Sample of CBEST Tests for Critical Reading
Here are some free CBEST tests for critical reading.
The answers to these practice exam questions are provided at the bottom of the page.
These questions are from our CBEST Reading Practice Tests Instant Download.
CBEST Tests for Critical Reading – Passage 1
1Research shows that socio-economic status is the main factor for a child’s success later in life. 2Consider two young students named John and Paul. 3Both boys do their homework, pay attention to the teacher, and are respectful to their peers. 4Both children have the same interests in sports and music. 5However, Paul’s dad is a well-off businessman, while John’s father has a factory job.
6 In spite their similarities, the children have very different futures. Because of the economic background of his father, Paul is 30 times more likely than John to get a high-paying job by the time he is forty. 7John has a mere 12% chance of getting a job that would earn him only an average income. 8Such economic disparities are unfair because income should be based on the benefit of employment to society, rather than being based on social prestige.
1. What is the writer’s primary persuasive technique?
A. using statistical evidence
B. appealing to emotion
C. refuting opposing viewpoints
D. predicting future consequences
E. quoting from authorities
2. Which numbered sentence provides an opinion rather than a fact?
A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 3
C. Sentence 5
D. Sentence 7
E. Sentence 8
Comments: Identifying an author’s persuasive technique and distinguishing fact from opinion are critical reading skills that are covered on the reading tests.
In order to answer questions on the tests about persuasive techniques, remember that percentages or figures must be cited if the author is relying on statistical evidence.
When trying to identify opinions in reading tests, look for the following words: should, might, could, unjust, unfair, and equal.
CBEST Tests for Critical Reading – Passage 2
Seminal research on the measurement of brain activity was conducted by two European scientists. Hans Berger discovered electrical activity in the human brain in 1929. Berger, a German psychiatrist, was quickly discouraged when he discovered that other scientists did not trust his research.
Edgar Adrian, a Briton, confirmed Berger’s hypothesis three years later. Adrian’s research revealed that the brain, like the heart, has constant electrical activity. Because of this research, we know that there are four different kinds of electrical impulses in the brain. These four frequencies are called alpha, beta, delta, and theta.
1. The information the writer conveys in this passage is addressed mainly to:
A. doctors attending a professional seminar
B. practicing brain surgeons
C. college students attending a biology class
D. the general public
E. elementary schoolchildren
2. What is the writer’s opinion regarding the work of Hans Berger?
A. Berger’s work was inferior to that of Adrian.
B. Berger’s work might have paved the way for the research of Adrian.
C. It was proper that his work was dismissed by the scientific community.
D. Berger should have been more self-promoting about his discovery.
E. Berger’s work was one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century.
Comments: Questions asking you to deduce an author’s audience, as well as an author’s attitude toward his or her subject, are common of the Reading Tests.
For questions on the tests regarding the author’s audience, ask yourself: How well have I, as a college graduate, understood the reading test material? Some CBEST Reading Tests might be quite technical, in which case you know that you have to choose an audience that is more highly educated than yourself.
For opinion questions on the tests, you must read between the lines of the passage, paying attention to the author’s tone.
CBEST Tests for Critical Reading – Passage 3
Around the world, billions of people do not have clean drinking water. Hundreds of thousands of people in die every year because they have no choice but to drink unclean, disease-ridden water. Creating a fresh water supply can be prohibitively expensive because wells need to be dug.
Those who are responsible for the management of clean water supplies need to re-evaluate how developed countries consume their available potable water. Without this, more and more people will continue to die from water-related illnesses.
1. Which of the following assumptions has influenced the writer?
A. Developing countries are culpable for the pollution of their own drinking water.
B. Ignorance of hygiene causes people living in developing countries to consume polluted water.
C. The consumption of water in developed countries can serve as a model for that in developing countries.
D. The provision of fresh drinking water is one of the most pressing problems in recent current events.
E. The political climate of developing countries impedes their ability to have fresh drinking water.
2. Which statement from the passage least supports the author’s argument?
A. Around the world, billions of people do not have clean drinking water..
B. Hundreds of thousands of people in die every year because they have no choice but to drink unclean, disease-ridden water.
C. Creating a fresh water supply can be prohibitively expensive because wells need to be dug.
D. Those who are responsible for the management of clean water supplies need to re-evaluate how developed countries consume their available potable water.
E. Without this, more and more people will continue to die from water-related illnesses..
Comments: You will also see questions about the author’s influences and supporting arguments on the Reading Tests.
For questions on author’s influence on the tests, you must again read between the lines of the passage, trying to assess the author’s point of view.
For least-supporting argument questions, notice that passages on the Reading Tests may state advantages and disadvantages about a particular topic. To answer these types of questions on the Reading Tests, focus on the disadvantages.
CBEST Tests For Critical Reading – Answers to Passage 1
1. A
2. E
CBEST Tests for Critical Reading – Answers to Passage 2
1. C
2. B
CBEST Tests for Critical Reading – Answers to Passage 3
1. D
2. C