Epic Skills Assessment Verbal Reasoning & Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The hospital implemented a new triage protocol, resulting in a 20% reduction in wait times, though staff reported increased workload.' Which conclusion is best supported?
- The protocol improved efficiency but created staff burden. (Correct answer)
- Wait times will continue to decrease indefinitely.
- Staff workload was the primary cause of long wait times.
- The protocol should be immediately reversed.
Correct answer: The protocol improved efficiency but created staff burden.
The passage supports both the efficiency gain and the staff workload increase as direct outcomes of the protocol.
Question 2: Choose the word most opposite in meaning to AMBIGUOUS.
- Vague
- Explicit (Correct answer)
- Obscure
- Convoluted
Correct answer: Explicit
Ambiguous means unclear or open to multiple interpretations; explicit means clearly and directly stated.
Question 3: Which sentence uses the word 'chronic' correctly?
- She suffered from a chronic headache that lasted only minutes.
- The chronic shortage of supplies had persisted for three years. (Correct answer)
- The doctor gave a chronic diagnosis after one visit.
- His chronic mood improved quickly after resting.
Correct answer: The chronic shortage of supplies had persisted for three years.
Chronic means persisting for a long time, making a three-year shortage the correct usage.
Question 4: In a passage about electronic health records, the author argues that interoperability is the 'cornerstone of modern healthcare.' What does 'cornerstone' most likely mean here?
- A minor supporting detail
- A fundamental and essential element (Correct answer)
- A recent technological innovation
- An optional enhancement
Correct answer: A fundamental and essential element
Cornerstone is used figuratively to mean a foundational or essential element upon which other things depend.
Question 5: Select the analogy that best completes: Diagnosis is to treatment as _____ is to solution.
- Cure
- Problem (Correct answer)
- Medicine
- Patient
Correct answer: Problem
Diagnosis identifies the problem, and treatment follows; similarly, identifying the problem precedes the solution.
Question 6: A memo states: 'All staff must complete training by Friday unless prior approval is obtained.' A nurse submits a request for an extension on Thursday. What should happen?
- The nurse must complete training by Friday regardless.
- The nurse's request should be reviewed for possible approval. (Correct answer)
- The deadline automatically extends to the following week.
- The nurse is exempt from the training entirely.
Correct answer: The nurse's request should be reviewed for possible approval.
The memo allows for exceptions if prior approval is obtained, so the nurse's request should be reviewed.
Question 7: Which of the following best defines 'inference' in reading comprehension?
- Copying text directly from the passage
- Drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning (Correct answer)
- Summarizing the main idea in one sentence
- Identifying the author's credentials
Correct answer: Drawing a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning
An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence in the text, not stated explicitly.
Epic Skills Assessment Verbal Reasoning & Comprehension 2
A passage states: 'The hospital implemented a new triage protocol, resulting in a 20% reduction in wait times, though staff reported increased workload.' Which conclusion is best supported?