Free CBEST Section 2: Reading Exam Braindumps
California Basic Educational Skills Test - Reading Questions 36–40 (page: 9)

Updated On: 9-Feb-2026

A book proposal has three major functions. First, it should sell a publisher on the commercial potential of the as-yet-to-be-written book. Second, the writing in the proposal itself should convince the publisher that the author has the ability to write the book. Finally, the proposal should show that the author has the background necessary to write the book.
On the basis of above passage please answer the following question
Which of the following is the best meaning of the word "background" as it is used in the passage?

  1. something behind the main event
  2. something in a subordinated position
  3. one’s ability to do something
  4. events leading up to something
  5. facts to help explain something

Answer(s): C

Explanation:

Any of the choices may be a definition of background; however, the context of the passage indicates that the word refers to the education and training of the proposed author that is, the authors ability to write the book.



Off-site disposal of regulated medical wastes remains a viable option for smaller hospitals (those with less than 150 beds). However, some preliminary on-site processing, such as compaction or hydropulping, may be necessary prior to sending the wastes off-site. Compaction reduces the total volume of solid wastes, often reducing transportation and disposal costs, but does not change the hazardous characteristics of the waste. However, compaction may not be economical if transportation and disposal costs are based on weight rather than volume. Hydropulping involves grinding the waste in the presence of an oxidizing fluid, such as hypochlorite solution. One advantage of hydropulping is that waste can be rendered innocuous and reduced in size within the same system. Disadvantages are the added operating burden, difficulty of controlling fugitive emission, and the difficulty of conducting microbiological tests to determine whether all organic matters and infectious organisms from the waste have been destroyed. On-site disposal is a feasible alternative for hospitals generating two tons per day or more total of solid waste. Common treatment techniques include steam sterilization and incineration. Although other options are available, incineration is currently the preferred method for on-site treatment of hospital waste. A properly designed, maintained, and operated incinerator achieves a relatively high level of organism destruction.
Incineration reduces the weight and volume of the waste as much as 95 percent and is especially appropriate for pathological wastes.

On the basis of above passage please answer the following question
One disadvantage of the compaction method of waste disposal is that it

  1. cannot reduce transportation costs.
  2. reduces the volume of solid waste material.
  3. does not allow hospitals to confirm that organic matter has been eliminated.
  4. does not reduce the weight of solid waste material.
  5. cannot be done on-site.

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

See the second sentence of the second paragraph. Compaction may well reduce transportation costs (choice a) according to the first sentence of the second paragraph. That it reduces the volume of waste (choice b) is an advantage, not a disadvantage. Compaction is not designed to eliminate organic matter, so confirming that it has been eliminated (choice c) is not an issue. Compaction is done on-site (refuting choice e), as asserted in the first paragraph.



Off-site disposal of regulated medical wastes remains a viable option for smaller hospitals (those with less than 150 beds). However, some preliminary on-site processing, such as compaction or hydropulping, may be necessary prior to sending the wastes off-site. Compaction reduces the total volume of solid wastes, often reducing transportation and disposal costs, but does not change the hazardous characteristics of the waste. However, compaction may not be economical if transportation and disposal costs are based on weight rather than volume. Hydropulping involves grinding the waste in the presence of an oxidizing fluid, such as hypochlorite solution. One advantage of hydropulping is that waste can be rendered innocuous and reduced in size within the same system. Disadvantages are the added operating burden, difficulty of controlling fugitive emission, and the difficulty of conducting microbiological tests to determine whether all organic matters and infectious organisms from the waste have been destroyed. On-site disposal is a feasible alternative for hospitals generating two tons per day or more total of solid waste. Common treatment techniques include steam sterilization and incineration. Although other options are available, incineration is currently the preferred method for on-site treatment of hospital waste. A properly designed, maintained, and operated incinerator achieves a relatively high level of organism destruction.
Incineration reduces the weight and volume of the waste as much as 95 percent and is especially appropriate for pathological wastes.

On the basis of above passage please answer the following question
The process that transforms waste from hazardous to harmless AND diminishes waste volume is

  1. sterilization.
  2. hydropulping.
  3. oxidizing.
  4. processing.
  5. compacting.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

See sentence four of the second paragraph. The effects of sterilization of waste (choice a) is not included in the passage. Oxidizing (choice c) is simply a part of the process of hydropulping. Processing (choice d) is the general category that includes all the methods of disposing of medical wastes.
While compacting (choice e) does change the volume of the waste, it is not appropriate for eliminating hazardous materials.



Off-site disposal of regulated medical wastes remains a viable option for smaller hospitals (those with less than 150 beds). However, some preliminary on-site processing, such as compaction or hydropulping, may be necessary prior to sending the wastes off-site. Compaction reduces the total volume of solid wastes, often reducing transportation and disposal costs, but does not change the hazardous characteristics of the waste. However, compaction may not be economical if transportation and disposal costs are based on weight rather than volume. Hydropulping involves grinding the waste in the presence of an oxidizing fluid, such as hypochlorite solution. One advantage of hydropulping is that waste can be rendered innocuous and reduced in size within the same system. Disadvantages are the added operating burden, difficulty of controlling fugitive emission, and the difficulty of conducting microbiological tests to determine whether all organic matters and infectious organisms from the waste have been destroyed. On-site disposal is a feasible alternative for hospitals generating two tons per day or more total of solid waste. Common treatment techniques include steam sterilization and incineration. Although other options are available, incineration is currently the preferred method for on-site treatment of hospital waste. A properly designed,maintained, and operated incinerator achieves a relatively high level of organism destruction.
Incineration reduces the weight and volume of the waste as much as 95 percent and is especially appropriate for pathological wastes.

On the basis of above passage please answer the following question
For hospitals that dispose of waste on their own premises, the optimum treatment method is

  1. incineration.
  2. compaction.
  3. sterilization.
  4. hydropulping.
  5. grinding.

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

See the last sentence of the third paragraph, which states that incineration is . . . the preferred method for on-site treatment. The other choices take place off-site.



Off-site disposal of regulated medical wastes remains a viable option for smaller hospitals (those with less than 150 beds). However, some preliminary on-site processing, such as compaction or hydropulping, may be necessary prior to sending the wastes off-site. Compaction reduces the total volume of solid wastes, often reducing transportation and disposal costs, but does not change the hazardous characteristics of the waste. However, compaction may not be economical if transportation and disposal costs are based on weight rather than volume. Hydropulping involves grinding the waste in the presence of an oxidizing fluid, such as hypochlorite solution. One advantage of hydropulping is that waste can be rendered innocuous and reduced in size within the same system. Disadvantages are the added operating burden, difficulty of controlling fugitive emission, and the difficulty of conducting microbiological tests to determine whether all organic matters and infectious organisms from the waste have been destroyed. On-site disposal is a feasible alternative for hospitals generating two tons per day or more total of solid waste. Common treatment techniques include steam sterilization and incineration. Although other options are available, incineration is currently the preferred method for on-site treatment of hospital waste. A properly designed, maintained, and operated incinerator achieves a relatively high level of organism destruction.
Incineration reduces the weight and volume of the waste as much as 95 percent and is especially appropriate for pathological wastes.

On the basis of above passage please answer the following question
According to the information in the passage, which of the following is one criterion used to determine whether waste will be disposed of onsite or off-site?

  1. number of patients the hospital serves
  2. amount of pathogens in the waste
  3. whether organisms can be properly destroyed
  4. whether or not the waste can be reduced
  5. whether or not the waste is regulated

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

The first sentence states that off-site disposal is appropriate for hospitals with less than 150 beds, which implies fewer patients. Choices b, c, and d are mentioned with regard to both off-site and on-site disposal. The first sentence of the passage indicates that all the waste discussed in the passage is regulated (choice e).



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