DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Reading Comprehension Sample Test

A. Sentence Relationship Questions
Two sentences are followed by a question or statement. Read the sentences, then choose
the best answer to the question or the best completion of the statement.
1. Today’s teenagers spend millions of dollars on clothing, cosmetics and other types of
products. One reason is that they have grown up in a time of almost constant prosperity.
Which answer best describes the relationship between these two statements?
a. The second statement contrasts with the first.
b. Both statements are examples of the same concept.
c. The second statement is an example of the first.
d. The second statement is a cause of the first.
Correct Answer: d
2. To perform CPR correctly, open the victim’s mouth and free the throat of any
obstructions. Begin artificial breathing by blowing down the victim’s cleared throat while
keeping the nostrils closed with your fingers.
What is the relationship between these two statements?
a. The second statement is an example of the first.
b. The second statement is in contrast with the first.
c. The second statement describes what happens after the first.
d. The second statement restates the first.
Correct Answer: c
3. There are rules that drivers and passengers should follow to stay safe when in moving
vehicles. These rules include driving within the speed limit and wearing seatbelts.
What is the relationship between these two statements?
a. The second statement provides examples of the first.
b. The second statement restates the first.
c. The second statement describes an effect of the first.
d. The second statement makes a comparison to the first.
Correct Answer: a
4. The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in fifteen years. Corn and soybean prices
are expected to be very high this year.
What does the second sentence do?
a. It restates the idea found in the first.
b. It states an effect.
c. It gives an example.
d. It analyzes the statement made in the first.
Correct Answer: b
5. The number of young, unmarried people has grown dramatically in the last decade.
Business people, politicians, and advertisers now target the incomes and interests of this
population.
What is the relationship between these two ideas?
a. The first statement is the cause of the second.
b. The first statement contradicts the second.
c. The second statement defines the first.
d. The second statement illustrates the first.
Correct Answer: a
B. Narrative Questions
Read the statement or passage and then choose the best answer to the question. Answer
the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the statement or passage.
6. Divorce or the death of a parent is bound to unsettle children who may be involved.
Daily routines like eating meals together or doing homework may disappear at a time
when children need structure the most. Many children, testing the stability or security of
their new family situation, may become defiant or uncharacteristically hostile.
According to this passage, divorce or the death of a parent:
a. is a direct cause of hostility in children.
b. may have unintended effects on children’s behavior.
c. can be blamed for many missed homework assignments.
d. always serve to split families apart.
Correct Answer: b
7. After seven years of construction, the new East Wing of the National Gallery in
Washington, D.C., was finally opened in the public in 1978. Designed by I.M. Pei, the East
Wing is probably the most expensive public building ever erected in the United States.
Most of the $95 million that went into constructing it was donated by Paul Mellon and the
Mellon Foundation. Interestingly enough, Paul’s father, Andrew Mellon, was the person
who donated funds in the 1930’s to build what is now the main building of the National
Gallery.
The main purpose of the passage is to:
a. relate facts about the East Wing.
b. describe how the East Wing was built.
c. show why the East Wing is expensive.
d. question the need for a public building like the East Wing.
Correct Answer: a
8. Jazz is a peculiarly American contribution to Western culture. It was born out of the
unique experience of American Blacks. Although its history is not entirely clear, jazz
obviously has roots in the rhythm patterns and melodic lines of Africa, the tradition of
Christian spirituals as sung by slave communities, the music of the blues as developed in
the Deep South, and ragtime.
According to this passage, one can conclude that:
a. jazz is the sole Black contribution to Western culture.
b. there is some difficulty tracing the origin of jazz.
c. jazz is most closely related to spiritual music.
d. jazz is not a complex musical form.
Correct Answer: b
9. There are two types of pottery that I do. There is production pottery—mugs,
tableware—the kinds of things that sell easily. These pay for my time to do the other work,
which is more creative and satisfies my needs as an artist.
The author of the passage implies that:
a. artists have a tendency to waste valuable time.
b. creativity and mass production are incompatible.
c. most people do not appreciate good art.
d. pottery is not produced by creative artists.
Correct Answer: b
10. Some actors and rock stars are paid almost 100 times as much per year as school
teachers. Not to downgrade the role of entertainment in our lives, but these people are
not the valuable social resource that educators are. As another example, professional
athletes earn vastly more than the nation’s firefighters. Again, there is little doubt that the
lower paid group contributes a more vital function to communities. Finally, dress
designers, who can make up to $50,000 for a gown, far out-earn police officers, whose
very presence makes our cities and towns livable.
Based on this passage, the earning power in our society:
a. is subject to staggering inflation.
b. does not relate to one’s usefulness in society.
c. is highest among those whose achievements are the greatest.
d. should be highest among actors and rock.
Correct Answer: b
LISTENING PRACTICE
Part A
1.
a. She’ll give the man a ride.
b. She’ll take the car to a gas station.
c. She’ll look for a new car.
d. She’ll ask for help.
2.
a. Spring will come soon.
b. He likes nice days.
c. He can’t wait till spring is here-
d. It’s about time for the weather to
change.
3.
a. She cares for the science project.
b. She doesn’t know how to complete the
project.
c. She can’t believe the work is due so
soon.
d. She doesn’t like kidding.
4.
a. He doesn’t come to biology class.
b. He is studying all the time.
c. He loves doing research at the library.
d. He doesn’t care about his grade point
average.
5 b. He doesn’t think it’s his job to take the
a. She doesn’t think he’s a good tennis
player.
b. She knows tennis will make her fit.
c. She has no time to play.
d. She won’t start taking lessons next
week.
6.
a. He doesn’t need food.
b. He prefers eating out to grocery
shopping.
c. He doesn’t mind going with her.
d. He wants her to go alone.
7.
a. The project has been going on for some
time.
b. She seemed to need more time to get
ready.
c. The highway project started not too long
ago.
d. She wouldn’t like to be surprised.
8.
a. He isn’t sure they’re great.
b. They’re very good.
c. It’s crazy to read them.
d. He reads the Sunday newspaper just for
them.
9.
a. He’s not gone out yet.
dog for a walk.
c. He didn’t think the dog was supposed to
be out.
d. He didn’t care to be with the dog all day. b. The bookstore attracts large crowds
during social events.
10.
c. The author will be signing a contract with
a. The author’s latest book is not selling
the book store later.
well.
d. The author is autographing her book.
Part B

Conversation 1 d. Evening

1. 3.

a. A mug with the university logo a. Mechanical errors

b. A t-shirt with a matching hat b. Typing instruction

c. A book c. Sequence of ideas

d. A calendar d. Sentence structure

2. 4.

a. The prices should be reduced even a. Follow its format for discussion
further.
b. Staple a copy of it to the outline
b. The sale’s period should be extended.
c. Know its main and minor ideas
c. The bookstore shouldn’t be overstocked.
d. Include it in their portfolio
d. The choice of merchandise might be
limited. Conversation 3

Conversation 2 1.

1. a. To demonstrate it’s easier to digest food

when it’s broken down
a. Change her class time
b. To persuade the readers to chew their
b. Contact travel agency food longer

c. Set up individual conferences c. To compare iodine’s reaction to different

chemicals
d. Teach her class while she’s away
d. To give specific directions for the
2 experiment
a. Early morning 2.
b. Mid-morning to early afternoon a. 1/6
c. Mid-afternoon b. 1/3
c. ½ d. Reduce the risk of class cancelation

d. 2/3 4.

3. a. By phone

a. Small amounts of amino acids b. By registered email

c. High concentration of starch c. By fax

d. Large amount of fat d. In person

e. Low density protein Conversation 5

4. 1.

a. Document the experiment a. Italian

b. Discuss their chemistry homework b. French

c. Collect analytical data c. German

d. Meet at the lounge d. English

Conversation 4 2.

1. a. By writing seemingly abstract

compositions
a. Individuals at low and intermediate
levels of proficiency b. By hiring well-publicized conductors

b. Computer graphics designers c. By using American folk songs

c. On-line databases specialists d. By emphasizing jazz in most of his work

d. Computer science majors 3.

2. a. Piano Fantasy

a. A computer lab assistant b. Appalachian Spring

b. A desktop publisher c. What to Listen for in Music

c. A computer specialist d. Billy the Kid

d. A university education intern 4.

3. a. A music piece

a. Reserve a space for the participant b. A children’s book

b. Let participants sign up for other classes c. A radio program

c. Cover up the advertising cost d. A ballet

ANSWER KEY

Part A

1a

2a

3c

4b

5c

6d

7a

8b

9b

10 d

Part B

Conversation 1

1b

2d

Conversation 2

1d

2b

3c

4c

Conversation 3

1a

2c

3c

4d

Conversation 4
1a

2c

3b

4c

Conversation 5

1b

2c

3b

4a

Source: https://www.4tests.com/exam/toefl/49/