Core Academic Skills Assessment Reading Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage's first paragraph introduces a problem, the middle paragraphs explore potential solutions, and the final paragraph recommends one solution. This structure is called:
- Narration
- Classification
- Problem-solution (Correct answer)
- Spatial order
Correct answer: Problem-solution
A problem-solution structure introduces an issue and then evaluates or recommends ways to address it.
Question 2: The phrase 'the economy is a ticking time bomb' is an example of which literary device?
- Simile
- Alliteration
- Metaphor (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
Correct answer: Metaphor
A metaphor directly equates two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' here comparing the economy to a time bomb.
Question 3: When summarizing a passage, which information should be EXCLUDED from the summary?
- The main argument of the passage
- Supporting evidence for the central claim
- Minor illustrative details that support a larger point (Correct answer)
- The author's overall conclusion
Correct answer: Minor illustrative details that support a larger point
Summaries focus on main ideas and key evidence; minor illustrative details are too specific and should be omitted.
Question 4: A passage uses the transition phrase 'on the other hand' between two paragraphs. This signal indicates the author is about to:
- Provide an example that reinforces the previous point
- Present a contrasting or opposing idea (Correct answer)
- Summarize what has already been stated
- Introduce a new, unrelated topic
Correct answer: Present a contrasting or opposing idea
'On the other hand' is a contrast transition that signals the author is shifting to an opposing or different perspective.
Question 5: An author writes: 'Critics argue that the study's sample size was too small to draw meaningful conclusions.' In the context of evaluating sources, this sentence highlights which concern?
- Currency of the source
- Relevance to the topic
- Validity and reliability of the research (Correct answer)
- The author's publication credentials
Correct answer: Validity and reliability of the research
A small sample size undermines the reliability and validity of research findings, making conclusions less trustworthy.
Question 6: Which of the following is the BEST example of an inference a reader can make from a text?
- Restating a fact explicitly stated in the passage
- Drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning beyond what is directly stated (Correct answer)
- Copying the author's thesis word for word
- Identifying the publication date of the article
Correct answer: Drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning beyond what is directly stated
An inference goes beyond what is explicitly stated, using evidence in the text combined with reasoning to reach a logical conclusion.
Question 7: A student reads two articles on the same topic and finds they present different statistics. What should the student do FIRST?
- Assume the more recently published article is correct
- Identify the sources of each statistic and evaluate their credibility (Correct answer)
- Average the two statistics together for a balanced view
- Discard both articles and find a third source
Correct answer: Identify the sources of each statistic and evaluate their credibility
Evaluating the credibility and source of each statistic is the first step in resolving conflicting information between texts.
Core Academic Skills Assessment Reading Comprehension 3
A passage's first paragraph introduces a problem, the middle paragraphs explore potential solutions, and the final paragraph recommends one solution.
This structure is called: