accuplacer reading passage based practice test

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

(1) Federico García Lorca was 20th-century Spain's most famous poet and playwright.(2) Lorca was born on June 5, 1898, in a small town a few miles west of Granada, in southern Spain. (3) He was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner. (4) He studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time. (5) In 1928, he published the most famous of all his poems, Gypsy Ballads, which used the rhythms of the traditional Spanish ballad to describe the Gypsies of southern Spain. (6) Gypsy Ballads was largely responsible for making Lorca famous throughout the Spanish-speaking world within a few years. (7) In June 1929, at a time when most young writers and painters dreamed of living in Paris, Federico Lorca broke with tradition and sailed for New York. (8) His nine months in New York changed his vision of poetry and the social role of the artist. (9) Lorca also traveled to Havana, Cuba. (10
Which sentence should be deleted because it contains irrelevant information?
  • A. Sentence 6
  • B. Sentence 7
  • C. Sentence 9
  • D. Sentence 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Sentence 9 introduces information that does not directly support the main argument or theme of the passage, making it irrelevant to the central discussion. In contrast, Sentence 6 provides context, Sentence 7 offers a critical example, and Sentence 14 concludes the argument effectively. Each of these sentences contributes meaningfully to the overall coherence and purpose of the text. Removing Sentence 9 enhances clarity by eliminating distractions, allowing the reader to focus on the essential points being made.

Other Related Questions

In context, where would the following sentence best be placed? How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?
  • A. After sentence 3
  • B. After sentence 8
  • C. After sentence 9
  • D. After sentence 12
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Placing the question "How long did it take sauropods to grow to full adult size?" after sentence 9 is most effective as it follows a discussion about sauropod growth patterns, providing a logical transition into the specifics of their growth duration. Option A, after sentence 3, is too early as it lacks the necessary context about sauropod growth. Option B, after sentence 8, is close but doesn't fully prepare the reader for the specific inquiry about growth duration. Option D, after sentence 12, is too late, as it disrupts the flow by introducing a new question after concluding details about sauropods.
In context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 1 and 2 (reproduced below)? Sauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long-necked giants. Their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
  • A. The fossils of sauropods, the long-necked giants who are known today as the largest dinosaurs, have baffled scientists for decades.
  • B. Sauropods, long-necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
  • C. Scientists have been baffled for decades by sauropod fossils; they are known today as the largest dinosaurs, being giants with long necks.
  • D. Scientists studying fossils of the giant, long-necked dinosaurs called sauropods have been baffled by the largest dinosaurs known today for decades.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A effectively combines the two sentences, maintaining clarity and coherence. It clearly identifies sauropods as long-necked giants and links them directly to their fossils, which have puzzled scientists, all in a single, fluid statement. Option B, while informative, awkwardly positions the phrase "whose fossils" and slightly disrupts the flow. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with a semicolon and the phrase "being giants," which can confuse the reader. Option D is overly verbose and convoluted, making it less effective in conveying the main ideas succinctly.
In context, which is the best version of sentence 1 (reproduced below)? Federico Garcia Lorca was 20th-century Spain’s most famous poet and playwright.
  • A. [as it is now]
  • B. Federico García Lorca, was 20th-century Spain's most famous poet and playwright.
  • C. Federico García Lorca was, 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
  • D. Federico García Lorca was 20th-century Spain's, most famous poet and playwright.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A maintains clarity and grammatical correctness without unnecessary punctuation. It presents Federico Garcia Lorca's identity straightforwardly, enhancing readability. Option B incorrectly places a comma after "García Lorca," which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Option C misuses commas, creating awkward pauses that confuse the reader and detract from the sentence's coherence. Option D also misplaces a comma after "Spain's," which incorrectly separates the subject from its complement, leading to a fragmented thought. Thus, option A stands out as the most effective choice.
The writer is considering adding the following sentence to the end of the fourth paragraph: 'Surprisingly, according to The Economist, there were 1.6 million commercial farms in Brazil in 2010.' Should the writer make this addition here?
  • A. Yes, because it emphasizes the paragraph's focus on the economic power of large farms.
  • B. Yes, because it uses concrete data to provide context about local farms and commercial farms.
  • C. No, because it is unrelated to the economic challenges small farms may face.
  • D. No, because it fails to show a clear connection to the paragraph's focus on supporting local farms.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Adding the sentence enhances the paragraph by providing concrete data, which helps contextualize the discussion about local and commercial farms. It bridges the gap between the economic landscape and the realities faced by different types of farms, enriching the reader's understanding. Option A misinterprets the focus; while large farms are mentioned, the emphasis is on the economic challenges faced by smaller farms. Option C incorrectly suggests that the data is unrelated; understanding the number of commercial farms is essential to discussing the economic landscape. Option D overlooks that the data can indeed support a broader discussion about local farms by contrasting them with commercial operations.