NBT Reading Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage argues that social media has increased political polarization. The author's primary purpose in this passage is most likely to:
- Entertain readers with anecdotes about viral posts.
- Persuade readers that social media harms political discourse. (Correct answer)
- Instruct readers on how to set up a social media account.
- Inform readers about the technical workings of social media algorithms.
Correct answer: Persuade readers that social media harms political discourse.
When an author presents a position and supports it with evidence, the primary purpose is persuasion.
Question 2: Identify the meaning of 'pragmatic' in: 'Rather than pursuing an ideal solution, the negotiators took a pragmatic approach and settled for what was achievable.'
- Idealistic and visionary
- Practical and focused on realistic outcomes (Correct answer)
- Stubborn and uncompromising
- Impulsive and emotional
Correct answer: Practical and focused on realistic outcomes
Pragmatic means dealing with things sensibly and practically, focusing on what can realistically be achieved.
Question 3: A passage includes this sentence: 'Deforestation is driven by agriculture, logging, and urban expansion — yet forests absorb roughly 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually.' The dash is used here to:
- Introduce a quotation from a scientist.
- Add a contrasting or supplementary fact to the main clause. (Correct answer)
- Separate items in a numbered list.
- Indicate that the sentence is incomplete.
Correct answer: Add a contrasting or supplementary fact to the main clause.
A dash can introduce additional information that elaborates on or contrasts with the preceding clause.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes an 'inference' in reading comprehension?
- A direct quote copied from the passage.
- A conclusion drawn from evidence not explicitly stated in the text. (Correct answer)
- A summary of the passage's main idea.
- A definition provided by the author in a footnote.
Correct answer: A conclusion drawn from evidence not explicitly stated in the text.
An inference is a logical conclusion the reader reaches by reading between the lines, using clues not directly stated.
Question 5: Read the following: 'The new policy was met with a lukewarm reception — polite applause, few questions, and employees who avoided eye contact.' What can be inferred about the employees' reaction?
- They were enthusiastically in favor of the policy.
- They were largely indifferent or quietly disapproving. (Correct answer)
- They had not yet heard about the policy.
- They were confused about the policy's technical details.
Correct answer: They were largely indifferent or quietly disapproving.
Polite but minimal engagement and avoidance of eye contact suggest the employees were unenthusiastic or subtly resistant.
Question 6: An author presents only evidence that supports electric vehicles while omitting studies showing limitations. This is an example of:
- Balanced reporting
- Selection bias or cherry-picking evidence (Correct answer)
- Proper use of citations
- A peer-reviewed research method
Correct answer: Selection bias or cherry-picking evidence
Presenting only evidence that supports one viewpoint while ignoring contrary evidence is called cherry-picking or selection bias.
Question 7: A passage uses the phrase 'it stands to reason.' This phrase signals that the author is about to:
- Introduce a surprising or counterintuitive fact.
- Present a logical conclusion based on prior evidence. (Correct answer)
- Acknowledge a weakness in their argument.
- Quote an outside authority or expert.
Correct answer: Present a logical conclusion based on prior evidence.
'It stands to reason' is a phrase that signals the author believes a logical conclusion follows from what has already been stated.
NBT Reading Comprehension 3
A passage argues that social media has increased political polarization.
The author's primary purpose in this passage is most likely to: