AFQT Paragraph Comprehension Strategies 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The M16 rifle has been the standard-issue service rifle for the US military since the 1960s, though variants have been introduced over the decades.' What can be inferred from this sentence?
- The M16 has undergone modifications while remaining the foundational weapon platform (Correct answer)
- The M16 was replaced in the 1970s
- No changes have been made to the original M16 design
- The M16 is only used by the US Army
Correct answer: The M16 has undergone modifications while remaining the foundational weapon platform
The phrase 'variants have been introduced' implies that while the basic M16 platform remains standard, updated versions have been developed, indicating evolution without complete replacement.
Question 2: When reading a passage on the AFQT, what is the best strategy for answering 'main idea' questions?
- Read the entire passage, identify what most sentences are about, and find the answer that captures the central theme (Correct answer)
- Read only the first sentence and choose the answer that matches it
- Look for the longest paragraph and base your answer on it
- Choose the answer with the most specific details
Correct answer: Read the entire passage, identify what most sentences are about, and find the answer that captures the central theme
The main idea encompasses the central theme of the entire passage, not just one part. Reading the full passage and identifying what the majority of content supports is the most reliable approach.
Question 3: In the context of reading comprehension, what does 'context clues' mean?
- Words and phrases surrounding an unfamiliar term that help determine its meaning (Correct answer)
- The table of contents of a book
- Footnotes at the bottom of the page
- The title and author information
Correct answer: Words and phrases surrounding an unfamiliar term that help determine its meaning
Context clues are the words, phrases, and sentences surrounding an unknown word that provide hints about its meaning through definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, or general sense of the passage.
Question 4: A passage states: 'Unlike conventional warfare, counterinsurgency requires winning the support of the local population.' What type of relationship does the word 'unlike' establish?
- A contrast between two different approaches to military operations (Correct answer)
- A comparison showing similarities
- A cause-and-effect relationship
- A chronological sequence of events
Correct answer: A contrast between two different approaches to military operations
The word 'unlike' is a contrast signal word that indicates the author is highlighting differences between conventional warfare and counterinsurgency approaches.
Question 5: What is the purpose of scanning a passage before reading it carefully on a timed test?
- To get a quick overview of the topic, structure, and key terms before detailed reading (Correct answer)
- To memorize every detail in the passage
- To skip paragraphs that seem difficult
- To count the number of words in the passage
Correct answer: To get a quick overview of the topic, structure, and key terms before detailed reading
Scanning provides a mental framework before detailed reading, helping you understand the passage's structure, identify key concepts, and read more efficiently under time constraints.
Question 6: When a passage presents an author's opinion, which of the following is the best way to identify it?
- Look for evaluative words like 'should,' 'best,' 'important,' or 'unfortunately' (Correct answer)
- Assume all factual statements are opinions
- Look for statements with numerical data
- Check if the passage includes quotation marks
Correct answer: Look for evaluative words like 'should,' 'best,' 'important,' or 'unfortunately'
Opinions are often signaled by evaluative or judgmental language (should, must, best, worst, fortunately, regrettably) rather than objective, verifiable facts.
AFQT Paragraph Comprehension Strategies 1
A passage states: 'The M16 rifle has been the standard-issue service rifle for the US military since the 1960s, though variants have been introduced over the decades.' What can be inferred from this sentence?