Reading Comprehension Passages Flashcards
6 cards from real ITEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Reading Comprehension Passages flashcards as text
Read: 'The research team was lauded for its rigorous methodology, which included double-blind trials and extensive peer review.' What does 'rigorous' mean in this context?
Answer: Extremely thorough and strict in procedure
'Rigorous' means very strict, thorough, and careful — describing high-standard scientific methodology.
A passage reads: 'The novel's narrator is unreliable, as evidenced by the glaring contradictions between his account and the testimonies of other characters.' What is an 'unreliable narrator'?
Answer: A narrator whose account cannot be fully trusted due to bias, limited perspective, or self-contradiction
An unreliable narrator is a literary device where the narrator's credibility is questioned due to inconsistency, bias, or limited self-awareness.
Read: 'Despite its seemingly paradoxical nature, the theory has gained considerable traction in academic circles.' What does 'paradoxical' mean?
Answer: Apparently self-contradictory or contrary to common sense, yet possibly true
A paradox is a statement that appears self-contradictory or contrary to expectation but may contain truth — 'paradoxical' is its adjective form.
A passage about environmental policy states: 'The regulations were implemented incrementally to minimize economic disruption.' What does 'incrementally' mean?
Answer: Gradually, in small steps over time
'Incrementally' means in a series of small steps or gradual increases, rather than all at once.
The passage states: 'While proponents argue the policy will stimulate economic growth, detractors warn of unforeseen fiscal repercussions.' What does 'repercussions' mean?
Answer: Indirect or unexpected consequences resulting from an action
'Repercussions' are the indirect, often unintended consequences or aftereffects of an action — usually negative and not immediately obvious.
Read: 'The author employs an extended metaphor throughout the novel, comparing the protagonist's psychological journey to a sea voyage fraught with storms and calm waters alike.' What is an extended metaphor?
Answer: A metaphor that is developed consistently across a large portion of a text
An extended metaphor sustains a single comparison throughout a work or a large section of it, developing multiple aspects of the comparison.