Accuplacer Practice Test

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The Coral Reefs of the Caribbean
Visualize being submerged in the most (1) absolute silence to contemplate the majestic coral reefs. In the Caribbean Sea there are more than 16 thousand square miles (26 thousand square kilometers) of reefs, also known as “tropical rainforests of the sea” because of their immense biodiversity. Their extravagant, intense colors provide the ideal ecosystem for the over four thousand species of fish and thousands of species of plants that are found there.
Our lives, too, depend on these (2) formations: the coral reefs of the Caribbean protect the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean nations from hurricanes. Their enormous structures weaken the force of the storms before they arrive to the coasts, acting as natural barriers. They also protect beaches from erosion and are a refuge for many species of (3) endangered animals.
In the far eastern periphery of Cuba, the María la Gorda reef stands out from the others. In this highly protected zone, there are more than 20 species of corals that form (4) subterranean “mountain ranges”, caves, and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the reefs in the Caribbean are in danger due to acts of destruction. Coastal construction and water pollution cause the water to cloud, which in turn takes away the light that the coral needs to survive. Other enemies to the coral are uncontrolled fishing, (5) excessive tourism, and the collecting of coral by scuba divers. Some experts say that 70% of the coral will disappear in some 40 years. If you are lucky enough to visit these coral reefs, please protect them. Their future depends on us.



The word “excessive”, bolded after the (5) in the fourth paragraph, is closest in meaning to
  1. Insufficient
  2. Proportionate
  3. Moderate
  4. Too much
Explanation
Answer: D - The word “excessive” on the third line of the last paragraph is closest in meaning to “too much”. As suggested in the passage, too much tourism is an enemy to the coral reefs. It is often that tourists contribute to water pollution and other acts of destruction. Answer A is the opposite of excessive. Answer B means “the right amount” which is not close in meaning to excessive. Answer C suggests that the rate of tourism at coral reefs is reasonable, but we know from the passage that it is one of the causes of the reef’s endangerment.
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