TOEFL Mock Test 88: Reading Passages
Read the passage below and choose the best answers for the following questions.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
THE BRAIN (1) The brain stem comprises the medulla oblongata, the pons, the midbrain, and the diencephalon. The medulla, at the base of the brain stem, transmits all signals between the spinal cord and the higher parts of the brain and also governs mechanisms essential to life: heartbeat, blood pressure, and breathing. Above the medulla is the pons, a broad, horseshoe-shaped mass of nerve fibers. The pons is associated with sensation and movement of the face. (2) Above the pons is the midbrain, which contains the major motor supply to the muscles controlling eye movements. The topmost part of the brain stem is the diencephalon, which contains two major structures: the thalamus, the major relay center for all sensations except smell, and hypothalamus, which controls sex drive, pleasure, pain, hunger, thirst, blood pressure, body temperature, and other functions. The hypothalamus also influences the pituitary gland, which plays a major part in regulating the functions of endocrine glands. (3) The cerebrum on the other hand is the newest and highly developed part of the brain. The cerebrum is divided down the middle from front to back into halves: the right and the left cerebral hemispheres. Each hemisphere controls the activities of the opposite side of the body – that is, the left cerebral hemisphere controls the right side of the body and the right hemisphere controls the left side. (4) The cerebral hemispheres are separated by a deep groove called the longitudinal cerebral fissure. At the base of this fissure lies a thick bundle of nerve fibers, called the corpus callosum, which provides a communication link between the two hemispheres. The back part of the frontal lobe contains areas that govern movement of the opposite side of the body. The parietal lobe, the part of the hemisphere that lies behind the frontal love, contains the primary sensory cortex. Source: Compton’s Encyclopedia Volume 16 Question: The word “transmits” in the passage is closest in meaning to
- A.
Follow
- B.
Send
- C.
Spread
- D.
Provide
Correct Answer
C. Spread -
- 2.
Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted passage?
- A.
The thalamus controls our emotions
- B.
Diencephalon controls almost 99% of our senses
- C.
Diencephalon is the most important part of the brain
- D.
Diencephalon is overworking
Correct Answer
B. Diencephalon controls almost 99% of our senses -
- 3.
Look at the four (4) paragraphs that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage. “It is involved with the more complex functions and is generally considered to be the structure that most separates humans from other animals.” Where could the sentence best fit? Choose the number of the paragraph where the sentence should be added.
- A.
1st paragraph
- B.
2nd paragraph
- C.
3rd paragraph
- D.
4th paragraph
Correct Answer
C. 3rd paragraph -
- 4.
The word “fissure” in the passage is closest in meaning to
- A.
A base holding the brain
- B.
A wide crack in the brain
- C.
A nerve connecting to the brain
- D.
A long narrow opening
Correct Answer
D. A long narrow opening -
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Jan 31, 2017Quiz Edited by
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