NCDAP Critical Reading 2

Question 1

A passage states: 'Despite the city's investment in public transit, traffic congestion has worsened over the past decade.' What conclusion is best supported by this statement?

Accepted Answer

Factors beyond public transit are contributing to congestion.

Answer

The word 'despite' signals a contrast, implying other factors are at play beyond transit investment.

Question 2

Which sentence contains a logical fallacy known as a hasty generalization?

Accepted Answer

I met two rude tourists from Canada, so Canadians must be rude.

Answer

Concluding all Canadians are rude based on two encounters is a hasty generalization.

Question 3

In the sentence 'The author concedes that her earlier research was flawed but maintains that her conclusions remain valid,' what does 'concedes' most nearly mean?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledges reluctantly

Answer

'Concedes' means to admit something is true, often unwillingly.

Question 4

A student reads an editorial arguing that standardized tests should be abolished. The author only cites studies funded by anti-testing organizations. What concern does this raise?

Accepted Answer

The sources may have a bias that affects the evidence presented.

Answer

Sources with a financial or ideological stake in the outcome may present biased evidence.

Question 5

Read this excerpt: 'The new policy will undoubtedly save thousands of lives, protect the environment, and eliminate poverty.' What rhetorical weakness does this sentence exhibit?

Accepted Answer

It makes overly broad and unsupported claims.

Answer

The sentence asserts dramatic outcomes without any evidence or qualification, making it an unsupported claim.

(NCDAP) North Carolina Diagnostic Placement Test Practice Test

(NCDAP) North Carolina Diagnostic Placement Test Practice Test

NCDAP Critical Reading 2