Reading Practice Test 2 - My Career Tools

Each question has a few answer choices. Choose the best answer for each question. At the end of the quiz, you will see your results.

1. Read the following short biography below and identify the main idea.Even though George Washington Carver is very well known for the agricultural work that he did with the peanut plant, he also did a lot of work with research and education about other types of crops. In his adult life, George Washington Carver did research into soybean and sweet potato plants, and taught many farming families proper nutrition so that they could feed themselves well and live a healthy lifestyle. He also created around 100 products that could be made directly from peanuts, such as various types of makeup, gasoline, and plastics.

What is the main idea of this biography?

A.George Washington Carver contributed many ideas and research to agriculture.

B.Peanuts can be used to make makeup and plastics.

C.George Washington Carver educated farming families on healthy eating habits.

D.George Washington Carver invented peanut butter.

Question 1 of 10

2. Choose the main idea sentence in the paragraph below.Have you ever wondered about the bread on your sandwich? Chances are, it might be either whole wheat or white bread. But there are many different kinds of bread that are made throughout the world. One type of bread that you probably have never made a sandwich with is called Naan, a flatbread that is baked on the side of an oven. Another type you probably have not used for a sandwich is called Matza, which is more like a cracker than fluffy bread.

A.Another type you probably have not used for a sandwich is called Matza, which is more like a cracker than fluffy bread.

B.But there are many different kinds of bread that are made throughout the world.

C.Have you ever wondered about the bread on your sandwich?

D.Chances are, it might be either whole wheat or white bread.

Question 2 of 10

3. DIRECTIONS: Identify the structure of each passage.Though it is very cold in Antarctica, penguins do not get cold because they have a very thick layer of fat all over their body called blubber. In some cases, the blubber is several inches thick. Similarly, whales, seals, and other animals that live on and in the water around Antarctica also have blubber.

A.Compare and Contrast

B.Spatial/Descriptive

C.Cause & Effect

D.Chronological

Question 3 of 10

4. Which word/phrase in the sentence below is redundant and can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence?As you prepare the newspaper, please ensure that the captions are aligned in a straight line underneath each photo.

A.the newspaper

B.ensure

C.in a straight line

D.underneath each photo

Question 4 of 10

5. Which word/phrase in the sentence below is redundant and can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence?The couple's abrupt decision to elope was sudden and surprised their families.

A.couple's

B.to elope

C.was sudden

D.and surprised

Question 5 of 10

6. Which word/phrase in the sentence below is redundant and can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence?After a traumatic event, children often revert back to behaviors they exhibited as babies.

A.traumatic

B.back

C.behaviors

D.babies

Question 6 of 10

7. Choose the main idea sentence in the paragraph below.Many years ago, my dad went to a Beatles concert and only paid $5.25 for a single ticket! These days, it's expensive to purchase tickets to see your favorite bands. You'd have to pay at least $40 in most cases just to get into the nosebleed seats. And the floor? Forget it! $300 at least! I guess my dad had it good back then.

A.Many years ago, my dad went to a Beatles concert and only paid $5.25 for a single ticket!

B.These days, it's expensive to purchase tickets to see your favorite bands.

C.You'd have to pay at least $40 in most cases just to get into the nosebleed seats.

D.nd the floor? Forget it! $300 at least! I guess my dad had it good back then.

Question 7 of 10

8. DIRECTIONS: Read each passage and identify how the information is being organized.It is possible to change how you feel about certain foods. If you want to learn to like a food that is good for you, take the following steps. First, imagine all the good things that it is doing in your body. It is making your organs healthy. It is giving you energy. It is making your muscles grow. Next, think about something that you want to be able to do. If you are an athlete, imagine scoring the winning point. If you are an artist or a poet, imagine having the concentration to do the work you want to do. Finally, keep these positive thoughts in mind the next time you try the unfamiliar food. You may not love it at first, but as you continue to tell yourself that eating this food is going to help you be what you want to be, the food will start to taste better to you.

A.Cause & Effect

B.Spatial/Description

C.Problem/Solution

D.Compare/Contrast

E.Sequence/Process

Question 8 of 10

9. Read the following text and answer the following question.There are many different ways to prepare hot chocolate. One way is to heat water until it starts boiling. Be careful so you do not burn your hand. Add the cocoa to your water and stir until it mixes. Then you can add a splash of milk for taste and to help cool it down a little. `Adding marshmallows gives it a creamy taste and it is fun to drink the half melted ones. Marshmallows melt quickly, so be sure to add a few extra. The hot chocolate treat is delicious.

What is the Author's Purpose?

A.To inform

B.To entertain

C.To persuade

Question 9 of 10

10. Read the text and answer the question.In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" - a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility - I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it -- and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

In the infamous line, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country," what is Kennedy asking people to do?

A.Kennedy is asking people to stop thinking of themselves and start thinking of others, working for the good of the country and their fellow man, not the good of individuals.

B.JFK uses pathos by making people important. He makes them feel as if they have a great role to play and that if they refuse to play it they could miss out on a great opportunity. At the end of the speech, people are feeling proud of themselves and motivated to take on the challenge.

Question 10 of 10

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This quick quiz gives you practice in identifying correct and incorrect usage of standard English grammar and reading comprehension. You can identify your weaknesses and strong points. Clear explanations of each correct answer are also provided at the end of the quiz.

This practice test also helps you with improving your reading strategies. As students progress through school, they are asked to read increasingly complex informational and graphical texts in their courses.

The ability to understand and use the information in these texts is key to a student’s success in learning.

Reading is a thinking process. Effective readers know that when they read, what they read is supposed to make sense.

Reading is a process of finding meaning in a text. Writers use many ways to convey the meaning of words and concepts. Some are overt and some are subtle. These clues include definitions, examples, descriptions, illustrations, clarification, parenthetical notes, comparison, and elaboration.