Page 1 of 68
KAPLAN READING EXAM — COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026/2027 COMPLETE (150) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
KAPLAN
Prepare effectively for the Kaplan Reading Exam with this comprehensive practice
resource. It supports review of reading comprehension, main ideas, supporting
details, inference, vocabulary in context, author’s purpose, and critical reading
strategies. Use the material to strengthen your reading skills, practice exam-style
questions, and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited
for nursing students, healthcare learners, and candidates preparing for Kaplan
Reading assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
PASSAGE 1: THE HUMAN CIRCULATORY SYSTEM (Questions 1–15)
The circulatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system, is
responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste
products throughout the body. The heart is a muscular organ that pumps
blood through a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. Blood travels away
from the heart through arteries, which branch into smaller arterioles and
eventually into capillaries, where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste
occurs. Blood then returns to the heart through venules and veins.
The heart consists of four chambers: the right and left atria (upper chambers)
and the right and left ventricles (lower chambers). The right side of the heart
receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs for
oxygenation. The left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and
pumps it to the rest of the body. Valves within the heart prevent the backflow
of blood, ensuring that blood flows in only one direction.
The circulatory system is divided into two main circuits: the pulmonary circuit
and the systemic circuit. The pulmonary circuit carries blood between the
heart and the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen is absorbed.
, Page 2 of 68
The systemic circuit carries blood between the heart and the rest of the body,
delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products.
1. What is the primary function of the circulatory system?
• A. To produce hormones
• B. To digest food
• C. To transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products
throughout the body
• D. To filter waste from the blood
Answer: C. To transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products
throughout the body
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the circulatory system is
"responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular
waste products throughout the body."
2. Which chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the
body?
• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Left ventricle
• D. Right ventricle
Answer: B. Right atrium
Rationale: The passage states that "the right side of the heart receives
deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs for
oxygenation." The right atrium is the chamber that receives this blood.
3. What is the purpose of valves within the heart?
, Page 3 of 68
• A. To pump blood to the lungs
• B. To prevent the backflow of blood
• C. To regulate blood pressure
• D. To filter waste products
Answer: B. To prevent the backflow of blood
Rationale: The passage states that "valves within the heart prevent the
backflow of blood, ensuring that blood flows in only one direction."
4. The pulmonary circuit carries blood between the heart and the:
• A. Kidneys
• B. Liver
• C. Lungs
• D. Brain
Answer: C. Lungs
Rationale: The passage states that "the pulmonary circuit carries blood
between the heart and the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and
oxygen is absorbed."
5. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?
• A. The heart is a complex organ with four chambers
• B. The circulatory system is responsible for transporting essential
substances throughout the body
• C. Blood travels through arteries, veins, and capillaries
• D. The pulmonary circuit and systemic circuit are the two main circuits
of the circulatory system
Answer: B. The circulatory system is responsible for transporting
essential substances throughout the body
, Page 4 of 68
Rationale: The passage provides an overview of the circulatory system's
structure and function, emphasizing its role in transportation. While the
other options are true statements from the passage, they are supporting
details rather than the main idea.
6. The author's primary purpose in writing this passage is to:
• A. Persuade readers to exercise more
• B. Inform readers about the structure and function of the circulatory
system
• C. Entertain readers with stories about the heart
• D. Argue for better healthcare
Answer: B. Inform readers about the structure and function of the
circulatory system
Rationale: The passage is expository in nature, providing factual
information about the circulatory system. The author's purpose is to
inform, not to persuade, entertain, or argue.
7. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the importance of the
systemic circuit?
• A. It is less important than the pulmonary circuit
• B. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body
• C. It only carries blood to the lungs
• D. It is responsible for removing carbon dioxide from the blood
Answer: B. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body
Rationale: The passage states that the systemic circuit "carries blood
between the heart and the rest of the body, delivering oxygen and
nutrients to tissues." This supports the inference that the systemic circuit
is essential for nourishing the body's tissues.
KAPLAN READING EXAM — COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026/2027 COMPLETE (150) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
KAPLAN
Prepare effectively for the Kaplan Reading Exam with this comprehensive practice
resource. It supports review of reading comprehension, main ideas, supporting
details, inference, vocabulary in context, author’s purpose, and critical reading
strategies. Use the material to strengthen your reading skills, practice exam-style
questions, and identify areas that may require additional study. This resource is suited
for nursing students, healthcare learners, and candidates preparing for Kaplan
Reading assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
PASSAGE 1: THE HUMAN CIRCULATORY SYSTEM (Questions 1–15)
The circulatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system, is
responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste
products throughout the body. The heart is a muscular organ that pumps
blood through a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. Blood travels away
from the heart through arteries, which branch into smaller arterioles and
eventually into capillaries, where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste
occurs. Blood then returns to the heart through venules and veins.
The heart consists of four chambers: the right and left atria (upper chambers)
and the right and left ventricles (lower chambers). The right side of the heart
receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs for
oxygenation. The left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and
pumps it to the rest of the body. Valves within the heart prevent the backflow
of blood, ensuring that blood flows in only one direction.
The circulatory system is divided into two main circuits: the pulmonary circuit
and the systemic circuit. The pulmonary circuit carries blood between the
heart and the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen is absorbed.
, Page 2 of 68
The systemic circuit carries blood between the heart and the rest of the body,
delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products.
1. What is the primary function of the circulatory system?
• A. To produce hormones
• B. To digest food
• C. To transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products
throughout the body
• D. To filter waste from the blood
Answer: C. To transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products
throughout the body
Rationale: The passage explicitly states that the circulatory system is
"responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular
waste products throughout the body."
2. Which chamber of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the
body?
• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Left ventricle
• D. Right ventricle
Answer: B. Right atrium
Rationale: The passage states that "the right side of the heart receives
deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs for
oxygenation." The right atrium is the chamber that receives this blood.
3. What is the purpose of valves within the heart?
, Page 3 of 68
• A. To pump blood to the lungs
• B. To prevent the backflow of blood
• C. To regulate blood pressure
• D. To filter waste products
Answer: B. To prevent the backflow of blood
Rationale: The passage states that "valves within the heart prevent the
backflow of blood, ensuring that blood flows in only one direction."
4. The pulmonary circuit carries blood between the heart and the:
• A. Kidneys
• B. Liver
• C. Lungs
• D. Brain
Answer: C. Lungs
Rationale: The passage states that "the pulmonary circuit carries blood
between the heart and the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and
oxygen is absorbed."
5. Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?
• A. The heart is a complex organ with four chambers
• B. The circulatory system is responsible for transporting essential
substances throughout the body
• C. Blood travels through arteries, veins, and capillaries
• D. The pulmonary circuit and systemic circuit are the two main circuits
of the circulatory system
Answer: B. The circulatory system is responsible for transporting
essential substances throughout the body
, Page 4 of 68
Rationale: The passage provides an overview of the circulatory system's
structure and function, emphasizing its role in transportation. While the
other options are true statements from the passage, they are supporting
details rather than the main idea.
6. The author's primary purpose in writing this passage is to:
• A. Persuade readers to exercise more
• B. Inform readers about the structure and function of the circulatory
system
• C. Entertain readers with stories about the heart
• D. Argue for better healthcare
Answer: B. Inform readers about the structure and function of the
circulatory system
Rationale: The passage is expository in nature, providing factual
information about the circulatory system. The author's purpose is to
inform, not to persuade, entertain, or argue.
7. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the importance of the
systemic circuit?
• A. It is less important than the pulmonary circuit
• B. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body
• C. It only carries blood to the lungs
• D. It is responsible for removing carbon dioxide from the blood
Answer: B. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body
Rationale: The passage states that the systemic circuit "carries blood
between the heart and the rest of the body, delivering oxygen and
nutrients to tissues." This supports the inference that the systemic circuit
is essential for nourishing the body's tissues.
