accuplacer reading full length practice test

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

Passage 1: In a recent survey concerning plagiarism among scholars, two University of Alabarma economists asked 1,200 of their colleagues if they believed their work had ever been stolen. A startling 40 percent answered yes. While not a random sample, the responses still represent hundreds of cases of alleged plagiarism. Very few of them will ever be dragged into the sunlight. That's because academia often discourages victims from seeking justice, and when they do, tends to ignore their complaints. 'It's like cockroaches,' says the author of a recent book about academic fraud. 'For every one you see on the floor, there are a hundred behind the stove.' Passage 2: Words belong to the person who wrote them. There are few simpler ethical notions than this, particularly as society directs more and more energy toward the creation of intellectual property. In the past 30 years, copyright laws have been strengthened, fighting piracy has become an obsession with w Hollywood, and, in the worlds of academia and publishing, plagiarism has gone from being bad literary manners to something close to a felony. When a noted historian was recently found to have lifted passages from other historians, she was asked to resign from the board of the Pulitzer Prize committee. And why not? If she had robbed a bank, she would have been fired the next day.
In context, the last sentence of Passage 2 is best understood to:
  • A. argue in favor of a restrained response
  • B. make light of a difficult situation
  • C. challenge an established belief
  • D. emphasize the severity of a transgression
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The last sentence of Passage 2 emphasizes the seriousness of the transgression, highlighting its impact and consequences. This aligns with option D, as it conveys a strong sense of urgency and gravity regarding the situation. Option A misinterprets the tone, as a restrained response would downplay the issue rather than underscore its severity. Option B suggests a light-hearted approach, which contradicts the serious nature of the transgression discussed. Lastly, option C implies a challenge to beliefs, but the sentence focuses more on the severity of actions rather than questioning established norms.

Other Related Questions

The author mentions the best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club primarily to emphasize Raintree County's:
  • A. limited readership
  • B. enduring appeal
  • C. commercial success
  • D. artistic aspirations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The mention of best-seller lists and the Book-of-the-Month Club highlights Raintree County's commercial success, showcasing its popularity and significant sales in the literary market. Option A, "limited readership," is incorrect, as the references suggest a wide audience rather than a restricted one. Option B, "enduring appeal," while relevant, does not directly address the immediate financial success indicated by best-seller rankings. Option D, "artistic aspirations," is also off-target, as the focus is more on market performance than on artistic merit. Thus, the emphasis lies squarely on the book's commercial achievements.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
  • A. American football has not changed much since the first intercollegiate football game was played.
  • B. Most early football players did not know how to throw a football properly.
  • C. Rutgers' current football team is better than Princeton's.
  • D. The name Scarlet Knights most likely refers to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The inference about the name Scarlet Knights likely relates to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game, as historical context suggests team names often reflect uniforms or school colors. Option A is incorrect; while some aspects of American football have evolved, the statement oversimplifies the sport's development over time. Option B lacks support from the passage, as it does not provide evidence regarding the skills of early players. Option C is subjective and cannot be inferred without specific performance data comparing the two teams.
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.
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.