Deck 5: Act-Workkeys-Practice-Test

Question 1

Kenneth receives a 6% commission on all of his real estate sales. Half of his commission goes to his broker. What is Kenneth's part of the commission on $250,000 in sales?

A)$6,666
B)$7,000
C)$7,100
D)$7,250
E)$7,500

Answer 1

$7,500

Question 2

3/5 of workers at a company have enrolled in the 403(b) program. If 24 workers have enrolled in the program, how many workers are employed at this company?

A)36 workers
B)40 workers
C)42 workers
D)44 workers
E)45 workers

Answer 2

40 workers

Question 3

The Different Tests for English as a Second Language If you are a learner of English as a Second (or third) Language, the decision of which test to take could be (1) overwhelming. If you are a student from China that wants to study Physics in the U.S., should you take the TOEFL or the TOEIC? Which is the best test to take in order to study in the U.K.? This passage is designed to help (2) inform the student of English as a Second Language (ESL) of the different tests that are out there.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or more commonly known as TOEFL ("toe full"), was designed by a professor from Stanford University. Its purpose is to examine a student's ability to understand and use English in settings of (3) higher learning in the United States. Meaning it can be required for admission to colleges and universities all over the country. In addition, businesses, government agencies, and scholarship program (among other institutions) may require the TOEFL.
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC, pronounced "toe ick") is a less popular evaluation tool than the TOEFL that measures someone's everyday use of English. Although there are some agencies that use the TOEIC in the U.S., this test is highly (4) prevalent in Japan to prepare workers to succeed in international environments. The main difference between the TOEFL and the TOEIC is that one is (5) geared toward students, and the other is tailored to workers.
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS ("eeeelts"), is managed by several institutions in the United Kingdom. This test has two versions: the Academic Version and the General Training Version. It is mainly used in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. There are also several thousand institutions that employ it in the U.S. It is required for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The interesting feature of this test, compared to the others, is that it incorporated a variety of accents in its listening portion in an effort to avoid linguistic bias.
So, how do you know which test to take? The best route to take is to contact the institution you are planning to join and see what test they require. Happy studying!
According to the passage, which of the following institutions in the U.S. does NOT require the TOEFL?

A)Government agencies
B)Scholarship programs
C)High schools
D)Universities

Answer 3

High schools

Question 4

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
According to the author, which of the following is a reason that our livelihood depends on coral reefs?

A)They do not protect our coasts from storms.
B)They act as natural barriers to strengthen the force of hurricanes.
C)They protect our beaches from erosion.
D)Their enormous structures expose endangered animals to threat.

Question 5

DOMA and Its Demise Many same-sex couples, as well their allies, celebrated when "The Defense of Marriage Act", known as DOMA, was overturned by the Supreme Court in the summer of 2013. Homosexual couples, who were legally recognized as a (1) union in their state of residence, were finally able to enjoy the same benefits at the national level that their heterosexual counterparts have always enjoyed. Nevertheless, the United States has a long way to go before marriage equality is universal.
DOMA was a (2) federal law that was first enacted in 1996 by the Clinton Administration. It sought to block same-sex couples that were legally married (in states that recognized same-sex marriages), from receiving federal marriage benefits. Under DOMA, the government determined that the word "spouse" was to refer to a heterosexual married couple, thus effectively excluding same-sex spouses from the laws applicable to opposite-sex spouses. Therefore, heterosexual married couples were protected under federal law and homosexual married couples were left unprotected.
Countless same-sex couples felt (3) discriminated against under DOMA and believed that the law was (4) unconstitutional. The Obama Administration, years later, decided it would no longer justify DOMA in court. During the first year of Obama's second term in office, the law was struck down, and now same-sex couples, who reside in states like Hawaii and Iowa, share the same federal benefits as opposite-sex couples. However, until all of the states in the Union make same-sex marriage legal, the US will not get first place in the (5) race toward equality for everyone.
The word "federal", in bold after the (2) in paragraph 2, is closest in meaning to

A)Of, or relating to, the central government of a state
B)Of, or relating to, the government and its laws
C)Of, or relating to, the central government of the country
D)Of, or relating to, a specific law

Question 6

The Electoral College of the U.S. Did you know that the President and the Vice President aren't elected by (1) popular vote in the U.S.? Essentially, every four years, it isn't the American people who elect the rulers of our nation. Instead, when a registered voter casts his or her vote for President and Vice President, he or she also votes for an unknown "elector", or voting member, who will cast a ballot in a separate election that ultimately will choose the president. Thus, by voting for a Democrat presidential candidate, for example, a voter is really voting for a member of the Electoral College who is expected--but not required--to vote along (2) party lines, too.
You might be thinking, "Then, why do we vote?" Historically, before the (3) advent of television and radio, the Electoral College was established to avoid unfairness. People who lived in bigger cities, where there tends to be a more concentrated, greater population, had more of an advantage of knowing about the candidates compared to those who lived in more rural, secluded areas.
The electors, which are chosen by popular vote, are divided up among each state and the District of Columbia. The amount of voting members in each state is equal to the number of members of Congress. In total, there are 538 electors: 435 representatives and 100 senators, plus the three (4) constituents from the District of Columbia.
In almost every state electors are selected on a "winner-take-all" basis. To be more precise, the candidate for elector that wins the most votes in a state becomes elector for that state. During an election, each elector is required to cast one vote for President and another vote for Vice President. The presidential candidate that receives the majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) for the offices of President or Vice President is elected to that (5) office.
According to the author, what is the different between popular vote and electoral vote?

A)The electoral vote is made by the people and the popular vote is casted by the elector.
B)The electoral vote decides the election of a presidential candidate and the popular vote elects the Vice President.
C)The electoral vote decides the election of the President and Vice President and the popular vote decides the election of the elector
D)None of the above

Question 7

The Different Tests for English as a Second Language If you are a learner of English as a Second (or third) Language, the decision of which test to take could be (1) overwhelming. If you are a student from China that wants to study Physics in the U.S., should you take the TOEFL or the TOEIC? Which is the best test to take in order to study in the U.K.? This passage is designed to help (2) inform the student of English as a Second Language (ESL) of the different tests that are out there.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or more commonly known as TOEFL ("toe full"), was designed by a professor from Stanford University. Its purpose is to examine a student's ability to understand and use English in settings of (3) higher learning in the United States. Meaning it can be required for admission to colleges and universities all over the country. In addition, businesses, government agencies, and scholarship program (among other institutions) may require the TOEFL.
The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC, pronounced "toe ick") is a less popular evaluation tool than the TOEFL that measures someone's everyday use of English. Although there are some agencies that use the TOEIC in the U.S., this test is highly (4) prevalent in Japan to prepare workers to succeed in international environments. The main difference between the TOEFL and the TOEIC is that one is (5) geared toward students, and the other is tailored to workers.
The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS ("eeeelts"), is managed by several institutions in the United Kingdom. This test has two versions: the Academic Version and the General Training Version. It is mainly used in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. There are also several thousand institutions that employ it in the U.S. It is required for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The interesting feature of this test, compared to the others, is that it incorporated a variety of accents in its listening portion in an effort to avoid linguistic bias.
So, how do you know which test to take? The best route to take is to contact the institution you are planning to join and see what test they require. Happy studying!
According to the author, what is the best approach to knowing, which test to take?

A)Take all of the tests and see which one you score better on.
B)When in doubt take the TOEFL.
C)Take the TOEFL if you want to live in Australia.
D)Contact the institution, which you plan to join.

Question 8

Which of the following sentences contains a redundant word or phrase?

A)The best parts of her previous proposals were included in this presentation.
B)He could always be relied upon to show up for work on time.
C)We are now using GPS surveying technology combined together with GIS mapping.
D)All of the above

Question 9

In July 2009, unemployment in Michigan reached 15%. The number of workers was 4,900,000. Approximately how many were unemployed?

A)735,000
B)745,000
C)710,000
D)718,000
E)751,000

Question 10

Dottie's Chocolates produces boxes of 25 chocolate drops for selling. How many chocolate drops would Dottie need to make to fill 60 boxes?

A)1,575
B)1,225
C)1,400
D)1,500
E)1,525

Question 11

A video store is offering a 7% discount on previously viewed videos. If the regular price of a video is $9.99, how much will the discount be?

A)63 cents
B)70 cents
C)74 cents
D)77 cents
E)80 cents

Question 12

The use of which of the following phrases will result in the most effective version of the given sentence?
The watershed group's board announced their anonymous approval of the new contract during the quarterly membership meeting.

A)their anonymous approval
B)its anonymous approval
C)their unanimous approval
D)its unanimous approval

Question 13

Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior of people. It usually reflects the cultures and traditions of countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second largest country in African. It is also known as Congo (Kinshasa) or DRC. With over 200 ethnic groups represented the people of the Congo have a wide variety of customs, traditions, and values. They vary from place to place and group to group, especially when it comes to living in urban areas and rural areas. Therefore the etiquette rules differs depending on where a person lives.
Congolese that live in urban areas tend to have more Western customs and traditions. It is important to greet each other, and inquire about each others situation before other matters are discussed. Greetings consists of speaking, shaking their hands, and smiling. In the rural areas, men and women do not shake hands. Men will shake the hands of other men. Some women will greet men by clapping their hands and bowing slightly.
When dining in the Congo hands should be washed before and after eating. People should only eat with their right hands, especially if they are eating with their fingers. Men and women use separate communal bowls; often, women may sit together. When eating out of a communal bowl, people eat from the space directly in front of them. When utensils are used, the left hand holds the fork and the right hand holds the knife.
Dressing in the Congo is greatly influenced by the Western world, however, they are mixed with traditional clothing such as kikwembe, abacos, or a dashiki. The nicer a person look, the more respect he or she will receive. Jewelry is often made from wood, ivory bones, or shells. Many people in rural areas walk barefoot, but sandals and slippers are commonly worn.
What is the main idea of this passage?

A)While etiquette differs in rural and urban areas, there are specific codes of behavior that should be adhered to in the Congo.
B)Urban areas of the Congo follow etiquette that is very similar to that of western nations.
C)Rural areas of the Congo are more traditional than urban areas.
D)Codes of etiquette are slowly dying out in the Congo.

Question 14

94% of Jim's income last year came from his salary. The rest came from awards his prize winning poodle won in dog shows. If he won $9,600 in dog shows, what was his total income?

A)$145,000
B)$160,000
C)$170,000
D)$120,000
E)$118,600

Question 15

DOMA and Its Demise Many same-sex couples, as well their allies, celebrated when "The Defense of Marriage Act", known as DOMA, was overturned by the Supreme Court in the summer of 2013. Homosexual couples, who were legally recognized as a (1) union in their state of residence, were finally able to enjoy the same benefits at the national level that their heterosexual counterparts have always enjoyed. Nevertheless, the United States has a long way to go before marriage equality is universal.
DOMA was a (2) federal law that was first enacted in 1996 by the Clinton Administration. It sought to block same-sex couples that were legally married (in states that recognized same-sex marriages), from receiving federal marriage benefits. Under DOMA, the government determined that the word "spouse" was to refer to a heterosexual married couple, thus effectively excluding same-sex spouses from the laws applicable to opposite-sex spouses. Therefore, heterosexual married couples were protected under federal law and homosexual married couples were left unprotected.
Countless same-sex couples felt (3) discriminated against under DOMA and believed that the law was (4) unconstitutional. The Obama Administration, years later, decided it would no longer justify DOMA in court. During the first year of Obama's second term in office, the law was struck down, and now same-sex couples, who reside in states like Hawaii and Iowa, share the same federal benefits as opposite-sex couples. However, until all of the states in the Union make same-sex marriage legal, the US will not get first place in the (5) race toward equality for everyone.
According to paragraph 3, all of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

A)Few same-sex couples felt they were treated unfairly under DOMA..
B)In Hawaii and Iowa it is legal to marry someone of the same-sex.
C)Not all the states in the Union treat same-sex marriage as being legal.
D)The Obama Administration considered DOMA to be unconstitutional at one point.

Question 16

A business has decided to resurface a floor section in their warehouse. The section is a square that measures 15 feet on one side. How much is the area that needs to be resurfaced?

A)30 square feet
B)60 square feet
C)215 square feet
D)225 square feet
E)250 square feet

Question 17

It is sunny on 83% of the 120 days Silver Slides Waterpark is open on average. How many days will Silver Slides be open this summer?

A)100
B)102
C)98
D)99
E)92

Question 18

The History of Foods from the New World Imagine tomato soup without tomatoes or chili cheese fries without potatoes. Now, think about going to the movie theater to see a Hollywood feature, but neither popcorn nor chocolate are sold at the refreshment stand. What a flavorless world! Many of the most popular foods in the world have essential ingredients that have their origin in what is known as the New World. These fruits and vegetables weren't introduced to Europe until the 16th century.
The tomato, for example, was used as an ornamental plant when it arrived for the first time in Europe, because it was thought to be poisonous. Its earliest use in a recipe was published in Italy in the late-17th century. However tomatoes and corn were already the base for (1) dishes across Latin America for many centuries by the time the Spanish (2) colonists arrived there in the late-15th century.
The potato was a (3) staple food for the Incans, who inhabited the Andes region of South America. They (4) dehydrated potatoes to stockpile food supplies. Cacao (the plant that is used to make chocolate) was very important for the Aztecs and the Mayans who lived in what is now known as Mexico. The cacao plant's seeds were used as money and as a key ingredient in diverse sauces. They also ground up the seeds to make a drink in which they mixed hot water and chili powder. This is similar to our hot chocolate but unsweetened and with a bite.
Avocadoes, guava fruit, papayas, pineapples, and passion fruit (also known as maracuyá in Spanish) are some other examples of fruits that come from the Americas, and that today are known throughout the world. So, the next time you sit down at the table to eat your spaghetti, remember the (5) course the tomatoes in your sauce might have taken, from decorative centerpiece to your plate.
According to the passage, all of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

A)The earliest potato recipe was found published in Italy in the late-17th century.
B)Chili cheese fries are commonly made with potatoes.
C)Cacao is used to make drink like hot chocolate.
D)Papayas come from the Americas.

Question 19

An 8-year-old boy named Albert has a 10-year-old brother named Benny. Albert joins the service at 20 leaving Benny feeling bitter that he no longer has a brother to look up to. After 7 years, Benny is finally ready to make up with Albert who has been out of the service for 5 years. How old is Albert now?

A)27
B)25
C)23
D)None of the above

Question 20

The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as "tropical rainforests of the sea" because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean "mountain ranges", caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.
The word "formations", bolded after the (2) in the second paragraph, on the first line of the second paragraph refers to

A)Reefs
B)Subterranean mountain ranges
C)Underwater plants
D)Caves

Question 21

A department store sells sweaters for $90. During a promotion, the sweaters are marked down 15%. What is the sale price of the sweaters?

A)$75.00
B)$76.50
C)$77.67
D)$78.14
E)$76.02

Question 22

Immigration Laws in the U.S. The "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act" is a law that was introduced in the state of Arizona in 2010. This law is similar to the existing federal (1) legislation that requires all aliens, or U.S. non-citizens, over 14 years old, who stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days, to register with the U.S. government. An (2) alien must also carry his/her registration documents with him/her at all times. In addition to the existing federal law, Arizona made it a requirement that its state's law enforcement officers make an attempt to identify an individual's immigration status during detention, arrest, or a "lawful contact". The term "lawful contact" refers to an officer's obligation to approach someone that he or she believes is an illegal immigrant.
The "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act", also known as Arizona Senate Bill (SB) 1070, has caused national and international (3) controversy on the topic of immigration, and especially illegal immigration from south of the U.S. border. Opponents believe that the law forces officers to racially profile people, or judge them based on whether or not they look Latino. Challengers of this law want to (4) ban it, because they believe it forces policemen and policewomen to racially discriminate against people who are not from a European or African background. However, advocates of the law deny that it allows the use of race as the exclusive basis for investigating immigration status.
The law has since been modified with the goal of addressing some of the concerns of the opponents. However, despite the protests in opposition to the law from around the country, polling has shown that there is an overall support for the law in Arizona and in other states. And passage of the modified version of the law has (5) provoked other states to consider implementing similar immigration laws.
The word "alien", bolded after the (2) in paragraph 1, can best be described as

A)Extraterrestrial life form
B)A foreign-born resident
C)A person of another family
D)None of the above

Question 23

The Galician Language and Its Revitalization
Ever since the implementation of Galician as the primary language in the public school of Galicia in the early 1980's, there has been an increase in number of speakers of this language. Observers have seen (1) "new speakers" use Galician, their (2) heritage language, during protests, theatrical skits, and other public events. However, more anthropological research needs to be done on how else the Galician language is being used by these so-called "new speakers".
Galician-or galego(gah-lay-goh)-is the autochthonous, or native, language of the northwestern region of Spain known as Galicia. It is a language closely related to both Spanish and Portuguese-although it has closer linguistic ties to Portuguese when it is observed under the microscope of some linguists-and is spoken mainly by people who live in rural areas of the region. Although Galician is the co-official language of Galicia, Spanish is spoken by a higher number of (3) inhabitants since it is the language of the Spanish nation and the majority language in the (4) urban areas of Galicia, such as Vigo, Ourense, and A Coruña.
Although Spanish is the most commonly spoken language in Galicia (due to a larger urban rather than rural population), there is a new movement for urban youth toward adopting the language, and in some cases employing it in their every-day conversations (5) instead of Spanish. Because these urban youth typically have spoken mainly Spanish but have come to rely more and more on the use of Galician, they have been termed "new speakers". It is thanks to these "new speakers" that Galician has recently enjoyed a growth in the number of people who choose to employ it in their daily lives rather than Spanish.
The word "urban", bolded after the (4) in paragraph 2, is closest in meaning to

A)Of, or related to, a city
B)Of, or related to, the suburbs of a city
C)Of, or related to, the countryside
D)Of, or related to, a foreign country

Question 24

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as (1) NOAA (pronounced "Noah"), (2) descends from President Thomas Jefferson's Survey of the Coast, which was established in the early 1800's in efforts to promote safe (3) maritime commerce, or coastal trade. NOAA is therefore often considered the oldest scientific government (4) agency in the United States.
It was officially established in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, who thought it was necessary to (5) consolidate a number of agencies into one. Today, NOAA consists of multiple offices, where scientists explore the atmosphere and oceans using tools ranging from satellites that orbit Earth, to submarines that scrape the far depths of the oceans' floor.
NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) is the organization responsible for weather forecasting and providing important storm warnings and advisories. It's National Ocean Service (NOS) is in charge of mapping the country's coastal waterways and promoting the conservation of the national marine sanctuaries; the marine equivalent of national parks. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) is tasked with managing fisheries around the country. The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) is NOAA's office that oversees the environmental satellite programs and manages the data collected from the NWS.
Few people know that NOAA plays such an important role in our daily lives, yet it does none-the-less. It's thanks to NOAA that we know when to take an umbrella with us to avoid getting soaking wet while walking to work, and to take refuge when an unexpected tornado strikes. Not only is it one of the oldest institutions, but also some will argue that it is also one of the most essential resources for the American people.
The acronym "NOAA", in bold after the (1) in the first paragraph, stands for

A)National Oceanographic and Atmosphere Association
B)National Oceanic and Aeronautical Administration
C)National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
D)Nation's Oceans and Atmospheres Agency

Question 25

Seven/Twelve has $4 million in sales over the past week. What were the approximate sales per day?

A)$589,000
B)$571,000
C)$518,200
D)$552,000
E)$578,750

Question 26

Last year, Smith's Auto Shop made gross revenue of $460,000. This year, their gross revenue increased significantly - by an amazing 25%. What was the gross revenue this year?

A)$525,000
B)$550,000
C)$560,000
D)$575,000
E)$585,000

Question 27

Which of the following formulas is used to determine true intent?

A)True intent = intent of the surveyor + intent of the grantor
B)True intent = intent of the grantor + the intent of the grantee
C)True intent = intent of the grantor + intent of the Court
D)True intent = intent of the grantee + intent of the Court

Question 28

The Mandarin Language Mandarin-or Putonghua (poo-tong-wah) "common language"-is the most widely spoken language in the China per capita (followed by Cantonese). It is also the (1) official language of the People's Republic of China (mainland China), the Republic of China (Taiwan), and is one of the four official languages of Singapore. The language got its name in English from the Portuguese word, Mandarin meaning "an official of China". It is a (2) tonal language, which means that it used different tones (pitches) to (3) distinguish between words. English, for example, has tones but it isn't considered a tonal language since, in English, tones are used to indicate a generic yes-or-no question (rising tone on the last word of the sentence, i.e. "Did you eat (?)?), among other uses.
Mandarin has four tones, which are classified in the following manner: the first tone (1) is flat, the second tone (2) is rising, the third tone (3) is falling then rising, and the fourth tone (4) is falling. There is also a neutral tone, which is similar to the first tone, but shorter.
In English, if you took the word "Ma" and gave it the different tones, it wouldn't change the meaning of the word, it would still mean "mother." Saying "Ma" in a different tone would change the melody of the word, but not the word itself. But in Mandarin the way tones distinguish words can be seen with the following: Ma (1) is mother, Ma (2) is a Sichuan pepper that leaves a numbing (4) sensation on the tongue, ma (3) is horse, and ma (4) is used when describing the verb (5) to scold. It is because of the tones in Mandarin that it is often erroneously considered "the most difficult language to learn."
According to the passage, the reason that Mandarin is known as the "common language" is...

A)…Because it is the official language of China.
B)…Because it is a tonal language.
C)…Because it is widely spoken in China.
D)…Because it is similar to Cantonese.

Question 29

The Marianas Trench We often learn that top of Mount Everest is the tallest point above sea level (5.49 miles). But what about the lowest point below sea leave? The Mariana Trench-found in the waters of the Mariana (1) Archipelago, or Islands, in Micronesia-holds the record for deepest part of the oceans around the world. The trench, or ditch, can be compared to an underwater valley. Its depth has been recorded to reach over 6.8 miles (over 10.9 kilometers) below the sea surface. If you were (2) to stick Mount Everest in the trench, the top of this tallest mountain in the world wouldn't touch the surface of the water. In fact, there would be a one-mile gap between the tip of the mountain and the surface's waves.
Also known as Marianas Trench, The Mariana Trench gets its name from the Mariana Islands due to the (3) proximity of the trench to the Islands. The islands were named after Queen Mariana of Spain by the King's explorer Fernando Magellan, who claimed the archipelago as a Spanish (4) colony. The trench was discovered in the late-19th century by a British team of scientists and oceanographers who sought to map the ocean floor by dragging lines, also known as sounding. Later, echo sounding was used to acquire a more accurate reading of the oceans' depths.
The Mariana Trench is found at the (5) boundary of two tectonic plates, the Pacific Plate and the Mariana Plate. For millions of years, the Pacific Plate has been pushed below, or subducted beneath, the Mariana Plate, causing pressures leading to the formation of the Mariana Islands. Because of the formation of these plates, governments have proposed dumping nuclear waste deep into the trench, in hopes that because of the subduction of the Pacific Plate, the waste will be pushed down under this plate and therefore covered up. However, international law prohibits the dumping of nuclear waste in the ocean.
The verb "to stick", bolded after the (2) in the first paragraph, is closest in meaning to

A)To place
B)To adhere
C)To bind
D)To fasten

Question 30

What is the ratio of 8 feet to 28 inches?

A)2:7
B)7:24
C)24:7
D)7:2
E)5:3

Question 31

Global Positioning System Imagine finding yourself lost on a hiking trail in the Appalachian Mountains. How do you get back to where you started your (1) excursion? Nowadays, if you have a smart phone, you can open up a Global Position System (GPS) app, and discover your (2) approximate location. But how does GPS actually work? What is some of the technology that goes into tracking your whereabouts through a cell phone?
The GPS is a satellite-based system established by the United States' government. It is used both for determining the locations of new points of reference on the ground and for finding someone's position relative to a map. When, for example, a hiker turns on a GPS (3) receiver (a smart phone or a car device), the receiver accesses at least four satellites that collect coded data. This information is then used to determine the receiver's approximate location on Earth.
The GPS was developed in the U.S. in the early 70's to (4) overcome the limitations of previous navigation systems. However, the U.S. isn't the only country that maintains a worldwide system like the GPS. Russia has developed its own system known as the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System or GLONASS. China is developing the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System or BDS. The European Union is in the process of establishing what they have termed Galileo, after the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. India is also taking part in GPS market with its Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System or IRNSS.
So, no matter who is developing these systems, one thing is for sure; we can feel safe knowing that even if we get lost in the Himalayas, somewhere there are satellites controlled by some government that will help us find our way back to a more (5) familiar place.
According to the passage, why was GPS developed?

A)To outdo the navigation systems of other countries.
B)To discover approximate locations of people who are lost.
C)To overcome the limitations of previous systems.
D)To avoid getting lost in the Himalayas.

Question 32

When formulating answers to market-sizing questions, what's one of the best strategies to keep in mind?

A)Be sure to use exact numbers at all times.
B)Go slow and be as methodical as possible.
C)Estimate and round numbers whenever possible.
D)Pick odd numbers that aren't related to each other in any way.

Question 33

Global Positioning System Imagine finding yourself lost on a hiking trail in the Appalachian Mountains. How do you get back to where you started your (1) excursion? Nowadays, if you have a smart phone, you can open up a Global Position System (GPS) app, and discover your (2) approximate location. But how does GPS actually work? What is some of the technology that goes into tracking your whereabouts through a cell phone?
The GPS is a satellite-based system established by the United States' government. It is used both for determining the locations of new points of reference on the ground and for finding someone's position relative to a map. When, for example, a hiker turns on a GPS (3) receiver (a smart phone or a car device), the receiver accesses at least four satellites that collect coded data. This information is then used to determine the receiver's approximate location on Earth.
The GPS was developed in the U.S. in the early 70's to (4) overcome the limitations of previous navigation systems. However, the U.S. isn't the only country that maintains a worldwide system like the GPS. Russia has developed its own system known as the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System or GLONASS. China is developing the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System or BDS. The European Union is in the process of establishing what they have termed Galileo, after the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei. India is also taking part in GPS market with its Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System or IRNSS.
So, no matter who is developing these systems, one thing is for sure; we can feel safe knowing that even if we get lost in the Himalayas, somewhere there are satellites controlled by some government that will help us find our way back to a more (5) familiar place.
The word "receiver", bolded after the (3) in paragraph 2, can best be defined as which, within the passage

A)A member of the offensive team in football
B)One that receives stolen goods
C)A device for converting signals
D)None of the above

Question 34

A small firm allocates 28% of its gross profits into an account for insurance. Last year, the firm's gross profit was $400,000. What amount was deposited into the insurance account?

A)$100,000
B)$108,000
C)$109,500
D)$112,000
E)$128,000

Question 35

Which of the following common errors is typical of the given sentences?
Each of these patterns coordinate with the others.
There is two main reasons to conduct that poll.
The survey chief or a field crew member check the setting every day.

A)Sentence fragment
B)Wrong tense or verb form
C)Lack of subject-verb agreement
D)Fused sentence

Question 36

S. Congress (Government and Civics 3­) Did you ever wonder where federal laws come from? For example, who proposed that it be illegal to (1) operate a vehicle without a driver's license? Who is responsible for making decisions about war? In the United States rules and decisions that affect its citizens (and visitors) are proposed and put into effect by what is known as the U.S. Congress.
The U.S. Congress is made of up two (2) bodies: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both representatives and senators are elected by voters. Congress has 535 members: 435 members in the House of Representatives and 100 members in the Senate. Each member of the House of Representatives serves two-year terms and each state in the union has at least one representative. Each of the 50 states has two senators; therefore, there are 100 senators in Congress, and each member of the Senate serves a six-year (3) term.
Congress works together to create (4) bills that are then later signed into law by the President of the United States. It also has power over financial concerns. It is the Congress who has the authority to make and collect taxes. Congress also plays an important role in the decisions of the national defense. It alone has the power to (5) wage war on another country.
So, next time your hear someone say they dislike a President's decision to go to war with another country, you can tell them that Congress has the ultimate say, and not the President, in how the country is run.
According to the author, who is responsible for making decisions about war?

A)The President
B)The Senate
C)The House of Representatives
D)Both B and C

Question 37

Immigration Laws in the U.S. The "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act" is a law that was introduced in the state of Arizona in 2010. This law is similar to the existing federal (1) legislation that requires all aliens, or U.S. non-citizens, over 14 years old, who stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days, to register with the U.S. government. An (2) alien must also carry his/her registration documents with him/her at all times. In addition to the existing federal law, Arizona made it a requirement that its state's law enforcement officers make an attempt to identify an individual's immigration status during detention, arrest, or a "lawful contact". The term "lawful contact" refers to an officer's obligation to approach someone that he or she believes is an illegal immigrant.
The "Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act", also known as Arizona Senate Bill (SB) 1070, has caused national and international (3) controversy on the topic of immigration, and especially illegal immigration from south of the U.S. border. Opponents believe that the law forces officers to racially profile people, or judge them based on whether or not they look Latino. Challengers of this law want to (4) ban it, because they believe it forces policemen and policewomen to racially discriminate against people who are not from a European or African background. However, advocates of the law deny that it allows the use of race as the exclusive basis for investigating immigration status.
The law has since been modified with the goal of addressing some of the concerns of the opponents. However, despite the protests in opposition to the law from around the country, polling has shown that there is an overall support for the law in Arizona and in other states. And passage of the modified version of the law has (5) provoked other states to consider implementing similar immigration laws.
The word "controversy", bolded after the (3) in paragraph 2, can best be defined as

A)Marked by opposing views
B)Harmony of opinion
C)To bring into agreement
D)Both B and C

Question 38

Roger buys a 35 x 35 foot lot to source rocks for his pet rock project. How many square feet did he buy?

A)1,325
B)1,225
C)1,275
D)905
E)1,185

Question 39

Every five minutes a baby is born in the Nigindia. How many babies are born in a year?

A)150,120
B)105,120
C)100,510
D)300,450
E)103,555

Question 40

Greg's Golf Shop hires teenagers to collect lost golf balls from the city's golf courses. The golf balls are then packaged in boxes of a dozen for reselling. This summer, the workers collected 2,244 golf balls. After repackaging, how many golf balls will be left over?

A)2 golf balls
B)3 golf balls
C)4 golf balls
D)6 golf balls
E)No golf balls will be left over

Question 41

Which of the following sentences includes a comma splice?

A)We detested the assignment, the supervisor gave it to us as a punishment.
B)With the correct equipment, the field crew could measure the extent of the problem.
C)Coyotes eat mostly small rodents, birds, and the occasional Pomeranian.
D)None of the above.

Question 42

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as (1) NOAA (pronounced "Noah"), (2) descends from President Thomas Jefferson's Survey of the Coast, which was established in the early 1800's in efforts to promote safe (3) maritime commerce, or coastal trade. NOAA is therefore often considered the oldest scientific government (4) agency in the United States.
It was officially established in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, who thought it was necessary to (5) consolidate a number of agencies into one. Today, NOAA consists of multiple offices, where scientists explore the atmosphere and oceans using tools ranging from satellites that orbit Earth, to submarines that scrape the far depths of the oceans' floor.
NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) is the organization responsible for weather forecasting and providing important storm warnings and advisories. It's National Ocean Service (NOS) is in charge of mapping the country's coastal waterways and promoting the conservation of the national marine sanctuaries; the marine equivalent of national parks. NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) is tasked with managing fisheries around the country. The National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) is NOAA's office that oversees the environmental satellite programs and manages the data collected from the NWS.
Few people know that NOAA plays such an important role in our daily lives, yet it does none-the-less. It's thanks to NOAA that we know when to take an umbrella with us to avoid getting soaking wet while walking to work, and to take refuge when an unexpected tornado strikes. Not only is it one of the oldest institutions, but also some will argue that it is also one of the most essential resources for the American people.
In paragraph 2, why does the author include information about the various offices of which NOAA consists?

A)To explain how NOAA is responsible for weather forecasting.
B)To support the claim that NOAA is important.
C)To provide evidence that NOAA was establish by Richard Nixon.
D)To show that NOAA provides services in a number of different areas.

Question 43

Which of the following is an example of "jargon"?

A)Win-win scenario
B)Thinking outside the box
C)Shotgun approach
D)All of the above

Question 44

The Mandarin Language Mandarin-or Putonghua (poo-tong-wah) "common language"-is the most widely spoken language in the China per capita (followed by Cantonese). It is also the (1) official language of the People's Republic of China (mainland China), the Republic of China (Taiwan), and is one of the four official languages of Singapore. The language got its name in English from the Portuguese word, Mandarin meaning "an official of China". It is a (2) tonal language, which means that it used different tones (pitches) to (3) distinguish between words. English, for example, has tones but it isn't considered a tonal language since, in English, tones are used to indicate a generic yes-or-no question (rising tone on the last word of the sentence, i.e. "Did you eat (?)?), among other uses.
Mandarin has four tones, which are classified in the following manner: the first tone (1) is flat, the second tone (2) is rising, the third tone (3) is falling then rising, and the fourth tone (4) is falling. There is also a neutral tone, which is similar to the first tone, but shorter.
In English, if you took the word "Ma" and gave it the different tones, it wouldn't change the meaning of the word, it would still mean "mother." Saying "Ma" in a different tone would change the melody of the word, but not the word itself. But in Mandarin the way tones distinguish words can be seen with the following: Ma (1) is mother, Ma (2) is a Sichuan pepper that leaves a numbing (4) sensation on the tongue, ma (3) is horse, and ma (4) is used when describing the verb (5) to scold. It is because of the tones in Mandarin that it is often erroneously considered "the most difficult language to learn."
The word "sensation", bolded after the (4) in the third paragraph, is closet in meaning to

A)Feeling
B)Success
C)Miracle
D)Craze

Question 45

Sawyer's Pet Store has averaged a net profit of $2,500 for the past 11 weeks. What is the total net profit over this length of time?

A)$26,000
B)$27,500
C)$27,900
D)$28,000
E)$29,300

Question 46

The Northern Cities Vowel Shift and Speakers That Adopt It
"The Northern Cities Vowel Shift" is not adopted by all speakers that live in the geographic regions where it is in progress. Studies (1) illustrate that it is mostly European Americans who show evidence of taking on the shift; however, there is little to no research indicating that speakers of African American Vernacular English employ the shift in their speech. Canadians that share proximity to the Great Lakes with speakers that live in the United States also show no evidence of adopting the shift.
This shift, also called "The Northern Cities Shift" (NCS), is a (2) linguistic phenomenon that occurs in the northern geographic area of the United States known as the Inland North, which includes such cities as Rochester, Buffalo, Detroit, and Chicago. Although prominent among some urban inhabitants of the region, NCS is not considered the standard. (3) Linguists describe one change that occurs in speakers of NCS in which the vowel in milk (4) "shifts" down and back (the tongue is lowered and travels back) from a short "i" to a short "e" that could be represented as melk.
William Labov, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is one of the largest contributors to research on the subject of the NCS. His theory is that the shift possibly started when speakers from different (5) language varieties were brought together in the early 1800's when the Erie Canal was being constructed. People from the East Coast moved to the Great Lakes region, and their dialects mixed resulting in an ongoing shift. However, not all speakers of the Great Lakes region participate in this linguistic variation.
In paragraph 1, why does the author include the information that African Americans do not participate in the NCS?

A)To explain why African Americans do not say "melk" instead of "milk".
B)To support the claim that African Americans in the Great Lakes region do not participate in the NCS.
C)To provide evidence that not all speakers in the Great Lakes region adopt the NCS.
D)To show that there is little to no research that African Americans take on the NCS.

Question 47

Which of the following problems best describes what is wrong with the given sentence?
Few surveyors who are practicing in the industry recognize their responsibility to the public for providing well written and clear documents for the sake of future generations who will be using the information to determine important things such as land ownership, property boundaries, as well as many other things.

A)Too many prepositional phrases
B)Too brief
C)Too much jargon
D)All of the above

Question 48

Which of the following sentences provides an example of effective diction?

A)A good writer will only use big words when necessary.
B)The shrewd author will always endorse himself by providing imposing and superlative language.
C)As I struggled to carry my instruments across the vast expanse of the project area, I paused to reflect on the magnificence of the setting sun.
D)All of the above

Question 49

Which of the following sentences provides an example of the correct usage of a semicolon?

A)The surveys performed included the following; topographic, bathymetric, and structural.
B)Every employee should have access to the park; furthermore, access to the park should be free.
C)The new system will encourage the public to conduct research online; thus streamlining the approval process.
D)All of the above

Question 50

Shane's Softball Production Company can produce 12 softballs in an hour. How many softballs can they produce in 14 hours?

A)154
B)160
C)168
D)172
E)188

Question 51

Tomato Fights as Tradition in One Spanish Town Have you ever heard of people throwing rotten tomatoes at actors who perform poorly on stage? Well, in Spain they take the tomato throwing one step further. Each year in the village of Buñol, located in the eastern region near the Mediterranean, there is a tomato throwing festival known as the Tomatina. It is a food fight in which over 400,000 pounds (200,000 kilograms) of tomatoes are smashed and juiced over the bodies of more than 40,000 people each year.
This festival began in 1945 and there are several different (1) theories about where it got its start. According to one theory, once a group of teenagers were attending a religious procession in the main (2) plaza or town square. It is said that one person aggressively pushed another, and everyone started fighting. There just happened to be a vegetable stand in the street and the teens began throwing the tomatoes at each other until the police came and broke the fights up. The same teens decided to repeat the fighting match the next year, for fun, with tomatoes that they took from home. Since then people meet up the same day, on the last Wednesday of August, at the same plaza, to participate in this unique tomato fight.
During the Tomatina the (3) participants, dressed in old clothing, throw tomatoes at each other from balconies, trucks, throughout the streets…there is no way to escape it. The streets and the participants all end up covered in tomato sauce. The tomatoes have to be (4) ripe. One of the rules of this battle is that before throwing the tomatoes you must crush them in your hands to prevent hurting someone. The fight only lasts an hour. Trucks full of tomatoes arrive at the plaza and everyone gets prepared. A (5) rocket signals the beginning and the end of the fun battle. When the second rocket is heard, the fight stops, but the party continues.
Apart from having a great time at this celebration, all that tomato juice is apparently good for your skin. It's an excellent treatment that helps with cleansing and toning.
According to the author, which of the following was not a way to describe the Tomatina in the passage?

A)A food fight
B)A battle
C)Gathering
D)A fighting match

Question 52

Tomato Fights as Tradition in One Spanish Town Have you ever heard of people throwing rotten tomatoes at actors who perform poorly on stage? Well, in Spain they take the tomato throwing one step further. Each year in the village of Buñol, located in the eastern region near the Mediterranean, there is a tomato throwing festival known as the Tomatina. It is a food fight in which over 400,000 pounds (200,000 kilograms) of tomatoes are smashed and juiced over the bodies of more than 40,000 people each year.
This festival began in 1945 and there are several different (1) theories about where it got its start. According to one theory, once a group of teenagers were attending a religious procession in the main (2) plaza or town square. It is said that one person aggressively pushed another, and everyone started fighting. There just happened to be a vegetable stand in the street and the teens began throwing the tomatoes at each other until the police came and broke the fights up. The same teens decided to repeat the fighting match the next year, for fun, with tomatoes that they took from home. Since then people meet up the same day, on the last Wednesday of August, at the same plaza, to participate in this unique tomato fight.
During the Tomatina the (3) participants, dressed in old clothing, throw tomatoes at each other from balconies, trucks, throughout the streets…there is no way to escape it. The streets and the participants all end up covered in tomato sauce. The tomatoes have to be (4) ripe. One of the rules of this battle is that before throwing the tomatoes you must crush them in your hands to prevent hurting someone. The fight only lasts an hour. Trucks full of tomatoes arrive at the plaza and everyone gets prepared. A (5) rocket signals the beginning and the end of the fun battle. When the second rocket is heard, the fight stops, but the party continues.
Apart from having a great time at this celebration, all that tomato juice is apparently good for your skin. It's an excellent treatment that helps with cleansing and toning.
In paragraph 1, why does the author ask the reader if he or she has ever heard of people throwing rotten tomatoes at people who perform poorly on stage?

A)To introduce the topic of the essay
B)To support the claim that tomatoes are used all over the world.
C)To provide evidence that Spain is a country where tomatoes are wasted.
D)To show that the Tomatina is famous all over the world.

Question 53

The Marianas Trench We often learn that top of Mount Everest is the tallest point above sea level (5.49 miles). But what about the lowest point below sea leave? The Mariana Trench-found in the waters of the Mariana (1) Archipelago, or Islands, in Micronesia-holds the record for deepest part of the oceans around the world. The trench, or ditch, can be compared to an underwater valley. Its depth has been recorded to reach over 6.8 miles (over 10.9 kilometers) below the sea surface. If you were (2) to stick Mount Everest in the trench, the top of this tallest mountain in the world wouldn't touch the surface of the water. In fact, there would be a one-mile gap between the tip of the mountain and the surface's waves.
Also known as Marianas Trench, The Mariana Trench gets its name from the Mariana Islands due to the (3) proximity of the trench to the Islands. The islands were named after Queen Mariana of Spain by the King's explorer Fernando Magellan, who claimed the archipelago as a Spanish (4) colony. The trench was discovered in the late-19th century by a British team of scientists and oceanographers who sought to map the ocean floor by dragging lines, also known as sounding. Later, echo sounding was used to acquire a more accurate reading of the oceans' depths.
The Mariana Trench is found at the (5) boundary of two tectonic plates, the Pacific Plate and the Mariana Plate. For millions of years, the Pacific Plate has been pushed below, or subducted beneath, the Mariana Plate, causing pressures leading to the formation of the Mariana Islands. Because of the formation of these plates, governments have proposed dumping nuclear waste deep into the trench, in hopes that because of the subduction of the Pacific Plate, the waste will be pushed down under this plate and therefore covered up. However, international law prohibits the dumping of nuclear waste in the ocean.
Based on the information in the passage, how would you best describe the term "colony", in bold after the (4) in the second paragraph?

A)Territory
B)Island
C)Archipelago
D)Atoll

Question 54

1% is equal to 100 basis point. 44.5 percent is how many basis points greater than 34.5 percent?

A).1
B)10
C)100
D)1,000
E)10,000

Question 55

Which of the following sentences provides a reader with a logical transition?

A)Every effort was made to find the source of the error, however, no conclusive evidence was found.
B)We searched high and low to find why the error occurred in the data that we collected and recorded in the field book notes that were done well.
C)The field notes were reviewed repeatedly to find the source of the error that was not found by those who were looking at the details.
D)None of the above

Question 56

The Northern Cities Vowel Shift and Speakers That Adopt It
"The Northern Cities Vowel Shift" is not adopted by all speakers that live in the geographic regions where it is in progress. Studies (1) illustrate that it is mostly European Americans who show evidence of taking on the shift; however, there is little to no research indicating that speakers of African American Vernacular English employ the shift in their speech. Canadians that share proximity to the Great Lakes with speakers that live in the United States also show no evidence of adopting the shift.
This shift, also called "The Northern Cities Shift" (NCS), is a (2) linguistic phenomenon that occurs in the northern geographic area of the United States known as the Inland North, which includes such cities as Rochester, Buffalo, Detroit, and Chicago. Although prominent among some urban inhabitants of the region, NCS is not considered the standard. (3) Linguists describe one change that occurs in speakers of NCS in which the vowel in milk (4) "shifts" down and back (the tongue is lowered and travels back) from a short "i" to a short "e" that could be represented as melk.
William Labov, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, is one of the largest contributors to research on the subject of the NCS. His theory is that the shift possibly started when speakers from different (5) language varieties were brought together in the early 1800's when the Erie Canal was being constructed. People from the East Coast moved to the Great Lakes region, and their dialects mixed resulting in an ongoing shift. However, not all speakers of the Great Lakes region participate in this linguistic variation.
According to the passage, a possible reason that the NCS began is...

A)…Due to proximity to the Great Lakes in the Inland North.
B)…Due to the Canadians that live near the Great Lakes.
C)…Due to the construction of the Erie Canal in the 1800's.
D)…Due to the interaction of speakers from other geographic origins with speakers in the Great Lakes region.