Paragraph Comprehension Review for ASVAB Power Practice Problems

These paragraph comprehension practice questions are based on the actual ASVAB. Take this quiz to see how you would do if you took the exam today and to determine your strengths and weaknesses as you plan your study schedule.

Time: 13 minutes

The taxpayers' association rose up in protest at the town meeting when it was announced that the school budget would be increased by 50% over the next year. "We will no longer tolerate wasting money on swimming pools and skating rinks," stated Bob Smith. "It is time for this council to be held accountable for proper use of the taxpayers' money."

Other members of the taxpayers' association stated that they intend to run for town council in the coming election in order to remove members of the board who have persistently raised taxes over the last three fiscal years.

1. Why was the taxpayers' association upset at the recent town meeting?
   1. They had not been allowed to speak.
   2. Taxes keep going up.
   3. The town council had not fulfilled the school budget.
   4. Students were learning to skate instead of studying.
2. As used in the passage, persistently most nearly means
   1. ongoing.
   2. increasingly.
   3. overused.
   4. ended.
3. Bob Smith complained about swimming pools and skating rinks because
   1. he is not athletic.
   2. he was concerned about the environment.
   3. he felt that such things are a waste of taxpayers' money.
   4. he was at the wrong meeting.
4. One of the solutions offered by the taxpayers' association was
   1. to drain the swimming pool.
   2. to close the local schools.
   3. to pass a bill lowering taxes.
   4. to run for town council and replace the existing members.

Recent flooding in the county has caused a shortage of sump pumps, vacuum cleaners, and other cleanup utilities. Recently, one hardware store resorted to handing out numbered tickets to customers, because they had a limited number of pumps on hand and wanted to ensure that each customer purchased only one on a first-come, first-served basis. This led to resentment on the part of those who had stood in the rain, waiting for an hour to get inside, only to discover that they had to take a numbered ticket and come back the next day when another shipment of pumps would arrive.

These hardships, however, were small compared to the suffering of many residents. Hundreds of houses were deluged with the rising waters, and residents were forced to flee their homes in boats. The anger of those who were forced to take numbered tickets seemed childish in the eyes of those people whose homes were destroyed.

5. Why did the hardware store hand out numbered tickets to people buying pumps?
   1. They were holding a raffle for free sump pumps.
   2. They didn't have enough pumps to sell more than one to a customer.
   3. The customers were getting angry.
   4. Ownership of sump pumps is regulated by law.
6. As used in the passage, deluge most nearly means
   1. strong winds.
   2. a new law.
   3. a flood.
   4. cold weather.
7. What is the main idea of this passage?
   1. There is always someone who is suffering more than you are.
   2. The area should have been declared a national disaster zone.
   3. The hardware store owners were heartless people.
   4. Raffle tickets should be outlawed.
8. Why does the author describe the hardware store customers as "childish"?
   1. They were playing games while waiting to get inside.
   2. The hardware store owners were their parents.
   3. They were angry about a small problem.
   4. They were being irresponsible by not helping their neighbors.

Light pollution is a growing problem worldwide. Like other forms of pollution, light pollution degrades the quality of the environment. Where it was once possible to look up at the night sky and see thousands of twinkling stars in the inky blackness, one now sees little more than the yellow glare of urban sky. When we lose the ability to connect visually with the vastness of the universe by looking up at the night sky, we lose our connection with something profoundly important to the human spirit, our sense of wonder.

9. The passage implies that the most serious damage done by light pollution is to our
   1. artistic appreciation.
   2. sense of physical well-being.
   3. cultural advancement.
   4. spiritual selves.
10. According to the passage, which of the following is important to the human spirit?
    1. a clean environment
    2. our sense of wonder
    3. dark skies
    4. looking at the stars

George walked out of his boss's office in anger after being reprimanded for his slovenly appearance. "I dress as well as anyone else," he fumed. "I think the boss is just singling me out." Two days later, George resigned from his job and went to work at the competitor's company for a smaller salary.

11. Which of the following was probably the reason that George left his job?
    1. He was angry at his boss.
    2. The new job was closer to home.
    3. He was bored with his old job.
    4. The new job paid more than the old job.
12. As used in the passage, reprimanded most nearly means
    1. fired.
    2. demoted.
    3. scolded.
    4. given an award.
13. George got in trouble at work because
    1. he was a careless employee.
    2. he didn't dress properly.
    3. he wanted more money.
    4. the boss didn't like him.
14. As used in the passage, slovenly most nearly means
    1. lazy.
    2. tardy.
    3. heavenly.
    4. sloppy.

When writing business letters or memos, it's not practical to be personal. The first-person point of view may make the reader feel close to the writer, but it also implies a certain subjectivity. That is, the writer is expressing a personal view from a personal perspective.

15. This paragraph best supports the statement that
    1. writing a first-person business correspondence will prevent the writer from getting promoted.
    2. effective business writing is one of the most important skills to have in an office environment.
    3. using the first-person point of view in business correspondence is not a wise choice.
    4. the first-person point of view expresses a personal view and a personal perspective.