No. The Florida P.E.R.T. is untimed — you work at your own pace through each section. Our practice test adds an optional timer so you can build pacing, but the real exam does not cut you off.

What is a passing score on the PERT?

The PERT is scored on a 50–150 scale and is a placement test, not pass/fail. In Math, roughly 114+ places you into college-level algebra (MAC 1105) and about 113 into intermediate algebra; the common college-ready cuts are about 106 for Reading and 103 for Writing. Exact cut scores vary by Florida college, so check your school's chart.

Can I use a calculator on the PERT Math section?

An on-screen calculator is available for some PERT Math items, but not all — many questions are designed to be solved without one. Practice doing the arithmetic and algebra by hand so you are ready either way.

How hard is the PERT?

The PERT is broad rather than tricky — it covers high-school-level skills through intermediate algebra, college-level reading comprehension, and standard English conventions. Because it is wide-ranging, realistic, section-by-section practice with explanations is the most effective preparation.

Who has to take the PERT?

The PERT is Florida's common placement test, used by Florida College System institutions to place students into the right Math and English courses. Many recent Florida high-school graduates are exempt based on test scores or coursework, but it is widely required for placement and re-take.

How many times can I take the PERT?

Retake policies are set by each Florida college, but students are typically allowed to retest after a waiting period or a review. Confirm your college's specific retake and review requirements before scheduling.

FREE PERT Practice Test 2026

Q: What is on each PERT section?

Mathematics covers equations and inequalities, polynomial expressions, coordinate geometry, and word problems. Reading covers main idea, supporting details, vocabulary in context, inferences, author's purpose, and text structure. Writing covers grammar and usage, sentence structure, punctuation, word choice, transitions, and organization.

Click Start Test above to launch a full-length PERT practice test, or drill a single section — Math, Reading, or Writing. Every question includes a clear explanation so you learn the reasoning, not just the answer.

The PERT (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test) is Florida’s common placement test, administered by the Florida Department of Education and used by Florida College System schools to place students into the right Math and English courses.^[1]

It is broad rather than tricky — three sections of high-school-level skills — so the best preparation is realistic, section-by-section practice. That is exactly what these free PERT practice tests are built for.^[6]

PERT at a Glance

Each PERT section has 30 questions (25 scored plus 5 unscored field-test items) and is computer-adaptive and untimed.^[2] Here are the key facts your practice should mirror:

Florida P.E.R.T. at a glance
Detail	Florida P.E.R.T.
Certifying Body	Florida Department of Education (FLDOE)
Sections	Mathematics, Reading, Writing
Questions	30 per section (25 scored + 5 field-test)
Time Limit	Untimed (computer-adaptive)
Score Scale	50–150 per section
Format	Computer-adaptive, taken at a Florida college testing center
Purpose	Course placement into Math and English
Calculator	On-screen calculator on select Math items only

What Is on the PERT?

The PERT has three separately scored sections — Mathematics, Reading, and Writing — each with 30 questions and reported on the same 50–150 scale.^[3] Each section maps to a course-placement level.

Florida P.E.R.T. sections (30 questions each)
Section	Questions	What it covers
Mathematics	30	Equations & inequalities, polynomials, coordinate geometry, word problems
Reading	30	Main idea, details, vocabulary in context, inference, author's purpose
Writing	30	Grammar & usage, sentence structure, punctuation, word choice, organization

PERT structure (by section)

Mathematics33% · 30 Qs

Reading33% · 30 Qs

Writing33% · 30 Qs

Practice the PERT by Section

Take the full test from the Start Test button above, or target one section at a time with the drills below. Each section drill pulls from a deep bank of realistic, explained questions.

PERT Math Practice Test

The PERT Math section covers equations and inequalities, polynomial expressions and operations, coordinate geometry, and applied word problems.^[2] The math runs through intermediate algebra, and your score decides whether you place into intermediate algebra or college-level algebra.

Use the Math drill to build speed and accuracy on linear and quadratic equations, factoring, slope and lines, and percent and ratio problems — the question types that decide your placement.

PERT Reading Practice Test

The PERT Reading section measures main idea, supporting details, vocabulary in context, inferences and conclusions, author’s purpose and tone, and text structure.^[2] Answers come directly from short passages.

Use the Reading drill to practice close, careful reading — finding the stated and implied main idea and drawing logical conclusions under exam conditions.

PERT Writing Practice Test

The PERT Writing section covers conventions of standard English — grammar and usage, sentence structure, and punctuation — plus rhetorical skills like word choice, transitions, and organization.^[2]

Use the Writing drill to lock in subject-verb agreement, sentence correction, and the revision skills that recur throughout the section.

How Is the PERT Scored?

Each PERT section is scored separately on a 50–150 scale.^[4] Only the 25 operational questions per section count; the 5 field-test items are mixed in and do not affect your result.

Because the test is computer-adaptive, the questions adjust to your performance as you go. Your score maps to a specific course placement rather than a simple pass or fail.

What Score Do You Need on the PERT?

The PERT is a placement test, so there is no single passing score.^[5] In Math, roughly 114+ places you into college-level algebra (MAC 1105), with about 113 for intermediate algebra.

For English, the common college-ready cuts are about 106 for Reading and 103 for Writing, though exact cut scores vary by Florida college. Always confirm your school’s chart.

50–150

Score scale

per section

~114

College-algebra placement

Math (MAC 1105)

Untimed

No time limit

computer-adaptive

The takeaway: find your college’s required placement scores, then practice each section until you are consistently above them — with a buffer. Drilling your weakest section moves your placement the most.

What to Expect on Test Day

You take the PERT at a Florida college testing center (or an approved proctored setting). Bring a valid photo ID and arrive early; personal items and phones are stored away from your station.

Because the test is untimed and adaptive, there is no clock pressure — but each question adjusts to your answers, so read carefully and do your best on every item.

Simulating each section with the practice tests below makes the real format feel routine.

How to Use This PERT Practice Test

The PERT rewards broad review plus targeted section work. Get the most from these practice tests with these tips:

Diagnose, then drill. Take a full test first to find your weakest section, then drill it until it improves.
Work math by hand. A calculator is only available on some items — practice the arithmetic and algebra without one.
Read every explanation. Understanding why an answer is right beats memorizing — it transfers to new questions.
Aim above your college’s cut score. Build a buffer so you place into the course you want with room to spare.
Practice close reading. On Reading, base every answer on the passage, not outside knowledge.

Conclusion

Placing into the courses you want comes down to realistic, section-by-section practice. Take the full test to find your weak spots, drill Math, Reading, and Writing until each clears your college’s placement score, and build a comfortable buffer.

These free PERT practice tests are how you get there.

PERT Practice Test FAQ

Each PERT subtest — Mathematics, Reading, and Writing — has 30 questions: 25 operational (scored) items plus 5 unscored field-test items. The test is computer-adaptive and untimed, so you can take as long as you need on each section.

Want the short version before you start the question bank? Our free PERT cheat sheet condenses the highest-yield PERT facts into one quick review for your final week.

PERT question bank

All 454 questions, by domain

A reference copy of every question in this practice test. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to show it. To practice with scoring, timing and your readiness score, use Start Test at the top of the page.

Mathematics (153)

Solve for x: 3x - 7 = 11.
- A.X = 3
- B.X = 6
- C.X = 18
- D.X = 4
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 6
Add 7 to both sides to get 3x = 18, then divide by 3 to get x = 6.
Solve for x: 5(x - 2) = 3x + 4.
- A.X = 3
- B.X = -7
- C.X = 5
- D.X = 7
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 7
Distribute to 5x - 10 = 3x + 4, then 2x = 14, so x = 7.
Solve the inequality: 2x + 5 > 13.
- A.X < 9
- B.X > 4
- C.X > 9
- D.X < 4
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X > 4
Subtract 5 to get 2x > 8, then divide by 2 to get x > 4.
Solve the inequality: $-3x \le 12$ .
- A. $x \ge 4$
- B. $x \ge -4$
- C. $x \le 4$
- D. $x \le -4$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x \ge -4$
Divide both sides by $-3$ and reverse the inequality sign: $x \ge -4$ .
Solve for x: x/4 + 3 = 7.
- A.X = 16
- B.X = 40
- C.X = 1
- D.X = 28
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 16
Subtract 3 to get x/4 = 4, then multiply by 4 to get x = 16.
Solve the quadratic equation: $x^{2} - 5x + 6 = 0$ .
- A.X = -1 or x = -6
- B.X = 1 or x = 6
- C.X = -2 or x = -3
- D.X = 2 or x = 3
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 2 or x = 3
Factor to (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3.
Solve the quadratic equation: $x^{2} - 9 = 0$ .
- A.X = 3 only
- B.X = 9
- C. $x = \pm 3$
- D. $x = \pm 9$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x = \pm 3$
This is a difference of squares: (x - 3)(x + 3) = 0, so x = 3 or x = -3.
Solve the quadratic equation: $x^{2} + 7x + 12 = 0$ .
- A.X = -3 or x = -4
- B.X = -2 or x = -6
- C.X = 2 or x = 6
- D.X = 3 or x = 4
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = -3 or x = -4
Factor to (x + 3)(x + 4) = 0, giving x = -3 or x = -4.
Solve for r in the literal equation $A = \pi r^{2} (r > 0)$ .
- A. $r = \sqrt{A/ \pi}$
- B. $r = A/ \pi$
- C. $r = \sqrt{A \pi}$
- D. $r = (A/ \pi )^{2}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $r = \sqrt{A/ \pi}$
Divide by $\pi$ to get $r^{2} = A/ \pi$ , then take the positive square root: $r = \sqrt{A/ \pi}$ .
Solve the literal equation 2x + 3y = 12 for y.
- A.Y = 4 - 2x
- B.Y = (2x - 12)/3
- C.Y = 12 - 2x
- D.Y = (12 - 2x)/3
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Y = (12 - 2x)/3
Subtract 2x to get 3y = 12 - 2x, then divide by 3: y = (12 - 2x)/3.
Solve for x: |x - 4| = 6.
- A.X = 10 or x = -2
- B.X = 10 or x = 2
- C.X = -10 or x = 2
- D.X = 6 only
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 10 or x = -2
Set x - 4 = 6 (x = 10) and x - 4 = -6 (x = -2).
Solve for x: 4 - 2x = 10.
- A.X = -3
- B.X = 7
- C.X = 3
- D.X = -7
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = -3
Subtract 4 to get -2x = 6, then divide by -2 to get x = -3.
Solve the inequality: (x/3) - 1 < 2.
- A.X < 6
- B.X < 9
- C.X > 9
- D.X < 3
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X < 9
Add 1 to get x/3 < 3, then multiply by 3 to get x < 9.
Solve for x: 6x - 4 = 2x + 16.
- A.X = 3
- B.X = 4
- C.X = 20
- D.X = 5
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 5
Subtract 2x and add 4: 4x = 20, so x = 5.
Solve the quadratic by the quadratic formula: $x^{2} - 4x + 1 = 0$ .
- A. $x = 4 \pm \sqrt{3}$
- B. $x = -2 \pm \sqrt{3}$
- C. $x = 2 \pm \sqrt{3}$
- D. $x = 2 \pm \sqrt{5}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x = 2 \pm \sqrt{3}$
$x = [4 \pm \sqrt{16 - 4}]/2 = [4 \pm \sqrt{12}]/2 = 2 \pm \sqrt{3}$ .
Solve for x: (2/3)x = 8.
- A.X = 12
- B.X = 5.33
- C.X = 16/3
- D.X = 24
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 12
Multiply both sides by $3/2$ : $x = 8 \cdot (3/2) = 12$ .
Solve for h in V = (1/3)Bh.
- A.H = 3V/B
- B.H = VB/3
- C.H = V/(3B)
- D.H = 3VB
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: H = 3V/B
Multiply both sides by 3, then divide by B: h = 3V/B.
Solve the inequality: $-2(x + 1) \ge 8$ .
- A. $x \le 5$
- B. $x \ge 5$
- C. $x \le -5$
- D. $x \ge -5$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x \le -5$
Distribute: $-2x - 2 \ge 8$ , so $-2x \ge 10$ ; divide by $-2$ and flip: $x \le -5$ .
Solve for x: 0.5x + 1.5 = 4.
- A.X = 11
- B.X = 8
- C.X = 2.5
- D.X = 5
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 5
Subtract 1.5 to get 0.5x = 2.5, then divide by 0.5: x = 5.
Solve the quadratic equation: $2x^{2} = 18$ .
- A.X = 3 only
- B. $x = \pm 3$
- C. $x = \pm \sqrt{18}$
- D. $x = \pm 9$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x = \pm 3$
Divide by 2: $x^{2} = 9$ , so $x = \pm 3$ .
Simplify: $(3x^{2})(4x^{3})$ .
- A. $12x^{5}$
- B. $7x^{5}$
- C. $12x^{9}$
- D. $12x^{6}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $12x^{5}$
Multiply coefficients $(3 \cdot 4 = 12)$ and add exponents $(2 + 3 = 5)$ : $12x^{5}$ .
Add: $(2x^{2} + 3x - 5) + (x^{2} - 4x + 2)$ .
- A. $3x^{2} - x - 7$
- B. $x^{2} - x - 3$
- C. $3x^{2} - x - 3$
- D. $3x^{2} + 7x - 3$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $3x^{2} - x - 3$
Combine like terms: $(2+1)x^{2} + (3-4)x + (-5+2) = 3x^{2} - x - 3$ .
Subtract: $(5x^{2} - 2x + 1) - (2x^{2} + 3x - 4)$ .
- A. $3x^{2} + x - 3$
- B. $3x^{2} - 5x - 3$
- C. $3x^{2} - 5x + 5$
- D. $7x^{2} + x - 3$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $3x^{2} - 5x + 5$
Distribute the minus sign: $5x^{2}-2x+1 - 2x^{2}-3x+4 = 3x^{2} - 5x + 5$ .
Multiply: (x + 3)(x - 5).
- A. $x^{2} + 2x - 15$
- B. $x^{2} - 2x - 15$
- C. $x^{2} - 2x + 15$
- D. $x^{2} - 15x - 2$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x^{2} - 2x - 15$
FOIL: $x^{2} - 5x + 3x - 15 = x^{2} - 2x - 15$ .
Multiply: (2x - 1)(3x + 4).
- A. $6x^{2} - 5x - 4$
- B. $6x^{2} + 5x + 4$
- C. $6x^{2} + 5x - 4$
- D. $5x^{2} + 5x - 4$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $6x^{2} + 5x - 4$
FOIL: $6x^{2} + 8x - 3x - 4 = 6x^{2} + 5x - 4$ .
Factor completely: $x^{2} - 16$ .
- A.(x - 16)(x + 1)
- B.(x - 4)(x + 4)
- C.(x - 8)(x + 2)
- D. $(x - 4)^{2}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (x - 4)(x + 4)
Difference of squares: $x^{2} - 16 = (x - 4)(x + 4)$ .
Factor: $x^{2} + 8x + 15$ .
- A.(x + 3)(x + 5)
- B.(x + 1)(x + 15)
- C.(x - 3)(x - 5)
- D.(x + 2)(x + 6)
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (x + 3)(x + 5)
Find two numbers that multiply to 15 and add to 8: 3 and 5, so (x+3)(x+5).
Factor out the greatest common factor: $6x^{3} + 9x^{2}$ .
- A. $3x(2x^{2} + 3x)$
- B. $3x^{2}(2x + 9)$
- C. $6x^{2}(x + 3)$
- D. $3x^{2}(2x + 3)$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $3x^{2}(2x + 3)$
The GCF is $3x^{2}$ ; dividing gives $3x^{2}(2x + 3)$ .
Divide: $(8x^{4}) \div (2x^{2})$ .
- A. $4x^{8}$
- B. $6x^{2}$
- C. $4x^{6}$
- D. $4x^{2}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $4x^{2}$
Divide coefficients $(8/2 = 4)$ and subtract exponents $(4 - 2 = 2)$ : $4x^{2}$ .
Divide: $(6x^{3} - 9x^{2}) \div (3x)$ .
- A. $2x^{2} - 3$
- B. $2x^{2} - 3x$
- C.2x - 3
- D. $2x^{3} - 3x$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $2x^{2} - 3x$
Divide each term by $3x$ : $6x^{3}/3x = 2x^{2}$ and $-9x^{2}/3x = -3x$ , giving $2x^{2} - 3x$ .
Evaluate $2x^{2} - 3x + 1$ when x = 4.
- A.29
- B.9
- C.13
- D.21
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 21
2(16) - 3(4) + 1 = 32 - 12 + 1 = 21.
Simplify: $(x^{3})^{4}$ .
- A. $x^{7}$
- B. $x^{81}$
- C. $4x^{3}$
- D. $x^{12}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x^{12}$
Power of a power: multiply exponents, $3 \cdot 4 = 12$ , giving $x^{12}$ .
Simplify: $x^{7}$ / $x^{3}$ .
- A. $x^{2}$
- B. $x^{4}$
- C. $x^{21}$
- D. $x^{10}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x^{4}$
Subtract exponents when dividing like bases: 7 - 3 = 4, giving $x^{4}$ .
Simplify: $(2x^{2}y)^{3}$ .
- A. $6x^{6}y^{3}$
- B. $8x^{6}y^{3}$
- C. $2x^{6}y^{3}$
- D. $8x^{5}y^{3}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $8x^{6}y^{3}$
Cube each factor: $2^{3} = 8$ , $(x^{2})^{3} = x^{6}$ , $y^{3}$ , giving $8x^{6}y^{3}$ .
Expand: $(x + 4)^{2}$ .
- A. $x^{2} + 8x + 8$
- B. $x^{2} + 16$
- C. $x^{2} + 8x + 16$
- D. $x^{2} + 4x + 16$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $x^{2} + 8x + 16$
$(x + 4)^{2} = x^{2} + 2(4)x + 16 = x^{2} + 8x + 16$ .
Factor: $2x^{2} + 7x + 3$ .
- A.(2x + 3)(x + 1)
- B.(x + 1)(x + 3)
- C.(2x + 1)(x + 3)
- D.(2x - 1)(x - 3)
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (2x + 1)(x + 3)
Check: $(2x + 1)(x + 3) = 2x^{2} + 6x + x + 3 = 2x^{2} + 7x + 3$ .
Simplify: $3x^{2}(x - 2)$ .
- A. $3x^{3} - 2$
- B. $3x^{2} - 6x^{2}$
- C. $3x^{3} - 6x$
- D. $3x^{3} - 6x^{2}$
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $3x^{3} - 6x^{2}$
Distribute: $3x^{2} \cdot x - 3x^{2} \cdot 2 = 3x^{3} - 6x^{2}$ .
Evaluate $(a^{2}b)$ when $a = -2$ and b = 3.
- A.6
- B.12
- C.-12
- D.-6
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 12
$(-2)^{2} = 4$ , then $4 \cdot 3 = 12$ .
What is the slope of the line through (1, 2) and (4, 8)?
- A.2
- B.1/2
- C.6
- D.3
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 2
Slope = (8 - 2)/(4 - 1) = 6/3 = 2.
What is the slope of the line y = -3x + 5?
- A.5
- B.-3
- C.3
- D.-5
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: -3
In slope-intercept form y = mx + b, the slope m is -3.
What is the y-intercept of the line 2x + y = 7?
- A.2
- B.7
- C.-7
- D.3.5
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 7
Set x = 0: y = 7, so the y-intercept is 7.
Find the equation of the line with slope 2 passing through (0, -3).
- A.Y = -3x + 2
- B.Y = 2x + 3
- C.Y = 2x
- D.Y = 2x - 3
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Y = 2x - 3
With slope 2 and y-intercept -3, the line is y = 2x - 3.
What is the distance between (0, 0) and (3, 4)?
- A.12
- B.25
- C.7
- D.5
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 5
Distance $= \sqrt{3^{2} + 4^{2}} = \sqrt{9 + 16} = \sqrt{25} = 5$ .
What is the midpoint of the segment joining (2, 4) and (6, 10)?
- A.(8, 14)
- B.(4, 7)
- C.(4, 6)
- D.(3, 5)
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (4, 7)
Midpoint = ((2+6)/2, (4+10)/2) = (4, 7).
Solve the system: x + y = 10 and x - y = 2.
- A.X = 6, y = 4
- B.X = 8, y = 2
- C.X = 4, y = 6
- D.X = 5, y = 5
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 6, y = 4
Add the equations: 2x = 12, x = 6; then y = 10 - 6 = 4.
Solve the system: 2x + y = 7 and y = x + 1.
- A.X = 1, y = 2
- B.X = 2, y = 5
- C.X = 3, y = 4
- D.X = 2, y = 3
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: X = 2, y = 3
Substitute: 2x + (x + 1) = 7, so 3x = 6, x = 2, and y = 3.
Which point lies on the line y = 2x - 1?
- A.(0, 1)
- B.(2, 5)
- C.(3, 5)
- D.(1, 3)
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (3, 5)
Test (3, 5): 2(3) - 1 = 5, which matches the y-coordinate.
What is the slope of a line parallel to y = 4x + 2?
- A.-1/4
- B.-4
- C.4
- D.1/4
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 4
Parallel lines have equal slopes, so the slope is 4.
What is the slope of a line perpendicular to y = 2x + 1?
- A.-2
- B.1/2
- C.2
- D.-1/2
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: -1/2
Perpendicular slope is the negative reciprocal of 2, which is -1/2.
In which quadrant is the point (-3, 5)?
- A.Quadrant II
- B.Quadrant III
- C.Quadrant I
- D.Quadrant IV
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Quadrant II
Negative x and positive y place the point in Quadrant II.
What is the x-intercept of the line 3x - 6y = 12?
- A.12
- B.4
- C.2
- D.-2
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 4
Set y = 0: 3x = 12, so x = 4.
A line passes through (2, 3) with slope -1. What is its equation?
- A.Y = -x - 5
- B.Y = -x + 1
- C.Y = -x + 5
- D.Y = x + 1
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: Y = -x + 5
Using y - 3 = -1(x - 2): y = -x + 2 + 3 = -x + 5.
A shirt costs $40 and is marked down 25%. What is the sale price?
- A.$30
- B.$35
- C.$15
- D.$25
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $30
25% of $40 is $10, so the sale price is $40 - $10 = $30.
If 3 pounds of apples cost $6, how much do 8 pounds cost at the same rate?
- A.$16
- B.$18
- C.$24
- D.$14
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: $16
Unit price is $6/3 = $2 per pound, so 8 pounds cost 8 $\times$ $2 = $16.
What is 15% of 220?
- A.30
- B.35
- C.22
- D.33
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 33
$0.15 \times 220 = 33$ .
A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours. What is its average speed?
- A.45 mph
- B.90 mph
- C.54 mph
- D.60 mph
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Correct answer: 60 mph
Speed = distance/time = 180/3 = 60 mph.
The ratio of boys to girls in a class is 3:2. If there are 30 students, how many are girls?
- A.15
- B.10
- C.18
- D.12
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Correct answer: 12
The ratio has 5 parts; each part is $30/5 = 6$ , so girls $= 2 \times 6 = 12$ .
A number increased by 8 equals 23. What is the number?
- A.184
- B.16
- C.15
- D.31
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 15
Let n + 8 = 23, so n = 15.
If a recipe needs 2 cups of flour for 12 cookies, how much flour is needed for 30 cookies?
- A.6 cups
- B.3 cups
- C.5 cups
- D.4 cups
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: 5 cups
Set up 2/12 = x/30; cross-multiply: 12x = 60, so x = 5 cups.
A jacket originally priced at $80 is now $100. What is the percent increase?
- A.125%
- B.25%
- C.20%
- D.80%
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Correct answer: 25%
The increase is $20; $20/$80 = 0.25 = 25%.
Twice a number minus 5 is 17. What is the number?
- A.6
- B.12
- C.11
- D.22
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Correct answer: 11
Let 2n - 5 = 17, so 2n = 22 and n = 11.
A worker earns $18 per hour. How much is earned in a 35-hour week?
- A.$700
- B.$600
- C.$630
- D.$530
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Correct answer: $630
$18 \times 35$ = $630.
If 40% of a number is 60, what is the number?
- A.150
- B.100
- C.24
- D.240
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Correct answer: 150
$0.40 \times n = 60$ , so $n = 60/0.40 = 150$ .
A rectangle has length 12 cm and width 5 cm. What is its area?
- A. $17\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- B. $34\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- C. $60\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- D. $120\ \text{cm}^{2}$
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Correct answer: $60\ \text{cm}^{2}$
Area = length $\times$ width $= 12 \times 5 = 60 cm^{2}$ .
The sum of three consecutive integers is 48. What is the largest?
- A.17
- B.15
- C.16
- D.18
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Correct answer: 17
Let the integers be n, n+1, n+2; their sum 3n + 3 = 48 gives n = 15, so the largest is 17.
Solve for x: 5x - 7 = 3x + 9
- A.2
- B.-8
- C.8
- D.4
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Correct answer: 8
Subtract 3x from both sides: 2x - 7 = 9. Add 7: 2x = 16, so x = 8.
Solve for x: 3(x - 4) = 2x + 1
- A.5
- B.11
- C.-13
- D.13
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Correct answer: 13
Distribute: 3x - 12 = 2x + 1. Subtract 2x and add 12: x = 13.
Solve the inequality: 4x + 5 > 21
- A.X < 4
- B.X > 4
- C.X > 6.5
- D.X > 26
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Correct answer: X > 4
Subtract 5: 4x > 16. Divide by 4: x > 4.
Solve for x: $-2x + 8 \ge 14$
- A. $x \ge -3$
- B. $x \le 3$
- C. $x \ge 11$
- D. $x \le -3$
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Correct answer: $x \le -3$
Subtract 8: $-2x \ge 6$ . Divide by $-2$ and flip the sign: $x \le -3$ .
Solve for x: (x/3) + 4 = 10
- A.42
- B.6
- C.2
- D.18
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Correct answer: 18
Subtract 4: x/3 = 6. Multiply by 3: x = 18.
Solve for x: $x^{2} - 5x + 6 = 0$
- A.X = -2 or x = -3
- B.X = 2 or x = 3
- C.X = -1 or x = 6
- D.X = 1 or x = 6
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Correct answer: X = 2 or x = 3
Factor: (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3.
Solve for x: $2x^{2} = 50$
- A. $x = \pm 25$
- B.X = 5
- C. $x = \pm 10$
- D. $x = \pm 5$
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Correct answer: $x = \pm 5$
Divide by 2: $x^{2} = 25$ . Take the square root: $x = \pm 5$ .
Solve for y: 2y + 3 = 5y - 12
- A.9
- B.3
- C.5
- D.-5
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Correct answer: 5
Subtract 2y: 3 = 3y - 12. Add 12: 15 = 3y, so y = 5.
Solve the compound inequality: $-3 < 2x + 1 \le 7$
- A. $-1 < x \le 4$
- B. $-2 < x \le 4$
- C. $-2 \le x < 3$
- D. $-2 < x \le 3$
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Correct answer: $-2 < x \le 3$
Subtract 1 from all parts: $-4 < 2x \le 6$ . Divide by 2: $-2 < x \le 3$ .
Solve for x: |x - 3| = 7
- A.X = 10 or x = -4
- B.X = 10 or x = 4
- C.X = -10 or x = 4
- D.X = 4 only
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Correct answer: X = 10 or x = -4
Set x - 3 = 7 giving x = 10, or x - 3 = -7 giving x = -4.
If 0.5x - 1.5 = 4, what is x?
- A.11
- B.8
- C.5
- D.2.5
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Correct answer: 11
Add 1.5: 0.5x = 5.5. Divide by 0.5: x = 11.
Solve for x: 7 - 2x = 3x - 8
- A.5
- B.3
- C.-3
- D.1
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Correct answer: 3
Add 2x: 7 = 5x - 8. Add 8: 15 = 5x, so x = 3.
Solve for x in terms of a and b: $ax - b = 0 (a \ne 0)$
- A.X = -b/a
- B.X = ab
- C.X = b/a
- D.X = a/b
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Correct answer: X = b/a
Add b: ax = b. Divide by a: x = b/a.
Solve the system: 2x + 3y = 12 and x = 3
- A.Y = 2
- B.Y = 3
- C.Y = 4
- D.Y = 6
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Correct answer: Y = 2
Substitute x = 3: 6 + 3y = 12, so 3y = 6 and y = 2.
For what values of x is the inequality 5 - x < 2 true?
- A.X > 3
- B.X < 7
- C.X < 3
- D.X > 7
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Correct answer: X > 3
Subtract 5: -x < -3. Divide by -1 and flip: x > 3.
Simplify: $(3x^{2}y)(4xy^{3})$
- A. $12x^{3}y^{4}$
- B. $7x^{3}y^{4}$
- C. $12x^{2}y^{3}$
- D. $12x^{3}y^{3}$
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Correct answer: $12x^{3}y^{4}$
Multiply coefficients: $3 \cdot 4 = 12$ . Add exponents: $x^{2+1}=x^{3}$ , $y^{1+3}=y^{4}$ . Result: $12x^{3}y^{4}$ .
Expand: (x + 5)(x - 2)
- A. $x^{2} + 3x - 10$
- B. $x^{2} + 7x - 10$
- C. $x^{2} + 3x + 10$
- D. $x^{2} - 3x - 10$
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Correct answer: $x^{2} + 3x - 10$
FOIL: $x^{2} - 2x + 5x - 10 = x^{2} + 3x - 10$ .
Simplify: (2x + 3) + (5x - 7)
- A.7x - 10
- B.7x - 4
- C.7x + 4
- D.3x - 4
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Correct answer: 7x - 4
Combine like terms: 2x + 5x = 7x and 3 - 7 = -4, giving 7x - 4.
Subtract: $(4x^{2} - x + 6) - (x^{2} + 3x - 2)$
- A. $3x^{2} - 4x + 4$
- B. $3x^{2} + 2x + 4$
- C. $3x^{2} - 4x + 8$
- D. $5x^{2} - 4x + 8$
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Correct answer: $3x^{2} - 4x + 8$
Distribute the minus: $4x^{2} - x + 6 - x^{2} - 3x + 2 = 3x^{2} - 4x + 8$ .
Factor completely: $x^{2} - 9$
- A.(x - 9)(x + 1)
- B.(x - 3)(x + 3)
- C. $(x + 3)^{2}$
- D. $(x - 3)^{2}$
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Correct answer: (x - 3)(x + 3)
This is a difference of squares: $x^{2} - 9 = (x - 3)(x + 3)$ .
Factor: $2x^{2} + 8x$
- A.2x(x + 8)
- B. $2(x^{2} + 4)$
- C.X(2x + 8)
- D.2x(x + 4)
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Correct answer: 2x(x + 4)
The greatest common factor is $2x$ : $2x^{2} + 8x = 2x(x + 4)$ .
Expand: $(2x - 3)^{2}$
- A. $2x^{2} - 12x + 9$
- B. $4x^{2} - 12x + 9$
- C. $4x^{2} - 6x + 9$
- D. $4x^{2} + 9$
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Correct answer: $4x^{2} - 12x + 9$
$(2x - 3)^{2} = (2x)^{2} - 2(2x)(3) + 3^{2} = 4x^{2} - 12x + 9$ .
Factor: $x^{2} + 7x + 12$
- A.(x + 1)(x + 12)
- B.(x + 2)(x + 6)
- C.(x + 3)(x + 4)
- D.(x - 3)(x - 4)
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Correct answer: (x + 3)(x + 4)
Find two numbers multiplying to 12 and adding to 7: 3 and 4. So (x + 3)(x + 4).
Multiply: $3x(2x^{2} - 4x + 5)$
- A. $6x^{2} - 12x + 15$
- B. $6x^{3} - 4x + 5$
- C. $5x^{3} - 12x^{2} + 15x$
- D. $6x^{3} - 12x^{2} + 15x$
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Correct answer: $6x^{3} - 12x^{2} + 15x$
Distribute $3x$ to each term: $6x^{3} - 12x^{2} + 15x$ .
Simplify: $(12x^{4}y^{2})/(4x^{2}y)$
- A. $3x^{6}y^{3}$
- B. $3x^{2}y$
- C. $8x^{2}y$
- D. $3x^{2}y^{2}$
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Correct answer: $3x^{2}y$
Divide coefficients $(12/4=3)$ and subtract exponents: $x^{4-2}=x^{2}$ , $y^{2-1}=y$ . Result: $3x^{2}y$ .
Factor: $3x^{2} - 7x + 2$
- A.(3x + 1)(x - 2)
- B.(x - 3)(3x - 2)
- C.(3x - 2)(x - 1)
- D.(3x - 1)(x - 2)
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Correct answer: (3x - 1)(x - 2)
$(3x - 1)(x - 2) = 3x^{2} - 6x - x + 2 = 3x^{2} - 7x + 2$ .
Simplify: 2(x - 3) - 4(2x + 1)
- A.-6x - 10
- B.-6x + 2
- C.6x - 10
- D.-6x - 2
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Correct answer: -6x - 10
Distribute: 2x - 6 - 8x - 4 = -6x - 10.
Expand: $(x + 4)(x^{2} - 2x + 1)$
- A. $x^{3} + 2x^{2} - 7x + 4$
- B. $x^{3} - 2x^{2} + x + 4$
- C. $x^{3} + 2x^{2} + 7x + 4$
- D. $x^{3} + 6x^{2} - 7x + 4$
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Correct answer: $x^{3} + 2x^{2} - 7x + 4$
Distribute: $x^{3} - 2x^{2} + x + 4x^{2} - 8x + 4 = x^{3} + 2x^{2} - 7x + 4$ .
Find the slope of the line through (2, 3) and (6, 11).
- A.4
- B.8
- C.2
- D.1/2
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Correct answer: 2
Slope = (11 - 3)/(6 - 2) = 8/4 = 2.
What is the y-intercept of the line y = -3x + 7?
- A.-7
- B.7
- C.3
- D.-3
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Correct answer: 7
In y = mx + b form, b is the y-intercept, which is 7.
Find the midpoint of the segment from (-2, 4) to (6, -8).
- A.(2, -2)
- B.(-2, 2)
- C.(4, -4)
- D.(2, 2)
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Correct answer: (2, -2)
Midpoint = ((-2+6)/2, (4+(-8))/2) = (2, -2).
What is the distance between (1, 2) and (4, 6)?
- A.5
- B.25
- C. $\sqrt{7}$
- D.7
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Correct answer: 5
Distance $= \sqrt{(4-1)^{2} + (6-2)^{2}} = \sqrt{9 + 16} = \sqrt{25} = 5$ .
Which line is parallel to y = 2x - 5?
- A.Y = -2x - 5
- B.Y = 2x + 1
- C.Y = -(1/2)x
- D.Y = (1/2)x + 3
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Correct answer: Y = 2x + 1
Parallel lines have equal slopes. y = 2x + 1 has slope 2, matching the original.
What is the slope of a line perpendicular to y = (3/4)x + 2?
- A.3/4
- B.-4/3
- C.4/3
- D.-3/4
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Correct answer: -4/3
Perpendicular slopes are negative reciprocals: the negative reciprocal of 3/4 is -4/3.
Find the x-intercept of 2x + 5y = 10.
- A.(5, 0)
- B.(2, 0)
- C.(0, 5)
- D.(0, 2)
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Correct answer: (5, 0)
Set y = 0: 2x = 10, so x = 5. The x-intercept is (5, 0).
Write the equation of the line with slope 3 passing through (0, -4).
- A.Y = 3x - 4
- B.Y = 3x
- C.Y = -4x + 3
- D.Y = 3x + 4
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Correct answer: Y = 3x - 4
With slope 3 and y-intercept -4, the equation is y = 3x - 4.
In which quadrant does the point (-5, -2) lie?
- A.Quadrant III
- B.Quadrant I
- C.Quadrant IV
- D.Quadrant II
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Correct answer: Quadrant III
Both coordinates are negative, which places the point in Quadrant III.
A line passes through (1, 5) with slope -2. What is y when x = 4?
- A.11
- B.-1
- C.-3
- D.1
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Correct answer: -1
Equation: y - 5 = -2(x - 1), so y = -2x + 7. At x = 4: y = -8 + 7 = -1.
A car travels 240 miles in 4 hours. At this rate, how far will it travel in 7 hours?
- A.480 miles
- B.350 miles
- C.400 miles
- D.420 miles
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Correct answer: 420 miles
Rate $= 240/4 = 60$ mph. Distance in 7 hours $= 60 \times 7 = 420$ miles.
The sum of three consecutive integers is 72. What is the largest?
- A.23
- B.25
- C.26
- D.24
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Correct answer: 25
Let the integers be n, n+1, n+2. Then 3n + 3 = 72, so n = 23 and the largest is 25.
If 3 pounds of apples cost $4.50, what is the cost of 8 pounds?
- A.$13.50
- B.$10.50
- C.$12.00
- D.$11.00
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Correct answer: $12.00
Unit price $= 4.50/3$ = $1.50 per pound. For 8 pounds: $8 \times 1.50$ = $12.00.
A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a width of 7 cm. What is its area?
- A. $84\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- B. $42\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- C. $19\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- D. $38\ \text{cm}^{2}$
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Correct answer: $84\ \text{cm}^{2}$
Area = length $\times$ width $= 12 \times 7 = 84 cm^{2}$ .
Maria scored 85, 90, and 95 on three tests. What is her average score?
- A.85
- B.90
- C.92
- D.88
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Correct answer: 90
Average = (85 + 90 + 95)/3 = 270/3 = 90.
A recipe needs 2 cups of flour for 12 cookies. How much flour is needed for 30 cookies?
- A.3 cups
- B.4 cups
- C.5 cups
- D.6 cups
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Correct answer: 5 cups
Flour per cookie $= 2/12 = 1/6$ cup. For 30 cookies: $30 \times (1/6) = 5$ cups.
A number increased by 18 equals three times the number. What is the number?
- A.6
- B.9
- C.18
- D.12
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Correct answer: 9
Let the number be n: n + 18 = 3n, so 18 = 2n and n = 9.
A $200 deposit earns 5% simple interest per year. How much interest is earned in 3 years?
- A.$30
- B.$45
- C.$15
- D.$10
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Correct answer: $30
Simple interest = principal $\times$ rate $\times$ time $= 200 \times 0.05 \times 3$ = $30.
A train leaves at 9:00 AM traveling 50 mph. How far has it traveled by 1:30 PM?
- A.225 miles
- B.200 miles
- C.250 miles
- D.175 miles
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Correct answer: 225 miles
Time elapsed = 4.5 hours. Distance $= 50 \times 4.5 = 225$ miles.
Solve for x: 7x + 2 = 4x + 20.
- A.X = 4
- B.X = 22/11
- C.X = 6
- D.X = 18
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Correct answer: X = 6
The correct answer is x = 6. Subtract 4x from both sides to get 3x + 2 = 20, subtract 2 to get 3x = 18, then divide by 3.
Solve the inequality: 3x - 8 < 7.
- A.X > 5
- B.X < -5
- C.X < 5
- D.X > 15
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Correct answer: X < 5
The correct answer is x < 5. Add 8 to both sides to get 3x < 15, then divide by 3, keeping the inequality direction since dividing by a positive.
Solve the inequality: -4x > 20.
- A.X > 5
- B.X > -5
- C.X < -5
- D.X < 5
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Correct answer: X < -5
The correct answer is x < -5. Divide both sides by -4 and reverse the inequality sign because you are dividing by a negative number.
Solve for x: 2(3x - 1) = 4(x + 3).
- A.X = 5
- B.X = 2
- C.X = -7
- D.X = 7
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Correct answer: X = 7
The correct answer is x = 7. Distribute to get 6x - 2 = 4x + 12, subtract 4x to get 2x - 2 = 12, add 2 to get 2x = 14, then divide.
Solve the quadratic equation: $x^{2} - 7x + 10 = 0$ .
- A.X = -2 or x = -5
- B.X = 1 or x = 10
- C.X = 2 or x = 5
- D.X = 3 or x = 4
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Correct answer: X = 2 or x = 5
The correct answer is x = 2 or x = 5. Factor into (x - 2)(x - 5) = 0, so each factor set to zero gives the solutions.
Solve the quadratic equation: $x^{2} - 25 = 0$ .
- A.X = 5 only
- B. $x = \pm 25$
- C. $x = \pm 5$
- D.X = -5 only
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Correct answer: $x = \pm 5$
The correct answer is $x = \pm 5$ . This is a difference of squares, factoring to $(x - 5)(x + 5) = 0$ , giving both positive and negative roots.
Solve the quadratic equation: $x^{2} + 3x - 10 = 0$ .
- A.X = 5 or x = -2
- B.X = -5 or x = -2
- C.X = 5 or x = 2
- D.X = -5 or x = 2
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Correct answer: X = -5 or x = 2
The correct answer is x = -5 or x = 2. Factor into (x + 5)(x - 2) = 0, then set each factor equal to zero.
Solve for b in the formula P = 2L + 2b.
- A.B = P - 2L
- B.B = (P - 2L)/2
- C.B = P/2 - L
- D.B = (P - 2L)/2 and b = P/2 - L are both correct
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Correct answer: B = (P - 2L)/2 and b = P/2 - L are both correct
The correct answer is that b = (P - 2L)/2 and b = P/2 - L are both correct. Subtract 2L from both sides then divide by 2; distributing the division shows the two forms are equivalent.
Solve for x: |2x - 1| = 9.
- A.X = 5 only
- B.X = 5 or x = -4
- C.X = 4 or x = -5
- D.X = -4 only
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Correct answer: X = 5 or x = -4
The correct answer is x = 5 or x = -4. Set 2x - 1 = 9 giving x = 5, and 2x - 1 = -9 giving x = -4.
Solve the inequality: $(x + 6)/4 \ge 3$ .
- A. $x \le 6$
- B. $x \ge 18$
- C. $x \le -6$
- D. $x \ge 6$
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Correct answer: $x \ge 6$
The correct answer is $x \ge 6$ . Multiply both sides by 4 to get $x + 6 \ge 12$ , then subtract 6.
Solve for x: 8x + 5 = 5x - 7.
- A.X = 4
- B.X = -4
- C.X = 12
- D.X = -12
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Correct answer: X = -4
The correct answer is x = -4. Subtract 5x to get 3x + 5 = -7, subtract 5 to get 3x = -12, then divide by 3.
Solve by the quadratic formula: $x^{2} + 6x + 4 = 0$ .
- A. $x = 3 \pm \sqrt{5}$
- B. $x = -6 \pm \sqrt{5}$
- C. $x = -3 \pm \sqrt{13}$
- D. $x = -3 \pm \sqrt{5}$
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Correct answer: $x = -3 \pm \sqrt{5}$
The correct answer is $x = -3 \pm \sqrt{5}$ . With $a=1$ , $b=6$ , $c=4$ , the discriminant is 36 - 16 = 20, so $x = (-6 \pm \sqrt{20})/2 = -3 \pm \sqrt{5}$ .
Solve for x: (3/5)x = 12.
- A.X = 7.2
- B.X = 20
- C.X = 36
- D.X = 4
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Correct answer: X = 20
The correct answer is x = 20. Multiply both sides by the reciprocal $5/3$ , giving $x = 12 \times 5/3 = 20$ .
Solve for r in d = rt for r.
- A.R = dt
- B.R = t/d
- C.R = d/t
- D.R = d - t
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Correct answer: R = d/t
The correct answer is r = d/t. Divide both sides of d = rt by t to isolate r.
Solve the inequality: -3(x - 2) < 9.
- A.X < -1
- B.X > -1
- C.X < 1
- D.X > 1
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Correct answer: X > -1
The correct answer is x > -1. Distribute to get -3x + 6 < 9, subtract 6 to get -3x < 3, then divide by -3 and reverse the sign.
Solve for x: 0.25x + 2 = 5.5.
- A.X = 12
- B.X = 30
- C.X = 3.5
- D.X = 14
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Correct answer: X = 14
The correct answer is x = 14. Subtract 2 to get 0.25x = 3.5, then divide by 0.25 (equivalent to multiplying by 4).
Solve the quadratic equation: $3x^{2} = 48$ .
- A.X = 16
- B. $x = \pm 16$
- C. $x = \pm 8$
- D. $x = \pm 4$
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Correct answer: $x = \pm 4$
The correct answer is $x = \pm 4$ . Divide both sides by 3 to get $x^{2} = 16$ , then take the square root, giving both signs.
Simplify: $(5x^{3})(2x^{4})$ .
- A. $10x^{12}$
- B. $7x^{7}$
- C. $10x^{7} + 7$
- D. $10x^{7}$
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Correct answer: $10x^{7}$
The correct answer is $10x^{7}$ . Multiply coefficients $5 \times 2 = 10$ and add exponents 3 + 4 = 7 by the product rule.
Add: $(4x^{2} - x + 6) + (2x^{2} + 5x - 3)$ .
- A. $6x^{2} + 6x + 3$
- B. $6x^{4} + 4x + 3$
- C. $2x^{2} + 4x + 3$
- D. $6x^{2} + 4x + 3$
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Correct answer: $6x^{2} + 4x + 3$
The correct answer is $6x^{2} + 4x + 3$ . Combine like terms: $4x^{2} + 2x^{2} = 6x^{2}$ , $-x + 5x = 4x$ , and 6 - 3 = 3.
Subtract: $(7x^{2} + 2x - 1) - (3x^{2} - 4x + 5)$ .
- A. $4x^{2} - 2x - 6$
- B. $4x^{2} + 6x - 6$
- C. $4x^{2} + 6x + 4$
- D. $10x^{2} - 2x + 4$
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Correct answer: $4x^{2} + 6x - 6$
The correct answer is $4x^{2} + 6x - 6$ . Distribute the minus sign then combine: $7x^{2} - 3x^{2} = 4x^{2}$ , $2x + 4x = 6x$ , $-1 - 5 = -6$ .
Multiply: (x - 6)(x + 2).
- A. $x^{2} - 4x - 12$
- B. $x^{2} + 4x - 12$
- C. $x^{2} - 8x - 12$
- D. $x^{2} - 4x + 12$
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Correct answer: $x^{2} - 4x - 12$
The correct answer is $x^{2} - 4x - 12$ . Using FOIL: $x^{2} + 2x - 6x - 12 = x^{2} - 4x - 12$ .
Multiply: (3x + 2)(2x - 5).
- A. $6x^{2} - 11x - 10$
- B. $6x^{2} + 11x - 10$
- C. $6x^{2} - 11x + 10$
- D. $5x^{2} - 11x - 10$
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Correct answer: $6x^{2} - 11x - 10$
The correct answer is $6x^{2} - 11x - 10$ . FOIL gives $6x^{2} - 15x + 4x - 10$ , and $-15x + 4x = -11x$ .
Factor completely: $x^{2} - 49$ .
- A.(x - 7)(x - 7)
- B.(x - 7)(x + 7)
- C.(x + 7)(x + 7)
- D.(x - 49)(x + 1)
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Correct answer: (x - 7)(x + 7)
The correct answer is $(x - 7)(x + 7)$ . This is a difference of squares, where $x^{2} - 49 = x^{2} - 7^{2}$ factors as $(x - 7)(x + 7)$ .
Factor: $x^{2} - 2x - 15$ .
- A.(x - 5)(x + 3)
- B.(x + 5)(x - 3)
- C.(x - 5)(x - 3)
- D.(x + 5)(x + 3)
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Correct answer: (x - 5)(x + 3)
The correct answer is (x - 5)(x + 3). The factors of -15 that add to -2 are -5 and +3.
Factor out the greatest common factor: $8x^{4} - 12x^{2}$ .
- A. $4x^{2}(2x^{2} - 3)$
- B. $2x^{2}(4x^{2} - 6)$
- C. $4x(2x^{3} - 3x)$
- D. $4x^{2}(2x - 3)$
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Correct answer: $4x^{2}(2x^{2} - 3)$
The correct answer is $4x^{2}(2x^{2} - 3)$ . The GCF of $8x^{4}$ and $12x^{2}$ is $4x^{2}$ , leaving $2x^{2} - 3$ inside.
Divide: $(15x^{5}) \div (5x^{2})$ .
- A. $3x^{3}$
- B. $3x^{7}$
- C. $10x^{3}$
- D. $3x^{2.5}$
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Correct answer: $3x^{3}$
The correct answer is $3x^{3}$ . Divide coefficients $15 \div 5 = 3$ and subtract exponents 5 - 2 = 3.
Divide: $(12x^{4} - 8x^{3}) \div (4x^{2})$ .
- A. $3x^{2} - 2x$
- B. $3x^{2} - 8x$
- C. $3x^{4} - 2x^{3}$
- D. $3x^{2} - 2$
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Correct answer: $3x^{2} - 2x$
The correct answer is $3x^{2} - 2x$ . Divide each term by $4x^{2}$ : $12x^{4}/4x^{2} = 3x^{2}$ and $8x^{3}/4x^{2} = 2x$ .
Evaluate $3x^{2} - 2x + 5$ when $x = -2$ .
- A.13
- B.21
- C.1
- D.9
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Correct answer: 21
The correct answer is 21. Substitute x = -2: 3(4) - 2(-2) + 5 = 12 + 4 + 5 = 21.
Simplify: $(3x^{4}y^{2})^{2}$ .
- A. $9x^{8}y^{4}$
- B. $6x^{8}y^{4}$
- C. $9x^{6}y^{4}$
- D. $3x^{8}y^{4}$
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Correct answer: $9x^{8}y^{4}$
The correct answer is $9x^{8}y^{4}$ . Square the coefficient $(3^{2} = 9)$ and multiply each exponent by 2.
Expand: $(x - 5)^{2}$ .
- A. $x^{2} - 25$
- B. $x^{2} - 10x + 25$
- C. $x^{2} + 10x + 25$
- D. $x^{2} - 10x - 25$
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Correct answer: $x^{2} - 10x + 25$
The correct answer is $x^{2} - 10x + 25$ . Using $(a - b)^{2} = a^{2} - 2ab + b^{2}$ : $x^{2} - 2(5)x + 25$ .
Find the slope of the line through (-1, 4) and (3, -8).
- A.3
- B.-3
- C.-1/3
- D.-4
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Correct answer: -3
The correct answer is -3. Slope is (y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁) = (-8 - 4)/(3 - (-1)) = -12/4 = -3.
If $f(x) = 2x^{2} - 3x + 1$ , what is $f(3)$ ?
- A.10
- B.1
- C.28
- D.19
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Correct answer: 10
The correct answer is 10. Substitute x = 3: 2(9) - 3(3) + 1 = 18 - 9 + 1 = 10.
Solve the system by elimination: 2x + 3y = 13 and 2x - y = 1.
- A.X = 1, y = 3
- B.X = 4, y = 3
- C.X = 2, y = 3
- D.X = 3, y = 1
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Correct answer: X = 2, y = 3
The correct answer is x = 2, y = 3. Subtracting the second equation from the first gives 4y = 12, so y = 3; substituting into 2x - y = 1 gives 2x = 4, so x = 2.
What is the y-intercept of the line 4x - 2y = 8?
- A.Y = 8
- B.Y = 2
- C.Y = -8
- D.Y = -4
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Correct answer: Y = -4
The correct answer is y = -4. Set x = 0 to get -2y = 8, then divide by -2 to find the y-intercept.
Simplify the rational expression: $(x^{2} - 9)/(x - 3)$ , where $x \ne 3$ .
- A.X - 3
- B. $x^{2} - 6$
- C.X + 3
- D.X - 9
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Correct answer: X + 3
The correct answer is x + 3. Factor the numerator as (x - 3)(x + 3), then cancel the common (x - 3) factor.
Write the equation of the line with slope -2 that passes through (0, 5).
- A.Y = 5x - 2
- B.Y = 2x + 5
- C.Y = -2x + 5
- D.Y = -2x - 5
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Correct answer: Y = -2x + 5
The correct answer is y = -2x + 5. In slope-intercept form y = mx + b, the slope m = -2 and the y-intercept b = 5.
Solve for x: 4(x + 1) - 2 = 2(x + 5).
- A.X = 4
- B.X = 2
- C.X = -2
- D.X = 6
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Correct answer: X = 4
The correct answer is x = 4. Distribute to get 4x + 4 - 2 = 2x + 10, simplify to 4x + 2 = 2x + 10, then 2x = 8, so x = 4.
Simplify and write with a positive exponent: $5x^{-2}$
- A. $5/x^{2}$
- B. $-5x^{2}$
- C. $1/(5x^{2})$
- D. $x^{2}/5$
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Correct answer: $5/x^{2}$
The answer is $5/x^{2}$ . A negative exponent moves only its base to the denominator, so $x^{-2}$ becomes $1/x^{2}$ ; the coefficient 5 stays in the numerator, giving $5/x^{2}$ .
A laptop's price dropped from $600 to $480. What was the percent decrease?
- A.20%
- B.25%
- C.12%
- D.80%
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Correct answer: 20%
The answer is 20%. The amount of decrease is 600 − 480 = 120, and percent decrease equals the change divided by the original price: 120/600 = 0.20, or 20%.
Solve the system by substitution: y = 2x and 3x + y = 25.
- A.X = 5, y = 10
- B.X = 4, y = 8
- C.X = 10, y = 5
- D.X = 5, y = 15
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Correct answer: X = 5, y = 10
The answer is x = 5, y = 10. Substitute y = 2x into 3x + y = 25 to get 3x + 2x = 5x = 25, so x = 5; then y = 2(5) = 10.
A circle has a radius of 6 cm. What is its area in terms of $\pi$ ?
- A. $36 \pi\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- B. $12 \pi\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- C. $6 \pi\ \text{cm}^{2}$
- D. $18 \pi\ \text{cm}^{2}$
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Correct answer: $36 \pi\ \text{cm}^{2}$
The answer is $36 \pi cm^{2}$ . The area of a circle is $A = \pi r^{2}$ , and with r = 6, $A = \pi (6)^{2} = \pi (36) = 36 \pi cm^{2}$ .

Reading (151)

The arrival of refrigerated rail cars in the late 1800s transformed how Americans ate. Before this invention, fresh meat and produce spoiled quickly and could travel only short distances. Suddenly, beef from Chicago and oranges from Florida could reach distant cities still fresh. As a result, regional diets that had once depended on local farms began to look much the same from coast to coast. Which statement best expresses the main idea of the passage?
- A.Trains were the only form of long-distance transportation in the 1800s.
- B.Chicago was the most important center of the meat industry in the 1800s.
- C.Fresh produce spoils faster than fresh meat does.
- D.Refrigerated rail cars made Americans' diets more uniform across the country.
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Correct answer: Refrigerated rail cars made Americans' diets more uniform across the country.
The passage repeatedly emphasizes how refrigerated cars let distant foods travel fresh, ending with diets becoming 'much the same from coast to coast.' That nationwide effect is the central idea, not the supporting detail about Chicago.
Honeybees do far more than make honey. As they move from flower to flower, they carry pollen that allows many plants to produce fruit and seeds. Without this pollination, supermarkets would lose a large share of the fruits and vegetables they stock. Many farmers now rent beehives each spring simply to ensure their crops will grow. The main idea of this paragraph is best stated as which of the following?
- A.Supermarkets sell more vegetables than fruit.
- B.Honeybees are valuable mainly because of the pollination they provide for crops.
- C.Farmers dislike renting beehives because it is expensive.
- D.Honey is the most profitable product that bees create.
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Correct answer: Honeybees are valuable mainly because of the pollination they provide for crops.
The paragraph opens by saying bees do 'far more than make honey' and then explains pollination's importance to crops, even noting farmers rent hives for it. The central idea is the value of pollination.
Many people believe that yawning is simply a sign of boredom. Recent studies, however, suggest that yawning may help cool the brain when it becomes too warm. Researchers found that people yawn more often in warm rooms than in cool ones. This evidence points to a physical purpose rather than a purely emotional one. What is the central point of the passage?
- A.People are bored more often in warm rooms than in cool rooms.
- B.Boredom is the main cause of yawning.
- C.Yawning may serve a physical cooling function rather than only signaling boredom.
- D.Scientists have proven exactly why humans yawn.
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Correct answer: Yawning may serve a physical cooling function rather than only signaling boredom.
The passage contrasts the common 'boredom' belief with research suggesting a brain-cooling purpose, making the physical-function idea the main point. The other choices misread or overstate the text.
Volunteering offers benefits that reach beyond the people being helped. Studies show that those who volunteer regularly report lower stress and a greater sense of purpose. Some even find that volunteering leads to new friendships and job opportunities. In this way, giving time to others often rewards the giver as well. Which sentence best summarizes the passage as a whole?
- A.Volunteering is the best way to find a new job.
- B.Most volunteers are motivated only by friendship.
- C.Volunteering tends to benefit the volunteer as much as those being helped.
- D.People who volunteer never feel stressed.
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Correct answer: Volunteering tends to benefit the volunteer as much as those being helped.
The passage frames volunteering as having benefits 'beyond the people being helped' and closes by saying it 'rewards the giver as well,' making mutual benefit the summary. The other options overstate single details.
She arrived an hour early, having reviewed her notes three times on the train. Her resume was printed on heavy paper and tucked into a clean folder. She had researched the company's history and rehearsed answers to likely questions the night before. When the interviewer finally called her name, she stood up with a steady smile. The implied main idea of the passage is that:
- A.The company had a long and complicated history.
- B.The interview took place on a train.
- C.The woman was thoroughly prepared for her job interview.
- D.The woman was nervous and unprepared.
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Correct answer: The woman was thoroughly prepared for her job interview.
Although the paragraph never states it directly, every detail (early arrival, reviewed notes, research, rehearsal, steady smile) signals careful preparation. The implied main idea is the woman's thorough readiness.
Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they support roughly a quarter of all marine species. These crowded underwater communities provide food and shelter for fish, crabs, and countless smaller creatures. When reefs are damaged by warming water or pollution, the animals that depend on them suffer too. Protecting reefs therefore protects a vast web of ocean life. What is the best title for this passage?
- A.The History of Ocean Exploration
- B.Coral Reefs: Small Habitats With Enormous Importance
- C.Why Ocean Water Is Getting Warmer
- D.How Crabs Build Their Shells
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Correct answer: Coral Reefs: Small Habitats With Enormous Importance
The passage stresses that reefs are tiny in area yet support a huge share of marine life, so a title highlighting their small size and large importance fits best. The other titles cover details the passage does not address.
Learning a second language as an adult is harder than learning one as a child, but it is far from impossible. Adults can draw on strong reasoning skills and a lifetime of vocabulary in their first language. With regular practice and exposure, many adults reach a high level of fluency. Difficulty, in other words, is not the same as defeat. Which statement expresses the main idea of the passage?
- A.Fluency is impossible for anyone over a certain age.
- B.Children always learn languages faster than adults can.
- C.Adults can successfully learn a second language despite the added difficulty.
- D.Reasoning skills are useless when learning a language.
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Correct answer: Adults can successfully learn a second language despite the added difficulty.
The passage acknowledges adult language learning is harder but emphasizes it is achievable, ending with 'difficulty is not the same as defeat.' The main idea is adult success despite difficulty.
Public libraries today offer much more than books. Many lend out tools, musical instruments, and even telescopes. They host job-search workshops, free tax help, and after-school programs for children. The modern library has quietly become a center for the whole community. The main idea of the passage is that:
- A.Telescopes are the most popular item libraries lend.
- B.Children use libraries more than adults do.
- C.Modern public libraries serve as broad community centers, not just book lenders.
- D.Libraries should stop lending books to save money.
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Correct answer: Modern public libraries serve as broad community centers, not just book lenders.
The passage lists many non-book services and concludes the library has become a 'center for the whole community,' which is the main idea. The other choices distort or invent details.
A sudden burst of exercise can do more harm than good for someone who has been inactive for years. Muscles and joints that are not used to strain may be injured easily. Doctors recommend starting slowly, with short walks or gentle stretches. Building up gradually allows the body to adapt safely. Which of the following best states the main idea?
- A.Walking is the only safe form of exercise.
- B.Exercise is dangerous for everyone.
- C.Stretching prevents all injuries.
- D.People who have been inactive should begin exercising gradually rather than intensely.
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Correct answer: People who have been inactive should begin exercising gradually rather than intensely.
The passage warns against sudden intense exercise for the inactive and advises a gradual start, making 'begin gradually' the main idea. The other options overgeneralize the warning.
For nearly a century, families lived on the rocky island to keep the lighthouse burning. In 1965, an automatic light was installed that required no human attention. With the new technology in place, the keepers were no longer needed and moved back to the mainland. The old keeper's cottage now stands empty. According to the passage, why did the lighthouse keepers leave the island?
- A.An automatic light made human keepers unnecessary.
- B.The lighthouse was closed permanently in 1965.
- C.The families disliked living on the island.
- D.A storm destroyed the lighthouse.
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Correct answer: An automatic light made human keepers unnecessary.
The passage states an automatic light was installed in 1965 and 'the keepers were no longer needed,' directly giving the reason they left. The other options are not supported by the text.
Octopuses are among the most intelligent animals in the ocean. In laboratory tanks, they have learned to open jars to reach food inside. Some have escaped their enclosures by squeezing through tiny gaps and crawling across the floor. Researchers have even watched octopuses use coconut shells as portable shelters. Which detail from the passage supports the idea that octopuses are intelligent?
- A.They have eight arms.
- B.They are studied in laboratories.
- C.They live in the ocean.
- D.They have learned to open jars to reach food.
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Correct answer: They have learned to open jars to reach food.
Opening jars to solve a problem is direct evidence of intelligence. Living in the ocean and being studied are not signs of intelligence, and arm count is not mentioned.
Bamboo grows faster than almost any other plant, sometimes more than three feet in a single day. Despite its light weight, it is remarkably strong and flexible. Builders in many countries use it for scaffolding and even for entire homes. Because it regrows so quickly, it is also considered environmentally friendly. According to the passage, what makes bamboo a useful building material?
- A.It grows only in cold climates.
- B.It is light yet strong and flexible.
- C.It cannot bend without breaking.
- D.It is heavier than most woods.
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Correct answer: It is light yet strong and flexible.
The passage states bamboo is 'light weight' yet 'remarkably strong and flexible,' which explains its usefulness for building. The other options contradict the text.
The town's farmers market opens every Saturday from May through October. Vendors sell fresh vegetables, baked goods, and handmade crafts. Local musicians often perform near the entrance while shoppers browse. Many families treat the visit as a weekend tradition. Which statement is supported by details in the passage?
- A.Only vegetables are sold at the market.
- B.The market has no entertainment.
- C.The market operates only during certain months of the year.
- D.The market is open every day of the week.
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Correct answer: The market operates only during certain months of the year.
The passage says the market runs 'May through October,' supporting that it operates only during certain months. The other choices conflict with the stated details.
The storm hit the coast just after midnight. Winds tore the roofs off several houses and uprooted trees along Main Street. By morning, more than half the town had lost electrical power. Crews worked for three days to clear the streets. Which detail best supports the claim that the storm was severe?
- A.Crews worked during the day.
- B.The storm arrived just after midnight.
- C.The storm hit the coast.
- D.Winds tore the roofs off several houses.
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Correct answer: Winds tore the roofs off several houses.
Roofs being torn off houses is concrete evidence of severity. The timing and location of the storm say nothing about how strong it was.
While we sleep, the brain does important work. It sorts through the day's experiences and stores new memories. The body also repairs tissue and strengthens the immune system during deep sleep. People who regularly miss sleep often struggle to concentrate the next day. According to the passage, what is one reason sleep is important?
- A.Sleep makes people taller.
- B.People sleep mainly out of boredom.
- C.Sleep eliminates the need for food.
- D.The brain stores new memories during sleep.
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Correct answer: The brain stores new memories during sleep.
The passage states the brain 'stores new memories' during sleep, a direct supporting detail. The other options are not mentioned or contradict the text.
For years, the city museum closed at five o'clock each evening. Surveys showed that many working adults wanted to visit but could not arrive before closing. In response, the museum now stays open until nine on Thursdays. Attendance on those evenings has grown steadily. Which detail explains why the museum changed its hours?
- A.Working adults could not visit before the earlier closing time.
- B.The building needed repairs at night.
- C.Children requested longer hours.
- D.The museum was losing too much money.
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Correct answer: Working adults could not visit before the earlier closing time.
The passage says surveys showed working adults 'could not arrive before closing,' which is the stated reason for extending hours. The other options are not in the text.
The desert tortoise spends much of its life underground. It digs deep burrows to escape the daytime heat and the cold of winter nights. A single tortoise may dig several burrows across its territory. These shelters also protect the animal from predators. Which statement is directly supported by the passage?
- A.Burrows attract predators to the tortoise.
- B.Desert tortoises live only in cold climates.
- C.Desert tortoises dig burrows partly to avoid extreme temperatures.
- D.Tortoises dig just one burrow in their lifetime.
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Correct answer: Desert tortoises dig burrows partly to avoid extreme temperatures.
The passage states the tortoise digs burrows 'to escape the daytime heat and the cold of winter nights,' supporting the temperature-avoidance claim. The other options contradict the text.
After weeks of drought, the harvest was meager. The farmers had hoped for full baskets but gathered only a few small ears of corn. As used in the passage, the word "meager" most nearly means:
- A.Scanty
- B.Expensive
- C.Abundant
- D.Colorful
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Correct answer: Scanty
The context (drought, 'only a few small ears of corn') shows the harvest was small and insufficient, so 'meager' means scanty. 'Abundant' is the opposite.
When asked about the project's problems, the manager gave a candid answer instead of hiding behind vague excuses. She admitted the team had missed several deadlines. In the passage, the word "candid" most nearly means:
- A.Cheerful
- B.Honest
- C.Rude
- D.Confusing
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Correct answer: Honest
The contrast with 'hiding behind vague excuses' and the admission of missed deadlines show 'candid' means frank and honest. The other options do not fit the openness described.
The engineer proposed a novel solution that no one in the company had ever tried before. As used in the sentence, "novel" most nearly means:
- A.Fictional
- B.Long
- C.New
- D.Difficult
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Correct answer: New
Because the solution had never been tried before, 'novel' here means new or original. The 'book' meaning of novel does not fit the context.
Without regular maintenance, the bridge began to deteriorate. Rust spread across the beams, and cracks appeared in the concrete supports. In the passage, the word "deteriorate" most nearly means:
- A.Worsen
- B.Expand
- C.Improve
- D.Freeze
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Correct answer: Worsen
The signs of rust and cracks show the bridge was breaking down, so 'deteriorate' means to worsen or decline. 'Improve' is the opposite.
The rainforest is home to abundant wildlife. In a single afternoon, a visitor might spot dozens of bird species and countless insects. As used in the passage, the word "abundant" most nearly means:
- A.Rare
- B.Plentiful
- C.Dangerous
- D.Shy
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Correct answer: Plentiful
The detail about spotting 'dozens' and 'countless' creatures signals a large amount, so 'abundant' means plentiful. 'Rare' is the opposite.
The child was reluctant to jump into the cold pool and stood shivering at the edge for several minutes. In the sentence, the word "reluctant" most nearly means:
- A.Unwilling
- B.Eager
- C.Graceful
- D.Exhausted
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Correct answer: Unwilling
Standing at the edge shivering rather than jumping shows hesitation, so 'reluctant' means unwilling. 'Eager' would mean the opposite.
The explorers gazed across the vast plain. It stretched to the horizon in every direction with no end in sight. As used in the passage, the word "vast" most nearly means:
- A.Narrow
- B.Enormous
- C.Shallow
- D.Crowded
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Correct answer: Enormous
A plain stretching 'to the horizon in every direction' is extremely large, so 'vast' means enormous. The other choices contradict the sense of great size.
As the medicine took effect, the patient's fever began to diminish. By evening, his temperature had nearly returned to normal. In the passage, the word "diminish" most nearly means:
- A.Appear
- B.Spread
- C.Harden
- D.Decrease
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Correct answer: Decrease
The temperature returning toward normal shows the fever was lessening, so 'diminish' means to decrease. The other options do not fit a falling fever.
Saving part of every paycheck is a prudent habit that can protect a family during hard times. As used in the sentence, the word "prudent" most nearly means:
- A.Wise
- B.Sudden
- C.Rare
- D.Wasteful
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Correct answer: Wise
A habit that protects a family during hard times is sensible, so 'prudent' means wise or careful. 'Wasteful' is the opposite.
When the speaker stepped onto the stage, she looked out at a sea of faces. Thousands of people filled every seat in the arena. In the passage, the phrase "a sea of faces" suggests that:
- A.The room was nearly empty
- B.The event was held near the ocean
- C.The audience was angry
- D.There was a very large crowd
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Correct answer: There was a very large crowd
The figurative phrase 'a sea of faces,' reinforced by 'thousands of people' filling every seat, conveys a huge crowd. It is not literal about the ocean.
Copying the long list by hand was tedious work. After an hour, the clerk's attention began to wander from sheer boredom. As used in the passage, the word "tedious" most nearly means:
- A.Quick
- B.Exciting
- C.Dangerous
- D.Boring
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Correct answer: Boring
The clerk's boredom and wandering attention show the task was dull and tiresome, so 'tedious' means boring. The other choices do not match.
Engineers worked to fortify the levee before the flood season. They added layers of stone and packed earth to make it stronger. In the passage, the word "fortify" most nearly means:
- A.Decorate
- B.Remove
- C.Flood
- D.Strengthen
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Correct answer: Strengthen
Adding stone and packed earth 'to make it stronger' shows 'fortify' means to strengthen. The other options contradict the stated purpose.
Maria checked the sky and grabbed her umbrella before leaving the house. She also rolled up the car windows and brought in the cushions from the patio chairs. What can be inferred from the passage?
- A.Maria had just bought a new car.
- B.Maria was going on a long vacation.
- C.Maria expected it to rain.
- D.Maria disliked her patio furniture.
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Correct answer: Maria expected it to rain.
Checking the sky, taking an umbrella, closing windows, and bringing in cushions are all precautions against rain, so it can be inferred Maria expected rain.
The restaurant's tables were full, and a line of customers stretched out the door. The waiters hurried between the kitchen and dining room, and the chef called out orders without pause. Based on the passage, the reader can conclude that:
- A.The restaurant had few customers.
- B.The food was poorly prepared.
- C.The restaurant was very busy.
- D.The restaurant was about to close.
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Correct answer: The restaurant was very busy.
Full tables, a line out the door, and hurrying staff all point to a busy restaurant. The other conclusions are not supported by these details.
After the new bike lanes were painted downtown, the number of cyclists tripled within a year. At the same time, reports of car-bike collisions in the area dropped sharply. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
- A.Cyclists caused most of the collisions.
- B.Cars were banned from downtown entirely.
- C.The bike lanes likely made cycling both more popular and safer.
- D.The bike lanes were a waste of money.
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Correct answer: The bike lanes likely made cycling both more popular and safer.
More cyclists and fewer collisions together suggest the lanes encouraged cycling while improving safety. The other options contradict or overstate the evidence.
James reread the letter for the fifth time, his hands trembling slightly. He set it down, picked it up again, then walked to the window without really seeing the street outside. What can be inferred about the character in the passage?
- A.James could not read very well.
- B.James was deeply affected by the letter's contents.
- C.James was bored by the letter.
- D.James was looking for someone outside.
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Correct answer: James was deeply affected by the letter's contents.
Rereading the letter repeatedly, trembling hands, and staring out the window 'without really seeing' all imply strong emotion. The other options misread these clues.
The old factory had stood empty for decades. Its windows were broken, weeds grew through cracks in the parking lot, and the sign over the door had faded beyond reading. From the passage, the reader can infer that:
- A.The factory had recently been repaired.
- B.The factory was a popular tourist spot.
- C.The factory had been abandoned for a long time.
- D.The factory was still in operation.
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Correct answer: The factory had been abandoned for a long time.
Broken windows, weeds through cracks, and a faded sign are signs of long neglect, supporting the inference of long abandonment. The other options conflict with these details.
Every morning, the elderly neighbor left a small bowl of food on her back porch. By evening it was always empty, and sometimes she glimpsed a thin gray cat slipping away into the bushes. Which inference is best supported by the passage?
- A.The neighbor was feeding a stray cat.
- B.The cat belonged to the neighbor.
- C.The food was being eaten by birds.
- D.The neighbor owned several pets.
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Correct answer: The neighbor was feeding a stray cat.
Putting out food that disappears, combined with sightings of a thin gray cat slipping away, supports the inference that she was feeding a stray. Nothing suggests ownership or birds.
After the company began allowing employees to work from home two days a week, fewer workers quit their jobs. Surveys also showed that most employees felt more satisfied with their work-life balance. Based on the passage, what is most likely true about the new policy?
- A.The company lost most of its employees.
- B.The remote-work policy improved employee satisfaction and retention.
- C.Employees disliked working from home.
- D.The policy had no effect on workers.
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Correct answer: The remote-work policy improved employee satisfaction and retention.
Fewer resignations and higher reported satisfaction together suggest the policy improved both retention and satisfaction. The other options contradict the evidence.
By noon the hikers had drunk the last of their water, and the trail signs they had counted on were nowhere to be seen. They stopped to study a worn map, turning it one way and then another. The reader can conclude from the passage that the hikers:
- A.Were close to a water source
- B.Had reached their destination
- C.Had brought plenty of supplies
- D.Were unsure of their location
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Correct answer: Were unsure of their location
Missing trail signs and studying a map by turning it suggest the hikers did not know where they were. Running out of water also indicates poor preparation, not plenty.
People hurried along the sidewalk with their collars turned up and their hands jammed into their pockets. Steam rose from cups of coffee, and a thin layer of frost coated the parked cars. What can be inferred about the weather described in the passage?
- A.The day was warm and sunny.
- B.The weather was very cold.
- C.It was a hot summer afternoon.
- D.A heavy rainstorm was falling.
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Correct answer: The weather was very cold.
Turned-up collars, hands in pockets, steaming coffee, and frost on cars all point to cold weather. The other options contradict these details.
Skipping breakfast may seem like a harmless way to save time, but it can backfire. Without a morning meal, many people feel sluggish and find it harder to focus by midmorning. A simple breakfast of fruit and whole grains can keep energy steady. So before you rush out the door, consider grabbing a quick bite. The author's main purpose in this passage is to:
- A.Describe how grains are grown
- B.Persuade readers to eat breakfast
- C.Tell a story about a busy morning
- D.Explain the history of breakfast foods
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Correct answer: Persuade readers to eat breakfast
The passage warns against skipping breakfast and urges the reader to 'consider grabbing a quick bite,' showing a persuasive purpose. The other options do not match the call to action.
The garden in late spring was a quiet marvel. Bees drifted lazily among the roses, and the warm air carried the scent of jasmine. Everything seemed unhurried and at peace. Which word best describes the tone of the passage?
- A.Angry
- B.Peaceful
- C.Fearful
- D.Sarcastic
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Correct answer: Peaceful
Words like 'quiet marvel,' 'lazily,' 'unhurried,' and 'at peace' create a calm, peaceful tone. The other choices do not match the relaxed mood.
To change a flat tire, first loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground. Next, raise the car with the jack until the tire is off the pavement. Remove the nuts and the flat tire, then mount the spare. Finally, lower the car and tighten the nuts firmly. The author wrote this passage primarily to:
- A.Argue that driving is dangerous
- B.Entertain the reader with a story
- C.Explain how to perform a task
- D.Describe the beauty of cars
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Correct answer: Explain how to perform a task
The step-by-step instructions show the purpose is to explain how to complete a task. There is no argument, story, or description of beauty.
Once again the bus was twenty minutes late, and once again the schedule posted at the stop promised it would arrive 'every ten minutes.' Riders shrugged, having long since stopped believing the sign. What is the author's tone in this passage?
- A.Sarcastic
- B.Respectful
- C.Hopeful
- D.Joyful
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Correct answer: Sarcastic
The repeated 'once again,' the quotation marks around the schedule's promise, and riders no longer believing the sign create a sarcastic, mocking tone. The other choices do not fit.
The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have lived. It can grow longer than three school buses placed end to end. Its heart alone is about the size of a small car. Even its call, the loudest of any animal, can travel for hundreds of miles underwater. The purpose of this passage is mainly to:
- A.Inform readers about the blue whale's enormous size
- B.Convince readers to protect whales
- C.Tell a personal story about whale watching
- D.Compare whales with sharks
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Correct answer: Inform readers about the blue whale's enormous size
The passage presents facts illustrating the whale's size, so its purpose is to inform. It contains no persuasion, comparison with sharks, or personal narrative.
It is shameful that our city still has no safe crossing near the elementary school. Parents have begged for a crosswalk for years, yet nothing has been done. How many close calls must we witness before someone acts? Which word best describes the author's attitude toward the topic?
- A.Indifferent
- B.Outraged
- C.Amused
- D.Grateful
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Correct answer: Outraged
Words like 'shameful' and the urgent rhetorical question reveal an outraged, frustrated attitude. The other choices contradict the strong emotion in the text.
Imagine waking to the smell of salt air and the sound of gentle waves. At our seaside resort, every room opens onto a private balcony above the beach. Guests enjoy fresh seafood at sunset and stroll the shoreline by moonlight. The author most likely wrote this passage in order to:
- A.Explain how seafood is caught
- B.Warn travelers about the ocean
- C.Persuade readers to visit the resort
- D.Describe a scientific study of waves
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Correct answer: Persuade readers to visit the resort
The inviting, advertisement-like language is designed to make the resort appealing and persuade readers to visit. The other options do not match the promotional purpose.
We are gathered today to honor a teacher who gave forty years to this school. With patience and warmth, she shaped the lives of thousands of students. Her example will guide us long after she has gone. The tone of this passage can best be described as:
- A.Anxious
- B.Playful
- C.Admiring
- D.Bitter
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Correct answer: Admiring
Phrases like 'honor,' 'patience and warmth,' and 'her example will guide us' express deep respect and admiration. The other tones do not fit the tribute.
First, the seed absorbs water and swells. Next, a tiny root pushes downward into the soil. Then a green shoot rises toward the light. Finally, leaves unfold and the young plant begins to make its own food. Which organizational pattern does the passage mainly use?
- A.Problem and solution
- B.Compare and contrast
- C.Sequence / chronological order
- D.Spatial description
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Correct answer: Sequence / chronological order
The signal words 'first,' 'next,' 'then,' and 'finally' show the passage describes steps in time order, making it a sequence or chronological pattern.
Heavy rains fell on the mountain for three straight days. As a result, the river overflowed its banks and flooded the valley below. The relationship between the two halves of this passage is one of:
- A.Chronological listing of unrelated events
- B.Comparison
- C.Definition
- D.Cause and effect
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Correct answer: Cause and effect
The phrase 'as a result' links the rain (cause) to the flooding (effect), making this a cause-and-effect pattern.
Cats and dogs are both popular pets, yet they differ in important ways. Dogs are usually social and eager to please, while cats tend to be more independent. Unlike dogs, cats can be left alone for longer periods. Both, however, can provide loyal companionship. Which organizational pattern is used in the passage?
- A.Problem and solution
- B.Compare and contrast
- C.Cause and effect
- D.Sequence
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Correct answer: Compare and contrast
Signal words like 'yet,' 'while,' 'unlike,' and 'both' show the passage examines similarities and differences, a compare-and-contrast structure.
Many students struggle to stay organized with their assignments. One effective answer is a simple planner. By writing down each task and its due date, students can see what needs to be done and when. This small habit greatly reduces missed deadlines. The structure of this passage is best described as:
- A.Chronological order
- B.Compare and contrast
- C.Spatial order
- D.Problem and solution
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Correct answer: Problem and solution
The passage states a problem (staying organized) and then offers a solution (a planner), making it a problem-and-solution structure.
The museum added later evening hours last spring. For example, it now stays open until nine on Thursdays so working visitors can attend. What is the relationship between the second sentence and the first sentence?
- A.The second sentence contradicts the first.
- B.The second sentence gives an example of the first.
- C.The second sentence compares two museums.
- D.The second sentence describes a cause of the first.
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Correct answer: The second sentence gives an example of the first.
The phrase 'for example' signals that the second sentence illustrates the general statement made in the first. It does not contradict or compare.
The team practiced hard all season. ______, they lost in the very first round of the tournament. Which transition word would best fit in the blank to show the correct relationship?
- A.For instance
- B.Therefore
- C.Similarly
- D.However
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Correct answer: However
The losing result contrasts with the hard practice, so the contrast transition 'However' fits. 'Therefore' would wrongly signal a logical result, and the others signal comparison or example.
Which of the following sentences states a fact rather than an opinion?
- A.Everyone should visit the Pacific Ocean at least once.
- B.The Pacific Ocean is the most beautiful ocean on Earth.
- C.The Pacific Ocean is far more interesting than the Atlantic.
- D.The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.
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Correct answer: The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.
That the Pacific is the largest ocean can be verified and measured, making it a fact. The other statements express judgments ('most beautiful,' 'should,' 'more interesting') and are opinions.
The new library opened in March. It contains over fifty thousand books and twenty computers. In my view, it is the finest building in the entire town. The library is open six days a week. Which sentence from the passage expresses an opinion?
- A.In my view, it is the finest building in the entire town.
- B.The library is open six days a week.
- C.It contains over fifty thousand books and twenty computers.
- D.The new library opened in March.
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Correct answer: In my view, it is the finest building in the entire town.
'In my view, it is the finest building' is a personal judgment that cannot be proven, making it an opinion. The other sentences state verifiable facts.
Which statement is an opinion?
- A.Some ice cream is sold in pint-sized containers.
- B.Ice cream melts when it is left in the sun.
- C.Chocolate ice cream tastes better than vanilla.
- D.Ice cream is made primarily from milk and sugar.
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Correct answer: Chocolate ice cream tastes better than vanilla.
Saying one flavor 'tastes better' is a matter of personal taste and cannot be proven, so it is an opinion. The other statements can be verified and are facts.
Which sentence states a verifiable fact?
- A.Everyone prefers warm climates to cold ones.
- B.Winter is the most unpleasant season of the year.
- C.Snow is the prettiest kind of weather.
- D.Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius at sea level.
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Correct answer: Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius at sea level.
The freezing point of water can be measured and verified, making it a fact. The other statements express personal preferences or judgments and are opinions.
Our town should ban skateboarding in the central park because skateboards always damage public property. Last month a bench was scratched, proving that skateboards ruin everything they touch. Which statement most weakens the author's argument?
- A.Skateboarding is a popular hobby among teenagers.
- B.Most skateboarders in the park use a separate paved area and rarely touch the benches.
- C.The bench was scratched last month.
- D.The park has several benches and picnic tables.
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Correct answer: Most skateboarders in the park use a separate paved area and rarely touch the benches.
The argument claims skateboards 'always' damage property, so evidence that most skateboarders stay on a separate area and rarely touch the benches directly undercuts that overgeneralization. The other options do not challenge the claim.
I have eaten at that diner twice, and both times my food arrived cold. Clearly, every restaurant in this city serves cold food and should be avoided. What is the main flaw in the author's reasoning?
- A.The author draws a broad conclusion from very limited evidence.
- B.The author provides too many statistics.
- C.The author defines terms too carefully.
- D.The author relies on expert testimony.
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Correct answer: The author draws a broad conclusion from very limited evidence.
Two cold meals at one diner cannot support a claim about 'every restaurant in this city'; the conclusion is a hasty overgeneralization from limited evidence. The other options do not describe the passage.
The city should add more bike lanes. Cycling reduces traffic and pollution, and many residents say they would ride more often if the streets felt safer. Which additional piece of evidence would best strengthen the author's argument?
- A.An account of one resident who dislikes cycling.
- B.Data showing that cities with more bike lanes have measurably less traffic congestion.
- C.A statement that bicycles come in many colors.
- D.A note that bike lanes are usually painted green.
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Correct answer: Data showing that cities with more bike lanes have measurably less traffic congestion.
Data linking more bike lanes to measurably less congestion directly supports the argument's central claim. The other options are irrelevant or work against the argument.
We should cancel the school's music program. Test scores in math and reading are what matter most for students' futures, and music classes take time away from those subjects. Which statement best identifies an unsupported assumption in the argument?
- A.It assumes that math is a school subject.
- B.It assumes students attend school.
- C.It assumes time spent in music could not also benefit students' futures.
- D.It assumes the school has a music program.
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Correct answer: It assumes time spent in music could not also benefit students' futures.
The argument simply assumes, without support, that music time has no value and only detracts from what matters. The other options describe facts the passage actually establishes, not hidden assumptions.
Coral reefs occupy less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they shelter roughly a quarter of all marine species. Their towering limestone structures provide hiding places, nurseries, and feeding grounds for countless creatures. Without these reefs, many of those species would have nowhere to live. In a sense, the reef is a crowded city built by some of the sea's smallest architects. Which sentence best states the main idea of the passage?
- A.Coral reefs cover almost none of the ocean floor.
- B.Marine species prefer to feed near the surface.
- C.Coral reefs support an enormous share of ocean life despite their small size.
- D.Limestone is the main material in coral reefs.
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Correct answer: Coral reefs support an enormous share of ocean life despite their small size.
The passage repeatedly stresses that tiny reefs shelter a huge proportion of marine life, which is the central point all the sentences support.
The first public libraries did not lend books at all. Instead, valuable volumes were chained to the shelves so readers could consult them only on-site. As printing made books cheaper, librarians gradually removed the chains and allowed borrowing. This shift turned the library from a guarded vault into a community resource. What is the central idea of this paragraph?
- A.Libraries evolved from guarded collections into places that lend to the public.
- B.Early readers were not trusted with valuable books.
- C.Printing technology lowered the cost of books.
- D.Books were once chained to library shelves.
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Correct answer: Libraries evolved from guarded collections into places that lend to the public.
Each sentence traces the library's transformation from a vault to a lending institution, which is the overall point.
Bamboo is sometimes called the world's fastest-growing plant. Certain species can shoot up nearly a meter in a single day under ideal conditions. Because it regrows so quickly after cutting, it can be harvested again and again without replanting. For these reasons, builders and manufacturers increasingly view bamboo as a renewable alternative to slower-growing timber. The main idea of the passage is that
- A.Bamboo's rapid, repeated growth makes it an appealing renewable material
- B.Timber is no longer used in construction
- C.Bamboo grows about a meter per day in every climate
- D.Bamboo must be replanted after every harvest
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Correct answer: Bamboo's rapid, repeated growth makes it an appealing renewable material
The passage builds toward the conclusion that bamboo's fast regrowth makes it a renewable substitute for timber.
Volunteer firefighters make up the majority of fire crews in many rural towns. They train on weekends, keep gear in their cars, and leave work or sleep to answer alarms. Without these unpaid responders, large areas of the country would have no fire protection at all. Their service quietly holds together the safety net of small communities. Which statement best captures the main point of the passage?
- A.Firefighting requires expensive equipment.
- B.Volunteer firefighters are essential to fire protection in rural areas.
- C.Most firefighters are paid professionals.
- D.Rural towns rarely experience fires.
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Correct answer: Volunteer firefighters are essential to fire protection in rural areas.
The passage emphasizes that unpaid volunteers are vital to protecting rural communities, the unifying idea.
Many people assume that yawning simply means a person is tired. Recent studies suggest, however, that yawning may help cool the brain when it overheats. Researchers noticed that subjects yawned less often when their foreheads were chilled. If the cooling theory holds, the familiar yawn may be doing far more than signaling boredom. What is the main idea expressed in this passage?
- A.Yawning always indicates sleepiness.
- B.Chilling the forehead causes people to yawn more.
- C.Scientists cannot explain why people yawn.
- D.Yawning may serve to cool an overheated brain rather than just signal fatigue.
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Correct answer: Yawning may serve to cool an overheated brain rather than just signal fatigue.
The passage challenges the tiredness assumption and presents brain-cooling as the new explanation, which is its central claim.
Honeybees communicate the location of food through a remarkable waggle dance. By moving in a figure-eight and shaking its body, a returning bee tells the hive both the direction and the distance to a flower patch. The angle of the dance points the way relative to the sun, while the length of the waggle signals how far to fly. Through this silent code, thousands of bees can be guided to a single bloom. The best title for this passage would be
- A.Why Flowers Attract Insects
- B.How Bees Make Honey
- C.The Waggle Dance: A Bee's Map to Food
- D.The Life Cycle of a Honeybee
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Correct answer: The Waggle Dance: A Bee's Map to Food
The passage focuses entirely on how the waggle dance communicates food location, so that title best reflects its main idea.
For centuries, sailors navigated by the stars, reading the night sky like a map. The invention of the compass added a reliable guide even under clouds. Later, radio beacons and then satellites made pinpoint positioning possible. Each new tool built upon the last, steadily making travel across open water safer and more precise. Which sentence best summarizes the passage as a whole?
- A.Satellites are the only accurate way to navigate today.
- B.The compass replaced the stars for navigation.
- C.Sailors once relied only on the stars to find their way.
- D.Navigation tools have advanced over time, making sea travel safer and more precise.
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Correct answer: Navigation tools have advanced over time, making sea travel safer and more precise.
The passage traces a progression of tools and concludes that each improved navigation, summarizing the whole.
In medieval Europe, a craftsman could not call himself a master overnight. After years as an apprentice and then a journeyman, he had to create a single outstanding object called a masterpiece. The guild examined this work to decide whether his skills justified admission. Only those whose masterpiece passed inspection could open their own shops. According to the passage, why were medieval guild members required to produce a 'masterpiece'?
- A.To decorate the guild hall
- B.To teach apprentices a new technique
- C.To sell it for a high price
- D.To prove their skills were worthy of guild membership
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Correct answer: To prove their skills were worthy of guild membership
The passage states the guild used the masterpiece to judge whether the craftsman's skills justified admission.
Recent studies suggest that yawning may help cool the brain. Researchers noticed that subjects yawned less often when their foreheads were chilled. They reasoned that the cooler brain had less need to trigger a yawn. This observation supported the idea that yawning regulates temperature. Based on the passage, what happened to subjects when their foreheads were chilled?
- A.They yawned less often
- B.They fell asleep quickly
- C.They felt overheated
- D.They yawned more frequently
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Correct answer: They yawned less often
The passage directly states subjects yawned less often when their foreheads were chilled.
Honeybees use a waggle dance to share the location of food. The angle of the dance points the way relative to the sun, while the length of the waggle signals how far to fly. A returning bee repeats this dance several times so others can copy it. Watching bees then leave the hive to follow the directions. Which detail does the passage provide about the angle of the waggle dance?
- A.It points the direction relative to the sun
- B.It shows the distance to the flowers
- C.It indicates how much nectar is available
- D.It tells the time of day
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Correct answer: It points the direction relative to the sun
The passage specifies that the angle of the dance points direction relative to the sun.
The first public libraries chained valuable volumes to the shelves. As printing made books cheaper, librarians gradually removed the chains and allowed borrowing. Books that had once been irreplaceable could now be reproduced in quantity. This change transformed how the public used libraries. According to the passage, what allowed librarians to remove the chains from books?
- A.Printing made books cheaper and easier to replace
- B.Readers demanded the chains be removed
- C.Fewer people visited the libraries
- D.A new law required open access
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Correct answer: Printing made books cheaper and easier to replace
The passage attributes the removal of chains to printing lowering book costs and making them replaceable.
Volunteer firefighters make up the majority of fire crews in many rural towns. They train on weekends, keep gear in their cars, and leave work or sleep to answer alarms. Many also carry pagers that sound at any hour. Their constant readiness is what makes the system work. What detail does the passage give about how volunteer firefighters stay ready?
- A.They keep their gear in their cars
- B.They work only during daylight
- C.They live at the fire station
- D.They are paid for each call
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Correct answer: They keep their gear in their cars
The passage explicitly mentions that volunteers keep their gear in their cars to stay ready.
Bamboo can shoot up nearly a meter in a single day under ideal conditions. Because it regrows so quickly after cutting, it can be harvested again and again without replanting. It also has a strength comparable to some softwoods. For these reasons, builders increasingly view bamboo as a renewable resource. Which of the following is stated in the passage as a reason builders favor bamboo?
- A.It regrows quickly without replanting
- B.It never needs to be cut
- C.It grows only in tropical greenhouses
- D.It is the cheapest material available
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Correct answer: It regrows quickly without replanting
The passage states bamboo can be harvested repeatedly without replanting because it regrows quickly.
Sailors once navigated by the stars. The compass added a guide even under clouds. Later, radio beacons and then satellites made pinpoint positioning possible. Each new tool built upon the last, steadily making travel across open water safer and more precise. According to the passage, what did each new navigation tool do?
- A.It replaced the previous tool entirely
- B.It built upon the tool before it
- C.It was used only by the navy
- D.It made navigation more difficult
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Correct answer: It built upon the tool before it
The passage states each new tool built upon the last, improving navigation.
The engineer proposed a novel solution that no one on the team had considered before. While older methods relied on heavy steel beams, her design used lightweight cables in a way the firm had never tried. Colleagues were intrigued by the freshness of the approach. As used in the passage, the word 'novel' most nearly means
- A.Expensive
- B.A long fictional story
- C.New and original
- D.Difficult to build
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Correct answer: New and original
The context of an unconsidered, fresh approach shows 'novel' means new and original.
The island enjoys a temperate climate, never scorching in summer nor freezing in winter. Visitors often remark on how comfortable the weather feels year-round. Farmers there can grow crops in nearly every season because the conditions are so mild. In this passage, the word 'temperate' most nearly means
- A.Mild and moderate
- B.Unpredictable
- C.Rainy
- D.Extremely hot
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Correct answer: Mild and moderate
The description of weather that is neither scorching nor freezing indicates 'temperate' means mild and moderate.
The watchmaker was meticulous, checking each tiny gear three times before fitting it. Not a single screw was left loose, and every surface was polished to perfection. His careful attention was famous throughout the town. As used in the passage, 'meticulous' most nearly means
- A.Careless
- B.Extremely careful and precise
- C.Slow
- D.Talented
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Correct answer: Extremely careful and precise
Checking each gear three times and leaving nothing loose shows 'meticulous' means extremely careful and precise.
The city introduced new fees to curb the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills. Officials hoped the cost would discourage businesses from handing out so many disposable bags. Within a year, the volume of discarded plastic had dropped noticeably. In the passage, the word 'curb' most nearly means
- A.Collect
- B.Restrain or reduce
- C.Measure
- D.Increase
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Correct answer: Restrain or reduce
The fees were meant to discourage waste and the volume dropped, so 'curb' means to restrain or reduce.
The long drive across the flat plains grew monotonous, mile after mile of identical fields. Nothing changed the view for hours, and the travelers struggled to stay alert. They longed for a hill or a town to break the sameness. As used here, 'monotonous' most nearly means
- A.Dangerous
- B.Scenic
- C.Brief
- D.Dull and unchanging
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Correct answer: Dull and unchanging
Identical fields and unchanging views that the travelers found tiresome show 'monotonous' means dull and unchanging.
After the heavy spring rains, wildflowers were abundant across the meadow. Bees could hardly fly a few feet without finding another blossom. The sheer number of flowers amazed the hikers who passed through. In the passage, the word 'abundant' most nearly means
- A.Fragrant
- B.Scarce
- C.Colorful
- D.Present in great quantity
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Correct answer: Present in great quantity
The great number of flowers everywhere indicates 'abundant' means present in great quantity.
Without regular maintenance, the old bridge began to deteriorate. Rust spread along the beams, and chunks of concrete crumbled into the river. Engineers warned that the structure would soon become unsafe. As used in the passage, 'deteriorate' most nearly means
- A.Expand
- B.Grow worse
- C.Improve
- D.Shake
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Correct answer: Grow worse
Spreading rust and crumbling concrete show 'deteriorate' means to grow worse.
The young swimmer was reluctant to dive from the high board. She stood at the edge for several minutes, glancing nervously at the water below. Only after her coach encouraged her did she finally jump. In this passage, the word 'reluctant' most nearly means
- A.Unwilling or hesitant
- B.Exhausted
- C.Skilled
- D.Eager
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Correct answer: Unwilling or hesitant
Standing nervously and needing encouragement shows 'reluctant' means unwilling or hesitant.
Most architects in the region built with conventional brick and timber. The new firm broke from this tradition by using recycled glass and steel. Locals were startled to see a home so unlike the usual designs. As used in the passage, 'conventional' most nearly means
- A.Traditional or customary
- B.Fragile
- C.Expensive
- D.Modern
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Correct answer: Traditional or customary
Contrasted with breaking from tradition, 'conventional' means traditional or customary.
The professor used a simple diagram to illuminate the confusing theory. What had seemed murky to the students suddenly became clear. Several thanked her for finally making the idea understandable. In the passage, the word 'illuminate' most nearly means
- A.Decorate
- B.Make clear or explain
- C.Shorten
- D.Complicate
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Correct answer: Make clear or explain
The diagram made a confusing theory clear, so 'illuminate' means to make clear or explain.
Since the city began offering free bus rides on weekends, parking lots downtown have sat half empty. Shop owners report steady sales, and the streets feel less crowded with cars. Officials are now studying whether to extend the free service to weekdays. It can be inferred from the passage that the author believes the new policy will
- A.Likely be expanded if results continue
- B.Be canceled within a month
- C.Increase traffic congestion
- D.Fail to attract any riders
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Correct answer: Likely be expanded if results continue
Empty lots, steady sales, and officials studying an extension imply the policy is succeeding and likely to grow.
By noon the hikers had drained their last water bottle, and the trail still climbed steeply upward. The sun beat down without a cloud in sight, and the next stream was marked miles ahead on the map. They exchanged worried glances and slowed their pace. From the passage, the reader can conclude that the hikers
- A.Were enjoying the cool weather
- B.Were facing a serious shortage of water
- C.Had nearly reached their destination
- D.Were well prepared for the journey
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Correct answer: Were facing a serious shortage of water
Empty bottles, distant water, harsh sun, and worried glances imply the hikers face a dangerous water shortage.
Each evening a line forms outside Mara's Kitchen long before the doors open. Regulars know to arrive early or risk waiting an hour for a table. The chef has begun talking with a contractor about adding a second dining room. The passage suggests that the restaurant
- A.Is struggling to attract customers
- B.Is very popular and may be expanding
- C.Plans to close soon
- D.Serves only breakfast
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Correct answer: Is very popular and may be expanding
Long lines, early arrivals, and plans for a second dining room imply the restaurant is popular and considering expansion.
Tomas read the letter twice, then folded it slowly and set it on the table. He stared out the window for a long while without speaking. When his sister asked what was wrong, he only shook his head and left the room. It can be inferred that the character feels
- A.Deeply troubled by what he read
- B.Bored and indifferent
- C.Amused by a joke
- D.Delighted by good news
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Correct answer: Deeply troubled by what he read
Re-reading, silence, staring out the window, and leaving without answering imply Tomas is deeply troubled.
Archaeologists found the ruins buried beneath layers of volcanic ash. Pottery and tools lay exactly where their owners had left them, as if everyone had fled in an instant. Charred timbers and twisted metal hinted at sudden, intense heat. From the passage, what can be inferred about the ancient city's location?
- A.The city was never actually inhabited
- B.The city was destroyed suddenly, likely by a volcanic eruption
- C.The city was a peaceful farming village
- D.The city was abandoned slowly over centuries
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Correct answer: The city was destroyed suddenly, likely by a volcanic eruption
Volcanic ash, abandoned belongings, and signs of intense heat imply a sudden volcanic destruction.
After his first three machines broke down during testing, the inventor sketched a fourth design that very night. He kept a notebook by his bed to capture ideas before sleep. Each failure seemed only to sharpen his determination to build a working model. The passage implies that the inventor
- A.Gave up after repeated failures
- B.Was persistent despite setbacks
- C.Lacked any new ideas
- D.Worked only when paid
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Correct answer: Was persistent despite setbacks
Designing a fourth machine the same night and growing more determined after failures imply the inventor is persistent.
Boards now cover the windows of the old factory, and weeds push through cracks in the parking lot. The diner across the street closed last spring, and the train no longer stops at the station. A few families have hung 'For Sale' signs that have stayed up for months. Based on the passage, the reader can conclude that the town
- A.Has just been founded
- B.Is experiencing economic decline
- C.Attracts many tourists
- D.Is growing rapidly
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Correct answer: Is experiencing economic decline
A closed factory, shuttered diner, halted train service, and unsold homes imply the town is in economic decline.
When the family returned home, muddy paw prints crossed the white carpet and a chewed shoe lay by the door. The trash can was tipped over, its contents scattered across the kitchen floor. The dog greeted them with its tail tucked low. It can be inferred from the passage that the dog had
- A.Been left outside the house
- B.Misbehaved while they were gone
- C.Been well behaved all day
- D.Slept the entire time
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Correct answer: Misbehaved while they were gone
Muddy prints, a chewed shoe, tipped trash, and a tucked tail imply the dog misbehaved while alone.
Recycling is not enough; we must reduce what we consume in the first place. Every product we buy required energy and raw materials to make, no matter where it ends up. By choosing fewer, longer-lasting goods, we cut waste at its source. It is time to rethink our habits, not just our trash bins. The author's primary purpose in this passage is to
- A.Entertain readers with a story
- B.Describe how recycling works
- C.Persuade readers to consume less
- D.Compare two brands of products
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Correct answer: Persuade readers to consume less
The urging tone and call to rethink habits show the author's purpose is to persuade readers to consume less.
Oh, splendid, another meeting that could have been an email. We gathered for an hour to decide what we had already decided last week. By the end, the only thing accomplished was scheduling yet another meeting. I can hardly contain my excitement. Which word best describes the tone of the passage?
- A.Fearful
- B.Sarcastic
- C.Admiring
- D.Sincere
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Correct answer: Sarcastic
Phrases like 'oh, splendid' and 'hardly contain my excitement' about a pointless meeting reveal a sarcastic tone.
To change a flat tire, first loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground. Next, raise the vehicle with the jack until the tire clears the pavement. Remove the nuts fully, swap on the spare, and tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern. Finally, lower the car and give the nuts a last firm turn. The author wrote this passage mainly to
- A.Share a personal memory
- B.Argue that driving is dangerous
- C.Describe the beauty of cars
- D.Explain how to perform a task
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Correct answer: Explain how to perform a task
The step-by-step instructions show the author's purpose is to explain how to perform a task.
The morning light spilled gently across the meadow, and dew sparkled on every blade of grass. Birds called softly from the hedges as a warm breeze stirred the wildflowers. It was the kind of peaceful dawn that makes the whole world feel new. The tone of this passage can best be described as
- A.Calm and appreciative
- B.Tense and anxious
- C.Urgent and alarming
- D.Angry and bitter
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Correct answer: Calm and appreciative
Gentle light, soft birdsong, and a peaceful dawn create a calm and appreciative tone.
Did you know that octopuses have three hearts and blue blood? Two hearts pump blood to the gills, while the third sends it to the rest of the body. Their blue blood comes from a copper-based molecule that carries oxygen. These strange features make the octopus one of the ocean's most fascinating animals. What is the author's main purpose in this passage?
- A.To criticize ocean pollution
- B.To inform readers about unusual octopus biology
- C.To tell a fictional story about an octopus
- D.To persuade readers to protect octopuses
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Correct answer: To inform readers about unusual octopus biology
The passage presents facts about octopus anatomy, showing the purpose is to inform.
This so-called improvement would pave over the last green space our neighborhood has left. Officials promise faster commutes, but at what cost to the children who play in that park? We are being asked to trade our community's heart for a few saved minutes. I, for one, refuse to stay silent. The author's attitude toward the proposed highway can best be described as
- A.Neutral and detached
- B.Strongly opposed
- C.Enthusiastic and supportive
- D.Mildly curious
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Correct answer: Strongly opposed
Phrases like 'so-called improvement' and 'refuse to stay silent' reveal the author is strongly opposed.
For decades the river was too polluted for fish to survive. After years of cleanup, salmon have returned to spawn in its waters once more. Children now fish from the banks where their grandparents once held their noses. Sometimes patience and effort really can heal what we have harmed. The author most likely included the final sentence in order to
- A.Offer a hopeful reflection on the lesson of the story
- B.Provide a statistic about pollution
- C.Describe the appearance of the river
- D.Warn readers about future dangers
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Correct answer: Offer a hopeful reflection on the lesson of the story
The closing sentence steps back to draw a hopeful, reflective lesson from the river's recovery.
Because the factory dumped chemicals into the stream, the fish population collapsed. As the fish disappeared, the birds that fed on them moved away. With fewer animals, the whole valley grew quiet. One careless act had set off a chain of consequences. Which organizational pattern does the passage primarily use?
- A.Cause and effect
- B.Compare and contrast
- C.Chronological sequence of a person's life
- D.Spatial description
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Correct answer: Cause and effect
The passage traces how one action caused a chain of results, a cause-and-effect pattern.
Gas heating warms a home quickly and costs less to run, but it requires fuel lines and produces emissions. Electric heating, by contrast, installs easily and burns no fuel indoors, yet it can be slow and expensive over time. Each system has clear strengths and weaknesses. The right choice depends on a household's priorities. The structure of this passage is best described as
- A.Chronological order
- B.Compare and contrast
- C.Narrative storytelling
- D.Problem and solution
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Correct answer: Compare and contrast
The passage weighs the pros and cons of two heating systems against each other, a compare-and-contrast structure.
First, gather the dry ingredients and mix them in a large bowl. Next, beat the eggs and stir them into the flour. Then pour the batter into a greased pan. Finally, bake for thirty minutes until golden. Which text structure does the author use in this passage?
- A.Cause and effect
- B.Description of a place
- C.Sequential order of steps
- D.Compare and contrast
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Correct answer: Sequential order of steps
Words like first, next, then, and finally signal a sequential, step-by-step structure.
Traffic in the city has become unbearable, with commuters losing hours each day. One answer is to expand the subway lines into the suburbs. Another is to add protected bike lanes and encourage cycling. Together, these measures could ease the congestion that frustrates so many. The passage is organized mainly as
- A.Compare and contrast
- B.Chronological order
- C.Spatial order
- D.Problem and solution
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Correct answer: Problem and solution
The passage states a problem (traffic) and then proposes solutions, a problem-and-solution structure.
As you enter the museum lobby, a grand staircase rises directly ahead. To the left lies the hall of ancient sculpture, while to the right stretches the gallery of modern paintings. Beyond the staircase, on the upper floor, visitors find the rooftop café overlooking the city. Which organizational pattern best describes this passage?
- A.Order of importance
- B.Cause and effect
- C.Problem and solution
- D.Spatial description
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Correct answer: Spatial description
The passage arranges details by physical location (ahead, left, right, beyond), a spatial pattern.
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth. It covers more area than all the continents combined. In my view, it is also the most beautiful body of water in the world. Its average depth exceeds 4,000 meters. Which sentence from the passage states an opinion rather than a fact?
- A.It covers more area than all the continents combined.
- B.Its average depth exceeds 4,000 meters.
- C.The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth.
- D.In my view, it is also the most beautiful body of water in the world.
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Correct answer: In my view, it is also the most beautiful body of water in the world.
'In my view... most beautiful' expresses a personal judgment that cannot be proven, making it an opinion.
Which of the following statements is a fact rather than an opinion?
- A.Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
- B.The blue car is far prettier than the red one.
- C.Summer is clearly the best season of the year.
- D.Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.
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Correct answer: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
Water's boiling point at sea level is a measurable, verifiable fact, while the others express personal judgments.
The new library opened its doors in March of this year. It contains over fifty thousand books across three floors. Honestly, it is the finest building our town has ever constructed. The building was funded by a combination of city taxes and private donations. Which sentence in the passage expresses an opinion?
- A.It contains over fifty thousand books across three floors.
- B.The new library opened its doors in March of this year.
- C.The building was funded by a combination of city taxes and private donations.
- D.Honestly, it is the finest building our town has ever constructed.
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Correct answer: Honestly, it is the finest building our town has ever constructed.
Calling it 'the finest building ever constructed' is a subjective judgment, marking it as an opinion.
Our school should ban smartphones during class. Ever since phones became common, students' test scores have fallen. Clearly, the phones are distracting students and harming their learning. Removing them would surely reverse the decline. Which statement, if true, would most weaken the author's argument?
- A.Phones have become cheaper over the years.
- B.A neighboring school banned phones and saw no change in scores.
- C.Most teachers own smartphones themselves.
- D.Some students use phones to look up class material.
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Correct answer: A neighboring school banned phones and saw no change in scores.
If a school that banned phones saw no score change, it undercuts the claim that phones cause the decline and that banning them would help.
Every successful entrepreneur I have read about wakes up before 5 a.m. Therefore, waking up early must be the key to business success. If you want to succeed, simply set your alarm earlier. Anyone can become wealthy this way. What is the main flaw in the author's reasoning?
- A.It defines its terms too carefully
- B.It relies on too many statistics
- C.It cites too many expert sources
- D.It assumes that a shared habit must be the cause of success
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Correct answer: It assumes that a shared habit must be the cause of success
The argument assumes that because successful people share a habit, that habit causes success, ignoring other factors.
The city should plant more trees along its streets. Trees provide shade that can lower summer temperatures. They also absorb pollutants and make neighborhoods more pleasant. Planting them is a wise investment in public health. Which piece of evidence would best strengthen the author's argument?
- A.A statement that the mayor likes trees
- B.A claim that trees are difficult to maintain
- C.An observation that some people are allergic to pollen
- D.A study showing tree-lined streets are several degrees cooler and have cleaner air
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Correct answer: A study showing tree-lined streets are several degrees cooler and have cleaner air
A study confirming cooler temperatures and cleaner air directly supports the claimed benefits of planting trees.
Glaciers act like slow-moving rivers of ice, carving valleys and grinding rock into fine powder over thousands of years. As they retreat, they leave behind ridges of debris and deep, water-filled basins that become lakes. Much of the landscape in northern regions was shaped this way. What is the main idea of this passage?
- A.Glaciers have shaped landforms such as valleys and lakes over long periods of time
- B.Glaciers move faster than most rivers
- C.Lakes are always created by retreating ice
- D.Northern regions receive more snow than other places
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Correct answer: Glaciers have shaped landforms such as valleys and lakes over long periods of time
The main idea is that glaciers have shaped landforms such as valleys and lakes over long periods of time. The passage describes how moving ice carves valleys, grinds rock, and leaves behind ridges and basins, all examples of glaciers shaping the land. The other choices are minor details or claims the passage never makes.
Sea otters wrap themselves in strands of kelp before they sleep. The seaweed anchors them in place so they do not drift away on the current while they rest. Without this clever trick, an otter might wake up far from its group. According to the passage, why do sea otters wrap themselves in kelp?
- A.To stay warm in cold water
- B.To keep from drifting away while they sleep
- C.To hide from larger predators
- D.To collect food for later
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Correct answer: To keep from drifting away while they sleep
The correct detail is that otters wrap themselves in kelp to keep from drifting away while they sleep. The passage states the seaweed anchors them so they do not float off on the current. Warmth, hiding, and food are not mentioned as reasons.
Come see the newly renovated Riverside Aquarium! With a glass tunnel that lets you walk beneath the sharks and a touch pool packed with friendly rays, there has never been a better time to visit. Buy your tickets today and make memories that last a lifetime. What is the author's primary purpose in this passage?
- A.To explain how sharks are cared for
- B.To compare two different aquariums
- C.To persuade readers to visit the aquarium
- D.To describe the history of the building
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Correct answer: To persuade readers to visit the aquarium
The author's primary purpose is to persuade readers to visit the aquarium. The enthusiastic tone, the highlighting of attractions, and the direct call to buy tickets are all marketing techniques meant to convince. The passage does not explain shark care, compare aquariums, or recount history.
Once again the printer jammed halfway through the report, just as it had every single morning that week. Of course it would choose today, with the deadline an hour away, to swallow the last sheet of paper in the building. The tone of this passage can best be described as
- A.Calm and hopeful
- B.Formal and neutral
- C.Joyful and excited
- D.Frustrated and sarcastic
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Correct answer: Frustrated and sarcastic
The tone is best described as frustrated and sarcastic. Phrases like "once again" and "of course it would choose today" express irritation and biting humor about repeated bad luck. Nothing in the passage suggests calm, neutrality, or joy.
When Dad opened the front door, he set down two bulging grocery bags and immediately began searching the kitchen drawers. He pulled out the matches, then carried a cake box carefully to the counter and counted out a fistful of small candles. What can you infer is about to happen?
- A.Someone is going to celebrate a birthday
- B.The family is preparing for a power outage
- C.Dad is cooking dinner for guests
- D.The kitchen drawers need to be reorganized
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Correct answer: Someone is going to celebrate a birthday
You can infer that someone is going to celebrate a birthday. The cake box, the matches, and the handful of small candles together point to a birthday celebration even though it is never stated directly. A power outage, dinner, or reorganizing do not fit all of these clues.
The detective remained skeptical of the witness's story, asking the same question three different ways to see whether the answers would change. As used in this sentence, the word "skeptical" most nearly means
- A.Certain
- B.Doubtful
- C.Frightened
- D.Cheerful
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Correct answer: Doubtful
In this sentence, "skeptical" most nearly means doubtful. The detective questions the story repeatedly to test it, which shows he is not convinced it is true. "Certain," "frightened," and "cheerful" do not match the careful, questioning behavior described.
Because the beavers built a dam across the stream, the water spread out and flooded the low meadow. The new pond soon attracted ducks, frogs, and fish that had never lived there before. Which text structure does this passage use?
- A.Compare and contrast
- B.Question and answer
- C.Cause and effect
- D.Chronological order of a person's life
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Correct answer: Cause and effect
The passage uses a cause-and-effect structure. The beavers' dam (cause) leads to flooding and a new pond, which in turn (effect) attracts new animals. The signal word "because" reinforces this. The passage does not compare two things, pose a question, or trace a life story.
Which of the following sentences expresses an opinion?
- A.Leaves change color and fall from many trees in autumn
- B.Autumn occurs between summer and winter
- C.Days grow shorter as autumn moves toward winter
- D.Autumn is by far the most beautiful season of the year
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Correct answer: Autumn is by far the most beautiful season of the year
The opinion is that autumn is by far the most beautiful season of the year. "Most beautiful" is a personal judgment that cannot be proven true or false. The other three statements describe events that can be observed and verified.
The new bus route added stops at the hospital, the community college, and three apartment complexes. In its first month, ridership rose by forty percent compared with the old route. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?
- A.Adding stops in useful locations can increase ridership
- B.Buses are always better than driving a car
- C.The old route had no stops at all
- D.The college caused all of the increase
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Correct answer: Adding stops in useful locations can increase ridership
The best-supported conclusion is that adding stops in useful locations can increase ridership. The passage links new stops at key destinations to a forty percent rise in riders. It never claims buses beat cars, that the old route lacked stops, or that the college alone caused the increase.
The recipe called for fresh basil, but the store had none left. ______, the cook substituted a spoonful of dried basil and adjusted the amount to taste. Which transition word best fits the blank?
- A.Therefore
- B.Instead
- C.Similarly
- D.Meanwhile
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Correct answer: Instead
The transition "Instead" best fits the blank. The cook could not use fresh basil and chose a replacement, which signals a substitution. "Therefore" shows a result, "Similarly" shows likeness, and "Meanwhile" shows simultaneous action, none of which match a swap.
Though the trail looked daunting from the bottom, with switchbacks climbing steeply up the cliff, the group decided to attempt the hike anyway. As used here, the word "daunting" most nearly means
- A.Inviting
- B.Boring
- C.Intimidating
- D.Ordinary
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Correct answer: Intimidating
As used here, "daunting" most nearly means intimidating. The steep switchbacks climbing a cliff make the trail look frightening or discouraging, which the group must overcome. "Inviting," "boring," and "ordinary" do not capture the sense of a challenge that gives one pause.
Lena stayed at her desk long after the office had emptied, rechecking each figure in the budget twice. Before sending the file, she read it aloud one last time, pen in hand to catch any final slip. Which word best describes Lena based on this passage?
- A.Careless
- B.Lazy
- C.Impatient
- D.Thorough
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Correct answer: Thorough
Based on the passage, Lena is best described as thorough. She rechecks figures twice, stays late, and reads the file aloud to catch mistakes, all signs of careful attention to detail. "Careless," "lazy," and "impatient" are the opposite of her behavior.
Hardcover books are durable and feel substantial in the hand, but they are heavy and cost more. Paperbacks are light and inexpensive, though their covers bend and tear easily. How is this passage organized?
- A.By comparing and contrasting two kinds of books
- B.By listing events in time order
- C.By describing a single problem and its solution
- D.By tracing causes and their effects
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Correct answer: By comparing and contrasting two kinds of books
The passage is organized by comparing and contrasting two kinds of books. It weighs the strengths and weaknesses of hardcovers against those of paperbacks. There is no time sequence, single problem-solution, or chain of causes and effects.
The volunteers arrived at dawn with shovels, gloves, and bags. By afternoon, the riverbank that had been littered with cans and plastic was clear, and a row of young saplings stood where trash had been. Which title best captures the main idea?
- A.The Dangers of Plastic in Oceans
- B.A Cleanup Effort Transforms the Riverbank
- C.How to Plant a Tree Correctly
- D.A History of the Town's River
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Correct answer: A Cleanup Effort Transforms the Riverbank
The best title is "A Cleanup Effort Transforms the Riverbank." The passage shows volunteers removing trash and planting saplings, changing the river's condition for the better. The other titles focus on topics the passage does not develop, such as ocean plastic, planting instructions, or river history.
Monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles south each autumn to escape the cold. Remarkably, no single butterfly makes the whole round trip; it takes several generations to complete the journey north again in spring. According to the passage, what is remarkable about the monarch migration?
- A.A single butterfly flies the entire route alone
- B.Monarchs travel north in autumn
- C.Several generations are needed to complete the round trip
- D.Monarchs avoid traveling in spring
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Correct answer: Several generations are needed to complete the round trip
The remarkable detail is that several generations are needed to complete the round trip. The passage explicitly states no single butterfly makes the whole journey. The other choices contradict the passage, which says monarchs go south in autumn and complete the northward trip in spring.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth, casting its shadow on our planet. During a total eclipse, the sky darkens and stars may briefly appear in the middle of the day. What is the author's main purpose?
- A.To explain how a solar eclipse occurs
- B.To convince readers to watch an eclipse
- C.To entertain readers with a funny story
- D.To complain about cloudy weather
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Correct answer: To explain how a solar eclipse occurs
The author's main purpose is to explain how a solar eclipse occurs. The passage gives a clear, factual description of the moon, sun, and earth lining up and what is observed. It does not urge action, tell a joke, or voice a complaint.
Marcus loaded the canoe with a tent, a fishing rod, and a cooler, then checked the weather forecast one last time. He told his sister he would be back in three days and pushed off from the dock. What is Marcus most likely going to do?
- A.Sell the canoe to a neighbor
- B.Take a multi-day camping and fishing trip
- C.Race other boats on the lake
- D.Move permanently to another town
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Correct answer: Take a multi-day camping and fishing trip
Marcus is most likely going to take a multi-day camping and fishing trip. The tent, fishing rod, cooler, and his statement about returning in three days all point to an outdoor overnight trip. Selling the canoe, racing, or moving away do not fit these clues.
The committee will review the proposal and submit its formal report by Friday. As used in this sentence, the word "submit" most nearly means
- A.Give up
- B.Argue against
- C.Turn in
- D.Hide away
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Correct answer: Turn in
In this sentence, "submit" most nearly means turn in. The committee will hand over its report by a deadline, which is the sense of presenting a document. Although "submit" can mean to surrender, that meaning does not fit a report being delivered on a date.
First, sand the wooden surface until it is smooth. Next, wipe away the dust with a damp cloth. Then apply a thin coat of stain, working with the grain. Finally, let the piece dry overnight before adding a second coat. Which organizational pattern does the passage use?
- A.Cause and effect
- B.Comparison of two methods
- C.Statement of a problem and its solution
- D.Sequence of steps
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Correct answer: Sequence of steps
The passage uses a sequence of steps. Words such as "first," "next," "then," and "finally" arrange the actions in the order they should be done. It does not trace causes and effects, compare methods, or present a problem and solution.
Sleep is not wasted time. While we rest, the body repairs muscle, the immune system strengthens, and the brain stores new memories. People who skimp on sleep often find their focus, mood, and health slipping. The passage is mainly about
- A.The important benefits of getting enough sleep
- B.How to fall asleep faster at night
- C.Why people enjoy staying up late
- D.The differences between dreams and nightmares
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Correct answer: The important benefits of getting enough sleep
The passage is mainly about the important benefits of getting enough sleep. It lists how rest repairs the body, strengthens immunity, and stores memories, then warns of problems from too little sleep. It does not give tips for falling asleep, discuss late nights, or compare dreams.
With trembling hands and a racing heart, she opened the envelope that would decide her future. The room seemed to hold its breath as her eyes moved down the page. Which word best describes the mood of this passage?
- A.Humorous
- B.Suspenseful
- C.Peaceful
- D.Indifferent
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Correct answer: Suspenseful
The mood is best described as suspenseful. Trembling hands, a racing heart, and the room holding its breath build tension as the outcome remains unknown. The passage is not funny, calm, or uncaring.
Read the passage. Our city council just approved a beautiful new park downtown. The plans include three acres of green space, a playground, and a walking path. In my view, this is the best decision the council has made in years. Which sentence from the passage states an opinion?
- A.The plans include three acres of green space, a playground, and a walking path
- B.Our city council just approved a new park downtown
- C.In my view, this is the best decision the council has made in years
- D.The park will be located in the downtown area
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Correct answer: In my view, this is the best decision the council has made in years
The opinion is "In my view, this is the best decision the council has made in years." The phrase "in my view" and the judgment "best decision" signal a personal belief. The other sentences describe approvable, checkable facts about the park.
Yet another shopping app promises to "revolutionize" how we buy socks. We are told it will change our lives, though it does little more than the dozen apps already crowding our phones. How does the author seem to feel about the new app?
- A.Eager to download it immediately
- B.Confused about what it does
- C.Grateful for the convenience it offers
- D.Unimpressed and doubtful of its claims
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Correct answer: Unimpressed and doubtful of its claims
The author seems unimpressed and doubtful of its claims. Putting "revolutionize" in quotation marks and saying it does little more than existing apps signals skepticism. The author is not eager, confused, or grateful.
The Great Wall of China was not built all at once. Different rulers added sections over many centuries, using stone, brick, and packed earth depending on what materials were nearby. According to the passage, what determined the materials used in different sections?
- A.What materials were available nearby
- B.The personal taste of each emperor
- C.The season in which work began
- D.How many workers were available
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Correct answer: What materials were available nearby
The passage states that the materials depended on what was available nearby. It directly links the choice of stone, brick, or earth to local supply. The emperors' taste, the season, and the number of workers are not given as reasons.
The new policy was meant to alleviate crowding on the morning trains, so the company added extra cars during rush hour. As used here, "alleviate" most nearly means
- A.Worsen
- B.Ease
- C.Ignore
- D.Celebrate
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Correct answer: Ease
As used here, "alleviate" most nearly means ease. Adding extra cars is meant to reduce or relieve crowding, which matches the sense of making a problem less severe. "Worsen," "ignore," and "celebrate" do not fit a measure designed to lessen a problem.
Reading aloud to young children does more than pass the time. It builds vocabulary, teaches how stories work, and creates a warm bond between reader and child. These early benefits can shape a child's love of learning for years. Which statement best expresses the central idea?
- A.Children prefer picture books over chapter books
- B.Parents rarely have time to read to their children
- C.Reading aloud to children offers lasting learning and emotional benefits
- D.Vocabulary is the only skill that matters for reading
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Correct answer: Reading aloud to children offers lasting learning and emotional benefits
The central idea is that reading aloud to children offers lasting learning and emotional benefits. The passage lists vocabulary, story knowledge, bonding, and a love of learning as outcomes. The other choices add claims the passage never makes or narrow it too far.
Many commuters waste time circling parking lots looking for an open space. To address this, the airport installed sensors above each spot and overhead lights that glow green when a space is free. Which structure best describes this passage?
- A.Chronological order
- B.Compare and contrast
- C.Description of a single place
- D.Problem and solution
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Correct answer: Problem and solution
This passage uses a problem-and-solution structure. It first states the problem of drivers wasting time searching for parking, then describes the sensor-and-light system created to solve it. It is not arranged by time, by comparison, or as a pure description.
After the bakery began posting calorie counts next to each pastry, sales of the smaller, lighter muffins rose, while sales of the largest cakes fell. What does this most strongly suggest?
- A.Some customers chose lower-calorie items once they saw the counts
- B.The bakery stopped selling large cakes entirely
- C.The muffins were cheaper than the cakes
- D.Calorie counts have no effect on shopping
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Correct answer: Some customers chose lower-calorie items once they saw the counts
This most strongly suggests that some customers chose lower-calorie items once they saw the counts. The shift toward lighter muffins and away from large cakes followed the new labels. The passage does not say cakes were removed, that price mattered, or that labels had no effect.
The toddler was so obstinate that no amount of coaxing could make him put on his shoes; he sat with his arms crossed and refused. As used here, "obstinate" most nearly means
- A.Shy
- B.Stubborn
- C.Generous
- D.Forgetful
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Correct answer: Stubborn
As used here, "obstinate" most nearly means stubborn. The toddler refuses to budge despite coaxing and sits with his arms crossed, showing firm unwillingness. "Shy," "generous," and "forgetful" do not match his determined refusal.
The cat watched the laser dot dance across the floor, crouched low and twitching its tail. With one mighty pounce it landed exactly where the dot had been, only to find nothing but bare carpet beneath its paws. What is the author's main purpose in this passage?
- A.To instruct readers on training cats
- B.To argue that lasers are harmful to pets
- C.To report a scientific finding
- D.To entertain with a playful scene
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Correct answer: To entertain with a playful scene
The author's main purpose is to entertain with a playful scene. The vivid, amusing description of the cat chasing and missing the laser dot is meant to delight the reader. It does not give instructions, make an argument, or report a study.
Wind turbines convert moving air into electricity without burning fuel or releasing smoke. A single large turbine can power hundreds of homes, and a field of them can supply a small town. Because the wind is free and endless, the cost of running them stays low after they are built. Which sentence best states the main idea?
- A.Wind turbines provide clean electricity at a low ongoing cost
- B.Turbines are taller than most buildings
- C.Burning fuel is the only way to make electricity
- D.Small towns should never use wind power
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Correct answer: Wind turbines provide clean electricity at a low ongoing cost
The main idea is that wind turbines provide clean electricity at a low ongoing cost. The passage stresses that they produce power without smoke and run cheaply because wind is free. The other choices are unmentioned details or claims the passage contradicts.
The hikers wanted to reach the summit before dark. ______, they skipped their usual lunch break and ate granola bars while walking. Which word or phrase best completes the sentence?
- A.In contrast
- B.As a result
- C.For example
- D.On the other hand
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Correct answer: As a result
The phrase "As a result" best completes the sentence. The hikers' goal of beating darkness causes them to skip lunch, a cause-and-effect link. "In contrast" and "On the other hand" show difference, and "For example" introduces an illustration, none of which fit.
The sign on the glass door read "Sorry, we're closed," and the chairs had been stacked upside down on the tables. A worker pushed a mop across the floor while the last customer slipped out into the night. Where and when does this scene most likely take place?
- A.At a school during morning classes
- B.At a beach on a summer afternoon
- C.At a restaurant at the end of the business day
- D.At a library when it first opens
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Correct answer: At a restaurant at the end of the business day
The scene most likely takes place at a restaurant at the end of the business day. The "closed" sign, stacked chairs on tables, mopping, and the last customer leaving at night all signal closing time at an eatery. The other settings do not match these clues.
Although the early reviews were harsh, the author remained resolute and spent two more years perfecting the novel. As used here, "resolute" most nearly means
- A.Discouraged
- B.Careless
- C.Uncertain
- D.Determined
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Correct answer: Determined
As used here, "resolute" most nearly means determined. Despite harsh reviews, the author keeps working for two more years, showing firm purpose. "Discouraged," "careless," and "uncertain" all conflict with the steady commitment described.
The blue-footed booby is a seabird famous for its bright turquoise feet. During courtship, the male lifts his feet one at a time in a high-stepping dance, and the bluer the feet, the more attractive he is to a mate. According to the passage, what makes a male booby more attractive to a mate?
- A.Having bluer feet
- B.Singing the loudest song
- C.Building the largest nest
- D.Catching the most fish
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Correct answer: Having bluer feet
According to the passage, a male booby is more attractive when he has bluer feet. The text directly links foot color to attractiveness during the courtship dance. Singing, nest building, and fishing are not mentioned.
Tomatoes were once feared in parts of Europe, where some believed the bright red fruit was poisonous. Wealthy diners ate from pewter plates that leached lead into the acidic juice, making people sick and giving the tomato an undeserved bad reputation. Which statement is a supporting detail rather than the main idea?
- A.Tomatoes were once wrongly believed to be poisonous
- B.Wealthy diners used pewter plates that leached lead into the juice
- C.The tomato earned an undeserved bad reputation
- D.People feared the tomato for reasons that were not the fruit's fault
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Correct answer: Wealthy diners used pewter plates that leached lead into the juice
The supporting detail is that wealthy diners used pewter plates that leached lead into the juice. This specific fact explains the broader main idea that the tomato was wrongly feared. The other choices restate that central point rather than support it.
The forecast called for clear skies all weekend. ______, a sudden storm rolled in Saturday afternoon and washed out the festival. Which transition best fits the blank?
- A.Likewise
- B.Consequently
- C.However
- D.In addition
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Correct answer: However
The transition "However" best fits the blank. The clear forecast and the surprise storm are opposites, so a contrast word is needed. "Likewise" and "In addition" add similar ideas, and "Consequently" shows a result, none of which signal the unexpected reversal.
Schools should start the day no earlier than nine o'clock. Teenagers' bodies are wired to fall asleep late and wake late, so early start times leave them exhausted. Studies link later starts to better grades and fewer car crashes among young drivers. What is the author trying to do in this passage?
- A.Describe a typical day at a high school
- B.Explain how the human body produces sleep
- C.Tell an entertaining story about a student
- D.Persuade readers that schools should start later
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Correct answer: Persuade readers that schools should start later
The author is trying to persuade readers that schools should start later. The passage states a clear position and supports it with reasons about teen sleep, grades, and safety. It is not a neutral description, a biology lesson, or a story.
Read the passage, then answer the question. Wetlands once seemed like wasted, soggy ground, and many were drained to make room for farms and cities. We now understand how costly that was. Wetlands soak up floodwaters like a sponge, filter pollutants from the water, and shelter countless birds and fish. Restoring them is one of the cheapest ways a community can protect itself. What is the author's main purpose in this passage?
- A.To persuade readers that wetlands are valuable and worth protecting
- B.To explain the steps involved in draining a wetland
- C.To describe a single bird species found in wetlands
- D.To compare the cost of farms with the cost of cities
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Correct answer: To persuade readers that wetlands are valuable and worth protecting
The correct answer is that the author wants to persuade readers that wetlands are valuable and worth protecting. The passage calls draining them costly and lists their benefits before urging that restoration protects communities, signaling a persuasive purpose.
Read the passage, then answer the question. The negotiations had dragged on for months, but the two sides finally reached an amicable agreement. Both teams shook hands, smiled for the cameras, and promised to work together on future projects. As used in the passage, the word "amicable" most nearly means
- A.Friendly
- B.Expensive
- C.Temporary
- D.Complicated
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Correct answer: Friendly
The correct answer is friendly. The clues that both sides shook hands, smiled, and promised to work together show goodwill, so an amicable agreement is a friendly one.
Read the two passages, then answer the question. Passage 1: Online classes give students freedom. Learners can study at any hour, replay difficult lessons, and avoid long commutes to campus. Passage 2: Online classes ask a great deal of students. Without a set schedule or a teacher in the room, many learners fall behind and never finish the course. How do the two passages differ in their view of online classes?
- A.Passage 1 emphasizes their advantages, while Passage 2 emphasizes their drawbacks
- B.Both passages argue that online classes should be banned
- C.Passage 1 focuses on cost, while Passage 2 focuses on commute times
- D.Both passages claim online classes are easier than in-person classes
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Correct answer: Passage 1 emphasizes their advantages, while Passage 2 emphasizes their drawbacks
The correct answer is that Passage 1 emphasizes advantages while Passage 2 emphasizes drawbacks. Passage 1 praises flexibility and convenience, whereas Passage 2 warns that the lack of structure causes many students to fall behind.

Writing (150)

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined portion: "Each of the students have submitted their final essays before the deadline."
- A.Have submitted
- B.Are submitting
- C.Has submitted
- D.Were submitting
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Correct answer: Has submitted
The subject "Each" is singular and takes a singular verb, so "has submitted" is correct.
Select the best replacement: "Neither the coach nor the players was ready for the championship game."
- A.Is
- B.Were
- C.Has been
- D.Was
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Correct answer: Were
With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject; "players" is plural, so "were" is correct.
Which choice corrects the verb-tense shift? "When the alarm sounded, everyone quickly leaves the building."
- A.Will leave
- B.Left
- C.Leaves
- D.Leave
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Correct answer: Left
The sentence is in the past tense ("sounded"), so the verb should be the past-tense "left" to avoid an inappropriate shift.
Choose the best replacement: "A person should always check their facts before posting online."
- A.They're facts
- B.His or her facts
- C.Their facts
- D.Its facts
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Correct answer: His or her facts
"A person" is singular, so the pronoun must be singular; "his or her" maintains pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Select the option that uses the correct pronoun case: "The award was given to my partner and I."
- A.I
- B.Me
- C.Myself
- D.Mine
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Correct answer: Me
As the object of the preposition "to," the objective-case pronoun "me" is required.
Which choice is correct? "Of the two candidates, she is the most qualified."
- A.Much qualified
- B.Most qualified
- C.Qualifieder
- D.More qualified
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Correct answer: More qualified
When comparing exactly two items, the comparative form "more qualified" is correct, not the superlative.
Choose the best replacement: "The team played good throughout the entire tournament."
- A.Goodly
- B.More good
- C.Good
- D.Well
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Correct answer: Well
An adverb is needed to modify the verb "played"; "well" is the correct adverb form.
Select the correct verb: "There is several reasons to support this proposal."
- A.Was
- B.Is
- C.Has been
- D.Are
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Correct answer: Are
The true subject is the plural "reasons," so the plural verb "are" is required.
Which choice corrects the pronoun shift? "If a student studies regularly, you will likely pass the exam."
- A.They will likely pass it
- B.He or she will likely pass
- C.One will pass you
- D.You will likely pass
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Correct answer: He or she will likely pass
The pronoun must agree with the singular antecedent "a student"; "he or she" eliminates the inappropriate shift to "you."
Choose the best replacement: "By the time we arrived, the movie already started."
- A.Had already started
- B.Has already start
- C.Already started
- D.Already starts
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Correct answer: Had already started
The past perfect "had already started" correctly shows the action was completed before the past arrival.
Select the correct option: "Everybody on the women's soccer team brought his own water bottle."
- A.Its
- B.His
- C.Her
- D.Their
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Correct answer: Her
"Everybody" is singular and the team is women's, so the singular feminine pronoun "her" is correct.
Which choice is correct? "The data suggests that sleep improves memory, according to the researchers."
- A.Has suggest
- B.Suggests
- C.Suggest
- D.Is suggesting
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Correct answer: Suggest
In formal academic usage "data" is treated as plural, so the plural verb "suggest" agrees correctly.
Choose the best replacement: "My sister and me went to the museum on Saturday."
- A.I
- B.Me
- C.Us
- D.Myself
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Correct answer: I
As part of the compound subject, the nominative-case pronoun "I" is correct.
Select the correct verb: "Mathematics are my favorite subject this semester."
- A.Are
- B.Have been
- C.Is
- D.Were
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Correct answer: Is
"Mathematics" is singular despite ending in -s, so it takes the singular verb "is."
Which revision corrects the sentence fragment? "Because the bridge was closed for repairs."
- A.Because the bridge was closed for repairs, we took a detour.
- B.The bridge was closed for repairs, because.
- C.Because the bridge was closed for repairs.
- D.Closed for repairs the bridge.
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Correct answer: Because the bridge was closed for repairs, we took a detour.
The original is a dependent clause; adding an independent clause creates a complete sentence.
Choose the best correction for this run-on: "The storm knocked out the power we lit candles for light."
- A.The storm knocked out the power we lit, candles for light.
- B.The storm knocked out the power, we lit candles for light.
- C.The storm knocked out the power we lit candles for light.
- D.The storm knocked out the power, so we lit candles for light.
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Correct answer: The storm knocked out the power, so we lit candles for light.
Joining the two independent clauses with a comma and the coordinating conjunction "so" correctly fixes the run-on.
Which choice corrects the comma splice? "The recipe looked simple, it took three hours to prepare."
- A.Simple it took
- B.Simple; it took
- C.Simple, it; took
- D.Simple, it took
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Correct answer: Simple; it took
A semicolon correctly links two closely related independent clauses, eliminating the comma splice.
Choose the option with the correctly placed modifier: "Walking to school, the rain soaked my backpack."
- A.Walking to school, I felt the rain soak my backpack.
- B.The rain soaked my backpack, walking to school.
- C.The rain, walking to school, soaked my backpack.
- D.Walking to school, the rain soaked my backpack.
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Correct answer: Walking to school, I felt the rain soak my backpack.
The modifier "Walking to school" must describe a person who can walk; revising so "I" follows the phrase fixes the dangling modifier.
Select the version with correct parallel structure: "She enjoys hiking, swimming, and to ride bikes."
- A.To hike, swimming, and biking
- B.Hiking, to swim, and biking
- C.Hiking, swimming, and biking
- D.Hiking, swimming, and to ride bikes
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Correct answer: Hiking, swimming, and biking
All items in the series should share the same -ing form for parallel structure: "hiking, swimming, and biking."
Which choice best corrects the misplaced modifier? "The waiter served a steak to the customer that was cooked perfectly."
- A.Served a steak to the customer, perfectly cooked that was
- B.Served a steak that was cooked perfectly to the customer
- C.Served a steak to the customer that was cooked perfectly
- D.Served, that was cooked perfectly, a steak to the customer
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Correct answer: Served a steak that was cooked perfectly to the customer
Placing "that was cooked perfectly" right after "steak" makes clear the steak, not the customer, was cooked.
Choose the best revision: "The committee reviewed the proposal. And then voted to approve it."
- A.The proposal; and then voted
- B.The proposal. And then voted
- C.The proposal and then voted
- D.The proposal, and. Then voted
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Correct answer: The proposal and then voted
"And then voted to approve it" is a fragment; joining it to the previous clause forms one complete sentence.
Which choice corrects the faulty coordination? "I wanted to attend the concert, but I bought a ticket immediately."
- A.Concert, but I bought
- B.Concert, or I bought
- C.Concert, so I bought
- D.Concert, yet I bought
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Correct answer: Concert, so I bought
"So" shows the logical cause-effect relationship between wanting to attend and buying a ticket.
Select the sentence with no fragment: "The author, whose novels won several awards over the past decade."
- A.The author, whose novels won several awards over the past decade.
- B.Whose novels won several awards over the past decade.
- C.The author whose. Novels won several awards.
- D.The author, whose novels won several awards, lives in Florida.
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Correct answer: The author, whose novels won several awards, lives in Florida.
Adding the independent clause "lives in Florida" gives the subject "author" a main verb, completing the sentence.
Which revision best combines the choppy sentences? "The lecture ended. Students gathered their notes. They left the hall."
- A.The lecture ended and students and notes and the hall.
- B.After the lecture ended, students gathered their notes and left the hall.
- C.The lecture ended, students gathered their notes, they left the hall.
- D.The lecture ended. Students gathered their notes. They left the hall.
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Correct answer: After the lecture ended, students gathered their notes and left the hall.
Subordinating and coordinating the ideas creates one smooth, complete sentence without choppiness or run-on errors.
Choose the best correction: "Running quickly down the field, the goal was scored by the striker."
- A.The goal, running quickly down the field, was scored.
- B.Running quickly down the field, the goal was scored by the striker.
- C.Running quickly down the field, the striker scored the goal.
- D.Running quickly, down the field the goal was scored.
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Correct answer: Running quickly down the field, the striker scored the goal.
The opening phrase must modify the striker (who runs), so the striker should be the subject of the main clause.
Which choice corrects the run-on? "Maria loves reading mysteries her brother prefers science fiction."
- A.Mysteries her brother
- B.Mysteries, her brother
- C.Mysteries; her brother
- D.Mysteries her, brother
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Correct answer: Mysteries; her brother
A semicolon properly separates the two independent clauses, fixing the fused (run-on) sentence.
Select the version with correct subordination: "Although the experiment failed, but the team learned valuable lessons."
- A.Although the experiment failed, but the team
- B.Although the experiment failed, the team
- C.Although, but the experiment failed the team
- D.The experiment failed, but the team, although
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Correct answer: Although the experiment failed, the team
Using "although" and "but" together is redundant; one subordinating word is sufficient.
Where should the comma be added? "After we finished dinner we watched a documentary about the ocean."
- A.After we finished dinner we watched,
- B.After we finished, dinner we watched
- C.After we finished dinner, we watched
- D.After, we finished dinner we watched
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Correct answer: After we finished dinner, we watched
A comma is needed after the introductory dependent clause "After we finished dinner."
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
- A.The store sells apples, oranges and, bananas.
- B.The store sells apples, oranges, and bananas.
- C.The store sells, apples oranges and bananas.
- D.The store sells apples oranges, and bananas.
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Correct answer: The store sells apples, oranges, and bananas.
Items in a series are separated by commas, with a comma before the final "and" (the serial comma).
Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?
- A.The dogs bowl's was empty.
- B.The dog's bowl was empty by noon.
- C.The dogs' bowl was empty by noon, for one dog.
- D.The dogs bowl was empty by noon.
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Correct answer: The dog's bowl was empty by noon.
To show singular possession for one dog, the apostrophe goes before the -s: "dog's bowl."
Which sentence is capitalized correctly?
- A.My favorite class this semester is american history
- B.My favorite Class this Semester is American history.
- C.My favorite class this semester is American History.
- D.My Favorite Class this semester is american history.
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Correct answer: My favorite class this semester is American History.
"American History" is a proper noun/specific course title; the common nouns "class" and "semester" are not capitalized.
Choose the correct option: "It's been raining all week, and the dog wants its walk."
- A.Its / it's
- B.It's / its
- C.It's / it's
- D.Its / its
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Correct answer: It's / its
"It's" is the contraction for "it has," and "its" is the possessive pronoun for the dog's walk.
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- A.The flight was delayed, we waited; at the gate.
- B.The flight; was delayed we waited.
- C.The flight was delayed; we waited at the gate for hours.
- D.The flight was delayed; because of the snowstorm.
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Correct answer: The flight was delayed; we waited at the gate for hours.
A semicolon joins two related independent clauses, which is the case in option B.
Which sentence correctly punctuates the nonessential clause?
- A.My brother who lives in Texas is visiting next month.
- B.My brother who lives in Texas, is visiting next month.
- C.My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting next month.
- D.My brother, who lives in Texas is visiting next month.
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Correct answer: My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting next month.
A nonessential (nonrestrictive) clause should be set off by a pair of commas.
Choose the correctly capitalized sentence.
- A.We drove North on I-95 toward Jacksonville last friday.
- B.We drove North on i-95 toward Jacksonville last Friday.
- C.We drove north on I-95 toward Jacksonville last Friday.
- D.We drove north on i-95 toward jacksonville last friday.
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Correct answer: We drove north on I-95 toward Jacksonville last Friday.
Compass directions used generally are lowercase; the highway name and city are proper nouns, and "Friday" is always capitalized.
Choose the best replacement for the underlined word: "The new policy will effect every employee in the company."
- A.Affects
- B.Affect
- C.Effects
- D.Effect
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Correct answer: Affect
"Affect" is the verb meaning to influence; "effect" is usually a noun, so the verb "affect" is correct here.
Select the most concise revision: "Due to the fact that it was late, we left."
- A.Because it was late
- B.In light of the fact that it was late
- C.On account of the fact that it was late
- D.Due to the fact that it was late
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Correct answer: Because it was late
"Because" expresses the same meaning concisely, removing the wordy phrase "due to the fact that."
Choose the best replacement: "The committee will precede with the vote after lunch."
- A.Preceed
- B.Proceede
- C.Precede
- D.Proceed
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Correct answer: Proceed
"Proceed" means to continue or move forward; "precede" means to come before, so "proceed" fits the meaning.
Select the option that eliminates redundancy: "At this point in time, we need to make a decision."
- A.At this time point
- B.Now
- C.At this point in time
- D.At this current moment in time presently
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Correct answer: Now
"Now" conveys the same meaning without the redundant wordiness of "at this point in time."
Choose the correct word: "The teacher gave good advice to fewer students than expected, so the amount of questions decreased."
- A.Amount
- B.Number
- C.Sum
- D.Quantity
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Correct answer: Number
"Number" is used with countable nouns like "questions"; "amount" is for uncountable quantities.
Select the best word: "Her argument had a strong affect on the jury's decision."
- A.Affect
- B.Effected
- C.Effect
- D.Affecting
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Correct answer: Effect
Here a noun meaning result/influence is needed, so "effect" is correct.
Choose the most precise replacement: "The scientist did a thing with the chemicals to test the reaction."
- A.Combined
- B.Did a thing with
- C.Went and did something to
- D.Stuff with
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Correct answer: Combined
"Combined" is precise and appropriate for academic writing, replacing the vague "did a thing with."
Select the correct word: "You should have brought less chairs to the meeting."
- A.Less
- B.Lesser
- C.Fewer
- D.Little
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Correct answer: Fewer
"Fewer" is used with countable nouns like "chairs"; "less" is for uncountable nouns.
Choose the best replacement: "The instructions were not very clear, so the results were ambiguous and irregardless confusing."
- A.Regardless
- B.Regardlessly
- C.Irregardless of
- D.Irregardless
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Correct answer: Regardless
"Irregardless" is nonstandard; the correct word is "regardless."
Select the correct word: "They invited my family and me to their house for dinner."
- A.They're
- B.Theyre
- C.Their
- D.There
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Correct answer: Their
"Their" is the possessive form needed to show the house belongs to them.
Which transition best completes the sentence? "The forecast predicted clear skies; __, it rained all afternoon."
- A.Similarly
- B.However
- C.Therefore
- D.Furthermore
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Correct answer: However
"However" signals the contrast between the forecast and the actual rain.
Choose the best transition: "She studied every night for a month. __, she earned the highest score in the class."
- A.As a result
- B.In contrast
- C.On the other hand
- D.Nevertheless
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Correct answer: As a result
"As a result" shows the cause-and-effect relationship between studying and the high score.
Select the best transition: "The city built new bike lanes. __, it added several public charging stations."
- A.Otherwise
- B.However
- C.Nonetheless
- D.In addition
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Correct answer: In addition
"In addition" correctly signals that another related improvement is being added to the first.
Which transition fits best? "Many people enjoy the convenience of online shopping. __, some still prefer browsing in physical stores."
- A.Consequently
- B.Nevertheless
- C.Therefore
- D.Likewise
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Correct answer: Nevertheless
"Nevertheless" introduces a contrasting preference, fitting the relationship between the two sentences.
Choose the best transition: "First, gather all the ingredients. __, preheat the oven to 375 degrees."
- A.However
- B.In conclusion
- C.Next
- D.For example
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Correct answer: Next
"Next" signals the following step in a sequence of instructions.
In a paragraph about reducing plastic waste, which sentence is the clearest topic sentence?
- A.Glass bottles are heavier than plastic ones.
- B.Plastic was invented in the early twentieth century.
- C.Many people enjoy recycling on weekends.
- D.Reducing plastic waste requires changes at both the individual and industrial levels.
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Correct answer: Reducing plastic waste requires changes at both the individual and industrial levels.
This sentence states the main idea the paragraph will develop, making it the best topic sentence.
A writer wants to conclude an essay arguing for more public parks. Which sentence is the best concluding sentence?
- A.Public parks were first built in major cities.
- B.Some parks have basketball courts.
- C.My neighbor visits the park every morning.
- D.In short, investing in public parks improves community health, the environment, and quality of life.
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Correct answer: In short, investing in public parks improves community health, the environment, and quality of life.
This sentence summarizes the essay's main points and reinforces the argument, making it an effective conclusion.
Which sentence order is most logical? (1) Finally, frost the cooled cake. (2) First, mix the batter. (3) Then bake it for thirty minutes.
- A.2, 1, 3
- B.2, 3, 1
- C.3, 2, 1
- D.1, 2, 3
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Correct answer: 2, 3, 1
The logical chronological order is mixing the batter, baking, then frosting: 2, 3, 1.
A student is writing an introduction. Which sentence best belongs at the start of the essay rather than the body?
- A.Sleep plays a vital role in students' academic success.
- B.In contrast, sleep deprivation reduces focus.
- C.For example, one study found a 20% increase in test scores.
- D.Additionally, naps can improve memory retention.
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Correct answer: Sleep plays a vital role in students' academic success.
A broad statement of the main idea works as an introductory/thesis sentence, while the others contain supporting detail or transitions for body paragraphs.
Where should this sentence best be placed in an essay? "To summarize, recycling benefits both the economy and the environment."
- A.In the middle of the first body paragraph
- B.In the conclusion
- C.As the essay title
- D.At the beginning of the introduction
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Correct answer: In the conclusion
The phrase "To summarize" signals a closing statement, so it belongs in the conclusion.
A paragraph argues that exercise improves mood. Which sentence is irrelevant and should be removed? (1) Exercise releases endorphins that boost mood. (2) Studies link regular activity to lower rates of depression. (3) My cousin recently bought a red bicycle. (4) Even a short daily walk can improve emotional well-being.
- A.Sentence 1
- B.Sentence 4
- C.Sentence 2
- D.Sentence 3
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Correct answer: Sentence 3
Sentence 3 about a red bicycle is an irrelevant detail unrelated to exercise improving mood and should be removed.
A writer wants to support the claim "Reading expands vocabulary." Which added detail is most relevant?
- A.Paperback books are usually cheaper than hardcovers.
- B.The library closes at 8 p.m. on weekdays.
- C.Studies show frequent readers learn thousands more words than non-readers.
- D.Some people prefer audiobooks while commuting.
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Correct answer: Studies show frequent readers learn thousands more words than non-readers.
A study directly linking reading to learning more words best supports the claim about vocabulary.
In a paragraph about the benefits of a balanced diet, which sentence provides the most relevant supporting detail?
- A.Many grocery stores offer loyalty programs.
- B.A balanced diet supplies the nutrients the body needs to function and fight illness.
- C.Fast-food restaurants are open late at night.
- D.Cooking shows have become popular on television.
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Correct answer: A balanced diet supplies the nutrients the body needs to function and fight illness.
This sentence directly explains a benefit of a balanced diet, making it the most relevant support.
A student is revising a paragraph about the importance of voting. Which sentence is off-topic and should be deleted? (1) Voting allows citizens to influence policy. (2) Local elections often decide school funding. (3) The town's new pizza restaurant has excellent reviews. (4) Every vote contributes to representative government.
- A.Sentence 4
- B.Sentence 3
- C.Sentence 2
- D.Sentence 1
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Correct answer: Sentence 3
Sentence 3 about a pizza restaurant is unrelated to the importance of voting and should be deleted.
Choose the best revision of the underlined portion: "Each of the volunteers brought their own supplies to the cleanup event."
- A.Bringing their own supplies
- B.Brought his or her own supplies
- C.Brought there own supplies
- D.Brought their own supplies
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Correct answer: Brought his or her own supplies
"Each" is singular, so the pronoun must be singular: "his or her." The other options either keep the plural pronoun or introduce errors.
Select the correct verb form: "Neither the manager nor the employees ____ satisfied with the new schedule."
- A.Were
- B.Is
- C.Has been
- D.Was
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Correct answer: Were
With "neither/nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "employees," which is plural, so "were" is correct.
Identify the error: "The committee have decided to postpone the vote until next month."
- A.To postpone
- B.Decided
- C.Have
- D.Committee
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Correct answer: Have
"Committee" is a collective noun acting as a single unit here, so it takes the singular verb "has decided," not "have decided."
Choose the best revision: "If I would have known about the storm, I would have left earlier."
- A.Would have known
- B.Would know
- C.Had known
- D.Have known
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Correct answer: Had known
In a past conditional, the "if" clause uses the past perfect "had known," not "would have known."
Select the correct pronoun: "The award was given to Marcus and ____ for outstanding research."
- A.Myself
- B.Me
- C.I
- D.Mine
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Correct answer: Me
The pronoun is the object of the preposition "to," so the objective case "me" is correct.
Choose the best revision: "She is the most fastest runner on the entire track team."
- A.Most fast
- B.Fastest
- C.More fast
- D.Most fastest
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Correct answer: Fastest
"Fastest" is already a superlative; adding "most" is a double comparison. "Fastest" alone is correct.
Select the correct verb tense: "By the time we arrived at the theater, the movie ____ already started."
- A.Has
- B.Was
- C.Had
- D.Have
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Correct answer: Had
An action completed before another past action uses the past perfect "had already started."
Identify the error: "Me and my brother built a treehouse over the summer break."
- A.Built
- B.Me and my brother
- C.Over the summer break
- D.A treehouse
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Correct answer: Me and my brother
As the subject of the sentence, it should be "My brother and I," using the subjective pronoun "I."
Choose the correct word: "The team played good despite losing several key players to injury."
- A.More good
- B.Good
- C.Well
- D.Goodly
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Correct answer: Well
"Well" is the adverb needed to modify the verb "played"; "good" is an adjective.
Select the correct form: "There are fewer ____ in the budget this year than last year."
- A.Fundings
- B.Money
- C.Funds
- D.Amount
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Correct answer: Funds
"Fewer" modifies countable nouns, so the plural countable noun "funds" fits correctly.
Choose the best revision: "The data shows that customers prefers the new layout."
- A.Shows that customers prefer
- B.Shows that customers prefers
- C.Show that customers prefers
- D.Show that customers prefer
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Correct answer: Shows that customers prefer
"Data" takes "shows" in standard usage here, and the plural subject "customers" requires "prefer."
Identify the error: "Everyone on the boys' soccer team must bring their cleats to practice."
- A.Must bring
- B.Everyone
- C.Boys'
- D.Their
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Correct answer: Their
"Everyone" is singular and requires the singular pronoun "his," not the plural "their."
Choose the best revision: "Walking through the museum, the paintings amazed the students."
- A.The paintings amazed the students walking through the museum being amazed.
- B.Walking through the museum, amazement filled the paintings.
- C.Walking through the museum, the paintings amazed the students.
- D.Walking through the museum, the students were amazed by the paintings.
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Correct answer: Walking through the museum, the students were amazed by the paintings.
The original dangling modifier implies the paintings were walking. The students should follow the introductory phrase as the ones walking.
Choose the best revision: "The recipe calls for flour, sugar, eggs, and you should add a pinch of salt."
- A.Eggs, and you should add a pinch of salt
- B.Eggs, and a pinch of salt
- C.Eggs; you add a pinch of salt
- D.Eggs, adding a pinch of salt by you
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Correct answer: Eggs, and a pinch of salt
Items in a series must be parallel; "a pinch of salt" matches the noun phrases in the list.
Which is a complete, correct sentence?
- A.Delayed by the storm and the passengers grew impatient.
- B.The train was delayed by the storm, so the passengers waited.
- C.The train delayed by the storm and the passengers waiting.
- D.Because the train was delayed by the storm.
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Correct answer: The train was delayed by the storm, so the passengers waited.
This option has two independent clauses correctly joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction "so." The others are fragments.
Choose the best revision: "The professor explained the theory clearly, the students still had questions."
- A.Clearly, the students still
- B.Clearly the students still
- C.Clearly; but the students still
- D.Clearly, but the students still
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Correct answer: Clearly, but the students still
The original is a comma splice. Adding the coordinating conjunction "but" correctly joins the two independent clauses.
Choose the best revision to combine: "The hikers reached the summit. They celebrated with a photo."
- A.The hikers reached the summit; celebrating with a photo of them.
- B.The hikers reached the summit, they celebrated with a photo.
- C.The hikers reached the summit they celebrated with a photo.
- D.Reaching the summit, the hikers celebrated with a photo.
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Correct answer: Reaching the summit, the hikers celebrated with a photo.
The participial phrase "Reaching the summit" smoothly combines the ideas into one correct sentence.
Identify the sentence error: "The store offers discounts to teachers, to students, and people in the military."
- A.To teachers
- B.Offers discounts
- C.People in the military
- D.To students
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Correct answer: People in the military
For parallel structure, the last item should be "to people in the military" to match the preposition pattern of the other items.
Which revision corrects the run-on? "The conference ended early everyone went home satisfied."
- A.The conference ended early everyone, went home satisfied.
- B.The conference ended early everyone went home satisfied.
- C.The conference ended early, everyone went home satisfied.
- D.The conference ended early, and everyone went home satisfied.
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Correct answer: The conference ended early, and everyone went home satisfied.
A comma plus the coordinating conjunction "and" correctly joins the two independent clauses, fixing the run-on.
Choose the best revision: "To improve her grades, the tutor was hired by Maria."
- A.To improve her grades, the tutor was hired by Maria.
- B.To improve her grades, Maria hired a tutor.
- C.To improve her grades, a tutor hiring Maria.
- D.Improving her grades, the tutor was hired by Maria.
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Correct answer: To improve her grades, Maria hired a tutor.
The introductory phrase modifies the one improving her grades, which is Maria; she must be the subject.
Which sentence is correctly constructed?
- A.The novel, which I read last week, it was thrilling.
- B.The novel that I read it last week was thrilling.
- C.The novel I read last week was thrilling.
- D.The novel I read last week, was being thrilling.
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Correct answer: The novel I read last week was thrilling.
This version avoids the redundant pronoun "it" and unnecessary punctuation, forming a clean sentence.
Choose the best revision: "Not only did the storm flood the streets but also it knocked out power."
- A.But also knocked out power
- B.But it also knocking out power
- C.Also it knocked out power
- D.But also it knocked out power
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Correct answer: But also knocked out power
"Not only...but also" requires parallel verb phrases: "did the storm flood" pairs with "knocked out power."
Identify the fragment.
- A.Students took careful notes.
- B.Many questions followed the talk.
- C.The lecture lasted two hours.
- D.Although the topic was difficult.
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Correct answer: Although the topic was difficult.
"Although the topic was difficult" is a dependent clause with no independent clause, making it a fragment.
Which sentence correctly uses the semicolon?
- A.The meeting ran long; because the agenda was full.
- B.The meeting ran; long the agenda was full.
- C.The meeting ran long; and the agenda was full.
- D.The meeting ran long; the agenda was full.
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Correct answer: The meeting ran long; the agenda was full.
A semicolon joins two related independent clauses without a conjunction, which this sentence does correctly.
Which title is capitalized correctly?
- A.The Great Gatsby is set during the Jazz Age.
- B.The great gatsby is set during the jazz age
- C.The great Gatsby is set during the jazz age.
- D.The Great gatsby is set during the Jazz age.
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Correct answer: The Great Gatsby is set during the Jazz Age.
Major words in the title are capitalized, and "Jazz Age" is a recognized proper historical period.
Choose the correct word: "The new policy will ____ how employees request time off."
- A.Effect
- B.Affect
- C.Effecting
- D.Affects
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Correct answer: Affect
"Affect" is the verb meaning to influence; "effect" is usually a noun. The sentence needs the verb "affect."
Choose the correct word: "____ going to need more chairs for the banquet on Saturday."
- A.They're
- B.Theyre
- C.Their
- D.There
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Correct answer: They're
"They're" is the contraction of "they are," which fits the sentence's meaning.
Choose the correct word: "The judge's decision had a strong ____ on the outcome of the case."
- A.Affecting
- B.Effecting
- C.Effect
- D.Affect
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Correct answer: Effect
Here a noun meaning result is needed, so "effect" is correct.
Choose the correct word: "The hikers were warned to stay on the trail so they would not get ____."
- A.Lose
- B.Loose
- C.Loosed
- D.Lost
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Correct answer: Lost
"Lost" correctly describes being unable to find one's way; "loose" and "lose" have different meanings.
Choose the correct word: "Please divide the candy ____ the four children equally."
- A.Within
- B.Between
- C.Among
- D.Amongst the both
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Correct answer: Among
"Among" is used for more than two people or things; "between" applies to two.
Choose the correct word: "The investor decided to ____ his savings in several different stocks."
- A.Diversify
- B.Diverge
- C.Diverse
- D.Diversion
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Correct answer: Diversify
"Diversify" is the verb meaning to spread out investments, fitting the sentence's meaning.
Choose the most precise word: "The scientist gave a very long and ____ explanation that lost the audience."
- A.Interesting
- B.Exciting
- C.Brief
- D.Tedious
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Correct answer: Tedious
"Tedious" best matches a long explanation that lost the audience; the other choices contradict that context.
Choose the correct word: "You should have fewer problems with the printer if you use ____ paper."
- A.Fewer
- B.Less
- C.Least
- D.Lesser
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Correct answer: Less
"Less" modifies uncountable nouns like "paper," whereas "fewer" is for countable nouns.
Choose the correct word: "The coach gave the same advice to everyone, regardless of ____ skill level."
- A.They're
- B.There
- C.Their
- D.Theyre
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Correct answer: Their
"Their" is the possessive pronoun needed to show ownership of "skill level."
Which transition best fits? "The forecast predicted clear skies. ____, we packed our umbrellas just in case."
- A.Consequently
- B.Nevertheless
- C.Likewise
- D.Therefore
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Correct answer: Nevertheless
"Nevertheless" signals a contrast between the clear forecast and packing umbrellas anyway.
Which transition best fits? "The bridge was structurally unsound. ____, the city closed it to all traffic."
- A.As a result
- B.In contrast
- C.However
- D.Meanwhile
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Correct answer: As a result
"As a result" shows the closure was a consequence of the unsound bridge.
Which transition best fits? "The first draft was rough. ____, the final version was polished and clear."
- A.In contrast
- B.For example
- C.Similarly
- D.In addition
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Correct answer: In contrast
"In contrast" highlights the difference between the rough draft and the polished final version.
Which transition best fits? "The bakery uses local ingredients. ____, it supports nearby farmers and reduces waste."
- A.Nevertheless
- B.On the other hand
- C.However
- D.In addition
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Correct answer: In addition
"In addition" adds a supporting benefit to the bakery's use of local ingredients.
Which transition best fits? "Many students study hard for the exam. ____, some still struggle with test anxiety."
- A.For instance
- B.Therefore
- C.Still
- D.Thus
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Correct answer: Still
"Still" signals a concession or contrast, showing that effort does not eliminate anxiety.
Read the paragraph: "(1) Recycling helps the environment. (2) It conserves natural resources. (3) My neighbor recently painted his fence blue. (4) Recycling also reduces landfill waste." Which sentence should be removed?
- A.Sentence 4
- B.Sentence 1
- C.Sentence 2
- D.Sentence 3
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Correct answer: Sentence 3
Sentence 3 about a fence is unrelated to the paragraph's topic of recycling and should be removed.
Which sentence would make the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of regular exercise?
- A.Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for both body and mind.
- B.Some people dislike going to the gym.
- C.I went jogging yesterday morning before work.
- D.Running shoes can be expensive these days.
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Correct answer: Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for both body and mind.
This sentence states the main idea clearly and introduces the benefits the paragraph will discuss.
In what order should these sentences appear? "(1) Finally, bake the cookies for twelve minutes. (2) First, gather all your ingredients. (3) Next, mix the dough thoroughly."
- A.3, 2, 1
- B.2, 3, 1
- C.2, 1, 3
- D.1, 2, 3
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Correct answer: 2, 3, 1
The logical sequence follows the signal words: first gather (2), next mix (3), finally bake (1).
Where should the concluding sentence "In short, teamwork made the project a success" be placed in a paragraph?
- A.At the very beginning
- B.Before the topic sentence
- C.At the end
- D.In the middle
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Correct answer: At the end
A concluding sentence summarizing the main idea belongs at the end of the paragraph.
A paragraph argues that public libraries benefit communities. Which sentence provides the most relevant support?
- A.Libraries are usually quiet places to sit.
- B.Libraries offer free access to books, internet, and educational programs.
- C.I once forgot to return a book on time.
- D.The library near my house has a red brick exterior.
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Correct answer: Libraries offer free access to books, internet, and educational programs.
This sentence directly supports the claim that libraries benefit communities by listing valuable resources.
A writer wants to support the claim that exercise improves focus. Which detail is most relevant?
- A.Some athletes prefer to exercise in the evening.
- B.My favorite color to wear while running is blue.
- C.Many gyms charge expensive monthly fees.
- D.Studies show physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, improving concentration.
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Correct answer: Studies show physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, improving concentration.
This detail provides evidence directly connecting exercise to improved focus, supporting the claim.
A paragraph claims that planting trees helps cities. Which sentence is irrelevant and should be cut?
- A.Tree-lined streets can increase nearby property values.
- B.Trees absorb carbon dioxide and improve air quality.
- C.My grandmother planted roses every spring in her garden.
- D.Trees provide shade that lowers cooling costs in summer.
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Correct answer: My grandmother planted roses every spring in her garden.
The grandmother's roses are unrelated to how trees benefit cities and should be removed.
Choose the best replacement for the underlined portion: "The collection of rare coins were displayed behind locked glass."
- A.Were displayed
- B.Was displayed
- C.Are displayed
- D.Have been displayed
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Correct answer: Was displayed
The correct answer is "was displayed" because the singular subject "collection" governs the verb; the plural "coins" sits in a prepositional phrase and does not control agreement.
Select the option that corrects the subject-verb agreement: "Either the manager or the assistants is handling the complaint."
- A.Is handling
- B.Has handled
- C.Was handling
- D.Are handling
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Correct answer: Are handling
"Are handling" is correct because, in an either/or construction, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, and the nearer subject "assistants" is plural.
Select the correct verb: "The number of applicants has increased sharply this year."
- A.Have
- B.Are
- C.Were
- D.Has
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Correct answer: Has
"Has" is correct because the phrase "the number" is treated as singular, unlike "a number," which takes a plural verb.
Choose the best replacement: "Statistics show that early reading improves later success."
- A.Shows
- B.Is showing
- C.Show
- D.Has shown
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Correct answer: Show
"Show" is correct because here "statistics" refers to numerical data (a plural sense) rather than the academic subject, so it takes a plural verb.
Select the correct pronoun: "Between you and I, the test was harder than expected."
- A.I
- B.Myself
- C.Me
- D.Mine
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Correct answer: Me
"Me" is correct because the pronoun follows the preposition "between" and must be in the objective case.
Choose the correct pronoun: "The teacher praised the students who finished early."
- A.Which
- B.Whose
- C.Whom
- D.Who
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Correct answer: Who
"Who" is correct because it refers to people and functions as the subject of the verb "finished" in the relative clause.
Select the correct pronoun: "Whom did the committee select as chairperson?"
- A.Whom
- B.Who
- C.Whose
- D.Which
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Correct answer: Whom
"Whom" is correct because it serves as the object of the verb "select" in the question.
Choose the best revision: "Neither of the answers were marked correctly on the key."
- A.Was
- B.Were
- C.Are
- D.Have been
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Correct answer: Was
"Was" is correct because "Neither" is a singular indefinite pronoun and requires a singular verb.
Select the option with correct pronoun-antecedent agreement: "Every employee must submit their timesheet by Friday."
- A.Their
- B.His or her
- C.They're
- D.Its
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Correct answer: His or her
"His or her" is correct for formal standard English because the singular antecedent "Every employee" requires a singular pronoun.
Choose the correct verb tense: "She has lived in Miami since 2015."
- A.Lived
- B.Has lived
- C.Was living
- D.Is living
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Correct answer: Has lived
"Has lived" is correct because the present perfect tense describes an action that began in the past and continues to the present, as signaled by "since 2015."
Select the best replacement: "Yesterday the chef had prepared the soup before the guests arrived."
- A.Prepared
- B.Has prepared
- C.Prepares
- D.Had prepared
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Correct answer: Had prepared
"Had prepared" is correct because the past perfect tense shows that the soup was finished before another past action, the guests arriving.
Choose the correct verb form: "If she were president, she would lower tuition."
- A.Was
- B.Is
- C.Were
- D.Has been
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Correct answer: Were
"Were" is correct because the subjunctive mood is used to express a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact condition.
Select the version with correct parallel structure: "The job requires writing reports, attending meetings, and to manage a budget."
- A.Managing
- B.To manage
- C.Management of
- D.Manage
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Correct answer: Managing
"Managing" is correct because parallel structure requires the third item to match the gerund form of the first two items, "writing" and "attending."
Choose the option that maintains parallel structure: "The coach told the team to practice daily, to eat well, and getting enough sleep."
- A.To get
- B.Getting
- C.They should get
- D.Get
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Correct answer: To get
"To get" is correct because it matches the infinitive forms "to practice" and "to eat" earlier in the series.
Which revision corrects the sentence fragment? "While the orchestra tuned their instruments backstage."
- A.While the orchestra tuned their instruments backstage.
- B.While the orchestra, tuning their instruments backstage.
- C.While tuning, the orchestra's instruments backstage.
- D.The orchestra tuned their instruments backstage.
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Correct answer: The orchestra tuned their instruments backstage.
"The orchestra tuned their instruments backstage" is correct because removing the subordinator "While" leaves an independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Choose the best correction for this run-on: "The river rose overnight residents were told to evacuate."
- A.The river rose overnight residents were told to evacuate.
- B.The river rose overnight, residents were told to evacuate.
- C.The river rose overnight residents, were told to evacuate.
- D.The river rose overnight, so residents were told to evacuate.
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Correct answer: The river rose overnight, so residents were told to evacuate.
"The river rose overnight, so residents were told to evacuate" is correct because a comma plus the coordinating conjunction "so" properly joins the two independent clauses.
Which choice corrects the comma splice? "The museum was crowded, we still saw every exhibit."
- A.The museum was crowded; we still saw every exhibit.
- B.The museum was crowded, we still saw every exhibit.
- C.The museum was crowded we still saw every exhibit.
- D.The museum was crowded, we, still saw every exhibit.
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Correct answer: The museum was crowded; we still saw every exhibit.
"The museum was crowded; we still saw every exhibit" is correct because a semicolon properly links two closely related independent clauses.
Choose the option with the correctly placed modifier: "Covered in fresh snow, the hikers admired the mountain peak."
- A.The hikers admired the mountain peak covered in fresh snow.
- B.Covered in fresh snow, the hikers admired the mountain peak.
- C.The hikers, covered in fresh snow, admired the mountain peak.
- D.Admiring covered in fresh snow, the mountain peak the hikers.
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Correct answer: The hikers admired the mountain peak covered in fresh snow.
"The hikers admired the mountain peak covered in fresh snow" is correct because it places the modifier next to the peak, the thing actually covered in snow.
Select the sentence with a correctly placed modifier: "She nearly drove for six hours to reach the coast."
- A.She nearly drove for six hours to reach the coast.
- B.Nearly she drove for six hours to reach the coast.
- C.She drove for nearly six hours to reach the coast.
- D.She drove for six hours nearly to reach the coast.
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Correct answer: She drove for nearly six hours to reach the coast.
"She drove for nearly six hours to reach the coast" is correct because the limiting modifier "nearly" belongs directly before the amount it limits, "six hours."
Which sentence uses commas correctly with items in a series?
- A.We bought apples oranges, and pears at the market.
- B.We bought apples, oranges and, pears at the market.
- C.We bought, apples, oranges and pears at the market.
- D.We bought apples, oranges, and pears at the market.
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Correct answer: We bought apples, oranges, and pears at the market.
"We bought apples, oranges, and pears at the market" is correct because commas separate each item in a series of three or more.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses a colon.
- A.The recipe needs: flour, sugar, and butter.
- B.The recipe: needs flour, sugar, and butter.
- C.The recipe needs three things: flour, sugar, and butter.
- D.The recipe needs three things, flour: sugar, and butter.
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Correct answer: The recipe needs three things: flour, sugar, and butter.
"The recipe needs three things: flour, sugar, and butter" is correct because a colon follows a complete independent clause to introduce a list.
Which sentence correctly uses quotation marks and end punctuation?
- A."Please sit down", said the teacher.
- B."Please sit down," said the teacher.
- C."Please sit down" said the teacher.
- D."Please sit down.", said the teacher.
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Correct answer: "Please sit down," said the teacher.
"Please sit down," said the teacher is correct because the comma is placed inside the closing quotation mark in American English.
Choose the correct word: "The senator hoped to affect the vote with a passionate speech."
- A.Affect
- B.Effect
- C.Affects
- D.Effects
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Correct answer: Affect
"Affect" is correct because it is the verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is most often the noun meaning result.
Select the correct word: "The new law had a positive effect on small businesses."
- A.Affect
- B.Affecting
- C.Affects
- D.Effect
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Correct answer: Effect
"Effect" is correct because the sentence needs the noun meaning result, which follows the article "a" and the adjective "positive."
Choose the correct word: "The hikers were exhausted, but their spirits remained high."
- A.There
- B.They're
- C.Their
- D.Theyre
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Correct answer: Their
"Their" is correct because the possessive pronoun shows that the spirits belong to the hikers.
Choose the correct word: "The store has fewer employees than it did last year."
- A.Less
- B.Lesser
- C.Fewer
- D.Least
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Correct answer: Fewer
"Fewer" is correct because it modifies the countable noun "employees," whereas "less" applies to uncountable quantities.
Choose the correct word: "We need to decide whether to cancel the outdoor event."
- A.Weather
- B.Whether
- C.Wether
- D.Whither
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Correct answer: Whether
"Whether" is correct because it introduces a choice between alternatives, while "weather" refers to atmospheric conditions.
Choose the correct word: "The students walked quietly past the sleeping baby."
- A.Passed
- B.Past
- C.Passes
- D.Passing
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Correct answer: Past
"Past" is correct because it functions as a preposition indicating movement beyond something, while "passed" is the past-tense verb.
Select the most concise revision: "In the event that it rains, we will move the party indoors."
- A.In the event that it rains, we will move the party indoors.
- B.In the case of the event of rain, we will move the party indoors.
- C.If it rains, we will move the party indoors.
- D.Due to the possibility that it might rain, we will move the party indoors.
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Correct answer: If it rains, we will move the party indoors.
"If it rains, we will move the party indoors" is correct because it replaces the wordy phrase "In the event that" with the single, precise word "If."
Select the option that eliminates redundancy: "The two twins shared an identical and matching backpack."
- A.The two twins shared an identical and matching backpack.
- B.The twins shared identical backpacks.
- C.The two twins shared a matching and identical backpack.
- D.The pair of two twins shared an identical backpack.
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Correct answer: The twins shared identical backpacks.
"The twins shared identical backpacks" is correct because it removes the redundant "two" before "twins" and the duplicate idea in "identical and matching."
Choose the most precise replacement: "The report had a lot of good stuff about climate trends."
- A.Detailed data
- B.A lot of good stuff
- C.Various things
- D.Some nice items
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Correct answer: Detailed data
"Detailed data" is correct because it replaces the vague phrase "a lot of good stuff" with specific, formal wording appropriate to a report.
Which transition best completes the sentence? "The team trained for months; __, they lost in the final round."
- A.Nevertheless
- B.Therefore
- C.Similarly
- D.For example
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Correct answer: Nevertheless
"Nevertheless" is correct because it signals a contrast between the team's effort and their unexpected loss.
Choose the best transition: "The bakery raised its prices. __, customers kept lining up each morning."
- A.As a result
- B.In addition
- C.Likewise
- D.Still
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Correct answer: Still
"Still" is correct because it shows a contrast: despite the price increase, customers continued to come.
Select the best transition: "The first experiment failed. __, the researchers adjusted the temperature and tried again."
- A.In contrast
- B.For instance
- C.Consequently
- D.Meanwhile
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Correct answer: Consequently
"Consequently" is correct because it shows that adjusting the temperature was a logical result of the first failure.
In a paragraph about the benefits of public transportation, which sentence works best as a topic sentence?
- A.My uncle takes the bus to work every day.
- B.Buses can sometimes run a few minutes late.
- C.Public transportation offers several important benefits to a community.
- D.The first subway opened more than a century ago.
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Correct answer: Public transportation offers several important benefits to a community.
"Public transportation offers several important benefits to a community" is correct because it states the paragraph's main idea broadly enough to introduce the supporting details that follow.
A writer wants to conclude an essay arguing that schools should start later. Which sentence is the best concluding sentence?
- A.For these reasons, later start times would help students learn and stay healthy.
- B.Sleep is important for everyone, not just students.
- C.Some teachers also prefer earlier mornings.
- D.Many schools currently begin before eight o'clock.
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Correct answer: For these reasons, later start times would help students learn and stay healthy.
"For these reasons, later start times would help students learn and stay healthy" is correct because it restates the essay's central argument and signals closure.
Which sentence order is most logical? (1) Next, attach the wheels to the base. (2) First, unpack all the parts. (3) Finally, test the cart by rolling it.
- A.1, 2, 3
- B.2, 3, 1
- C.3, 2, 1
- D.2, 1, 3
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Correct answer: 2, 1, 3
The order 2, 1, 3 is correct because the transition words "First," "Next," and "Finally" show that unpacking precedes attaching, which precedes testing.
A paragraph argues that gardening reduces stress. Which sentence is irrelevant and should be removed? "(1) Gardening lets people slow down and focus. (2) Working with soil can lower anxiety. (3) Tomatoes are a popular crop to grow. (4) Time outdoors improves mood."
- A.Sentence 1
- B.Sentence 3
- C.Sentence 2
- D.Sentence 4
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Correct answer: Sentence 3
Sentence 3 is correct because the popularity of tomatoes does not support the paragraph's claim that gardening reduces stress, making it off-topic.
A writer wants to support the claim "Volunteering builds useful skills." Which added detail is most relevant?
- A.Many charities operate on tight budgets.
- B.Volunteers often learn teamwork and communication by working with others.
- C.Some people volunteer only during the holidays.
- D.The first volunteer fire departments formed long ago.
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Correct answer: Volunteers often learn teamwork and communication by working with others.
"Volunteers often learn teamwork and communication by working with others" is correct because it directly identifies specific skills, supporting the claim that volunteering builds useful skills.
Choose the best revision to combine the choppy sentences: "The storm passed. The sky cleared. The children went outside."
- A.After the storm passed and the sky cleared, the children went outside.
- B.The storm passed, the sky cleared, the children went outside.
- C.The storm passed and the sky cleared and the children went outside.
- D.The storm passed the sky cleared the children went outside.
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Correct answer: After the storm passed and the sky cleared, the children went outside.
"After the storm passed and the sky cleared, the children went outside" is correct because it smoothly combines the ideas using subordination and coordination without creating a run-on.
Choose the correct word: "The scholarship will be awarded to the applicant whom the committee selects."
- A.Who
- B.Whom
- C.Whose
- D.Which
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Correct answer: Whom
"Whom" is correct because the pronoun functions as the direct object of the verb "selects" (the committee selects whom). Use "whom" for objects and "who" only for the subject of a clause.
Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
- A.The recipe requires: flour, sugar, and butter.
- B.We visited three cities on our trip: Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
- C.She wanted to: travel, read, and relax during the summer.
- D.My favorite subjects are: math and science.
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Correct answer: We visited three cities on our trip: Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.
"We visited three cities on our trip: Miami, Orlando, and Tampa" is correct because a colon must follow a complete independent clause before introducing a list. The other options place the colon directly after a verb or preposition, splitting a clause that is not yet complete.
Choose the best revision to fix the vague pronoun reference: "When Sofia put the laptop on the printer, it broke."
- A.When Sofia put the laptop on the printer, the printer broke.
- B.When Sofia put the laptop on the printer, it then broke.
- C.Putting the laptop on the printer, it broke for Sofia.
- D.When Sofia put it on the printer, the laptop broke.
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Correct answer: When Sofia put the laptop on the printer, the printer broke.
"When Sofia put the laptop on the printer, the printer broke" is best because replacing the ambiguous pronoun "it" with a specific noun clarifies which object broke. The other choices keep an unclear "it" or introduce a new vague pronoun.
Choose the option that best combines these sentences while emphasizing cause and effect: "The river flooded its banks. The town evacuated."
- A.The river flooded its banks, the town evacuated.
- B.The river flooded its banks and the town evacuated.
- C.Because the river flooded its banks, the town evacuated.
- D.The river flooded its banks; however, the town evacuated.
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Correct answer: Because the river flooded its banks, the town evacuated.
"Because the river flooded its banks, the town evacuated" is best because the subordinating conjunction "because" clearly signals that the flood caused the evacuation. The comma-only version creates a comma splice, "and" merely links the ideas without showing cause, and "however" wrongly implies contrast.
Choose the correct word: "The two debaters presented opposing views, and each respected the other's principles."
- A.Principals
- B.Principal's
- C.Principles
- D.Principle's
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Correct answer: Principles
"Principles" is correct because it means fundamental beliefs or values, which is the intended meaning here. "Principal" refers to a school leader or a chief/main thing, so the noun and its possessive forms do not fit this sentence.

References

1.Florida Department of Education. “Common Placement Testing (P.E.R.T.).” fldoe.org, 2026. ↑
2.Florida Department of Education. “P.E.R.T. Student Study Guide.” fldoe.org. ↑
3.Florida Department of Education. “Postsecondary Education Readiness Test policy (DPS 2012-169a).” fldoe.org. ↑
4.Florida Department of Education. “Interim Cut Score Setting for the PERT.” fldoe.org. ↑
5.Valencia College. “Common Placement / PERT Score Charts.” valenciacollege.edu. ↑
6.Revise Online. “How Do Practice Exams Work Effectively?.” Revise Online. ↑

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