Rise Placement Test Reading Comprehension 5

Question 1

A persuasive essay argues that public libraries should receive more government funding. Which type of evidence would MOST strengthen this argument?

Accepted Answer

Statistics showing that communities with well-funded libraries have higher literacy rates

Answer

Quantitative data directly linking library funding to literacy outcomes provides objective, measurable support for the funding argument.

Question 2

Read this passage excerpt: 'The administration insisted the policy was working. Unemployment figures, however, told a different story.' What technique is the author using?

Accepted Answer

Contrasting an official claim with contradicting data

Answer

The author sets up a contrast between what officials claimed and what data showed, a technique used to challenge or complicate a stated position.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

Accepted Answer

To state the main idea that the rest of the paragraph will develop

Answer

A topic sentence introduces the central idea of its paragraph, which all other sentences in that paragraph should support or explain.

Question 4

A student reads a passage and is asked to make an inference. Which of the following describes an inference?

Accepted Answer

Combining information from the text with prior knowledge to reach a logical conclusion

Answer

Inference requires the reader to use textual evidence plus background knowledge to draw a conclusion not explicitly stated.

Question 5

In a passage, a sentence reads: 'The drought decimated the harvest.' Based on context, what does 'decimated' most likely mean?

Accepted Answer

Greatly destroyed or severely damaged

Answer

In modern usage, 'decimated' means to cause severe damage or destruction; a drought devastating a harvest fits this meaning.

Rise Placement Test Practice Test

Rise Placement Test Practice Test

Rise Placement Test Reading Comprehension 5