accuplacer reading comprehension practice test

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

In a world bound to the wheel of change, the humanities stress the persistence of unchanging issues. They do not offer the prospect of progress in knowledge as the sciences do, nor do they even offer, as do the social sciences, the promise of such progress. Instead, they raise questions about meaning, purpose, and values—questions that a hurried world, enamored of technology, finds uncomfortable.
The author implies that the social sciences:
  • A. are valued for their techniques
  • B. can make no contribution to progress
  • C. cannot deal with long-term issues
  • D. may someday add to the world's knowledge
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The social sciences are portrayed as fields that hold potential for future contributions to global knowledge, indicating optimism about their evolving role. Option A suggests that their value lies solely in techniques, which limits their broader impact. Option B dismisses their potential entirely, contradicting the author's implication of future contributions. Option C incorrectly asserts that social sciences cannot address long-term issues, overlooking their capability to analyze historical trends and societal changes. Thus, the emphasis on future contributions aligns best with the text's implications.

Other Related Questions

The final paragraph suggests that seeing the woman has caused the narrator to:
  • A. face the negative feelings she has about her new home
  • B. realize that she misses her mother more than she admits
  • C. think about her own feelings about her family and background
  • D. remember the reason she moved away from her home country
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The final paragraph emphasizes the narrator's introspection triggered by seeing the woman, leading her to reflect on her own feelings about family and background. This deep connection to identity is central to her experience. Option A misinterprets the focus; while negative feelings may exist, the emphasis is on personal reflection rather than facing negativity. Option B suggests a specific emotion related to her mother, which is not explicitly indicated in the text. Option D implies a recollection of her reasons for moving, but the paragraph centers more on her current emotional state rather than past motivations.
In sentence 13, the narrator most likely uses the image of 'a tightly woven fruit basket' to suggest that the rain is:
  • A. a physical challenge that must be endured
  • B. falling so heavily that she can barely see through it
  • C. a reminder of the weather in harvest season
  • D. important because it allows crops to survive
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The image of "a tightly woven fruit basket" conveys the idea of resilience and endurance, suggesting that the rain is a challenge that must be faced. This metaphor implies that just like a tightly woven basket holds its contents together despite external pressures, the narrator must endure the rain's intensity. Option B misinterprets the imagery; while heavy rain can obscure vision, the metaphor focuses more on endurance than visibility. Option C incorrectly links the rain to harvest season, which is not implied in the context. Option D, while true about rain's importance for crops, does not capture the struggle suggested by the basket imagery.
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.
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 portrayal of the woman emphasizes her imposing and dignified presence, suggesting strength and confidence. This is evident through her posture and the way she commands attention in her environment. Option A, modest and self-effacing, contradicts the strong impression she leaves, as she does not appear to shy away from the spotlight. Option C, youthful and energetic, overlooks the woman's gravitas and maturity, focusing instead on a fleeting quality. Option D, angry and impatient, misrepresents her demeanor, which is more composed and authoritative than reactive. Thus, the emphasis on dignity and presence aligns best with the narrator's observations.