Civil Service Reading Comprehension Practice Test Results

Question 1
54% answer correctly

Ohio started the month of July with its pedal to the metal. The Buckeye State became the 34th state to adopt the 70 miles-an-hour speed limit. Drivers can now do up to 70 on more than 570 of Ohio`s 1,332 miles of interstate highway. Congress repealed the 55 mph national limit in 1995. Despite predictions of calamity and carnage on the highways, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in October 1998 that `the traffic death rate dropped to a record low level in 1997`. That pattern has continued since then.


You can infer from this paragraph that the author _______________ higher speed limits.

Is against
Has no opinion about
Does not know about
Is in favor of
Question 2
48% answer correctly

Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition that began in the United States around 1870. Pragmatism is a rejection of the idea that the function of thought is to describe, represent, or mirror reality. Instead, pragmatists develop their philosophy around the idea that the function of thought is as a instrument or tool for prediction, action, and problem solving.

Pragmatists contend that most philosophical topics - such as the nature of knowledge, language, concepts, meaning, belief, and science - are all best viewed in terms of their practical uses and successes rather than in terms of representative accuracy.


Pragmatism would best be described as a philosophy that focuses on:

Describing and understanding the nature of reality.
Practicality and present problem solving.
Reflection and learning from the past.
Imagination and planning for the future.
Question 3
65% answer correctly

Balluta Bay is a bay on the northeast coast of Malta within St. Julian`s. It is a popular recreation spot used for swimming, diving, and water sports, with a triangular pjazza surrounded by cafes and shaded by Judas trees.

Its skyline is dominated by the neo-gothic Carmelite Parish Church and the stunning art nouveau Balluta Buildings, which are apartment buildings on the eastern shore, as well as a cluster of terraced townhouses in the local variant of Georgian-style architecture.

The south shore of Balluta Bay features Le Meridien St. Julian`s Hotel, built on the grounds surrounding the 18th century Villa Cassar Torregiani.


In what type of publication would you be most likely to find the above passage?

In a travel guide to Malta.
In a newspaper real estate ad.
In a book about historic buildings in Malta.
In a magazine devoted to water sports.