accuplacer reading passage based practice test

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

(1) Sauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long-necked giants.(2) Their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.(3) These animals were so large that scientists did not know how they were able to support their own weight—unless they lived entirely in the water.(4) Scientists also argued that these overgrown creatures were not well suited for survival and likely became extinct after only a few generations.(5 ) However, the fossil evidence suggested that sauropods had existed, on land, for quite a long time.(6) More recent discoveries of sauropod fossils in locations around the world have confirmed that these resilient animals did indeed walk the Earth for millions of years.(7) As a result, scientists have had to rethink many of their previous assumptions about these creatures.(8) By studying these fossils, they are starting to gain a better understanding of how sauropods lived and adapted to the changing environment around them.(9) One area of particular interest involves the growth rates of the creatures.( 10) Because sauropods are reptiles, most early dinosaur researchers estimated sauropod growth rates based on the growth rates of modern reptiles.(11)By those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size.(12)A different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones.(13)It was determined that the animals' growth rates would actually have been faster than those of modern reptiles and closer to those of large-bodied mammals.
In context, where would the following sentence best be placed? How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?
  • A. After sentence 3
  • B. After sentence 8
  • C. After sentence 9
  • D. After sentence 12
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Placing the question "How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?" after sentence 9 is most effective as it follows a discussion about sauropod growth patterns, providing a logical transition into the specifics of their growth duration. Option A, after sentence 3, is too early as it lacks the necessary context about sauropod growth. Option B, after sentence 8, is close but doesn't fully prepare the reader for the specific inquiry about growth duration. Option D, after sentence 12, is too late, as it disrupts the flow by introducing a new question after concluding details about sauropods.

Other Related Questions

In context, which is the best version of sentence 1 (reproduced below)? Federico Garcia Lorca was 20th-century Spain’s most famous poet and playwright.
  • A. [as it is now]
  • B. Federico García Lorca, was 20th-century Spain's most famous poet and playwright.
  • C. Federico García Lorca was, 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
  • D. Federico García Lorca was 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A maintains clarity and grammatical correctness without unnecessary punctuation. It presents Federico Garcia Lorca's identity straightforwardly, enhancing readability. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "García Lorca," which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Option C misuses commas, creating awkward pauses that confuse the reader and detract from the sentence's coherence. Option D also misplaces a comma after "Spain's," which incorrectly separates the subject from its complement, leading to a fragmented thought. Thus, option A stands out as the most effective choice.
The main idea of the passage is that some types of poison frogs:
  • A. have developed the capacity to protect themselves from the poison they carry in their skin
  • B. could eventually produce a natural pain relief option for people who suffer from headaches
  • C. combine chemicals from their food to create a toxic substance that keeps them safe from predators
  • D. can be grouped based on the changes they've made to their nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A highlights the unique adaptation of certain poison frogs, emphasizing their ability to protect themselves from their own toxins. This reflects a key aspect of their survival strategy. Option B, while interesting, suggests a potential human application of frog toxins that is not the main focus of the passage. Option C inaccurately attributes the creation of toxins solely to food sources, overlooking the frogs' inherent toxic traits. Option D focuses on a specific biological mechanism that, while relevant, does not encapsulate the broader theme of self-protection central to the passage.
Which best replaces the word 'appropriate' in sentence 3 (reproduced below)? When chefs and other consumers appropriate local products rather than goods that have been transported across long distances to chain stores, they can enjoy better prices while bettering the local economy.
  • A. gain
  • B. retrieve
  • C. purchase
  • D. redeem
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In the context of the sentence, "appropriate" conveys the idea of acquiring or buying local products. Option A, "gain," implies obtaining something but lacks the specificity of a transaction, making it less suitable. Option B, "retrieve," suggests taking back something previously owned, which does not fit the context of purchasing local goods. Option D, "redeem," typically refers to exchanging something for a benefit or value, often in a promotional context, which does not align with the intended meaning of acquiring local products. Thus, "purchase" accurately reflects the act of buying local goods.
Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of sentence 2 (reproduced below)? The pictorial quilts created by a former slave named Harriet Powers, in addition, were remarkable for their bold storytelling techniques and their unique subject matter.
  • A. by contrast,
  • B. for example,
  • C. it so happens,
  • D. moreover,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The phrase "in addition" suggests that the following information will build on or add to the previous point. Option D, "moreover," effectively conveys this continuation of thought, emphasizing that Harriet Powers' quilts not only have a historical significance but also possess remarkable qualities. Option A, "by contrast," implies a comparison that highlights differences, which does not fit the context. Option B, "for example," indicates a specific illustration rather than adding information. Option C, "it so happens," is too vague and does not establish a clear connection to the preceding statement. Thus, "moreover" is the most suitable choice for enhancing the sentence's cohesiveness.