Practice Worksheet - 7

Read each passage carefully and then answer the questions about it. For each question, decide on the basis of the passage which one of the choices best answers the question.

Passage 1

The following passage is adapted from a work of narrative fiction.

    The auction house smelled of old paper and dust, a scent that Clara had come to associate with both loss and possibility. She stood at the back of the crowded room, clutching the catalog in which she had circled lot number (5) forty-seven in red ink: one mahogany writing desk, circa 1890, with brass fittings and a leather top worn smooth by decades of use. It had belonged to her grandfather, sold off with the rest of the estate after her uncle’s bankruptcy. (10) The auctioneer’s voice droned on, a rhythmic chant punctuated by the sharp crack of the gavel. Clara watched the other bidders-dealers mostly, their faces blank and professional, hands rising with the barest flick of a finger.     When lot forty-seven (15) appeared on the block, Clara felt her pulse quicken. The bidding opened at two hundred dollars. She raised her paddle tentatively, then again at three hundred. Across the room, a man in a gray suit countered immediately. Four hundred. (20) Five hundred. The price climbed with terrible swiftness, far beyond what she had saved. At eight hundred dollars, Clara lowered her paddle and felt something inside her settle and harden, like clay left too long in the sun.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the history of antique furniture auctions in America
2. portray a character experiencing a significant personal defeat
3. explain the economic factors that lead to estate sales
4. criticize the commercialization of family heirlooms
5. celebrate the narrator’s emotional resilience

2. As used in line 3, the word “associate” most nearly means

1. partner
2. connect
3. collaborate
4. join
5. unite

3. The passage suggests that Clara’s uncle

1. deliberately sold the desk to hurt Clara
2. had no knowledge of the desk’s sentimental value
3. lost his wealth through financial misfortune
4. was a professional antique dealer
5. inherited the estate from Clara’s grandfather

4. The description of the auctioneer’s voice as “a rhythmic chant” (line 11) suggests that

1. the auctioneer is deliberately trying to confuse bidders
2. Clara finds the auction process monotonous and impersonal
3. the auction follows religious or ceremonial traditions
4. Clara is an experienced participant in auctions
5. the auctioneer lacks professional training

5. The dealers are characterized as having “faces blank and professional” (line 13) primarily to emphasize

1. their dishonesty and deceptive practices
2. their lack of appreciation for antique furniture
3. their emotional detachment from the objects being sold
4. their inability to compete with amateur bidders
5. their superiority over other auction participants

6. The simile in lines 21-22 (“like clay left too long in the sun”) most directly suggests that Clara feels

1. brittle and permanently changed
2. warm and comforted
3. confused and disoriented
4. angry and vengeful
5. hopeful about future opportunities

7. The overall tone of the passage can best be described as

1. bitter and accusatory
2. detached and analytical
3. wistful and elegiac
4. anxious and suspenseful
5. celebratory and triumphant

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article about marine archaeology.

    The discovery of ancient shipwrecks in the Black Sea has revolutionized our understanding of vessel preservation in marine environments. Unlike most underwater archaeological sites, where wooden ships deteriorate within centuries, the Black Sea’s unique chemistry (5) creates conditions that can preserve organic materials for millennia. Below a depth of approximately 150 meters, the water becomes anoxic-devoid of oxygen-which prevents the growth of wood-consuming organisms that typically destroy shipwrecks. This anoxic layer, (10) caused by the sea’s unusual density stratification, acts as a natural time capsule.     In 2017, researchers using remotely operated vehicles identified more than sixty shipwrecks dating from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Among these was a Greek (15) trading vessel from approximately 400 BCE, discovered at a depth of two kilometers. The ship’s mast, rowing benches, and even coiled ropes remained intact-details previously known only from images on ancient pottery. The find confirmed (20) long-standing theories about classical ship construction and revealed previously unknown rigging techniques. These discoveries offer tangible evidence of the technological sophistication of ancient maritime cultures.

8. The main idea of the passage is that

1. the Black Sea is the world’s most important body of water for archaeologists
2. ancient Greek ships were more advanced than historians previously believed
3. the Black Sea’s unique conditions have enabled exceptional preservation of ancient ships
4. remotely operated vehicles have replaced traditional diving in underwater archaeology
5. oxygen is the primary threat to all archaeological artifacts

9. According to the passage, the Black Sea’s anoxic layer is caused by

1. the depth of the water
2. the presence of ancient shipwrecks
3. density stratification
4. remotely operated vehicles
5. wood-consuming organisms

10. As used in line 6, the word “organic” most nearly means

1. natural
2. chemical-free
3. living
4. carbon-based
5. healthful

11. The passage indicates that prior to the 2017 discovery, knowledge of ancient Greek ship details came primarily from

1. written historical records
2. images on pottery
3. modern reconstructions
4. Byzantine manuscripts
5. Ottoman archives

12. The author’s purpose in mentioning “coiled ropes” (line 18) is most likely to

1. demonstrate the variety of materials used in ancient shipbuilding
2. illustrate the remarkable level of preservation achieved in the Black Sea
3. prove that Greek sailors were skilled in rope-making
4. suggest that ropes were more important than other ship components
5. explain how ships were anchored in ancient times

13. The passage suggests that in most underwater environments, wooden ships

1. are preserved indefinitely
2. decay within a few centuries
3. sink to depths greater than 150 meters
4. are protected by anoxic conditions
5. become covered in pottery fragments

14. The structure of the passage can best be described as

1. a chronological narrative of a single expedition
2. an explanation of a phenomenon followed by a specific example
3. a comparison of different archaeological methods
4. a refutation of a widely held scientific theory
5. a description of multiple competing hypotheses

Passage 3

The following is excerpted from a speech delivered by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce in Washington, D.C., in 1879.

    I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done. Good words do not last long unless they amount to something. Words do not pay for my dead people. They do not pay for my country, now overrun by white (5) men. They do not protect my father’s grave. They do not pay for all my horses and cattle. Good words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying. Good words will not get my people a home where they can live in (10) peace and take care of themselves. I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk. (15) Too many misrepresentations have been made, too many misunderstandings have come up between the white men about the Indians.     If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men (20) alike. Give them the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.

15. The primary purpose of the speech is to

1. request financial compensation for land
2. express frustration with unfulfilled promises and demand justice
3. threaten military action against the United States
4. describe the history of the Nez Perce people
5. praise those government officials who have helped his people

16. As used in line 3, the phrase “amount to something” most nearly means

1. add up numerically
2. produce tangible results
3. increase in volume
4. become wealthy
5. create speeches

17. The repetition of the phrase “They do not pay” (lines 3-7) primarily serves to

1. emphasize the inadequacy of words without action
2. request specific monetary payments from the government
3. describe the Nez Perce economic system
4. list the various crimes committed by white settlers
5. demonstrate Chief Joseph’s rhetorical skill

18. Chief Joseph’s statement “It makes my heart sick” (line 11) suggests that he feels

1. physically ill from disease
2. deep emotional pain and betrayal
3. confusion about government policies
4. optimistic about future negotiations
5. indifferent to broken promises

19. According to the passage, Chief Joseph believes that peace between white men and Indians requires

1. the removal of all white settlers from Indian land
2. continued diplomatic talks in Washington
3. equal treatment under the law
4. financial compensation for past wrongs
5. separate territories for each group

20. The tone of the speech can best be described as

1. hopeful and conciliatory
2. dignified but anguished
3. hostile and aggressive
4. detached and analytical
5. pleading and submissive

■ ■ ■   STOP   ■ ■ ■

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION OF THE TEST.

Answer Key

1. Ans: (B) – portray a character experiencing a significant personal defeat
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on Clara’s attempt to reclaim her grandfather’s desk at auction and her ultimate failure when the price exceeds her budget, culminating in the image of something inside her hardening “like clay left too long in the sun” (lines 21-22). Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage is a narrative focused on one character’s experience, not an informational text about auction history. Choice (C) is too narrow, mentioning the uncle’s bankruptcy only as background detail rather than as the passage’s focus.

2. Ans: (D) – connect
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 3, Clara has come to “associate” the smell with loss and possibility, meaning she mentally connects or links the scent with these emotions. Choice (A) is incorrect because “partner” refers to a business or personal relationship, not a mental connection. Choice (C) is wrong because “collaborate” means to work together with others, which does not fit the context of forming a mental link between a smell and feelings.

3. Ans: (C) – lost his wealth through financial misfortune
Explanation: This is a Detail question. The passage explicitly states that the desk was “sold off with the rest of the estate after her uncle’s bankruptcy” (lines 7-8), indicating financial misfortune. Choice (A) is incorrect because there is no suggestion the uncle acted with deliberate malice toward Clara. Choice (B) is wrong because the passage provides no information about whether the uncle knew the desk’s sentimental value.

4. Ans: (B) – Clara finds the auction process monotonous and impersonal
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The description of the auctioneer’s voice as “a rhythmic chant” that “droned on” (lines 10-11) suggests repetitiveness and lack of personal engagement from Clara’s perspective. Choice (C) is incorrect because the reference to chant is metaphorical, not literal, and there is no mention of religious or ceremonial traditions. Choice (A) is wrong because nothing in the passage suggests deliberate deception by the auctioneer.

5. Ans: (C) – their emotional detachment from the objects being sold
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The description of the dealers’ “blank and professional” faces (line 13) contrasts with Clara’s emotional investment, emphasizing that they view the objects commercially rather than sentimentally. Choice (A) is incorrect because “blank and professional” does not suggest dishonesty. Choice (D) is wrong because the passage actually suggests the dealers are skilled competitors, raising their hands “with the barest flick of a finger” (line 14).

6. Ans: (A) – brittle and permanently changed
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Clay that has been “left too long in the sun” (lines 21-22) becomes hardened and unchangeable, suggesting Clara feels permanently affected by her loss. Choice (B) is incorrect because clay hardening in the sun is not a comforting image, and Clara has just experienced defeat. Choice (E) is wrong because the simile describes a hardening or closing off, the opposite of hopefulness.

7. Ans: (C) – wistful and elegiac
Explanation: This is a Tone question. The passage’s focus on loss, memory (the grandfather’s desk), and quiet defeat creates a wistful, mournful tone throughout. Choice (A) is incorrect because while Clara experiences loss, she does not express bitterness or make accusations. Choice (E) is wrong because Clara loses the auction and experiences defeat, not triumph.

8. Ans: (C) – the Black Sea’s unique conditions have enabled exceptional preservation of ancient ships
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on how the Black Sea’s anoxic layer creates unusual preservation conditions, illustrated by the 2017 discoveries (lines 1-11). Choice (A) is too broad and not supported; the passage only discusses the Black Sea, not all bodies of water. Choice (D) is too narrow, as remotely operated vehicles are mentioned only as the discovery method (line 13), not as the passage’s focus.

9. Ans: (C) – density stratification
Explanation: This is a Detail question. The passage explicitly states that the anoxic layer is “caused by the sea’s unusual density stratification” (lines 9-10). Choice (A) is incorrect because depth is where the anoxic layer occurs (below 150 meters, line 6), not what causes it. Choice (D) is wrong because remotely operated vehicles are research tools, not causes of the anoxic layer.

10. Ans: (D) – carbon-based
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In the scientific context of line 6, “organic materials” refers to materials derived from living organisms, which are carbon-based (such as wood and rope). Choice (B) is incorrect because “chemical-free” is a colloquial use of “organic” that does not fit the scientific context. Choice (E) is wrong because “healthful” relates to health food marketing, not scientific terminology.

11. Ans: (B) – images on pottery
Explanation: This is a Detail question. The passage states that ship details like masts and rowing benches were “previously known only from images on ancient pottery” (lines 18-19). Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage does not mention written historical records as a source. Choice (C) is wrong because modern reconstructions are not mentioned in the passage.

12. Ans: (B) – illustrate the remarkable level of preservation achieved in the Black Sea
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The mention of “coiled ropes” remaining intact (line 18), along with masts and rowing benches, demonstrates the exceptional preservation of even delicate items. Choice (D) is incorrect because the author gives ropes equal weight with other components, not greater importance. Choice (A) is too broad; the focus is on preservation quality, not material variety.

13. Ans: (B) – decay within a few centuries
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states that “unlike most underwater archaeological sites, where wooden ships deteriorate within centuries” (lines 3-4), the Black Sea preserves ships longer. Choice (A) is the opposite of what the passage states about most underwater environments. Choice (D) is incorrect because anoxic conditions are unique to the Black Sea, not typical of most underwater environments.

14. Ans: (B) – an explanation of a phenomenon followed by a specific example
Explanation: This is a Structure question. The first paragraph explains the Black Sea’s preservation phenomenon (lines 1-11), and the second paragraph provides the specific example of the 2017 discoveries (lines 12-23). Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage is not organized chronologically around one expedition. Choice (C) is wrong because the passage does not compare different archaeological methods.

15. Ans: (B) – express frustration with unfulfilled promises and demand justice
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. Chief Joseph repeatedly emphasizes that “good words” and “talk” have produced nothing (lines 1-2, 9-10), expressing frustration with broken promises while demanding equal treatment (lines 19-21). Choice (A) is too narrow; while he mentions compensation, his broader purpose is demanding justice and equal treatment. Choice (C) is incorrect because the speech contains no threats of military action.

16. Ans: (B) – produce tangible results
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 3, “amount to something” contrasts with empty talk, meaning words must produce concrete results or real action. Choice (A) is incorrect because “add up numerically” is a literal mathematical meaning that does not fit the context. Choice (D) is wrong because “become wealthy” misinterprets the phrase in a way unrelated to the contrast between words and action.

17. Ans: (A) – emphasize the inadequacy of words without action
Explanation: This is a Structure question. The repeated phrase “They do not pay” (lines 3-7) hammers home the point that words alone accomplish nothing concrete for his suffering people. Choice (B) is incorrect because while payment is mentioned, the repetition emphasizes the emptiness of words, not a request for money. Choice (E) is wrong because the question asks about the primary purpose of the repetition, which is to emphasize inadequacy, not to showcase rhetorical skill.

18. Ans: (B) – deep emotional pain and betrayal
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The phrase “makes my heart sick” (line 11) in the context of remembering “good words and all the broken promises” (lines 11-12) indicates profound emotional suffering. Choice (A) is incorrect because “heart sick” is metaphorical, not literal physical illness. Choice (D) is the opposite of what the passage conveys; Chief Joseph expresses disillusionment, not optimism.

19. Ans: (C) – equal treatment under the law
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Chief Joseph explicitly states: “Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow” (lines 19-21). Choice (A) is incorrect because he does not demand removal of white settlers, only equal treatment. Choice (B) is wrong because he says he is “tired of talk that comes to nothing” (line 9), indicating skepticism about more diplomatic talks.

20. Ans: (B) – dignified but anguished
Explanation: This is a Tone question. Chief Joseph speaks with controlled, formal language while expressing deep pain over broken promises and his people’s suffering (lines 9-12). Choice (E) is incorrect because while he makes demands, his tone is firm and dignified, not pleading or submissive. Choice (C) is wrong because despite his frustration, he maintains a measured tone and ends with a peaceful solution rather than hostility.