TSI Assessment Practice (Reading)

Underwater Volcanoes

• Underwater volcanoes are often overlooked due to their eruptions remaining hidden beneath the ocean's surface.
• These volcanoes can cause massive tidal waves, posing a significant threat to coastal communities.
• The passage emphasizes that despite their dangers, underwater volcanoes receive little public attention.

Oprah Winfrey and Jonathan Franzen Feud

• Oprah Winfrey and Jonathan Franzen reconciled in 2010 after a nine-year conflict regarding his novel, The Corrections.
• Franzen's criticism of the Oprah Book Club stemmed from a sense of pride, viewing his work as high-art and not wanting to associate with what he perceived as inferior choices.
• Winfrey later embraced Franzen by selecting his book Freedom for her club, calling it a "masterpiece."

Noah Webster's Contribution

• Noah Webster is recognized as a significant figure alongside the Founding Fathers due to his influential dictionary.
• His goal was to create an independent "American English," distinct from British standards, demonstrated by his alteration of spellings, such as removing the 'u' from "colour."
• The passage highlights Webster's importance in shaping American language and identity, rather than focusing solely on the Founding Fathers or the specifics of American versus British dictionaries.