Reading Skills Flashcards

Television has been introduced to almost every country in the world, reaching a large number of viewers on every continent. About 600 million people saw the first person walk on the moon, and a billion people watched the twentieth Olympic Games. Television has in many ways promoted understanding and cooperation among people. It does this by showing educational and cultural programs. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

Answer: Television is watched in nearly every country.

The passage explicitly states, 'Television has been introduced to almost every country in the world, reaching a large number of viewers on every continent.' This sentence directly supports the conclusion that television is watched in nearly every country. The other options are not directly supported or are contradicted by the text.

Janet’s parents bought her a new sports car as a birthday present. It was blue. Janet sold her 7-year-old blue pickup truck to a high school student. The truck could not go very fast, but the student was happy with it. According to the passage, which of these statements is true?

Answer: The pickup truck was older than the sports car.

The passage states that Janet's parents bought her a 'new sports car' and that she sold her '7-year-old blue pickup truck.' This information directly indicates that the pickup truck was 7 years old, making it older than the brand new sports car. The other statements are not supported by the text.

Some of Edward Weston’s black-and-white photographs of American nature scenes are considered superb examples of visual art. Indeed, some of his photographs have commanded top prices at art galleries. Which of the following best characterizes Weston’s photographs?

Answer: They have been sold in art galleries for large sums of money.

The passage states that 'some of his photographs have commanded top prices at art galleries.' This directly implies that Edward Weston's photographs have been sold in art galleries for large sums of money. The other options are not explicitly stated or implied in the provided text.

Speaking to a group of people can be a frightening experience. Some speakers cope by looking above the heads of the audience. Others try to imagine that they are talking to a friend. A few try picturing the audience in some non-threatening way, such as in their pajamas. The author of the passage assumes that speakers should:

Answer: feel comfortable when addressing an audience.

The passage describes various coping mechanisms speakers use to deal with the 'frightening experience' of public speaking. These strategies, such as looking above heads or imagining friends, are all aimed at reducing anxiety and making the speaker feel more at ease. Therefore, the author assumes that speakers should strive to feel comfortable when addressing an audience.

People have different ways of learning. Some are better at making mental pictures of new ideas. Others are more comfortable with writing lists of things to memorize. Certain people can learn best when listening to music, while others need silence to concentrate. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?

Answer: Different individuals have different ways of acquiring information.

The passage begins by stating, 'People have different ways of learning,' and then provides several examples such as making mental pictures, writing lists, listening to music, or needing silence. This central theme highlights the diversity in how individuals acquire information. Therefore, the main idea is that different individuals have different ways of acquiring information.

Jane and Paul are busy for 15 hours a day, 5 days a week going to college and working in a restaurant. They go to sleep at 11 p.m. every day, but on Sunday they take part in dance lessons. According to the passage, Jane and Paul spend most of their time:

Answer: going to college and working.

The passage explicitly states that Jane and Paul are 'busy for 15 hours a day, 5 days a week going to college and working in a restaurant.' This totals 75 hours per week dedicated to these activities. This is significantly more time than they spend sleeping (approximately 8 hours a day, 56 hours a week) or taking dance lessons (only on Sunday), making college and work their primary time commitment.

If you hold a piece of copper wire over the flame of a match, heat will be conducted by the copper wire to your fingers, and you will be forced to drop the wire. You will, however, still be able to hold the match because the match is a poor conductor of heat. Anyone, child or adult, can try this simple experiment. Which of the following is implied in the passage above?

Answer: Copper is a good conductor of heat.

The passage describes an experiment where holding a copper wire over a flame quickly conducts heat to your fingers, forcing you to drop it. In contrast, a match can still be held because it is a 'poor conductor of heat.' This direct comparison implies that copper, unlike the match, is an effective conductor of heat.