TOEFL >> Reading >> In the reading part of the TOEFL exam, Passages require understanding of rhetorical functions such as cause-effect, compare-contrast and argumentation. Students answer questions about main ideas, details, inferences, essential information, sentence insertion, vocabulary, rhetorical purpose and overall ideas.
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TOEFL Reading - Worksheet 25
Read the passage and choose the best answer to each question.
1. All of the following are correct EXCEPT:
- Great Britain is nearly three smaller than Madagascar
- Valuable timber grows in the forests of Madagascar
- A quarter of the population is Christian
- Madagascar is the largest island in the world
2. According to the passage which of the following are true:
- There are 350m of lagoons
- Slavery was abolished in 1829
- Madagascar is situated in the Indian Ocean
- One of its chief ports is Tamatave on the west coast.
3. Look at the underlined bolded word. Choose the word or phrase within the bold text that the word refers to
- colony
- the island
- protection
- abandoned
4. The word "heathen" in the text is closest in meaning to:
- a sect well known for lacking culture and being rebellious
- an informal word for a criminals
- people who do not belong to a widely held religion and are considered as lacking moral principles
- people who are not interested in learning or abiding by rules
Madagascar
Madagascar is the largest island in the world but two. It is situated in the Indian Ocean, 300 m. off the Mozambique coast, south-east of Africa and is nearly three times the size of Great Britain. It has a plateau in the centre, with low, fertile, wooded ground around it and has many extinct volcanoes and active hot springs. The highest peak is Ankāratra (9000 ft.) located in the centre. The north-east coast has some good harbours. There are 300 m. of lagoons on the east and the biggest lake is Alaotra. The rivers of Madagascar river flow mostly in a westerly direction. The climate is hot, with heavy rains, except in the south. Rice, coffee, sugar, and vanilla are cultivated. Many kinds of valuable timber grow in the forests, and these, with cattle, hides, and india-rubber, constitute the exports. Gold, iron, copper, lead, and sulphur are found, and the natives are skilled in working metals. They also possess civilised institutions. Slavery was abolished in 1879, a quarter of the population is Christian, the heathen section, though untruthful and immoral, are affectionate, courageous, and loyal. Antanānarėvo, the capital, is situated in the interior, and has many fine buildings. Its chief ports are Tamatave on the east coast and Majunga on the north-west coast. The island has been under French protection since 1890, and has been a French colony since 1896.
Source: Nuttal Encyclopaedia
