Reading Comprehension Practice test

One of the most hazardous conditions a firefighter will ever encounter is a backdraft (also known as a smoke explosion). A backdraft can occur in the hot-smoldering phase of a fire when burning is incomplete and there is not enough oxygen to sustain the fire. Unburned carbon particles and other flammable products, combined with the intense heat, may cause instantaneous combustion if more oxygen reaches the fire. Firefighters should be aware of the conditions that indicate the possibility for a backdraft to occur. When there is a lack of oxygen during a fire, the smoke becomes filled with carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide and turns dense gray or black. Other warning signs of a potential backdraft are little or no visible flame, excessive heat, smoke leaving the building in puffs, muffled sounds, and smoke-stained windows. Proper ventilation will make a backdraft less likely. Opening a room or building at the highest point allows heated gases and smoke to be released gradually. However, suddenly breaking a window or opening a door is a mistake, because it allows oxygen to rush in, causing an explosion.

1. The author’s main purpose in this passage is to:

A. prove that a backdraft is the single most dangerous situation a firefighter can face. B. show the best way to prevent a backdraft with proper ventilation. C. explain the causes, dangers, warning signs, and preventions of backdrafts. D. tell a dramatic story about a firefighter caught in a backdraft.

The first sentence of the passage states that a backdraft is only "One of the most hazardous conditions a firefighter will ever encounter." Correct answer is A.

2. According to the passage, all the following are potential warning signs of a backdraft EXCEPT:

A. little or no visible flame. B. muffled sounds. C. smoke-stained windows. D. unburned carbon particles.

According to the first paragraph, unburned carbon particles are causes of a backdraft, not a warning sign that one might occur. These signs are all listed in paragraph 2. The correct answer is D.

3. The first paragraph of the passage suggests that

A. instantaneous combustion is not a factor of backdrafts. B. a backdraft occurs before the end of a fire. C. backdrafts are known by several different names. D. there are ways to prevent a backdraft.

The final paragraph states "suddenly breaking a window or opening a door is a mistake, because it allows oxygen to rush in, causing an explosion." The correct answer is D.

4. As used in the passage, the word sustain most nearly means

A. maintain. B. regain. C. train. D. explain.

Reread the sentence, substituting each choice for the word sustain. Of the four choices, only maintain makes sense in context. The correct answer is A.

Today, bicycles are elegantly simple machines that are common around the world. Many people ride bicycles for recreation, whereas others use them as a means of transportation. The first bicycle, called a draisienne, was invented in Germany in 1818 by Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun. Because it was made of wood, the draisienne wasn't very durable nor did it have pedals. Riders moved it by pushing their feet against the ground. In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, invented a much better bicycle. Macmillan's machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. He also used foot-operated cranks, similar to pedals, so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. It didn't look much like the modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel. Although Macmillan's bicycles could be ridden easily, they were never produced in large numbers. In 1861, Frenchman Pierre Michaux and his brother Ernest invented a bicycle with an improved crank mechanism. They called their bicycle a vélocipède, but most people called it a "bone shaker" because of the jarring effect of the wood and iron frame. Despite the unflattering nickname, the vélocipède was a hit. After a few years, the Michaux family was making hundreds of the machines annually, mostly for funseeking young people. Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, made several innovations that revolutionized bicycle design. He made the front wheel many times larger than the back wheel, put a gear on the pedals to make the bicycle more efficient, and lightened the wheels by using wire spokes. Although this bicycle was much lighter and less tiring to ride, it was still clumsy, extremely top-heavy, and ridden mostly for entertainment. It wasn't until 1874 that the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene. Invented by another Englishman, H. J. Lawson, the safety bicycle would look familiar to today's cyclists. The safety bicycle had equal-sized wheels, which made it much less prone to toppling over. Lawson also attached a chain to the pedals to drive the rear wheel. By 1893, the safety bicycle had been further improved with air-filled rubber tires, a diamond-shaped frame, and easy braking. With the improvements provided by Lawson, bicycles became extremely popular and useful for transportation. Today, they are built, used, and enjoyed all over the world.

1. The author’s primary purpose in writing this passage is to

A. explain how the bicycle was first invented. B. prove the bicycle is the best form of transportation. C. describe improvements in the bicycle throughout the years. D. define the terms vélocipède and bone shaker.

The main purpose refers to the most important points of a passage while avoiding details not present in it. Each paragraph describes a different improvement in the bicycle. The correct answer is C.

2. Which of the following would be the most uncomfortable bicycle to ride?

A. Starley’s bicycle B. the vélocipède C. the modern bicycle D. the safety bicycle

According to paragraph 3, the vélocipède was nicknamed the "bone shaker" because it was so jarring to ride. This means it shook a lot, which was probably very uncomfortable. The correct answer is B.

3. The passage suggests that James Starley

A. made a better bicycle than the Michaux brothers. B. made few adjustments to the bicycle. C. invented the bicycle used currently. D. invented the safety bicycle.

According to the passage, after Pierre and Ernest Michaux made their own adjustments to the bicycle, James Starley "made several innovations that revolutionized bicycle design." This suggests Starley’s bicycle was better than the Michaux brothers’. The correct answer is A.

4. As used in the passage, the word durable most nearly means

A. cheap. B. attractive. C. sturdy. D. common.

Reread the sentence, substituting each choice for the word durable. Of the four choices, only sturdy makes sense in context. The correct answer is C.

5. Based on the passage, which of the following words best sums up Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun?

A. gentleman B. perfectionist C. failure D. innovator

Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun was the very first person to conceive of the bicycle, which means he was an incredible innovator. The correct answer is D.

The walnut tree produces wood that is used for countless purposes, and is considered the finest wood in the world. The wood is easy to work with, yet it is very hard and durable—and when it is polished, it produces a rich, dark luster. It also shrinks and swells less than any other wood, which makes it especially desirable for fine furniture, flooring, and even gunstocks. In fact, just about every part of the walnut is unusually hard and strong. The nut of the tree is encased inside a very hard shell, which itself is enclosed in a leathery outer covering called a husk. It requires real effort to break through those layers to get at the tasty meat inside. Every part of the walnut is useful to people. The outer husk produces a dark reddish stain that is hard to remove from the hands of the person who opens the nut, and this pigment is widely used in dyes and wood stains. The inner shell is used as an abrasive to clean jet engines. The meat of the nut is extensively used in cooking, ice cream, and flavorings. And, of course, it can just be eaten raw. Walnut trees exude a chemical into the soil near their roots, which can be poisonous to some trees and shrubs. Fruit trees, for example, will not survive if planted too close to a walnut. Many other plants, such as maple trees or ivy, are not affected by the walnut's presence, and are well suited to grow in its vicinity.

1. The author’s main idea is best summarized by which of the following?

A. Because the walnut is so hard, accessing the meat inside can be very difficult. B. The walnut tree has many uses, including providing building materials and food, although it can be poisonous to other plants. C. Walnuts can be used in variety of recipes, including salads, breads, and cakes, cookies, and poultry dishes. D. Walnut trees exude a chemical that can be poisonous to some trees and shrubs, but other plants are not affected by it.

A good summary touches on all the most important points of a passage while avoiding details not present in it. The correct answer is B.

2. Based on the passage, which of the following is likely NOT something the walnut tree provides?

A. a fertilizer for fruit trees B. a material for a dresser C. a coloring for wooden chairs D. a bread ingredient

Paragraph 4 states that chemicals the walnut tree exudes can kill fruit trees, so it is hardly likely walnut trees could fertilize fruit trees. The correct answer is A.

3. As it is used in the passage, the word luster most nearly means

A. cover. B. wood. C. shine. D. fruit. Reread the sentence, substituting each choice for the word luster. Of the four choices, only shine makes sense in context. The correct answer is C.

4. According to the passage, the walnut tree can be used to make all the following EXCEPT

A. furniture. B. engines. C. flooring. D. guns.

According to paragraph 3, the inner shell of the walnut can be used to clean jet engines, but the walnut tree cannot be used to make engines. The correct answer is B.

5. According to the passage, which part of the walnut tree is like leather?

A. the wood B. the husk C. the pigment D. the nut

According to paragraph 2, "just about every part of the walnut is unusually hard and strong. The nut of the tree is encased inside a very hard shell, which itself is enclosed in a leathery outer covering called a husk." The correct answer is B.

The late 1980s found the landscape of popular music in America dominated by a distinctive style of rock and roll known as glam rock, or hair metal—so called because of the overstyled hair, makeup, and wardrobe worn by the genre's ostentatious rockers. Bands like Poison, Whitesnake, and Mötley Crüe popularized glam rock with their power ballads and flashy style, but the product had worn thin by the early 1990s. Just as superficial as the 1980s, glam rockers were shallow, short on substance, and musically inferior. In 1991, a Seattle-based band called Nirvana shocked the corporate music industry with the release of its debut single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which quickly became a huge hit all over the world. Nirvana's distorted, guitar-laden sound and thought-provoking lyrics were the antithesis of glam rock, and the youth of America were quick to pledge their allegiance to the brand new movement known as grunge. Grunge actually got its start in the Pacific Northwest during the mid-1980s. Nirvana had simply mainstreamed a sound and culture that got its start years before with bands like Mudhoney, Soundgarden, and Green River. Grunge rockers derived their fashion sense from the youth culture of the Pacific Northwest: a melding of punk rock style and outdoor clothing like flannels, heavy boots, worn-out jeans, and corduroys. At the height of the movement's popularity, when other Seattle bands like Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains were all the rage, the trappings of grunge were working their way to the height of American fashion. Like the music, the teenagers were fast to embrace the grunge fashion, because it represented defiance against corporate America and shallow pop culture. The popularity of grunge music was ephemeral; by the mid- to late 1990s, its influence on American culture had all but disappeared, and most of its recognizable bands were nowhere to be seen on the charts. The heavy sound and themes of grunge were replaced on the radio waves by boy bands like the Backstreet Boys, and the bubblegum pop of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. There are many reasons why the Seattle sound faded out of the mainstream as quickly as it rocketed to prominence, but the most glaring reason lies at the defiant, antiestablishment heart of the grunge movement itself. It is very hard to buck the trend when you are the one setting it, and many of the grunge bands were never comfortable with the fame that was thrust on them. Ultimately, the simple fact that many grunge bands were so against mainstream rock stardom eventually took the movement back to where it started: underground. The fickle American mainstream public, as quick as they were to hop on to the grunge bandwagon, were just as quick to hop off and move on to something else.

1. As used in the passage, the word ostentatious most nearly means

A. rich. B. angry. C. tasteful. D. showy.

Reread the sentence, substituting each choice for the word ostentatious. Of the four choices, only showy makes sense in context. The correct answer is D.

2. The author’s purpose in writing this passage is to

A. describe how grunge sounded. B. explain the history of a kind of music. C. show how music changed in the 2000s. D. prove that grunge is the best form of music.

The entire passage traces the start, popularity, and eventual demise of grunge. The correct answer is B.

3. According to the passage, all the following were grunge bands EXCEPT

A. Mudhoney. B. Soundgarden. C. Alice in Chains. D. Poison

Paragraph 1 defines Poison as a "glam rock or hair metal" band, which is the kind of band against which grunge was a reaction. The correct answer is D.

4. Based on information in the passage, the author likely believes

A. grunge bands were short on substance. B. Britney Spears ended the grunge movement. C. Nirvana is a better band than Mötley Crüe. D. the American mainstream public cares about music deeply.

In paragraph 1, the author describes hair metal bands, such as Mötley Crüe, as "shallow, short on substance, and musically inferior." In the next paragraph, the author states that Nirvana had "thought-provoking lyrics." Based on this information, the author seems to prefer Nirvana. The correct answer is C.

5. As used in the passage, the word ephemeral most nearly means

A. passing. B. angry. C. tasteful. D. showy.

Reread the sentence, substituting each choice for the word ephemeral. Of the four choices, only passing makes sense in context. The correct answer is A.

No trip to New York City is complete until you've visited one of New York's famed Jewish food stores or delicatessens to nosh on treats of northern and central European Jewish origin: bagels and lox, Romanian pastrami on rye, chopped liver, cheesecake, or matzoh ball soup. Many classic Jewish delis, such as Reuben's, have now closed their doors, but the famous Katz's Delicatessen and the Second Avenue Deli still offer traditional Jewish specialty foods to a grateful clientele of native New Yorkers and international tourists. If you're in the mood for a Jewish appetizing treat, visit Barney Greengrass's The Sturgeon King, or Russ & Daughters, for smoked or pickled fish, kippered salmon, whitefish, lox, and herring in sour cream sauce. If you're in the mood for a frothy, thirst-quenching beverage, visit the East Village's Chocolate Bar for a delicious chocolate egg cream. The egg cream is a classic New York treat that was concocted by Jewish candy store owner Louis Auster in Brooklyn, New York, in 1890. Regardless of your personal taste, there's a Jewish specialty food that is perfect for you. The next time you visit New York City, be sure to indulge in a puffy, hot knish or a warm and tasty brisket sandwich for lunch. If you're really hungry, go for the gold! Sink your teeth into a towering, overstuffed corned beef, chopped liver, and coleslaw sandwich at Katz's Deli. Are you hungry yet?

1. The author’s reason for writing this passage was to

A. persuade the reader. B. describe a delicatessen. C. narrate a story. D. entertain the reader.

The author addresses the reader directly, stating that "Regardless of your personal taste, there’s a Jewish specialty food that is perfect for you" and asking "Are you hungry yet?" These direct statements and questions are designed to persuade the reader to visit New York’s Jewish food stores or delicatessens. The correct answer is A.

2. The writer most likely uses the word nosh in the first sentence, rather than words such as eat, snack, or munch, because

A. the writer is trying to appeal to readers with strong vocabularies. B. nosh is a word that lends authenticity to the passage. C. the writer wants you to look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary. D. the word munch is too informal for a passage such as this.

The word nosh is Yiddish for snack. The writer uses it to lend authenticity to a passage about Jewish food stores or delicatessens. The correct answer is B.

3. In the passage, the word concocted is closest in meaning to

A. built. B. poured. C. created. D. drank.

Reread the sentence, substituting each choice for the word concocted. Of the four choices, only created makes sense in context. The correct answer is C.

4. The passage supports which of the following conclusions?

A. Vegetarians may not want to eat most Jewish sandwiches. B. Matzoh ball soup is extremely difficult to make. C. There are few Jewish delicatessens left in New York City. D. An egg cream is a nutritious breakfast meal.

All the sandwiches described in the passage are made with meat or fish: kippered salmon, lox, pastrami, corned beef, and so on. A vegetarian would want to avoid such sandwiches. The correct answer is A.

5. According to the passage, Louis Auster owned

A. Katz’s Delicatessen. B. The Sturgeon King. C. Chocolate Bar. D. a candy store.

The last sentence of paragraph 2 states that Louis Auster, the inventor of the egg cream, owned a candy store. The correct answer is D.