Section 3

Reading Comprehension
Directions: In this section you will read several passages. Each one is followed by several questions about
it. For questions 1-50, you are to choose the one best answer, A, B, C, or D, to each question. Then, on your
answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer
you have chosen.
Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage.
Read the following passage:
The railroad was not the first institution to impose regularity on society, or to draw attention to the
importance of precise timekeeping. For as long as merchants have set out their wares at daybreak and
communal festivities have been celebrated, people have been in rough agreement with their neighbors
line 4 as to the time of day. The value of this tradition is today more apparent than ever. Were it not for
public acceptance of a single yardstick of time, social life would be unbearably chaotic: the massive
daily transfers of goods, services, and information would proceed in fits and starts; the very fabric of
modern society would begin to unravel.
Example I: What is the main idea of the passage?
a) In modern society we must make more time for our neighbors.
b) The traditions of society are timeless. 1
c) An accepted way of measuring time is essential for the smooth functioning of society.
d) Society judges people by the times at which they conduct certain activities.
The main idea of the passage is that societies need to agree about how time is to be
measured in order to function smoothly. Therefore, you should choose C.

Example II: In line 4, the phrase 'this tradition' refers to

a) the practice of starting the business at dawn
b) friendly relations between neighbors
c) the railroad's reliance on time schedules
d) people's agreement on the measurement of time
The phrase 'this tradition' refers to the preceding clauses, 'people have been in rough
agreement with their neighbors as to the time of day.' Therefore, you should choose D.
Now, begin work on the questions.
Questions 01-10
In 1796, George Washington, the first president of the United States, resigned after completing two
four-year terms in office. He had remained in the service of his country until he was assured that it
could continue and succeed without his leadership. John Adams took over Washington's position as
president in a smooth and bloodless change of power that was unusual for its time.
line 5 By the end of Washington's presidency, the American government had been established. The three
branches of government had been set up and were in working order. The debt had been assumed, and
funds had been collected; treaties with major European powers had been signed, and challenges to the
new government authorities had been firmly met. However, when Washington left office, there were
still some unresolved problems. Internationally, France was in turmoil and on the brink of war;
line 10 domestically, the contest for political control was a major concern. In addition, there was still some
resistance to governmental policies.
It was within this context that Washington made his farewell address to the nation. In the address
published in a Philadelphia newspaper, Washington advised his fellow politicians to base their views
and decisions on the bedrock of enduring principles. He further recommended a firm adherence to the
line 15 Constitution because he felt that this was necessary for the survival of the young country. He asked
that credit be used sparingly and expressed concerns about the unity, the independence, and the future
of the young country. In regard to relations with foreign powers, he encouraged the country not to be
divided by the conflicts in Europe. Stating that foreign influences were the foe of the republican
government, he maintained that relations were to be strictly commercial and not political. He pleaded
line 20 with the American public to guard their freedoms jealously. Finally, he reminded all citizens of the
need for religion and morality and stated his belief that one cannot have one without the other.

01. The paragraph preceding the passage most 05. The word "bloodless" in line 4 could best be
probably discussed replaced by
a) the Revolutionary War a) unhealthy
b) George Washington's presidency b b) deathly d 2
c) European wars c) inorganic
d) the writing of the Constitution d) nonviolent
02. Which of the following would be the best title 06. The word "working" in line 6 is closest in
for this passage? meaning to which of the following?
a) The First President of the United States a) Laboring
b) John Adams Takes Over the Presidency d b) Functioning
b
c) Challenges Facing the New U.S. Government c) Toiling
d) George Washington's Farewell to Office d) Producing
03. The word "it" in line 2 refers to 07. According to the passage, what had occurred
a) office by the end of George Washington's presidency?
b) service c a) The debt had been paid off.
c) country b) A three-branch government was being
d) leadership considered. c
c) Treaties were in place with European
04. It can be inferred from the passage that John governments.
Adams d) The government had begun distributing funds.
a) was the second president of the United States
b) had a new idea a 08. The word "domestically" in line 10 is closest
c) also served as president for eight years in meaning to the expression
d) was a part of a bloody change of power a) within the individual
b) within the home
c) within the country c
d) within the world
 09. The word "survival" in line 15 is closest in 10. Where in the passage does the author mention
meaning to Washington's belief about a U.S. document?
a) continued life a a) Lines 2-3
c
b) renewed birth b) Lines 8-9
c) successful transition c) Lines 14-15
d) systematic growth d) Lines 18-19

Questions 11-19
Further to the west, the Grand Canyon is one of the world's most spectacular natural phenomena. It
is located in the northern part of the state of Arizona, in the United States of America. Covering one
and one quarter million acres, it stretches 277 miles east to west and extends 1 to 18 miles in width.
The depth has been measured at one mile, which is deeper than any other canyon in the world. It is
line 5 easy to see why the Grand Canyon is included as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Tourist travel to the canyon began as early as 1890 and increased rapidly after a hotel was built on
the South Rim seven years later. In 1919, the Grand Canyon Park was established, with its
headquarters on the South Rim of the canyon. Ninety percent of the visitors view the Grand Canyon
from the South Rim, which, unlike the North Rim, is open year round. Visitors can drive around the
line 10 canyon to the North Rim by using a road that is 214 miles long. They can also cross the canyon over a
21-mile trail on a two-day hike. Most visitors drive along the park roads, stopping at scenic viewing
points, and many take walks along the canyon rim or hike along one of the 38 trails. Campers can ride
mules down into the canyon, and water enthusiasts rent boats or canoes to use on the Colorado River.
The habitat for wildlife at the Grand Canyon is spectacular. The white-tailed Kaibab squirrel and
line 15 pink Grand Canyon snake are indigenous and exclusive to this area. Some other animals of interest
that roam the canyon are elk, deer, mountain lions, and bighorn and pronghorn sheep, while the
Colorado River is home to a beaver population. Bird lovers can scan the skies for approximately 300
species of birds. The Grand Canyon is a diverse region of vast proportions with infinite scenes of wild
3
beauty.

11. The paragraph preceding the passage most 14. The word "headquarters" in line 8 is closest in
probably discussed meaning to
a) the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon a) guest rooms
b) a natural wonder to the east of the Grand b) visitor center
B
Canyon c) research facility D
c) a hotel built on the South Rim of the Grand d) main office
Canyon
d) a trip to the west of the Grand Canyon 15. According to the passage, where do most
people go to see the Grand Canyon?
12. "Acres" in line 3 are most likely a a) The South Rim
measurement of b) The Grand Canyon Village A
a) height c) The North Rim
C b) weight d) The Colorado River
c) area
d) volume 16. "Water enthusiasts" in line 13 are most likely
a) people who drink a lot of water
13. It can be inferred from the passage that one b) people who work in water C
reason for light tourism to the Grand Canyon prior c) people who enjoy water sports
to 1890 was that d) people who enjoy rainy weather
a) there was a lack of accommodations
b) the South Rim had not been discovered 17. The expression "home to" in line 17 could best
c) the road to the North Rim had not been opened be replaced by
d) tourists had no interest in natural wonders a) the house of
b) the habitat of B
A c) the municipality of
d) the lodging of
 18. The main idea of the third paragraph is that the 19. Where in the passage does the author mention
Grand Canyon two animals that live only in the Grand Canyon
a) is home to a marvelous variety of wildlife area?
b) provides spectacular views of geographical a) Line 1
D D
formations b) Lines 7-8
c) has a huge number and variety of birds c) Lines 12-13
A
d) is attractive to tourists for various reasons d) Lines 14-15

Questions 20-29
A hoax of some note was apparently perpetrated on Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography,
an important American biographical dictionary that was published in 1889. This extensive and well-
regarded reference was published with a number of biographies of scientists who most likely never
existed or who never actually undertook the research cited in the biographical dictionary.
line 5 It was not until some 30 years after Appleton's Cyclopedia was first published that word of the fake
biographies began cropping up. It was noted in a 1919 article in the Journal of the New York Botanical
Garden that at least 14 of the biographies of botanists were fake. Then, in 1937, an article in the
American Historical Review declared that at least 18 more biographies were false.
The source of the false biographies is not known to this day, but a look at a number of steps in the
line 10 process by which articles were submitted to the biographical encyclopedia sheds some light on how
such a hoax could have occurred. First, contributors were paid by the number and length of articles
submitted, and the contributors themselves, as experts in their respective fields, were invited to suggest
new names for inclusion. Then the false biographies were created in such a way as to make
verification of facts by the publisher extremely difficult in an era without the instantaneous
line 15 communication of today: the false biographies were all about people who supposedly had degrees
from foreign institutions and who had published their research findings in non-English language
publications outside of the United States. Finally, the reference itself provides a long list of
4
contributors but does not list which articles each of the contributors submitted, and, because the hoax
was not discovered until well after the reference was first published, the publishing company no longer
line 20 had records of who had submitted the false information.
Unfortunately, the false information about historical research did not disappear with the final
publication of the book. Though it is now out of print, many libraries have copies of this
comprehensive and, for the most part, highly useful reference. Even more significant is the fact that a
number of false citations from Appleton's Cyclopedia have cropped up in other reference sources and
line 25 have now become part of the established chronicle of scientific and historical research.

20. The main idea of the passage is that 22. Which of the following is NOT mentioned
Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography about Appleton's Cyclopedia of American
a) contains some false information that was Biography?
submitted intentionally a) It was prepared for publication in the nineteenth
b) today is a significant compilation of century.
biographies b) It was quite a lengthy reference.
c) has omitted all false information from its pages c) It was well thought of when published.
contains biographies from numerous contributors d) It later became known as the American
Historical Review.
21. The word "note" in line 1 could best be
replaced by 23. The expression "sheds some light on" in line
a) letter 10 could best be replaced by
b) warning a) turns on
c) importance b) gets rid of
d) message c) expresses regrets about
d) helps to explain
24. What is stated in the passage about the 27. What is the importance today of this century-
contributors? old hoax?
a) They are not listed in the reference. a) The false information has spread to other
b) They are listed with each article submitted. sources.
c) They preferred to write shorter articles. b) The reference is now out of print.
d) They suggested new names to appear in the c) The reference provides a long list of
reference. contributors.
d) The false citations have been removed from the
25. The information in the biographies was reference.
difficult to verify for all the following reasons
EXCEPT that the biographies were 28. Which paragraph describes the discovery of
a) from an era with slow communication the hoax?
b) about people who had studied outside the a) The first paragraph
United States b) The second paragraph
c) about people who had published research c) The third paragraph
outside of the United States d) The last paragraph
d) about people who had published in English
language publications 29. Which of the following best describes the tone
of the passage?
26. The word "well" in line 19 could best be a) Joking
replaced by which of the following? b) Congratulatory
a) Healthy c) Informative
b) Long d) Insulting
c) Successful
d) Fit

Questions 30-39
5
The Golden Gate Bridge was only a far-fetched idea before the 1900s. The name Golden Gate,
which refers to the channel between the two peninsulas where the city of San Francisco and Marin
County face each other, is a narrow and turbulent body of water at the entrance to San Francisco Bay.
In the early 1800s, when what is now San Francisco was the small village of Yerba Buena, tank boats
line 5 provided passage across this narrow strait to the wealthy few who could afford this mode of
transportation. As tiny Yerba Buena grew into the bustling city of San Francisco, there was a need for
improved transportation across the channel. By 1868, there was regular ferry service for workers who
lived in Marin County, and the notion of a bridge to span the channel was being circulated.
Spanning the gap between the idea and a feasible plan took time and determination. In 1916, the
line 10 San Francisco Bulletin proclaimed that it was time to "bridge the Gate," and a feasibility study of the
idea was undertaken by the government. Joseph Strauss, a well-known builder of bridges, took up the
challenge after World War I and submitted his plan in 1921. The War Department granted the land for
the project, Strauss was elected head engineer, and then Strauss's plan was approved by the War
Department after the War Department was convinced that there would be a large enough differential
line 15 between the water level and the bridge for tall ships to be able to get through.
The strategy for financing the bridge was to sell bonds to raise the whopping $35 million needed
for the project and then repay the bonds with tolls from the bridge. A major hurdle to cross was to get
the voters behind the financial plan. To win the voters' support, the district promised to hire only local
workers with at least one year of residency, a suggestion that was extremely popular during the era of
line 20 the Great Depression. The plan passed with a whopping majority; with the financial issue resolved,
official construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began on January 5, 1933.
Completion of the bridge was celebrated with a parade and groundbreaking ceremonies. At these
ceremonies, a telegram of congratulations from President Hoover was read to the exuberant crowd,
and the University of California at Berkeley unveiled an 80-foot model of the bridge constructed by its
line 25 engineering students. To spread the wonderful news to the whole state, 250 pigeons were let loose to
carry the message of the birth of the Golden Gate Bridge.
30. The purpose of the passage is to discuss 35. The passage implies that the War Department
a) the development of San Francisco into a was worried about
bustling city a) the cost of the bridge
b) the building of the Golden Gate Bridge b) the amount of time needed to build the bridge
c) the danger of the Golden Gate channel c) the height of the bridge above the water
d) the men behind the building of the bridge d) the legalities of building the bridge
31. According to the passage, the name Golden 36. The word "tolls" in line 17 is closest in
Gate refers to meaning to
a) the color of the bridge a) tours
b) the entrance to the city of San Francisco b) gifts
c) the ferry service to Marin County c) products
d) the body of water between the two peninsulas d) fares
32. The word "mode" in line 5 could best be 37. What suggestion was extremely popular,
replaced by which of the following? according to the passage?
a) Fashion a) Requiring voters to pay for the bridge through
b) Average tolls
c) Method b) Not allowing outside laborers to work on the
d) Model bridge
c) Requiring voters to be residents
33. The word "circulated" in line 8 is closest in d) Encouraging local residents to support the plan
meaning to
a) passed around 38. How was the completion of the bridge
b) put down celebrated?
c) thrown out a) President Hoover made a speech.
d) brushed off b) A model of the bridge was constructed.
c) The University of California at Berkeley
34. The word "head" in line 13 could best be offered an engineering scholarship. 6
replaced by d) Some birds were freed.
a) chief
b) brain 39. Where in the passage does the author describe
c) face a difficulty with the financial plan?
d) peak a) Lines 7-8
b) Lines 9-11
c) Lines 17-18
d) Lines 25-26

Questions 40-50
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use the sun's light energy to convert basic
metabolites: water, carbon dioxide, and trace minerals into simple sugars. The process of
photosynthesis occurs in the mesophyll cells of green leaves, inside tiny, disk-shaped organelles called
chloroplasts, which are filled with light-reactive pigments. The primary photosynthesizing pigment is
line 5 chlorophyll; however, yellow and orange caretenoids also play a significant role in photosynthesis.
Light itself is the primary limiting factor of photosynthesis: too much light decreases
photosynthetic activity and insufficient light fails to activate the reaction centers of the chlorophyll.
Chloroplasts respond to the specific light needs of the plant by moving about within the cytoplasm, or
fluid of the leaf cells, to reposition themselves at an optimal angle to the sun. When the sun is intense,
line 10 they turn up on their edges, thus minimizing the direct impact of solar radiation. On overcast days,
when there is not so much direct sunlight, chloroplasts rise to the top of the mesophyll cells and face
the rays at 90-degree angles to gather as much light as possible. In lower-shade leaves, chloroplasts
tend to be more spherical and evenly spaced throughout the cells in order to maximize absorption of
diffused rays.
 line 15 Though chlorophylls are efficient light-gathering pigments, caretenoids assist chlorophylls in
photosynthesis. Caretenoid molecules boost photosynthesis energy levels by passing on their gathered
photon energy to neighboring chlorophyll reaction centers. More significantly, however, caretenoids
help protect chlorophyll from irreparable solar damage. On bright days when the leaf is "pumped" full
of light and heat energy, the caretenoids act as sponges, absorbing excess energy from the chlorophyll
line 20 and dissipating it harmlessly, thus preventing the delicate chlorophyll from being scorched.

40. What is stated in the passage about 45. The word "they" in line 10 refers to
photosynthesis? a) centers
a) Simple sugars are created during b) chloroplasts
A photosynthesis. c) needs B
b) Photosynthesis takes place outside of d) cells
chloroplasts.
c) Chlorophyll is the only photosynthesizing 46. The word "overcast" in line 10 is closest in
pigment. meaning to which of the following?
d) The role of caretenoids in photosynthesis is a) Cold
unimportant. b) Summer
C
c) Cloudy
41. According to the passage, which of the d) Short
following is NOT an example of a metabolite?
a) Water 47. According to the passage, chloroplasts are
b) Minerals a) globular in shape and evenly distributed
D b) spherical in shape and randomly distributed
c) Air D
d) Sunlight c) cube-shaped and evenly distributed
Certo: A
d) elliptical in shape and unevenly distributed
42. The word "convert" in line 1 is closest in
meaning to 48. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in
a) receive the passage as a function of caretenoids?
a) Passing on light energy 7
b) exchange C
c) turn b) Protection of chlorophyll D
d) lose c) Absorption of light
d) Repositioning themselves within the cytoplasm
43. The passage mentions chloroplasts performing
all of the following functions EXCEPT 49. The word "it" in line 20 refers to
a) swimming within the cytoplasmic fluid a) leaf
b) changing their orientation to the sun b) light C
D c) changing their shape c) energy
d) transferring excess energy to the caretenoids d) chlorophyll

44. The word "cytoplasm" in line 8 is closest in 50. This passage would most likely be assigned
meaning to reading in which of the following courses?
a) tiny, disk-shaped organelles a) Physiology
B b) Botany B
b) fluid in the cells of the leaf
c) turned-up edges of the leaf c) Meteorology
d) lower-shade leaves of a plant d) Photography

Stop
This is the end of Section 3.
If you finish in less than 55 minutes, check your work on Section 3 only.
Do NOT read or work on any other section of the test.