EGEL Exam Preparation: Practice Questions
with Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: Reading Comprehension
Passage 1 (Questions 1-5)
The city council has announced plans to remove all public payphones from city streets over the
next six months. Officials cite that over 95% of residents now own mobile phones, making the
payphones obsolete. The removal project will free up valuable sidewalk space and eliminate
maintenance costs of approximately $500,000 annually. Community members have expressed
,mixed reactions, with some praising the initiative for modernizing the city and others concerned
about those who still rely on the phones.
1. What is the primary reason for removing the payphones?
A) They are too expensive to repair
B) Most people now use mobile phones
C) The city needs the space for bus stops
D) The payphone company went out of business
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale:* The passage states that officials cite "over 95% of residents now own mobile phones,
making the payphones obsolete," clearly identifying this as the primary reason for removal. The
other options are not mentioned as reasons.
2. What is the estimated annual cost to maintain the payphones?
,A) $500
B) $50,000
C) $500,000
D) $5,000,000
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale:* The passage explicitly mentions "maintenance costs of approximately $500,000
annually." The other options incorrectly change the value.
3. The word "obsolete" in line 2 most nearly means:
A) Expensive
B) Outdated
C) Valuable
, D) Broken
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale:* In context, payphones are described as obsolete because most people have mobile
phones, meaning they are no longer needed or outdated. "Outdated" is the closest synonym.
4. How have community members reacted to the plan?
A) Everyone supports the plan
B) Everyone opposes the plan
C) Reactions have been mixed
D) No one has commented
Correct Answer: C
with Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: Reading Comprehension
Passage 1 (Questions 1-5)
The city council has announced plans to remove all public payphones from city streets over the
next six months. Officials cite that over 95% of residents now own mobile phones, making the
payphones obsolete. The removal project will free up valuable sidewalk space and eliminate
maintenance costs of approximately $500,000 annually. Community members have expressed
,mixed reactions, with some praising the initiative for modernizing the city and others concerned
about those who still rely on the phones.
1. What is the primary reason for removing the payphones?
A) They are too expensive to repair
B) Most people now use mobile phones
C) The city needs the space for bus stops
D) The payphone company went out of business
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale:* The passage states that officials cite "over 95% of residents now own mobile phones,
making the payphones obsolete," clearly identifying this as the primary reason for removal. The
other options are not mentioned as reasons.
2. What is the estimated annual cost to maintain the payphones?
,A) $500
B) $50,000
C) $500,000
D) $5,000,000
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale:* The passage explicitly mentions "maintenance costs of approximately $500,000
annually." The other options incorrectly change the value.
3. The word "obsolete" in line 2 most nearly means:
A) Expensive
B) Outdated
C) Valuable
, D) Broken
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale:* In context, payphones are described as obsolete because most people have mobile
phones, meaning they are no longer needed or outdated. "Outdated" is the closest synonym.
4. How have community members reacted to the plan?
A) Everyone supports the plan
B) Everyone opposes the plan
C) Reactions have been mixed
D) No one has commented
Correct Answer: C
