DLPT Reading Comprehension: Articles 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A translated article states: 'The minister resigned following allegations, though no formal charges were filed.' What does 'though' indicate?
- The resignation caused the lack of charges
- The resignation happened despite an incomplete legal process (Correct answer)
- No wrongdoing occurred
- Charges were filed after the resignation
Correct answer: The resignation happened despite an incomplete legal process
'Though' signals a contrast: the resignation occurred even though the formal legal process had not reached a conclusion.
Question 2: A news article uses the phrase 'sources close to the matter.' This phrasing indicates the information is:
- Officially confirmed by the organization
- From anonymous insiders with unverified status (Correct answer)
- Fabricated by the journalist
- Based on public records
Correct answer: From anonymous insiders with unverified status
The phrase signals the use of unnamed sources who claim proximity to the issue, meaning the information is unconfirmed.
Question 3: An article reads: 'Exports increased by 12% year-over-year, driven primarily by demand from Southeast Asian markets.' What is the main cause of the export increase?
- Domestic policy changes
- Increased Southeast Asian demand (Correct answer)
- A weaker domestic currency
- New trade agreements with Europe
Correct answer: Increased Southeast Asian demand
The article explicitly states the increase was 'driven primarily by demand from Southeast Asian markets.'
Question 4: A political article refers to a policy as 'a double-edged sword.' This idiom suggests the policy:
- Is entirely beneficial
- Has both advantages and disadvantages (Correct answer)
- Is extremely dangerous
- Targets two separate issues
Correct answer: Has both advantages and disadvantages
A 'double-edged sword' idiomatically means something that has both positive and negative consequences.
Question 5: A DLPT reading passage describes a country's economy as 'nascent.' In context, this most likely means the economy is:
- Mature and stable
- Declining rapidly
- Just beginning to develop (Correct answer)
- Dominated by foreign investment
Correct answer: Just beginning to develop
'Nascent' means just coming into existence or beginning to develop, often used for emerging economies.
Question 6: An article about a military operation states: 'The operation was deemed a partial success.' Which interpretation is most accurate?
- The operation fully achieved all objectives
- The operation failed entirely
- Some objectives were achieved and others were not (Correct answer)
- Success is still being evaluated
Correct answer: Some objectives were achieved and others were not
'Partial success' explicitly means only some goals were accomplished, not all.
Question 7: A newspaper headline reads: 'Officials WARN of Potential Economic Slowdown.' The word 'warn' in a headline most strongly implies:
- A slowdown is currently happening
- A slowdown has already ended
- A slowdown is a future risk being flagged (Correct answer)
- Officials caused the slowdown
Correct answer: A slowdown is a future risk being flagged
A warning by definition addresses a future risk, indicating the slowdown is anticipated but not yet occurring.
A translated article states: 'The minister resigned following allegations, though no formal charges were filed.' What does 'though' indicate?