Free Praxis Core Reading (Delaware) 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 1Statistical Analysis of Assessment Data

   A 5th-grade teacher is analyzing student performance on a recent standardized reading comprehension assessment. The mean score for the class was 78, with a standard deviation of 8. If the national average for this assessment is 70 with a standard deviation of 10, and a particular student scored 86, what can be inferred about this student's performance relative to the class and the national average?

   • A.The student's z-score relative to the class is +1.0, and relative to the national average is +0.8.(Correct)
   • B.The student scored higher than the class average but below the national average in terms of standard deviations from the mean.
   • C.The student's performance is approximately 1.5 standard deviations above the national mean, indicating exceptionally strong performance.
   • D.The student's z-score relative to the class is +1.0, and relative to the national average is +1.6.

   Explanation

   To calculate the z-scores, use the formula z = (X - μ) / σ. For the class: z_class = (86 - 78) / 8 = 1.0. For the national average: z_nat = (86 - 70) / 10 = 1.6. The student's performance is 1.0 standard deviation above the class mean and 1.6 standard deviations above the national mean. Option D is the correct calculation. Option A is incorrect because the student is above both means. Option B is incorrect as the national z-score calculation is wrong. Option C uses an incorrect z-score for the national average.

2. Question 2Critical Reading and Source Evaluation

   A high school English teacher is preparing students for a debate on the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. They are focusing on developing critical reading skills to evaluate the credibility of sources. Which of the following strategies would be MOST effective in teaching students to identify potential bias in an online article discussing the topic?

   • A.Encourage students to cross-reference information with at least three other reputable sources that present opposing viewpoints.
   • B.Teach students to look for emotionally charged language and logical fallacies within the text.(Correct)
   • C.Ask students to summarize the main arguments and identify the thesis statement.
   • D.Instruct students to primarily focus on the author's credentials and publication date.

   Explanation

   Identifying emotionally charged language (loaded terms, hyperbole) and logical fallacies (e.g., ad hominem, straw man) are direct indicators of potential bias that can skew an argument. While author credentials and publication date (A) are important, they don't guarantee objectivity. Cross-referencing (B) is crucial for comprehensive understanding but doesn't directly teach bias identification *within* a single source. Summarizing (D) is a comprehension skill, not a bias detection skill.

3. Question 3Inferential Comprehension Strategies

   A reading specialist is working with a group of 3rd graders who struggle with inferential comprehension. They are reading a short fable. Which of the following teacher prompts would BEST encourage students to make inferences?

   • A."What words did the author use to describe the setting?"
   • B."Who was the main character in the story?"
   • C."What happened at the end of the story?"
   • D."Why do you think the fox acted that way, even though the story didn't say he was hungry?"(Correct)

   Explanation

   Inferential questions require students to read 'between the lines' and use textual evidence combined with background knowledge to understand something not explicitly stated. Prompting 'why' a character acted a certain way, especially when motivations aren't directly given, forces inference. Options A and B focus on literal recall, and option D focuses on descriptive details.

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