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."
The author of Passage 2 suggests that 'some' would most likely view the description in Passage 1 ('the world... successful') as
  • A. surprisingly apt
  • B. overly optimistic
  • C. needlessly pedantic
  • D. insufficiently detailed
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The description in Passage 1 presents an idealized view of the world, which may lead some readers to perceive it as overly optimistic, especially if they believe it does not account for real-world challenges. Option A, "surprisingly apt," implies a positive reception that does not align with the critical tone suggested by the author. Option C, "needlessly pedantic," suggests an excessive focus on trivial details, which is not applicable here since the passage discusses broader concepts rather than minutiae. Option D, "insufficiently detailed," indicates a lack of information, whereas the passage's description may be seen as too idealistic rather than lacking substance.

Other Related Questions

Where in the passage should the following sentence be inserted? These 'heroes' are usually flawed and morally questionable people faced with a dilemma involving false suspicions or accusations.
  • A. After sentence 2
  • B. After sentence 6
  • C. After sentence 8
  • D. After sentence 10
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Inserting the sentence after sentence 8 is ideal as it aligns with the context of discussing complex characters and their moral dilemmas. This placement allows the reader to understand that these 'heroes' are not purely virtuous, which deepens the exploration of their struggles. Option A (after sentence 2) is too early, as it doesn’t yet establish the themes of moral complexity. Option B (after sentence 6) lacks the necessary context to support the idea of flawed heroes. Option D (after sentence 10) would disrupt the conclusion, as it introduces new information that should have been discussed earlier in the analysis.
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 acetylecholine 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, which is central to understanding their survival strategy. Option B incorrectly suggests a potential medical application of the frogs' toxins, which is not the main focus of the passage. Option C mentions the frogs' use of dietary chemicals for defense, but does not address their self-protection mechanism, which is crucial to the main idea. Option D discusses a specific biological aspect of the frogs without linking it to their overall survival strategy, missing the broader context of the passage.
The English monarch Elizabeth I may have wanted the miniature portraits of herself and her disgraced mother kept secret, since they were her ring.
  • A. concealed within
  • B. carved upon
  • C. displayed beside
  • D. different from
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The term "concealed within" accurately reflects the desire to keep the portraits secret, suggesting they were hidden or kept away from public view. This aligns with Elizabeth I's intent to protect her image and her mother's reputation. Option B, "carved upon," implies a physical alteration or decoration, which does not convey secrecy. Option C, "displayed beside," suggests visibility and openness, contradicting the idea of keeping the portraits secret. Option D, "different from," does not relate to the concept of secrecy and fails to address the context of the portraits' significance.
According to the passage, which of the following most directly causes leaves to change their color in the fall?
  • A. Chlorophyll in the leaves beginning to break down then
  • B. Heat and light causing new pigments to be produced
  • C. Existing pigments becoming more uniform
  • D. New chlorophyll no longer being produced
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Leaves change color in the fall primarily due to the cessation of chlorophyll production. As chlorophyll breaks down and is not replaced, other pigments, such as carotenoids and anthocyanins, become more visible, leading to the vibrant autumn colors. Option A is misleading; while chlorophyll does break down, the key factor is that new chlorophyll is not produced. Option B incorrectly suggests that heat and light create new pigments, which is not the primary cause of color change. Option C is incorrect as it implies existing pigments become uniform rather than highlighting their visibility due to the lack of chlorophyll.