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TOEFL Experts Reading Practice 23

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 Kennewick Man

In 1996, while competing in a boating race in Columbia Park along the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington, in the United States, Will Thomas stepped on something that felt like a large, round rock in the river bed. Upon inspection, this “rock” had teeth: Thomas had discovered a human skull. The bones of a nearly complete human skeleton were later unearthed at the site. This accidental discovery of “The Kennewick Man” may shed new light on the development of the first human societies in North America.

Scientists have argued that the first humans came to North America during the last glacial period, or ice age, via “Beringia,” commonly known as the Bering land bridge. As in any glacial period, sea water levels were much lower than at other, more normal times; as a result, the waters of the present-day Bering Strait did not exist. Instead, present-day eastern Siberia in Russia and Alaska in North America were one continuous landmass. Thus, possible human migration from Asia across this land bridge was unimpeded for thousands of years. It is known that at least several thousand humans migrated from Eastern Siberia to North America via Beringia during this time. The standard hypothesis has been that these migrators constituted a single group of people with a common ancestral background, and that they were the first humans to inhabit North America. Indeed, evidence from many archaeological sites, including the original discovery in 1929 of ancient culture remains near Clovis, New Mexico, support this “Clovis First” hypothesis.

New theories have emerged that the Beringia migration was not the only source of human migration to North America during the prehistoric period, and perhaps not even the first. Advances in DNA testing have allowed scientists to group the discovered remains of Paleoamericans, or ancient Native Americans, according to five haplogroups₁, labeled A, B, C, D, and X. Among people in Northeast Asia and among Native Americans, haplogroups A, B, C, and D are all commonplace, supporting the theory of a single-migration model via Beringia. However, haplogroup X is different. It is found in only select locations in North America, and virtually does not exist in Siberia. Furthermore, genetic mutations among this haplogroup suggest that people in haplogroup X may have settled thousands of years earlier than populations from the other haplogroups. This discovery gives weight to the possibility of earlier migrations to North America, possibly via coastal routes along the Pacific Ocean or even from Europe via the North Atlantic.

The Kennewick Man may help resolve these competing theories. Anthropological₂ analysis and carbon-dating techniques show that the skeleton is approximately 9,000 years old, but that the skeleton is distinctly different from most other Paleoamerican remains. The Kennewick Man had a relatively small face with a long, narrow skull. In contrast, Paleoamericans and modern Native Americans tend to have larger faces with shorter, broader skulls and prominent cheekbones. Also, resin models of other important bones indicate key differences in size and structure from those of other Paleoamericans. Indeed, of all current peoples, the Kennewick Man possessed physical attributes most similar to Polynesians. Present-day Polynesians, in turn, are most likely descended from the ancient Jōmon, the original inhabitants of the Japanese islands, who may have come into existence well over 15,000 years ago.

The Jōmon culture is known to have been dependent upon the oceans for survival, building primitive boats out of wood and using them for deep-sea fishing and exploration. If new theories are correct, the Jōmon may have sailed along the coastline of Beringia, from Asia to Alaska, with plenty of natural resources available to support the journey. This ocean-based journey could have occurred before the migration across the Bering land bridge, with small Jōmon civilizations developing along the Pacific coast. Later, when the land-based migrators made their crossing, the resulting populations could have overwhelmed the established Jōmon population, eventually resulting in the societies that constitute the ancestors of modern Native Americans.

haplogroups₁: a group of people who share a common genetic lineage on either the male or female side
anthropological₂: relating to anthropology, the study of human beings and various aspects of human societies

The Kennewick Man

→(P1) In 1996, while competing in a boating race in Columbia Park along the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington, in the United States, Will Thomas stepped on something that felt like a large, round rock in the river bed. Upon inspection, this “rock” had teeth: Thomas had discovered a human skull. The bones of a nearly complete human skeleton were later unearthed at the site. This accidental discovery of “The Kennewick Man” may shed new light on the development of the first human societies in North America.

Q: According to paragraph 1, which of the following is true about the discovery of “The Kennewick Man”?

Its skeleton was discovered before the skull was found.

It helped the first societies in North America to develop.

It was discovered after a purposeful search by an archaeologist.

At first, the finder thought he had stepped on a round rock.

→(P1) In 1996, while competing in a boating race in Columbia Park along the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington, in the United States, Will Thomas stepped on something that felt like a large, round rock in the river bed. Upon inspection, this “rock” had teeth: Thomas had discovered a human skull. The bones of a nearly complete human skeleton were later unearthed at the site. This accidental discovery of “The Kennewick Man” may shed new light on the development of the first human societies in North America.

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

Removal

Scrutiny

Concealment

Deliberation

→(P2) Scientists have argued that the first humans came to North America during the last glacial period, or ice age, via “Beringia,” commonly known as the Bering land bridge. As in any glacial period, sea water levels were much lower than at other, more normal times; as a result, the waters of the present-day Bering Strait did not exist. Instead, present-day eastern Siberia in Russia and Alaska in North America were one continuous landmass. Thus, possible human migration from Asia across this land bridge was unimpeded for thousands of years. It is known that at least several thousand humans migrated from Eastern Siberia to North America via Beringia during this time. The standard hypothesis has been that these migrators constituted a single group of people with a common ancestral background, and that they were the first humans to inhabit North America. Indeed, evidence from many archaeological sites, including the original discovery in 1929 of ancient culture remains near Clovis, New Mexico, support this “Clovis First” hypothesis.

Q: In paragraph 2, what does the author imply about the “Clovis First” hypothesis?

It is synonymous with the standard hypothesis regarding migration to North America.

It suggests that most of the migrators to North America settled near present-day Clovis, New Mexico.

It suggests that some of the earliest settlers in North America migrated there in a manner other than by using Beringia.

It proposes that the first migration to North America likely consisted of people with multiple ancestral backgrounds.

Q: According to paragraph 2, all of the following statements about the Bering land bridge migration are true EXCEPT:

The land bridge only existed because an ice age was occurring at the time of the migrations.

The standard hypothesis states that this migration constituted the first arrival of human inhabitants in North America.

According to the standard hypothesis, the migration consisted of thousands of people over thousands of years in various groups.

It was made possible by the fact that Siberia and Alaska were, at the time, one single landmass.

→(P2) Scientists have argued that the first humans came to North America during the last glacial period, or ice age, via “Beringia,” commonly known as the Bering land bridge. As in any glacial period, sea water levels were much lower than at other, more normal times; as a result, the waters of the present-day Bering Strait did not exist. Instead, present-day eastern Siberia in Russia and Alaska in North America were one continuous landmass. Thus, possible human migration from Asia across this land bridge was unimpeded for thousands of years. It is known that at least several thousand humans migrated from Eastern Siberia to North America via Beringia during this time. The standard hypothesis has been that these migrators constituted a single group of people with a common ancestral background, and that they were the first humans to inhabit North America. Indeed, evidence from many archaeological sites, including the original discovery in 1929 of ancient culture remains near Clovis, New Mexico, support this “Clovis First” hypothesis.

Q: Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 2? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

As in any glacial period, sea water levels were much lower than those of the Bering Strait normally at the time.

As in any glacial period, the waters of the present-day Bering Strait did not exist, leading to much lower sea water levels than normal at the time.

The waters of the Bering Strait did not exist at that time because during any glacial period sea water levels are much lower than normal.

Sea water levels were much lower than during other, more normal glacial periods, so the waters of the present-day Bering Strait did not exist.

→(P3) New theories have emerged that the Beringia migration was not the only source of human migration to North America during the prehistoric period, and perhaps not even the first. Advances in DNA testing have allowed scientists to group the discovered remains of Paleoamericans, or ancient Native Americans, according to five haplogroups₁, labeled A, B, C, D, and X. Among people in Northeast Asia and among Native Americans, haplogroups A, B, C, and D are all commonplace, supporting the theory of a single-migration model via Beringia. However, haplogroup X is different. It is found in only select locations in North America, and virtually does not exist in Siberia. Furthermore, genetic mutations among this haplogroup suggest that people in haplogroup X may have settled thousands of years earlier than populations from the other haplogroups. This discovery gives weight to the possibility of earlier migrations to North America, possibly via coastal routes along the Pacific Ocean or even from Europe via the North Atlantic.

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

Unexceptional

Reciprocal

Parochial

Extraordinary

→(P3) New theories have emerged that the Beringia migration was not the only source of human migration to North America during the prehistoric period, and perhaps not even the first. Advances in DNA testing have allowed scientists to group the discovered remains of Paleoamericans, or ancient Native Americans, according to five haplogroups₁, labeled A, B, C, D, and X. Among people in Northeast Asia and among Native Americans, haplogroups A, B, C, and D are all commonplace, supporting the theory of a single-migration model via Beringia. However, haplogroup X is different. It is found in only select locations in North America, and virtually does not exist in Siberia. Furthermore, genetic mutations among this haplogroup suggest that people in haplogroup X may have settled thousands of years earlier than populations from the other haplogroups. This discovery gives weight to the possibility of earlier migrations to North America, possibly via coastal routes along the Pacific Ocean or even from Europe via the North Atlantic.

Q: Why does the author use the phrase “haplogroup X is different”?

To predict that new haplogroups will be discovered elsewhere in North America

To show that haplogroup X does not exist in Paleoamericans

To indicate that haplogroup X does not support the single-migration model

To suggest that haplogroup X exhibits a greater rate of genetic mutations than other haplogroups

→(P3) New theories have emerged that the Beringia migration was not the only source of human migration to North America during the prehistoric period, and perhaps not even the first. Advances in DNA testing have allowed scientists to group the discovered remains of Paleoamericans, or ancient Native Americans, according to five haplogroups₁, labeled A, B, C, D, and X. Among people in Northeast Asia and among Native Americans, haplogroups A, B, C, and D are all commonplace, supporting the theory of a single-migration model via Beringia. However, haplogroup X is different. It is found in only select locations in North America, and virtually does not exist in Siberia. Furthermore, genetic mutations among this haplogroup suggest that people in haplogroup X may have settled thousands of years earlier than populations from the other haplogroups. This discovery gives weight to the possibility of earlier migrations to North America, possibly via coastal routes along the Pacific Ocean or even from Europe via the North Atlantic.

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

Defections

Regulations

Inhibitions

Transformations

→(P4) The Kennewick Man may help resolve these competing theories. Anthropological₂ analysis and carbon-dating techniques show that the skeleton is approximately 9,000 years old, but that the skeleton is distinctly different from most other Paleoamerican remains. The Kennewick Man had a relatively small face with a long, narrow skull. In contrast, Paleoamericans and modern Native Americans tend to have larger faces with shorter, broader skulls and prominent cheekbones. Also, resin models of other important bones indicate key differences in size and structure from those of other Paleoamericans. Indeed, of all current peoples, the Kennewick Man possessed physical attributes most similar to Polynesians. Present-day Polynesians, in turn, are most likely descended from the ancient Jōmon, the original inhabitants of the Japanese islands, who may have come into existence well over 15,000 years ago.

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

Pronounced

Flat

Unfamiliar

Unassuming

→(P4) The Kennewick Man may help resolve these competing theories. Anthropological₂ analysis and carbon-dating techniques show that the skeleton is approximately 9,000 years old, but that the skeleton is distinctly different from most other Paleoamerican remains. The Kennewick Man had a relatively small face with a long, narrow skull. In contrast, Paleoamericans and modern Native Americans tend to have larger faces with shorter, broader skulls and prominent cheekbones. Also, resin models of other important bones indicate key differences in size and structure from those of other Paleoamericans. Indeed, of all current peoples, the Kennewick Man possessed physical attributes most similar to Polynesians. Present-day Polynesians, in turn, are most likely descended from the ancient Jōmon, the original inhabitants of the Japanese islands, who may have come into existence well over 15,000 years ago.

Q: Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 4 about the relationship between the Kennewick Man and the Jōmon people?

His physical features suggest that the Kennewick Man likely descended, not from the Jōmon, but from Polynesians.

Physical attributes of the Kennewick Man suggest that he may be a descendant of the Jōmon.

The 6,000-year gap between the birth of the Jōmon and the Kennewick Man indicates little connection between the two.

Key differences in size and structure differentiate the Kennewick Man from his ancestral Jōmon people.

→(P5) The Jōmon culture is known to have been dependent upon the oceans for survival, building primitive boats out of wood and using them for deep-sea fishing and exploration. If new theories are correct, the Jōmon may have sailed along the coastline of Beringia, from Asia to Alaska, with plenty of natural resources available to support the journey. This ocean-based journey could have occurred before the migration across the Bering land bridge, with small Jōmon civilizations developing along the Pacific coast. Later, when the land-based migrators made their crossing, the resulting populations could have overwhelmed the established Jōmon population, eventually resulting in the societies that constitute the ancestors of modern Native Americans.

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

Undermined

Overpowered

Resisted

Captivated

→(P5) The Jōmon culture is known to have been dependent upon the oceans for survival, building primitive boats out of wood and using them for deep-sea fishing and exploration. If new theories are correct, the Jōmon may have sailed along the coastline of Beringia, from Asia to Alaska, with plenty of natural resources available to support the journey. This ocean-based journey could have occurred before the migration across the Bering land bridge, with small Jōmon civilizations developing along the Pacific coast. Later, when the land-based migrators made their crossing, the resulting populations could have overwhelmed the established Jōmon population, eventually resulting in the societies that constitute the ancestors of modern Native Americans.

Q: According to paragraph 5, which of the following statements is true of Jōmon people?

They were native to the Pacific coast of North America.

They probably migrated to North America by crossing over the Bering land bridge.

If they sailed along the coastline of Beringia, they likely encountered a dearth of resources along the way.

They built wooden boats for fishing and exploration of the open seas.

In paragraph 4 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.

This lends credence to the claim that the Kennewick Man may provide the first concrete evidence that members of the Jōmon people migrated to North America.

Where would the sentence best fit?

→(P5) The Kennewick Man may help resolve these competing theories. Anthropological₂ analysis and carbon-dating techniques show that the skeleton is approximately 9,000 years old, but that the skeleton is distinctly different from most other Paleoamerican remains.[A] The Kennewick Man had a relatively small face with a long, narrow skull. In contrast, Paleoamericans and modern Native Americans tend to have larger faces with shorter, broader skulls and prominent cheekbones.[B] Also, resin models of other important bones indicate key differences in size and structure from those of other Paleoamericans. Indeed, of all current peoples, the Kennewick Man possessed physical attributes most similar to Polynesians.[C] Present-day Polynesians, in turn, are most likely descended from the ancient Jōmon, the original inhabitants of the Japanese islands, who may have come into existence well over 15,000 years ago.[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 discovery of the Kennewick Man has called into question long-standing theories about the migration patterns of the first human inhabitants of North America.

The Kennewick Man was recently discovered by accident in the river bed of the Columbia River near Kennewick, Washington.

The standard hypothesis has held that the first inhabitants of North America migrated there during the last ice age via a landmass located where the Bering Strait now lies.

New DNA analysis techniques have shown that while some genetic markers can be found in both Northeast Asia and Native American tribes, haplogroup X follows a different pattern.

The Kennewick Man’s skeleton reveals physical features that are similar to those of Polynesians, who likely descended from the Jōmon people.

The Jōmon culture is known by anthropologists to have made use of wooden boats for both fishing and exploration.

The Kennewick Man had a larger face and a shorter, broader skull with more prominent cheekbones than most Paleoamericans.

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