Academic Reading Practice Test- 31

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

The Science of Attention in a Distracted World

Attention is a limited cognitive resource that allows individuals to focus on relevant information while ignoring distractions. In an increasingly digital environment, maintaining sustained attention has become more challenging, raising concerns among psychologists and educators.

Research shows that attention operates in both voluntary and involuntary modes. Voluntary attention is directed consciously toward a task, such as studying, whereas involuntary attention is captured automatically by sudden stimuli like notifications or loud sounds. Frequent interruptions can fragment attention and reduce task efficiency.

Multitasking is often believed to enhance productivity, but studies indicate the opposite. Rapidly switching between tasks imposes cognitive costs, including slower performance and increased errors. The brain requires time to reorient itself, making constant task switching inefficient.

Attention is also influenced by fatigue, motivation, and emotional state. Mental exhaustion reduces the ability to concentrate, while meaningful goals can enhance focus. Educational researchers emphasize the importance of structured learning environments that minimize unnecessary distractions.

Despite growing awareness, attention is frequently underestimated in daily life. Experts argue that improving attentional control is essential for learning, decision-making, and overall cognitive health.

Questions 1–13

Questions 1–7

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

1. Attention helps people ignore _________.

2. Voluntary attention is directed _________.

3. Involuntary attention is triggered by sudden _________.

4. Multitasking often results in lower _________.

5. Task switching causes cognitive _________.

6. Fatigue reduces the ability to _________.

7. Structured environments reduce _________ distractions.

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. Digital technology has made attention easier to maintain.

9. Multitasking improves task efficiency.

10. Emotional state can influence attention.

11. Attention is unlimited in capacity.

12. Educators are concerned about distraction.

13. Improving attention benefits decision-making.

 Reading Passage 2

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

Sustainable agriculture seeks to balance food production with environmental protection and long-term resource management. As the global population grows, ensuring food security without degrading ecosystems has become a critical challenge.

Conventional farming methods often rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can increase yields but harm soil health and water quality. Over time, these practices reduce biodiversity and make agricultural systems more vulnerable to climate change.

Sustainable approaches include crop rotation, organic farming, and precision agriculture. These methods aim to improve soil fertility, reduce waste, and optimize resource use. Precision agriculture, for example, uses data and technology to apply water and nutrients more efficiently.

Small-scale farmers play a vital role in sustainable food systems, particularly in developing regions. However, they often face barriers such as limited access to technology, credit, and markets. Policy support and education are essential to enable wider adoption of sustainable practices.

Experts argue that sustainable agriculture is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic opportunity. By improving resilience and productivity, it can support livelihoods while ensuring long-term food availability.

Questions 14–26

Questions 14–18

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

14. Sustainable agriculture aims to balance food production and
    A. population growth
    B. environmental protection
    C. industrial expansion
    D. urban development

15. Chemical-intensive farming can damage
    A. crop diversity only
    B. soil and water
    C. farm equipment
    D. food quality

16. Precision agriculture mainly focuses on
    A. increasing labor
    B. reducing markets
    C. efficient resource use
    D. eliminating technology

17. Small-scale farmers often struggle due to
    A. excess production
    B. high wages
    C. limited access to resources
    D. lack of land

18. Sustainable agriculture is described as
    A. environmentally risky
    B. economically harmful
    C. unnecessary
    D. an opportunity

Questions 19–26

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

Sustainable agriculture aims to protect ecosystems while ensuring food _________ (19). Traditional farming relies heavily on chemicals, which harm soil and _________ (20) quality. Techniques such as crop rotation and precision agriculture improve resource _________ (21). Small farmers need better access to technology and _________ (22) support to adopt these practices.

 Reading Passage 3

The Influence of Social Norms on Behavior

Social norms are shared expectations about acceptable behavior within a group or society. They guide actions ranging from everyday interactions to major life decisions and play a crucial role in maintaining social order.

Norms can be explicit, such as laws and formal rules, or implicit, operating through social approval and disapproval. Individuals often conform to norms to gain acceptance or avoid sanctions, even when personal beliefs differ.

Research shows that social norms strongly influence behavior in areas such as health, environmental responsibility, and consumer choices. For example, individuals are more likely to conserve energy when informed that their peers do so.

However, norms can also reinforce harmful behaviors. When unhealthy or unethical practices become normalized, individuals may follow them without critical reflection. Changing such norms requires coordinated efforts, including education, leadership, and policy intervention.

Understanding how norms operate allows policymakers to design more effective interventions. By reshaping social expectations, societies can encourage positive behavior change without relying solely on regulation.

Questions 27–40

Questions 27–32

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

27. Social norms mainly function to
    A. restrict freedom
    B. maintain social order
    C. eliminate individuality
    D. enforce laws

28. Implicit norms operate through
    A. legal punishment
    B. written rules
    C. social reactions
    D. economic pressure

29. People often follow norms to
    A. increase income
    B. avoid effort
    C. gain acceptance
    D. express creativity

30. Norms can influence behavior related to
    A. genetics
    B. health
    C. intelligence
    D. personality

31. Harmful norms persist because people
    A. critically evaluate them
    B. openly reject them
    C. follow them automatically
    D. legally support them

32. Policymakers can use norms to
    A. replace education
    B. avoid leadership
    C. reduce communication
    D. encourage change

Questions 33–40

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

✅ Answer Key

Passage 1

1. distractions

2. consciously

3. stimuli

4. performance

5. costs

6. concentrate

7. unnecessary

8. FALSE

9. FALSE

10. TRUE

11. FALSE

12. TRUE

13. TRUE

Passage 2

14. B

15. B

16. C

17. C

18. D

19. security

20. water

21. efficiency

22. policy

Passage 3

27. B

28. C

29. C

30. B

31. C

32. D

33. behavior

34. approval

35. conservation

36. change