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ACCUPLACER ESL Reading study materials
ACCUPLACER ESL Reading study resources

ACCUPLACER ESL Reading practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Many people think that bats are blind. In fact, bats can see, but most kinds of bats rely on sound to find their way in the dark. They make high squeaks that bounce off objects and return to their ears. This lets them catch insects and avoid trees at night. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Bats eat only insects.
  2. Bats cannot see anything at all.
  3. Bats use sound, not blindness, to navigate at night. Correct answer.
  4. Bats are dangerous to people.

Explanation

The passage corrects a common belief and explains that bats rely mainly on sound to move and hunt in the dark. The other details (insects, trees) are supporting examples, not the central point.

Question 2Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Marta opened her bakery at five in the morning. By seven, the smell of fresh bread filled the street. People who had never met her began to stop by on their way to work. Within a month, she knew most of them by name. Which detail supports the idea that the bakery became popular?

  1. The bread was baked early in the morning.
  2. Strangers began stopping by on their way to work. Correct answer.
  3. Marta opened the bakery at five.
  4. Marta worked in a bakery.

Explanation

A supporting detail shows the bakery's popularity by describing new customers who kept returning. The time and the smell are background details, not evidence of popularity.

Question 3Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: After the long hike, the children were famished, so they ate everything on the table. What does "famished" most likely mean?

  1. very hungry Correct answer.
  2. very noisy
  3. very tired
  4. very polite

Explanation

The sentence says the children ate everything, which signals extreme hunger. Context clues about eating point to the meaning of famished.

Question 4Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Lena packed a raincoat, an umbrella, and warm socks. She checked the weather report three times. She even moved her flight to an earlier time. What can you infer about Lena?

  1. She wants to be prepared for bad weather. Correct answer.
  2. She forgot to bring warm clothes.
  3. She dislikes traveling by plane.
  4. She is going on a long vacation.

Explanation

The items she packs and her repeated checks of the weather show she expects poor conditions and wants to be ready. The details all point to preparation, not to disliking planes or a long trip.

Question 5Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Sea otters float on their backs and wrap themselves in kelp so they do not drift away while they sleep. They also hold hands with each other, which keeps groups together in the water. What is the passage mainly about?

  1. How sea otters sleep on land
  2. Where sea otters find food
  3. How sea otters stay together in the water Correct answer.
  4. Why kelp is important to fish

Explanation

Both details describe ways otters keep from drifting apart in the water. The passage does not discuss food, fish, or sleeping on land.

Question 6Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: The museum guide spoke in a hushed voice, as if the paintings might wake up. What does "hushed" mean here?

  1. fast
  2. quiet Correct answer.
  3. angry
  4. musical

Explanation

The comparison to not waking the paintings signals a very soft, quiet voice. The context clue points to low volume.

Question 7Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Tomás studied for two hours every night for a week before the test. He made flashcards and asked his sister to quiz him. When the results came back, he had earned the highest score in the class. Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Tomás has a helpful sister.
  2. Tests are difficult for most students.
  3. Hard preparation led to a good result. Correct answer.
  4. Flashcards are the best way to study.

Explanation

The passage links Tomás's steady studying to his top score, making preparation the central idea. The sister and flashcards are details that support this point.

Question 8Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Our town planted fifty new trees along Main Street last spring. This summer, the sidewalks are cooler, and birds have returned to the area. Shoppers say the street looks more welcoming. Which detail shows an effect of the new trees?

  1. The trees were planted last spring.
  2. Fifty trees were planted.
  3. Main Street is in the town.
  4. The sidewalks are cooler in summer. Correct answer.

Explanation

An effect is a result of the trees being planted, such as cooler sidewalks. The other options describe the planting itself or background facts.

Question 9Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: When the power went out, the whole neighborhood became silent. No televisions hummed, no radios played, and even the refrigerators stopped their steady buzz. What can you infer about the neighborhood?

  1. It is located far from any city.
  2. It has no electricity at any time.
  3. It is a very quiet place by nature.
  4. It usually has many sounds from machines. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage lists the sounds that stopped, which suggests these sounds are normally present. The unusual silence implies the neighborhood is usually full of machine noise.

Question 10Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: The instructions were so vague that half the class built the model incorrectly. What does "vague" most likely mean?

  1. very long
  2. written in English
  3. very simple
  4. not clear Correct answer.

Explanation

If students built the model incorrectly, the instructions must have been unclear. The result in the sentence is the clue to the meaning.

Question 11Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Some deserts are not covered in sand at all. The largest desert on Earth is Antarctica, where almost nothing grows and very little rain or snow falls. Cold, dry places can be deserts too. What is the main idea?

  1. Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth.
  2. Deserts are defined by dryness, not by sand. Correct answer.
  3. Sand is found only in hot deserts.
  4. Very few plants grow in Antarctica.

Explanation

The passage uses Antarctica to show that deserts are dry places, not necessarily sandy ones. The Antarctica details support this broader point.

Question 12Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Nia's garden looked empty in early spring. But under the soil, bulbs were slowly storing energy. By April, green shoots pushed through the dirt, and by May, bright flowers covered the yard. Which detail best supports the idea that the garden was not really empty?

  1. Flowers appeared in May.
  2. Bulbs were storing energy under the soil. Correct answer.
  3. The garden was empty in early spring.
  4. The yard was covered with flowers.

Explanation

The hidden bulbs are the evidence that life was present even when the garden looked empty. The other options describe what was visible or the final result.

Question 13Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: When the library extended its evening hours, the number of students using it doubled. The staff added more tables and lamps to handle the crowds. What can you infer?

  1. The library was closed during the day.
  2. The staff wanted fewer visitors.
  3. Students prefer to study in the evening. Correct answer.
  4. The library had too many books.

Explanation

The doubling of students after evening hours were added suggests that students want to use the library later in the day. The added tables and lamps show the demand was real.

Question 14Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: Despite the heavy rain, the festival was a resounding success, with record numbers of visitors. What does "resounding" suggest about the success?

  1. It was very quiet.
  2. It was very strong and clear. Correct answer.
  3. It was cancelled.
  4. It was a small event.

Explanation

Record numbers of visitors show the success was strong and obvious. The word resounding emphasizes how clear and great the success was.

Question 15Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Bees do more than make honey. As they move from flower to flower, they carry pollen, which helps plants produce fruit and seeds. Without bees, many of the foods we eat would become rare. What is the main idea?

  1. Bees play a key role in producing food. Correct answer.
  2. Honey is the most important product of bees.
  3. Flowers need honey to grow.
  4. Pollen is harmful to plants.

Explanation

The passage emphasizes that bees carry pollen and help plants produce food. Honey is mentioned only to show that bees do more than that.

Question 16Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: On the first day of class, Mr. Okafor learned every student's name. He greeted each one at the door and asked about their weekend. By the end of the week, students were staying after class just to talk with him. Which detail supports the idea that students felt comfortable with Mr. Okafor?

  1. Students stayed after class to talk with him. Correct answer.
  2. He asked about their weekend.
  3. He greeted students at the door.
  4. He learned every student's name.

Explanation

Staying after class to talk is direct evidence that students felt at ease with him. The other options describe his actions, which led to that comfort.

Question 17Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Jamal checked the bus schedule before leaving home, but the bus arrived twenty minutes late. He missed his appointment and had to reschedule for the next week. What can you infer about Jamal's planning?

  1. He decided not to go to the appointment.
  2. He did not check the schedule.
  3. Checking the schedule did not prevent a problem. Correct answer.
  4. He arrived too early for the bus.

Explanation

Jamal did check the schedule, yet the bus was late and he missed his appointment. The inference is that planning could not control the delay.

Question 18Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: The village was so remote that the nearest grocery store was a two-hour drive away. What does "remote" mean in this sentence?

  1. close to a city
  2. very crowded
  3. far from other places Correct answer.
  4. newly built

Explanation

A two-hour drive to the nearest store shows the village is far from services. Remote describes a place that is distant and isolated.

Question 19Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Many cities are replacing dark rooftops with "green roofs" covered in plants. These roofs absorb rainwater, keep buildings cooler, and give birds a place to rest. They cost more at first, but they save money on cooling over time. What is the main idea?

  1. Green roofs offer several benefits despite their cost. Correct answer.
  2. Green roofs are cheaper to build than normal roofs.
  3. Birds need roofs to survive in cities.
  4. Rainwater damages most buildings.

Explanation

The passage lists benefits of green roofs and notes their higher starting cost, balancing advantages with a drawback. This combination is the central idea.

Question 20Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: At first, the new software slowed the office down. Employees had to learn new steps, and mistakes were common. After two months, however, the same staff finished their work twice as fast. Which detail best supports the idea that the software was eventually helpful?

  1. Mistakes were common at first.
  2. The software was new to the office.
  3. Employees had to learn new steps.
  4. Staff finished work twice as fast after two months. Correct answer.

Explanation

The doubled speed after two months is direct evidence of the software's long-term benefit. The early problems describe the temporary adjustment period.

Question 21Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: In some countries, people eat dinner very late, often after nine at night. Visitors from places where dinner is at six may find this strange. But the late meal is a normal part of daily life there. What can you infer about visitors' reactions?

  1. They quickly change their own schedules.
  2. They judge the custom by their own habits. Correct answer.
  3. They refuse to eat with local people.
  4. They think the late dinner is unhealthy.

Explanation

Visitors call the custom strange because it differs from their own dinner time, showing they compare it to what they know. The passage does not say they change or refuse.

Question 22Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: The scientist's report was carefully worded. She did not say the new drug worked; she said it "showed promising results in early trials." Her colleagues understood the difference. Why was the report worded carefully?

  1. She did not believe in science.
  2. She had not done any research.
  3. She wanted to avoid overstating the evidence. Correct answer.
  4. She wanted to confuse her readers.

Explanation

Early trials are limited, so a careful scientist avoids claiming the drug definitely works. The contrast between "worked" and "promising results" shows caution about evidence.

Question 23Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: The mayor's plan was praised as pragmatic, focusing on small changes that could be made right away rather than grand promises. What does "pragmatic" mean in this sentence?

  1. practical and realistic Correct answer.
  2. famous and popular
  3. expensive and risky
  4. confusing and unclear

Explanation

The contrast with grand promises and the focus on changes that can be made right away point to a practical approach. Pragmatic describes realistic, workable plans.

Question 24Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: For years, the river was treated as a place to dump waste. Fish disappeared, and the banks were bare. After a cleanup effort, the water cleared, and within a few years, fish and birds returned. What is the main idea?

  1. Restoring a damaged river can bring life back. Correct answer.
  2. Fish cannot survive in most rivers.
  3. Rivers are difficult to clean.
  4. Waste from factories is a problem.

Explanation

The passage contrasts the polluted river with its recovery and the return of wildlife, showing that restoration works. The earlier damage serves as background to this point.

Question 25Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Many people assume that older workers learn new technology slowly. Yet studies of office workers show that age matters less than practice: those who used computers daily, whatever their age, learned new programs fastest. Which statement best expresses the author's point?

  1. Computers are too complex for most people.
  2. Practice matters more than age in learning new programs. Correct answer.
  3. Older workers should avoid new technology.
  4. Young workers always learn fastest.

Explanation

The passage challenges the assumption about age by showing that daily computer use predicts faster learning. The key point is that practice outweighs age.

Question 26Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Lena packed only one small bag for the three-week trip. She brought two shirts, a pair of pants, and a light jacket. Everything else she planned to wash in hotel sinks along the way. What is the passage mainly about?

  1. Choosing a jacket for cold weather
  2. Why hotels provide laundry service
  3. How to wash clothes while traveling
  4. Packing lightly for a long trip Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea is the overall point the passage makes, not a single detail. Here every sentence supports the idea that Lena packed very little for a long trip. The washing detail only explains how she manages with so few items.

Question 27Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor. However, they provide shelter and food for about one quarter of all ocean species. Small fish hide in the coral, and larger fish come to hunt them. Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Most of the ocean floor is covered by coral.
  2. Large fish hunt small fish around coral.
  3. Ocean species are counted by scientists each year.
  4. Coral reefs are small in area but support a huge share of ocean life. Correct answer.

Explanation

A main idea must account for both the small size and the large number of species, which are linked by the word "However." The contrast between tiny area and huge biological importance is the passage's central point.

Question 28Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: My grandmother keeps a notebook beside her phone. Every time a friend calls, she writes down one new fact she learned: a recipe, a grandchild's birthday, the name of a new shop. She says her notebook is her second memory. What does "second memory" mean in this passage?

  1. A phone that stores old messages
  2. A memory that is weaker than the first
  3. A notebook that belongs to someone else
  4. A backup way of remembering things Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase is used figuratively. Because the notebook records facts she wants to keep, it acts as a backup for her own memory. Context clues such as writing down facts support this meaning.

Question 29Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Our apartment building added a bike rack last month. Before that, people left bicycles in the hallway, where they blocked the stairs. Now the hallway is clear, and more neighbors ride to work. Which detail supports the idea that the bike rack made the building safer?

  1. The hallway is no longer blocked by bicycles. Correct answer.
  2. More neighbors ride to work now.
  3. The building has an apartment for rent.
  4. The rack was added last month.

Explanation

A supporting detail must directly back the stated idea. Safety here comes from clearing the stairs, and the passage says the hallway is now clear. The other options are facts that do not relate to safety.

Question 30Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Ravi set his alarm for six in the morning. He laid out his running shoes by the door and filled a water bottle. Then he went to bed early, smiling. What can you infer about Ravi's plans?

  1. He is going on a long car trip.
  2. He is cleaning his apartment.
  3. He plans to run early in the morning. Correct answer.
  4. He has decided to stop exercising.

Explanation

An inference is a conclusion drawn from clues in the text. The alarm, the shoes by the door, and the water bottle all point to an early run. No single sentence states this, but the details together support it.

Question 31Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: The trail was steep, and the hikers grew weary after hours of climbing. What does "weary" most nearly mean?

  1. Lost
  2. Tired Correct answer.
  3. Excited
  4. Hungry

Explanation

Context clues describe hours of climbing on a steep trail, which naturally causes tiredness. "Weary" means physically or mentally exhausted. The other choices do not fit the cause given in the sentence.

Question 32Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Every winter, the town's pond freezes. Children skate on it, and vendors sell hot drinks nearby. When spring comes, the ice melts, and the same space fills with ducks and small boats. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Ducks leave the pond every spring.
  2. The pond is dangerous in winter.
  3. The pond is used in different ways in different seasons. Correct answer.
  4. Vendors sell drinks only in summer.

Explanation

A summary captures the whole passage in one statement. The passage contrasts winter skating with spring ducks and boats, so seasonal change in use is the central idea.

Question 33Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Ms. Rivera posted a chart at the front of the room. Each student had a row, and each finished assignment earned a sticker. By Friday, the chart was covered in bright colors, and almost every row was full. What does the chart most likely show?

  1. Which students were absent
  2. The schedule for the next month
  3. The students' favorite colors
  4. How much work students completed Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage says each finished assignment earned a sticker, so a full row means completed work. The chart is a record of progress, which readers can infer from the cause-and-effect link given.

Question 34Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Some people believe that goldfish have a memory of only three seconds. In fact, researchers have trained goldfish to press a lever for food and to remember the task weeks later. The three-second claim is a myth that refuses to disappear. What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To explain how to care for goldfish
  2. To describe a famous research laboratory
  3. To correct a common belief about goldfish Correct answer.
  4. To compare goldfish with other pets

Explanation

The author presents a popular belief and then gives evidence against it. The phrase "In fact" signals a correction, and the final sentence calls the belief a myth. Recognizing these signals reveals the purpose.

Question 35Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: The city council voted to close the downtown street to cars on Sundays. Shop owners worried at first, but foot traffic rose sharply, and many stores reported their best weekend sales of the year. What can be inferred about the shop owners' initial worry?

  1. It lasted for several years.
  2. It proved to be unnecessary. Correct answer.
  3. It was based on rising sales.
  4. It caused the street to close.

Explanation

The passage contrasts the owners' early worry with strong sales afterward. When the feared harm does not occur, the worry is shown to be unnecessary. Inference requires connecting the before and after information.

Question 36Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: The professor's explanation was so lucid that even students who had struggled all semester understood the concept immediately. What does "lucid" most nearly mean?

  1. Complicated
  2. Lengthy
  3. Boring
  4. Clear Correct answer.

Explanation

The result clause shows that struggling students understood right away, which only happens with a clear explanation. "Lucid" means easy to understand. The contrast with "struggled" confirms this meaning.

Question 37Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Paper was invented in China around 2,000 years ago. Before that, people wrote on bamboo strips, silk, or animal bones. Paper was cheaper and lighter, and knowledge spread faster once it became common. Which detail best supports the idea that paper changed how knowledge spread?

  1. Paper was cheaper and lighter than earlier materials. Correct answer.
  2. Paper was invented in China.
  3. People once wrote on bamboo and silk.
  4. Animal bones were used for writing.

Explanation

A detail supports the main idea when it explains the cause. Cheaper, lighter material made copying and carrying texts easier, which is why knowledge spread faster. The other options are background facts.

Question 38Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: When the new bakery opened, it sold only bread. Customers kept asking for coffee, so the owner added a small counter with two tables. Within a month, the bakery was busier in the morning than in the afternoon. What caused the bakery's morning business to grow?

  1. The bakery began opening only in the afternoon.
  2. Customers requested coffee, and a seating area was added. Correct answer.
  3. The owner lowered the price of bread.
  4. The bakery moved to a larger building.

Explanation

The passage presents a clear chain of cause and effect: requests for coffee led to a coffee counter, which led to busy mornings. Locating that chain is the key skill for cause-and-effect questions.

Question 39Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: When the team lost its first three games, the coach did not change the players. Instead, she changed the practice schedule, adding twenty minutes of passing drills each day. By the end of the season, the team had won eight of its last ten games. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. The team's best players were replaced.
  2. Losing the first games ended the season.
  3. A small change in practice improved the team's results. Correct answer.
  4. Passing drills are the only useful practice.

Explanation

The passage emphasizes that the coach kept the same players but changed practice, and results improved. The main idea combines the change with its effect.

Question 40Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: A "food desert" is an area where fresh fruits and vegetables are hard to find. Residents may live miles from a supermarket and rely on small stores that sell mostly packaged snacks. Some cities now bring mobile markets, trucks that sell produce, to these neighborhoods once a week. What problem do mobile markets try to solve?

  1. Too many supermarkets in one area
  2. The high cost of packaged snacks
  3. Traffic caused by delivery trucks
  4. A lack of fresh produce in certain neighborhoods Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage defines a food desert as a place where fresh produce is hard to find, then names mobile markets as a response. The solution must match the problem described.

Question 41Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: Although the instructions were meant to be helpful, they were so convoluted that most users gave up and called support. What does "convoluted" most nearly mean?

  1. Overly complicated Correct answer.
  2. Very short
  3. Kindly written
  4. Out of date

Explanation

The result clause shows users gave up and sought help, which points to instructions that are too complex. "Convoluted" means extremely complicated or twisted. The contrast with "helpful" reinforces this.

Question 42Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: In the 1800s, ice was cut from frozen lakes in winter and stored in insulated buildings. It was then shipped to cities and sold for cooling food. The trade ended when mechanical refrigerators became common in the early 1900s. What can be inferred about the ice trade?

  1. It required no storage buildings.
  2. It depended on a technology that was later replaced. Correct answer.
  3. It began in the early 1900s.
  4. It was most successful in tropical regions.

Explanation

The passage shows the trade relied on harvested natural ice and ended with mechanical refrigeration. Recognizing that a new technology replaced the old method supports this inference.

Question 43Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Many students highlight entire pages of their textbooks. Research on memory suggests this is not very effective. Students remember more when they pause to ask themselves questions about what they have read and then check their answers. Which sentence best expresses the author's point?

  1. Active questioning helps students remember more than highlighting does. Correct answer.
  2. Highlighting is the fastest way to study.
  3. Textbooks should not be used for studying.
  4. Students should read fewer pages each night.

Explanation

The passage contrasts a common but weak method with a stronger one. The author's point is the comparison: self-questioning improves memory more than highlighting.

Question 44Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: At the community garden, each family tends its own plot. But the gardeners share tools, water, and advice. When one family's tomatoes failed, three neighbors brought seedlings from their own plots the next morning. What does the passage suggest about the gardeners?

  1. They grow only tomatoes.
  2. They compete for the best plots.
  3. They refuse to share tools.
  4. They support one another despite working separately. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage notes separate plots but shared resources and help after a failure. The combination of independence and cooperation supports the inference of mutual support.

Question 45Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: In a study of hospital patients, those whose rooms looked out on trees recovered faster and needed fewer painkillers than patients facing a brick wall. The finding surprised architects, who had long treated windows as a minor detail. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Painkillers should not be used in hospitals.
  2. What patients see from their windows can affect their recovery. Correct answer.
  3. Trees grow better near hospitals.
  4. Architects design most hospital rooms.

Explanation

The passage compares two views and reports different recovery outcomes. The main idea is that the view from a room can influence health, which also explains why architects were surprised.

Question 46Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: The company announced that it would no longer print a paper catalog. Instead, it would send a digital version by email. Some longtime customers complained, saying they enjoyed browsing the printed pages. In response, the company now offers to mail a printed copy to anyone who requests one. What does the company's response show?

  1. It balanced a new policy with customer preferences. Correct answer.
  2. It canceled the digital catalog.
  3. It ignored the customers' complaints.
  4. It stopped selling to longtime customers.

Explanation

The company kept the digital change but added an option for those who prefer print. This shows a compromise between efficiency and customer wishes. The word "In response" signals the adjustment.

Question 47Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: Critics of the new highway argued that it would bring more cars and more pollution. Supporters replied that the old roads were already crowded and that cars idled in traffic, wasting fuel. A smoother flow of traffic, they claimed, would produce less pollution than the current jams. What is the central disagreement between the two groups?

  1. Whether the old roads are paved
  2. Whether the highway would increase or decrease pollution Correct answer.
  3. Whether the highway should be built at all
  4. Whether cars use fuel

Explanation

Both sides accept that pollution matters; they disagree about the highway's effect on it. Identifying the exact point of conflict, rather than the general topic, is the key skill here.

Question 48Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the sentence: Her remarks were deliberately ambiguous, allowing both sides in the dispute to believe she agreed with them. What does "ambiguous" most nearly mean?

  1. Spoken in a loud voice
  2. Backed by strong evidence
  3. Open to more than one interpretation Correct answer.
  4. Repeated many times

Explanation

The second half of the sentence explains the word: both sides could think she agreed, which is only possible if her meaning was unclear. "Ambiguous" means having more than one possible meaning.

Question 49Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: The report noted a sharp rise in bicycle sales. It also noted a rise in the price of gasoline during the same months. The authors were careful to say that the two trends occurred together, not that one caused the other. Why were the authors careful about their wording?

  1. They did not have sales figures.
  2. They wanted to avoid claiming a cause they had not proven. Correct answer.
  3. They thought bicycles were too expensive.
  4. They believed gasoline prices were falling.

Explanation

The passage distinguishes correlation from causation. Two trends happening at once does not prove that one produced the other, so careful authors describe the link without asserting cause.

Question 50Reading comprehension of short passages (main idea, supporting details, inference, vocabulary in context)

Read the passage: For generations, the marsh was seen as useless land, good only for draining and farming. Today, biologists describe it as a natural filter that cleans water and a sponge that absorbs floods. The town has now voted to protect the marsh from development. What change in attitude does the passage describe?

  1. From seeing the marsh as worthless to seeing it as valuable Correct answer.
  2. From studying the marsh to ignoring it
  3. From farming the marsh to draining it
  4. From protecting the marsh to developing it

Explanation

The passage contrasts past views ("useless land") with present views (a filter and sponge). The vote to protect it confirms the shift from worthlessness to value.