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Can You Pass the Functional Illiteracy Test? Take the Quiz Now

Dive into this functional literacy quiz for a quick adult literacy assessment - think you can ace it?

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Steve HinsonUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art showing functional illiteracy quiz prompt with reading comprehension challenge text on dark blue background

This functional illiteracy test helps you gauge how well you read and follow everyday texts. Answer short items on signs, forms, and simple directions to spot strengths and gaps, then keep practicing with our quick literacy check and reading practice quiz . See your score and where to improve.

A sign reads: Wet floor. Use another entrance. What should you do?
Ignore the sign and proceed
Wait until the floor dries where you are
Walk carefully across the wet area
Find a different way in
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A medicine label says: Take 1 tablet every 8 hours with food. If you take the first dose at 8 AM, when is the next dose due?
4 PM
6 PM
12 PM
8 PM
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You see: Store hours Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 10am-4pm; Sun Closed. Can you shop at 5:30 pm on Saturday?
Yes, store closes at 6 pm on Saturday
No, store is closed all weekend
Yes, store is open until 7 pm on Saturday
No, store closes at 4 pm on Saturday
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An email says: Please submit the report by EOD Wednesday. What does EOD mean here?
End of department
End of deadline
End of day
Every other day
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A recipe instruction reads: Preheat oven to 375 F. Which action is correct?
Bake at 350 F then raise to 375 F
Microwave at 375 F
Set oven to 375 F before putting food in
Set oven to 375 F after 10 minutes of baking
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A map legend shows a dotted line for walking trails and a solid line for roads. On the map you see a dotted line from the park to the lake. What does it represent?
A paved road
A walking trail
A river
A railroad
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The label says: Keep refrigerated after opening. What should you do once opened?
Leave the lid off
Refrigerate it
Store at room temperature
Freeze immediately
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A text says: Meeting moved up to 9 AM. The original was at 10 AM. What does moved up mean here?
Later than 10 AM
Rescheduled to 10 PM
Earlier than 10 AM
Cancelled
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On a form, under Address, it says Apt/Suite optional. What should you do if you live in a house with no unit number?
Type N/A in Apt/Suite
Enter your zip code there
Leave the Apt/Suite field blank
Enter 0
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A nutrition label shows Serving size: 2 cookies; Calories per serving: 150. If you eat 4 cookies, how many calories is that?
150
200
300
350
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A bank notice states: Minimum balance to avoid fee: $500. Your average balance was $480. What happens?
Interest rate increases
A fee will be charged
No fee applies
Account closes automatically
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A parking sign reads: 2 HR PARKING 8 AM-6 PM MON-SAT. You park at 5 pm Monday. What is the latest you can stay without violation?
6 pm
Any time on Monday
7 pm
8 pm
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An instruction says: Stir continuously until thickened. Which best matches the instruction?
Stop stirring when it thins
Stir occasionally until it boils
Stir without stopping until it becomes thicker
Do not stir at all
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A workplace memo states: PPE required beyond this point. What is PPE?
Primary power emergency
Professional pay eligibility
Public parking entrance
Personal protective equipment
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The statement: A job posting listing Salary DOE means salary depends on education only.
False
True
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A utility bill note reads: Past due amount will incur a 1.5% monthly charge. What does this imply?
You get a 1.5% discount
The bill is forgiven after a month
Only new charges are billed
You will be charged extra interest monthly on unpaid balance
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An online checkout displays: Subtotal $45; Shipping $5; Tax $4.50; Discount -$10. What is the total?
$54.50
$50.00
$44.50
$45.00
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The statement: If a form says Signature required, typing your name is always acceptable.
False
True
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A notice says: Meeting rescheduled to Fri 11/8, tentative. What does tentative mean?
Confirmed
Subject to change
Cancelled
Moved to 11/18
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A label states: May contain nuts. What does this warn about?
Possible presence of nuts due to shared equipment
The product is nut-free
Contains only peanuts
Contains only tree nuts
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Study Outcomes

  1. Define Functional Literacy -

    Gain a clear understanding of what functional literacy and illiteracy entail in everyday life, setting a foundation for your assessment.

  2. Assess Personal Literacy Skills -

    Use the functional literacy quiz to evaluate your reading comprehension and everyday literacy performance in real-world scenarios.

  3. Interpret Quiz Feedback -

    Learn to analyze your functional illiteracy test results and understand the significance of each score you receive.

  4. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses -

    Pinpoint specific areas where your reading skills excel and recognize aspects that need improvement for more effective communication.

  5. Apply Improvement Strategies -

    Receive practical tips and techniques to enhance your literacy skills and address gaps highlighted by the online reading comprehension quiz.

  6. Explore Further Resources -

    Discover additional adult literacy assessment tools and learning materials to support your ongoing reading development.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Defining Functional Literacy -

    Functional literacy refers to the ability to read, write, and comprehend real-world materials like forms or instructions, as outlined by UNESCO and OECD studies. A functional illiteracy test assesses how effectively you apply these skills in everyday tasks, beyond simple word recognition.

  2. Active Reading Strategies -

    Techniques like skimming for main ideas and scanning for specific details can boost your performance on any literacy skills test. For example, preview headings and bold terms in a passage to form quick summaries before diving into questions.

  3. Context Clue Techniques -

    On a functional literacy quiz, unfamiliar words often appear in context - use the EDGE mnemonic (Encounter the word, Decode roots or affixes, Guess meaning, Evaluate accuracy). Research from Purdue University's OWL shows that disciplined use of context clues can increase comprehension by up to 30%.

  4. Everyday Document Usage -

    Adult literacy assessments like PIAAC emphasize interpreting schedules, bills, and labels - practice by reading a bus timetable or prescription leaflet aloud. The OECD reports that familiarity with document structure and common formats dramatically improves success rates.

  5. Harnessing Self-Assessment Tools -

    Online reading comprehension quizzes provide instant feedback and targeted tips, helping you pinpoint weak areas quickly. Regularly taking a free functional illiteracy test can build confidence and track progress over time.

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