OAR OAR Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The navigator plotted a course using dead reckoning, estimating position based on a known starting point, elapsed time, and speed.' What does 'dead reckoning' rely on?
- GPS satellite data
- Known position plus calculated movement (Correct answer)
- Celestial observations only
- Radar reflections from landmarks
Correct answer: Known position plus calculated movement
Dead reckoning uses a known starting point combined with speed, direction, and time to estimate current position.
Question 2: Read: 'Unlike surface vessels, submarines must manage buoyancy precisely to maintain depth. Too much positive buoyancy causes uncontrolled ascent; too much negative buoyancy causes descent.' Which conclusion is best supported?
- Submarines sink if their engines fail
- Neutral buoyancy keeps a submarine at a stable depth (Correct answer)
- Positive buoyancy is always desirable
- Submarines rely solely on propellers for depth control
Correct answer: Neutral buoyancy keeps a submarine at a stable depth
The passage implies a balance between positive and negative buoyancy — neutral buoyancy — is needed to maintain depth.
Question 3: A passage says: 'The officer's report was terse but comprehensive, omitting no relevant detail despite its brevity.' The word 'terse' most nearly means:
- Lengthy and detailed
- Brief and concise (Correct answer)
- Confusing and unclear
- Formal and official
Correct answer: Brief and concise
'Terse' means using few words, and the context confirms this by contrasting it with 'omitting no relevant detail.'
Question 4: Read: 'Naval exercises are conducted to assess readiness, identify weaknesses, and train personnel under realistic conditions. The results inform future procurement decisions.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of naval exercises according to the passage?
- To justify defense budgets
- To assess readiness and improve training (Correct answer)
- To demonstrate power to adversaries
- To test new weapons systems
Correct answer: To assess readiness and improve training
The passage explicitly lists assessing readiness, identifying weaknesses, and training personnel as the purposes of naval exercises.
Question 5: A passage reads: 'Maritime law distinguishes between flotsam, which is wreckage floating on the sea, and jetsam, goods deliberately thrown overboard.' Based on this, cargo a captain dumps during a storm would be classified as:
- Flotsam
- Jetsam (Correct answer)
- Salvage
- Contraband
Correct answer: Jetsam
Jetsam is defined as goods deliberately thrown overboard, which matches cargo dumped intentionally by the captain.
Question 6: Read: 'The commanding officer emphasized that situational awareness — knowing where friendly and enemy forces are at all times — is the most critical skill in naval warfare.' Which title best fits this passage?
- Equipment Maintenance in Naval Operations
- The Primacy of Situational Awareness in Naval Warfare (Correct answer)
- Communication Protocols Between Naval Units
- History of Naval Tactics
Correct answer: The Primacy of Situational Awareness in Naval Warfare
The passage centers on one argument: situational awareness is the most critical naval skill.
Question 7: A passage states: 'Passage through the strait was impeded by fog, forcing the fleet to anchor and await improved visibility before proceeding.' What caused the delay?
- Mechanical failure of the lead vessel
- Enemy blockade of the strait
- Reduced visibility due to fog (Correct answer)
- Navigational charts were incorrect
Correct answer: Reduced visibility due to fog
The passage directly states that fog forced the fleet to anchor and wait for improved visibility.
OAR OAR Reading Comprehension 2
A passage states: 'The navigator plotted a course using dead reckoning, estimating position based on a known starting point, elapsed time, and speed.' What does 'dead reckoning' rely on?