Long Text Comprehension Flashcards

An APTIS passage about education reform argues that 'standardized testing narrows the curriculum and stifles creativity.' What type of claim is this?

Answer: An evaluative argument expressing a critical viewpoint

Words like 'narrows' and 'stifles' are negative value judgments, making this an evaluative argument rather than a neutral fact.

A long text about space exploration states: 'Mars colonization faces formidable obstacles, not least the psychological toll of prolonged isolation.' What does 'not least' signal?

Answer: The psychological toll is one important obstacle among several

'Not least' is a discourse marker meaning 'and importantly,' used to include a significant example without implying it is the only one.

In a passage about public transport, the author shifts from describing problems in paragraph two to proposing solutions in paragraph three. What is the main organizational strategy?

Answer: Problem-solution structure

Moving from identifying problems to proposing solutions is the defining feature of a problem-solution text structure.

A long APTIS reading passage contains a footnote referencing an academic study. What is the most likely reason the author includes this reference?

Answer: To provide evidence and lend credibility to a claim

Authors cite academic studies to substantiate their claims with authoritative, peer-reviewed evidence.

A passage about cultural heritage states that some traditions are 'preserved in amber' by isolated communities. What does this metaphor suggest?

Answer: Traditions are frozen unchanged and protected from outside influence

Amber preserves ancient organisms unchanged, so 'preserved in amber' metaphorically means kept perfectly frozen without alteration.

An APTIS long text uses passive voice repeatedly: 'Mistakes were made,' 'resources were misallocated.' What effect does this create?

Answer: It obscures who is responsible for the described actions

Passive constructions remove the grammatical subject (agent), making it impossible to identify who performed the actions.

In a passage, a paragraph begins: 'To fully appreciate the scale of the problem, consider the following statistics.' What is the function of this sentence?

Answer: To transition into supporting data and signal its interpretive purpose

This sentence is a signposting device that prepares the reader for upcoming data and frames how that data should be understood.