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TOEFL Experts Reading Practice 27

Reading Section

This section measures your ability to understand academic passages in English. You can skip questions and go back to them later as long as there is time remaining.

Now begin the Reading section.

Reading Section

This section measures your ability to understand academic passages in English. You can skip questions and go back to them later as long as there is time remaining.

Now begin the Reading section.

Harriet Tubman

In April 2016, the United States Treasury Department announced that Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. This made her the first woman in over 100 years, and the first African American ever, to appear on paper currency issued by the United States. This move was controversial, but Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew steadfastly supported the change, making it clear that he felt Tubman’s life and accomplishments deserved to be celebrated. Indeed, while Tubman was a well-known anti-slavery activist, few people outside of the academic world are aware of the extent of her efforts and suffering to help bring about the abolition of slavery. Perhaps this lack of modern-day awareness is best exemplified by the shortage of common knowledge about her efforts as a scout and spy supporting the Combahee River Raid during the American Civil War.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in southeastern Maryland. Like most slave children, she was subject to violent punishment by her owners—even if no wrongdoing had been committed. She suffered a severe head injury at age 12 when a metal object was thrown by an owner at a slave he was attempting to punish. The object struck Tubman instead. She suffered greatly for the rest of her life as a result of this injury, with frequent severe headaches, vertigo₁, seizures, and extreme drowsiness.

Tubman escaped enslavement in 1849, fleeing to Philadelphia about 150 miles to the north, where slavery was banned. Her freedom secured, she quickly made it her life’s mission to support the abolitionist movement in any way she could. She started by returning to Maryland to free her own family. Later, she continued this work, helping relatives, friends, and eventually any slave she could to flee to the North. After passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, assisting slaves who were attempting to escape custody became a serious criminal offense throughout the United States. This made Tubman’s difficult work even more perilous. However, she continued it successfully—now, she would have to help escaped slaves flee all the way to Canada, all the while risking being arrested herself.

In the late 1850s, she became more deeply involved with radical abolition efforts, helping John Brown plan his failed attack on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Tubman immediately joined the Union army, as she felt that Union victory would almost certainly end slavery. At first, she worked as a cook and field nurse, but later became involved in scouting and intelligence gathering. In January 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, a wartime measure that freed slaves from bondage. Despite this, many African Americans remained in captivity in the South, as the slave owners there continued to rebel against Lincoln and the North. Because of her widespread reputation for anti-slavery work, Tubman was able to learn critical information from slaves still in bondage in exchange for helping them to freedom. The success of the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina in June 1863 is largely due to her effectiveness in gaining knowledge about the location of Confederate defensive positions. Tubman was able to help the Union gunboats avoid ambushes as they navigated the river, simultaneously guiding the ships to locations along the riverbank where runaway slaves awaited rescue. In total, over 700 slaves were rescued by the boats, and the military objective was achieved: numerous plantations owned by prominent secessionists were raided and destroyed, with the newly rescued slaves assisting the Union soldiers.

After the war ended in 1865, slavery had been completely abolished in the United States. Tubman retired to her property in upstate New York and tended to her family and personal affairs for several decades. Later in life, she would continue her humanitarian work in different arenas. She became involved with the women’s suffrage movement, fighting for women’s right to vote, and she worked with the African Methodist church to provide assistance to elderly, poverty-stricken African Americans.

vertigo₁: unsteadiness, dizziness, and/or a perception of spinning, often brought on by changing the position of one’s head

Harriet Tubman

vertigo₁: unsteadiness, dizziness, and/or a perception of spinning, often brought on by changing the position of one’s head

→(P1) In April 2016, the United States Treasury Department announced that Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. This made her the first woman in over 100 years, and the first African American ever, to appear on paper currency issued by the United States. This move was controversial, but Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew steadfastly supported the change, making it clear that he felt Tubman’s life and accomplishments deserved to be celebrated. Indeed, while Tubman was a well-known anti-slavery activist, few people outside of the academic world are aware of the extent of her efforts and suffering to help bring about the abolition of slavery. Perhaps this lack of modern-day awareness is best exemplified by the shortage of common knowledge about her efforts as a scout and spy supporting the Combahee River Raid during the American Civil War.

→(P2) Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in southeastern Maryland. Like most slave children, she was subject to violent punishment by her owners—even if no wrongdoing had been committed. She suffered a severe head injury at age 12 when a metal object was thrown by an owner at a slave he was attempting to punish. The object struck Tubman instead. She suffered greatly for the rest of her life as a result of this injury, with frequent severe headaches, vertigo₁, seizures, and extreme drowsiness.

Q: Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 1? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

Feeling that Tubman’s accomplishments deserved celebration, Secretary Lew supported the controversy over putting Tubman on the $20 bill.

Despite claims that Tubman’s accomplishments deserved to be celebrated, Secretary Lew called the move to put Tubman on the $20 bill controversial.

Secretary Lew maintained his support for the controversial move to put Tubman on the $20 bill, which he felt celebrated her accomplishments deservedly.

Secretary Lew’s support for putting Tubman on the $20 bill was made clear by the controversy around the move, but he felt her accomplishments deserved celebration.

→(P1) In April 2016, the United States Treasury Department announced that Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. This made her the first woman in over 100 years, and the first African American ever, to appear on paper currency issued by the United States. This move was controversial, but Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew steadfastly supported the change, making it clear that he felt Tubman’s life and accomplishments deserved to be celebrated. Indeed, while Tubman was a well-known anti-slavery activist, few people outside of the academic world are aware of the extent of her efforts and suffering to help bring about the abolition of slavery. Perhaps this lack of modern-day awareness is best exemplified by the shortage of common knowledge about her efforts as a scout and spy supporting the Combahee River Raid during the American Civil War.

Q: It can be inferred from paragraph 1 that between 1916 and 2016

An African American person appeared on United States paper currency

Several women appeared on United States paper currency

No African American woman appeared on United States paper currency

no bills other than the $20 bill were updated

→(P1) In April 2016, the United States Treasury Department announced that Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. This made her the first woman in over 100 years, and the first African American ever, to appear on paper currency issued by the United States. This move was controversial, but Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew steadfastly supported the change, making it clear that he felt Tubman’s life and accomplishments deserved to be celebrated. Indeed, while Tubman was a well-known anti-slavery activist, few people outside of the academic world are aware of the extent of her efforts and suffering to help bring about the abolition of slavery. Perhaps this lack of modern-day awareness is best exemplified by the shortage of common knowledge about her efforts as a scout and spy supporting the Combahee River Raid during the American Civil War.

Q: Which of the following best describes the relation of paragraph 1 to paragraph 2?

Paragraph 2 explains why the historical figure introduced in paragraph 1 deserves to be honored at a national level.

Paragraph 2 outlines the life and accomplishments of the historical figure who is introduced and celebrated in paragraph 1.

Paragraph 2 discusses reasons for a decision made about the historical figure who is introduced in paragraph 1.

Paragraph 2 initiates a biography of the historical figure introduced in modern, general terms in paragraph 1.

→(P1) In April 2016, the United States Treasury Department announced that Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. This made her the first woman in over 100 years, and the first African American ever, to appear on paper currency issued by the United States. This move was controversial, but Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew steadfastly supported the change, making it clear that he felt Tubman’s life and accomplishments deserved to be celebrated. Indeed, while Tubman was a well-known anti-slavery activist, few people outside of the academic world are aware of the extent of her efforts and suffering to help bring about the abolition of slavery. Perhaps this lack of modern-day awareness is best exemplified by the shortage of common knowledge about her efforts as a scout and spy supporting the Combahee River Raid during the American Civil War.

Q: The word “exemplified” in the passage is closest in meaning to

Broadcast

Excused

Illustrated

Disguised

→(P3) Tubman escaped enslavement in 1849, fleeing to Philadelphia about 150 miles to the north, where slavery was banned. Her freedom secured, she quickly made it her life’s mission to support the abolitionist movement in any way she could. She started by returning to Maryland to free her own family. Later, she continued this work, helping relatives, friends, and eventually any slave she could to flee to the North. After passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, assisting slaves who were attempting to escape custody became a serious criminal offense throughout the United States. This made Tubman’s difficult work even more perilous. However, she continued it successfully—now, she would have to help escaped slaves flee all the way to Canada, all the while risking being arrested herself.

Q: The word “custody” in the passage is closest in meaning to

Liberty

Authority

Encirclement

Captivity

→(P3) Tubman escaped enslavement in 1849, fleeing to Philadelphia about 150 miles to the north, where slavery was banned. Her freedom secured, she quickly made it her life’s mission to support the abolitionist movement in any way she could. She started by returning to Maryland to free her own family. Later, she continued this work, helping relatives, friends, and eventually any slave she could to flee to the North. After passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, assisting slaves who were attempting to escape custody became a serious criminal offense throughout the United States. This made Tubman’s difficult work even more perilous. However, she continued it successfully—now, she would have to help escaped slaves flee all the way to Canada, all the while risking being arrested herself.

Q: According to paragraph 3, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 made Tubman’s work more dangerous because

It made aiding slaves attempting to escape a criminal offense

If she were caught, Tubman could be forced back into slavery

Slavery had not yet been banned in Philadelphia

It made it more difficult to return to Maryland to free her family and relatives

→(P4) In the late 1850s, she became more deeply involved with radical abolition efforts, helping John Brown plan his failed attack on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Tubman immediately joined the Union army, as she felt that Union victory would almost certainly end slavery. At first, she worked as a cook and field nurse, but later became involved in scouting and intelligence gathering. In January 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, a wartime measure that freed slaves from bondage. Despite this, many African Americans remained in captivity in the South, as the slave owners there continued to rebel against Lincoln and the North. Because of her widespread reputation for anti-slavery work, Tubman was able to learn critical information from slaves still in bondage in exchange for helping them to freedom. The success of the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina in June 1863 is largely due to her effectiveness in gaining knowledge about the location of Confederate defensive positions. Tubman was able to help the Union gunboats avoid ambushes as they navigated the river, simultaneously guiding the ships to locations along the riverbank where runaway slaves awaited rescue. In total, over 700 slaves were rescued by the boats, and the military objective was achieved: numerous plantations owned by prominent secessionists were raided and destroyed, with the newly rescued slaves assisting the Union soldiers.

Q: According to paragraph 4, all of the following statements about Harriet Tubman’s involvement with the Union Army are true EXCEPT:

She questioned plantation owners to learn Confederate defenses.

She helped slaves escape from bondage in the South.

At first, she worked as a cook, but then became a scout.

She helped Union troops avoid potentially deadly traps.

→(P4) In the late 1850s, she became more deeply involved with radical abolition efforts, helping John Brown plan his failed attack on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Tubman immediately joined the Union army, as she felt that Union victory would almost certainly end slavery. At first, she worked as a cook and field nurse, but later became involved in scouting and intelligence gathering. In January 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, a wartime measure that freed slaves from bondage. Despite this, many African Americans remained in captivity in the South, as the slave owners there continued to rebel against Lincoln and the North. Because of her widespread reputation for anti-slavery work, Tubman was able to learn critical information from slaves still in bondage in exchange for helping them to freedom. The success of the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina in June 1863 is largely due to her effectiveness in gaining knowledge about the location of Confederate defensive positions. Tubman was able to help the Union gunboats avoid ambushes as they navigated the river, simultaneously guiding the ships to locations along the riverbank where runaway slaves awaited rescue. In total, over 700 slaves were rescued by the boats, and the military objective was achieved: numerous plantations owned by prominent secessionists were raided and destroyed, with the newly rescued slaves assisting the Union soldiers.

Q: In paragraph 4, the author mentions Harriet Tubman’s “widespread reputation for anti-slavery work” in order to

Predict that some people would oppose her efforts

Clarify that strangers knew of her and were willing to help her

Demonstrate that not every Southern slave owner was her adversary

Explore the reasons many slaves remained in bondage

→(P4) In the late 1850s, she became more deeply involved with radical abolition efforts, helping John Brown plan his failed attack on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1859. When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Tubman immediately joined the Union army, as she felt that Union victory would almost certainly end slavery. At first, she worked as a cook and field nurse, but later became involved in scouting and intelligence gathering. In January 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, a wartime measure that freed slaves from bondage. Despite this, many African Americans remained in captivity in the South, as the slave owners there continued to rebel against Lincoln and the North. Because of her widespread reputation for anti-slavery work, Tubman was able to learn critical information from slaves still in bondage in exchange for helping them to freedom. The success of the Combahee River Raid in South Carolina in June 1863 is largely due to her effectiveness in gaining knowledge about the location of Confederate defensive positions. Tubman was able to help the Union gunboats avoid ambushes as they navigated the river, simultaneously guiding the ships to locations along the riverbank where runaway slaves awaited rescue. In total, over 700 slaves were rescued by the boats, and the military objective was achieved: numerous plantations owned by prominent secessionists were raided and destroyed, with the newly rescued slaves assisting the Union soldiers.

Q: The phrase “intelligence gathering” in the passage is closest in meaning to

Conducting reconnaissance

Attaining wisdom

Finding artifacts

Recruiting collaborators

Q: According to paragraph 4, which of the following was true of many slaves in the South after the Emancipation Proclamation?

They inadvertently helped defeat the Union army during the Combahee River Raid.

They were willingly set free by their owners in response to the Emancipation Proclamation.

They were skeptical about sharing information that could pose risks to their personal safety.

They helped destroy a number of prominent plantations during the Combahee River Raid.

→(P5) After the war ended in 1865, slavery had been completely abolished in the United States. Tubman retired to her property in upstate New York and tended to her family and personal affairs for several decades. Later in life, she would continue her humanitarian work in different arenas. She became involved with the women’s suffrage movement, fighting for women’s right to vote, and she worked with the African Methodist church to provide assistance to elderly, poverty-stricken African Americans.

Q: The word “humanitarian” in the passage is closest in meaning to

Revolutionary

Charitable

Anthropological

Clandestine

→(P5) After the war ended in 1865, slavery had been completely abolished in the United States. Tubman retired to her property in upstate New York and tended to her family and personal affairs for several decades. Later in life, she would continue her humanitarian work in different arenas. She became involved with the women’s suffrage movement, fighting for women’s right to vote, and she worked with the African Methodist church to provide assistance to elderly, poverty-stricken African Americans.

Q: According to paragraph 5, which of the following statements was true of Harriet Tubman after the war?

She continued to help slaves escape from bondage.

She became a politician in upstate New York.

She fought for women to gain the right to vote.

She immediately began doing other kinds of socially oriented work.

In paragraph 5 of the passage, there is a missing sentence. The paragraph is repeated below and shows four letters [A], [B], [C], and [D] that indicate where the following sentence could be added.

During this time in retreat, Tubman was much less active in public efforts of a political or benevolent nature.

Where would the sentence best fit?

→(P5) After the war ended in 1865, slavery had been completely abolished in the United States.[A] Tubman retired to her property in upstate New York and tended to her family and personal affairs for several decades. [B] Later in life, she would continue her humanitarian work in different arenas.[C] She became involved with the women’s suffrage movement, fighting for women’s right to vote, and she worked with the African Methodist church to provide assistance to elderly, poverty-stricken African Americans.[D]

Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

The decision to celebrate Harriet Tubman by putting her on the United States $20 bill honors her not only for her well-known efforts to free slaves but also for her less well-known efforts in the Union army to end slavery.

Born into slavery, Tubman overcame considerable adversity to free herself and later to help others do the same.

Tubman worked as a scout during the American Civil War, gathering critical information for the Union army.

Tubman is the first African American to appear on United States paper currency, but she is not the first woman.

Upon joining the Union army, Tubman first worked as a cook and as a field nurse during the Civil War.

The Fugitive Slave Act, which criminalized assistance offered to slaves attempting to free themselves, was passed in 1850.

Tubman played a pivotal role in the successful Combahee River Raid, uncovering hidden defenses and rescuing hundreds of slaves.

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