Paragraph Comprehension ASVAB Terms

1. “The sculpture was quite ambiguous; to me, it meant solitude while my sister saw chaos.” The word ambiguous, as used in this sentence, means ____.

Open to more than one interpretation or having a double meaning Explanation: This meaning is supported by the opposite meanings the sisters attributed to the sculpture.

2. “Lynn can cook anything. She excels at grilling steaks and she is decent at baking pies, her favorite food.” Would Lynn rather make dinner or dessert?

Dessert

Explanation: The author states that pies are Lynn’s favorite food and that she is “decent” at making them, giving us two pieces of evidence that she might prefer to make dessert, so this would be your best choice.

3. “The dogs barked loudly all night long and the entire neighborhood could hear the disturbance.” From this description, could you infer that there was something keeping the pet owner from hearing the dogs, too?

Yes

Explanation: It certainly might be that the pet owner heard them (since they were nearest to the noisy dogs), but more likely that the owner had earplugs in or some other barrier to the dogs’ noise.

4. “The news report spouted lies that would surely ruin the Senator’s career; I couldn’t believe something so slanderous was allowed on television.” The word slanderous, as used in this sentence, means ____.

False and damaging statements about someone

Explanation: The fact that the report was said to contain lies and that these lies would be damaging to the Senator supports the given definition.

5. “Because I am passionate about theatre, I will take any related job I can get. I prefer acting.” If offered both, would the author accept a theater stagehand position or a film acting position?

A stagehand position

Explanation: Although she prefers acting, the author would choose to be a stagehand because she states she is passionate about theater, not film.

6. “Stewart makes average grades in most classes but excels in a few. Art is Stewart’s favorite class.” From this description, could you infer that Stewart excels in art?

No

Explanation: The author says that Stewart excels in a few of his classes and that art is his favorite, but there is nothing to suggest that art is one of the courses in which he excels.

7. “The meeting was mandatory for all students, as stated in their dormitory guidelines.”

The word mandatory, as used in this sentence, means ____. Required by law or rules

Explanation: The mention of “dormitory guidelines” also supports this definition.

8. “Donnie loves marathons and was an avid runner until he injured his ankle, and then he switched to yoga while he recovered.” Does Donnie prefer running or yoga?

Running

Explanation: Donny switched to yoga because of his injury, not because he no longer enjoyed it. There is no evidence in the sentence that yoga has replaced his love of running.

9. “I am highly allergic to all nuts. Peanuts especially make me swell to a dangerous size.” From this description, could you infer that the author has eaten nuts before?

Yes

Explanation: The author states their reaction to eating peanuts (swelling), which they would only know by having eaten nuts.

10. “Even when it seemed hopeless, the campaign manager remained a stalwart employee who continued to work tirelessly.” The word stalwart, as used in this sentence, means ____.

loyal, reliable, and hardworking

Explanation: The description of the employee working “tirelessly” helps to support this definition.

11. If Sue loves sculpting, hates drawing, and is best at painting, would Sue rather sculpt or paint?

Sculpt

Explanation: Although she is best at painting, the sentence doesn’t imply whether or not she likes it. She loves sculpting, so she would choose to sculpt, according to the information provided.

12. “I went to France, Germany, and Italy last year. My work requires many trips around the globe.” From this description, could you infer that the author enjoys travel?

No

Explanation: The author states that work is the reason for the trips, but whether or not the trips were enjoyed was not addressed.

13. “Chelsea worked in the garden all day, although she glanced longingly at her book very frequently.” Would Chelsea rather garden or read?

Read

Explanation: She gardened all day, but Chelsea’s frequent glances at her book show that she would rather be reading.

14. “I stay far away from the neighborhood pool because drowning is my greatest fear.” From this description, could you infer that the author is unable to swim?

Yes

Explanation: If the author believes they will drown, it is most likely because they are not capable of swimming in the pool.

15. “Expecting a long and sincere apology, I was offended by my friend’s curt excuse for her behavior.” The word curt, as used in this sentence, means ____.

Rudely brief

Explanation: The author’s description of their expectations (long and sincere apology) tells the reader that the word curt means something quite different.