TOEFL ITP Reading Skill 12

Passage 1: Volcanic Eruption

Mount Apex in Iceland erupted in 2010, causing widespread travel disruption. The volcano had been

dormant for nearly 200 years before the eruption. Thick ash clouds reached high into the atmosphere,

forcing airlines to cancel flights. Residents within a 10 km radius were evacuated to avoid health hazards

from ash and gas. Scientists and tourists had set up monitoring stations to observe the volcano’s activity.

After a week, the eruption subsided but left behind a layer of ash across farmlands, affecting agriculture for

months

What is the main idea of the passage?

• The immediate and long-term effects of a volcanic eruption.

• The origin of Mount Apex.

• How scientists predict volcanic eruptions.

• The popularity of volcano tourism.

Why were residents within a 10 km radius evacuated?

Passage 1: Volcanic Eruption

Mount Apex in Iceland erupted in 2010, causing widespread travel disruption. The volcano had been

dormant for nearly 200 years before the eruption. Thick ash clouds reached high into the atmosphere,

forcing airlines to cancel flights. Residents within a 10 km radius were evacuated to avoid health hazards

from ash and gas. Scientists and tourists had set up monitoring stations to observe the volcano’s activity.

After a week, the eruption subsided but left behind a layer of ash across farmlands, affecting agriculture for

months

• Because lava was flowing toward the village.

• To avoid health hazards from ash and volcanic gases.

• Due to danger of flash floods.

• Because of falling rocks.

What did scientists and tourists set up near the volcano?

Passage 1: Volcanic Eruption

Mount Apex in Iceland erupted in 2010, causing widespread travel disruption. The volcano had been

dormant for nearly 200 years before the eruption. Thick ash clouds reached high into the atmosphere,

forcing airlines to cancel flights. Residents within a 10 km radius were evacuated to avoid health hazards

from ash and gas. Scientists and tourists had set up monitoring stations to observe the volcano’s activity.

After a week, the eruption subsided but left behind a layer of ash across farmlands, affecting agriculture for

months

• Observation posts

• Monitoring stations

• Campsites

• Gift shops

In this context, what does “dormant” mean?

Passage 1: Volcanic Eruption

Mount Apex in Iceland erupted in 2010, causing widespread travel disruption. The volcano had been

dormant for nearly 200 years before the eruption. Thick ash clouds reached high into the atmosphere,

forcing airlines to cancel flights. Residents within a 10 km radius were evacuated to avoid health hazards

from ash and gas. Scientists and tourists had set up monitoring stations to observe the volcano’s activity.

After a week, the eruption subsided but left behind a layer of ash across farmlands, affecting agriculture for

months

• Constantly erupting

• Temporarily inactive or “asleep”

• Fully formed and stable

• Located underground

In the sentence “After a week, the eruption subsided,” what does “subsided” mean?

Passage 1: Volcanic Eruption

Mount Apex in Iceland erupted in 2010, causing widespread travel disruption. The volcano had been

dormant for nearly 200 years before the eruption. Thick ash clouds reached high into the atmosphere,

forcing airlines to cancel flights. Residents within a 10 km radius were evacuated to avoid health hazards

from ash and gas. Scientists and tourists had set up monitoring stations to observe the volcano’s activity.

After a week, the eruption subsided but left behind a layer of ash across farmlands, affecting agriculture for

months

• Got stronger

• Lessened or ended

• Moved to another location

• Remained active

What is the main idea of this passage?

Passage 2: Wind Energy

Wind turbines have become a major source of renewable energy. They convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity without harmful emissions. A modern wind farm can include dozens of tall turbines, which must be spaced apart to avoid turbulence. Birds and bats can sometimes be affected by these turbines, so engineers design blades carefully to reduce collisions. In some areas, people receive discounts on energy bills when local wind farms generate power. Overall, wind energy is a clean way to produce electricity and fight climate change.

• How wind turbines are painted.

• The benefits and considerations of wind energy.

• Steps to build a wind farm.

• The history of wind power.

According to the passage, why must wind turbines in a farm be spaced apart?

Passage 2: Wind Energy

Wind turbines have become a major source of renewable energy. They convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity without harmful emissions. A modern wind farm can include dozens of tall turbines, which must be spaced apart to avoid turbulence. Birds and bats can sometimes be affected by these turbines, so engineers design blades carefully to reduce collisions. In some areas, people receive discounts on energy bills when local wind farms generate power. Overall, wind energy is a clean way to produce electricity and fight climate change.

• To maximize wind exposure.

• To avoid turbulence from other turbines.

• Because of aesthetic design rules.

• To reduce construction costs.

What benefit do local people get when nearby wind farms generate power?

Passage 2: Wind Energy

Wind turbines have become a major source of renewable energy. They convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity without harmful emissions. A modern wind farm can include dozens of tall turbines, which must be spaced apart to avoid turbulence. Birds and bats can sometimes be affected by these turbines, so engineers design blades carefully to reduce collisions. In some areas, people receive discounts on energy bills when local wind farms generate power. Overall, wind energy is a clean way to produce electricity and fight climate change.

• They receive discounts on their energy bills.

• They can install wind turbines at home.

• They pay lower taxes.

• They get free electricity.

In this context, what does “turbulence” mean?

Passage 2: Wind Energy

Wind turbines have become a major source of renewable energy. They convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity without harmful emissions. A modern wind farm can include dozens of tall turbines, which must be spaced apart to avoid turbulence. Birds and bats can sometimes be affected by these turbines, so engineers design blades carefully to reduce collisions. In some areas, people receive discounts on energy bills when local wind farms generate power. Overall, wind energy is a clean way to produce electricity and fight climate change.

• Calm air

• Swirling or unstable air movement

• Heavy rain

• Loud noise

In the phrase “kinetic energy,” what does “kinetic” mean?

Passage 2: Wind Energy

Wind turbines have become a major source of renewable energy. They convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity without harmful emissions. A modern wind farm can include dozens of tall turbines, which must be spaced apart to avoid turbulence. Birds and bats can sometimes be affected by these turbines, so engineers design blades carefully to reduce collisions. In some areas, people receive discounts on energy bills when local wind farms generate power. Overall, wind energy is a clean way to produce electricity and fight climate change.

• Stored

• Associated with motion (moving)

• Electrical

• Chemical