ACCESS Reading Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A sign in a school hallway reads: 'No running. No shouting. Keep hallways clear.' What type of text is this?
- A personal narrative
- A set of rules or directions (Correct answer)
- A fictional story
- A persuasive essay
Correct answer: A set of rules or directions
The sign gives instructions about expected behavior, making it a set of rules or directions.
Question 2: Read this sentence: 'The thunderstorm was so severe that school was dismissed early.' What caused school to be dismissed early?
- A holiday
- A sports event
- A severe thunderstorm (Correct answer)
- A power outage
Correct answer: A severe thunderstorm
The word 'because' (implied by 'so...that') links the severe thunderstorm as the cause of early dismissal.
Question 3: A student reads two articles. Article 1 says wolves help ecosystems. Article 2 says wolves are dangerous to livestock. What is the BEST way to use both articles?
- Ignore one article and only use the other
- Accept Article 1 because it was written first
- Use both to understand different perspectives on wolves (Correct answer)
- Only use Article 2 because it is more recent
Correct answer: Use both to understand different perspectives on wolves
Reading multiple sources with different viewpoints helps build a fuller, more balanced understanding of a topic.
Question 4: The word 'migrate' appears in this sentence: 'Every autumn, monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles to warmer climates.' What does 'migrate' mean?
- Build a new home
- Travel seasonally to another place (Correct answer)
- Hibernate underground
- Eat large amounts of food
Correct answer: Travel seasonally to another place
Context clues—'every autumn,' 'thousands of miles,' and 'warmer climates'—indicate migrate means to travel seasonally.
Question 5: A recipe reads: 'Stir the batter until smooth, then pour into a greased pan. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.' What should the cook do LAST?
- Grease the pan
- Stir the batter
- Pour the batter
- Bake in the oven (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Bake in the oven
The steps are given in order: stir, pour, then bake—making baking the last step.
Question 6: A passage says: 'Jada wanted to try out for the soccer team, but she was afraid of failing. She practiced every day and made the team.' What theme does this passage BEST express?
- Soccer is more fun than other sports
- Hard work can help you overcome fear and reach goals (Correct answer)
- Tryouts are always unfair
- Jada was lucky to make the team
Correct answer: Hard work can help you overcome fear and reach goals
Jada's journey from fear to success through daily practice illustrates the theme that effort helps overcome obstacles.
Question 7: A paragraph begins: 'Many students struggle with test anxiety. There are several strategies that can help.' The next sentences most likely will:
- Tell a funny joke about tests
- List strategies to manage test anxiety (Correct answer)
- Explain the history of standardized tests
- Describe what happens when students fail
Correct answer: List strategies to manage test anxiety
The phrase 'several strategies' signals that the following sentences will describe those strategies.
ACCESS Reading Comprehension 3
A sign in a school hallway reads: 'No running.
No shouting.
Keep hallways clear.' What type of text is this?