Reading Comprehension 7 Flashcards

A passage states: 'The old lighthouse stood at the edge of town, its beam sweeping the dark water each night, though no ships had passed in decades.' What does this detail most likely suggest about the lighthouse?

Answer: It is a symbol of persistent duty despite irrelevance

The lighthouse continues its function even though ships no longer pass, making it a symbol of duty or habit persisting beyond its original purpose — a classic inference about symbolic meaning in literary passages.

An author writes: 'She read every word twice, then a third time, her pen never leaving the margin.' What can the reader most reasonably infer about the character?

Answer: She is a careful and analytical reader who engages deeply with text

Rereading passages and annotating margins are behaviors associated with close, critical reading. The inference that she is analytical and engaged is the most reasonable conclusion from the described actions.

In context, what does the word 'ephemeral' most likely mean in the sentence: 'The joy of the festival was ephemeral — by Sunday the streets were empty and silent'?

Answer: Lasting only a short time

The contrast between the festival's joy and the quickly emptied streets signals that the feeling did not last long. Context clues indicating a swift transition support the meaning 'lasting only a short time.'

Which of the following best describes the difference between a text's central idea and a supporting detail?

Answer: The central idea is the broad point the entire text develops; a detail is a specific piece of evidence that backs it up

A central idea is the overarching argument or message that the whole text works to establish, while supporting details are specific facts, examples, or evidence that develop and strengthen that central idea.

A student reads: 'The committee approved the plan not because it was perfect, but because the alternatives were worse.' What does this sentence reveal about the committee's decision-making?

Answer: The plan was chosen by default rather than genuine enthusiasm

The phrase 'not because it was perfect, but because the alternatives were worse' makes clear the plan was selected as the least-bad option, indicating a decision made by elimination rather than conviction.

An author ends a story with: 'Marcus locked the door behind him and never looked back — or so he told himself.' What effect does the phrase 'or so he told himself' create?

Answer: It introduces doubt about whether Marcus truly felt no regret

The qualifying phrase 'or so he told himself' undermines the certainty of the previous statement, hinting that Marcus may actually feel doubt or regret even as he tries to convince himself otherwise — a common technique for revealing inner conflict.