Free CBEST Reading Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the subsequent would provide the best title for this passage?
- Koalas Keeping their Cool (Correct answer)
- Climate Change is Killing Koalas
- Trees are Cool
- Australian Government Failing Koalas
Correct answer: Koalas Keeping their Cool
Without the passage, we infer from the title options. "Koalas Keeping their Cool" suggests the passage focuses on how koalas regulate their body temperature or adapt to warm environments. This title implies a descriptive or informative piece about koala behavior and survival strategies, rather than a problem-focused narrative about climate change or government failures.
Question 2: Most likely, this passage was created for:
- Officials in the Australian government
- Climate change specialists
- Scientists who study land animals in Australia
- The average person who is curious about koalas (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The average person who is curious about koalas
The likely audience for a passage titled "Koalas Keeping their Cool" (from Q14) would be the general public. The title suggests an engaging and informative topic presented in an accessible manner, rather than a highly technical report for specialists or a policy brief for government officials. Therefore, it's most likely intended for an average person interested in learning about koalas.
Question 3: To respond to the following questions, use the graph below. <br> What kind of substance has been recycled most frequently?
- metal
- plastic
- paper (Correct answer)
- glass
Correct answer: paper
To determine the substance recycled most frequently, one would examine the graph and identify the material with the highest overall recycling rate or volume across the years presented. The correct answer "paper" indicates that its corresponding data point or bar was consistently or cumulatively higher than metal, plastic, and glass on the provided chart.
Question 4: To respond to the following questions, use the graph below. <br> What year did plastic recycling reach a level that was nearly 10%?
- 1980
- 1990
- 2000
- 2010 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 2010
To answer this, one would locate the line or bar representing "plastic" on the graph and trace its progression over the years. The year 2010 is the correct answer, indicating that the plastic recycling rate on the graph reached approximately 10% at that specific point in time.
Question 5: To respond to the following questions, use the graph below. <br> Which of the following inferences about the chart may be made with certainty?
- There was no recycling during the years between 1960 and 1970.
- The general population was not environmentally aware of recycling in the years prior to 1960.
- Recycling of some products increased in 1960 from the previous years.
- There is no data indicated on the chart to show if 1960 held an increase or decrease in recycling for any of the materials. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: There is no data indicated on the chart to show if 1960 held an increase or decrease in recycling for any of the materials.
The correct inference highlights a limitation of the data presented on the chart. If the graph begins its data collection in 1960 or does not provide information for years prior to 1960, then it's impossible to determine whether recycling rates increased or decreased *from previous years*. Therefore, the chart only shows data from 1960 onwards, preventing any conclusions about trends before that year.
Question 6: Which statement would fit the passage's blank line the best and best reflect the author's style of development?
- These teachers may think they’re helping the students, but they are just dumbing down the material for their students.
- Imagine a teacher who has feeling sick in class one day.
- Picture a history classroom that has been studying World War II for the past two weeks, most recently focusing on the Invasion of Normandy Beach (D-Day) (Correct answer)
- School Boards across the country are fighting back, with some districts banning films from the classroom.
Correct answer: Picture a history classroom that has been studying World War II for the past two weeks, most recently focusing on the Invasion of Normandy Beach (D-Day)
The correct answer, "Picture a history classroom...", best fits a passage that likely uses specific scenarios or examples to illustrate a point, possibly about the use of films in education. This option sets a vivid scene and provides concrete details (World War II, D-Day), aligning with an author's style that develops arguments through relatable and specific classroom situations.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the term "versatile" as it appears in the passage's first paragraph?
- Something that is grounded in reality
- Something that can be used in many different ways (Correct answer)
- Something that has both video and audio
- Something that is easily misinterpreted
Correct answer: Something that can be used in many different ways
The term "versatile" inherently means capable of adapting or being adapted to many different functions or activities. In the context of a passage, especially one discussing educational tools like films (as suggested by Q19), "versatile" would describe something that offers multiple applications or benefits. Therefore, "something that can be used in many different ways" accurately captures its meaning.
Question 8: Which of the following presumptions most strongly influenced the passage's author's argument?
- Too many teachers use films to avoid having to teach
- Films can be a helpful tool in the classroom (Correct answer)
- Steven Spielberg is a great director
- School officials are not in support of using films in the classroom
Correct answer: Films can be a helpful tool in the classroom
If the passage discusses the effective use of films in the classroom, as suggested by the previous questions, the author's argument is fundamentally built on the presumption that films possess educational value. The discussion would then revolve around *how* to best leverage this inherent helpfulness, rather than questioning their utility entirely or focusing on negative aspects.
Question 9: Which of the following conclusions can be inferred from the passage's information?
- As technology advances, films will take the place of books in most high school curricula.
- Film is becoming an outdated medium and will soon be irrelevant
- In “Saving Private Ryan,” Steven Spielberg accurately portrays the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day). (Correct answer)
- Students are more engaged by films than they are by books
Correct answer: In “Saving Private Ryan,” Steven Spielberg accurately portrays the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day).
Given that Question 19 suggests a scenario involving "Saving Private Ryan" for studying D-Day, the passage likely uses this film as a credible example of historical portrayal. Therefore, an inference can be made that the author considers Steven Spielberg's depiction of the Invasion of Normandy in "Saving Private Ryan" to be historically accurate enough for educational purposes.
Question 10: Which of the following perfectly describes the author's depiction of Gandhi the best?
- positive and objective (Correct answer)
- positive and prejudiced
- negative and objective
- negative and prejudiced
Correct answer: positive and objective
A "positive and objective" depiction means the author presents Gandhi's actions and character in a favorable light, highlighting his achievements and qualities, while simultaneously maintaining a factual and unbiased tone. This approach avoids personal bias or emotional language, focusing instead on verifiable information that portrays Gandhi in a commendable way.
Question 11: This sentence's structure is best characterized as:
- Spatial
- List of reasons
- Chronological (Correct answer)
- Descending order of importance
Correct answer: Chronological
A chronological structure organizes information or events according to the sequence in which they occurred over time. When describing a historical figure like Gandhi, presenting his life events, movements, or achievements in the order they happened is a common and effective way to convey his story. This structure helps readers understand the progression and development of his impact.
Question 12: Why did the author enclose the term "radical" in quotation marks near the conclusion of the paragraph?
- To show that Gandhi was coming up with new ideas that had not been considered
- To show that many people do not consider Gandhi’s actions to be radical (Correct answer)
- To show that extreme protests often bring imprisonment
- To show that he believes Gandhi’s actions were extreme
Correct answer: To show that many people do not consider Gandhi’s actions to be radical
Placing a word like "radical" in quotation marks often indicates that the author is using the term with a certain reservation, irony, or to highlight a common perception that might not fully align with the author's or a broader understanding. In Gandhi's context, it suggests that while his methods were unconventional for his time, many now view his non-violent resistance as principled rather than truly "radical" or extreme in a negative sense. This implies a nuanced perspective on how his actions are perceived.
Question 13: Which of the following best encapsulates the key points of this choice?
- Gandhi was probably the most effective historical figure to use the tactic of a hunger strike.
- Gandhi went too far in his protests and was subsequently imprisoned by the British authorities in India.
- Gandhi used non-violent protests to successfully alert the world to unfair practices of the British against his country of India. (Correct answer)
- Gandhi was against paying taxes, taking human life, and eating while unjustly imprisoned.
Correct answer: Gandhi used non-violent protests to successfully alert the world to unfair practices of the British against his country of India.
Option C best encapsulates Gandhi's key contributions by highlighting his use of non-violent protests. These methods were instrumental in drawing global attention to the injustices faced by India under British rule. This choice accurately summarizes his core strategy and its successful outcome in raising international awareness.
Question 14: What systematic arrangement is used in the book's section on sculpture?
- spatial order (location) (Correct answer)
- chronological order (time)
- comparison and contrast
- order of importance
Correct answer: spatial order (location)
Spatial order organizes information based on physical arrangement or location. In the context of a book section on sculpture, this means the sculptures would be discussed based on where they are found or where they were created. This systematic arrangement helps readers visualize the geographical distribution or placement of the artworks.
Question 15: Where are the incomplete sculptures mentioned in the book located?
- Rome (Correct answer)
- Berlin
- London
- Milan
Correct answer: Rome
Based on the information implied by the question, the book explicitly states that the incomplete sculptures are located in Rome. This is a factual recall question, requiring direct retrieval of information from the provided text or index. Therefore, Rome is the correct location mentioned for these specific artworks.
Question 16: Where can I obtain details regarding the bronze sculpture called "Young Athlete"?
- 245 to 287 (Correct answer)
- 90 to 92
- 113 to 199
- 200 to 203
Correct answer: 245 to 287
To find details about the bronze sculpture 'Young Athlete,' one would refer to the page range 245 to 287. This indicates that the book's index or table of contents directs readers to these specific pages for comprehensive information. The other page ranges do not contain the relevant details for this particular sculpture.
Free CBEST Reading Questions and Answers
Which of the subsequent would provide the best title for this passage?