ACCUPLACER READING COMPREHENSION EXAM
300 UNIQUE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
SECTION 1: PASSAGEBASED QUESTIONS (Questions 1–200)
PASSAGE 1 (Questions 1–4)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Myths are stories, the products of fertile imagination, sometimes simple, often
containing profound truths. They are not meant to be taken too literally. Details
may sometimes appear childish, but most myths express a culture's most serious
beliefs about human beings, eternity, and God.
1. The main idea of this passage is that myths
A. are created primarily to entertain young children.
B. are purposely written for the reader who lacks imagination.
,C. provide the reader with a means of escape from reality.
D. illustrate the values that are considered important to a society.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The passage states that myths express "a culture's most serious beliefs
about human beings, eternity, and God". This directly indicates that myths reflect
what a society considers important—its values and beliefs. Option A is incorrect
because the passage explicitly states myths are "not meant to be taken too literally"
and contain "profound truths," not mere entertainment for children. Option B is
unsupported; the passage does not suggest myths are for those lacking imagination.
Option C is also unsupported—myths convey serious beliefs rather than providing
escape.
2. According to the passage, myths are characterized as
A. purely factual historical accounts.
B. products of imagination that may contain deep meaning.
C. stories intended only for academic study.
D. literal explanations of natural phenomena.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage describes myths as "products of fertile imagination" that
"often contain profound truths". This dual characterization directly matches option
B. Option A is incorrect because myths are not presented as factual historical
accounts. Option C is unsupported—myths are stories for broader audiences.
Option D contradicts the statement that myths are "not meant to be taken too
literally".
,3. The author suggests that the seemingly childish details in myths
A. should be ignored by serious readers.
B. are the most important parts of the stories.
C. do not diminish the myths' deeper significance.
D. prove that myths are only for children.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage acknowledges that details "may sometimes appear
childish" but immediately counters this by stating that "most myths express a
culture's most serious beliefs". This indicates that surfacelevel childishness does
not undermine the myths' deeper meaning. Option A is incorrect because the
passage does not suggest ignoring details. Option B overstates the importance of
childish details. Option D is directly contradicted by the passage's emphasis on
serious cultural beliefs.
4. The author's tone toward myths can best be described as
A. dismissive and condescending.
B. neutral and indifferent.
C. respectful and appreciative.
D. skeptical and doubtful.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author describes myths as containing "profound truths" and
expressing "a culture's most serious beliefs", indicating respect and appreciation
, for their significance. Option A is incorrect because the tone is not dismissive.
Option B is incorrect because the author clearly values myths. Option D is
incorrect because the author presents myths positively rather than skeptically.
PASSAGE 2 (Questions 5–8)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, "It is notorious that the memory strengthens
as you lay burdens upon it." If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the
names of those you have just met, try this: The next time you are introduced, plan
to remember the names. Say to yourself, "I'll listen carefully; I'll repeat each
person's name to be sure I've got it, and I will remember." You'll discover how
effective this technique is and probably recall those names for the rest of your life.
5. The main idea of this passage is that memory
A. always operates at peak efficiency.
B. breaks down under great strain.
C. improves if it is used often.
D. becomes unreliable if it tires.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage opens with DeQuincey's observation that memory
"strengthens as you lay burdens upon it", meaning memory improves with use and
300 UNIQUE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
SECTION 1: PASSAGEBASED QUESTIONS (Questions 1–200)
PASSAGE 1 (Questions 1–4)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Myths are stories, the products of fertile imagination, sometimes simple, often
containing profound truths. They are not meant to be taken too literally. Details
may sometimes appear childish, but most myths express a culture's most serious
beliefs about human beings, eternity, and God.
1. The main idea of this passage is that myths
A. are created primarily to entertain young children.
B. are purposely written for the reader who lacks imagination.
,C. provide the reader with a means of escape from reality.
D. illustrate the values that are considered important to a society.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The passage states that myths express "a culture's most serious beliefs
about human beings, eternity, and God". This directly indicates that myths reflect
what a society considers important—its values and beliefs. Option A is incorrect
because the passage explicitly states myths are "not meant to be taken too literally"
and contain "profound truths," not mere entertainment for children. Option B is
unsupported; the passage does not suggest myths are for those lacking imagination.
Option C is also unsupported—myths convey serious beliefs rather than providing
escape.
2. According to the passage, myths are characterized as
A. purely factual historical accounts.
B. products of imagination that may contain deep meaning.
C. stories intended only for academic study.
D. literal explanations of natural phenomena.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage describes myths as "products of fertile imagination" that
"often contain profound truths". This dual characterization directly matches option
B. Option A is incorrect because myths are not presented as factual historical
accounts. Option C is unsupported—myths are stories for broader audiences.
Option D contradicts the statement that myths are "not meant to be taken too
literally".
,3. The author suggests that the seemingly childish details in myths
A. should be ignored by serious readers.
B. are the most important parts of the stories.
C. do not diminish the myths' deeper significance.
D. prove that myths are only for children.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage acknowledges that details "may sometimes appear
childish" but immediately counters this by stating that "most myths express a
culture's most serious beliefs". This indicates that surfacelevel childishness does
not undermine the myths' deeper meaning. Option A is incorrect because the
passage does not suggest ignoring details. Option B overstates the importance of
childish details. Option D is directly contradicted by the passage's emphasis on
serious cultural beliefs.
4. The author's tone toward myths can best be described as
A. dismissive and condescending.
B. neutral and indifferent.
C. respectful and appreciative.
D. skeptical and doubtful.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author describes myths as containing "profound truths" and
expressing "a culture's most serious beliefs", indicating respect and appreciation
, for their significance. Option A is incorrect because the tone is not dismissive.
Option B is incorrect because the author clearly values myths. Option D is
incorrect because the author presents myths positively rather than skeptically.
PASSAGE 2 (Questions 5–8)
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, "It is notorious that the memory strengthens
as you lay burdens upon it." If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the
names of those you have just met, try this: The next time you are introduced, plan
to remember the names. Say to yourself, "I'll listen carefully; I'll repeat each
person's name to be sure I've got it, and I will remember." You'll discover how
effective this technique is and probably recall those names for the rest of your life.
5. The main idea of this passage is that memory
A. always operates at peak efficiency.
B. breaks down under great strain.
C. improves if it is used often.
D. becomes unreliable if it tires.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage opens with DeQuincey's observation that memory
"strengthens as you lay burdens upon it", meaning memory improves with use and
