Deserts: An Exploration of Arid Ecosystems - TOEFL Reading Practice Test

To excel in the TOEFL iBT^® exam, one has to develop skills in comprehending the academic texts in English, making it crucial for the TOEFL Reading section. The TOEFL Practice Test centered on the passage 'Deserts: An Exploration of Arid Ecosystems' mirrors the actual exam setting in English-speaking academic environments. You need to focus on assessing your skills like identifying main ideas, extracting details, making inferences, and recognising text structure. Remember that with consistent practice, you will be able to ace this section.

Therefore, join us in taking the TOEFL Practice Test centered on the passage 'Deserts: An Exploration of Arid Ecosystems' and familiarise yourself with the test format while focusing on the areas for improvement!

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. 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. 

Deserts, often noted for their extreme dryness, cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface. These regions are defined not just by their low rainfall but also by their unique environments. These environments have evolved to thrive under conditions that would be unwelcoming to most forms of life. The most well-known deserts, like the Sahara in Africa and the Mojave in North America, show a range of climate conditions, from hot deserts with burning daytime temperatures to cold deserts where winter temperatures can drop below freezing. To understand desert environments, we need to look at their climate patterns, earth-related features, and the diverse plants and animals that live there.

The climate of deserts is mainly influenced by global wind patterns and geographical features. Most deserts are found in areas dominated by high-pressure systems, which lead to sinking air that prevents cloud formation and rain. For instance, the subtropical deserts, like the Sahara, are located around the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, where the Hadley cell circulation creates dry conditions. In contrast, coastal deserts, like the Atacama in Chile, get very little rainfall due to cold ocean currents that cool the air, preventing moisture from building up. The combination of these climate factors results in annual rainfall that usually ranges from less than 25 centimeters to almost none, creating a stark difference from more temperate regions.

The earth-related features of deserts also contribute to their unique landscapes. Many deserts are known for vast stretches of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and salt flats. The formation of these features is often due to erosion and soil processes that have taken place over millions of years. For example, the famous sand dunes of the Sahara are created by wind, which moves and deposits sand particles, forming changing landscapes that can shift dramatically over time. Meanwhile, salt flats, like the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, are leftovers of ancient lakes that have dried up, leaving behind mineral deposits. These geological features not only shape the physical appearance of deserts but also affect the types of organisms that can thrive in such environments.

The plants and animals of deserts show amazing adjustments that help them survive in extreme conditions. Plants like cacti and succulents have evolved to store water in their tissues, allowing them to endure long periods without rain. Many desert plants also have deep root systems that can reach groundwater, while others have developed ways to reduce water loss. Animals have adjusted to the harsh realities of desert life as well. For instance, the fennec fox, native to the Sahara, has large ears that help it cool down, while the kangaroo rat, found in North American deserts, can survive without drinking water, getting moisture from the seeds it eats. These adjustments highlight the strength of life in deserts, showing the intricate balance between organisms and their environment.

In spite of their seemingly harsh nature, deserts play an important role in the Earth's environmental balance. They act as important carbon sinks, helping to regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Furthermore, desert ecosystems contribute to variety of life, hosting many species that are often native to these regions. However, human activities pose serious threats to desert environments. Urban growth, farming, and climate change are leading to habitat loss and reduced biodiversity. For instance, expanding agricultural land in dry areas can cause soil erosion and deplete water resources, making the challenges faced by desert ecosystems even worse. Conservation efforts are essential to reduce these impacts and preserve the unique variety of life found in these fragile environments.

In conclusion, deserts are complex ecosystems that showcase a unique mix of climate, geological, and biological factors. Their extreme conditions have led to remarkable adjustments in both plants and animals, allowing life to thrive in environments that seem barren at first glance. As global challenges like climate change and human expansion continue to threaten these ecosystems, it becomes increasingly important to understand and protect the delicate balance that supports desert life. Studying deserts not only enhances our knowledge of environmental strength but also emphasizes the need for maintainable practices that can protect these vital regions for future generations. Questions remain about the long-term effects of climate change on desert variety of life and the effectiveness of conservation efforts, highlighting the need for ongoing research in this area.

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

Paragraph 1 

Deserts, often noted for their extreme dryness, cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface. These regions are defined not just by their low rainfall but also by their unique environments. These environments have evolved to thrive under conditions that would be unwelcoming to most forms of life. The most well-known deserts, like the Sahara in Africa and the Mojave in North America, show a range of climate conditions, from hot deserts with burning daytime temperatures to cold deserts where winter temperatures can drop below freezing. To understand desert environments, we need to look at their climate patterns, earth-related features, and the diverse plants and animals that live there.

1. According to paragraph 1, what percentage of the Earth's land surface is covered by deserts?       
   1. One-quarter 
   2. One-third 
   3. Half
   4. Two-thirds

1. In paragraph 1, each of the following is mentioned as a characteristic of deserts EXCEPT: 
   1. Extreme dryness 
   2. Unique environments
   3. High levels of rainfall 
   4. Diverse plants and animals 

Paragraph 2

The climate of deserts is mainly influenced by global wind patterns and geographical features. Most deserts are found in areas dominated by high-pressure systems, which lead to sinking air that prevents cloud formation and rain. For instance, the subtropical deserts, like the Sahara, are located around the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, where the Hadley cell circulation creates dry conditions. In contrast, coastal deserts, like the Atacama in Chile, get very little rainfall due to cold ocean currents that cool the air, preventing moisture from building up. The combination of these climate factors results in annual rainfall that usually ranges from less than 25 centimetres to almost none, creating a stark difference from more temperate regions.

1. What can be inferred about the relationship between high-pressure systems and desert climates based on paragraph 2? 
   
   1. High-pressure systems lead to increased rainfall. 
   2. High-pressure systems contribute to dry conditions. 
   3. High-pressure systems are irrelevant to desert climates.    
   4. High-pressure systems only affect coastal deserts. 

1. The word "circulation" in Paragraoph 2 is closest in meaning to:
   
   1. Movement
   2. Stagnation   
   3. Disruption
   4. Isolation
      

Paragraph 3

The earth-related features of deserts also contribute to their unique landscapes. Many deserts are known for vast stretches of sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and salt flats. The formation of these features is often due to erosion and soil processes that have taken place over millions of years. For example, the famous sand dunes of the Sahara are created by wind, which moves and deposits sand particles, forming changing landscapes that can shift dramatically over time. Meanwhile, salt flats, like the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, are leftovers of ancient lakes that have dried up, leaving behind mineral deposits. These geological features not only shape the physical appearance of deserts but also affect the types of organisms that can thrive in such environments.

1. Why does the author mention the formation of sand dunes and salt flats in paragraph 3?  
   1. To illustrate the beauty of desert landscapes 
   2. To explain how geological features influence desert ecosystems 
   3. To compare deserts with other ecosystems 
   4. To highlight the economic value of desert resources 

Paragraph 4

The plants and animals of deserts show amazing adjustments that help them survive in extreme conditions. Plants like cacti and succulents have evolved to store water in their tissues, allowing them to endure long periods without rain. Many desert plants also have deep root systems that can reach groundwater, while others have developed ways to reduce water loss. Animals have adjusted to the harsh realities of desert life as well. For instance, the fennec fox, native to the Sahara, has large ears that help it cool down, while the kangaroo rat, found in North American deserts, can survive without drinking water, getting moisture from the seeds it eats. These adjustments highlight the strength of life in deserts, showing the intricate balance between organisms and their environment.

1. Which of the following sentences best expresses the essential information in the following text from paragraph 4?

 "Plants like cacti and succulents have evolved to store water in their tissues, allowing them to endure long periods without rain."   

1. 1. Cacti and succulents can survive in deserts because they store water. 
   2. Cacti and succulents are the only plants that can survive in deserts. 
   3. All desert plants have deep roots to find water. 
   4. Cacti and succulents need constant rainfall to survive. 

Paragraphs 5

In spite of their seemingly harsh nature, deserts play an important role in the Earth's environmental balance. They act as important carbon sinks, helping to regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Furthermore, desert ecosystems contribute to a variety of life, hosting many species that are often native to these regions. However, human activities pose serious threats to desert environments. Urban growth, farming, and climate change are leading to habitat loss and reduced biodiversity. For instance, expanding agricultural land in dry areas can cause soil erosion and deplete water resources, making the challenges faced by desert ecosystems even worse. Conservation efforts are essential to reduce these impacts and preserve the unique variety of life found in these fragile environments.

Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of paragraph 5 is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the TWO answer choices that express the most important ideas in the paragraph.

1. Deserts play a crucial role in the Earth's environmental balance, but they face significant threats.  
   
   
   1. Deserts help regulate carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. 
   2. Urban growth and farming have no impact on desert ecosystems. 
   3. Human activities are leading to habitat loss in deserts. 
   4. Deserts are the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth.

Paragraphs 6

In conclusion, deserts are complex ecosystems that showcase a unique mix of climate, geological, and biological factors. (A) Their extreme conditions have led to remarkable adjustments in both plants and animals, allowing life to thrive in environments that seem barren at first glance. (B) As global challenges like climate change and human expansion continue to threaten these ecosystems, it becomes increasingly important to understand and protect the delicate balance that supports desert life. (C) Studying deserts not only enhances our knowledge of environmental strength but also emphasizes the need for maintainable practices that can protect these vital regions for future generations. (D) Questions remain about the long-term effects of climate change on desert variety of life and the effectiveness of conservation efforts, highlighting the need for ongoing research in this area.

1. In paragraph 6, there is a missing sentence. The paragraph shows four letters  (A),  (B),  (C),  (D) that indicate where the following sentence could be added. 
   

   "Understanding these ecosystems is vital for future sustainability." 

   Where would the sentence best fit? 

   1. Option A
   2. Option B
   3. Option C
   4. Option D
      

1. What is the main purpose of passage? 
   1. To describe the beauty of desert landscapes 
   2. To explain the importance of deserts in the Earth's ecosystem 
   3. To argue against human activities in desert regions 
   4. To provide a history of desert exploration 

Hold on!  Before checking your answers and matching them, explore the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus!

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Deserts: An Exploration of Arid Ecosystems

1.  Answer: B

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that deserts cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface. This is a factual detail presented in the first paragraph, making option B the correct choice.

2. Answer: C

Explanation: The passage describes deserts as having extreme dryness and low rainfall, which directly contradicts option C. Therefore, high levels of rainfall are not a characteristic mentioned in paragraph 1, making it the correct answer.

3. Answer: B

Explanation: The passage explains that high-pressure systems lead to sinking air, which prevents cloud formation and rain. This indicates that high-pressure systems are associated with dry conditions, supporting option B as the correct inference. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.

4. Answer: A

Explanation:  In the context of the passage, "circulation" refers to the movement of air in the Hadley cell, which influences climate patterns. Therefore, "movement" is the closest synonym, making option A the correct choice.

5. Answer: B

Explanation: The author discusses how geological features like sand dunes and salt flats shape the physical appearance of deserts and affect the types of organisms that can thrive there. This aligns with option B, which highlights the influence of geological features on desert ecosystems.

6. Answer: A

Explanation: The correct answer is option A. This option accurately captures the main idea of the original sentence, which emphasizes the ability of cacti and succulents to survive in arid conditions due to their water-storing capabilities. The other options either misrepresent the information or are too broad.

7. Answer: A, C

Explanation: Both options A and C express important ideas from paragraph 5. Option A highlights the role of deserts in regulating carbon dioxide, while option C addresses the threats posed by human activities, making them the most relevant choices for the summary.

8. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is option C. The missing sentence fits well here as it reinforces the importance of understanding ecosystems in the context of the challenges they face. It logically follows the discussion about the threats to desert life.

9. Answer: B

Explanation: The passage discusses various aspects of deserts, including their ecological roles, unique adaptations of life, and the threats they face. This comprehensive overview indicates that the main purpose is to explain their importance in the Earth's ecosystem.

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