Free Praxis Core Reading (Connecticut) Practice Test

Sample Praxis Core Reading practice questions

Try a few representative questions below. Each includes the correct answer and a short explanation — the same style you'll see in the full practice test.

1. Question 1

   A 5th-grade teacher is analyzing student performance on a recent standardized reading comprehension assessment. The class of 25 students achieved the following raw scores on a passage-based section: 18, 20, 15, 22, 19, 17, 21, 16, 18, 20, 23, 19, 17, 20, 18, 22, 16, 19, 21, 18, 20, 17, 19, 22, 18. If the maximum possible raw score was 25, which of the following represents the most appropriate measure of central tendency to describe the typical student performance, considering the distribution of scores?

   • A.The median, as it is less affected by extreme scores and better represents the central point of the ordered data.(Correct)
   • B.The mean, as it accounts for every score and provides a precise average.
   • C.The range, as it quantifies the spread of scores and provides context for the central tendency.
   • D.The mode, as it identifies the most frequently occurring score, indicating the most common level of performance.

   Explanation

   The median is the most appropriate measure here. First, order the scores: 15, 16, 16, 17, 17, 17, 18, 18, 18, 18, 18, 19, 19, 19, 19, 20, 20, 20, 20, 21, 21, 22, 22, 22, 23. With 25 scores, the median is the 13th score, which is 19. The distribution is slightly skewed, and the median is robust to this skew, providing a better representation of the typical score than the mean (which would be approximately 19.28) or the mode (which is 18). The range (23-15=8) describes variability, not central tendency.

2. Question 2

   A teacher is preparing a lesson on inferential reading strategies. Which of the following instructional activities would best foster students' ability to make inferences?

   • A.Asking students to identify the main idea of each paragraph in a given text.
   • B.Presenting students with a short, ambiguous narrative and asking them to explain what might have happened before or after the events described, citing textual clues.(Correct)
   • C.Providing students with a glossary of difficult vocabulary words encountered in a text and asking them to define them.
   • D.Having students summarize the plot of a story in their own words.

   Explanation

   Asking students to explain events not explicitly stated, based on textual clues, directly targets inferential skills. This requires them to synthesize information and draw conclusions beyond the literal text. The other options focus on literal comprehension (main idea, vocabulary) or summarizing plot points, which are important but not as directly focused on inferencing.

3. Question 3

   Consider a reading passage where the author uses a significant amount of figurative language, including metaphors, similes, and personification, to describe a natural landscape. A student struggles to understand the passage. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason for the student's difficulty?

   • A.The student lacks the background knowledge to understand the scientific concepts presented.
   • B.The student is unfamiliar with the literal meanings of the words used, leading to difficulty with denotation.
   • C.The student has not yet developed the ability to identify the topic sentence of a paragraph.
   • D.The student is unable to interpret the connotative meanings and symbolic representations inherent in figurative language.(Correct)

   Explanation

   Figurative language relies on understanding implied meanings, associations, and symbolism (connotation) rather than just literal definitions (denotation). A student struggling with metaphors, similes, and personification likely has difficulty moving beyond the literal interpretation to grasp the author's intended imagery and deeper meaning.

Want the full exam? Start the free practice test →

Frequently asked questions

Related practice tests

• Praxis Math
• Praxis Core Reading