I85PREP
⌘ K
BC GLA 12 study materials
BC GLA 12 study resources

BC GLA 12 practice questions

One question at a time. Build your BC GLA 12 understanding.

First 50 of 194 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read the sentence: 'Although the trail was steep, the hikers reached the ridge before noon.' Which relationship does the word 'Although' establish between the two clauses?

  1. Sequence in time
  2. Contrast Correct answer.
  3. Cause and effect
  4. Addition

Explanation

The conjunction 'Although' signals that the second clause happens despite the condition in the first, which is a relationship of contrast or concession. Cause-and-effect would require words like 'because' or 'therefore', and sequence would require 'after' or 'then'.

Question 2Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A paragraph opens with 'The library extended its hours.' It then gives attendance figures and ends with 'Students clearly used the extra time.' What is the main idea of the paragraph?

  1. Libraries should buy more books.
  2. The library building is old.
  3. Attendance records are difficult to keep.
  4. Students benefited from longer library hours. Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea is the point the details support: the extended hours led to greater student use. The attendance figures serve as evidence for that claim, and the closing sentence restates it.

Question 3Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which sentence states a fact rather than an opinion?

  1. The cafeteria introduced three vegetarian dishes in September. Correct answer.
  2. Everyone prefers the vegetarian dishes.
  3. The cafeteria food should be cheaper.
  4. The new cafeteria menu is the best in the district.

Explanation

A factual statement can be verified objectively, such as a countable change made in a specific month. The other sentences rely on value judgments or claims about what people prefer, which cannot be checked as simply.

Question 4Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The scientist's report was meticulous; every figure was checked twice.' What does 'meticulous' most nearly mean here?

  1. Brief
  2. Confusing
  3. Extremely careful Correct answer.
  4. Hurried

Explanation

The second clause explains the first: checking every figure twice shows extreme care. Context clues after the semicolon define the word, so 'meticulous' means very careful and precise.

Question 5Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

In a passage, the author writes: 'Some claim homework improves discipline. However, recent studies show mixed results.' What is the author's attitude toward the first claim?

  1. Qualified skepticism Correct answer.
  2. Angry rejection
  3. Complete indifference
  4. Wholehearted agreement

Explanation

The word 'However' introduces evidence that weakens the first claim, so the author treats it with doubt rather than full acceptance. The tone is measured, not hostile or indifferent.

Question 6Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which word in the sentence 'The proposal was rejected outright, without any discussion' signals that no debate occurred?

  1. proposal
  2. rejected
  3. discussion
  4. outright Correct answer.

Explanation

'Outright' means completely and immediately, and the phrase 'without any discussion' reinforces that no debate took place. The other words identify the topic or the action but do not carry that meaning.

Question 7Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A text says: 'Rainfall in the region dropped by 30 percent last year.' Which question would best test the reliability of this claim?

  1. What color are rain clouds?
  2. Where did the rainfall data come from? Correct answer.
  3. Do people enjoy walking in rain?
  4. Is rain generally pleasant?

Explanation

Assessing reliability requires knowing the source and method behind a statistic. Asking where the data came from lets a reader judge whether the 30 percent figure is trustworthy.

Question 8Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which sentence uses 'bear' correctly to mean 'tolerate'?

  1. The bear slept in the cave.
  2. I cannot bear the noise any longer. Correct answer.
  3. Please bear left at the fork.
  4. The tree will bear fruit soon.

Explanation

Used to mean tolerate, 'bear' appears in expressions like 'cannot bear' something unpleasant. The other sentences use 'bear' to mean an animal, to turn direction, or to produce.

Question 9Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A paragraph describes a city's new bike lanes, then notes that cyclist injuries fell by half. What function does the injury statistic serve?

  1. It provides background about weather.
  2. It supports the value of the bike lanes. Correct answer.
  3. It contradicts the paragraph's claim.
  4. It introduces a new topic.

Explanation

The statistic is evidence offered to support the implied claim that the bike lanes are beneficial. Supporting details typically follow a general statement and give it credibility.

Question 10Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The committee's decision was unanimous, yet the chair seemed uneasy.' What does the word 'yet' suggest about the chair's reaction?

  1. It is surprising given the agreement. Correct answer.
  2. It was predicted by everyone.
  3. It matches the group's confidence.
  4. It caused the unanimous vote.

Explanation

'Yet' signals a contrast between an expected response and the actual one, so the chair's unease is unexpected after a unanimous vote. The connector highlights tension between the two facts.

Question 11Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

An article states: 'Sales rose after the ad campaign, but other stores also saw gains.' What does the second clause do?

  1. It proves the campaign worked.
  2. It repeats the first clause.
  3. It weakens the link between the campaign and the sales. Correct answer.
  4. It changes the topic to competitors' finances.

Explanation

By noting that other stores also improved, the clause introduces an alternative explanation for the sales rise. This undercuts the claim that the campaign alone caused the increase.

Question 12Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which sentence best summarizes a passage arguing that remote work reduces commuting stress but may weaken team bonds?

  1. Remote work has benefits and drawbacks for workers and teams. Correct answer.
  2. Team bonding is impossible without an office.
  3. Remote work has only advantages for employees.
  4. Commuting is the main source of stress in cities.

Explanation

A good summary captures both sides the passage presents: reduced commuting stress and weaker team bonds. It should balance the positive and negative points without exaggeration.

Question 13Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'Her argument, though elegantly phrased, rested on a single anecdote.' What is the writer implying about the argument?

  1. It is persuasive because of its style.
  2. It lacks sufficient evidence. Correct answer.
  3. It is too technical to follow.
  4. It is well supported by many examples.

Explanation

The phrase 'rested on a single anecdote' implies the evidence base is thin, even if the wording is elegant. The writer separates style from substance to suggest the argument is weak.

Question 14Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

In the sentence 'The manager's instructions were ambiguous, so the team asked for clarification,' what does 'ambiguous' mean?

  1. Impossible to hear
  2. Open to more than one interpretation Correct answer.
  3. Extremely detailed
  4. Politely worded

Explanation

The team's request for clarification signals that the instructions could be understood in more than one way. 'Ambiguous' means unclear because multiple meanings are possible.

Question 15Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A writer begins a passage with a vivid story about one flood victim before discussing regional flood policy. Why might the writer use this structure?

  1. To engage readers emotionally before presenting policy Correct answer.
  2. To hide the main argument
  3. To confuse readers about the topic
  4. To list statistics in order

Explanation

Opening with a personal story creates empathy and draws readers in before the broader policy discussion. This is a common rhetorical strategy that connects an abstract issue to a human example.

Question 16Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which statement about the word 'however' is accurate?

  1. It lists items in a series.
  2. It marks a direct quotation.
  3. It introduces a conclusion that follows logically.
  4. It signals a contrast with what came before. Correct answer.

Explanation

'However' is a contrastive connector that tells readers the upcoming idea differs from the previous one. It does not show logical conclusion, list items, or mark quotations.

Question 17Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A passage notes that a study surveyed only 40 people, all from one city. What is the best criticism of the study's conclusions?

  1. The sample is too small and narrow to generalize widely. Correct answer.
  2. The study focused on a single topic.
  3. The study used no numbers at all.
  4. The study was published too recently.

Explanation

Small samples drawn from one location limit how far findings can be generalized to other populations. The criticism targets the representativeness of the data, not the topic or timing.

Question 18Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The novel's ending was abrupt, leaving several threads unresolved.' Which word best captures the writer's view of the ending?

  1. Predictable
  2. Unsatisfying Correct answer.
  3. Humorous
  4. Satisfying

Explanation

Calling the ending abrupt and noting unresolved threads implies dissatisfaction with how the story concludes. The writer implies the ending felt incomplete rather than pleasing.

Question 19Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which sentence uses a metaphor rather than a simile?

  1. The city was a sleeping giant. Correct answer.
  2. Her smile was like sunshine.
  3. The lake shone like glass.
  4. He ran as fast as the wind.

Explanation

A metaphor states that one thing is another without using 'like' or 'as'. 'The city was a sleeping giant' makes that direct comparison, while the other sentences use 'like' or 'as'.

Question 20Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

An author writes: 'We must act now; delay is a luxury we cannot afford.' What is the primary purpose of this sentence?

  1. To summarize research findings
  2. To compare two products
  3. To describe a historical event
  4. To urge immediate action Correct answer.

Explanation

The imperative 'We must act now' and the warning about delay combine to push readers toward immediate action. The sentence is persuasive in intent rather than descriptive or comparative.

Question 21Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The council approved the plan, but only after months of debate and two revisions.' What can be inferred about the plan?

  1. It was approved in a single day.
  2. It faced resistance before gaining approval. Correct answer.
  3. It was approved without any changes.
  4. It was rejected outright.

Explanation

Months of debate and two revisions indicate the plan met resistance before it was finally approved. The inference follows from the qualifying phrase 'only after', which stresses difficulty.

Question 22Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A passage presents a scientist's claim, then quotes a critic who disputes the data, and finally cites an independent review confirming the data. What is the overall effect of this structure?

  1. It shows the claim is entirely false.
  2. It weighs competing views and ultimately supports the data. Correct answer.
  3. It introduces unrelated topics to fill space.
  4. It avoids taking any position at all.

Explanation

The passage stages a dispute and then resolves it with independent confirmation, so the structure evaluates competing views and leans toward the data's validity. The final evidence is the strongest because it is independent.

Question 23Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'His generosity was legendary, though few knew the source of his wealth.' What does the sentence imply about the subject?

  1. He was known mainly for his secrecy.
  2. His wealth was publicly documented.
  3. He gave money only to relatives.
  4. His giving was well known but his finances were not. Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast sets widely known generosity against the unknown origin of his wealth, implying his finances were obscure. The word 'though' marks the gap between public knowledge and private detail.

Question 24Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A writer claims a policy 'failed' and cites a small dip in one indicator while ignoring steady gains in three others. Which technique is the writer using?

  1. Chronological ordering
  2. Selective evidence Correct answer.
  3. Balanced comparison
  4. Direct quotation

Explanation

Choosing one negative indicator while omitting several positive ones is selective evidence, which can distort the overall picture. A balanced comparison would present both the dip and the gains.

Question 25Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The proposal, far from solving the problem, may deepen it.' How does the phrase 'far from' function in the sentence?

  1. It emphasizes a strong contrast with the expected outcome. Correct answer.
  2. It introduces a neutral description.
  3. It concedes that the proposal solves the problem.
  4. It confirms the proposal's effectiveness.

Explanation

'Far from' intensifies a contrast, stressing that the actual result is the opposite of the expected one. Here it underscores that the proposal may worsen rather than solve the problem.

Question 26Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A passage states: 'The new library opened in March. By June, visits had doubled.' Which inference is best supported by these two sentences?

  1. The old library was more popular than the new one.
  2. The library was built too slowly.
  3. The library may be drawing more people than before it opened. Correct answer.
  4. Visits will keep doubling every three months.

Explanation

The two sentences together report a rise in visits after the opening, so the safest inference is greater use. The text gives no cause, no comparison with an old library, and no promise of a continuing trend.

Question 27Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The team's report was thorough; nevertheless, it overlooked the cost of maintenance.' What does 'nevertheless' signal?

  1. A cause and effect link
  2. A list of examples
  3. A restatement of the same idea
  4. A contrast between two points Correct answer.

Explanation

'Nevertheless' is a contrast connector: it sets the thoroughness of the report against its one omission. It does not show cause, repetition, or illustration.

Question 28Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

In the sentence 'The witness gave a terse reply, offering only three words,' what does 'terse' most likely mean?

  1. Angry and loud
  2. Detailed and lengthy
  3. Brief and to the point Correct answer.
  4. Confused and unclear

Explanation

The clue 'only three words' shows the reply was very short, which is the meaning of 'terse'. The context does not describe anger, confusion, or length.

Question 29Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which sentence contains a simile?

  1. Her voice cut through the room like a bell. Correct answer.
  2. The market was a noisy hive of activity.
  3. The old house groaned in the wind.
  4. Time is a thief that steals our hours.

Explanation

A simile compares two things using 'like' or 'as'; 'like a bell' fits that pattern. The other sentences make direct comparisons or use personification without 'like' or 'as'.

Question 30Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A paragraph describes a town's new recycling programme, then reports that landfill waste fell by 40 percent. What function does the statistic serve?

  1. It describes how recycling works.
  2. It contradicts the paragraph's main point.
  3. It introduces an unrelated topic.
  4. It supports the value of the programme. Correct answer.

Explanation

The figure measures an outcome that the programme aimed to produce, so it functions as supporting evidence. It is directly tied to the paragraph's point rather than contradicting or digressing from it.

Question 31Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which word in the sentence 'The instructions were so convoluted that no one could follow them' signals that the instructions were hard to understand?

  1. follow
  2. no one
  3. convoluted Correct answer.
  4. instructions

Explanation

'Convoluted' describes something extremely complicated, and the result clause confirms the difficulty. The other words are neutral or refer to people and actions, not to complexity.

Question 32Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The museum extended its hours. Attendance on weekdays rose sharply.' Which conclusion is most reasonable?

  1. Longer hours may have encouraged weekday visits. Correct answer.
  2. Visitors came only for special exhibits.
  3. The museum should close on weekends.
  4. Weekend attendance must have fallen.

Explanation

The two statements are linked in time and topic, so a cautious causal suggestion is reasonable. The passage says nothing about weekends, closures, or exhibits, so those conclusions go beyond the text.

Question 33Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A text says: 'The survey was completed by 500 residents, all of whom volunteered online.' Which question most directly tests the survey's representativeness?

  1. Were the volunteers typical of all residents? Correct answer.
  2. Was the survey translated?
  3. Who wrote the survey questions?
  4. How long was the survey?

Explanation

A sample drawn only from online volunteers may differ from the wider population, so representativeness hinges on how typical that group is. Length, authorship, and translation do not address whether the sample reflects residents as a whole.

Question 34Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The council's plan was praised by economists, yet shopkeepers remained sceptical.' What does 'yet' show about the two groups?

  1. They reached the same conclusion.
  2. The shopkeepers had not heard the plan.
  3. Their reactions differed. Correct answer.
  4. The economists influenced the shopkeepers.

Explanation

'Yet' marks a contrast, so praise from one group and scepticism from another are being set against each other. The sentence reports disagreement, not agreement, influence, or ignorance.

Question 35Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A writer describes a single factory closure in detail before analysing national manufacturing trends. Why might the writer begin this way?

  1. To give readers a concrete entry point into an abstract issue. Correct answer.
  2. To prove that all factories are closing.
  3. To list statistics in order of size.
  4. To avoid stating any opinion.

Explanation

A specific human example can make a broad economic trend easier to grasp before the analysis begins. One closure cannot prove a national pattern, and the opening does not serve as a statistical ranking.

Question 36Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which sentence uses 'capital' correctly to mean money used to start a business?

  1. He wrote the word in capital letters.
  2. The capital of the country is inland.
  3. She raised enough capital to open a bakery. Correct answer.
  4. The team played in the capital city.

Explanation

In business contexts, 'capital' refers to funds available for investment or starting an enterprise. The other sentences use 'capital' to mean a seat of government or an uppercase letter.

Question 37Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The medicine reduced symptoms in most patients, although some reported no change.' Which statement best captures the writer's meaning?

  1. The medicine has never been tested.
  2. The medicine helped many but not everyone. Correct answer.
  3. The medicine is completely ineffective.
  4. The medicine made symptoms worse.

Explanation

'Most patients' improved while 'some' did not, so the medicine helped a majority without universal success. The sentence does not claim total failure, harm, or an absence of testing.

Question 38Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

An author writes: 'Every minute we wait, the river rises another centimetre.' What is the main rhetorical effect of this sentence?

  1. It softens a warning.
  2. It provides a scientific definition.
  3. It offers a balanced view of both sides.
  4. It creates a sense of urgency. Correct answer.

Explanation

The steady, measurable rise of the river makes delay feel costly, which builds urgency. The sentence is persuasive rather than definitional, and it does not soften the warning or present opposing views.

Question 39Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The committee reviewed the proposal, amended two clauses, and approved it unanimously.' What can be inferred about the proposal?

  1. It was rejected without review.
  2. It was withdrawn by its author.
  3. It was accepted after changes were made. Correct answer.
  4. It was approved without any alterations.

Explanation

The sequence shows amendments followed by unanimous approval, so the proposal passed in altered form. Rejection, unchanged approval, and withdrawal all contradict the stated events.

Question 40Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Which of these statements best summarises a passage arguing that school uniforms reduce visible inequality but limit students' self-expression?

  1. Uniforms have both benefits and drawbacks. Correct answer.
  2. Uniforms are expensive for families.
  3. Uniforms improve academic results.
  4. Uniforms should be banned in all schools.

Explanation

The passage balances one advantage against one limitation, so a summary must capture both sides. A one-sided claim for or against uniforms would distort the argument, and cost and grades are not part of it.

Question 41Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

In the sentence 'The judge's ruling was widely criticised as arbitrary,' what does 'arbitrary' most nearly mean?

  1. Based on clear rules
  2. Delayed for many months
  3. Supported by strong evidence
  4. Reached without a principled reason Correct answer.

Explanation

'Arbitrary' describes a decision made without consistent principle or justification, which is why it drew criticism. It does not mean rule-based, well-supported, or postponed.

Question 42Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A paragraph presents a company's claim that its new app is 'the safest on the market', then notes that the company funded the only study supporting this. What is the main weakness in the evidence?

  1. The claim was made in a press release.
  2. The supporting study came from an interested party. Correct answer.
  3. The app was tested by too many people.
  4. The market has too many apps.

Explanation

When the only evidence comes from a source with a stake in the result, independence is compromised and the claim is weaker. The number of testers, the format of the claim, and the size of the market are not the issue raised.

Question 43Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'Her explanation was lucid, so even newcomers understood the process.' What does 'lucid' mean here?

  1. Long and repetitive
  2. Technical and specialised
  3. Vague and confusing
  4. Clear and easy to follow Correct answer.

Explanation

The result clause shows that newcomers could understand the explanation, so 'lucid' means clear. Repetition, vagueness, and heavy technical detail would all hinder understanding.

Question 44Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A writer states: 'The policy reduced traffic, but it also pushed congestion onto nearby streets.' How does the second clause function?

  1. It gives an unrelated example.
  2. It denies that traffic was reduced.
  3. It qualifies the first clause by adding a cost. Correct answer.
  4. It repeats the first clause in different words.

Explanation

The second clause concedes a benefit but adds an unintended consequence, so it qualifies the positive claim. It neither restates the first clause nor denies that traffic fell, and the consequence is directly related.

Question 45Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The historian's account is engaging, though it leans heavily on a single archive.' What is the writer suggesting about the account?

  1. It is entirely free of bias.
  2. It is readable but limited in its sources. Correct answer.
  3. It uses too many archives.
  4. It is boring and poorly written.

Explanation

'Engaging' praises the writing, while 'though' introduces a limitation about reliance on one archive, so the account is readable but narrow in evidence. The sentence does not call it dull, over-sourced, or unbiased.

Question 46Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A passage notes that a city's bike-share scheme has 200 stations but that 80 percent of trips occur at just 10 of them. What does this pattern most likely indicate?

  1. Demand is concentrated in a small part of the network. Correct answer.
  2. The scheme has too many bicycles.
  3. All stations are equally popular.
  4. The scheme is used mainly at night.

Explanation

Most trips starting at a few stations show that use is clustered rather than spread evenly. The data say nothing about fleet size, equal popularity, or time of day.

Question 47Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The senator's speech was conciliatory in tone, yet it contained no concrete concessions.' What does the sentence imply about the speech?

  1. It was friendly in manner but empty of substance. Correct answer.
  2. It was openly hostile to opponents.
  3. It offered major policy changes.
  4. It was too short to be heard.

Explanation

'Conciliatory in tone' suggests a friendly manner, while the 'yet' clause notes the absence of real concessions, producing a contrast between style and substance. The speech did not offer changes, was not hostile, and its length is not mentioned.

Question 48Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A writer claims a reform 'failed' and cites a small dip in one indicator while ignoring steady gains in three others. Which criticism is most precise?

  1. The writer relied on expert opinion.
  2. The writer's sentence was too long.
  3. The writer selected evidence that supports a preset conclusion. Correct answer.
  4. The writer used too many indicators.

Explanation

Highlighting one unfavourable measure while omitting several favourable ones is selective use of evidence to support a predetermined verdict. The problem is not quantity of indicators, sentence length, or reliance on experts.

Question 49Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

Read: 'The proposal, far from solving the problem, may deepen it.' How does 'far from' function in the sentence?

  1. It concedes that the proposal will succeed.
  2. It marks the sentence as a direct quotation.
  3. It emphasises that the opposite of the expected outcome is true. Correct answer.
  4. It introduces a neutral comparison between two plans.

Explanation

'Far from' stresses a sharp reversal: instead of solving the problem, the proposal may worsen it. It is an intensifying contrast, not a neutral comparison, a concession of success, or a quotation marker.

Question 50Reading Comprehension and Interpretation of Texts

A passage presents a scientist's claim, then a critic who disputes the data, and finally an independent review that finds the data sound. What is the overall effect of this structure?

  1. It shows the scientist changed their mind.
  2. It leaves the reader unable to judge the claim.
  3. It proves the critic was dishonest.
  4. It builds a case for the claim by answering the objection. Correct answer.

Explanation

The structure raises an objection and then resolves it with independent evidence, which strengthens the original claim. It does not leave the issue unresolved, impugn the critic's motives, or describe a change of mind.