READING
Directions: In this section of the test, you will read FOUR different passages, each followed by 10
questions about it. For each question, you are to choose the best answer A, B, C, or D. Then, on your
answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the
answer you have chosen. Answer all questions following a passage on the basis of what is stated or
implied in that passage.
Time allowance: You have 60 minutes to answer all the questions, including the time to transfer your
answers to the answer sheet.
PASSAGE 1 – Questions 1 to 10
The cabildo, which is Spanish for “municipal council,” was the fundamental unit of local government in
colonial Spanish America. Following a tradition going back to the Romans, the Spanish considered the
city to be of paramount importance, with the surrounding countryside directly subordinate to it. [A]
In local affairs, each municipality in Hispanic America was governed by its cabildo, or council, in a
manner reminiscent of Castilian towns in the late Middle Ages. A council’s members and magistrates,
together with the local judge appointed by the king, enjoyed considerable prestige and power. The size
of a council varied but was always small. The cabildos of important cities, such as Lima and Mexico,
had about 12 members. [B] Debates were sometimes heated, and wealthy landowners had to defend their
positions by arresting their opponents.
The cabildo was in charge of all ordinary aspects of municipal government e.g., policing, sanitation,
taxation, the supervision of building, price and wage regulation, and the administration of justice. To
assist them in these responsibilities, the city councilors appointed various officials, such as tax
collectors, inspectors of weights and measures and the markets, and peace officers. [C]
In spite of royal decrees to promote honest and efficient city government, the cabildos were often corrupt
and rapacious. By the mid-sixteenth century, appointments to cabildos were ordinarily made by the
Spanish crown and sometimes became hereditary. Occasionally, the propertied class in the city elected
some of the councilors. Sometimes citizens were asked to attend an open town meeting on important
matters. [D]
Question 1: Which can the word “paramount” be best replaced by?
A. Fundamental B. Trivial
C. Minor D. Surrounding
Question 2: Where was the “cabildo” used as a form of government?
A. In Roman colonies B. In Spanish colonies
C. In Roman provinces D. In Spanish provinces
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Question 3: The word “reminiscent” is closest in meaning to...
A. suggesting something in the past
B. suggesting a schedule or agenda
C. suggesting a small village
D. suggesting an order
Question 4: According to the passage, how was a local judge in Hispanic America selected?
A. He was elected by the council.
B. He was assigned by the king.
C. He was chosen by the town’s wealthy citizens.
D. He was the richest man in the town.
Question 5: According to the passage, how many councilors did Lima have?
A. Ten B. Eleven C. Twelve D. Six
Question 6: From the passage, it can be inferred that some cabildos were...
A. Poorly educated B. Important
C. Corrupt D. Independent
Question 7: The word “responsibilities” is closest in meaning to...
A. Duties B. Wages C. Sanitation D. Inspections
Question 8: The word “hereditary” is closest in meaning to...
A. Congenital B. Inborn
C. Assisted D. Bequeathed
Question 9: From the passage, it can be inferred that by the mid-sixteenth century, the cabildo was all
of the following EXCEPT...
A. elected by all registered voters. B. appointed by the king.
C. decided by the propertied class. D. was an inherited procedure.
Question 10: Where can the following sentence best be added to the passage?
Such discussion became very important to the movement for the independence of Hispanic
America in the following centuries.
A. [A] B. [B] C. [C] D. [D]
PASSAGE 2: QUESTIONS 11 -20
Just two months after the flight of Apollo 10, the Apollo 11 astronauts made their historic landing on the
surface of the Moon. This momentous trip for humanity also provided scientists with an
abundance of material for study; from rock and soil samples brought back from the Moon, scientists
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have been able to determine much about the composition of the Moon (as well as to draw) inferences
about the development of the Moon from its composition.
The Moon soil that came back on Apollo 11 contains small bits of rock and glass which were
probably ground from larger rocks when meteors impacted with the surface of the Moon. The bits of
glass are spherical in shape and constitute approximately half of the Moon soil. Scientists found no trace
of animal or plant life in this soil.
In addition to the Moon soil, astronauts gathered two basic types of rocks from the surface of the
Moon: Basalt and breccia. Basalt is cooled and hardened volcanic lava common to the Earth. Since
basalt is formed under extremely high temperatures, the presence of this type of rock is an indication that
the temperature of the Moon was once extremely hot. Breccia, the other kind of rock brought back by
the astronauts, was formed during the impact of falling objects on the surface of the Moon. This second
type of rock consists of small pieces of rock compressed together by the force of impact. Gases such as
hydrogen and helium were found in some of the rocks, and scientists believe that these gases were carried
to the Moon by the solar wind, the streams of gases that are constantly emitted by the atmosphere.
Question 11: The paragraph preceding the passage most likely discusses
A. astronaut training. B. The inception of the Apollo space program.
C. a different space trip. D. previous Moon landings.
Question 12: What is the subject of this passage?
A. The Apollo astronauts. B. Soil on the Moon.
C. What the Moon is made of. D. Basalt and breccia.
Question 13: According to the passage, what does Moon soil consist of?
A. Hydrogen and helium. B. Large chunks of volcanic lava.
C. Tiny pieces of stones and glass. D. Streams of gases.
Question 14: Which of the following was NOT brought back to the Earth by the astronauts?
A. Basalt B. Soil C. Breccia D. Plant life
Question 15: According to the passage, breccia was formed…
A. when objects struck the Moon.
B. from volcanic lava.
C. When streams of gases hit the surface of the Moon.
D. from the interaction of helium and hydrogen.
Question 16: It is implied in the passage that scientists believe that the gases found in the Moon rocks.
A. were not originally from the Moon. B. were created inside the rocks.
C. traveled from the Moon to the Sun . D. caused the Moon's temperature to rise.
Question 17: The word 'emitted' in the last paragraph is closest in meaning to
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A. set off B. vaporized C. sent out D. separated
Question 18: The author's purpose in this passage is to…
A. describe some rock and soil samples.
B. explain some of the things learned from space flights.
C. propose a new theory about the creation of the Moon.
D. demonstrate the difference between basalt and breccia.
Question 19: It can be interred from the passage that…
A. the only items of importance that astronauts brought back from the Moon were rock and soil
samples.
B. scientists learned relatively little from the Moon rock and soil samples.
C. scientists do not believe that it is necessary to return to the Moon.
D. rock and soil samples were only some of a myriad of significant items from the Moon.
Question 20: Which of the following would serve as the best title of the passage:
A. Apollo 11 B. things from the space flights
C. rock on the Moon D. Astronauts
PASSAGE 3 – Questions 21-30
Art communicates to us primarily through our eyes. We look at art, and we try to find some meaning in
the experience. If we are to begin to think about art more seriously, we might do well to become more
aware of the process of seeing itself.
Science tells us that seeing is a mode of perception, or the recognition and interpretation of sensory data-
in other words, how information comes in our senses, and what we make of it. In visual perception our
eyes take in information in the form of light patterns; the brain processes these patterns to give them
meaning. The mechanics of perception work much the same way for everyone, yet in a given situation
we do not all see the same things.
We can take great pleasure in merely looking at art, just as we take pleasure in the view of a distant
mountain range or watching the sun set over the ocean. But art, unlike nature, is a human creation. It is
one of the many ways we express ourselves and attempt to communicate. A work of art is the product of
human intelligence, and we can meet it with our own intelligence on equal footing. This is where study
comes in.
The understanding of process - the how - often contributes quite a lot to our appreciation of art.
If you understand why painting in watercolor may be different from painting in oil, why clay responds
differently to the artist's hands than does wood or glass - you will have a richer appreciation of the artist's
expression.
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Knowing the place of a work of art in history - what went before and came after - can also deepen your
understanding. Artists learn to make art by studying the achievements of the past and observing the
efforts of their contemporaries. They adapt ideas to serve their own needs and then bequeath those ideas
to future generations of artists. For example, Matisse assumed that his audience would know that Venus
was the ancient Roman goddess of love. But he also hoped that they would be familiar with one Venus
in particular, a famous Greek statue known as the Venus de Milo.
An artist may create a specific work for any of a thousand reasons. An awareness of the why may give
some insight as well. Looking at Van Gogh's The Starry Night, it might help you know that Van Gogh
was intrigued by the belief that people journeyed to a star after their death, and that there they continued
their lives. "Just as we take the train to get to Tarascon or Rouen," he wrote in a letter, "we take death to
reach a star." This knowledge might help you understand why Van Gogh felt so strongly about the night
sky, and what his painting might have meant to him.
But no matter how much you study, Van Gogh's painting will never mean for you exactly what it
meant for him, nor should it. Great works of art hold many meanings. The greatest of them seem to
speak anew to each generation and to each attentive observer. The most important thing is that they mean
something for you, that your own experiences, thoughts, and emotions find a place in them.
Question 21. According to paragraph 2, the process of visual perception …
[Link] not the same for all people B. begins with patterns of light
C. is not very scientific D. requires other senses to function
Question 22. What did Matisse reinterpret?
A. A goddess from mythology B. A painting by another artist
C. An ancient sculpture D.A man in history
Question 23. The word “them” in the last paragraph refers to …
A. each attentive observer B. thoughts and emotions
C. a lifetime of experiences D. great works of art
Question 24. The word “bequeath” in the passage is closest in meaning to …
A. make out B. pass on C. look over D. take in
Question 25. The author mentions all of the following ways to enhance the appreciation of art EXCEPT
…
A. understanding the artistic process B. becoming familiar with the history
C. experiencing the art by copying D. knowing about the life of the artist
Question 26. What is the main topic of this passage?
A. Visual perception of sensory material
B. The historical context for artistic expression
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C. Studying Van Gogh's The Starry Night
D. The appreciation of works of art
Question 27. Which of the sentences below best expresses the information in the highlighted statement
in the passage?
A. We see images differently because of the mode of perception.
B. Although we see images differently, the mode of perception is similar.
C. Since the mode of perception is similar, we see images in the same way.
D. When the mode of perception is the same, we see the same images
Question 28. Why might Van Gogh have painted The Starry Night?
A. To symbolize the journey of life after death
B. To create a dramatic contrast with the sky
C. To place a strong image in the foreground
D. To include nature from his early experience
Question 29. The word “intrigued” in the passage is closest in meaning to …
A. very pleased B. very confused
C. very interested D. very surprised
Question 30. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?
A. Greatest artworks are impossible to understand
B. The author shows negative feelings toward contemporary art.
C. People need knowledge to understand art.
D. What we see in art is determined by our emotions, experiences, and thoughts.
PASSAGE 4 – Questions 31-40
Antibiotics block the life cycle of bacteria that invade the human body. The first of these antibiotics,
penicillin, works by blocking the molecules that construct the cell walls of particular bacteria. The
bacteria, with incomplete cell walls, are not able to reproduce.
When penicillin was introduced during World War II, it was truly a "miracle drug." Until that time,
anyone who was cut or wounded stood a great risk of infection. Once penicillin became available, the
situation changed. Wounded soldiers, children with ear infections, and many others began to benefit
from the ability to block the growth of bacteria.
While humanity may have won that particular battle against bacteria, the war is far from over. The reason
is that in any bacterial population, there are bound to be a few bacteria that, for one reason or another,
are not affected by a particular antibiotic. For example, they may have a slightly differently shaped
enzyme that builds cell walls, so that penicillin will not fit onto that particular shape of the enzyme.
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These bacteria will not be affected by that particular drug.
For that small group, the antibiotic is a real godsend. It doesn't affect them, but it does wipe out all of
their competition. They are thus free to multiply, and, over time, all of the bacteria will have whatever
properties that made those individuals resistant.
Traditionally, medical scientists have dealt with this phenomenon by developing a large number of
antibiotics, each of which intervenes in the bacterial life cycle in a slightly different way. Consequently,
if you happen to have a bacterium that is resistant to one antibiotic, probably it will succumb to the action
of another. You may, in fact, have had the experience of going to a doctor with an infection, being given
an antibiotic, and then finding that it didn't work. In all likelihood, all your doctor had to do then was
prescribe a different antibiotic and everything was fine.
The problem is that as time has passed, more and more bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics. In
fact, currently, there is one strain of bacteria- Staphylococcus-that is resistant to every commercially
available antibiotic except one, and in 1996, a bacterium with lowered resistance to that last antibiotic
appeared in Japan.
The appearance of drug-resistant bacteria is not particularly surprising; in fact, it probably should have
been anticipated. Nevertheless, in the late 1980s, there was a general sense of complacency among
scientists on the antibiotic question. Little profit was to be made by developing the one-hundred-and-
first antibiotic. Drug companies concentrated their efforts on other areas. Therefore, a gap developed
between the production of new antibiotics and the development of resistance among bacteria.
By the early 1990s, this gap was recognized and highlighted in several national news magazines. More
companies returned to develop new kinds of antibiotics, and currently, a number are undergoing clinical
trials. By early in the twenty-first century, some of these new drugs will start
to come on the market, and the problem will be "solved," at least for the moment.
Additional research will focus on the processes by which cells repair the constant damage to DNA, but
the computer design of new drugs, the development of new antibiotics, and techniques to combat bacteria
should remain a top priority.
Question 31. How do antibiotics treat infections?
A. They interfere with the reproductive cycle of bacteria.
B. They construct cell walls to resist bacteria.
C. They inject enzymes that explode in affected cells.
D. They increase the mitosis of healthy cells
Question 32. The word “them” in paragraph 4 refers to …
A. whatever properties B. resistant bacteria
C. their competition D. those individuals
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Question 33. The word “anticipated” in the passage is closest in meaning to …
A. predicted B. concealed C. investigated D. disregarded
Question 34. Which of the following best expresses the main idea of this passage?
A. The "miracle drug" penicillin B. Drug-resistant bacteria
C. Staphylococcus infections D. Gene therapy treatments
Question 35. According to paragraph 4, why do some bacteria benefit from antibiotics?
A. The antibiotic eliminates competing bacteria, allowing resistant bacteria to reproduce.
B. The resistant bacteria compete with the antibiotic, and the bacteria become stronger.
C. The competition helps the resistant bacteria to multiply by reproducing with the resistant type.
D. The properties of the antibiotic are acquired by the bacteria, making it resistant to the competition.
Question 36. The word “complacency” in the passage is closest in meaning to …
A. consensus of agreement B. fear of consequences
C. lack of concern D. awareness of potential
Question 37. Which of the sentences below best expresses the information in the highlighted statement
in the passage?
A. Some antibiotics affect a population of bacteria more efficiently than others.
B. There are several reasons why some bacteria do not respond to most antibiotics.
C. The effect of antibiotics on bacteria is to bind them together into one population.
D. A small number of bacteria in any sample will probably be resistant to a specific antibiotic.
Question 38. The author mentions all of the following reasons for drug resistant bacteria to appear
EXCEPT…
A. there was not enough profit incentive for companies to continue developing new antibiotics
B. statistically, some drug-resistant bacteria will occur naturally in any large population of bacteria
C. the newer antibiotics were not as strong and effective as the original penicillin-based drugs
D. competing bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics, allowing resistant bacteria to prosper.
Question 39. It can be inferred from the passage that …
A. research to develop new antibiotics will not be necessary in the future
B. the scientific community was not surprised by the resistant strains of bacteria
C. antibiotics are not very expensive when they are made available commercially
D. it takes years for a new drug to be made available commercially for consumers
Question 40. Which of the following statements is NOT a main idea of the passage?
A. Many strains of bacteria have become resistant to the antibiotics currently available.
B. Funding for the production of new antibiotics has been allocated to drug companies.
C. The first antibiotics were very effective in blocking the reproduction of bacteria.
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D. New antibiotics are being developed to combat bacteria that resist the older antibiotics.
PASSAGE 1
Correct
Question Explanation
Answer
1 A Paramount means 'most important', which aligns with 'fundamental'.
2 B The cabildo was used in Spanish colonies, as stated in the first sentence.
3 A 'Reminiscent' means reminding of something from the past.
4 B The judge was appointed by the king, not elected locally.
5 C Important cities like Lima had about 12 council members.
6 C The passage explicitly states many cabildos were corrupt.
7 A 'Responsibilities' are the same as 'duties'.
8 D 'Hereditary' means passed down, like 'bequeathed'.
9 A The cabildo was not elected by all voters; mostly by the king or elites.
10 B This fits best after mentioning heated debates in [B].
PASSAGE 2
Correct
Question Explanation
Answer
The passage starts with 'Just two months after the flight of Apollo 10', so the
11 C
previous paragraph likely discussed Apollo 10.
The main topic is the composition and samples of the Moon, not the astronauts
12 C
or just specific rocks.
13 C The soil contains 'small bits of rock and glass'” this matches option C.
14 D The passage says no plant life was found” so this was NOT brought back.
15 A Breccia was formed by the impact of falling objects” A is correct.
The gases were believed to be carried by the solar wind, not originally from the
16 A
Moon.
17 C 'Emitted' means 'sent out' in this context.
The passage explains what scientists learned from samples brought by Apollo
18 B
11.
The last sentence mentions that gases were just part of what was discovered,
19 D
suggesting there were many important findings.
'Rock on the Moon' captures the content best — it discusses soil, basalt, and
20 C
breccia.
PASSAGE 3
Correct
Question Explanation
Answer
21 B Visual perception begins with light patterns taken in by the eyes.
22 C Matisse hoped viewers would recognize the Venus de Milo, an ancient sculpture.
23 D 'Them' refers to 'great works of art' in the previous sentence.
24 B 'Bequeath' means to pass something on to others.
25 C The passage never suggests copying as a way to enhance appreciation.
26 D The passage focuses on how to appreciate art and understand it more deeply.
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Everyone's perception works similarly, yet people see things differently” choice B
27 B
summarizes this well.
Van Gogh associated death with a journey to the stars — this inspired the
28 A
painting.
29 C 'Intrigued' means very interested in this context.
The final paragraph emphasizes personal interpretation shaped by individual
30 D
experience.
PASSAGE 4
Correct
Question Explanation
Answer
Antibiotics block the reproduction of bacteria by interfering with their life
31 A
cycle.
'Them' refers to 'those individuals' the resistant bacteria that survive and
32 D
multiply.
33 A 'Anticipated' means predicted or expected.
34 B The passage focuses on bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics over time.
35 A The antibiotic kills other bacteria, leaving the resistant ones free to multiply.
36 C 'Complacency' means a lack of concern or feeling of false security.
The highlighted sentence refers to resistant strains likely existing in any
37 D
population.
38 C The passage never states that new antibiotics are weaker than old ones.
New antibiotics take years to develop and go through clinical trials before
39 D
reaching the market.
Nowhere does the passage say that funding was allocated it only discusses
40 B
company interest and profit.
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