Let's do the real TOEFL reading questions(100-23)

[An Min]

Compared to human lifetime, most stars appear permanent. But in the course of million to billions of years, they do evolve and age, and eventually they die. The most massive stars end their lives violently and spectacularly. Less massive stars die more peacefully. Examples of the former are supernovae explosions, which are among the most energetic events in the heavens. Examples of the latter are the formation of planetary nebulae, in which, over the course of thousands of years, a star sheds its outer layers.

Both of these types of events leave behind stellar remnants. In the case of supernovae, it is a neutron star or a black hole. In the case of planetary nebula ejection, it is a white dwarf. These remnants are the dead cinders of former stars.

The evolution of stars, and the dramatic events that await them during their final years of glory have fascinated astronomers and amateurs alike. Stars are self-luminous gaseous spheres. They shine by generating their own energy and radiating it off into space. The stars�Efuel for energy generation is the stuff they are made of-hydrogen, helium, carbon etc. –which they burn by converting these elements into heavier elements. “Burning�Ein this context, doesn’t refer to the kind of burning we are familiar with, such as the burning of wood or coal, which is chemical burning. It refers to nuclear burning, in which the nuclei of atoms fuse into nuclei of heavier atoms. Since stars are of finite size, they will eventually use up their nuclear fuel, run out of energy, and die. Stars that are born with masses greater than about eight solar masses, end their lives in gigantic explosions called supernovae.

The heavy elements synthesized by one generation of stars become the raw material for new generations of stars. They, in turn, produce still more heavy elements, which are eventually returned to the interstellar medium.

The cycle of stellar death and birth continues. The carbon in our bodies, the oxygen we breathe, the silicon in the Earth’s crust, and the metals used in our industry were all produced inside stars. Star dust is the stuff we and our environment are made of.

23. The author's purpose in writing the passage is to answer which of the following?
(a) how do stars die
(b) how do stars evolve
(c) what makes a star shine
(d) what are we and our environment made of

24. The word evolve in line 2 is closest in meaning to
(a) develop
(b) start
(c) change
(d) resolve

25. The word latter in line 5 refers to
(a) less massive stars
(b) most massive stars
(c) planetary nebulae
(d) supernova explosions

26. The word remnants in line 7 is closest in meaning to
(a) objects
(b) events
(c) reminders
(d) pieces

27. A white dwarf (line 8) is the remains of
(a) most massive stars
(b) less massive stars
(c) planetary nebulae
(d) supernovae

28. The phrase self-luminous in line 11 is closest in meaning to
(a) self-propelling
(b) self-generating
(c) generating its own shine
(d) sustaining itself

29. The word generating in line 12 is closest in meaning to
(a) producing
(b) reflecting
(c) storing
(d) exploding

30. According to the passage, stars die when
(a) they are greater than about eight solar masses
(b) they run out of nuclear fuel
(c) they stop shining
(d) they collide with remnants

31. A generation of stars is formed from which of the following?
(a) white dwarfs
(b) heavy elements from the previous generation
(c) solar influence on large stars
(d) chemical burning

32. According to the passage, star dust is
(a) carbon
(b) metal
(c) dead
(d) everywhere

33. Which of the following terms is defined in the passage?
(a) neutron star (line 8)
(b) converting (line 13)
(c) chemical burning (line 15)
(d) nuclear burning (line 16)

[Hippo]

Hi,
Here are my answers:
23. I would say B but may be it is A
24. A
25. A
26. D
27. C (may be B. i decided to choose B because the remnants are not only dust of the star but also that of the planets )
28. C
29. A
30. B
31. B
32. D
33. D

[hsengoren]

Hi,
23. I'll say "B". "evolve" fits better I think.
27. I chose "C". But, like Hippo I also think that it could be "B"
On the others, I agree with Hippo.

[An Min]

Your opinions are right.

23. The author�fs purpose in writing the passage is to answer which of the following?
<font color="brown">(b)</font id="brown"> how do stars evolve

24. The word �gevolve�h in line 2 is closest in meaning to
<font color="brown">(a)</font id="brown"> develop

25. The word �glatter�h in line 5 refers to
<font color="brown">(a)</font id="brown"> less massive stars

26. The word �gremnants�h in line 7 is closest in meaning to
<font color="brown">(d)</font id="brown"> pieces

27. A �gwhite dwarf�h (line 8) is the remains of
<font color="brown">(b)</font id="brown"> less massive stars

28. The phrase �gself-luminous�h in line 11 is closest in meaning to
<font color="brown">(c)</font id="brown"> generating its own shine

29. The word �ggenerating�h in line 12 is closest in meaning to
<font color="brown">(a)</font id="brown"> producing

30. According to the passage, stars die when
<font color="brown">(b)</font id="brown"> they run out of nuclear fuel

31. A generation of stars is formed from which of the following?
<font color="brown">(b)</font id="brown"> heavy elements from the previous generation

32. According to the passage, star dust is
<font color="brown">(d)</font id="brown"> everywhere

33. Which of the following terms is defined in the passage?
<font color="brown">(d)</font id="brown"> nuclear burning (line 16)

[Zareen]

23a
24c
25a
26c
27c
28c
29a
30b
31b
32a
33c

[Zareen]

Answer for Question 26 is incorrect

26. The word remnants in line 7 is closest in meaning to (c) reminders
and not (d) pieces

dictionary - remnants
1. A small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists,
2.A piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been used or sold


synonyms : ends,leftovers, remainders, scrap

[Zareen]

why for 27 is b and not c?

27. A �gwhite dwarf�h (line 8) is the remains of
(b) less massive stars


Both of these types of events leave behind stellar remnants. In the case of planetary nebula ejection, it is a white dwarf. These remnants are the dead cinders of former stars.

[Zareen]

32. According to the passage, star dust is
(a) carbon
(d) everywhere
Why d?

The carbon in our bodies, the oxygen we breathe, the silicon in the Earth’s crust, and the metals used in our industry were all produced inside stars. Star dust is the stuff we and our environment are made of.


-->isnt carbon a correct answer?

[berg7x]

Originally posted by Zareen

32. According to the passage, star dust is
(a) carbon
(d) everywhere
Why d?

The carbon in our bodies, the oxygen we breathe, the silicon in the Earth’s crust, and the metals used in our industry were all produced inside stars. Star dust is the stuff we and our environment are made of.


-->isnt carbon a correct answer?

I side with you in two respects:1-Reminders=Remnants
2-And at 27th question it seems according to me ''planetary nebulae'' is the right answer.

But at the last question we should choose D, for it's more comprehensive in comparison with the rest of choices.

[hsengoren]

Originally posted by Zareen

Answer for Question 26 is incorrect
26. The word remnants in line 7 is closest in meaning to (c) reminders
and not (d) pieces
dictionary - remnants
1. A small part or portion that remains after the main part no longer exists,
2.A piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been used or sold
synonyms : ends,leftovers, remainders, scrap

Can you please check the difference between "reminder" and "remainder".