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Reading Section Directions: These sample questions in the Reading section measure your ability to understand academic passages in English. You will read one passage and answer questions about it. In a real test, you would have 20 minutes to read the passage and answer the questions. Candidates with disabilities may request a time extension. Meteorite Impact and Dinosaur Extinction There is increasing evidence that the impacts of meteorites have had important effects on Earth, particularly in the field of biological evolution. Such impacts continue to pose a natural hazard to life on Earth. Twice in the twentieth century, large meteorite objects are known to have collided with Earth. 5 If an impact is large enough, it can disturb the environment of the entire Earth and cause an ecological catastrophe. The best-documented such impact took place 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period of geological history. This break in Earth’s history is marked by a mass extinction, when as many as half the species on the planet became extinct. While there are a dozen or more mass extinctions in the geological 10 record, the Cretaceous mass extinction has always intrigued paleontologists because it marks the end of the age of the dinosaurs. For tens of millions of years, those great creatures had flourished. Then, suddenly, they disappeared. The body that impacted Earth at the end of the Cretaceous period was a meteorite with a 15 mass of more than a trillion tons and a diameter of at least 10 kilometers. Scientists first identified this impact in 1980 from the worldwide layer of sediment deposited from the dust cloud that enveloped the planet after the impact. This sediment layer is enriched in the rare metal iridium and other elements that are relatively abundant in a meteorite but very rare in the crust of Earth. Even diluted by the terrestrial material excavated from the 20 crater, this component of meteorites is easily identified. By 1990 geologists had located the impact site itself in the Yucatán region of Mexico. The crater, now deeply buried in sediment, was originally about 200 kilometers in diameter. This impact released an enormous amount of energy, excavating a crater about twice as 25 large as the lunar crater Tycho. The explosion lifted about 100 trillion tons of dust into the atmosphere, as can be determined by measuring the thickness of the sediment layer formed when this dust settled to the surface. Such a quantity of material would have blocked the sunlight completely from reaching the surface, plunging Earth into a period of cold and darkness that lasted at least several months. The explosion is also calculated 30 to have produced vast quantities of nitric acid and melted rock that sprayed out over much of Earth, starting widespread fires that must have consumed most terrestrial forests and grassland. Presumably, those environmental disasters could have been responsible for the mass extinction, including the death of the dinosaurs. 35 2 Several other mass extinctions in the geological record have been tentatively identified with large impacts, but none is so dramatic as the Cretaceous event. But even without such specific documentation, it is clear that impacts of this size do occur and that their results can be catastrophic. What is a catastrophe for one group of living things, however, may create opportunities for another group. Following each mass extinction, there is a 40 sudden evolutionary burst as new species develop to fill the ecological niches opened by the event. Impacts by meteorites represent one mechanism that could cause global catastrophes and seriously influence the evolution of life all over the planet. According to some estimates, 45 the majority of all extinctions of species may be due to such impacts. Such a perspective fundamentally changes our view of biological evolution. The standard criterion for the survival of a species is its success in competing with other species and adapting to slowly changing environments. Yet an equally important criterion is the ability of a species to survive random global ecological catastrophes due to impacts. 50 Earth is a target in a cosmic shooting gallery, subject to random violent events that were unsuspected a few decades ago. In 1991 the United States Congress asked NASA to investigate the hazard posed today by large impacts on Earth. The group conducting the study concluded from a detailed analysis that impacts from meteorites can indeed be 55 hazardous. Although there is always some risk that a large impact could occur, careful study shows that this risk is quite small. 1. The word “pose” on line 2 is closest in meaning to a. claim b. model c. assume d. present 3 2. In paragraph 2, why does the author include the information that dinosaurs had flourished for tens of millions of years and then suddenly disappeared? a. To support the claim that the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous is the best-documented of the dozen or so mass extinctions in the geological record b. To explain why as many as half of the species on Earth at the time are believed to have become extinct at the end of the Cretaceous c. To explain why paleontologists have always been intrigued by the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous d. To provide evidence that an impact can be large enough to disturb the environment of the entire planet and cause an ecological disaster 3. Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 3 about the location of the meteorite impact in Mexico? a. The location of the impact site in Mexico was kept secret by geologists from 1980 to 1990. b. It was a well-known fact that the impact had occurred in the Yucatán region. c. Geologists knew that there had been an impact before they knew where it had occurred. d. The Yucatán region was chosen by geologists as the most probable impact site because of its climate. 4. According to paragraph 3, how did scientists determine that a large meteorite had impacted Earth? a. They discovered a large crater in the Yucatán region of Mexico. b. They found a unique layer of sediment worldwide. c. They were alerted by archaeologists who had been excavating in the Yucatán region. d. They located a meteorite with a mass of over a trillion tons. 4 5. The word “excavating” on line 25 is closest in meaning to a. digging out b. extending c. destroying d. covering up 6. The word “consumed” on line 32 is closest in meaning to a. changed b. exposed c. destroyed d. covered 7. According to paragraph 4, all of the following statements are true of the impact at the end of the Cretaceous period EXCEPT: a. A large amount of dust blocked sunlight from Earth. b. Earth became cold and dark for several months. c. New elements were formed in Earth’s crust. d. Large quantities of nitric acid were produced. 8. The phrase “tentatively identified” on line 36 is closest in meaning to a. identified after careful study b. identified without certainty c. occasionally identified d. easily identified 5 9. The word “perspective” on line 46 is closest in meaning to a. sense of values b. point of view c. calculation d. complication 10. Paragraph 6 supports which of the following statements about the factors that are essential for the survival of a species? a. The most important factor for the survival of a species is its ability to compete and adapt to gradual changes in its environment. b. The ability of a species to compete and adapt to a gradually changing environment is not the only ability that is essential for survival. c. Since most extinctions of species are due to major meteorite impacts, the ability to survive such impacts is the most important factor for the survival of a species. d. 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Earth is a target in a cosmic shooting gallery, subject to random violent events that were unsuspected a few decades ago. Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information. a. Until recently, nobody realized that Earth is exposed to unpredictable violent impacts from space. b. In the last few decades, the risk of a random violent impact from space has increased. c. Since most violent events on Earth occur randomly, nobody can predict when or where they will happen. d. A few decades ago, Earth became the target of random violent events originating in outer space. 12. According to the passage, who conducted investigations about the current dangers posed by large meteorite impacts on Earth? a. Paleontologists b. Geologists c. The United States Congress d. NASA 7 13. Look at the four letters (A, B, C, and D) that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage in paragraph 6. This is the criterion emphasized by Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Where would the sentence best fit? Impacts by meteorites represent one mechanism that could cause global catastrophes and seriously influence the evolution of life all over the planet. (A) According to some estimates, the majority of all extinctions of species may be due to such impacts. (B) Such a perspective fundamentally changes our view of biological evolution. (C) The standard criterion for the survival of a species is its success in competing with other species and adapting to slowly changing environments. (D) Yet an equally important criterion is the ability of a species to survive random global ecological catastrophes due to impacts. Choose the place where the sentence fits best. a. Option A b. Option B c. Option C d. Option D 8 14. An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points. Write your answer choices in the spaces where they belong. You can write in the number of the answer choice or the whole sentence. Scientists have linked the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous with a meteorite impact on Earth. • • • Answer choices (1) Scientists had believed for centuries that meteorite activity influenced evolution on Earth. (2) The site of the large meteorite impact at the end of the Cretaceous period was identified in 1990. (3) There have also been large meteorite impacts on the surface of the Moon, leaving craters like Tycho. (4) An iridium-enriched sediment layer and a large impact crater in the Yucatán provide evidence that a large meteorite struck Earth about 65 million years ago. (5) Large meteorite impacts, such as one at the end of the Cretaceous period, can seriously affect climate, ecological niches, plants, and animals. (6) Meteorite impacts can be advantageous for some species, which thrive, and disastrous for other species, which become extinct. 9 Key to Reading Section: 1. d 2. c 3. c 4. b 5. a 6. c 7. c 8. b 9. b 10. b 11. a 12. d 13. d 14. 4,5,6 10 Listening Section Directions: The Listening section measures your ability to understand conversations and lectures in English. In this sample, you will read one conversation and one lecture and answer questions after each conversation or lecture. The questions typically ask about the main idea and supporting details. Some questions ask about a speaker’s purpose or attitude. Answer the questions based on what is stated or implied by the speakers. Most questions are worth one point. If a question is worth more than one point, it will have special directions that indicate how many points you can receive. • In an actual test, you will be able to take notes while you listen and use your notes to help you answer the questions. Your notes will not be scored. CONVERSATION TRANSCRIPT (Narrator) Listen to a conversation between a student and her basketball coach and then answer the questions. (Male coach) Hi, Elizabeth. (Female student) Hey, Coach. I just thought I’d stop by to see what I missed while I was gone. (Male coach) Well, we’ve been working real hard on our plan for the next game . . . I’ve asked Susan to go over it with you before practice this afternoon, so you’ll know what we’re doing. (Female student) Okay. (Male coach) By the way, how did your brother’s wedding go? (Female student) Oh, it was beautiful. And the whole family was there. I saw aunts and uncles and cousins I hadn’t seen in years. (Male coach) So it was worth the trip. (Female student) Oh definitely. I’m sorry I had to miss practice, though. I feel bad about that. (Male coach) Family’s very important. (Female student) Yep. Okay, I guess I’ll see you this afternoon at practice, then. 11 (Male coach) Just a minute. There are a couple of other things I need to tell you. (Female student) Oh, okay. (Male coach) Uh . . . First, everybody’s getting a new team jacket. (Female student) Wow. How did that happen? (Male coach) A woman who played here about 20, 25 years ago came through town a few weeks ago and saw a game, and said she wanted to do something for the team, so . . . (Female student) So she’s buying us new jackets? (Male coach) Yep. (Female student) Wow, that’s really nice of her. (Male coach) Yes, it is. It’s great that former players still care so much about our school and our basketball program . . . Anyway you need to fill out an order form. I’ll give it to you now, and you can bring it back this afternoon. I’ve got the forms from the other players, so as soon as I get yours we can order. Maybe we’ll have the jackets by the next game. (Female student) OK. (Male coach) Great. And the next thing is, you know Mary’s transferring to another college next week, so we’ll need someone to take over her role as captain for the second half of the season. And the other players unanimously picked you to take over as captain when Mary leaves. (Female student) Wow. I saw everybody this morning, and nobody said a word. (Male coach) They wanted me to tell you. So, do you accept? (Female student) Of course! But Susan’s a much better player than I am. I’m really surprised they didn’t pick her. (Male coach) They think you’re the right one. You’ll have to ask them their thoughts. (Female student) Okay . . . I guess one of the first things I’ll have to do as captain is make sure we get a thank-you card out to the lady who’s buying us the jackets. (Male coach) Good idea. I have her address here somewhere. (Female student) And I’ll make sure the whole team signs it. 12 (Male coach) Good. That’s all the news there is. I think that’s it for now. Oh, let me get you that order form. 1. What are the speakers mainly discussing? a. How the woman should prepare for the next game b. The woman’s responsibilities as team captain c. Things that happened while the woman was away d. The style of the new team uniforms 2. Who is buying new jackets for the team? a. The coach b. The captain of the team c. A former player d. A group of basketball fans 3. There are two answers for the next question. Mark two answers. Why is the woman surprised to learn that she has been chosen as the new team captain? a. She is not the best player on the team. b. Her teammates did not tell her about the decision. c. She does not have many friends on the team. d. She has missed a lot of practices. 13 4. Read part of the conversation again. Then answer the question. (Female student) I’m sorry I had to miss practice, though. I feel bad about that. (Male coach) Family’s very important. What does the man mean when he says: “Family’s very important.” a. He hopes the woman’s family is doing well. b. He would like to meet the woman’s family. c. The woman should spend more time with her family. d. The woman had a good reason for missing practice. 5. Why does the coach say: “Good. That’s all the news there is. I think that’s it for now.” a. He wants to know if the woman understood his point. b. He wants the woman to act immediately. c. He is preparing to change the topic. d. He is ready to end the conversation. 14 LECTURE TRANSCRIPT (Narrator) Listen to part of a lecture in a literature class. (Male professor) Today I’d like to introduce you to a novel that some critics consider the finest detective novel ever written. It was also the first. We’re talking about The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. Now, there are other detective stories that preceded The Moonstone historically—Um, notably the work of Poe . . . Edgar Allen Poe’s stories, such as “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” and . . . “The Purloined Letter.” Now these were short stories that featured a detective . . . uh, probably the first to do that. But The Moonstone, which follows them by about twenty years—it was published in 1868—this is the first full-length detective novel ever written. Now, in The Moonstone—if you read it as . . . uh, come to it as a contemporary reader— what’s interesting is that most of the features you find in almost any detective novel are in fact already present. Uh, its hard at this juncture to read this novel and realize that no one had ever done that before, because it all seems so striki