I85PREP
⌘ K
Hokkaido Entrance English study materials
Hokkaido Entrance English study resources

Hokkaido Entrance English practice questions

One question at a time. Build your Hokkaido Entrance English understanding.

First 50 of 200 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 of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The town council approved the new library plan, arguing that residents who live far from the central branch would benefit most.' Which inference is best supported by this sentence alone?

  1. The council believed the plan would improve access for some residents. Correct answer.
  2. All residents already had easy access to a library.
  3. The central branch was closed before the vote.
  4. The council rejected the plan because of its cost.

Explanation

The sentence reports the council's stated reason for approval: helping residents far from the central branch. That reason directly supports the inference that the council expected better access for those residents. The other choices contradict or add facts not present in the sentence.

Question 2Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In an argumentative passage, an author writes: 'Opponents claim the fee will discourage visitors, yet parks with similar fees report steady attendance.' What is the author doing with this sentence?

  1. Conceding that the opponents are completely correct
  2. Introducing a counterargument and then challenging it with evidence Correct answer.
  3. Changing the topic to park maintenance costs
  4. Defining a technical term used earlier

Explanation

The word 'yet' signals a contrast: the author first presents the opponents' claim, then offers evidence that undercuts it. This is the classic move of stating a counterargument and rebutting it. The sentence does not concede the point, change topic, or define a term.

Question 3Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage says: 'Unlike earlier models, which required constant supervision, the new device operates autonomously.' What does 'autonomously' most nearly mean here?

  1. Only in specially designed rooms
  2. At a slower speed than before
  3. With frequent human guidance
  4. Without continuous human control Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast with 'required constant supervision' tells you that 'autonomously' means acting without ongoing human control. Context clues from the 'unlike' structure define the word. The other options either restate the old model's trait or add unsupported details.

Question 4Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

An expository passage explains how honeybees communicate the location of flowers. Which detail would most likely appear in such a passage?

  1. A description of the waggle dance and its angle relative to the sun Correct answer.
  2. A list of the author's favorite honey brands
  3. A personal story about the author's first beehive
  4. An argument that beekeeping should be banned in cities

Explanation

An expository passage aims to explain a process or phenomenon, so a factual account of the waggle dance fits its purpose. The other options belong to narrative, argumentative, or opinion writing rather than explanation. Matching content to the passage's stated purpose is the key skill.

Question 5Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage notes: 'Sales of electric bicycles rose sharply after the city introduced subsidies, although prices had also fallen slightly that year.' Which conclusion is most careful?

  1. Subsidies were the only cause of the increase in sales.
  2. The price drop proves subsidies had no effect at all.
  3. Electric bicycles were unpopular before that year.
  4. The increase may reflect both subsidies and lower prices. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage presents two changes occurring together, so a careful reader avoids crediting only one. The word 'although' signals that both factors are relevant. A cautious conclusion acknowledges that the evidence does not isolate a single cause.

Question 6Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'Critics of standardized testing argue that it narrows curricula. Supporters counter that common tests allow fair comparison across schools. Both sides agree, however, that test preparation consumes instructional time.' Which statement is supported by the passage?

  1. Critics reject all forms of school comparison.
  2. The passage concludes that testing should be abolished.
  3. Supporters believe test preparation wastes no time.
  4. Critics and supporters share at least one concern about testing. Correct answer.

Explanation

The final sentence states that both sides agree test preparation takes instructional time, which is a shared concern. The passage reports both positions without endorsing either. The other options distort or overstate what the passage says.

Question 7Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A paragraph begins: 'However, the benefits of remote work are not distributed equally.' What is the most likely function of this sentence within the passage?

  1. To conclude that remote work should be abandoned
  2. To introduce the passage's main definition of remote work
  3. To provide a statistical example of productivity gains
  4. To signal a qualification of an earlier positive claim Correct answer.

Explanation

'However' marks a turn from what came before, and 'not distributed equally' limits an earlier positive statement. The sentence therefore qualifies or complicates a prior claim. It does not define the term, give statistics, or call for abandonment.

Question 8Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage argues: 'Cities should plant more street trees. Trees lower summer temperatures, absorb rainwater, and improve air quality. The initial cost is repaid within a decade through reduced cooling and drainage expenses.' Which sentence states the author's main claim?

  1. Trees lower summer temperatures and absorb rainwater.
  2. Air quality is improved by trees.
  3. Cities should plant more street trees. Correct answer.
  4. The initial cost is repaid within a decade.

Explanation

The main claim is the recommendation the author wants readers to accept: cities should plant more street trees. The other sentences are supporting evidence about benefits and costs. Identifying the recommendation versus its support is essential in argumentative passages.

Question 9Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

An author writes: 'Some economists predict that automation will eliminate millions of jobs. This prediction, while dramatic, overlooks the new roles that technology has historically created.' How does the author regard the prediction?

  1. As dramatic but incomplete Correct answer.
  2. As proven false by recent data
  3. As fully convincing and well supported
  4. As irrelevant to the topic of employment

Explanation

The phrase 'while dramatic' acknowledges the prediction's force, and 'overlooks' marks its weakness. Together they show the author sees it as striking but incomplete. The author neither fully endorses it nor dismisses it as irrelevant or disproven.

Question 10Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The experiment's results were suggestive but not conclusive, because the sample included only thirty volunteers.' What weakness does the passage identify?

  1. The experiment cost too much to repeat.
  2. The sample size was small. Correct answer.
  3. The results were never recorded.
  4. The volunteers were too old to be useful.

Explanation

The clause beginning 'because' gives the reason the results are not conclusive: only thirty volunteers took part. That is a small sample size. The passage mentions no ages, recording problems, or costs.

Question 11Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'Many people assume that longer school days automatically raise achievement. Yet studies comparing schools with extended hours find that gains depend on how the extra time is used, not on its length alone.' What does the passage imply about the assumption?

  1. It is correct because longer days always help.
  2. It is oversimplified because the use of time matters. Correct answer.
  3. It applies only to schools with short days.
  4. It has been proven by comparing many schools.

Explanation

The passage contrasts a common assumption with research showing that how extra time is used matters more than length. This implies the assumption is oversimplified. The passage does not claim longer days always help or that the assumption has been proven.

Question 12Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage describes a scientist who 'replicated the trial three times to rule out chance findings.' Why does the passage mention the replications?

  1. To criticize the scientist's methods
  2. To emphasize the reliability of the results Correct answer.
  3. To explain why the trial was expensive
  4. To show the scientist doubted the original hypothesis

Explanation

Replication is mentioned as a way to 'rule out chance findings,' which strengthens confidence in the results. The purpose is therefore to emphasize reliability. The passage does not suggest doubt about the hypothesis, high cost, or flawed methods.

Question 13Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In an argumentative passage, the author writes: 'If we accept that clean water is a basic right, then we must also accept that governments have a duty to provide it.' What type of reasoning is the author using?

  1. Reasoning from statistics to a general rule
  2. Reasoning from an opposing view to a compromise
  3. Reasoning from a personal anecdote to a policy
  4. Reasoning from a general principle to a specific obligation Correct answer.

Explanation

The author starts from a broad principle (clean water is a basic right) and derives a specific duty (governments must provide it). This is deductive-style reasoning from principle to obligation. No statistics, anecdotes, or compromise are involved.

Question 14Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage says: 'The museum's new wing drew record crowds, but surveys showed that most visitors came for a single traveling exhibition.' What does the passage suggest about the new wing?

  1. Its appeal may have depended on a temporary attraction. Correct answer.
  2. It was designed mainly for researchers.
  3. It permanently increased the museum's regular attendance.
  4. It was unpopular with all visitors.

Explanation

If most visitors came for a traveling exhibition, the record crowds may reflect that temporary draw rather than the wing itself. The passage thus implies the wing's appeal may be tied to a temporary attraction. It does not show lasting gains, universal dislike, or a research focus.

Question 15Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'Advocates of congestion pricing point to cities where traffic fell after drivers were charged to enter the center. Opponents reply that such charges burden low-income commuters who cannot change their travel times. The debate thus turns less on whether pricing works than on who should bear its costs.' Which statement best captures the passage's final point?

  1. Low-income commuters support congestion pricing.
  2. The evidence shows congestion pricing does not reduce traffic.
  3. Opponents deny that traffic fell in other cities.
  4. The central disagreement concerns fairness rather than effectiveness. Correct answer.

Explanation

The last sentence explicitly shifts the debate from whether pricing works to who bears its costs, which is a question of fairness. The passage accepts the traffic evidence as given and focuses on distribution. The other options misstate the positions described.

Question 16Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

An author writes: 'It is tempting to blame social media alone for declining attention spans. But every generation has blamed a new medium, from novels to television, for corrupting the young.' What is the author's rhetorical strategy?

  1. Attacking young people for using too much media
  2. Citing a historical pattern to question a simple causal claim Correct answer.
  3. Recommending that novels be removed from schools
  4. Presenting statistics to prove social media is harmless

Explanation

The author notes that similar accusations have been made about earlier media, using history to cast doubt on blaming social media alone. This is an appeal to a recurring pattern, not statistical proof or an attack on youth. The strategy undermines a single-cause explanation.

Question 17Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The company's profits rose 20 percent, yet its market share declined.' Which situation could explain both facts at once?

  1. The company sold fewer products at lower prices.
  2. The company stopped selling products entirely.
  3. The whole market grew faster than the company's sales. Correct answer.
  4. The company's costs fell to zero.

Explanation

Profits can rise while market share falls if the company's sales grow but competitors' sales grow faster. A rapidly expanding market explains both observations. Selling fewer products at lower prices would not raise profits, and stopping sales would contradict the profit increase.

Question 18Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage argues: 'Volunteering benefits not only those served but also the volunteers, who report greater life satisfaction.' Which assumption does this argument rely on?

  1. Life satisfaction cannot be measured at all.
  2. Volunteers always earn higher incomes than non-volunteers.
  3. People who do not volunteer are unhappy.
  4. Self-reported satisfaction accurately reflects volunteers' actual well-being. Correct answer.

Explanation

The argument uses volunteers' reports of greater satisfaction as evidence of benefit, so it assumes those reports are trustworthy indicators. If self-reports were unreliable, the conclusion would weaken. The other options are not needed for the argument to work.

Question 19Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In a passage, the writer notes: 'Solar panels produce no emissions while generating electricity, but manufacturing them requires energy and materials.' What is the writer's overall stance toward solar power?

  1. Entirely opposed to solar energy
  2. Uncritically enthusiastic, ignoring any drawbacks
  3. Convinced that solar panels are useless
  4. Balanced, acknowledging benefits alongside costs Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer presents both a clear benefit (no emissions during operation) and a cost (energy and materials in manufacturing). This dual presentation signals a balanced stance. The passage neither ignores drawbacks nor rejects solar power.

Question 20Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage says: 'The new policy was praised by teachers, though parents remained skeptical.' Which pair of words best reflects the passage's contrast?

  1. teachers / parents
  2. praised / skeptical Correct answer.
  3. policy / parents
  4. new / remained

Explanation

The contrast is carried by 'praised' (positive) and 'skeptical' (doubtful), joined by 'though.' These words show opposing reactions. The other pairs name participants or describe time, not the contrast in attitude.

Question 21Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'Some argue that university rankings help students choose schools. Others warn that rankings reward measurable factors, such as test scores, while ignoring qualities like teaching quality that resist easy measurement.' What concern is raised about rankings?

  1. They may overlook important qualities that are hard to measure. Correct answer.
  2. They measure too many qualities at once.
  3. They are used only by teachers.
  4. They make test scores impossible to compare.

Explanation

The passage says rankings reward measurable factors and ignore qualities that resist easy measurement, such as teaching quality. That is the stated concern. The other options reverse or invent details from the passage.

Question 22Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

An expository passage explains: 'Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor but support about a quarter of marine species.' Which function does the contrast in this sentence serve?

  1. It proves that most ocean species live on land.
  2. It argues that coral reefs should be removed.
  3. It shows that small area can have large ecological importance. Correct answer.
  4. It explains how coral animals build their skeletons.

Explanation

The contrast between 'less than one percent' and 'a quarter of marine species' highlights how a small area can support enormous biodiversity. The sentence's purpose is to emphasize ecological importance despite small size. It does not discuss land species, removal, or skeleton formation.

Question 23Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The researchers cautioned that their findings apply to adults under forty and may not generalize to older populations.' What does 'generalize' mean in this context?

  1. To write a summary of the results
  2. To increase the number of participants
  3. To make a broad statement that applies beyond the studied group Correct answer.
  4. To repeat an experiment many times

Explanation

In research contexts, 'generalize' means extending conclusions from a studied sample to a wider population. The caution is that results for adults under forty may not hold for older groups. The other options describe different activities not implied by the word.

Question 24Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In an argumentative passage, the author writes: 'Those who oppose the new bike lanes rarely mention that car traffic on the same streets has fallen since the lanes opened.' What is the author's tone toward the opponents?

  1. Critical, implying they overlook relevant evidence Correct answer.
  2. Sympathetic, sharing their objections
  3. Respectful and fully persuaded
  4. Neutral, simply reporting their views

Explanation

The word 'rarely mention' implies the opponents leave out evidence that weakens their case, which is a critical tone. The author is not persuaded by them, merely neutral, or sympathetic. Tone is inferred from word choice like 'rarely mention.'

Question 25Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage explains: 'Unlike a hypothesis, which is a testable prediction, a theory is a well-supported explanation that organizes many findings.' According to the passage, what distinguishes a theory from a hypothesis?

  1. A hypothesis cannot be tested by experiments.
  2. A theory organizes many findings and is well supported. Correct answer.
  3. A theory is always newer than a hypothesis.
  4. A theory is a guess, while a hypothesis is proven.

Explanation

The passage defines a theory as a well-supported explanation that organizes many findings, while a hypothesis is a testable prediction. The distinction is support and scope, not age. The other options reverse the definitions or add unsupported claims.

Question 26Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The library extended its weekend hours after a survey showed that 68 percent of users worked on Saturdays. Borrowing rose by a fifth within three months.' Which claim is best supported by this evidence?

  1. The survey was designed by the library's staff.
  2. Borrowing had been falling for several years.
  3. Most users preferred reading at home on Sundays.
  4. Weekend access was a real barrier for many users. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage links a stated user need (Saturday work) to an increase in borrowing after hours were extended, which supports the idea that limited weekend access had been discouraging use. The other options add details about preferences, survey authorship, or long-term trends that the passage never provides.

Question 27Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'The town replaced its diesel buses with electric models. Air-quality monitors recorded a 30 percent drop in nitrogen oxides along the main route, and drivers reported quieter rides.' What is the main purpose of the passage?

  1. To compare ticket prices on different routes
  2. To describe measured results of a transport change Correct answer.
  3. To explain how electric motors generate power
  4. To argue that diesel engines should be banned everywhere

Explanation

The passage reports specific outcomes (lower nitrogen oxides, quieter rides) following a switch to electric buses, so its purpose is to describe observed results of that change. It does not make a broad policy demand, explain motor technology, or discuss fares.

Question 28Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage says: 'The novelist's early works sold poorly. Her fourth book, however, became a bestseller, and readers then bought the earlier titles in large numbers.' What does this suggest about the earlier books?

  1. They were written after the bestseller.
  2. They gained readers only after a later success. Correct answer.
  3. They were praised by the same readers first.
  4. They were never reprinted.

Explanation

The sequence is clear: poor early sales, then a bestseller, then large purchases of the earlier titles. This shows the earlier works found readers only once the later book drew attention to them. The passage gives no evidence of reprints, writing order, or prior praise.

Question 29Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In an expository passage, the writer states: 'Bamboo grows fast enough to be harvested every few years, whereas a hardwood forest may need decades to recover.' What point does this contrast support?

  1. Bamboo can be replenished more quickly than hardwood. Correct answer.
  2. Hardwood forests cannot be harvested at all.
  3. Bamboo is stronger than hardwood timber.
  4. Bamboo grows only in tropical climates.

Explanation

The comparison is about time to regrow after harvest, so it supports the claim that bamboo is replenished faster. Strength, total impossibility of hardwood harvest, and climate are not part of the contrast.

Question 30Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage explains: 'Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored in sugars. Respiration later releases that energy for the plant's own use.' According to the passage, what is the relationship between the two processes?

  1. Photosynthesis uses energy released by respiration.
  2. Respiration uses energy that photosynthesis stored. Correct answer.
  3. Respiration occurs only in darkness.
  4. Both processes store energy in identical ways.

Explanation

The passage states that photosynthesis stores energy in sugars and respiration later releases it, so respiration depends on energy captured earlier by photosynthesis. The other options reverse the direction, claim identical storage, or add a light condition not given.

Question 31Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'The city's new recycling scheme accepts plastic bottles but not plastic bags, because bags jam the sorting machines.' Why does the passage give this reason?

  1. To criticize the city's residents
  2. To show that bottles are more valuable
  3. To explain why one plastic item is excluded Correct answer.
  4. To prove that recycling is unnecessary

Explanation

The word 'because' introduces a cause: bags jam the machines, which explains their exclusion from the scheme. The passage is not questioning recycling itself, comparing value, or blaming residents.

Question 32Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage notes: 'Attendance at the annual festival fell sharply in the year the ticket price doubled, then recovered when free entry was restored.' Which conclusion is most reasonable?

  1. The festival changed its location that year.
  2. The festival had always charged for entry.
  3. Weather caused the drop in attendance.
  4. Price influenced whether people attended. Correct answer.

Explanation

Attendance dropped when the price rose and recovered when entry became free, a pattern that points to price as a factor. The passage mentions no change of venue, weather, or earlier pricing policy.

Question 33Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

An expository passage states: 'Most of the island's electricity now comes from geothermal springs, which produce power day and night, unlike solar panels.' What advantage of geothermal power does the passage emphasize?

  1. It provides power without depending on daylight. Correct answer.
  2. It requires no maintenance.
  3. It costs less to build than solar panels.
  4. It can be installed anywhere.

Explanation

The phrase 'day and night, unlike solar panels' highlights continuous availability rather than dependence on sunlight. Cost, maintenance, and universal siting are not mentioned.

Question 34Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage argues: 'Museums that digitize their collections reach far more people than those that do not, yet digitization requires staff time and equipment. Museums with small budgets should therefore seek partnerships before launching online archives.' What assumption underlies this recommendation?

  1. Staff time is the only cost of digitization.
  2. Digitization is unnecessary for large museums.
  3. Online archives attract fewer visitors than galleries.
  4. Partners can supply resources the museum lacks. Correct answer.

Explanation

The advice to seek partnerships follows only if partners can provide the time or equipment a small-budget museum cannot afford. If partners offered nothing useful, the recommendation would not follow. The other options contradict or overstate points in the passage.

Question 35Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'The author concedes that early critics of the bridge project correctly predicted cost overruns. She then argues that the bridge's economic benefits have already exceeded those overruns.' What is the author's overall stance?

  1. She thinks the critics were entirely right.
  2. She accepts one criticism but still supports the project. Correct answer.
  3. She believes the bridge should be demolished.
  4. She rejects every criticism of the project.

Explanation

Conceding a point and then countering it with a stronger benefit claim is a classic partial-concession structure: the author grants the overruns but maintains support. Full rejection of criticism, demolition, or total agreement with critics would contradict the second sentence.

Question 36Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The survey found that 80 percent of respondents favored the new park. However, the questionnaire was distributed only at a meeting of the park's supporters.' What is the main weakness the passage identifies?

  1. The sample was drawn from people likely to agree. Correct answer.
  2. The survey asked too many questions.
  3. The park is too expensive to build.
  4. Eighty percent is a small number.

Explanation

Distributing the questionnaire only among supporters means the respondents were not representative, so the 80 percent figure is inflated by selection bias. Question count, construction cost, and the size of the percentage are not the issue raised.

Question 37Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In a passage, the writer says: 'Translation is often described as a bridge between cultures. But a bridge carries traffic unchanged, while a translation inevitably reshapes what passes through it.' What is the writer doing with the bridge image?

  1. Questioning it by pointing out where the comparison fails Correct answer.
  2. Replacing it with a scientific model
  3. Using it to argue that translation is impossible
  4. Confirming it as an exact description of translation

Explanation

The writer introduces a common metaphor and then shows its limits: bridges preserve cargo, translations alter meaning. This is a critique of the image, not an endorsement, and it stops short of declaring translation impossible.

Question 38Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage explains: 'Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. Prescribing them for viral infections therefore does nothing for the patient and encourages resistant strains to spread.' What is the passage's central claim?

  1. Antibiotics are ineffective against all diseases.
  2. Resistant strains cannot spread between patients.
  3. Antibiotics should not be used against viral illness. Correct answer.
  4. Viral infections are more dangerous than bacterial ones.

Explanation

The passage pairs ineffectiveness against viruses with the harm of resistance, supporting the claim that antibiotics should not be prescribed for viral illness. It does not deny their value against bacteria, rank danger, or deny transmission.

Question 39Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'The report notes a correlation between breakfast habits and school grades. It warns, however, that students who eat breakfast regularly may also come from homes with more stable routines.' What concern is the report raising?

  1. Grades are an unreliable measure.
  2. A third factor may explain both patterns. Correct answer.
  3. The study included no students.
  4. Breakfast has no effect on health.

Explanation

The warning points to a confounding variable: stable home routines could influence both breakfast habits and grades, so the correlation alone does not prove causation. The passage does not deny breakfast's health effects, attack grades as a measure, or say the study had no participants.

Question 40Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The company cut prices by 15 percent and sold 40 percent more units, but its total revenue barely changed.' What does this outcome indicate?

  1. Customers ignored the price change.
  2. The price cut reduced the revenue earned per unit. Correct answer.
  3. Demand fell after the price cut.
  4. Production costs doubled.

Explanation

Selling more units while revenue stays flat means the lower price per unit offset the extra volume. Demand clearly rose, and neither production costs nor customer indifference would explain the flat revenue alongside higher sales.

Question 41Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In an argumentative passage, the writer states: 'Opponents say the new train line will disturb wildlife. Yet the route follows an existing highway corridor that has divided habitats for decades.' How does the writer respond to the opponents?

  1. By denying that wildlife exists near the line
  2. By arguing the route adds little new disruption Correct answer.
  3. By agreeing the line should be cancelled
  4. By proposing a completely different route

Explanation

Pointing out that the corridor is already developed is a way of minimizing the additional harm the line would cause. The writer does not deny wildlife is present, concede cancellation, or suggest an alternative path.

Question 42Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage explains: 'Unlike a summary, which compresses a text, a paraphrase restates a passage in different words at similar length.' According to the passage, what distinguishes a paraphrase from a summary?

  1. It uses the original wording exactly.
  2. It applies only to poetry.
  3. It preserves length rather than compressing. Correct answer.
  4. It adds the writer's own opinions.

Explanation

The passage contrasts compression (summary) with restatement at similar length (paraphrase), so length preservation is the distinguishing feature. A paraphrase uses different words, need not add opinion, and is not limited to poetry.

Question 43Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'The village installed streetlights to reduce accidents. Reported accidents fell, but the number of pedestrians walking at night also doubled.' Why might the accident figures be misleading?

  1. Streetlights cause accidents by blinding drivers.
  2. Pedestrians avoid lit streets at night.
  3. The village had no accidents before the lights.
  4. More pedestrians mean more chances for accidents, so the rate may not have improved. Correct answer.

Explanation

If the number of people walking at night doubled, a similar or even higher accident count could represent a lower accident rate per pedestrian. The passage gives no evidence that lights blind drivers, that accidents were absent before, or that pedestrians avoid lit streets.

Question 44Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage says: 'The scientist published her raw data alongside her conclusions, invited other labs to reanalyze it, and revised two claims after they did.' What quality does the passage mainly illustrate?

  1. Indifference to other researchers
  2. Reliance on a single method
  3. Reluctance to share findings
  4. Openness to correction Correct answer.

Explanation

Sharing data, inviting reanalysis, and revising claims all demonstrate willingness to be corrected by evidence. The passage shows the opposite of secrecy, single-method reliance, or indifference.

Question 45Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage argues: 'Cities that added protected bike lanes saw a rise in cycling commuters. Because more cycling reduces congestion and emissions, other cities should follow suit.' Which statement, if true, would most weaken this argument?

  1. Most new cyclists had previously commuted by bicycle on other routes. Correct answer.
  2. Protected lanes cost more than painted lanes.
  3. Some cities have cold winters.
  4. Cycling is popular among young residents.

Explanation

The argument assumes the lanes created new cyclists, whose shift from cars would reduce congestion and emissions. If most new cyclists merely switched routes, car traffic would be unchanged and the benefit claim collapses. Cost, popularity, and weather do not directly undermine the causal claim.

Question 46Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'Advocates claim the app improves concentration by blocking distracting sites. Yet the app's own data show that users disable it most often during demanding tasks, when focus matters most.' What is the flaw the passage exposes?

  1. Blocking sites never affects concentration.
  2. The app is too expensive for most users.
  3. The claimed benefit is weakest exactly when it is most needed. Correct answer.
  4. Users install the app but never open it.

Explanation

The passage sets the promised benefit against evidence that users turn the app off during demanding work, undermining the claim precisely in the situation it targets. Price, total ineffectiveness, and non-use are not what the data show.

Question 47Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage states: 'The policy reduced waiting times in the hospitals that adopted it. But those hospitals were already better staffed than the national average.' What does this observation imply about the policy's effect?

  1. The improvement cannot be attributed to the policy alone. Correct answer.
  2. Staffing levels are irrelevant to waiting times.
  3. The policy definitely caused longer waits elsewhere.
  4. The hospitals adopted the policy too late.

Explanation

Because the adopting hospitals differed from average ones in staffing before the policy, their shorter waits may reflect that advantage rather than the policy. The passage does not show effects elsewhere, deny staffing's relevance, or discuss timing.

Question 48Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

In an argumentative passage, the writer says: 'We are told that longer copyright terms encourage creativity. But the novels written during shorter terms remain among the most widely adapted works today.' What role does this example play?

  1. It offers counter-evidence to the claimed link. Correct answer.
  2. It proves that copyright should be abolished.
  3. It restates the original claim in new words.
  4. It shows that novels are more creative than films.

Explanation

The example supplies evidence that creativity flourished under shorter terms, directly challenging the claim that longer terms are needed. It does not go so far as demanding abolition, compare media, or merely restate the claim.

Question 49Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

A passage explains: 'The drug trial reported a significant result, but the researchers tested five dosages and reported only the one that worked.' Why is this a problem?

  1. Five dosages are too few to treat any patient.
  2. The drug was never given to participants.
  3. Significant results are always unreliable.
  4. Testing several options raises the chance of a false positive. Correct answer.

Explanation

When many comparisons are tested, the odds that one appears significant by chance increase, so reporting only the successful dosage may overstate the evidence. The passage does not say five is too few, that all significant results are invalid, or that no one received the drug.

Question 50Reading comprehension of expository and argumentative passages

Read this passage: 'The essay argues that technology isolates people. Its evidence, however, consists of a single anecdote about a commuter who ignored a neighbour.' How does the passage evaluate the essay?

  1. It agrees that technology isolates people.
  2. It finds the evidence too thin for the broad claim. Correct answer.
  3. It praises the essay's use of statistics.
  4. It objects to the essay's topic choice.

Explanation

The evaluator contrasts a sweeping claim with one anecdote, implying the support is insufficient for the generalization. The passage does not endorse the claim, mention statistics, or question whether the topic is worth discussing.