Reading Section

Instructions
The reading section is designed to test how will you interpret and understand academic
texts. You will read two passages and answer 14 questions on each passage.
In an official TOEFL exam, you’ll be given 20 minutes to complete each passage and
set of questions associated with that passage. Therefore, try to complete both passages
and questions within 40 minutes.
Each question is worth 1 point, except the final question in each set of questions. The
directions in the final question will note the point worth of the question.
In the official TOEFL reading section, you are able to skip questions and come back
to them later, so keep track of your timing per question. Except the final question, try to
answer each question in less than one minute, otherwise, skip the question and come
back to finish it later.

Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
[1] Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is known as one of the most important and
controversial scientific theories ever published. Darwin was an English scientist in the
19th century best known for his book “On the Origin of Species.” In his book,
Darwin postulated different species shared characteristics of common ancestors, that
they branched off from common ancestors as they evolved, and that new traits and
characteristics were a result of natural selection. The theory is based on the
assumptions that life developed from non-life and progressed and evolved in an
indirect manner. Therefore, the Theory of Evolution, while controversial, has shaped
and influenced the modern scientific world’s thinking on the development of life itself.
Darwin was born February 12, 1809 in England. Although initially entering into
medicine, Darwin chose to pursue his interest in natural science and embarked on a
five-year journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, a British sloop belonging to the Royal
Navy. Because of his experience aboard the Beagle, he laid the foundation for his
Theory of Evolution while also establishing himself within the scientific community.
Specifically, Darwin’s keen observation of the fossils and wildlife he saw during his time
on the Beagle served as the basis for the cornerstone of his theory: natural selection.
[2] Natural selection contributes to the basis of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. One of
the core tenets of Darwin’s theory is that more offspring are always produced for a
species than can possibly survive. Yet, no two offspring are perfectly alike. As a result,
through random mutation and genetic drift, over time offspring develop new traits and
characteristics. Over time beneficial traits and characteristics that promote survival will
be kept in the gene pool while those that harm survival will be selected against.
Therefore, this natural selection ensures that a species gradually improves itself over an
extended duration of time. On the other hand, as a species continues to ‘improve’ itself,
it branches out to create entirely new species that are no longer capable of reproducing
together.
[3] Through natural selection, organisms could branch off of each other and evolve
to the point where they no longer belong to the same species. Consequently, simple

organisms evolve into more complex and different organisms as species break away
from one another. Natural selection parallels selective breeding employed by humans
on domesticated animals for centuries. Namely, horse breeders will ensure that horses
with particular characteristics, such as speed and endurance, are allowed to produce
offspring while horses that do not share those above-average traits will not. Therefore,
over several generations, the new offspring will already be pre-disposed towards being
excellent racing horses.
[4] Darwin’s theory is that ‘selective breeding’ occurs in nature as ‘natural selection’
is the engine behind evolution. Thus, the theory provides an excellent basis for
understanding how organisms change over time. Nevertheless, it is just a theory and
elusively difficult to prove. One of the major holes in Darwin’s theory revolves around
“irreducibly complex systems.” An irreducibly complex system is known as a system
where many different parts must all operate together. As a result, in the absence of one,
the system as a whole collapses. Consequently, as modern technology improves,
science can identify these “irreducibly complex systems” even at microscopic levels.
These complex systems, if so inter-reliant, would be resistant to Darwin’s supposition of
how evolution occurs. As Darwin himself admitted, “To suppose that the eye with all its
inimitable contrivance for adjusting the focus for different distances, for admitting
different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration,
could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I free confess, absurd in the
highest degree”.
[5] In conclusion, “On the Origin of Species” is known as one of the
most consequential books ever published. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution remains, to
this day, a lightning rod for controversy. The theory can be observed repeatedly, but
never proven, and there are a plethora of instances that cast doubt on the processes of
natural selection and evolution. Darwin’s conclusions were a result of keen observation
and training as a naturalist. Despite the controversy that swirls around his theory,
Darwin remains one of the most influential scientists and naturalists ever born due to his
Theory of Evolution.

1. According to paragraph 1, where did Charles Darwin begin to observe and formulate
the basis for his Theory of Evolution?

[1] Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is known as one of the most important and
controversial scientific theories ever published. Darwin was an English scientist in the
19th century best known for his book “On the Origin of Species.” In his book,
Darwin postulated different species shared characteristics of common ancestors, that
they branched off from common ancestors as they evolved, and that new traits and
characteristics were a result of natural selection. The theory is based on the
assumptions that life developed from non-life and progressed and evolved in an
indirect manner. Therefore, the Theory of Evolution, while controversial, has shaped
and influenced the modern scientific world’s thinking on the development of life itself.
Darwin was born February 12, 1809 in England. Although initially entering into
medicine, Darwin chose to pursue his interest in natural science and embarked on a
five-year journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, a British sloop belonging to the Royal
Navy. Because of his experience aboard the Beagle, he laid the foundation for his
Theory of Evolution while also establishing himself within the scientific community.
Specifically, Darwin’s keen observation of the fossils and wildlife he saw during his time
on the Beagle served as the basis for the cornerstone of his theory: natural selection

2. The word ‘postulated’ in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:

3. Which sentence is most similar to the following sentence from paragraph 1?
The theory is based on the assumptions that life developed from non-life and
progressed and evolved in an indirect manner.

[2] Natural selection contributes to the basis of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. One of the
core tenets of Darwin’s theory is that more offspring are always produced for a species
than can possibly survive. Yet, no two offspring are perfectly alike. As a result, through
random mutation and genetic drift, over time offspring develop new traits and
characteristics. Over time beneficial traits and characteristics that promote survival will
be kept in the gene pool while those that harm survival will be selected against.
Therefore, this natural selection ensures that a species gradually improves itself over an
extended duration of time. On the other hand, as a species continues to ‘improve’ itself,
it branches out to create entirely new species that are no longer capable of reproducing
together.

4. According to paragraph 2, what are the causes for species developing new traits and
characteristics?

5. The word ‘those’ in paragraph 2 refers to:

[3] Through natural selection, organisms could branch off of each other and evolve to
the point where they no longer belong to the same species. Consequently, simple
organisms evolve into more complex and different organisms as species break away
from one another. Natural selection parallels selective breeding employed by humans
on domesticated animals for centuries. Namely, horse breeders will ensure that horses
with particular characteristics, such as speed and endurance, are allowed to produce
offspring while horses that do not share those above-average traits will not. Therefore,
over several generations, the new offspring will already be pre-disposed towards being
excellent racing horses.

6. According to paragraph 3, what is natural selection most comparable to as a
process?

7. What is the purpose of paragraph 3 in the passage?

8. The word ‘contrivance’ in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to:

[5] In conclusion, “On the Origin of Species” is known as one of the
most consequential books ever published. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution remains, to this
day, a lightning rod for controversy. The theory can be observed repeatedly, but never
proven, and there are a plethora of instances that cast doubt on the processes of
natural selection and evolution. Darwin’s conclusions were a result of keen observation
and training as a naturalist. Despite the controversy that swirls around his theory,
Darwin remains one of the most influential scientists and naturalists ever born due to his
Theory of Evolution.

9. The word ‘consequential’ in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to:

[4] Darwin’s theory is that ‘selective breeding’ occurs in nature as ‘natural selection’ is
the engine behind evolution. Thus, the theory provides an excellent basis for
understanding how organisms change over time. Nevertheless, it is just a theory and
elusively difficult to prove. One of the major holes in Darwin’s theory revolves around
“irreducibly complex systems.” An irreducibly complex system is known as a system
where many different parts must all operate together. As a result, in the absence of one,
the system as a whole collapses. Consequently, as modern technology improves,
science can identify these “irreducibly complex systems” even at microscopic levels.
These complex systems, if so inter-reliant, would be resistant to Darwin’s supposition of
how evolution occurs. As Darwin himself admitted, “To suppose that the eye with all its
inimitable contrivance for adjusting the focus for different distances, for admitting
different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration,
could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I free confess, absurd in the
highest degree”.
10. All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 4 as a viewpoint to state that natural
selection is difficult to prove EXCEPT

11. Examine the four █ in the selection below and indicate at which block the following
sentence could be inserted into the passage:
The five-year voyage proved to be a major turning point in his life.
█ [A] Darwin was born February 12, 1809 in England. █ [B] Although initially entering
into medicine, Darwin chose to pursue his interest in natural science and embarked on

a five-year journey aboard the H.M.S. Beagle, a British sloop belonging to the Royal
Navy █ [C] Because of his experience aboard the Beagle, he laid the foundation for his
Theory of Evolution while also establishing himself within the scientific community. █ [D]

12. In paragraph 4, what was the author’s purpose of including a quote that the belief
that the complexity of the human eye could have been formed by natural selection
seems highly unlikely?

[5] In conclusion, “On the Origin of Species” is known as one of the
most consequential books ever published. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution remains, to this
day, a lightning rod for controversy. The theory can be observed repeatedly, but never
proven, and there are a plethora of instances that cast doubt on the processes of
natural selection and evolution. Darwin’s conclusions were a result of keen observation
and training as a naturalist. Despite the controversy that swirls around his theory,

Darwin remains one of the most influential scientists and naturalists ever born due to his
Theory of Evolution.
13. The word ‘plethora’ in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to:

14. 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.
Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution was a revolutionary idea that described
how natural selection influences the evolution of species.