TOEFL Reading Practice 5

What does the passage mainly discuss?

• The historical development of the piano

• The quality of tone produced by various keyboard instruments

• The uses of keyboard instruments in various types of compositions

• The popularity of the piano with composers

Which of the following instruments was

widely used before the seventeenth century?

• The harpsichord

• The spinet

• The clavichord

• The organ

The words "a supremacy" in line 9 are closest in meaning to

• a suggestion

• an improvement

• a dominance

• a development

The word "supplanted" in line 10 is closest in meaning to

• supported

• promoted

• replaced

• dominated

The word "it" in line 11 refers to the

• variety

• music

• harpsichord

• clavichord

According to the passage, what deficiency did the harpsichord have?

• It was fragile

• It lacked variety in tone

• It sounded metallic

• It could not produce a strong sound

Where in the passage does the author

provide a translation?

• Lines 4-5

• Lines 13-15

• Lines 18-19

• Lines 20-25

According to the information in the third paragraph, which of the following improvements made it possible to lengthen the tone produced by the piano?

• The introduction of pedals

• The use of heavy wires

• The use of felt-padded hammerheads

• The metal frame construction

The word "myriad" in line 23 is closest in meaning to

• noticeable

• many

• loud

• unusual