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, maka 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."
Unlike the author of Passage 1, the author of Passage 2 implies that keeping a blog might
  • A. benefit the community
  • B. involve irksome tasks
  • C. attract favorable attention
  • D. reward real creativity
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

The implication in Passage 2 suggests that maintaining a blog can involve tedious or bothersome tasks, which aligns with option B. This contrasts with the more positive view presented in Passage 1. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on community benefits, which is not addressed in Passage 2. Option C misinterprets the author's tone; while attracting attention may be a byproduct, it isn't emphasized as a primary implication. Option D suggests that blogging inherently fosters creativity, which is not a theme in Passage 2, where the focus is more on the challenges rather than the rewards.

Other Related Questions

The ancient Greek writer Herodotus was inordinately as historical facts. blithely accepting wildly improbable legends
  • A. imperious
  • B. prolific
  • C. credulous
  • D. derisive
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Herodotus displayed a tendency to accept stories without skepticism, indicating a belief in their truthfulness, which aligns with the meaning of "credulous." Option A, "imperious," suggests an overbearing attitude, which does not fit his acceptance of legends. Option B, "prolific," refers to someone who produces a lot of work and does not pertain to his approach to historical facts. Option D, "derisive," implies mockery or disdain, contrasting with his acceptance of various narratives. Thus, "credulous" accurately captures Herodotus's inclination to accept improbable legends as historical truth.
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.
At the end of Passage 2. ('While... them'), the expert emphasizes
  • A. function over form
  • B. theory over practice
  • C. ethics over ambition
  • D. quality over quantity
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

The emphasis on quality over quantity highlights the importance of substance in achieving meaningful results. Focusing on quality ensures that efforts lead to impactful outcomes, rather than merely increasing the number of tasks or projects. Option A, function over form, suggests prioritizing practicality, which is not the main point in this context. Option B, theory over practice, implies valuing ideas over action, contradicting the emphasis on tangible quality. Option C, ethics over ambition, shifts the focus to moral considerations rather than the value of high-quality efforts. Thus, the passage underscores the significance of quality in any endeavor.
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.