[ CSE 43] CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION REVIEWER - Reading Comprehension

Civil Service Examination Reviewer

Instructions:

Please answer each question to the best of your ability. Each question is multiple choice, and only one answer per question is correct. Select the most appropriate answer from the options provided.

When you have completed all questions, click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page to see your score. Good luck!

Passage for Questions 1–2: "Despite the economic downturn, the small family-owned bookstore managed to thrive by offering personalized service, hosting community events, and cultivating a loyal customer base."

1. What is the main reason the bookstore succeeded during the economic downturn?

A) They lowered book prices significantly
B) They provided personalized service and hosted events
C) They received government subsidies
D) They reduced operating hours

2. What does the word "cultivating" most nearly mean as used in the passage?

A) Selling to
B) Developing
C) Ignoring
D) Surveying

Passage for Questions 3–5: "The experiment yielded inconclusive results, primarily because the sample size was too small and the variables were not controlled adequately."

3. Why were the experiment's results inconclusive?

A) The hypothesis was incorrect
B) The data was missing
C) The sample was too small and variables were uncontrolled
D) The participants were dishonest

4. What does "inconclusive" mean in this context?

A) Final
B) Uncertain
C) Valid
D) Biased

5. Based on the passage, which of the following would most likely improve future experiments?

A) Publishing results faster
B) Increasing the sample size and controlling variables
C) Reducing the number of trials
D) Using different equipment

6. The author’s tone in a passage that describes a historical event with detailed facts and no emotional language is best described as:

A) Sarcastic
B) Objective
C) Nostalgic
D) Angry

7. What can be inferred if a character in a story always avoids eye contact and speaks in a soft voice?

A) The character may be shy or anxious
B) The character is very confident
C) The character is angry
D) The character is humorous

8. What is the primary purpose of an editorial?

A) To entertain
B) To express opinions
C) To narrate a story
D) To report statistics

9. Which of the following best identifies the main idea of a passage?

A) A supporting detail
B) The central point the author is trying to make
C) The conclusion
D) An example

10. If a passage discusses both the pros and cons of a technology, what is the author’s likely purpose?

A) To inform
B) To persuade
C) To criticize
D) To entertain

Passage for Questions 11–13: "As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden light over the lake, she realized that peace wasn’t a place but a moment she could carry within her."

11. What literary device is most evident in the phrase “casting golden light over the lake”?

A) Imagery
B) Irony
C) Foreshadowing
D) Hyperbole

12. What does the character's realization imply about inner peace?

A) It can only be found in nature
B) It is a state of mind, not a location
C) It is unattainable
D) It depends on other people

13. What tone is most reflected in the passage?

A) Tense
B) Reflective
C) Hostile
D) Suspicious

14. Which statement best describes a theme of a story?

A) The order of events in the plot
B) The underlying message or lesson
C) A description of the main character
D) The setting of the story

15. Which of the following best defines the word “ambiguous” as used in academic reading?

A) Clear and precise
B) Open to more than one interpretation
C) Not related
D) Factual

16. If an author uses rhetorical questions and emotional language, their primary goal is to:

A) Describe
B) Inform
C) Persuade
D) Compare

17. What is the effect of using a first-person narrator in a story?

A) It provides direct insight into the narrator’s thoughts
B) It offers a completely objective view
C) It creates distance between reader and character
D) It limits emotional expression

18. Which sentence contains a cause-effect relationship?

A) She went to the store and bought milk.
B) Because it rained, the game was canceled.
C) The sun set slowly behind the hills.
D) The flowers were colorful and fragrant.

Passage for Questions 19–21: "Over the past decade, electric vehicles (EVs) have gained traction due to growing environmental concerns, government incentives, and rapid technological improvements. However, challenges such as limited charging infrastructure and battery disposal remain."

19. Which of the following is a reason for the rise of electric vehicles?

A) Environmental awareness
B) Low manufacturing costs
C) Decrease in demand for cars
D) Increased gas supply

20. What is the author's purpose in mentioning battery disposal?

A) To suggest banning EVs
B) To explain how EVs are made
C) To highlight ongoing challenges with EV adoption
D) To compare EVs with gas-powered vehicles

21. The tone of the passage is best described as:

A) Sarcastic
B) Balanced
C) Angry
D) Humorous

Passage for Questions 22–24: "The human brain is an extraordinary organ, capable of adapting, learning, and reshaping itself in response to new experiences. This neuroplasticity is especially pronounced in children, though adults retain the ability to form new neural pathways as well."

22. What is the main idea of the passage?

A) The brain can adapt and change over time
B) Children have smarter brains than adults
C) Adults lose brain function over time
D) Brain plasticity ends in adulthood

23. What does "neuroplasticity" most nearly mean?

A) The brain's inability to grow
B) The rigidity of neural structures
C) The brain's capacity to reorganize itself
D) A medical disorder involving the brain

24. What inference can be made based on the passage?

A) Adults cannot benefit from learning new skills
B) Lifelong learning is possible due to brain plasticity
C) Brain changes occur only due to trauma
D) Neural changes stop after puberty

25. Which statement is an example of bias?

A) The article was published in 2022.
B) The study included 500 participants.
C) Only people who agreed with the researcher were interviewed.
D) The results were peer-reviewed.

26. What is the function of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

A) To introduce the main idea
B) To summarize the entire essay
C) To provide a citation
D) To tell a story

27. Which of the following is a signal word for contrast?

A) Furthermore
B) However
C) Moreover
D) For example

28. Which choice best defines “inference” in reading comprehension?

A) A direct quote from the text
B) A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning
C) A summary of the text
D) A rhetorical device

29. Which of the following best indicates the tone of a passage?

A) Font size
B) Word choice
C) Paragraph length
D) Author's name

30. What is the primary purpose of an editorial article?

A) To present scientific facts
B) To outline historical events
C) To express opinions and influence readers
D) To provide step-by-step instructions

Result

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