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TASC English Level 3 study materials
TASC English Level 3 study resources

TASC English Level 3 practice questions

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Question 1Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states that a city banned cars from its downtown for one year and that air pollution dropped by 20 percent during that time. Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. The city plans to extend the ban to other neighborhoods next year.
  2. Air pollution is a problem in many large cities around the world.
  3. The car ban was unpopular with some downtown shop owners.
  4. A one-year car ban in the downtown area was linked to a drop in air pollution. Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea captures the central point that the whole passage supports, not a minor detail or an unrelated claim. Both key elements, the car ban and the pollution drop, appear in the correct sentence. The other choices add details or topics the passage does not present as its focus.

Question 2Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Which detail from a passage would best support the claim that a new library program increased children's reading?

  1. The program was funded by a local charity.
  2. Library staff reported that checkouts of children's books rose 35 percent after the program began. Correct answer.
  3. Many parents attend the library's weekend events.
  4. The library added more computers last spring.

Explanation

Supporting evidence must directly connect to the claim being made. A statistic showing more children's books checked out after the program started is direct evidence of increased reading. The other details describe funding, technology, or events without measuring reading.

Question 3Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "The committee reached a unanimous decision, so every member voted for the proposal." What does the word "unanimous" mean here?

  1. Secret
  2. Delayed
  3. Divided
  4. Shared by everyone Correct answer.

Explanation

Context clues in the sentence show the meaning: the result clause says every member voted for the proposal. Unanimous therefore describes agreement shared by all members. A divided or secret vote would contradict the stated result.

Question 4Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A paragraph describes how a school reduced food waste: students weighed leftovers, set goals, and posted weekly results. What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To advertise a brand of cafeteria trays
  2. To explain a method for reducing food waste Correct answer.
  3. To criticize students for wasting food
  4. To compare two schools' lunch menus

Explanation

When a text describes steps taken to achieve a result, the author usually aims to explain a process or method. The paragraph lists concrete actions, which signals explanation rather than criticism or promotion. Nothing in the description compares menus or sells a product.

Question 5Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A news article reports a study on sleep and grades. Which source detail would most strengthen the article's credibility?

  1. The reporter interviewed one student about the topic.
  2. The article includes a colorful chart about sleep.
  3. The study was published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. Correct answer.
  4. The study was described in a popular blog post.

Explanation

Credibility improves when information comes from a source with expert review and accountability. A peer-reviewed journal checks research before publication, which supports reliability. Blogs, single interviews, and graphics do not provide that level of verification.

Question 6Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Which sentence uses a transition that shows cause and effect?

  1. The road was icy; nevertheless, the bus arrived on time.
  2. The road was icy; therefore, the bus arrived late. Correct answer.
  3. The road was icy, and the bus was blue.
  4. The road was icy; meanwhile, the bus waited.

Explanation

Cause-and-effect transitions link a reason to a result, and "therefore" signals that link clearly. In that sentence the icy road is presented as the cause of the late arrival. The other transitions show contrast, addition, or simultaneous timing.

Question 7Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage says a mayor "implemented" a recycling plan. Which word is the closest synonym for "implemented" in this context?

  1. Questioned
  2. Ignored
  3. Put into effect Correct answer.
  4. Delayed

Explanation

In the context of a plan or policy, to implement means to put it into operation. The mayor carried out the recycling plan, so "put into effect" matches the meaning. The other words describe rejecting or postponing an action.

Question 8Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

According to a passage, a town installed solar panels on its schools. Which statement is a reasonable inference?

  1. The town has no electricity bills to pay.
  2. The schools will close during the winter.
  3. The town hopes to rely less on other sources of electricity. Correct answer.
  4. Solar panels are illegal in neighboring towns.

Explanation

An inference must follow logically from the stated facts without going beyond them. Installing solar panels suggests an effort to generate electricity locally and depend less on other power sources. The other choices add claims the passage does not support.

Question 9Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage presents two viewpoints on later school start times: some parents favor them for teen sleep, while some coaches worry about practice schedules. Which statement best describes the passage's structure?

  1. It lists steps in a process.
  2. It describes a single cause and its effects.
  3. It compares two opposing positions on an issue. Correct answer.
  4. It tells a story in time order.

Explanation

The passage sets two groups' views side by side on one issue, which is a comparison of opposing positions. Recognizing that structure helps a reader weigh both sides fairly. Process, narrative, and single-cause structures do not match the description.

Question 10Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A writer claims that a new bike lane made streets safer but offers only one rider's opinion as evidence. What is the main weakness of this argument?

  1. It relies on a single personal opinion rather than broader data. Correct answer.
  2. It includes too many statistics from traffic studies.
  3. It uses technical language that readers cannot follow.
  4. It presents evidence that contradicts the claim.

Explanation

An argument is weak when its evidence is too narrow to support a general claim. One rider's opinion is anecdotal and cannot show overall street safety. The other choices describe problems the passage does not have.

Question 11Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "The report's findings were tentative, so officials asked for more research before changing policy." What does "tentative" most nearly mean?

  1. Final
  2. Uncertain Correct answer.
  3. Expensive
  4. Dangerous

Explanation

The result clause shows that officials wanted more research before acting, which implies the findings were not settled. Tentative therefore means uncertain or provisional. Final would lead to the opposite response.

Question 12Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage about a drought states: "Reservoir levels fell to 30 percent of capacity, and the city limited outdoor watering." Which relationship does the passage show?

  1. The two events happened for unrelated reasons.
  2. The falling reservoir levels led to the watering limit. Correct answer.
  3. The city lifted the watering limit after the drought.
  4. The watering limit caused the reservoir levels to fall.

Explanation

The order and content of the sentence present the low reservoir levels as the reason for the watering restriction. Readers should trace which event came first and which is a response. The passage does not suggest the limit caused the low levels.

Question 13Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

An article says a company's sales rose after it redesigned its website. Which question would best test whether the redesign caused the increase?

  1. Did other factors, such as a new ad campaign, change at the same time? Correct answer.
  2. Who designed the company's logo?
  3. How many colors were used in the new design?
  4. How much did the redesign cost the company?

Explanation

To test a cause-and-effect claim, a reader should check for other changes that could explain the result. If another factor such as advertising also changed, the redesign may not be the true cause. The other questions concern cost or style, not causation.

Question 14Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage includes the sentence: "Critics argue the fee is unfair, while supporters say it funds needed repairs." What does the word "while" signal in this sentence?

  1. A cause followed by its effect
  2. A contrast between two viewpoints Correct answer.
  3. A list of similar opinions
  4. A sequence of past events

Explanation

The word "while" here sets two opposing views against each other: critics' objection and supporters' defense. Recognizing contrast signals helps readers track competing positions. It does not introduce a list, a cause, or a timeline.

Question 15Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states that a museum offers free admission on Sundays and that attendance on Sundays doubled. Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. Free admission may have encouraged more people to visit. Correct answer.
  2. Sunday is the only day the museum is open.
  3. The museum should charge admission every day.
  4. Visitors prefer museums to other attractions.

Explanation

The best-supported conclusion stays close to the evidence and uses cautious wording. Doubled attendance after free admission suggests the policy may have drawn visitors, but it does not prove other claims. The other choices go beyond the passage.

Question 16Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Which sentence from a report is an opinion rather than a fact?

  1. It is the most valuable program the district offers. Correct answer.
  2. It served 400 students last year.
  3. It meets in the community center.
  4. The program began in March.

Explanation

A fact can be checked and verified, while an opinion expresses a judgment or value. Calling a program the most valuable is a personal evaluation that cannot be proven. The other sentences describe verifiable details.

Question 17Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage claims a new park increased nearby home values and cites a real estate agent's statement. Which additional evidence would most strengthen the claim?

  1. A quote from a resident who likes the park
  2. A photo of the park's playground
  3. A comparison of home sale prices before and after the park opened Correct answer.
  4. A list of the park's opening hours

Explanation

The strongest evidence for a change over time is a before-and-after comparison of the relevant measure. Sale prices before and after the park opened directly test whether values rose. Photos, opinions, and hours do not measure home values.

Question 18Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states: "The factory closed, and within a year the town's population dropped by 10 percent." Which inference is best supported?

  1. The town's schools gained many students.
  2. The factory will reopen next year.
  3. Some residents likely moved away to find work. Correct answer.
  4. The population drop caused the factory to close.

Explanation

A reasonable inference connects the facts without overstating them. A factory closing removes jobs, so a population decline suggests some residents may have left for work. The other choices either reverse the order or add unsupported predictions.

Question 19Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

In a paragraph about recycling, the author writes: "Recycling saves landfill space. It also conserves raw materials." What is the function of the second sentence?

  1. It restates the first sentence in different words.
  2. It adds a second supporting point. Correct answer.
  3. It offers a counterargument to the first sentence.
  4. It gives an example of landfill space.

Explanation

The word "also" signals addition, so the second sentence introduces another benefit alongside the first. Recognizing additive transitions helps readers map how ideas build. The sentence does not counter, illustrate, or repeat the first point.

Question 20Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage says a speaker's remarks were "concise." Which detail from the passage would best confirm that meaning?

  1. The speaker avoided answering questions.
  2. The speaker talked for three hours.
  3. The speaker made the main points in five minutes. Correct answer.
  4. The speaker used many technical terms.

Explanation

Concise means brief and to the point, so covering main points quickly confirms the meaning. A long speech would contradict it. Technical terms and avoiding questions describe clarity or openness, not brevity.

Question 21Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states: "Although the vaccine was tested on 10,000 people, the agency continued to monitor it after release." What does the contrast word "although" emphasize?

  1. Monitoring began before any testing occurred.
  2. The testing was small and unimportant.
  3. Despite extensive testing, monitoring did not stop. Correct answer.
  4. The agency opposed the vaccine's release.

Explanation

"Although" sets up a contrast between a strong fact and an unexpected follow-up. The sentence stresses that monitoring continued even after large-scale testing. It does not suggest the testing was unimportant or that the agency opposed the vaccine.

Question 22Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

An editorial states: "Students who play sports earn higher grades. Therefore, all students should be required to join a team." What is the main flaw in this reasoning?

  1. It fails to define what a team is.
  2. It uses an insulting tone toward students.
  3. It assumes a correlation proves that sports cause higher grades and that the rule would work for everyone. Correct answer.
  4. It relies on too many statistics about grades.

Explanation

The editorial moves from an observed association to a broad requirement without showing causation or that the result would apply universally. Other factors may explain higher grades among athletes. The passage contains no statistics, insults, or definitional confusion.

Question 23Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Two articles describe a new highway. One measures benefits in reduced travel time; the other measures harms to a nearby wetland. What best explains their different conclusions?

  1. One article contains factual errors.
  2. They use different criteria to judge the project. Correct answer.
  3. One article is about a different highway.
  4. They were written in different decades.

Explanation

When sources reach different conclusions about the same project, the difference often lies in the criteria each applies. One weighs travel efficiency while the other weighs environmental impact. Nothing in the description indicates errors, different time periods, or different projects.

Question 24Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage notes that a city's bike-share program grew rapidly and that helmet use among riders stayed low, then states: "The program's success has come at a cost." What does the final sentence most likely mean?

  1. Helmet laws have been repealed across the city.
  2. The program has failed financially and will close.
  3. Growth brought a safety concern that the city must address. Correct answer.
  4. Riders are using the bikes less often than before.

Explanation

The sentence draws a conclusion from the two facts presented: rapid growth alongside low helmet use. That pairing points to a safety drawback of success. The passage does not indicate financial failure, repealed laws, or declining ridership.

Question 25Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A report claims a tutoring program raised test scores, but the students who joined were also already high achievers. Why does this weaken the claim?

  1. Tutoring programs usually cost too much money.
  2. The groups compared may differ in prior achievement, so the program may not be the cause. Correct answer.
  3. High achievers never benefit from tutoring.
  4. Test scores are impossible to measure accurately.

Explanation

If participants were already high achievers, their scores might have been high without the program. Without a comparable group, the report cannot isolate the program's effect. The other choices make unsupported absolute claims about tutoring or testing.

Question 26Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "The city council approved the new budget on Tuesday, and construction of the bridge will begin in spring." Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Construction will be delayed until next winter.
  2. The council rejected the budget for the bridge.
  3. The bridge was finished on Tuesday by the council.
  4. The council approved a budget and bridge work will start in spring. Correct answer.

Explanation

A main idea captures the central point of a sentence or passage in a single statement. This sentence reports two linked facts: budget approval and a spring start for bridge construction. The correct option restates both without adding or reversing information.

Question 27Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A paragraph explains that a library extended its weekend hours and that weekend visits increased afterward. Which sentence best summarizes the paragraph?

  1. The library hired additional staff for weekday shifts.
  2. Weekend visits fell because the library closed early.
  3. Longer weekend hours were followed by more weekend visits. Correct answer.
  4. The library bought many new books for its shelves.

Explanation

A summary should restate the key facts in the passage without adding unsupported details. The paragraph links longer weekend hours to a rise in weekend visits. The correct option keeps both facts in the same relationship.

Question 28Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "The storm knocked out power, so the school canceled classes." Which word signals the cause-and-effect relationship?

  1. so Correct answer.
  2. classes
  3. storm
  4. canceled

Explanation

Cause-and-effect transitions show how one event leads to another. The word "so" connects the power outage to the canceled classes. The other words are nouns or verbs that do not express a logical link.

Question 29Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage says a coach "reluctantly agreed" to change the team's practice schedule. What does "reluctantly" most nearly mean in this context?

  1. with complete confusion
  2. with little hesitation
  3. with unwillingness Correct answer.
  4. with great enthusiasm

Explanation

Context clues show that the coach did agree but did so without eagerness. "Reluctantly" describes doing something while feeling unwilling or hesitant. The correct option matches that meaning of resistance.

Question 30Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states: "The bakery opened at 6 a.m. and sold out of bread by 9 a.m." Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

  1. The bakery's bread was in high demand that morning. Correct answer.
  2. The bakery raised its prices that morning.
  3. The bakery sold only one loaf of bread.
  4. The bakery will close permanently next week.

Explanation

A valid conclusion must follow directly from stated facts and avoid unsupported assumptions. Selling out within three hours suggests strong demand. The other options introduce details the passage never provides.

Question 31Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "The museum's new exhibit features ancient pottery, woven textiles, and carved wooden masks." What is the author's main purpose?

  1. to persuade readers to visit the museum
  2. to explain how pottery is made
  3. to compare two different museums
  4. to describe the contents of an exhibit Correct answer.

Explanation

Author's purpose is the reason a writer includes information. This sentence lists items in an exhibit, which serves to describe what visitors will see. It does not argue, compare, or explain a process.

Question 32Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage says a town's farmers' market "generated substantial revenue" last year. Which word is the closest synonym for "substantial" in this context?

  1. temporary
  2. tiny
  3. uncertain
  4. considerable Correct answer.

Explanation

Context shows that the market earned a meaningful amount of money. "Substantial" in this sense means large or considerable. The correct option matches that meaning without changing the sentence's tone.

Question 33Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "First, the volunteers sorted the donations; next, they packed them into boxes; finally, they loaded the boxes onto trucks." How is the information organized?

  1. by stating a problem and solution
  2. by listing causes of an event
  3. by describing a sequence of steps Correct answer.
  4. by comparing two ideas

Explanation

Signal words such as "first," "next," and "finally" indicate chronological order. The sentence presents steps in the order they occurred. Recognizing these signals helps readers follow a process.

Question 34Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states: "The new bike path cost $2 million and was used by 500 riders daily in its first month." Which detail is a fact rather than an opinion?

  1. The bike path cost $2 million to build. Correct answer.
  2. The bike path is the most beautiful in the state.
  3. The bike path makes the city a better place.
  4. The bike path was a wise use of public money.

Explanation

A fact is a statement that can be verified with evidence, while an opinion expresses a judgment or belief. The cost of $2 million can be checked against records. The other options express personal evaluations.

Question 35Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage says a study found that students who ate breakfast scored higher on tests. Which statement best evaluates this finding?

  1. The finding shows a link but may not prove breakfast caused the scores. Correct answer.
  2. The study should be ignored because it involved students.
  3. The study proves breakfast is the only cause of high scores.
  4. The finding proves that all students skip breakfast.

Explanation

A correlation shows that two things occur together but does not by itself establish causation. Other factors, such as income or study habits, could affect both breakfast and test scores. Careful readers treat such findings as associations unless the study controls for those factors.

Question 36Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

An article about a new housing development quotes only the developer and presents no comments from residents. What is the main weakness of the article?

  1. It uses statistics that are hard to read.
  2. It focuses on the wrong city entirely.
  3. It includes too many different perspectives.
  4. It relies on a single interested viewpoint. Correct answer.

Explanation

A balanced article represents multiple stakeholders, especially those affected by a decision. Quoting only the developer, who profits from the project, gives readers one interested perspective. Missing residents' voices leaves the account incomplete.

Question 37Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "The senator's proposal was controversial, drawing both praise and sharp criticism from colleagues." What does "controversial" most nearly mean here?

  1. widely ignored
  2. likely to cause disagreement Correct answer.
  3. financially costly
  4. easily understood

Explanation

The phrase "both praise and sharp criticism" clarifies that people disagree about the proposal. Something controversial provokes opposing reactions. The correct option captures that sense of dispute.

Question 38Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage describes how a city reduced traffic by adding bus lanes, then explains that some drivers complained about longer car commutes. What is the overall structure of the passage?

  1. a solution followed by mixed results Correct answer.
  2. a comparison of two unrelated cities
  3. a single cause with no effects
  4. a step-by-step recipe for driving

Explanation

The passage presents an action taken to solve a problem and then shows both benefits and drawbacks. This pattern is a solution with mixed outcomes. Recognizing it helps readers weigh trade-offs.

Question 39Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states: "The company's profits doubled after it launched its mobile app, but the app was released during the busiest shopping season of the year." Which question would best test the claim that the app caused the profit increase?

  1. What color is the app's logo?
  2. How long did the app take to download?
  3. Did profits also rise for competitors during that season? Correct answer.
  4. How many employees worked on the app?

Explanation

To test causation, readers should check whether other factors could explain the result. If competitors also gained during the same season, the app may not be the cause. This comparison isolates the app's effect from seasonal trends.

Question 40Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read these sentences: "The trail was steep. The hikers reached the summit before noon." Which transition best connects them to show contrast?

  1. Therefore
  2. Similarly
  3. However Correct answer.
  4. Because

Explanation

Contrast transitions signal that an idea differs from or qualifies what came before. The steepness suggests difficulty, yet the hikers arrived early, which is a contrast. "However" correctly marks that relationship.

Question 41Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage claims a new park increased nearby home values and cites one real estate agent's opinion. Which additional evidence would most strengthen the claim?

  1. A statement from the agent's family
  2. A list of the park's operating hours
  3. Sales data for nearby homes before and after the park opened Correct answer.
  4. A neighbor's description of the park's flowers

Explanation

Strong evidence directly measures the claimed effect and reduces reliance on opinion. Comparing home sales before and after the park opened provides objective data about value changes. This is more persuasive than another personal comment.

Question 42Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states: "The factory installed robots that raised output by 40 percent, and the number of workers fell by 15 percent." Which inference is best supported?

  1. The robots eliminated every job at the factory.
  2. The factory closed because of the robots.
  3. The workers refused to use the robots.
  4. The robots increased productivity while reducing some jobs. Correct answer.

Explanation

A supported inference follows from the stated facts without going beyond them. Output rose while employment fell, pointing to higher productivity with fewer workers. The passage does not claim that all jobs disappeared or that the factory closed.

Question 43Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "The city's decision to ban cars downtown proved contentious, sparking protests and petitions on both sides." Which word is the closest synonym for "contentious" here?

  1. disputed Correct answer.
  2. cheerful
  3. routine
  4. expensive

Explanation

The mention of protests and petitions on both sides shows that people strongly disagreed. "Contentious" means causing or marked by dispute. The correct option matches that sense of conflict.

Question 44Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage says a museum offers free admission on Sundays and that Sunday attendance doubled. Which conclusion is best supported?

  1. Weekday attendance also doubled.
  2. The museum should end free admission immediately.
  3. Visitors came only to see a new exhibit.
  4. Free admission likely contributed to higher Sunday attendance. Correct answer.

Explanation

A sound conclusion stays close to the evidence and avoids overstatement. The passage connects free Sunday admission with a rise in Sunday attendance, so it supports a cautious claim about contribution. It does not support claims about weekdays or visitors' motives.

Question 45Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

An editorial argues that a town should build a new swimming pool, citing only that "everyone loves swimming." What is the main weakness of the argument?

  1. It provides no evidence about cost, demand, or feasibility. Correct answer.
  2. It uses too many detailed financial reports.
  3. It quotes several independent experts.
  4. It explains the pool's construction schedule.

Explanation

A strong argument supports its claim with relevant evidence about costs, benefits, and practical limits. This editorial relies on a broad generalization and omits key facts. Without such evidence, readers cannot judge whether the pool is a sound choice.

Question 46Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage says a town's recycling rate rose after it switched to single-stream collection, in which all recyclables go in one bin. Which statement best explains why the passage's evidence is relevant to its claim?

  1. It shows that easier sorting may encourage more recycling. Correct answer.
  2. It proves that single-stream collection is illegal.
  3. It shows that residents dislike recycling.
  4. It proves that recycling is always profitable.

Explanation

Relevance depends on whether evidence actually supports the claim. Single-stream collection makes sorting simpler, which offers a plausible reason for higher participation. The passage uses this link to explain the increase in recycling.

Question 47Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

Read this sentence: "Although the report acknowledged minor errors, its central findings remained robust after review." What does "robust" most nearly mean here?

  1. temporary
  2. fragile
  3. strong Correct answer.
  4. confusing

Explanation

The contrast with "minor errors" shows that the main findings held up under scrutiny. "Robust" in this context means strong or resistant to challenge. The correct option reflects that durability.

Question 48Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage presents two studies on a new teaching method: one found large gains, the other found no effect. What is the most reasonable conclusion for a reader to draw?

  1. The evidence is mixed and more research is needed. Correct answer.
  2. The method is proven to work in all classrooms.
  3. Both studies must be based on false data.
  4. The method is proven to be harmful to students.

Explanation

When credible sources conflict, careful readers avoid adopting either extreme conclusion. The two studies point in different directions, so the evidence is inconclusive. A reasonable response is to call for further research rather than to assume fraud or certainty.

Question 49Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A passage states: "The highway reduced travel time between the two cities, but it cut through a wetland that shelters rare birds." Which statement best describes how the passage handles the issue?

  1. It argues that travel time does not matter.
  2. It compares two unrelated transportation systems.
  3. It presents a trade-off between benefits and costs. Correct answer.
  4. It claims the wetland was never important.

Explanation

The passage balances a benefit against an environmental cost, which is a trade-off. Recognizing trade-offs helps readers see that a decision can have both advantages and drawbacks. The passage does not dismiss either side.

Question 50Reading Comprehension: Informational Text

A report claims that a tutoring program raised test scores, but the students who joined the program were already high achievers. Why does this weaken the report's claim?

  1. The report used too many comparison groups.
  2. Tutoring programs never affect test scores.
  3. High achievers cannot take tests.
  4. The students may have scored well without the program. Correct answer.

Explanation

If participants already performed well before tutoring, their scores may reflect prior ability rather than the program. Without a comparable group of nonparticipants, the report cannot separate the program's effect from existing differences. This is a problem of selection, not of testing itself.