Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Analyzing Textual Evidence 3

Question 1

A passage reads: 'The organization spent 80% of its budget on administrative costs and only 20% on direct services.' Which claim is best supported by this evidence?

Accepted Answer

The organization prioritizes administration over direct services in its spending

Answer

The organization is fraudulent

Answer

The organization will soon go bankrupt

Answer

Direct services are less important than administration

Question 2

In a Nelson-Denny passage, which strategy best helps a reader identify which sentences function as textual evidence versus which are the author's conclusions?

Accepted Answer

Identify sentences containing specific facts, statistics, or examples versus interpretive claims

Answer

Assume the first sentence of each paragraph is evidence and the last is conclusion

Answer

Look for sentences written in past tense as evidence

Answer

Count the number of adjectives in each sentence

Question 3

A passage argues that urban parks improve mental health and cites a study in which 'participants reported feeling less stressed after 20 minutes in a park.' This evidence directly supports which claim?

Accepted Answer

Short time in a park is associated with self-reported stress reduction

Answer

Urban parks eliminate mental illness

Answer

All urban residents need parks to stay healthy

Answer

Stress is the only mental health concern parks address

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of using textual evidence incorrectly?

Accepted Answer

Using a passage detail about one character to make a claim about all characters in the story

Answer

Quoting a specific line from the passage to support a claim

Answer

Citing a statistic from the passage that directly relates to the argument

Answer

Referencing the author's stated purpose to explain the passage's tone

Question 5

A passage states: 'Sales dropped in January, rose in February, and dropped again in March.' Based solely on this, a reader can conclude that:

Accepted Answer

Sales fluctuated over the three-month period

Answer

Sales are in long-term decline

Answer

February is always the best month for sales

Answer

The company will recover by summer

Question 6

When analyzing a persuasive passage, a reader notices that the author only cites studies that support their argument. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Selective use of evidence that may present a one-sided view

Answer

Strong use of textual evidence

Answer

Effective summarizing of all available research

Answer

Objective scientific reporting

Question 7

A passage describes a scientist who 'published over 50 peer-reviewed articles.' How does this detail function in the passage?

Accepted Answer

It establishes the scientist's credibility as an expert source

Answer

It proves the scientist's conclusions are always correct

Answer

It shows the scientist has too much work to be reliable

Answer

It is irrelevant background information

Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Analyzing Textual Evidence 3

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