TOEFL® Reading Practice Questions (2026)

We know from drawings that have been preserved in caves for over 10,000 years that early humans performed dances as a group activity. We mi___[1] think th__[2] prehistoric peo___[3] concentrated on__[4] on ba___[5] survival. How____[6], it i_[7] clear fr__[8] the rec___[9] that dan____[10] was important to them. They recorded more drawings of dances than of any other group activity. Dances served various purposes, including ritualistic communication with the divine, storytelling, and social cohesion.

The human brain is a complex organ responsible for controlling all bodily functions and enabling thought, emotion, and memory. It i_[1] divided in__[2] several reg__[3], each wi__[4] specific ro___[5]. The cerebrum, i__[6] largest pa_[7], is invo____[8] in cogn_____[9] functions su__[10] as reasoning, planning, and language. The cerebellum coordinates movement and balance, while the brainstem controls vital bodily functions like breathing and heart rate. Together, they enable the brain to perform its various tasks.

Very young children cannot recognize themselves in a mirror; they usually achieve this milestone around 18 months of age. The ability to recognize oneself in the mirror is considered to be a key component of self-awareness and consciousness for humans. But what about animals?

For many years, scientists have known that members of the great ape family could recognize themselves in mirrors. They measured this by the "mirror test," which involved putting a colored mark on an ape's body, and then showing the ape its reflection in a mirror. If the ape tried to remove the mark on its own body, the scientists knew that the ape was recognizing its reflection.

Apes are close relatives of humans, but in recent years, scientists have discovered that other animals also pass the "mirror test." Elephants and dolphins have shown signs of self-recognition. These, like apes, are highly intelligent animals. But in a more recent experiment, a type of fish called the cleaner fish tried to scrape a mark off its body when it saw itself in the mirror. This suggests that even less intelligent animals may possess more self-awareness than previously suspected.

The paradox of choice, a concept popularized by psychologist Barry Schwartz, suggests that more options can lead to less satisfaction. While the freedom to choose is fundamental to consumer culture, an overabundance of choices from groceries to electronics can overwhelm individuals, causing anxiety and decision fatigue. This paradox implies that the vast array of possibilities available today might actually diminish consumer contentment, as the fear of making the wrong choice looms large.

Research supports this notion. In an experiment, psychologist Sheena Iyengar found that shoppers were more likely to purchase jam when offered 6 varieties instead of 24. The limited selection eased the decision process, reducing the pressure to find the 'perfect' option and making the experience more enjoyable. This phenomenon reveals that fewer choices can sometimes make consumers happier, which is a valuable insight for marketers and retailers aiming to boost satisfaction by curating their offerings.

The paradox also has broader implications. In individualistic cultures, where personal choice is highly valued, the burden of decision-making can be significant. Conversely, collectivist cultures, which often provide fewer choices, report higher levels of contentment. This dynamic suggests that understanding cultural differences in consumer psychology can help businesses optimize their product strategies and enhance overall well-being.