Quiz for Reading Comprehension

1. One of the leading schools of psychological thought in the twentieth century is behaviorism− the belief that the role of the psychologist is to study behavior, which is observable, rather than conscious or unconscious thought, which is not. Probably the best known proponent of behaviorism is B.F Skinner, who is famous for his research on how rewards and punishments influence behavior. He came to believe that positive reinforcement such as praise, food, or money were more effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement, or punishment.

What does “positive reinforcement” mean here?

A gift

A reward

A bribe

A penalty

Positive reinforcement refers to a reward. B.F. Skinner believed that positive reinforcement, such as praise, food, or money, is more effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement or punishment. This means that providing rewards for desired behavior can encourage individuals to continue exhibiting that behavior.

Explanation

Positive reinforcement refers to a reward. B.F. Skinner believed that positive reinforcement, such as praise, food, or money, is more effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement or punishment. This means that providing rewards for desired behavior can encourage individuals to continue exhibiting that behavior.

2. One of the leading schools of psychological thought in the twentieth century is behaviorism− the belief that the role of the psychologist is to study behavior, which is observable, rather than conscious or unconscious thought, which is not. Probably the best known proponent of behaviorism is B.F Skinner, who is famous for his research on how rewards and punishments influence behavior. He came to believe that positive reinforcement such as praise, food, or money were more effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement, or punishment.

What does “negative reinforcement” mean here?

A promotion

A reward

A surprise

A punishment

Negative reinforcement is defined as the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus in response to a behavior, which increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. In the given context, the author mentions that B.F. Skinner believed that positive reinforcement (such as praise, food, or money) was more effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement, or punishment. This suggests that negative reinforcement refers to the use of punishment as a consequence for a behavior. Therefore, the correct answer is punishment.

Explanation

Negative reinforcement is defined as the removal or avoidance of an aversive stimulus in response to a behavior, which increases the likelihood of that behavior being repeated in the future. In the given context, the author mentions that B.F. Skinner believed that positive reinforcement (such as praise, food, or money) was more effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement, or punishment. This suggests that negative reinforcement refers to the use of punishment as a consequence for a behavior. Therefore, the correct answer is punishment.

3. One of the leading schools of psychological thought in the twentieth century is behaviorism− the belief that the role of the psychologist is to study behavior, which is observable, rather than conscious or unconscious thought, which is not. Probably the best known proponent of behaviorism is B.F Skinner, who is famous for his research on how rewards and punishments influence behavior. He came to believe that positive reinforcement such as praise, food, or money were more effective in promoting good behavior than negative reinforcement, or punishment.

In “behaviorism” used here, a psychologist is concerned with:

Conscious thought patterns

Unconscious thought patterns

Observable actions

Unobservable actions

The term "behaviorism" refers to the belief that psychologists should focus on studying observable behavior rather than conscious or unconscious thought. Therefore, a psychologist who follows behaviorism would be primarily concerned with studying observable actions.

Explanation

The term "behaviorism" refers to the belief that psychologists should focus on studying observable behavior rather than conscious or unconscious thought. Therefore, a psychologist who follows behaviorism would be primarily concerned with studying observable actions.

4. Fort Knox, Kentucky, is the site of a U.S. army post, but it is even more renowned for the fort Knox Bullion Depository, the massive vault that contains the bulk of the U.S government’s gold deposits. Completed in 1936, the vault is housed in a two-story building constructed of granite, steel, and concrete; the vault itself is made of steel and concrete and has a door that weighs more than twenty tons. Naturally, the most up-date security device available are in the place at Fort Knox, and the army post nearby provides further protection.

Which of the following best describe the topic of the passage?

The city of Fort Knox Kentucky

The federal gold depository

The U.S army post at Fort Knox

Gold bullion

The passage describes Fort Knox, Kentucky, and its most renowned feature, the Fort Knox Bullion Depository, which houses the bulk of the U.S. government's gold deposits. The passage provides details about the construction of the vault and the security measures in place. Therefore, the best description of the topic of the passage is the federal gold depository.

Explanation

The passage describes Fort Knox, Kentucky, and its most renowned feature, the Fort Knox Bullion Depository, which houses the bulk of the U.S. government's gold deposits. The passage provides details about the construction of the vault and the security measures in place. Therefore, the best description of the topic of the passage is the federal gold depository.

5. Fort Knox, Kentucky, is the site of a U.S. army post, but it is even more renowned for the fort Knox Bullion Depository, the massive vault that contains the bulk of the U.S government’s gold deposits. Completed in 1936, the vault is housed in a two-story building constructed of granite, steel, and concrete; the vault itself is made of steel and concrete and has a door that weighs more than twenty tons. Naturally, the most up-date security device available are in the place at Fort Knox, and the army post nearby provides further protection.

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

The Massive Concrete Vault

Fort Knox Security

Where the U.S Keeps Its Gold

A Visit to Kentucky

The passage provides information about Fort Knox and its famous Bullion Depository, which is known for housing the majority of the US government's gold deposits. The passage emphasizes the significance of the vault and its security measures. Therefore, the best title for this passage would be "Where the U.S Keeps Its Gold."

Explanation

The passage provides information about Fort Knox and its famous Bullion Depository, which is known for housing the majority of the US government's gold deposits. The passage emphasizes the significance of the vault and its security measures. Therefore, the best title for this passage would be "Where the U.S Keeps Its Gold."

6. Williamsburg is historic city in Virginia situated on a peninsula between two rivers, the York and the James. It was settled by English colonists in 1633, twenty-six years after the first permanent English colony in America was settled at Jamestown. In the beginning of colony at Williamsburg was named Middle Plantation because of its location in the middle of the peninsula. The site for Williamsburg had been selected by the colonists, because the soil drainage was better there the at the Jamestown location, and there were fewer mosquitoes.

The passage states the name Middle Plantation:

Is a more recent name than Williamsburg

Is derived from the location of the colony on the peninsula

Refers to the middle part of England that was home to the colonists

Was given to the new colony because it was located in the middle of several plantations

The passage explains that the name Middle Plantation was given to the colony because of its location in the middle of the peninsula between the York and the James rivers. Therefore, the correct answer is derived from the location of the colony on the peninsula.

Explanation

The passage explains that the name Middle Plantation was given to the colony because of its location in the middle of the peninsula between the York and the James rivers. Therefore, the correct answer is derived from the location of the colony on the peninsula.

7. Williamsburg is historic city in Virginia situated on a peninsula between two rivers, the York and the James. It was settled by English colonists in 1633, twenty-six years after the first permanent English colony in America was settled at Jamestown. In the beginning of colony at Williamsburg was named Middle Plantation because of its location in the middle of the peninsula. The site for Williamsburg had been selected by the colonists, because the soil drainage was better there the at the Jamestown location, and there were fewer mosquitoes.

According to the passage, Williamsburg is located:

On an island

In the middle of a river

Where the York and the James meet

On a piece of land with rivers on two sides

Williamsburg is located on a piece of land with rivers on two sides, namely the York and the James rivers. This is stated in the passage where it mentions that Williamsburg is situated on a peninsula between these two rivers. The colonists selected this location because of its better soil drainage compared to Jamestown and the presence of fewer mosquitoes. Therefore, the correct answer is on a piece of land with rivers on two sides.

Explanation

Williamsburg is located on a piece of land with rivers on two sides, namely the York and the James rivers. This is stated in the passage where it mentions that Williamsburg is situated on a peninsula between these two rivers. The colonists selected this location because of its better soil drainage compared to Jamestown and the presence of fewer mosquitoes. Therefore, the correct answer is on a piece of land with rivers on two sides.

8. Williamsburg is historic city in Virginia situated on a peninsula between two rivers, the York and the James. It was settled by English colonists in 1633, twenty-six years after the first permanent English colony in America was settled at Jamestown. In the beginning of colony at Williamsburg was named Middle Plantation because of its location in the middle of the peninsula. The site for Williamsburg had been selected by the colonists, because the soil drainage was better there the at the Jamestown location, and there were fewer mosquitoes.

The passage indicates that Jamestown was:

Settled in 1633

Settled twenty-six years after Williamsburg

The first permanent English colony in America

Originally named Middle Plantation

The passage states that Williamsburg was settled by English colonists in 1633, twenty-six years after the first permanent English colony in America was settled at Jamestown. This indicates that Jamestown was the first permanent English colony in America.

Explanation

The passage states that Williamsburg was settled by English colonists in 1633, twenty-six years after the first permanent English colony in America was settled at Jamestown. This indicates that Jamestown was the first permanent English colony in America.

9. Another program instrumental in the popularization of science was Cosmos. The series broadcast on public television, dealt with topic and issues from varied fields of science. The principal writer and narrator of the program was Carl Sagan, a noted astronomer and Pulitzer Price winning author. The paragraph following this passage most likely contains information on what?

The popularity of science

The program Cosmos

Topics and issues from various fields of science

The astronomer Carl Sagan

The paragraph following this passage most likely contains information on the astronomer Carl Sagan. This is because the passage mentions that Carl Sagan was the principal writer and narrator of the program Cosmos, and it also describes him as a noted astronomer and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the paragraph following this passage will provide more information about Carl Sagan.

Explanation

The paragraph following this passage most likely contains information on the astronomer Carl Sagan. This is because the passage mentions that Carl Sagan was the principal writer and narrator of the program Cosmos, and it also describes him as a noted astronomer and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the paragraph following this passage will provide more information about Carl Sagan.

10. Another program instrumental in the popularization of science was Cosmos. The series broadcast on public television, dealt with topic and issues from varied fields of science. The principal writer and narrator of the program was Carl Sagan, a noted astronomer and Pulitzer Price winning author.

The paragraph preceding this passage most probably discusses:

A different scientific television series

Carl Sagan’s scientific achievements

The Pulitzer Price won by Carl Sagan

Public television

The paragraph preceding this passage most probably discusses public television. This can be inferred from the statement that the series Cosmos was broadcast on public television. The paragraph is likely providing background information about the program and its platform of broadcast.

Explanation

The paragraph preceding this passage most probably discusses public television. This can be inferred from the statement that the series Cosmos was broadcast on public television. The paragraph is likely providing background information about the program and its platform of broadcast.

Quiz For Reading Comprehension