Question 1

There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations. China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as the Senkaku. Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands. China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands, and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. Before the war, Japan incorporated the islands into their territory.
Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II. Following the war, a 1951 treaty with Japan gave the United States rights to administer the islands. That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971. China asserts that the 1951 treaty should have given them control over the islands. In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location. China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s. Its conflict has escalated in recent times, with citizens from both nations protesting and raising flags on different islands. The countries have launched diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
-As a result of most recent conflicts between Japan and China on the islands what actions have citizens of both countries taken?

Accepted Answer

A)  Citizens have petitioned the United Nations to intervene.
B)  Citizens of both nations have asked the United States to retain control
C)  Citizens have protested and raised national flags on the islands.
D)  Citizens have attacked the islands, initiating violent conflicts. C

Question 2

"The California Right to Know Genetically Modified Food Act" known as Proposition 37 will require food manufacturers to label food with genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). If the bill passes, it will be the first law in the United States that required GMO labeling. Some European countries already mandate GMO labeling, but efforts to pass legislation in the United States have met resistance. Over a dozen other states have failed to pass proposed labeling laws. Food manufacturer argue that the bill is unnecessary because GMO are safe. They believe labeling will drive up food costs and will confuse consumers. Proponents of the legislation assert that consumers have a right to know what is in their food.
Genetic modification, also called genetic engineering, the alteration of genetic material through processes not found in nature. Scientists use genetically modified organisms to protect crops. add variety to certain foods. Some people believe that the genetic modification of foods effects safety. Corporations that produce genetically modified foods point to hundreds of studies that show that they are safe. California voters will soon make a choice about GMO foods labels, and both sides are spending millions of dollars to influence their decisions. The result of the ballot initiative will reverberate throughout the nation.
-Based on this passage, what can one infer about the safety of Genetically Modified Organisms?

Accepted Answer

A)  GMOs pose a significant risk to the safety of consumers.
B)  Corporations are attempting to deceive consumers about the potential risks of GMOs.
C)  They are not likely dangerous.
D)  GMOs are becoming more dangerous. C

Question 3

Spanish in the U.S.
Did you know that the United States has the second largest Spanish-speaking population in the world? With over 37 million speakers the age of five and older the U.S. alone has more inhabitants that speak Spanish than the whole country of Venezuela.
Spanish students don't have to study abroad to get a good look into Latin-American culture. There are many cities here in the U.S. with (1) thriving Latino (2) districts that any student of Spanish can visit to practice speaking. Miami, for example, is home to a multitude of diverse Hispanics from all over Latin America and Europe. When walking down the streets of Little Havana (one of the predominantly Hispanic barrios, or neighborhoods) you will hear the Cuban Spanish (3) language variety. In Chicago, the place to hear Mexican Spanish is La Villita.
Since Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens are the fastest growing linguistic group in the United States, it is common to find Spanish-language television channels (such as Univisión and Telemundo) in larger cities. In fact, it's thanks to these mass media that there are people (although few) that spend their whole lives in the United States without ever having to learn or speak English. The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, even commented once that Hispanics in the U.S. need to "turn off the TV in Spanish" in order to learn English more quickly.
But Governor Schwarzenegger ought to know that, according to linguistic research on (4) bilingualism, families of Hispanic heritage (as well as other non-English speaking families) produce English dominant (or English only) speakers by the third generation after their immigration. That means, it is more common than not that the grandchildren of the Mexican immigrant cannot communicate with their grandparent in Spanish. Thus, the Spanish language does not seem to (5) pose a threat in the U.S. society, contrary to what many politicians often suggest in their political rhetoric.
-According to paragraph 3, all of the following statements are true EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  People who speak Spanish are the number one linguistic group to increase in size.
B)  Univisión and Telemundo can be accessed on TVs anywhere in the U.S.
C)  Arnold Schwarzenegger is governor of California.
D)  Some Hispanics living in the U.S. never have to learn English. B

Question 4

There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations. China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as the Senkaku. Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands. China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands, and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. Before the war, Japan incorporated the islands into their territory.
Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II. Following the war, a 1951 treaty with Japan gave the United States rights to administer the islands. That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971. China asserts that the 1951 treaty should have given them control over the islands. In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location. China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s. Its conflict has escalated in recent times, with citizens from both nations protesting and raising flags on different islands. The countries have launched diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
-In what year did the United Nations report there may be oil reserves in the China Sea?

Accepted Answer

A)  1895
B)  1951
C)  1969
D)  1970

Question 5

There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations. China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as the Senkaku. Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands. China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands, and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. Before the war, Japan incorporated the islands into their territory.
Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II. Following the war, a 1951 treaty with Japan gave the United States rights to administer the islands. That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971. China asserts that the 1951 treaty should have given them control over the islands. In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location. China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s. Its conflict has escalated in recent times, with citizens from both nations protesting and raising flags on different islands. The countries have launched diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
-What is a reasonable inference based on the information in the passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  The United States is advocating for Japan to retain control of the islands.
B)  China has initiated attacks on Japanese citizens in the islands.
C)  The dispute was renewed by the report that there was oil near the islands.
D)  The United Nations intends to intervene and determine who manages the islands.

Question 6

Spanish in the U.S.
Did you know that the United States has the second largest Spanish-speaking population in the world? With over 37 million speakers the age of five and older the U.S. alone has more inhabitants that speak Spanish than the whole country of Venezuela.
Spanish students don't have to study abroad to get a good look into Latin-American culture. There are many cities here in the U.S. with (1) thriving Latino (2) districts that any student of Spanish can visit to practice speaking. Miami, for example, is home to a multitude of diverse Hispanics from all over Latin America and Europe. When walking down the streets of Little Havana (one of the predominantly Hispanic barrios, or neighborhoods) you will hear the Cuban Spanish (3) language variety. In Chicago, the place to hear Mexican Spanish is La Villita.
Since Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens are the fastest growing linguistic group in the United States, it is common to find Spanish-language television channels (such as Univisión and Telemundo) in larger cities. In fact, it's thanks to these mass media that there are people (although few) that spend their whole lives in the United States without ever having to learn or speak English. The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, even commented once that Hispanics in the U.S. need to "turn off the TV in Spanish" in order to learn English more quickly.
But Governor Schwarzenegger ought to know that, according to linguistic research on (4) bilingualism, families of Hispanic heritage (as well as other non-English speaking families) produce English dominant (or English only) speakers by the third generation after their immigration. That means, it is more common than not that the grandchildren of the Mexican immigrant cannot communicate with their grandparent in Spanish. Thus, the Spanish language does not seem to (5) pose a threat in the U.S. society, contrary to what many politicians often suggest in their political rhetoric.
-Which of the following is true according to the passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world.
B)  Spanish students should study abroad to practice speaking Spanish.
C)  Spanish speakers are the fastest growing linguistic group in the U.S.
D)  Governor Schwarzenegger speaks Spanish.

Question 7

That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed, whereon it must expire,
Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well, which thou must leave ere long.
-As a result of the metaphorical setting of the sun, turning of the leaves, and burning down of the fire, what must happen to the speaker and the person he is addressing?

Accepted Answer

A)  They must both die.
B)  The person the speaker is addressing must make an effort to stay alive.
C)  The person the speaker is addressing must leave behind his love for the speaker.
D)  The speaker must find a new lover.

Question 8

"The California Right to Know Genetically Modified Food Act" known as Proposition 37 will require food manufacturers to label food with genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). If the bill passes, it will be the first law in the United States that required GMO labeling. Some European countries already mandate GMO labeling, but efforts to pass legislation in the United States have met resistance. Over a dozen other states have failed to pass proposed labeling laws. Food manufacturer argue that the bill is unnecessary because GMO are safe. They believe labeling will drive up food costs and will confuse consumers. Proponents of the legislation assert that consumers have a right to know what is in their food.
Genetic modification, also called genetic engineering, the alteration of genetic material through processes not found in nature. Scientists use genetically modified organisms to protect crops. add variety to certain foods. Some people believe that the genetic modification of foods effects safety. Corporations that produce genetically modified foods point to hundreds of studies that show that they are safe. California voters will soon make a choice about GMO foods labels, and both sides are spending millions of dollars to influence their decisions. The result of the ballot initiative will reverberate throughout the nation.
-Based on past efforts to legally require GMO labeling in other states, what can be inferred about the public's concern with GMOs?

Accepted Answer

A)  The public is very concerned with GMOs and is attempting to draw attention to their use in food.
B)  The public does not understand the dangers of GMOs and is not making rational decisions about labeling.
C)  The public is easily misled by large corporations and is making uninformed choices.
D)  The public is not overwhelmingly concerned with GMOs and has not required labeling in any states thus far.

Question 9

Although water covers approximately sixty-seven percent of the Earth's surface, less than three percent is fresh water. Accounting for fresh water locked in glaciers, icecaps, or otherwise inaccessible, less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth's water is available for human consumption. Pollution, population growth, and wasteful irrigation practices they are contributing to a worldwide water shortage. When the clear precious liquid becomes scarce, countries begin to assert claims on fresh water supplies. As a result, drinkable water has become a region of conflict that could eventually lead to greater hostilities between nations.
Some countries such as the United States, have ample sources of water. In other nations, such as China, water is less plentiful. As water resources dwindle, competition for available sources rose. Nations may claim rights to a particular body of fresh water or they may plan to build dams and other projects on rivers. If two or more nations which disagree on water rights or building projects, conflicts can emerge. In order to combat this issue many countries are adopting water conservation and security solutions. The United Nations has implemented programs to combat potential issues that could lead to violence.
-How much of the earth is covered by water?

Accepted Answer

A)  .10%
B)  10%
C)  67%
D)  3%

Question 10

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.
-Based on the information in the passage, how would you best describe the term "participants", in bold after the (3) in the third paragraph?

Accepted Answer

A)  People that take part in a study
B)  People that oversee an event
C)  People who take part in an activity or event
D)  People that observe an activity

Question 11

There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations. China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as the Senkaku. Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands. China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands, and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. Before the war, Japan incorporated the islands into their territory.
Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II. Following the war, a 1951 treaty with Japan gave the United States rights to administer the islands. That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971. China asserts that the 1951 treaty should have given them control over the islands. In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location. China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s. Its conflict has escalated in recent times, with citizens from both nations protesting and raising flags on different islands. The countries have launched diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
-What is the main idea of this passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  A group of islands in the East China Sea are claimed by both Japan and China.
B)  The discovery of oil in the East China Sea has led to the rekindling of an old land dispute between China and Japan.
C)  The United States mistakenly granted Japan control of the Diaoyu or Senkaku islands in 1951.
D)  Japan lost control of the Senkaku Islands as a result of WWII.

Question 12

There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations. China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as the Senkaku. Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands. China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands, and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895. Before the war, Japan incorporated the islands into their territory.
Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II. Following the war, a 1951 treaty with Japan gave the United States rights to administer the islands. That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971. China asserts that the 1951 treaty should have given them control over the islands. In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location. China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s. Its conflict has escalated in recent times, with citizens from both nations protesting and raising flags on different islands. The countries have launched diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.
-On what basis does China assert its ownership of these islands?

Accepted Answer

A)  China claims the treaty of 1951 was an error and control should not have been granted to Japan.
B)  Chinese citizens currently occupy the islands.
C)  China claims to have discovered the islands.
D)  China won control of the islands in 1895 after the Sino-Japanese War.

Question 13

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.
-The word "plaza", in bold after the (2) in the second paragraph, is closest in meaning to

Accepted Answer

A)  Shopping center
B)  Town square
C)  Balcony
D)  Garden

Question 14

That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed, whereon it must expire,
Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well, which thou must leave ere long.
-What observations does the speaker assume the lover has made?

Accepted Answer

A)  The speaker assumes the lover has noticed the changing of the seasons.
B)  The speaker assumes the lover has noticed it is growing colder.
C)  The speaker assumes the lover has noticed he, the speaker, is growing old.
D)  The speaker assumes the lover has noticed he, the speaker, is less active than he once was.

Question 15

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Although water covers approximately sixty-seven percent of the Earth's surface, less than three percent is fresh water. Accounting for fresh water locked in glaciers, icecaps, or otherwise inaccessible, less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth's water is available for human consumption. Pollution, population growth, and wasteful irrigation practices they are contributing to a worldwide water shortage. When the clear precious liquid becomes scarce, countries begin to assert claims on fresh water supplies. As a result, drinkable water has become a region of conflict that could eventually lead to greater hostilities between nations.
Some countries such as the United States, have ample sources of water. In other nations, such as China, water is less plentiful. As water resources dwindle, competition for available sources rose. Nations may claim rights to a particular body of fresh water or they may plan to build dams and other projects on rivers. If two or more nations which disagree on water rights or building projects, conflicts can emerge. In order to combat this issue many countries are adopting water conservation and security solutions. The United Nations has implemented programs to combat potential issues that could lead to violence.
-What does the author assume about the readers of this passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  The author assumes the reader knows why fresh water is different from other water.
B)  The author assumes the reader is familiar with water rights in China.
C)  The author assumes the reader knows what irrigation techniques are more wasteful than others.
D)  The author assumes the reader has experienced conflicts brought on by water scarcity.

Question 17

"The California Right to Know Genetically Modified Food Act" known as Proposition 37 will require food manufacturers to label food with genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). If the bill passes, it will be the first law in the United States that required GMO labeling. Some European countries already mandate GMO labeling, but efforts to pass legislation in the United States have met resistance. Over a dozen other states have failed to pass proposed labeling laws. Food manufacturer argue that the bill is unnecessary because GMO are safe. They believe labeling will drive up food costs and will confuse consumers. Proponents of the legislation assert that consumers have a right to know what is in their food.
Genetic modification, also called genetic engineering, the alteration of genetic material through processes not found in nature. Scientists use genetically modified organisms to protect crops. add variety to certain foods. Some people believe that the genetic modification of foods effects safety. Corporations that produce genetically modified foods point to hundreds of studies that show that they are safe. California voters will soon make a choice about GMO foods labels, and both sides are spending millions of dollars to influence their decisions. The result of the ballot initiative will reverberate throughout the nation.
-Who is most likely the intended audience for this passage?

Accepted Answer

A)  The intended audience consists of California voters who are trying to determine how to vote on Proposition 37.
B)  The intended audience consists of food manufacturers who are resistant to adding GMO labeling to their food products.
C)  The intended audience consists of those unfamiliar with GMOs or recent legislative efforts in California or other states.
D)  The intended audience consists of academic researchers developing research projects on the safety of GMOs.

Question 18

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.
-The word "theories", in bold after the (1) in the second paragraph, is closest in meaning to

Accepted Answer

A)  Speculations
B)  Certainties
C)  Assurances
D)  Facts

Question 19

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 passage, which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The tomato fight only lasts several days.
B)  Buñol is a Spanish town
C)  Trucks full of tomatoes supply the police with their vegetable weapons.
D)  Both A and B

Question 20

Spanish in the U.S.
Did you know that the United States has the second largest Spanish-speaking population in the world? With over 37 million speakers the age of five and older the U.S. alone has more inhabitants that speak Spanish than the whole country of Venezuela.
Spanish students don't have to study abroad to get a good look into Latin-American culture. There are many cities here in the U.S. with (1) thriving Latino (2) districts that any student of Spanish can visit to practice speaking. Miami, for example, is home to a multitude of diverse Hispanics from all over Latin America and Europe. When walking down the streets of Little Havana (one of the predominantly Hispanic barrios, or neighborhoods) you will hear the Cuban Spanish (3) language variety. In Chicago, the place to hear Mexican Spanish is La Villita.
Since Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens are the fastest growing linguistic group in the United States, it is common to find Spanish-language television channels (such as Univisión and Telemundo) in larger cities. In fact, it's thanks to these mass media that there are people (although few) that spend their whole lives in the United States without ever having to learn or speak English. The governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, even commented once that Hispanics in the U.S. need to "turn off the TV in Spanish" in order to learn English more quickly.
But Governor Schwarzenegger ought to know that, according to linguistic research on (4) bilingualism, families of Hispanic heritage (as well as other non-English speaking families) produce English dominant (or English only) speakers by the third generation after their immigration. That means, it is more common than not that the grandchildren of the Mexican immigrant cannot communicate with their grandparent in Spanish. Thus, the Spanish language does not seem to (5) pose a threat in the U.S. society, contrary to what many politicians often suggest in their political rhetoric.
-The concept "posing a threat", bolded after the (5) in paragraph 4, can best be described, based on what many politicians often suggest, as

Accepted Answer

A)  Becoming popular
B)  Attracting attention
C)  Becoming dominant
D)  Becoming challenging

Exam 1: Hiset: Water Shortages, Tomatina Festival, and Language Variety