Exam Questions with Answers &
Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A hospital implements a new discharge-planning protocol
requiring nurses to begin assessing a patient's transportation,
medication access, and home support within 24 hours of
admission. After six months, readmissions among patients
with chronic illnesses decrease by 18%.
Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
A. The protocol eliminated all preventable hospital
readmissions.
B. Transportation is the primary cause of chronic illness
readmissions.
C. Early identification of barriers to discharge may
contribute to reducing readmissions.
D. Patients with chronic illnesses no longer require follow-up
care.
Rationale: The passage establishes a correlation between
early discharge planning and reduced readmissions. It does
not prove that the protocol eliminated all readmissions or
that transportation alone caused readmissions. The most
,reasonable conclusion is that identifying barriers early may
help reduce readmissions.
Question 2
A researcher writes: "Although telehealth has expanded
access to healthcare for rural communities, its effectiveness
depends on reliable internet connectivity, digital literacy, and
the availability of clinicians trained in virtual care."
What is the author's primary purpose?
A. To argue that telehealth should replace traditional
healthcare
B. To describe the history of rural healthcare
C. To explain both the benefits and limitations of telehealth
D. To demonstrate that rural patients prefer virtual
appointments
Rationale: The author acknowledges a benefit—expanded
access—while identifying several limitations. The passage
does not claim that telehealth should replace in-person care
or establish patient preference.
Question 3
A university survey finds that students who sleep at least
seven hours per night report higher average examination
scores than students who sleep fewer than five hours. The
researchers caution that the study was observational and did
not control for study habits.
,Which statement best evaluates the evidence?
A. The study proves that sleeping seven hours causes higher
grades.
B. The study is invalid because sleep cannot affect academic
performance.
C. The results suggest an association but do not establish a
causal relationship.
D. The study proves that students who sleep less do not
study.
Rationale: An observational study can identify associations
but cannot establish causation, especially when potentially
important variables such as study habits are not controlled.
Question 4
"Unlike the previous generation of solar panels, the new
photovoltaic cells maintain relatively high efficiency under
low-light conditions. Consequently, regions with frequent
cloud cover may now be more viable locations for solar-
energy installations."
Which relationship is expressed by "consequently"?
A. Contrast
B. Comparison
C. Sequence
D. Cause and effect
, Rationale: The improved low-light efficiency is presented as
the reason that cloudy regions may become more suitable for
solar installations. "Consequently" signals a result.
Question 5
A paragraph begins by describing how excessive sodium
intake contributes to fluid retention and elevated blood
pressure. It then explains that processed foods account for a
large proportion of dietary sodium and concludes by
recommending that consumers read nutrition labels.
Which organizational pattern is primarily used?
A. Chronological order
B. Cause and effect followed by a recommendation
C. Compare and contrast
D. Problem and solution without explanation
Rationale: The paragraph first explains a cause-and-effect
relationship between sodium and health outcomes, then
connects processed foods to sodium exposure and offers a
practical recommendation.
Question 6
A passage states that a community garden "transformed an
abandoned lot into a productive gathering place." The author
later describes residents sharing vegetables, teaching
children to plant crops, and organizing weekend events.
What does "transformed" most nearly mean in context?