Stanford Achievement Test Stanford Achievement Reading Comprehension 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'Some scientists believe the dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid, while others point to volcanic activity as the cause.' What is the author doing in this passage?
- Providing a definitive answer about dinosaur extinction
- Presenting multiple scientific perspectives on an issue (Correct answer)
- Arguing that volcanoes caused extinction
- Dismissing the asteroid theory as false
Correct answer: Presenting multiple scientific perspectives on an issue
By presenting two different scientific viewpoints without favoring one, the author is offering multiple perspectives.
Question 2: Read this: 'The mountain trail was no walk in the park.' What does this phrase mean?
- The trail went through a park
- The trail was extremely easy
- The trail was not near any parks
- The trail was very challenging (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The trail was very challenging
The idiom 'no walk in the park' means something is not easy or simple—it is difficult or demanding.
Question 3: A student summarizes a passage about ocean pollution by writing: 'Trash in the ocean harms sea life.' What is missing from this summary?
- The summary is complete and accurate
- It omits key supporting details like types of pollution and specific effects (Correct answer)
- It includes too much information from the passage
- It uses words not found in the original passage
Correct answer: It omits key supporting details like types of pollution and specific effects
A good summary should capture the main idea and key supporting details, not just a vague restatement.
Question 4: A passage reads: 'Marisol had always wanted to be a surgeon. When she finally held her medical degree, tears streamed down her face.' What can the reader infer about Marisol?
- She regretted becoming a surgeon
- She was exhausted from studying
- She felt deeply moved and proud (Correct answer)
- She was sad that medical school was over
Correct answer: She felt deeply moved and proud
Tears when achieving a long-held dream typically signal deep emotional fulfillment and pride.
Question 5: Which sentence uses context clues to help the reader understand the word 'benevolent'?
- The benevolent king ruled his people.
- The king was benevolent and kind, always generous to the poor. (Correct answer)
- Benevolent leaders exist in history.
- Everyone admired the benevolent king.
Correct answer: The king was benevolent and kind, always generous to the poor.
The phrase 'kind, always generous to the poor' directly defines 'benevolent' through context clues within the same sentence.
Question 6: A nonfiction article about wolves includes a heading titled 'How Wolves Communicate.' What type of information would you expect under this heading?
- A description of wolf hunting techniques
- Details about wolf diet and nutrition
- Information about howling, body language, and pack signals (Correct answer)
- A history of wolves in North America
Correct answer: Information about howling, body language, and pack signals
A heading about communication signals that the section will cover how wolves convey information to one another.
Question 7: A passage describes a neighborhood where 'every lawn was perfectly trimmed, every fence freshly painted, and no litter was ever seen.' What mood does this description create?
- Gloomy and threatening
- Orderly and pristine (Correct answer)
- Chaotic and busy
- Lonely and abandoned
Correct answer: Orderly and pristine
Details like trimmed lawns, painted fences, and no litter create a mood of neatness and order.
Stanford Achievement Test Stanford Achievement Reading Comprehension 4
A passage states: 'Some scientists believe the dinosaurs were wiped out by an asteroid, while others point to volcanic activity as the cause.' What is the author doing in this passage?