ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension Practice Test 129030 Results

Your Results Global Average
Questions 5 5
Correct 0 2.89
Score 0% 58%

Review

1
On Monday, after a long quarter-century, West Virginians said goodbye to their state's 6 percent food tax. Now to see what, if any, business we've been missing. In 1989, retailers warned that sales in West Virginia would go down if legislators imposed a 6 percent tax on food. "Whatever they put on would be passed on to the consumer," Charles Forth, who owned supermarkets in both West Virginia and Ohio, told the newspaper in February 1989. "Six percent is $6 on $100. That will make a difference when people are already hurting and trying to make ends meet." It's a lot easier to drive customers away than to win them back, a fact legislators should bear in mind when it comes to taxation.
The author is _______________ that eliminating the 6 percent food tax will bring customers back to West Virginia stores.
45% Answer Correctly
skeptical
hopeful
denying
confident

Solution
The author cites a local retailer who predicted that sales in West Virginia would go down if the food tax was implemented and, although no facts are given to indicate that sales did in fact go down, the tone of the paragraph implies that the perception is that they have. The author is skeptical that eliminating the food tax will bring customers back claiming "It's a lot easier to drive customers away than to win them back".

2
Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that began in the United States around 1870. Pragmatism is a rejection of the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality. Instead, pragmatists develop their philosophy around the idea that the function of thought is as a instrument or tool for prediction, action, and problem solving. Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics - such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science - are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes rather than in terms of representative accuracy.
Pragmatism would best be described as a philosophy that focuses on:
59% Answer Correctly
Describing and understanding the nature of reality.
Reflection and learning from the past.
Imagination and planning for the future.
Practicality and present problem solving.

Solution
According to this passage, pragmatists focus on present problem solving and the practical uses of philosophy.

3
"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king." - Desiderius Erasmus
What does this proverb mean?
61% Answer Correctly
Someone who can see will be able to take advantage of others who cannot see.
It is more advantageous to be able to see, even a little bit, than to be blind.
Even someone with minor ability is considered special by those with no ability at all.
It would be easy for someone who can see to become king in a land of people who cannot see.

4
The main function of the Civil Grand Jury is to investigate county, city, and joint - power agencies. This is a significant civil function. The Grand Jury acts in a watchdog capacity by examining carefully and completely the operations of various government agencies with in Los Angeles County. The Civil Grand Jury cannot investigate state or federal agencies, which lie outside their jurisdiction. Part of the investigation of governmental agencies includes the ability to audit operations, accounts, and records of officers and departments within the agency under investigation. The Civil Grand Jury is further charged with investigating individual complaints from citizens. By statute the Grand Jury is required to inquire regarding the conditions and management of all public prisons within the County of Los Angeles.
According to this passage:
61% Answer Correctly
The Grand Jury monitors and investigates the operations of local government agencies in Los Angeles County.
Complaints filed by prisoners are not investigated by the Grand Jury.
The Civil Grand Jury is able to investigate any public sector agency within the County of Los Angeles.
Auditing is the only method the Grand Jury uses during an investigation of a department .

Solution
The passage states that the Grand Jury examines the operations of various government agencies within Los Angeles County.

5
In 2011, the Ohio Turnpike raised its limit to 70 and recorded its lowest traffic fatality rate ever that year. The higher speed limit attracts travelers to use the safer, limited-access, divided highways of the interstates from more traditional roads. That makes both types of roads safer.
Why does increasing the speed limit on interstates make traditional roads safer?
62% Answer Correctly
After this change there are more police patrolling traditional roads.
More travelers choose to use interstates which reduces the number of cars on traditional roads.
Drivers attracted by the high speed limits of the interstates are reckless and getting them off the traditional roads makes those roads safer.
Only the safest drivers still choose to drive traditional roads because they don't want to drive as fast.

Solution
More travelers using safer interstates increases their safety and reduces traffic on traditional roads. This reduction of travelers on traditional roads make those road safer because there are fewer vehicles on them. None of the other answers relate to the information given in the paragraph.