​THE CAWTHRA PARK LIBRARY
ALL ARE WELCOME
SAMPLE TEST, SECTION C: Reading
Read the selection below and answer the questions that follow it.
Ontario 's Agawa Canyon Train Tour welcomes visitors aboard comfortable coaches for one of the most spectacular train excursions in North America. Departing from Sault Ste. Marie, the Algoma Central Railroad 's one-day wilderness excursion takes passengers 180 kilometers northwards, over towering trestles, alongside unspoiled northern lakes and rivers, and through the awesome granite rock formations and mixed forests of the Canadian Shield. This scenery inspired the Group of Seven to paint some of Canada 's most notable landscape art. The rugged land shows little evidence of the Ojibway, fur traders, lumberjacks and prospectors who lived here in earlier times. After a few hours, the train coasts 150 meters down to the floor of the Agawa Canyon where passengers spend two hours experiencing the rugged beauty up close, including four sets of waterfalls and a breathtaking lookout. The train excursions are especially popular during autumn when Algoma country is ablaze with colour. The Snow Train 's passengers can experience the majestic power and beauty of a Canadian winter as they journey through panoramic views, snow- laden trees and waterfalls transformed into fantastic ice sculptures. In any season, the spectacular scenery provides photographers with many opportunities to capture on film the magnificence of the rugged Canadian landscape.
Reprinted courtesy The Toronto Star Syndicate.
Picture copyright © Elmer Kars/ACRI.
Multiple Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on the Student Answer Sheet.)
1. Why is the Agawa Canyon Train Tour especially popular during autumn?
A The rates are cheaper.
B The landscape is colourful.
C The temperature is more comfortable.
D The tours will soon stop for the winter.
2. Which of the following had the most lasting impact on the Agawa Canyon?
A railroads
B prospecting
C the fur trade
D the lumber industry
3. Why does the author describe the county as "ablaze" with colour?
A The canyon has been on fire in the past.
B The colours are similar to those seen in a fire.
C They set the trees on fire.
D The colours are ablazing.
4. What are "towering trestles"?
A long hair.
B fencing that controls the growth of flowers.
C large support beams that hold the train tracks off the canyon floor.
D large trees that climb high into the air along portions of the Agawa Canyon.
5. A painter or a photographer would be most inspired by:
A the towering trestles
B the granite rock formations
C the 150-metre descent
D the 180-kilometre journey
6. "The rugged land shows little evidence of the Ojibway, fur traders, lumberjacks and
prospectors who lived here in earlier time." The commas in this sentence are used to:
A separate the items
B emphasize the items
C give the reader time to think
D create a list
7. What ideas connect the first and last sentences?
A photography
B rock climbing
C train rides
D the Canadian/Ontario landscape
Written Answers (Answer in full and correctly written sentences)
8. Would you like to take a trip on the Agawa Canyon Train Tour? Use information from this selection
and your own ideas to support your answer.
9. Summarize this selection. Include a main idea and one point that supports it.
Rough notes
Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored
Answers
1. Why is the Agawa Canyon Train Tour especially popular during autumn?
A The rates are cheaper.
B The landscape is colourful.
C The temperature is more comfortable.
D The tours will soon stop for the winter.
2. Which of the following had the most lasting impact on the Agawa Canyon?
A railroads.
B prospecting.
C the fur trade.
D the lumber industry.
3. Why does the author describe the county as "ablaze" with colour?
A The canyon has been on fire in the past.
B The colours are similar to those seen in a fire.
C They set the trees on fire.
D The colours are ablazing.
4. What are "towering trestles"?
A long hair.
B fencing that controls the growth of flowers.
C large support beams that hold the train tracks off the canyon floor.
D large trees that climb high into the air along portions of the Agawa Canyon.
5. A painter or a photographer would be most inspired by:
A the towering trestles
B the granite rock formations
C the 150-metre descent
D the 180-kilometre journey
6. "The rugged land shows little evidence of the Ojibway, fur traders, lumberjacks and
prospectors who lived here in earlier time." The commas in this sentence are used to:
A separate the items
B emphasize the items
C give the reader time to think
D create a list
7. What ideas connect the first and last sentences?
A photography
B rock climbing
C train rides
D the Canadian/Ontario landscape
Written Answers (Answer in full and correctly written sentences)
8. Would you like to take a trip on the Agawa Canyon Train Tour? Use information from this selection
and your own ideas to support your answer.
No, I would not like to take a train trip through the Agawa Canyon because it would bore
me to sit for that length of time. I would rather fly in and hike through the area with
the waterfalls.
Comments: The paragraph above answers the question in complete sentences. It gives specific
information from the article (duration of trip and waterfalls) and also gives a personal opinion
(fly in.) Sentences flow well.
9. Summarize this selection. Include a main idea and one point that supports it.
The Agawa Canyon Train Tour is a spectacular one-day wilderness excursion that has
inspired painters and photographers. It is particularly popular in the autumn when the
forest is ablaze with colour.
Comments: The paragraph above summarizes the article in complete sentences. It provides information
from the article. Sentences flow well.