College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A topic sentence in a body paragraph should:

Always begin with a quotation
Introduce a new topic unrelated to the thesis
State the main point of that paragraph and relate to the thesis (Correct answer)
Summarize the entire essay

Correct answer: State the main point of that paragraph and relate to the thesis

Each topic sentence announces the specific focus of its paragraph and connects that focus to the overall thesis.

Question 2: Which of the following is a run-on sentence?

Although she studied, she passed.
She studied, and she passed.
She studied; she passed.
She studied she passed. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She studied she passed.

Two independent clauses ('She studied' and 'she passed') joined without any punctuation or conjunction form a run-on sentence.

Question 3: In the sentence 'The senator's speech was filled with bombastic claims,' 'bombastic' most likely means:

Thoughtful and persuasive
Brief and to the point
High-sounding but unsubstantiated (Correct answer)
Historically significant

Correct answer: High-sounding but unsubstantiated

'Bombastic' describes language that is inflated and pompous but lacking substance.

Question 4: Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error?

The data supports the hypothesis.
The team wins every game.
Neither the manager nor the employees was informed. (Correct answer)
Mathematics is her favorite subject.

Correct answer: Neither the manager nor the employees was informed.

When 'neither/nor' connects a singular and a plural noun, the verb agrees with the closer noun — 'employees' (plural) requires 'were.'

Question 5: Which argument form is VALID?

If P then Q; Q is false; therefore P is true
If P then Q; P is true; therefore Q is true (Correct answer)
If P then Q; Q is true; therefore P is true
If P then Q; P is false; therefore Q is false

Correct answer: If P then Q; P is true; therefore Q is true

Modus ponens — 'If P then Q; P is true; therefore Q is true' — is the fundamental valid conditional argument form.

Question 6: Given the premises 'All A are B' and 'All B are C,' what is the valid conclusion?

Some A are not C
All A are C (Correct answer)
All C are A
No A are C

Correct answer: All A are C

By the transitive property of categorical syllogisms, if every A is a B and every B is a C, then every A must be a C.

Question 7: Which revision corrects this underdeveloped body paragraph: 'Exercise is beneficial. Many people exercise. It is good.'?

Exercising is beneficial because it is good and helps people be healthy.
Exercise is beneficial, people exercise, and it is good for them.
Regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, improving long-term health outcomes. (Correct answer)
Exercise, which is beneficial, is done by many people who find it good.

Correct answer: Regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, improving long-term health outcomes.

Option B provides a specific claim supported by concrete details (chronic diseases, outcomes), making the paragraph substantive.

Question 8: Which inequality is represented by: a number x is at most 5?

x ≥ 5
x ≤ 5 (Correct answer)
x < 5
x > 5

Correct answer: x ≤ 5

'At most 5' means x cannot exceed 5, which is expressed as x ≤ 5.

Question 9: What is the result of (−3) × (−4) ÷ 2?

−12
12
6 (Correct answer)
−6

Correct answer: 6

(−3) × (−4) = 12 (negative × negative = positive); 12 ÷ 2 = 6.

Question 10: On the CLAST essay, addressing a counterargument in your essay primarily demonstrates:

Confusion about your own position
That you agree with the opposing side
Poor organization skills
Critical thinking and the ability to engage with opposing views (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Critical thinking and the ability to engage with opposing views

Acknowledging and refuting counterarguments shows higher-order thinking and strengthens your credibility as a writer.

Question 11: A store buys an item for $45 and sells it for $63. What is the percent markup?

40% (Correct answer)
33%
28%
45%

Correct answer: 40%

Markup = (63 − 45) / 45 × 100 = 18/45 × 100 = 40%.

Question 12: A survey of 200 students found 120 prefer math. Based on this sample, what is the estimated probability that a randomly selected student prefers math?

0.7
0.5
0.4
0.6 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.6

Experimental probability = 120/200 = 0.6.

Question 13: Which measure of central tendency is most affected by an extreme outlier?

Mode
Mean (Correct answer)
Median
Range

Correct answer: Mean

The mean is calculated using all values, so a single extreme outlier can significantly shift it.

Question 14: Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of the word 'imply'?

Her expression implied that she was displeased with the results. (Correct answer)
The manager implied the raise to his team members.
He implied that he understood the directions given to him.
He implied from her tone that she was upset.

Correct answer: Her expression implied that she was displeased with the results.

'Imply' means to suggest something indirectly; a speaker or action implies, while a listener infers.

Question 15: Which revision corrects the misplaced modifier: 'She almost drove her kids to school every day.'

She drove her kids to almost every school every day.
Almost every day she drove to school her kids.
She drove her kids to school almost every day. (Correct answer)
She drove her almost kids to school every day.

Correct answer: She drove her kids to school almost every day.

'Almost' should modify 'every day,' so it must be placed directly before that phrase.

Question 16: Which of the following is an example of a strong, specific CLAST essay thesis?

College education is important.
Rising tuition costs disproportionately burden low-income students and widen economic inequality. (Correct answer)
Many people have opinions about college.
This essay is about college education.

Correct answer: Rising tuition costs disproportionately burden low-income students and widen economic inequality.

Option C makes a specific, arguable claim that can be developed with evidence, making it an effective thesis.

Question 17: A student rolls a six-sided die three times. What is the probability of rolling a 6 on all three rolls?

1/216 (Correct answer)
1/6
1/36
1/18

Correct answer: 1/216

Each roll is independent, so P(6 three times) = (1/6)³ = 1/216.

Question 18: If 'Some cats are not indoor animals' is true, which of the following is logically possible?

All cats are indoor animals
Both A and C (Correct answer)
Some cats are indoor animals
No cats are indoor animals

Correct answer: Both A and C

Knowing some cats are not indoor animals is compatible with either none or some (but not all) being indoor animals.

Question 19: Which revision BEST strengthens this weak thesis: 'Social media has effects on teenagers.'?

Social media is very popular with teenagers today.
This essay will discuss social media and teenagers.
Teenagers use social media a lot.
Excessive social media use negatively affects teenagers' mental health and academic performance. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Excessive social media use negatively affects teenagers' mental health and academic performance.

Option B makes a specific, arguable claim with clear direction, unlike the vague original.

Question 20: A frequency table shows: Score 70 (freq 4), 80 (freq 6), 90 (freq 2). What is the mean score?

80
76.7
79.2
78.3 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 78.3

Mean = (70×4 + 80×6 + 90×2) / (4+6+2) = (280+480+180)/12 = 940/12 ≈ 78.3.

Question 21: Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' versus 'effect'?

The rain will effect our plans.
The rain will affect our plans. (Correct answer)
Rain's effect on plans can affect our decisions, but the affect remains.
The affect of rain on the plans was clear.

Correct answer: The rain will affect our plans.

'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is typically a noun meaning the result.

Question 22: A college president is curious about the most well-liked courses among students. The president makes the decision to poll a representative sample of students. Which method would be best for gathering a representative sample of college students from a statistically neutral perspective?

Survey a random sample of students from a list of the entire student body (Correct answer)
Survey the first hundred students from an alphabetical listing
Survey a random sample of students from the English department
Have students voluntarily mail in their preferences

Correct answer: Survey a random sample of students from a list of the entire student body

To obtain a statistically neutral and representative sample, every member of the population must have an equal chance of being selected. Surveying a random sample from a complete list of the entire student body ensures this randomness and avoids biases. Other methods, like surveying specific departments or using voluntary responses, would introduce sampling bias.

Question 23: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee reached _____ decision after hours of debate.'

it's
it is
its (Correct answer)
its'

Correct answer: its

'Its' is the possessive pronoun; 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is,' which does not fit here.

Question 24: A reader encounters the phrase 'on the other hand' in a passage. This phrase indicates the author is about to present:

A contrasting idea (Correct answer)
A definition
An example
A similar idea

Correct answer: A contrasting idea

'On the other hand' is a contrast signal that introduces a viewpoint different from the one just presented.

Question 25: Which sentence uses context clues to help define the underlined word? 'The scientist worked to nullify, or cancel out, the effects of the chemical reaction.'

The phrase 'cancel out' directly defines 'nullify' in the sentence. (Correct answer)
No context clues are present in this sentence.
The word 'scientist' defines 'nullify' through association.
The word 'nullify' means to intensify based on context.

Correct answer: The phrase 'cancel out' directly defines 'nullify' in the sentence.

The phrase 'or cancel out' is an appositive that directly defines 'nullify,' serving as a context clue.

Question 26: Select the most precise word to complete: 'The archaeologist carefully _______ the artifact from the surrounding soil.'

Pulled
Extracted (Correct answer)
Removed
Took

Correct answer: Extracted

'Extracted' is the most precise word, implying careful removal of an object from a surrounding material.

Question 27: A student scores 18 out of 24 on a quiz. What percentage did the student earn?

72%
70%
80%
75% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 75%

18 ÷ 24 = 0.75, which equals 75%.

Question 28: Which of the following is an antonym for 'verbose'?

Concise (Correct answer)
Wordy
Eloquent
Repetitive

Correct answer: Concise

'Verbose' means using more words than necessary, so its antonym is 'concise,' meaning brief and clear.

Question 29: The word 'ameliorate' in the phrase 'steps taken to ameliorate the situation' most closely means:

Analyze
Worsen
Improve (Correct answer)
Publicize

Correct answer: Improve

'Ameliorate' means to make something bad or unsatisfactory better, so 'improve' is the correct answer.

Question 30: Which expression represents 'five less than three times a number n'?

3(n − 5)
3n − 5 (Correct answer)
5 − 3n
5 − n × 3

Correct answer: 3n − 5

'Three times a number' is 3n, and 'five less than' means subtract 5, giving 3n − 5.

Question 31: The argument 'Everyone on the team agrees with the plan, so it must be correct' commits which fallacy?

Hasty generalization
Ad populum (appeal to the majority) (Correct answer)
Appeal to authority
False dilemma

Correct answer: Ad populum (appeal to the majority)

Appeal to the majority (ad populum) mistakes widespread agreement for truth, which is not a logically valid basis for a conclusion.

Question 32: The CLAST tests the ability to identify the 'author's purpose.' Which of the following purposes is MOST associated with a passage that teaches readers how to perform a task?

To persuade
To entertain
To express emotion
To inform/instruct (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To inform/instruct

A passage that teaches how to perform a task has an informative or instructional purpose.

Question 33: Solve: x² − 5x + 6 = 0

x = 2 or x = −3
x = −2 or x = −3
x = 1 or x = 6
x = 2 or x = 3 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: x = 2 or x = 3

Factoring: (x − 2)(x − 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3.

Question 34: Select the word that best completes the sentence: 'The professor's lecture was so _______ that students struggled to grasp the key concepts.'

Lucid
Convoluted (Correct answer)
Engaging
Concise

Correct answer: Convoluted

'Convoluted' means excessively complex and difficult to understand, which explains why students struggled.

Question 35: Events A and B are mutually exclusive. P(A) = 0.4 and P(B) = 0.25. What is P(A or B)?

0.75
0.1
0.55
0.65 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.65

For mutually exclusive events, P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B) = 0.4 + 0.25 = 0.65.

Question 36: Which of the following best describes a 'sound' argument?

An argument that is valid and has at least one true premise
An argument that most people find persuasive
An argument that is valid and has all true premises (Correct answer)
An argument whose conclusion is impossible to disprove

Correct answer: An argument that is valid and has all true premises

A sound argument must be both logically valid (the conclusion follows from the premises) and have all premises that are actually true.

Question 37: A CLAST passage discusses both sides of a debate about nuclear energy. What is the author's most likely purpose?

To inform readers by presenting multiple perspectives (Correct answer)
To persuade readers to oppose nuclear energy
To instruct readers on building a reactor
To entertain readers with fictional stories

Correct answer: To inform readers by presenting multiple perspectives

Presenting both sides of a debate indicates the author's purpose is to inform by offering a balanced view.

Question 38: The word 'tenacious' in 'She was tenacious in her pursuit of a medical degree' most closely means:

Reluctant
Talented
Persistent (Correct answer)
Secretive

Correct answer: Persistent

'Tenacious' means holding firmly to a purpose or plan, making 'persistent' the best synonym.

Question 39: What is the domain of the function f(x) = 1/(x − 3)?

All positive real numbers
All real numbers except x = 3 (Correct answer)
All real numbers except x = 0
All real numbers

Correct answer: All real numbers except x = 3

The function is undefined when the denominator equals zero: x − 3 = 0, so x = 3 is excluded.

Question 40: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?

She likes to swim, running, and biked.
She likes swim, run, and to bike.
She likes to swim, to run, and biking.
She likes swimming, running, and biking. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She likes swimming, running, and biking.

Option B uses the gerund form (-ing) consistently for all three activities, maintaining parallel structure.

Question 41: An argument's conclusion that goes far beyond what the evidence supports is an example of:

A valid inference
An overreaching or sweeping generalization (Correct answer)
A sound deductive argument
Modus tollens

Correct answer: An overreaching or sweeping generalization

A sweeping or overreaching generalization draws a conclusion that is much broader than the evidence actually warrants.

Question 42: Which essay structure does the CLAST essay section primarily assess?

Five-paragraph expository or argumentative essay (Correct answer)
Personal journal entries
Descriptive poetry
Stream of consciousness narrative

Correct answer: Five-paragraph expository or argumentative essay

The CLAST assesses organized, academic writing typically structured as an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Question 43: For ten days, the number of patients Dr. Smith's dental practice saw each day was noted. Find the sample's mean, median, and mode using the provided data. <br> 3, 26, 8, 22, 30, 30, 6, 15, 21, 28

18.9, 21.5, 30 (Correct answer)
16.5, 30, 21.5
30, 21.5, 18.9
18.9, 30, 21.5

Correct answer: 18.9, 21.5, 30

First, order the data: 3, 6, 8, 15, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30, 30. The mean is the sum (189) divided by the count (10), which is 18.9. The median, for an even number of data points, is the average of the two middle values (21 and 22), so (21+22)/2 = 21.5. The mode is the value that appears most frequently, which is 30.

Question 44: Which sentence correctly uses the word 'affect' versus 'effect'?

The medication had no affect on the patient.
Stress can affect a person's physical health. (Correct answer)
The rain will effect our plans for the day.
She effected the sadness in her painting well.

Correct answer: Stress can affect a person's physical health.

'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is typically a noun meaning result, so 'affect a person's health' is correct.

Question 45: Factor completely: x² − 9

(x + 3)(x − 3) (Correct answer)
(x − 3)(x − 3)
(x − 9)(x + 1)
(x − 3)²

Correct answer: (x + 3)(x − 3)

x² − 9 is a difference of two squares: (x + 3)(x − 3).

Question 46: In a CLAST passage, the author uses the phrase 'a double-edged sword' to describe social media. This phrase most likely means social media:

Is entirely harmful
Should be banned immediately
Has both benefits and drawbacks (Correct answer)
Is a weapon used online

Correct answer: Has both benefits and drawbacks

A 'double-edged sword' is a figurative expression meaning something has both positive and negative consequences.

Question 47: A CLAST passage contains this sentence: 'The administration claimed success, but the data told a different story.' The phrase 'a different story' is an example of:

A simile
An alliteration
A figurative expression implying contradiction (Correct answer)
A literal description

Correct answer: A figurative expression implying contradiction

Using 'a different story' figuratively implies a contradiction between the administration's claim and the data.

Question 48: If events A and B are independent, P(A) = 0.5, and P(B) = 0.4, what is P(A and B)?

0.1
0.2 (Correct answer)
0.45
0.9

Correct answer: 0.2

For independent events, P(A and B) = P(A) × P(B) = 0.5 × 0.4 = 0.2.

Question 49: Solve the system: x + y = 7 and x − y = 3

x = 6, y = 1
x = 4, y = 3
x = 3, y = 4
x = 5, y = 2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: x = 5, y = 2

Adding the equations: 2x = 10, so x = 5; substituting: 5 + y = 7, so y = 2.

Question 50: Given: 'If the alarm rings, the building is being evacuated. The building is not being evacuated.' What follows?

The alarm is ringing
The alarm is not ringing (Correct answer)
The building may still be evacuated
The alarm may or may not be ringing

Correct answer: The alarm is not ringing

By modus tollens, denying the consequent ('not being evacuated') allows us to deny the antecedent ('alarm is not ringing').

Question 51: What is the area of a triangle with base 10 cm and height 6 cm?

30 cm
16 cm²
60 cm²
30 cm² (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 30 cm²

Area of a triangle = ½ × base × height = ½ × 10 × 6 = 30 cm².

Question 52: Which of the following arguments uses the valid form known as modus tollens?

If P then Q; Q; therefore P
If P then Q; not P; therefore not Q
If P then Q; not Q; therefore not P (Correct answer)
If P then Q; P; therefore Q

Correct answer: If P then Q; not Q; therefore not P

Modus tollens has the form 'If P then Q; not Q; therefore not P,' which is logically valid by denying the consequent.

Question 53: When developing body paragraphs for a CLAST essay, the PIE structure stands for:

Premise, Information, Evidence
Paragraph, Insight, Example
Point, Identify, Elaborate
Point, Illustrate, Explain (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Point, Illustrate, Explain

PIE = Point (topic sentence), Illustrate (evidence/example), Explain (analysis of how evidence supports the point).

Question 54: Which graph represents a function according to the vertical line test?

A circle
A parabola opening upward (Correct answer)
An oval
A vertical line

Correct answer: A parabola opening upward

A parabola passes the vertical line test because each x-value corresponds to exactly one y-value.

Question 55: The word 'ubiquitous' in 'Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern life' most nearly means:

Necessary
Present everywhere (Correct answer)
Expensive
Controversial

Correct answer: Present everywhere

'Ubiquitous' means appearing or found everywhere, which fits how smartphones are described in modern life.

Question 56: Which transition word BEST connects a paragraph that contrasts with the previous paragraph?

In addition
Furthermore
Similarly
However (Correct answer)

Correct answer: However

'However' signals contrast, making it appropriate to introduce an opposing or contrasting idea.

Question 57: Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb?

If I been you, I would study more.
If I are you, I would study more.
If I were you, I would study more. (Correct answer)
If I was you, I would study more.

Correct answer: If I were you, I would study more.

The subjunctive mood uses 'were' (not 'was') in hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions.

Question 58: Which word most nearly means 'ephemeral' as used in the sentence: 'The morning frost was ephemeral, disappearing before noon'?

Crystalline
Refreshing
Abundant
Transient (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Transient

'Ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time, making 'transient' the closest synonym.

Question 59: A passage describes events in this order: earthquake → infrastructure damage → government response → community recovery. What organizational structure is used?

Definition and example
Chronological / sequential order (Correct answer)
Classification
Compare and contrast

Correct answer: Chronological / sequential order

Presenting events in the order they occurred (earthquake first, recovery last) is chronological organization.

Question 60: A CLAST essay prompt says 'Take a position on whether community service should be required in high school.' This is asking you to write:

A descriptive essay
An argumentative essay with a clear position (Correct answer)
A compare-and-contrast essay
A narrative essay about personal experience

Correct answer: An argumentative essay with a clear position

Prompts asking you to 'take a position' call for argumentative writing with a clear stance supported by reasons.

Question 61: What is 15% of 240?

40
32
36 (Correct answer)
30

Correct answer: 36

15% of 240 = 0.15 × 240 = 36.

Question 62: Circular reasoning (begging the question) occurs when:

A broad claim is made from a small sample
The argument relies on an unqualified expert
Two mutually exclusive options are falsely presented
The conclusion is used as one of the premises to support itself (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The conclusion is used as one of the premises to support itself

Circular reasoning assumes the truth of what it is trying to prove, making the argument self-referential and logically invalid.

Question 63: Which pair of words are synonyms?

Benevolent / Hostile
Prudent / Reckless
Ambiguous / Clear
Loquacious / Talkative (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Loquacious / Talkative

'Loquacious' means tending to talk a great deal, making it a synonym for 'talkative.'

Question 64: What is the best strategy if you disagree with the CLAST essay prompt's implied position?

Copy the prompt and expand it into paragraphs
Refuse to write on the topic
Write about a related but different topic
Write the essay anyway with your own supported position (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Write the essay anyway with your own supported position

You may argue any defensible position — CLAST scorers evaluate the quality of reasoning, not which side you choose.

Question 65: Which sentence uses the word 'infer' correctly?

They inferred the announcement at the meeting.
She could infer from his smile that he was pleased. (Correct answer)
He inferred his opinion on the matter directly.
The scientist will infer the data into the report.

Correct answer: She could infer from his smile that he was pleased.

'Infer' means to deduce or conclude from evidence, so drawing a conclusion from a smile is the correct usage.

Question 66: A jar contains 4 red and 6 white balls. Two balls are drawn without replacement. What is the probability both are red?

2/5
4/25
1/6
2/15 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2/15

P(both red) = (4/10) × (3/9) = 12/90 = 2/15.

Question 67: Solve for x: 3x − 7 = 11

x = 6 (Correct answer)
x = 8
x = 4
x = 3

Correct answer: x = 6

Adding 7 to both sides: 3x = 18; dividing by 3: x = 6.

Question 68: In context, 'The judge's ruling was unprecedented' means the ruling was:

Highly controversial
Without any legal basis
Extremely popular
Never done before (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Never done before

'Unprecedented' means never having happened or existed before in the past.

Question 69: Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier:

She was running through the park when she spotted a deer.
Running through the park, a deer was spotted. (Correct answer)
While she ran through the park, she saw a deer.
Running through the park, she spotted a deer.

Correct answer: Running through the park, a deer was spotted.

In option B, the participial phrase 'Running through the park' incorrectly modifies 'a deer' instead of a person.

Question 70: The scores on a test are 60, 72, 85, 85, 90, 95. What is the median?

80
87.5
82.5
85 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 85

With 6 values, the median is the average of the 3rd and 4th values: (85 + 85) / 2 = 85.

Question 71: What is the volume of a rectangular prism with length 5 m, width 3 m, and height 4 m?

60 m³ (Correct answer)
47 m³
24 m³
120 m³

Correct answer: 60 m³

Volume = length × width × height = 5 × 3 × 4 = 60 m³.

Question 72: What is the surface area of a cube with side length 3 cm?

36 cm²
27 cm²
72 cm²
54 cm² (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 54 cm²

A cube has 6 faces; each face area = 3² = 9 cm²; total surface area = 6 × 9 = 54 cm².

Question 73: Which of the following best defines a 'connotation' of a word?

The emotional or cultural association a word carries (Correct answer)
The dictionary definition of the word
The grammatical function of the word in a sentence
The origin or etymology of the word

Correct answer: The emotional or cultural association a word carries

Connotation refers to the implied or associated meaning a word carries beyond its literal definition.

Question 74: If f(x) = 2x² − 3, what is f(4)?

29 (Correct answer)
25
35
32

Correct answer: 29

f(4) = 2(4²) − 3 = 2(16) − 3 = 32 − 3 = 29.

Question 75: In the phrase 'a Herculean task,' the word 'Herculean' means:

Impossible to complete
Requiring great strength or effort (Correct answer)
Tedious and repetitive
Relating to ancient mythology

Correct answer: Requiring great strength or effort

'Herculean' derives from Hercules and means requiring tremendous strength, effort, or ability.

Question 76: Which of the following describes a sample that is likely to produce biased results?

Using a computer to randomly select participants
Surveying only students who visit the school library (Correct answer)
A random sample of 500 voters from across the state
Drawing names from a hat

Correct answer: Surveying only students who visit the school library

Surveying only library visitors excludes students who never use the library, creating a non-representative sample.

Question 77: If Mary has a son, then, logically, she is a mother, hence the sentence is equivalent to:

Mary has a son or she is a mother
If Mary does not have a son, then she is not a mother
If Mary is not a mother, then she does not have a son (Correct answer)
If Mary is a mother, then she has a son

Correct answer: If Mary is not a mother, then she does not have a son

The original statement is a conditional: 'If Mary has a son (P), then she is a mother (Q)'. The contrapositive of a conditional statement is logically equivalent to the original statement. The contrapositive is formed by negating both parts and reversing the order: 'If not Q, then not P'. Thus, the equivalent is 'If Mary is not a mother, then she does not have a son'.

Question 78: The interquartile range (IQR) of a data set is 18. Q1 = 22. What is Q3?

40 (Correct answer)
44
4
36

Correct answer: 40

IQR = Q3 − Q1, so Q3 = IQR + Q1 = 18 + 22 = 40.

Question 79: Which of the following represents an exponential growth function?

y = 3x + 2
y = 2 · 3ˣ (Correct answer)
y = 1/x
y = x²

Correct answer: y = 2 · 3ˣ

Exponential growth functions have the form y = a · bˣ with b > 1; y = 2 · 3ˣ fits this form.

Question 80: Which of the following is an example of the logical fallacy known as 'ad hominem'?

Attacking the person making an argument rather than the argument itself (Correct answer)
Assuming that because two events are correlated they are causally related
Appealing to the majority opinion to support a claim
Drawing a conclusion that doesn't follow from the premises

Correct answer: Attacking the person making an argument rather than the argument itself

Ad hominem is a fallacy that attacks the character or credibility of the person making an argument instead of addressing the argument's content.

Question 81: A CLAST passage has the following structure: introduction → three supporting paragraphs → conclusion. What organizational pattern is this?

Problem and solution
Compare and contrast
Cause and effect
Main idea with supporting details (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Main idea with supporting details

An introduction followed by supporting paragraphs and a conclusion is the classic main idea with supporting details structure.

Question 82: In essay scoring, 'unity' refers to:

Using only one source
Avoiding the use of pronouns
All sentences and paragraphs supporting the thesis (Correct answer)
Writing only one body paragraph

Correct answer: All sentences and paragraphs supporting the thesis

Unity means every sentence and paragraph relates directly to and supports the essay's central thesis.

Question 83: Given: 'All doctors are college graduates' and 'Maria is a college graduate.' What can be logically concluded?

Maria may or may not be a doctor (Correct answer)
Maria is not a doctor
Maria is a doctor
Maria went to medical school

Correct answer: Maria may or may not be a doctor

Being a college graduate is a necessary but not sufficient condition for being a doctor, so Maria's status as a doctor cannot be determined.

Question 84: Two angles of a triangle measure 45° and 75°. What is the third angle?

60° (Correct answer)
70°
55°
50°

Correct answer: 60°

The sum of angles in a triangle is 180°; third angle = 180 − 45 − 75 = 60°.

Question 85: The 'straw man' fallacy occurs when someone:

Draws a conclusion that doesn't logically follow from the premises
Cites an irrelevant authority to support a claim
Uses emotional language to sway an audience
Misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack

A straw man distorts or exaggerates the opposing view, then attacks that distorted version rather than the actual argument.

Question 86: Which of the following is a sentence fragment?

She completed the exam early.
He studied every night for two weeks.
Running through the hallway without stopping. (Correct answer)
The results were impressive.

Correct answer: Running through the hallway without stopping.

'Running through the hallway without stopping' lacks a subject and a complete verb, making it a fragment.

Question 87: Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?

She; studied hard and passed the exam.
She studied hard; and passed the exam.
She studied; hard and passed the exam.
She studied hard; she passed the exam. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She studied hard; she passed the exam.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 88: Which of the following statements is logically equivalent to 'If P, then Q'?

If not Q, then not P (Correct answer)
If not P, then not Q
If Q, then P
P only if not Q

Correct answer: If not Q, then not P

The contrapositive 'If not Q, then not P' is always logically equivalent to the original conditional 'If P, then Q.'

Question 89: Which of the following is an example of the 'red herring' fallacy?

Claiming that since A happened before B, A caused B
Responding to a question about budget cuts by talking about national security instead (Correct answer)
Arguing that because something is natural it must be good
Attacking the speaker's character instead of their argument

Correct answer: Responding to a question about budget cuts by talking about national security instead

A red herring diverts attention from the relevant issue by introducing an irrelevant topic to distract or mislead.

Question 90: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a valid deductive argument?

The conclusion follows necessarily from the premises
The argument's structure is logically correct
If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true
The premises are actually true (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The premises are actually true

Validity concerns only the logical structure — a valid argument can have false premises; soundness requires both validity and true premises.

Question 91: Simplify: 5² + 3 × 4 − 6 ÷ 2

38
35
37
34 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 34

Using order of operations: 25 + 12 − 3 = 34.

Question 92: The fallacy of 'appeal to ignorance' (argumentum ad ignorantiam) argues that:

Because something hasn't been proven false, it must be true (Correct answer)
Because the idea is old, it must be true
Because many people believe it, it must be true
Because an expert says so, it must be true

Correct answer: Because something hasn't been proven false, it must be true

Appeal to ignorance treats the absence of disproof as positive evidence for a claim, which is not logically justified.

Question 93: If Kari is presented with a job offer, she will take it, the converse is true:

Kari is offered a job and she does not accept it (Correct answer)
If Kari is not offered a job, she will not accept it
If Kari is offered a job, she will not accept it
Kari is offered a job and she accepts it

Correct answer: Kari is offered a job and she does not accept it

The original statement is a conditional: 'If Kari is presented with a job offer (P), she will take it (Q)'. The condition under which this statement is false is when the premise (P) is true, but the conclusion (Q) is false. This means 'Kari is offered a job AND she does not accept it', which is the logical negation of the conditional statement.

Question 94: Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Each of the students have their own desk.
Each of the student has their own desk.
Each of the students has their own desk. (Correct answer)
Each of the students are having their own desk.

Correct answer: Each of the students has their own desk.

'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun, so it requires the singular verb 'has.'

Question 95: An argument that jumps from a few observed cases to a universal conclusion is guilty of:

Hasty generalization (Correct answer)
Circular reasoning
False dilemma
Straw man fallacy

Correct answer: Hasty generalization

Hasty generalization draws a broad conclusion from an insufficient or unrepresentative sample of evidence.

Question 96: Identify the sentence with correct pronoun-antecedent agreement:

Each student must bring its own pencil.
Each students must bring their own pencil.
Each student must bring their own pencil.
Each student must bring his or her own pencil. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Each student must bring his or her own pencil.

When 'each' refers to a person, 'his or her' is the traditionally correct singular pronoun (though 'their' is increasingly accepted, 'his or her' is the classic CLAST answer).

Question 97: An angle of 135° is classified as:

Right
Straight
Obtuse (Correct answer)
Acute

Correct answer: Obtuse

An obtuse angle measures between 90° and 180°; 135° falls in this range.

Question 98: The opposite of "All the staff members will attend the picnic" is:

Some employees will not attend the picnic
Some employees will attend the picnic (Correct answer)
All the employees will attend the picnic
All the employees will not attend the picnic

Correct answer: Some employees will attend the picnic

The logical opposite (negation) of a universal affirmative statement ('All X are Y') is a particular negative statement ('Some X are not Y'). Therefore, the negation of 'All the staff members will attend the picnic' is 'Some employees will not attend the picnic'. Option D, 'Some employees will attend the picnic', is not the logical opposite as it can be true even if the original statement is false (e.g., if only half the staff attends).

Question 99: What is the measure of each interior angle of a regular hexagon?

135°
108°
120° (Correct answer)
150°

Correct answer: 120°

Sum of interior angles of hexagon = (6 − 2) × 180° = 720°; each angle = 720° / 6 = 120°.

Question 100: "Pam is going to work and Kay is going shopping," in the negative, means:

Pam is not going to work or Kay is going shopping
Pam is going to work and Kay is not going shopping
Pam is not going to work and Kay is not going shopping
Pam is not going to work or Kay is not going shopping (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pam is not going to work or Kay is not going shopping

According to De Morgan's Laws, the negation of a conjunction ('P and Q') is the disjunction of the negations ('not P or not Q'). Therefore, the negation of 'Pam is going to work and Kay is going shopping' is 'Pam is not going to work or Kay is not going shopping'.

Question 101: If 40% of a number is 28, what is the number?

56
70 (Correct answer)
60
80

Correct answer: 70

Let x be the number; 0.40x = 28, so x = 28 ÷ 0.40 = 70.

Question 102: Two parallel lines are cut by a transversal. Which pair of angles is always equal?

Co-interior angles
Adjacent angles
Alternate interior angles (Correct answer)
Supplementary angles

Correct answer: Alternate interior angles

Alternate interior angles formed by a transversal cutting parallel lines are always congruent.

Question 103: A passage concludes: 'Therefore, early childhood literacy programs are essential investments.' The word 'therefore' signals that this sentence is:

A counterargument
A conclusion drawn from prior evidence (Correct answer)
A new topic introduction
An unrelated aside

Correct answer: A conclusion drawn from prior evidence

'Therefore' is a logical connector indicating the sentence is a conclusion supported by previous statements.

Question 104: Which type of graph is BEST suited to display how a quantity changes over time?

Pie chart
Histogram
Bar graph
Line graph (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Line graph

Line graphs are specifically designed to show trends and changes in data over time.

Question 105: A scatter plot shows a strong positive correlation between study hours and test scores. Which statement is best supported?

More study hours are associated with higher test scores (Correct answer)
The relationship is negative
Test scores cause more study hours
Study hours have no effect on test scores

Correct answer: More study hours are associated with higher test scores

A positive correlation means that as study hours increase, test scores tend to increase as well.

Question 106: A CLAST passage about urban farming ends with: 'Local food systems can reduce carbon emissions by up to 30%.' This statement is best described as:

A metaphor about farming
An emotional appeal
A personal opinion with no evidence
A fact supported by a specific statistic (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A fact supported by a specific statistic

A specific numerical claim (up to 30%) presented as a finding is characteristic of a factual, evidence-based statement.

Question 107: Which of the following is an example of inductive reasoning?

No even number greater than 2 is prime; 4 is even; therefore 4 is not prime
Water has always frozen at 0°C in experiments, so it always will (Correct answer)
If it rains, the game is canceled; it is raining; the game is canceled
All prime numbers greater than 2 are odd; 7 is prime; therefore 7 is odd

Correct answer: Water has always frozen at 0°C in experiments, so it always will

Inductive reasoning draws a probable general conclusion from observed specific instances, without logical certainty.

Question 108: "If Joe moves back east, then he will feel homesick" has the following logical equivalent:

Joe moves back east, or he does not get homesick
If Joe does not get homesick, then he moved back east
Joe does not move back east or he does not get homesick
Joe will get homesick, or he does not move back east (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Joe will get homesick, or he does not move back east

A conditional statement 'If P, then Q' is logically equivalent to 'Not P or Q'. In this case, P is 'Joe moves back east' and Q is 'he will feel homesick'. Therefore, the equivalent statement is 'Joe does not move back east or he will feel homesick', which matches option A when the clauses are reordered.

Question 109: It is illogical to claim that both Frank and Ralph are students. The logical equivalent is:

If Ralph is not a student, Frank is not a student
If Frank is not a student, Ralph is not a student
Ralph is not a student and Frank is not a student
Frank is not a student or Ralph is not a student (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Frank is not a student or Ralph is not a student

The statement 'It is illogical to claim that both Frank and Ralph are students' means that the conjunction 'Frank is a student AND Ralph is a student' is false. According to De Morgan's Laws, the negation of 'P AND Q' is 'NOT P OR NOT Q'. Thus, the logical equivalent is 'Frank is not a student OR Ralph is not a student'.

Question 110: In context, the word 'lucid' in the sentence 'Her lucid explanation made the complex topic easy to understand' most nearly means:

Emotional and passionate
Lengthy and detailed
Clear and easy to understand (Correct answer)
Confusing

Correct answer: Clear and easy to understand

The context clue 'easy to understand' directly supports that 'lucid' means clear.

Question 111: A class of 30 students took a quiz. The median score was 74. What does this tell us?

74 is the highest score
Most students scored 74
Half the class scored below 74 (Correct answer)
The average score is 74

Correct answer: Half the class scored below 74

The median is the middle value, meaning exactly half the scores fall below and half above 74.

Question 112: A data set has a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 5. A score of 60 is how many standard deviations above the mean?

2 (Correct answer)
5
1
10

Correct answer: 2

z = (60 − 50) / 5 = 10/5 = 2 standard deviations above the mean.

Question 113: Which of the following correctly orders these numbers from least to greatest: 0.5, 3/8, 0.4, 2/5?

3/8, 0.4, 2/5, 0.5 (Correct answer)
0.4, 2/5, 3/8, 0.5
0.4, 3/8, 2/5, 0.5
2/5, 0.4, 3/8, 0.5

Correct answer: 3/8, 0.4, 2/5, 0.5

Converting to decimals: 3/8=0.375, 2/5=0.40; order is 0.375, 0.40, 0.40, 0.50 — so 3/8, 0.4, 2/5, 0.5.

Question 114: A passage states: 'Rain forests produce oxygen, support biodiversity, and regulate climate.' The structure of this sentence is an example of:

Compare and contrast
Cause and effect
Chronological order
Parallel structure listing multiple functions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Parallel structure listing multiple functions

Listing three functions in grammatically similar form ('produce,' 'support,' 'regulate') is parallel structure.

Question 115: In a right triangle, one leg is 6 and the other leg is 8. What is the hypotenuse?

14
16
12
10 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 10

Using the Pythagorean theorem: c² = 6² + 8² = 36 + 64 = 100; c = 10.

Question 116: Convert 5 feet to inches.

65 inches
55 inches
60 inches (Correct answer)
50 inches

Correct answer: 60 inches

There are 12 inches in 1 foot; 5 × 12 = 60 inches.

Question 117: A jacket costs $80 and is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?

$70
$60 (Correct answer)
$65
$55

Correct answer: $60

25% of $80 is $20; subtracting from $80 gives a sale price of $60.

Question 118: Which sentence avoids the passive voice unnecessarily?

The report was written by the committee.
The report has been written by the committee.
The committee wrote the report. (Correct answer)
Writing of the report was done by the committee.

Correct answer: The committee wrote the report.

The active voice ('The committee wrote') is more direct and concise than the passive alternatives.

Question 119: A bar graph shows sales of 40 in January, 55 in February, and 35 in March. What is the mean monthly sales?

45
55
43.3 (Correct answer)
40

Correct answer: 43.3

Mean = (40 + 55 + 35) / 3 = 130 / 3 ≈ 43.3.

Question 120: Which context clue type is used in: 'The arid, or extremely dry, climate made farming nearly impossible'?

Example clue
Definition clue embedded in the sentence (Correct answer)
Synonym from a prior paragraph
Contrast clue

Correct answer: Definition clue embedded in the sentence

The phrase 'or extremely dry' directly defines 'arid' within the same sentence, making it an embedded definition clue.

Question 121: A spinner has 8 equal sections numbered 1–8. What is the probability of spinning a number greater than 5?

1/2
3/8 (Correct answer)
5/8
1/4

Correct answer: 3/8

Numbers greater than 5 are 6, 7, and 8 — that is 3 out of 8 sections, so P = 3/8.

Question 122: Which of the following best defines a 'premise' in an argument?

A logical rule used to connect statements
A question used to challenge an opponent's view
The final statement that is being proved
A statement offered as evidence or reason to support a conclusion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A statement offered as evidence or reason to support a conclusion

Premises are the supporting statements in an argument that provide the basis from which a conclusion is drawn.

Question 123: Which of the following is equivalent to 2.5 × 10⁴?

2,500
25,000 (Correct answer)
250,000
250

Correct answer: 25,000

2.5 × 10⁴ = 2.5 × 10,000 = 25,000.

Question 124: What is the least common multiple (LCM) of 6 and 8?

2
12
48
24 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 24

The multiples of 6 are 6, 12, 18, 24... and of 8 are 8, 16, 24...; the smallest common multiple is 24.

Question 125: Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

All mammals breathe air; dolphins are mammals; therefore dolphins breathe air (Correct answer)
I have seen 50 white swans, so probably all swans are white
The last three winters were mild, so next winter will be mild
Most students pass this test, so I will probably pass it

Correct answer: All mammals breathe air; dolphins are mammals; therefore dolphins breathe air

Deductive reasoning moves from general premises to a specific, logically guaranteed conclusion, as in the classic syllogism form.

Question 126: What does 'coherence' mean in the context of CLAST essay writing?

Using many complex vocabulary words
Using ideas that flow logically and are clearly connected (Correct answer)
Writing lengthy paragraphs
Avoiding all use of transitional phrases

Correct answer: Using ideas that flow logically and are clearly connected

Coherence refers to the logical flow and clear connection of ideas throughout an essay.

Question 127: A boy and a girl will be chosen to go to a conference from a group of five lads and two girls. How many different pairs are there to pick from?

15
10 (Correct answer)
20
5

Correct answer: 10

This is a combination problem where we need to choose one boy from five and one girl from two. The number of ways to choose 1 boy from 5 is 5 (C(5,1)). The number of ways to choose 1 girl from 2 is 2 (C(2,1)). To find the total number of different pairs, multiply these possibilities: 5 * 2 = 10.

Question 128: Which of the following best describes an 'inference' in reading comprehension on the CLAST?

A direct quote from the text
A conclusion drawn from implied information (Correct answer)
A definition found in the glossary
A summary of all paragraphs

Correct answer: A conclusion drawn from implied information

An inference is a logical conclusion the reader draws from clues in the text, not explicitly stated.

Question 129: Which root word meaning 'to write' is found in 'manuscript,' 'inscription,' and 'prescribe'?

-in-
-scrib-/-script- (Correct answer)
-man-
-pre-

Correct answer: -scrib-/-script-

The Latin root '-scrib-/-script-' means 'to write,' forming the core meaning in manuscript, inscription, and prescribe.

Question 130: Which of the following is the contrapositive of 'If it is raining, then the ground is wet'?

If it is not raining, then the ground is not wet
If it is raining, then the ground is not wet
If the ground is wet, then it is raining
If the ground is not wet, then it is not raining (Correct answer)

Correct answer: If the ground is not wet, then it is not raining

The contrapositive of 'If P then Q' is 'If not Q then not P,' which is logically equivalent to the original statement.

Question 131: A politician says, 'You're either with us or against us.' This is an example of which fallacy?

Ad hominem
Appeal to authority
False dilemma (Correct answer)
Slippery slope

Correct answer: False dilemma

False dilemma (either/or fallacy) presents only two options as if they are the only possibilities, ignoring other alternatives.

Question 132: A stem-and-leaf plot shows stems 2, 3, 4 with leaves 2|1 5, 3|0 3 8, 4|2. What is the range of the data set?

20
21 (Correct answer)
22
19

Correct answer: 21

The maximum value is 42 and the minimum is 21, so the range = 42 − 21 = 21.

Question 133: If the statement 'No reptiles are warm-blooded' is true, which of the following must also be true?

No warm-blooded animals are reptiles (Correct answer)
All warm-blooded animals are reptiles
All reptiles are cold-blooded mammals
Some reptiles are warm-blooded

Correct answer: No warm-blooded animals are reptiles

If no reptiles are warm-blooded, then by conversion of the universal negative, no warm-blooded animals are reptiles.

Question 134: A trapezoid has bases of 8 cm and 12 cm and a height of 5 cm. What is its area?

50 cm² (Correct answer)
100 cm²
40 cm²
60 cm²

Correct answer: 50 cm²

Area of trapezoid = ½ × (b₁ + b₂) × h = ½ × (8 + 12) × 5 = ½ × 100 = 50 cm².

Question 135: What mode can you identify in the example below? <br> 11, 29, 21, 2, 28, 29, 18, 29, 6, 29, 29

29 (Correct answer)
15.5
21
28

Correct answer: 29

The mode of a data set is the value that appears most frequently. In the given set (11, 29, 21, 2, 28, 29, 18, 29, 6, 29, 29), the number 29 appears 5 times. Since no other number appears as often, 29 is the mode.

Question 136: If 'Some students are athletes' is true, which statement CANNOT be true at the same time?

Some students are not athletes
All students are athletes
No students are athletes (Correct answer)
Some athletes are students

Correct answer: No students are athletes

If at least some students are athletes, it is impossible that no students are athletes — these statements are contradictory.

Question 137: What is the y-intercept of the line y = 3x − 7?

3
7
0
−7 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: −7

In slope-intercept form y = mx + b, the y-intercept b = −7.

Question 138: When a CLAST passage uses the phrase 'critics argue,' what is the author signaling?

A counterargument or opposing viewpoint (Correct answer)
The author's own opinion
A historical fact
Scientific consensus

Correct answer: A counterargument or opposing viewpoint

Attributing an argument to 'critics' signals the author is presenting an opposing or alternative viewpoint.

Question 139: When writing a CLAST essay, which type of evidence is MOST effective for supporting an argument?

Personal feelings and guesses
Specific facts, statistics, or concrete examples (Correct answer)
Vague generalizations
Repeated restatement of the thesis

Correct answer: Specific facts, statistics, or concrete examples

Specific, verifiable evidence — facts, statistics, concrete examples — provides the strongest support for an argument.

Question 140: On the CLAST essay section, what is the PRIMARY purpose of a thesis statement?

To summarize the entire essay
To provide background history on the topic
To list all the evidence you will use
To state the main argument or claim the essay will support (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To state the main argument or claim the essay will support

A thesis statement presents the central claim or argument that the body of the essay develops and supports.

Question 141: The 'slippery slope' fallacy assumes that:

Two things that share one property share all properties
A sample is representative of the whole population
The most popular option is the correct one
One event will inevitably lead to extreme negative consequences without adequate justification (Correct answer)

Correct answer: One event will inevitably lead to extreme negative consequences without adequate justification

Slippery slope claims a chain of increasingly bad events will inevitably follow from an initial action, without sufficient evidence for that chain.

Question 142: The average number of school-age children per home in a city must be determined by the primary school board. The board decides to run a poll in order to achieve this. What process would be most suitable for choosing a statistically unbiased sample?

Randomly select geographic regions of the city and then survey a random sample of people within the regions (Correct answer)
Select the largest grocery store in the city and survey a random sample of its customers
Survey all the residents of the largest subdivisions in the city
Survey a random sample of the people who work at a local medical center

Correct answer: Randomly select geographic regions of the city and then survey a random sample of people within the regions

Randomly selecting geographic regions and then surveying a random sample within those regions is an effective method for large, geographically dispersed populations, known as cluster sampling. This approach helps ensure a diverse and representative sample of households across the city. Other options would introduce bias by focusing on specific locations or groups not representative of the entire city's households.

Question 143: A CLAST reading passage states: 'Despite widespread belief to the contrary, studies show that multitasking reduces overall productivity.' What is the main idea of this sentence?

Multitasking actually lowers productivity despite popular belief (Correct answer)
Multitasking is universally beneficial
Studies on multitasking are unreliable
Productivity is unaffected by multitasking

Correct answer: Multitasking actually lowers productivity despite popular belief

The sentence directly states that multitasking reduces productivity, contradicting a widespread belief.

Question 144: In a CLAST reading section, which skill is tested when you are asked 'What can be inferred about the author's attitude toward the subject?'

Literal comprehension
Inferential comprehension (Correct answer)
Vocabulary in context
Structural analysis

Correct answer: Inferential comprehension

Identifying the author's implied attitude requires inferential comprehension, going beyond what is explicitly stated.

Question 145: A researcher concludes that ice cream causes drowning because both increase in summer. This is an example of:

An ad hominem fallacy
Confusing correlation with causation (Correct answer)
Valid deductive reasoning
A valid inductive generalization

Correct answer: Confusing correlation with causation

Both ice cream consumption and drowning increase in summer due to hot weather — a third factor — not because one causes the other.

Question 146: In logic, a statement and its negation are called:

Subcontraries
Contraries
Contradictories (Correct answer)
Subalterns

Correct answer: Contradictories

Contradictories are statement pairs where exactly one must be true and one must be false — they cannot both be true or both be false.

Question 147: Which sentence BEST demonstrates sophisticated word choice for a CLAST essay?

Many people think the law is really helpful.
The law does stuff that makes things better for some people.
The new law is good and helps people.
Implementing the revised legislation significantly improves outcomes for underserved communities. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Implementing the revised legislation significantly improves outcomes for underserved communities.

Option B uses precise, academic vocabulary ('implementing,' 'legislation,' 'underserved communities') appropriate for a formal essay.

Question 148: Two complementary angles have a ratio of 2:3. What is the measure of the larger angle?

72°
54° (Correct answer)
60°
36°

Correct answer: 54°

Complementary angles sum to 90°; the larger angle is 3/(2+3) × 90° = 3/5 × 90° = 54°.

Question 149: What is the area of a circle with radius 7 cm? (Use π ≈ 3.14)

43.96 cm²
153 cm²
153.86 cm² (Correct answer)
44 cm²

Correct answer: 153.86 cm²

Area = π × r² = 3.14 × 49 = 153.86 cm².

Question 150: Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

The childrens playground was renovated.
The childrens' playground was renovated.
The childrens's playground was renovated.
The children's playground was renovated. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The children's playground was renovated.

'Children' is an irregular plural, so the possessive is formed by adding 's to give 'children's.'

Question 151: A die is rolled once. What is the probability of rolling a prime number?

1/3
1/6
1/2 (Correct answer)
2/3

Correct answer: 1/2

Prime numbers on a die are 2, 3, and 5 — that is 3 out of 6 faces, so P = 3/6 = 1/2.

Question 152: Convert 0.045 to a fraction in lowest terms.

9/200 (Correct answer)
45/1000
9/100
45/100

Correct answer: 9/200

0.045 = 45/1000; dividing numerator and denominator by 5 gives 9/200.

Question 153: Simplify: (x³ · x⁴) / x²

x⁹
x¹²
x⁷
x⁵ (Correct answer)

Correct answer: x⁵

x³ · x⁴ = x⁷; x⁷ / x² = x⁵ using exponent rules.

Question 154: A student argues: 'My professor drives an expensive car, so her investment advice must be sound.' This is an example of:

Irrelevant appeal to authority or wealth (Correct answer)
Hasty generalization
Modus ponens
False dilemma

Correct answer: Irrelevant appeal to authority or wealth

Owning an expensive car does not establish expertise in investment advice — the appeal confuses wealth with credible authority.

Question 155: A rectangle has a perimeter of 36 meters and a width of 6 meters. What is its length?

15 m
8 m
12 m (Correct answer)
10 m

Correct answer: 12 m

Perimeter = 2(l + w); 36 = 2(l + 6); 18 = l + 6; l = 12 meters.

Question 156: Which transition word BEST fits: 'She prepared thoroughly for the CLAST; _____, she felt confident on test day.'

however
nevertheless
consequently (Correct answer)
conversely

Correct answer: consequently

'Consequently' shows a cause-and-effect relationship: thorough preparation led to confidence.

Question 157: If the probability of rain on any given day is 0.3, what is the probability that it does NOT rain?

0.4
0.3
0.7 (Correct answer)
0.6

Correct answer: 0.7

The complement rule states P(not A) = 1 − P(A), so 1 − 0.3 = 0.7.

Question 158: Which of the following is equivalent to 2(3x − 4) + 5x?

11x − 4
6x − 8 + 5x
11x − 8 (Correct answer)
11x + 8

Correct answer: 11x − 8

Distributing: 6x − 8 + 5x = 11x − 8.

Question 159: In which sentence is the word 'sanction' used to mean 'to give official approval'?

Economic sanctions were lifted after negotiations.
The committee chose to sanction the new policy. (Correct answer)
The school faced sanctions for its violations.
The country imposed sanctions on its neighbor.

Correct answer: The committee chose to sanction the new policy.

In sentence B, 'sanction' is used as a verb meaning to officially approve or authorize, which is one of its two opposite meanings.

Question 160: What is the value of x if |2x − 4| = 10?

x = 7 only
x = 7 or x = −3 (Correct answer)
x = 3 or x = −7
x = −3 only

Correct answer: x = 7 or x = −3

Setting 2x − 4 = 10 gives x = 7; setting 2x − 4 = −10 gives x = −3.

Question 161: What does the following sample mean look like? <br> 6, 4, 28, 21, 28, 28, 26, 28, 14, 9, 28

26
28
16
20 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 20

The mean (average) is calculated by summing all the values in the data set and then dividing by the total number of values. For the given data (6, 4, 28, 21, 28, 28, 26, 28, 14, 9, 28), the sum is 220. Since there are 11 values, the mean is 220 divided by 11, which equals 20.

Question 162: A data set has values: 4, 7, 7, 9, 13. What is the mode?

4
7 (Correct answer)
13
9

Correct answer: 7

The mode is the value that appears most frequently, which is 7 (appears twice).

Question 163: A vertical flagpole casts a shadow of 12 meters when a 2-meter post casts a shadow of 3 meters. How tall is the flagpole?

8 m (Correct answer)
6 m
16 m
10 m

Correct answer: 8 m

Using proportions: 2/3 = h/12; h = 2 × 12 / 3 = 8 meters.

Question 164: Which of the following is an irrational number?

√9
√7 (Correct answer)
√25
√16

Correct answer: √7

√7 cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers; it is irrational because 7 is not a perfect square.

Question 165: In the sentence 'The attorney's argument was cogent and well-supported,' 'cogent' most nearly means:

Vague and indirect
Emotional and dramatic
Persuasive and logical (Correct answer)
Lengthy and detailed

Correct answer: Persuasive and logical

'Cogent' means clear, logical, and convincing, making 'persuasive and logical' the best choice.

Question 166: Which of the following is an example of an ad hominem logical fallacy in an essay?

The data supports expanding the program.
The policy is flawed because it increases costs.
Dr. Smith's research is wrong because she went to a bad university. (Correct answer)
Studies show the plan reduces crime by 20%.

Correct answer: Dr. Smith's research is wrong because she went to a bad university.

Ad hominem attacks the person rather than the argument; dismissing Dr. Smith based on her university is an ad hominem.

Question 167: What is the function of the concluding paragraph in a CLAST essay?

Begin the essay's narrative
List all sources used
Introduce new arguments not mentioned earlier
Restate the thesis and summarize key points (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Restate the thesis and summarize key points

A conclusion restates the thesis in new words and summarizes the essay's key supporting points.

Question 168: What is the greatest common factor (GCF) of 36 and 48?

12 (Correct answer)
6
9
18

Correct answer: 12

Factors of 36: 1,2,3,4,6,9,12,18,36; factors of 48: 1,2,3,4,6,8,12,16,24,48; GCF = 12.

Question 169: Which revision BEST improves this wordy sentence: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, we cancelled the event.'

Because it was raining, we cancelled the event. (Correct answer)
Since the rain was present, cancellation was made.
Due to rain being present, we made a cancellation.
The event was cancelled, rain being the cause.

Correct answer: Because it was raining, we cancelled the event.

'Because' is a concise replacement for the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'

Question 170: A recipe requires 2½ cups of flour. If you triple the recipe, how many cups do you need?

7½ (Correct answer)
7
6
6½

Correct answer: 7½

2½ × 3 = 5/2 × 3 = 15/2 = 7½ cups.

Question 171: A CLAST passage about climate change uses mostly emotional language and personal stories rather than data. This approach is BEST described as:

Kairos (timely appeal)
Ethos (ethical appeal)
Logos (logical appeal)
Pathos (emotional appeal) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pathos (emotional appeal)

Using emotional language and personal stories to influence the reader is characteristic of pathos.

Question 172: A line graph shows a company's revenue increasing from $2M in 2020 to $5M in 2023. What is the average annual increase?

$3M
$1.5M
$1M (Correct answer)
$0.75M

Correct answer: $1M

Total increase = $3M over 3 years, so average annual increase = $3M/3 = $1M per year.

Question 173: A CLAST passage argues that public transportation reduces traffic congestion. Which of the following would BEST support this argument?

Data showing fewer cars on roads in cities with strong transit systems (Correct answer)
An opinion about walking being healthier
A personal story about missing a bus
A complaint about bus fares

Correct answer: Data showing fewer cars on roads in cities with strong transit systems

Statistical data directly connecting public transit use to reduced car traffic provides the strongest objective support.

Question 174: Select the word that does NOT belong with the others in terms of meaning:

Forthright
Evasive (Correct answer)
Candid
Frank

Correct answer: Evasive

'Evasive' means avoiding directness, while candid, frank, and forthright all mean honest and open.

Question 175: What error appears in this sentence: 'The professor, who teaches biology and chemistry graded all the exams.'

Run-on sentence
Missing comma after the nonrestrictive clause (Correct answer)
Comma splice
Incorrect pronoun

Correct answer: Missing comma after the nonrestrictive clause

The nonrestrictive clause 'who teaches biology and chemistry' must be set off with commas on both sides.

College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST)

The CLAST is a Florida standardized exam assessing college-level skills in mathematics, English language skills, reading comprehension, and essay writing required for associate's degree completion and teacher certification.

175

Questions

300 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
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