Question 13 - Next Generation Reading Practice Test for the ACCUPLACER Test

From Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis

(1) He was still hurriedly thinking all this through, unable to decide to get out of the bed, when the clock struck quarter to seven. (2) There was a cautious knock at the door near his head. (3) “Gregor”, somebody called – it was his mother – “it’s quarter to seven. (4) Didn’t you want to go somewhere?” (5) That gentle voice! (6) Gregor was shocked when he heard his own voice answering, it could hardly be recognised as the voice he had had before. (7) As if from deep inside him, there was a painful and uncontrollable squeaking mixed in with it, the words could be made out at first but then there was a sort of echo which made them unclear, leaving the hearer unsure whether he had heard properly or not. (8) Gregor had wanted to give a full answer and explain everything, but in the circumstances contented himself with saying: “Yes, mother, yes, thank-you, I’m getting up now.”