Reading Comprehension Flashcards
7 cards from real Rise Placement Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Reading Comprehension flashcards as text
A persuasive essay argues that public libraries should receive more government funding. Which type of evidence would MOST strengthen this argument?
Answer: Statistics showing that communities with well-funded libraries have higher literacy rates
Quantitative data directly linking library funding to literacy outcomes provides objective, measurable support for the funding argument.
Read this passage excerpt: 'The administration insisted the policy was working. Unemployment figures, however, told a different story.' What technique is the author using?
Answer: Contrasting an official claim with contradicting data
The author sets up a contrast between what officials claimed and what data showed, a technique used to challenge or complicate a stated position.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
Answer: To state the main idea that the rest of the paragraph will develop
A topic sentence introduces the central idea of its paragraph, which all other sentences in that paragraph should support or explain.
A student reads a passage and is asked to make an inference. Which of the following describes an inference?
Answer: Combining information from the text with prior knowledge to reach a logical conclusion
Inference requires the reader to use textual evidence plus background knowledge to draw a conclusion not explicitly stated.
In a passage, a sentence reads: 'The drought decimated the harvest.' Based on context, what does 'decimated' most likely mean?
Answer: Greatly destroyed or severely damaged
In modern usage, 'decimated' means to cause severe damage or destruction; a drought devastating a harvest fits this meaning.
An author writes an article arguing that electric vehicles are the future of transportation, then ends with: 'Of course, challenges remain.' What is the effect of this closing acknowledgment?
Answer: It makes the author seem more credible by showing awareness of counterpoints
Acknowledging limitations or challenges while maintaining a position demonstrates intellectual honesty, which enhances the author's credibility.
A passage contains this sentence: 'Despite widespread skepticism, the experiment yielded remarkable results.' What does the word 'despite' indicate?
Answer: The results occurred even though there was skepticism
'Despite' signals a contrast — something happened even though a condition that might have prevented it existed.