Praxis Core Reading Practice Test: Author's Purpose, Tone and Word Meaning
- Author's Purpose, Tone and Word Meaning
- 10 questions
- 12 minutes
Ten craft and structure questions: why the author wrote something, how it sounds and what a word means in its sentence. Tip: for word questions, put each option back into the sentence and keep the one that keeps the meaning.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
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Question 1
The proposal to close the Elm Street branch library has been described as a simple matter of saving money. It is not simple. The branch is the only place within two miles where students can use a computer after school, and for many older residents it is the only place they can get help filling out online forms.
The author's primary purpose is to
Correct answer: D
The author rejects the "simple matter of saving money" view and lists what the community would lose. There is no history or budget method in the passage.
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Question 2
The proposal to close the Elm Street branch library has been described as a simple matter of saving money. It is not simple. The branch is the only place within two miles where students can use a computer after school, and for many older residents it is the only place they can get help filling out online forms.
The short sentence "It is not simple." mainly serves to
Correct answer: B
The first sentence calls the closure "simple"; the next sentence denies exactly that. The rest of the passage then explains why.
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Question 3
Every year the hiking club promises that the spring trip will be "easy and relaxing." Every year we come home sunburned, bitten by mosquitoes and limping. I have already signed up for this year's trip.
The tone of the passage is best described as
Correct answer: C
The writer pokes fun at the club's promise, yet signs up again, which shows fondness. An angry writer would not cheerfully join the next trip.
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Question 4
The committee's report was sharp in its criticism of the plan but offered few concrete suggestions for improving it.
As used in the sentence, "concrete" most nearly means
Correct answer: A
The report criticized but gave few specific, practical suggestions. "Made of cement" is the building-material meaning of the word, which does not fit criticism of a plan.
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Question 5
Although the senator's speech was brief, it was pointed; no one in the room doubted whom she meant.
As used in the sentence, "pointed" most nearly means
Correct answer: D
The second half of the sentence explains it: everyone knew whom she meant, so the speech was aimed at someone. The speech was brief, so "long and detailed" contradicts the sentence.
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Question 6
Some people argue that handwriting is no longer worth teaching, since most adults now type far more than they write by hand. This argument overlooks a practical point: on many exams, forms and job sites, people are still expected to write clearly with a pen.
Which choice best describes the structure of the passage?
Correct answer: C
The first sentence states the case against teaching handwriting; the second says that case "overlooks" a practical point. No process, time comparison or list of causes appears.
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Question 7
The new transit map is a model of clarity: each line has its own color, transfer stations are clearly marked, and even first-time visitors can plan a trip in seconds. If only the trains themselves ran as smoothly as the map suggests.
The author's attitude toward the city's transit system is best described as
Correct answer: A
The author praises the map in detail, then the closing "If only" sentence complains that the trains do not run smoothly. That complaint rules out "approving of both."
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Question 8
Language changes faster than many people realize. The English word "nice," for example, once meant "foolish" before it slowly shifted to its present, positive sense.
The example of the word "nice" is used mainly to
Correct answer: B
The example follows the claim that language changes, and it shows one word changing meaning. One example cannot prove that every word becomes more positive.
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Question 9
The scientist was cautious about her findings, noting that the sample was small and that the results would need to be replicated before anyone relied on them.
As used in the sentence, "replicated" most nearly means
Correct answer: D
A cautious scientist with a small sample wants others to repeat the study and get the same results. "Rejected" would not make the findings more reliable.
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Question 10
A writer has just presented her own view. Which phrase most clearly signals that she is about to present an opposing view?
Correct answer: A
"On the other hand" introduces a contrasting position. "For example" adds support, "as a result" shows an effect, and "in addition" adds a similar point.
Questions you leave blank are not counted as wrong.
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