ACCUPLACER^® Reading Practice Test

Free ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Test 2026

The ACCUPLACER^® Reading test is a computer-adaptive test comprised of 20 questions that assess your reading skills. To help you prepare for this section of the ACCUPLACER, this page contains everything you need to know, including what topics are covered, how many questions there are, and how you can study effectively.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free ACCUPLACER Reading practice test!

What’s on the Test?

ACCUPLACER Reading Practice Questions

One of the best ways to test your knowledge is by taking a practice test. Evaluate your reading comprehension skills by trying your hand at the three practice questions below!

Answer each question and read through the answer explanation, whether you got the answer right or wrong. This will help you ensure you’ve got the topic mastered.

Whether you struggled with these questions or aced them on your first try, be sure to take the full practice test to get a better idea of how prepared you really are!

1. Read the paragraph below before answering the question:

Read Paragraph

Some of our most delighted voyageurs are from Portland, Maine. When they had journeyed some 1,500 miles to Omaha they imagined themselves at least half way across our continent. Then, when they had finished that magnificent stretch of some 1,700 miles more from Omaha to Portland, Oregon, in the palace cars of the Union Pacific, they were quite sure of it. Of course, they confessed a sense of mingled disappointment and eager anticipation when they learned that they were yet less than halfway. They learned what is a fact: that the extreme west coast of Alaska is as far west of Sitka as Portland, Maine, is east of Portland, Oregon, and the further fact that San Francisco lacks 4,000 miles of being as far west as Uncle Sam's "Land's End," at extreme Western Alaska.

What is the main purpose of the paragraph?

A. To convey the awe and delight the group felt at seeing the sights of Alaska B.  To describe the people in the group C.  To show the great distance and size of Alaska D.  To explain that San Francisco lacks 4,000 miles of being as far west as Uncle Sam's "Land's End" Submit

The paragraph mostly gives specific details showing how far away Alaska is from the mainland (such as in the phrase that says they were yet less than halfway).

Choice A is incorrect because the group is not yet in Alaska. Instead, they are journeying towards the territory and learning how big it is. Although the paragraph does give some details about people in the group, such as the hometown of some of the travelers, the majority of the paragraph focuses on the location and size of Alaska. Choice D is incorrect because this just a detail listed at the end of the paragraph.

The main part of the paragraph talks about the size and distance of the territory.

Found a bug? Let us know!

2. Read the passage below before answering the question:

Read Passage

It is supposed that the Phoenicians, who were an ancient people, famous for carrying on trade, came in ships to these Islands, and found that they produced tin and lead; both very useful things, as you know, and both produced to this very hour upon the sea-coast. The most celebrated tin mines in Cornwall are, still, close to the sea. One of them, which I have seen, is so close to it that it is hollowed out underneath the ocean; and the miners say, that in stormy weather, when they are at work down in that deep place, they can hear the noise of the waves thundering above their heads. So, the Phoenicians, coasting about the Islands, would come, without much difficulty, to where the tin and lead were.

What is the tone of the passage?

A. Humorous B.  Informative C.  Angry D.  Bored Submit

The author describes the history of the islands and gives informative details about the islands and the people who lived there in the past.

Choice A is incorrect because the author does not make jokes during the article; instead, he simply describes facts. Choice C is incorrect because the author does not display anger or any other emotions; he simply describes facts. Choice D is incorrect because the author proves that he’s very interested in the topic by giving many descriptive details.

Therefore, he is the opposite of bored.

Found a bug? Let us know!

3. Read the passage below before answering the question:

Read Passage

The loss of barrier islands through erosion poses a serious challenge to many communities along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Along with marshes and wetlands, these islands protect coastal towns from major storms. In the past seventy years, Louisiana alone has lost almost 2,000 square miles of coastal land to hurricanes and flooding. More than 100 square miles of wetlands protecting the city of New Orleans were wiped out by a single storm, Hurricane Katrina. Due to this exposure of coastal communities, recent hurricane seasons have proven the most expensive on record: annual losses since 2005 have been estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars. This unfortunate trend is likely to continue, since meteorological research shows that the Atlantic basin is in an active storm period that could continue for decades.

The passage describes recent hurricane seasons as the most expensive on record. Which of the following statements gives the implied reason for this increased expense?

A. Hurricane Katrina was an extremely violent storm. B.  Valuable buildings were destroyed in New Orleans. C.  The Atlantic Basin is entering an active period. D.  Destruction of barrier islands and coastal wetlands has left the mainland exposed. Submit

The passage describes the loss of these coastal barrier lands to erosion. The fifth sentence then states, “the result is that recent hurricane seasons have been the most expensive on record.” This establishes the cause-and-effect between barrier island erosion and monetary losses due to great storms.

Found a bug? Let us know!

ACCUPLACER Online Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online ACCUPLACER prep course designed to give you everything you need to succeed!

Here’s what you’ll find in the ACCUPLACER course:

Everyone learns differently, so we’ve tailored the ACCUPLACER online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the ACCUPLACER exam.

Click below to check it out!

FAQs

By Peter Rench

Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University.

Edited by Aaron Lanni

Aaron is the content manager and lead editor for Mometrix Academy. He regularly produces, updates, proofreads, and edits content to ensure it meets Mometrix’s quality and accessibility standards.

Learn more about our editorial guidelines →

ACCUPLACER® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this page.