1. Myths are stories, the products of fertile imagination, sometimes simple, often containing
profound truths. They are not meant to be taken too literally. Details may sometimes appear
childish, but most myths express a culture’s most serious beliefs about human beings, eternity,
and God.
The main idea of this passage is that myths
A. are created primarily to entertain young children.
B. are purposely written for the reader who lacks imagination.
C. provide the reader with a means of escape from reality.
D. illustrate the values that are considered important to a society.
2. The ultimate source of energy for all plants and animals is sunlight. But the sun’s energy can
be harnessed by plants, through photosynthesis, and stored in molecules of carbohydrates. When
animals eat these enzymes, large amounts of energy become available. Animals immediately
convert this energy into molecules of high-energy ATP (adenosine triphosphate)—the universal
currency of energy in living things. Excluding only the very first stages in carbohydrate
breakdown, which are called glycolysis, the entire complicated process of energy transfer to ATP
takes place within the mitochondria.
Glycolysis refers to
A. the initial stages of carbohydrate breakdown.
B. the process of plants producing oxygen and carbohydrates.
C. the production of ATP.
D. the production of body heat which occurs in the mitochondria.
3. There are two types of pottery that I do. There is production pottery—mugs, tableware, the
kinds of things that sell easily. These pay for my time to do the other work, which is more
creative and satisfies my needs as an artist.
The author of this passage implies that
A. artists have a tendency to waste valuable time.
B. creativity and mass production are incompatible.
C. most people do not appreciate good art.
D. pottery is not produced by creative artists.
Norwalk Community College Sample Accuplacer questions
4. The Midwest is experiencing its worst drought in fifteen years.
Corn and soybean prices are expected to be very high this year.
What does the second sentence do?
A. It restates the idea found in the first.
B. It states an effect.
C. It gives an example.
D. It analyzes the statement made in the first.
5. In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, “It is notorious that the memory strengthens as you lay
burdens upon it.” If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the names of those you have
just met, try this: the next time you are introduced, plan to remember the names. Say to yourself,
“I’ll listen carefully; I’ll repeat each person’s name to be sure I’ve got it, and I will remember.”
You’ll discover how effective this technique is and probably recall those names for the rest of
your life.
The main idea of the paragraph maintains that the memory
A. always operates at peak efficiency.
B. breaks down under great strain.
C. improves if it is used often.
D. becomes unreliable if it tires.
