PTE Reading: Multiple-Choice, Multiple Answer
PTE Reading: Multiple-Choice, Multiple Answer task, followed by 5 original practice sets.
Part 1: Introduction to PTE Reading: Multiple-Choice,
Multiple Answer
What is it?
This
task presents you with a reading passage of up to 300 words. You must read the
text and select all the correct answers from a list of 5 to 7 options.
The number of correct answers is not given to you—it could be 2, 3, or even 4
options. You must select every option that is factually accurate according to
the passage. This is the most challenging Reading task because it requires you
to distinguish between partially true statements and wholly accurate
statements.
Number of Questions in the Exam:
You
will typically get 2 to 3 questions of this type in the PTE Academic
exam.
Scoring in the Exam:
This
question contributes to your Reading score only. It uses partial
credit scoring:
- You get 1 point for each
correct answer you select.
- You lose 1 point for
each incorrect answer you select (negative marking).
- The minimum score for a single
question is 0 (you cannot go negative overall).
- Crucial Strategy: Because of negative marking, it is safer to only
select options you are 100% sure of. Guessing recklessly can reduce
your score. If you are unsure about an option, leave it unselected.
Part 2: 5 Exam-Based Realistic Passages (with Different
Correct Answer Alphabets)
Set 1 (Correct Answers: A & B)
Passage:
The
history of public libraries in the Western world reflects a profound shift in
societal values regarding education and class. Initially, in the 18th century,
subscription libraries required members to pay fees, effectively restricting
access to the wealthy elite who could afford the dues. The ethos of these early
institutions was one of private enrichment rather than public service. However,
the 19th century saw the rise of the "public library movement,"
championed by philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie, who believed that free
access to information was the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. This
movement led to the construction of thousands of free libraries across Britain
and America. While these libraries were ostensibly open to all, social norms
and location often still limited usage among the working classes.
Question: According to the passage, which two of the following
statements are true?
Options:
- A) The Carnegie-funded libraries were built with the
intention of supporting democratic ideals.
- B) Early subscription libraries were financially
inaccessible to the poorer segments of society.
- C) Andrew Carnegie was the first person to suggest the
creation of a public library.
- D) Working-class citizens fully embraced and utilized the
first free libraries immediately.
- E) The public library movement began in the 18th century.
Set 2 (Correct Answers: B & D)
Passage:
Genetically
modified (GM) crops remain one of the most contentious innovations in modern
agriculture. Proponents argue that bioengineering has enabled the creation of
strains that are resistant to pests and harsh climatic conditions, leading to
significantly higher yields per hectare. This increased productivity is
critical for addressing global food insecurity, particularly in developing
nations with rapidly growing populations. Conversely, critics raise concerns
about the long-term ecological impact, including the potential for gene flow to
wild plant species, creating 'superweeds' resistant to herbicides. Furthermore,
there are economic risks; farmers in developing countries often become
dependent on large corporations for patented seeds, which must be repurchased
annually, unlike traditional saved seeds.
Question: Which two of the following claims are supported by the
passage?
Options:
- A) GM crops have been proven to have no negative
ecological effects.
- B) GM crops can produce larger harvests compared to
traditional crops.
- C) All developing nations have banned the use of GM
crops.
- D) The reliance on patented seeds creates a recurring
cost for some farmers.
- E) Global food insecurity has been completely solved by
GM technology.
Set 3 (Correct Answers: A & C)
Passage:
The
transition from a predominantly agrarian economy to an industrial one in
19th-century Britain had profound social consequences that extended far beyond
the factory floor. While it generated immense wealth for industrialists and
accelerated technological progress, it also precipitated a massive
rural-to-urban migration. Cities swelled with workers seeking employment,
leading to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions. This urban congestion,
coupled with long working hours in dangerous factories, contributed to the
proliferation of infectious diseases such as cholera and typhoid. In response
to these public health crises, municipal authorities began to implement basic
sanitation measures, including the construction of modern sewage systems and
the regulation of street cleaning, which eventually laid the groundwork for
modern urban planning.
Question: Based on the passage, which two of the following are
accurate conclusions?
Options:
- A) Rapid urbanization during the Industrial Revolution
caused significant health problems.
- B) The wealth generated during this period was
distributed equally among all social classes.
- C) The public health crises ultimately prompted
improvements in city infrastructure.
- D) Factory owners fully funded the construction of the
new sewage systems.
- E) Rural areas experienced a population increase due to
new job opportunities.
Set 4 (Correct Answers: C & D)
Passage:
Emotional
intelligence (EQ) has garnered significant attention in organizational
psychology as a predictor of professional success, often rivaling or even
surpassing traditional intelligence (IQ). EQ encompasses several core
competencies: self-awareness, which involves recognizing one's own emotions and
their effect on others; self-regulation, or the ability to control disruptive
impulses; and empathy, the capacity to understand the emotional makeup of other
people. In high-stakes environments like healthcare or aviation, a leader's
ability to remain calm under pressure (self-regulation) and effectively
communicate with a stressed team (empathy) can be the decisive factor between
success and catastrophic failure. Consequently, many forward-thinking corporations
now incorporate EQ assessments into their hiring and promotion processes.
Question: Which two of the following statements accurately reflect
the content of the passage?
Options:
- A) IQ is always a better predictor of success than EQ in
every profession.
- B) Empathy is considered the least important component of
emotional intelligence.
- C) Maintaining composure during stressful situations is a
valuable workplace trait.
- D) Some companies use EQ evaluations when deciding whom
to promote.
- E) Emotional intelligence is only relevant for hospital
administrators.
Set 5 (Correct Answers: A, B & D)
Passage:
Plate
tectonics is the geological theory that explains the movement of Earth's
lithospheric plates across the asthenosphere. This movement is driven by
convection currents in the mantle, where hot, less dense material rises, cools,
and sinks back down, creating a continuous cycle. The interactions of these
plates at their boundaries are responsible for the planet's most dramatic
geological events. At divergent boundaries, plates pull apart, leading to
volcanic activity and the formation of new oceanic crust, such as the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge. At convergent boundaries, plates collide; if an oceanic
plate meets a continental plate, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the
continental one in a process called subduction, creating deep ocean trenches
and mountain ranges. The immense friction and pressure along these fault lines
are the primary causes of major earthquakes.
Question: Which three of the following statements are supported by
the passage?
Options:
- A) Convection currents in the Earth's mantle are a
driving force behind plate movement.
- B) When two tectonic plates collide, one may be forced
underneath the other.
- C) All major earthquakes occur exclusively at divergent
boundaries.
- D) The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of new crust
being formed.
- E) Tectonic plates move at a speed easily observable by
the human eye.
Part 3: Answer Key &
Explanations
Set 1 (Correct: A, B)
- A is correct because it states libraries were built to support
democracy ("cornerstone of a functioning democracy").
- B is correct because subscription libraries required fees,
restricting the poor.
- C is wrong (Carnegie championed, but wasn't the first).
- D is wrong (social norms limited use).
- E is wrong (the movement started in the 19th century).
Set 2 (Correct: B, D)
- B is correct because it mentions higher yields ("significantly
higher yields per hectare").
- D is correct because it mentions the annual repurchase cost
("must be repurchased annually").
- A is wrong (ecological concerns are mentioned).
- C is wrong (not stated).
- E is wrong (food insecurity is mentioned, but not solved).
Set 3 (Correct: A, C)
- A is correct because overcrowding led to disease proliferation
("proliferation of infectious diseases").
- C is correct because crises led to sanitation measures ("In
response... municipal authorities began to implement basic sanitation").
- B is wrong (wealth was not distributed equally).
- D is wrong (municipal authorities, not factory owners, built
sewage).
- E is wrong (rural areas saw migration away from them).
Set 4 (Correct: C, D)
- C is correct because remaining calm is listed as self-regulation,
which is vital ("ability to remain calm under pressure").
- D is correct because companies use EQ assessments in promotions
("incorporate EQ assessments into their hiring and promotion").
- A is wrong (EQ often rivals or surpasses IQ).
- B is wrong (empathy is listed as core, not least important).
- E is wrong (relevant to healthcare/aviation, but not only
those).
Set 5 (Correct: A, B, D)
- A is correct because it directly states convection currents drive
movement ("driven by convection currents").
- B is correct because it describes subduction ("the denser
oceanic plate is forced beneath").
- D is correct because the Ridge is an example of new crust
("formation of new oceanic crust, such as the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge").
- C is wrong (earthquakes happen at convergent boundaries too).
- E is wrong (nothing about speed is mentioned).
PTE Reading: Multiple-Choice,
Multiple Answer
15 Completely Original, Vast, and Detailed Passages
Exam Strategy Reminder:
- You get partial credit (+1
per correct, -1 per incorrect).
- Never select an option you are
unsure about. It is better to select only 1
definite answer than to guess and get negative marks.
- Passages are longer (150–250
words) to mimic the real exam's "vast" reading load.
Set 1 (Correct Answers: A & C)
Passage:
The concept of the "tragedy of the commons" was popularized by
ecologist Garrett Hardin in 1968 to describe a dilemma in which multiple
individuals, acting independently and rationally according to their own
self-interest, behave contrary to the best interests of the whole group by
depleting a shared limited resource. This theory has been extensively applied
to modern environmental crises, particularly overfishing and water scarcity. Hardin
argued that the only solutions were either government regulation or the
privatization of the resource. However, subsequent research by political
economist Elinor Ostrom demonstrated that communities have historically
developed self-governing institutions to manage common resources effectively
without top-down control, provided there are clear boundaries, collective
decision-making, and graduated sanctions for violators. Her work challenged the
fatalistic conclusion that ruin was inevitable.
Question: Which two of the following claims are supported by the
passage?
Options:
- A) Elinor Ostrom's findings suggested that centralized
regulation is not the sole solution to resource depletion.
- B) Garrett Hardin believed that communities would always
cooperate to save shared resources.
- C) The tragedy of the commons has been used to explain
issues related to the depletion of fish stocks.
- D) Ostrom's research proved that private ownership always
leads to better conservation.
- E) Hardin's original theory was immediately accepted
without any academic criticism.
Set 2 (Correct Answers: B & D)
Passage:
Cryptocurrencies, led by Bitcoin, have introduced a paradigm shift in the
understanding of monetary value and financial decentralization. Built on
blockchain technology, these digital assets offer the promise of borderless,
peer-to-peer transactions that operate outside the purview of central banks and
traditional financial intermediaries. Proponents argue that this democratizes
finance, providing banking services to the unbanked populations of developing
nations. Conversely, critics highlight severe volatility, lack of consumer
protection, and the immense energy consumption required for mining operations.
Furthermore, the pseudo-anonymous nature of transactions has made
cryptocurrencies a favored instrument for illicit activities on the dark web,
prompting regulatory bodies worldwide to scramble for frameworks that balance
innovation with security.
Question: Which two of the following accurately reflect information
in the passage?
Options:
- A) Cryptocurrencies are entirely immune to fluctuations
in market value.
- B) The blockchain technology enables transactions to
occur without traditional banks.
- C) All developing countries have fully adopted Bitcoin as
legal tender.
- D) The anonymous aspects of crypto have attracted users
involved in illegal trade.
- E) Mining cryptocurrencies requires less energy than
printing paper money.
Set 3 (Correct Answers: A & D)
Passage:
The Silk Road was not a single, paved road but rather an intricate network of
overland and maritime trade routes connecting East Asia, Southeast Asia, South
Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Europe. Spanning over 6,000
kilometers, it flourished from approximately the 2nd century BCE until the 14th
century CE. While its primary historical significance is often attributed to
the exchange of luxury goods like Chinese silk, Roman glass, and Indian spices,
its most enduring legacy lies in the transmission of ideas. Buddhism traveled
from India to China along these routes, radically transforming East Asian
culture. Simultaneously, Islamic scholarship in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine
flowed westward into Europe, providing the intellectual foundation upon which
the Renaissance was later built. The route also inadvertently facilitated the
spread of devastating pandemics, including the bubonic plague.
Question: Which two statements are correct according to the passage?
Options:
- A) The exchange of cultural and scientific knowledge was
a major effect of the Silk Road's existence.
- B) The Silk Road consisted exclusively of land-based
paths across the desert.
- C) The primary trade item on the Silk Road was always
Indian spices.
- D) The movement of merchants contributed to the spread of
infectious diseases.
- E) The Silk Road fell into disuse immediately after the
2nd century BCE.
Set 4 (Correct Answers: B & E)
Passage:
Neuroplasticity, once believed to be a fixed trait confined to childhood, is
now understood as a lifelong property of the human brain. This phenomenon
describes the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize itself by forming new
neural connections throughout an individual's life. Neuroplasticity allows the
neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to
adjust their activities in response to new situations or changes in their
environment. For example, in stroke victims, undamaged areas of the brain can
sometimes take over functions previously handled by damaged regions. Similarly,
learning a new language or musical instrument in adulthood physically alters
the brain's structure. This discovery has revolutionized rehabilitation
medicine, leading to therapies that harness the brain's intrinsic capacity to
rewire itself, rather than accepting permanent disability.
Question: Which two of the following are true based on the passage?
Options:
- A) Neuroplasticity stops functioning completely after the
age of 18.
- B) The brain can adapt and rewire itself in response to
learning new skills.
- C) Stroke victims can never recover lost functions due to
brain damage.
- D) Neuroplasticity only occurs as a response to physical
injury.
- E) Modern rehabilitation techniques utilize the brain's
ability to rewire itself.
Set 5 (Correct Answers: C & E)
Passage:
Behavioral finance is a field of study that integrates psychological theory
with conventional economics to explain why people make irrational financial
decisions. Classical economics assumes that investors are perfectly rational
and always act to maximize their wealth. However, behavioral finance identifies
cognitive biases that systematically skew judgment. For instance, "loss
aversion" suggests that the pain of losing money is psychologically twice
as powerful as the pleasure of gaining it, causing investors to hold onto
losing stocks for too long in the hope of breaking even. Another bias,
"herd mentality," describes how individuals tend to mimic the
financial actions of the majority, often leading to irrational market bubbles
and crashes. These insights have profound implications for portfolio management
and risk assessment.
Question: Which two statements are supported by the information
provided?
Options:
- A) Investors always act in a perfectly rational manner
according to behavioral finance.
- B) The fear of loss causes investors to sell their stocks
immediately at a loss.
- C) People often follow the crowd, which can result in
unstable financial markets.
- D) Behavioral finance completely disregards the role of
psychology in economics.
- E) Loss aversion describes the intense psychological
impact of losing money.
Set 6 (Correct Answers: A, B & D)
Passage:
The phenomenon of "urban heat islands" (UHIs) describes metropolitan
areas that are significantly warmer than their surrounding rural zones. This
temperature differential is primarily caused by human activities and the
modification of land surfaces. As natural landscapes like forests and farmland
are replaced by dense concentrations of pavement, concrete, and buildings, the
solar energy that would normally be absorbed by vegetation and used for cooling
through evapotranspiration is instead trapped and retained by these inert
materials. Furthermore, waste heat generated by vehicles, industrial processes,
and air conditioning units is released directly into the urban atmosphere. This
increase in temperature not only elevates energy consumption as residents crank
up their cooling systems, but it also exacerbates the formation of ground-level
ozone and smog, leading to serious respiratory health issues for city dwellers.
Question: Which three of the following claims are supported by the
passage?
Options:
- A) Urban surfaces like asphalt trap more heat compared to
natural vegetation.
- B) The use of air conditioners contributes indirectly to
the warming of cities.
- C) UHIs have no impact whatsoever on the air quality of a
city.
- D) The replacement of forests with buildings is a key
factor in the UHI effect.
- E) Urban areas are always cooler than rural areas due to
building shade.
Set 7 (Correct Answers: A, C & E)
Passage:
The Japanese philosophy of "Ikigai" loosely translates to "a
reason for being." It is often represented by a Venn diagram of four
overlapping circles: what you love (passion), what you are good at (vocation),
what the world needs (mission), and what you can be paid for (profession). The
intersection of all four is considered one's ultimate Ikigai. While Western
cultures often compartmentalize these elements—treating work as separate from
passion or social contribution—Japanese culture tends to view them as
interconnected. Finding one's Ikigai is believed to bring profound fulfillment,
longevity, and a sense of purpose. It is deeply rooted in the daily routines of
many older Japanese individuals living in "blue zones" (regions with
exceptional longevity), where people remain active and socially engaged well
into their 90s and 100s.
Question: Which three of the following are correct according to the
passage?
Options:
- A) Ikigai involves the convergence of passion, skill,
societal need, and financial viability.
- B) Western cultures traditionally combine work and
passion more effectively than Japan.
- C) The concept of Ikigai is associated with practices
that promote a long lifespan.
- D) Ikigai strictly focuses only on professional career
advancement.
- E) People in Japanese blue zones tend to maintain social
activity in old age.
Set 8 (Correct Answers: B, C & D)
Passage:
Quantum computing represents a monumental leap in computational capability,
moving beyond the binary nature of traditional bits to utilize quantum bits, or
qubits. Unlike a classical bit, which can only hold a value of either 0 or 1, a
qubit can exist in a state of superposition, effectively representing both 0
and 1 simultaneously. This allows quantum computers to process a massive number
of calculations at once. Furthermore, quantum entanglement—where qubits become
linked such that the state of one instantly influences the state of another
regardless of distance—enables incredibly fast information transfer. These
properties make quantum computers ideally suited for complex problems that
would take classical supercomputers millennia to solve, such as simulating
molecular interactions for drug discovery or breaking modern encryption
algorithms. However, qubits are highly sensitive to environmental noise,
requiring near-absolute-zero temperatures to maintain coherence.
Question: Which three of the following accurately describe features
of quantum computing?
Options:
- A) Qubits are identical to classical bits and can only
process data sequentially.
- B) The phenomenon of superposition allows qubits to hold
multiple values at once.
- C) Quantum entanglement facilitates rapid interconnection
between qubits.
- D) Maintaining the stability of qubits requires extreme
cooling conditions.
- E) Quantum computers are already widely used for everyday
word processing tasks.
Set 9 (Correct Answers: B, D & E)
Passage:
The Hundred Years' War, fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453,
was less a continuous conflict than a series of intermittent military
campaigns, truces, and diplomatic standoffs. It was triggered by disputes over
English territorial claims in France and the succession to the French throne.
The war acted as a catalyst for profound societal and technological changes. On
the battlefield, it marked the decline of the feudal cavalry charge, as English
longbowmen could devastate armored knights from a distance. In the political
sphere, the protracted conflict fostered a growing sense of distinct national
identities in both countries, eventually weakening the feudal aristocracy and
strengthening royal authority. The war also placed immense financial strain on
both crowns, forcing the kings to develop more efficient systems of taxation
and government administration.
Question: Which three of the following are correct according to the
passage?
Options:
- A) The war was a single, uninterrupted battle that lasted
exactly one hundred years.
- B) The conflict contributed to the rise of centralized
royal power in England and France.
- C) The use of cavalry increased dramatically as a result
of the war.
- D) The English longbow was a decisive weapon that could
counter heavily armored soldiers.
- E) The war forced both governments to revise their
financial taxation systems.
Set 10 (Correct Answers: A, B & C)
Passage:
Anthropogenic climate change, driven primarily by the combustion of fossil
fuels and deforestation, is inducing a cascade of interrelated effects on the
planet's cryosphere—its frozen regions. The most visible evidence is the
accelerated retreat of mountain glaciers and the Greenland and Antarctic ice
sheets. This glacial melt contributes directly to sea-level rise, threatening
low-lying coastal cities and island nations with increased flooding and
saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. Simultaneously, the loss of
reflective ice surfaces reduces the Earth's albedo (its ability to reflect
solar radiation back into space), creating a feedback loop that accelerates
warming. Furthermore, the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic releases vast
quantities of trapped methane, a potent greenhouse gas, exacerbating the
warming process and disrupting indigenous ecosystems and infrastructure built
upon the once-permanently frozen ground.
Question: Which three statements are supported by the passage?
Options:
- A) The disappearance of ice contributes to an accelerated
rate of planetary warming.
- B) Rising sea levels are a direct consequence of melting
ice sheets.
- C) The thawing of frozen Arctic ground releases gases
that intensify climate change.
- D) Climate change has had no measurable effect on polar
bear populations.
- E) Deforestation is the sole cause of global warming.
Set 11 (Correct Answers: A, D & E)
Passage:
The science of epigenetics reveals that gene expression—whether a gene is
turned "on" or "off"—can be influenced by factors beyond
the underlying DNA sequence. These changes are mediated by chemical
"tags" that attach to DNA or to histone proteins around which DNA is
wound. Environmental factors, including diet, stress, and exposure to toxins,
can alter these tags, thereby affecting how cells read genes. Crucially, some
of these epigenetic modifications can be heritable, meaning they can be passed
down to offspring. For example, studies on the descendants of individuals who
experienced severe famine during childhood showed a higher predisposition to
certain metabolic diseases, even though the descendants themselves were not
starved. This provides a biological mechanism for how environmental experiences
in one generation can shape the health of the next.
Question: Which three of the following are accurate interpretations
of the passage?
Options:
- A) Epigenetic modifications can be affected by the amount
of stress a person experiences.
- B) Changes in gene expression always involve permanent
mutations to the DNA sequence.
- C) Epigenetic changes are never passed down to future
generations.
- D) Research on famine survivors suggests environmental
impacts can have intergenerational effects.
- E) The tags that control gene expression can be
influenced by nutritional intake.
Set 12 (Correct Answers: B, C & E)
Passage:
The Great Exhibition of 1851, held in London's Hyde Park inside the magnificent
Crystal Palace, was the first international exhibition of manufactured
products. Organized by Prince Albert and Henry Cole, it aimed to showcase the
pinnacle of British and global industrial achievement. The event attracted over
six million visitors, roughly a third of Britain's population at the time, who marveled
at exhibits ranging from advanced steam engines to raw materials from the
colonies. The exhibition generated a substantial surplus of £186,000, which was
subsequently used to establish the South Kensington Museum, later renamed the
Victoria and Albert Museum. Beyond its commercial and educational impact, the
Great Exhibition symbolized an era of unprecedented optimism in technological
progress and international peace, setting the precedent for the World's Fair
tradition that continues today.
Question: Which three of the following statements are correct?
Options:
- A) The Great Exhibition was solely dedicated to
displaying agricultural farming techniques.
- B) The profits earned from the event were used to fund a
major cultural institution.
- C) The exhibition attracted a significant proportion of
the total British population.
- D) The event was organized exclusively by Queen Victoria
herself.
- E) The success of this exhibition inspired the creation
of similar international events in the future.
Set 13 (Correct Answers: A, B & E)
Passage:
Antibiotic resistance is rapidly evolving into one of the most pressing public
health emergencies of the 21st century. This phenomenon occurs when bacteria
mutate or acquire resistance genes from other bacteria, allowing them to
survive exposure to drugs that would normally kill them. The primary driver of
this resistance is the widespread overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both
human medicine and livestock agriculture. In humans, patients often demand
antibiotics for viral infections like the common cold, where they are
completely ineffective, while in farming, low doses are routinely added to
animal feed to promote growth rather than treat disease. This selective
pressure speeds up the evolutionary process, creating "superbugs"
that are difficult or impossible to treat, rendering routine surgeries and
minor infections potentially lethal.
Question: Which three of the following are true according to the
passage?
Options:
- A) The use of antibiotics in healthy farm animals
contributes to the resistance crisis.
- B) Antibiotics are ineffective against illnesses caused
by viruses.
- C) Antibiotic resistance only develops in hospitals and
medical clinics.
- D) All patients understand that antibiotics are not
needed for viral infections.
- E) Routine medical procedures become riskier due to the
prevalence of superbugs.
Set 14 (Correct Answers: A, C & D)
Passage:
The Renaissance was characterized by a revival of classical learning and
wisdom, but it also witnessed an explosion of technological innovation,
particularly in the realm of printing. The most consequential invention of this
period was Johannes Gutenberg's movable-type printing press, developed around
1440. Prior to the press, books were laboriously copied by hand, primarily by
monks, making them exorbitantly expensive and rare, accessible only to the
clergy and the ultra-wealthy. Gutenberg’s innovation mechanized the process,
drastically reducing the cost and time required to produce texts. This
democratization of knowledge enabled the rapid dissemination of new scientific
discoveries, religious reformation ideas, and classical texts. It facilitated
the spread of Renaissance humanism across Europe and ultimately laid the
foundation for the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment.
Question: Which three of the following are accurate conclusions from
the passage?
Options:
- A) The printing press made books more affordable for a
larger segment of society.
- B) Gutenberg was a monk who invented the press to copy
religious texts.
- C) The rapid spread of knowledge in Europe was aided by
printing technology.
- D) Prior to the press, access to written knowledge was
extremely limited.
- E) The printing press had no effect on the Scientific
Revolution.
Set 15 (Correct Answers: A, B, C & E)
Passage:
Social media algorithms, designed to maximize user engagement, have
fundamentally transformed how individuals consume news and form opinions. These
algorithms utilize machine learning to analyze user behavior, curating content
feeds that reinforce the user's pre-existing beliefs and interests. While this
creates a highly personalized and addictive experience, it inadvertently
fosters "echo chambers"—environments where users are exposed
primarily to information that aligns with their worldview, and dissenting
perspectives are filtered out. This process intensifies political polarization
and reduces exposure to objective facts. Furthermore, the business model of
these platforms relies on high emotional arousal; sensationalist or
outrage-inducing content tends to perform best, often outcompeting legitimate,
nuanced journalism. Consequently, the information ecosystem is increasingly
fragmented, where different segments of the population operate under
fundamentally different sets of perceived truths, challenging the very concept
of shared reality.
Question: Which four of the following are supported by the passage?
Options:
- A) Social media platforms are designed to keep users
interacting for as long as possible.
- B) Algorithms reduce the diversity of news and opinions
that users are shown.
- C) Emotionally charged content often receives more
visibility than moderate journalism.
- D) Social media has completely eliminated the spread of
misinformation online.
- E) The personalization of feeds can lead to greater
division in society.
PTE Reading: Multiple-Choice,
Multiple Answer
Answers with Short Reasons
Set 1 — A & C
- A) Correct — Ostrom showed that communities can manage shared
resources without centralized regulation.
- C) Correct — The tragedy of the commons has been applied to
problems such as overfishing.
- B) Wrong — Hardin argued that individuals could deplete shared
resources, not that they would always cooperate.
- D) Wrong — Ostrom did not claim private ownership is always
superior.
- E) Wrong — The passage does not say Hardin's theory was
immediately accepted without criticism.
Set 2 — B & D
- B) Correct — Blockchain allows peer-to-peer transactions without
traditional financial intermediaries.
- D) Correct — The pseudo-anonymous nature of cryptocurrency has
attracted illicit users.
- A) Wrong — Cryptocurrencies are described as highly volatile.
- C) Wrong — The passage does not say all developing countries
adopted Bitcoin.
- E) Wrong — Cryptocurrency mining is described as requiring
immense energy.
Set 3 — A & D
- A) Correct — Trade and cultural exchange spread scientific and
religious knowledge across regions.
- D) Correct — The trade network also helped spread pandemics such
as bubonic plague.
- B) Wrong — The Silk Road included both land and maritime
routes.
- C) Wrong — Several luxury goods were traded, not exclusively
Indian spices.
- E) Wrong — It flourished for centuries after the 2nd century
BCE.
Set 4 — B & E
- B) Correct — Learning new skills can cause the brain to form new
neural connections.
- E) Correct — Rehabilitation medicine uses neuroplasticity to help
patients recover functions.
- A) Wrong — Neuroplasticity continues throughout life.
- C) Wrong — Stroke victims can sometimes regain functions
through brain reorganization.
- D) Wrong — Learning and environmental changes can also
stimulate neuroplasticity.
Set 5 — C & E
- C) Correct — Herd mentality can cause irrational bubbles and
market crashes.
- E) Correct — Loss aversion describes the strong psychological
impact of financial losses.
- A) Wrong — Behavioral finance specifically challenges the
assumption of perfect rationality.
- B) Wrong — Loss aversion may cause investors to hold losing
stocks too long.
- D) Wrong — Psychology is central to behavioral finance.
Set 6 — A, B & D
- A) Correct — Pavement and concrete retain solar heat more than
natural vegetation.
- B) Correct — Air conditioners release waste heat into urban
areas.
- D) Correct — Replacing forests and farmland with buildings
contributes to the heat-island effect.
- C) Wrong — UHIs can worsen ozone, smog, and respiratory
problems.
- E) Wrong — Urban areas are described as warmer, not cooler,
than surrounding rural areas.
Set 7 — A, C & E
- A) Correct — Ikigai combines what one loves, is good at, the
world needs, and can be paid for.
- C) Correct — The passage associates Ikigai with fulfillment,
purpose, and longevity.
- E) Correct — People in Japanese blue zones remain active and
socially engaged into old age.
- B) Wrong — The passage contrasts Western compartmentalization
with Japanese interconnectedness.
- D) Wrong — Ikigai is broader than professional career
advancement.
Set 8 — B, C & D
- B) Correct — Superposition allows a qubit to represent multiple
states.
- C) Correct — Entanglement creates a strong connection between
qubits.
- D) Correct — Qubits require extremely low temperatures to
maintain coherence.
- A) Wrong — Qubits differ fundamentally from classical bits.
- E) Wrong — The passage discusses advanced computational
applications, not ordinary word processing.
Set 9 — B, D & E
- B) Correct — The war weakened feudal structures and strengthened
royal authority.
- D) Correct — English longbowmen could effectively attack heavily
armored knights.
- E) Correct — Financial pressure forced governments to develop
more efficient taxation systems.
- A) Wrong — The war consisted of intermittent campaigns, truces,
and diplomatic conflicts.
- C) Wrong — The passage says the war contributed to the decline
of the feudal cavalry charge.
Set 10 — A, B & C
- A) Correct — Loss of reflective ice reduces Earth's albedo and
accelerates warming.
- B) Correct — Melting glaciers and ice sheets contribute directly
to sea-level rise.
- C) Correct — Thawing permafrost releases methane, which
intensifies warming.
- D) Wrong — Polar bear populations are not discussed.
- E) Wrong — Fossil-fuel combustion and deforestation are both
identified as causes.
Set 11 — A, D & E
- A) Correct — Stress can influence epigenetic modifications.
- D) Correct — Famine research suggests environmental effects can
influence subsequent generations.
- E) Correct — Diet can alter chemical tags involved in gene
expression.
- B) Wrong — Epigenetic changes do not necessarily involve
permanent DNA mutations.
- C) Wrong — Some epigenetic modifications can be inherited.
Set 12 — B, C & E
- B) Correct — The surplus helped establish the South Kensington
Museum, now the Victoria and Albert Museum.
- C) Correct — More than six million people attended, a substantial
portion of Britain's population.
- E) Correct — The exhibition established a precedent for future
World's Fairs.
- A) Wrong — It displayed a wide range of manufactured products,
not just agriculture.
- D) Wrong — It was organized by Prince Albert and Henry Cole,
not exclusively by Queen Victoria.
Set 13 — A, B & E
- A) Correct — Antibiotic use in livestock contributes to the
development of resistance.
- B) Correct — Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections
such as the common cold.
- E) Correct — Superbugs can make routine surgeries and minor
infections more dangerous.
- C) Wrong — Resistance develops in multiple settings, including
agriculture.
- D) Wrong — The passage says some patients demand antibiotics
unnecessarily.
Set 14 — A, C & D
- A) Correct — Printing reduced the cost and time required to
produce books.
- C) Correct — Printing enabled the rapid spread of scientific and
other ideas.
- D) Correct — Before printing, books were expensive, rare, and
mainly accessible to elites.
- B) Wrong — Gutenberg was not described as a monk.
- E) Wrong — The passage says printing helped lay the foundation
for the Scientific Revolution.
Set 15 — A, B, C & E
- A) Correct — Algorithms are designed to maximize user engagement.
- B) Correct — Personalized feeds can expose users mainly to views
that match their existing beliefs.
- C) Correct — Sensational and emotionally charged content tends to
outperform nuanced journalism.
- E) Correct — Personalized echo chambers can intensify
polarization and social division.
- D) Wrong — The passage describes increasing fragmentation and
polarization, not the elimination of misinformation.
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