TOEFL Practice test 1 Reading 3

According to paragraph 1, which of the following statements is true of changes in the earth's landscape? 

• The occur more often by uplift than erosion 

• they occur only at special times

• They occur less frequently now than they once did

• They occur quickly in geological terms

The words relatively in the passage is closest in the meaning to 

• unusually

• comparatively

• occasionally

• naturally

Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? incorrect choices may change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information. 

• When they are relatively young, hills and mountains successfully resist the destructive forces of nature

• Although there may seem permanent, hills and mountains exist for a relatively short period of geological time

• Hills and mountains successfully resist the destructive forces of nature, but only for a short time

•  Hills and mountains resist the destructive forces of nature better than other types of landforms 

Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 2 about the mountains of the Himalayas? 

• Their current height is not an indication of their age

• At present,they are much higher than the mountain of the Caledonia range

• The were a uniform height about 400 million years ago

• They are not as high as the Caledonia mountains were 400 million years ago

The word ''relics'' in the passage is the closest in meaning to

• resemblances

• regions

• remains

• restorations

According to paragraph 3, one cause of mountain formation is the

 

•  effect of climatic change on sea level

• slowing down of volcanic activity

• force of Earth's crustal plates hitting each other

•  replacement of sedimentary rock with volcanic rock

Why does the author mention  ‘’ carbon dioxide’’  in the passage?

• to explain the origin of a chemical that can erode rock

• to contrast carbon dioxide with carbonic acid

•  to give an example of how rain water penetrates soil

• to argue for the desirability of preventing erosion 

The word ‘’ seeps’’  in the passage is closest in meaning to

 

•  dries gradually

• flows slowly

• freezes quickly

• warms slightly

The word ‘’ them’’  in the passage refers to

• cold areas

• masses of ice

•  valleys

•  rock debris 

According to paragraph 6, which of the following is both a cause and a result of erosion?

 glacial activity

 Rock debris

 tree roots

 sand 

•  glacial activity

• rock debris

•  tree roots

•  sand