PRAXIS Core Academic Skills: Reading Informational Texts 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage describes a new city recycling program, lists its costs, then states 'However, these expenses are minor compared to the long-term savings.' What is the author's primary purpose?
- To persuade readers the program is worthwhile (Correct answer)
- To list the materials that can be recycled
- To criticize the city council's spending
- To entertain readers with a story
Correct answer: To persuade readers the program is worthwhile
The contrast word 'However' and the emphasis on long-term savings signal the author is arguing in favor of the program.
Question 2: An author writes, 'The factory's output tripled, suggesting that the new equipment was effective.' The word 'suggesting' indicates the statement is:
- An inference drawn from evidence (Correct answer)
- An established scientific law
- A direct quotation
- An unsupported opinion
Correct answer: An inference drawn from evidence
'Suggesting' shows the author is drawing a reasonable conclusion from the data rather than stating proven fact.
Question 3: Which sentence best states an opinion rather than a fact?
- Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
- The mountain trail is the most beautiful hike in the region. (Correct answer)
- The library opens at nine in the morning.
- The report contains forty pages.
Correct answer: The mountain trail is the most beautiful hike in the region.
'Most beautiful' reflects a personal judgment that cannot be verified, marking it as opinion.
Question 4: A text states a claim and then provides three studies that contradict it before concluding. The structure of this passage is best described as:
- Chronological sequence
- Claim and counterevidence (Correct answer)
- Spatial description
- Simple definition
Correct answer: Claim and counterevidence
Presenting a claim followed by evidence that contradicts it is a claim-and-counterevidence organization.
Question 5: In context, the word 'curtail' in 'The mayor moved to curtail unnecessary spending' most nearly means:
- Expand
- Reduce (Correct answer)
- Investigate
- Approve
Correct answer: Reduce
To curtail means to cut back or reduce, fitting the context of limiting unnecessary spending.
Question 6: Two passages discuss remote work; one emphasizes productivity gains and the other emphasizes isolation. The passages primarily differ in their:
- Topic
- Perspective on the same topic (Correct answer)
- Use of dialogue
- Time period
- Number of paragraphs
Correct answer: Perspective on the same topic
Both cover remote work but reach different conclusions, so they differ in perspective on the same topic.
Question 7: An author includes a graph showing rising temperatures alongside a paragraph about climate change. The graph most likely functions to:
- Provide quantitative support for the text's claims (Correct answer)
- Replace the need to read the paragraph
- Contradict the written argument
- Add decorative color to the page
Correct answer: Provide quantitative support for the text's claims
Visuals like graphs typically reinforce the text by supplying data that supports the author's points.
PRAXIS Core Academic Skills: Reading Informational Texts 2
A passage describes a new city recycling program, lists its costs, then states 'However, these expenses are minor compared to the long-term savings.' What is the author's primary purpose?