TOEFL Reading Complete Test-01

TOEFL Reading Practice Test

Total Time: 54 minutes
Number of Passages: 3
Total Questions: 30

Passage 1: The Rise of the Bicycle

In the late 19th century, the invention of the bicycle transformed personal transportation. Prior to its introduction, most people relied on walking or, for the wealthy, horse-drawn carriages. The bicycle offered an affordable, efficient, and independent means of travel for people across social classes.

Its impact extended beyond mere convenience. In rural areas, bicycles allowed farmers to reach markets more quickly, expanding trade opportunities. In cities, factory workers could commute longer distances, enabling them to live in less crowded neighborhoods. Furthermore, the bicycle played a significant role in social change: it contributed to the women’s rights movement by providing women with greater freedom of movement, challenging traditional gender norms.

The design of bicycles evolved rapidly. Early models, known as “penny-farthings,” had a large front wheel and were difficult to ride. The invention of the “safety bicycle” in the 1880s—with two wheels of equal size, a chain drive, and pneumatic tires—made cycling accessible and safe for the general public.

Despite the rise of automobiles in the early 20th century, bicycles have remained popular worldwide. Today, they are valued not only for recreation but also as eco-friendly alternatives to motor vehicles, helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Questions – Passage 1

1. Vocabulary: The word affordable in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
   A. expensive
   B. inexpensive
   C. valuable
   D. limited

2. Factual Information: According to the passage, what was one benefit of bicycles for rural populations?
   A. They replaced the need for farming equipment.
   B. They allowed farmers to travel to markets more quickly.
   C. They provided electricity for homes.
   D. They encouraged urban migration.

3. Inference: What can be inferred about women’s use of bicycles in the late 19th century?
   A. It was discouraged by society.
   B. It helped challenge societal expectations of women.
   C. It was seen as a threat to industrial growth.
   D. It was limited to wealthy women.

4. Negative Factual: All of the following are mentioned as features of the “safety bicycle” EXCEPT:
   A. Two wheels of equal size
   B. A chain drive
   C. Pneumatic tires
   D. A large front wheel

5. Purpose: Why does the author mention the rise of automobiles?
   A. To explain why bicycle production stopped
   B. To contrast bicycles with newer forms of transportation
   C. To show that bicycles lost all popularity in the 20th century
   D. To argue for banning automobiles

6. Reference: The word they in paragraph 4 refers to:
   A. Automobiles
   B. Bicycles
   C. Cities
   D. Crowded neighborhoods

7. Factual: When did the “safety bicycle” appear?
   A. 1870s
   B. 1880s
   C. 1890s
   D. Early 20th century

8. Vocabulary: The word accessible in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
   A. affordable
   B. reachable
   C. valuable
   D. comfortable

9. Inference: Why were bicycles particularly significant for factory workers?
   A. They improved health and fitness.
   B. They enabled workers to live farther from their workplaces.
   C. They replaced the need for public transport.
   D. They reduced factory accidents.

10. Summary: Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
    A. The history and social impact of bicycles from the 19th century to today
    B. The invention of automobiles and its effect on bicycles
    C. The history of women’s rights and transportation
    D. The challenges of early transportation methods

    
    

    Passage 2: The Disappearance of the Neanderthals

    (Approx. 320 words)

    About 40,000 years ago, the Neanderthals—our closest evolutionary relatives—disappeared from Europe and western Asia. For over 200,000 years, they had thrived in a variety of environments, hunting large animals, making sophisticated tools, and even creating symbolic art. Yet, their extinction remains one of the great mysteries of human prehistory.

    One leading theory suggests that climate change played a decisive role. Neanderthals had adapted to cold Ice Age conditions, but rapid shifts in temperature could have disrupted their food sources. Periods of warming led to changes in vegetation, which in turn affected the populations of animals they depended on for hunting.

    Another explanation focuses on competition with early modern humans, or Homo sapiens, who began arriving in Europe around the time of the Neanderthals’ decline. Modern humans may have had advantages in social organization, tool design, and long-distance trade networks, which allowed them to survive environmental challenges more effectively.

    Recent genetic studies provide yet another twist: rather than a complete replacement, there was some interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans. Today, many people of non-African ancestry carry 1–2% of Neanderthal DNA, suggesting that part of the Neanderthal population was absorbed into the modern human gene pool.

    Although no single theory has been universally accepted, most researchers agree that the disappearance of the Neanderthals was likely the result of multiple factors—a combination of climate stress, competition, and assimilation.

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    Questions – Passage 2

    1. Vocabulary: The word thrived in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
       A. struggled
       B. flourished
       C. traveled
       D. declined

    2. Factual: According to the passage, which of the following was NOT an activity of Neanderthals?
       A. Hunting large animals
       B. Creating symbolic art
       C. Engaging in long-distance sea voyages
       D. Making sophisticated tools

    3. Inference: What can be inferred about the Neanderthals’ adaptation to climate?
       A. They could easily adjust to any temperature.
       B. They were best suited for cold conditions.
       C. They preferred tropical climates.
       D. They avoided cold environments.

    4. Factual: How did climate change potentially affect Neanderthal survival?
       A. By causing illness
       B. By reducing their sources of food
       C. By forcing them to migrate to Africa
       D. By increasing competition with other predators

    5. Vocabulary: The word decisive in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to:
       A. final
       B. unclear
       C. indirect
       D. major

    6. Reference: The word them in paragraph 3 refers to:
       A. modern humans
       B. Neanderthals
       C. animals
       D. Ice Age conditions

    7. Negative Factual: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an advantage modern humans might have had over Neanderthals?
       A. Better social organization
       B. More advanced tools
       C. Wider trade networks
       D. Stronger physical strength

    8. Inference: What does the passage imply about genetic evidence?
       A. It disproves all other theories.
       B. It shows complete replacement of Neanderthals by modern humans.
       C. It suggests some Neanderthals became part of the modern human population.
       D. It shows Neanderthals migrated to Africa.

    9. Factual: How much Neanderthal DNA do many non-African people carry today?
       A. 0%
       B. 1–2%
       C. 5–10%
       D. 20%

    10. Summary: Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
        A. The disappearance of the Neanderthals was likely due to a single catastrophic event.
        B. Neanderthal extinction was probably caused by a mix of climate change, competition, and genetic assimilation.
        C. Climate change was the only reason for Neanderthal extinction.
        D. Modern humans replaced Neanderthals entirely without interbreeding.

        
        

        Passage 3: The Effects of Urbanization on Society

        (Approx. 320 words)

        Urbanization refers to the increasing number of people living in cities rather than rural areas. Over the past century, urbanization has dramatically transformed societies worldwide. By 2050, it is projected that nearly 70% of the global population will live in urban areas.

        One of the primary benefits of urbanization is economic growth. Cities tend to provide more job opportunities, better education, and improved healthcare services. Urban centers also promote innovation through the concentration of people and resources. This concentration encourages cultural exchange and the development of new ideas.

        However, rapid urban growth often results in significant challenges. Overcrowding can strain infrastructure such as housing, transportation, and sanitation. Many cities struggle with traffic congestion and pollution, which negatively impact residents’ quality of life. Additionally, the rise of informal settlements or slums is a persistent issue, where inadequate housing and limited access to basic services create difficult living conditions for many people.

        Urbanization can also affect social relationships. While cities bring diverse populations together, they can also lead to social isolation. The fast pace of city life and competition for resources sometimes weaken community bonds and traditional social networks.

        Despite these challenges, urbanization continues to be a dominant trend. Policymakers and planners worldwide are seeking sustainable solutions to make cities more livable, focusing on green spaces, public transportation improvements, and affordable housing initiatives.

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        Questions – Passage 3

        1. Vocabulary: The word urbanization in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
           A. movement of people from cities to rural areas
           B. increasing number of people living in cities
           C. development of rural areas
           D. growth of agricultural production

        2. Factual: According to the passage, what is one benefit of urbanization?
           A. Decrease in pollution levels
           B. More job opportunities
           C. Reduction in traffic congestion
           D. Decreased competition

        3. Inference: What can be inferred about innovation in cities?
           A. It is discouraged due to overcrowding.
           B. It is stimulated by the concentration of people and resources.
           C. It happens more in rural areas than in cities.
           D. It depends solely on government funding.

        4. Factual: What is one major problem caused by rapid urban growth?
           A. Improved sanitation
           B. Traffic congestion
           C. Stronger community bonds
           D. Decreased pollution

        5. Negative Factual: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a challenge of urbanization?
           A. Slums and inadequate housing
           B. Traffic congestion
           C. Improved healthcare services
           D. Pollution

        6. Reference: The word they in paragraph 2 refers to:
           A. job opportunities
           B. cities
           C. urban centers
           D. people

        7. Inference: How does urbanization affect social relationships?
           A. It strengthens traditional social networks.
           B. It causes social isolation for some people.
           C. It eliminates competition for resources.
           D. It slows down the pace of life.

        8. Vocabulary: The word sustainable in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to:
           A. able to be maintained over time
           B. causing pollution
           C. harmful to the environment
           D. expensive and difficult

        9. Factual: What solutions are policymakers focusing on to improve city life?
           A. Expanding slums
           B. Increasing traffic congestion
           C. Creating green spaces and improving public transportation
           D. Reducing job opportunities

        10. Summary: Which statement best summarizes the passage?
            A. Urbanization only has negative effects on society.
            B. Urbanization leads to both benefits and challenges that require sustainable solutions.
            C. Most people prefer to live in rural areas.
            D. Cities will become less important in the future.