Reading Comprehension Test 3

A sentence that begins “In sum,” MOST likely: A sentence that begins “In sum,” MOST likely:

2 Mark(s)

Introduces new topic Introduces new topic
Synthesizes prior points Synthesizes prior points
Presents raw data Presents raw data
Gives methods Gives methods

“An anodyne statement” MOST nearly means: “An anodyne statement” MOST nearly means:

2 Mark(s)

Provocative Provocative
Inoffensive/bland Inoffensive/bland
Dishonest Dishonest
Technical Technical

“Short-run gains may mask long-run costs.” Inference: “Short-run gains may mask long-run costs.” Inference:

2 Mark(s)

Policy is certainly good Policy is certainly good
Long-run assessment could reverse short-run impressions
No evaluation is needed later No evaluation is needed later
Gains are illusions now Gains are illusions now

If the author “concedes data are limited,” the BEST paraphrase is: If the author “concedes data are limited,” the BEST paraphrase is:

2 Mark(s)

Evidence is decisive Evidence is decisive
Claims should be cautious Claims should be cautious
Evidence is fabricated Evidence is fabricated
Evidence contradicts thesis Evidence contradicts thesis

A bar chart’s y-axis is “% share.” To compare categories you should: A bar chart’s y-axis is “% share.” To compare categories you should:

2 Mark(s)

Compare absolute counts from text Compare absolute counts from text
Compare heights as percentages with the same base
Ignore the axis Ignore the axis
Compare colors only Compare colors only

Which option is MOST hyperbolic (thus unlikely in academic RC)? Which option is MOST hyperbolic (thus unlikely in academic RC)?

2 Mark(s)

Universally transformative in every context
Potentially influential in some cases Potentially influential in some cases
May help under conditions May help under conditions
Promising with caveats Promising with caveats

Principle: “Separate duties to reduce fraud.” Best control is to: Principle: “Separate duties to reduce fraud.” Best control is to:

2 Mark(s)

Have one person create, approve, and pay invoices
Split requesting, approving, and reconciling across people
Disable audits Disable audits
Keep cash unlogged Keep cash unlogged

VIC: “pragmatic rather than dogmatic.” “Pragmatic” MOST nearly means: VIC: “pragmatic rather than dogmatic.” “Pragmatic” MOST nearly means:

2 Mark(s)

Idealistic Idealistic
Practical Practical
Traditional Traditional
Secretive Secretive

“A fastidious editor” MOST nearly means: “A fastidious editor” MOST nearly means:

2 Mark(s)

Careless Careless
Meticulous Meticulous
Angry Angry
Verbose Verbose

When a figure mixes $ and %, you should: When a figure mixes $ and %, you should:

2 Mark(s)

Treat them as identical Treat them as identical
Match units carefully before comparing Match units carefully before comparing
Ignore the legend Ignore the legend
Average them Average them

Praise for Method A “in low-variance settings” suggests: Praise for Method A “in low-variance settings” suggests:

2 Mark(s)

A excels in all settings A excels in all settings
A may perform worse in high-variance settings
A never works A never works
Variance is irrelevant Variance is irrelevant

“Recondite topic” MOST nearly means: “Recondite topic” MOST nearly means:

2 Mark(s)

Simple Simple
Obscure/complex Obscure/complex
Popular Popular
Irrelevant Irrelevant

Which word MOST clearly signals approval? Which word MOST clearly signals approval?

2 Mark(s)

Dubious Dubious
Promising Promising
Questionable Questionable
Problematic Problematic

If a figure shows A>B in all quarters, you can infer that: If a figure shows A>B in all quarters, you can infer that:

2 Mark(s)

A sometimes fell below B A sometimes fell below B
A consistently exceeded B during the displayed period
B exceeded A in Q2 B exceeded A in Q2
The axes are wrong The axes are wrong

“Which of the following is mentioned?” Fastest approach: “Which of the following is mentioned?” Fastest approach:

2 Mark(s)

Match each option to text via keyword scans
Pick extreme wording Pick extreme wording
Use world knowledge Use world knowledge
Ignore qualifiers Ignore qualifiers

VIC: “The policy was a boon for startups.” “Boon” MOST nearly means: VIC: “The policy was a boon for startups.” “Boon” MOST nearly means:

2 Mark(s)

Burden Burden
Benefit Benefit
Formality Formality
Prediction Prediction

“The next section outlines methods.” This sentence: “The next section outlines methods.” This sentence:

2 Mark(s)

Signals organization/transition Signals organization/transition
States the thesis States the thesis
Gives raw data Gives raw data
Introduces biography Introduces biography

“A cogent case for reform” MOST nearly means: “A cogent case for reform” MOST nearly means:

2 Mark(s)

Rambling Rambling
Persuasive/clear Persuasive/clear
Tentative Tentative
Emotional Emotional

A strong title for a passage should reflect: A strong title for a passage should reflect:

2 Mark(s)

A minor detail A minor detail
The central claim/theme The central claim/theme
An author biography An author biography
An example only An example only

Problem–solution passages typically follow: Problem–solution passages typically follow:

2 Mark(s)

Solution → biography Solution → biography
Problem → analysis → remedy/implication
Jokes → quotes Jokes → quotes
Data → unrelated anecdote Data → unrelated anecdote

“Trenchant critique” MOST nearly means: “Trenchant critique” MOST nearly means:

2 Mark(s)

Vague Vague
Cutting and insightful Cutting and insightful
Playful Playful
Verbose Verbose

Which hedges MOST suggest caution? Which hedges MOST suggest caution?

2 Mark(s)

Always, never Always, never
Certainly, undoubtedly Certainly, undoubtedly
May, often, under certain conditions May, often, under certain conditions
Proves, conclusively Proves, conclusively

The difference between TOPIC and MAIN IDEA is that: The difference between TOPIC and MAIN IDEA is that:

2 Mark(s)

Topic is a judgment; main idea is a word
Topic is subject area; main idea is the author’s central point about it
They are identical They are identical
Main idea is always in the title Main idea is always in the title

Classic WRONG detail options often: Classic WRONG detail options often:

2 Mark(s)

Insert a small distortion (scope/time/quantity)
Match qualifiers exactly Match qualifiers exactly
Cite the right figure Cite the right figure
Paraphrase faithfully Paraphrase faithfully

Repeated mentions of “limitations” suggest the author’s stance is: Repeated mentions of “limitations” suggest the author’s stance is:

2 Mark(s)

Dogmatically certain Dogmatically certain
Measured and qualified Measured and qualified
Mocking Mocking
Uninformed Uninformed

Neutral–analytic tone typically AVOIDS: Neutral–analytic tone typically AVOIDS:

2 Mark(s)

Loaded adjectives Loaded adjectives
Definitions Definitions
Qualifiers Qualifiers
Evidence summaries Evidence summaries

If a statement appears inside quotation marks, you should: If a statement appears inside quotation marks, you should:

2 Mark(s)

Assume it is the author’s view Assume it is the author’s view
Check nearby text for endorsement or critique
Ignore it Ignore it
Assume it is outdated Assume it is outdated

“While elegant, the assumptions are restrictive.” The author is: “While elegant, the assumptions are restrictive.” The author is:

2 Mark(s)

Wholly celebratory Wholly celebratory
Qualified/ambivalent Qualified/ambivalent
Hostile Hostile
Neutral Neutral

EXCEPT traps often work by changing: EXCEPT traps often work by changing:

2 Mark(s)

A qualifier/time frame/comparison base A qualifier/time frame/comparison base
The paragraph count The paragraph count
The font The font
The author’s name The author’s name

Which study design BEST supports causal inference? Which study design BEST supports causal inference?

2 Mark(s)

Before–after without control Before–after without control
Randomized controlled trial Randomized controlled trial
Anecdotal case series Anecdotal case series
Open web poll Open web poll

Reading Comprehension Test 3 : Question 1 of 30