CBEST Reading Practice Test Questions Answers [Untimed]

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow

Imagine going to a fast food restaurant a few years from now. You order a burger, and before you receive your order, the burger is placed through gamma-ray treatment. Order some fish, and you’ll have to wait for the fish to be placed under a pressure three times higher than the pressure found in the deepest part of the ocean. Why would restaurants go to such lengths? Simply, to make sure your food is safe.

The threat of bacteria entering into our food is at an all-time high. New bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Vibrio vulnificus have alarmed many food handlers, and have caused an increasing number of food poisoning deaths for the last five years. As a result, food processors are adopting rigorous standards of cleanliness. Food scientists are helping. Many scientists are proposing radical alternatives to common food treatment, such as some of the examples described above. While the new techniques are costly, they are not as costly as the potential lawsuits, bad publicity, and human loss that one outbreak could cause.

The real price to this new technology may not be in dollars, but in overall taste. Scientists admit that tastes may vary in certain foods depending on their processing treatment. As a layman, it seems that placing an oyster under 90,000 pounds of pressure sure seems likely to have some effect on the taste. I just hope that when the gamma rays remove any bacteria, they’ll leave me with the wonderful joy of eating a delicious burger.

• The writer’s main purpose in writing this passage is to

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow

Imagine going to a fast food restaurant a few years from now. You order a burger, and before you receive your order, the burger is placed through gamma-ray treatment. Order some fish, and you’ll have to wait for the fish to be placed under a pressure three times higher than the pressure found in the deepest part of the ocean. Why would restaurants go to such lengths? Simply, to make sure your food is safe.

The threat of bacteria entering into our food is at an all-time high. New bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Vibrio vulnificus have alarmed many food handlers, and have caused an increasing number of food poisoning deaths for the last five years. As a result, food processors are adopting rigorous standards of cleanliness. Food scientists are helping. Many scientists are proposing radical alternatives to common food treatment, such as some of the examples described above. While the new techniques are costly, they are not as costly as the potential lawsuits, bad publicity, and human loss that one outbreak could cause.

The real price to this new technology may not be in dollars, but in overall taste. Scientists admit that tastes may vary in certain foods depending on their processing treatment. As a layman, it seems that placing an oyster under 90,000 pounds of pressure sure seems likely to have some effect on the taste. I just hope that when the gamma rays remove any bacteria, they’ll leave me with the wonderful joy of eating a delicious burger.

• Which of the following best defines the word “layman” as it is used in the passage?

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow

Imagine going to a fast food restaurant a few years from now. You order a burger, and before you receive your order, the burger is placed through gamma-ray treatment. Order some fish, and you’ll have to wait for the fish to be placed under a pressure three times higher than the pressure found in the deepest part of the ocean. Why would restaurants go to such lengths? Simply, to make sure your food is safe.

The threat of bacteria entering into our food is at an all-time high. New bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Vibrio vulnificus have alarmed many food handlers, and have caused an increasing number of food poisoning deaths for the last five years. As a result, food processors are adopting rigorous standards of cleanliness. Food scientists are helping. Many scientists are proposing radical alternatives to common food treatment, such as some of the examples described above. While the new techniques are costly, they are not as costly as the potential lawsuits, bad publicity, and human loss that one outbreak could cause.

The real price to this new technology may not be in dollars, but in overall taste. Scientists admit that tastes may vary in certain foods depending on their processing treatment. As a layman, it seems that placing an oyster under 90,000 pounds of pressure sure seems likely to have some effect on the taste. I just hope that when the gamma rays remove any bacteria, they’ll leave me with the wonderful joy of eating a delicious burger.

• This passage is most likely taken from:

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow

Imagine going to a fast food restaurant a few years from now. You order a burger, and before you receive your order, the burger is placed through gamma-ray treatment. Order some fish, and you’ll have to wait for the fish to be placed under a pressure three times higher than the pressure found in the deepest part of the ocean. Why would restaurants go to such lengths? Simply, to make sure your food is safe.

The threat of bacteria entering into our food is at an all-time high. New bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Vibrio vulnificus have alarmed many food handlers, and have caused an increasing number of food poisoning deaths for the last five years. As a result, food processors are adopting rigorous standards of cleanliness. Food scientists are helping. Many scientists are proposing radical alternatives to common food treatment, such as some of the examples described above. While the new techniques are costly, they are not as costly as the potential lawsuits, bad publicity, and human loss that one outbreak could cause.

The real price to this new technology may not be in dollars, but in overall taste. Scientists admit that tastes may vary in certain foods depending on their processing treatment. As a layman, it seems that placing an oyster under 90,000 pounds of pressure sure seems likely to have some effect on the taste. I just hope that when the gamma rays remove any bacteria, they’ll leave me with the wonderful joy of eating a delicious burger.

• Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude toward the new food processing techniques?

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow.

High Definition Television, or HDTV, is finally available to consumers, approximately ten years after most companies promised the systems. Consumers love the new system. More than 10,000 people appeared at a local store on the first day that HDTV became available. The appeal of HDTV is the clearer picture that an HDTV signal produces. The signal holds approximately three times as many horizontal and vertical lines as a standard television, resulting in a picture that rivals movie screens. Further, HDTVs are quite large—current versions range from 56 inches to a 64 inch wide screen unit.

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow. High Definition Television, or HDTV, is finally available to consumers, approximately ten years after most companies promised the systems. Consumers love the new system. More than 10,000 people appeared at a local store on the first day that HDTV became available. The appeal of HDTV is the clearer picture that an HDTV signal produces. The signal holds approximately three times as many horizontal and vertical lines as a standard television, resulting in a picture that rivals movie screens. Further, HDTVs are quite large—current versions range from 56 inches to a 64 inch wide screen unit. Despite these benefits, consumers who purchase these sets now may be disappointed with the results. There are very few digitally produced programs on television, and the number of these programs is unlikely to increase in the near future. The major networks plan to offer only five hours of digital programming per week next year, and only in the top-ten major markets. It will not be until 2004 that more than 50 percent of network television is broadcast in digital form. Further, cable companies are not under any regulation to switch to carrying digital programming. Since two- thirds of Americans receive their television through cable, the delay may be even longer.

• The main point of the passage is that:

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow.

High Definition Television, or HDTV, is finally available to consumers, approximately ten years after most companies promised the systems. Consumers love the new system. More than 10,000 people appeared at a local store on the first day that HDTV became available. The appeal of HDTV is the clearer picture that an HDTV signal produces. The signal holds approximately three times as many horizontal and vertical lines as a standard television, resulting in a picture that rivals movie screens. Further, HDTVs are quite large—current versions range from 56 inches to a 64 inch wide screen unit.

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow. High Definition Television, or HDTV, is finally available to consumers, approximately ten years after most companies promised the systems. Consumers love the new system. More than 10,000 people appeared at a local store on the first day that HDTV became available. The appeal of HDTV is the clearer picture that an HDTV signal produces. The signal holds approximately three times as many horizontal and vertical lines as a standard television, resulting in a picture that rivals movie screens. Further, HDTVs are quite large—current versions range from 56 inches to a 64 inch wide screen unit. Despite these benefits, consumers who purchase these sets now may be disappointed with the results. There are very few digitally produced programs on television, and the number of these programs is unlikely to increase in the near future. The major networks plan to offer only five hours of digital programming per week next year, and only in the top-ten major markets. It will not be until 2004 that more than 50 percent of network television is broadcast in digital form. Further, cable companies are not under any regulation to switch to carrying digital programming. Since two- thirds of Americans receive their television through cable, the delay may be even longer.

• Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow.

High Definition Television, or HDTV, is finally available to consumers, approximately ten years after most companies promised the systems. Consumers love the new system. More than 10,000 people appeared at a local store on the first day that HDTV became available. The appeal of HDTV is the clearer picture that an HDTV signal produces. The signal holds approximately three times as many horizontal and vertical lines as a standard television, resulting in a picture that rivals movie screens. Further, HDTVs are quite large—current versions range from 56 inches to a 64 inch wide screen unit.

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow. High Definition Television, or HDTV, is finally available to consumers, approximately ten years after most companies promised the systems. Consumers love the new system. More than 10,000 people appeared at a local store on the first day that HDTV became available. The appeal of HDTV is the clearer picture that an HDTV signal produces. The signal holds approximately three times as many horizontal and vertical lines as a standard television, resulting in a picture that rivals movie screens. Further, HDTVs are quite large—current versions range from 56 inches to a 64 inch wide screen unit. Despite these benefits, consumers who purchase these sets now may be disappointed with the results. There are very few digitally produced programs on television, and the number of these programs is unlikely to increase in the near future. The major networks plan to offer only five hours of digital programming per week next year, and only in the top-ten major markets. It will not be until 2004 that more than 50 percent of network television is broadcast in digital form. Further, cable companies are not under any regulation to switch to carrying digital programming. Since two- thirds of Americans receive their television through cable, the delay may be even longer.

• Which of the following best describes the word “major” in the ninth sentence as it is used in the passage.

Read the passage below. Then answer the question that follows.

Whenever a major train accident occurs, there is a dramatic increase in the number of train mishaps reported in the media, a phenomenon that may last for as long as a few months after the accident. Railroad officials assert that the publicity given to the horror of major train accidents focuses media attention on the train industry, and that the increase in the number of reported accidents is caused by an increase in the number of news sources covering train accidents, not by an increase in the number of accidents.

• Which of the following, if true, would seriously weaken the assertions of the train officials?

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In Roman times, defeated enemies were generally put to death as criminals for having offended the emperor of Rome. During the Middle Ages, however, the practice of ransoming, or returning prisoners in exchange for money, became common. Though some saw this custom as a step toward a more humane society, the primary reasons behind it were economic rather than humanitarian.

In those times, rulers had only a limited ability to raise taxes. They could neither force their subjects to fight, nor pay them to do so. The promise of material cooperation in the form of goods and ransom was therefore the only way of inducing combatants to participate in a war. In the Middle Ages, the predominant incentive for the individual soldier was the expectation of spoils. Although collecting ransom clearly brought financial gain, keeping a prisoner and arranging for his exchange had its costs. Consequently, procedures were devised to reduce transaction costs.

One such device was a rule asserting that the prisoner had to assess his own value. This compelled the prisoner to establish a value without too much distortion; indicating too low a value would increase the captive’s chances of being killed, while indicating too high a value would either ruin him financially or create a prohibitively expensive ransom that would also result in death.

• The primary purpose of the passage is to:

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In Roman times, defeated enemies were generally put to death as criminals for having offended the emperor of Rome. During the Middle Ages, however, the practice of ransoming, or returning prisoners in exchange for money, became common. Though some saw this custom as a step toward a more humane society, the primary reasons behind it were economic rather than humanitarian.

In those times, rulers had only a limited ability to raise taxes. They could neither force their subjects to fight, nor pay them to do so. The promise of material cooperation in the form of goods and ransom was therefore the only way of inducing combatants to participate in a war. In the Middle Ages, the predominant incentive for the individual soldier was the expectation of spoils. Although collecting ransom clearly brought financial gain, keeping a prisoner and arranging for his exchange had its costs. Consequently, procedures were devised to reduce transaction costs.

One such device was a rule asserting that the prisoner had to assess his own value. This compelled the prisoner to establish a value without too much distortion; indicating too low a value would increase the captive’s chances of being killed, while indicating too high a value would either ruin him financially or create a prohibitively expensive ransom that would also result in death.

• From the passage, it can be assumed that a medieval soldier:

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In Roman times, defeated enemies were generally put to death as criminals for having offended the emperor of Rome. During the Middle Ages, however, the practice of ransoming, or returning prisoners in exchange for money, became common. Though some saw this custom as a step toward a more humane society, the primary reasons behind it were economic rather than humanitarian.

In those times, rulers had only a limited ability to raise taxes. They could neither force their subjects to fight, nor pay them to do so. The promise of material cooperation in the form of goods and ransom was therefore the only way of inducing combatants to participate in a war. In the Middle Ages, the predominant incentive for the individual soldier was the expectation of spoils. Although collecting ransom clearly brought financial gain, keeping a prisoner and arranging for his exchange had its costs. Consequently, procedures were devised to reduce transaction costs.

One such device was a rule asserting that the prisoner had to assess his own value. This compelled the prisoner to establish a value without too much distortion; indicating too low a value would increase the captive’s chances of being killed, while indicating too high a value would either ruin him financially or create a prohibitively expensive ransom that would also result in death.

• Which of the following best describes the change in policy from executing prisoners in Roman times to ransoming prisoners in the Middle Ages?

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In Roman times, defeated enemies were generally put to death as criminals for having offended the emperor of Rome. During the Middle Ages, however, the practice of ransoming, or returning prisoners in exchange for money, became common. Though some saw this custom as a step toward a more humane society, the primary reasons behind it were economic rather than humanitarian.

In those times, rulers had only a limited ability to raise taxes. They could neither force their subjects to fight, nor pay them to do so. The promise of material cooperation in the form of goods and ransom was therefore the only way of inducing combatants to participate in a war. In the Middle Ages, the predominant incentive for the individual soldier was the expectation of spoils. Although collecting ransom clearly brought financial gain, keeping a prisoner and arranging for his exchange had its costs. Consequently, procedures were devised to reduce transaction costs.

One such device was a rule asserting that the prisoner had to assess his own value. This compelled the prisoner to establish a value without too much distortion; indicating too low a value would increase the captive’s chances of being killed, while indicating too high a value would either ruin him financially or create a prohibitively expensive ransom that would also result in death.

• The author uses the phrase “without too much distortion” in the final paragraph in order to:

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In recent years, Americans have gotten the message—eat more vegetables! However, we’re still not eating enough of the leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts that do the most to promote good health. Currently, half of all the vegetable servings we consume are potatoes, and half of those are French fries.

Research reported at the Nurses Health Study confirms the benefits of leafy greens. Researchers determined that women who daily consumed at least 400 micrograms of folic acid in either leafy green vegetables or multivitamin pills reduced their risk of colon cancer as much as 75 percent over fifteen years. Remember not to simply substitute vitamins for vegetables, because there are thousands of healthy compounds present in vegetables that cannot be duplicated in a pill.

• The main point of the passage is:

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In recent years, Americans have gotten the message—eat more vegetables! However, we’re still not eating enough of the leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts that do the most to promote good health. Currently, half of all the vegetable servings we consume are potatoes, and half of those are French fries.

Research reported at the Nurses Health Study confirms the benefits of leafy greens. Researchers determined that women who daily consumed at least 400 micrograms of folic acid in either leafy green vegetables or multivitamin pills reduced their risk of colon cancer as much as 75 percent over fifteen years. Remember not to simply substitute vitamins for vegetables, because there are thousands of healthy compounds present in vegetables that cannot be duplicated in a pill.

• The author argues that vitamins may not be an ideal replacement for leafy vegetables because:

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In recent years, Americans have gotten the message—eat more vegetables! However, we’re still not eating enough of the leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts that do the most to promote good health. Currently, half of all the vegetable servings we consume are potatoes, and half of those are French fries.

Research reported at the Nurses Health Study confirms the benefits of leafy greens. Researchers determined that women who daily consumed at least 400 micrograms of folic acid in either leafy green vegetables or multivitamin pills reduced their risk of colon cancer as much as 75 percent over fifteen years. Remember not to simply substitute vitamins for vegetables, because there are thousands of healthy compounds present in vegetables that cannot be duplicated in a pill.

• The passage states that leafy green vegetables are helpful because:

Read the passage below. Then answer the four questions that follow.

In recent years, Americans have gotten the message—eat more vegetables! However, we’re still not eating enough of the leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts that do the most to promote good health. Currently, half of all the vegetable servings we consume are potatoes, and half of those are French fries.

Research reported at the Nurses Health Study confirms the benefits of leafy greens. Researchers determined that women who daily consumed at least 400 micrograms of folic acid in either leafy green vegetables or multivitamin pills reduced their risk of colon cancer as much as 75 percent over fifteen years. Remember not to simply substitute vitamins for vegetables, because there are thousands of healthy compounds present in vegetables that cannot be duplicated in a pill.

• Which of the following changes would the author most likely wish to see in the way Americans consume vegetables?

Read the passage below. Then answer the ve questions that follow.

One of the most attractive features of the Internet, its ability to customize content instantly, is ironically becoming one of its most sinister: the ability to monitor who you are and what you are doing. Websites now have the ability to track what sites you visit, how long you visit them, and what you download, print, or purchase. Sites are equipped with programs called cookies that can track this information and use it for marketing purposes. If you visit a sports website, don’t be surprised if you find unsolicited emails about sporting events and merchandise in your inbox.

Worst of all, most sites are not forthright about informing visitors about what data they are collecting. A recent study by the FTC found that only 14 percent of sites had posted privacy statements. Fortunately, 71 of the 100 busiest sites did. Of the 100 busiest sites, 91 had customer service centers designed to handle questions about privacy issues. Computer industry leaders are attempting to address these privacy concerns. Browsers are being created that will enable you to delete all cookies at any website you visit. Other entrepreneurs are developing software to help you control the information you give out. After all, if anyone is going to make money from your identity, shouldn’t it be you?

• “Cookies” are described in the passage as:

Read the passage below. Then answer the ve questions that follow.

One of the most attractive features of the Internet, its ability to customize content instantly, is ironically becoming one of its most sinister: the ability to monitor who you are and what you are doing. Websites now have the ability to track what sites you visit, how long you visit them, and what you download, print, or purchase. Sites are equipped with programs called cookies that can track this information and use it for marketing purposes. If you visit a sports website, don’t be surprised if you find unsolicited emails about sporting events and merchandise in your inbox.

Worst of all, most sites are not forthright about informing visitors about what data they are collecting. A recent study by the FTC found that only 14 percent of sites had posted privacy statements. Fortunately, 71 of the 100 busiest sites did. Of the 100 busiest sites, 91 had customer service centers designed to handle questions about privacy issues. Computer industry leaders are attempting to address these privacy concerns. Browsers are being created that will enable you to delete all cookies at any website you visit. Other entrepreneurs are developing software to help you control the information you give out. After all, if anyone is going to make money from your identity, shouldn’t it be you?

• What is the best title for the passage above?

Read the passage below. Then answer the ve questions that follow.

One of the most attractive features of the Internet, its ability to customize content instantly, is ironically becoming one of its most sinister: the ability to monitor who you are and what you are doing. Websites now have the ability to track what sites you visit, how long you visit them, and what you download, print, or purchase. Sites are equipped with programs called cookies that can track this information and use it for marketing purposes. If you visit a sports website, don’t be surprised if you find unsolicited emails about sporting events and merchandise in your inbox.

Worst of all, most sites are not forthright about informing visitors about what data they are collecting. A recent study by the FTC found that only 14 percent of sites had posted privacy statements. Fortunately, 71 of the 100 busiest sites did. Of the 100 busiest sites, 91 had customer service centers designed to handle questions about privacy issues. Computer industry leaders are attempting to address these privacy concerns. Browsers are being created that will enable you to delete all cookies at any website you visit. Other entrepreneurs are developing software to help you control the information you give out. After all, if anyone is going to make money from your identity, shouldn’t it be you?

• From the statistics presented in the passage about the number of businesses posting privacy statements it can be assumed that:

Read the passage below. Then answer the ve questions that follow.

One of the most attractive features of the Internet, its ability to customize content instantly, is ironically becoming one of its most sinister: the ability to monitor who you are and what you are doing. Websites now have the ability to track what sites you visit, how long you visit them, and what you download, print, or purchase. Sites are equipped with programs called cookies that can track this information and use it for marketing purposes. If you visit a sports website, don’t be surprised if you find unsolicited emails about sporting events and merchandise in your inbox.

Worst of all, most sites are not forthright about informing visitors about what data they are collecting. A recent study by the FTC found that only 14 percent of sites had posted privacy statements. Fortunately, 71 of the 100 busiest sites did. Of the 100 busiest sites, 91 had customer service centers designed to handle questions about privacy issues. Computer industry leaders are attempting to address these privacy concerns. Browsers are being created that will enable you to delete all cookies at any website you visit. Other entrepreneurs are developing software to help you control the information you give out. After all, if anyone is going to make money from your identity, shouldn’t it be you?

• Which of the following would the author most likely support as a solution to privacy concerns on the Internet?

Read the passage below. Then answer the ve questions that follow.

One of the most attractive features of the Internet, its ability to customize content instantly, is ironically becoming one of its most sinister: the ability to monitor who you are and what you are doing. Websites now have the ability to track what sites you visit, how long you visit them, and what you download, print, or purchase. Sites are equipped with programs called cookies that can track this information and use it for marketing purposes. If you visit a sports website, don’t be surprised if you find unsolicited emails about sporting events and merchandise in your inbox.

Worst of all, most sites are not forthright about informing visitors about what data they are collecting. A recent study by the FTC found that only 14 percent of sites had posted privacy statements. Fortunately, 71 of the 100 busiest sites did. Of the 100 busiest sites, 91 had customer service centers designed to handle questions about privacy issues. Computer industry leaders are attempting to address these privacy concerns. Browsers are being created that will enable you to delete all cookies at any website you visit. Other entrepreneurs are developing software to help you control the information you give out. After all, if anyone is going to make money from your identity, shouldn’t it be you?

• The word “sinister” in the first paragraph is used to mean:

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow.

Recent findings from paleontologists have sparked great debate about the possibility of birds evolving from dinosaurs. Two new species of small dinosaur have been found, each of which was clearly covered with feathers. This has led many in the scientific community to believe the increasingly popular theory that birds are descended directly from dinosaurs.

Some have suggested that even the mighty velociraptor may have been covered with its own feathers. If the dinosaur–bird connection was convincing before, it is now almost certain. With any new discovery come skeptics, and this recent finding is no exception. Even these startling discoveries do not impress some scientists. These scientists contend that both birds and dinosaurs evolved from the same older common ancestor. They assert that any similarities between birds and dinosaurs are due to the common parentage, not due to a direct evolutionary relationship.

• What is the best summary of the passage?

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow.

Recent findings from paleontologists have sparked great debate about the possibility of birds evolving from dinosaurs. Two new species of small dinosaur have been found, each of which was clearly covered with feathers. This has led many in the scientific community to believe the increasingly popular theory that birds are descended directly from dinosaurs.

Some have suggested that even the mighty velociraptor may have been covered with its own feathers. If the dinosaur–bird connection was convincing before, it is now almost certain. With any new discovery come skeptics, and this recent finding is no exception. Even these startling discoveries do not impress some scientists. These scientists contend that both birds and dinosaurs evolved from the same older common ancestor. They assert that any similarities between birds and dinosaurs are due to the common parentage, not due to a direct evolutionary relationship.

• What is the author’s attitude toward the belief that birds are descended directly from dinosaurs?

Read the passage below. Then answer the three questions that follow.

Recent findings from paleontologists have sparked great debate about the possibility of birds evolving from dinosaurs. Two new species of small dinosaur have been found, each of which was clearly covered with feathers. This has led many in the scientific community to believe the increasingly popular theory that birds are descended directly from dinosaurs.

Some have suggested that even the mighty velociraptor may have been covered with its own feathers. If the dinosaur–bird connection was convincing before, it is now almost certain. With any new discovery come skeptics, and this recent finding is no exception. Even these startling discoveries do not impress some scientists. These scientists contend that both birds and dinosaurs evolved from the same older common ancestor. They assert that any similarities between birds and dinosaurs are due to the common parentage, not due to a direct evolutionary relationship.

• Which of the following is the best definition for the author’s use of the word “sparked” in the first paragraph?

Analyze the index below. Then answer the two questions that follow.

On what pages would you look to find information on Macbeth, which critics call “Shakespeare’s best written tragedy”?