EST

I – Literacy Test II

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Duration: 65 minutes
52 Multiple Choice Questions

Instructions:
- Place your answer on the answer sheet. Mark only one answer for each of the multiple
choice questions.
- Avoid guessing. Your answers should reflect your overall understanding of the
subject matter.
 The following passage is an excerpt Aladdin, who was now no longer
from The Wonderful Lamp in The 45 restrained by the fear of a father, and
Arabian Nights edited by Kate Douglas who cared so little for his mother that
Wiggin and Nora A. Smith introducing whenever she chid him he would abuse
Aladdin’s story. her, gave himself entirely over to his
idle habits and was never out of the
In the capital of one of the large and rich
50 streets from his companions. This
provinces of the kingdom of China there
course he followed till he was fifteen
lived a tailor, named Mustapha, who
years old without giving his mind to any
was so poor that he could hardly, by his
useful pursuit or the least reflection on
5 daily labour, maintain himself and his
what would become of him. In this
family, which consisted of a wife and
55 situation, as he was one day playing
son.
with his vagabond associates, a stranger
His son, who was called Aladdin, had passing by stood to observe him.
been brought up in a very careless and
This stranger was a sorcerer called the
10 idle manner, and by that means had
African magician as he was a native of
contracted many vicious habits. He was
60 Africa, and had been but two days
obstinate and disobedient to his father
arrived from thence.
and mother, who, when he grew up,
could not keep him within doors. He The African magician, who was a good
15 was in the habit of going out early in the physiognomist, observing in Aladdin's
morning and would stay out all day, countenance something absolutely
playing in the streets with idle children 65 necessary for the execution of the
of his own age. design he was engaged in, inquired
artfully about his family, who he was,
When he was old enough to learn a
and what were his inclinations; and
20 trade, his father, not being able to put
when he had learned all he desired to
him out to any other, took him into his
70 know, went up to him, and taking him
own shop and taught him how to use his
aside from his comrades, said: "Child,
needle: but neither fair words nor the
was not your father called Mustapha, the
fear of chastisement were capable of
tailor?" "Yes, sir," answered the boy;
25 fixing his lively genius. All his father's
"but he has been dead a long time."
endeavours to keep him to his work
were in vain; for no sooner was his back 75 At these words, the African magician
turned than he was gone for that day. threw his arms about Aladdin's neck,
Mustapha chastised him, but Aladdin and kissed him several times with tears
30 was incorrigible, and his father, to his in his eyes. Aladdin, who observed his
great grief, was forced to abandon him tears, asked him what made him weep.
to his idleness and was so much 80 "Alas! my son," cried the African
troubled at not being able to reclaim magician with a sigh, "how can I
him, that it threw him into a fit of forbear? I am your uncle; your worthy
35 sickness, of which he died in a few father was my own brother. I have been
months. many years abroad and now I am come
85 home with the hopes of seeing him; you
The mother, finding that her son would
tell me he is dead. But it is some relief
not follow his father's business, shut up
to my affliction that I knew you at first
the shop, sold off the implements of
sight; you are so like him." Then he
40 trade, and with the money she received
asked Aladdin, putting his hand into his
for them, and what she could get by
90 purse, where his mother lived, and as
spinning cotton, thought to maintain
soon as he had informed him, gave him
herself and her son.
a handful of small money, saying: "Go,

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 my son, to your mother; give my love to 3. It can be inferred from the
her and tell her that I will visit her to- passage that the reason for
95 morrow that I may have the satisfaction Aladdin’s misbehavior is due to
of seeing where my good brother lived A. his environment.
so long." B. his upbringing.
As soon as the African magician left his C. innate behavior.
newly-adopted nephew, Aladdin ran to D. being an only child.
100 his mother, overjoyed at the money his 4. Which choice best provides
uncle had given him. "Mother," said he, evidence for the answer to the
"have I an uncle?" "No, child," replied previous question?
his mother, "you have no uncle by your
father's side, or mine." "I am just now A. Lines 1-7 (“In … son.”)
105 come," said Aladdin, "from a man who B. Lines 8-11 (“His … habits.”)
says he is my uncle on my father's side. C. Lines 14-18 (“He … age.”)
He cried and kissed me when I told him D. Lines 25-27 (“All … vain;”)
my father was dead; and to show you 5. The language of the passage most
that what I tell you is truth," added he, resembles the language of a(n)
110 pulling out the money, "see what he has
given me? He charged me to give his A. fairy tale.
love to you and to tell you that to- B. science fiction novel.
morrow he will come and pay you a C. sermon.
visit, that he may see the house my D. epic.
115 father lived and died in." "Indeed, 6. It can most reasonably be inferred
child," replied the mother, "your father from the passage that the stranger
had a brother, but he has been dead a mentioned in line 58 is
long time, and I never heard of another."
A. seeking his long lost brother.
1. The primary purpose of the B. manipulating events for
passage is to selfish purposes.
A. scold young boys for C. coming to the capital for a
misbehaving. magic show.
B. stress the importance of D. looking to help orphans in
avoiding strangers. need.
C. set the scene for the rest of the 7. Which choice best provides
story. evidence for the answer to the
D. introduce the climax of the previous question?
story.
A. Lines 58-61 (“This …
2. As used in line 11, “contracted” thence.”)
most nearly means B. Lines 62-68 (“The
A. decreased. …inclinations;”)
B. shortened. C. Lines 83-86 (“I … dead.”)
C. developed. D. Lines 88-92 (“Then …
D. puckered. saying:”)

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8. As used in line 66, “design” most
nearly means
A. outline.
B. sketch.
C. pattern.
D. plan.
9. In the passage, the stranger is
most specifically portrayed as
A. generous.
B. prudent.
C. kind.
D. observant.
10. According to the last paragraph,
Aladdin’s eagerness to believe
the stranger may be due to
A. his ego.
B. the money given to him.
C. his quick-witted personality.
D. his need for a paternal role
model.

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 The following edited passage is taken parliament, or legislature, or sovereign,
from Popular Law-Making by Frederic should only sign the law—and I say sign
Jesup Stimson on Early English 50 advisedly because he doesn't enact it,
Legislation and the Magna Carta. doesn't create it, but signs a written
statement of law already existing; all idea
Parliament began avowedly to make new
that it should be justified by custom,
laws in the thirteenth century; but the
experiment, has been forgotten. And here
number of such laws concerning private
55 is the need and the value of this our
relations—private civil law—remained,
study; for the changes that are being
5 for centuries, small. You could digest
made by new legislation in this country
them all into a book of thirty or forty
are probably more important to-day than
pages. And even to Charles the First all
anything that is being done by the
the statutes of the realm fill but five
60 executive or the judiciary—the other two
volumes. The legislation under Cromwell
departments of the government.
10 was all repealed; but the bulk, both under
him and after, was far greater. For But before coming down to our great
legislation seems to be considered a mass of legislation here it will be wise to
democratic idea; "judge-made law" to be consider the early English legislation,
thought aristocratic. And so in our 65 especially that part which is alive to-day,
15 republic; especially as, during the or which might be alive to-day. I
Revolution, the sole power was vested in mentioned one moment ago thirty pages
our legislative bodies, and we tried to as possibly containing the bulk of it. I
cover a still wider field, with democratic once attempted to make an abstract of
legislatures dominated by radicals. Thus 70 such legislation in early England as is
20 at first the American people got the significant to us to-day in this country;
notion of law-making; of the making of not the merely political legislation, for
new law, by legislatures, frequently ours is a sociological study. We are
elected; and in that most radical period of concerned with those statutes which
all, from about 1830 to 1860, the time of 75 affect private citizens, individual rights,
25 "isms" and reforms—full of people who men and women in their lives and
wanted to legislate and make the world businesses; not matters of state, of the
good by law, with a chance to work in king and the commons, or the constitution
thirty different States—the result has of government. Except incidentally, we
been that the bulk of legislation in this 80 shall not go into executive or political
30 country, in the first half of the last questions, but the sociological—I wish
century, is probably one thousandfold the there were some simpler word for it—let
entire law-making of England for the five us say, the human legislation; legislation
centuries preceding. And we have by no that concerns not the government, the
means got over it yet; probably the output 85 king, or the state, but each man in his
35 of legislation in this country to-day is as relations to every other; that deals with
great as it ever was. If any citizen thinks property, marriage, divorce, private
that anything is wrong, he, or she (as it is rights, labor, the corporations,
almost more likely to be), rushes to some combinations, trusts, taxation, rates,
legislature to get a new law passed. 90 police power, and the other great
40 Absolutely different is this idea from the questions of the day, and indeed of all
old English notion of law as something time.
already existing. They have forgotten that
And Parliament did not begin by being a
completely, and have the modern
law-making body. Its legislative functions
American notion of law, as a ready-made
95 were not very active, as they were
45 thing, a thing made to-day to meet the
confined to declaring what the law was;
emergency of to-morrow. They have
more important were its executive and
gotten over the notion that any

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 judicial functions. In modern English 14. Which choice best provides
government, particularly in our own, one evidence for the answer to the
100 of the basic principles is that of the three previous question?
departments, executive, legislative, and A. Lines 14-19 (“And …
judicial; the Norman or Roman theory radicals.”)
rather reposed all power in one; that is, in
B. Lines 23-25 (“and …
the sovereign, commonly, of course, the reforms—")
105 king, the others being theoretically his C. Lines 46-52 (“They …
advisers or servants. In England, to-day, existing;”)
the real sovereign is the Parliament; the D. Lines 81-92 (“I … time.”)
merest shadow of sovereignty is left to
the executive, the king, and none 15. The author states all of the
110 whatever given the judicial branch. In this following EXCEPT:
country we preserve the three branches A. Many early legislations
distinct, though none, not all three remained in public law.
together, are sovereign; it is the people B. Legislation was ideally about
who are that. reforms that would make the
11. The main idea of the passage is world better.
C. Before the 13th century
A. to define legislation and its
English government consisted
characteristics.
of the king, executive
B. the detrimental attributes of parliament, and the judicial
early legislation. department.
C. the difference between D. In modern England, the king
American legislation and is merely a shadow of
English legislation. sovereignty.
D. the connection between the
origin of legislation and its 16. According to the passage, how was
transformation in modern law. legislation viewed in the early
centuries?
12. As used in line 50, “enact” most
nearly means A. It was welcomed by the
monarchy ruling at the time.
A. present. B. Legislation was an essential
B. act. factor to the aristocratic class.
C. perform.
C. It was frowned upon because
D. pass. of its self-governing
13. The author appeals to the reader by characteristics.
using D. It hindered the formation of
A. inclusive language. modern laws in America.
B. metaphors. 17. Which choice best provides
C. scientific evidence. evidence for the answer to the
D. italicized terms. previous question?
A. Lines 1-2 (“Parliament …
century;”)
B. Lines 11-14 (“For …
aristocratic.”)
C. Lines 19-23 (“Thus …
elected;”)
D. Lines 42-46 (“They … to-
morrow.”)

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18. The passage is most likely written
for
A. experienced historians
conducting research.
B. high school students studying
social studies.
C. someone searching for basic
information on the magna
carta.
D. someone preparing a
presentation to their local
community on past English
laws.
19. As used in line 103, “reposed”
most nearly means
A. lied.
B. rested.
C. placed.
D. reclined.
20. The graphic serves to
A. contradict the objective of
legislation mentioned in the
passage.
B. impose a subjective opinion of
legislation and its effects.
C. create a timeline that supports
the passage.
D. add new information to build
on the key ideas in the
passage.

Magna Carta
Source: Unknown

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 Passage 1, The Minds and Manners of fence, and divide it into as many corrals
Wild Animals: A Book of Personal as there are species to be experimented
Observation by Hornaday, discusses his upon. Each corral would need a shelter
methodology used to understand an ape’s house and indoor playroom. The stage
mind. Passage 2, taken from Anecdotes 45 properties should be varied and abundant,
of the Habit and Instinct of Animals by and designed to stimulate curiosity as
Mrs. R. Lee, discusses her close personal well as activity.
examination of monkeys. Somewhere in the program I would try to
Passage 1 teach orang-utans and chimpanzees the
50 properties of fire, and how to make and
In the study of animal minds, much
tend fires. I would try to teach them the
depends upon the method employed. It
seed-planting idea, and the meaning of
seems to me that the problem-box method
seedtime and harvest. I would teach
of the investigators of "animal behavior"
sanitation and cleanliness of habit,—a
5 leaves much to be desired. Certainly it is
55 thing much more easily done than most
not calculated to develop the mental
persons suppose. I would teach my apes
status of animals along lines of natural
to wash dishes and to cook, and I am sure
mental progression. To place a wild
that some of them would do no worse
creature in a great artificial contrivance,
than some human members of the
10 fitted with doors, cords, levers, passages
60 profession who now receive $50 per
and what not, is enough to daze or
month, or more, for spoiling food.
frighten any timid animal out of its
normal state of mind and nerves. To put a In one corral I would mix up a
wild sapajou monkey,— weak, timid and chimpanzee, an orang-utan, a golden
15 afraid,—in a strange and formidable baboon and a good-tempered rhesus
prison box filled with strange machinery, 65 monkey. My apes would begin at two
and call upon it to learn or to invent years old, because after seven or eight
strange mechanical processes, is like years of age all apes are difficult, or even
bringing a boy of ten years up to a four- impossible, as subjects for peaceful
20 cylinder duplex Hoe printing-and-folding experimentation.
press, and saying to him: "Now, go ahead 70 I would try to teach a chimpanzee the
and find out how to run this machine, and
difference between a noise and music,
print both sides of a signature upon it." between heat and cold, between good
The average boy would shrink from the food and bad food.
25 mechanical monster, and have no
Passage 2
stomach whatever for "trial by error."
That monkeys enjoy movement, that they
I think that the principle of determining 75 delight in pilfering, in outwitting each
the mind of a wild animal along the lines other and their higher brethren—men;
of the professor is not the best way. It that they glory in tearing and destroying
30 should be developed along the natural the works of art by which they are
lines of the wild-animal mind. It should surrounded in a domestic state; that they
be stimulated to do what it feels most 80 lay the most artful plans to affect their
inclined to do, and educated to achieve purposes, is all perfectly true; but the
real mental progress. terms mirthful and merry, seem to me to
35 I think that the ideal way to study the be totally misapplied, in reference to their
minds of apes, baboons and monkeys feelings and actions; for they do all in
would be to choose a good location in a 85 solemnity and seriousness. Do you stand
tropical or sub- tropical climate that is under a tree, whose thick foliage
neither too wet nor too dry, enclose an completely screens you from the sun, and
40 area of five acres with an unclimbable you hope to enjoy perfect shade and

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 repose; a slight rustling proves that 21. Why does the author repeat
90 companions are near; presently a broken “strange” several times in lines 13-
twig drops upon you, then another, you 18?
raise your eyes, and find that hundreds of A. He does so because only
other eyes are staring at you. In another “strange” can express the
minute you see the grotesque faces to
author’s opinion.
95 which those eyes belong, making B. It is to support the problem-
grimaces, as you suppose, but it is no box method.
such thing, they are solemnly C. It is used to contradict the
contemplating the intruder; they are not previous statement on animal
pelting him in play, it is their business to
mental health.
100 drive him from their domain. Raise your D. It is used to emphasize how
arm, the boughs shake, the chattering unnatural the proposed
begins, and the sooner you decamp; the situation is.
more you will shew your discretion.
22. It can most reasonably be inferred
Watch the ape or monkey with which you
from Passage 1 that it is preferred
105 come into closer contact; does he pick up that an animal is studied in a mock
a blade of grass, he will examine it with natural habitat because
as much attention as if he were
determining the value of a precious stone. A. they should be kept in the wild
Do you put food before him, he tucks it to preserve their rights.
110 into his mouth as fast as possible, and B. it is the only way to study
when his cheek pouches are so full that animal behavior patterns.
they cannot hold any more, he looks at C. animal behavior is more likely
you as if he seriously asked your approval to reflect their innate state of
of his laying up stores for the future. If he being.
115 destroy the most valuable piece of glass D. it is far from a prison-like
or china in your possession, he does not structure.
look as if he enjoyed the mischief, but 23. Which choice best provides
either puts on an impudent air, as much as evidence for the answer to the
to say, "I don't care," or calmly tries to let previous question?
120 you know he thought it his duty to
destroy your property. Savage, violent A. Lines 13-23 (“To … it.”)
and noisy are they when irritated or B. Lines 24-26 (“The …error.”)
disappointed, and long do they retain the C. Lines 29-34 (“It … progress.”)
recollection of an affront. I once annoyed D. Lines 35-43 (“I … upon.”)
125 a monkey in the collection of the Jardin 24. In Passage 1, the author most
des Plantes, in Paris, by preventing him likely uses an analogy in lines 13-
from purloining the food of one of his 26 in order to
companions; in doing which I gave him a
knock upon his paws. It was lucky that A. draw similarities between a
130 strong wires were between us, or he human boy and a wild
would probably have hurt me severely in monkey.
his rage. B. bring to light the author’s idea
in another perspective that
appeals to the reader.
C. show how equally weak
humans and animals are.
D. expose the complexity of
modern machinery.

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25. It can most reasonably be inferred 30. One difference between the
from Passage 2 that the author uses information described in both
passages is that, unlike the author
A. a narrative style to relay
of Passage 2, Hornaday focuses on
observation.
B. statistical evidence to support A. experimental teaching rather
her data. than observation.
C. subjective evaluation of B. statistics rather than behavior.
former information. C. objective criticism rather than
D. objective analysis of a subjective evaluation.
monkey’s behavior. D. mindful behavior rather than
26. Which choice best provides instinct.
evidence for the answer to the 31. As used in line 76, “higher” most
previous question? nearly means
A. Lines 74-76 (“That … men;”) A. elevated.
B. Lines 85-93 (“Do … you.”) B. unreasonable.
C. Lines 104-105 (“Watch … C. evolved.
contact;”) D. grand.
D. Lines 121-124 (“Savage …
affront.”)

27. As used in line 26, “stomach” most

nearly means
A. taste.
B. tummy.
C. insides.
D. desire.
28. In Passage 1, the author’s
perception of animals can best be
described as
A. sheer astonishment.
B. patient understanding.
C. silent awe.
D. persistent disgust.
29. The author of Passage 1 and the
author of Passage 2 share which
view point?
A. Animals should be observed
in their natural habitat.
B. Apes are aggressive when
confronted.
C. Apes are one of the few
animals who can be taught
right from wrong.
D. Most animals need to be
confined in order to be
observed.

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 The following edited passage is taken 45 stratagems of war, are impartially related
from The Lives of the Poets of Great on both sides.
Britain and Ireland by Theophilus Cibber His daughter, our authoress, received an
on the poetess, Ms. Manley, and her education suitable to her birth, and gave
father Sir Roger Manley. very early discoveries of a genius, not
The celebrated authoress of the Atalantis, 50 only above her years, but much superior
was born in Hampshire, in one of those to what is usually to be found amongst
islands which formerly belonged to her own sex. She had the misfortune to
France, of which her father Sir Roger lose her mother, while she was yet an
5 Manley was governor; who afterwards infant, a circumstance, which laid the
enjoyed the same post in other places in 55 foundation of many calamities, which
England. He was the second son of an afterwards befell her.
ancient family; the better part of his estate The brother of Sir Roger Manley, who
was ruined in the civil war by his firm was of principles very opposite to his,
10 adherence to Charles I. He had not the joined with the Parliamentarian party; and
satisfaction of ever being taken notice of,
60 after Charles I had suffered, he engaged
nor was his loyalty acknowledged at the with great zeal in the cause of those who
restoration. The governor was a brave were for settling a new form of
gallant man, of great honour and government, in which, however, they
15 integrity. were disappointed by the address of
He became a scholar in the midst of the 65 Cromwell. During these heats and
camp, having left the university at the age divisions, Mr. Manley, who adhered to
of sixteen, to follow the fortunes of the most powerful party, was fortunate
Charles I. His temper had too much of the enough to amass an estate, and purchased
20 Stoic in it to attend much to the interest of a title; but these, upon the restoration,
his family. After a life spent in the civil 70 reverted back to the former possessor; so
and foreign wars, he began to love ease that he was left with several small
and retirement, devoting himself to his children unprovided for. The eldest of
study, and the charge of his little post, these orphans, Sir Roger Manley took
25 without following the court; his great under his protection, bestowed a very
virtue and modesty, debarring him from 75 liberal education on him, and
soliciting favours from such persons as endeavoured to inspire his mind with
were then at the helm of affairs, his other principles, than those he had
deserts were buried, and forgotten. In this received from his father. This young
30 solitude he wrote several tracts for his gentleman had very promising parts, but
own amusement. One Dr. Midgley, an 80 under the appearance of an open
ingenious physician, related to the family simplicity, he concealed the most
by marriage, had the charge of looking treacherous hypocrisy. Sir Roger, who
over his papers. Amongst them he found had a high opinion of his nephew's
35 that manuscript, which he reserved to his honour, as well as of his great abilities,
proper use, and by his own pen, and the 85 on his death-bed bequeathed to him the
assistance of some others, continued the care of our authoress, and her youngest
work till the eighth volume was finished, sister.
without having the honesty to This man had from nature a very happy
40 acknowledge the author of the first. address, formed to win much upon the
The governor likewise wrote the History 90 hearts of unexperienced girls; and his two
of the Rebellion in England, Scotland and cousins respected him greatly. He placed
Ireland; wherein the most material them at the house of an old, out-of-
passages, battles, sieges, policies, and fashion aunt; she was full of the heroic
stiffness of her own times, and would

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 95 read books of Chivalry, and Romances 36. In lines 47-48, the author mentions
with her spectacles. that Ms. Manley “received an
education suitable to her birth”
This sort of conversation, much infected
meaning
the mind of our poetess, and filled her
imagination with lovers, heroes, and A. her education reflected her
100 princes; made her think herself in an father’s higher standing in
enchanted region, and that all the men society.
who approached her were knights errant. B. her education reflected the
In a few years the old aunt died, and left limitations set upon women of
the two young ladies without any control; her time.
105 which as soon as their cousin Mr. Manley C. her education was minimal
heard, he hasted into the country, to visit and only given to her at a
them; appeared in deep mourning, as he young age.
said for the death of his wife. D. her education surpassed her
32. The main idea of this passage is peers in most subjects.

A. introducing the different facets 37. According to his actions, Sir Roger
of Sir Roger Manley’s life and Manley’s character can best be
its influences. described as
B. evaluating Ms. Manley’s A. complacent and willing.
upbringing as a future poet. B. unrelenting and
C. discussing gender roles in pre- confrontational.
modern Britain. C. cold and withdrawn.
D. emphasizing the importance of D. nourishing and supportive.
wealth for one’s education. 38. Which choice best provides
33. As used in line 24, “charge” most evidence for the answer to the
nearly means previous question?
A. fee. A. Lines 10-13 (“He …
B. responsibility. restoration.”)
C. accusation. B. Lines 16-19 (“He … Charles
D. onslaught. I.”)
34. Sir Roger Manley’s work was C. Lines 72-78 (“The … father.”)
plagiarized by which of the D. Lines 88-90 (“This … girls;”)
following persons? 39. As used in line 69, “title” most
A. Charles I nearly means
B. Dr. Midgley A. publication.
C. his daughter B. property.
D. his nephew C. label.
35. Which choice best provides D. profession of.
evidence for the answer to the
previous question?
A. Lines 16-19 (“He … Charles
I.”)
B. Lines 34-40 (“Amongst …
first.”)
C. Lines 52-56 (“She … her.”)
D. Lines 78-82 (“This …
hypocrisy.”)

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40. How does the last paragraph relate
to the rest of the passage?
A. It gives further evidence of the
influences in Ms. Manley’s
upbringing.
B. It contrasts Mr. Manley’s
character to his uncle’s.
C. It focuses solely on Ms.
Manley’s aunt in comparison
to Sir Roger Manley.
D. It negates the previous
paragraphs on Sir Roger
Manley’s honor,
41. Which of the following was NOT
mentioned in the passage?
A. Sir Roger Manley spent his
past time writing.
B. Sir Roger Manley’s daughter
exceeded her peers in
education.
C. Sir Roger Manley’s daughter
was greatly affected by her
aunt’s taste in her early age.
D. Mr. Manley mourned the loss
of his uncle and honored his
death.
42. The author’s tone throughout the
passage is one of
A. suspicion.
B. indifference.
C. pride.
D. objectivity.

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 The following edited passage is taken without any apparent immersion. In the
from The Chemistry, Properties and first case, the stones will be much
Tests of Precious Stones by Jon Mastin heavier than 3.2981; in the second, the
on the specific gravity of stones. stones will be about 3.50; in the third
50 and fourth instances, the stones will be
The fixing of the specific gravity of a
about the same specific gravity as the
stone also determines its group position
liquid, whilst in the fifth, they will be
with regard to weight; its colour and
much lighter, and thus a rough but
other characteristics defining the actual
tolerably accurate isolation may be
5 stone. This is a safe and very common
55 made.
method of proving a stone, since its
specific gravity does not vary more than On certain stones being extracted and
a point or so in different specimens of placed in other liquids of lighter or
the same stone. There are several ways denser specific gravity, as the case may
10 of arriving at this, such as by weighing be, their proper classification may easily
in balances in the usual manner, by 60 be arrived at, and if the results are
displacement, and by immersion in checked by actual weight, in a specific
liquids the specific gravity of which are gravity balance, they will be found to be
known. fairly accurate. The solution commonly
used for the heaviest stones is a mixture
15 Cork is of less specific gravity than
65 of nitrate of thallium and nitrate of
water, therefore it floats on the surface
silver. This double nitrate has a specific
of that liquid, whereas iron, being
gravity of 4.7963, therefore such a stone
heavier, sinks. So that by changing the
as zircon, which is the heaviest known,
liquid to one lighter than cork, the cork
will float in it. For use, the mixture
20 will sink in it as does iron in water; in
70 should be slightly warmed till it runs
the second instance, if we change the
thin and clear; this is necessary, because
liquid to one heavier than iron, the iron
at 60° (taking this as ordinary
will float on it as does cork on water,
atmospheric temperature) it is a stiff
and exactly as an ordinary flat-iron will
mass. A lighter liquid is a mixture of
25 float on quicksilver, bobbing up and
75 iodide of mercury in iodide of
down like a cork in a tumbler of water.
potassium, but this is such an extremely
If, therefore, solutions of known but
corrosive and dangerous mixture, that
varying densities are compounded, it is
the more common solution is one in
possible to tell almost to exactitude the
which methylene iodide is saturated
30 specific gravity of any stone dropped
80 with a mixture of iodoform until it
into them, by the position they assume.
shows a specific gravity of 3.601; and
Thus, if we take a solution of pure
by using the methylene iodide alone, in
methylene iodide, which has a specific
its pure state, it having a specific gravity
gravity of 3.2981, and into this drop a
of 3.2981, the stones to that weight can
35 few stones selected indiscriminately, the
85 be isolated, and by diluting this with
effect will be curious: first, some will
benzole, its weight can be brought down
sink plump to the bottom like lead;
to that of the benzole itself, as in the
second, some will fall so far quickly,
case of Sonstadt's solution. This
then remain for a considerable time
solution, in full standard strength, has a
40 fairly stationary; third, some will sink
90 specific gravity of 3.1789, but may be
very slowly; fourth, some will be
weakened by the addition of distilled
partially immersed, that is, a portion of
water in varying proportions till the
their substance being above the surface
of the liquid and a portion covered by it; weight becomes almost that of water.
45 fifth, some will float on the surface

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January 2021
 This is especially appreciated when it is 44. The passage is mostly likely
95 remembered that so far science has been written for an audience that
unable (except in very rare instances of A. solely wants the basic
no importance) to manufacture any approach of calculating
stone of the same colour as the genuine specific gravity.
and at the same time of the same B. has years of professional
100 specific gravity. Either the colour and
experience in measuring
characteristics suffer in obtaining the specific gravity for liquids
required weight or density, or if the and stones.
colour and other properties of an C. seeks methods of defining
artificial stone are made closely to specific gravity of stones.
105 resemble the real, then the specific D. understands the definition of
gravity is so greatly different, either specific gravity.
more or less, as at once to stamp the
jewel as false. 45. As used in line 56, “extracted”
most nearly means
A. derived.
B. removed.
C. evolved.
D. obtained.
46. According to the second
paragraph, if a stone is dropped
into a defined liquid gravity and
it submerges bit by bit, then it can
be assumed that
A. the stone has a higher
specific gravity than the
Measuring Specific Gravity
liquid’s.
Source: Unknown B. the stone has nearly the same
43. The main idea of the passage is specific gravity as the
liquid’s.
A. to provide evidence for C. the liquid’s specific gravity
methods of acquiring the is moderately lower than the
specific gravity of a stone in stone’s.
a liquid. D. the liquid’s specific gravity
B. to assess the colour and other is significantly higher than
attributes of a stone to define the stone’s.
it.
C. a cork’s relation to water and 47. The graphic illustrates the main
its specific gravity. idea of which paragraph?
D. to discuss the effect of A. first paragraph
temperature on specific B. second paragraph
gravity. C. third paragraph
D. fourth paragraph

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January 2021
48. Which of the following is NOT 52. Which choice best provides
mentioned in the passage? evidence for the answer to the
previous question?
A. Corks have a lower specific
gravity than water. A. Lines 56-63 (“On …
B. Depending on the stone’s accurate.”)
specific gravity in relation to B. Lines 66-69 (“This … it.”)
the liquid’s, the stone either C. Lines 74-82 (“A … 3.601;”)
submerges at different rates D. Lines 88-93 (“This …
or stays afloat. water.”)
C. Colour may be compromised
when a stone is being
manufactured.
D. Using liquids to calculate a
stone’s specific gravity is
unreliable.

49. Which choice best provides

evidence for the answer to the
previous question?
A. Lines 18-20 (“So … water;”)
B. Lines 32-36 (“Thus …
curious:”)
C. Lines 56-63 (“On …
accurate.”)
D. Lines 94-100 (“This …
gravity.”)
50. As used in line 101, “suffer” most
nearly means
A. hurt.
B. are affected by.
C. experience.
D. permit.
51. It can most reasonably be inferred
that the use of a dense liquid
A. will weigh down the stones
when weakened.
B. is a dangerous mixture and
less common.
C. gives the most accurate
results.
D. allows for the heaviest stones
to be tested.

16
January 2021