Academic Reading Practice Test -27

Time Allowed: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 40

Instructions:

• Answer ALL questions

• Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER unless stated otherwise

• For multiple-choice questions, choose ONE correct answer

 Reading Passage 1

Sleep, Memory, and Learning

Sleep is a fundamental biological process that plays a vital role in physical health and cognitive performance. While its restorative effects on the body are widely recognized, research over the past few decades has revealed that sleep is equally essential for learning and memory consolidation.

Memory formation occurs in several stages. Initially, new information is encoded while a person is awake. During sleep, particularly during deep slow-wave sleep, the brain reactivates and reorganizes this information. This process strengthens neural connections, allowing memories to be stored more efficiently for long-term retrieval.

Different stages of sleep appear to support different types of memory. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been associated with emotional regulation and creative problem-solving, while non-REM sleep contributes more to factual and procedural learning. Disruptions to either stage can impair cognitive performance the following day.

Modern lifestyles, however, often interfere with healthy sleep patterns. Exposure to artificial light, irregular work schedules, and excessive screen use can delay sleep onset and reduce sleep quality. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to decreased attention, slower reaction times, and reduced academic performance.

Despite growing awareness, many people underestimate the cognitive costs of insufficient sleep. Researchers emphasize that sleep should not be viewed as passive rest, but as an active and necessary component of learning and brain function.

Questions 1–13

Questions 1–7

Complete the notes below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

1. Sleep supports both physical health and _________.

2. New information is first _________ while awake.

3. Memory consolidation occurs mainly during _________ sleep.

4. REM sleep is linked to creativity and _________.

5. Non-REM sleep supports _________ learning.

6. Artificial light can reduce sleep _________.

7. Lack of sleep may lead to reduced _________ performance.

Questions 8–13

Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?

Write:

• TRUE if the statement agrees

• FALSE if it contradicts

• NOT GIVEN if there is no information

8. All memories are stored permanently during waking hours.

9. REM and non-REM sleep serve identical functions.

10. Screen use can delay falling asleep.

11. Sleep deprivation affects reaction times.

12. Most people recognize the mental impact of poor sleep.

13. Sleep is described as an active brain process.

 Reading Passage 2

Coastal Erosion and Human Intervention

Coastal erosion is a natural process driven by waves, tides, and currents that gradually reshape shorelines. However, human activities have accelerated erosion rates in many parts of the world, threatening ecosystems, infrastructure, and coastal communities.

Construction along coastlines often disrupts natural sediment movement. Seawalls, ports, and breakwaters can prevent sand from replenishing beaches, leading to increased erosion downstream. Additionally, river damming reduces the supply of sediment that would normally reach coastal areas.

To address these challenges, various coastal management strategies have been implemented. Hard engineering solutions, such as seawalls and groynes, aim to protect specific locations but may cause unintended damage elsewhere. In contrast, soft engineering approaches, including beach nourishment and dune restoration, work with natural processes to reduce erosion.

Climate change further complicates coastal management. Rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events intensify erosion and flooding risks. As a result, long-term planning is becoming increasingly important for coastal resilience.

Experts argue that effective coastal management requires a balance between environmental protection and economic interests. Community involvement and adaptive strategies are essential, as no single solution is suitable for all coastal environments.

Questions 14–26

Questions 14–18

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

14. Coastal erosion is primarily caused by
    A. tourism
    B. industrial pollution
    C. natural forces
    D. fishing activity

15. Human structures can increase erosion by
    A. strengthening beaches
    B. blocking sediment flow
    C. lowering sea levels
    D. restoring dunes

16. Hard engineering solutions mainly aim to
    A. protect ecosystems
    B. stop climate change
    C. defend specific sites
    D. increase tourism

17. Soft engineering differs because it
    A. ignores natural processes
    B. relies on technology
    C. works with nature
    D. is more expensive

18. Climate change affects coastal erosion by
    A. reducing tides
    B. increasing sediment supply
    C. stabilizing shorelines
    D. intensifying risks

Questions 19–26

Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

Human activity has accelerated coastal erosion by interfering with natural _________ (19) movement. Structures such as seawalls may protect one area but worsen erosion _________ (20). Soft engineering techniques like beach _________ (21) aim to reduce erosion naturally. Climate change contributes through rising _________ (22) levels and extreme weather. Successful management requires adaptable and _________ (23) approaches.

 Reading Passage 3

The Economics of Automation

Automation has transformed modern economies by increasing efficiency and reducing production costs. Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence now allow machines to perform tasks once limited to human labor, raising important economic and social questions.

One major concern is job displacement. Routine and repetitive jobs are most vulnerable to automation, particularly in manufacturing and administrative sectors. However, economists note that technological change has historically created new jobs, often requiring different skill sets.

Automation can also boost productivity by enabling faster output and higher consistency. Firms that adopt automated systems may gain a competitive advantage, leading to lower prices for consumers. At the same time, productivity gains do not always translate into wage growth for workers.

Education and retraining are widely viewed as critical responses to automation. Workers with adaptable skills, such as problem-solving and digital literacy, are better positioned to benefit from technological change. Governments play a key role in funding training programs and updating labor policies.

While automation presents challenges, many experts argue that its long-term impact depends on how societies manage the transition. Strategic investment and inclusive policies can help ensure that economic benefits are widely shared.

Questions 27–40

Questions 27–32

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

27. Jobs most at risk from automation are
    A. creative roles
    B. leadership positions
    C. routine tasks
    D. research jobs

28. Historically, technological change has
    A. eliminated employment
    B. reduced productivity
    C. created new jobs
    D. lowered skill requirements

29. Automation benefits firms mainly by
    A. raising wages
    B. increasing efficiency
    C. reducing competition
    D. expanding regulation

30. Productivity gains do not always result in
    A. lower prices
    B. higher output
    C. wage growth
    D. innovation

31. Workers best suited for automation-driven change have
    A. physical strength
    B. fixed skills
    C. adaptable abilities
    D. narrow expertise

32. The author suggests automation’s impact depends on
    A. machine intelligence
    B. global demand
    C. social management
    D. company size

Questions 33–40

Complete the table below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage.

Answer Key

Passage 1

1. cognitive performance

2. encoded

3. slow-wave

4. emotional regulation

5. procedural

6. quality

7. academic

8. FALSE

9. FALSE

10. TRUE

11. TRUE

12. FALSE

13. TRUE

Passage 2

14. C

15. B

16. C

17. C

18. D

19. sediment

20. elsewhere

21. nourishment

22. sea

23. adaptive

Passage 3

27. C

28. C

29. B

30. C

31. C

32. C

33. routine

34. productivity

35. retraining

36. programs