ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension Test

Nations are political and military units, but they are not necessarily the most important units in economic life, nor are they very much alike in any economic sense. All that nations really have in common is the political fact of their sovereignty. Indeed, the failure of national governments to control economic forces suggest that nations are irrelevant to promoting economic success. According to the paragraph, the economic power of nations is: A. controlled by political and military success. B. the basis of their political success. C. limited to a few powerful nations. D. relatively unimportant.

D. relatively unimportant.

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

The correct answer is (A) dolphins are not the only animals species that communicates vocally. 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.

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.

The correct answer is (B) Miller's essays are not self-serving. In the first sentence, the author contrasts the focus of Arthur Miller's essays with the other playwrights who, in their essays, "criticize the work of competing writers" and "defend their own work."

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.

The correct answer is (B) a realistic plot and real life. The comparison is evident when the author mentions "...a realistic plot where people's lives interact, just as they would in real life."

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. continue to spur research into their unknown purpose

The correct answer is (B) prompt questions about the complexity of dolphin communication. The author declares that whistles are important because scientists think dolphins whistle to communicate with each other, and scientists want to learn how advanced this communication system is, which matches choice (B).

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 are different from species to species, there are many things that are the same about DNA, 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.

The correct answer is (B) strawberries are organisms. 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.

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.

The correct answer is (C) Gramma didn't change her routine. The last sentence implies a routine of sitting on the porch every night after supper.

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.

The correct answer is (C) the Mississippi River. The paragraph begins with "The Mississippi River is key..." The next two sentences also suggest that other aspects of the city's atmosphere all stem from the river.

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.

The correct answer is (D) English does not always begin with what is most important. 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.

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. The career of Ibsen 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 book is overly complicated, despite its scholastic value. D. Freeman's book will have lasting importance.

The correct answer is (D) Freeman's book will have lasting importance. The author has a consistent tone of praise for Freeman's work, so the correct answer must be positive. Only (A) and (D) have a positive tone, and (D) best matches the meaning of the final sentence.

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 religious beliefs. D. follow the same standards of social behavior.

The correct answer is (D) follow the same standards of social behavior.. "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 the same religious beliefs, but the passage doesn't state that this is necessarily true.

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. The verb "transformed" referred to in the passage suggests that the wool changes by A. magic B. metamorphosis C. computer input and output. D. mechanical or chemical operations.

The correct answer is (D) mechanical or chemical operations. If you are taking yarn, processing it, and then turning it into clothing, the yarn is undergoing a mechanical operation.