CBEST Practice Test Reading (Version 1)
A reader wants to find examples of deception among animals, and the biological origins
of disguise. They could probably find this information in - ANS-Chapter IV
According to the information in the passage, which of the following would not constitute
a form of acceleration? - ANS-A bird which flies at 35 mph above a straight lane of
highway, exceeding the slowed traffic below by 25mph.
According to the information presented in the passage, the difference between
humorous storytellers versus comic storytellers is best summarized by the statement: -
ANS-The comic displays his knowledge of the funny situation in order to provoke
laughter; the humorous hides his knowledge to provoke laughter.
According to the information presented in the passage, which event takes place first? -
ANS-John Head's clients took out mortgage loans they wouldn't be able to afford.
According to the information presented in the passage, which of these steps had to be
taken first? - ANS-A location opposite the sniper had to be selected to place the parapet
and dummy-head.
According to the view presented in the passage, if there was a landowner who
possessed hundreds of fertile acres, livestock, and harvesting equipment, but there
were no citizens in need of employment, he ___________ - ANS-Would be able to run a
farm, but would have to work very hard and would not make the same profit he had
previously made.
An appropriate title for this passage would be: - ANS-Mirroring the Shot: A Spotting
Technique For Snipers
As used in the passage, what is the best meaning of the word "augmented?" - ANS-
Increased
Based on the figures cited in the passage, which southern slave population represented
the greatest jump in percentage over the previous slave population cited? - ANS-
220,000
Based on the information contained in the selection, which of the following best
describes the difference between mercantile economy and political economy? - ANS-
One utilizes power over the labor of others, and one is limited to the production of that
which is useful.
, Which of the following assumptions most influences the author's argument? - ANS-Most
consumers would rather perform simple maintenance to save money than save time by
avoiding such maintenance procedures
Which of the following best describes how the author organizes his main argument? -
ANS-By identifying a distinction in storytelling, and then elaborating one's merits over
the other's weaknesses
Which of the following best describes the writer's pattern of organization in the above
passage? - ANS-Anecdotal detail which leads to an inciting event.
Which of the following best expresses the central idea of the passage? - ANS-Sea ice
continues to pose problems for ships, and crews in polar regions can only safely
operate once they understand how such ice affects their ship's navigation and other
operations.
Which of the following best summarizes the author's pattern of organization of his
passage? - ANS-One method of preparation is explained, and altered preparation is
subsequently explained.
Which of the following information could be found both in the book's index and its
bibliography? - ANS-Scientists whose work had been quoted at length in the book's text.
Which of the following is a persuasive technique used in the passage? - ANS-Giving a
real-life example of an abstract idea.
Which of the following is closest to the author's intended meaning of my copy-book was
the board fence, brick wall, and pavement, as it is used in the passage? - ANS-The
author could only practice writing on everyday surfaces, and these became the
equivalent of his copy-book.
Which of the following is closest to the meaning of a concession to the European sweet
tooth, as it is used in the passage? - ANS-A concession to Europeans and their
preference for sweet flavors.
Which of the following is the best summary of the author's viewpoint on slavery's role in
the 18th century American South? - ANS-It was common, but not ubiquitous prior to the
explosion of cotton as a staple cash crop for export.
Which of the following most aptly summarizes the author's position on inexperienced
writers who want to break rhetorical rules for purposes of style? - ANS-"Never attribute
to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."
A reader wants to find examples of deception among animals, and the biological origins
of disguise. They could probably find this information in - ANS-Chapter IV
According to the information in the passage, which of the following would not constitute
a form of acceleration? - ANS-A bird which flies at 35 mph above a straight lane of
highway, exceeding the slowed traffic below by 25mph.
According to the information presented in the passage, the difference between
humorous storytellers versus comic storytellers is best summarized by the statement: -
ANS-The comic displays his knowledge of the funny situation in order to provoke
laughter; the humorous hides his knowledge to provoke laughter.
According to the information presented in the passage, which event takes place first? -
ANS-John Head's clients took out mortgage loans they wouldn't be able to afford.
According to the information presented in the passage, which of these steps had to be
taken first? - ANS-A location opposite the sniper had to be selected to place the parapet
and dummy-head.
According to the view presented in the passage, if there was a landowner who
possessed hundreds of fertile acres, livestock, and harvesting equipment, but there
were no citizens in need of employment, he ___________ - ANS-Would be able to run a
farm, but would have to work very hard and would not make the same profit he had
previously made.
An appropriate title for this passage would be: - ANS-Mirroring the Shot: A Spotting
Technique For Snipers
As used in the passage, what is the best meaning of the word "augmented?" - ANS-
Increased
Based on the figures cited in the passage, which southern slave population represented
the greatest jump in percentage over the previous slave population cited? - ANS-
220,000
Based on the information contained in the selection, which of the following best
describes the difference between mercantile economy and political economy? - ANS-
One utilizes power over the labor of others, and one is limited to the production of that
which is useful.
, Which of the following assumptions most influences the author's argument? - ANS-Most
consumers would rather perform simple maintenance to save money than save time by
avoiding such maintenance procedures
Which of the following best describes how the author organizes his main argument? -
ANS-By identifying a distinction in storytelling, and then elaborating one's merits over
the other's weaknesses
Which of the following best describes the writer's pattern of organization in the above
passage? - ANS-Anecdotal detail which leads to an inciting event.
Which of the following best expresses the central idea of the passage? - ANS-Sea ice
continues to pose problems for ships, and crews in polar regions can only safely
operate once they understand how such ice affects their ship's navigation and other
operations.
Which of the following best summarizes the author's pattern of organization of his
passage? - ANS-One method of preparation is explained, and altered preparation is
subsequently explained.
Which of the following information could be found both in the book's index and its
bibliography? - ANS-Scientists whose work had been quoted at length in the book's text.
Which of the following is a persuasive technique used in the passage? - ANS-Giving a
real-life example of an abstract idea.
Which of the following is closest to the author's intended meaning of my copy-book was
the board fence, brick wall, and pavement, as it is used in the passage? - ANS-The
author could only practice writing on everyday surfaces, and these became the
equivalent of his copy-book.
Which of the following is closest to the meaning of a concession to the European sweet
tooth, as it is used in the passage? - ANS-A concession to Europeans and their
preference for sweet flavors.
Which of the following is the best summary of the author's viewpoint on slavery's role in
the 18th century American South? - ANS-It was common, but not ubiquitous prior to the
explosion of cotton as a staple cash crop for export.
Which of the following most aptly summarizes the author's position on inexperienced
writers who want to break rhetorical rules for purposes of style? - ANS-"Never attribute
to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."
