Reading Comprehension Drawing Conclusions and Predictions 4

Question 1

The small coffee shop on Oak Street had long lines every morning. When a large chain café opened next door last month, the coffee shop installed comfortable seating, offered free Wi-Fi, and began hosting local musicians on weekends. Question: What prediction can be made about the coffee shop's strategy?

Accepted Answer

The coffee shop is trying to differentiate itself from the chain café to retain customers.

Answer

Adding seating, Wi-Fi, and entertainment directly after a competitor arrived signals a deliberate strategy to offer experiences the chain cannot easily replicate.

Question 2

Sailors in the 1800s who spent months at sea often developed scurvy — a disease causing bleeding gums and extreme fatigue. Ships that carried limes and lemons on long voyages reported almost no cases of scurvy among their crews. Question: What conclusion is supported?

Accepted Answer

Scurvy is likely caused by a lack of something found in citrus fruits.

Answer

Because scurvy appeared without citrus and disappeared with it, the most logical conclusion is that a nutrient in citrus (vitamin C) prevents the disease.

Question 3

The library's digital borrowing service launched three years ago. Since then, physical book checkouts have declined by 20% each year, while e-book and audiobook downloads have tripled. Question: Based on these trends, what is the most reasonable prediction for next year?

Accepted Answer

Digital borrowing will likely continue to grow while physical checkouts decline further.

Answer

A consistent three-year trend of digital growth and physical decline gives no reason to predict a reversal next year.

Question 4

A study tracked students who ate breakfast before school and those who skipped it. Students who ate breakfast scored an average of 15% higher on morning tests and reported better concentration. Question: What conclusion is best supported?

Accepted Answer

Eating breakfast is associated with better academic performance in the morning.

Answer

The data directly links breakfast consumption to higher test scores and better concentration, supporting a positive association between the two.

Question 5

Polar bear populations depend almost entirely on sea ice for hunting seals. Satellite data shows Arctic sea ice has shrunk by 13% per decade over the last 40 years. Question: What prediction about polar bears is most reasonable?

Accepted Answer

Polar bear populations will likely face increasing pressure as sea ice continues to shrink.

Answer

A 40-year trend of ice loss directly threatens polar bears' hunting platform; unless the trend reverses, their populations will face mounting survival challenges.

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Drawing Conclusions and Predictions 4