CBEST Reading: Critical Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage argues: 'Schools that adopted the new math curriculum saw test scores rise. Therefore, the curriculum is the reason scores improved.' Which additional information would most weaken this conclusion?
- The curriculum was expensive to implement
- A new standardized test was introduced the same year (Correct answer)
- Some teachers opposed the curriculum change
- Students in those schools enjoy math
Correct answer: A new standardized test was introduced the same year
A simultaneous change in the test itself could explain score changes independently of the curriculum, undermining the causal link.
Question 2: Which sentence uses connotation most effectively to create a negative impression of a politician?
- Senator Cruz voted on the bill last Tuesday.
- Senator Cruz cast her vote regarding the bill.
- Senator Cruz rammed the controversial bill through despite public outcry. (Correct answer)
- Senator Cruz participated in the legislative process.
Correct answer: Senator Cruz rammed the controversial bill through despite public outcry.
'Rammed through' and 'despite public outcry' carry strongly negative connotations, framing the action as aggressive and undemocratic.
Question 3: An author writes a passage about climate change using only statistics from a single oil company's report. A critical reader should question the:
- Clarity of the writing style
- Source bias and credibility of the data (Correct answer)
- Length of the passage
- Grammar and punctuation used
Correct answer: Source bias and credibility of the data
Relying on data from a financially interested party raises serious concerns about bias and the objectivity of the evidence.
Question 4: The following paragraph begins: 'First, consider the economic impact. Second, examine the social consequences. Finally, weigh the environmental costs.' This organizational structure is best described as:
- Cause and effect
- Problem and solution
- Enumeration / sequential listing (Correct answer)
- Compare and contrast
Correct answer: Enumeration / sequential listing
Signal words like 'first,' 'second,' and 'finally' indicate the author is listing a sequence of points for consideration.
Question 5: A reader is trying to distinguish between a fact and an opinion. Which of the following is a fact?
- Shakespeare was the greatest writer who ever lived.
- Hamlet is a more compelling play than Macbeth.
- Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. (Correct answer)
- English literature would be lesser without Shakespeare's contributions.
Correct answer: Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564.
A birthplace and birth year can be verified through historical records, making this a fact rather than a subjective judgment.
Question 6: A passage uses the phrase 'a Herculean effort' to describe a community cleanup project. The author intends this phrase to convey:
- That the workers were trained athletes
- That the task required extraordinary strength and effort (Correct answer)
- That the project was related to Greek mythology
- That the cleanup was completed quickly
Correct answer: That the task required extraordinary strength and effort
The allusion to Hercules, known for tremendous feats, signals that the effort required was exceptionally demanding.
Question 7: An author concludes an essay with: 'If we do not act now, our children will inherit a world beyond saving.' The primary rhetorical strategy used here is:
- An appeal to logic with statistical evidence
- An appeal to emotion using urgency and fear (Correct answer)
- An appeal to authority citing expert opinion
- An appeal to tradition referencing past practices
Correct answer: An appeal to emotion using urgency and fear
The author invokes fear about children's future to motivate readers emotionally rather than providing logical evidence.
CBEST Reading: Critical Analysis 3
A passage argues: 'Schools that adopted the new math curriculum saw test scores rise.
Therefore, the curriculum is the reason scores improved.' Which additional information would most weaken this conclusion?