Reading Comprehension Flashcards
7 cards from real ITBS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Reading Comprehension flashcards as text
A passage reads: 'The drought had turned the once-green fields into cracked brown earth. Farmers watched the sky anxiously, hoping for rain that never came.' The MOOD of this passage is BEST described as:
Answer: Tense and hopeless
Words like 'cracked,' 'anxiously,' and 'never came' create a mood of tension and despair.
A student encounters the word 'benevolent' in a story about a kind queen who built hospitals for the poor. The BEST definition based on context is:
Answer: Well-meaning and generous
The queen's actions — building hospitals for the poor — demonstrate kindness and generosity, which 'benevolent' means.
An article about exercise includes this paragraph: 'Exercise strengthens the heart muscle. It also improves mental health by releasing endorphins. Additionally, regular activity helps maintain a healthy weight.' What is the MAIN IDEA of this paragraph?
Answer: Exercise provides multiple health benefits
All three sentences describe different health benefits of exercise, making 'multiple health benefits' the paragraph's main idea.
Read: 'Some people claim homework improves grades. However, studies show that excessive homework can cause stress and reduce family time.' The word 'however' signals:
Answer: A contrast or opposing viewpoint
'However' is a transition word that signals a contrasting idea is about to be introduced.
A biography paragraph reads: 'Marie Curie won two Nobel Prizes — one in Physics and one in Chemistry — becoming the first person to win the award in two different sciences.' What type of text is this MOST likely from?
Answer: An informational biography
The passage presents verifiable historical facts about a real person's achievements, which is characteristic of a nonfiction biography.
In an ITBS reading passage, a student is asked to identify which detail BEST supports the main idea. The main idea is: 'Wolves play a vital role in their ecosystems.' Which detail BEST supports this?
Answer: When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, deer populations became balanced and rivers recovered.
Only the Yellowstone example directly shows wolves affecting the broader ecosystem, which supports the main idea about their vital role.
A passage ends with: 'Without immediate action, coral reefs may disappear within our lifetime.' This sentence is MOST likely intended to:
Answer: Persuade readers that action is urgently needed
The warning about reefs disappearing 'within our lifetime' is a call to action designed to persuade readers of the urgency of protecting reefs.