accuplacer reading comprehension practice test

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

African American publishing entrepreneur John H. Johnson (1918–2005) had a significant impact on American business practices. By successfully disproving a common assumption about marketing and media in the early twentieth century—that a single message and medium could reach all Americans—Johnson helped make possible everything from Telemundo to Ms. Magazine. The very nature of contemporary media hinges on the concept Johnson demonstrated: the profitability of targeting specific niches of consumers, segmented by ethnicity, age, and other demographic characteristics. Johnson devised techniques and concepts whose effectiveness now benefits many American businesses and even multinational corporations facing the challenge of marketing goods and services to a globally diverse population.
In context, 'Telemundo' and 'Ms. magazine' serve as examples of media that:
  • A. devised similar marketing techniques
  • B. were created by the same media visionary
  • C. underwent profound changes as a result of Johnson's work
  • D. were designed to appeal to particular groups of consumers
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Both 'Telemundo' and 'Ms. magazine' were designed to cater to specific audiences, focusing on the needs and interests of their respective consumer groups. Telemundo targets the Hispanic community, providing culturally relevant content, while Ms. magazine addresses feminist issues and women’s rights. Option A is incorrect as there is no evidence that both utilized similar marketing techniques. Option B is misleading; they were not created by the same visionary. Option C is inaccurate; while Johnson's work influenced media, it did not specifically lead to profound changes in either outlet.

Other Related Questions

Which choice best describes the overall structure of the passage?
  • A. The passage examines the effect of decreased environmental awareness on some animals' predation risk and then describes the strategies those animals use to increase their environmental awareness while sleeping.
  • B. The passage distinguishes between bihemispheric slow-wave sleep (BSWS) and unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS) and then explains why USWS is less beneficial than BSWS for animals such as mallards and penguins.
  • C. The passage discusses the advantages for some animals of sleeping at the center of a group and then questions whether those advantages extend to colonial birds.
  • D. The passage provides an extended description of how mallards typically sleep and then compares sleeping behaviors in mallards to those in penguins.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Choice C accurately captures the passage's structure, which begins by exploring the benefits of group sleeping for certain animals and then raises a critical inquiry regarding the applicability of these benefits to colonial birds. This dual focus on advantages and questioning reflects a balanced examination of the topic. Option A misrepresents the content by suggesting a focus on predation risk and strategies for environmental awareness, which is not the main theme. Option B incorrectly centers on a comparison of sleep types, neglecting the broader discussion of group sleeping benefits. Option D inaccurately emphasizes a detailed comparison of mallards and penguins, rather than the initial exploration of group sleeping advantages.
In context, the statement that the woman is 'draped from brow to ankle in gold and wind-crushed linen' (sentence 10) primarily:
  • A. reveals the narrator's assumptions about the woman's income
  • B. explains why the woman might be uncomfortable in the cold weather
  • C. shows how different the woman's clothing is from the narrator's clothing
  • D. emphasizes how out of place the woman seems in the surrounding environment
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The description of the woman being "draped from brow to ankle in gold and wind-crushed linen" emphasizes her opulent attire, suggesting she is out of place in her surroundings. This stark contrast highlights her distinctiveness compared to the environment, reinforcing her isolation. Option A misinterprets the focus on income rather than the visual impact of her clothing. Option B incorrectly assumes discomfort from the cold, which is not the primary focus of the imagery. Option C, while noting a difference in clothing, fails to capture the broader context of the woman’s disconnection from her environment, which is central to the statement.
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 is supported by the passage's context, which aims to highlight the potential of algae in energy production. This suggests a need to clarify the Department's involvement. Option A is incorrect as the passage does not provide a comparison of costs related to gas production. Option B is misleading; the passage does not confirm the Department's current use of hydrogen-producing algae. Option C is not supported; the passage does not address the capabilities of mutant algae in photosynthesis. Thus, option D aligns with the author's intent to bridge a knowledge gap.
It can most reasonably be inferred from the passage that the music products industry would have a higher share of the e-commerce market if:
  • A. entry-level school music instruments were sold to schools' music directors rather than directly to students
  • B. the consumer market were to place less value on convenience and variety and more on competitive pricing
  • C. a few types of music products sold predominantly in brick-and-mortar stores were excluded from the calculation
  • D. brick-and-mortar store managers improved customer service and provided better training for their installation experts
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The inference about the music products industry’s higher e-commerce market share hinges on the exclusion of certain products sold mainly in physical stores. If these items are not considered, the e-commerce segment could appear more dominant. Option A suggests a shift in sales strategy, but it doesn’t directly impact the overall market share dynamics. Option B misplaces the focus on consumer preferences, which does not inherently increase e-commerce share. Option D addresses customer service improvements in physical stores, which would not enhance online sales. Thus, excluding certain products from the calculation is the most logical inference for a higher e-commerce share.