Reading Test #2 1 Flashcards
6 cards from real TSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Reading Test #2 1 flashcards as text
Passage: "Urban parks are not merely aesthetic additions to a city; they function as vital ecosystems that improve air quality, reduce heat, and support local wildlife." What is the author's main argument?
Answer: Urban parks serve critical environmental purposes beyond their visual appeal.
The author explicitly states parks are 'not merely aesthetic' and goes on to list environmental functions, making the central claim that parks have important purposes beyond appearance.
What does "rigorous" most nearly mean in: "Reviewers demanded more rigorous testing before accepting the researcher's conclusions"?
Answer: Thorough and exacting
In scientific contexts, 'rigorous' means careful, strict, and thorough. The sentence implies the existing testing was not strict enough to satisfy the reviewers.
A student reads a passage stating that students who eat breakfast tend to score higher on tests. The student concludes: "Eating breakfast guarantees an A on every exam." Is this a valid inference?
Answer: No, because the conclusion overstates what the evidence actually shows.
A correlation (breakfast → higher scores on average) does not mean a guarantee for every individual. The student's conclusion goes far beyond what the passage supports.
An author writes a persuasive essay arguing that standardized testing is harmful and cites only reports from researchers who already oppose such tests. What weakness does this reveal?
Answer: The author selectively uses sources that support one viewpoint only.
Citing only sources that agree with your position is called selective evidence or confirmation bias. A balanced argument would consider opposing research as well.
A paragraph opens by describing rising obesity rates, then explains causes such as sedentary lifestyles and processed food, and closes by recommending policy changes. How is this paragraph organized?
Answer: Problem, causes, and solution
The paragraph moves from identifying a problem (obesity), to explaining why it occurs (causes), to suggesting how to address it (solutions) — a classic problem-cause-solution structure.
In a passage advocating for stricter food allergen labeling, the author states: "Each year, roughly 200,000 Americans require emergency treatment for allergic reactions to food." What is the primary purpose of this statistic?
Answer: To provide concrete evidence that supports the need for better labeling.
The statistic gives a specific, measurable scale to the problem the author is arguing about. It strengthens the call for action by showing real-world consequences of poor labeling.