ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension Practice Test

Here is our free ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension practice test. This test consists of 11 questions which must be completed within 22 minutes. These questions are designed to measure your reading comprehension skills. You are provided with a paragraph to read followed by one question about that paragraph. Read each passage carefully!

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Question 1
The metal porch swing virtually sizzled on the old wooden front porch today. But we sat there anyway. Gramma wouldn’t hear of anything else. I suggested a walk through the forest, hoping to entertain a breeze or two and to take advantage of the shade. Gramma shook her head. You were supposed to sit on the porch after supper, and that’s what we were going to do.
 

This author implies that

A
Gramma cooked supper.
B
Gramma didn’t like the forest.
C
Gramma didn’t change her routine.
D
Gramma couldn’t hear very well.
Question 1 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The third sentence and the final sentence imply a routine of sitting on the porch every night after supper.
Question 2
A lamb’s thick winter coat keeps it warm during the cold winter months. When the summer brings sunny days, the sheep doesn’t need its thick coat and the sheep’s wool is sheared. That wool is made into yarn, further processed, and then transformed into sweaters, socks, pants, skirts, and blankets.
 

According to the passage, which of the following best describes why sheep are sheared?

A
Because they get too hot in the summer.
B
So we can use the wool to make clothes.
C
The sheep’s coat is dangerous to them.
D
They look better without their coat.
Question 2 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). While sheep may be uncomfortable with a thick coat in the winter, the passage suggests that the purpose of shearing is to make clothes. In the passage, the author writes, “the sheep doesn’t need its thick coat,” which does not imply danger or discomfort, but rather a lack of necessity.
Question 3
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It has proteins attached to it and exists in the form of chromosomes. DNA in chromosomes contains the information that determines all of the physical characteristics that were inherited from the previous generation. Although some features of DNA differ from species to species, many things about DNA remain the same, regardless of the parent organism. Strawberries, for example, have DNA.
 

This author implies that

A
species are subdivisions of a genus.
B
strawberries are organisms.
C
DNA is only found in the organism’s parents.
D
all species have similar physical characteristics.
Question 3 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). The author mentions the similarities of DNA between all organisms, and then uses strawberries as an example of this in the very next sentence. This implies that strawberries are organisms.
Question 4
The Mississippi River is key to New Orleans’ flavor and pizzazz. The seafood, the steamboat cruise, the swamp tours, and the history—it’s all there. And the jazz? There are those who would swear that the uncanny beat of the music comes from the intrepid rhythm of the Mississippi’s waters.
 

According to the passage, some people believe that the atmosphere and reputation of New Orleans is derived primarily from

A
jazz music.
B
its unique food.
C
the Mississippi River.
D
the history of its swamp.
Question 4 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (C). The paragraph begins with "The Mississippi River is key..." The following sentences also suggest that other aspects of the city’s atmosphere also stem from the river.
Question 5
A story line is comprised of the main plot, a sequence of events involving the primary characters. There are also subplots in which the minor characters carry out their roles. The situations of the main and minor/supporting characters intertwine, thereby creating a realistic plot where people’s lives interact, just as they would in real life.
 

This author is making a comparison between

A
events and main characters.
B
a realistic plot and real life.
C
main and supporting characters.
D
the main plot and the subplots.
Question 5 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). The comparison is evident when the author mentions "...a realistic plot where people’s lives interact, just as they would in real life."
Question 6
In general, most people think of a culture as a set of behaviors belonging to a group sharing common values, history, and traditions. This group may call itself a community, but this does not mean that those in a common culture necessarily live in the same neighborhood, or even nearby. But, it does mean that they share norms for what is expected in their culture.
 

According to the passage, people in a community will

A
live in the same neighborhood.
B
speak the same language.
C
share the same knowledge.
D
follow the same standards of social behavior.
Question 6 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). “Norms” are standards and patterns of social behavior. If they “share norms,” this suggests that they follow the same standards. It may be likely that they speak the same language or share some of the same knowledge, but the passage doesn't state that this is necessarily true.
Question 7
American Sign Language (ASL) is a conceptual language, and the way those concepts are put together is called syntax. In ASL, a statement usually begins with the main idea and then the details follow. Very different from English, ASL syntax is based on what is most important to the person signing.
 

This author implies that

A
English can never be conceptual.
B
every language should have the same syntax.
C
American Sign Language has incorrect syntax.
D
English does not always begin with what is most important.
Question 7 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). The author states that sign language "...usually begins with the main idea." The author then states that, "Very different from English, ASL syntax is based on what is most important to the person signing." This suggests that English usually doesn't begin with what is most important.
Question 8
While some playwrights are known for writing essays defending their own work or criticizing the work of competing writers, Arthur Miller’s essays are simply about theater. While we may discover politics and favoritism when we comb through Miller’s essays looking for such things, in doing so, we may risk missing the point of the works—Miller only wants for us to benefit from his years of experience. Even his earliest essays read as virtual how-to manuals for new playwrights and directors. These works ring with clarity and forthrightness, and are filled with thoughtful and often provocative opinions. These essays teach us what the theater is, what it might be, and how to make it so.
 

The author suggests that Miller's essays differ from other playwrights' essays in that

A
Miller’s essays are more recent than other playwrights’.
B
Miller’s essays are not self-serving.
C
Miller’s essays have had more influence.
D
Miller wrote essays about European theater.
Question 8 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). In the first sentence, the author contrasts the focus of Arthur Miller’s essays with those of other playwrights who, in their essays, “criticize the work of competing writers” and “defend their own work.” Answer choice (D) is incorrect because the author does not state or imply that other playwrights do not write about theater, even though he stresses that Miller does.
Question 9

Questions 9 and 10 refer to the following paragraph:

Although much about dolphin communication remains a mystery, scientists have discovered three distinct sounds that dolphins frequently make: chirps, clicks, and whistles. Scientists have learned that dolphins use clicks to create a sonar map, which allows them to navigate and hunt. But, apart from possibly transmitting location, the clicks do not appear to serve any communication purpose. Rather, research indicates that dolphins communicate with each other by whistling. This discovery has necessitated further investigation, as scientists are not yet sure whether the whistles comprise a complex system of linguistic communication or a simple set of sonic cues, like the ones used by other animal species.
 

According to the passage, the whistles are significant in part because they

A
show that dolphins are capable of expressing emotion
B
prompt questions about the complexity of dolphin communication
C
aid dolphins in navigating and hunting
D
are not used by dolphins to communicate with each other
Question 9 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (B). The passage states that scientists have discovered that whistles are an important part of how dolphins communicate, and that “[t]his discovery has necessitated further investigation” because they do not know how advanced this communication system is.
Question 10
Although much about dolphin communication remains a mystery, scientists have discovered three distinct sounds that dolphins frequently make: chirps, clicks, and whistles. Scientists have learned that dolphins use clicks to create a sonar map, which allows them to navigate and hunt. But, apart from possibly transmitting location, the clicks do not appear to serve any communication purpose. Rather, research indicates that dolphins communicate with each other by whistling. This discovery has necessitated further investigation, as scientists are not yet sure whether the whistles comprise a complex system of linguistic communication or a simple set of sonic cues, like the ones used by other animal species.
 

Based on the passage, the most reasonable inference is that

A
dolphins are not the only animals species that communicates vocally
B
dolphins never use clicks for communication
C
dolphins are more intelligent than other animal species
D
dolphins frequently communicate their locations to each other
Question 10 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (A). The final sentence of the passage mentions “sonic cues like the ones used by other animal species,” which suggests that other animals use vocal communication, so (A) is correct.
Question 11
Marvin Freeman’s groundbreaking new study of the plays of Henrik Ibsen will alter the course of Ibsen scholarship forever. Previously, scholars limited the areas of their studies to a particular phase of Ibsen’s career, since a different scholarly approach seemed to fit each of the phases. Freeman has instead taken on the entirety of Ibsen’s work. Happily, this breadth of scholarship does not diminish the depth with which Freeman explores each work. Ibsen’s career is now liberated from arbitrary divisions and stands before us as a complete picture. It will be years before we can fully appreciate the service that Freeman has rendered.
 

What is the main point of the paragraph?

A
Freeman has triumphed over obstacles.
B
Additional scholarship is needed to clarify Freeman’s intent.
C
Freeman’s study is overly complicated, despite its scholastic value.
D
Freeman’s study will have lasting importance.
Question 11 Explanation: 
The correct answer is (D). The author mentions in the first sentence that Freeman’s study “will alter the course of Ibsen scholarship forever.” The author goes on to discuss why this is so, making the main point of the paragraph that the study “will have lasting importance,” as stated in answer (D).
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