CHSPE Critical Reading 4

Question 1

A passage argues that teenagers who work part-time during school earn better grades because they learn time management. A reader who thinks critically would first ask:

Accepted Answer

Does working cause better grades, or do motivated students do both?

Answer

Critical readers question whether correlation implies causation—motivated students may both work and earn good grades without one causing the other.

Question 2

The tone of a passage can best be described as the author's:

Accepted Answer

Attitude toward the subject or audience

Answer

Tone refers to the author's attitude or emotional stance toward the subject, revealed through word choice and style.

Question 3

Read: 'The mayor promised swift action, but three months later, nothing had changed.' The author's attitude toward the mayor is most likely:

Accepted Answer

Skeptical or critical

Answer

By contrasting the mayor's promise of 'swift action' with the fact that 'nothing changed,' the author implies skepticism or criticism.

Question 4

Which text structure is used when a passage explains what caused wildfires and what resulted from them?

Accepted Answer

Cause and effect

Answer

A cause-and-effect structure explains why something happened (causes) and what happened as a result (effects).

Question 5

A student reads an article titled 'Why Homework Should Be Banned.' This title tells the reader the article will most likely:

Accepted Answer

Argue one side of a debate about homework

Answer

The word 'should' in the title signals a persuasive argument advocating a specific position—that homework should be eliminated.

California High School Proficiency Exam Practice Test

California High School Proficiency Exam Practice Test

CHSPE Critical Reading 4