ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension and Inference Flashcards

Read the passage: 'The human eye cannot detect radio waves, X-rays, or ultraviolet light — these fall outside the visible spectrum. However, many animals perceive wavelengths invisible to us. Bees can see ultraviolet light, which reveals patterns on flowers invisible to humans that guide bees directly to nectar. Pit vipers detect infrared radiation, helping them locate warm-blooded prey in total darkness.' What is the best inference from this passage?

Answer: Different species have evolved visual systems matched to their specific survival needs

The examples of bees and pit vipers both illustrate how their unique vision directly serves their survival needs, suggesting evolution shaped each species' visual range.

Read the passage: 'The Titanic carried 20 lifeboats — enough for only 1,178 of the 2,224 people aboard. At the time of sinking, the lifeboats were launched with many seats empty, carrying an average of only 60 percent of their capacity. Lifeboat 1 launched with only 12 people despite having room for 40.' What does the passage suggest about Titanic casualties?

Answer: Poor lifeboat loading procedures worsened an already fatal shortage of capacity

The passage reveals both that there were too few lifeboats AND that those available were launched well below capacity, compounding the death toll.

Read the passage: 'Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but have no effect on viral illnesses such as the common cold or influenza. Despite this, many patients pressure doctors for antibiotic prescriptions when they have viral infections. Overuse of antibiotics has contributed to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are far more difficult and expensive to treat.' What conclusion is best supported by this passage?

Answer: Prescribing antibiotics for viral infections creates risks without providing any benefit

The passage states antibiotics don't work on viruses but do contribute to resistance, meaning unnecessary prescriptions carry risk with no therapeutic benefit.

Read the passage: 'In aviation, a black box flight recorder is actually bright orange. The vivid color makes it easier to locate after a crash. The recorder is housed in a titanium shell designed to withstand extreme heat, pressure, and impact. It captures cockpit voice recordings and flight data for the final hours of a flight and continues transmitting an underwater locator beacon for up to 30 days after impact.' What can be inferred about why the beacon lasts 30 days?

Answer: Crash sites in remote or underwater locations may take weeks to locate and reach

A 30-day beacon duration implies investigators may need substantial time to find crash sites, particularly in remote or deep-water locations.

Read the passage: 'In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that a mold called Penicillium had contaminated one of his petri dishes and killed the surrounding bacteria. Rather than discarding the ruined experiment, he investigated the mold's bacteria-killing properties. His curiosity led directly to the discovery of penicillin, which has saved an estimated 200 million lives.' What does Fleming's behavior reveal about the nature of scientific discovery?

Answer: Breakthroughs can come from investigating unexpected results rather than discarding them as failures

Fleming's decision to investigate rather than discard a contaminated dish shows that recognizing and pursuing anomalies can lead to major discoveries.

Read the passage: 'Wetlands act as natural water filters. As water flows through a wetland, plants absorb excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, while soil particles trap sediments and some pollutants. Studies show wetlands can remove up to 60 percent of heavy metals and reduce nitrogen levels by 80 percent before water reaches rivers and lakes. Despite these benefits, more than half of the world's wetlands have been drained or filled since 1900.' What can be inferred from the last sentence?

Answer: Water quality in rivers and lakes has likely worsened as wetland coverage has declined

Since wetlands filter large percentages of pollutants, losing more than half of them would logically result in more pollutants reaching rivers and lakes.

Read the passage: 'Night vision goggles work in two different ways. Image intensification devices amplify existing light — starlight or moonlight — so that dim scenes appear brighter to the user. Thermal imaging devices, by contrast, detect heat emitted by objects and convert it into a visible image; they work even in complete darkness because they need no light at all.' Under which condition would thermal imaging have a clear advantage over image intensification?

Answer: In an overcast underground tunnel with no natural or artificial light source

Thermal imaging requires no light and works in complete darkness, giving it a decisive advantage in environments with zero light, like an underground tunnel.