CCAT CCAT - Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Passage: 'The report concluded that expanding the highway would reduce commute times by an average of 14 minutes. Critics argued that induced demand would eventually negate these gains within five years.' What is the critics' main concern?
- The highway expansion will cost too much money
- New traffic generated by the expansion will eliminate time savings (Correct answer)
- The 14-minute estimate is scientifically inaccurate
- Commuters do not need faster commutes
Correct answer: New traffic generated by the expansion will eliminate time savings
Induced demand refers to new traffic created by increased road capacity, which critics say will cancel out the time savings.
Question 2: Passage: 'All applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in a related field OR have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience. Candidates with both qualifications will be given priority consideration.' Which applicant does NOT meet the minimum requirements?
- An applicant with a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field and six years of relevant experience
- An applicant with a bachelor's degree in a related field and no work experience
- An applicant with four years of relevant experience and no degree (Correct answer)
- An applicant with both a related degree and seven years of experience
Correct answer: An applicant with four years of relevant experience and no degree
Four years of experience falls short of the five-year minimum, and no degree is mentioned, so this applicant meets neither requirement.
Question 3: Passage: 'The author contends that modern journalism prioritizes speed over accuracy. She cites multiple incidents where outlets published unverified claims that were later retracted.' The author's argument is primarily supported by:
- A theoretical framework about media economics
- Specific documented examples of publication errors (Correct answer)
- Survey data from journalists about their priorities
- An analysis of publication deadlines over time
Correct answer: Specific documented examples of publication errors
The author 'cites multiple incidents' — specific documented examples — as evidence for her claim.
Question 4: Passage: 'Membership fees fund 60% of the organization's operating budget. Donations account for 30%, and the remaining 10% comes from merchandise sales.' If the total operating budget is $500,000, how much comes from donations?
- $30,000
- $50,000
- $150,000 (Correct answer)
- $300,000
Correct answer: $150,000
30% of $500,000 = $150,000 in donations.
Question 5: Passage: 'The factory switched from coal to natural gas, reducing its carbon emissions by 40%. Despite this improvement, the facility remains one of the top ten highest-emitting plants in the region.' What can be inferred about regional emissions?
- The factory now has zero carbon emissions
- Other regional plants emit very little by comparison
- Regional emissions overall are quite high (Correct answer)
- The switch to natural gas had no measurable effect
Correct answer: Regional emissions overall are quite high
If this plant, after a 40% reduction, still ranks in the top ten highest emitters, the region's total emissions must be substantial.
Question 6: Passage: 'The lease agreement states that tenants must provide 60 days' written notice before vacating. Failure to do so results in forfeiture of the security deposit.' A tenant who gives only 30 days' notice should expect:
- A prorated refund of their security deposit
- Loss of their security deposit (Correct answer)
- A warning with no financial penalty
- An automatic lease extension for 30 days
Correct answer: Loss of their security deposit
The passage explicitly states that insufficient notice results in 'forfeiture of the security deposit.'
Question 7: Passage: 'While proponents claim the supplement boosts cognitive function, the three studies cited used self-reported measures and lacked control groups. Independent replication has not been achieved.' What is the passage's implicit argument about the supplement's effectiveness?
- The supplement is proven effective by the three studies
- The existing evidence is insufficient to support effectiveness claims (Correct answer)
- Self-reported measures are always unreliable in research
- Independent studies have confirmed the supplement works
Correct answer: The existing evidence is insufficient to support effectiveness claims
The methodological flaws (self-reporting, no control groups, no independent replication) indicate the evidence base is weak and inconclusive.
CCAT CCAT - Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers 5
Passage: 'The report concluded that expanding the highway would reduce commute times by an average of 14 minutes.
Critics argued that induced demand would eventually negate these gains within five years.' What is the critics' main concern?