Praxis Core: Reading Free Sample Questions

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

A non-profit organization, "Urban Canopy Initiative" (UCI), has launched a project to increase green spaces in densely populated city districts. The primary strategy involves converting abandoned lots and unused rooftops into community gardens and small parks. The stated goals are twofold: to mitigate the urban heat island effect and to improve residents' mental well-being by providing access to nature. Initial funding was secured through a municipal grant, but long-term sustainability depends on volunteer engagement and corporate sponsorships.

The project's first phase targeted the Northwood district, an area with less than 5% green space coverage. UCI conducted community workshops to design the spaces, ensuring the final plans reflected the residents' desires, which included features like seating areas, native plant gardens, and plots for vegetable cultivation. A key challenge emerged early on: soil contamination in the abandoned lots required extensive and costly remediation before planting could begin. This unforeseen expense consumed nearly 30% of the initial budget for the Northwood phase, forcing a reduction in the number of planned sites from five to three.

Despite the initial setback, the three completed parks in Northwood have been met with positive community reception. A preliminary survey conducted by UCI six months after the parks opened indicated that 75% of local residents visited the new green spaces at least once a week. Furthermore, anecdotal reports suggest a decrease in stress and an increase in community interaction. UCI is now using this data to attract corporate sponsors for the project's expansion into other districts, arguing that the initiative provides a demonstrable return on investment in terms of public health and community cohesion.

Based on the case study of the Urban Canopy Initiative (UCI), what can be inferred about future phases of the project?

According to the passage about the Urban Canopy Initiative, which of the following was a direct consequence of the soil contamination issue?

What is the author's overall tone in the passage describing the Urban Canopy Initiative?

Read the following two passages and answer the question.

Passage 1
The transition to a four-day workweek is an innovative leap forward for the modern workplace. Studies have consistently shown that condensed work schedules lead to significant increases in employee productivity and job satisfaction. With an extra day for personal errands, appointments, and leisure, employees return to work more rested and focused. This heightened morale translates into lower rates of absenteeism and employee turnover, saving companies substantial costs associated with hiring and training. Furthermore, the model encourages more efficient work habits, as employees are motivated to complete their tasks within the compressed timeframe.

Passage 2
While the concept of a four-day workweek is appealing, its practical implementation poses considerable challenges, particularly for customer-facing industries. A shortened week can create scheduling gaps, leading to reduced availability and slower response times for client needs. This can damage customer relationships and place a company at a competitive disadvantage. Moreover, the pressure to accomplish five days of work in four can lead to employee burnout rather than improved well-being. For industries reliant on continuous operations, such as manufacturing or healthcare, staggering schedules to maintain coverage can create complex logistical problems and potential inequities among staff.

The author of Passage 2 would most likely argue that the positive outcomes mentioned in Passage 1 are most applicable to which type of company?

Both passages acknowledge that the implementation of a four-day workweek is intended to affect which of the following? (Select TWO)

The primary purpose of Passage 2 is to...

Read the passage and examine the chart before answering the question.

Over the past decade, global investment in renewable energy has surged, driven by environmental concerns and falling technology costs. While hydropower has long been a major contributor, recent growth has been dominated by solar and wind power. The expansion of these variable sources presents new challenges for grid stability, requiring significant investment in energy storage solutions and smart grid technologies to ensure a reliable power supply. The chart below shows the distribution of global renewable energy generation for the most recent year.

According to the passage, what is a primary challenge associated with the growth of solar and wind power?