ELAR Reading Comprehension and Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student reads two articles about climate change—one written by a scientist and one by a politician. Which question is MOST important to ask when evaluating these sources?
- Which article is longer?
- What are the credentials and potential biases of each author? (Correct answer)
- Which article uses more complex vocabulary?
- Which article was published first?
Correct answer: What are the credentials and potential biases of each author?
Evaluating an author's credentials and potential biases helps readers assess the reliability and objectivity of information.
Question 2: In a story, a character who is brave in public but fearful alone is best described as having which character trait?
- Static
- Round (Correct answer)
- Flat
- Foil
Correct answer: Round
A round character has complex, sometimes contradictory traits that make them feel realistic and multi-dimensional.
Question 3: The word 'tenacious' appears in this sentence: 'Despite repeated failures, the tenacious inventor kept refining her design.' What does 'tenacious' most likely mean?
- Reckless and impulsive
- Persistent and determined (Correct answer)
- Talented and creative
- Frustrated and angry
Correct answer: Persistent and determined
The contrast between repeated failures and continued effort signals that 'tenacious' means persistent and determined.
Question 4: A passage includes a table comparing graduation rates across five schools. What is the PRIMARY purpose of including this graphic element?
- To replace the written explanation entirely
- To present numerical data clearly and allow easy comparison (Correct answer)
- To make the article appear more academic
- To provide a visual break from long paragraphs
Correct answer: To present numerical data clearly and allow easy comparison
Tables organize quantitative data so readers can quickly compare values across multiple categories or subjects.
Question 5: An author writes: 'Some argue that standardized tests are fair; however, evidence shows that scores correlate strongly with family income.' What does this sentence structure suggest about the author's position?
- The author agrees standardized tests are fair
- The author rejects both sides of the argument
- The author favors the counterargument over the claim of fairness (Correct answer)
- The author is presenting both views equally
Correct answer: The author favors the counterargument over the claim of fairness
The word 'however' signals a shift, and the evidence-based clause undermines the fairness claim, revealing the author's skeptical stance.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an inference a reader must make?
- The text states the character is 12 years old.
- The author defines 'photosynthesis' in a footnote.
- The text never says the character is scared, but she hides under her bed during the storm. (Correct answer)
- A caption below a photo identifies the person shown.
Correct answer: The text never says the character is scared, but she hides under her bed during the storm.
An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence; the character's behavior implies fear even though the text never explicitly states it.
Question 7: A biography describes a historical figure's childhood poverty, then her rise to fame. This organizational structure is BEST described as:
- Cause and effect
- Compare and contrast
- Chronological order (Correct answer)
- Problem and solution
Correct answer: Chronological order
Presenting events in the order they occurred—from childhood to later life—is the chronological organizational structure.
ELAR Reading Comprehension and Analysis 3
A student reads two articles about climate change—one written by a scientist and one by a politician.
Which question is MOST important to ask when evaluating these sources?