FREE ATDH Reading and Language Usage Questions and Answers

Question 1

Photographs of planet Earth taken from satellites show an exquisite spherical body with an apparently smooth, clearly defined surface. However, we who dwell on the Earth’s surface have a different perspective: we know that the surface includes both miles-high peaks and miles-deep valleys.

Which transition word could be substituted for the word “however” without changing the meaning of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yet

Answer

Likewise

Answer

Therefore

Answer

Thus

Question 2

The valleys, on the other hand, present daunting challenges—submerged under oceans, many of these valleys remain elusive to all but a tiny number of daring, highly motivated explorers.

What is the meaning of the word “daunting” as it is used in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Formidable

Answer

Foreseeable

Answer

Mundane

Answer

Mysterious

Question 3

Which best describes the main idea of this paragraph:

The first human mission to the bottom of the trench was in 1960, when engineer Jacques Piccard and submariner Don Walsh descended in a deep sea submersible called the Trieste. It was 52 years before the second descent, by Titanic filmmaker James Cameron. In 2019 and 2020, explorer Victor Vescovo and various companions braved the gloomy depths five times. Having previously climbed to the summit of Mt. Everest, Vescovo and his companion Vanessa O’Brien have achieved the remarkable distinction of reaching both the highest and the lowest points on the planet. Another companion has accomplished a different singular feat. Kathy Sullivan is a former astronaut who walked in space in 1984. As an explorer of both oceanic depths and extraterrestrial heights, she has contemplated the earthly sphere from afar and probed its deepest inner recess.

Accepted Answer

Explorers of the Mariana Trench are a daring and accomplished group.

Answer

Most people who explore the Mariana Trench are motivated by curiosity.

Answer

The Mariana Trench is of interest to both geologists and oceanographers.

Answer

Those who explore the Mariana Trench are honored internationally.

Question 4

Looking closer, Vescovo concluded that it was that ubiquitous artifact of twenty-first-century life— a plastic bag!

What is the meaning of “ubiquitous” as it is used in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Universal

Answer

Controversial

Answer

Conventional

Answer

Unusual

Question 5

I like biology, but I'm taking cell biology 301 next semester, which looks difficult.

Which option uses correct capitalization?

Accepted Answer

biology, but I'm taking Cell Biology 301

Answer

Biology, but I'm taking Cell Biology 301

Answer

Biology, but I'm taking cell biology 301

Answer

biology, but I'm taking Cell biology 301

Question 6

Which word completes this sentence?

I hope that you will __________ my congratulations.

Accepted Answer

accept

Answer

accent

Answer

except

Answer

excerpt

Question 7

I know the funny story about my sister is true because she told me themselves.

How should the word “themselves” be changed?

Accepted Answer

herself

Answer

herselves

Answer

himself

Answer

yourself

Question 8

When she was younger. She went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons.

Which option best combines these sentences?

Accepted Answer

When she was younger, she went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons.

Answer

She went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons, when she was younger.

Answer

She went to the museum and saw the exhibit when she was younger of reconstructed blue whale skeletons.

Answer

She went to the museum and saw the exhibit of reconstructed blue whale skeletons. When she was younger.

Question 9

The bird watcher saw three cardinals, one male and two females, observing the bird feeder.

Which option best clarifies the relationship between ideas?

Accepted Answer

While observing the bird feeder, the bird watcher saw one male and two female cardinals.

Answer

Three cardinals one male and two females saw the bird watcher observing the bird feeder.

Answer

Observing the bird feeder the bird watcher saw three male and female cardinals.

Answer

The bird watcher saw three cardinals observing the bird feeder; one male and two females.

Question 10

Read this excerpt from a letter to a patient.

Your improved cholesterol test results are __________, and we encourage you to maintain a healthy diet and daily exercise regimen to help you sustain those results!

Which option completes the sentence while maintaining the style?

Accepted Answer

commendable

Answer

nifty

Answer

wicked awesome

Answer

pretty terrific