TOEFL Experts Reading Practice 43

 
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.

The Athenian Empire

 

Parthenon by Lusieri Giovani Batista

   In 508 B.C. Cleisthenes, an Athenian nobleman, reformed the constitution of the city-state of Athens in modern-day Greece, establishing the first known, even if imperfect, democratic government. This outcome was the culmination of work by other politicians over the prior century, most notably the lawmaker and poet Solon, who wrote many of his poems as propaganda protesting the rise of dictatorships in several Greek city-states. Solon’s work failed to achieve democracy in his lifetime, but it influenced Cleisthenes and many others, and it helped pave the road for the original democracy in Athens, from which many democracies borrow heavily today. Still, there were many difficult lessons to be learned about how to maintain a democracy, especially as that society became increasingly powerful.

   Shortly after its founding, Athenian democracy had its first true test. At the time, much of the land in neighboring Ionia was inhabited by Greeks but under Persian rule, having been conquered by the powerful Persian Empire in 540 B.C. In 498 B.C., the Ionians attempted to revolt against Persia. The revolt was quickly suppressed, and thus began the Greco–Persian Wars. After a series of Persian victories in battles
throughout Ionia, the Persian navy landed on the shores of Marathon in 490 B.C., a mere 25 miles from Athens. The Persian force was much larger than that of the Greek defenders, but it was routed in the Battle of Marathon. Some believe that democracy played a crucial role in this successful defense: free people, determined to defend their homes and way of life, had more reason to work together to develop and execute a cooperative battle strategy than did the opposing army.

   The victory was hailed by the city-state of Sparta, which had a reputation as the elite military force of Greece but had failed to arrive in time for the battle. The Spartans were amazed at what the Athenians had accomplished, for it was the first time Greece had successfully repelled a Persian invasion. Persian leader Xerxes would attack again in 480 B.C., now wielding an even more massive army. The Spartans joined this fight, with King Leonidas leading the land defense at the famous Battle of Thermopylae and Themistocles leading the Athenian navy against the Persian fleet at the Straits of Artemisium. Despite incurring heavy losses, Persian forces eventually overwhelmed the Greeks at Thermopylae and Artemisium. This time the Persian army successfully reached Athens, occupying it for about a year, but Greek forces regrouped and won decisive victories at the Battles of Salamis, Mycale, and Plataea. Now able to turn to offense, the Greeks definitively forced the Persians out of Greece, once again preserving Athenian democracy.

   After these successful defenses, Sparta decided to withdraw from the war. Most of the remaining Greek city-states banded together to form the Delian League. This coalition was charged with continuing the war against Persia, and with Sparta dropping out, control of the league was firmly in the hands of Athens. All league members were forced to contribute troops, materials, or money to support the league. Most citystates chose to give money; Athens used this money to build a powerful military. Athenian politicians pursued a policy of not only fighting the Persians, but also using its military might to enforce continued participation in the Delian League by member city-states and to force other city-states to join the league. This period was marked on the one hand by quickly rising prosperity for democratic Athens, but on the other hand by a rapid deterioration in the rights and autonomy of other Delian League members.

   What began as a democracy, founded on the idea of equality for “all” Athenians (even if “all” was defined only as “adult male citizens”), developed into a brutal military empire that quickly developed new enemies throughout Greece. Member city-states began to revolt, and tensions mounted between Athens and the military powerhouse of Sparta, which perceived that Athens had become too powerful and corrupt. In 431 B.C., these developments led to the Peloponnesian War, which ended in the defeat of Athens and its submission to Spartan rule. Athenian democracy was suspended, and although it eventually regrouped, the Second Athenian Empire repeated many of the same mistakes and was dismantled in 355 B.C. Greece was
once again an assortment of independent city-states that soon vanished for good as a unified entity when Alexander the Great led Macedonia to take over the region.

The Athenian Empire

 

Parthenon by Lusieri Giovani Batista

   In 508 B.C. Cleisthenes, an Athenian nobleman, reformed the constitution of the city-state of Athens in modern-day Greece, establishing the first known, even if imperfect, democratic government. This outcome was the culmination of work by other politicians over the prior century, most notably the lawmaker and poet Solon, who wrote many of his poems as propaganda protesting the rise of dictatorships in several Greek city-states. Solon’s work failed to achieve democracy in his lifetime, but it influenced Cleisthenes and many others, and it helped pave the road for the original democracy in Athens, from which many democracies borrow heavily today. Still, there were many difficult lessons to be learned about how to maintain a democracy, especially as that society became increasingly powerful.

   Shortly after its founding, Athenian democracy had its first true test. At the time, much of the land in neighboring Ionia was inhabited by Greeks but under Persian rule, having been conquered by the powerful Persian Empire in 540 B.C. In 498 B.C., the Ionians attempted to revolt against Persia. The revolt was quickly suppressed, and thus began the Greco–Persian Wars. After a series of Persian victories in battles
throughout Ionia, the Persian navy landed on the shores of Marathon in 490 B.C., a mere 25 miles from Athens. The Persian force was much larger than that of the Greek defenders, but it was routed in the Battle of Marathon. Some believe that democracy played a crucial role in this successful defense: free people, determined to defend their homes and way of life, had more reason to work together to develop and execute a cooperative battle strategy than did the opposing army.

   The victory was hailed by the city-state of Sparta, which had a reputation as the elite military force of Greece but had failed to arrive in time for the battle. The Spartans were amazed at what the Athenians had accomplished, for it was the first time Greece had successfully repelled a Persian invasion. Persian leader Xerxes would attack again in 480 B.C., now wielding an even more massive army. The Spartans joined this fight, with King Leonidas leading the land defense at the famous Battle of Thermopylae and Themistocles leading the Athenian navy against the Persian fleet at the Straits of Artemisium. Despite incurring heavy losses, Persian forces eventually overwhelmed the Greeks at Thermopylae and Artemisium. This time the Persian army successfully reached Athens, occupying it for about a year, but Greek forces regrouped and won decisive victories at the Battles of Salamis, Mycale, and Plataea. Now able to turn to offense, the Greeks definitively forced the Persians out of Greece, once again preserving Athenian democracy.

   After these successful defenses, Sparta decided to withdraw from the war. Most of the remaining Greek city-states banded together to form the Delian League. This coalition was charged with continuing the war against Persia, and with Sparta dropping out, control of the league was firmly in the hands of Athens. All league members were forced to contribute troops, materials, or money to support the league. Most citystates chose to give money; Athens used this money to build a powerful military. Athenian politicians pursued a policy of not only fighting the Persians, but also using its military might to enforce continued participation in the Delian League by member city-states and to force other city-states to join the league. This period was marked on the one hand by quickly rising prosperity for democratic Athens, but on the other hand by a rapid deterioration in the rights and autonomy of other Delian League members.

   What began as a democracy, founded on the idea of equality for “all” Athenians (even if “all” was defined only as “adult male citizens”), developed into a brutal military empire that quickly developed new enemies throughout Greece. Member city-states began to revolt, and tensions mounted between Athens and the military powerhouse of Sparta, which perceived that Athens had become too powerful and corrupt. In 431 B.C., these developments led to the Peloponnesian War, which ended in the defeat of Athens and its submission to Spartan rule. Athenian democracy was suspended, and although it eventually regrouped, the Second Athenian Empire repeated many of the same mistakes and was dismantled in 355 B.C. Greece was
once again an assortment of independent city-states that soon vanished for good as a unified entity when Alexander the Great led Macedonia to take over the region.

(P1)  In 508 B.C. Cleisthenes, an Athenian nobleman, reformed the constitution of the city-state of Athens in modern-day Greece, establishing the first known, even if imperfect, democratic government. This outcome was the culmination of work by other politicians over the prior century, most notably the lawmaker and poet Solon, who wrote many of his poems as propaganda protesting the rise of dictatorships in several Greek city-states. Solon’s work failed to achieve democracy in his lifetime, but it influenced Cleisthenes and many others, and it helped pave the road for the original democracy in Athens, from which many democracies borrow heavily today. Still, there were many difficult lessons to be learned about how to maintain a democracy, especially as that society became increasingly powerful.

Q: The word “culmination” in the passage is closest in meaning to
Continuation
Initiation
Conclusion
Reversal
(P1)  In 508 B.C. Cleisthenes, an Athenian nobleman, reformed the constitution of the city-state of Athens in modern-day Greece, establishing the first known, even if imperfect, democratic government. This outcome was the culmination of work by other politicians over the prior century, most notably the lawmaker and poet Solon, who wrote many of his poems as propaganda protesting the rise of dictatorships in several Greek city-states. Solon’s work failed to achieve democracy in his lifetime, but it influenced Cleisthenes and many others, and it helped pave the road for the original democracy in Athens, from which many democracies borrow heavily today. Still, there were many difficult lessons to be learned about how to maintain a democracy, especially as that society became increasingly powerful.

Q: According to paragraph 1, which of the following is true about the origins of democracy in Athens?
The Athenians first had to learn many difficult lessons about how to establish a democracy.
Cleisthenes founded democracy in Athens, building on the work of others such as Solon.
The democracy that Solon created failed, leading to additional failures by Cleisthenes.
Modern democracies have failed to live up to the model set forth by ancient Athenian democracy.
(P2)  Shortly after its founding, Athenian democracy had its first true test. At the time, much of the land in neighboring Ionia was inhabited by Greeks but under Persian rule, having been conquered by the powerful Persian Empire in 540 B.C. In 498 B.C., the Ionians attempted to revolt against Persia. The revolt was quickly suppressed, and thus began the Greco–Persian Wars. After a series of Persian victories in battles
throughout Ionia, the Persian navy landed on the shores of Marathon in 490 B.C., a mere 25 miles from Athens. The Persian force was much larger than that of the Greek defenders, but it was routed in the Battle of Marathon. Some believe that democracy played a crucial role in this successful defense: free people, determined to defend their homes and way of life, had more reason to work together to develop and execute a cooperative battle strategy than did the opposing army.

Q: Paragraph 2 begins by discussing a threat to Athenian democracy and then goes on to
Explain why the Athenians were at war with Persia and speculate about the outcome of that war
Explain why Athenian democracy was unable to overcome that threat
Describe the prelude to a key battle, the result of the battle, and a possible explanation of the result
Focus nearly exclusively on the revolt in Ionia that was the cause of that threat
→(P2)  Shortly after its founding, Athenian democracy had its first true test. At the time, much of the land in neighboring Ionia was inhabited by Greeks but under Persian rule, having been conquered by the powerful Persian Empire in 540 B.C. In 498 B.C., the Ionians attempted to revolt against Persia. The revolt was quickly suppressed, and thus began the Greco–Persian Wars. After a series of Persian victories in battles
throughout Ionia, the Persian navy landed on the shores of Marathon in 490 B.C., a mere 25 miles from Athens. The Persian force was much larger than that of the Greek defenders, but it was routed in the Battle of Marathon. Some believe that democracy played a crucial role in this successful defense: free people, determined to defend their homes and way of life, had more reason to work together to develop and execute a cooperative battle strategy than did the opposing army.

Q: Paragraph 2 supports which of the following ideas that some people have about the ancient Persian government?
It was not characterized by democratic principles.
It was distracted by wars being fought in other parts of the world.
It was more concerned with quelling the Ionian revolt than conquering Athens.
Had Persia been victorious at the Battle of Marathon, it would have removed Greeks from Ionia.
→(P3)  The victory was hailed by the city-state of Sparta, which had a reputation as the elite military force of Greece but had failed to arrive in time for the battle. The Spartans were amazed at what the Athenians had accomplished, for it was the first time Greece had successfully repelled a Persian invasion. Persian leader Xerxes would attack again in 480 B.C., now wielding an even more massive army. The Spartans joined this fight, with King Leonidas leading the land defense at the famous Battle of Thermopylae and Themistocles leading the Athenian navy against the Persian fleet at the Straits of Artemisium. Despite incurring heavy losses, Persian forces eventually overwhelmed the Greeks at Thermopylae and Artemisium. This time the Persian army successfully reached Athens, occupying it for about a year, but Greek forces regrouped and won decisive victories at the Battles of Salamis, Mycale, and Plataea. Now able to turn to offense, the Greeks definitively forced the Persians out of Greece, once again preserving Athenian democracy.

Q: The main purpose of paragraph 3 is to
Highlight the indispensable role of Sparta in defending Greece from the Persians
Describe another ultimately successful defense of Greece, not only by Athens but also by Sparta
Explain how Athens was overwhelmed, occupied, and eventually defeated for good
Trace various reasons why the Persian army was more successful in its second invasion
→(P3)  The victory was hailed by the city-state of Sparta, which had a reputation as the elite military force of Greece but had failed to arrive in time for the battle. The Spartans were amazed at what the Athenians had accomplished, for it was the first time Greece had successfully repelled a Persian invasion. Persian leader Xerxes would attack again in 480 B.C., now wielding an even more massive army. The Spartans joined this fight, with King Leonidas leading the land defense at the famous Battle of Thermopylae and Themistocles leading the Athenian navy against the Persian fleet at the Straits of Artemisium. Despite incurring heavy losses, Persian forces eventually overwhelmed the Greeks at Thermopylae and Artemisium. This time the Persian army successfully reached Athens, occupying it for about a year, but Greek forces regrouped and won decisive victories at the Battles of Salamis, Mycale, and Plataea. Now able to turn to offense, the Greeks definitively forced the Persians out of Greece, once again preserving Athenian democracy.

Q: Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 3? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.
Sparta expressed amazement that Athens had never successfully defended Greece against Persian invasions before.
Athen’s achievement, the first successful defense of Greece against Persia, astonished Sparta.
Since Greece had never previously repelled a Persian invasion, an astonished Sparta thanked Athens for doing so.
The Spartans were stunned that Athens had been the first to fail to defend Greece against Persia.
→(P4)  After these successful defenses, Sparta decided to withdraw from the war. Most of the remaining Greek city-states banded together to form the Delian League. This coalition was charged with continuing the war against Persia, and with Sparta dropping out, control of the league was firmly in the hands of Athens. All league members were forced to contribute troops, materials, or money to support the league. Most citystates chose to give money; Athens used this money to build a powerful military. Athenian politicians pursued a policy of not only fighting the Persians, but also using its military might to enforce continued participation in the Delian League by member city-states and to force other city-states to join the league. This period was marked on the one hand by quickly rising prosperity for democratic Athens, but on the other hand by a rapid deterioration in the rights and autonomy of other Delian League members.

Q: According to paragraph 4, the formation of the Delian League was
A response to Sparta’s decision to withdraw from the war against Persia
A key motivation behind Sparta’s withdrawal from the war against Persia
A result of failed diplomacy between Athens and other Greek city-states
A method of supporting Greece’s ongoing war against Persia
→(P5)  What began as a democracy, founded on the idea of equality for “all” Athenians (even if “all” was defined only as “adult male citizens”), developed into a brutal military empire that quickly developed new enemies throughout Greece. Member city-states began to revolt, and tensions mounted between Athens and the military powerhouse of Sparta, which perceived that Athens had become too powerful and corrupt. In 431 B.C., these developments led to the Peloponnesian War, which ended in the defeat of Athens and its submission to Spartan rule. Athenian democracy was suspended, and although it eventually regrouped, the Second Athenian Empire repeated many of the same mistakes and was dismantled in 355 B.C. Greece was once again an assortment of independent city-states that soon vanished for good as a unified entity when Alexander the Great led Macedonia to take over the region.

Q: According to paragraph 5, the Peloponnesian War directly led to
The rise of the Second Athenian Empire
The takeover of Athens by Macedonia
The submission of Athens to the rule of Sparta
The revolt of other Greek city-states in the Delian League
In paragraph 3 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.
 
For example, it can be shown that the sum of the entries in consecutive diagonals of Pascal’s triangle, useful in calculating binomial coefficients and probabilities, correspond to consecutive terms in the Fibonacci sequence.
 
Where would the sentence best fit?

→(P3)   The victory was hailed by the city-state of Sparta, which had a reputation as the elite military force of Greece but had failed to arrive in time for the battle. The Spartans were amazed at what the Athenians had accomplished, for it was the first time Greece had successfully repelled a Persian invasion. [A]Persian leader Xerxes would attack again in 480 B.C., now wielding an even more massive army. The Spartans joined this fight, with King Leonidas leading the land defense at the famous Battle of Thermopylae and Themistocles leading the Athenian navy against the Persian fleet at the Straits of Artemisium.[B] Despite incurring heavy losses, Persian forces eventually overwhelmed the Greeks at Thermopylae and Artemisium.[C] This time the Persian army successfully reached Athens, occupying it for about a year, but Greek forces regrouped and won decisive victories at the Battles of Salamis, Mycale, and Plataea.[D] Now able to turn to offense, the Greeks definitively forced the Persians out of Greece, once again preserving Athenian democracy.
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 Golden Ratio, a mathematical relationship that has been known for centuries, has numerous applications and associated examples in the fields of mathematics, architecture, art, and nature.
Democratic Athens soon had to fight off Persian invaders, which it successfully defeated twice.
Strife with other Greek city-states led in the end to the complete destruction of Athens.
The successful defense of Athens at the Battle of Marathon can be traced to the Greek revolt in Ionia.
Athenian democracy was brought down directly by war with Sparta and indirectly by its own mistakes.
Athens’s increasingly corrupt use of power over other city-states created enemies within Greece.
Solon’s poems helped establish the tenets of democracy that Cleisthenes founded.
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