AFCT Paragraph Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: 'The M1 Abrams tank entered service in 1980 and has been continuously upgraded. Its gas turbine engine provides exceptional power but consumes fuel at a higher rate than diesel engines. Despite this drawback, the Abrams remains the primary battle tank of the U.S. Army due to its superior armor protection and firepower.' What is the main disadvantage of the Abrams mentioned in the passage?
- Its armor is too heavy
- It uses too much fuel (Correct answer)
- It is outdated
- It lacks firepower
Correct answer: It uses too much fuel
The passage specifically states the gas turbine engine 'consumes fuel at a higher rate than diesel engines,' identifying high fuel consumption as the drawback.
The passage identifies one disadvantage: the gas turbine engine consumes fuel at a higher rate than diesel engines. The word 'drawback' directly refers to this fuel consumption issue. Despite this disadvantage, the passage notes the tank remains in service due to its armor and firepower advantages.
Question 2: Read the passage: 'Military logistics involves planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of forces. It includes the design, development, acquisition, storage, transport, distribution, and disposition of materials. Effective logistics can be the difference between victory and defeat, as even the best-trained troops cannot fight without proper supplies.' According to the passage, why is logistics critical to military success?
- It replaces the need for training
- Troops cannot fight without proper supplies (Correct answer)
- It reduces the number of soldiers needed
- It eliminates the need for planning
Correct answer: Troops cannot fight without proper supplies
The passage directly states that 'even the best-trained troops cannot fight without proper supplies,' making logistics essential to military success.
The passage explicitly links logistics to military success in the final sentence: 'even the best-trained troops cannot fight without proper supplies.' This means that regardless of training quality, without effective logistics providing necessary materials and supplies, military forces cannot operate effectively.
Question 3: Read the passage: 'Night vision devices amplify existing light from the moon, stars, and ambient sources. They do not work in complete darkness without an infrared illuminator. Second-generation devices offer significant improvements in resolution and range over first-generation models, though they cost substantially more.' What can be inferred about first-generation night vision devices?
- They work in complete darkness
- They have lower resolution than second-generation devices (Correct answer)
- They are more expensive than second-generation devices
- They do not require any light source
Correct answer: They have lower resolution than second-generation devices
Since second-generation devices offer 'significant improvements in resolution,' we can infer first-generation devices have lower resolution by comparison.
The passage states second-generation devices offer 'significant improvements in resolution and range over first-generation models.' This directly implies first-generation models have lower resolution and shorter range. The passage also notes second-generation devices 'cost substantially more,' meaning first-generation devices are cheaper, not more expensive.
Question 4: Read the passage: 'The Geneva Conventions establish standards for the humanitarian treatment of war victims. They protect wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilians. All four conventions were ratified in 1949 and have been supplemented by additional protocols. Violations of these conventions are considered war crimes under international law.' The primary purpose of the Geneva Conventions is to:
- Regulate weapons manufacturing
- Protect victims of armed conflict (Correct answer)
- Set rules for declaring war
- Establish military alliances
Correct answer: Protect victims of armed conflict
The passage describes the conventions as establishing 'standards for the humanitarian treatment of war victims' and protecting wounded soldiers, POWs, and civilians.
The passage's opening sentence establishes the core purpose: 'standards for the humanitarian treatment of war victims.' The second sentence elaborates by listing who is protected: wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilians. The conventions focus on protecting people affected by armed conflict, not on weapons, war declarations, or alliances.
Question 5: Read the passage: 'Boot camp is designed to transform civilians into soldiers through intense physical training, discipline, and military instruction. Drill instructors use demanding methods to build unit cohesion and mental toughness. While many recruits find the experience extremely challenging, the vast majority complete the training successfully.' The passage suggests that boot camp is:
- Easy for most recruits
- Primarily focused on academics
- Difficult but achievable for most people (Correct answer)
- Only completed by a small number of recruits
Correct answer: Difficult but achievable for most people
The passage states recruits find it 'extremely challenging' (difficult) but 'the vast majority complete the training successfully' (achievable).
The passage presents two key facts: recruits find boot camp 'extremely challenging' and 'the vast majority complete the training successfully.' Combining these, boot camp is difficult but achievable for most people. It is not easy (extremely challenging), not academic (physical training and discipline), and not completed by only a few (vast majority succeed).
Question 6: Read the passage: 'Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, have revolutionized modern warfare and intelligence gathering. Originally developed for reconnaissance, drones now perform strike missions, supply delivery, and battlefield communication relay. Their use reduces risk to human pilots while extending operational endurance beyond what crewed aircraft can sustain.' What is one advantage of drones over crewed aircraft?
- They are easier to manufacture
- They can operate longer than crewed aircraft (Correct answer)
- They are completely invisible to radar
- They require no maintenance
Correct answer: They can operate longer than crewed aircraft
The passage states drones extend 'operational endurance beyond what crewed aircraft can sustain,' meaning they can operate for longer periods.
The passage explicitly states that drones extend 'operational endurance beyond what crewed aircraft can sustain.' This means drones can fly and operate for longer periods since they are not limited by human pilot fatigue. The passage also mentions reduced risk to human pilots as another advantage.
AFCT Paragraph Comprehension 2
Read the passage: 'The M1 Abrams tank entered service in 1980 and has been continuously upgraded.
Its gas turbine engine provides exceptional power but consumes fuel at a higher rate than diesel engines.
Despite this drawback, the Abrams remains the primary battle tank of the U.S.
Army due to its superior armor protection and firepower.' What is the main disadvantage of the Abrams mentioned in the passage?