Free PAX Verbal Ability Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: According to the passage, approximately what percentage of people with peanut allergies have severe reactions?

Up to 11%
Up to 22%
Up to 33% (Correct answer)
Up to 44%

Correct answer: Up to 33%

Explanation: The second paragraph of the passage notes that ""up to one-third of people with peanut allergies have severe reactions."" Since one-third is approximately 33%, choice C is correct.

Question 2: By what date do Duke University allergy experts expect to offer a treatment for peanut allergies?

2008
2009
2010
2013 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2013

Explanation: The second paragraph of the passage notes that in 2008, Duke experts stated that they expected to offer treatment in five years. Five years from 2008 is 2013.

Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a type of cuisine the passage suggests often contains peanuts?

African
Italian (Correct answer)
Vietnamese
Mexican

Correct answer: Italian

Explanation: The last sentence in paragraph five lists the cuisines in which one should watch for peanuts. Italian is not listed.

Question 4: Which allergy does the article state is thought to be the most common cause of food-related death?

Peanut (Correct answer)
Tree nut
Bee sting
Poison oak

Correct answer: Peanut

Explanation: The second sentence of the first paragraph states that peanut allergy is the most common cause of food-related death.

Question 5: Which of the following does the passage NOT state is a sign of anaphylaxis?

Constriction of airways
Shock
A rapid pulse
Runny or stuffy nose (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Runny or stuffy nose

Explanation: Paragraph two gives examples of symptoms of peanut allergies and, more specifically, examples of symptoms of anaphylaxis. A runny or stuffy nose is given as a symptom of the former, but not of the latter.

Question 6: Administration of the indicated drug will ameliorate the patient's condition. Ameliorate means:

Improve (Correct answer)
Worsen
Intensify
Cure

Correct answer: Improve

Explanation: Improve is a synonym for ameliorate, both of which mean "to make better." Intensify is similar, but this word implies an effort greater in degree or measurement. Worsen is the antonym meaning, "to become worse or less in value." Cure could fit into this sentence, as it means, "to effect recovery from," but does not relate directly to ameliorate.

Question 7: The hospital staff listened to the chief of staff's fervent speech regarding proposed changes at the facility. Fervent means:

Enthusiastic
Dispassionate
Emotional (Correct answer)
Lengthy

Correct answer: Emotional

Explanation: Emotional is the only true synonym for fervent, which means "showing great depth of feeling or passionate enthusiasm." Therefore, dispassionate, which means "uninfluenced by emotion or personal feelings," is an antonym. Enthusiastic implies urgency of desire or interest, and this word is synonymous with eager. Lengthy (or long) is unrelated to the term fervent.

Question 8: Some of the hospital's computer equipment is outmoded. Outmoded means:

Inoperable
Refurbished
Worn-out
Obsolete (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Obsolete

Explanation: Obsolete and outmoded are synonyms, both connoting "having surpassed its time of use or usefulness." Worn-out is related, but this word suggests something is "damaged or weakened through prolonged use." In this context, inoperable describes something "not workable or practical," making it a related word as well. Refurbished means, "restored to good repair," and is a near antonym.

Question 9: The accident victim's arm is saturated in blood. Saturated means:

Caked
Wet (Correct answer)
Inundated
Steeped

Correct answer: Wet

Explanation: Wet and saturated are synonyms, both meaning "covered with, containing, or penetrated with liquid." Inundated is a related term in this case meaning, "flooded," but this word can also mean "overwhelmed." Similarly, steeped means, "soaked or immersed in liquid." In this sentence, caked would mean, "forming a crust."

Question 10: Mark's concerned daughter brought him into the emergency room, and it was found that he had feigned a heart attack. Feigned means:

Undergone
Experienced
Affected (Correct answer)
Concealed

Correct answer: Affected

Explanation: Affected is the synonym for feigned because in this instance both words mean, "presenting a false appearance of." Concealed is a somewhat related term signifying that something is "hidden." The other choices fit into the sentence and are synonyms for each other; as verbs, undergone and experienced both mean, "having come to knowledge of something by living through it."

Question 11: The medical center's chief operating officer is an exponent of patient's rights. Exponent means:

Advocate (Correct answer)
Opponent
Adherent
Critic

Correct answer: Advocate

Explanation: An exponent is an advocate, someone who actively promotes or favors a cause. Adherent is a somewhat related term meaning, "follower, someone who follows the opinions or teachings of others." Opponent is an antonym signifying, "one who takes an opposing position." Critic is a near antonym, which in this sentence would mean "fault-finder."

Free PAX Verbal Ability Questions and Answers

According to the passage, approximately what percentage of people with peanut allergies have severe reactions?