Barkley POST Entrance Exam 2026
Practice Test: High-Yield Questions
With In-Depth Explanations
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION (1–20)
1. The primary purpose of a factual passage is to:
A. Entertain
B. Persuade
C. Inform
D. Criticize
Answer: C
Rationale: Factual passages present information objectively.
2. If an author uses statistics, the intent is usually to:
A. Confuse the reader
B. Strengthen credibility
C. Express emotion
D. Entertain
Answer: B
Rationale: Statistics support arguments with evidence.
3. The main idea of a passage is best found:
A. In the title
B. In repeated ideas
C. In the last sentence only
D. In footnotes
Answer: B
Rationale: Repetition signals importance.
,4. An inference is:
A. A stated fact
B. A guess with no evidence
C. A conclusion based on evidence
D. An opinion
Answer: C
Rationale: Inferences rely on context clues.
5. Tone refers to the author’s:
A. Topic
B. Attitude
C. Audience
D. Length
Answer: B
Rationale: Tone expresses how the author feels about the subject.
6. A neutral tone means the author is:
A. Emotional
B. Angry
C. Objective
D. Sarcastic
Answer: C
7. Context clues help readers:
A. Skip hard words
B. Guess word meanings
C. Change opinions
D. Find conclusions
Answer: B
8. A supporting detail:
A. Introduces a topic
B. Contradicts the author
,C. Proves the main idea
D. Is unrelated
Answer: C
9. Bias in writing means:
A. Balanced information
B. Strong personal opinion
C. Statistical evidence
D. Neutral language
Answer: B
10. A summary should:
A. Add new ideas
B. Restate every detail
C. Capture key points
D. Argue the passage
Answer: C
11. The word “however” signals:
A. Agreement
B. Example
C. Contrast
D. Conclusion
Answer: C
12. An implied idea is:
A. Directly stated
B. Hidden but supported
C. False
D. Irrelevant
Answer: B
, 13. A cause-and-effect passage explains:
A. Opinions
B. Sequences
C. Reasons and results
D. Definitions
Answer: C
14. A persuasive passage often includes:
A. Facts only
B. Emotional language
C. Neutral tone
D. Definitions only
Answer: B
15. The best title reflects:
A. One detail
B. Author’s opinion
C. Main idea
D. Tone only
Answer: C
16. A chronological passage is organized by:
A. Importance
B. Time
C. Cause
D. Opinion
Answer: B
17. An author’s assumption is:
A. Proven fact
B. Belief taken as true
C. Opinion stated
D. Conclusion drawn
Practice Test: High-Yield Questions
With In-Depth Explanations
SECTION 1: READING COMPREHENSION (1–20)
1. The primary purpose of a factual passage is to:
A. Entertain
B. Persuade
C. Inform
D. Criticize
Answer: C
Rationale: Factual passages present information objectively.
2. If an author uses statistics, the intent is usually to:
A. Confuse the reader
B. Strengthen credibility
C. Express emotion
D. Entertain
Answer: B
Rationale: Statistics support arguments with evidence.
3. The main idea of a passage is best found:
A. In the title
B. In repeated ideas
C. In the last sentence only
D. In footnotes
Answer: B
Rationale: Repetition signals importance.
,4. An inference is:
A. A stated fact
B. A guess with no evidence
C. A conclusion based on evidence
D. An opinion
Answer: C
Rationale: Inferences rely on context clues.
5. Tone refers to the author’s:
A. Topic
B. Attitude
C. Audience
D. Length
Answer: B
Rationale: Tone expresses how the author feels about the subject.
6. A neutral tone means the author is:
A. Emotional
B. Angry
C. Objective
D. Sarcastic
Answer: C
7. Context clues help readers:
A. Skip hard words
B. Guess word meanings
C. Change opinions
D. Find conclusions
Answer: B
8. A supporting detail:
A. Introduces a topic
B. Contradicts the author
,C. Proves the main idea
D. Is unrelated
Answer: C
9. Bias in writing means:
A. Balanced information
B. Strong personal opinion
C. Statistical evidence
D. Neutral language
Answer: B
10. A summary should:
A. Add new ideas
B. Restate every detail
C. Capture key points
D. Argue the passage
Answer: C
11. The word “however” signals:
A. Agreement
B. Example
C. Contrast
D. Conclusion
Answer: C
12. An implied idea is:
A. Directly stated
B. Hidden but supported
C. False
D. Irrelevant
Answer: B
, 13. A cause-and-effect passage explains:
A. Opinions
B. Sequences
C. Reasons and results
D. Definitions
Answer: C
14. A persuasive passage often includes:
A. Facts only
B. Emotional language
C. Neutral tone
D. Definitions only
Answer: B
15. The best title reflects:
A. One detail
B. Author’s opinion
C. Main idea
D. Tone only
Answer: C
16. A chronological passage is organized by:
A. Importance
B. Time
C. Cause
D. Opinion
Answer: B
17. An author’s assumption is:
A. Proven fact
B. Belief taken as true
C. Opinion stated
D. Conclusion drawn
