Timed Reading — TOEFL Academic

1. What is light pollution?
   A temporary increase in nighttime brightness caused by seasonal weather patterns
   Extra artificial light that affects the natural environment
   A type of chemical released by electric lighting systems
   
   
2. What can people in many parts of the world no longer do because of city lights?
   Use artificial lighting to extend their nighttime working hours
   Sleep properly and undisturbed through the night
   See the stars in the night sky
   
   
3. Why do newborn sea turtles sometimes move toward streetlights instead of the ocean?
   Because they cannot see color, they are drawn to any light source of equal intensity.
   Streetlights produce a color of light that resembles moonlight.
   They instinctively move toward the brightest point.
   
   
4. How do migratory birds use stars during their journeys?
   They use star patterns as seasonal cues to begin their migration.
   They use stars as reference points to navigate at night.
   They use stars to measure altitude during flight.
   
   
5. What happens to birds that are disoriented by city lights?
   They adapt and begin using the lit buildings as new navigation points.
   They change their migration routes to avoid bright areas.
   They circle lit buildings for hours.
   
   
6. Why does the decline of insects matter beyond insects themselves?
   Insects are being replaced by predators that are more destructive to the ecosystem.
   Insects are a critical food source for many other animals
   Insects help filter pollutants from rivers and soil.
   
   

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Directions: Choose the word or phrase closest in meaning to each bold word or expression in the passage.

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Directions: This is designed as a reading activity. However, you can also listen to the text.

Voice #1