VCLA Reading Comprehension Skills

Question 1

On the VCLA Reading subtest, what is the primary purpose of identifying the main idea of a passage?

Accepted Answer

To determine the central point the author is communicating

Answer

To summarize every detail in the text

Answer

To list all supporting facts mentioned

Answer

To identify the author's personal background

Question 2

A reader encounters an unfamiliar word in a VCLA passage. Which context clue strategy is most effective first?

Accepted Answer

Look at surrounding sentences for meaning clues

Answer

Skip the word and continue reading

Answer

Substitute a random synonym and move on

Answer

Count syllables to determine the word's meaning

Question 3

Which type of text structure presents events in the order they occurred?

Accepted Answer

Chronological order

Answer

Cause and effect

Answer

Compare and contrast

Answer

Problem and solution

Question 4

On the VCLA, a passage states that 'the new policy reduced absenteeism.' What type of relationship does this sentence illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Cause and effect

Answer

Compare and contrast

Answer

Chronological sequence

Answer

Classification

Question 5

When the VCLA asks you to make an inference, you are expected to:

Accepted Answer

Draw a logical conclusion based on evidence and reasoning

Answer

Restate exactly what the author wrote

Answer

Summarize all paragraphs in one sentence

Answer

Define every vocabulary word in the passage

Question 6

Which signal word most commonly indicates a contrast relationship between two ideas in a VCLA reading passage?

Accepted Answer

However

Answer

Furthermore

Answer

Therefore

Answer

Similarly