APTIS Long Text Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an APTIS long text about urban farming, the author states that rooftop gardens 'mitigate the urban heat island effect while simultaneously reducing food miles.' What is the primary purpose of this statement?
- To criticize traditional agriculture
- To highlight dual environmental benefits of rooftop farming (Correct answer)
- To argue that urban areas should ban conventional stores
- To explain why rooftop gardens are expensive
Correct answer: To highlight dual environmental benefits of rooftop farming
The phrase 'while simultaneously' signals the author is emphasizing that rooftop gardens offer two environmental advantages at once.
Question 2: A passage describes a scientist who 'remained skeptical despite mounting evidence.' Which inference is best supported by this detail?
- The scientist was dishonest
- The evidence was fabricated
- The scientist valued caution over conformity to popular views (Correct answer)
- The scientist later abandoned the field entirely
Correct answer: The scientist valued caution over conformity to popular views
Remaining skeptical despite evidence suggests a deliberate, cautious approach rather than dishonesty or abandonment.
Question 3: A long text includes a paragraph that begins: 'Critics argue X; however, proponents counter that Y.' What is the organizational function of this paragraph?
- To provide statistical data
- To present a balanced view of opposing perspectives (Correct answer)
- To narrate a sequence of historical events
- To define technical terminology
Correct answer: To present a balanced view of opposing perspectives
The 'critics argue… however, proponents counter' structure is a classic compare-and-contrast device presenting opposing viewpoints.
Question 4: In a text about renewable energy, the word 'intermittent' is used to describe solar power. Based on context clues, what does 'intermittent' most likely mean?
- Constant and reliable
- Occurring at irregular intervals (Correct answer)
- Extremely powerful
- Environmentally harmful
Correct answer: Occurring at irregular intervals
Solar power depends on sunlight, which is not always available, making 'intermittent' mean not continuous or regular.
Question 5: A passage ends with: 'Whether this trend continues remains to be seen, but early indicators are promising.' What is the author's tone in this concluding sentence?
- Pessimistic and dismissive
- Cautiously optimistic (Correct answer)
- Completely certain and definitive
- Angry and confrontational
Correct answer: Cautiously optimistic
'Remains to be seen' signals uncertainty while 'promising' signals optimism, combining to create a cautiously optimistic tone.
Question 6: An APTIS reading passage about migration states that push factors 'compel individuals to leave their homeland.' What does 'compel' imply about the nature of push factors?
- They gently encourage voluntary movement
- They force or strongly pressure people to leave (Correct answer)
- They make destinations more attractive
- They slow down migration rates
Correct answer: They force or strongly pressure people to leave
'Compel' means to force or oblige, implying push factors create unavoidable pressure to emigrate rather than mere incentive.
Question 7: In a long reading text, the author uses the phrase 'it is worth noting that' before a piece of information. What function does this phrase serve?
- It signals that the information is irrelevant
- It introduces a contradictory argument
- It draws the reader's attention to a significant detail (Correct answer)
- It marks the end of a paragraph
Correct answer: It draws the reader's attention to a significant detail
'It is worth noting that' is a discourse marker used to flag information the author considers particularly important or surprising.
APTIS Long Text Comprehension 2
In an APTIS long text about urban farming, the author states that rooftop gardens 'mitigate the urban heat island effect while simultaneously reducing food miles.' What is the primary purpose of this statement?