ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Skills Test

Question 1

Television has been introduced to almost every country in the world, reaching a large number of viewers on every continent. About 600 million people saw the first person walk on the moon, and a billion people watched the twentieth Olympic Games. Television has in many ways promoted understanding and cooperation among people. It does this by showing educational and cultural programs. From this passage, a reader can most reasonably conclude that the author believes that

Accepted Answer

television is as important as schools

Answer

The passage highlights television's global reach and its capacity to show "educational and cultural programs" that "promoted understanding and cooperation among people." By emphasizing its role in widespread education and fostering global understanding, the author implicitly places television in a foundational role for societal development and knowledge dissemination, much like schools. The sheer number of people who witnessed significant global events via television also underscores its power as a universal educator and unifier.

Question 2

People have different ways of learning. Some are better at making mental pictures of new ideas. Others are more comfortable with writing lists of things to memorize. Certain people can learn best when listening to music, while others need silence to concentrate. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?

Accepted Answer

Different individuals have different ways of acquiring information

Answer

The passage explicitly states, "People have different ways of learning." It then provides several examples: making mental pictures, writing lists, listening to music, or needing silence. Each example illustrates a distinct method of learning, directly supporting the main idea that individuals vary in their preferred and most effective approaches to acquiring information.

Question 3

If you hold a piece of copper wire over the flame of a wooden match, heat will be conducted by the copper wire to your fingers, and you will be forced to drop the wire. You will, however, still be able to hold the match because wood is a poor conductor of heat. Which of the following is implied in the passage above?

Accepted Answer

Copper is a good conductor of heat

Answer

The passage describes how holding a copper wire over a flame will cause heat to be conducted to your fingers, forcing you to drop it. In contrast, you can still hold the wooden match because "wood is a poor conductor of heat." This direct comparison implies that copper must be a good conductor of heat for the heat to transfer so quickly and intensely to your fingers.

Question 4

Many people own different pets. Dogs, cats, birds, and fish are common household pets. Others pets are considered to be exotic animals. These include snakes, lizards, and hedgehogs. According to the passage, snakes are

Accepted Answer

uncommon pets

Answer

The passage categorizes dogs, cats, birds, and fish as "common household pets." It then states that "Other pets are considered to be exotic animals. These include snakes, lizards, and hedgehogs." By classifying snakes as "exotic animals" and contrasting them with "common household pets," the passage implies that snakes are not common pets.

Question 5

Cesar Chavez was an influential leader for farmworkers. He fought for their rights and better working conditions. Chavez led many strikes that angered farm owners. Eventually he succeeded in getting increased wages and better living situations for farmworkers. The passage indicates that Chavez changed lives by

Accepted Answer

improving the conditions for farmworkers

Answer

The passage explicitly states that Cesar Chavez "fought for their rights and better working conditions" for farmworkers. It concludes by saying he "succeeded in getting increased wages and better living situations for farmworkers." These statements directly indicate that his actions led to an improvement in the overall conditions for these workers.

Accuplacer Practice Test

Accuplacer Practice Test

ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Skills Test