Entry Exam Category: College Admission Exams
Course: Accuplacer
Exam: Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Practice Question

Extract

During the process of photosynthesis, algae produce a small amount of hydrogen gas. Recently, microbiologists funded by the Department of Energy figured out how to create mutant versions of algae that generate much more hydrogen. You are probably wondering why the Department of Energy is funding this research. The answer is that the hydrogen produced by algae could one day be used to provide energy to entire cities
What assumption does the author of the passage make?

Answer Choices

  • A: Gases produced by algae will be cheaper to produce than other gases.
  • B: The Department of Energy is already using hydrogen-producing algae as a source of energy.
  • C: Mutant versions of algae will not be capable of the process of photosynthesis.
  • D: Readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The author says, 'You are probably wondering why the Department of Energy is funding this research,' which clearly assumes that the reader would not expect the Department of Energy to be involved in algae research. This reflects the assumption that such a connection is unexpected or unfamiliar to most readers.

More Practice Questions

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