Civil Service Reading Comprehension Practice Test Results

Question 1
66% 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 book about historic buildings in Malta.
In a magazine devoted to water sports.
In a newspaper real estate ad.
In a travel guide to Malta.
Question 2
64% answer correctly

In 2011, the Ohio Turnpike raised its limit to 70 and recorded its lowest traffic fatality rate ever that year. The higher speed limit attracts travelers to use the safer, limited-access, divided highways of the interstates from more traditional roads. That makes both types of roads safer.


Why does increasing the speed limit on interstates make traditional roads safer?

After this change there are more police patrolling traditional roads
After this change there are less police patrolling traditional roads
More travelers choose to use interstates which reduces the number of cars on traditional roads
Drivers attracted by the high speed limits of the interstates are reckless and getting them off the traditional roads makes those roads safer
Question 3
32% answer correctly

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. As such, it circles the sun faster than all the other planets, which is why Romans named it after the swift-footed messenger god Mercury.

Mercury was known since at least Sumerian times roughly 5,000 years ago, where it was often associated with Nabu, the god of writing. Mercury was also given separate names for its appearance as both a morning star and as an evening star.

Greek astronomers knew, however, that the two names referred to the same body. Heraclitus believed that both Mercury and Venus orbited the Sun, not the Earth.


According to this passage:

Mercury is closer to the sun than the Earth is to the sun.
Greek astronomers believed that Mercury orbited the sun.
The Sumerians named Mercury after their god Mercury because that god is fast.
The Romans named Mercury after one of their gods because Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.