The TOEFL iBT^® exam opens doors to countless academic opportunities.  But before you take off on this exciting journey, the Reading section stands as a crucial hurdle.  Don't worry, though! We're with you every step of the way.

Engaging in practice tests is an effective method to enhance your self-assurance and succeed in this section. These practice tests are structured to closely mirror the real TOEFL Reading section, encompassing the question format and passage style. This familiarity aids in instilling a sense of ease and readiness on the day of the exam.

So, let's begin by taking this practice test focusing on the topic 'Earth and its Landscape.' Let’s start!

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. 

While many perceive the landscape on Earth as static, Earth is a dynamic entity, undergoing constant changes to its surface. These alterations occur slowly from a human perspective but comparatively swiftly within the vast timespan of Earth's existence, approximately 4.5 billion years. Two primary factors contribute to shaping the terrain: constructive processes like uplift, which generate new landscape features, and destructive forces such as erosion, which gradually erode exposed landforms.

Hills and mountains are commonly perceived as enduring features, resilient against the forces of nature. However, they are relatively short-lived in geological terms. Typically, the higher a mountain, the more recently it formed; for instance, the towering peaks of the Himalayas are approximately 50 million years old. Conversely, lower mountains are often older and represent remnants of once-higher mountain ranges. Around 400 million years ago, during the amalgamation of North America and Europe, the Caledonian mountain range rivaled the Himalayas in size. Today, remnants of this ancient mountain-building event remain in the modest mountains of Greenland, the northern Appalachians, the Scottish Highlands, and the Norwegian coastal plateau.

The Earth's crust is believed to be segmented into large, mobile plates, which glide atop a malleable layer of rock. Certain mountains owe their formation to the collision of these plates, where rock is thrust upwards along plate boundaries. During this process, sedimentary rocks originally laid down on the ocean floor can be uplifted to heights exceeding 26,000 feet. Alternatively, mountains may arise from seismic activity, where earthquakes fracture the crust, displacing enough rock to create block mountains. Another mountain type emerges from volcanic eruptions, particularly in regions with active fold mountain belts like the Cascade Range in western North America. Comprised of lavas and volcanic materials, many peaks in the Cascades are the remnants of extinct volcanoes.

Regardless of the cause behind mountain formation, once land emerges above sea level, it becomes vulnerable to destructive elements. Exposed rocks undergo erosion through diverse weathering processes, breaking down into fragments that are eventually transported and deposited as sediments. Consequently, every landscape embodies a fleeting moment in the ongoing conflict between uplift forces and erosion.

Various weather phenomena play a significant role in erosion processes. Rainfall, for instance, dislodges loose soil and infiltrates rock crevices. Interaction between carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and rainwater generates carbonic acid, which can chemically corrode rocks. Subsequently, rainwater seeps underground and resurfaces as springs, initiating the formation of streams and rivers. These water bodies carve through rocks, transporting mountain debris to lower elevations.

Under extremely cold conditions, rocks can undergo fracturing due to ice and frost. Regions with prolonged cold climates may witness the formation of glaciers, and slow-moving ice masses that carve valleys and transport substantial amounts of eroded rock material. Conversely, in arid environments, wind becomes the predominant erosive force, carrying fine sand particles that pummel exposed rock surfaces, gradually breaking them down into finer particles. Additionally, living organisms also play a role in shaping landscapes: tree roots penetrate rock crevices, accelerating their disintegration, while the roots of grasses and other vegetation help bind loose soil, mitigating wind erosion.

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

Paragraph 1

While many perceive the landscape on Earth as static, Earth is a dynamic entity, undergoing constant changes to its surface. These alterations occur slowly from a human perspective but comparatively swiftly within the vast timespan of Earth's existence, approximately 4.5 billion years. Two primary factors contribute to shaping the terrain: constructive processes like uplift, which generate new landscape features, and destructive forces such as erosion, which gradually erode exposed landforms.

1. 1. Based on paragraph 1, which statement accurately describes changes in Earth's landscape?
   1. They happen more frequently due to uplift than erosion.
   2. They happen solely during specific intervals.
   3. They are less frequent now compared to the past.
   4. They happen rapidly in geological time frames.

1. 2. The word "comparatively" in the passage is closest in meaning to which of the following?
   1. Relatively
   2. Absolutely
   3. Extremely
   4. Significantly

Paragraph 2

Hills and mountains are commonly perceived as enduring features, resilient against the forces of nature. However, they are relatively short-lived in geological terms. Typically, the higher a mountain, the more recently it formed; for instance, the towering peaks of the Himalayas are approximately 50 million years old. Conversely, lower mountains are often older and represent remnants of once-higher mountain ranges. Around 400 million years ago, during the amalgamation of North America and Europe, the Caledonian mountain range rivaled the Himalayas in size. Today, remnants of this ancient mountain-building event remain in the modest mountains of Greenland, the northern Appalachians, the Scottish Highlands, and the Norwegian coastal plateau.

1. Which of the following sentences most accurately conveys the key information presented in the highlighted sentence of the passage? Incorrect options either alter the meaning significantly or omit crucial details.
   1. When they are relatively young, hills and mountains successfully resist the destructive forces of nature.
   2. Although they seem permanent, hills and mountains exist for a relatively short period of geological time.
   3. Hills and mountains successfully resist the destructive forces of nature, but only for a short time.
   4. Hills and mountains resist the destructive forces of nature better than other types of landforms.

1. What inference about the mountains of the Himalayas can be drawn from paragraph 2?
   1. Their current elevation does not necessarily reflect their age.
   2. Currently, they surpass the height of the mountains in the Caledonian range.
   3. Approximately 400 million years ago, they were uniformly tall.
   4. Their elevation does not match the height of the Caledonian mountains from 400 million years ago.

Paragraph 3

The Earth's crust is believed to be segmented into large, mobile plates, which glide atop a malleable layer of rock. Certain mountains owe their formation to the collision of these plates, where rock is thrust upwards along plate boundaries. During this process, sedimentary rocks originally laid down on the ocean floor can be uplifted to heights exceeding 26,000 feet. Alternatively, mountains may arise from seismic activity, where earthquakes fracture the crust, displacing enough rock to create block mountains. Another mountain type emerges from volcanic eruptions, particularly in regions with active fold mountain belts like the Cascade Range in western North America. Comprised of lavas and volcanic materials, many peaks in the Cascades are the remnants of extinct volcanoes.

1. According to paragraph 3, one factor contributing to mountain formation is the -
   1. impact of climatic fluctuations on sea levels
   2. decrease in volcanic eruptions
   3. collision of Earth's crustal plates
   4. transformation of sedimentary rock into volcanic rock

Paragraph 5

Various weather phenomena play a significant role in erosion processes. Rainfall, for instance, dislodges loose soil and infiltrates rock crevices. Interaction between carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and rainwater generates carbonic acid, which can chemically corrode rocks. Subsequently, rainwater seeps underground and resurfaces as springs, initiating the formation of streams and rivers. These water bodies carve through rocks, transporting mountain debris to lower elevations.

1. Why is "Carbon dioxide" mentioned by the author in the passage?
   1. To elucidate the source of a substance capable of corroding rocks
   2. To draw a comparison between carbon dioxide and carbonic acid
   3. To exemplify the process of rainwater infiltration into the soil
   4. To advocate for the importance of erosion prevention

Paragraph 6

Under extremely cold conditions, rocks can undergo fracturing due to ice and frost. Regions with prolonged cold climates may witness the formation of glaciers, and slow-moving ice masses that carve valleys and transport substantial amounts of eroded rock material. Conversely, in arid environments, wind becomes the predominant erosive force, carrying fine sand particles that pummel exposed rock surfaces, gradually breaking them down into finer particles. Additionally, living organisms also play a role in shaping landscapes: tree roots penetrate rock crevices, accelerating their disintegration, while the roots of grasses and other vegetation help bind loose soil, mitigating wind erosion.

1. As per paragraph 6, which of the following is both a cause and consequence of erosion?
   1. Glacial movement
   2. Debris from rocks
   3. Roots of trees
   4. Granules of sand

Paragraphs 6

Under extremely cold conditions, rocks can undergo fracturing due to ice and frost. Regions with prolonged cold climates may witness the formation of glaciers, and slow-moving ice masses that carve valleys and transport substantial amounts of eroded rock material. (A) Conversely, in arid environments, wind becomes the predominant erosive force. (B) It carries fine sand particles that pummel exposed rock surfaces, gradually breaking them down into finer particles. (C) Additionally, living organisms also play a role in shaping landscapes. (D) Tree roots penetrate rock crevices, accelerating their disintegration, while the roots of grasses and other vegetation help bind loose soil, mitigating wind erosion.

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.
   
   Under varying climatic conditions, another form of erosive force leads to erosion.
   
   Where would the sentence best fit?
   1. A) Choice A
   2. B) Choice B
   3. C) Choice C
   4. D) Choice D

1. Directions: Identify the processes illustrated in the passage by matching the answer choices to either constructive or destructive processes.
   
   Choose the appropriate answers to complete the table. This question carries a total of 2 points.
   
   

   Constructive Processes	Destructive Processes

   Answer Choices

   1. A) Earth's crustal plates colliding
   2. B) Continents separating
   3. C) Sand carried by wind
   4. D) Grass roots forming in soil
   5. E) Earthquakes occurring
   6. F) Volcanic eruptions
   7. G) Various weather processes

Before checking your answers, ensure you're familiar with the latest TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus. 

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Earth and Its Landscape 

1.  Answer: D

Explanation: This Factual Information question seeks specific details from paragraph 1. The correct option is D. The first sentence of the paragraph clearly indicates that Earth's landscape changes relatively quickly compared to its overall age. Options A and B are contradicted by the paragraph, as they suggest either frequency or specific timing, which are not mentioned. Option C, regarding the frequency of landscape changes, is not addressed in the paragraph.

2. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a Vocabulary question assessing the meaning of the word "comparatively," which is highlighted in the passage. The correct answer is choice A. The sentence in which "comparatively" is used compares Earth's time scale to the human time scale, indicating a comparison; hence, "relatively" is the suitable option which is a synonym of comparatively.

3. Answer: B

Explanation: This is a Sentence Simplification question, focusing on a highlighted sentence in the passage. The correct choice, B, encapsulates all essential information from the highlighted sentence while omitting non-essential details from the second clause. Choices A, C, and D alter the meaning of the highlighted sentence or introduce additional information not present in the original sentence. Specifically, choice A adds information regarding the age of a mountain, which is not mentioned in the original sentence. Choice C introduces absolute terms about the duration of mountain resistance to natural forces, contrasting with the original sentence's relative term. Choice D compares mountains with other landforms, which the highlighted sentence does not do.

4. Answer: B

Explanation: This is an Inference question, aiming to derive a supported inference from paragraph 2. The correct choice, B, is substantiated by the paragraph's information indicating that younger mountains tend to be higher than older ones. As the Himalayas are identified as much younger than the Caledonian mountains, it follows logically that the Himalayas are higher than the Caledonians.

Choices A and D are inaccurate as they directly oppose the information presented in the passage. The paragraph suggests that the height of the Himalayas correlates with their age, thereby refuting the notion that their current height is unrelated to their age or that it matches the height of the Caledonians from 400 million years ago.

Choice C is also incorrect because the paragraph does not discuss the uniformity of height among the Himalayas.

5. Answer: C

Explanation: This question seeks specific information from paragraph 3. The accurate choice is C: mountains are created by the collision of crustal plates. The paragraph outlines three primary causes of mountain formation: crustal plate collisions, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. Choices A, B, and D do not align with the causes of mountain formation mentioned in the paragraph and are thus incorrect.

6. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a rhetorical purpose question about the mention of "Carbon dioxide" in the passage. The term is highlighted in the passage. The correct answer is choice A: carbon dioxide is referenced to elucidate the genesis of a chemical capable of eroding rocks. The author aims to illustrate a specific mechanism of erosion, beginning with carbon dioxide.

7. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a Factual Information question seeking specific details from paragraph 6. The correct answer is choice D, "Sand." The paragraph outlines how wind-driven sand contributes to erosion by bombarding exposed rock surfaces, leading to further erosion. Therefore, sand is both a cause and a consequence of erosion, making choice D the correct option. Glacial activity (choice A) and tree roots (choice C) are solely mentioned as erosion causes, while rock debris (choice B) is solely identified as a consequence of erosion.

8. Answer: A

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 "Under varying climatic conditions, another form of erosive force leads to erosion," is most fittingly inserted in choice (A).

Choice (A) is accurate as the inserted sentence serves as a transitional statement, shifting the focus from one climatic condition (cold) to another (dryness). This transition occurs smoothly at choice (A). Choices (B), (C), and (D) precede sentences that elaborate on the details of dry climatic conditions without a clear transition between topics. Therefore, the inserted sentence is unnecessary at those points.

9. Answer: A, C, E, F, G

Explanation: This is a Fill in a Table question, and the table has been accurately completed below. The appropriate choices for the "Constructive Processes" column are A, E, and F. For the "Destructive Processes" column, choices C and G are correct. Choices B and D are not suitable for either column.

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