APTIS Reading for Text Cohesion 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the paragraph and choose the sentence that best fills the gap: 'Scientists have long studied the effects of sleep deprivation. ___. Without adequate rest, cognitive functions such as memory and attention decline rapidly.' Which sentence fits best?
- Sleep is a biological necessity for all mammals.
- Recent research confirms that adults need seven to nine hours per night. (Correct answer)
- Dreams occur primarily during REM sleep cycles.
- Insomnia is classified as a sleep disorder by the WHO.
Correct answer: Recent research confirms that adults need seven to nine hours per night.
The sentence about seven to nine hours directly connects the established research with the specific cognitive consequences mentioned next.
Question 2: Which connective word correctly completes the sentence? 'The bridge was structurally sound; ___, the city council decided to demolish it for aesthetic reasons.'
- therefore
- nevertheless (Correct answer)
- consequently
- similarly
Correct answer: nevertheless
'Nevertheless' signals a contrast between the bridge being sound and the surprising decision to demolish it.
Question 3: A paragraph ends with: 'Local farmers reported significant losses.' Which sentence would BEST open the following paragraph to maintain cohesion?
- Agriculture is one of the oldest human occupations.
- These losses prompted the government to introduce emergency subsidies. (Correct answer)
- Farmers around the world face many challenges.
- The weather is always unpredictable in rural areas.
Correct answer: These losses prompted the government to introduce emergency subsidies.
'These losses' uses a demonstrative reference to directly link the new paragraph to the previous sentence.
Question 4: In an APTIS text cohesion task, you see: 'The population of the city doubled in a decade. Urban infrastructure struggled to keep pace. ___ Roads cracked, schools overcrowded, and utilities failed.' What type of device is the blank expected to contain?
- A topic sentence introducing a new theme
- A summary sentence restating the opening
- A transitional sentence linking cause to detailed effects (Correct answer)
- A concluding sentence ending the argument
Correct answer: A transitional sentence linking cause to detailed effects
The blank sits between a general problem (infrastructure struggling) and specific examples, requiring a sentence that introduces those details.
Question 5: Which option correctly uses a pronoun to maintain cohesion? Paragraph: 'Maria submitted her report on Monday. The manager read ___ carefully before the board meeting.'
- it (Correct answer)
- them
- her
- those
Correct answer: it
'It' correctly refers to the singular noun 'report,' maintaining clear pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Question 6: Five sentences are given. Which arrangement creates the most cohesive paragraph? 1. As a result, many species face extinction. 2. Forests cover roughly 31% of the earth's land area. 3. This destruction eliminates habitats and food sources. 4. However, deforestation is reducing that coverage rapidly. 5. Conservationists urge immediate international action.
- 2, 4, 3, 1, 5 (Correct answer)
- 1, 3, 5, 2, 4
- 5, 2, 3, 4, 1
- 3, 2, 4, 1, 5
Correct answer: 2, 4, 3, 1, 5
Sentence 2 sets context, 4 introduces the problem with 'however,' 3 explains the impact, 1 gives the consequence, and 5 provides the call to action.
Question 7: Which sentence does NOT maintain cohesion with the rest of the paragraph? 'Electric vehicles are becoming more affordable. Battery technology has improved dramatically. Many governments now offer purchase incentives. Gasoline engines were invented in the 19th century. Consumer adoption has risen sharply in recent years.'
- Battery technology has improved dramatically.
- Many governments now offer purchase incentives.
- Gasoline engines were invented in the 19th century. (Correct answer)
- Consumer adoption has risen sharply in recent years.
Correct answer: Gasoline engines were invented in the 19th century.
The sentence about gasoline engines introduces an unrelated historical fact that does not connect to the paragraph's focus on EV growth.
APTIS Reading for Text Cohesion 2
Read the paragraph and choose the sentence that best fills the gap: 'Scientists have long studied the effects of sleep deprivation. ___.
Without adequate rest, cognitive functions such as memory and attention decline rapidly.' Which sentence fits best?