NBT Reading for Implied Meaning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage describes a character who 'drummed her fingers on the table while waiting.' What does this action imply about her emotional state?
- She is relaxed and comfortable
- She is impatient or anxious (Correct answer)
- She is practicing a musical rhythm
- She is bored but content
Correct answer: She is impatient or anxious
Drumming fingers is a commonly recognized body language cue implying impatience or nervousness.
Question 2: A newspaper headline reads: 'City Council Questions New Stadium Costs.' What does the headline imply about the council's position?
- The council fully supports the stadium project
- The council has concerns or doubts about the stadium's expenses (Correct answer)
- The council has rejected the stadium proposal
- The council is unaware of the stadium's actual costs
Correct answer: The council has concerns or doubts about the stadium's expenses
'Questions' implies scrutiny or skepticism — the council is not simply accepting the cost figures at face value.
Question 3: An author writes: 'The neighborhood had seen better days.' What does this phrase imply?
- The neighborhood is currently thriving
- The neighborhood was once in better condition than it is now (Correct answer)
- The neighborhood has always been in poor shape
- The neighborhood will improve in the future
Correct answer: The neighborhood was once in better condition than it is now
The idiom 'had seen better days' implies the neighborhood has declined from a formerly superior state.
Question 4: A text states: 'He managed to pass the exam.' What does the word 'managed' imply about the experience?
- He passed easily and without effort
- He passed only after considerable difficulty or struggle (Correct answer)
- He chose to take the exam voluntarily
- He passed on his first attempt
Correct answer: He passed only after considerable difficulty or struggle
'Managed' implies the task was difficult and success required effort, suggesting the exam was challenging for him.
Question 5: A brochure for a resort states: 'Prices vary by season.' What is implied for travelers planning a summer trip?
- Summer is always the cheapest time to visit
- The price in summer may differ from other times of year (Correct answer)
- The brochure's listed prices are guaranteed for summer
- Only winter travelers need to check prices
Correct answer: The price in summer may differ from other times of year
Seasonal price variation implies travelers must check specific rates for their travel period rather than assuming a fixed price.
Question 6: A character in a story is described as 'carefully choosing her words before responding.' What does this imply?
- She is dishonest and trying to deceive someone
- She is considering the impact of what she says (Correct answer)
- She has difficulty speaking clearly
- She is excited and eager to respond
Correct answer: She is considering the impact of what she says
Carefully choosing words implies the character is being thoughtful, tactful, or cautious about how her response will be received.
Question 7: A passage states: 'The senator's silence on the issue spoke volumes.' What does this imply?
- The senator literally gave a long speech
- The senator's lack of response conveyed a meaningful message (Correct answer)
- The senator was unaware of the issue
- The senator had no opinion on the matter
Correct answer: The senator's lack of response conveyed a meaningful message
'Silence spoke volumes' is an idiom implying that choosing not to respond communicated something significant — likely reluctance, guilt, or strategic avoidance.
NBT Reading for Implied Meaning 3
A passage describes a character who 'drummed her fingers on the table while waiting.' What does this action imply about her emotional state?