CBST CBST Reading Comprehension 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A CBST reading passage states: 'The company implemented new safety protocols after three incidents occurred in one month.' What is the most logical conclusion?
- The incidents prompted the safety changes (Correct answer)
- Safety protocols were already strong
- Three incidents is normal for this company
- The company ignored the incidents
Correct answer: The incidents prompted the safety changes
The word 'after' establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, indicating the incidents directly led to the new protocols.
Question 2: Which reading skill is most important when trying to identify the main idea of a passage?
- Distinguishing key points from supporting details (Correct answer)
- Memorizing every fact in the passage
- Reading as fast as possible
- Focusing only on the first sentence
Correct answer: Distinguishing key points from supporting details
The main idea is the central argument or purpose, so you must separate the primary claim from the details that support it.
Question 3: A passage uses the word 'however' to connect two sentences. What does this signal to the reader?
- A contrast or contradiction is coming (Correct answer)
- The ideas are similar
- An example will follow
- A list is being introduced
Correct answer: A contrast or contradiction is coming
'However' is a transitional word that signals a contrast or shift between the previous idea and the upcoming one.
Question 4: When a CBST question asks for the 'best title' of a passage, what should you select?
- A title that captures the overall main idea (Correct answer)
- A title based on the first paragraph only
- The most interesting detail in the passage
- A title with the most specific information
Correct answer: A title that captures the overall main idea
The best title should broadly capture the central topic of the entire passage, not just one part of it.
Question 5: In a workplace safety manual, the phrase 'employees must' is used throughout. What does this language indicate?
- Mandatory requirements that must be followed (Correct answer)
- Suggestions that are optional
- Goals for future improvement
- Descriptions of past practices
Correct answer: Mandatory requirements that must be followed
The word 'must' indicates a mandatory obligation, distinguishing required actions from optional recommendations.
Question 6: A passage describes how a process works step-by-step. Which text structure is being used?
- Sequential/procedural (Correct answer)
- Compare and contrast
- Problem and solution
- Cause and effect
Correct answer: Sequential/procedural
A step-by-step description of how a process works follows a sequential or procedural text structure.
A CBST reading passage states: 'The company implemented new safety protocols after three incidents occurred in one month.' What is the most logical conclusion?