NFST Reading Comprehension Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The mayor announced that the new recycling program would begin in the fall, pending budget approval.' What does 'pending' mean in this context?
- Already completed
- Subject to (Correct answer)
- Despite
- Without
Correct answer: Subject to
'Pending' means 'subject to' or 'awaiting,' so the program start depends on budget approval.
Question 2: You read: 'Unlike her colleagues, Maria preferred written reports to verbal presentations.' What contrast is being made?
- Maria's reports were better than her colleagues'
- Maria's preference differed from her colleagues' (Correct answer)
- Maria's colleagues disliked presentations
- Maria gave more presentations than her colleagues
Correct answer: Maria's preference differed from her colleagues'
The word 'unlike' signals that Maria's preference (written) contrasts with her colleagues' preference (verbal).
Question 3: A sign reads: 'Authorized Personnel Only — Violators Will Be Prosecuted.' Who is permitted to enter?
- Anyone who signs a waiver
- Only people with official permission (Correct answer)
- Employees who pay a fee
- Visitors accompanied by staff
Correct answer: Only people with official permission
'Authorized personnel' means only individuals who have been officially granted permission may enter.
Question 4: A passage says: 'The committee tabled the motion until the next meeting.' In American English, what did the committee do?
- Approved the motion immediately
- Postponed discussion of the motion (Correct answer)
- Rejected the motion permanently
- Added the motion to a written list
Correct answer: Postponed discussion of the motion
In American English, 'to table' a motion means to postpone or delay it, not to bring it up for discussion.
Question 5: You read: 'The scientist's findings were corroborated by three independent studies.' What does 'corroborated' mean?
- Contradicted
- Supported or confirmed (Correct answer)
- Replaced
- Published
Correct answer: Supported or confirmed
'Corroborated' means supported or confirmed by additional evidence.
Question 6: A notice states: 'Refunds will be issued within 5-7 business days of receiving your returned item.' When does the refund timeline begin?
- When the return is requested
- When the item is received (Correct answer)
- When the refund is processed
- When the original purchase was made
Correct answer: When the item is received
The notice says 'of receiving your returned item,' so the countdown starts when the item arrives back.
Question 7: A paragraph reads: 'Although the initial cost is high, solar panels typically pay for themselves within ten years.' What is the author's overall point?
- Solar panels are too expensive to be practical
- The upfront cost is the only consideration
- Solar panels are a worthwhile long-term investment (Correct answer)
- Ten years is too long to wait for savings
Correct answer: Solar panels are a worthwhile long-term investment
The word 'although' concedes the high cost but pivots to the long-term benefit, indicating the panels are worthwhile.
NFST Reading Comprehension Skills 2
A passage states: 'The mayor announced that the new recycling program would begin in the fall, pending budget approval.' What does 'pending' mean in this context?