accuplacer reading comprehension practice test

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

Archaeologists have traditionally thought that the rise of agriculture required early farmers to settle down near their crops. But new findings suggest that Çatalhöyük, Turkey—a large Neolithic village of such early farmers—was located in the middle of marshy wetlands. Archaeologist Arlene Rosen’s analysis of fossil remains of wheat and barley found at Çatalhöyük indicates that the grain was grown in a dry area. Some experts reject the implication that Çatalhöyük’s farmers cultivated distant fields, since large quantities of grain would have had to be transported. However, archaeobotanist Eleni Asouti has shown that the wood used for construction at Çatalhöyük grew at least twelve kilometers away from the village.
Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the 'implication' mentioned in the fourth sentence? 'Some experts reject the implication that Çatalhöyük’s farmers cultivated distant fields, since large quantities of grain would have had to be transported.'
  • 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 directly challenges the implication that farmers at Çatalhöyük cultivated distant fields by suggesting they obtained the grains through trade instead. This undermines the need for transporting large quantities of grain from faraway locations, thus supporting the idea that local cultivation was not necessary. Option B focuses on soil conditions but does not address the transportation issue, leaving the original implication intact. Option C implies shared resources with neighbors but does not clarify whether these fields were local or distant, failing to challenge the transportation concern. Option D discusses environmental factors unrelated to the cultivation and transport of grain, making it irrelevant to the implication.

Other Related Questions

When the author writes that Chilesaurus diegosuarezi “should have been a meat-eater,” she most likely means that the species:
  • A. would have been healthier if it had eaten meat
  • B. would have grown even larger if it had eaten meat
  • C. had the head, neck, and teeth of a meat-eater
  • D. had body features similar to those of its meat-eating relative
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The statement implies that Chilesaurus diegosuarezi possesses physical characteristics akin to those of carnivorous dinosaurs. Option D accurately reflects this by highlighting that its body features resemble those of its meat-eating relatives, suggesting an evolutionary expectation based on morphology. Option A incorrectly assumes a health benefit from a meat-based diet, which is not the focus of the author's observation. Option B speculates on size without evidence, as diet does not directly correlate with growth potential in this context. Option C, while partially true about its head and teeth, overlooks the broader comparison to body features, making D the most comprehensive choice.
Which of the following results is LEAST compatible with the goal expressed in the third sentence of Passage 2 ('The paramount concern must be to increase crop yields in environmentally sensitive ways that protect human health and the soil and water that are agriculture’s very foundation')?
  • A. An international ban on the use of agrochemicals drives several multinational corporations out of business
  • B. A species of bird becomes extinct after forests in which these birds nested are cleared to create farmland
  • C. A rural community shows an increased rate of disease after local farmers adopt chemical-intensive techniques
  • D. Government subsidies to farmers encourage overproduction of certain crops to the detriment of others
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C is least compatible with the goal of increasing crop yields while protecting human health and the environment. An increase in disease rates due to chemical-intensive farming directly contradicts the aim of safeguarding human health. Option A, while it may harm businesses, reflects a move towards environmentally sensitive practices by banning harmful chemicals. Option B highlights the negative ecological impact of deforestation for agriculture, which undermines environmental health. Option D addresses overproduction and its ecological consequences, aligning with the need for sustainable practices. Thus, C is the option that most clearly opposes the stated goal.
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.
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.