Free ATDH Reading and Language Usage Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Photographs of planet Earth taken from satellites show an exquisite spherical body with an apparently smooth, clearly defined surface. However, we who dwell on the Earth’s surface have a different perspective: we know that the surface includes both miles-high peaks and miles-deep valleys. <br><br> Which transition word could be substituted for the word “however” without changing the meaning of the sentence?
- Likewise
- Therefore
- Thus
- Yet (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Yet
Explanation: <br> The word "yet" can be used as a synonym for "however" to indicate a contrast between two statements. In this context, "yet" effectively conveys the contrast between the perspective from space and the perspective from the Earth's surface, similar to how "however" does.
Question 2: The valleys, on the other hand, present daunting challenges—submerged under oceans, many of these valleys remain elusive to all but a tiny number of daring, highly motivated explorers. <br><br> What is the meaning of the word “daunting” as it is used in this sentence?
- Foreseeable
- Formidable (Correct answer)
- Mundane
- Mysterious
Correct answer: Formidable
Explanation: <br> The word "daunting" means intimidating or challenging, suggesting something that is difficult to overcome. "Formidable" is a synonym that conveys a similar meaning, indicating something that inspires fear or respect due to its size, power, or difficulty. In this context, "daunting challenges" refers to the difficult and intimidating nature of exploring the submerged valleys.
Question 3: Which best describes the main idea of this paragraph: <br><br> The first human mission to the bottom of the trench was in 1960, when engineer Jacques Piccard and submariner Don Walsh descended in a deep sea submersible called the Trieste. It was 52 years before the second descent, by Titanic filmmaker James Cameron. In 2019 and 2020, explorer Victor Vescovo and various companions braved the gloomy depths five times. Having previously climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest, Vescovo and his companion Vanessa O’Brien have achieved the remarkable distinction of reaching both the highest and the lowest points on the planet. Another companion has accomplished a different singular feat. Kathy Sullivan is a former astronaut who walked in space in 1984. As an explorer of both oceanic depths and extraterrestrial heights, she has contemplated the earthly sphere from afar and probed its deepest inner recess.
- Explorers of the Mariana Trench are a daring and accomplished group. (Correct answer)
- Most people who explore the Mariana Trench are motivated by curiosity.
- The Mariana Trench is of interest to both geologists and oceanographers.
- Those who explore the Mariana Trench are honored internationally.
Correct answer: Explorers of the Mariana Trench are a daring and accomplished group.
Explanation: <br> The paragraph highlights the notable achievements and bravery of the individuals who have descended into the Mariana Trench, emphasizing their remarkable distinctions and accomplishments. This aligns with the main idea that these explorers are a daring and accomplished group.
Question 4: Looking closer, Vescovo concluded that it was that ubiquitous artifact of twenty-first-century life— a plastic bag! <br><br> What is the meaning of “ubiquitous” as it is used in this sentence?
- Controversial
- Conventional
- Universal (Correct answer)
- Unusual
Correct answer: Universal
Explanation: <br> "Ubiquitous" means present, appearing, or found everywhere. In this context, it describes the plastic bag as a common and widespread artifact of twenty-first-century life.
Question 5: I like biology, but I'm taking cell biology 301 next semester, which looks difficult. <br><br> Which option uses correct capitalization?
- Biology, but I'm taking Cell Biology 301
- Biology, but I'm taking cell biology 301
- biology, but I'm taking Cell biology 301
- biology, but I'm taking Cell Biology 301 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: biology, but I'm taking Cell Biology 301
Explanation: <br> The word "biology" should be lowercase because it is not at the beginning of the sentence and is not a proper noun in this context. "Cell Biology 301" is the specific name of the course, so it should be capitalized.
Question 6: Which word completes this sentence? <br><br> I hope that you will __________ my congratulations.
- accent
- accept (Correct answer)
- except
- excerpt
Correct answer: accept
Explanation: <br> The word "accept" means to receive or agree to something, which fits the context of receiving congratulations. The other options do not fit the context of the sentence.
Question 7: I know the funny story about my sister is true because she told me themselves. <br><br> How should the word “themselves” be changed?
- herselves
- herself (Correct answer)
- himself
- yourself
Correct answer: herself
Explanation: <br> The word "herself" is the correct reflexive pronoun to use when referring to a singular female subject, which in this case is "my sister."
Question 8: When she was younger. She went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons. <br><br> Which option best combines these sentences?
- She went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons, when she was younger.
- She went to the museum and saw the exhibit when she was younger of reconstructed blue whale skeletons.
- When she was younger, she went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons. (Correct answer)
- She went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons. When she was younger.
Correct answer: When she was younger, she went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons.
Explanation: <br> This option combines the two sentences in a clear and grammatically correct manner, providing the necessary context at the beginning of the sentence.
Question 9: The bird watcher saw three cardinals, one male and two females, observing the bird feeder. <br><br> Which option best clarifies the relationship between ideas?
- While observing the bird feeder, the bird watcher saw one male and two female cardinals. (Correct answer)
- Three cardinals one male and two females saw the bird watcher observing the bird feeder.
- Observing the bird feeder the bird watcher saw three male and female cardinals.
- The bird watcher saw three cardinals observing the bird feeder; one male and two females.
Correct answer: While observing the bird feeder, the bird watcher saw one male and two female cardinals.
Explanation: <br> This option clarifies that it was the bird watcher who was observing the bird feeder and seeing the cardinals, making the relationship between the observer and the observed clear.
Question 10: Read this excerpt from a letter to a patient. <br><br> Your improved cholesterol test results are __________, and we encourage you to maintain a healthy diet and daily exercise regimen to help you sustain those results! <br><br> Which option completes the sentence while maintaining the style?
- commendable (Correct answer)
- nifty
- wicked awesome
- pretty terrific
Correct answer: commendable
Explanation: <br> "Commendable" is the most appropriate word choice for a letter to a patient because it conveys a sense of praise and approval for the improved cholesterol test results. It is a formal and respectful term that acknowledges the patient's efforts and achievements in maintaining their health.
Question 11: The Mariana Trench is the result of an ancient geological confrontation—a collision between two massive plates in the planet’s crust—called a subduction. <br><br> What is the author’s purpose for including the phrase: “a collision between two massive plates in the planet’s crust”?
- To communicate the meaning of a scientific term (Correct answer)
- To convey the dangers of oceanic exploration
- To describe where the trench is located
- To explain how the trench became so deep
Correct answer: To communicate the meaning of a scientific term
Explanation: <br> The author's purpose for including the phrase "a collision between two massive plates in the planet’s crust" is to communicate the meaning of a scientific term, specifically, the geological process that led to the formation of the Mariana Trench.
Free ATDH Reading and Language Usage Questions and Answers
Photographs of planet Earth taken from satellites show an exquisite spherical body with an apparently smooth, clearly defined surface.
However, we who dwell on the Earth’s surface have a different perspective: we know that the surface includes both miles-high peaks and miles-deep valleys.
Which transition word could be substituted for the word “however” without changing the meaning of the sentence?