ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension Practice Test 19752 Results

	Your Results	Global Average
Questions	5	5
Correct	0	3.07
Score	0%	61%

Review

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

	Practicality and present problem solving.
	Describing and understanding the nature of reality.
	Reflection and learning from the past.
	Imagination and planning for the future.

Solution

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

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

	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.
	The Grand Jury monitors and investigates the operations of local government agencies in Los Angeles County.
	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.

Volunteer hosts went to the airport, picked up assigned students, fed them dinner, took them to the opening lecture at the Clay Center, put them in spare bedrooms for the night, then fed them breakfast this morning and will deliver the outstanding teens to buses that convey them to the mountain retreat where they undergo a month of intensive science training and outdoor fun.

Luckily, this year, enough local families volunteered to host all the brilliant youths. In the past, the number of guest homes sometimes fell short, and some of the visitors slept on cots and sleeping bags at local churches. They're adventurous teens and don't mind this makeshift camp-in but it's better if friendly hosts give them a more personal welcome for their stay.

Which of the following topics would the next paragraph in this passage most likely cover?

60% Answer Correctly

	An overview of what the student's science training will cover.
	Instructions for how local families can enroll their children in a similar program.
	The story of a time when one of the students stole from his host family.
	Instructions for how local families can volunteer to become hosts.

Solution

The author of this passage is painting a positive picture of the students and outlining their need for local host families. Although the next paragraph could be about the student's training, history of crime, or how local children can attend camps overseas the most likely next topic would be instructions for how local families can volunteer to become hosts.

"Democracy's real test lies in its respect for minority opinions." - Ellery Sedgwick

Showing respect for a minority opinion _______________ democracy.

67% Answer Correctly

	invalidates
	validates
	challenges
	undermines

Solution

If democracy's test is whether or not it respects minority opinions then showing respect for a minority opinion is positive and validates democracy. Each of the other answers paints showing respect for minority opinion negatively.

On this date in 1776, rebellious colonials launched the first modern democracy, an experiment in government controlled by the people themselves. America succeeded so well that virtually the entire world later adopted democracy with its guarantee of personal rights.

Based on this paragraph, which of the following statements about the author's beliefs is false?

59% Answer Correctly

	Democracy guarantees personal rights.
	America is the first modern democracy.
	Virtually the entire world has adopted democracy.
	Democracy is the most noble form of government.

Solution

This question is asking which of these statements is false given what the author states in the paragraph not whether or not the author is correct or incorrect in those beliefs or what additional beliefs he or she is likely to have. Although you might infer that the author thinks democracy is the most noble form of government, that was not specifically mentioned in the article.