ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension 5 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage and answer the question. "The atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature changes with altitude. The troposphere is the lowest layer and contains about 75% of the atmosphere's mass and almost all of its weather. Above it lies the stratosphere, which contains the ozone layer that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation." According to the passage, the ozone layer is located in the:
- Troposphere
- Mesosphere
- Stratosphere (Correct answer)
- Thermosphere
Correct answer: Stratosphere
The passage states the stratosphere contains the ozone layer that absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
Question 2: Read the passage and answer the question. "Morse code is a method of encoding text characters as sequences of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). Developed in the 1830s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail, it was widely used for long-distance communication via telegraph. Although largely replaced by modern technology, Morse code is still taught to amateur radio operators and remains a recognized international distress signalāSOS." Why does the passage say Morse code is still relevant today?
- It is the primary communication method used in the U.S. military
- It is faster than modern digital communication methods
- It is taught to amateur radio operators and used as an international distress signal (Correct answer)
- It has been adopted as a universal computer programming language
Correct answer: It is taught to amateur radio operators and used as an international distress signal
The passage states Morse code is still taught to amateur radio operators and remains an international distress signal.
Question 3: Read the passage and answer the question. "A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties that creates mutual obligations enforceable by law. For a contract to be valid, it typically requires an offer, acceptance of that offer, and consideration (something of value exchanged by each party). Without all three elements, an agreement may not be legally enforceable." According to the passage, which element is NOT required for a valid contract?
- An offer
- Acceptance
- Consideration
- A witness signature (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A witness signature
The passage lists offer, acceptance, and consideration as required elements; a witness signature is not mentioned.
Question 4: Read the passage and answer the question. "Peer pressure is the influence exerted by a peer group on its members to conform to group norms, behaviors, or values. While often associated with negative behaviors such as drug use, peer pressure can also be positiveāencouraging individuals to study harder, exercise more, or engage in community service. Awareness of peer pressure helps individuals make more conscious and independent choices." The passage suggests that peer pressure can be:
- Only a negative force that leads to harmful behaviors
- Both negative and positive depending on the group's norms (Correct answer)
- Easily eliminated by avoiding all social groups
- A purely imaginary concept that has little real influence
Correct answer: Both negative and positive depending on the group's norms
The passage explicitly states peer pressure can be negative but also positive, such as encouraging studying or community service.
Question 5: Read the passage and answer the question. "The North Star, also called Polaris, has been used for navigation for centuries because it remains nearly stationary in the night sky, always pointing toward geographic north. Unlike other stars that appear to move across the sky as Earth rotates, Polaris sits almost directly above Earth's northern rotational axis. Sailors and explorers relied on it before modern GPS technology was available." Why is the North Star particularly useful for navigation?
- It is the brightest star visible from Earth
- It changes position to track the movement of ships
- It remains nearly stationary and always points toward geographic north (Correct answer)
- It is only visible during winter months in the Northern Hemisphere
Correct answer: It remains nearly stationary and always points toward geographic north
The passage states Polaris is useful for navigation because it remains nearly stationary and always points toward geographic north.
Question 6: Read the passage and answer the question. "Inflation refers to the general increase in prices of goods and services over time, which results in a decrease in the purchasing power of money. When inflation is high, each dollar buys less than it did before. Central banks, such as the U.S. Federal Reserve, use tools like adjusting interest rates to help control inflation and stabilize the economy." According to the passage, what is the effect of high inflation on the purchasing power of money?
- It increases the value of each dollar
- It has no effect on how much goods and services cost
- It decreases purchasing power so each dollar buys less (Correct answer)
- It causes banks to print more money to compensate
Correct answer: It decreases purchasing power so each dollar buys less
The passage states high inflation decreases purchasing power, meaning each dollar buys less than it did before.
Question 7: Read the passage and answer the question. "Adaptation refers to the process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment over many generations through natural selection. Traits that improve survival and reproduction are passed on more frequently, while less helpful traits become less common. Over long periods of time, these accumulated changes can result in the formation of new species." According to the passage, what happens to traits that improve survival and reproduction?
- They gradually disappear as the environment changes
- They are passed on more frequently over generations (Correct answer)
- They make members of a species identical to one another
- They cause immediate, rapid changes within a single generation
Correct answer: They are passed on more frequently over generations
The passage states that traits improving survival and reproduction are passed on more frequently through natural selection.
ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension 5
Read the passage and answer the question.
"The atmosphere is divided into several layers based on temperature changes with altitude.
The troposphere is the lowest layer and contains about 75% of the atmosphere's mass and almost all of its weather.
Above it lies the stratosphere, which contains the ozone layer that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation."
According to the passage, the ozone layer is located in the: