accuplacer reading sample questions practice test

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

Read the passage(s) below and answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the passage(s) and in any introductory material that may be provided. Passage Passage 1 The realm of blogging and other user-generated web content, like personal home pages, has a Wild West, anything-can-happen feel to it. A guy who has never written a children's book goes from blogging, to networking, to causing a stir, and ends up with a book deal. A couple of women who find their conversations about dating incredibly amusing turn out to be right, and end up with a television deal from a major cable channel. While it is growing and changing more rapidly than anyone can accurately track, the world of blogging is still a place where anyone can stand out, make a splash, be seen, be heard, and be successful. Passage 2 A blog can seem like a waste of time to some, since there is no guarantee readers will come and comment. Maintaining it with new posts and an interesting layout can seem like a chore. Why does someone bother to create a blog if it isn't to peddle a product or to get in touch with consumers? "The principal reason to blog is because you have something to say, claims one expert on blogging. "While the cadre of readers may be small, it is not really how many sets of eyeballs are reading your material that's important, but who the eyeballs belong to. Blogs are written by influencers, and it is often other influencers that read them."
In the context of Passage 2, the quotation by the expert primarily serves to
  • A. analyze a hypothesis
  • B. account for a phenomenon
  • C. advocate an action
  • D. qualify a claim
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The quotation by the expert primarily serves to account for a phenomenon by providing insight into the underlying reasons or mechanisms behind it. This explanation helps clarify why the observed event occurs, enhancing the reader's understanding. Option A, analyzing a hypothesis, suggests a focus on evaluating an idea rather than explaining an occurrence. Option C, advocating an action, implies a call to action that is not present in the quotation. Option D, qualifying a claim, would indicate that the expert is limiting or adjusting a statement, which does not align with the purpose of the quotation in context.

Other Related Questions

The narrator primarily portrays the woman she is observing as someone who is
  • A. modest and self-effacing
  • B. imposing and dignified
  • C. youthful and energetic
  • D. angry and impatient
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The woman is depicted as imposing and dignified, suggesting a strong presence that commands attention and respect. Her stature and demeanor contribute to an air of authority, contrasting with the other options. Option A, modest and self-effacing, does not align with the portrayal of a woman who stands out prominently. Option C, youthful and energetic, may apply in some contexts but fails to capture the essence of her dignified nature. Option D, angry and impatient, misrepresents her character, as the observation emphasizes strength and poise rather than negative emotions. This nuanced depiction highlights her impressive stature and grace.
The primary purpose of the passage is to
  • A. trace the history of guilds in New Spain
  • B. criticize the Spanish beliefs about manual labor
  • C. describe some particular works of art created in New Spain in the 1600s
  • D. describe the influence of Spanish attitudes and practices on the painting of New Spain
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The primary purpose of the passage centers on the influence of Spanish attitudes and practices on the painting of New Spain. This option highlights the relationship between cultural values and artistic expression, which is a central theme in the text. Option A is incorrect as it focuses solely on the historical aspect of guilds, which may be mentioned but is not the main focus. Option B misinterprets the passage's intent, as it does not primarily critique Spanish beliefs about manual labor. Option C, while related to art, narrows the focus to specific works rather than the broader influence of Spanish culture, which is essential to understanding the context of the art produced in that era.
Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the 'implication' mentioned in the fourth sentence?
  • A. Çatalhöyük's farmers obtained through trade the wheat and barley that Rosen analyzed.
  • B. Çatalhöyük's farmers understood the impact of soil conditions on crop productivity.
  • C. Çatalhöyük's farmers shared wheat and barley fields with neighboring villages.
  • D. Çatalhöyük's farmers used wood that deteriorated in the damp environment.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A challenges the implication by suggesting that the wheat and barley analyzed by Rosen were not locally produced but rather obtained through trade. This undermines any claims about the agricultural practices or productivity of Çatalhöyük's farmers. Option B, while informative about farmers' understanding, does not directly dispute the source of the crops. Option C introduces a communal aspect to farming but does not negate the potential local production of wheat and barley. Option D discusses environmental factors affecting wood, which is unrelated to the production or sourcing of crops and does not challenge the implication at all.
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.