Mock Test – Reading Section – TOEFL

Instructions:
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

The Origins of Agriculture

Agriculture, the practice of cultivating plants and domesticating animals for food production, is considered one of the most significant developments in human history. Before the advent of agriculture, humans lived as hunter-gatherers, relying on wild plants and animals for sustenance. However, around 10,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period, humans began transitioning to farming. This shift, known as the Agricultural Revolution, occurred independently in different regions of the world, including Mesopotamia, China, and Mesoamerica.

One theory for the rise of agriculture is the population pressure hypothesis, which suggests that as human populations grew, the demand for a stable food supply increased, leading to the domestication of crops and animals. Another theory, the climate change hypothesis, argues that changes in global temperatures created more favorable conditions for farming. Additionally, some researchers propose that social and economic factors, such as trade and settlement patterns, played a role in the adoption of agricultural practices.

Regardless of its origins, agriculture brought significant changes to human societies. It allowed for food surpluses, which led to population growth and the development of complex societies. However, it also introduced challenges, such as soil depletion, social inequalities, and dependence on fewer food sources, making societies more vulnerable to environmental changes.

Questions

1. What is the main purpose of the passage?
(A) To explain why hunting and gathering was more efficient than farming
(B) To describe the development and impact of agriculture
(C) To argue that climate change had no effect on early farming
(D) To compare ancient and modern farming techniques

2. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a proposed reason for the development of agriculture?
(A) Population growth
(B) Climate change
(C) The extinction of large mammals
(D) Social and economic factors

3. The phrase “food surpluses” in paragraph 3 most likely means:
(A) A lack of food in a society
(B) An excess amount of food produced
(C) A reliance on hunting for food
(D) The use of food as currency

4. Why does the author mention Mesopotamia, China, and Mesoamerica?
(A) To highlight regions where agriculture independently developed
(B) To argue that agriculture only started in these areas
(C) To show that farming spread from one region to another
(D) To compare farming techniques in different civilizations

5. What is implied about the transition to agriculture?
(A) It was a gradual process with multiple contributing factors
(B) It happened suddenly due to a single environmental event
(C) It was universally accepted by all human societies at the same time
(D) It led to immediate improvements in human health and lifestyle

Answer Key with Explanations:

1. (B) The passage primarily discusses the development and effects of agriculture.
2. (C) The passage does not mention the extinction of large mammals as a reason for agriculture.
3. (B) “Food surpluses” refers to producing more food than needed for immediate consumption.
4. (A) These are regions where agriculture emerged independently.
5. (A) The passage suggests multiple factors contributed to agriculture’s development over time.