Swimming Devices - TOEFL Reading Practice Questions with Answer Key

Are you ready to conquer the TOEFL Reading section and achieve your desired score? Whether you're aiming for academic success or professional advancement, preparing for the TOEFL test can be significantly eased by taking practice exams and mastering the Reading section is crucial. Not only do practice tests increase your likelihood of success on test day, but they also increase your score potential. 

Participating in such evaluations for the TOEFL Reading portion will familiarize you with the test's structure and improve the skills required to excel. Let's delve into this Reading test paper on the topic ‘Swimming Apparatus’ and begin your journey to TOEFL success!

Reading Instructions

• You will be given 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 questions following it.
• Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question is worth more. The directions indicate how many points you will receive for that specific question. 
• The specific paragraphs have been provided alongside the question for quick solutions and better understanding.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference. 

Tunas, mackerels, and billfishes (marlins, sailfishes, and swordfish) maintain continuous movement. They engage in feeding, courtship, reproduction, and even "rest" while constantly swimming. Consequently, every aspect of the body structure and function of these “Swimming Devices” is specialized to enhance their swimming capability. 

A notable aspect is that numerous adaptations of these fish aim to minimize water resistance, also known as drag. What is intriguing is that several of these hydrodynamic adjustments bear similarities to enhancements meant for enhancing the aerodynamics of fast-moving airplanes. While human engineers are relatively new to this field, tunas and their kin developed these "high-tech" designs many years ago. 

Tunas, mackerels, and billfishes have perfected the art of streamlining with their sleek and compact bodies. The body shapes of tunas, in particular, are nearly optimal from an engineering perspective. Most species lack scales across most of their bodies, resulting in a smooth and slippery surface. Their eyes are flush with the body, covered by a slick, transparent lid that reduces drag. Additionally, their fins are stiff, smooth, and narrow, further reducing drag. When not in use, the fins are tucked into specialized grooves or depressions to maintain the body's smooth contours, similar to how airplanes retract their landing gear during flight for the same purpose.

Tunas, mackerels, and billfishes possess even more advanced adaptations than those mentioned earlier to enhance their hydrodynamics. The extended bills found in marlins, sailfishes, and swordfishes likely aid them in navigating smoothly through the water, similar to the needle-like structures seen on many supersonic aircraft at the nose.

Tunas and billfishes typically possess a set of keels and finlets close to their tails, while retaining coarse scales near the head known as the corselet. These features, along with the corselet, serve to streamline water flow over their bodies, minimizing resistance. This phenomenon is analogous to the design of supersonic jets.

Tunas, due to their continuous swimming, only need to open their mouths for water to be pushed in and circulated over their gills. Consequently, they have minimized the use of muscles utilized by other fish to draw in water and propel it through the gills. Tunas, in essence, rely on swimming to breathe. They must also keep swimming to maintain buoyancy, as many of them have significantly reduced or entirely lost the swim bladder, which aids most other fish in staying afloat.

Some fish lack the swim bladder, which is a gas-filled sac that aids in buoyancy for many other fish. An issue that arises is that when these fish open their mouths to breathe, it affects their streamlined shape and can decrease their speed. Certain tuna species possess unique grooves on their tongues, believed to assist in directing water flow through the mouth and out the gills, thus minimizing water resistance.

There are modifications that enhance forward thrust and others that decrease resistance. Once again, these fish are highly regarded by engineers. Their elongated tails with swept-back tips are exceptionally well-suited for generating propulsion with minimal exertion. A crucial factor for these fast swimmers, and others like them, is their capacity to detect and utilize swirls and eddies in the water. They can navigate around eddies that might impede their progress and then gain additional thrust by leveraging these eddies. Scientists and engineers are now exploring this fish ability in the quest to develop more effective propulsion systems for ships.

The muscles of these fish and the system that regulates a warm body temperature are extremely effective. For instance, a bluefin tuna swimming in water at 7°C (45°F) can sustain a core temperature exceeding 25°C (77°F). This elevated body temperature not only benefits muscle function but also enhances the performance of the brain and eyes. In comparison, billfishes have developed specialized "heaters" made of modified muscle tissue, which warm the eyes and brain, ensuring optimal functioning of these vital organs.

Directions: Once you have read the passage, answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1

Tunas, mackerels, and billfishes (marlins, sailfishes, and swordfish) maintain continuous movement. They engage in feeding, courtship, reproduction, and even "rest" while constantly swimming. Consequently, every aspect of the body structure and function of these “Swimming Devices” is specialized to enhance their swimming capability.

1. Which of the following is the closest synonym to the word "enhance" as used in the passage?
   1. Intensify
   2. Improve
   3. Counteract
   4. Balance

Paragraph 3

Tunas, mackerels, and billfishes have perfected the art of streamlining with their sleek and compact bodies. The body shapes of tunas, in particular, are nearly optimal from an engineering perspective. Most species lack scales across most of their bodies, resulting in a smooth and slippery surface. Their eyes are flush with the body, covered by a slick, transparent lid that reduces drag. Additionally, their fins are stiff, smooth, and narrow, further reducing drag. When not in use, the fins are tucked into specialized grooves or depressions to maintain the body's smooth contours, similar to how airplanes retract their landing gear during flight for the same purpose.

1. why is it mentioned by the author that "Airplanes retract their landing gear during flight"?
   1. To illustrate the distinction between air resistance and water resistance.
   2. To assert that certain fishes exhibit superior design compared to airplanes.
   3. To offer proof that engineers designing airplanes have examined fish body designs.
   4. To showcase a resemblance in design between specific fishes and airplanes.

Paragraph 4

Tunas, mackerels, and billfishes possess even more advanced adaptations than those mentioned earlier to enhance their hydrodynamics. The extended bills found in marlins, sailfishes, and swordfishes likely aid them in navigating smoothly through the water, similar to the needle-like structures seen on many supersonic aircraft at the nose.

1. According to paragraph 4, what advantage do marlins, sailfish, and swordfish likely gain from their long bills?
   1. Enhancing their defensive capabilities
   2. Facilitating easy changes in direction
   3. Improving their sense of smell
   4. Decreasing water resistance during swimming

Paragraph 6

Tunas, due to their continuous swimming, only need to open their mouths for water to be pushed in and circulated over their gills. Consequently, they have minimized the use of muscles utilized by other fish to draw in water and propel it through the gills. Tunas, in essence, rely on swimming to breathe and maintain buoyancy, as many of them have significantly reduced or entirely lost the swim bladder, which aids most other fish in staying afloat.

1. According to the passage, why are tunas in constant motion?
   1. Due to their absence of a swim bladder.
   2. Because they require more water intake compared to other fish.
   3. Their breathing is facilitated by their significant muscle size.
   4. They are only able to open their mouths while in motion.

Paragraph 7

Some fish lack the swim bladder, which is a gas-filled sac that aids in buoyancy for many other fish. An issue that arises is that when these fish open their mouths to breathe, it affects their streamlined shape and can decrease their speed. Certain tuna species possess unique grooves on their tongues, believed to assist in directing water flow through the mouth and out the gills, thus minimizing water resistance.

1. Which sentence below accurately conveys the crucial information presented in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect choices either alter the meaning significantly or omit important details.
   1. These fish frequently struggle with opening their mouths while swimming.
   2. The streamlined shape of these fish stops them from decreasing their speed.
   3. The streamlined shape of these fish tends to hinder their breathing rate.
   4. Breathing through the mouth can decrease the velocity of these fish.

Paragraph 8

There are modifications that enhance forward thrust and others that decrease resistance. Once again, these fish are highly regarded by engineers. Their elongated tails with swept-back tips are exceptionally well-suited for generating propulsion with minimal exertion. A crucial factor for these fast swimmers, and others like them, is their capacity to detect and utilize swirls and eddies in the water. They can navigate around eddies that might impede their progress and then gain additional thrust by leveraging these eddies. Scientists and engineers are now exploring this fish ability in the quest to develop more effective propulsion systems for ships.

1. Based on the passage, which adaptation of fast-swimming fishes could potentially enhance ships' performance?
   1. Navigate through eddies directly
   2. Utilize water currents effectively
   3. Travel long distances without breaks
   4. Accelerate by pushing water past their gills

Paragraph 9

The muscles of these fish and the system that regulates a warm body temperature are extremely effective. For instance, a bluefin tuna swimming in water at 7°C (45°F) can sustain a core temperature exceeding 25°C (77°F). This elevated body temperature not only benefits muscle function but also enhances the performance of the brain and eyes. In comparison, billfishes have developed specialized "heaters" made of modified muscle tissue, which warm the eyes and brain, ensuring optimal functioning of these vital organs.

1. According to paragraph 9, which statement accurately describes bluefin tunas?
   1. Bluefin tunas have superior efficiency in their eyes and brain compared to other fish.
   2. Bluefin tunas exhibit significant changes in body temperature based on water temperature.
   3. Bluefin tunas are capable of swimming in waters colder than their body temperature.
   4. Bluefin tunas possess unique muscle tissue that heats their eyes and brain.

Paragraphs 5 and 6

(A)Tunas, due to their continuous swimming, only need to open their mouths for water to be pushed in and circulated over their gills. (B)Consequently, they have minimized the use of muscles utilized by other fish to draw in water and propel it through the gills. (C)Tunas, in essence, rely on swimming to breathe. (D)They must also keep swimming to maintain buoyancy, as many of them have significantly reduced or entirely lost the swim bladder, which aids most other fish in staying afloat.

1. Look at the part of the passage that is displayed above. The letters (A), (B), (C), and (D) where in the passage the following sentence could be added. - Consequently, tunas do not need to suck in water.
   1. Choice A
   2. Choice B
   3. Choice C
   4. Choice D

1. Fill out the table provided by identifying the characteristics of fishes mentioned in the passage that decrease water resistance and those that enhance thrust. This question carries a value of 3 points.

Answer Choices

1. Most of the body lacks scales.
2. Exploiting eddies is possible.
3. Feeding and reproducing during swimming are possible.
4. Non-protruding eyes.
5. Stiff, narrow, and smooth fins.
6. Swimming with an open mouth is a common behavior.
7. It has a high, narrow tail with swept-back tips.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Craftsmen vs Industrialization

1. Answer: B

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. The term being assessed is "enhance," as indicated in the text. The appropriate option is B, which is "improve." Enhancing something entails making it better, just as improving something involves making it better.

2. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a Rhetorical Purpose Question. The question is about the reason the author mentions "Airplanes retract their landing gear while in flight." The highlighted phrase in the passage is being tested. The correct answer, choice D, is "To showcase a resemblance in design between specific fishes and airplanes." The paragraph containing the highlighted phrase explains how certain fish use their fins. The highlighted phrase is used to offer a more familiar example (airplanes) of the principle involved, aiding the reader in visualizing how fins function. The paragraph doesn't discuss airplanes in any other context, so choices B and C are incorrect. Additionally, air and water resistance are not addressed in this paragraph, making choice A incorrect. 

3. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a Factual Information question. The correct option is D, which refers to "Decreasing water resistance during swimming." The main idea conveyed in the passage revolves around the remarkable swimming efficiency of certain fish. The initial two paragraphs highlight how nearly every aspect of these fish's body structure and function is tailored to enhance their swimming abilities, with many adaptations aimed at reducing drag caused by water resistance. Paragraph 4 further elaborates, emphasizing that tunas, mackerels, and billfishes possess even more advanced adaptations to enhance their hydrodynamics. For instance, the elongated bill found in marlins, sailfishes, and swordfishes is specifically mentioned as aiding them in navigating through water more smoothly, thus contributing to their improved swimming efficiency. Other choices are not specifically addressed in this paragraph.

4. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a Factual Information question. The correct answer is option A, which states that fast-swimming fishes lack a swim bladder. The passage in paragraph 6 clearly mentions that tunas must continuously swim to breathe and prevent sinking because they have mostly or completely lost their swim bladder. None of the other options are backed by the passage.

5. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a Sentence Simplification Question. An issue that arises is that when these fish open their mouths to breathe, it affects their streamlined shape and can decrease their speed. The correct answer is choice D, as it includes all the key points from the highlighted sentence without altering its meaning. Choice A falsely suggests that these fish struggle to open their mouths while swimming, which contradicts the original statement. Choice B introduces the idea that streamlining prevents fish from slowing down, although this detail is not mentioned in the sentence. Similarly, choice C implies that streamlining hinders the fishes' breathing, which is not discussed in the original sentence.

6. Answer: B

Explanation: This is a Factual Information question. Choice B, “Utilize water currents effectively" is the correct answer. Paragraph 8 explicitly mentions that fast-swimming fishes have the ability to sense and utilize swirls and eddies in the water, which allows them to glide past eddies that would otherwise slow them down and gain extra thrust by pushing off these eddies. This ability of fishes is being studied by scientists and engineers with the aim of designing more efficient propulsion systems for ships. 

7. Answer: C

Explanation: This is a Factual Information question. The accurate option is choice C, which states, "Bluefin tunas are capable of swimming in waters colder than their body temperature." This is evident from the passage which mentions, "a bluefin tuna swimming in water at 7°C (45°F) can sustain a core temperature exceeding 25°C (77°F)." Thus, it is evident that choice C is the correct answer. Choice A is not mentioned in the passage. Choice B is in opposition to the passage. Choice D is applicable to billfish, not bluefin tuna.

8. Answer: B

Explanation: This is an Insert text question. The sentence "Consequently, tunas do not need to suck in water." is most appropriately placed at option (B). It provides a rationale for the muscle loss mentioned in the subsequent sentence after option (B), stemming from the preceding statement that due to their continuous swimming, tunas simply open their mouths to ingest water. Therefore, when inserted at option (B), this sentence forms a coherent link between cause and effect, making it illogical to place it elsewhere in the context.

9. Explanation: This is a fill in the table question. It is completed correctly below. The correct

choices for the “Decreased Water Resistance” column are A, D, and E. Choices

B and G belong in the “Enhance Thrust” column. Choices C and F should

not be used in either column.

Answer Choices

A. Most of the body lacks scales.

B. Exploiting eddies is possible.

C. Feeding and reproducing during swimming are possible.

D. Non-protruding eyes.

E. Stiff, narrow, and smooth fins.

F. Swimming with an open mouth is a common behavior.

G. It has a high, narrow tail with swept-back tips.

Correct Choices 

Choice A: "Most of the body lacks scales" is categorized under the "Decreased Water Resistance" section because it is noted in paragraphs 3 and 5 as a factor that decreases water resistance.

Choice B: “ Exploiting eddies is possible" is placed in the "Enhance Thrust" category because it is discussed in paragraph 8 as a characteristic that enhances thrust.

Choice D: "Non-protruding eyes" are placed in the "Decreased Water Resistance" category because they are mentioned in paragraph 3 as a factor that reduces water resistance.

Choice E: "Stiff, narrow, and smooth fins" are categorized under the "Decreased Water Resistance" section because they are mentioned in paragraph 3 as a factor that decreases water resistance.

Choice G: " It has a high, narrow tail with swept-back tips" is placed in the "Enhance Thrust" category because it is mentioned in paragraph 8 as a characteristic that boosts thrust.

Incorrect Choices

Choice C: This should not be included in the table as it is not discussed in the passage regarding decreased water resistance or the enhancement of thrust while swimming.

Choice F: This should be excluded from the table since it is not referenced in the passage concerning decreased in water resistance or the boost in thrust during swimming. 

Additional Reads

• Lecture on Anthropology - TOEFL Listening practice Test Paper
• Desertification - TOEFL Reading Practice Test with Solutions
• Domesticated Mammals - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test
• Teamwork- TOEFL Writing Test Paper with Answer Key