accuplacer reading full length practice test

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

The following sentence has a blank indicating that something has been left out. Beneath the sentence are four words or phrases. Choose the word or phrase that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole. Ecologist Frank Ortega warned that the state's decision to ______ the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would be construed as a signal that sloppiness in handling such wastes will be tolerated.
Ecologist Frank Ortega warned that the state's decision to ______ the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes would be construed as a signal that sloppiness in handling such wastes will be tolerated.
  • A. enforce
  • B. codify
  • C. relax
  • D. publicize
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The choice to relax the rigid standards for disposal of toxic wastes suggests a reduction in strictness, which aligns with Ortega's warning about sloppiness being tolerated. Option A, enforce, implies strengthening regulations, which contradicts Ortega's concern. Option B, codify, refers to formally establishing rules, indicating a commitment to standards rather than a reduction. Option D, publicize, focuses on making information known, which does not relate to the standards themselves. Thus, only "relax" accurately captures the potential easing of regulations that Ortega warns against.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
  • A. American football has not changed much since the first intercollegiate football game was played.
  • B. Most early football players did not know how to throw a football properly.
  • C. Rutgers' current football team is better than Princeton's.
  • D. The name Scarlet Knights most likely refers to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The inference about the name Scarlet Knights likely relates to clothing worn by Rutgers players in the 1869 game, as historical context suggests team names often reflect uniforms or school colors. Option A is incorrect; while some aspects of American football have evolved, the statement oversimplifies the sport's development over time. Option B lacks support from the passage, as it does not provide evidence regarding the skills of early players. Option C is subjective and cannot be inferred without specific performance data comparing the two teams.
In context, the metaphor in the third sentence ('it was... years') chiefly serves to:
  • A. Call attention to the age of the United States as a nation
  • B. Question the literary value of the writings by Lewis and Clark
  • C. Trivialize the accomplishments of the Lewis and Clark expedition
  • D. Place the Lewis and Clark expedition into a broad context
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The metaphor in the third sentence effectively situates the Lewis and Clark expedition within a larger historical framework, emphasizing its significance in the broader narrative of American exploration and expansion. Option A incorrectly focuses solely on the age of the United States, neglecting the expedition's specific context. Option B misinterprets the metaphor's intent, as it does not critique literary value but rather highlights historical importance. Option C suggests a diminishing view of the expedition's accomplishments, which contradicts the metaphor's purpose of elevating its significance within American history.
The author quoted in Passage 1 would likely argue that the historian’s having 'lifted passages from other historians' (sentence 4, Passage 2) is:
  • A. an example of academic collaboration
  • B. deserving of harsh punishment
  • C. far from an isolated incident
  • D. a comparatively recent problem
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The author in Passage 1 likely views the historian's practice of lifting passages as a common occurrence in the field, suggesting that it reflects a broader trend rather than an isolated case. This aligns with option C, emphasizing the prevalence of such practices among historians. Option A misinterprets the act as collaboration, which typically involves mutual consent and acknowledgment, whereas lifting passages often lacks proper attribution. Option B is incorrect as it implies a punitive view that the author does not express. Lastly, option D suggests a recent emergence of this issue, contradicting the author's perspective that it has long been a part of historical writing.
The author of Passage 2 would likely respond to the actions attributed to 'academia' in the fifth sentence of Passage 1 ('academia...complaints') by asserting that:
  • A. these actions are consistent with the approach common in publishing
  • B. academic plagiarism has usually been misrepresented in surveys
  • C. universities increasingly treat plagiarism as a serious offense
  • D. colleges should provide amnesty to researchers accused of plagiarism
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The assertion in Passage 2 likely aligns with the view that universities are taking a stronger stance against plagiarism, reflecting a growing seriousness about academic integrity. This perspective supports option C, as it highlights an evolving attitude within academia. Option A misrepresents the author's likely stance, as it suggests acceptance of the status quo in publishing rather than a critique of it. Option B incorrectly implies that the author believes surveys misrepresent plagiarism, which may not be the focus of their argument. Option D suggests a leniency that contradicts the seriousness implied in Passage 2, as it undermines the accountability that academia is increasingly emphasizing.