Desertification- TOEFL Reading Practice Test Paper with Answer Key

 As one of the key components of the TOEFL exam, the Reading section demands a strong command of English Language skills. Whether you're a first-time test taker or aiming to improve your score, practicing effectively is essential. This Practice test paper is designed to help you enhance your comprehension and reading skills and familiarize you with the format and types of questions you will encounter in the actual TOEFL exam. 

By engaging in this practice test, you will be better prepared to tackle the reading comprehension tasks, identifying key information, and improving your overall performance. Let's begin your journey to TOEFL success with this Reading Practice Test on the topic- ‘Desertification’. 

Reading Instructions

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 10 questions related to 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 section/paragraphs have been provided again with the question for ease of understanding and quick solution.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference. 

The deserts, covering about a quarter of the Earth's land surface, have been expanding rapidly in recent years. This phenomenon, known as desertification, involves the spread of desert-like conditions into previously non-desert areas. Approximately another quarter of the Earth's land surface is believed to be threatened from this process.

The main cause of desertification is the depletion of essential natural vegetation, leading to increased soil erosion by wind and water. This erosion can result in two outcomes: in one scenario, the loose soil is entirely blown away, exposing a stony surface, while in another scenario, finer particles are carried away, leaving behind sand-sized particles that form mobile sand hills or ridges.

In areas where there is still soil cover, a decrease in vegetation usually leads to a decline in the soil's capacity to soak up large amounts of water. When rain falls on exposed soil, the impact of raindrops causes fine clay particles to move into the smallest spaces in the soil, closing them off and creating a surface that allows minimal water to seep through. This reduction in water absorption significantly increases runoff, leading to faster erosion rates. As the soil loses its ability to absorb water over time, it gradually dries out, further reducing vegetation and establishing a cycle of ongoing surface degradation.

In certain parts of the world, the expansion of desert regions is primarily due to a shift towards drier weather patterns. Persistent, incremental global warming has led to increased dryness in specific regions over the last few millennia. This trend could intensify in the coming decades if the rise in global temperatures caused by air pollution becomes more severe.

However, there is little uncertainty that desertification primarily arises from human activities rather than natural processes in most regions. The semiarid areas adjacent to deserts maintain a delicate ecological equilibrium and have limited capability to adapt to escalating environmental stresses. Growing populations are placing greater demands on the land to meet their food and fuel needs. While the land may cope with these pressures during wet periods, the dry spells typical of desert margins often overwhelm its diminished capacity, leading to desertification.

Four specific activities that significantly contribute to the process of desertification are overcultivation, overgrazing, firewood gathering, and overirrigation. As population densities have increased, the cultivation of crops has expanded into progressively arid regions. These regions are prone to severe dry spells, leading to frequent crop failures. Since cultivating most crops requires clearing natural vegetation, these failures leave large areas of land without plant cover, making them vulnerable to erosion by wind and water.

The rearing of animals is a significant economic pursuit in semiarid regions, where grasses typically prevail as the primary natural vegetation. When there is an overabundance of livestock grazing in an area, it leads to a decrease in vegetation cover and the compaction and pulverization of the soil. Subsequently, this often results in soil desiccation and accelerated erosion.

Firewood serves as the primary source of fuel for cooking and heating in numerous nations. The growing demands due to population expansion have resulted in the depletion of woody vegetation, leaving vast areas devoid of trees and shrubs around many urban areas. Additionally, the rising adoption of dried animal waste as an alternative fuel has negative implications for soil health, as this valuable soil enhancer and nutrient supplier is no longer being replenished.

Soil salinization caused by excessive irrigation is a significant human-induced factor contributing to desertification. When irrigation water exceeds the soil's capacity to absorb it, the excess water seeps into the water table. Without proper drainage systems, the water table level rises, bringing salts dissolved in the water to the surface. As the water evaporates, the salts accumulate, forming a white crust that hinders the penetration of air and water into the soil beneath.

The seriousness of desertification is immense due to the extensive land areas and large populations impacted, coupled with the significant challenge of halting or reversing the process. Once erosion strips away the soil, it takes centuries or even millennia for new soil to develop. However, in regions with substantial remaining soil, strict enforcement of land protection measures and the implementation of cover-crop planting programs could potentially reverse the current surface degradation.

Directions

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

Paragraph 1

The deserts, covering about a quarter of the Earth's land surface, have been expanding rapidly in recent years. This phenomenon, known as desertification, involves the spread of desert-like conditions into previously non-desert areas. Approximately another quarter of the Earth's land surface is believed to be threatened from this process.

1. The word "threatened" in the passage is most similar in meaning to which of the following?
   1. restricted
   2. endangered
   3. prevented
   4. rejected

Paragraph 3

In areas where there is still soil cover, a decrease in vegetation usually leads to a decline in the soil's capacity to soak up large amounts of water. When rain falls on exposed soil, the impact of raindrops causes fine clay particles to move into the smallest spaces in the soil, closing them off and creating a surface that allows minimal water to seep through. This reduction in water absorption significantly increases runoff, leading to faster erosion rates. As the soil loses its ability to absorb water over time, it gradually dries out, further reducing vegetation and establishing a cycle of ongoing surface degradation.

1. According to paragraph 3, what effect does the loss of natural vegetation have on the soil?
   1. Increased stony content
   2. Decreased water absorption
   3. Increased void spaces in the soil
   4. Decreased water runoff

Paragraph 5

However, there is little uncertainty that desertification primarily arises from human activities rather than natural processes in most regions. The semiarid areas adjacent to deserts maintain a delicate ecological equilibrium and have limited capability to adapt to escalating environmental stresses. Growing populations are placing greater demands on the land to meet their food and fuel needs. While the land may cope with these pressures during wet periods, the dry spells typical of desert margins often overwhelm its diminished capacity, leading to desertification.

1. The word "delicate" in the passage is most similar in meaning to which of the following?
   1. Fragile
   2. Predictable
   3. Complex
   4. Valuable

1. According to paragraph 5, during dry periods, border regions struggle with
   1. Adapting to the pressures caused by settlement
   2. Maintaining their soil fertility following desertification
   3. Supplying water for crop irrigation
   4. Attracting people seeking food and fuel

Paragraph 6

Four specific activities that significantly contribute to the process of desertification are overcultivation, overgrazing, firewood gathering, and overirrigation. As population densities have increased, the cultivation of crops has expanded into progressively arid regions. These regions are prone to severe dry spells, leading to frequent crop failures. Since cultivating most crops requires clearing natural vegetation, these failures leave large areas of land without plant cover, making them vulnerable to erosion by wind and water.

1. The word "progressively" in the passage is most similar in meaning to which of the following?
   1. Openly
   2. Impressively
   3. Objectively
   4. Increasingly

1. Based on paragraph 6, which of the following is frequently connected with cultivating crops?
   1. Insufficient irrigation methods
   2. Planting crops unsuitable for the specific region
   3. Clearing the initial vegetation
   4. Overusing dried animal waste

Paragraph 9

Soil salinization caused by excessive irrigation is a significant human-induced factor contributing to desertification. When irrigation water exceeds the soil's capacity to absorb it, the excess water seeps into the water table. Without proper drainage systems, the water table level rises, bringing salts dissolved in the water to the surface. As the water evaporates, the salts accumulate, forming a white crust that hinders the penetration of air and water into the soil beneath.

1. Based on paragraph 9, why is the ground's absorption of excess water considered a contributing factor to desertification?
   1. Disrupt the process of irrigating land.
   2. Reduce the rate of water evaporation.
   3. Increase the need for soil to absorb air.
   4. Cause salts to rise to the surface.

Paragraph 10

The seriousness of desertification is immense due to the extensive land areas and large populations impacted, coupled with the significant challenge of halting or reversing the process. Once erosion strips away the soil, it takes centuries or even millennia for new soil to develop. However, in regions with substantial remaining soil, strict enforcement of land protection measures and the implementation of cover-crop planting programs could potentially reverse the current surface degradation.

1. Which of the sentences provided below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence of the passage?
   1. Desertification poses a major challenge due to its difficulty to reverse and its impact on extensive land areas and numerous people.
   2. Halting desertification proves challenging due to the expansive spread of populations over vast land areas.
   3. Addressing the expansion of deserts is viewed as a highly critical issue that requires the involvement of large populations across different countries to be resolved.
   4. Reversing desertification is exceptionally challenging without reducing the population in the affected vast areas.

Paragraph 7

(A) The rearing of animals is a significant economic pursuit in semiarid regions, where grasses typically prevail as the primary natural vegetation. (B)When there is an overabundance of livestock grazing in an area, it leads to a decrease in vegetation cover and the compaction and pulverization of the soil. (C) Subsequently, this often results in soil desiccation and accelerated erosion. (D)

1. Directions: Look at the part of the passage that is displayed above. The letters (A), (B), (C), and (D) indicate where the following sentence could be added.
   
   "This economic reliance on livestock in certain regions makes large tracts of land susceptible to overgrazing."
   
   Where would the sentence best fit?
   1. A. Choice A
   2. B. Choice B
   3. C. Choice C
   4. D. Choice D

1. Directions: The introductory sentence for summarizing the passage is given below. Complete the summary by choosing the THREE answer choices that capture the most crucial ideas from the passage. Exclude answer choices that present ideas not found in the passage or are minor in importance. This question carries a value of 2 points.
   
   Many factors have contributed to the great increase in desertification in recent decades.
   1. The ecological balance in certain areas has been disrupted due to the growth of human populations and their agricultural demands, resulting in the spread of deserts.
   2. The frequency of severe dry periods has led to increased crop failures across various crops.
   3. Overpopulation of cattle and the necessity for firewood have depleted grasses and trees, leaving the land exposed and susceptible.
   4. Poorly drained extensive irrigation causes salt to accumulate on the soil surface, hindering water and air absorption.
   5. Soil fertility is enhanced by animal dung, which supplies nutrients for plant growth.
   6. Semiarid regions typically feature grasses as the predominant natural vegetation type.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Desertification

1. Answer: B

Explanation: This is a Vocabulary question. To be threatened means to communicate or behave in a way that suggests harm towards someone or something. The entity that is threatened is at risk of being harmed, therefore, the correct answer is option B, which means "in danger of harm."

2. Answer: B

Explanation: This is a Factual Information question regarding details from paragraph 3. The correct answer, choice B, refers to the decreased water absorption due to decreased vegetation, as explicitly stated in the paragraph. Choice D, which mentions reduced water runoff, contradicts the paragraph and is therefore incorrect. Choice C, regarding spaces in the soil, is mentioned in a different context and is not stated to increase, making it incorrect. Choice A is not mentioned in the paragraph.

3. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. The word "delicate" is being tested in the passage, and it is highlighted. The correct answer, choice A, means "fragile," indicating something that is easily broken. "Delicate" has the same meaning as "fragile."

4. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a factual information question pertaining to specific information found in paragraph 5. The correct answer, choice A, states that border areas struggle to cope with the "stresses caused by settlement." The paragraph explains that the expansion of populations, or settlement, puts pressure on border areas that the land may not be able to handle. Choice B is inaccurate because the paragraph does not address fertility post-desertification. Similarly, choice C is incorrect as it mentions irrigation, which is not discussed in this paragraph. Choice D is also wrong because the paragraph does not talk about the challenge of attracting populations; instead, it focuses on the difficulties posed by increasing populations in border areas.

5. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a vocabulary question. The word "progressively" is being tested in the highlighted passage, and the correct answer is "increasingly." In this context, "progressively" signifies "more," and having "more" of something implies that it is growing or increasing.

6. Answer: C

Explanation: This is a factual information question asking for specific information from paragraph 6. The correct answer is C, which refers to the "clearing the initial vegetation" This is explicitly mentioned in sentence 4 of the paragraph, stating that "Since cultivating most crops requires clearing natural vegetation." Answer choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they are not mentioned or discussed in the paragraph.

7. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a Factual Information question related to paragraph 9, where the correct answer is “Cause salts to rise to the surface." The paragraph discusses salinization caused by overirrigation, which raises the water table and results in salts being brought to the surface. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they mention interference or limitation of irrigation and the amount of air soil needs to absorb, which are not mentioned in the paragraph.

8. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a sentence simplification question. The correct answer is option A, as it retains all the vital information from the highlighted sentence without altering its meaning or shortening it. Option A presents the information in a slightly different order compared to the tested sentence, with two clauses being reversed. However, no information has been omitted or changed in meaning. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they modify the meaning of the highlighted sentence.

9. Answer: B

Explanation: This is an insert text question. The sentence provided, "This economic reliance on livestock in certain regions makes large tracts of land susceptible to overgrazing" is most appropriately placed at option (B). This placement is supported by the preceding sentence in choice (B), which mentions that raising livestock is a significant economic activity in semi-arid regions. The inserted sentence elaborates on this by explaining how this reliance leads to the susceptibility of large land areas to overgrazing. Additionally, the sentence following choice (B) discusses the consequences of excessive livestock grazing, thereby linking the inserted sentence to both the sentence before and after choice (B). None of the other potential insertion points share this connection, making choice (B) the correct option. 

10. Answer: A, C, D

Explanation: This is a prose summary question. The correct options are A, C, and D. Therefore, options B, E, and F are incorrect. 

• A. The ecological balance in certain areas has been disrupted due to the growth of human populations and their agricultural demands, resulting in the spread of deserts.
• C. Overpopulation of cattle and the necessity for firewood have depleted grasses and trees, leaving the land exposed and susceptible.
• D. Poorly drained extensive irrigation causes salt to accumulate on the soil surface, hindering water and air absorption.

Correct choices

Choice A is accurate because it points out that the increase in human populations and their associated agricultural needs has disrupted the ecological equilibrium in certain regions, resulting in desert expansion. This theme is reiterated throughout the passage and is considered one of the primary concepts, with paragraphs 5, 6, 7, and 9 offering specific information to reinforce this assertion.

Choice C is accurate because it identifies the overpopulation of cattle and the demand for firewood as significant human activities that have diminished grasses and trees, resulting in the land being exposed and susceptible. These activities are highlighted as major causes of desertification, which is the primary focus of the passage. Paragraphs 6, 7, and 8 specifically elaborate on how these activities contribute to the process of desertification. 

Choice D is accurate because it identifies extensive irrigation with inadequate drainage as a human activity that causes salt to rise to the soil surface, resulting in decreased water and air absorption. This activity is a significant contributor to desertification, which is the primary topic discussed throughout the passage. The initial mention of this activity is in paragraph 6, followed by a detailed explanation in paragraph 9 regarding its role in desertification.

Incorrect Choices

Choice B is inaccurate because it discusses the increased failures of various crops during periods of severe dryness, which is a supporting detail rather than a main idea presented in the passage.

Choice E is not accurate because it is contradicted by information presented in paragraph 8 of the passage.

Choice F which states that grasses are typically the primary type of natural vegetation in semi-arid regions, is deemed incorrect due to its minor significance; it is briefly mentioned only once in passing within paragraph 7.

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