Free ELPT Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers

Question 1

In Sentence 5, to what does “frippery” refer?

Accepted Answer

Ornate clothing

Answer

Explanation:
While Sentences 3 and 4 digress somewhat from the main topic of Sentences 1 and 2 (Miss Brooke's style of clothing), Sentence 5 returns to the subject. Sentence 5 also notes that middle-class, respectable women such as the Brooke sisters regard this "frippery" as beneath their social position. Thus, it stands to reason that the "frippery" in question is foolishly ornate clothing.

Question 2

In Sentence 1, what does “thrown into relief” mean?

Accepted Answer

Accentuated

Answer

Explanation:
Sentence 2 elaborates upon the idea introduced in Sentence 1. Miss Brooke's physical beauty is so great that plain, "bare," or "poor" clothes only serve to underscore or emphasis it. None of the other words make sense when substituted into the passage.

Question 3

In Sentence 4, what action is suggested by the phrase “if you inquired backward for a generation or two”?

Accepted Answer

Conducting genealogical research

Answer

Explanation:
"Inquiring backward a generation or two" is a quaint way of suggesting genealogical research. There is nothing in this passage to indicate that the townspeople or elders can provide information about the Brookes' heritage, nor is there anything to suggest that the evidence uncovered would be damning. The author simply means that, if someone were to consult a genealogical record that extended several generations into the past, they would discover more information about the Brookes' ancestors.

Question 4

To what does “mixed conditions” (Sentence 3) refer?

Accepted Answer

Social status

Answer

Explanation:
The paragraph in which "mixed conditions" appears discusses the Brooke sisters' social status. It mentions their ancestors, their "respectable family estate" (Sentence 4), and their "birth," or family's social position. Thus, the "mixed conditions" denote the women's good family name but modest income.

Question 5

Based on the passage, it can be inferred that “Cromwell” was a ______________.

Accepted Answer

political figure who fell from power

Answer

Explanation:
The reference to Cromwell appears in Sentence 4 and denotes a historical man, Oliver Cromwell, who was a 17th-century leader of England before being overthrown. Although it's tempting to choose the "religious leader" option because the Brookes' ancestor is described as "a Puritan gentleman," read more closely. This same ancestor, after serving under Cromwell and then "conforming" or reversing his opinions back to the political majority, "managed to come out of all political troubles," not religious troubles.

ELPT - English Language Proficiency Test Practice Test

ELPT - English Language Proficiency Test Practice Test

Free ELPT Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers