Key Takeaways
- Pace yourself at about 2 minutes per question on CAT-ASVAB to avoid running out of time.
- Wrong answer choices often contain information not in the passage or go too far in conclusions.
- For inference questions, choose the most moderate answer that is directly supported by the text.
- Eliminate extreme answer choices containing words like "always," "never," "all," or "none."
- Active reading with annotation (mental or written) improves comprehension and retention.
Paragraph Comprehension Practice
This section provides practice passages and teaches you to recognize wrong answer patterns, manage time effectively, and apply advanced reading strategies.
Time Management
CAT-ASVAB Pacing
| Questions | Time | Per Question |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 22 minutes | 2 minutes each |
With 2 minutes per question, you have time to:
- Read the question (10 seconds)
- Read the passage carefully (60 seconds)
- Evaluate choices (40 seconds)
- Select and confirm (10 seconds)
If You Are Running Behind
- Read question and answer choices first
- Scan passage for key words only
- Make your best choice and move on
- Do not spend more than 3 minutes on any question
Practice Passage 1: Main Idea
The Global Positioning System (GPS) has revolutionized military operations. Before GPS, soldiers relied on paper maps and compasses to navigate unfamiliar terrain. Today, handheld GPS devices provide precise location data within meters, allowing troops to coordinate movements with unprecedented accuracy. GPS-guided munitions can strike targets from miles away with pinpoint precision. This technology has fundamentally changed how modern warfare is conducted.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Paper maps are no longer used by the military. B. GPS technology has transformed military operations. C. GPS devices are more accurate than compasses. D. Modern warfare requires advanced technology.
Answer: B
Analysis: The passage discusses how GPS has "revolutionized" and "fundamentally changed" military operations. Choice A is a detail, not the main idea. Choice C is partially stated but too narrow. Choice D is too broad and vague.
Practice Passage 2: Supporting Detail
Basic Combat Training (BCT) lasts approximately 10 weeks for most Army recruits. During this time, soldiers learn fundamental military skills including marksmanship, first aid, and physical fitness. The training is divided into three phases: Red, White, and Blue. Each phase builds upon the previous one, gradually increasing in difficulty and responsibility. By the end of BCT, recruits have transformed from civilians into soldiers prepared for advanced training.
According to the passage, how long does Basic Combat Training last?
A. 3 weeks B. 8 weeks C. 10 weeks D. 12 weeks
Answer: C
Analysis: The passage directly states "BCT lasts approximately 10 weeks." This is a straightforward detail question - locate the information and match it to the answer choice.
Practice Passage 3: Inference
The mess hall was completely silent as the commanding officer entered. Soldiers who had been laughing and talking moments before now sat at rigid attention, their meals forgotten. Even the kitchen staff stopped working and stood at their stations. Only the sound of the officer's boots echoed through the large room as he walked to the front and began to speak in a low, serious tone.
It can be inferred from the passage that:
A. The soldiers were not hungry. B. The commanding officer was respected and possibly feared. C. The mess hall was very small. D. The commanding officer was delivering good news.
Answer: B
Analysis: The passage does not state how soldiers feel about the officer, but their behavior (silence, rigid attention, stopping activities) implies respect and possibly fear. Nothing suggests A, the passage says "large room" (contradicting C), and "low, serious tone" suggests the news is not positive (contradicting D).
Practice Passage 4: Word Meaning in Context
The platoon advanced cautiously through the dense jungle terrain. Visibility was limited to just a few meters, and every sound seemed amplified in the humid air. The point man signaled a halt when he detected movement ahead. The soldiers immediately assumed defensive positions, their training taking over instinctively as they scanned the foliage for threats.
As used in the passage, "dense" most nearly means:
A. Stupid B. Heavy C. Thick D. Dark
Answer: C
Analysis: In this context, "dense jungle terrain" refers to vegetation that is thick and difficult to move through. While "dense" can mean stupid (as in "dense person"), the passage uses it to describe physical jungle conditions. "Thick" is the best synonym here.
Recognizing Wrong Answer Patterns
Pattern 1: True But Not Stated
The answer may be true in general but not mentioned in the passage.
Passage says: "Military dogs can detect explosives." Wrong answer: "Military dogs are loyal to their handlers."
True, but not stated in the passage.
Pattern 2: Too Extreme
Answers with absolute words are often wrong.
Watch for: always, never, all, none, completely, only, every
Example:
- Wrong: "All soldiers use GPS devices." (too extreme)
- Right: "Many soldiers use GPS devices." (more moderate)
Pattern 3: Goes Too Far
Inference answers that stretch beyond what the passage supports.
Passage says: "The soldier frowned when given the assignment."
- Wrong: "The soldier hated his commanding officer." (too far)
- Right: "The soldier was not pleased with the assignment." (reasonable)
Pattern 4: Opposite Meaning
Answer choices that state the opposite of what the passage says.
Passage says: "GPS improved accuracy." Wrong answer: "GPS reduced accuracy."
Pattern 5: Misplaced Details
Details from the passage used in the wrong context.
Passage mentions: "10 weeks" and "physical fitness" Wrong answer: "Physical fitness training lasts 10 weeks."
The passage says BCT (not just fitness training) lasts 10 weeks.
Active Reading Strategies
Annotate Mentally
As you read, mentally note:
- Main point (usually first sentence)
- Key details (names, numbers, dates)
- Author's tone (positive, negative, neutral)
- Transition words (however, therefore, in addition)
Ask Questions While Reading
- What is the main point?
- What evidence supports this?
- What does the author want me to understand?
- Are there words I do not know?
Summarize in Your Head
After reading, mentally summarize in one sentence: "This passage is about ________________."
If you cannot do this, re-read more carefully.
Key Takeaways
- Pace yourself at 2 minutes per question.
- Recognize wrong answer patterns: true but not stated, too extreme, goes too far.
- For inference questions, choose moderate answers supported by text.
- Eliminate answers with absolute words like "always" and "never."
- Practice active reading with mental annotation and summarization.
Which answer choice pattern should you be most suspicious of?
An answer choice is factually true but was not mentioned anywhere in the passage. This answer is:
If you cannot summarize a passage in one sentence after reading it, you should:
On the CAT-ASVAB, how much time do you have per Paragraph Comprehension question?