Stanford Achievement Test Stanford Achievement Reading Comprehension 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student reads two articles about the same historical event. Article A praises the general's strategy, while Article B criticizes it. The best approach is to:
- Only trust the article that was published first
- Ignore both articles since they disagree
- Consider both perspectives and look for evidence supporting each view (Correct answer)
- Accept whichever article is longer
Correct answer: Consider both perspectives and look for evidence supporting each view
Evaluating multiple perspectives and examining the evidence each provides leads to a more complete understanding.
Question 2: The passage states: 'By 1900, nearly half the forests in the eastern United States had been cleared.' Which type of text evidence is this?
- A personal anecdote
- A statistical fact (Correct answer)
- An expert opinion
- A hypothetical example
Correct answer: A statistical fact
A specific percentage tied to a historical date is a statistical fact used as text evidence.
Question 3: A story's narrator says: 'I watched from behind the curtain as the guests arrived, wishing I could disappear.' What point of view is this passage written in?
- Third-person omniscient
- Third-person limited
- First person (Correct answer)
- Second person
Correct answer: First person
The use of 'I' and personal feelings told directly by the narrator indicates first-person point of view.
Question 4: A passage about climate change ends with: 'We must act now—before it is too late.' What is the effect of this concluding sentence?
- It weakens the author's argument by admitting failure
- It creates urgency and calls the reader to action (Correct answer)
- It introduces a new counterargument
- It summarizes the history of climate change
Correct answer: It creates urgency and calls the reader to action
Phrases like 'must act now' and 'before it is too late' create a sense of urgency meant to motivate the reader.
Question 5: A student is asked to find the author's bias in an article. Which is the best evidence of bias?
- The article includes statistics from multiple sources
- The article only presents arguments supporting one side of an issue (Correct answer)
- The article is written by a well-known journalist
- The article uses headings and subheadings
Correct answer: The article only presents arguments supporting one side of an issue
Presenting only one side of an argument without acknowledging opposing views is a key indicator of author bias.
Question 6: Read this passage: 'The new park gave children a safe place to play, while also bringing neighbors together.' What is the author's overall tone?
- Critical and suspicious
- Neutral and informational
- Positive and appreciative (Correct answer)
- Sad and regretful
Correct answer: Positive and appreciative
Words like 'safe place' and 'bringing neighbors together' convey a favorable, appreciative tone toward the park.
Question 7: A student reads: 'Despite his fear of heights, Tomás climbed to the top of the cliff to rescue the stranded hiker.' What character trait does Tomás demonstrate?
- Recklessness
- Courage (Correct answer)
- Selfishness
- Impatience
Correct answer: Courage
Overcoming personal fear to help someone in danger is the definition of courage.
Stanford Achievement Test Stanford Achievement Reading Comprehension 5
A student reads two articles about the same historical event.
Article A praises the general's strategy, while Article B criticizes it.
The best approach is to: