CBEST Reading: Comprehension and Research 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A research passage states: 'Nine out of ten dentists recommend this toothpaste.' Without additional context, a critical reader should question:
- The chemical ingredients of the toothpaste
- Who conducted the survey and how dentists were selected (Correct answer)
- Whether toothpaste is necessary for dental health
- The number of teeth the average person has
Correct answer: Who conducted the survey and how dentists were selected
Without knowing the survey's methodology and sample selection, the statistic cannot be properly evaluated for bias or reliability.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the difference between skimming and scanning a text?
- Skimming finds specific details; scanning gives a general overview
- Skimming gets a general overview; scanning searches for specific information (Correct answer)
- Skimming is slower and more thorough; scanning skips paragraphs
- Skimming and scanning mean the same thing in reading research
Correct answer: Skimming gets a general overview; scanning searches for specific information
Skimming involves reading quickly for the main idea, while scanning involves searching for a specific word, fact, or detail.
Question 3: Read this excerpt: 'The report was thorough, exhaustive, and comprehensive.' The author's use of three similar adjectives is an example of:
- Foreshadowing
- Redundancy used for rhetorical emphasis (Correct answer)
- Cause and effect structure
- Figurative language
Correct answer: Redundancy used for rhetorical emphasis
Using multiple synonymous words together is a rhetorical technique to stress a point, even though it is technically redundant.
Question 4: A passage's conclusion begins: 'In light of the evidence presented above...' This phrase signals that the author is about to:
- Introduce a new counterargument
- Summarize and draw conclusions based on prior evidence (Correct answer)
- Ask the reader a reflective question
- Define a key term used in the passage
Correct answer: Summarize and draw conclusions based on prior evidence
Phrases like 'in light of the evidence' signal a summary or conclusion that synthesizes the information already presented.
Question 5: Which of the following sentences contains a context clue that BEST helps define the word 'benevolent'?
- She had a benevolent nature.
- He was known as benevolent to his neighbors.
- The benevolent donor gave generously to the food bank every year. (Correct answer)
- Her benevolent actions surprised everyone.
Correct answer: The benevolent donor gave generously to the food bank every year.
The detail 'gave generously to the food bank every year' provides a concrete example that clarifies benevolent means kind and charitable.
Question 6: A student is writing a research paper and finds two sources that contradict each other. The BEST next step is to:
- Use only the source that agrees with the thesis
- Ignore both sources since they disagree
- Investigate additional sources to determine which is better supported (Correct answer)
- Combine both sources as if they agree
Correct answer: Investigate additional sources to determine which is better supported
Consulting additional credible sources helps determine which claim has stronger evidence and is the appropriate research strategy.
Question 7: The passage states: 'Rising sea levels pose an existential threat to coastal cities.' The word 'existential' in this context most nearly means:
- Philosophical and abstract
- Relating to existence or survival (Correct answer)
- Economically challenging
- Temporary and manageable
Correct answer: Relating to existence or survival
In this context, 'existential threat' means a threat to the very existence or survival of coastal cities.
CBEST Reading: Comprehension and Research 5
A research passage states: 'Nine out of ten dentists recommend this toothpaste.' Without additional context, a critical reader should question: