Praxis Core Reading practice test

Read the passage and answer the question. The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system. It stretches more than 1,400 miles and is composed of thousands of individual reefs. The reef supports an extraordinary diversity of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish. According to the passage, the Great Barrier Reef supports more than how many species of fish?

Read the passage and answer the question. When Maria arrived at the office, she found the lights off, the chairs stacked on the desks, and a note taped to the door. She checked her phone and saw three missed calls from her supervisor. Which of the following can be most reasonably inferred from the passage?

Read the passage and answer the question. Before you sign any lease, read every clause carefully. Pay attention to the policies on security deposits, maintenance responsibilities, and early termination. Ask the landlord to explain anything you do not understand, and never feel pressured to sign on the spot. The primary purpose of this passage is to do which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. The committee's decision was met with a tepid response from the public. While no one openly objected, few people expressed any real enthusiasm for the new plan. As used in the passage, the word tepid most nearly means which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun. First, the moon's shadow begins to touch the Earth's surface. Then, as the alignment becomes exact, the moon appears to cover the sun completely. Finally, the moon continues its orbit and the sun gradually reappears. The passage is organized primarily by which method?

Read the passage and answer the question. The recipe called for fresh basil, but James only had the dried variety in his pantry. He shrugged, measured out a smaller amount, and added it to the simmering sauce. It can be inferred from the passage that James believes which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. The new public library opened in March of last year. It contains 80,000 volumes and offers free wireless internet. In my view, it is the most beautiful building in the entire city. Which sentence from the passage expresses an opinion rather than a fact?

Read the passage and answer the question. Over the past decade, the town invested heavily in bike lanes, public transit, and pedestrian walkways. During that same period, the number of residents who commute by car dropped by nearly a third, and downtown air quality measurements steadily improved. Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

Read the passage and answer the question. The volunteers worked through the night, exhausted but unwilling to stop. By dawn, the riverbank was lined with sandbags, and the floodwaters had been held back. Neighbors who had once been strangers now stood together, weary and proud. The tone of this passage can best be described as which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. Schools should require all students to learn a second language, because employers increasingly value bilingual job candidates. Students who graduate without this skill will be at a disadvantage. The argument in the passage depends on which unstated assumption?

Read the passage and answer the question. Sleep is not merely a period of rest. During sleep, the brain consolidates memories, clears metabolic waste, and regulates hormones essential to growth and immune function. Research consistently shows that chronic sleep deprivation impairs concentration, mood, and physical health. Which statement best expresses the main idea?

Read the two short passages and answer the question. Passage 1: City parks give residents a place to exercise, relax, and connect with nature without leaving the urban environment. Passage 2: Maintaining city parks is costly, and limited municipal budgets are often better spent on roads and schools. The relationship between the two passages can best be described as which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. The scientist was meticulous in her work, double-checking every measurement and recording each observation with great care. As used in the passage, the word meticulous most nearly means which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions, which makes them attractive in cities concerned about air quality. However, the electricity that charges them may come from power plants that burn fossil fuels. The author most likely includes the second sentence in order to do which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. The trail was steeper than the map had suggested, and the group's water supply was running low. The leader glanced at the darkening sky and then at her tired companions before announcing that they would turn back. It can be inferred that the leader decided to turn back primarily because she did which of the following?

Read the passage and answer the question. The printing press, developed in the fifteenth century, dramatically lowered the cost of producing books. As books became more affordable, literacy spread beyond the wealthy and the clergy. New ideas circulated faster than ever before, contributing to major social and intellectual changes. Which of the following is the best summary of the passage?

Read the passage and answer the question. A prolonged drought reduced the region's wheat harvest by half. As a result, bread prices in nearby cities rose sharply, and bakeries reported shortages throughout the season. According to the passage, what was the direct cause of the rise in bread prices?

Read the passage and answer the question. Studies show that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests and concentrate better in class. Schools that have introduced free breakfast programs report fewer absences. Therefore, schools should provide free breakfast to all students. Which sentence states the conclusion of the argument?

Read the passage and answer the question. A writer is drafting a paragraph arguing that community gardens improve neighborhood health by giving residents access to fresh produce. Which sentence would be least relevant to this paragraph?