accuplacer reading sample questions practice test

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

Read the passage(s) below and answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the passage(s) and in any introductory material that may be provided. Passage Passage 1 The realm of blogging and other user-generated web content, like personal home pages, has a Wild West, anything-can-happen feel to it. A guy who has never written a children's book goes from blogging, to networking, to causing a stir, and ends up with a book deal. A couple of women who find their conversations about dating incredibly amusing turn out to be right, and end up with a television deal from a major cable channel. While it is growing and changing more rapidly than anyone can accurately track, the world of blogging is still a place where anyone can stand out, make a splash, be seen, be heard, and be successful. Passage 2 A blog can seem like a waste of time to some, since there is no guarantee readers will come and comment. Maintaining it with new posts and an interesting layout can seem like a chore. Why does someone bother to create a blog if it isn't to peddle a product or to get in touch with consumers? "The principal reason to blog is because you have something to say, claims one expert on blogging. "While the cadre of readers may be small, it is not really how many sets of eyeballs are reading your material that's important, but who the eyeballs belong to. Blogs are written by influencers, and it is often other influencers that read them."
In the context of Passage 2, the quotation by the expert primarily serves to
  • A. analyze a hypothesis
  • B. account for a phenomenon
  • C. advocate an action
  • D. qualify a claim
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The quotation by the expert primarily serves to account for a phenomenon by providing insight into the underlying reasons or mechanisms behind it. This explanation helps clarify why the observed event occurs, enhancing the reader's understanding. Option A, analyzing a hypothesis, suggests a focus on evaluating an idea rather than explaining an occurrence. Option C, advocating an action, implies a call to action that is not present in the quotation. Option D, qualifying a claim, would indicate that the expert is limiting or adjusting a statement, which does not align with the purpose of the quotation in context.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following, if true, would best serve to challenge Ogburn and Thomas's belief that the discovery of calculus is an example of the 'phenomenon' mentioned in the first sentence?
  • A. Uncovering the existence of a journal that Newton kept while working with calculus
  • B. Learning that scientists other than Newton and Leibniz had also made substantial progress on calculus
  • C. Finding a previously unknown letter between Newton and Leibniz discussing calculus that predated its commonly assumed discovery
  • D. Identifying a minor error in Newton's original mathematical calculations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C effectively challenges Ogburn and Thomas's belief by suggesting that the discovery of calculus was not as isolated as previously thought. A letter between Newton and Leibniz predating the commonly accepted timeline implies prior knowledge or collaboration, undermining the notion of a singular 'phenomenon.' Option A, while interesting, does not directly challenge the notion of discovery but rather adds context to Newton's process. Option B highlights contributions from others but does not negate the significance of Newton and Leibniz’s roles. Option D points to an error that could suggest flaws in Newton's work but does not impact the legitimacy of the discovery itself.
In the first two sentences ('During'... 'alley'), scientists are presented as all of the following EXCEPT
  • A. predisposed
  • B. determined
  • C. inherently logical
  • D. overly zealous
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

The passage describes scientists as predisposed, determined, and overly zealous, highlighting their passion and commitment to their work. Option A suggests an inclination towards inquiry, while B emphasizes their resolve in seeking answers. D portrays them as excessively enthusiastic, which aligns with the tone of the text. In contrast, option C, "inherently logical," implies a strict adherence to rationality without acknowledging the emotional and passionate aspects of scientific pursuit. This distinction makes C the only option that does not accurately reflect the portrayal of scientists in the sentences.
In sentence 13, the narrator most likely uses the image of 'a tightly woven fruit basket' to suggest that the rain is
  • A. a physical challenge that must be endured
  • B. falling so heavily that she can barely see through it
  • C. a reminder of the weather in harvest season
  • D. important because it allows crops to survive
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The image of "a tightly woven fruit basket" conveys the idea of something dense and tightly packed, suggesting that the rain is overwhelming and challenging to endure. This aligns with option A, which emphasizes the physical challenge of the rain. Option B misinterprets the imagery; while heavy rain can obscure vision, the fruit basket metaphor does not directly imply visibility issues. Option C incorrectly suggests a seasonal reminder, while the metaphor focuses more on the immediate experience of rain rather than its seasonal context. Option D, while acknowledging the rain's importance for crops, overlooks the emphasis on the struggle implied by the basket imagery.
According to the passage, which of the following most directly causes leaves to change their color in the fall?
  • A. Chlorophyll in the leaves beginning to break down then
  • B. Heat and light causing new pigments to be produced
  • C. Existing pigments becoming more uniform
  • D. New chlorophyll no longer being produced
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Leaves change color in the fall primarily due to the cessation of chlorophyll production. As chlorophyll breaks down and is not replaced, other pigments, such as carotenoids and anthocyanins, become more visible, leading to the vibrant autumn colors. Option A is misleading; while chlorophyll does break down, the key factor is that new chlorophyll is not produced. Option B incorrectly suggests that heat and light create new pigments, which is not the primary cause of color change. Option C is incorrect as it implies existing pigments become uniform rather than highlighting their visibility due to the lack of chlorophyll.