praxis reading language arts 5002 practice test

A series of tests developed by ETS to assess the skills and knowledge of prospective teachers.

Which of the following is best described as a secondary source?
  • A. A photograph collection
  • B. A diary entry
  • C. A transcribed speech
  • D. A theater review
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

A theater review is best described as a secondary source because it analyzes and interprets a performance, relying on the reviewer’s perspective rather than providing firsthand experience. In contrast, a photograph collection (A) serves as a primary source, capturing direct visual evidence of events. A diary entry (B) also represents a primary source, offering personal insights and experiences from the writer's perspective. A transcribed speech (C) is a primary source as it records the original spoken words of the speaker. Thus, while A, B, and C present original content, D synthesizes information, making it a secondary source.

Other Related Questions

Which of the following best describes the cognitive processes in which a reader must engage to summarize informational text effectively?
  • A. Evaluating the completeness and accuracy of the information in the text
  • B. Analyzing the structure of the passage and the stylistic features of the genre
  • C. Making judgments about what is important and what is not
  • D. Interpreting an author's perspective and purpose for writing on a topic
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Effective summarization of informational text requires a reader to discern key ideas and determine which information is essential. This process involves prioritizing content, allowing the reader to distill the main points without extraneous details. Option A, while important for critical reading, focuses on assessing information rather than summarizing it. Option B emphasizes structural analysis and stylistic features, which are less relevant to the act of summarization. Option D, interpreting perspective and purpose, is crucial for comprehension but does not directly address the summarization process. Thus, prioritizing what is important is key to summarizing effectively.
Which of the following teacher recommendations will best help the student to strengthen the essay?
  • A. Add evidence from the text.
  • B. Focus the argument on one topic.
  • C. State the argument in the first sentence.
  • D. Write a conclusion sentence that restates the main idea.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Focusing the argument on one topic allows for a more coherent and persuasive essay, enhancing clarity and depth. This concentrated approach helps the student develop their ideas thoroughly, making their argument more compelling. Adding evidence from the text (A) is important, but without a clear focus, the evidence may not effectively support the argument. Stating the argument in the first sentence (C) is useful for clarity, but it does not address the overall structure and focus needed for a strong essay. Writing a conclusion that restates the main idea (D) is essential for summarizing, but it does not strengthen the argument itself if the essay lacks focus.
Which of the following parts of a textbook is most useful for locating a specific topic or idea quickly?
  • A. Index
  • B. Credits
  • C. Prologue
  • D. Table of contents
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A

The index is the most effective tool for quickly locating specific topics or ideas within a textbook. It provides a detailed alphabetical listing of subjects, complete with page numbers, allowing for efficient navigation. The credits section acknowledges contributors and sources but does not aid in finding content. The prologue introduces the book's themes and purpose, offering context rather than specific information. The table of contents outlines the main sections and chapters, but it lacks the granularity of the index, making it less effective for pinpointing particular topics.
Which of the following is a quantitative measure of text complexity?
  • A. Conventions of language
  • B. Sentence length
  • C. Knowledge demands
  • D. Structure
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Quantitative measures of text complexity rely on numerical data to assess readability. Sentence length (Option B) is a key quantitative factor, as it can be measured and analyzed statistically to determine how challenging a text might be for readers. Option A, conventions of language, refers to grammatical rules and stylistic choices, which are qualitative aspects. Option C, knowledge demands, involves the background knowledge required for comprehension, making it subjective rather than quantifiable. Option D, structure, pertains to the organization of a text, which can be analyzed qualitatively. Thus, sentence length stands out as the only purely quantitative measure.