Reading Comprehension Drawing Conclusions and Predictions 5

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?

Accepted Answer

The clock has not been wound for a long time and therefore stopped running.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Penicillin was effective at fighting bacterial infections.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Her savings balance will drop significantly after the purchase.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Continued bee decline could threaten the availability of many food crops.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The hikers may become lost because they lack a map and the trail markings are unreliable beyond mile three.

Answer

Fading markers and no map at a trail fork create exactly the conditions in which inexperienced or unprepared hikers become lost.

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Reading Comprehension Drawing Conclusions and Predictions 5