Giant Sequoia - TOEFL Reading Practice Questions with Answer Key

Mastering academic texts in English is crucial for success in the TOEFL Reading section. This segment mirrors the challenges of reading in English-speaking academic environments, assessing skills like identifying main ideas, extracting details, making inferences, and recognizing text structure.

Consistent practice is the key to excelling in this section. Our practice tests closely mimic the format and writing style of the actual exam, ensuring that you feel prepared and self-assured on test day. Utilize our practice tests to improve your skills and thrive in the TOEFL Reading section.

Join us in taking the TOEFL Practice Test centered on the passage 'Giant Sequoia' to familiarize yourself with the test format and note the 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. 

Giant Sequoia 

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

Paragraph 2

Taking the new position as the second-largest tree is The President, a colossal giant measuring 54,000 cubic feet, located not too far from General Grant in Sequoia National Park. Despite a lifespan of 3,240 years, this giant sequoia continues to steadily increase in girth, a fact that surprised researchers. Their study delves into how sequoias and coastal redwoods will fare amidst climate change and whether these trees could aid in mitigating its effects. Stephen Sillett, a redwood expert leading a team from Humboldt State University, hails The President as the most remarkable tree in the world's mountainous regions. His team aims to quantify the capacity of California's iconic trees to absorb carbon dioxide, a key component in combating global warming.

1. According to the passage, which tree is currently the second-largest tree on Earth?
   1. General Sherman
   2. General Grant Giant Sequoia
   3. The President
   4. Coastal Redwood

1. What can be inferred about the growth rate of giant sequoias in the context of climate change?
   1. Giant sequoias exhibit slower growth rates due to climate change.
   2. Giant sequoias have experienced enhanced growth due to climate change.
   3. Climate change has had no discernible effect on the growth of giant sequoias.
   4. Giant sequoias' growth rate remains stable despite climate fluctuations.

Paragraph 3

The researchers are part of the 10-year Redwoods and Climate Change Initiative, supported by the Save the Redwoods League in San Francisco. Their findings, featured in the current issue of National Geographic, challenge the previous belief that large trees exhibit slower growth in their later years. Contrary to this notion, the measurements of The President indicate that these majestic trees continue to increase in size, leading to higher absorption of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis throughout their lifespan. In addition to meticulously measuring every branch and twig, the team extracted 15 half-centimeter-wide core samples from The President to analyze its growth rate. Their analysis revealed a period of stunted growth during the unusually cold year of 1580, characterized by freezing temperatures in the Sierra region even during the summer, causing the trees to remain dormant.

1. What is the primary purpose of the paragraph discussing Stephen Sillett's research?
   1. To describe the life cycle of giant sequoias
   2. To emphasize the importance of California's trees
   3. To highlight the accomplishments of the Save the Redwoods League
   4. To explain the impact of climate change on giant sequoias

Paragraph 4

However, Sillett noted that this was an unusual occurrence. The President exhibits rapid growth, adding approximately one cubic meter of wood per year during its brief six-month growing season, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing trees globally. With an estimated 2 billion leaves, it likely boasts the highest leaf count among all trees, suggesting exceptional efficiency in converting carbon dioxide into vital sugars during photosynthesis. Sillett emphasized that while no single approach can solve global issues, the significant contribution of these remarkable trees to carbon sequestration underscores their importance. Understanding the mathematical principles governing this process is crucial in harnessing their potential impact.

1. What can be inferred about the significance of The President's growth rate and leaf count in the context of carbon sequestration?
   1. The President's growth rate and leaf count have no impact on carbon sequestration.
   2. The President's rapid growth rate contributes significantly to carbon sequestration.
   3. The President's leaf count is irrelevant to its ability to convert carbon dioxide.
   4. The President's growth rate hinders carbon sequestration efforts.

1. According to the paragraph, how much wood does The President add per year during its growing season?
   1. Approximately one cubic meter
   2. Approximately two cubic meters
   3. Approximately half a cubic meter
   4. Approximately five cubic meters

Paragraphs 5

After spending the equivalent of 32 working days suspended from ropes around The President, Sillett's team is making strides toward formulating a mathematical equation to assess its carbon conversion potential, akin to what they've achieved with some lesser-known coastal redwoods. Through analyzing a representative sample, they aim to develop a model reflecting the carbon-sequestering capacity of California's iconic trees. Additionally, the updated measurements may prompt a revision in the hierarchy of giant sequoias, necessitating adjustments to park signage and informational materials. Notably, even the Wikipedia entry for "List of largest giant sequoias" requires correction, as it still ranks The President at No. 3.

1. Based on the passage, what does the word "sequestering" mean?
   1. Growing rapidly
   2. Absorbing and storing
   3. Declining in size
   4. Replicating its kind

1. What is the primary purpose of mentioning the need for adjustments to park signage and informational materials regarding giant sequoias?
   1. To highlight the significance of The President in carbon sequestration efforts
   2. To emphasize the importance of updating outdated information about giant sequoias
   3. To criticize the inaccuracy of Wikipedia entries on giant sequoias
   4. To promote the achievements of Sillett's team in studying The President

Paragraph 6

Currently measuring 93 feet in circumference and boasting a trunk volume of 45,000 cubic feet, with an additional 9,000 cubic feet in its branches, The President, named after President Warren G. Harding, surpasses Grant, also known as America's Christmas Tree, by about 15 percent. Slicing The President into one-foot by one-foot cubes would be sufficient to cover an entire football field. Giant sequoias achieve such remarkable size and longevity due to their wood's resistance to pests and disease, factors that significantly extend their lifespan compared to other tree species. Additionally, their thick bark renders them impervious to swiftly spreading fires.

1. In the context of the passage, what does the word "impervious" most likely mean?
   1. Vulnerable
   2. Susceptible
   3. Resistant
   4. Impermeable

Paragraph 9

(A) These endeavors led him to a location 7,000 feet above sea level in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and to The President, which he regards as "the quintessential example of a giant sequoia." (B) Unlike other giants whose silhouettes are marred by lightning strikes, The President boasts a large crown adorned with robust branches, each as substantial as tree trunks themselves. (C) While the nearby General Sherman remains the world's largest tree, surpassing The President by approximately 2,000 cubic feet in volume, Sillett refrains from viewing it as a competition. (D) "Each tree is extraordinary in its own right," Sillett remarked.

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.
   
   The President, named after President Warren G. Harding, surpasses Grant, also known as America's Christmas Tree, by about 15 percent.
   
   Where would the sentence most appropriately belong?
   1. Choice A
   2. Choice B
   3. Choice C
   4. Choice D

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

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Giant Sequoia

1.  Answer: C
Explanation: This question falls under the category of a factual question. The passage explicitly states, "Taking the new position as the second-largest tree is The President..." This sentence directly identifies The President as the second-largest tree currently on Earth. Therefore, option C is the correct answer because it aligns with the specific information provided in the passage without requiring inference.

2. Answer: B
Explanation: This question is an inference-type question. The correct answer is B. The passage describes The President's growth rate, noting that despite climate change, it continues to add approximately one cubic meter of wood per year. This suggests that giant sequoias, particularly exemplified by The President, have not exhibited a slowdown in growth as might be expected under adverse climate conditions. Instead, their growth has been enhanced. Therefore, option B is inferred from the passage because it aligns with the evidence provided regarding The President's growth rate.

3. Answer: D
Explanation: This question is a rhetorical purpose question. The correct answer is D. The paragraph focuses on Sillett's research, emphasizing the impact of climate change on giant sequoias. It discusses how these trees continue to grow rapidly despite climate challenges, highlighting their potential role in carbon sequestration efforts. The passage mentions Sillett's study as part of a broader initiative to understand how sequoias and redwoods will fare amidst climate change, reinforcing option D as the primary purpose of the paragraph.

4. Answer: B
Explanation: This is an inference question pertaining to details mentioned in Paragraph 4. The correct answer is B. The passage notes that The President exhibits rapid growth and boasts an estimated 2 billion leaves, suggesting exceptional efficiency in converting carbon dioxide into vital sugars during photosynthesis. This information implies that The President's rapid growth rate and high leaf count are factors contributing significantly to its capacity for carbon sequestration. Therefore, option B is inferred from the passage as it aligns with the implications regarding The President's role in carbon sequestration efforts.

5. Answer: A
Explanation: This is a fact-based question and the correct answer is A. The passage states, "The President exhibits rapid growth, adding approximately one cubic meter of wood per year during its brief six-month growing season..." This sentence provides a specific measurement of The President's annual wood growth, confirming that it adds approximately one cubic meter per year. Therefore, option A is the correct answer because it directly reflects the information provided in the passage.

6. Answer: B
Explanation: This question is a vocabulary question. The correct answer is B. The term "sequestering" in the context of the passage refers to the process of absorbing and storing carbon dioxide by giant sequoias and redwoods. This is evident from the passage's discussion of these trees' role in carbon sequestration efforts to mitigate climate change. Therefore, option B is the correct answer as it accurately defines the term "sequestering" as used in the passage.

7. Answer: B
Explanation: This is a Rhetorical Purpose question. The passage mentions that updated measurements of The President may prompt adjustments to park signage and informational materials, including Wikipedia entries. This indicates a need to correct outdated information and accurately reflect The President's current status as the second-largest tree. Therefore, option B is the correct answer because it best reflects the primary purpose of mentioning these adjustments in the passage.

8. Answer: C
Explanation: This question is a vocabulary question pertaining to the highlighted word. The word "impervious" in the passage describes giant sequoias' bark as rendering them resistant to swiftly spreading fires. This implies that the thick bark protects the trees from fire damage. Therefore, option C is the correct answer as it aligns with the meaning of "impervious" as used in the passage.

9. Answer: D
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 9, the sentence is most fittingly inserted in choice D. The sentence provides additional information about The President's stature compared to Grant (General Grant Giant Sequoia). This information would logically follow the initial mention of The President's size and volume, which is detailed earlier in the passage. Placing it at (D) ensures that the description flows cohesively, providing context about the naming and comparative size of The President in relation to Grant. Therefore, (D) is the correct choice for where this sentence should be incorporated to maintain clarity and coherence in the paragraph.

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