Agriculture in Africa - TOEFL Reading Practice Questions with Answer Key

Mastering the TOEFL iBT® Reading section requires sharp analytical skills for academic English texts. This section assesses your ability to grasp main ideas, identify key details, draw inferences, and navigate text structure. The secret weapon? Consistent practice!

We offer realistic practice tests that mirror the actual exam format and writing style, building your comfort and confidence for test day. Ready to get the ideal score in the TOEFL iBT® Reading section? Let's dive into a practice test on "Agriculture in Africa" and gain valuable insights into the format and areas for improvement!

Reading Instructions

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 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. 

Prior to 3000 B.C., evidence indicates the presence of agriculture in Africa. While some believe it emerged independently, many scholars suggest that its spread, alongside ironworking, tied Africa to the Near East and Mediterranean hubs. The migration of people due to the Sahara's desertification drove populations southward, where they initially lived in scattered hunting and gathering groups. Settlements near water bodies allowed for larger communities, supported by fishing. Agriculture likely reached these communities from the Near East, introducing crops like millets and sorghums. Over time, Africans adapted these crops and embraced new ones, including certain rice varieties. The domestication of African crops is thought to have occurred along a band stretching from Ethiopia to West Africa. Additionally, crops such as bananas were introduced from Southeast Asia.

Livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, were introduced to Africa from outside sources, likely originating from Asia. Horses made their entrance through the Hyksos invaders of Egypt around 1780–1560 B.C., spreading to West Africa via Sudan. Evidence from Sahara rock paintings suggests the use of horses and chariots for desert travel as early as 300–200 B.C., indicating the establishment of trade routes across the Sahara. In West Africa, horses were embraced, leading to the rise of powerful cavalry forces and the formation of expansive empires. Additionally, camels were introduced around the first century A.D., revolutionizing desert travel due to their resilience and ability to carry heavy loads economically. This innovation transformed the desert from a formidable barrier to a more accessible route for trade and communication.

Iron, originating from West Asia, followed distinct diffusion routes compared to agriculture. Across much of Africa, societies transitioned directly from stone technology to iron, bypassing copper or bronze metallurgy, although early copper-working sites have been discovered in West Africa. Knowledge of ironmaking spread into the forests and savannahs of West Africa concurrently with its arrival in Europe. Archeological evidence of iron production has been unearthed in regions like Nigeria, Ghana, and Mali.

The advent of iron technology triggered significant transformations in the structure of African societies. Iron became synonymous with power. In West Africa, blacksmiths, responsible for crafting tools and weapons, occupied a pivotal position in society, often endowed with special religious authority and duties. Iron implements such as hoes, enhancing agricultural productivity, and weapons, and bolstering military prowess held symbolic significance in various West African cultures. Those possessing the knowledge of iron production wielded not just technical prowess but also accrued ritual and occasionally political influence.

In contrast to the Americas, where metallurgy emerged much later and on a limited scale, Africans embraced iron technology relatively early on. They devised innovative furnaces capable of generating the high temperatures required for iron production and regulating the airflow crucial for combining carbon and iron ore. Consequently, many regions of Africa swiftly transitioned into the Iron Age, assimilating the fundamental iron-making techniques and customizing them to suit local environments and available resources.

The spread of agriculture and later of iron was accompanied by significant population movements, likely originating from eastern Nigeria. These migrations may have been triggered by an increase in population due to the desertification of the Sahara. These migrating people spoke a language known as proto-Bantu, which serves as the root language for numerous Bantu languages spoken across sub-Saharan Africa. The reasons behind their dispersal into central and southern Africa remain unclear, but archaeologists speculate that their mastery of iron weaponry enabled them to overcome their stone-tool-using hunter-gatherer adversaries. However, the exact mechanisms driving this expansion remain uncertain, with theories suggesting both peaceful migration and rapid demographic growth as potential factors contributing to the Bantu migration.

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

Paragraph 1

Prior to 3000 B.C., evidence indicates the presence of agriculture in Africa. While some believe it emerged independently, many scholars suggest that its spread, alongside ironworking, tied Africa to the Near East and Mediterranean hubs. The migration of peoples due to the Sahara's desertification drove populations southward, where they initially lived in scattered hunting and gathering groups. Settlements near water bodies allowed for larger communities, supported by fishing. Agriculture likely reached these communities from the Near East, introducing crops like millets and sorghums. Over time, Africans adapted these crops and embraced new ones, including certain rice varieties. The domestication of African crops is thought to have occurred along a band stretching from Ethiopia to West Africa. Additionally, crops such as bananas were introduced from Southeast Asia.

1. According to paragraph 1, why do researchers question the independent development of agriculture in Africa?
   1. African lakes and rivers already supplied sufficient sustenance for people to survive without agriculture.
   2. The initial instances of cultivated plants found in Africa are indigenous to Asia.
   3. Africa's indigenous plants pose considerable challenges for domestication.
   4. African societies were not sufficiently populous to sustain agricultural practices.

1. In paragraph 1, what does the author imply about changes in the African environment during this time frame?
   1. The climate was becoming gentler, enabling a broader range of crops to be cultivated.
   2. Despite periods of aridity pushing individuals southward, they came back once their food supply was assured.
   3. Population expansion along rivers and lakes was markedly reducing the availability of fish.
   4. A region that had previously sustained numerous inhabitants was transforming into a desert where few could thrive.

Paragraph 2

Livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, were introduced to Africa from outside sources, likely originating from Asia. Horses made their entrance through the Hyksos invaders of Egypt around 1780–1560 B.C., spreading to West Africa via the Sudan. Evidence from Sahara rock paintings suggests the use of horses and chariots for desert travel as early as 300–200 B.C., indicating the establishment of trade routes across the Sahara. In West Africa, horses were embraced, leading to the rise of powerful cavalry forces and the formation of expansive empires. Additionally, camels were introduced around the first century A.D., revolutionizing desert travel due to their resilience and ability to carry heavy loads economically. This innovation transformed the desert from a formidable barrier to a more accessible route for trade and communication.

1. According to paragraph 2, camels were significant because they
   1. were the initial domesticated animals brought into Africa
   2. enabled the inhabitants of the West African savannahs to establish vast empires
   3. aided African populations in defending against Egyptian intruders
   4. reduced the cost and effort of traversing the Sahara

1. The word "formidable" in the passage is closest in meaning to:
   1. challenging
   2. insignificant
   3. impressive
   4. delicate

Paragraph 4

The advent of iron technology triggered significant transformations in the structure of African societies. Iron became synonymous with power. In West Africa, blacksmiths, responsible for crafting tools and weapons, occupied a pivotal position in society, often endowed with special religious authority and duties. Iron implements such as hoes, enhancing agricultural productivity, and weapons, and bolstering military prowess held symbolic significance in various West African cultures. Those possessing the knowledge of iron production wielded not just technical prowess but also accrued ritual and occasionally political influence.

1. "Bolstering" in the passage is closest in meaning to which of the following?
   1. Synchronizing
   2. Aligning
   3. Conforming
   4. Unifying

1. According to paragraph 4, which of the following were NOT among the social effects of the new metal technology in Africa?
   1. The access to metal tools and weapons created greater social equality.
   2. Metal weapons increased the power of warriors.
   3. Iron tools helped increase the food supply.
   4. Technical knowledge gave religious power to its holders.

Paragraph 6

The spread of agriculture and later of iron was accompanied by significant population movements, likely originating from eastern Nigeria. These migrations may have been triggered by an increase in population due to the desertification of the Sahara. These migrating people spoke a language known as proto-Bantu, which serves as the root language for numerous Bantu languages spoken across sub-Saharan Africa. The reasons behind their dispersal into central and southern Africa remain unclear, but archaeologists speculate that their mastery of iron weaponry enabled them to overcome their stone-tool-using hunter-gatherer adversaries. However, the exact mechanisms driving this expansion remain uncertain, with theories suggesting both peaceful migration and rapid demographic growth as potential factors contributing to the Bantu migration.

1. Paragraph 6 discusses the potential causes of the "Bantu explosion." Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a possible cause?
   1. Superior weapons
   2. Better hunting skills
   3. Peaceful migration
   4. Increased population

Paragraph 5

The spread of agriculture and later of iron was accompanied by significant population movements, likely originating from eastern Nigeria. (A) These migrations may have been triggered by an increase in population due to the desertification of the Sahara. (B) These migrating people spoke a language known as proto-Bantu, which serves as the root language for numerous Bantu languages spoken across sub-Saharan Africa. The reasons behind their dispersal into central and southern Africa remain unclear, but archaeologists speculate that their mastery of iron weaponry enabled them to overcome their stone-tool-using hunter-gatherer adversaries. (C) However, the exact mechanisms driving this expansion remain uncertain, with theories suggesting both peaceful migration and rapid demographic growth as potential factors contributing to the Bantu migration. (D)

1. Directions: Review the excerpt from the passage provided above. The letters (A), (B), (C), and (D) denote where the subsequent sentence could be incorporated.
   
   Their linguistic influence on the continent was considerable.
   
   Where would the sentence most appropriately belong?
   1. Choice A
   2. Choice B
   3. Choice C
   4. Choice D

1. Directions: You will find an introductory sentence for a summary of the passage provided below. Your task is to complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that best represent the key ideas in the passage. Be mindful that some sentences may not align with the main ideas or may have minor ideas in the passage. This question carries a weight of 2 points.
   
   Agriculture and ironworking likely disseminated to Africa from adjacent areas.
   
   
   •  
   •  
   •  

   
   Answer Choices

   1. After Africans cultivated their indigenous crops, they relied less on imports from other regions.
   2. Agriculture struggled to develop in the harsh African climate until the advent of iron tools.
   3. The utilization of livestock facilitated advancements in transportation and trade, along with enabling novel methods of governance.
   4. With the expansion of the Sahara, the significance of the camel grew, eventually attaining religious importance.
   5. The proliferation of ironworking had extensive implications for social, economic, and political structures across Africa.
   6. Contemporary Bantu-speaking populations trace their lineage to an advanced society that dispersed throughout Africa.

Hold on! Before checking your answers and matching them, explore what is a good TOEFL score!

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL iBT® Reading Passage - Agriculture in Africa

1. Answer: B

Explanation: This is an Inference question concerning an inference supported by paragraph 1. The correct answer is option B. In paragraph 1, researchers question the independent development of agriculture in Africa because the initial instances of cultivated plants found in Africa are indigenous to Asia. This suggests that agriculture may have been introduced to Africa from outside regions rather than developing independently within the continent. Option A is incorrect because the paragraph does not mention African lakes and rivers supplying sufficient sustenance without agriculture. Option C is incorrect because the paragraph does not discuss the challenges posed by Africa's indigenous plants. Option D is incorrect because the paragraph does not address the population size of African societies. Therefore, option B is the most accurate choice based on the information provided in the paragraph.

2. Answer: D

Explanation: The correct answer is option D. In paragraph 1, the author implies that changes in the African environment during this time frame involved a region that had previously sustained numerous inhabitants transforming into a desert where few could thrive. This is indicated by the statement, "The drying up of what is now the Sahara desert has pushed many peoples to the south into sub-Saharan Africa." This suggests a significant environmental change leading to desertification. 

Option A is incorrect because the paragraph does not mention a gentler climate enabling a broader range of crops. Option B is incorrect because the paragraph does not discuss individuals returning once their food supply was assured. Option C is incorrect because the paragraph does not mention population expansion along rivers and lakes reducing fish availability. Therefore, option D is the most accurate choice based on the information provided in the paragraph.

3. Answer: D

Explanation: Paragraph 2 emphasizes the significance of camels for their role in crossing the Sahara Desert. Their ability to withstand the harsh desert environment and carry heavy loads made them essential for navigating this vast and unforgiving region. 

While the passage mentions the presence of domesticated animals in Africa, it doesn't specify camels as the first (eliminating A). There's also no mention of a direct connection between camels and the rise of West African empires (eliminating B). Defense against Egyptian intruders is not a point addressed in paragraph 2 (eliminating C). Therefore, based on the information provided, option (D) presents the most accurate explanation.

4. Answer: A

Explanation: This Vocabulary question centers on the word "formidable," highlighted in the passage. Option A Challenging captures part of the meaning of formidable, as something formidable can be challenging. "Formidable" in this passage denotes difficulty and suggests a level of grandeur or impressiveness.

5. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a Vocabulary question that pertains to the word "bolstering" highlighted in paragraph 4. The correct answer is choice D. This means bringing things together into a single, cohesive whole. This definition aligns well with the concept of bolstering, which suggests strengthening or supporting something to make it more unified and effective.

6. Answer: A

Explanation: This Negative Factual Information question that pertains to details found in paragraph 4. The correct answer is choice A. This option is the most likely one to NOT be a social effect. While access to metal tools and weapons might have changed society, it's less likely to have led to greater social equality. Metalworking skills or ownership of these tools could potentially create a new social class or hierarchy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they can be inferred from the given passage.

7. Answer: B

Explanation: This Negative Factual question pertaining to details found in paragraph 6. The correct answer is choice B. While improved hunting skills could be a contributing factor, the passage might not explicitly mention it as a direct cause of the Bantu expansion. The focus might be on broader factors like population growth or competition for resources that necessitated finding new territories.

Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage clearly mentions about Superior Weapons, Peaceful Migration, and Increased Population.

8. Answer: B

Explanation: This is an Insert Text question where you are required to select the appropriate place to insert the provided sentence within the passage. Among the four possible answer choices provided in paragraph 6, the sentence "Their linguistic influence on the continent was considerable" is most fittingly inserted in choice B. The sentence following choice (B) elaborates on the "linguistic influence."

Choices (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect because the surrounding sentences before and after each of these options primarily discuss migrations.

9. Answer: C, E, F

Explanation: This is a Prose Summary question, and the correct responses are C, E, and F. Therefore, options A, B, and D are incorrect.

Choice C: Choice (C) explains how the use of livestock (livestock utilization) had a positive impact on several aspects of human society.

Choice E: Choice (E) explains that the widespread use of iron in Africa led to major changes in societies, how they made money, and how they were ruled.

Choice F: Choice (F) explains that today's Bantu speakers share ancestry with a skilled civilization that spread its influence across Africa.

Choice A: Choice A, "After Africans cultivated their indigenous crops, they relied less on imports from other regions," is incorrect because the passage does not make this claim. 

Choice B: Choice B, "Agriculture struggled to develop in the harsh African climate until the advent of iron tools," is incorrect because the passage emphasizes that agriculture existed and developed in Africa even before the advent of iron tools.

Choice D: Choice F, "With the expansion of the Sahara, the significance of the camel grew, eventually attaining religious importance," is incorrect because there’s no such mention of camels related to religion. Rather the passage states that camels revolutionized desert travel.

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