Essential English Reading Comprehension Diagnostic

1. Her cardinal rule is this: Be kind to others! She believes that everything else in life will fall properly into place if one follows that rule. What does "cardinal" mean in this context?

Main, or most important

Red

Like a bird

Not worth remembering

The word "cardinal" in this context means the main or most important. The sentence suggests that being kind to others is the fundamental rule or principle that should guide one's actions, and if one follows this rule, everything else in life will fall properly into place.

Explanation

The word "cardinal" in this context means the main or most important. The sentence suggests that being kind to others is the fundamental rule or principle that should guide one's actions, and if one follows this rule, everything else in life will fall properly into place.

2. Murphy Mole is the protagonist in the new novel by Trent Troll. Murphy must stop Oscar Rat and Shrimpy Shark from enslaving the inhabitants of Lazy Woods Park. He risks his life in a series of events that lead to a final battle between good and evil. What is a protagonist?

The main character of a story

Someone whose first and last names start with the same letter

Someone with bad body odorsomeone with bad body odoran animal that lives underground

The correct answer is "the main character of a story". In this context, the question is asking for the definition of a protagonist. The explanation is that a protagonist is the central character or the main character in a story. They are typically the one who drives the plot forward and faces the main conflicts and challenges in the story. In this case, Murphy Mole is the protagonist in the new novel by Trent Troll, as he is the main character who must stop Oscar Rat and Shrimpy Shark from enslaving the inhabitants of Lazy Woods Park.

Explanation

The correct answer is "the main character of a story". In this context, the question is asking for the definition of a protagonist. The explanation is that a protagonist is the central character or the main character in a story. They are typically the one who drives the plot forward and faces the main conflicts and challenges in the story. In this case, Murphy Mole is the protagonist in the new novel by Trent Troll, as he is the main character who must stop Oscar Rat and Shrimpy Shark from enslaving the inhabitants of Lazy Woods Park.

3. Prunella and Paula are sisters, but they're very different. Just look at how they dress. Prunella doesn't care what she wears. Paula, on the other hand, is quite chic [sheek].

Intelligent

Stylish

Full of feathers

Dressed in old clothes

The passage describes Prunella and Paula as sisters who have different styles of dressing. Prunella doesn't care about what she wears, while Paula is described as "quite chic." This suggests that Paula is fashionable and has a sense of style, making the word "stylish" the correct answer.

Explanation

The passage describes Prunella and Paula as sisters who have different styles of dressing. Prunella doesn't care about what she wears, while Paula is described as "quite chic." This suggests that Paula is fashionable and has a sense of style, making the word "stylish" the correct answer.

4. The owner of the restaurant wouldn't allow Samantha to walk through the door. "I'm sorry," she said, "but you started a food fight the last time you were here. You may not have ingress to my restaurant!" What does "ingress" mean in this selection?

A kind of bird that lives by the sea

Any food that can be thrown

A good price for a meal

The right to enter

The word "ingress" is used in this selection to mean the right to enter. The owner of the restaurant is denying Samantha entry because she caused a food fight during her previous visit.

Explanation

The word "ingress" is used in this selection to mean the right to enter. The owner of the restaurant is denying Samantha entry because she caused a food fight during her previous visit.

5. I looked at the plans for your new house. This is earthquake country. You need to fortify the frame or you'll have a disaster with the first tremor.

Shake

Build

Strengthen

Destroy

The speaker mentions that the new house is located in an earthquake-prone area and advises the person to fortify the frame. This implies that the frame of the house needs to be made stronger or more resilient to withstand potential earthquakes. Therefore, the correct answer is "strengthen."

Explanation

The speaker mentions that the new house is located in an earthquake-prone area and advises the person to fortify the frame. This implies that the frame of the house needs to be made stronger or more resilient to withstand potential earthquakes. Therefore, the correct answer is "strengthen."

6. "If you knew the gravity of the situation, you wouldn't be laughing," Mr. Farmer said quietly. He didn't have to say more to get everyone's attention.

A force that draws different objects toward each other

Seriousness

Humor

The phrase "If you knew the gravity of the situation, you wouldn't be laughing" suggests that the situation is serious and not something to be laughed at. The word "gravity" is used metaphorically here to convey the seriousness and importance of the situation. Therefore, the correct answer is seriousness.

Explanation

The phrase "If you knew the gravity of the situation, you wouldn't be laughing" suggests that the situation is serious and not something to be laughed at. The word "gravity" is used metaphorically here to convey the seriousness and importance of the situation. Therefore, the correct answer is seriousness.

7. Helen's attitude toward dealing with criminals has changed over the years. She used to believe that everyone can change and deserves a second chance. She now believes that some crimes are so heinous that those responsible should be shown no mercy.

Guilty

Terrible

Accidental

Unimportant

The explanation for the correct answer "terrible" is that Helen's change in attitude suggests that she now views some crimes as extremely heinous. This implies that she now considers these crimes to be terrible, indicating a shift in her perspective on dealing with criminals.

Explanation

The explanation for the correct answer "terrible" is that Helen's change in attitude suggests that she now views some crimes as extremely heinous. This implies that she now considers these crimes to be terrible, indicating a shift in her perspective on dealing with criminals.

8. Amy was feeling low. Every business she tried lost money or made only pennies a day. Her newest idea was selling chocolate covered baby shoes. She was convinced that it would be a lucrative business. Her friends tried to warn her that it was not a certain road to riches.

Helping young feet to grow correctly

Showing no careful thought

Bringing in a lot of money, or profit

The correct answer is "bringing in a lot of money, or profit." This is because the passage states that Amy believed that her idea of selling chocolate covered baby shoes would be a lucrative business, indicating that she expected it to bring in a significant amount of money or profit. Her friends, however, tried to warn her that it was not a certain road to riches, suggesting that they doubted the profitability of her idea.

Explanation

The correct answer is "bringing in a lot of money, or profit." This is because the passage states that Amy believed that her idea of selling chocolate covered baby shoes would be a lucrative business, indicating that she expected it to bring in a significant amount of money or profit. Her friends, however, tried to warn her that it was not a certain road to riches, suggesting that they doubted the profitability of her idea.

9. The signal from the cable is too strong for our television. We'll have to use a filter to attenuate it.

Watch it carefully

Take good care of it

Make it be less

Get past it

The phrase "attenuate it" means to make something be less or reduce its intensity. In this context, the signal from the cable is too strong for the television, so the speaker suggests using a filter to make the signal be less strong or decrease its intensity. Therefore, the correct answer is "make it be less."

Explanation

The phrase "attenuate it" means to make something be less or reduce its intensity. In this context, the signal from the cable is too strong for the television, so the speaker suggests using a filter to make the signal be less strong or decrease its intensity. Therefore, the correct answer is "make it be less."

10. There may be some parts of my plan to arrest the thieves that should be changed. But I feel very strongly that renting the apartment over their headquarters is the linchpin of the scheme. We must do that immediately!

Part that everything else depends on

Piece of metal used to connect things

Place where people live

The phrase "linchpin of the scheme" suggests that renting the apartment over their headquarters is crucial and essential for the success of the plan to arrest the thieves. It implies that this particular part is the key or central element on which everything else in the plan depends.

Explanation

The phrase "linchpin of the scheme" suggests that renting the apartment over their headquarters is crucial and essential for the success of the plan to arrest the thieves. It implies that this particular part is the key or central element on which everything else in the plan depends.