NFST Reading Comprehension Skills 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage says: 'While supporters argue the policy reduces crime, critics contend it infringes on civil liberties.' What does this sentence present?
- Proof that the policy reduces crime
- Two opposing viewpoints on the policy (Correct answer)
- The author's personal opinion
- A historical fact about the policy
Correct answer: Two opposing viewpoints on the policy
The sentence gives the supporters' view and the critics' view side by side, presenting both sides of a debate.
Question 2: An instruction reads: 'Complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*) before submitting.' Which fields must be filled in?
- All fields on the form
- Only fields the applicant chooses
- Only fields marked with * (Correct answer)
- Fields marked with * and those in bold
Correct answer: Only fields marked with *
The instruction specifically says fields 'marked with an asterisk (*)' are required before submission.
Question 3: You read: 'The novel's protagonist undergoes a dramatic transformation by the final chapter.' What does 'protagonist' mean?
- The main villain
- The main character (Correct answer)
- The narrator
- The author's voice
Correct answer: The main character
A protagonist is the main or central character of a story, often the one the plot follows most closely.
Question 4: A passage reads: 'Rising sea levels pose a tangible threat to coastal communities.' What does 'tangible' mean here?
- Imaginary or theoretical
- Real and concrete (Correct answer)
- Distant and unlikely
- Politically exaggerated
Correct answer: Real and concrete
'Tangible' means something real, concrete, and capable of being perceived — not abstract or hypothetical.
Question 5: A schedule states: 'Sessions run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding federal holidays.' On a federal holiday that falls on Wednesday, will there be a session?
- Yes, because Wednesday is a weekday
- No, because federal holidays are excluded (Correct answer)
- Only if the holiday falls in summer
- Only morning sessions are canceled
Correct answer: No, because federal holidays are excluded
The schedule explicitly says 'excluding federal holidays,' so no session is held on any federal holiday regardless of the day.
Question 6: A paragraph concludes: 'In summary, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep are the pillars of good health.' What is the function of this sentence?
- To introduce a new topic
- To summarize the paragraph's main points (Correct answer)
- To contradict earlier claims
- To provide a specific example
Correct answer: To summarize the paragraph's main points
Phrases like 'in summary' signal a concluding sentence that restates or synthesizes the key points made earlier.
Question 7: You read: 'The defendant was acquitted of all charges.' What happened to the defendant?
- Found guilty and sentenced
- Released after serving time
- Found not guilty and freed (Correct answer)
- Charged with additional crimes
Correct answer: Found not guilty and freed
'Acquitted' means found not guilty in a court of law, so the defendant was cleared of all charges.
NFST Reading Comprehension Skills 4
A passage says: 'While supporters argue the policy reduces crime, critics contend it infringes on civil liberties.' What does this sentence present?