Using the word People

Frown upon

TOEFL Structure Practice. Focusing on Subjunctive mood

TOEFL Reading Practice. Focusing on main idea and inference of vocabulary.

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin made his textbook experiment with a brass key and a silk kite that he flew in a thunderstorm to prove that lightning and electricity are the same thing. In 1920, a kite-flying championship for families and individuals was held in London. These two seemingly unrelated events underscore the fact that kites can be flown for both pleasure and scientific purposes. For example, in the 1800s weather bureaus flew kites to re¬cord temperature and humidity at certain altitudes. On one occasion, ten kites were strung together and flown at a height of four miles to lift men and carry cameras aloft.

The kite's ability to fly depends on its construction and the way that its line is attached. Tile familiar diamond-shaped kite flies when its covered face is aligned against the wind flow. The line attached to the nose of the kite pulls it into the wind, thus creating the neces¬sary angle for the lift force. If the kite’s construction and the angle of the air stream are correct. the kite will encounter greater pressure against its face and lower pressure against its back. The difference in the pressure creates a lift that causes the kite to rise until it hangs level from its bridle. Its angle against the wind should lx* sufficiently large or small to create maximum lift to overcome Ixjth drag and gravity. The towing point to which the line is attached is important because it sets the kite’s angle relative to the air flow. Although the kite must lx* headed up and into the wind with a velocity of 8 to 20 miles per hour, it can main¬tain its position through a tail, a rudder, a keel, vents, or tassels.

 What is the* main topic of the* passage*?
(A) How kites can be utilized
(B) Why kites were spurned
(C) What parts kites consist of
(D) What makes kites stay aloft

In line 1 the word "textbook" is clisest in meaning to:
A  Textual
B  Tentative
C  Classic
D  Ethical

“aloft" (the last word of paragraph 1) is closest in  meaning TO:
(A)  in flight
(B)  in the flood
(C)  for the analysis
(D)  for amusement

TOEFL Reading Practice . Focusing on Vocabulary Inference.

TOEFL Structure Practice. Focusing on Troublesome Verbs.

Directions: The first type of question consists of incomplete sentences, with a blank line showing where information is to be filled in. Choose the word or phrase that most correctly completes the sentence. The second type of question consists of sentences with four underlined words or phrases. Choose the one word or phrase that is incorrect in standard written English. Mark your answers on a separate piece of paper.

GRE Best Title of Passage Practice

PASSAGE 1

     Cacti and other succulent plants originate in areas where water is only occasionally available and are, therefore, conditioned to deal with long periods of drought. They possess structural modifications enabling them to store moisture for use in times of scarcity.

     Such adaptations may be similar in both groups. (All cacti are succu¬lents but not all succulents are cacti.) Storage areas include thickened leaves, stems, and corms. Leaves, which transpire precious moisture, may be eliminated altogether (with the stem taking over the process of photo¬synthesis), or the moisture in the leaves may be protected from evapora¬tion by a leathery surface or covered with wiry or velvety hairs, thick spines, or even with a powdery coating.

     The very shape of many succulents provides the same protection; globular and columnar forms offer the least exposed area to the drying effects of sun and wind.

Many times there are “look-alikes” in the two groups. Certain cacti coming from the New World closely resemble counterparts in the Euphor¬bias of Africa.

How do we then differentiate between cacti and other succulents? It is not always easy. Presence or absence of leaves can be helpful; size and Brilliance of flowers are also helpful, but the real test comes by learning to recognize the areole.

     The areole is possessed by cacti alone and consists of cushion-like modifications on the body of the cactus from which arise spines, hairs (and the barbed hairs or spines of Opuntia), flowers, fruit, and often new growth.

     The flowers of cacti are usually more conspicuous and most often appear from areoles near the top of the plant. In other succulents they are inclined to be less showy and more likely to emerge from between the leaves or from the base.

     In addition, with a very minor possible exception (a form of Rhipsalis), all cacti are native to the Western Hemisphere. It is sometimes hard to believe this because of the vast areas of escaped cacti in many parts of the world today.

     The majority of other succulents (excluding Agave, Echeveria, Sedum, Sempervivum and a few others) are indigenous to Africa and a few scat¬tered areas in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Both cacti and other succulents are excellent subjects for the outdoor garden, greenhouse, or windowsill. They require a minimum of care, pro¬vided that they have a requisite amount of sunlight and that their condition of hardiness is respected.

Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
(A) Succulents and non-Succulents
(B) Regions of the World and their Vegetation
(C) Distinguishing Between Succulents and Cacti
(D) Subjects for the Outdoor Garden
(E) Characteristics of Cacti and Other Succulents


PASSAGE 2

     The torpedo is a self-propelled underwater weapon having either a high-expl osive or a nuclear warhead. Conventional warheads are loaded with up to 1000 pounds of HBX    explosive.

     Underwater explosion of the torpedo warhead increases its destructive effect. When a projectile explodes, a part of its force is absorbed by the surrounding air. Upon explosion of the torpedo warhead, the water trans-fers almost the full force of the explosion to the hull of the target ship.

Fleet-type and Guppy submarines are fitted with 10 tubes, 6 in the bow and 4 in the stem. Spare torpedoes are carried in ready racks near the tubes. On war patrol, a submarine of this type usually puts to sea with a load of 28 torpedoes aboard.

     Torpedoes are propelled by gas turbines or electric motors. Turbine types have maximum speeds of 30 to 45 knots, with a maximum effective range of as much as 7% miles. Electric torpedoes usually have less speed and range than turbine types, but from the submariners point of view, they have the advantage of leaving no visible wake.

Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
(A) The Dynamics of Underwater Explosions
(B) The Efficacy of Conventional vs. Nuclear Warheads
(C) Standard Submarine Equipment and Armament
(D) How Torpedoes Work
(E) Torpedo Functions and Deployment

Answers and explanations

GRE Reading Practice Main ideas, topic, best title.