CES TOEFL Samples: Part A
1.
W: I’m really looking forward to seeing the play tonight. If you don’t mind me asking, how much
were the tickets?
M: I’m not sure. I was actually planning to buy them at the door.
W: I don’t know if that’s a very good idea. A few nights ago when I drove by the theater there
was a lineup that went all the way around the block.
M: I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s already been playing for a few weeks so it shouldn’t be difficult
getting seats.
What can be inferred from the conversation?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Tickets to the play are very difficult to get.
The woman has seen the play once before.
The man hasn’t paid for the tickets yet.
The woman is not happy with their seats.
Answer: (C)
2.
W: So, John do you have any special plans for the weekend or are you just hitting the books
again?
M: Well I’m glad you asked because a bunch of us from the art history department are heading
up the mountain for a ski trip. It would be great if you could join us.
W: I wish I could but a friend of mine from out of town is visiting this weekend. It’s a little too
late to be changing plans now - unless of course I bring her along. Do you think
there’ll be room in the car?
M: Are you kidding me? The more, the merrier.
What does the man mean?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
The woman’s friend is welcome to join them.
There’s no room in the car for more passengers.
There isn’t enough time to change plans.
Only people from the art history department are welcome.
Answer: (A)
3.
W: Today’s lecture on logic was absolutely fascinating. I’m really glad we decided to take this
class together – even if we don’t need the credit.
M: You actually understood that? I hardly caught a thing the professor said today.
W: Well it certainly helps when you read the assigned chapter before coming to class.
M: I see your point.
What will the man probably do?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Answer: (B)
Try to come to class more often.
Read the assigned chapter before class.
Take another class for extra credit.
Listen more carefully to the professor.
4.
M: Excuse me, I’d like to check out these videos and I’m just wondering how long I can keep
them.
W: I’m sorry but those videos are part of our special collection and must remain in the library at
all times. However, there is a viewing room on the basement floor.
What will the man probably do?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Try to find the videos in the special collection.
Sign out the videos and bring them home.
Watch the videos in the library. *
Return the videos to the library right away.
Answer: (C)
5.
W: Did you know that starting next month you won’t be able to park in area ‘B’ lots or any of the
parking lots close to campus without a car pool permit?
M: Yeah, I heard about that. Unfortunately, living way out near the mall, I don’t know anyone
else I could travel with in order to get the permit.
W: Maybe I can hook you up with a few of my friends. That way you could both get carpool
permits.
What can be inferred from the conversation?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Answer: (A)
The man has friends who live near the mall.
The woman already has a carpool permit.
The woman doesn’t usually drive to campus.
They usually drive to campus together.
CES TOEFL Samples: Part B
Listen to part of a lecture from a physics class.
I'm sure each of you has waited for a train at least once in your life. Or think about
when you've been waiting for the light to change at an intersection and cars were speeding by.
Did you ever notice how the sound increases in pitch as the cars approach but decreases as
they move away? Well, today we'll be exploring this phenomenon. The name for it is the
Doppler Effect, and it was named after the Austrian physicist Christian Johan Doppler, who first
described the principle in 1842. Doppler experimented with sound waves, but his discovery
also applies to radar's radio waves and to light arriving from distant stars. How exactly does the
Doppler effect work? Well, it's not as complicated as you might expect.
As you all know, sound travels in waves. Now, when sound waves, and other similar
types of waves, travel between two objects, the length of the wave changes if one or both of the
objects are moving. The change in the wavelength results in a change of pitch. More
specifically, the frequency, or number of waves per second, changes and is perceived as a
change in pitch. In other words, the Doppler Effect explains why the received frequency differs
from the sent frequency when there is a change in distance between the source and the
receiver, or listener. When the source of the sound approaches the listener and the distance
between the two decreases, the listener hears the increasing frequency of waves as a rising
pitch.
Conversely, when the source withdraws from the listener and the distance between
them increases, the listener hears the decreasing frequency of waves as a falling pitch. The
listener hears a change in pitch even when there is no actual change in the sound from the
source. Imagine the sound a racecar makes as it rushes by: First a whining high pitch and then
suddenly a lower one. Vrrrm-VROOM. The high-pitched whine is caused by the sound waves
being compacted as the racecar approaches while the following lower pitched VROOM comes
when it’s speeding away. The pitch becomes lower because the waves are being spread out
and the frequency is lower. Also, let's say you were in the racecar, and the source of the sound
was stationary on the side of the road, the Doppler Effect would still apply.
So, then, what would happen if you were moving in the same direction and at the same
rate as the source of the sound? Let's say you were driving in a racecar next to another
racecar. Would you still perceive a change in the pitch? Think about that. We'll return to that
question shortly. I think you understand enough about the Doppler Effect for us to now consider
some of its many applications.
1. What is the lecture mainly about?
(A) The nature of naturally occurring frequencies
(B) How the Doppler Effect is perceived
(C) Experiments used to test the Doppler Effect
(D) The physics underlying the Doppler Effect
Answer: (D)
2. According to the lecture, how was the Doppler Effect first observed?
(A) In light waves
(B) In sound waves
(C) In microwaves
(D) In radio waves
Answer: (B)
3. According to the lecture, where else does the Doppler Effect apply?
Click on 2 answers.
(A) The study of light from space
(B) The recording of pop music
(C) The radio waves of radar
(D) The reception of television signals
Answer: (A, C)
4.
According to the lecture, why does the sound of a passing car change when heard by
someone outside of the car?
(A) The sound wave is not traveling between two objects.
(B) When the source of sound withdraws, the wave disappears.
(C) The distance between the person and the car changes.
(D) Cars make different kinds of sounds.
Answer: (C)
5. According to the lecture, what causes the 'high-pitched whine’ of a racecar?
(A) A special device is installed in all racecars.
(B) The sound waves are compacted as the car approaches
(C) The sound waves are spread out as the car passes.
(D) The car is moving at the same rate as the source of the sound.
Answer: (B)
6. What will the speaker probably discuss next?
(A) Different applications of the Doppler Effect
(B) How the Doppler Effect changed our understanding of stars
(C) The initial discovery of the Doppler Effect
(D) Various objections to the Doppler Effect
Answer: (A)
Now listen to a conversation between two students talking about student housing.
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
M1:
W1:
So how do you like the campus so far?
Oh, it’s great. I’m really glad I decided to go to this college and not one out east. The
weather is so much nicer hear.
That’s for sure. So are you all settled in or are you still trying to find a new place?
Actually, that’s the only problem I’ve had since moving here. I can’t seem to find a
decent place to live. I’ve been staying at a cheap hotel for the past week and it’s
driving me crazy. There’s a factory right next door so it’s really loud. It’s almost
impossible to get any studying done during the day.
Well, if you can afford it, you should look into getting a tailored apartment.
What’s that? It sounds kind of expensive.
Well, it is a bit pricier than the average apartment, but it’s certainly cheaper than
staying in a hotel long term. And the best part is that you can set it up just the way you
like it.
I’ve lived in apartments before and there were so many rules. You had to get
permission to change anything. I wanted to paint the living room, to give it some color,
and the landlord said I couldn’t.
I know what you mean, but a tailored apartment is different. Before you move in the
landlord will give you a list of things that you can change.
What sort of things?
Well, like the color of the walls, the types of doorknobs, the size of the fridge… and
even the type of carpet. The list includes everything right down to the type of lighting
you want.
But then aren’t you stuck with your original choices? What if I decide to redecorate
after a year or so?
I don’t think that would be a problem. Usually you can change it anyway you like
without having to tell the landlord about it. The only problem with tailored apartments
is that they cost a bit more.
That’s what I was afraid of.
Well the rent itself is almost the same, but when you move out there’s an additional
cost. Basically, the landlord wants to get the apartment to look just like it did when you
moved in. So, you have to pay to have everything put back to the way it was.
Is there no way to avoid paying the extra fee? I like the idea of being able to change
things to how I want them, but don’t like the idea of an extra expense just as I’m about
to move out.
Well, think about it this way. The landlord only cares about renting it after you leave. If
someone wants to move in and keep all your decorations, you don’t have to pay to
have them removed.
Sounds perfect. Where can I find one of these places?
Funny you should ask. A friend of mine is moving out of her apartment at the end of
the month.
1. What is the man concerned about?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
The hotel he is at is too expensive.
He wants to ask for a price reduction.
He needs to find a place to live.
His neighbors are too loud at night.
Answer: (C)
2. What does the woman suggest the man do?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Find a tailored apartment.
Move out of his tailored apartment.
Buy a house to live in.
Paint and redecorate his living room.
Answer: (A)
3. Why are tailored apartments more expensive than normal apartments?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
They are larger than normal apartments.
Tenants pay a fee before moving out.
The monthly rent is higher than for normal ones.
People can choose the color of the carpet.
Answer: (B)
CES TOEFL Samples: Structure
1. After a stint brief at the Juilliard School of Music in 1944, Miles Davis dropped out and
A
B
became part of the growing New York City jazz scene where he met his idol, saxophonist
C
D
Charlie Parker.
Answer: (B) brief stint
Problem type: Word order
2. Bee waste, a brown, odorless and seemingly harmlessness substance composed mainly of
A
B
C
pollen resin, has a tendency to stick to the windows of homes and cars.
D
Answer: (B) harmless
Problem type: Parts of Speech
3. Polo is considered the oldest mounted team sport, with a lengthy history reaches back
A
B
C
centuries, when it was played in the plains of Asia, ancient Persia, China and India.
D
Answer: (C) reaching
Problem type: Relative clauses
4. The steam engine found in old-fashioned trains and steam boats is _______of an external
combustion engine.
(A) the best example
(B) best example
(C) how the best example
(D) as the best example
Answer: (A)
Problem type: Definite articles
5. _____________ by producing a high-voltage electrical charge this is transmitted to the spark
plugs via ignition wires.
(A) Automobile ignition systems function
(B) Functioning automobile ignition systems
(C) The function of ignition systems
(D) Automobile ignition systems that function
Answer: (A)
Problem type: Subjects and finite clauses
6. The advent of color film advanced production technology and gave way of a period of
A
B C
American filmmaking that went unchanged for nearly forty years.
D
Answer: (C) to
Problem type: Prepositions
7. The Nuremberg trials established that a person is not justified in blindly following military
A
B
C
orders, even those orders constitute crimes against humanity.
D
Answer: (D) even if
Problem type: Conjunctions
8. A major goal for evolutionary biology is to explain _______ arise and become fixed in
populations.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
what to adapt
adaptations
that which adaptations
how adaptations
Answer: (D)
Problem type: Relative pronoun
9. The Great Vowel Shift has had long-term implications for orthography, the teaching of
reading, and _______ of any English-language text written before or during the Shift.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
they understand
the understanding
understands
to understand
Answer: (B)
Problem type: Parallel structure
10. 'Naked Lunch' made American Beat Poet William S. Burroughs _________ and is widely
considered his best work.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
his underground celebrity
an underground celebrity
celebrate underground
is an underground celebrity
Answer: (B)
Problem type: Causatives
CES TOEFL Samples: Reading Comprehension
Topic: The Desert
Deserts are places of fantastic extremes. Their reputation is for extreme heat, but
that’s only half the picture. In reality, deserts also have extreme cold, extreme rain and snow,
and contain a massive amount of life. In fact, deserts are second only to tropical rainforests in
terms of plant and animal life diversity. Although most deserts are found within a thin, 30degree band on either side of the equator, no two are exactly the same. Speaking very
generally, however, they can be broken down into two main groups: A cold desert has less than
25 millimeters of precipitation per year. The majority of this comes in the form of snow. A hot
desert, on the other hand, has roughly the same amount of precipitation but mainly in the form
of rain. In both cases the precipitation is below 25 centimeters per year and comes all at once,
usually during one or two days a year of relatively heavy activity.
Another defining characteristic of deserts is the almost complete lack of any cloud
cover. During the day when the sun is up, the desert floor is extremely hot. Due to the lack of
any moisture in the air to trap the heat, however, as soon as the sun sets the sand and
scarce vegetation release it and everything becomes very cold. This extreme difference in
the highest and lowest temperatures each day does not allow for any significant cloud
formation.
_
_ Perhaps the most interesting defining element of the desert is that it is teeming with both
plant and animal life. _ Through various forms of adaptation, life forms are able to
overcome the difficult environment and thrive in the harsh desert climate. _ Perhaps the
best-known example of desert life is the cactus. The protective layer of sharp thorns maybe the
plant’s most famous element, but it is actually the root system and a plastic-like outer skin
above ground that allow it to grow in the desert. _ At a surface depth of only three centimeters
but expanding in a wide circle around the plant, the roots are positioned perfectly to absorb the
smallest amount of moisture. Many types of cactus are also able to quickly grow roots when
more water is available. Some actually grow roots out of the stem and even blooming flowers to
help capture as much water as possible. Each cactus is also covered with a nearly-water tight
outer layer called the cuticles. Just like a scuba diver’s wet suit does not let any water in, the
cactus’s skin doesn’t let any water out. Luckily, a cactus has one more line of defense against
the heat. During times of above average temperatures, the plant simply goes into a state of
dormancy just like a bear hibernates for the winter.
1. What is the main topic of the passage?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
The amount of snow and rain at the equator
Differences between hot and cold deserts
How cactuses survive in the desert
Deserts and the plants and animals within them
Answer: (D)
2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a cactus?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
covered in sharp thorns
shallow root system
deep root system
water-tight outer layer
Answer: (C)
3. Look at the word relatively in the passage. Click on the word choice closest in meaning to
the word relatively.
(A) Relative
(B) Comparatively
(C) Obviously
(D) Similarly
Answer: (B)
4. Look at the phrase teeming with in the passage. Click on the word choice closest in
meaning to the phrase teeming with.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Answer: (A)
abundant in
scarcely populated by
increasing in
devoid of
5. What does a cactus do if it becomes hotter than normal?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
The roots die.
Flowers fall from the stem.
The thorns become sharper.
The plant hibernates.
Answer (D)
6. Look at the word it highlighted in the passage. Click on the word or phrase in the bold text
that the word it refers to.
Answer: heat
7. The following sentence can be added to the passage.
Most of the animals, however, only come out at night making them very difficult to study.
Where would it best fit in the passage? Click on the square(_) to add the sentence to the
passage.
Answer: _
8. Click on the sentence in paragraph 3 that describes the part of the cactus responsible for its
survival. (Paragraph 3 is marked with an arrow(_).)
Answer: The protective layer of sharp thorns maybe the plant’s most famous element, but it is
actually the root system and a plastic-like outer skin above ground that allows it to thrive in the
desert.
9. Look at the word difficult in the passage. Click on the word or phrase in the bold text that
has the same meaning.
Answer: harsh
10. Look at the word dormancy in the passage. Click on the answer choice that is closest in
meaning to the word dormancy.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
excitement
panic
sleep
dominance
Answer: (C)
11. The paragraph following the passage would most likely discuss
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Answer: (A)
animals that live in the desert
different types of cactuses
hints for traveling in the desert
plant live in the ocean