Reading and Comprehension

“For those students looking to bump up their grade point averages during college, the answer may not be spending more time in a library or study hall, but in a gym. New Michigan State University research shows that students who were members of the recreational sports and fitness centers on MSU’s campus during their freshman and sophomore years had higher GPAs than those who weren’t.The research also indicated that students with memberships stayed in school longer. An increase of 3.5 percent in two-year retention rates was seen among this group.”

According to the passage, college students might get better grades if they:

• live on campus

• study more

• spend additional time in the library

• are physically active

There are many benefits associated with living on campus during your first year of college. College students who live on campus generally have access to more services close to where they live.

In what way is the second sentence related to the first sentence?

• It restates the idea found in the first.

• It makes a contrast.

• It proposes a solution.

• It gives an example.

Some people like rainy, dreary days better than days with lots of sunshine. There are several reasons they give for this preference. Some say it is easier to focus on work when it is not clear and sunny outdoors. Others like the cooler temperatures that a rainy day often brings, especially during the summer months. There are a number of people who just enjoy staying inside and taking a nap on a rainy day. Any of these could be a good reason to take advantage of the next rainy day.

From the passage, the reader can infer that:

• Rain always cools things off.

• Rainy days are more productive than sunny days.

• Everyone should take a nap on rainy days.

• People have different weather preferences.

Botany is the study of the world of plants. If you take a Botany class, you will learn about the many aspects of plant life.

What does the second sentence do?

• It proposes a solution.

• It makes a contrast.

• It contradicts the first.

• It reinforces the first.

Writing for a newspaper is different from other types of writing. While the journalist is telling a story, he or she must do it in a different way. The main points of the article should be covered in the first two paragraphs. Then, details may be added in succeeding paragraphs.

The writer of the passage is____.

• contrasting newspaper writing with other types of writing

• telling about the many different styles of writing

• proposing that all writing should be done newspaper-style

• trying to convince the reader to write for a newspaper

Weather reporters have to give out a lot of information very quickly. That's why they use pictures! The pictures help them tell us about the weather without using so many words. Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is. They need to know where the warm air is. Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short. The pictures help weather reporters get the information out in a fast way.

Which sentence best describes the main idea of the paragraph?

• Weather reporters need to know where the cold air is

• Pictures help weather reporters get information out fast

• Their reports need to be correct, but they also need to be short

• They have to know where it is raining and what types of clouds are in the area

The first review of the Harry Potter movie was favorable.  Many people enjoyed the movie. What does favorable mean?

• A. Negative
• B. Uncertain
• C. Positive

Peter turned abruptly and walked quickly out of the room. What does abruptly mean?

• A. formally
• B. slowly
• C. suddenly

When some people think about Texas, they think of cowboys on the open range-herding cattle up a dusty trail. However, Texas has much more than open prairie with large herds of cows. There are the mountains of West Texas, the piney hills of east Texas, and the emerald waters off the coast of Padre Island. Texas also has large coastal harbors with numerous sailboats, powerboats, inland lakes, rivers, swamps of southeast Texas with alligators and other exotic wildlife.
The Summary of this passage is:

• There are a lot of cows in Texas.
• There are many different, varied parts of Texas.
•  Texas is one of the biggest states in the United States.
•  There are alligators in the swampland of southeast Texas.

Floods can cause tremendous damage.  They can ruin houses, roads and buildings. Floods can take down trees and cause mudslides. It often leaves mud, sand and debris behind.  It can take months to clean up after a flood.
 What is the main idea?

• Floods can cause a lot of damage.
• Floods cause mudslides.
• Floods damage houses and roads.