Duolingo English Test Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A DET passage states: 'Because the company cut its marketing budget, sales declined sharply in the following quarter.' Which relationship does this sentence illustrate?
- Compare and contrast
- Cause and effect (Correct answer)
- Problem and solution
- Chronological sequence
Correct answer: Cause and effect
The budget cut is the cause, and the sales decline is the effect — a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Question 2: When two DET reading passages discuss the same topic but reach different conclusions, which reading skill is primarily being tested?
- Memorization of specific facts
- Comparing and contrasting multiple perspectives (Correct answer)
- Identifying spelling and grammar errors
- Counting how often key words appear
Correct answer: Comparing and contrasting multiple perspectives
Comparing passages with differing conclusions tests your ability to analyze and contrast multiple viewpoints on the same subject.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST summarizes a passage arguing that urban green spaces reduce stress, improve air quality, and encourage community interaction?
- Urban areas have far too many parks already
- Green spaces in cities provide multiple physical and social benefits (Correct answer)
- Improved air quality is the only meaningful benefit of city parks
- Communities should always be built far from natural areas
Correct answer: Green spaces in cities provide multiple physical and social benefits
This summary captures all three main points — stress reduction, air quality, and community benefits — without distorting the passage's argument.
Question 4: In a DET reading passage, the transition word 'furthermore' signals what type of relationship between ideas?
- Contrast or opposition between two ideas
- Addition of a related supporting point (Correct answer)
- A cause-and-effect relationship
- A concession to an opposing view
Correct answer: Addition of a related supporting point
'Furthermore' is an additive transition that signals the author is adding another related supporting point.
Question 5: A passage states: 'Researchers found significant benefits. They also noted several limitations.' What does 'They' refer to?
- The significant benefits
- The limitations themselves
- The researchers (Correct answer)
- The overall findings
Correct answer: The researchers
'They' is a pronoun referring to the researchers, since they are the grammatical subject who can logically 'note' limitations.
Question 6: A DET passage states that a museum 'draws visitors from across the globe.' What is IMPLIED but NOT directly stated?
- The museum offers free admission to all visitors
- The museum is internationally recognized and widely popular (Correct answer)
- The museum is located in a very small town
- The museum only exhibits local and regional art
Correct answer: The museum is internationally recognized and widely popular
Visitors coming 'from across the globe' implies the museum has significant international recognition, even though this is not explicitly stated.
Question 7: A passage presents the claim: 'Studies suggest that exercise may improve mood.' Which word makes this a cautious claim rather than a definite fact?
- Studies
- exercise
- may (Correct answer)
- improve
Correct answer: may
The modal verb 'may' indicates possibility rather than certainty, making the claim tentative rather than absolute.
Duolingo English Test Reading Comprehension 2
A DET passage states: 'Because the company cut its marketing budget, sales declined sharply in the following quarter.' Which relationship does this sentence illustrate?