Reading Reading Reading

This passage is about a type of paint. 121. What was one reason painters favored ultramarine over
azurite?
Ultramarine is one of two pigments used to create the a. Ultramarine had warmer tones.
color blue in Italian Renaissance paintings. It was preferred
b. Ultramarine looked better with the color gold.
over azurite, the other blue pigment, because it provided
a richer, brighter color that complemented the warm golds
common in fourteenth- and fifteenth-century Italian paintings.
It also resisted fading over time. However, it was ten to fifteen
times more expensive than azurite, oftentimes surpassing gold
azurite have in common?
in price.
a. They were made from lapis lazuli.
The pigment was expensive for several reasons. The b. They were used to make blue paint.
stone it is made from, lapis lazuli, had to be imported into c. They could be more expensive than gold.
Europe from Middle Eastern mines. In fact, ultramarine d. They were very difficult to make.
means “from beyond the sea.” Creating the pigment was also
laborious and time-consuming. First, one needed to grind the 123. What process is described in paragraph two?
stone into powder by hand. Because the powder contained
a. making lapis lazuli
impurities, it was pale gray. This powder was mixed with
b. grinding pigment
melted wax, resins, and oils to form a paste. The paste was
c. making ultramarine
immersed in a special bowl filled with a weak lye solution and
d. grinding azurite
beaten with sticks. This released particles of blue material
which collected at the bottom of this container. The impurities
124. How is the pigment separated from the paste?
a. It is forced out with sticks.
process was repeated at least twice, each time yielding a
lower grade of pigment. In all, only two to three percent of the b. It is pulled out using wax.
stone eventually became pigment. c. It is ground out using stones.
d. It is washed out with a lye solution.
Due to the cost of ultramarine production, people who
wanted paintings made had special contracts written that
specified how much of it would be provided for the painter. To mentioned in contracts?
save on the pigment, painters used it only on the focal points
a. to reduce the cost of the pigment
of paintings, such as the robes of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
b. because contracts prevented the use of azurite
c. because ultramarine was so expensive
d. to specify how ultramarine would be used

24 ECCE Sample Test Form B

 Reading Reading Reading
This passage is about the early history of railroads.
people have about railways?
Rail transportation is often viewed as a development of a. They always relied on engines for power.
the Industrial Revolution in the early 1800s, but should be
b. They first appeared in the 1800s.
viewed more accurately as evolving over a period of several
c. They were created to transport people.
hundred years. The first use of rails in transportation was in
d. They were first used for mining.
the 1500s in Europe. These “rails” were flat wooden boards
hund,
127. How were the first rails different from modern rails?
was moved along the rails through mine tunnels. The name
a. They were made of wood.
hund, German for dog, refers to the barking sound the carts
b. They could be rolled into different positions.
made as they rolled along the underground rails.
c. They were raised above ground level.
By the early 1600s, aboveground wooden railways had d. They were placed alongside existing roads.
been developed in England. Used by the mining industry to
transport coal, these “wagonways” featured vehicles with 128. Why was the first railway cart called a hund?
flanged wooden wheels that ran on raised wooden rails.
a. The first railway carts rode on rails.
The flange, or lip, of the wheel hung over the side of the rail,
b. The first railway carts made a sound like a dog.
keeping the wheel in place. Horses pulled the wagons along
c. The first railway carts carried dogs.
the route. Because the loads were heavy, wagonways usually
d. The first railway carts had roller wheels.
ran downhill from the mine to a river. The horses would then
pull the vehicles back uphill empty.
129. How were wagonways originally used?
Well over a hundred years later, some wagonways were a. to carry goods from river ports to towns
built with rails made of iron. However, the vehicles were still b. to transport loads from mines
hauled by horses, and many routes still used wooden rails c. to replace wooden rails
until the introduction of steam locomotion in the nineteenth
d. to move heavy materials between factories
century. Steam engines proved too heavy for wooden rails
to support. Even some of the early iron rails were not strong 130. Why does the author mention the weight of railway
enough to carry them and split under their massive weight. engines?
a. to identify a problem with early rails
b. to suggest why early railways ran slowly
c. to make a point about the superiority of steam
engines
d. to compare railway engines to other kinds of
engines

ECCE Sample Test Form B 25

A C A Step or a Sprint?
Play Ball with Gerard
Manufacturing Inc.
If you’d like the chance to have fun with your
coworkers while staying fit, look no further than
the office baseball team!
If you want to participate in our company
baseball team, join us for tryouts, which will take
place at Field Park this Thursday the seventh at
6 p.m.
Players with all levels of experience (or none
at all!) are welcome. Games will be held on If you exercise regularly, chances are walking or running play a
Saturdays throughout the season, with optional big part in your fitness routine. But is one of these actually better
practice sessions each Thursday after work. for you than the other? The answer depends on your goals.

If you are looking to get (or stay) thin, running is best. This is not
just because running burns more calories per hour, but because
hunger-reducing hormones are more present after running than
after walking. It seems odd, but studies have shown runners are
less hungry after exercising than walkers.

Walking has its strong points too. One study showed that walking
lowered the risk of heart disease even more than running. Of
course the best choice of all is simply exercising—regardless of
B No Gym Required your method.

D Maximum Effort for Maximum Benefits?

compete at high levels, like
marathon runners or long-distance
bikers, are more at risk for certain
health problems, particularly heart
issues, and may not live as long
as people who exercise at less
vigorous levels.
There is no consensus on exactly
Many with office jobs struggle to find the time how much is too much. Most
and opportunity for regular exercise, but if you scientists agree that it depends
spend most of your day in a chair, it’s even more on the person. But sticking to the
important to maintain a healthy level of activity. general guidelines of 150 minutes
The importance of regular
Here are a few easy ways to boost your fitness! of moderate activity each week is
exercise is stressed by doctors, a good bet. The health benefits of
scientists, and the media. The
or when you’re running errands—the extra that amount of exercise are well
typical message is that we aren’t
steps add up over time! established by science. You may
exercising enough—and many need to exercise more if weight
of us aren’t. But is there such a
rate and tones muscles. If you work in a loss is your goal, but it may be
thing as too much exercise? Can
high-rise, get off the elevator a few floors best to leave extreme endurance
exercise ever be harmful?
early. events like marathons to once a
As it turns out, the saying “all year at most. In other words, it’s
things in moderation” does apply best to exercise every day, but
hour. This helps negate health problems that
come from sitting too long; set a timer on to exercise. Several studies have there’s no need to do so for longer
your computer to remind you. shown that athletes who regularly than an hour each day.

26 ECCE Sample Test Form B

 Reading Reading Reading
Question 131 refers to section A on page 26. Questions 137–139 refer to section D on page 26.

131. Who is this announcement written for? 137. In this passage, what is the phrase all things in
a. professional baseball players moderation used in relation to?
b. residents who live near Field Park a. conducting research
c. people looking for a new job b. competitive sports
d. employees at Gerard Manufacturing Inc. c. physical activity
d. reading about fitness
Questions 132–133 refer to section B on page 26.
138. Why are marathons mentioned?
132. What is the main purpose of this passage?
a. as a suggestion for motivated athletes
a. to discuss a problem at work
b. as a type of competition most people don’t do
b. to encourage physical activity
c. as an activity that has unknown health effects
c. to argue against a policy
d. as an example of extreme exercise
d. to demonstrate a process
139. What does the author say people disagree about?
133. Why is an elevator mentioned?
a. what health benefits moderate exercise has
a. as something helpful
b. at what point exercise becomes harmful
b. as something to avoid
c. the time of day that’s best for exercise
c. as a type of technology
d. the amount of suggested daily activity
d. as a means of transportation
Question 140 refers to two or more sections on page 26.
Questions 134–136 refer to section C on page 26.
140. Which sections refer to outside research?
134. What is the main purpose of this passage?
a. B and D
a. to examine the relationship between exercise and
b. C and D
food
b. to discuss the physical advantages of playing
sports
c. to contrast two activities
d. to describe health risks

135. In the second sentence of paragraph 2, what does this

refer to?
a. running being a good choice
b. exercise being good for you
c. weight loss being hard to maintain
d. food being fuel for activity

136. What opinion does the author express at the end of the
passage?
a. Getting any type of exercise is what matters most.
b. Walking is a better choice than running.
c. Scientists should work to eliminate heart disease.
d. Running is an important part of weight loss.

ECCE Sample Test Form B 27

A C A Recipe for Success
all of these apply to you, the
A World of Cooking Taste of Spain Study Tour
Pablo’s Restaurant hosts a series of is a perfect opportunity to
two-hour cooking workshops. realize your dreams!

Our award-winning chef Emily Winters Our three-week itinerary

cooks dishes from food cultures provides a unique
around the world, including European, combination of Spanish-
Asian, and African cuisines. And language instruction, travel
of course, there will be a lesson on to the most beautiful areas
how to make Pablo’s most popular of Spain, and cooking
Spanish dishes! lessons that cover traditional
Spanish and Basque
Find details and sign up online, by techniques and cuisines.
phone, or ask next time you’re at the Small group instruction and
restaurant. one-on-one feedback aids
Have you always wanted
Discounted package rate for all 12 student learning.
to learn Spanish? Or visit
classes of the series. Don’t wait any longer. At
the beautiful Spanish
Learn from the best! countryside? Or maybe our affordable rates, there’s
you really love traditional no reason to put off the trip
Spanish cuisine? If any or of a lifetime!

B This Week’s Shopping List D Basque in It

Spain is known worldwide for

that recognition is thanks to

Basque cuisine. The Basque
are an ethnic group whose
traditional territory is primarily
in northern Spain but also
extends into southern France.
Basque cuisine is a distinct and
important part of the Basque
culture, and luckily for the rest
of the world, it’s delicious.

Love to cook cuisines from other countries but Basque cuisine leans heavily on what’s in season and what’s
can’t find all the items on your grocery list? Check local: fish straight from the ocean, mushrooms from the woods,
out my tips for getting the ingredients you need! vegetables from Basque farms. The highlight of Basque
cuisine is its focus on using the highest quality ingredients and
often devote an aisle to foods from around combining them in original, flavorful recipes.
the world.
If you visit San Sebastian, Spain (also known as Donostia),
a Basque food hotspot, you can hop from restaurant to
includes neighborhoods with strong ties to
other countries, visit those stores to find restaurant like the locals do. Be sure to sample small dishes
great foreign foods. called pintxos. Wherever you visit, you’ll likely see someone
asking the chef for whatever’s best that day, rather than
food online and have it delivered right to your requesting specific menu items.
door.
Basque cuisine is popular in several parts of the world, with
Don’t forget to visit my blog next week for more many restaurants serving pintxos or traditional Basque dinners.
food-lover tips and for ideas for dishes you never We owe this to several notable chefs who’ve taken an interest
imagined trying to make! in Basque cuisine and to Basque emigrants in other countries
who have shared a taste of their homeland.

28 ECCE Sample Test Form B

 Reading Reading Reading
Question 141 refers to section A on page 28. Questions 146–148 refer to section D on page 28.

141. What is said about Emily Winters? 146. What is the main focus of this passage?
a. She wants Pablo’s to serve different cuisines. a. popular world cuisines
b. She owns Pablo’s. b. interesting restaurants
c. She has trained in many countries. c. the food of a certain culture
d. She has been recognized for her ability. d. new styles for traditional food

Questions 142–143 refer to section B on page 28. 147. Why might people in San Sebastian restaurants order
something that wasn’t on the menu?
142. What is the main purpose of this passage?
a. to try something new
a. to explain where to find certain foods
b. to get the freshest food
b. to show how ethnic foods became widely popular
c. to order what they like most
c. to recommend different international cuisines
d. to show they know the chef’s speciality
d. to summarize the ingredients for a specific recipe
148. In the last sentence of paragraph 4, what does their
143. What will the author most likely include in her blog next
refer to?
week?
a. Basque cooks
a. directions to her favorite store
b. Basque people
b. recipes for international dishes
c. restaurant owners
c. an interview with a famous chef
d. people who visit Spain
d. a review of her favorite restaurant
Questions 149–150 refer to two or more sections on
Questions 144–145 refer to section C on page 28. page 28.
144. In the last sentence of paragraph 2, what does aids 149. How does section C differ from the other sections?
mean?
a. It was written for a specific audience.
a. provides
b. It mentions language learning.
b. helps
c. It offers specific cooking techniques and tips.
c. follows
d. It discusses traveling to different countries.
d. describes
150. What do all four sections imply?
145. What is the purpose of the last sentence?
a. Increasing numbers of people are learning to cook.
a. to give suggestions on enjoyable activities
b. International foods are popular with many people.
b. to encourage people to participate
c. Ethnic restaurants are expanding their business.
c. to provide a tip for traveling safely
d. Basque food is difficult to make.
d. to show where to get more information

ECCE Sample Test Form B 29