I85PREP
⌘ K
ParaPro study materials
ParaPro study resources

ParaPro practice questions

One question at a time. Build your ParaPro understanding.

First 50 of 197 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

Mrs. Lee's class started a garden behind the school. Students planted tomatoes, beans, and sunflowers. Each morning, two students watered the plants and pulled weeds. By June, the class had picked enough vegetables to share with the cafeteria. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. A class garden took work and paid off. Correct answer.
  2. Sunflowers grow taller than bean plants do.
  3. Mrs. Lee enjoys working outside in the morning.
  4. The cafeteria serves vegetables every day.

Explanation

The main idea sums up what the whole passage is about. Every sentence describes students planting, tending, and finally harvesting the garden, so the garden's effort and reward is the main idea. The other choices focus on a small detail or on something the passage never states.

Question 2Reading

The old bridge was so frail that the town closed it to trucks. Engineers said the wooden beams could crumble under heavy loads. As it is used in the passage, what does frail mean?

  1. expensive
  2. weak Correct answer.
  3. strong
  4. loud

Explanation

Context clues show the bridge was closed to trucks because its beams could crumble under heavy loads, which points to weakness. Frail means physically weak or easily broken.

Question 3Reading

When Maya opened the door, the kitchen smelled of cinnamon. Flour dusted the counter, and a tray of cookies cooled by the window. Her grandmother's apron hung on the hook, still warm. What can the reader infer from the passage?

  1. Maya's grandmother has been baking. Correct answer.
  2. Maya's grandmother is out of town.
  3. Maya does not like the smell of cinnamon.
  4. The family is celebrating a birthday.

Explanation

The warm apron, the flour on the counter, and the fresh cookies all point to someone who has just been baking. Because the apron belongs to Maya's grandmother, the details support the inference that she has been in the kitchen making cookies.

Question 4Reading

First, rinse the rice well in cold water before anything else. Next, add two cups of water to the pot. Then bring the water to a boil. After it boils, lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for fifteen minutes. Finally, fluff the rice with a fork at the very end. According to the passage, what should you do right after the water boils?

  1. Add two cups of water to the pot.
  2. Fluff the rice with a fork at the very end.
  3. Lower the heat and cover the pot. Correct answer.
  4. Rinse the rice well in cold water before anything else.

Explanation

Signal words such as first, next, then, after, and finally mark the order of the steps. The step that follows boiling is to lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer the rice.

Question 5Reading

The puppy was timid at the park, hiding behind its owner's legs whenever a bigger dog ran past. Which word is the opposite of timid as it is used in the passage?

  1. shy and fearful
  2. quiet and calm
  3. small and young
  4. bold Correct answer.

Explanation

A timid puppy hides behind its owner, so timid means fearful or easily frightened. The opposite of that meaning is bold, which describes a confident animal that does not shrink away.

Question 6Reading

Which sentence states an opinion rather than a fact?

  1. The library owns more than ten thousand books.
  2. The library holds a story hour every Saturday morning.
  3. The library opens at nine o'clock on weekday mornings.
  4. The new reading room is the coziest spot in town. Correct answer.

Explanation

A fact can be checked and proven, while an opinion expresses a personal judgment. Calling a room "the coziest spot in town" is a judgment that varies from person to person and cannot be verified.

Question 7Reading

Owls have features that help them hunt at night. Their large eyes gather light, and their soft feathers muffle sound so they fly quietly. Their hearing is so sharp that they can locate a mouse under snow. Which detail best supports the idea that owls are suited to hunting at night?

  1. Owls appear as symbols in many old stories.
  2. Their soft feathers muffle sound in flight. Correct answer.
  3. Owls live in many different parts of the world.
  4. Some owls build their nests inside old barns.

Explanation

A supporting detail must explain how owls are able to hunt at night. Quiet flight helps an owl approach prey without being heard, which directly supports the main idea.

Question 8Reading

To keep your bicycle running smoothly, check the tires once a week, oil the chain monthly, and store the bike indoors during winter storms. Why did the author most likely write this passage?

  1. To persuade readers to buy a new bicycle.
  2. To describe the history of the bicycle.
  3. To explain how to care for a bicycle. Correct answer.
  4. To tell an exciting story about a long bike ride.

Explanation

The passage gives a series of maintenance steps, so its purpose is to explain how to care for a bicycle. Words such as check, oil, and store signal instructions rather than a story or an argument.

Question 9Reading

Which word begins with the same sound as shark?

  1. star
  2. sock
  3. chart
  4. shell Correct answer.

Explanation

The letters s and h together spell the /sh/ sound heard at the start of shark. The word shell begins with that same digraph, so it starts with the same sound.

Question 10Reading

What does the prefix un- mean in the word unhappy?

  1. not Correct answer.
  2. before
  3. very
  4. again

Explanation

The prefix un- reverses a word's meaning, so unhappy means not happy. The same prefix appears in words such as unkind and untrue.

Question 11Reading

Both whales and dolphins live in the ocean and breathe air through blowholes. Whales, however, are much larger, and many travel thousands of miles between feeding grounds, while dolphins usually stay in warmer coastal waters. According to the passage, how are whales different from dolphins?

  1. Whales breathe air through blowholes, but dolphins do not.
  2. Whales are larger and often travel farther. Correct answer.
  3. Dolphins have blowholes, but whales do not.
  4. Dolphins live in the ocean, but whales live on land.

Explanation

The word "however" signals a contrast between the two animals. The passage states that whales are much larger and that many travel thousands of miles, while dolphins stay closer to shore.

Question 12Reading

The town's old train station sat empty for years. Last spring, volunteers cleaned it, repaired the roof, and painted the walls. Now the building holds a weekly farmers market and a small art gallery. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Farmers markets are popular in small towns across the country.
  2. Volunteers painted the walls and repaired the roof of an old building.
  3. An empty station was fixed up and given a new use. Correct answer.
  4. The old train station still has a roof that leaks.

Explanation

A good summary states the whole passage in one sentence without listing every detail. The passage tells how an empty station was repaired and reused, which this option captures.

Question 13Reading

Dev read the email twice, then set down his phone and stared at the wall. He had practiced for weeks, and now the audition was cancelled. When his sister asked how it went, he only shrugged and walked to his room. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

  1. Dev has never practiced for anything in his life.
  2. Dev is disappointed about the audition. Correct answer.
  3. Dev's sister is the one who cancelled the audition.
  4. Dev is excited about winning a new part.

Explanation

Dev's rereading of the email, staring at the wall, shrugging, and walking away all suggest that the news upset him. Because the audition he had practiced for was cancelled, disappointment is the best-supported conclusion.

Question 14Reading

The crowd was raucous, cheering and stamping so loudly that the speaker had to wait for quiet. As it is used in the passage, raucous most nearly means -

  1. tired
  2. noisy Correct answer.
  3. quiet
  4. polite

Explanation

The context shows the crowd cheering and stamping so loudly that the speaker had to wait. Raucous describes that loud, rowdy noise.

Question 15Reading

A student needs to find the meaning of the word migrate. Which reference source is best for this task?

  1. a dictionary Correct answer.
  2. a thesaurus of synonyms
  3. an atlas of world maps
  4. an almanac of weather facts

Explanation

A dictionary gives word meanings, spellings, and pronunciations. That is the source to consult when looking up the definition of migrate.

Question 16Reading

Because the town paved over its fields and parking lots, rainwater had nowhere to soak into the ground. During heavy storms, the water rushed into the streets, and the drains overflowed. According to the passage, what caused the streets to flood?

  1. The drains had been closed for repairs.
  2. The town had built too many public parks.
  3. The storms were unusually short.
  4. Rain could not soak into the ground. Correct answer.

Explanation

The word "because" introduces the cause in this passage. Paving over fields and parking lots left rainwater nowhere to soak in, so it rushed into the streets and overwhelmed the drains.

Question 17Reading

The line for tickets was a snake winding around the block. What does the sentence mean?

  1. The tickets had already been sold out.
  2. A real snake was curled up near the ticket window.
  3. The line was long and curved. Correct answer.
  4. The street was closed to traffic.

Explanation

The sentence compares the line of people to a snake, which is a figure of speech rather than a literal statement. A snake is long and curved, so the comparison describes a long, winding line.

Question 18Reading

Nia looked at the dark clouds piling over the hills and felt the wind pick up. She had left her umbrella at home and still had a mile to walk. What will Nia most likely do next?

  1. She will wait for the wind to stop before walking.
  2. She will forget about the clouds and keep shopping.
  3. She will hurry home before the rain starts. Correct answer.
  4. She will sit on the grass and rest for a while.

Explanation

Dark clouds, rising wind, and a mile still to walk suggest that a storm is coming. A person without an umbrella would most likely hurry home to beat the rain.

Question 19Reading

Bees do more than make honey. As they move from flower to flower collecting nectar, they carry pollen with them. That pollen fertilizes plants, which lets them produce fruit and seeds. Without bees, many of the foods people eat would be much harder to grow. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Bees live in large groups called colonies that share the work.
  2. Honey is expensive because bees work so hard to make it.
  3. Flowers need a great deal of water to grow well.
  4. Bees are important because they help plants reproduce. Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea is the point that all the details support. The details about pollen and fertilization lead to the conclusion that bees help plants reproduce, which matters for growing food.

Question 20Reading

The mayor's plan to add bike lanes sounds good on paper. In practice, though, it would remove two hundred parking spaces from a downtown where shoppers already circle for blocks. What is the author's attitude toward the plan?

  1. Completely uninterested in the topic
  2. Doubtful that the plan will work Correct answer.
  3. Strongly supportive of the mayor's idea
  4. Unsure about what the plan actually says

Explanation

The author says the plan "sounds good on paper" and then points out a serious practical problem. The word "though" signals doubt that the plan will work as promised.

Question 21Reading

In which sentence does the word bat mean something used in a sport?

  1. The bat hung upside down in the dark attic.
  2. A bat circled the porch light after dark.
  3. She grabbed her bat and stepped up to the plate. Correct answer.
  4. The zookeeper fed the fruit bat a slice of mango.

Explanation

The word bat has more than one meaning, and the surrounding words show which one fits. Stepping up to the plate makes clear that bat here means the stick used in baseball.

Question 22Reading

Which of these words would appear third if the four words were listed in alphabetical order: planet, plain, plank, plant?

  1. plank Correct answer.
  2. planet
  3. plant
  4. plain

Explanation

All four words share the first three letters pla, so later letters decide the order. Plain comes first because its fourth letter is i; the n-words are then ordered by their fifth letters: e in planet, k in plank, t in plant. The third word in that order is plank.

Question 23Reading

Which word has the short a sound, as in the word cat?

  1. cap Correct answer.
  2. call
  3. cake
  4. cart

Explanation

The short a sound is the vowel heard in cat, produced by a single a closed in by consonants. The word cap has that same short vowel sound.

Question 24Reading

The museum's sign reads "Closed Mondays." A family arrives on Monday at 10 a.m. and pulls on the front door. What will most likely happen?

  1. They will find the door locked and leave. Correct answer.
  2. They will tour the exhibits quickly.
  3. They will find the front door standing open.
  4. They will buy tickets at the front desk.

Explanation

The sign says the museum is closed on Mondays, and the family arrives on a Monday. A closed museum would have a locked door, so the family would most likely leave.

Question 25Reading

The committee rejected the first proposal because it cost too much. What does the word it refer to in this sentence?

  1. the rejection of the plan
  2. the first proposal Correct answer.
  3. the committee members who voted
  4. the cost of the second plan

Explanation

A pronoun usually refers to a noun that came before it in the sentence. The committee rejected the proposal because the proposal cost too much, so it refers to the first proposal.

Question 26Reading

The hikers crossed an arid plain where nothing green grew and the sun beat down all day. What does arid most likely mean in this sentence?

  1. cold
  2. crowded
  3. dry Correct answer.
  4. noisy

Explanation

A reader can use the details around the unfamiliar word as clues. Nothing green growing and a hot sun both point to a place with very little water, so arid means dry.

Question 27Reading

Which word has the long e sound, as in the word me?

  1. sweat
  2. team Correct answer.
  3. bread
  4. head

Explanation

The letters ea can stand for different vowel sounds. In team the ea says the long e sound heard in me, while in bread, head, and sweat the same letters say the short e sound.

Question 28Reading

The suffix -less in the word helpless means -

  1. before
  2. again
  3. without Correct answer.
  4. full of

Explanation

The suffix -less means 'without' or 'lacking.' A helpless person is one without help, and the same meaning applies in words such as careless and fearless.

Question 29Reading

A student wants to find a word that means the same as difficult. Which reference source should the student use?

  1. an atlas
  2. a thesaurus Correct answer.
  3. an almanac
  4. an encyclopedia

Explanation

A thesaurus lists synonyms, which are words with similar meanings, so it is the right source for finding another word for difficult. Other reference books serve different purposes.

Question 30Reading

A set of directions says: 'First, fill the pot with soil. Next, plant the seeds. Then, water them.' What should you do right after you plant the seeds?

  1. pick the flowers
  2. fill the pot with soil
  3. water them Correct answer.
  4. move the pot outdoors

Explanation

Words such as first, next, and then signal the order of steps. The step that follows planting the seeds is the one introduced by 'then,' which is watering them.

Question 31Reading

A story tells about talking animals that solve a mystery in an imaginary kingdom. This story is most likely -

  1. a how-to guide
  2. a fantasy story Correct answer.
  3. a science article
  4. a news report

Explanation

A story with talking animals and an imaginary setting contains events that could not happen in real life. That is the defining quality of fantasy, so the text is best described as a fantasy story.

Question 32Reading

In the sentence 'The hungry cat slept on the warm porch,' which word is the verb?

  1. slept Correct answer.
  2. porch
  3. warm
  4. hungry

Explanation

A verb tells what the subject does or is. In this sentence the cat is doing the sleeping, so slept is the verb.

Question 33Reading

Dark clouds rolled in, thunder rumbled, and the first drops of rain hit the sidewalk. What will most likely happen next?

  1. The wind will stop.
  2. People will open umbrellas. Correct answer.
  3. People will go swimming.
  4. The sun will come out.

Explanation

A prediction should follow logically from the clues in the text. Thunder and falling rain point to a rainstorm, so people will most likely open umbrellas.

Question 34Reading

Mr. Patel unlocked the bakery at 4:30 a.m., slid the bread trays into the case, and flipped the sign to OPEN before sunrise. What can the reader tell about Mr. Patel?

  1. He has just moved to town.
  2. He begins his workday early. Correct answer.
  3. He bakes only for his family.
  4. He is closing the shop for the day.

Explanation

An inference is a conclusion drawn from details in the text. Unlocking at 4:30 a.m. and setting out bread before sunrise show that his workday starts very early.

Question 35Reading

Some birds eat insects, while others eat seeds and berries. Each kind has a beak shaped for the food it eats. How is this information organized?

  1. problem and solution
  2. chronological order
  3. comparison Correct answer.
  4. cause and effect

Explanation

The passage sets two groups side by side and shows how they differ. Pointing out similarities and differences between two kinds of birds is the comparison pattern.

Question 36Reading

The trail was steep and rocky. ___, the hikers reached the top by noon. Which word best completes the sentence?

  1. For example
  2. Meanwhile
  3. Nevertheless Correct answer.
  4. Therefore

Explanation

The second sentence contrasts with the first: the hard trail might have slowed the hikers, but they still arrived by noon. Nevertheless signals that contrast, so it fits the blank.

Question 37Reading

A pamphlet lists the hours, fees, and rules for the city swimming pool. The author's main purpose is to -

  1. persuade readers to swim more often
  2. give information about the pool Correct answer.
  3. tell a story about a day at the pool
  4. describe a favorite swimming memory

Explanation

A text's purpose is what the writer is trying to do. Hours, fees, and rules are factual details, so the pamphlet exists to inform readers about the pool.

Question 38Reading

Cactus plants survive in the desert in several ways. Their thick stems store water. Their sharp spines keep animals away. Their wide roots catch rain. Which detail shows how a cactus protects itself?

  1. Its sharp spines keep animals away. Correct answer.
  2. Its thick stems store water.
  3. It grows in the desert.
  4. Its wide roots catch rain.

Explanation

A supporting detail backs up a stated point, here survival. Keeping animals away is a form of protection, so the spines detail answers the question.

Question 39Reading

The bank was steep, so the children slid down it on pieces of cardboard. What does bank mean in this sentence?

  1. a place that keeps money
  2. a row of seats
  3. the sloped side of a hill Correct answer.
  4. a supply saved for later

Explanation

Many words have more than one meaning, and context decides which one is used. Sliding down on cardboard tells the reader that bank here means the sloping side of a hill.

Question 40Reading

The town library will close for two weeks in July while its roof is replaced. During that time, books may be returned to the drop box outside, and the summer reading club will meet at the community center. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. The library roof has leaked for many years.
  2. Books may be returned to the drop box outside.
  3. The summer reading club meets at the community center every July.
  4. The library will close briefly for roof repairs. Correct answer.

Explanation

A summary states the main idea and leaves out minor details. The passage is mainly about a short closing caused by roof work, so that is the best summary.

Question 41Reading

The word television comes from roots: tele- means 'far' and vis- means 'see.' Based on these roots, television most likely means -

  1. a device that shows faraway images Correct answer.
  2. a tool used for measuring long distances
  3. a screen that is extremely bright and colorful
  4. a machine that plays recorded music for a room

Explanation

Word roots carry meaning that can help a reader figure out an unfamiliar word. Combining 'far' with 'see' gives a device for seeing things from far away.

Question 42Reading

Which literary device is used in the sentence 'The wind whispered through the trees'?

  1. personification Correct answer.
  2. simile
  3. hyperbole
  4. alliteration

Explanation

Personification gives a human quality to something that is not human. Whispering is a human action, so describing the wind that way is personification.

Question 43Reading

Gray fog wrapped the empty street, and no sound came from the shuttered houses. Which word best describes the mood of this sentence?

  1. silly
  2. busy
  3. cheerful
  4. eerie Correct answer.

Explanation

Mood is the feeling a passage creates in the reader. Empty streets, fog, and silence combine to create an uneasy, mysterious feeling, which is eerie.

Question 44Reading

In which sentence does the word light mean 'not heavy'?

  1. He used a match to light the candle.
  2. The box was light enough to carry in one hand. Correct answer.
  3. She wore a light blue coat.
  4. Please turn on the light.

Explanation

Context determines which meaning of a multiple-meaning word is intended. Being easy to carry in one hand shows that light here means low in weight.

Question 45Reading

Which sentence means the same as 'Despite the rain, the festival drew its largest crowd ever'?

  1. The festival drew a smaller crowd than it had last year.
  2. The rain kept most people from coming to the festival.
  3. The festival set an attendance record in the rain. Correct answer.
  4. The festival was cancelled because of the heavy rain.

Explanation

A paraphrase restates the same idea in different words. 'Largest crowd ever' means a record number of people attended, and 'despite the rain' means the rain did not stop them.

Question 46Reading

The letter said the position had been filled. Dana read it again, folded it neatly, and placed it in the drawer with the others. What does the detail about 'the others' most likely suggest?

  1. Dana wrote the letter herself.
  2. Dana will apply for the same job again.
  3. Dana has been turned down before. Correct answer.
  4. Dana keeps all of her mail in a drawer.

Explanation

Good readers combine details to infer what is not stated directly. A drawer holding other letters like this one suggests Dana has received similar rejection letters in the past.

Question 47Reading

A student claims that the new bike rack at school is being used. Which sentence gives the strongest support for this claim?

  1. Riding a bike is good exercise for students.
  2. Many students in town own bicycles.
  3. The principal chose the color of the bike rack.
  4. On Monday, all twelve spaces in the rack were filled. Correct answer.

Explanation

Strong support directly shows the claim is true rather than merely relating to the topic. A full rack is direct evidence that students are parking bikes there.

Question 48Reading

When the coach said the team 'left everything on the field,' she meant that the players -

  1. played poorly
  2. left the game early
  3. forgot their equipment
  4. gave their full effort Correct answer.

Explanation

An idiom means something different from the literal words. In sports, 'leaving everything on the field' means holding nothing back and trying as hard as possible.

Question 49Reading

Which word has a stronger negative connotation than the word house?

  1. cottage
  2. shack Correct answer.
  3. home
  4. residence

Explanation

Connotation is the feeling a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Shack suggests a small, rundown building, so it carries a more negative feeling than the neutral word house.

Question 50Reading

Many people picture deserts as empty, but deserts are full of life. Beetles and lizards hide in the shade by day and come out at night. Seeds lie in the soil for years, waiting for a single rainstorm. The author's main point is that -

  1. seeds must wait for rain before they can sprout
  2. lizards are the most common animals in the desert
  3. deserts are too hot for most animals
  4. deserts hold more life than they seem to Correct answer.

Explanation

The main point is the idea that all the other sentences support. The animal and seed examples are given to show that deserts are full of hidden life, not empty.