EA Reading Comprehension 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Passage: 'Despite the prevalence of digital communication, face-to-face interaction remains essential in professional settings. Research consistently demonstrates that in-person meetings facilitate trust-building, creative collaboration, and nuanced communication that virtual platforms struggle to replicate. However, organizations must balance these benefits against the time and cost constraints of travel.' What is the primary purpose of this passage?
- To argue that digital communication should be eliminated from workplaces
- To acknowledge the value of in-person interaction while recognizing its practical limitations (Correct answer)
- To demonstrate that virtual communication is inferior in every respect
- To propose specific guidelines for scheduling in-person meetings
Correct answer: To acknowledge the value of in-person interaction while recognizing its practical limitations
The passage acknowledges benefits of face-to-face meetings but notes organizations 'must balance' these against constraints, presenting both sides rather than a one-sided argument.
Question 2: Passage: 'The ancient city of Carthage, once Rome's most formidable rival, was completely destroyed in 146 BCE. Contemporary historians describe the Romans as salting the earth to prevent regrowth, though modern scholars debate whether this occurred. What is certain is that Carthage was systematically dismantled, with survivors enslaved or dispersed.' What can be inferred about the relationship between Rome and Carthage?
- Rome and Carthage were trading partners who occasionally disputed territories
- Carthage surrendered peacefully, which led to its gradual decline
- The rivalry was significant enough that Rome sought to permanently eliminate Carthage (Correct answer)
- Modern historians have fully confirmed all ancient accounts of the destruction
Correct answer: The rivalry was significant enough that Rome sought to permanently eliminate Carthage
The systematic and complete destruction — with survivors enslaved or dispersed — implies Rome intended permanent elimination, reflecting an intense and serious rivalry.
Question 3: Passage: 'The proliferation of subscription-based business models has fundamentally altered consumer relationships with products and services. Rather than discrete purchases, consumers now engage in ongoing contractual arrangements. This paradigm shift creates predictable revenue streams for companies while simultaneously locking consumers into recurring obligations.' The word 'paradigm' as used in the passage most nearly means:
- A financial contradiction or discrepancy
- A minor, incremental adjustment
- A fundamental model or pattern that defines how something works (Correct answer)
- A specific contractual arrangement
Correct answer: A fundamental model or pattern that defines how something works
The passage describes a fundamental change in how consumer-product relationships work, and 'paradigm' refers to the underlying model or framework that defines that relationship.
Question 4: Passage: 'Behavioral economists have documented a phenomenon called loss aversion, in which people feel the pain of losing something approximately twice as strongly as they feel the pleasure of gaining an equivalent amount. This asymmetry influences decision-making in contexts ranging from financial investments to everyday choices about risk.' According to the passage, loss aversion specifically refers to:
- The tendency to avoid all financial risks regardless of potential reward
- The asymmetry between how strongly people experience losses versus equivalent gains (Correct answer)
- The psychological trauma caused by major financial losses
- A bias that affects financial decisions but not everyday choices
Correct answer: The asymmetry between how strongly people experience losses versus equivalent gains
The passage explicitly defines loss aversion as feeling losses approximately twice as strongly as equivalent gains, which is a direct asymmetry in emotional response.
Question 5: Passage: 'The development of antibiotics in the twentieth century dramatically reduced mortality from bacterial infections. However, the overuse and misuse of these medications has accelerated the evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains. Medical authorities now emphasize antibiotic stewardship — careful management of when and how antibiotics are prescribed — as critical to preserving their effectiveness.' The passage suggests that antibiotic stewardship is necessary because:
- Antibiotics are too expensive for widespread distribution
- Bacterial infections have become increasingly uncommon and require less treatment
- Overuse of antibiotics threatens their long-term effectiveness by driving resistance (Correct answer)
- Doctors are generally unaware of proper antibiotic prescribing protocols
Correct answer: Overuse of antibiotics threatens their long-term effectiveness by driving resistance
The passage directly links overuse and misuse to resistance evolution, establishing that stewardship is needed to prevent this from making antibiotics ineffective.
Question 6: Passage: 'Urban planners increasingly favor mixed-use development, in which residential, commercial, and recreational spaces coexist in close proximity. Proponents argue that such designs reduce automobile dependency, foster community interaction, and improve economic vitality. Critics, however, contend that mixed-use zones can increase noise, parking shortages, and conflicts between incompatible uses.' Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?
- A hypothesis is presented and then systematically disproven
- A trend is identified, and then both supporting and opposing views are presented (Correct answer)
- A historical account leads to a modern policy conclusion
- A specific problem is identified and a recommended solution is provided
Correct answer: A trend is identified, and then both supporting and opposing views are presented
The passage identifies the trend of mixed-use development, then presents proponents' arguments, followed by critics' counterarguments — a classic balanced structure.
Question 7: Passage: 'The concept of gig economy work has been celebrated for offering workers flexibility and autonomy. Yet many gig workers report financial instability, lack of benefits, and difficulty accessing credit or housing due to irregular income. This tension between flexibility and security defines much of the contemporary labor discourse.' The author's tone toward gig economy work can best be described as:
- Enthusiastically supportive of its benefits for workers
- Harshly critical of the exploitation it enables
- Balanced and analytical, presenting both benefits and drawbacks (Correct answer)
- Indifferent to the debate surrounding gig work
Correct answer: Balanced and analytical, presenting both benefits and drawbacks
The author presents both positive aspects (flexibility, autonomy) and negative aspects (instability, lack of benefits) without advocating for either side, reflecting a balanced analytical tone.
EA Reading Comprehension 1
Passage: 'Despite the prevalence of digital communication, face-to-face interaction remains essential in professional settings.
Research consistently demonstrates that in-person meetings facilitate trust-building, creative collaboration, and nuanced communication that virtual platforms struggle to replicate.
However, organizations must balance these benefits against the time and cost constraints of travel.' What is the primary purpose of this passage?