Referent - Practice Quiz 1-5

PRACTICE 1 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
There are numerous stories about George Washington, the first president of the United States, but many of them are not true. One famous but fictional story tells of a young Washington cutting down a cherry tree that belonged to his father. When confronted by him, Washington is believed to have confessed, saying, “I cannot tell a lie.” Although this story is untrue, people often use it to illustrate Washington’s character.

1. The word “him” in the passage refers to
(A) the first president of the United States

(B) young Washington
(C) a cherry tree

(D) his father

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 1 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
There are numerous stories about George Washington, the first president of the United States, but many of them are not true. One famous but fictional story tells of a young Washington cutting down a cherry tree that belonged to his father. When confronted by him, Washington is believed to have confessed, saying, “I cannot tell a lie.” Although this story is untrue, people often use it to illustrate Washington’s character.

2. The word “it” in the passage refers to

(A) a cherry tree
(B) Washington

(C) this story
(D) Washington’s character

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 2 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
The tradition of literati painting in China was distinct from professional art. Literati painting was a means of self-expression by amateur painters. They were usually educated government employees who had acquired great skills in calligraphy. They used these to create simple black brushstrokes to express their unique perspectives. Most often, literati painters produced scenes of peaceful wilderness. But beyond that, they loved to experiment, leading to highly diverse works. Some consist of older men or travelers appreciating natural beauty. Many include a poem written by the painter or a friend.

3. The word “these” in the passage refers to

(A) amateur painters
(B) educated government employees

(C) great skills in calligraphy
(D) simple black brushstrokes

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 2 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
The tradition of literati painting in China was distinct from professional art. Literati painting was a means of self-expression by amateur painters. They were usually educated government employees who had acquired great skills in calligraphy. They used these to create simple black brushstrokes to express their unique perspectives. Most often, literati painters produced scenes of peaceful wilderness. But beyond that, they loved to experiment, leading to highly diverse works. Some consist of older men or travelers appreciating natural beauty. Many include a poem written by the painter or a friend.

4. The word “Some” in the passage refers to

(A) unique perspectives
(B) literati painters

(C) scenes of peaceful wilderness
(D) highly diverse works

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 3 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
Located in South Asia, Nepal is a small country with a unique and tremendously diverse geography that includes both low and high elevations. Three main geographical regions make up Nepal. These are the Terai plains, the mid-level hills, and the Himalaya mountains. The snow-capped Himalayas provide a sharp contrast to Nepal’s lower terrain. Tallest among them is Mount Everest. At 8,848 meters in height, it is the tallest mountain in the world.

5. The word “These” in the passage refers to

(A) low and high elevations
(B) three main geographical regions

(C) the Terai plains
(D) the Himalaya mountains

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 3 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
Located in South Asia, Nepal is a small country with a unique and tremendously diverse geography that includes both low and high elevations. Three main geographical regions make up Nepal. These are the Terai plains, the mid-level hills, and the Himalaya mountains. The snow-capped Himalayas provide a sharp contrast to Nepal’s lower terrain. Tallest among them is Mount Everest. At 8,848 meters in height, it is the tallest mountain in the world.

6. The word “them” in the passage refers to

(A) three main geographical regions
(B) the Terai plains

(C) the mid-level hills
(D) Himalayas

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 4 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
Besides heredity, many factors can influence a person’s reaction to allergens. Factors such as changes in weather, certain diseases, and fatigue can affect how an individual reacts to them. Another that is often overlooked is one’s emotional state. For example, stress can weaken the body’s defenses and lead one to develop asthma when exposed to pollen.

7. The word “them” in the passage refers to

(A) factors
(B) changes in weather

(C) certain diseases
(D) allergens

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 4 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
Besides heredity, many factors can influence a person’s reaction to allergens. Factors such as changes in weather, certain diseases, and fatigue can affect how an individual reacts to them. Another that is often overlooked is one’s emotional state. For example, stress can weaken the body’s defenses and lead one to develop asthma when exposed to pollen.

8. The word “one” in the passage refers to

(A) an individual
(B) emotional state

(C) stress
(D) pollen

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 5 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
Aspirin is one of the most widely used medications in the world. It is used both as a fever reducer and as an anti-inflammatory* for minor aches. United States doctors commonly recommend that some of their patients use aspirin daily. They claim that for some patients, daily use of aspirin may prevent some of the leading causes of deaths in the U.S., such as heart attacks and strokes. While having certain benefits, aspirin does have side effects. Some common examples of these are heartburn and stomach irritation.
*Anti-inflammatory: medicine used to ease swelling, fever, and pain

9. The word “They” in the passage refers to
(A) medications

(B) minor aches
(C) U.S. doctors

(D) patients

• a

• b

• c

• d

PRACTICE 5 Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow.
Aspirin is one of the most widely used medications in the world. It is used both as a fever reducer and as an anti-inflammatory* for minor aches. United States doctors commonly recommend that some of their patients use aspirin daily. They claim that for some patients, daily use of aspirin may prevent some of the leading causes of deaths in the U.S., such as heart attacks and strokes. While having certain benefits, aspirin does have side effects. Some common examples of these are heartburn and stomach irritation.
*Anti-inflammatory: medicine used to ease swelling, fever, and pain

10. The word “these” in the passage refers to
(A) leading causes of deaths

(B) certain benefits
(C) side effects

(D) heartburn and stomach irritation

• a

• b

• c

• d