100+ Free ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Practice Questions
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Read the passage and answer the question. If a prescription label says to take medicine with food, the patient should not take it on an empty stomach. Food can help prevent stomach discomfort. Patients should ask a pharmacist if the instructions are unclear. What should a patient do if the label instructions are unclear?
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Key Facts: ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Exam
20
Computer-adaptive questions
College Board Technical Manual
20-120
ESL score scale
College Board
Generally untimed
Time limit
College Board
ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Skills has 20 computer-adaptive multiple-choice questions and is generally untimed. College Board reports ESL multiple-choice tests on a 20-120 scale, while institutions set local ESL placement cut scores.
Sample ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ACCUPLACER ESL Reading exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Read the passage and answer the question. The community center opens its computer room at 8 a.m. on weekdays. Students may use the computers for homework, job searches, or email. Printing costs ten cents per page, but using the computers is free. According to the passage, what must students pay for?
2Read the passage and answer the question. Mina keeps a small notebook beside the kitchen phone. When a customer calls the bakery, she writes the order, the pickup time, and the customer's name. At the end of each morning, she gives the notebook to her manager. What does Mina record in the notebook?
3Read the passage and answer the question. A cactus can live in dry places because it stores water inside its thick stem. Its sharp spines also help protect it from animals. Unlike many plants, a cactus does not have wide leaves. What helps a cactus survive in dry places?
4Read the passage and answer the question. Before the school concert, Luis felt nervous. He practiced the first song again and again in an empty classroom. When the music teacher heard him, she smiled and said, "You are ready." Who said that Luis was ready?
5Read the passage and answer the question. Many city buses now have bike racks on the front. A rider can place a bicycle on the rack before getting on the bus. This makes it easier for people to use both a bicycle and public transportation on the same trip. What is the main purpose of the bike racks?
6Read the passage and answer the question. The first public libraries in some towns were very small. One library began with only two shelves of donated books in a post office. As more residents borrowed books, the town later built a separate library building. What happened after more residents borrowed books?
7Read the passage and answer the question. In the art room, each student chose one object to draw. Talia selected a glass bottle because she wanted to practice drawing light and shadow. She placed the bottle near a window before she began. Why did Talia choose the glass bottle?
8Read the passage and answer the question. Group study can help students remember information. When students explain an idea to classmates, they often understand the idea better themselves. They can also hear questions that they had not thought about before. In the passage, the word "themselves" refers to
9Read the passage and answer the question. A farmers market usually sells food grown nearby. Shoppers often meet the people who grew the fruits and vegetables. Some markets also invite musicians, so the shopping area feels like a neighborhood event. Which statement best paraphrases the first sentence?
10Read the passage and answer the question. Some birds migrate when seasons change. They fly long distances to find warmer weather or more food. Later, many return to the same nesting areas. What does "migrate" mean in the passage?
About the ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Exam
ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Skills is a computer-adaptive multiple-choice test for English language learners. It measures literal comprehension and inference using short passages across academic, narrative, workplace, and practical contexts.
Questions
20 scored questions
Time Limit
Untimed (no standard time limit)
Passing Score
No universal pass/fail score; institutions set placement cut scores on the 20-120 ESL scale
Exam Fee
Varies by institution; schools purchase ACCUPLACER test units and may charge local testing fees (College Board; administered by participating colleges, high schools, and testing centers)
ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Exam Content Outline
Literal Comprehension
Find stated details, main points, sequence, and factual relationships in short texts.
Inference
Use clues in the passage to identify implied meaning, conclusions, purpose, and relationships.
Passage Content Areas
Read practical, academic, narrative, science, social science, arts, and human-relations passages.
How to Pass the ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No universal pass/fail score; institutions set placement cut scores on the 20-120 ESL scale
- Exam length: 20 questions
- Time limit: Untimed (no standard time limit)
- Exam fee: Varies by institution; schools purchase ACCUPLACER test units and may charge local testing fees
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on ACCUPLACER ESL Reading Skills?
The ESL Reading Skills test has 20 computer-adaptive multiple-choice questions. Passages may support one or two questions.
How is ACCUPLACER ESL Reading scored?
College Board reports ACCUPLACER ESL multiple-choice tests on a 20-120 scale. Each college or program sets its own ESL placement score requirements.
Is ACCUPLACER ESL Reading timed?
ACCUPLACER tests are generally untimed. ESL Reading Skills does not have a standard national time limit, although testing centers may provide local instructions.
What does ACCUPLACER ESL Reading test?
The test measures literal comprehension and inference. You should practice understanding stated details and drawing conclusions that are supported by the text.