TOEFL Reading Practice Test 1 (Part 1 of 5)

What is the main topic of the passage?

• The heat of supernovas

• The formation and power of a supernova

• The role of shock waves in a supernova

• The density of a neutron star

The word "it" in sentence 7 refers to the

• shock wave

• neutron star

• core of the collapsed star

• catastrophic explosion

Answer explanation

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about the 1987 supernova?

• It was located in the Large Cloud of Magellan.

• It was 170,000 light years away.

• It shone as a star between magnitudes 3 and 4.

• It had a low peak of luminosity.

Answer explanation

In sentence 10 the word "detectable" is closest in meaning to

• assumed

• known

• perceptible

• audible

Which of the following words can best be substituted for "remnant" in sentence 10?

• characteristic

• relic

• specter

• remainder

The author of this passage is most likely

• a botanist

• an economist

• a mathematician

• an astronomer

The word "Multitudes" in sentence 6 is closest in meaning to

• magnitudes

• groups

• many

• temperatures

The word "catastrophic" in sentence 7 is closest in meaning to

• violent

• colorful

• scientific

• luminous

What can be inferred from the passage about supernovas?

• They only happen to pulsars?

• The sun is a remnant of a supernova.

• They occur when two stars collide.

• They sometimes result in a black hole.

According to the passage, what marks the beginning of a supernova?

• A star has grown too big.

• A star is born.

• The neutrons of a star become very dense.

• A massive star uses up its main nuclear fuel.