praxis reading language arts 5002 practice test

A series of tests developed by ETS to assess the skills and knowledge of prospective teachers.

The following passage is titled "Where Do Old Satellites Go When They Die?" by NASA. Like every other machine, satellites do not last forever. Whether their job is to observe weather, measure greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, or point away from Earth to study the stars, eventually all satellites grow old, wear out, and die, just like old washing machines and vacuum cleaners. So what happens when a trusty satellite's time has come? These days there are two choices, depending on how high the satellite is. For the closer satellites, engineers will use its last bit of fuel to slow it down. That way, it will fall out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere. The second choice is to send the satellite even farther away from Earth. It can take a lot of fuel for a satellite to slow down enough to fall back into the atmosphere. That is especially true if a satellite is in a very high orbit. For many of these high satellites, it takes less fuel to blast it farther into space than to send it back to Earth.
Which of the following statements expresses a main idea of the entire passage?
  • A. When satellites stop working, they have to be moved from orbit.
  • B. Satellites are sent to orbit Earth for many different purposes.
  • C. After satellites are slowed down, they burn up in the atmosphere.
  • D. Satellites are designed to work for only a limited amount of time.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A effectively captures the main idea by emphasizing the necessity of relocating non-functional satellites, highlighting a critical aspect of their lifecycle. Option B, while relevant, only addresses the initial purpose of satellites rather than their entire operational journey. Option C discusses a specific consequence of satellites slowing down, which is too narrow to represent the overall theme. Option D mentions the limited lifespan of satellites but does not encompass the broader implications of their eventual decommissioning and the need for orbital management.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following statements is true?
  • A. In sentence 1, the word "knew" is functioning as an adverb.
  • B. In sentence 1, the word "knew" is functioning as a verb.
  • C. In sentence 3, the word "really" is functioning as an adjective.
  • D. In sentence 3, the word "really" is functioning as a noun.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

In sentence 1, "knew" serves as a verb, indicating an action or state of being related to knowledge. This aligns with its grammatical role as a past tense verb, which expresses what someone understood or was aware of. Option A is incorrect as "knew" cannot function as an adverb; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, not serve as the main verb in a sentence. Option C misinterprets "really," which typically acts as an adverb to modify verbs or adjectives, not as an adjective itself. Option D is also incorrect since "really" does not function as a noun; it does not represent a person, place, thing, or idea.
When discussing strategies for delivering effective oral presentations, a teacher should focus on how speaking slowly promotes which of the following?
  • A. Clear articulation of words
  • B. Audibility for the audience
  • C. Appropriate emphasis of key ideas
  • D. Interest in the topic for the audience
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Speaking slowly enhances clear articulation of words, allowing the speaker to pronounce each syllable distinctly, which aids in comprehension. This clarity is crucial for the audience to grasp the message being conveyed. While audibility (Option B) is important, it primarily relates to volume rather than the speed of speech. Similarly, appropriate emphasis of key ideas (Option C) can be achieved through varying tone and pace, but it does not directly stem from speaking slowly. Lastly, interest in the topic for the audience (Option D) depends more on the content and delivery style rather than the speed of speech.
During an oral presentation, which of the following strategies will best help a speaker facilitate audience comprehension of the material presented?
  • A. Varying vocal volume
  • B. Articulating words clearly
  • C. Wearing proper attire
  • D. Using hand gestures
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Articulating words clearly directly enhances audience understanding, ensuring that key points are communicated effectively. This clarity is essential for comprehension, particularly in complex topics. Varying vocal volume (A) can engage the audience but may not significantly aid in comprehension if the words are not articulated clearly. Wearing proper attire (C) contributes to professionalism but does not impact the audience's understanding of the material. Using hand gestures (D) can support engagement and emphasize points but, without clear articulation, may lead to confusion rather than clarity.
Which of the following words is best classified as domain-specific?
  • A. Orange
  • B. Masterpiece
  • C. Friendship
  • D. Precipitation
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Domain-specific vocabulary refers to terms that are specific to a particular field or subject area. "Precipitation" fits this definition as it is commonly used in meteorology and environmental science to describe forms of water, such as rain or snow, that fall from the atmosphere. In contrast, "Orange" (A) is a general term for a fruit and does not pertain to a specific domain. "Masterpiece" (B) is an artistic term but lacks the specificity tied to a particular academic or professional field. "Friendship" (C) is a broad social concept, making it applicable across various contexts rather than confined to a specific domain.