Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Drawing Conclusions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage notes that 'the ancient city's infrastructure included aqueducts, paved roads, and a complex sewage system.' What conclusion can be drawn about this civilization?
- The civilization lacked significant artistic achievement
- The civilization possessed advanced engineering capabilities (Correct answer)
- The civilization was primarily agricultural in its economy
- The civilization had little concern for public health
Correct answer: The civilization possessed advanced engineering capabilities
Aqueducts, paved roads, and sewage systems all require sophisticated engineering knowledge, supporting a conclusion of advanced engineering capabilities.
Question 2: After reading about a student who 'missed 30 days of school, failed three major exams, and did not submit the final project,' what conclusion is most reasonable?
- The student will likely graduate with honors
- The student is at serious risk of failing the course (Correct answer)
- The teacher graded the student unfairly
- The school's attendance policy is too strict
Correct answer: The student is at serious risk of failing the course
Multiple absences, failed exams, and a missing final project are strong, converging indicators that the student is at significant risk of failing.
Question 3: What is the best definition of a 'valid conclusion' in the context of reading comprehension?
- Any conclusion the reader finds personally convincing or familiar
- A conclusion that contradicts the author's main argument
- A conclusion that is logically supported by the text's evidence (Correct answer)
- A conclusion that agrees with widely held beliefs outside the text
Correct answer: A conclusion that is logically supported by the text's evidence
A valid conclusion must follow logically from the evidence presented in the text, not from personal opinion or outside assumptions.
Question 4: A passage states that 'the medicine was tested on 10,000 patients over five years, with 94% reporting improvement and minimal reported side effects.' What conclusion is most appropriate?
- The medicine is completely safe for all patient populations
- The medicine shows strong evidence of effectiveness with an acceptable safety profile (Correct answer)
- More testing is needed before any conclusions can be drawn
- The 6% who did not improve all experienced serious adverse side effects
Correct answer: The medicine shows strong evidence of effectiveness with an acceptable safety profile
A large sample, long study duration, high improvement rate, and minimal side effects together support a conclusion of strong effectiveness and acceptable safety.
Question 5: A passage states: 'Rates of childhood obesity have tripled in the past 30 years, coinciding with increased screen time and decreased physical activity.' Which conclusion is MOST supported?
- Screen time alone directly causes obesity with no other contributing factors
- Reduced physical activity and increased screen time are associated with rising obesity rates (Correct answer)
- Children today are less healthy in every measurable way than 30 years ago
- Obesity rates will continue to triple every 30 years at the same pace
Correct answer: Reduced physical activity and increased screen time are associated with rising obesity rates
The passage links rising obesity with two coinciding trends, supporting an association between these factors without claiming direct causation.
Question 6: A reader draws a conclusion about a passage that is not stated or logically implied anywhere in the text. This type of error is best described as:
- A valid inference based on context clues
- Reading between the lines effectively
- An unsupported conclusion (Correct answer)
- Contextual reasoning based on evidence
Correct answer: An unsupported conclusion
When a conclusion lacks support from the text's evidence or logical implications, it is considered unsupported and therefore invalid.
Question 7: On the Nelson-Denny Reading Test, the ability to draw conclusions is assessed primarily because it:
- Measures how quickly a reader processes a passage
- Evaluates a reader's ability to think beyond the literal text using textual evidence (Correct answer)
- Tests direct knowledge of vocabulary definitions
- Determines a reader's ability to recall spelling patterns
Correct answer: Evaluates a reader's ability to think beyond the literal text using textual evidence
Drawing conclusions assesses higher-order thinking—reasoning from textual evidence to reach logical outcomes beyond what is explicitly stated.
Nelson-Denny Reading Test Reading Comprehension: Drawing Conclusions 2
A passage notes that 'the ancient city's infrastructure included aqueducts, paved roads, and a complex sewage system.' What conclusion can be drawn about this civilization?