TOEFL iBT Practice Test 1 (NINETEENTH-CENTURY POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES)

The word "immeasurably" in the passage is closest in meaning to A. frequently B. greatly C. rapidly D. reportedly B. greatly According to paragraph 1, the presidency of Andrew Jackson was especially significant for which of the following reasons? A. The President granted a portion of his power to the Senate. B. The President began to address the Senate on a regular basis. C. It was the beginning of the modern presidency in the United States. D. It was the first time that the Senate had been known to oppose the President. C. It was the beginning of the modern presidency in the United States. 00:58 01:29 The author mentions "bankers and investors" in the passage as an example of which of the following? A. The Democratic Party's main source of support B. The people that Democrats claimed were unfairly becoming rich C. The people most interested in a return to a simple agrarian republic D. One of the groups in favor of Andrew Jackson's presidency B. The people that Democrats claimed were unfairly becoming rich According to paragraph 3, Whigs believed that commerce and economic development would have which of the following effects on society? A. They would promote the advancement of society as a whole. B. They would cause disagreements between Whigs and Democrats. C. They would supply new positions for Whig Party members. D. They would prevent conflict between farmers and workers. A. They would promote the advancement of society as a whole. According to paragraph 3, which of the following describes the Whig Party's view of the role of government? A. To regulate the continuing conflict between farmers and businesspeople B. To restrict the changes brought about by the market C. To maintain an economy that allowed all capable citizens to benefit D. To reduce the emphasis on economic development C. To maintain an economy that allowed all capable citizens to benefit The word "inclination" in the passage is closest in meaning to A. argument B. tendency C. example D. warning B. tendency According to paragraph 4, a Democrat would be most likely to support government action in which of the following areas? A. Creating a state religion B. Supporting humanitarian legislation C. Destroying monopolies D. Recommending particular moral beliefs C. Destroying monopolies The word "concept" in the passage is closest in meaning to A. power B. reality C. difficulty D. idea D. idea Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 5 about variations in political beliefs within the Whig Party? A. They were focused on issues of public liberty. B. They caused some members to leave the Whig Party. C. They were unimportant to most Whigs. D. They reflected regional interests. D. They reflected regional interests. According to paragraph 6, the Democrats were supported by all of the following groups EXCEPT A. workers unhappy with the new industrial system B. planters involved in international trade C. rising entrepreneurs D. individuals seeking to open the economy to newcomers B. planters involved in international trade Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? lncorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information. A. Whigs were able to attract support only in the wealthiest parts of the economy because Democrats dominated in other areas. B. Whig and Democratic areas of influence were naturally split between urban and rural areas, respectively. C. The semisubsistence farming areas dominated by Democrats became increasingly isolated by the Whigs' control of the market economy. D. The Democrats' power was greatest in poorer areas, while the Whigs were strongest in those areas where the market was already fully operating. D. The Democrats' power was greatest in poorer areas, while the Whigs were strongest in those areas where the market was already fully operating. During Jackson's second term, his opponents had gradually come together to form the Whig Party. (1) Whigs and Democrats held different attitudes toward the changes brought about by the market, banks, and commerce. (2) The Democrats tended to view society as a continuing conflict between "the people"-farmers, planters, and workers-and a set of greedy aristocrats. (3) This "paper money aristocracy" of bankers and investors manipulated the banking system for their own profit, Democrats claimed, and sapped the nation's virtue by encouraging speculation and the desire for sudden, unearned wealth. (4) The Democrats wanted the rewards of the market without sacrificing the features of a simple agrarian republic. They wanted the wealth that the market offered without the competitive, changing society; the complex dealing; the dominance of urban centers; and the loss of independence that came with it. Directions: Look at the part of the passage that is displayed above. The numbers (1), (2), (3) and (4) indicate where the following sentence could be added. This new party argued against the policies of Jackson and his party in a number of important areas, beginning with the economy. Where would the sentence best fit? A. Choice 1 B. Choice 2 C. Choice 3 D. Choice 4 A. Choice 1 Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some answer choices do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points. The political system of the United States in the mid-nineteenth century was strongly influenced by the social and economic circumstances of the time. Answer Choices 1. The Democratic and Whig Parties developed in response to the needs of competing economic and political constituencies. 2. During Andrew Jackson's two terms as President, he served as leader of both the Democratic and Whig Parties. 3. The Democratic Party primarily represented the interests of the market, banks, and commerce. 4. In contrast to the Democrats, the Whigs favored government aid for education. 5. A fundamental difference between Whigs and Democrats involved the importance of the market in society. 6. The role of government in the lives of the people was an important political distinction between the two parties. 1. The Democratic and Whig Parties developed in response to the needs of competing economic and political constituencies. 5. A fundamental difference between Whigs and Democrats involved the importance of the market in society. 6. The role of government in the lives of the people was an important political distinction between the two parties.