OET READING EXERCISE 01

IDENTIFY THE REFERENT

1. Research has shown that regular exercise has numerous health benefits. In a study published in 2018, researchers discovered that individuals who engaged in consistent physical activity experienced lower rates of cardiovascular disease. This finding underscores the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle. However, it remains unclear whether other factors, such as diet or genetics, also contribute to these positive outcomes.

What does the word ‘this’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Regular exercise
B. Health benefits
C. Lower rates of cardiovascular disease
D. Consistent physical activity

2. The scientists conducted a series of experiments to examine the effects of caffeine on cognitive function. Their findings revealed that participants who consumed caffeine before a memory task performed significantly better than those who did not. This suggests that caffeine has a positive impact on memory. However, it is still unclear whether long-term caffeine consumption has any detrimental effects on overall brain health.

What does the word ‘those’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Participants who consumed caffeine
B. Participants who did not consume caffeine
C. Effects of caffeine on cognitive function
D. Memory task

3. Recent studies have shown that exposure to natural light can improve mood and increase productivity. Researchers conducted an experiment where participants were exposed to either natural or artificial light while performing a task. The group exposed to natural light demonstrated higher levels of engagement and reported feeling happier compared to the group exposed to artificial light. However, it remains uncertain whether the positive effects of natural light persist over prolonged periods or vary based on individual factors.

What does the pronoun “it” refer to?
A. Exposure to natural or artificial light
B. Higher levels of engagement
C. Feeling happier
D. The group exposed to natural light

4. In a study investigating the effects of music on sleep quality, participants were randomly assigned to listen to either classical music or white noise before bedtime. The results showed that individuals who listened to classical music experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality compared to those who listened to white noise. However, it is still unclear whether different genres of music have varying effects on sleep and whether the positive effects persist over time.

What does the word ‘those’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Individuals who listened to classical music
B. Individuals who listened to white noise
C. Effects of music on sleep quality
D. The study investigating the effects of music on sleep quality

5. A recent survey examined the relationship between social media use and mental well-being among teenagers. The findings indicated that excessive social media consumption was associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. However, the study did not establish a causal relationship, leaving it uncertain whether social media use directly causes mental health issues or if there are underlying factors contributing to this association.

What does the word ‘it’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Excessive social media consumption
B. Higher levels of anxiety and depression
C. Relationship between social media use and mental well-being
D. The recent survey examining the relationship between social media use and mental well-being

6. Researchers conducted a study to investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction. The results revealed that participants who engaged in regular mindfulness meditation experienced a significant decrease in perceived stress levels. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are solely due to mindfulness meditation or if other factors, such as lifestyle changes or placebo effects, also play a role.

What does the word ‘these’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Participants who engaged in regular mindfulness meditation
B. Significant decrease in perceived stress levels
C. Effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction
D. The study investigating the effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction

7. A research team examined the impact of video game violence on aggressive behavior in children. The findings indicated that exposure to violent video games was associated with increased levels of aggression. However, it is still uncertain whether other factors, such as parental influence or preexisting aggressive tendencies, contribute to this relationship or if video game violence alone is responsible.

What does the word ‘this’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Exposure to violent video games
B. Increased levels of aggression
C. Impact of video game violence on aggressive behavior
D. The research team’s examination of the impact of video game violence on aggressive behavior

8. In a study investigating the effects of caffeine on athletic performance, athletes were randomly assigned to consume either a caffeinated or non-caffeinated beverage before a physical endurance test. The results showed that participants who consumed the caffeinated beverage demonstrated improved performance compared to those who did not. However, it remains unclear whether the performance enhancement is solely due to caffeine or if other factors, such as increased alertness or placebo effects, also contribute.

What does the word ‘those’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Participants who consumed the caffeinated beverage
B. Participants who did not consume the caffeinated beverage
C. Effects of caffeine on athletic performance
D. The study investigating the effects of caffeine on athletic performance

9. Scientists conducted a study to examine the effects of sugar consumption on weight gain. The results indicated that individuals who consumed high amounts of sugar had a higher likelihood of gaining weight compared to those who consumed low amounts of sugar. However, it is still uncertain whether other factors, such as overall diet quality or physical activity levels, interact with sugar consumption to influence weight gain or if sugar consumption alone is the primary determinant.

What does the word ‘it’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. High amounts of sugar consumption
B. Higher likelihood of gaining weight
C. Effects of sugar consumption on weight gain
D. The study examining the effects of sugar consumption on weight gain

10. In a recent study investigating the impact of screen time on children’s sleep patterns, researchers found that increased screen time before bedtime was associated with disrupted sleep and delayed sleep onset. However, it remains unclear whether the observed effects are solely due to screen time or if other factors, such as content viewed or evening routines, also contribute to sleep disturbances.

What does the word ‘whether’ refer to in the previous sentence?
A. Increased screen time before bedtime
B. Disrupted sleep and delayed sleep onset
C. Impact of screen time on children’s sleep patterns
D. The recent study investigating the impact of screen time on children’s sleep patterns.

<<- OET READING SAMPLE 08

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