Tryout TOEFL ITP Reading Comprehension Part 2
TOEFL Reading Test
Passage 1: The Discovery of X-Rays
In the late 19th century, scientists were becoming increasingly fascinated with the invisible forces of nature. In 1895, a German physicist named Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen was experimenting with cathode rays in a darkened laboratory. During his research, he noticed that a fluorescent screen in the room began to glow, even though it was not in the direct path of the cathode rays. He hypothesized that another, previously unknown type of ray was being emitted from the vacuum tube he was using.
Roentgen investigated this mysterious phenomenon further and discovered that these new rays could pass through solid objects, including human tissue, but not through denser materials like bone or metal. He named them "X-rays" to signify the unknown nature of the rays. His experiments showed that X-rays could produce images of the bones inside the human body, which had never been possible before. This breakthrough stunned the scientific community and gained widespread public attention.
The discovery of X-rays revolutionized the field of medicine almost overnight. Within a year, doctors were using X-rays to examine broken bones and locate foreign objects inside patients. The technology continued to advance, leading to the development of more sophisticated imaging techniques. Roentgen received the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901 for his discovery, and his work laid the foundation for modern radiology. Although he chose not to patent the technology, believing it should benefit all of humanity, his contribution remains one of the most important in medical history.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
2. According to the passage, what did Roentgen notice during his experiment with cathode rays?
3. It can be inferred from the passage that before X-rays were discovered, doctors had difficulty:
4. The word "revolutionized" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
5. The word “his” in the last paragraph refers to:
6. What is the author's attitude toward Roentgen’s contribution to science?
7. According to the passage, all of the following are true about X-rays EXCEPT:
Passage 2: The Honeybee’s Dance Language
The honeybee is one of the most fascinating insects due to its complex social behavior and unique method of communication. Within a hive, honeybees communicate with one another through a series of movements known as the “waggle dance.” This dance is performed by worker bees that have located a new source of nectar and wish to inform others in the hive.
The waggle dance conveys both the direction and distance of the food source from the hive. The bee moves in a figure-eight pattern and waggles its body during the straight portion of the dance. The angle of this straight run, relative to the vertical comb of the hive, indicates the direction of the food source relative to the sun. Meanwhile, the duration of the waggle run corresponds to the distance of the food source from the hive.
In addition to visual cues, the dance may also produce vibrations and sounds that assist in transmitting information, especially in the dark interior of the hive. This remarkable form of communication was first decoded by Austrian ethologist Karl von Frisch, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1973 for his discoveries regarding bee behavior.
The waggle dance highlights the sophistication of non-human communication systems and demonstrates the importance of cooperation within animal societies.
Post a Comment for "Tryout TOEFL ITP Reading Comprehension Part 2"