Crossover Aptitude Test Reading Comprehension

Question 1

Read the passage: 'The Amazon rainforest produces 20% of the world's oxygen and houses over 10% of all species on Earth.
Despite its importance, deforestation has eliminated nearly 20% of the original forest in the past 50 years.' What is the main idea of this passage?

Accepted Answer

The Amazon rainforest is vital to Earth's ecosystem but faces serious deforestation threats

Answer

The Amazon rainforest is being deforested at an alarming rate

Answer

The Amazon rainforest contains more species than any other ecosystem

Answer

Deforestation has destroyed over half of the Amazon rainforest

Question 2

Read the passage: 'Remote work has increased productivity for 65% of employees, according to a Stanford study. However, 40% of remote workers report feeling isolated, and collaboration on creative projects has declined by 30% compared to in-office settings.' Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

Accepted Answer

Remote work has both benefits and drawbacks depending on the type of task

Answer

Remote work is better than office work for all employees

Answer

Companies should eliminate remote work to restore collaboration

Answer

Isolation is not a significant concern for remote workers

Question 3

Read the passage: 'Solar panel costs have fallen by 89% over the past decade, making solar energy competitive with fossil fuels in most markets. However, energy storage remains a challenge, as batteries capable of storing enough solar energy for overnight use are still prohibitively expensive for most households.' What does the author imply?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy has become cost-competitive but storage costs remain a barrier

Answer

Solar energy is now cheaper than all other energy sources

Answer

Solar energy adoption is limited only by cost of panels

Answer

Battery technology will never improve enough for solar energy to succeed

Question 4

Read the passage: 'The city council approved the new transit plan by a vote of 7 to 2. The plan includes three new bus routes, extended subway hours on weekends, and a 15% fare reduction for low-income riders. Critics argue the plan does not address downtown parking shortages.' What did the critics find lacking in the plan?

Accepted Answer

A solution to downtown parking shortages

Answer

Extended subway hours

Answer

A fare reduction for low-income riders

Answer

Additional bus routes

Question 5

Read the passage: 'Studies show that people who sleep fewer than 6 hours per night are four times more likely to catch a cold than those who sleep 7 or more hours. Sleep deprivation also impairs the immune system's ability to fight infections.' Based on this passage, what is the relationship between sleep and illness?

Accepted Answer

Adequate sleep strengthens the immune system and reduces susceptibility to illness

Answer

Colds are the only illness worsened by sleep deprivation

Answer

People need exactly 8 hours of sleep to avoid getting sick

Answer

Sleep deprivation only affects the common cold, not other infections

Question 6

Read the passage: 'Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences — Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911. Her research on radioactivity laid the groundwork for modern nuclear physics and cancer treatments.' The word 'groundwork' as used in the passage most closely means:

Accepted Answer

Foundational research

Answer

Physical construction

Answer

Financial funding

Answer

Scientific criticism

Question 7

Read the passage: 'While antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections, they are completely ineffective against viral infections such as the flu or the common cold. Overprescription of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a growing public health crisis.' Which statement would the author most likely support?

Accepted Answer

Doctors should prescribe antibiotics only when a bacterial infection is confirmed

Answer

Antibiotics should be prescribed for all respiratory illnesses to prevent complications

Answer

Viral infections are more dangerous than bacterial infections

Answer

Antibiotic resistance is caused primarily by patients not finishing their medication