TOEFL READING 2

The word "momentous" in the passage is closest in meaning to

• Numerous

• Regular

• Very important

• Very positive

The phrase "this remarkable change" in the passage refers to

• warming at the end of the Ice Age

• shifts in mountain snow lines

• the movement of people from farms to villages

• a dramatic increase in the population

The word "exploited" in the passage is closest in meaning to

• explored

• utilized

• inhabited

• improved

Why does the author mention "seashells, stone bowls, and artifacts made of obsidian?

• To give examples of objects obtained through trade with other societies

• To ilustrate the kinds of objects that are preserved in a cool climate

• To provide evidence that the organization of work was specialized

• To give examples of the artistic ability of local populations

The word "cramped" in the passage is closest in meaning to

• primitive

• secure

• extended

• confined

Paragraph 3 suggests which of the following about settlement of Abu Hureyra?

• The settlement was inhabit by small groups of people from nearby areas

• Small bands of people migrated in and out of the settlement

• The location of the settlement made permanet development difficult

• The easy availability of food led the growth of the settlement

According to paragraph 5, after 7000 B.C the settlement of Abu Hureyra differed from earlier sttlements at that location in all of the following

• the domestication of animals

• the intensive hunting of gazelle

• the size of the settlement

• the design of the dwellings

Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage?

• In many areas besides Abu Hureyra, complex factors led to new economies including the herding of domestic stock

• In 'Ain Ghazal and Syria, domestic stock was more important that it was at Abu Hureyra

• Once early methods of hearding animals improved, new economies were adopted

• Many complex theories attempt to explain the early domestication of animals

Look at the four squares that indicate where the following sentence can be added to the passage. Where would the sentence best fit?

One of the major effects was the rapid growth of the human population itself

• A

• B

• C

• D

An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some answer choices do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage.

• Wild cereals, grasses, and nuts were exchanged for exotic objects

• Within 2,000 years, population in Southwestern Asia greatly increased in number

• Changes in climat conditions made Southwester Asia highly beneficial to human occupants

• The favorable location of Abu Hureyra kept the city from experiencing hardship during drought years

• In rich, fertile areas permanent societies evolved to a high level of complexity