RISE Placement Reading Comprehension — Questions and Answers
Question 1: “When Maria finally reached the summit of the mountain, she was overwhelmed by the view. The clouds stretched out like a cotton sea, and the wind whispered through the pines. She had trained for this moment for months, pushing her body and mind to their limits. Now, standing at the peak, it all felt worth it.” What is the main idea of the passage?
- Maria is afraid of heights.
- Maria regrets climbing the mountain.
- Maria reaches the summit after long preparation. (Correct answer)
- Maria prefers the sea to the mountains.
Correct answer: Maria reaches the summit after long preparation.
The passage describes Maria’s journey to the summit, emphasizing her hard work and emotional payoff.
Question 2: “When Maria finally reached the summit of the mountain, she was overwhelmed by the view. The clouds stretched out like a cotton sea, and the wind whispered through the pines. She had trained for this moment for months, pushing her body and mind to their limits. Now, standing at the peak, it all felt worth it.” Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?
- Anxious and fearful
- Triumphant and reflective (Correct answer)
- Humorous and sarcastic
- Informative and detached
Correct answer: Triumphant and reflective
Words like “overwhelmed,” “trained,” and “felt worth it” indicate a triumphant and thoughtful tone.
Question 3: "The invention of the printing press in the 15th century changed the course of history. Books became more accessible, and literacy rates began to rise across Europe. Ideas could now travel faster and farther than ever before, fueling revolutions in science, religion, and politics." What was one major effect of the printing press?
- It caused books to become less popular.
- It increased the price of books.
- It made books more widely available. (Correct answer)
- It limited the spread of new ideas.
Correct answer: It made books more widely available.
The passage states that books became more accessible and that ideas spread more easily.
Question 4: "The invention of the printing press in the 15th century changed the course of history. Books became more accessible, and literacy rates began to rise across Europe. Ideas could now travel faster and farther than ever before, fueling revolutions in science, religion, and politics." What can be inferred about the time before the printing press?
- People had no interest in reading.
- Books were rare and expensive. (Correct answer)
- Religious revolutions had already occurred.
- Science was more advanced than it is today.
Correct answer: Books were rare and expensive.
Since the passage emphasizes that books became more available after the printing press, it implies they were limited before it.
Question 5: "Elephants are known for their strong memory. In the wild, this helps them remember water sources and migration routes over vast areas. They also display behaviors such as mourning the death of herd members, suggesting a high level of emotional intelligence." What characteristic of elephants is the focus of this passage?
- Their speed
- Their memory and emotions (Correct answer)
- Their physical strength
- Their appetite for plants
Correct answer: Their memory and emotions
The passage centers on elephants' memory and emotional intelligence, not their strength or eating habits.
Question 6: Which behavior supports the idea that elephants are emotionally intelligent?
- Eating plants
- Remembering water locations
- Mourning dead herd members (Correct answer)
- Traveling long distances
Correct answer: Mourning dead herd members
Mourning is an emotional response, which supports the claim about elephants' emotional intelligence.
Question 7: "Though commonly thought of as a vegetable, the tomato is actually a fruit. In botanical terms, fruits develop from the flower of a plant and contain seeds. This distinction often surprises people because tomatoes are used in savory dishes." Why do people often mistake tomatoes for vegetables?
- They grow underground.
- They are sweet.
- They are used in savory cooking. (Correct answer)
- They have no seeds.
Correct answer: They are used in savory cooking.
The passage explains that tomatoes are mistaken for vegetables because of their common culinary use in savory meals.
Question 8: "Though commonly thought of as a vegetable, the tomato is actually a fruit. In botanical terms, fruits develop from the flower of a plant and contain seeds. This distinction often surprises people because tomatoes are used in savory dishes." According to the passage, what makes something a fruit in botanical terms?
- Its sweetness
- Its color
- It develops from a flower and has seeds (Correct answer)
- It is grown on trees
Correct answer: It develops from a flower and has seeds
The passage clearly states that fruits develop from flowers and contain seeds.
Question 9: "The city council has proposed a new bike-sharing program to reduce traffic and pollution. Supporters argue that it promotes a healthier lifestyle and eases congestion. Critics, however, worry about the cost and maintenance of the bikes."
- To reduce city population
- To save money on cars
- To reduce traffic and pollution (Correct answer)
- To ban cars in the city
Correct answer: To reduce traffic and pollution
The first sentence states the purpose is to reduce traffic and pollution.
RISE Placement Reading Comprehension
“When Maria finally reached the summit of the mountain, she was overwhelmed by the view.
The clouds stretched out like a cotton sea, and the wind whispered through the pines.
She had trained for this moment for months, pushing her body and mind to their limits.
Now, standing at the peak, it all felt worth it.”
What is the main idea of the passage?