ABLE Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The city council voted unanimously to approve the new budget, though several members expressed reservations about the infrastructure allocations.' What can be inferred about the council members with reservations?
- They voted against the budget
- They approved the budget despite their concerns (Correct answer)
- They abstained from voting
- They proposed a separate budget
Correct answer: They approved the budget despite their concerns
Unanimously means all members voted yes, so those with reservations still voted to approve.
Question 2: Read: 'Unlike her predecessor, who favored aggressive expansion, the new CEO adopted a cautious, measured approach to growth.' The word 'predecessor' most likely refers to:
- A competitor
- The person who held the CEO role before her (Correct answer)
- A board member who advised her
- A future successor
Correct answer: The person who held the CEO role before her
A predecessor is someone who previously held a position or role.
Question 3: A passage says dolphins use echolocation to navigate underwater. Which title best captures the main idea?
- The History of Marine Biology
- How Dolphins Communicate with Humans
- Dolphins' Use of Sound for Navigation (Correct answer)
- The Intelligence of Ocean Animals
Correct answer: Dolphins' Use of Sound for Navigation
The passage specifically discusses echolocation as a navigation tool, making that the most accurate title.
Question 4: A paragraph describes a medical study where Group A received a new drug and Group B received a placebo, and both groups showed similar improvement. What conclusion is best supported?
- The drug is highly effective
- The placebo effect may explain Group A's improvement (Correct answer)
- The study was poorly designed
- Both groups had the same disease severity
Correct answer: The placebo effect may explain Group A's improvement
When both drug and placebo groups improve equally, the placebo effect is a likely explanation.
Question 5: The word 'ambiguous' in a passage about legal contracts most nearly means:
- Clear and precise
- Open to more than one interpretation (Correct answer)
- Legally binding
- Intentionally deceptive
Correct answer: Open to more than one interpretation
Ambiguous means having multiple possible meanings or interpretations.
Question 6: A passage contrasts two historical theories about the fall of Rome. The author presents both viewpoints without stating a preference. This technique is best described as:
- Persuasive writing
- Objective analysis (Correct answer)
- Fictional narrative
- First-person reflection
Correct answer: Objective analysis
Presenting multiple viewpoints without bias or preference is characteristic of objective analysis.
Question 7: Read: 'The athlete trained six hours a day for two years, yet still fell short of qualifying.' The word 'yet' signals what kind of relationship between the two ideas?
- Cause and effect
- Contrast or unexpected result (Correct answer)
- Sequence of events
- Agreement or similarity
Correct answer: Contrast or unexpected result
The word 'yet' introduces a result that contrasts with what the preceding information might lead you to expect.
ABLE Reading Comprehension 2
A passage states: 'The city council voted unanimously to approve the new budget, though several members expressed reservations about the infrastructure allocations.' What can be inferred about the council members with reservations?