Paragraph Comprehension - Asvab (Full) Test

Front 1

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
1: Tsunamis are large waves or earthquakes caused by earthquakes or underwater landslides. The word "tsunami" is a Japanese word meaning "harbor wave" because of the destructive effects that these waves have had on coastal Japanese communities.

What is the best title for this selection?

A. What is a Tsunami?
B. Japanese Natural Disasters
C. Japanese Words and Their Meanings
D. Effects of a Tsunami

Back 1

A. What is a Tsunami?
A. This selection explains what a tsunami is. It does not focus on any other Japanese words, natural disasters, or the effects of a tsunami.

Front 2

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
2: Pyromaniacs are very rarely the setters of most criminal fires. Most people who set fires do so for insurance fraud, although others often set fires for revenge and terrorism. Very few people actually start fires because they receive strong psychological gratification from the act.

A pyromaniac could best be defined as

A. a person who never sets fires.
B. a person who is afraid of fire.
C. a person who sets fires and receives strong psychological gratification from the act.
D. a person who sets fires to obtain revenge.

Back 2

C. a person who sets fires and receives strong psychological gratification from the act.
C. The first sentence discusses the fact that pyromaniacs rarely start fires. The last sentence explains what a pyromaniac is.

Front 3

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
3: Panther refers to two different types of animals¿the leopard and the concolour. Concolours are called by many other names: cougar, puma, mountain lion, and panther are just a few. In fact, the panther has more dictionary names than any other known predator.

Which of the following is not mentioned as another name for the concolour?

A. cougar
B. mountain lion
C. bobcat
D. panther

Back 3

C. bobcat
C. The bobcat is the only name not listed in the paragraph as another name for the concolour.

Front 4

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
4: Thomas Alva Edison is one of the most well-known inventors in history. He is most famous for inventions like the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the light bulb. However, even Edison failed in a few attempts at invention, namely in trying to develop a better way to mine iron ore during the late 1880s and early 1890s. He was tenacious in his attempts to find a method that worked, but he eventually gave up after having lost all the money he had invested in iron-ore mining projects.

In this context, the word tenacious means

A. angry.
B. persistent.
C. lazy.
D. happy.

Back 4

B. persistent.
B. Since the selection states that Edison did not give up easily, you can assume that being tenacious is a synonym for persistent.

Front 5

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
5: Thomas Alva Edison is one of the most well-known inventors in history. He is most famous for inventions like the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the light bulb. However, even Edison failed in a few attempts at invention, namely in trying to develop a better way to mine iron ore during the late 1880s and early 1890s. He was tenacious in his attempts to find a method that worked, but he eventually gave up after having lost all the money he had invested in iron-ore mining projects.

This passage is mainly about

A. Edison's successful inventions.
B. the light bulb.
C. iron-ore mining.
D. Edison's invention attempt in iron-ore mining.

Back 5

D. Edison's invention attempt in iron-ore mining.
D. The third sentence states that Edison had a few failed inventions, and the rest of the selection elaborates on the iron-ore mining invention attempt.

Front 6

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
6: In Alaska, there are long periods of darkness in certain regions since much of the state is located so far north of the Arctic Circle. Thus, those regions above the Arctic Circle experience unending daylight in certain summer months and unending darkness in some winter months.

It can be inferred from the above passage that

A. all regions of Alaska experience unending dark in winter.
B. all regions of Alaska experience unending daylight in summer.
C. regions south of the Arctic Circle experience alternating dark and daylight in the winter and summer months.
D. regions south of the Arctic Circle have unending daylight in summer.

Back 6

C. regions south of the Arctic
C. The selection states that regions north of the Arctic Circle experience unending periods of daylight and dark. However, regions below the Arctic Circle are not included in this analysis of daylight and dark.

Front 7

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
7: In an age that stresses the importance of water conservation, there are many plants that require less water than other more traditionally grown plants. In order to optimize their water usage efficiency, experts recommend watering such plants during the cooler times of the day.

One may conclude from the above statements that water efficient plants should be watered

A. at 12:00 noon, when the sun is at its hottest.
B. at 6:00 a.m., when the sun has just risen.
C. at 10:00 a.m., when the day is warming up.
D. at 3:00 p.m., before the sun goes down.

Back 7

B. at 6:00 a.m., when the sun has just risen.
B. The selection states that such plants should be watered during the cooler parts of the day. 6:00 a.m. is the coolest time of day listed.

Front 8

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
8: Water is needed to sustain us as human beings. In fact, two-thirds of the human body is comprised of water. Since our bodies are so water dependent, we must drink water every day.

In this context, the word comprised means

A. consists of.
B. less than.
C. full of.
D. demands.

Back 8

A. consists of.
A.This choice is the only one that makes sense in the context of the first and last sentences. That is why our bodies are ?water dependent,? as the selection states.

Front 9

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
9: Obesity has become a national epidemic. Recent studies have shown that obesity is more serious than previously thought. In fact, obesity is harder on the health than cigarette smoking. Since 27% of Americans are currently obese, and 61% are overweight, this weight problem is exacting a huge cost from the medical community.

The percentage of Americans who are currently overweight is

A. 27%.
B. 52%.
C. 73%.
D. 61%.

Back 9

D. 61%.
D. The answer is stated in the fourth sentence of the selection.

Front 10

Paragraph Comprehension - ASVAB (full) test
10: Weight loss experts recommend lowered calorie intake and regular exercise to get rid of excess weight. However, lowering calories too much or exercising too strenuously can be detrimental to good health. Caloric intake should never go lower than 1,200 calories per day, and exercise should consist of at least 30 minutes four to five times per week to achieve healthy weight loss.

The best title for this selection is

A. How to Achieve Healthy Weight Loss and Avoid Injury.
B. Warning About Too Much Exercise.
C. Weight Loss Woes.
D. Caloric Recommendations for Weight Loss.

Back 10

A. How to Achieve Healthy Weight Loss and Avoid Injury.
A. The entire selection focuses on proper steps to ensure healthy weight loss and to avoid injury by too much exercise or too much calorie restriction.

Front 11

11: Recently, cellular phone use has become a nationwide epidemic. A new study confirms that this epidemic might not be such a positive one. The study found that drivers who talk on their cellular phones while driving perform 30% worse as drivers than drunk drivers do. Many have proposed using a hands-free cellular phone to solve this problem of dangerous driving. However, researchers discovered that even hands-free cellular phones distract drivers.

The author probably believes that

A. cellular phone use is not dangerous while driving.
B. hands-free cellular phones are safe for drivers to use.
C. cellular phones of any kind should never be used while driving.
D. cellular phones are a safe alternative to drunk driving.

Back 11

C. cellular phones of any kind should never be used while driving.
C. The article discusses the dangers of driving with any type of cellular phone; thus, it can be inferred that this is the best answer.

Front 12

12: Recently, cellular phone use has become a nationwide epidemic. A new study confirms that this epidemic might not be such a positive one. The study found that drivers who talk on their cellular phones while driving perform 30% worse as drivers than drunk drivers do. Many have proposed using a hands-free cellular phone to solve this problem of dangerous driving. However, researchers discovered that even hands-free cellular phones distract drivers.

This paragraph is mainly about

A. drunk driving.
B. hands-free cellular phones.
C. the dangers of driving with cellular phones.
D. the safe alternative provided by hands-free cellular phones.

Back 12

C. the dangers of driving with cellular phones.
C. The article focuses on the dangerous nature of cellular phone usage while driving.

Front 13

13: Although carjacking has become more common in the past 10 years, there are several preventive measures that drivers can take. The first way to prevent carjacking is to never walk alone to your car at night. Another means of prevention is always driving with the windows rolled up and the doors locked. Also, driving on well-lit and often-traveled roads is another preventive measure that drivers can take to ensure their safety from carjacking.

The best title for this selection is

A. Preventing Carjacking.
B. Carjacking Becoming More Common.
C. Driving Safety.
D. Night Driving Safety.

Back 13

A. Preventing Carjacking.
A. The first sentence of the paragraph states that there are many preventive measures drivers can take to avoid carjacking. The supporting sentences in the paragraph give specific ways to prevent carjacking.

Front 14

14: Although carjacking has become more common in the past 10 years, there are several preventive measures that drivers can take. The first way to prevent carjacking is to never walk alone to your car at night. Another means of prevention is always driving with the windows rolled up and the doors locked. Also, driving on well-lit and often-traveled roads is another preventive measure that drivers can take to ensure their safety from carjacking.

Which of the following is not mentioned as a preventive measure against carjacking?

A. driving on well-lit roads
B. carrying pepper spray
C. driving with windows rolled up
D. never walking to your car alone at night

Back 14

B. carrying pepper spray
B. Carrying pepper spray is not mentioned in the paragraph as a preventive measure against carjacking.

Front 15

15: Although carjacking has become more common in the past 10 years, there are several preventive measures that drivers can take. The first way to prevent carjacking is to never walk alone to your car at night. Another means of prevention is always driving with the windows rolled up and the doors locked. Also, driving on well-lit and often-traveled roads is another preventive measure that drivers can take to ensure their safety from carjacking.

The author probably believes that

A. it is almost impossible to avoid carjacking.
B. carjacking cannot be avoided at night.
C. carjacking never happens during the day.
D. carjacking can often be avoided by employing simple preventive measures.

Back 15

D. carjacking can often be avoided by employing simple preventive measures.
D. The author of the selection gives several practical ways to avoid carjacking. None of the other choices are statements made by the author. Thus, you may assume that carjacking can often be avoided by following the preventive measures given in the selection.