RISE Reading Workshop Exam 2026 – Actual
Updated Exam with Verified Answers
Section 1: Vocabulary in Context
1. The speaker's argument was specious; it sounded convincing at first, but fell apart under
close scrutiny.
Based on the context, the word "specious" most likely means:
A) Complicated and detailed
B) Deceptively plausible ✓
C) Emotionally powerful
D) Scientifically accurate
2. The political dissidents lived in a state of constant fear, knowing the regime
could annihilate them at any moment.
The word "annihilate" most nearly means:
A) To criticize
B) To imprison
C) To destroy completely ✓
D) To fine heavily
3. Her proclivity for helping others made her an excellent candidate for the social work
program.
As used in the sentence, "proclivity" means:
A) A natural tendency or inclination ✓
B) A formal qualification
C) A reluctant agreement
D) A lack of skill
4. The old mansion had a forbidding appearance, with its dark, narrow windows and
overgrown garden.
The word "forbidding" is best interpreted as:
A) Welcoming
B) Unfriendly and threatening ✓
C) Expensive-looking
D) Poorly maintained
,5. The scientist remained skeptical of the new theory until she could review the data herself.
In this context, "skeptical" means:
A) Enthusiastic and supportive
B) Not easily convinced; doubting ✓
C) Open-minded and curious
D) Angry and dismissive
Section 2: Main Idea & Supporting Details
6. (Passage about the invention of the printing press) What is the main idea of this passage?
A) Johannes Gutenberg had a difficult life.
B) The printing press revolutionized the spread of information in Europe. ✓
C) Early books were very expensive to produce.
D) The Chinese invented printing long before Gutenberg.
7. (Passage about coral reef ecosystems) Which detail best supports the idea that coral reefs
are biologically diverse?
A) Coral reefs are found in warm, shallow waters.
B) A single reef can be home to thousands of different species of fish, plants, and invertebrates.
✓
C) Coral is made up of tiny animals called polyps.
D) Reefs protect coastlines from erosion.
8. (Passage about the benefits of exercise) The author's primary argument is that regular
exercise:
A) Is only important for young people.
B) Can be socially enjoyable if done in groups.
C) Is essential for both physical and mental health. ✓
D) Must be intense to provide any benefits.
9. (Passage about the Industrial Revolution) Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail
from the passage?
A) New machinery automated work that was once done by hand.
B) Factories centralized production in cities.
C) The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain.
D) Modern technology is more advanced than Industrial Revolution technology. ✓
10. (Passage about honeybees) What is the central theme of the final paragraph?
A) The anatomy of a worker bee.
, B) The process of making honey. ✓
C) The role of the queen bee.
D) The dangers bees face from pesticides.
Section 3: Inference & Interpretation
11. The author states, "While the new policy was popular with administrators, it was met
with silent resentment from the teaching staff." Based on this, what can the reader infer?
A) The teachers openly protested the policy.
B) The teachers supported the administrators.
C) The teachers were unhappy with the policy but did not vocalize it. ✓
D) The policy had no effect on the teachers.
12. After reading a biography of a famous inventor that describes countless failed
experiments, a reader could best infer that the inventor was:
A) Easily discouraged.
B) Perseverant and determined. ✓
C) Unintelligent.
D) Lucky to have finally succeeded.
13. In a story, a character is described as constantly checking their watch and rushing through
conversations. What can be inferred about this character?
A) The character is a watchmaker.
B) The character is feeling anxious or pressed for time. ✓
C) The character is hard of hearing.
D) The character is uninterested in other people.
14. The passage suggests that the decline of the ancient civilization was most likely caused by:
A) A single, sudden event.
B) A combination of environmental and political factors. ✓
C) An invasion from a well-documented foreign army.
D) A lack of artistic achievements.
15. "Maria didn't say anything when she saw the broken vase. She simply walked to the
closet, got the broom, and began sweeping up the pieces." What can be inferred about
Maria?
A) She is angry and wants to confront someone.
B) She is practical and deals with problems directly. ✓
Updated Exam with Verified Answers
Section 1: Vocabulary in Context
1. The speaker's argument was specious; it sounded convincing at first, but fell apart under
close scrutiny.
Based on the context, the word "specious" most likely means:
A) Complicated and detailed
B) Deceptively plausible ✓
C) Emotionally powerful
D) Scientifically accurate
2. The political dissidents lived in a state of constant fear, knowing the regime
could annihilate them at any moment.
The word "annihilate" most nearly means:
A) To criticize
B) To imprison
C) To destroy completely ✓
D) To fine heavily
3. Her proclivity for helping others made her an excellent candidate for the social work
program.
As used in the sentence, "proclivity" means:
A) A natural tendency or inclination ✓
B) A formal qualification
C) A reluctant agreement
D) A lack of skill
4. The old mansion had a forbidding appearance, with its dark, narrow windows and
overgrown garden.
The word "forbidding" is best interpreted as:
A) Welcoming
B) Unfriendly and threatening ✓
C) Expensive-looking
D) Poorly maintained
,5. The scientist remained skeptical of the new theory until she could review the data herself.
In this context, "skeptical" means:
A) Enthusiastic and supportive
B) Not easily convinced; doubting ✓
C) Open-minded and curious
D) Angry and dismissive
Section 2: Main Idea & Supporting Details
6. (Passage about the invention of the printing press) What is the main idea of this passage?
A) Johannes Gutenberg had a difficult life.
B) The printing press revolutionized the spread of information in Europe. ✓
C) Early books were very expensive to produce.
D) The Chinese invented printing long before Gutenberg.
7. (Passage about coral reef ecosystems) Which detail best supports the idea that coral reefs
are biologically diverse?
A) Coral reefs are found in warm, shallow waters.
B) A single reef can be home to thousands of different species of fish, plants, and invertebrates.
✓
C) Coral is made up of tiny animals called polyps.
D) Reefs protect coastlines from erosion.
8. (Passage about the benefits of exercise) The author's primary argument is that regular
exercise:
A) Is only important for young people.
B) Can be socially enjoyable if done in groups.
C) Is essential for both physical and mental health. ✓
D) Must be intense to provide any benefits.
9. (Passage about the Industrial Revolution) Which of the following is NOT a supporting detail
from the passage?
A) New machinery automated work that was once done by hand.
B) Factories centralized production in cities.
C) The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain.
D) Modern technology is more advanced than Industrial Revolution technology. ✓
10. (Passage about honeybees) What is the central theme of the final paragraph?
A) The anatomy of a worker bee.
, B) The process of making honey. ✓
C) The role of the queen bee.
D) The dangers bees face from pesticides.
Section 3: Inference & Interpretation
11. The author states, "While the new policy was popular with administrators, it was met
with silent resentment from the teaching staff." Based on this, what can the reader infer?
A) The teachers openly protested the policy.
B) The teachers supported the administrators.
C) The teachers were unhappy with the policy but did not vocalize it. ✓
D) The policy had no effect on the teachers.
12. After reading a biography of a famous inventor that describes countless failed
experiments, a reader could best infer that the inventor was:
A) Easily discouraged.
B) Perseverant and determined. ✓
C) Unintelligent.
D) Lucky to have finally succeeded.
13. In a story, a character is described as constantly checking their watch and rushing through
conversations. What can be inferred about this character?
A) The character is a watchmaker.
B) The character is feeling anxious or pressed for time. ✓
C) The character is hard of hearing.
D) The character is uninterested in other people.
14. The passage suggests that the decline of the ancient civilization was most likely caused by:
A) A single, sudden event.
B) A combination of environmental and political factors. ✓
C) An invasion from a well-documented foreign army.
D) A lack of artistic achievements.
15. "Maria didn't say anything when she saw the broken vase. She simply walked to the
closet, got the broom, and began sweeping up the pieces." What can be inferred about
Maria?
A) She is angry and wants to confront someone.
B) She is practical and deals with problems directly. ✓
