Free Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Read the passage. Many mangrove forests can be recognized by their dense tangle of prop roots that make the trees appear to be standing on stilts above the water. This tangle of roots allows the trees to handle the daily rise and fall of tides, which means that most mangroves get flooded at least twice per day. The roots also slow the movement of tidal waters, causing sediments to settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom. Which statement best summarizes the passage?

   1. A.Mangrove roots keep tidal water from entering coastal forests.
   2. B.Mangrove roots help trees withstand tides and encourage sediment buildup.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Mangrove roots remove muddy sediment to deepen coastal waters.
   4. D.Mangrove roots prevent flooding by raising trees above every tide.

   Explanation: The passage states, "The roots also slow the movement of tidal waters, causing sediments to settle out of the water and build up the muddy bottom." The quoted sediment function complements the roots' role in handling tides. The alternatives reverse accumulation or incorrectly turn flood tolerance into flood prevention.

   Reference: What is a mangrove forest? — Main text, paragraph beginning Many mangrove forests

2. 2Consider this adapted description of a coral–algae partnership. The partnership is more than merely a clever collaboration. Its results include reefs that rival old-growth forests in longevity and rank as Earth's largest structures of biological origin. The author's attitude toward this collaboration is best described as

   1. A.impatient with its slow development.
   2. B.skeptical about its biological importance.
   3. C.admiring of its remarkable accomplishments.Correct answer: C
   4. D.indifferent to its long-term consequences.

   Explanation: The source says, "More than merely a clever collaboration" Clever and the comparisons with Earth's largest biological structures and old-growth forests express admiration. Impatience, skepticism, and indifference do not fit this favorable emphasis.

   Reference: Are corals animals or plants? — Main text, final paragraph

3. 3Compare the two depth columns in these EPA low-water measurements. | Lake | Average depth, feet | Maximum depth, feet | |---|---:|---:| | Superior | 483 | 1,332 | | Michigan | 279 | 925 | | Huron | 195 | 750 | | Erie | 62 | 210 | Which statement is supported for every lake displayed?

   1. A.Its average depth is greater than its maximum depth.
   2. B.Its maximum depth is more than three times its average depth.
   3. C.Its maximum depth is greater than its average depth.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Its average depth and maximum depth are approximately equal.

   Explanation: The maximum-depth entries "1,332", "925", "750", and "210" each exceed the respective averages "483", "279", "195", and "62". A factor greater than three fails for Superior, and neither reversal nor approximate equality fits the rows.

   Reference: Physical Features of the Great Lakes — Feature table, Average Depth and Maximum Depth rows, feet

4. 4Read the passage. Most corals contain algae called zooxanthellae (pronounced zo-UH-zan-thuh-lay), which are plant-like organisms. Residing within the coral's tissues, the microscopic algae are well protected and make use of the coral's metabolic waste products for photosynthesis, the process by which plants make their own food. The corals benefit, in turn, as the algae produce oxygen, remove wastes, and supply the organic products of photosynthesis that corals need to grow, thrive, and build up the reef. What is the main idea?

   1. A.Corals protect algae but receive little benefit from their presence.
   2. B.Algae and corals compete for the same limited supply of food.
   3. C.Corals supply oxygen while algae provide shelter for their hosts.
   4. D.Corals and algae support each other through an exchange of resources.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: The passage states, "The corals benefit, in turn" This phrase connects coral benefits with the preceding benefits to algae. The relationship is reciprocal, rather than competitive, one-sided, or reversed.

   Reference: Are corals animals or plants? — Main text, paragraphs beginning Most corals contain algae and The corals benefit

5. 5Read the passage. Something that has a significant effect on our daily lives and is stored within the largest system of water on our planet must be a household name, right? Not necessarily. Have you ever heard of blue carbon? Chances are the answer is no, but perhaps you know more than you realize. Which description best captures the writer's tone?

   1. A.Conversational and inviting, encouraging readers' curiosityCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Accusatory and severe, blaming readers for their ignorance
   3. C.Formal and detached, presenting only measurements and definitions
   4. D.Defeated and resigned, assuming the topic cannot be understood

   Explanation: The source says, "perhaps you know more than you realize." Direct questions and this reassuring suggestion invite engagement. The passage does not rebuke readers, restrict itself to measurements, or imply that understanding is hopeless.

   Reference: What is Blue Carbon? — Main text, paragraph beginning Something that has

6. 6The EPA reports the following water areas and mean depths at low water. | Lake | Water area, square miles | Average depth, feet | |---|---:|---:| | Superior | 31,700 | 483 | | Michigan | 22,300 | 279 | | Huron | 23,000 | 195 | | Erie | 9,910 | 62 | Which comparison correctly uses both columns?

   1. A.Huron has a larger water area but a smaller average depth than Michigan.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Michigan has a larger water area but a smaller average depth than Huron.
   3. C.Erie has a larger water area and a greater average depth than Huron.
   4. D.Superior has a smaller water area and a smaller average depth than Michigan.

   Explanation: Huron's area is "23,000" versus Michigan's "22,300", while its average depth is "195" versus "279". The other options reverse these relationships or conflict with the Erie and Superior entries.

   Reference: Physical Features of the Great Lakes — Feature table, Water Area row in square miles; Average Depth row in feet

7. 7Read the passage. Estuaries are delicate ecosystems. Congress created the National Estuarine Research Reserve System to protect more than one million acres of estuarine land and water. These estuarine reserves provide essential habitat for wildlife, offer educational opportunities for students, and serve as living laboratories for scientists. The author primarily aims to explain

   1. A.how protected estuarine areas support conservation, education, and research.Correct answer: A
   2. B.why wildlife must leave estuarine reserves before research can begin.
   3. C.how classroom teaching has replaced field research in estuarine reserves.
   4. D.why reserves protect estuarine water while leaving nearby land unprotected.

   Explanation: The passage states, "provide essential habitat for wildlife, offer educational opportunities for students, and serve as living laboratories for scientists." The three parallel functions explain the value of the reserve system. The alternatives replace complementary activities with conflicts or exclude protected land.

   Reference: What is an estuary? — Main text, paragraph beginning Estuaries are delicate ecosystems

8. 8Read the passage. Artificial light can impact visitors in two ways: direct glare from light fixtures can affect vision and nighttime recreation experiences; and sky glow from collective sources of artificial light scattered in the atmosphere can obscure views of the night sky. Both aspects of artificial light can unnaturally illuminate the ground and diminish visitors’ ability to dark adapt their vision, cause blind spots, and create potential safety issues as well. Which attitude toward artificial light is conveyed here?

   1. A.Celebration of its ability to remove nighttime hazards
   2. B.Nostalgia for older methods of illuminating parks
   3. C.Disbelief that it can change a visitor's night vision
   4. D.Concern about its effects on visibility and visitor safetyCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The source says, "cause blind spots, and create potential safety issues as well." The repeated adverse effects establish concern. The text gives neither a celebration, a comparison with the past, nor disbelief about the effects.

   Reference: Light Pollution — Night Skies — Impacts on Human Health, Public Safety, and Visitor Experience

9. 9Use this EPA table of water volume at low water to compare the amount in Superior with the other displayed lakes. | Lake | Water volume, cubic miles | |---|---:| | Superior | 2,900 | | Michigan | 1,180 | | Huron | 850 | | Erie | 116 | Which claim about water volume is supported?

   1. A.Erie's volume exceeds Huron's volume.
   2. B.Michigan and Huron together exceed Superior's volume.
   3. C.Superior's volume equals the other three volumes combined.
   4. D.Superior's volume exceeds the other three volumes combined.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: The quoted row gives Superior as "2,900" and the other displayed lakes as "1,180", "850", and "116". Their combined 2,146 is below 2,900. Erie is below Huron, and Michigan plus Huron is only 2,030.

   Reference: Physical Features of the Great Lakes — Feature table, Volume row, cubic miles

10. 10Read the passage. Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics. Which statement captures the central point?

    1. A.Lidar records changes in sunlight to predict the Earth's weather.
    2. B.Lidar replaces distance measurements with photographs of the Earth.
    3. C.Lidar combines laser measurements and other data to describe Earth's surface.Correct answer: C
    4. D.Lidar uses surface shapes to determine the locations of airborne lasers.

    Explanation: The passage states, "generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics." This result follows from combining laser ranges with other airborne data. The other choices substitute a different purpose, measurement method, or direction of inference.

    Reference: What is lidar? — Main text, paragraph beginning Lidar, which stands