PRAXIS CORE PRACTICE — 100 QUESTIONS +
ANSWERS (Correct Answers Marked ✓)
(40 Reading • 30 Writing • 30 Math)
READING – 40 QUESTIONS
Passage 1 (Questions 1–5)
Many small towns have attempted to revive their local economies by encouraging tourism.
While tourism can bring needed revenue, it can also place pressure on natural resources. Some
towns have responded by limiting visitor numbers or establishing conservation rules. Others,
however, rely so heavily on tourism that restricting visitors is not considered a realistic option.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Tourism always harms small towns.
B. Tourism supports local economies but may strain resources. ✓
C. Conservation rules are unnecessary in most towns.
D. Visitor restrictions fully solve environmental issues.
2. Why do some towns avoid limiting visitor numbers?
A. They dislike tourists.
B. They lack information about conservation.
C. They depend financially on tourism. ✓
D. They consider tourism harmful.
3. In the passage, “revive” most nearly means:
A. Replace
B. Expand
C. Improve ✓
D. Compare
4. Which statement is supported by the passage?
A. All towns restrict visitors.
B. Tourism only harms resources.
C. Some towns balance tourism and conservation. ✓
D. Conservation is more important than money.
,5. The author’s tone is best described as:
A. Critical
B. Balanced ✓
C. Enthusiastic
D. Disapproving
Passage 2 (Questions 6–10)
Scientists have recently begun studying the long-term effects of artificial light on migratory
birds. Many species navigate using the moon and stars. Artificial light can confuse them, causing
dangerous detours or collisions with buildings. Some cities have responded with “lights-out”
policies during migration seasons.
6. The passage focuses on:
A. How birds learn to fly.
B. Effects of artificial light on migratory birds. ✓
C. Bird species that live in cities.
D. Why scientists dislike city lights.
7. Artificial light primarily causes birds to:
A. Migrate earlier.
B. Fly longer distances.
C. Lose their sense of direction. ✓
D. Avoid cities entirely.
8. A “detour” is closest in meaning to:
A. A celebration
B. A shortcut
C. A dangerous landing
D. An unplanned path ✓
9. What have some cities done in response?
A. Built taller buildings
B. Reduced lighting during migration ✓
C. Banned bird studies
D. Closed roads to traffic
10. Why is artificial light a threat?
A. Birds move toward it and risk collisions. ✓
,B. Birds enjoy the brightness.
C. Birds cannot migrate without scientists.
D. Birds prefer daylight.
Short Reading Questions (11–40)
11. To “evaluate” an argument means to:
A. Ignore it
B. Judge its quality ✓
C. Repeat it
D. Summarize it
12. A claim must be supported by:
A. Feelings
B. Evidence ✓
C. Jokes
D. Titles
13. The author’s purpose in a persuasive article is to:
A. Entertain
B. Inform
C. Describe
D. Convince ✓
14. A “credible source” is one that is:
A. Popular
B. Trustworthy ✓
C. Entertaining
D. Short
15. An author uses a counterargument to:
A. Strengthen their position ✓
B. Confuse readers
C. Change topics
D. Avoid evidence
16. A summary should include:
A. All details
B. Key ideas only ✓
, C. Personal opinions
D. Definitions
17. A text structure showing cause-and-effect explains:
A. When events happen
B. Why events happen ✓
C. Who is involved
D. What something looks like
18. A biased statement is one that:
A. Is supported by facts
B. Shows personal opinion ✓
C. Presents both sides
D. Is neutral
19. The best evidence for a scientific claim is:
A. Personal stories
B. Measurable data ✓
C. Predictions
D. Questions
20. In persuasive writing, emotional appeals:
A. Always replace evidence
B. Are the only way to persuade
C. Influence feelings ✓
D. Are unnecessary
21. The primary purpose of headings is to:
A. Add decoration
B. Organize information ✓
C. Replace paragraphs
D. Create suspense
22. A “theme” in literature refers to:
A. The story’s timeline
B. The message about life ✓
C. The characters
D. The author’s biography
23. Which is an inference?
A. The sun rises in the east.
ANSWERS (Correct Answers Marked ✓)
(40 Reading • 30 Writing • 30 Math)
READING – 40 QUESTIONS
Passage 1 (Questions 1–5)
Many small towns have attempted to revive their local economies by encouraging tourism.
While tourism can bring needed revenue, it can also place pressure on natural resources. Some
towns have responded by limiting visitor numbers or establishing conservation rules. Others,
however, rely so heavily on tourism that restricting visitors is not considered a realistic option.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. Tourism always harms small towns.
B. Tourism supports local economies but may strain resources. ✓
C. Conservation rules are unnecessary in most towns.
D. Visitor restrictions fully solve environmental issues.
2. Why do some towns avoid limiting visitor numbers?
A. They dislike tourists.
B. They lack information about conservation.
C. They depend financially on tourism. ✓
D. They consider tourism harmful.
3. In the passage, “revive” most nearly means:
A. Replace
B. Expand
C. Improve ✓
D. Compare
4. Which statement is supported by the passage?
A. All towns restrict visitors.
B. Tourism only harms resources.
C. Some towns balance tourism and conservation. ✓
D. Conservation is more important than money.
,5. The author’s tone is best described as:
A. Critical
B. Balanced ✓
C. Enthusiastic
D. Disapproving
Passage 2 (Questions 6–10)
Scientists have recently begun studying the long-term effects of artificial light on migratory
birds. Many species navigate using the moon and stars. Artificial light can confuse them, causing
dangerous detours or collisions with buildings. Some cities have responded with “lights-out”
policies during migration seasons.
6. The passage focuses on:
A. How birds learn to fly.
B. Effects of artificial light on migratory birds. ✓
C. Bird species that live in cities.
D. Why scientists dislike city lights.
7. Artificial light primarily causes birds to:
A. Migrate earlier.
B. Fly longer distances.
C. Lose their sense of direction. ✓
D. Avoid cities entirely.
8. A “detour” is closest in meaning to:
A. A celebration
B. A shortcut
C. A dangerous landing
D. An unplanned path ✓
9. What have some cities done in response?
A. Built taller buildings
B. Reduced lighting during migration ✓
C. Banned bird studies
D. Closed roads to traffic
10. Why is artificial light a threat?
A. Birds move toward it and risk collisions. ✓
,B. Birds enjoy the brightness.
C. Birds cannot migrate without scientists.
D. Birds prefer daylight.
Short Reading Questions (11–40)
11. To “evaluate” an argument means to:
A. Ignore it
B. Judge its quality ✓
C. Repeat it
D. Summarize it
12. A claim must be supported by:
A. Feelings
B. Evidence ✓
C. Jokes
D. Titles
13. The author’s purpose in a persuasive article is to:
A. Entertain
B. Inform
C. Describe
D. Convince ✓
14. A “credible source” is one that is:
A. Popular
B. Trustworthy ✓
C. Entertaining
D. Short
15. An author uses a counterargument to:
A. Strengthen their position ✓
B. Confuse readers
C. Change topics
D. Avoid evidence
16. A summary should include:
A. All details
B. Key ideas only ✓
, C. Personal opinions
D. Definitions
17. A text structure showing cause-and-effect explains:
A. When events happen
B. Why events happen ✓
C. Who is involved
D. What something looks like
18. A biased statement is one that:
A. Is supported by facts
B. Shows personal opinion ✓
C. Presents both sides
D. Is neutral
19. The best evidence for a scientific claim is:
A. Personal stories
B. Measurable data ✓
C. Predictions
D. Questions
20. In persuasive writing, emotional appeals:
A. Always replace evidence
B. Are the only way to persuade
C. Influence feelings ✓
D. Are unnecessary
21. The primary purpose of headings is to:
A. Add decoration
B. Organize information ✓
C. Replace paragraphs
D. Create suspense
22. A “theme” in literature refers to:
A. The story’s timeline
B. The message about life ✓
C. The characters
D. The author’s biography
23. Which is an inference?
A. The sun rises in the east.
