Reading Comprehension Flashcards

Passage: 'The main idea is the central point the author wants to communicate. Supporting details provide evidence or elaboration but are not the primary focus.' Read this excerpt: 'Ohio's civil service system was created to ensure government positions are filled based on merit. Competitive exams, standardized job classifications, and performance reviews all serve this goal.' What is the main idea?

Answer: Ohio's civil service system is designed to fill government jobs based on merit.

The first sentence states the central point — merit-based hiring — while exams, classifications, and reviews are supporting details.

Passage: 'A summary should capture the essential content of a source document using the reader's own words. It should not include opinions, analysis, or information not found in the original text.' Which is a proper summary of a report stating that 40% of city vehicles failed their last inspection?

Answer: 'According to the report, 40 percent of city vehicles did not pass their most recent inspection.'

Only the second option restates the report's content without adding opinion or analysis, meeting the definition of a proper summary.

Passage: 'Workplace safety regulations require that all employees complete annual safety training. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring their team members complete the training and for documenting completion in the personnel file.' A supervisor's team has two members who have not completed safety training this year. Who bears responsibility?

Answer: The supervisor, because supervisors are responsible for their team's completion.

The passage states supervisors are responsible for ensuring team members complete training, placing responsibility on the supervisor.

Passage: 'Signal words such as however, although, despite, and on the other hand introduce a contrast or exception to a previously stated idea.' In the sentence 'The department met its quarterly targets; however, employee turnover increased significantly,' what does 'however' signal?

Answer: The second clause contradicts or qualifies the positive result stated first.

'However' signals a contrast — the rising turnover qualifies or complicates the positive news of meeting targets.

Passage: 'State employees are prohibited from using government equipment for personal business. Limited personal use is permitted only if it does not interfere with official duties and does not generate costs for the state.' An employee uses a state computer to check personal email during her lunch break without incurring any state cost. Is this permitted?

Answer: Yes, it is permitted because it occurs during lunch and generates no state cost.

The passage allows limited personal use that doesn't interfere with duties and generates no cost — this scenario meets both conditions.

Passage: 'A procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions for completing a task. Unlike a policy, which states what must be done, a procedure explains how it is to be done.' Which document is most likely a procedure rather than a policy?

Answer: 'To request leave: (1) Complete Form HR-7, (2) Submit to supervisor, (3) Await written approval.'

The numbered steps explaining how to request leave describe the how-to process, making it a procedure rather than a policy statement.

Passage: 'Charts, tables, and graphs present data visually, allowing readers to identify trends more efficiently than through text alone. However, readers should always refer to accompanying text to ensure accurate interpretation.' A report's graph shows rising department expenditures over five years. What should a reader do before concluding spending is out of control?

Answer: Read the accompanying text to ensure accurate interpretation of the data.

The passage specifically advises readers to consult accompanying text to ensure accurate interpretation rather than relying solely on visual data.