FAQs
How many questions are on the CRC section of the TSI?
a. 48
b. 945
c. 30
d. 67
c. 30
"The blizzard caused a paralyzing effect; cars spun out, roads were sealed, and no one left."
What does paralyzing mean?
a. Refreshing
b. Dangerous
c. Disabling
d. Directional
c. Disabling
What is redundancy in writing?
a. Adding a sentence to clarify
b. Using two quotes from a source
c. Repeating the same idea with different words
d. Including evidence from multiple sources
c. Repeating the same idea with different words
Passage 1 says social media "connects people instantly." Passage 2 says it “increases loneliness.” What’s true?
a. The authors completely agree.
b. The authors emphasize different impacts.
c. The authors describe different platforms.
d. The authors use the same tone.
b. The authors emphasize different impacts.
For generations, the Sidama people have passed down small plots, often no larger than a few acres, ensuring that each harvest reflects the care and skill of those who tend it. While global demand for Sidama coffee has increased, many growers still choose traditional methods, rejecting chemical fertilizers in favor of composted leaves, animal manure, and other locally available organic materials gathered from surrounding landscapes and carefully prepared according to time-honored practices.
The passage suggests that the Sidama coffee growers-
a. value preserving traditional agricultural practices
b. avoid selling coffee outside Ethiopia
c. grow coffee primarily for personal use
d. have recently begun using chemical fertilizers
a. value preserving traditional agricultural practices
What is the minimum passing score on the essay section of the TSI?
Scale: 0-8
5
"Unlike his usual cheerful mood, Marcus was morose today." What does morose mean in this context?
a. Talkative
b. Grumpy
c. Silly
d. Polite
b. Grumpy
Why does off topic content weaken an essay?
a. It adds strong emotional appeal
b. It connects the reader to new topics
c. It makes an essay less creative
d. It distracts from the main idea
d. It distracts from the main idea
Passage 1: Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, made history when he invited Booker T. Washington and his family to the White House for dinner.
Passage 2: Theodore Roosevelt left a legacy that significantly shaped the trajectory of the United States. In the Progressive Era, he maintained a deliberate government intervention in the economy that was sometimes essential to prevent exploitation of the poor by the wealthy.
The authors of Passage 1 and Passage 2 would most likely agree that
a. Roosevelt’s most important accomplishment was breaking up large corporate monopolies.
b. Roosevelt’s conservation policies permanently changed the American landscape.
c. Roosevelt’s leadership reflected progressive values aimed at improving society.
d. Roosevelt’s pursuit of power was driven by his dissatisfaction with other politicians.
c. Roosevelt’s leadership reflected progressive values aimed at improving society.
Two authors write about electric vehicles. One promotes convenience, the other criticizes costs. What contrasts most?
a. Their research style
b. Their views on governing laws
c. Their intended audience
d. Their perspective on benefits
d. Their perspective on benefits
True or False: If you do not pass even one section of the TSI, you have to retake the entire test?
False. You will retake the section of the test you did not pass (CRC or Essay)
(1) A widespread myth, long propagated and accepted by many, claims that blood inside the human body is blue and only turns red upon exposure to oxygen. (2) This false idea is largely based on the appearance of veins beneath pale skin.
As used in sentence 1, “propagated” most nearly means
a. refuted
b. spread
c. reflected
d. proved
b. spread
Which sentence weakens the clarity or flow the most?
(1) Learning a new language improves memory and brain function over time. (2) This happens because the brain must switch between different rule systems. (3) Social media can be useful for finding native speakers to practice with. (4) Bilingual people often show stronger skills in reasoning and decision-making.
(3) Social media can be useful for finding native speakers to practice with.
Two authors disagree about using social media in schools. What should you compare?
a. Their attitudes through word choices
b. Their writing length and structure
c. Their reasons and supporting evidence
d. Their social media use and history
c. Their reasons and supporting evidence
Which is the best decision regarding the underlined portion of sentence 5 (reproduced below)?
Today it remains an iconic landmark, attracting millions of visitors each year, still standing tall after all these years.
a. Leave it as it is.
b. Revise it to “continuing to stand as a lasting symbol of endurance.”
c. Revise it to “standing tall, tall, and strong, even now.”
d. DELETE it and end the sentence with a period.
b. Revise it to “continuing to stand as a lasting symbol of endurance.”
What are the benefits of passing the TSI and being considered "College-Ready"?
Name at least 2 benefits.
1. CCMR graduation requirement met
2. Dual Credit Enrollment
3. You skip extra (non-credit) classes in college
(1) In recent years, Filipino artists and historians have worked to revitalize Baybayin, a pre-colonial script nearly erased during Spanish rule. (2) This ancient writing system, once etched onto bamboo and palm leaves, represented more than language—it expressed identity, heritage, and independence.
As used in the first sentence, “revitalize” most nearly means
a. return to a former glory
b. criticize an old tradition
c. remove outdated customs
d. simplify a language system
a. return to a former glory
Which sentence best improves the flow between these two ideas?
Sentence 1: Many people now track their daily habits using digital apps.
Sentence 2: Users say the data helps them stay more consistent and motivated.
a. These apps are also promoted by influencers on popular social media platforms.
b. As a result, many users feel more accountable to their personal goals.
c. However, some people argue that tracking habits can lead to obsessive behavior.
d. Developers of these apps are constantly updating features and designs for users.
b. As a result, many users feel more accountable to their personal goals.
Passage 1: “Electric cars reduce emissions to slow climate change.” Passage 2: “Electric cars rely on pollution-causing power sources.”
What is the main difference between the two passages?
a. The main difference is the type of vehicle each author prefers.
b. The main difference is how long the sentences are.
c. The main difference is the stance each author takes on the issue.
d. The main difference is the evidence they use to support the topic.
c. The main difference is the stance each author takes on the issue.
High-altitude glacier treks in the Himalayas, once the domain of elite climbers, now draw droves of recreational tourists lured by curated images of pristine “untouched” landscapes. Ironically, these very visitors hasten the degradation they claim to revere—trampling rare alpine flora, scattering microplastics, and overloading fragile ecosystems. Proponents argue that ecotourism raises awareness and funds for conservation, but critics denounce it as a performative gesture cloaked in sustainability jargon. To what extent can commodified wonder coexist with preservation?
Does the author agree with the idea that glacier tourism is having a positive effect on the Himalayas?
a. Yes, because it’s promoting environmental awareness among travelers.
b. Yes, since glaciers are naturally resilient to human activity anyway.
c. No, the author argues it's contributing to long-term environmental damage.
d. No, the author believes the positive effects are only temporary.
c. No, the author argues it's contributing to long-term environmental damage.
True or False: You can use the dictionary on the TSI.
False. Use context clues to help you determine the meaning of a word.
(1) In the Ashanti culture of Ghana, Kente cloth is not merely decorative but communicates authority, philosophy, and status, with its woven patterns encoding messages specific to the weaver’s intent. (2) Originating in royal courts, Kente was traditionally worn exclusively by kings during sacred ceremonies. (3) Today, although commercialized globally, authentic Kente remains an emblem of ancestral reverence and cultural continuity. (4) The intricate process of production, requiring disciplined coordination and symbolic knowledge, has preserved its significance, as the cloth remains a recognizable artifact of identity despite its commodification.
As used in the last sentence, “commodification” most nearly means
a. Honoring an object’s sacred meaning in rituals
b. Turning a cultural item into a commercial product
c. Creating woven symbols to express cultural values
d. Restricting an item from being used by outsiders
b. Turning a cultural item into a commercial product
Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence.
A more reasonable assumption, however, is that the massive sarsen stones were moved by the employment of a combination of ropes, sleds, log rollers, and human muscle power.
a. Insert “them” before “employment”
b. Replace “were” with “they would have been”
c. Replace “the employment of” with “employing”
d. Insert “is to assume” before “however”
c. Replace “the employment of” with “employing”
________________________________________
A more reasonable assumption, however, is that the massive sarsen stones were moved by employing a combination of ropes, sleds, log rollers, and human muscle power.
Author A says: “Fast food harms health.”
Author B says: “It’s fine in moderation.”
What question compares their arguments?
a. Who is older?
b. How do their diets differ?
c. How does B respond to A’s claim?
d. Which food chain do they prefer?
c. How does B respond to A’s claim?
The systematic dismissal of Indigenous agricultural wisdom has robbed the world of sustainable solutions it desperately needs. Nowhere is this more evident than in southern Mexico, where the Zapotec people have practiced the milpa system for centuries—a dynamic intercropping method that grows maize, beans, and squash in harmony. Rather than acknowledge its ecological genius, modern agricultural institutions continue to champion monocultures and synthetic fertilizers, erasing ancestral knowledge in favor of profit-driven “efficiency.” The milpa isn’t primitive; it is a resilient, low-impact strategy that nourishes soil, supports biodiversity, and reflects a worldview rooted in balance, not exploitation. To ignore such systems is not only shortsighted—it is a form of environmental arrogance masquerading as progress.
Which word best describes the author’s attitude toward traditional Zapotec culture?
a. Disparaging
b. Defiant
c. Reverent
d. Neutral
c. Reverent