Transcription
TASC Test Reading Practice ItemsTASC Test Reading Practice ItemsUse these items to practice for the TASC Reading subtest. Once you reach the end of the test, check your responses against the answerkey provided. Take the time to read the information preceding the answers to understand what you’ll need to know and be able to do toprepare yourself to pass the TASC test. In the following multiple-choice questions, please circle the correct answer.Good luck preparing for the TASC test!Read the text. Then do Numbers 1 through 4.How to Shop Safely OnlineWhat is the best way to save parking charges and avoid crowds at the mall? You can shoponline. More and more consumers are finding online shopping the most convenient way tomake purchases. In 2010, online sales on the day after Thanksgiving were 15.9 percent higherthan they were in 2009. New technology even makes it possible to shop from mobile devices.However, there is a downside to this new and easy shopping access. Not every online site issafe from hackers, and some sites deliberately try to mislead consumers.Spoofing and PhishingSome websites use web addresses that are formatted to look almost the same as legitimate sites.This tactic is called spoofing. The site may also use icons and trademarks similar to those onsafe sites. A spoofed website often engages in another illegitimate activity called phishing.The object of phishing is to obtain credit card, bank account, or Social Security numbers froman unsuspecting consumer. On one of these sites, you might believe you are charging a pair ofhiking boots, when you are actually providing some stranger with the information needed tobook a flight to Acapulco on your credit card.There are some commonsense ways to recognize a spoofed site. Check the web addresscarefully to make sure the domain name is in bold type. Make sure there are no typographicalerrors in the name. Spoofers often use a name that is just a few letters different from alegitimate site. Pay careful attention to any warnings from your web browser saying that a siteis potentially unsafe. Keep your browser updated so you have the latest available protection.(Continued on next page)Reading1
TASC Test Reading Practice ItemsChecking Site SafetyMost Internet browsers offer some way of checking site security. You can learn what safetyoptions your browser offers by clicking “Tools” on the toolbar. Browser safety options usuallytell you whether the information sent and received from the site is encrypted—that is, put intocode. The safest sites use technology that scrambles your personal information when you make apurchase so that only your credit card company and the merchandiser can read it.When you are buying something from a site and reach the screen that asks for your credit cardinformation, check to make sure that the address begins with “HTTPS” rather than “HTTP.”HTTPS stands for “Secure HyperText Transfer Protocol” and means that the site usesenhanced security.Other ResourcesCertain companies, such as the Better Business Bureau, have seals of approval for sites thatmeet their standards. The American Bar Association sponsors a site called “safeshopping.org”with extensive information about safety and privacy concerns. For instance, they recommendpaying online with a credit card because legal liability for unauthorized credit card charges isa maximum of 50. If you learn about safety issues and use what you have learned effectively,you can feel as safe shopping online as you do buying things at a store. And you will not haveto search for a parking place or walk in the rain. Happy shopping!Reading2
TASC Test Reading Practice Items1Which conclusion could most likely be drawn about shopping online?AOnline shopping offers consumers both risks and convenience.BConsumers are limited by shipping charges when shopping online.C Online shopping is less expensive than shopping in traditional stores.D2Items found while shopping online are of better quality than store products.Which sentence from the text best helps develop the idea that there are ways toshop safely online?AMore and more consumers are finding online shopping the most convenient way tomake purchases.BSome websites use web addresses that are formatted to look almost the same aslegitimate sites.C The site may also use icons and trademarks similar to those on safe sites.D Keep your browser updated so you have the latest available protection.Reading3
TASC Test Reading Practice Items3Read this sentence from the text.On one of these sites, you might believe you are charging apair of hiking boots, when you are actually providing somestranger with the information needed to book a flight toAcapulco on your credit card.The author most likely included the sentence toAshow that security systems are ineffectiveBdramatize how tricky some websites can beC suggest that irresponsible websites are on the riseD4 explain how easy it is to purchase something onlineRead this sentence from the text.Spoofers often use a name that is just a few lettersdifferent from a legitimate site.What does the word legitimate mean as it is used in the sentence?AaccurateBbelievableC genuineDworkingReading4
TASC Test Reading Practice ItemsRead the text. Then do Numbers 5 through 7.Excerpt from Main Streetby Sinclair LewisMain Street is a novel about a girl who grew up in the big city.She has married a physician who moves them to the small townin the Midwest in which he grew up. She is reluctant to movefrom the city she knows, but goes along with her husband thinkingthat perhaps she can bring big-city life to the small town.That one word—home—it terrified her. Had she really bound herself to live, inescapably,in this town called Gopher Prairie? And this thick man beside her, who dared to define her future,he was a stranger! She turned in her seat, stared at him. Who was he? Why was he sitting withher? He wasn’t of her kind! His neck was heavy; his speech was heavy; he was twelve or thirteenyears older than she; and about him was none of the magic of shared adventures and eagerness.She could not believe that she had ever slept in his arms. That was one of the dreams which youhad but did not officially admit.She told herself how good he was, how dependable and understanding. She touched his ear,smoothed the plane of his solid jaw, and, turning away again, concentrated upon liking his town.It wouldn’t be like these barren settlements. It couldn’t be! Why, it had three thousand population.That was a great many people. There would be six hundred houses or more. And—The lakes nearit would be so lovely. She’d seen them in the photographs. They had looked charming . . .hadn’t they?A mile from Gopher Prairie the track mounts a curving low ridge, and she could see the town asa whole. With a passionate jerk she pushed up the window, looked out, the arched fingers of herleft hand trembling on the sill, her right hand at her breast. (Continued on next page)Reading5
TASC Test Reading Practice ItemsAnd she saw that Gopher Prairie was merely an enlargement of all the hamlets which they hadbeen passing. Only to the eyes of a Kennicott was it exceptional. The huddled low woodenhouses broke the plains scarcely more than would a hazel thicket. The fields swept up to it, pastit. It was unprotected and unprotecting; there was no dignity in it nor any hope of greatness.Only the tall red grain-elevator and a few tinny church-steeples rose from the mass. It was afrontier camp. It was not a place to live in, not possibly, not conceivably.The people—they’d be as drab as their houses, as flat as their fields. She couldn’t stay here.She would have to wrench loose from this man, and flee.She peeped at him. She was at once helpless before his mature fixity, and touched by hisexcitement as he sent his magazine skittering along the aisle, stooped for their bags, came upwith flushed face, and gloated, “Here we are!”She smiled loyally, and looked away. The train was entering town. The houses on the outskirtswere dusky old red mansions with wooden frills, or gaunt frame shelters like grocery boxes,or new bungalows with concrete foundations imitating stone.Now the train was passing the elevator, the grim storage-tanks for oil, a creamery, a lumberyard, a stockyard muddy and trampled and stinking. Now they were stopping at a squat redframe station, the platform crowded with unshaven farmers and with loafers—unadventurouspeople with dead eyes. She was here. She could not go on. It was the end—the end of theworld. She sat with closed eyes, longing to push past Kennicott, hide somewhere in the train,flee on toward the Pacific.Something large arose in her soul and commanded, “Stop it! Stop being a whining baby!”She stood up quickly; she said, “Isn’t it wonderful to be here at last!”He trusted her so. She would make herself like the place. And she was going to dotremendous things—Reading6
TASC Test Reading Practice Items5Which sentence from the text best emphasizes the difference between the character’sexpectations of Gopher Prairie and reality?ABIt was unprotected and unprotecting; there was no dignity in it nor any hopeof greatness.She smiled loyally, and looked away.C “Stop it! Stop being a whining baby!”D6 She stood up quickly; she said, “Isn’t it wonderful to be here at last!”Read the excerpt from the text.It wouldn’t be like these barren settlements. It couldn’t be!Why, it had three thousand population. That was a great manypeople. There would be six hundred houses or more. And—The lakes near it would be so lovely. She’d seen them in thephotographs. They had looked charming . . . hadn’t they?What do the character’s thoughts as she nears Gopher Prairie indicate about howshe is feeling?Athat she is eager but doubtfulBthat she is reluctant and angryC that she is excited and optimisticD that she is calm but unhappyReading7
TASC Test Reading Practice Items7Read this sentence from the text.Had she really bound herself to live, inescapably,in this town called Gopher Prairie?Which feeling of the character in the text does the phrase “bound herself” bestcapture in the question she asks herself?Athat she already feels tied to this townBthat she recognizes the mistake she has madeC that she feels destined to live in this small townD that she acknowledges that she decides her own fateReading8
TASC Test Reading Practice Items8Write a summary of the excerpt from Main Street. In your summary, be sureto include key details from the text.Reading9
TASC Test Reading Practice ItemsRead the text. Then do Number 9.Getting ReadyAnna hurried about the kitchen making snacks for the twins, Jason and Jana. When she heardthem giggling in the next room, she knew that could mean trouble. Sure enough, she foundboth children playing in Cricket’s food bowl. She scolded them gently for the mess and tookthem back to their play area. Sighing, she scooped the dog food back into the bowl. Returningto the kitchen, she ran through the usual checklist in her mind: snacks, drinks, hats, sunscreen,toys, and stroller. Oh yes, the camera was also a must. There, that should do it.Just as she finished loading everything into the car, Anna felt the first big drops of rain. Yikes!Maybe it would only sprinkle. The sun probably would come out again before they reached thepark. Perhaps she should grab an umbrella just in case. She buckled the squirming toddlers intotheir car seats and hurried back inside.As Anna opened the front door, Cricket nearly knocked her off her feet. The excited dog racedout the door in hot pursuit of the neighbor’s tabby cat.Why did I ever agree to meet my sister for a morning in the park? Anna wondered.9 Part AWhat can the reader infer about Anna?She likes to be prepared.She does not like the park.She wishes she had more time to herself.She expects her children to behave at the park.9 Part BWhich of these sentences from the text best supports the answer to Part A?Anna hurried about the kitchen making snacks for the twins, Jason and Jana.Sure enough, she found both children playing in Cricket’s food bowl.Perhaps she should grab an umbrella just in case.Why did I agree to meet my sister in the park this morning? Anna wondered.Reading10
TASC Test Reading Practice ItemsAnswer KeyAfter taking these practice items, you can check your answers with the following answer key. For your added benefit, answers comewith explanations to help you understand why they’re right. If you do well on the practice test, then you know you may be preparedto take the official TASC Readiness Test. If you struggle on the practice test, then you know you may still have more work to do toget prepared.1. This selected response item requires you to infer4. This multiple-choice item will provide evidencethe most logical conclusion that can be drawn byregarding your proficiency in using contextidentifying the central ideas of the text. You must(e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph,read the text closely to determine the most salientor text; a word’s position or function in a sentence)points, then classify that information into an explicitas a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.main idea.The answer choices refer to possible meanings ofthe target word, but you must understand the fullAnswer: Ameaning of the passage in order to determine theExplanation for Correct Response:precise meaning in context.Choice A speaks to the text as a whole, summarizingthe central ideas that online shopping can be bothAnswer: Crisky and convenient.Explanation for Correct Response:In context, “legitimate” describes the opposite of afalse or “spoofing” website: the genuine website.2. This multiple-choice item requires you to identifydetails that support key ideas. The correct answer5. This multiple-choice item will provide evidencerequires a re-reading of the text to compare eachdetail, determining which one best develops the idearegarding your proficiency in analyzing a theme instated in the item stem.a literary text, as well as identifying specific detailssupporting the development of the theme. For thisAnswer: Ditem, you will identify the appropriate supportingExplanation for Correct Response:evidence of the theme, but will also have to analyzeKeeping your browser updated is the only examplethe text as a whole in order to determine where thisof what a consumer can do to shop safely online.theme is apparent. In what ways does the authorillustrate the separation between expectations and3. This multiple-choice item requires you to analyze thereality, and how is this made apparent in the thoughtseffect of a sentence on the development of claimsand actions of the main character in the story?within a text. You must read the text closely in orderAnswer: Ato determine the idea the author is tryingExplanation for Correct Response:to develop and then identify how the targetOnly choice A emphasizes that the character wassentence contributes to this idea.expecting something other than what she sees.Answer Key: BThe language the author uses: “unprotected andExplanation for Correct Response:unprotecting” and “no dignity” is the reality.Only choice B correctly interprets the excerpt asHer seeing “no dignity.nor any hope of greatness”having a dramatic effect in order to emphasize thesuggests that she had higher expectations.trickiness of some websites, contributing to a keyidea of the text as a whole.11
TASC Test Reading Practice ItemsAnswer Key (cont’d)6. This multiple-choice item will provide evidence of8. Score: 2The correct response:your ability to analyze how an author introduces gives sufficient evidence of the ability toand develops characters in a story. The item requiresprovide an objective summary of the textyou to analyze word choice in order to correctly provides adequate key details from the textidentify what an author is trying to evoke throughdescription of a character’s thoughts and actions.Each of the answer choices reflects the mainScore: 1character’s feelings at points within the passage,The correct response: gives limited evidence of the ability to provideso you must be able to relate the quotation in thean objective summary of the textitem to the passage as a whole in order to determine provides limited key details from the textthe correct answer.Answer: AScore: 0Explanation for Correct Response:The response:Only choice A accurately describes the character in gives no evidence of the ability to provide ana way that is supported by the text. Her eagernessobjective summary of the textcan be seen in phrases like “a great many people” provides no key details from the textand “would be so lovely.” Her doubt is seen in her otherquestioning of her own memories of what she hadseen: “hadn’t they?”9. The correct answers are:7. This multiple-choice item will provide evidencePart A She likes to be prepared.regarding your proficiency in using context (e.g.,Part B Perhaps she should grab an umbrella justthe overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph,in case.or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence)as a clue to the connotative meaning of a word orphrase. You must analyze the composite meaningof a phrase in the context of a sentence. What isthe underlying principle that is revealed throughthe author’s use of the phrase? How can strict literalinterpretation of words lead to misinterpretation?Answer: DExplanation for Correct Response:Only choice D is supported by the whole text.The character will do what is necessary and makethat become the right choice. Deciding her own fateis suggested by the phrase “bound herself.”Developed and published by Data Recognition Corporation, 13490 Bass Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55311. Copyright 2016 by Data Recognition Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. TASC Test Assessing Secondary Completion is atrademark of Data Recognition Corporation. Data Recognition Corporation is not affiliated with The After-School Corporation, which is known as TASC. The After-School Corporation has no affiliation with theTest Assessing Secondary Completion ("TASC test") offered by Data Recognition Corporation, and has not authorized, sponsored or otherwise approved of any of Data Recognition Corporation's products andservices, including TASC test.12
TASC Test eading Practice Items. Reading. TASC Test Reading Practice Items. Use these items to practice for the TASC Reading subtest. Once you reach the end of the test, check your responses against the answer . key provided. Take the time to read the information preceding the answers to understand what you'll need to know and be able to do to
