Compass Test Practice

Compass Writing Sample Test

Here is a Compass Writing Sample from Writing Test 1 of our Compass Practice Writing Tests e-book: Choose the correct versions of the underlined portions of the essay from the answer choices provided below.

Writing Practice Test 1: Earthquakes

(1) Earthquakes have been occurring on the surface of the earth motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust.

(2) when there is

(3) The crust of the earth contains twelve such

tectonic plates which are from four to ten kilometers in length

(4) when located down the sea.

(5) However, this on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long.

(6) Fault lines, the places where these plates meet, build up a great deal of pressure

(7)

because the plates are constantly pressing to each other.

(8) Although, the two plates will

eventually shift or separate

(9) since the pressure on them is constant increasing,

(10) and this

build-up of energy need to be released.

(11) When the plates shift or separate, they have an occurrence of an earthquake also

known as a seismic event.

(12) The point whose the earthquake is at its strongest is called the

epicenter.

(13) In addition waves of motion, travel out from this epicenter,

(14) often caused

widespread destruction to an area.

(15) With this likelihood for earthquakes to occur: it is essential that earthquake

prediction systems are in place.

(16) The purpose of earthquake prediction is to give advanced

warning to the population, (17) with saving lives in the process.

(18) Yet, this prediction

systems need to be reliable in order to be of any practical use. (19) For this reason, scientists are

currently attempting to conduct research (20) on the probability of earthquakes along every of

the 12 fault lines.

Compass Writing Sample Item 1. A. B. C. D. E. Earthquakes have been occurring on the surface of the earth Earthquakes occurring on the surface of the earth Earthquakes occurred on the surface of the earth Earthquakes are occurred on the surface of the earth Earthquakes occur on the surface of the earth

Compass Writing Sample Item 2.

A. B. C. D. E.

when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust.

Compass Writing Sample Item 3. A. The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates which are from four to ten kilometers in length The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, which are from four to ten kilometers in length The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, that are from four to ten kilometers in length The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, whose are from four to ten kilometers in length The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, where are from four to ten kilometers in length

B.

C.

D.

E.

Compass Writing Sample Item 4. A. B. C. D. E. when located down the sea. when located below the sea. when located among the sea. when located between the sea. when located during the sea.

Compass Writing Sample Item 5. A. B. C. However, this on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long. However, that on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long. However, these on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long.

D. E.

However, those on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long. However, them on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long.

Compass Writing Sample Item 6. A. B. C. D. E. Fault lines, the places where these plates meet, build up a great deal of pressure Fault lines the places where these plates meet, build up a great deal of pressure Fault lines, the places where these plates meet build up a great deal of pressure Fault lines, the places, where these plates meet, build up a great deal of pressure Fault lines the places where these plates meet build up a great deal of pressure

Compass Writing Sample Item 7. A. B. C. D. E. because the plates are constantly pressing to each other. because the plates are constantly pressing on each other. because the plates are constantly pressing at each other. because the plates are constantly pressing with each other. because the plates are constantly pressing for each other.

Compass Writing Sample Item 8. A. B. C. D. E. Although, the two plates will eventually shift or separate Therefore, the two plates will eventually shift or separate Because of the two plates will eventually shift or separate Similarly, the two plates will eventually shift or separate Because, the two plates will eventually shift or separate

Compass Writing Sample Item 9. A. B. since the pressure on them is constant increasing, since the pressure on them is constantly increasing,

C. D. E.

since the pressure constantly on them is increasing, since the pressure on them is frequent increasing, since the pressure frequent on them is increasing,

Compass Writing Sample Item 10. A. B. C. D. E. and this build-up of energy need to be released. and this build-up of energy needs to be released. and this build-up of energy needed to be released. and this build-up of energy needing to be released. and this build-up of energy is needing to be released.

Go to the Writing Answers Page When you purchase our Compass Writing Practice Tests e-book, you will see the full version of practice test 1, which includes 22 questions. Our Compass Writing Test e-book contains ten practice tests on a variety of academic topics. Go to the Writing Topics Page Leave the Compass Writing Sample and Go to the English Sample Compass Test Page
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Compass Test Practice

Compass Math Sample Test

Here are some Compass Math Sample Test questions from our Compass Practice Math Tests e-book. As you will see when clicking on the answers link at the bottom of the page, our Compass Math Practice Test e-book shows comprehensive, step-by-step solutions and explanations. By looking at the in-depth explanations in our practice tests e-book, you can learn the tips and tricks that you need to know in order to solve even the toughest math problems on the Compass Test! 1) What is the value of A) 2 B) -2 C) 1/2 D) -1/2 E) -4/3
x-3

/2 - x when x = 1?

2) A runner of a 100 mile endurance race ran at a speed of 5 miles per hour for the first 80 miles of the race and x miles per hour for the last 20 miles of the race. What equation represents the runner's average speed for the entire race? A) 100 [(80 5) + (20 x)] B) 100 [(80 5) + (20 x)] C) 100 [(80 5) + (20 x)] D) 100 [(80 5) + (20 x)] E) [(80 5) + (20 x)] 100 3) What is the determinant of the following matrix:

A) jk - mn B) jk + mn C) jn - mk D) jn + mk

E) jm - kn 4)

In the above figure, XY and WZ are parallel, and lengths are provides in units. What is the area of trapezoid WXYZ in square units? A) 24 B) 30 C) 34 D) 36 E) 39 5) The street that runs between the hospital (H) and the police station (P) in the illustration below forms a 65 angle. If the police station (P) is 2.5 miles from the fire station (F), what equation below calculates the distance of the fire station from the hospital?

A) 2.5 tan65 B) 2.5 tan65 C) 2.5 cos65 D) 2.5 sin65

E) 2.5 cos65 Go to the Math Answers for the Sample Questions Leave the Compass Math Sample Test Page and Return to the Compass Math Page
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Compass Math Answers for the sample questions from our Compass Practice Math Tests e-book: 1) What is the value of
x-3

/2 - x when x = 1?

The correct answer is: B Substitue 1 for x: (1 - 3) (2 - 1) = -2 1 = -2 2) A runner of a 100 mile endurance race ran at a speed of 5 miles per hour for the first 80 miles of the race and x miles per hour for the last 20 miles of the race. What equation represents the runner's average speed for the entire race? The correct answer is: A Divide the number of miles by the miles per hour to get the time for each part of the race. So, for the first part of the race, the hours are calulated as follows: 80 5 For the second part of the race, we take the remaining mileage and divide by the unknown variable: 20 x The total amount of miles for the race is then divided by the total hours to get the average miles per hour for the entire race. Since the entire race is 100 miles, the solution is as follows: 100 [(80 5) + (20 x)] 3) What is the determinant of the following matrix:

The correct answer is: C In order to find the determinant for a two-by-two matrix, you need to cross multiply and then subtract: j k

m n So j is multiplied by n and m is multiplied by k. Then we subtract the two terms to get the determinant: jn - mk 4)

In the above figure, XY and WZ are parallel, and lengths are provides in units. What is the area of trapezoid WXYZ in square units? The correct answer is: D First, calculate the area of the central rectangle. Remember that the area of a rectangle is length times height: 8 3 = 24 Using the Pythagorean theorem, we know that the base of each triangle is 4: 5 = 3 + base 2 25 = 9 + base 2 25 - 9 = 9 - 9 + base 2 16 = base 4 = base Then calculate the area of each of the triangles on each side of the central rectangle. Remember that the area of a triangle is base times height divided by 2: (4 3) 2 = 6 So the total area is the area of the main rectangle plus the area of each of the two triangles: 24 + 6 + 6 = 36 5) The street that runs between the hospital (H) and the police station (P) in the illustration below forms a 65 angle. If the police station (P) is 2.5 miles from the fire station (F), what equation below calculates the distance of the fire station from the hospital?
2 2 2

The correct answer is: B

Remember the following important trigonometric formulas for calulating the sine, cosine and tangent of any given angle A, as in the illustration above: sin A = x/z cos A = y/z tan A = x/y In other words, for any angle, sine is calculated by taking the measurement of the opposite side divided by the measurement of the upper side of the triangle. Cosine is calculated by taking the measurement of the lower side divided by the measurement of the

upper side of the triangle. Tangent is calculated by taking the measurement of the opposite side divided by the measurement of the lower side of the triangle. We know the distance from the fire station to the police station is 2.5 miles. The line connecting these points (FP) forms the opposite side of the triangle HFP. We need to calculate the distance between the hospital and the fire station. The line connecting these points (HF) forms the lower side of the triangle. Since we have the opposite side and the lower side, we need to use the formula above for the tangent of an angle. So the length from the hospital to the fire station is calculated by taking the tangent of the angle commencing at the hospital, in this case the tangent of 65. tan 65 = FP HF Divide each side of the equation by tan 65 and substitute 2.5 miles for FPin order to isolate the unknown variables: tan 65 tan 65= 2.5 HF tan 65 1 = 2.5 HF tan 65 Now multiply each side of the equation by HF in order to isolate the unknown variables: 1 HF = 2.5 (HF HF) tan 65 HF = 2.5 tan 65 Leave the Math Answers and Return to the Compass Math Page
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writing answers from Writing Test 1 of our Compass Practice

Writing Tests e-book:

Compass Writing Answers 1. A. B. C. D. E. Earthquakes have been occurring on the surface of the earth Earthquakes occurring on the surface of the earth Earthquakes occurred on the surface of the earth Earthquakes are occurred on the surface of the earth Earthquakes occur on the surface of the earth CORRECT

Compass Writing Answers 2.

A. B. C. D. E.

when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. CORRECT when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust. when there is motion in the tectonic plates in the earths crust.

Compass Writing Answers 3. A. The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates which are from four to ten kilometers in length The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, which are from four to ten kilometers in length CORRECT The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, that are from four to ten kilometers in length The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, whose are from four to ten kilometers in length The crust of the earth contains twelve such tectonic plates, where are from four to ten kilometers in length

B.

C.

D.

E.

Compass Writing Answer 4. A. B. C. D. E. when located down the sea. when located below the sea. CORRECT when located among the sea. when located between the sea. when located during the sea.

Compass Writing Answer 5. A. B. C. However, this on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long. However, that on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long. However, these on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long.

D. E.

However, those on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long. CORRECT However, them on land can be from thirty to seventy kilometers long.

Compass Writing Answer 6. A. Fault lines, the places where these plates meet, build up a great deal of pressure CORRECT Fault lines the places where these plates meet, build up a great deal of pressure Fault lines, the places where these plates meet build up a great deal of pressure Fault lines, the places, where these plates meet, build up a great deal of pressure Fault lines the places where these plates meet build up a great deal of pressure

B. C. D. E.

Compass Writing Answer 7. A. B. C. D. E. because the plates are constantly pressing to each other. because the plates are constantly pressing on each other. CORRECT because the plates are constantly pressing at each other. because the plates are constantly pressing with each other. because the plates are constantly pressing for each other.

Compass Writing Answer 8. A. B. C. D. E. Although, the two plates will eventually shift or separate Therefore, the two plates will eventually shift or separate CORRECT Because of the two plates will eventually shift or separate Similarly, the two plates will eventually shift or separate Because, the two plates will eventually shift or separate

Compass Writing Answer 9. A. B. since the pressure on them is constant increasing, since the pressure on them is constantly increasing, CORRECT

C. D. E.

since the pressure constantly on them is increasing, since the pressure on them is frequent increasing, since the pressure frequent on them is increasing,

Compass Writing Answer 10. A. B. C. D. E. and this build-up of energy need to be released. and this build-up of energy needs to be released. CORRECT and this build-up of energy needed to be released. and this build-up of energy needing to be released. and this build-up of energy is needing to be released.

Leave the Writing Answers and Go to the English Sample Compass Test Page

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Compass Test Practice

Compass Reading Sample Test

Here is a Compass Reading Sample Test, which is an extract from Reading Test 8 from our Compass Practice Reading Tests e-book:

Compass Reading Sample Passage: The Theories of Jean Piaget Born in France in 1896, Jean Piaget became one of the most influential thinkers in the areas of education psychology and child development in the twentieth century. The primary thrust of his research revolved around the question: How do human beings come to know? His research culminated in the groundbreaking discovery of what he called abstract symbolic reasoning. The basic idea behind this principle was that biology influences child development to a greater extent than does socialization. That is to say, Piaget concluded that younger children answered research questions differently than older ones not because they were less intelligent, but because their intelligence was at a lower stage of biological development. Because he was a biologist, Piaget had a keen interest in the adaptation of organisms to their environment, and this preoccupation led to many astute observations. Piaget found that behavior in children was controlled by mental organizations called schemes, which enable an individual to interpret his or her world and respond to situations. Piaget coined the term equilibration to describe the biological need of human beings to balance these schemes against the processes of environmental adaptation. The French-born biologist postulated that schemes are innate since all children are born with these drives. Noting that while other animals continued to deploy their in-born schemes throughout the entire duration of their lives, Piaget hypothesized that human beings pre-existing, innate schemes compete with and ultimately diverge from constructed schemes, which are socially-acquired in the environmental adaptation process. As Piagets research with children progressed, he identified four stages of cognitive development. In the first stage, which he termed the sensorimotor stage, Piaget noted that at the incipience of the childs mental development, intelligence is displayed by way of the infants physical interactions with the world. That is, the childs intelligence is directly correlated to his or her mobility and motor activity. Children begin to develop some language skills, as well as memory, which Piaget called object permanence, during this initial stage.

When the child becomes a toddler, he or she enters the pre-operational stage. During this stage the child is largely egocentric, meaning that intellectual and emotional energy is directed inwardly, rather than on other individuals. Although memory, language, and intelligence continue to develop during these years, thinking is illogical and inflexible on the whole. Next, the child begins the concrete operational stage. Beginning roughly at age 5, this stage is characterized by the appearance of logical and systematic thought processes. In this stage, the child begins to conceptualize symbols and measurements relating to concrete objects, such as numbers, weights, lengths, and volumes. As the childs intelligence becomes more logical, egocentrism begins to dissipate. At the commencement of the teenage years, the final stage, called the formal operational stage, is initiated. During this stage, the individual should be able to grasp abstract thought on a range of complex ideas and theories. Yet, unfortunately, recent research has shown that adults in many countries around the globe have failed to complete this stage, perhaps owing to poverty or poor educational opportunities.
Compass Reading Sample Question 1:

1)

Based on the information in paragraph 1, which of the following best explains the term abstract symbolic reasoning? A. The idea that younger children are less intelligent that older children B. The idea that younger children are less physically developed than older children. C. The idea that younger children are less socially developed than older children. D. The idea that younger children are less culturally developed than older children. E. The idea that biological development affects the intellectual development of children.

Compass Reading Sample Question 2:

2)

The word egocentric in the passage is closest in meaning to A. extroverted B. self-centered C. illogical D. underdeveloped E. undisciplined

Compass Reading Sample Question 3:

3)

Which of the sentences below contains the main idea of paragraph 3?

A. Piaget theorized that, unlike the schemes of other animals, human beings schemes are primarily acquired in the socialization process. B. In contrast to other animals, human beings use their innate schemes throughout their lifetimes, rather than departing from constructed schemes. C. The process by which human beings acquired schemes is different than that of other animals because human beings acquire schemes during the socialization process, and these acquired schemes bifurcate from their innate schemes. D. Piaget noted that human beings differ to other animals since they do not rely only on in-born cognitive mechanisms. E. Piaget theorized that childrens schemes are completely socially acquired.
Compass Reading Sample Question 4:

4)

According to the passage, which of the following statements best characterizes the sensorimotor stage? A. The growth of the childs intelligence in this stage depends predominantly on his or her verbal ability. B. The skills obtained during this stage are of less importance than those achieved during later developmental stages. C. During this stage, the child learns how his or her mobility relates to language. D. The childs interaction with the world is limited. E. The childs cognitive development in this stage is achieved through physical movement in his or her environment.

Compass Reading Sample Question 5:

5)

Based on the information in paragraphs 5 and 6, what can be inferred about child development? A. Before the child enters the concrete operational stage, his or her thinking is largely rigid and unsystematic. B. The conceptualization of symbols is not as important as the conceptualization of numbers. C. The child becomes more egocentric during the concrete operational stage. D. Memory and language become less important during the concrete operational stage. E. The child develops by psychologically interacting with others during the pre-operational stage.

Go to the Reading Answers Page Leave the Compass Reading Sample and Go to the Compass Reading Test Online
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Answers:

1)

Based on the information in paragraph 1, which of the following best explains the term abstract symbolic reasoning? A. The idea that younger children are less intelligent that older children B. The idea that younger children are less physically developed than older children. C. The idea that younger children are less socially developed than older children. D. The idea that younger children are less culturally developed than older children. E. The idea that biological development affects the intellectual development of children. CORRECT

2)

The word egocentric in the passage is closest in meaning to A. extroverted B. self-centered CORRECT C. illogical D. underdeveloped E. undisciplined

3)

Which of the sentences below contains the main idea of paragraph 3? A. Piaget theorized that, unlike the schemes of other animals, human beings schemes are primarily acquired in the socialization process. B. In contrast to other animals, human beings use their innate schemes throughout their lifetimes, rather than departing from constructed schemes. C. The process by which human beings acquired schemes is different than that of other animals because human beings acquire schemes during the socialization process, and these acquired schemes bifurcate from their innate schemes. CORRECT D. Piaget noted that human beings differ to other animals since they do not rely only on in-born cognitive mechanisms. E. Piaget theorized that childrens schemes are completely socially acquired.

4)

According to the passage, which of the following statements best characterizes the sensorimotor stage? A. The growth of the childs intelligence in this stage depends predominantly on his or her verbal ability. B. The skills obtained during this stage are of less importance than those achieved during later developmental stages. C. During this stage, the child learns how his or her mobility relates to language. D. The childs interaction with the world is limited. E. The childs cognitive development in this stage is achieved through physical movement in his or her environment. CORRECT

5)

Based on the information in paragraphs 5 and 6, what can be inferred about child development? A. Before the child enters the concrete operational stage, his or her thinking is largely rigid and unsystematic. CORRECT B. The conceptualization of symbols is not as important as the conceptualization of numbers. C. The child becomes more egocentric during the concrete operational stage. D. Memory and language become less important during the concrete operational stage. E. The child develops by psychologically interacting with others during the pre-operational stage.

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