Praxis Core Exam Questions

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21.

Kacee has a total of $32,642 in her checking account. JoAnn has a total of $21,982 in her checking account. What is the best estimate of how many more dollars Kacee's checking account contains than JoAnn's checking account contains?

  • $11,000

  • $10,000

  • $8,000

  • $400

  • $5,000

Correct answer: $11,000

To find the best estimate, you would approximate the two values. $32,642 is approximately $33,000, and $21,982 is approximately $22,000.

$33,000 - $22,000 = $11,000

22.

Select the underlined portion that must be revised to produce a correct sentence.

"Motherhood", she said, "is the most thankless job of all."

  • "Motherhood",

  • She said,

  • The most

  • Thankless

  • No error

Correct answer: "Motherhood",

The first comma in the sentence should go inside the quotation marks. The correct version of the sentence reads, "Motherhood," she said, "is the most thankless job of all."

The remaining answer options are correct and do not need to be changed.

23.

The figure is a parallelogram. Find the measurement of ∠C.

  • 104º

  • 76º

  • 180º

  • 105º

  • 102º

Correct answer: 104º

A parallelogram totals 360º, with diagonal angles being congruent.

1. Add 76º to 76º.

76º + 76º = 152º

2. Subtract 152º from 360º.

360º - 152º = 208º

3. Divide 208º by 2.

208º/2 = 104º

24.

A triangle's three sides are labeled AB, BC and AC. AB's length is 5x+2. BC's length is x+3. AC's length is 3x-1. What is the perimeter of the triangle?

  • 9x + 4

  • 8x + 4

  • 8x + 3

  • 4x + 5

  • 2x + 4

Correct answer: 9x + 4

To find the perimeter of the triangle, you will need to add the lengths of each side of the triangle. The mathematical expression becomes (5x+2) + (x+3) + (3x-1).

You will then need to simplify the expression. 5x + x + 3x + 2 + 3 - 1 = 9x + 4

25.

Solve the following equation:

x2+ 6x + 5 = 0

  • -5, -1

  • 1, 2

  • -3, 2

  • 0, 4

  • 0, 0

Correct answer: -5, -1

1. Factor the quadratic equation.

x2+ 6x + 5 = 0

(x + 5)(x + 1) = 0 

2. Set each factor equal to 0 and solve for x.

x + 5 = 0

x = -5

x + 1 = 0 

x = -1

The solution is -5, -1.

26.

Read the passage, then answer the following question.

Which of the following best outlines the structure of the passage?

  • A story is told, and then facts are given

  • A statement is made and is then supported

  • A theory is stated and is then explained

  • A question is asked and then answered

  • An argument is made and then refuted

Correct answer: A story is told, and then facts are given

The passage starts with a story told by the author. Then, that story is followed by facts regarding motorist seat belt statistics.

27.

Read the passage and then answer the following question.

According to the narrator, why is he or she going to the farmhouse?

  • The narrator made a promise

  • The narrator is curious

  • The narrator is being forced 

  • There is no clear reason why

  • The narrator had a dream

Correct answer: The narrator made a promise

In the first sentence of the passage, the narrator states that "in accordance with" a promise he or she made with Jesse, he or she is going to the farmhouse. In other words, the narrator made a promise to Jesse that required the narrator to travel to the farmhouse.

The narrator does not state that he or she is curious, is being forced to travel, or had a dream. Therefore, the clearest and best answer is found in the first sentence of the passage - that it is due to the narrator following through on a promise.

28.

Read the passage, then answer the following question.

Which of the following is the best meaning of the word "alleviate" as it is used in the fourth sentence of the second paragraph of the passage?

  • Lessen

  • Make easier

  • Relieve

  • Elevate

  • Increase

Correct answer: Lessen

The author uses the word "alleviate" to describe how increased audits will help reduce or lessen the improper procedures performed by their contractors.

Alleviate: make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.

29.

What does x equal if (5x + 1) * 3 = 48?

  • 3

  • 1

  • 6

  • -3

  • 8

Correct answer: 3

First, multiply 5x by 3 and 1 by 3: 15x + 3 = 48

Then, subtract 3 from each side of the equation : 15x = 45

Now, divide each side of the equation by 15: x = 3

30.

Read the draft of the essay and then answer the following question.

What revision is needed to Sentence 11?

  • Add a comma between "vibration" and "Payne"

  • Eliminate "suddenly"

  • Eliminate "accompanying"

  • Change "had fascinated" to "fascinated"

  • No revisions needed

Correct answer: Add a comma between "vibration" and "Payne"

There should be a comma between "vibration" and "Payne" in order to separate the fact that Payne was feeling the plane's vibration from Payne's sudden realization. The correct version of the sentence reads, "Flying home, closing her eyes and feeling the plane’s vibration, Payne suddenly realized that the elephant’s antics had fascinated her so much that she’d wrongly dismissed the accompanying vibrations as unimportant."

It is not necessary to eliminate "suddenly" or "accompanying." "Had fascinated" is the correct verb tense and should not be changed to "fascinated."

31.

What is the most basic building block in geometry?

  • Point

  • Line

  • Plane

  • Angle

  • Shape

Correct answer: Point

The point is the most basic building block in geometry. It is an exact and infinitely small location, and makes up all the physical realities studied in geometry.

A line is a continuous set of an infinite number of points extending infinitely in two directions. A plane is a flat surface that goes forever in all directions, and contains an infinite number of points. An angle is a geometric figure formed by two lines that converge at one point.

32.

Read the passage, then answer the following question.

Which of the following best outlines the structure of the passage?

  • A statement is made, then supported

  • A theory is stated, then explained

  • A question is raised, then answered

  • An experiment is stated, followed by the conclusion

  • An argument is stated, then refuted

Correct answer: A statement is made, then supported

The passage starts with the statement that the polar bears are not dying because of exhaustion from swimming and having to navigate larger bodies of water. The statement is then supported by the explanation of why this cannot be true, as polar bears are better at swimming than walking and they have a layer of fat that keeps them warm and provides energy while they are swimming.

33.

Read the passage, then answer the following question.

The writer's main purpose in writing this passage is to:

  • Inform readers of the dangers associated with distracted driving

  • Ask readers to donate to the cause

  • Introduce new technology that is available

  • Receive support for a future law to ban the use of mobile devices while driving

  • Provide statistical data

Correct answer: Inform readers of the dangers associated with distracted driving

The passage provides statistical data to show the effects of driving distracted, then continues to discuss the steps that are being taken to help prevent distracted driving. 

The other answer choices are partially what the passage discusses, but they do not provide the main purpose of the passage.

34.

View the supporting details to answer the following question.

Which month saw the largest percent increase in popcorn sales from 2009 to 2010?

  • January

  • May

  • June

  • February

Correct answer: January

First, eliminate any answer choice that does not increase. May and June did not see an increase.

Next, calculate the percent increase using the percent change formula (difference / original). The total in January 2009 was $900.00 and the total in January 2010 was $950.00.

The percent change fraction is $50/$900.00, which equals the largest percent increase at 5.6%.

35.

Corey spends 1/12 of his monthly budget on food and 1/3 of his monthly budget on rent and utilities. If he spends $2,000 each month on rent and utilities, how much does he spend each month on food?

  • $500

  • $700

  • $1,000

  • $300

  • $600

Correct answer: $500

1. Since we know that $2,000 represents 1/3 of Corey's monthly budget, find his total monthly budget by setting up an equation, with x representing his total monthly budget.

$2,000 = 1/3x

x = $6,000

2. The question asks how much Corey spends on food, which is 1/12 of his monthly budget. Multiply his budget by 1/12 to find the answer.

$6,000 × 1/12 = $500

Corey spends $500 per month on food.

36.

3 more than 8 times a number is 27. What is the number?

  • 3

  • 4

  • 6

  • 2

  • 9

Correct answer: 3

In algebraic form, the equation is 3 + 8n = 27.

To solve the equation, subtract 3 from both sides of the equation, giving you 8n = 24.

Divide both sides by 8 to get n = 3.

37.

Read the passage, then answer the following question.

Which of the following is the best meaning of the word "highlights" as it is used in the last sentence of the second paragraph of the passage?

  • Emphasizes

  • Accents

  • Underlines

  • Features

  • Intensifies

Correct answer: Emphasizes

The author uses the word "highlight" to emphasize the need for better management of medication at hospitals.

38.

Brandon's math average is based on five tests. Brandon's test scores were 75, 83, 94, 85, and 98. What is Brandon's math average for the five tests?

  • 87

  • 77

  • 80

  • 85

  • 90

Correct answer: 87

To find the average, take the sum of the scores and divide it by the number of tests.

435 / 5 = 87

39.

Each of the 50 judges is asked to select one and only one robe to wear. There are 25 grey robes available and 25 black robes available. At this instant, 35 of the total robes have been selected. 

Which of the following facts can be determined from the information given above?

  • The number of judges in the group that have not yet chosen a robe

  • The number of judges that selected a grey robe

  • The number of male judges that selected a black robe

  • The total number of judges in the United States

  • The ratio of male judges to female judges who chose a black robe

Correct answer: The total number of judges in the group that have not yet chosen a robe

You will want to eliminate the answer choices you know are wrong and focus on the information you are given.

You know that 35 of the robes have been selected, and that there are a total of 50 judges who are selecting a robe. Therefore, you can determine the number of judges who have not yet chosen a robe.

40.

Choose the option that best expresses the intended meaning of the quoted portion of the original sentence; this answer should use proper grammar, diction, sentence construction, and punctuation.

Night, Dawn, and Twilight are three novels written by “a man known as Elie Wiesel.”

  • Elie Wiesel

  • A man known as Elie Wiesel

  • A man that went by Elie Wiesel

  • A gentleman named Elie Wiesel

  • An author known as Elie Wiesel

Correct answer: Elie Wiesel

The original sentence contains redundant wording. The phrase “a man known as” is redundant and should be eliminated. 

The option “Elie Wiesel” makes the sentence’s statement with the least wordiness.