DAT Practice Test (Reading Comprehension) 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The 'search and destroy' approach to DAT Reading Comprehension involves:
- Reading the questions first, then hunting the passage for answers (Correct answer)
- Reading the passage three times slowly
- Answering only from memory
- Guessing on every question
Correct answer: Reading the questions first, then hunting the passage for answers
This approach reads questions first and locates evidence in the passage efficiently.
Question 2: A tone question asks about the author's attitude. The correct choice is usually supported by:
- Word choice and descriptive language in the passage (Correct answer)
- The number of paragraphs
- The passage title only
- Your personal opinion of the topic
Correct answer: Word choice and descriptive language in the passage
An author's tone is revealed through diction and descriptive language.
Question 3: If two answer choices seem correct, the better strategy is to:
- Choose the one most directly supported by the passage text (Correct answer)
- Pick the longer of the two
- Always select the first one listed
- Choose based on which sounds more technical
Correct answer: Choose the one most directly supported by the passage text
The best answer is the one with the strongest direct textual support.
Question 4: Why are passage maps or margin notes useful during the Reading Comprehension section?
- They help locate where specific information appears (Correct answer)
- They earn bonus points
- They replace reading the passage
- They are required by the test
Correct answer: They help locate where specific information appears
Notes help you quickly find where details are located when answering questions.
Question 5: An 'EXCEPT' question (e.g., 'All of the following are true EXCEPT') asks you to find the choice that:
- Is NOT supported by the passage (Correct answer)
- Is most strongly supported
- Best summarizes the passage
- Appears first in the text
Correct answer: Is NOT supported by the passage
EXCEPT questions ask for the one answer that the passage does not support.
Question 6: Because the passages are unfamiliar scientific topics, the best mindset is to:
- Treat the passage as the sole source of truth for answers (Correct answer)
- Rely on what you learned in your biology class
- Assume the passage is wrong
- Answer based on general intuition
Correct answer: Treat the passage as the sole source of truth for answers
All answers should come from the passage itself, not outside knowledge.
Question 7: Spending too long on one difficult question is risky because:
- It can leave too little time for easier questions later (Correct answer)
- It guarantees a wrong answer
- It lowers your reading speed permanently
- The test penalizes slow reading
Correct answer: It can leave too little time for easier questions later
Over-investing in one item sacrifices time for easier points elsewhere.
DAT Practice Test (Reading Comprehension) 3
The 'search and destroy' approach to DAT Reading Comprehension involves: