accuplacer reading full length 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. Ecologist Frank Ortega warned that the state's decision to ______ the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would be construed as a signal that sloppiness in handling such wastes will be tolerated.
Ecologist Frank Ortega warned that the state's decision to ______ the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would be construed as a signal that sloppiness in handling such wastes will be tolerated.
  • A. enforce
  • B. codify
  • C. relax
  • D. publicize
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The choice to relax the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes suggests a reduction in strictness, which aligns with Ortega's warning about sloppiness being tolerated. Option A, enforce, implies strengthening regulations, which contradicts Ortega's concern. Option B, codify, refers to formally establishing rules, indicating a commitment to standards rather than a reduction. Option D, publicize, focuses on making information known, which does not relate to the standards themselves. Thus, only "relax" accurately captures the potential easing of regulations that Ortega warns against.

Other Related Questions

The main idea of Passage 1 is that academic plagiarism is:
  • A. becoming a primary concern among committees that review scholars' work
  • B. likely more common than it seems because suspected cases often go unreported
  • C. usually undetected because the stolen materials tend to be seen by few people
  • D. evolving into a source of widespread disgust among scholars at universities
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The main idea of Passage 1 emphasizes the prevalence of academic plagiarism and its underreporting, making option B the most accurate choice. This highlights the hidden nature of the issue, suggesting that many cases go unrecognized. Option A focuses on the concern of committees, which is too narrow and does not capture the broader implications of plagiarism. Option C suggests that plagiarism is undetected due to limited visibility, but it overlooks the critical aspect of unreported cases. Option D implies a shift in emotional response among scholars, which, while relevant, does not address the fundamental issue of prevalence and reporting.
The passage states that Russian and English are alike in that in both languages:
  • A. short syllables are not accented
  • B. the last syllable of words cannot be accented
  • C. only one syllable in each word is accented
  • D. the accent may fall on any syllable
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Both Russian and English exhibit a flexible accentuation pattern, allowing the accent to potentially fall on any syllable within a word. This characteristic is evident in various examples from both languages. Option A is incorrect because, while some short syllables may not be accented, this is not a defining feature of either language. Option B is misleading; accents can occur on the last syllable in both languages, contradicting this statement. Option C is also inaccurate, as both languages allow for multiple syllables to be accented, not limiting it to just one per word.
Because these speeding particles' compositions were quite different from those of other low-energy cosmic rays, scientists dubbed them ___ cosmic rays.
  • A. intermittent
  • B. transitory
  • C. resilient
  • D. anomalous
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The term "anomalous" refers to something that deviates from the norm or is irregular, which accurately describes these speeding particles with compositions differing from typical low-energy cosmic rays. Option A, "intermittent," implies something occurring at irregular intervals, which does not capture the essence of the particles' unique composition. Option B, "transitory," suggests a temporary existence, failing to address the distinctiveness of the particles. Option C, "resilient," indicates strength or durability, which is unrelated to the compositional differences being highlighted. Thus, "anomalous" best conveys the uniqueness of these cosmic rays.
Which choice best summarizes the passage?
  • A. The narrator receives a ham radio from her father, then begins using it to exchange messages with another child.
  • B. The narrator's father is interrupted as he's putting together a ham radio, but later returns to the project and eventually completes it.
  • C. The narrator's father brings home the parts needed to build a ham radio, but he and the narrator struggle to assemble them.
  • D. The narrator and her father put together a ham radio and get radio licenses, then use the radio to receive messages.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D effectively encapsulates the passage by highlighting both the assembly of the ham radio and the subsequent achievement of obtaining radio licenses, emphasizing the active engagement of both the narrator and her father in communication. Option A is too narrow, focusing solely on the exchange of messages without mentioning the assembly or licensing process. Option B inaccurately suggests that the father is interrupted, which does not capture the collaborative effort in building the radio. Option C implies struggle without acknowledging the successful completion and use of the radio, missing the positive outcome of their efforts.