Reading Comprehension Drawing Conclusions and Predictions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The antique clock in the hallway had stopped at 3:47. Dust covered its face, and the key needed to wind it lay untouched on the shelf beside it. Question: What can most reasonably be concluded about the clock?
- The clock has not been wound for a long time and therefore stopped running. (Correct answer)
- The clock was broken by someone who dropped it.
- The key does not fit the clock.
- The clock was deliberately stopped at 3:47 as a reminder.
Correct answer: The clock has not been wound for a long time and therefore stopped running.
The untouched winding key and accumulated dust together indicate the clock has been neglected and ran down rather than breaking suddenly.
Question 2: In the 1940s, scientists noticed that soldiers treated with penicillin recovered from bacterial infections much faster than those who received no treatment. Mortality rates among treated soldiers dropped dramatically. Question: What conclusion did scientists most likely draw?
- Penicillin was effective at fighting bacterial infections. (Correct answer)
- Soldiers who received penicillin were already healthier before being infected.
- Bacterial infections were less dangerous in the 1940s.
- Penicillin worked by boosting soldiers' morale.
Correct answer: Penicillin was effective at fighting bacterial infections.
Faster recovery and lower mortality in the treated group compared to the untreated group directly supports the conclusion that penicillin caused the improvement.
Question 3: Every month that Priya added $200 to her savings account, her balance grew. For the past six months she has saved consistently. Next month, she plans to make a large car purchase that will use most of her savings. Question: What can be predicted about Priya's savings balance after the purchase?
- Her savings balance will drop significantly after the purchase. (Correct answer)
- Her savings balance will keep growing as usual.
- Her savings will be unaffected because she earns interest.
- The bank will prevent her from making the withdrawal.
Correct answer: Her savings balance will drop significantly after the purchase.
Using most of her savings for a large purchase will obviously reduce the balance she has built up over six months.
Question 4: A nature documentary noted that honeybee colonies have declined by nearly 30% over the past decade. Bees pollinate about one-third of the world's food crops. Question: What prediction is best supported by the data?
- Continued bee decline could threaten the availability of many food crops. (Correct answer)
- Food crops will evolve to pollinate themselves without bees.
- A 30% decline in bees will have no effect on agriculture.
- Other insects will immediately replace bees as pollinators.
Correct answer: Continued bee decline could threaten the availability of many food crops.
Because bees pollinate a third of food crops, their declining population logically puts the production of those crops at risk.
Question 5: The hiking trail was marked clearly at the trailhead, but after the third mile, the markers became sparse and faded. Two hikers who set off without a map were last seen heading into an unmarked fork in the trail. Question: What concern does the passage raise about the hikers?
- The hikers may become lost because they lack a map and the trail markings are unreliable beyond mile three. (Correct answer)
- The hikers will complete the trail faster by taking the unmarked fork.
- The trail markers will be repainted before the hikers return.
- The hikers are experienced enough to navigate without markers.
Correct answer: The hikers may become lost because they lack a map and the trail markings are unreliable beyond mile three.
Fading markers and no map at a trail fork create exactly the conditions in which inexperienced or unprepared hikers become lost.
Question 6: Over a century ago, passenger pigeons were the most numerous bird in North America. As forests were cleared and the birds were hunted in large numbers for food, their flocks dwindled rapidly. The last known passenger pigeon died in 1914. Question: What conclusion does this passage support about the species?
- Human activity through habitat destruction and overhunting drove the passenger pigeon to extinction. (Correct answer)
- Passenger pigeons died out because of a natural disease with no human cause.
- The passenger pigeon population was already declining before humans arrived.
- Passenger pigeons chose not to reproduce in captivity, causing their extinction.
Correct answer: Human activity through habitat destruction and overhunting drove the passenger pigeon to extinction.
The passage explicitly names forest clearing and large-scale hunting as causes of the population's rapid decline, pointing to human activity as the driver of extinction.
Question 7: A restaurant owner noticed that customers who received their meals within 10 minutes left positive reviews, while those who waited over 20 minutes frequently complained online. She recently hired two additional kitchen staff. Question: What prediction can be made about the restaurant's online reviews?
- Online reviews will likely improve as faster service reduces long wait times. (Correct answer)
- Hiring staff will cause food quality to decline and worsen reviews.
- Customers will not notice any change in wait times.
- Positive reviews were already increasing before the new hires.
Correct answer: Online reviews will likely improve as faster service reduces long wait times.
Because long waits caused negative reviews, adding staff to speed up service should reduce waits and, by the established pattern, improve reviews.
Reading Comprehension Drawing Conclusions and Predictions 5
The antique clock in the hallway had stopped at 3:47.
Dust covered its face, and the key needed to wind it lay untouched on the shelf beside it.
Question: What can most reasonably be concluded about the clock?