TOEFL - READING COMPREHENSION

 

READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE CAREFULLY 

   

         John and Emily lived in a small, peaceful village surrounded by lush forests and meadows. Their favorite pastime was exploring the woods, uncovering hidden treasures in the form of wildflowers, mushrooms, and sometimes, even old, forgotten trinkets left behind by generations before them.

         One sunny morning, John and Emily decided to venture deeper into the forest than ever before. Armed with a picnic basket, they embarked on their adventure. The forest felt enchanting with dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. They wandered deeper, following a meandering stream, the soft murmur of water providing a soothing background melody.

         As they walked further, Emily spotted a peculiar tree, its bark adorned with intricate carvings of various animals. Fascinated, they examined the carvings, trying to decipher their meaning. Was it a map, or perhaps a message from a long-lost traveler?

        Their curiosity led them on a quest to learn more about the carvings. They asked the village elder, who explained that these carvings were indeed a map, passed down through generations. It led to a hidden grove where rare, vibrant flowers bloomed, rumored to possess magical properties.

         With the map in hand, John and Emily set out early the next day, eager to find the hidden grove. They followed the symbols, which marked the path with precision. After hours of trekking, they stumbled upon the grove, a burst of color amidst the emerald forest. The flowers were indeed extraordinary, bathed in ethereal hues and radiating an otherworldly glow.

          While Emily was admiring the blooms, John spotted a shimmering pond nearby. As he approached, he noticed his reflection looked different; he had transformed into a bird! Emily was startled but then realized she had become a fox. They had indeed found a magical place.

          But time passed differently in the grove. When they returned to their village, they were greeted with astonishment. To John and Emily, it had felt like hours, but in reality, they had been gone for years. The once-small village had grown, and the world had changed.

Now, choose the right answers from the following options.

1: What is John and Emily's favorite pastime?

A) Swimming

B) Exploring the woods

C) Playing video games

D) Watching TV

2: What did they discover on their adventure?

A) A hidden treasure chest

B) A magical ring

C) An enchanted grove with rare flowers

D) A secret tunnel

3: What did the carvings on the tree represent?

A) Random patterns

B) The history of the village

C) A map to the hidden grove

D) Messages from birds

4: How did John and Emily change in the grove?

A) They became older

B) They turned into animals

C) They learned magic

D) They became invisible

5: How much time had passed in the village while John and Emily were in the grove?

A) Minutes

B) Days

C) Years

D) Centuries