5713- Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading

Item 1

Many public libraries now offer quiet study pods that can be reserved online, and patrons no longer have to compete for table space during exam season. Staff report that noise complaints have dropped sharply since the pods were installed. Because the pods can be booked in advance, students can plan their study time with confidence.

What is the author's main claim in the argument?

·         Reservable study pods have improved the library experience for patrons.

·         Noise complaints at the library have decreased in recent months.

·         Students prefer to plan their study time several days in advance.

·         Exam season creates heavy competition for library table space.

Selected Option: Reservable study pods have improved the library experience for patrons.

Explanation: The passage lists several benefits of the study pods-less competition for space, fewer noise complaints, and easier planning, all of which support the overall conclusion that the pods have improved the library experience. The other options are supporting details rather than the central claim.

Item 2

A growing number of employers allow staff to choose a four-day workweek with longer daily hours. Surveys from participating companies show reduced burnout and steadier attendance. Because employees return to work more focused, overall output has stayed level despite one fewer scheduled day.

What is the author's main claim in the argument?

·         A four-day workweek can maintain output while improving employee wellbeing.

·         Employees who work four days report feeling less burned out.

·         Attendance has become more consistent at participating companies.

·         Longer daily hours are required to make a four-day week possible.

Selected Option: A four-day workweek can maintain output while improving employee wellbeing.

Explanation: The passage builds toward a single overarching point: that shortening the week does not come at the cost of productivity because employees return more focused. The wellbeing and attendance details are evidence supporting this broader claim, not the claim itself.

Item 3

Community health clinics that offer evening appointments see higher rates of follow-up care among working patients. Many patients cannot leave their jobs during standard clinic hours without losing pay. Expanding evening availability would likely close a persistent gap in care for hourly workers.

What is the author's main claim in the argument?

·         Clinics should expand evening appointment hours to reach hourly workers.

·         Hourly workers often lose pay when they leave work for appointments.

·         Follow-up care rates are higher among patients with evening access.

·         Working patients face more barriers to care than salaried patients.

Selected Option: Clinics should expand evening appointment hours to reach hourly workers.

Explanation: The passage explains why evening hours matter and what problem they solve, but the final sentence states the recommendation the author wants readers to accept: that clinics should expand evening hours. The earlier sentences function as supporting evidence for this proposal.

Item 4

A transit agency claims that adding a dedicated bus lane on Fifth Avenue will reduce commute times without increasing car congestion on side streets.

Which evidence is sufficient to support the claim?

·         A rider survey showing that most passengers want more frequent buses.

·         Traffic counts showing shorter bus travel times and stable side-street volume after a pilot lane opened elsewhere.

·         A report describing dedicated lanes used successfully in another country.

·         Estimates of the cost to repaint lane markings on Fifth Avenue.

Selected Option: Traffic counts showing shorter bus travel times and stable side-street volume after a pilot lane opened elsewhere.

Explanation: The claim has two parts—faster commutes and no increase in side-street congestion—so the strongest evidence must address both. Only the pilot-lane traffic counts directly measure both outcomes with real, local data, making it the most sufficient support for the specific claim made.

Item 5

A school nutrition director argues that switching to a salad-bar lunch format will increase vegetable consumption among students without raising food waste.

Which evidence sufficiently supports the claim?

·         Plate-waste audits showing more vegetables eaten and unchanged total waste after a trial salad bar.

·         An article describing salad bars used in a neighboring school district.

·         A parent survey about which vegetables children prefer at home.

·         Data on the wholesale price of fresh produce this quarter.

Selected Option: Plate-waste audits showing more vegetables eaten and unchanged total waste after a trial salad bar.

Explanation: Because the claim makes two specific promises, higher vegetable consumption and no increase in waste, only evidence measuring both outcomes can sufficiently support it. The plate-waste audit from an actual trial directly verifies both parts of the claim, unlike the other options, which are only tangentially related.

Item 6

 After-school robotics clubs help students build problem-solving skills.

(1) Members design and troubleshoot machines together each week.
(2) The club recently purchased new laptop chargers for the classroom.
(3) Weekly competitions push students to refine their designs under pressure.
(4) Mentors guide students through debugging when a robot fails to move.
Which sentence should be removed to improve logical connections?

(2)

(1)

(4)

(3)

Selected Option: (2)

Explanation: The paragraph focuses on how robotics clubs build problem-solving skills through design, competition, and mentorship. Sentence 2 describes a routine equipment purchase that has no bearing on skill-building, making it unrelated to the paragraph's central idea.

Item 7

A writer argues that community gardens reduce household grocery costs.

(1) Families report saving money by growing their own produce.
(2) Garden plots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis each spring.
(3) Shared tools and seeds lower the cost of starting a garden plot.
(4) Surplus vegetables are often traded among neighbors, further cutting costs.
Which sentence disrupts the logical sequence of the argument?

(2)

(1)

(3)

(4)

Selected Option: (2)

Explanation: Sentences 1, 3, and 4 all connect directly to the argument about reduced grocery costs. Sentence 2 instead describes an administrative detail about how plots are assigned, which does not contribute to the claim about savings.

Item 8

A city pilot program reduced pothole repair times after switching to a mobile reporting app.

(1) Crews received real-time alerts and could respond within hours.
(2) Therefore, expanding the app citywide would likely reduce repair times further.
(3) Average repair time dropped by nearly half during the pilot.
(4) Residents previously had no quick way to report new potholes.
Which order creates the clearest logical progression?

(4) -> (1) -> (3) -> (2)

(1) -> (4) -> (3) -> (2)

(4) -> (3) -> (1) -> (2)

(3) -> (4) -> (1) -> (2)

Selected Option: (4) -> (1) -> (3) -> (2)

Explanation: This order follows a problem-solution-proof-conclusion pattern: it identifies the original problem (no quick reporting), introduces the solution (real-time alerts), provides proof of success (repair times dropped), and ends with a recommendation to expand the program.

Item 9

A writer argues that public parks should install bilingual signage to improve visitor safety. A revision is suggested: "Clear bilingual signs allow more visitors to understand posted safety rules."

·         Which technique does this revision use to maintain focus?

·         Clarifying how the proposal supports the argument's purpose.

·         Introducing background information unrelated to the claim.

·         Referring to park maintenance schedules not relevant to signage.

·         Adding commentary that does not relate to visitor safety.

Selected Option: Clarifying how the proposal supports the argument's purpose.

Explanation: The revision explains exactly how bilingual signs achieve the stated goal: helping more visitors understand safety rules directly tying the proposal to the argument's central purpose rather than introducing unrelated material.

Item 10

A writer reports that a clinic plans to add text-message appointment reminders to reduce missed visits. The writer removes this sentence: "The clinic's waiting room was recently repainted a soft green."

Which technique is the writer using to maintain focus?

·         Removing detail unrelated to the argument's purpose.

·         Introducing a counterargument that challenges the plan.

·         Adding supporting evidence that reinforces the plan's aims.

·         Introducing a comparison that does not relate to reminders.

Selected Option: Removing detail unrelated to the argument's purpose.

Explanation: The sentence about the paint color has no connection to missed appointments or text reminders. Removing it keeps the passage focused on the relevant policy change and its intended effect.

Item 11

A writer argues that offering free tool rentals would help residents complete home repairs. A supporting sentence reads: "Residents who cannot afford tools can borrow them at no cost, making repairs more achievable."

Which technique is being used to maintain focus on the argument?

·         Supporting directly relevant support that reinforces the claim.

·         Providing information that shifts focus away from the claim.

·         Bringing in details about library operating hours unrelated to tools.

·         Adding an anecdote that does not connect to the program's goals.

Selected Option: Supporting directly relevant support that reinforces the claim.

Explanation: The sentence directly explains the mechanism by which free tool rentals make repairs more achievable, reinforcing the central claim with support that is tightly connected to the argument's purpose.

Item 12

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The box of donated coats were dropped off this morning.

·         The box of donated coats was dropped off this morning.

·         The stack of graded essays was returned yesterday.

·         The crate of library books was delivered on time.

Selected Option: The box of donated coats were dropped off this morning.

Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "box," which is singular, so the verb must also be singular. "Coats" is part of a prepositional phrase and does not determine the verb form, so "were" is incorrect and should be "was."

Item 13

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The proposal is composed of four sections.

·         The proposal comprises four sections.

·         The proposal comprises of four sections.

·         The proposal includes four sections.

Selected Option: The proposal comprises of four sections.

Explanation: "Comprise" already means "to consist of," so pairing it with "of" is redundant and grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "comprises four sections" or "is composed of four sections," but never "comprises of."

Item 14

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The teachers' lounge was repainted last week.

·         The committee's decision was announced Friday.

·         The volunteers' schedules were updated yesterday.

·         The mens' locker room reopened this morning.

Selected Option: The mens' locker room reopened this morning.

Explanation: "Men" is an irregular plural that does not end in "s," so its possessive form only needs an apostrophe plus "s": "men's." Adding an apostrophe after an "s" that isn't there, as in "mens'," is incorrect.

Item 15

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The committee was uninterested in revisiting the policy.

·         The mediator remained disinterested throughout the negotiation.

·         The panel was disinterested in the outcome of the vote.

·         The board had no interest in reopening the debate.

Selected Option: The panel was disinterested in the outcome of the vote.

Explanation: "Disinterested" means impartial or unbiased, which fits a neutral party like a mediator but not a panel that simply lacks interest. A panel that does not care about an outcome should be described as "uninterested," not "disinterested."

Item 16

Which sentence is correct?

·         The Principal met with Senator Ruiz last Friday.

·         The principal met with senator Ruiz last Friday.

·         The principal met with Senator Ruiz last Friday.

·         The Principal met with senator Ruiz last Friday.

Selected Option: The principal met with Senator Ruiz last Friday.

Explanation: Job titles used as common nouns, such as "principal," stay lowercase, but a title immediately preceding a proper name, such as "Senator Ruiz," becomes part of the name and must be capitalized.

Item 17

Which sentence is correct?

·         I met with dr. Alvarez before winter break.

·         I met with Dr. alvarez before Winter break.

·         I met with dr. Alvarez before Winter Break.

·         I met with Dr. Alvarez before Winter Break.

Selected Option: I met with Dr. Alvarez before Winter Break.

Explanation: "Dr. Alvarez" correctly capitalizes a formal title paired with a surname, and "Winter Break" is capitalized as the proper name of a specific school holiday period rather than the general season.

Item 18

The proposal was detailed however it left out a timeline for implementation.

Which option corrects the error?
 

·         The proposal was detailed; however, it left out a timeline for implementation.

·         The proposal was detailed, however it left out a timeline for implementation.

·         The proposal was detailed however, it left out a timeline for implementation.

·         The proposal was detailed, however, it left out a timeline for implementation.

Selected Option: The proposal was detailed; however, it left out a timeline for implementation.

Explanation: When "however" connects two independent clauses, it must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. Using only a comma before "however" creates a comma splice, which incorrectly joins two complete sentences.

Item 19

The data indicates that the new curriculum improves reading scores across grade levels.

 Which option corrects the error?
 

·         The data indicates that the new curriculum improves reading scores across grade levels.

·         The data indicate that the new curriculum improves reading scores across grade levels.

·         The data indicating that the new curriculum improves reading scores across grade levels.

·         The data indicates that the new curriculum improves reading scores across grade levels.

Selected Option: The data indicate that the new curriculum improves reading scores across grade levels.

Explanation: In formal and academic writing, "data" is treated as the plural of "datum" and takes a plural verb. Although "data indicates" is common in casual speech, academic conventions require "data indicate" for grammatical agreement.

Item 20

I enrolled in a course called world literature: postcolonial voices.

Which option corrects the error?
 

·         I enrolled in a course called world literature: postcolonial voices.

·         I enrolled in a course called World literature: postcolonial voices.

·         I enrolled in a course called World Literature: Postcolonial Voices.

·         I enrolled in a course called World Literature: postcolonial voices.

Selected Option: I enrolled in a course called World Literature: Postcolonial Voices.

Explanation: Course titles are proper nouns and every major word should be capitalized. The word directly following a colon in a title is also capitalized regardless of its part of speech, making "Postcolonial Voices" the correct form.

Item 21

Which sentence is correct?

·         The reporter interviewed mayor Chen after the vote.

·         The reporter interviewed Mayor chen after the vote.

·         The reporter interviewed mayor chen after the vote.

·         The reporter interviewed Mayor Chen after the vote.

Selected Option: The reporter interviewed Mayor Chen after the vote.

Explanation: When a title such as "Mayor" directly precedes a person's name, it functions as part of that name and must be capitalized, along with the surname itself, following standard title-and-name conventions.

Item 22

Which sentence is correct?

·         The panel included a freshwater ecologist who studies wetland resotration.

·         The panel included a Freshwater Ecologist who studies wetland restoration.

·         The panel included a freshwater ecologist who studies wetland restoration.

·         The panel included a freshwater Ecologist who studies wetland restoration.

Selected Option: The panel included a freshwater ecologist who studies wetland restoration.

Explanation: "Freshwater ecologist" is a general job description, not a formal title or proper noun, so it should remain lowercase. This option also uses the correct spelling of "restoration," which is misspelled in one alternative.

Item 23

Which option corrects the error in the following sentence: "Although the budget was tight the committee approved the request and moved forward with the project."?
 

·         Although the budget was tight, the committee approved the request and moved forward with the project.

·         Although the budget was tight the committee approved the request, and moved forward with the project.

·         Although the budget was tight, the committee approved the request, and moved forward with the project.

·         Although the budget was tight the committee approved the request and moved forward with the project.

Selected Option: Although the budget was tight, the committee approved the request and moved forward with the project.

Explanation: An introductory dependent clause beginning with "although" must be followed by a comma. No comma is needed before "and moved forward" because that phrase is not an independent clause; it shares the same subject as the previous clause.

Item 24

Original Text

The committee will vote on Thursday it will publish the results by Friday afternoon.

How could the original text be revised to improve sentence structure while preserving meaning?

 

·         By combining the ideas so they form one clear and complete sentence.

·         By adding commas between the actions without joining the clauses.

·         By separating the ideas with semicolons to form three unrelated statements.

·         By adding a causal phrase even though the ideas are not cause-and-effect.

Selected Option: By combining the ideas so they form one clear and complete sentence.

Explanation: The original sentence is a run-on because it joins two independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction. The clearest fix is to combine the ideas properly, for example with a conjunction, so the sentence reads as one grammatically complete unit.

Item 25

Original Text

To reset your password, first go to the login page. Then — and try not to laugh, because this part always trips people up — click "Forgot Password." After that, check your email and follow the link.

How could the original text be best revised to maintain an appropriate tone?

 

·         By removing the joke so the directions remain direct and professional.

·         By moving the joke to the end of the instructions to soften the tone.

·         By keeping the joke but shortening how long it is.

·         By adding a second joke to balance the tone of the passage.

Selected Option: By removing the joke so the directions remain direct and professional.

Explanation: Instructional writing should stay clear and professional. The aside about laughing is an informal distraction that can confuse readers or undercut the authority of the instructions, so removing it keeps the tone appropriate for a how-to guide.

Item 26

Original Text

The pilot program ended last month. Attendance at the after-school tutoring sessions had nearly doubled by the final week.

How could the original text be revised to provide smoother flow?
 

·         By combining the ideas into one sentence for a smoother connection.

·         By inserting repetition that interrupts the meaning.

·         By adding an unrelated clause that does not connect the ideas.

·         By reordering the sentence parts to obscure the sequence of events.

Selected Option: By combining the ideas into one sentence for a smoother connection.

Explanation: The two short sentences describe related events that can be joined for better flow, for example by showing that attendance had nearly doubled by the time the pilot program ended, which more clearly connects the timeline and outcome.

Item 27

Original Text

In order to complete the application process, applicants are required to fill out and submit all of the necessary application forms that are needed in order for the application to be considered complete and ready for review by the committee.

How could the original text be revised to make it more concise?
 

·         By removing the unnecessary wording so the instructions are stated more directly.

·         By adding a sentence explaining why each form is required.

·         By rearranging the redundant wording without removing any of it.

·         By adding transition words between each repeated phrase.

Selected Option: By removing the unnecessary wording so the instructions are stated more directly.

Explanation: The passage repeats words like "application" and "complete" far more than necessary, burying the actual instruction. Cutting the redundant wording makes the requirement clear and direct without losing any meaning.

Item 28

The new carpool program was created to reduce parking congestion near the office. The building's lobby was recently updated with new flooring. Employees who join the carpool program receive a reserved parking spot near the entrance.

How could the original text be revised to improve cohesion and focus?

·         By removing the distracting detail so the text stays focused on the main topic.

·         By expanding on the distracting detail so it seems more relevant.

·         By adding more context to justify including the distracting detail.

·         By rephrasing the distracting detail rather than removing it.

Selected Option: By removing the distracting detail so the text stays focused on the main topic.

Explanation: The sentence about the lobby flooring has no connection to the surrounding discussion of the carpool program and parking. Removing it restores the paragraph's focus on the program's purpose and benefits.