OAR OAR Reading Comprehension: Inferences 4

Question 1

Read the passage: 'The city council passed the new zoning ordinance without a public hearing.
Within a week, three neighborhood associations filed formal objections.' What can be inferred about the council's process?

Accepted Answer

Skipping the public hearing left residents feeling excluded from the decision.

Answer

The council believed the ordinance was too minor to require public input.

Answer

The neighborhood associations had been notified in advance and chose not to attend.

Answer

The ordinance reversed a decision that most residents had supported.

Question 2

Read the passage: 'Investigators found that the bridge inspection reports from the previous five years had all been signed by the same engineer—who had retired two years ago—and that the signatures did not match his handwriting samples.' What can be inferred?

Accepted Answer

Bridge inspections were being falsified or forged.

Answer

The retired engineer had continued to inspect bridges part-time.

Answer

The engineer's handwriting had changed due to age.

Answer

The inspection forms had been updated with a new signature format.

Question 3

Read the passage: 'Although the advertisement claimed the supplement was 'clinically proven,' the fine print noted the study involved twelve participants over two weeks.' What can be inferred about the strength of that claim?

Accepted Answer

The clinical evidence supporting the claim is very limited.

Answer

The supplement has been rigorously tested and is safe for general use.

Answer

The study size is standard for this type of supplement research.

Answer

Two weeks is sufficient time to measure long-term health effects.

Question 4

Read the passage: 'The expedition's supply of freeze-dried meals ran out on day eighteen. The group's journal entries after that point became shorter and less detailed.' What can be inferred about the expedition members after day eighteen?

Accepted Answer

They became less motivated to document their experience, possibly due to hunger or fatigue.

Answer

They found an alternative food source that kept them fully energized.

Answer

They decided to end the expedition early because of poor weather.

Answer

Writing materials became scarce after the food supplies ran out.

Question 5

Read the passage: 'The startup released its app with great fanfare in January. By April, the founders had stopped posting on social media about it, and the app's review page showed the last update was in February.' What can be inferred about the startup?

Accepted Answer

The app likely encountered serious problems or failed to meet expectations.

Answer

The founders were quietly working on a major update to surprise users.

Answer

The founders took a planned social media break after the launch.

Answer

The app was so successful it no longer needed promotion.

Question 6

Read the passage: 'The professor handed back the midterm exams without comment and immediately began the next lecture. Several students exchanged worried glances.' What does the students' reaction suggest?

Accepted Answer

Students interpreted the professor's silence as a sign the results were poor.

Answer

Students were surprised the professor did not cancel class after returning exams.

Answer

Students had expected more time to study before the midterm.

Answer

Students were confused by the next lecture topic.

Question 7

Read the passage: 'Every year the museum held a gala to raise funds. This year, for the first time, the event was held in a smaller venue, the guest list was reduced, and the live orchestra was replaced by a DJ.' What can be inferred about the museum's financial situation?

Accepted Answer

The museum was facing budget constraints and needed to reduce costs.

Answer

The museum was experimenting with a trendier format to attract younger donors.

Answer

The gala had grown too large and was scaled back by choice.

Answer

The original venue was undergoing renovations, requiring a temporary change.