accuplacer reading sample questions practice test

Commonly used by colleges and universities to place students into appropriate courses.

The following sentence has a blank indicating that something has been left out. Beneath the sentence are four words or phrases. Choose the word or phrase that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Daryl and Kristen preferred not to see the latest horror film that their friends wanted to see, so they chose a showing of a highly rated comedy film that started and ended at the same time as the horror film.
  • A. reciprocal
  • B. congruent
  • C. relevant
  • D. concurrent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Daryl and Kristen chose to watch a comedy film that started and ended simultaneously with the horror film, indicating that both films occur at the same time. This situation is described as "concurrent," meaning events happening simultaneously. Option A, "reciprocal," refers to mutual actions or relationships, which does not apply here. Option B, "congruent," typically relates to figures or shapes that are identical in form, not relevant to film timings. Option C, "relevant," pertains to the significance of information, which doesn't capture the timing aspect of the films. Thus, "concurrent" accurately describes the films' overlapping schedules.

Other Related Questions

The ancient Greek writer Herodotus was inordinately as historical facts. blithely accepting wildly improbable legends
  • A. imperious
  • B. prolific
  • C. credulous
  • D. derisive
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Herodotus displayed a tendency to accept stories without skepticism, indicating a belief in their truthfulness, which aligns with the meaning of "credulous." Option A, "imperious," suggests an overbearing attitude, which does not fit his acceptance of legends. Option B, "prolific," refers to someone who produces a lot of work and does not pertain to his approach to historical facts. Option D, "derisive," implies mockery or disdain, contrasting with his acceptance of various narratives. Thus, "credulous" accurately captures Herodotus's inclination to accept improbable legends as historical truth.
What assumption does the author of the passage make?
  • A. Gases produced by algae will be cheaper to produce than other gases.
  • B. The Department of Energy is already using hydrogen-producing algae as a source of energy.
  • C. Mutant versions of algae will not be capable of the process of photosynthesis.
  • D. Readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research highlights a potential gap in public awareness, which the author seeks to address. Option A incorrectly suggests a comparison of costs that may not be discussed in the passage. Option B assumes current use of hydrogen-producing algae by the Department of Energy, which may not be established in the text. Option C presumes that mutant algae cannot photosynthesize, which overlooks the possibility of their adaptability. Each of these options misinterprets the author's intent and the context provided in the passage.
The last sentence of the passage primarily emphasizes which point about jazz?
  • A. Jazz is hard to define and varies greatly among performers.
  • B. Years of training are needed to hone a jazz musician's skills.
  • C. Jazz performances are comparable to paintings and sculptures.
  • D. Playing jazz is a highly personal and creative activity.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The last sentence highlights the personal and creative nature of jazz, illustrating how musicians express their individuality through their performances. This aligns with option D, emphasizing the unique artistic voice each musician brings to the genre. Option A, while true, focuses on the complexity of defining jazz rather than its personal nature. Option B addresses the technical aspect of training, which is important but not the central theme of the conclusion. Option C compares jazz to visual arts, but this analogy does not capture the essence of personal expression that the final sentence conveys.
In the first two sentences ('During'... 'alley'), scientists are presented as all of the following EXCEPT
  • A. predisposed
  • B. determined
  • C. inherently logical
  • D. overly zealous
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The passage describes scientists as predisposed, determined, and overly zealous, highlighting their passion and commitment to their work. Option A suggests an inclination towards inquiry, while B emphasizes their resolve in seeking answers. D portrays them as excessively enthusiastic, which aligns with the tone of the text. In contrast, option C, "inherently logical," implies a strict adherence to rationality without acknowledging the emotional and passionate aspects of scientific pursuit. This distinction makes C the only option that does not accurately reflect the portrayal of scientists in the sentences.