought that they are actually a mechanism to reduce the amount of actual 
fighting that occurs between members of the same species: they allow individuals to assess the fighting 
ability of their opponent and thus decide whether it is “worth the fight.” The testing of certain hypotheses 
using game theory has led to the conclusion that some of these displays may overstate an animal’s actual 
fighting ability and are used to “bluff” the opponent. This type of interaction, even if “dishonest,” would be 
favored by natural selection if it is successful more times than not. 

3
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 

 
Distraction displays are seen in birds and some fish. They are designed to attract a predator away from 
the nest that contains their young. The animal performing this display may pretend to be injured or 
imitate a small rodent to appear like prey that will draw the predator’s attention. This is an example of 
altruistic behavior: it benefits the young more than the individual performing the display, which is putting 
itself at risk. 
 
Many animals, especially primates, communicate with other members in the group through touch. 
Activities such as grooming, touching the shoulder or root of the tail, embracing, lip contact, and greeting 
ceremonies have all been observed in the Indian langur, an Old World monkey. Similar behaviors are 
found in other primates, especially in the great apes. 
 
Source: OpenStax. (2019). ​Behavioral biology: proximate and ultimate causes of behavior. 
 
 
 
Reading Paragraph 1 
 
Animals communicate with each other using stimuli known as signals. An example of this is seen in the 
three-spined stickleback, where the visual signal of a red region in the lower half of a fish signals males to 
become aggressive and signals females to mate. Other signals are chemical (pheromones), aural (sound), 
visual (courtship and aggressive displays), or tactile (touch). These types of communication may be 
instinctual​ or learned or a combination of both. These are not the same as the communication we 
associate with language, which has been observed only in humans and perhaps in some species of 
primates. 
 
 
1. The word ​instinctual​ in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to 
 
a. Understood 
b. Informed 
c. Natural 
d. Reliable  
 
   

4
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 2 
 
A pheromone is a secreted chemical signal used to obtain a response from another individual of the same 
species. The purpose of pheromones is to elicit a specific behavior from the receiving individual. 
Pheromones are especially common among social insects, but they are used by many species to attract 
the opposite sex, to sound alarms, to mark food trails, and to elicit other, more complex behaviors. Even 
humans are thought to respond to certain pheromones. These chemicals influence human perception of 
other people. The role of pheromones in human-to-human communication is still somewhat controversial 
and continues to be researched. 
 
 
2. All of the following are true about pheromones EXCEPT 
 
a. Only social insects use pheromones to communicate with other insects 
b. Pheromones are meant to evoke certain behaviors in living organisms 
c. Their purposes include attracting mates and indicating food trails 
d. Humans are believed to use pheromones though it is not fully understood how  
 
 
Reading Paragraph 3 
 
Songs are an example of an aural signal, one that needs to be heard by the recipient. Perhaps the best 
known of these are songs of birds, which identify the species and are used to attract mates. Other 
well-known songs are those of whales, which are of such low frequency that they can travel long distances 
underwater. Dolphins communicate with each other using a wide variety of vocalizations. Male crickets 
make chirping sounds using a specialized organ to attract a mate, ​repel​ other males, and to announce a 
successful mating. 
 
 
3. According to paragraph 3, which of the following is an example of how aural signals are used by 
animals to communicate? 
 
a. Birds that use songs to attract females for mating   
b. Whales using high-pitched tones that travel great lengths in the ocean 
c. Dolphins communicate vocally with a low range of sounds 
d. Crickets chirp to alert other crickets of a food source near their location  
 
 
 
 
 
   

5
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 3 
 
Songs are an example of an aural signal, one that needs to be heard by the recipient. Perhaps the best 
known of these are songs of birds, which identify the species and are used to attract mates. Other 
well-known songs are those of whales, which are of such low frequency that they can travel long distances 
underwater. Dolphins communicate with each other using a wide variety of vocalizations. Male crickets 
make chirping sounds using a specialized organ to attract a mate, ​repel​ other males, and to announce a 
successful mating. 
 
 
4. The word ​repel​ in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to 
 
a. Fight 
b. Distract 
c. Drive away 
d. Compete with 
 
 
Reading Paragraph 4 
 
Courtship displays are a series of ritualized visual behaviors (signals) designed to attract and convince a 
member of the opposite sex to mate. Often these displays involve a series of steps, including an initial 
display by one member followed by a response from the other. If at any point the display is performed 
incorrectly or a proper response is not given, the mating ritual is abandoned and the mating attempt will 
be unsuccessful. 
 
 
5. Which of the following is true of courtship displays, according to paragraph 4? 
 
a. They are meant to distract and convince the opposite sex to mate 
b. The steps must be performed properly to be successful  
c. Animals will try the display more than once if at first there is no response 
d. Similar species tend to have a similar courtship routine  
 
   

6
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 5 
 
Aggressive displays are also common in the animal kingdom. An example is when a dog bares its teeth 
when it wants another dog to back down. Presumably, these displays communicate not only the 
willingness of the animal to fight but also its fighting ability. Although these displays do signal aggression 
on the part of the sender, it is thought that they are actually a mechanism to reduce the amount of actual 
fighting that occurs between members of the same species: they allow individuals to assess the fighting 
ability of their opponent and thus decide whether it is “worth the fight.” The testing of certain hypotheses 
using game theory has led to the conclusion that some of these displays may overstate an animal’s actual 
fighting ability and are used to “bluff” the opponent. This type of interaction, even if “dishonest,” would be 
favored by natural selection if it is successful more times than not. 
 
 
6. Why does the author talk about dogs baring their teeth? 
 
a. To show that dogs can be very aggressive animals when trying to mate  
b. To provide an example of how uncommon it is for animals to make aggressive displays  
c. Because dogs were the only animal to communicate aggressively in game theory experiments 
d. To provide a specific example of how animals communicate through aggressive displays  
 
 
7. Which of the following is true of aggressive displays? 
 
a. They are not performed towards members of the same species 
b. They sometimes show a willingness to fight but are not always hostile  
c. An aggressive display almost always triggers a fight response in the majority of species 
d. Natural selection favors the more aggressive animal  
 
 
   

7
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 6 
 
Distraction displays are seen in birds and some fish. They are designed to attract a predator away from 
the nest that contains their young. The animal performing this display may pretend to be injured or 
imitate a small rodent to appear like prey that will draw the predator’s attention. This is an example of 
altruistic behavior: it benefits the young more than the individual performing the display, which is putting 
itself at risk. 
 
 
8. What can be inferred based on the information in paragraph 6? 
 
a. Some species use distraction displays because they lack the means to fight predators 
b. Many species put their lives at risk to save their offspring 
c. Most animals practice distraction displays when they are young  
d. It is part of certain species’ nature to distract predators from their young 
 
 
9. Look at the four squares (​A​, ​B​, ​C​, ​D​) that indicate where the following sentence could be added to 
the passage. 
 
Another type of communication among animals is visual, which includes courtship displays.  
 
Where would the sentence best fit? 
 
A​ Courtship displays are a series of ritualized visual behaviors (signals) designed to attract and convince a 
member of the opposite sex to mate. ​B​ Often these displays involve a series of steps, including an initial 
display by one member followed by a response from the other. ​C​ If at any point, the display is performed 
incorrectly or a proper response is not given, the mating ritual is abandoned and the mating attempt will 
be unsuccessful. ​D 
 
 
   

8
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

10. DIRECTIONS: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. 
Complete the summary by selecting the THREE 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. ​This question is worth 2 
points​.  
 
Just like humans, animals also communicate, but they do so through a variety of sensory signals. 
 
- 
- 
- 
 
a. Humans use language to communicate with one another 
b. Animals can communicate via signals given visually, orally, physically, and chemically 
c. Not all species are designed to communicate using the same types of signals 
d. A pheromone is a chemical that is released by an animal to attract a mate 
e. Signals have different purposes such as attracting mates or showing aggression 
f. Birds and some fish distract predators in order to protect their offspring 

9
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Preserving Biodiversity  
 
Preserving biodiversity is an extraordinary challenge that must be met with changes in human behavior 
and beliefs about it. After decades of research, the scientific community is in overwhelming agreement 
that the biosphere and the organisms within it are threatened by human activity, and it’s the role of the 
government to pass legislation that will ​curb​ human impact on the environment. Surprisingly, many of 
these measures, while intended to benefit and protect humanity as a whole, have been met with 
resistance. 
 
Legislation throughout the world has been ​enacted​ to protect species. The legislation includes 
international treaties as well as national and state laws. The Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty came into force in 1975. The treaty, and the 
national legislation that supports it, provides a legal framework for preventing approximately 33,000 listed 
species from being transported across nations’ borders, thus protecting them from being caught or killed 
when international trade is involved. The treaty is limited in its reach because it only deals with 
international movement of organisms or their parts. It is also limited by various countries’ ability or 
willingness to enforce the treaty and supporting legislation. The illegal trade in organisms and their parts is 
probably a market in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Illegal wildlife trade is monitored by another 
non-profit: Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce (TRAFFIC). 
 
Within many countries, there are laws that protect endangered species and regulate hunting and fishing. 
In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted in 1973. Species at risk are listed by 
the Act; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is required by law to develop management plans that protect the 
listed species and bring them back to sustainable numbers. The Act, and others like it in other countries, is 
a useful tool, but it suffers because it is often difficult to get a species listed or to get an effective 
management plan in place once it is listed. Additionally, species may be controversially taken off the list 
without necessarily having had a change in their situation. ​More fundamentally, the approach to 
protecting individual species rather than entire ecosystems is inefficient because it focuses efforts on a 
few highly visible and often charismatic species, perhaps at the expense of other species that go 
unprotected​. 
 
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is an agreement between the United States and Canada that was 
signed into law in 1918 in response to declines in North American bird species caused by hunting. The Act 
now lists over 800 protected species. It makes it illegal to disturb or kill the protected species or distribute 
their parts (much of the hunting of birds in the past was for their feathers). 
 
The international response to global warming has been mixed. The Kyoto Protocol, an international 
agreement that came out of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which 
committed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, was ratified by some countries but 
ignored by others. Two important countries, in terms of their potential impact, that did not ratify the Kyoto 

10
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Protocol were the United States and China. The United States rejected it as a result of a powerful fossil fuel 
industry and China because of a concern it would hurt the nation’s growth. Some goals for reduction in 
greenhouse gases were met and exceeded by individual countries, but worldwide, the effort to limit 
greenhouse gas production is not succeeding. The intended replacement for the Kyoto Protocol has not 
materialized because governments cannot agree on timelines and benchmarks. Meanwhile, climate 
scientists predict the resulting costs to human societies and biodiversity will be high. 
 
The private non-profit sector plays a large role in the conservation effort both in North America and 
around the world. The approaches range from species-specific organizations to the broadly-focused IUCN 
and TRAFFIC. The Nature Conservancy takes a novel approach. It purchases land and protects it in an 
attempt to set up preserves for ecosystems. Ultimately, human behavior will change when human values 
change. At present, the growing urbanization of the human population is a force that poses challenges to 
the valuing of biodiversity. 
 
Source: OpenStax. (2019). Preserving biodiversity. 
 
 
Reading Paragraph 1 
 
Preserving biodiversity is an extraordinary challenge that must be met with changes in human behavior 
and beliefs about it. After decades of research, the scientific community is in overwhelming agreement 
that the biosphere and the organisms within it are threatened by human activity, and it’s the role of the 
government to pass legislation that will ​curb​ human impact on the environment. Surprisingly, many of 
these measures, while intended to benefit and protect humanity as a whole, have been met with 
resistance. 
 
 
1. The word ​curb​ in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to  
 
a. Limit 
b. Define 
c. Signify 
d. Follow  
 
   

11
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 2 
 
Legislation throughout the world has been ​enacted​ to protect species. The legislation includes 
international treaties as well as national and state laws. The Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty came into force in 1975. The treaty, and the 
national legislation that supports it, provides a legal framework for preventing approximately 33,000 listed 
species from being transported across nations’ borders, thus protecting them from being caught or killed 
when international trade is involved. The treaty is limited in its reach because it only deals with 
international movement of organisms or their parts. It is also limited by various countries’ ability or 
willingness to enforce the treaty and supporting legislation. The illegal trade in organisms and their parts is 
probably a market in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Illegal wildlife trade is monitored by another 
non-profit: Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce (TRAFFIC). 
 
 
2. The word ​enacted​ in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to 
 
a. Monitored 
b. Passed 
c. Mentioned 
d. Circulated  
 
 
3. Which of the following is true, according to paragraph 2? 
 
a. The only legislation for the protection of species exists at the national and state level 
b. CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Enacted Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
c. The CITES treaty went into effect in 1975 to protect listed species from being killed  
d. The CITES treaty is a nationwide initiative to preserve the lives of 33,000 species  
 
 
 
   

12
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 3 
 
Within many countries, there are laws that protect endangered species and regulate hunting and fishing. 
In the United States, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted in 1973. Species at risk are listed by 
the Act; the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is required by law to develop management plans that protect the 
listed species and bring them back to sustainable numbers. The Act, and others like it in other countries, is 
a useful tool, but it suffers because it is often difficult to get a species listed or to get an effective 
management plan in place once it is listed. Additionally, species may be controversially taken off the list 
without necessarily having had a change in their situation. ​More fundamentally, the approach to 
protecting individual species rather than entire ecosystems is inefficient because it focuses efforts on a 
few highly visible and often charismatic species, perhaps at the expense of other species that go 
unprotected​. 
 
 
4. According to paragraph 3, what is the function of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service? 
 
a. To protect all endangered species in the United States 
b. To breed endangered animals in order to repopulate the species  
c. To save endangered animals that have been caught illegally   
d. To protect the animals listed on the ESA from hunters and fishermen  
 
 
5. Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in 
paragraph 3? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential 
information. 
 
a. The current system of protecting specific species and not entire ecosystems is flawed  
b. Some species are not protected enough because of a bias toward ecosystem protection 
c. Entire ecosystems should be protected rather than only a few species  
d. The approach to protecting individual species should be changed 
 
   

13
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 4 
 
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) is an agreement between the United States and Canada that was 
signed into law in 1918 in response to declines in North American bird species caused by hunting. The Act 
now lists over 800 protected species. It makes it illegal to disturb or kill the protected species or distribute 
their parts (much of the hunting of birds in the past was for their feathers). 
 
 
6. All of the following are true about the Migratory Bird Treaty Act EXCEPT 
 
a. It is a reaction to the negative effects of bird hunting  
b. It was enacted in 1918 to make killing protected species forbidden 
c. It currently protects almost 800 species of birds in North America 
d. It is an agreement between Canada and the United States 
 
 
7. Why does the author say, “​much of the hunting of birds in the past was for their feathers​”? 
 
a. To explain why the list contains over 800 species  
b. To suggest why the MBTA was created in the 20th century 
c. To show the one reason for the decline in bird species 
d. To explain why it is also illegal to trade the parts of protected birds 
 
   

14
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 5 
 
The international response to global warming has been mixed. The Kyoto Protocol, an international 
agreement that came out of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which 
committed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2012, was ratified by some countries but 
ignored by others. Two important countries, in terms of their potential impact, that did not ratify the Kyoto 
Protocol were the United States and China. The United States rejected it as a result of a powerful fossil fuel 
industry and China because of a concern it would hurt the nation’s growth. Some goals for reduction in 
greenhouse gases were met and exceeded by individual countries, but worldwide, the effort to limit 
greenhouse gas production is not succeeding. The intended replacement for the Kyoto Protocol has not 
materialized because governments cannot agree on timelines and benchmarks. Meanwhile, climate 
scientists predict the resulting costs to human societies and biodiversity will be high. 
 
 
8. Why does the author mention the Kyoto Protocol and the worldwide effort to reduce  
greenhouse gases? 
 
a. To show that despite such protocols biodiversity is still threatened  
b. To explain why China and the United States did not sign it 
c. To prove that such agreements are ineffective and should be abolished  
d. To show how biodiversity and the climate will be affected by this treaty 
 
 
9. Look at the four squares (​A​, ​B​, ​C​, ​D​) that indicate where the following sentence could be added to 
the passage. 
 
These organizations deserve great praise for the important work they do, but unfortunately, it is not 
enough. 
 
Where would the sentence best fit? 
 
The private non-profit sector plays a large role in the conservation effort both in North America 
and around the world. ​A​ The approaches range from species-specific organizations to the broadly-focused 
IUCN and TRAFFIC. The Nature Conservancy takes a novel approach. ​B​ It purchases land and protects it in 
an attempt to set up preserves for ecosystems. ​C​ Ultimately, human behavior will change when human 
values change. At present, the growing urbanization of the human population is a force that poses 
challenges to the valuing of biodiversity. ​D 
 
 

15
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

10. DIRECTIONS: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. 
Complete the summary by selecting the THREE 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. ​This question is worth 2 
points​.  
 
The preservation of biodiversity is a global effort that involves nations, non-profit groups, and 
individuals whose values must ultimately shift. 
 
- 
- 
- 
 
a. Certain treaties have been enacted, such as the MBTA and ESA, to protect endangered animals 
b. The Kyoto Protocol came out of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
c. The ESA is an agreement between Canada and the United States to protect birds 
d. Initiatives exist to reduce fossil fuels, but the overall effort has been unsuccessful  
e. Global warming is facing mixed reactions, and some individuals refuse to believe it exists 
f. Non-profit organizations contribute significantly to the preservation of biodiversity 
   

16
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Morgan 

 
The evolution from technical innovation to massive industry took place at the hands of the business 
leaders whose gambles paid off, making them some of the richest Americans of their day. Andrew 
Carnegie in the steel industry, John D. Rockefeller in the oil industry, and J. P. Morgan in the financial 
industry were all businessmen who grew their businesses to a size that was unprecedented. Their 
companies changed how Americans lived and worked, and they themselves greatly influenced the growth 
of the country.  
 
Andrew Carnegie, although not a scientific expert in steel, was an excellent promoter and salesman, able 
to locate financial backing for his enterprise. He expanded his business quickly and was able to capitalize 
on smart business decisions. Always ​thrifty​ with the profits he earned, a trait owed to his upbringing, 
Carnegie saved his profits during prosperous times and used them to buy out other steel companies at 
low prices during the economic recessions of the 1870s and 1890s. He insisted on up-to-date machinery 
and equipment and urged the men who worked at and managed his steel mills to constantly think of 
innovative ways to increase production and reduce costs.  
 
Carnegie, more than any other businessman of the era, championed the idea that America’s business 
leaders owed a debt to society. He believed that given the circumstances of their successes, they should 
donate to the less fortunate public. He desired to set an example of philanthropy for all other prominent 
industrialists of the era to follow. Carnegie’s famous essay, ​The Gospel of Wealth​, explained his beliefs. In it, 
he borrowed from Herbert Spencer’s theory of social Darwinism, which held that society developed much 
like plant or animal life through a process of evolution in which the fittest and capable enjoyed the 
greatest material and social success. America, in Carnegie's opinion, provided the opportunity for him to 
be successful and wanted to provide that same opportunity for others.  
 
John D. Rockefeller was ruthless in his pursuit of total control of his industry, which in his case was the oil 
refining business. As other individuals flooded areas digging for oil and seeking a quick fortune, 
Rockefeller developed a plan to crush his competitors and create a true monopoly in the refining industry. 
Beginning in 1872, he made agreements with several large railroad companies to obtain discounted rates 
for shipping his product. As he could now deliver his kerosene at lower prices, he drove his competition 
out of business. He harassed those who refused to sell out to him until their businesses collapsed. 
 
Unlike Carnegie and Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan was born to wealth and became much wealthier as an 
investment banker, making wise financial decisions in support of the hardworking entrepreneurs building 
their fortunes. Ultimately, Morgan’s most notable investment was in the steel industry when he bought out 
Andrew Carnegie in 1901. Initially, Carnegie was reluctant to sell, but after repeated pressure by Morgan, 
Carnegie named his price: an outrageously inflated sum of $500 million. Morgan agreed and then merged 
with several smaller steel firms to create the U.S. Steel Corporation. U.S. Steel was subsequently 
capitalized at $1.4 billion. It was the country’s first billion-dollar firm. Praised by admirers for his 
investment banking practices, as well as for his philanthropy and support of the arts, Morgan was also 
criticized by reformers who blamed his efforts for contributing to the artificial bubble of prosperity that 

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 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

eventually burst in the Great Depression of the 1930s.  

 
The growth of the American economy in the last half of the nineteenth century presented a paradox. The 
standard of living for many American workers increased. As Carnegie said in ​The Gospel of Wealth​, the 
decline in prices, and the cost of living meant that the industrial era offered many Americans relatively 
better lives in 1900 than they had only decades before. For some Americans, there were also increased 
opportunities for upward mobility. For the multitudes in the working class, however, conditions in the 
factories and at home remained deplorable. The difficulties ​they​ faced led many workers to question an 
industrial order in which a handful of wealthy Americans built their fortunes on the backs of workers.  
 
Source: ​P Corbett, S.P., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannenstiel, T. Waskiewicz, S., & Vickery, P. (2014). 
 
 
 
Reading Paragraph 1 
 
The evolution from technical innovation to massive industry took place at the hands of the business 
leaders whose gambles paid off, making them some of the richest Americans of their day. Andrew 
Carnegie in the steel industry, John D. Rockefeller in the oil industry, and J. P. Morgan in the financial 
industry were all businessmen who grew their businesses to a size that was unprecedented. Their 
companies changed how Americans lived and worked, and they themselves greatly influenced the growth 
of the country.  
 
 
1. In paragraph 1, the author states which of the following? 
 
a. The oil industry was founded by John D. Rockefeller  
b. Andrew Carnegie was a gambler and investor in the steel industry  
c. Massive industrial companies hardly changed American lives  
d. J.P. Morgan was one of the richest businessmen in the financial industry 
 
   

18
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 2 
 
Andrew Carnegie, although not a scientific expert in steel, was an excellent promoter and salesman, able 
to locate financial backing for his enterprise. He expanded his business quickly and was able to capitalize 
on smart business decisions. Always ​thrifty​ with the profits he earned, a trait owed to his upbringing, 
Carnegie saved his profits during prosperous times and used them to buy out other steel companies at 
low prices during the economic recessions of the 1870s and 1890s. He insisted on up-to-date machinery 
and equipment and urged the men who worked at and managed his steel mills to constantly think of 
innovative ways to increase production and reduce costs.  
 
 
2. In paragraph 2, the word ​thrifty​ is closest in meaning to 
 
a. Frugal 
b. Trendy 
c. Generous 
d. Deserving 
 
 
3. The author mentions “​although not a scientific expert in steel​” in the second paragraph in order to 
 
a. Explain how Carnegie became the richest businessman in the steel industry   
b. Describe Carnegie as a man with many talents, as well as a steel expert  
c. Explain why Carnegie decided to become a promoter and salesman  
d. Clarify that Carnegie had other skills that led to his success  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

19
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 3 
 
Carnegie, more than any other businessman of the era, championed the idea that America’s business 
leaders owed a debt to society. He believed that, given the circumstances of their successes, they should 
donate to the less fortunate public. He desired to set an example of philanthropy for all other prominent 
industrialists of the era to follow. Carnegie’s famous essay, ​The Gospel of Wealth​, explained his beliefs. In it, 
he borrowed from Herbert Spencer’s theory of social Darwinism, which held that society developed much 
like plant or animal life through a process of evolution in which the fittest and capable enjoyed the 
greatest material and social success. America, in Carnegie's opinion, provided the opportunity for him to 
be successful and wanted to provide that same opportunity for others.  
 
 
4. In the third paragraph, what does the author point out about Carnegie?  
 
a. He thought that business leaders should not donate to the public  
b. He expanded on Spencer’s theory in his essay  
c. He believed in social Darwinism   
d. He did not think that he owed any more money to society  
 
 
Reading Paragraph 4 
 
John D. Rockefeller was ruthless in his pursuit of total control of his industry, which, in his case, was the oil 
refining business. As other individuals flooded areas digging for oil and seeking a quick fortune, 
Rockefeller developed a plan to crush his competitors and create a true monopoly in the refining industry. 
Beginning in 1872, he made agreements with several large railroad companies to obtain discounted rates 
for shipping his product. As he could now deliver his kerosene at lower prices, he drove his competition 
out of business. He harassed those who refused to sell out to him until their businesses collapsed. 
 
 
5. Which of the following best describes Rockefeller in the fourth paragraph? 
 
a. He was able to amass a monopoly over the oil industry  
b. He ruthlessly executed many of his competitors  
c. He drove others out of business by threatening to lower his prices 
d. He dug for oil in order to gain a quick fortune 
 
   

20
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 4 
 
John D. Rockefeller was ruthless in his pursuit of total control of his industry, which, in his case, was the oil 
refining business. As other individuals flooded areas digging for oil and seeking a quick fortune, 
Rockefeller developed a plan to crush his competitors and create a true monopoly in the refining industry. 
Beginning in 1872, he made agreements with several large railroad companies to obtain discounted rates 
for shipping his product. As he could now deliver his kerosene at lower prices, he drove his competition 
out of business. He harassed those who refused to sell out to him until their businesses collapsed. 
 
 
6. In paragraph 4, which of the following can be inferred about kerosene?  
 
a. Customers did not want to buy it from competitors because of their inferior quality 
b. It was more expensive to deliver by train than by boat 
c. Customers preferred to buy it from Rockefeller because it was cheaper 
d. It was less expensive to buy kerosene than coal during this time 
 
 
Reading Paragraph 6 
 
The growth of the American economy in the last half of the nineteenth century presented a paradox. The 
standard of living for many American workers increased. As Carnegie said in ​The Gospel of Wealth​, the 
decline in prices, and the cost of living meant that the industrial era offered many Americans relatively 
better lives in 1900 than they had only decades before. For some Americans, there were also increased 
opportunities for upward mobility. For the multitudes in the working class, however, conditions in the 
factories and at home remained deplorable. The difficulties ​they​ faced led many workers to question an 
industrial order in which a handful of wealthy Americans built their fortunes on the backs of workers.  
 
 
7. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 6? 
 
a. Americans lived better at the start of the 20th century than before 
b. Only some people had opportunities for upward mobility in the industrial era  
c. The economy was growing at the end of the 1800s in America 
d. Carnegie predicted that the working class would face difficulties in his essay 
 
   

21
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Reading Paragraph 6 
 
The growth of the American economy in the last half of the nineteenth century presented a paradox. The 
standard of living for many American workers increased. As Carnegie said in ​The Gospel of Wealth​, the 
decline in prices, and the cost of living meant that the industrial era offered many Americans relatively 
better lives in 1900 than they had only decades before. For some Americans, there were also increased 
opportunities for upward mobility. For the multitudes in the working class, however, conditions in the 
factories and at home remained deplorable. The difficulties ​they​ faced led many workers to question an 
industrial order in which a handful of wealthy Americans built their fortunes on the backs of workers.  
 
 
8. The word ​they​ refers to 
 
a. Carnegie and Morgan  
b. Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Morgan  
c. Americans  
d. The working class  
 
 
9. Look at the four squares (​A​, ​B​, ​C​, ​D​) that indicate where the following sentence could be added to 
the passage. 
 
With his wealth, J.P. Morgan invested in innovative community projects and charities. 
 
Where would the sentence best fit? 
 
Unlike Carnegie and Rockefeller, J. P. Morgan was born to wealth and became much wealthier as an 
investment banker, making wise financial decisions in support of the hardworking entrepreneurs building 
their fortunes. Ultimately, Morgan’s most notable investment was in the steel industry when he bought out 
Andrew Carnegie in 1901. Initially, Carnegie was reluctant to sell, but after repeated pressure by Morgan, 
Carnegie named his price: an outrageously inflated sum of $500 million. ​A​ Morgan agreed and then 
merged with several smaller steel firms to create the U.S. Steel Corporation. ​B​ U.S. Steel was subsequently 
capitalized at $1.4 billion. It was the country’s first billion-dollar firm. ​C​ Praised by admirers for his 
investment banking practices, as well as for his philanthropy and support of the arts, Morgan was also 
criticized by reformers who blamed his efforts for contributing to the artificial bubble of prosperity that 
eventually burst in the Great Depression of the 1930s. ​D 
 
 
   

22
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

10.​ ​DIRECTIONS​: ​Select the phrases that correctly describe each business leader. Two of these 
phrases will NOT be used.​ ​This question is worth 3 points​. 
 
 
Andrew Carnegie 
-  
-  
-  
 
J.P. Morgan 
-  
-  
 
a. He acquired the U.S. Steel Corporation  
b. He wrote ​The Gospel of Wealth   
c. He was bought out by an investment banker   
d. He made agreements with railroad companies  
e. He made notable investments in the steel industry  
f. He is known for his business skills in the oil industry   
g. He was not born into wealth  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

23
 
 
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 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL® ​ ​ Reading Section 
Answer Key 
 
 
 
   

25
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

The Grading Rubric  

 
Use the chart below to determine your score in the reading section.  
 
There are only 30 questions in this reading section, but the highest raw score is 34. The last question of 
each passage, either in the form of a summary or organization question, is worth two to three points since 
each requires more than one answer. 
 
Summary questions are worth two points. If all three choices are correct, award yourself ​two points​. If two 
choices are correct and one is incorrect, award yourself ​one point​. If two or more choices are incorrect, 
you earn ​zero points​ for the given question.  
 
Organization questions are worth three points. If all five choices are correct, award yourself ​three points​. If 
four choices are correct and one is incorrect, award yourself ​two points​. If three choices are correct and 
two are incorrect, award yourself ​one point​. If three or more choices are incorrect, you earn zero points 
for the given question.  
 
 
Raw   Score  Raw   Score  Raw   Score 
Points  Estimate   Points  Estimate  Points  Estimate 

34  30  23  20  12  11 

33  29  22  19  11  10 

32  28  21  19  10  9 

31  27  20  18  9  8 

30  26  19  17  8  7 

29  26  18  16  7  6 

28  25  17  15  6  5 

27  24  16  14  5  4 

26  23  15  13  4  3 

25  22  14  12  3  3 

24  21  13  11  2-1  2-1  

 
 

26
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

Animal Communication: Answer Key 

Source: OpenStax (2019) Behavioral biology: proximate and ultimate causes of behavior. 
 
1. C (vocabulary) 
 
C​ is correct because “​instinctual​” means innate, natural, or unlearned, and in this case, it is closest in 
meaning to “​natural​”. In this context, the word “instinctual” is directly followed by "​...or learned​", which 
means it must somehow be related to but different from “​learned​”. Therefore, ​D​ (“​reliable​”) can be 
eliminated because it is not connected at all. ​A​ (“​understood​”) and ​B​ (“​informed​”) are similar in meaning, so 
they must both be wrong. 
 
2. A (negative factual information)  
 
A​ is correct because it is untrue, as the paragraph says ​“Pheromones are especially common among social 
insects, but they are used by many species.”.​ Options ​B​ to ​D​ are incorrect because they are true statements 
from the paragraph. Also, the modifier “​only”​ usually implies that a statement is too extreme and therefore 
inaccurate.  
 
3. A (factual information) 
 
A​ is correct because this is an example provided in the paragraph in the second sentence. Option ​B​ is 
wrong because whales communicate at “​such a low frequency that they can travel long distances underwater”, 
not using high-pitched tones. Option ​C​ is incorrect because dolphins have a ​“wide variety of vocalizations” 
they use to communicate with each other. Option ​D​ is wrong because it is not a fact found in the 
paragraph nor is it true. 
 
4. C (vocabulary) 
 
C​ is correct because “​repel​” means to “​drive away​”. The context implies that this is an effect of the chirping 
sound of male crickets. Before this word, the sentence indicates that the chirping sound also ​“attracts a 
(female) mate.” ​“​Repel​” has an effect on “​other males​”, so one can infer from the context that male crickets 
would want to “​drive away​” other males in order to mate with the females.   
 
5. B (factual information) 
 
B​ is correct because the paragraph says that ​“these displays involve a series of steps, including an initial 
display by one member followed by a response from the other. If at any point, the display is performed 
incorrectly...the mating ritual is abandoned and the mating attempt will be unsuccessful ”.​ Option ​A​ is incorrect 
because courtship displays, as the paragraph says, are​ “designed to attract and convince a member of the 
opposite sex to mate,”​ not distract them. Option ​C​ is wrong because the paragraph states that ​“If at any 
point, the display is performed incorrectly or a proper response is not given, the mating ritual is abandoned and 
the mating attempt will be unsuccessful.”​ Option ​D​ is also wrong because it is never stated.  

27
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

6. D (rhetorical purpose) 
 
D​ is correct because the paragraph talks about how ​“Aggressive displays are also common in the animal 
kingdom,”​ and then the author provides an example of how one species communicates aggressively. 
Option ​A​ is wrong because the paragraph does not talk about the aggressiveness of dogs when they are 
trying to mate. Option ​B​ is wrong because it says the opposite of what the paragraph says, which is that 
“​Aggressive displays are also common.”​ Option ​C​ is incorrect because it is not true. 
 
7. B (factual information) 
 
B​ is correct because the paragraph says ​“Although these displays do signal aggression on the part of the 
sender, it is thought that they are actually a mechanism to reduce the amount of actual fighting that occurs 
between members of the same species.”​ Option ​A​ is incorrect because this is not stated in the paragraph, 
and in fact, the paragraph only discusses aggressive displays between members of the same species. 
Option​ C​ is wrong because this is not mentioned at all in the paragraph. Option ​D​ is wrong because the 
paragraph actually says that the displays that​ “overstate an animal’s actual fighting ability are used to ‘bluff’ 
the opponent”​ and that ​“This type of interaction...would be favored by natural selection if it is successful more 
times than not”. 
 
8. A (inference) 
 
A​ is correct because it is reasonable to infer that some animals cannot fight predators so they distract 
them instead. The paragraph also says, ​“They are designed to attract a predator away from the nest that 
contains their young.”​ We can figure that if an animal had a means of defense or the ability to fight off 
predators, it would do so rather than risking its life in this way. Option ​B​ is incorrect because the 
paragraph does not indicate that “​many​” species use this technique. In fact, it only states that it is seen in 
birds and some fish. Option ​C​ is also wrong for this reason. The paragraph does not say it is used by young 
animals. Option ​D​ is wrong because this is not an inference as it is explicitly mentioned in the paragraph 
that these animals are ​“designed to attract a predator away from the nest that contains their young.”  
 
9. A (insert text)  
 
A​ is correct because the sentence is an introductory one, which we can determine based on the transition 
phrase “​Another type of…​”, and the fact that the following sentence explains what “​courtship displays​” are. 
Based on these parts of the sentence, it does not fit or flow in any other position in the paragraph.  
 
10. B, C, E (prose summary) 
 
B​, ​C​, and ​E​ are correct. These three options are discussed throughout the passage and are directly related 
to the summary sentence. These options summarize some of the key points discussed in the passage. 
Option ​A​ is wrong because it is not related to the summary sentence. ​D​ and ​F​ are minor details that 

28
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

require no elaboration and do not significantly contribute to the main point.   

 
Preserving Biodiversity: Answer Key 
Source: OpenStax (2019) Preserving biodiversity 
 
1. A (vocabulary) 
 
A​ is correct because “​curb​” is closest to “​limit​” in this situation. From the context, this entire passage is 
about protecting the environment, and “​curb​” is a verb with the object "​...human impact on the 
environment​". Therefore, ​B​ (“​define​”), ​C​ (“​signify​”), and ​D​ (“​follow​”) do not work in this sentence and can be 
eliminated. 
 
2. B (vocabulary) 
 
B​ is correct because “​enact​” means to make into law or pass, and in this case, “​passed​” is closest in 
meaning. This is an introductory sentence and relates to the legislation that protects species. The verb 
"​pass​" is often used when talking about a law that has been approved. The paragraph continues to 
describe laws that have been approved or passed, so in this case, “​enacted​” is the closest in meaning.  
 
3. C (factual information) 
 
C​ is correct as the paragraph states “​The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty came into force in 1975,​” and “​went into effect​” is the same as “​came into force​”. 
Option ​A​ is incorrect because the paragraph states that “​The legislation includes international treaties as well 
as national and state laws.”​ Option ​B​ is wrong because the acronym CITES stands for the ​”Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,”​ not the Convention on International 
Trade in “​Enacted​” Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Option ​D​ is incorrect because CITES is an international 
treaty, not a national one.  
 
4. D (factual information) 
 
D​ is correct because the first sentence of the paragraph says that “​there are laws to protect endangered 
species and regulate hunting and fishing​”. It also states that ​“Species at risk are listed by the Act; the U.S. Fish & 
Wildlife Service is required by law to develop management plans that protect the listed species.…”​ Option​ A​ is 
incorrect because of the modifier “​all​”, as only endangered species on the list are protected. ​B​ and ​C​ are 
not correct because these are not functions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service according to the 
paragraph. 
 
 
 
 
 

29
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

5. A (sentence simplification) 
 
A​ is correct because it properly summarizes and reiterates the main point of the highlighted phrase. 
Option ​B​ is wrong because it misstates the main point of this sentence. Options ​C​ and ​D​ are incorrect 
because they are inferences. The sentence does not say what “​should​” happen.  
 
6. C (negative factual information)  
 
C​ is correct because it is the only option that is not true according to the paragraph. The paragraph says 
that ​“The Act now lists over 800 protected species,​” not “​almost​” 800. ​A​ is not correct because it is true. The 
MBTA is a ​“response to declines in North American bird species caused by hunting.”​ A “​decline​” would be a 
“​negative effect​” of bird hunting. ​B​ and ​D​ are also true statements from the paragraph. 
 
7. D (rhetorical purpose) 
 
D​ is correct. The author states that the MBTA “​makes it illegal to disturb or kill the protected species or 
distribute their parts​,” and then explains why “​much of the hunting of birds in the past was for their feathers.​” 
Option ​A​ is wrong because this is not the reason why there are more than 800 species on the list. Option ​B 
is wrong because this statement does not provide a reason as to why the Act was founded in the 20th 
century. Option ​C​ is incorrect because this was not “​the one reason​” for the decrease in bird species.  
 
8. A (rhetorical purpose)  
 
A​ is correct because the author states that the Kyoto Protocol is not succeeding and that ​“climate scientists 
predict the resulting costs to human societies and biodiversity will be high.”​ By explaining the failure of the 
Kyoto Protocol, the author is showing that even the regulations in place are not effective and biodiversity 
is still threatened. Option ​B​ is not correct because the author only mentions the reasons China and the 
United States did not sign it; it is not the purpose of mentioning the protocol or worldwide efforts. ​C ​is not 
correct because the author does not suggest that these agreements should not exist (“​abolished​”). ​D​ is also 
incorrect because the author never explains how biodiversity and the climate will be affected. 
 
9. C (insert text)  
 
C​ is the correct answer because the pronoun referent “​these organizations​” refers back to the non-profit 
groups mentioned in the previous two sentences. While it might seem like a concluding sentence, it flows 
well to have the missing sentence, which ends with “​but it is not enough​”, placed in front of the sentence 
that explains that ​“Ultimately human behavior needs to change​”. Therefore, ​D​ is not correct. This sentence 
follows up on the missing sentence in that it explains what else has to change or be done beyond the 
“​important work​” of non-profit organizations.  
 
 
 

30
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

10. A, D, F (prose summary)  

 
A​, ​D​, and ​F ​are correct because these options are important to the summary sentence and the main topic 
of the passage; they are discussed at length throughout. Option ​B​ is not correct because it is a detail 
mentioned in the passage and is not critical to the main point. ​C​ is incorrect because it is false; the MBTA, 
not the ESA, is the agreement between Canada and the United States. ​E​ is not correct because it is a fact 
that is not found in the passage.  
 
Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Morgan: Answer Key 
Source: ​P Corbett, S.P., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannenstiel, T. Waskiewicz, S., & Vickery, P. (2014). 
 
1. D (factual information)  
 
D​ is the correct answer because the author says in the middle of the paragraph that J.P. Morgan was a 
businessman in the financial industry and that along with Rockefeller and Carnegie, he was among some 
of the richest Americans. ​A​ is not correct because the oil industry was not founded​ ​by Rockefeller. ​B​ is not 
true because the author says that Carnegie took gambles in business, but not that he was a gambler or an 
investor. ​C​ is incorrect because the passage states, “​Their companies changed how Americans lived and 
worked...​”. 
 
2. A (vocabulary) 
 
A​ is the correct answer because “​frugal​”​ ​is the closest in meaning to “​thrifty”. ​The context clue found later in 
the sentence states that Carnegie “​saved his profits​,” and so ​C​ (“​generous​”) is not the best fit. ​B​ (“​trendy​”) 
does not really make sense to describe profits. ​D​ (“​deserving​”) is also not correct because it is not close in 
meaning to “​thrifty​”. 
 
3. D (rhetorical purpose) 
 
D​ is the correct answer because the phrase is clarifying to the reader that even though Carnegie was not a 
scientific expert, he had other skills that led to his success. ​A​ is not correct because this phrase does not 
help explain how Carnegie became rich in the industry. It also does not explain his decision to be a 
promoter or salesman, so ​C​ is also wrong. ​B ​is incorrect because it is not used to describe Carnegie as a 
man with many talents or as a steel expert.  
 
4. C (factual information)  
 
C​ is the correct answer because, in the last sentence, the author says that Carnegie believed that America 
provided him with opportunities to be successful, and this is an example of social Darwinism as provided 
in the sentence prior. ​A​ and ​D​ are not correct because they are the opposites of Carnegie’s beliefs. ​B​ is 
incorrect because he did not expand on the theory, he borrowed it. 
5. A (factual information)  

31
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

 
A​ is the correct answer because the paragraph is describing how Rockefeller gained total control of the oil 
industry, creating a monopoly over it. ​B​ and ​C​ are incorrect because they misstate the facts in the 
paragraph. ​D​ is not correct because the paragraph says that as others dug for oil, he developed a plan. 
 
6. C (inference)  
 
C ​is the correct answer because it describes the inference from this paragraph. The author states that 
Rockefeller delivered kerosene at lower prices because “​he made agreements with railroad companies to 
have discounts for shipping his products and that this drove his competitors out of business.” ​Therefore, we can 
infer that customers preferred to buy Rockefeller’s kerosene because it was cheaper. ​A​ is not correct 
because the paragraph does not mention the quality. ​B​ and ​D​ are incorrect because the passage does not 
mention the prices of coal or boat deliveries.  
 
7. D (negative factual information)  
 
D​ is correct because it is the only answer that is not true. The author says that the working class had 
difficulties, but not that Carnegie had predicted this. ​C​ is not correct because the author states this in the 
first sentence of the paragraph. ​A​ and​ B​ are also true statements from the paragraph. 
 
8. D (reference) 
 
D​ is the correct answer because the word “​they​”​ ​refers to “​the working class​”. In the previous sentence, the 
author states that for those in the working class the conditions were deplorable. In this sentence, the 
author is saying that the difficulties of the working class led many workers to question the order. C is not 
correct because it was not all Americans, only workers. A and B are both wrong because “​they​” does not 
refer to “​a handful of wealthy Americans​”. 
 
9. C (insert text)  
 
C​ is the correct answer because the sentence best fits here. This sentence explains that one thing Morgan 
did with his wealth was to invest in charities. The sentence after this states that he was praised for this by 
admirers but also criticized by reformers. Therefore, it does not make sense to put this sentence anywhere 
else in the paragraph.  
 
10. B, C, G -Andrew Carnegie, A, E - J.P. Morgan (fill in a table)  
 
B​, ​C​, ​G​ describe Andrew Carnegie. ​C​ describes Andrew Carnegie because in the fifth paragraph it states 
that he was bought out by J.P. Morgan, who was an investment banker. ​G​ also describes Carnegie because 
in the fifth paragraph it states that “​unlike Carnegie, Morgan was born into wealth.​” Therefore, we know that 
Carnegie was not born into wealth. ​A​ and ​E​ describe J.P. Morgan. ​D​ and​ F​ are incorrect because they 
describe Rockefeller, not Carnegie or Morgan.  

32
 
 
 Practice Test #8 
For the TOEFL​®​ Reading Section 
 
 

 
 
 
References 
 
 
Corbett, S.P., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannenstiel, T. Waskiewicz, S., & Vickery, P. (2014). From  
 
invention to industrial growth. In ​U.S. History. ​Retrieved from:  
 
https://openstax.org/books/us-history/pages/18-2-from-invention-to-industrial-growth  
 
 
OpenStax. (2019). Behavioral biology: proximate and ultimate causes of behavior. In ​Biology. ​Retrieved  
 
from: 
 
https://cnx.org/contents/GFy_h8cu@11.10:mNyatk93@4/Behavioral-Biology-Proximate-and

-Ultimate-Causes-of-Behavior 
 
OpenStax. (2019). Preserving biodiversity. In ​Biology. ​Retrieved from:  
 
https://cnx.org/contents/GFy_h8cu@11.10:qvKrcxxT@4/Preserving-Biodiversity 
 

33
 
 
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