We know that the TOEFL iBT® Reading section is a challenging task. Becoming proficient in the TOEFL iBT® Reading section demands keen analytical abilities tailored to academic English materials. This segment evaluates your capacity to comprehend main concepts, pinpoint crucial details, infer meaning, and comprehend text organization. So, what is the key to success? 

Regular practice! Yes, that's the best solution. We offer a number of practice tests that closely resemble the official exam structure and writing style, fostering familiarity and assurance for test day. 

Are you ready to achieve top scores in the TOEFL iBT® Reading section? Let's start a practice test focused on "The History of the Mediterranean," offering valuable insights into the format and areas requiring enhancement!

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. 

In 1970, geologists Kenneth J. Hsu and William B. F. Ryan embarked on the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger to gather research data. One objective of their expedition was to explore the Mediterranean seabed and address queries surrounding its geological past. Among these inquiries was the sudden transformation observed in the invertebrate fauna, particularly around 6 million years ago. During this period, a significant portion of older organisms faced near extinction, while a resilient few managed to survive. Additionally, some species migrated into the Atlantic Ocean. Subsequently, these migrants returned, accompanied by new species. The question that arose was: What triggered these events of near extinction and migrations?

Another mission assigned to the scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger involved unraveling the mystery behind the dome-shaped formations concealed deep within the Mediterranean seabed. These structures had been identified years prior through echo-sounding instruments, yet no drilling had penetrated them. The scientists pondered whether these formations resembled salt domes, akin to those prevalent along the Gulf Coast of the United States. If indeed they were salt domes, what accounted for the substantial presence of solid crystalline salt beneath the Mediterranean floor?

Armed with these pressing inquiries, the scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger embarked on a journey to the Mediterranean in pursuit of answers. On August 23, 1970, they successfully retrieved a sample containing pebbles of compacted sediment, once soft deep-sea mud, alongside gypsum granules and volcanic rock fragments. Interestingly, no pebble indicated a continental origin nearby. Over subsequent days, as drilling operations delved into the seafloor, solid gypsum samples were consistently recovered. Notably, the composition and structure of the gypsum hinted at its formation on desert plains. Surrounding sediment layers contained minute marine fossils, indicative of open ocean conditions. As drilling progressed into the central and deepest regions of the Mediterranean basin, the scientists extracted solid, gleaming, crystalline salt from the core barrel, interspersed with thin layers resembling windblown silt.

It was time to construct a hypothesis. The researchers proposed that around 20 million years ago, the Mediterranean was a vast seaway linked to the Atlantic Ocean through two narrow straits. Geological shifts eventually closed off these straits, isolating the Mediterranean and initiating a process of evaporation. As salinity levels soared due to evaporation, numerous invertebrate species perished, leaving only those adapted to highly saline environments. With ongoing evaporation, the remaining brine became denser, leading to the precipitation of calcium sulfate, forming the hard layer observed. In the basin's deeper central regions, the remaining brine evaporated further, resulting in the precipitation of more soluble sodium chloride, or salt. Subsequently, under pressure from overlying sediments, this salt migrated upward, forming salt domes. Prior to these events, the Mediterranean resembled an expansive desert, plunging 3,000 meters deep. Approximately 5.5 million years ago, significant crustal movements and faulting, particularly at the Strait of Gibraltar, facilitated the reconnection of the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. This event unleashed a deluge, as water rushed back into the Mediterranean with tremendous force. The turbulent waters fragmented and eroded the hardened salt flats, transforming them into the pebbles observed in the initial Challenger sample. With the basin refilled, typical marine life returned, gradually depositing layers of oceanic sediment above the pre-existing hard layer.

The presence of salt, gypsum¹, faunal shifts, and distinctive gravel strongly suggests that the Mediterranean region was formerly a desert.

1. Gypsum: a mineral composed of calcium sulfate and water.

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

Paragraph 1

In 1970, geologists Kenneth J. Hsu and William B. F. Ryan embarked on the oceanographic research vessel Glomar Challenger to gather research data. One objective of their expedition was to explore the Mediterranean seabed and address queries surrounding its geological past. Among these inquiries was the sudden transformation observed in the invertebrate fauna, particularly around 6 million years ago. During this period, a significant portion of older organisms faced near extinction, while a resilient few managed to survive. Additionally, some species migrated into the Atlantic Ocean. Subsequently, these migrants returned, accompanied by new species. The question that arose was: What triggered these events of near extinction and migrations?

1. Which of the following alterations in the fauna of the Mediterranean is NOT cited in paragraph 1?
   1. The extinction of numerous invertebrate species during a series of extinctions.
   2. The dominance of a few resilient species, leading to the decline of many Mediterranean invertebrates.
   3. Migration of certain invertebrates to the Atlantic Ocean.
   4. Introduction of new fauna species to the Mediterranean upon the return of the previous migrants.

Paragraph 3

Armed with these pressing inquiries, the scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger embarked on a journey to the Mediterranean in pursuit of answers. On August 23, 1970, they successfully retrieved a sample containing pebbles of compacted sediment, once soft deep-sea mud, alongside gypsum granules and volcanic rock fragments. Interestingly, no pebble indicated a continental origin nearby. Over subsequent days, as drilling operations delved into the seafloor, solid gypsum samples were consistently recovered. Notably, the composition and structure of the gypsum hinted at its formation on desert plains. Surrounding sediment layers contained minute marine fossils, indicative of open ocean conditions. As drilling progressed into the central and deepest regions of the Mediterranean basin, the scientists extracted solid, gleaming, crystalline salt from the core barrel, interspersed with thin layers resembling windblown silt.

1. What does the author suggest by stating that "no pebble indicated a continental origin nearby"?
   1. The evidence did not align with the most apparent explanation for the pebbles' origin.
   2. The geologists' search yielded fewer pebbles than anticipated.
   3. The geologists were specifically searching for a distinct type of pebble.
   4. The variety of pebbles suggested that they could not have originated from a single source.

1. Identify TWO materials found in the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin, as mentioned in paragraph 3.
   1. Fragments of volcanic rock
   2. Crystalline salt
   3. Soft, deep-sea mud
   4. Crystalline salt

1.  What is the primary objective of paragraph 3?
   1. To delineate the physical evidence gathered by Hsu and Ryan
   2. To elucidate why certain inquiries posed earlier in the passage remained unanswered despite the discoveries of the Glomar Challenger
   3. To assess the methodologies employed by Hsu and Ryan in their seafloor exploration
   4. To outline the most challenging obstacles encountered during the Glomar Challenger expedition

Paragraph 4

It was time to construct a hypothesis. The researchers proposed that around 20 million years ago, the Mediterranean was a vast seaway linked to the Atlantic Ocean through two narrow straits. Geological shifts eventually closed off these straits, isolating the Mediterranean and initiating a process of evaporation. As salinity levels soared due to evaporation, numerous invertebrate species perished, leaving only those adapted to highly saline environments. With ongoing evaporation, the remaining brine became denser, leading to the precipitation of calcium sulfate, forming the hard layer observed. In the basin's deeper central regions, the remaining brine evaporated further, resulting in the precipitation of more soluble sodium chloride, or salt. Subsequently, under pressure from overlying sediments, this salt migrated upward, forming salt domes. Prior to these events, the Mediterranean resembled an expansive desert, plunging 3,000 meters deep. Approximately 5.5 million years ago, significant crustal movements and faulting, particularly at the Strait of Gibraltar, facilitated the reconnection of the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. This event unleashed a deluge, as water rushed back into the Mediterranean with tremendous force. The turbulent waters fragmented and eroded the hardened salt flats, transforming them into the pebbles observed in the initial Challenger sample. With the basin refilled, typical marine life returned, gradually depositing layers of oceanic sediment above the pre-existing hard layer.

1. Based on paragraph 4, what caused the evaporation of the Mediterranean's waters?
   1. The movements of Earth's crust
   2. The buildup of sediment layers
   3. Alterations in the water level of the Atlantic Ocean
   4. Changes in Earth's temperature

1. The term "scores" in the passage is most similar in meaning to which of the following?
   1. Members
   2. Large numbers
   3. Populations
   4. Types

1. What factor, according to paragraph 4, led to the extinction of most invertebrate species in the Mediterranean?
   1. The evaporation of chemicals vital for their survival
   2. The shifting of tectonic plates that linked the Mediterranean to the saltier Atlantic
   3. The introduction of new species via narrow straits
   4. Their inability to withstand the escalating salt levels in the Mediterranean

1. Which sentence best conveys the main idea presented in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 4?
   1. The reopening of the Strait of Gibraltar led to significant crustal adjustments and faulting, causing water to cascade from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.
   2. The Mediterranean was replenished with water from the Atlantic after crustal adjustments and faulting opened the Strait of Gibraltar, connecting the two bodies of water.
   3. The cascades of water between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, resulting from the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar, were not as spectacular as the associated crustal adjustments and faulting.
   4. Due to the creation of the Strait of Gibraltar through crustal adjustments and faulting, the Atlantic and Mediterranean merged into a single body of water, featuring remarkable water cascades.

Paragraph 2

(A) Another mission assigned to the scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger involved unraveling the mystery behind the dome-shaped formations concealed deep within the Mediterranean seabed. (B) These structures had been identified years prior through echo-sounding instruments, yet no drilling had penetrated them. (C) The scientists pondered whether these formations resembled salt domes, akin to those prevalent along the Gulf Coast of the United States. If indeed they were salt domes, what accounted for the substantial presence of solid crystalline salt beneath the Mediterranean floor? (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.
   
   Hence, scientists possessed data regarding the structure of the domes but lacked details concerning their chemical makeup and source.
   
   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.
   
   A journey to the Mediterranean provided answers to longstanding inquiries regarding the ocean's history.
   
   Answer Choices
   1. The Glomar Challenger expedition scrutinized alterations in invertebrate fauna and identified certain unusual geologic formations.
   2. Researchers amassed fossils to ascertain which new species migrated from the Atlantic alongside preexisting species.
   3. Scientists aboard the Glomar Challenger were the pioneering explorers to unveil the presence of dome-shaped masses concealed beneath the seafloor.
   4. Samples retrieved from the expedition unveiled significant disparities in chemical composition and fossil distribution across the sedimentary layers.
   5. Evidence gathered by the Glomar Challenger substantiates geologists' theories regarding the Mediterranean's desiccation and transformation into a desert before its subsequent refilling.
   6. Salt domes in the Mediterranean materialized subsequent to crustal shifts that pried open the straits linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, leading to the Mediterranean's replenishment with water.

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 - The History of the Mediterranean

1.  Answer: B

Explanation: This is a Negative Factual question concerning an inference supported by paragraph 1. The correct answer is option B. Paragraph 1 discusses several alterations in the fauna of the Mediterranean, including the extinction of numerous invertebrate species (option A), migration of certain invertebrates to the Atlantic Ocean (option C), and the introduction of new fauna species to the Mediterranean upon the return of the previous migrants (option D). However, it does not mention the dominance of a few resilient species. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

2. Answer: A

Explanation: This is an Inference Question. The correct answer is option D. The statement "no pebble indicated a continental origin nearby" implies that the evidence obtained did not support the expected explanation regarding where the pebbles originated. This suggests that the researchers did not find any pebbles that could be traced back to the nearby continent, contrary to what they might have anticipated. By highlighting this, the author implies that the evidence led to a different conclusion or raised questions about the assumed origin of the pebbles.

3. Answer: B, D

Explanation: The correct answers are Option Crystalline salt and Option Crystalline salt. In paragraph 3, the text mentions the various materials discovered during drilling operations in the deepest part of the Mediterranean basin. It specifically notes the presence of crystalline salt and describes its characteristics and distribution within the sediment layers. This finding is significant because it provides insights into the geological processes and history of the Mediterranean basin. Additionally, the identification of crystalline salt sheds light on the environmental conditions and changes that occurred over time in the region.

4. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a Rhetorical Purpose question that pertains to paragraph 3. The correct answer is Option A. Paragraph 3 serves to outline the physical evidence collected by Hsu and Ryan during their exploration of the Mediterranean basin. It describes the samples obtained from the seafloor, such as pebbles of hardened sediment, granules of gypsum, fragments of volcanic rock, and solid crystalline salt. By presenting this evidence, the paragraph aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the geological features and materials encountered during the expedition. This information is crucial for understanding the processes that shaped the Mediterranean basin and for formulating hypotheses about its geological history. Therefore, the primary objective of paragraph 3 is to delineate and elucidate the physical evidence obtained by the researchers.

5. Answer: A

Explanation: This is a Factual question pertaining to Paragraph 4. The correct answer is Option A. Paragraph 4 describes how the evaporation of the Mediterranean's waters occurred as a result of geological processes involving the movements of Earth's crust. Specifically, it mentions that crustal adjustments and faulting caused the Strait of Gibraltar to open, allowing water from the Atlantic Ocean to flow into the Mediterranean. This influx of water led to the refilling of the basin, but before this happened, evaporation occurred due to changes in the Mediterranean's connectivity with the Atlantic. Therefore, the movements of Earth's crust played a crucial role in causing the evaporation of the Mediterranean's waters.

6. Answer: B

Explanation: This is a Vocabulary question. The correct choice is B. In the context of the passage, the term "scores" is used to indicate a significant or substantial quantity. It suggests that a large number of invertebrate species became extinct during a series of events described in the passage. "Scores" is synonymous with "large numbers" in this context, as it conveys the idea of numerous or abundant occurrences.

7. Answer: D

Explanation: This is a Factual question pertaining to a detail mentioned in Paragraph 4. The correct answer is D. According to paragraph 4, the extinction of most invertebrate species in the Mediterranean was primarily caused by their inability to tolerate the increasing salt content of the water. As the Mediterranean basin became more isolated and water levels dropped due to evaporation, salinity levels rose significantly. This change in salinity made the environment inhospitable for many species, leading to their extinction.

8. Answer: B

Explanation: This is a Rhetorical Purpose question and the correct answer is B. The highlighted sentence in paragraph 4 states that crustal adjustments and faulting resulted in the reopening of the Strait of Gibraltar, allowing water from the Atlantic to flow into the Mediterranean. This influx of water refilled the basin after it had undergone evaporation, forming a connection between the two bodies of water. Therefore, the sentence conveys the main idea that the Mediterranean was replenished with water from the Atlantic following geological processes involving the Strait of Gibraltar. Option B accurately captures this main idea.

9. Answer: C

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 2, the sentence "Hence, scientists possessed data regarding the structure of the domes but lacked details concerning their chemical makeup and source" is most fittingly inserted in choice C. 

Choices (A), (B), and (are incorrect because A and B present a premise or background for the given statement, while D talks about the substantial presence of solid crystalline salt.

10. Answer: A, D, E

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

Correct Choices

Choice A: The option A correctly highlights the key idea of the Glomar Challenger expedition examining alterations in invertebrate fauna and identifying unusual geologic formations, which are significant aspects of the passage discussing the expedition's findings in the Mediterranean.

Choice D: Option D is accurate because it mentions the samples retrieved from the expedition, which unveiled significant disparities in chemical composition and fossil distribution across sedimentary layers. This aligns with the passage's focus on the scientific discoveries made during the expedition regarding the composition and distribution of materials in the Mediterranean.

Choice E: Option E accurately represents a key idea in the passage by mentioning the evidence gathered by the Glomar Challenger that supports geologists' theories about the Mediterranean's desiccation and transformation into a desert before being refilled with water. This aligns with the passage's discussion of the scientific conclusions drawn from the expedition's findings regarding the Mediterranean's geological history.

Incorrect Choices

Choice B: Option B, on the other hand, focuses more on the migration of species from the Atlantic, which, although mentioned in the passage, is not as central to the overall theme of the Mediterranean's history as the other options.

Choice C: Option C discusses the discovery of dome-shaped masses beneath the seafloor, which is mentioned in the passage but is not as crucial to the summary of the main ideas as the other options.

Choice F: Option F primarily discusses salt domes and crustal shifts, which, although mentioned in the passage, are not as central to the main ideas of the passage as the other options, which focus more directly on the scientific discoveries and conclusions drawn from the Glomar Challenger expedition.

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