Let's do the real TOEFL reading questions(100-31)

[An Min]

The sugarcane plant, indigenous to southern Asia, was first used for the production of sugar between the 7th and 4th century B.C. in northern India. Cane cultivation eventually spread westward and was introduced to the Mediterranean region by the Arabs, giving rise to a cane sugar industry that flourished there until the late 1500fs. Columbus introduced sugarcane to the New World on his second voyage in 1493, when it was first planted on the island of Hispaniola. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Spanish, English, and French established sugar production in their Caribbean island colonies. The French colony of St. Dominique (present-day Haiti) was, by the late 18th century, one of the most important sugar producers in the Caribbean at a time when world demand for sugar was rising rapidly.

 

In the early 1700fs, sugarcane from St. Dominique was planted along the lower Mississippi, but this attempt failed. A little over a decade later, the first administrator of Francefs Louisiana colony, succeeded in growing sugarcane brought from Martinique in his garden at New Orleans. Cane from St. Dominique was introduced anew by the French Jesuits, who raised several crops of it at their New Orleans plantation ( today the site of the Central Business District) during the 1759fs. A few colonists successfully produced sugar commercially in the New Orleans area in the late 1750fs and early 1760fs, having planted cane brought from St. Dominique or obtained from the Jesuits.

 

After the transfer of Louisiana to Spain, indigo became the favored cash crop, and although some plants continued cultivating sugarcane, there is no evidence of further attempts to produce sugar in Louisiana until the 1790fs. In 1791, slaves and free people of color in St. Dominique launched a violent revolt against the French planters. Many sugar plantations were destroyed, and thousands of colonists ultimately fled the island. Some of the exiles sought refuge in New Orleans, and the experienced sugar makers among them brought valuable knowledge and skills to the nascent Louisiana sugar industry. As early as 1797 more than 550,000 pounds of sugar were shipped from New Orleans.

 

By 1801 there were 75 sugar mills in Louisiana, and the region was well on its way to becoming a significant producer of cane sugar on the North American continent.

 

1. The phrase ggiving rise toh in line 3 is closest in meaning to

(a) causing a

(b) leading to

© developing from

(d) concerning which

 

2. The word gflourishedh in line 4 is closest in meaning to

(a) continued

(b) developed

© thrived

(d) acted

 

3. The word gtheirh in line 6 refers to

(a) centuries

(b) Spanish, English, and French

© French

(d) Colonies

 

4. The production of sugar in St. Dominique during the late 18th century can be described as

(a) increasing

(b) important

© good quality

(d) over supply

 

5. The first successful planting of sugarcane in America was in the early 1700s

(a) along the lower Mississippi

(b) at St. Dominique

© at New Orleans

(d) at Martinique

 

6. Which of the following, in paragraph 2, was NOT a source of sugarcane plants for American colonists?

(a) St. Dominique

(b) Martinique

© the Jesuits

(d) French administrators

 

7. The author implies (paragraph 2) that around the middle of the 18th century, sugar production in the Colonies was

(a) not commercial

(b) not extensive

© not preferred

(d) not undertaken

 

8. The word glaunchedh in line 20 is closest in meaning to

(a) threatened

(b) censured

© decided

(d) commenced

 

9. The author implies that experienced sugar makers who fled from St. Dominique to Louisiana after the revolt

(a) made a valuable contribution to sugar production within about 5 years

(b) did not want to return to cane growing

© became involved in shipping sugar

(d) owned sugar mills

 

10. Which of the following does the author describe in the passage?

(a) cultivation (line 2)

(b) plantation (line 14)

© indigo (ling 17)

(d) revolt (line 20)

 

 

 

 

 

[Hippo]

Hi An Min,

Here are my answers:

1. A(may be B)

2. C

3. B(may be D)

4. B

5. C

6. D

7. B

8. D

9. A

10. D

 

Best regards.

[An Min]

Wow,Hippo, fast response.

 

1. The phrase ggiving rise toh in line 3 is closest in meaning to

(b) leading to

 

2. The word gflourishedh in line 4 is closest in meaning to

© thrived

 

3. The word gtheirh in line 6 refers to

(b) Spanish, English, and French

 

4. The production of sugar in St. Dominique during the late 18th century can be described as

(a) increasing

 

5. The first successful planting of sugarcane in America was in the early 1700s

© at New Orleans

 

6. Which of the following, in paragraph 2, was NOT a source of sugarcane plants for American colonists?

(d) French administrators

 

7. The author implies (paragraph 2) that around the middle of the 18th century, sugar production in the Colonies was

(b) not extensive

 

8. The word glaunchedh in line 20 is closest in meaning to

(d) commenced

 

9. The author implies that experienced sugar makers who fled from St. Dominique to Louisiana after the revolt

(a) made a valuable contribution to sugar production within about 5 years

 

10. Which of the following does the author describe in the passage?

(d) revolt (line 20)

 

[Hippo]

Hi An Min,

 

I have doubts about 4th. Consider following sentence:

"The French colony of St. Dominique (present-day Haiti) was, by the late 18th century, one of the most important sugar producers in the Caribbean at a time when world demand for sugar was rising rapidly."

So we know for sure that it was important colony.

Yes, the demand for sugar was rising rapidly, but we don't know for sure that the production in St.Dominique was rising too.

 

Furthermore:

"In 1791, slaves and free people of color in St. Dominique launched a violent revolt against the French planters. Many sugar plantations were destroyed, and thousands of colonists ultimately fled the island."

So many plantations were destroyed; thus the production most probably decreased.

 

Best regards.

 

 

[An Min]

Yeah, I agree that Q4 is tough. If I meet it in test, the possiblities I chose important and increasing will be 5:5;

 

Originally posted by Hippo

 

Hi An Min,

 

I have doubts about 4th. Consider following sentence:

"The French colony of St. Dominique (present-day Haiti) was, by the late 18th century, one of the most important sugar producers

However, what we shold be careful of is the word "important".

In the sentence, It is point to a producer (Dominique),but not sugar.

in the Caribbean at a time when world demand for sugar was rising rapidly."

Here, demand was "rising", but it has indirect relation to the product of sugar.

 

Furthermore:

"In 1791, slaves and free people of color in St. Dominique launched a violent revolt against the French planters. Many sugar plantations were destroyed, and thousands of colonists ultimately fled the island."

So many plantations were destroyed; thus the production most probably decreased.

Best regards.

I think this sentense, which is wroten for description of a revolt, doesn't influence Q4.

[Hippo]

Yes, your comment about the "important" is essential. I didn't pay much attention to this fact while reading the passage.

[Zareen]

1b

2c

3d

4a

5c

6d

7d

8d

9a

10c