accuplacer reading sample questions 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.
The English monarch Elizabeth I may have wanted the miniature portraits of herself and her disgraced mother kept secret, since they were her ring.
  • A. concealed within
  • B. carved upon
  • C. displayed beside
  • D. different from
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The term "concealed within" accurately reflects the desire to keep the portraits secret, suggesting they were hidden or kept away from public view. This aligns with Elizabeth I's intent to protect her image and her mother's reputation. Option B, "carved upon," implies a physical alteration or decoration, which does not convey secrecy. Option C, "displayed beside," suggests visibility and openness, contradicting the idea of keeping the portraits secret. Option D, "different from," does not relate to the concept of secrecy and fails to address the context of the portraits' significance.

Other Related Questions

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.
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.
The narrator primarily portrays the woman she is observing as someone who is
  • A. modest and self-effacing
  • B. imposing and dignified
  • C. youthful and energetic
  • D. angry and impatient
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The woman is depicted as imposing and dignified, suggesting a strong presence that commands attention and respect. Her stature and demeanor contribute to an air of authority, contrasting with the other options. Option A, modest and self-effacing, does not align with the portrayal of a woman who stands out prominently. Option C, youthful and energetic, may apply in some contexts but fails to capture the essence of her dignified nature. Option D, angry and impatient, misrepresents her character, as the observation emphasizes strength and poise rather than negative emotions. This nuanced depiction highlights her impressive stature and grace.
Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the 'implication' mentioned in the fourth sentence?
  • A. Çatalhöyük's farmers obtained through trade the wheat and barley that Rosen analyzed.
  • B. Çatalhöyük's farmers understood the impact of soil conditions on crop productivity.
  • C. Çatalhöyük's farmers shared wheat and barley fields with neighboring villages.
  • D. Çatalhöyük's farmers used wood that deteriorated in the damp environment.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

Option A challenges the implication by suggesting that the wheat and barley analyzed by Rosen were not locally produced but rather obtained through trade. This undermines any claims about the agricultural practices or productivity of Çatalhöyük's farmers. Option B, while informative about farmers' understanding, does not directly dispute the source of the crops. Option C introduces a communal aspect to farming but does not negate the potential local production of wheat and barley. Option D discusses environmental factors affecting wood, which is unrelated to the production or sourcing of crops and does not challenge the implication at all.