ELSA Reading Comprehension & Analysis 5

Question 1

A passage about nutrition states: 'Research suggests that a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of heart disease.' The word 'may' indicates:

Accepted Answer

The claim is possible but not certain

Answer

Modal verbs like 'may' signal uncertainty or possibility, indicating the claim is supported but not definitively proven.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of an inference a reader must make?

Accepted Answer

The character slams the door and refuses to answer questions, suggesting frustration.

Answer

An inference is a conclusion drawn from indirect evidence; slamming a door implies frustration without the text stating it directly.

Question 3

A passage's tone shifts from optimistic in the first half to cautionary in the second half. This shift most likely signals:

Accepted Answer

The author wants to present a balanced view by acknowledging potential risks

Answer

A tone shift from optimistic to cautionary typically signals that the author is adding nuance by acknowledging limitations or risks.

Question 4

The sentence 'The report was flawed, inaccurate, and ultimately misleading' uses which rhetorical device?

Accepted Answer

Tricolon (rule of three)

Answer

A tricolon is a series of three parallel elements used for emphasis and rhetorical effect.

Question 5

A reader encounters an unfamiliar word in a passage. The most effective strategy for determining its meaning without a dictionary is to:

Accepted Answer

Use surrounding context clues and sentence structure

Answer

Context clues — surrounding words, phrases, and sentence structure — are the most reliable tool for inferring unfamiliar vocabulary.

(ELSA) English Language Skills Assessment Practice Test