ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension Test 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: 'Sonar technology works by emitting sound waves that bounce off objects and return to the source. The time it takes for the echo to return, combined with the known speed of sound in water, allows operators to calculate the distance to an object.' What does this passage primarily describe? A) The history of underwater exploration B) How sonar calculates the distance to objects C) Why sound travels faster in water than air D) The dangers of underwater navigation
- The history of underwater exploration
- How sonar calculates the distance to objects (Correct answer)
- Why sound travels faster in water than air
- The dangers of underwater navigation
Correct answer: How sonar calculates the distance to objects
The passage explains that sonar uses echo return time and the speed of sound to calculate distance.
Question 2: Read the passage: 'A tourniquet should only be applied as a last resort when a wound is bleeding so severely that it cannot be controlled by direct pressure. Improper or unnecessary tourniquet use can cause permanent nerve and tissue damage.' What is the author's main warning? A) Tourniquets are rarely effective in emergencies B) Direct pressure should never be used on wounds C) Tourniquets should be used carefully and only when necessary D) Nerve damage is the leading cause of battlefield injuries
- Tourniquets are rarely effective in emergencies
- Direct pressure should never be used on wounds
- Tourniquets should be used carefully and only when necessary (Correct answer)
- Nerve damage is the leading cause of battlefield injuries
Correct answer: Tourniquets should be used carefully and only when necessary
The passage warns that tourniquets should be a last resort because misuse causes serious harm.
Question 3: Read the passage: 'The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. Built during World War II, it is one of the world's largest office buildings, housing approximately 23,000 military and civilian employees.' What can be inferred about why the Pentagon was built when it was? A) The military needed a smaller, more efficient workspace B) The large wartime defense workforce required a massive facility C) Congress wanted to create a monument to American power D) The existing military offices had been destroyed in a foreign attack
- The military needed a smaller, more efficient workspace
- The large wartime defense workforce required a massive facility (Correct answer)
- Congress wanted to create a monument to American power
- The existing military offices had been destroyed in a foreign attack
Correct answer: The large wartime defense workforce required a massive facility
Building it during WWII and noting its massive size implies it was needed to house a rapidly expanding wartime workforce.
Question 4: Read the passage: 'Dehydration impairs physical and cognitive performance long before a person feels thirsty. By the time thirst signals appear, the body may already be functioning at a reduced capacity.' What conclusion best follows from this passage? A) Thirst is a reliable early warning system for dehydration B) Cognitive performance is more important than physical performance C) People should drink water before they feel thirsty D) Dehydration only affects physical tasks, not thinking
- Thirst is a reliable early warning system for dehydration
- Cognitive performance is more important than physical performance
- People should drink water before they feel thirsty (Correct answer)
- Dehydration only affects physical tasks, not thinking
Correct answer: People should drink water before they feel thirsty
Since impairment occurs before thirst signals arrive, the logical action is to drink proactively.
Question 5: Read the passage: 'Chain of command refers to the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed within a military unit. Maintaining a clear chain of command ensures accountability and prevents confusion during operations.' The word 'accountability' in this passage most nearly means: A) Speed of communication B) Responsibility for actions C) Physical strength required D) Secrecy of information
- Speed of communication
- Responsibility for actions (Correct answer)
- Physical strength required
- Secrecy of information
Correct answer: Responsibility for actions
In the context of chain of command and authority, accountability means being answerable for one's actions.
Question 6: Read the passage: 'Nuclear-powered submarines can operate for months without surfacing because nuclear reactors do not require oxygen to generate power, unlike diesel engines. This gives them a significant strategic advantage in sustained underwater missions.' What is the key advantage described? A) Nuclear submarines are faster than diesel submarines B) Nuclear submarines can stay submerged for extended periods C) Nuclear reactors are less expensive than diesel engines D) Diesel submarines require more crew members to operate
- Nuclear submarines are faster than diesel submarines
- Nuclear submarines can stay submerged for extended periods (Correct answer)
- Nuclear reactors are less expensive than diesel engines
- Diesel submarines require more crew members to operate
Correct answer: Nuclear submarines can stay submerged for extended periods
The passage states nuclear submarines can operate for months without surfacing, giving them an advantage in sustained missions.
Question 7: Read the passage: 'Camouflage works not only by matching colors to surroundings but also by breaking up the outline of the human body. Predators and enemies detect prey or targets largely by recognizing familiar shapes, so disrupting the body's silhouette is as important as color matching.' What does the passage suggest about detection? A) Color is the only factor that matters in camouflage B) Most detection happens through sound rather than sight C) Shape recognition plays a major role in spotting targets D) Modern camouflage technology has made color irrelevant
- Color is the only factor that matters in camouflage
- Most detection happens through sound rather than sight
- Shape recognition plays a major role in spotting targets (Correct answer)
- Modern camouflage technology has made color irrelevant
Correct answer: Shape recognition plays a major role in spotting targets
The passage explicitly states that disrupting familiar shapes is as important as color matching in avoiding detection.
ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension Test 3
Read the passage: 'Sonar technology works by emitting sound waves that bounce off objects and return to the source.
The time it takes for the echo to return, combined with the known speed of sound in water, allows operators to calculate the distance to an object.' What does this passage primarily describe?
A) The history of underwater exploration
B) How sonar calculates the distance to objects
C) Why sound travels faster in water than air
D) The dangers of underwater navigation