Cracking the CBEST – Reading Exam Questions and
Answers
Which is the most important piece of the reading section? The Passage or the
Questions - Answer-The questions; they will determine what parts of the reading
passage you will need to use.
/.Strategy for "specific" questions (like "Which of the following is the best meaning of the
word SOLUTION as it is used in the passage?") - Answer-Locate the word and read
enough of passage to above and below the word to understand the context.
/.What strategy plays a vital role in helping you narrow down the number of possible
answer choices? - Answer-POE (Process of Elimination)
/.What are the 6 things to look for when using POE to narrow your answer? - Answer-1.
Understanding the Author
2. Controversial Answer Choices
3. Strong Language
4. Scope
5. Common Sense
6. Stick to the Passage
/.Understand the Author - Answer-A CBEST author will not be overly critical of
professionals.
/.Controversial Answer Choices - Answer-Avoid any answer choice that may be
controversial. Eliminate all answer choices that seem negative toward a group.
/.Strong Language - Answer-Answer choices that use extreme language; like
"something must be true" are usually incorrect.
/.Examples of extreme language - Answer-Must, always, impossible, never, cannot, all,
only, totally, every, each
/.Examples of more wishy washy words - Answer-May, could be true, some, most,
sometimes, might, probably, suggests
/.Scope - Answer-Try to eliminate answer choices that describe something that could
not possible be accomplished in a couple of paragraphs.
/.Common Sense - Answer-Correct answers on the CBEST will never contradict an
established fact; use common sense to eliminate answer choices that seem absurd or
incorrect.
Answers
Which is the most important piece of the reading section? The Passage or the
Questions - Answer-The questions; they will determine what parts of the reading
passage you will need to use.
/.Strategy for "specific" questions (like "Which of the following is the best meaning of the
word SOLUTION as it is used in the passage?") - Answer-Locate the word and read
enough of passage to above and below the word to understand the context.
/.What strategy plays a vital role in helping you narrow down the number of possible
answer choices? - Answer-POE (Process of Elimination)
/.What are the 6 things to look for when using POE to narrow your answer? - Answer-1.
Understanding the Author
2. Controversial Answer Choices
3. Strong Language
4. Scope
5. Common Sense
6. Stick to the Passage
/.Understand the Author - Answer-A CBEST author will not be overly critical of
professionals.
/.Controversial Answer Choices - Answer-Avoid any answer choice that may be
controversial. Eliminate all answer choices that seem negative toward a group.
/.Strong Language - Answer-Answer choices that use extreme language; like
"something must be true" are usually incorrect.
/.Examples of extreme language - Answer-Must, always, impossible, never, cannot, all,
only, totally, every, each
/.Examples of more wishy washy words - Answer-May, could be true, some, most,
sometimes, might, probably, suggests
/.Scope - Answer-Try to eliminate answer choices that describe something that could
not possible be accomplished in a couple of paragraphs.
/.Common Sense - Answer-Correct answers on the CBEST will never contradict an
established fact; use common sense to eliminate answer choices that seem absurd or
incorrect.
