Reading between the lines
Reading between the lines means unlocking hidden information, an invaluable skill for deeper comprehension. It allows you to discover nuances and appreciate the layers of meaning in the text. As non-native English speakers, we sometimes struggle to find the subtext. Consider this sentence:
"Are you always this punctual?"
The sentence can mean that the speaker is genuinely impressed by your punctuality, or conversely, it may suggest irritation and sarcasm due to your habitual tardiness. In spoken English, this difference is expressed through low pitch with flat intonation instead of the typical pitch contour (cf. Dr. Byrnes’ English Prosody: Its Rhythm and Melody). This additional information (pitch and intonation) is not available in written text. Therefore, to understand the true or intended meaning of a written sentence, we must place it within its context.
There are various ways to identify subtext, and indeed, reading between the lines is a skill that develops with practice and experience. This is why large language models (LLM) such as Chat GPT are so adept at uncovering underlying meanings. Similarly, our ability to infer hidden meaning depends on the amount of data and training we have undergone. However, we do not possess the capacity of an LLM, which necessitates supervised learning. This is why you cannot attempt to solve questions without knowing how to solve them correctly. Study with 'Dr. Byrnes’ TOEFL Reading' as it encompasses all the strategies needed to find hidden information required to answer any TOEFL reading questions. Expedite your training by utilizing 'Dr. Byrnes’ TOEFL Reading.'
Correct answers are the instances of general statements
In this post, we consider questions where the implied information is an instance of a general statement mentioned earlier. This relationship can be made explicitly using transitional words or implicitly by simply moving ideas from general to specific. Also determiner “such” can be used to refer back to some general idea mentioned earlier. Common transitional words or phrases of instance are these:
for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate
The information that comes before these words or phrases applies to the specific case that follows after these words phrases.
Attempt to solve the questions independently before consulting the solutions. Use the Google Form to verify your answers, and rest assured that no data will be collected.
QUESTIONS
Question 1 (easy)
One inquiry focuses on the impact of Bt plants on unintended organisms like beneficial insects, earthworms, and birds that ingest the genetically modified crop. As an illustration, consider monarch caterpillars that feed on milkweed plants in proximity to Bt cornfields; they may consume some corn pollen that has landed on the milkweed leaves.
Which of the following is true of monarch caterpillars based on the passage?
A.They often cause damage to corn crops.
B. They are the only species that is immune to Bt toxin.
C. They are considered beneficial insects.
D. Their reactions to Bt pollen have not yet been studied.
Question 2 (easy)
Raccoons have been deliberately introduced throughout the continent. Within the United States, they are commonly taken from one area to another, both legally and illegally, to restock hunting areas and, presumably, because people simply want them to be part of their local fauna. Their appearance and subsequent flourishing in Utah's Great Salt Lake valley within the last 40 years appears to be from such an introduction.
According to the paragraph, the introduction of raccoons into Utah’s Great Salt Lake Valley appears to have been an example of an introduction that was
A. motivated by a desire to have raccoons among the local wildlife
B. illegal
C. carried out by hunters who wanted more raccoons to hunt
D. unsuccessful
Question 3 (medium)
Melvin Aikens suggested that early Japanese pottery was created to store and cook woodland produce. This theory is based on the simultaneous appearance of pottery and broad-leaved woodlands in northern Japan. However, challenges arise from the fact that hunter-gatherers in other regions thrived without pottery, using alternative materials. Pottery no doubt made life easier for those who did the cooking in the woodlands of Kyushu, and we know from food residues that pottery vessels had indeed been used to make vegetable, meat, and fish stews. But people could have easily survived without such vessels. Furthermore, the discovery of pottery dating to 14,500 B.C. in northern Honshu questions the timeline and purpose of Japanese pottery, as this region had limited pine tree cover, challenging the woodland theory.
Which of the following can serve as evidence for Aiken’s theory?
14,500 -year-old pot discovered in Honshu
other hunter-gatherers who did not use pots
food residues that pottery vessels had been used to make vegetable, meat, and fish stews.
use of the pottery other than for cooking and storing
Question 4 (medium)
The harm principle, often associated with the philosopher John Stuart Mill, is a foundational concept in ethics and political philosophy. It states that the only justification for limiting an individual's freedom or liberty is to prevent harm to others. In other words, individuals have the right to freedom and autonomy as long as their actions do not cause harm or pose a threat to others. According to the harm principle, society should not interfere with an individual's choices, even if those choices are considered immoral or undesirable, as long as they do not harm anyone else. It places a strong emphasis on individual autonomy and personal responsibility.
In the context of the harm principle, which of the following scenarios would most likely justify limiting an individual's freedom?
An individual expressing unpopular and offensive opinions in a public forum.
An individual engaging in a dangerous sport that carries inherent risks.
An individual engaging in consensual but immoral romantic relationships.
An individual knowingly spreading false information that triggers public alarm and detriment to the community.
Question 5 (hard)
In fact, water once probably dominated Venus' atmosphere. Venus, similar in size to Earth, also exhibited volcanic activity that spewed water molecules into the air. Both planets even experienced a comparable number of comet strike on their surfaces. However, the crucial factor that allowed Venus to potentially host water in its earlier history was the Sun's luminosity. Back then, the Sun was not as intensely radiant as it is today. This lower solar output meant that Venus would have been significantly cooler, with conditions more conducive to the existence of liquid water on its surface. This combination of factors suggests that in the distant past, Venus may indeed have had a watery environment, although it has since transformed into the hot and inhospitable planet we observe today due to a runaway greenhouse effect.
Why was Venus likely to have had water in its atmosphere in the past?
Venus had more volcanic activities than Earth.
Venus had a similar number of comets striking on its surface as the earth.
Venus was hotter in the past.
Venus had experienced a runaway greenhouse effect unlike Earth.
SOLUTIONS
Question (easy)
One inquiry focuses on the impact of Bt plants on unintended organisms like beneficial insects, earthworms, and birds that ingest the genetically modified crop. As an illustration, consider monarch caterpillars that feed on milkweed plants in proximity to Bt cornfields; they may consume some corn pollen that has landed on the milkweed leaves.
Which of the following is true of monarch caterpillars based on the passage?
A.They often cause damage to corn crops.
B. They are the only species that is immune to Bt toxin.
C. They are considered beneficial insects.
D. Their reactions to Bt pollen have not yet been studied.
Analysis
Due to “As an illustration” we know that monarch caterpillars are mentioned in the passage as an example of “unintended organisms like beneficial insects, earthworms, and birds that ingest the genetically modified crop.” From this we can infer that monarch caterpillars are "beneficial insects." They are not described as causing damage to corn crops, being immune to Bt toxin, or having unstudied reactions to Bt pollen.
Answer: C
Question (easy)
Raccoons have been deliberately introduced throughout the continent. Within the United States, they are commonly taken from one area to another, both legally and illegally, to restock hunting areas and, presumably, because people simply want them to be part of their local fauna. Their appearance and subsequent flourishing in Utah's Great Salt Lake valley within the last 40 years appears to be from such an introduction.
According to the paragraph, the introduction of raccoons into Utah’s Great Salt Lake Valley appears to have been an example of an introduction that was
A. motivated by a desire to have raccoons among the local wildlife
B. illegal
C. carried out by hunters who wanted more raccoons to hunt
D. unsuccessful
Analysis
“Such an introduction” is the clue. “Such” refers to something mentioned earlier, So, the type of introduction should have been mentioned earlier, which is “because people simply want them to be part of their local fauna.”
Answer: A
Question (medium)
Melvin Aikens suggested that early Japanese pottery was created to store and cook woodland produce. This theory is based on the simultaneous appearance of pottery and broad-leaved woodlands in northern Japan. However, challenges arise from the fact that hunter-gatherers in other regions thrived without pottery, using alternative materials. Pottery no doubt made life easier for those who did the cooking in the woodlands of Kyushu, and we know from food residues that pottery vessels had indeed been used to make vegetable, meat, and fish stews. But people could have easily survived without such vessels. Furthermore, the discovery of pottery dating to 14,500 B.C. in northern Honshu questions the timeline and purpose of Japanese pottery, as this region had limited pine tree cover, challenging the woodland theory.
Which of the following can serve as evidence for Aiken’s theory?
14,500 -year-old pot discovered in Honshu
other hunter-gatherers who did not use pots
food residues that pottery vessels had been used to make vegetable, meat, and fish stews.
use of the pottery other than for cooking and storing
Analysis
The passage provides one piece of evidence in support of Aikens’ theory, and two counterexamples to the theory. Aikens’ theory is that early Japanese pottery was created to store and cook woodland produce. C states that pottery was indeed used for cooking and storing food, aligning with Aiken's theory of its purpose. A and B are the two counterexamples to the theory. D is not mentioned in the passage but can serve as a counterexample to the theory.
Answer: C
Question (medium)
The harm principle, often associated with the philosopher John Stuart Mill, is a foundational concept in ethics and political philosophy. It states that the only justification for limiting an individual's freedom or liberty is to prevent harm to others. In other words, individuals have the right to freedom and autonomy as long as their actions do not cause harm or pose a threat to others. According to the harm principle, society should not interfere with an individual's choices, even if those choices are considered immoral or undesirable, as long as they do not harm anyone else. It places a strong emphasis on individual autonomy and personal responsibility.
In the context of the harm principle, which of the following scenarios would most likely justify limiting an individual's freedom?
An individual expressing unpopular and offensive opinions in a public forum.
An individual engaging in a dangerous sport that carries inherent risks.
An individual engaging in consensual but immoral romantic relationships.
An individual knowingly spreading false information that triggers public alarm and detriment to the community.
Analysis
The principle states that the only justification for limiting an individual's freedom or liberty is to prevent harm to others.
A-C do not harm others, but D can.
Answer: D
Question (hard)
In fact, water once probably dominated Venus' atmosphere. Venus, similar in size to Earth, also exhibited volcanic activity that spewed water molecules into the air. Both planets even experienced a comparable number of comet strike on their surfaces. However, the crucial factor that allowed Venus to potentially host water in its earlier history was the Sun's luminosity. Back then, the Sun was not as intensely radiant as it is today. This lower solar output meant that Venus would have been significantly cooler, with conditions more conducive to the existence of liquid water on its surface. This combination of factors suggests that in the distant past, Venus may indeed have had a watery environment, although it has since transformed into the hot and inhospitable planet we observe today due to a runaway greenhouse effect.
Why was Venus likely to have had water in its atmosphere in the past?
Venus had more volcanic activities than Earth.
Venus had a similar number of comets striking on its surface as the earth.
Venus was hotter in the past.
Venus had experienced a runaway greenhouse effect unlike Earth.
Analysis
The passage begins with a claim and then provides three reasons for the claim, which are these:
similar frequency in volcanic activity,
similar number of comets striking and
lower temperature.
In academic passage, ideas move from a general statement (claim) and then to instances or reasons. A and C are false. D is the reason for Venus losing water.
Answer: B