PTE reading practice-multiple choice single answer exercise 11

PTE reading practice-multiple choice single answer exercise

Read the text and answer the multiple choice question by selecting the correct response. Only one response is correct.

1.

The attitude of the scientific community towards the unconscious mind has shifted dramatically in recent years. While once viewed as a lazy reservoir of memories and non-task oriented behaviour, the unconscious is now regarded as an active and essential component in the processes of decision making.

Historically, the unconscious mind was considered to be the source of dreams and implicit memory (which allows people to walk or ride a bicycle without consciously thinking about the activity), as well as the storing place for memories of past experiences. But recent research reveals that the unconscious brain might also be an active player in decision-making, problem-solving, creativity and critical thinking. One familiar example of the operation of the unconscious in problem-solving is the well-known phenomenon of the “eureka moment” when a solution to a problem presents itself without the involvement of active thinking.

What would be the most suitable title for the passage?

A. Scientists present new findings about the unconscious mind
B. Our growing understanding of the role of the unconscious
C. How humans solve problems
D. What is a “eureka moment”?

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PTE Reading multiple choice multiple answer practice exercise

PTE READING MULTIPLE CHOICE SINGLE ANSWER SAMPLE 1

PTE READING MULTIPLE CHOICE SINGLE ANSWER SAMPLE 2

2.

Future Shock is a book written by the futurist Alvin Toffler in 1970. In the book, Toffler defines the term “future shock” as a certain psychological state of individuals and entire societies. His shortest definition for the term is a personal perception of “too much change in too short a period of time”. The book became an international bestseller, selling over 6 million copies, and has been widely translated.

Toffler argued that society is undergoing an enormous structural change, a revolution from an industrial society to a “super-industrial society”. This change overwhelms people, he believed, the accelerated rate of technological and social change leaving people disconnected and suffering from “shattering stress and disorientation” – future shocked. Toffler stated that the majority of social problems are symptoms of future shock. In his discussion of the components of such shock he popularized the term “information overload.”

What would be the most suitable title for the passage?

A. A shocking vision of the future.
B.  What is “future shock”?
C.  The career of the futurist Alvin Toffler.
D. A changing society.

3.

Thomas Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. He was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and large-scale teamwork to the process of the invention, and because of that, he is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory. Edison is the fourth most prolific inventor in history, holding 1,093 US patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He is credited with numerous inventions that contributed to mass communication and, in particular, telecommunications.

Choose the best heading for the paragraph from the list below.

A. The creator of the first industrial research laboratory.
B. A pioneering and prolific inventor.
C. Edison’s contribution to mass communication.

PTE reading practice-multiple choice single answer exercise

CLICK FOR ANSWERS
1.B-The aim of this exercise was to show you how you can be tricked into choosing the wrong answer.Answers A and B are very similar, but the passage isn’t really about scientists “presenting” their new findings, so the more general answer (B) is the best choice.2.B is correct.A is wrong because the passage is about people’s reaction to the future, not a particular vision of the future.C is wrong because there is nothing about his whole career.D is too general – the passage is about a specific reaction to change. We really need something about Toffler or future shock in the title.B is the best title because both paragraphs talk about future shock: the first paragraph contains a definition, and the second paragraph explains how future shock can occur.3.B – this is the overall idea of the paragraph. The other answers are too specific.

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9 thoughts on “PTE reading practice-multiple choice single answer exercise 11

  1. Hi Admin,
    Can you please re-check the answers ?
    1. Its all about scientists and researcher’s view on ‘unconscious mind’. How can “Our growing understanding of the role of the unconscious” be correct ?
    2. It is all about Alvin Toffler’s book and his vision, so why can’t “A shocking vision of the future” be the appropriate one ?
    3. I can agree to the one you suggested but “Edison is the fourth most prolific inventor in history”, how can he be ‘A pioneering….’ ?

    1. No, this is too generic. A changing society could mean anything, this is about the speficic term “future shock”. Obvious choice by reading the text, as it is mentioned by name or alluded to 6 times.

  2. I am agreed with sandy’s question for the first questions. How B can be the answer for 1st question. The research and explanation is provided by scientists, and we are seeing it through scientists point of view. ‘WE’ are not involved anywhere.
    Please explain.

  3. A must be correct response to Q1.
    The attitude of the scientific community towards the unconscious mind has shifted dramatically in recent years.
    But recent research reveals that the unconscious brain might also be an active player in decision-making,……..
    Aren’t these sentences suggesting outlook of scientists and not of a general public???
    I am confused! Could you explain it further !

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