ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension
Sample Questions

Some desert plants open tiny pores in their leaves mainly at night. Cooler nighttime temperatures reduce the amount of water lost while the plant takes in carbon dioxide. During the day, the pores remain mostly closed.

A warehouse receives shipments at two loading docks. Dock A is reserved for refrigerated goods because it is closest to the cold-storage rooms. All other deliveries normally use Dock B.

Nora checked the weather forecast before leaving for work. Although the sky was clear, she placed an umbrella in her bag and wore waterproof shoes.

The technician inspected the damaged cable and found that the outer covering was intact, but the wires inside had become brittle and cracked when bent.

After several days of heavy rain, the soil on the hillside became saturated. When more rain fell, the soil could absorb little additional water, and runoff increased sharply.

To replace a bicycle tire tube, first remove the wheel from the bicycle. Next, loosen one side of the tire from the rim and pull out the damaged tube. After placing the new tube inside the tire, reseat the tire and reinstall the wheel.

A budget does more than limit spending. It shows where money is going, helps people prepare for expected expenses, and can make it easier to set aside funds for emergencies or long-term goals.

Copper is widely used in electrical wiring because it conducts electricity well and can be drawn into thin wires without breaking easily. It is also relatively easy to connect to terminals and other components.

The city added a protected bicycle lane along a busy avenue. Six months later, bicycle traffic on that avenue had increased, while surveys showed that more riders felt comfortable using the route.

Before operating the drill press, secure the workpiece firmly, remove the chuck key, and keep loose clothing away from moving parts. Wear eye protection whenever the machine is running.

The committee considered several proposals, but the final decision was deferred until members could review the new cost estimates.

A small bakery tested two ovens by baking identical trays of rolls. Oven A finished each tray three minutes faster, but it used noticeably more electricity. Oven B took longer but used less energy.

The Moon has almost no atmosphere to scatter sunlight. As a result, shadows on the Moon can appear extremely dark, even when the nearby surface is brightly illuminated by the Sun.

A store manager noticed that customers often left a certain aisle without finding the item they wanted. After larger category signs were installed above the shelves, employees received fewer requests for help locating products.

A metal bridge expands slightly during hot weather and contracts when temperatures fall. Engineers include expansion joints so the bridge can make these small movements without placing excessive stress on its structure.

Sleep supports several functions important for learning. During sleep, the brain processes information gathered during the day, and adequate rest can improve attention the next day. Consistently sleeping too little can make concentration more difficult.

When a fire alarm sounds in the office, employees should stop work, use the nearest safe exit, and proceed to the designated assembly area. Supervisors then check attendance and report anyone missing.

Because the original measurements were inconsistent, the research team repeated the experiment under more controlled conditions.

Community trees can shade sidewalks and buildings, reduce some storm-water runoff, and provide habitat for birds and insects. Their roots and branches, however, must be considered when trees are planted near roads or utility lines.

A student read the same 20-page assignment under two conditions. In a quiet room, the student finished in 32 minutes and correctly answered nine of ten review questions. With frequent phone notifications, the same type of assignment took 47 minutes and the student answered seven correctly.