CHSPE Critical Reading 2

Question 1

An author uses the phrase 'the clock devoured the hours' in a passage about a stressful exam. What literary device is this?

Accepted Answer

Personification

Answer

Personification gives human qualities (devouring) to a non-human object (the clock).

Question 2

A passage states: 'While solar energy is abundant, the infrastructure cost remains prohibitive for many rural communities.' What is the author's main point?

Accepted Answer

Cost barriers limit solar energy access despite its availability

Answer

The author acknowledges solar energy's abundance but highlights cost as a limiting factor for rural areas.

Question 3

Which context clue best helps you determine the meaning of 'verbose' in: 'His verbose essay used 5,000 words to make a point that needed only 500'?

Accepted Answer

The contrast between 5,000 and 500 words

Answer

The contrast between the excessive word count used and the smaller number needed signals that 'verbose' means using too many words.

Question 4

A persuasive article claims, 'Nine out of ten dentists recommend this toothpaste,' but does not identify who the dentists are. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A vague or unverifiable statistic

Answer

Without identifying the survey source or dentists, the statistic cannot be verified and is therefore a weak, vague claim.

Question 5

Read the sentence: 'The council approved the new park; however, funding remained uncertain.' What is the relationship between the two clauses?

Accepted Answer

The second clause contradicts or qualifies the first

Answer

'However' signals a contrast—approval was granted, but an obstacle (funding) still exists.

California High School Proficiency Exam Practice Test

California High School Proficiency Exam Practice Test

CHSPE Critical Reading 2