AFOQT Reading Comprehension Practice Test 2026

Some young people make the serious mistake of getting involved with drugs. Some who think that “street drugs” are too dangerous may instead try experi- menting with certain common household products—not realizing that these substances can be just as harmful. One such category of dangerous substances is inhalants. Inhalants are substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or “huffed” to cause an immediate high. Even though household products like glue and air freshener have legal, useful purposes, when they are used as inhalants they are harmful and dangerous. Inhalants include a large group of chemicals that are found in such house- hold products as aerosol sprays, cleaning fluids, glue, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, propane, nail polish remover, correction fluid, and marker pens. None of these are safe to inhale—they all can kill you. Inhalants affect your brain and can cause you to suddenly engage in violent, or even deadly, behavior. You could hurt yourself or the people you love. Inhalants affect your brain with much greater speed and force than many other substances, and they can cause irreversible physical and mental damage before you know what’s happened. Inhalants affect your heart because they starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly—and that can be dangerous for your body. Inhalants damage other parts of your body. People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop liver, lung, and kidney problems. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Inhalants can cause sudden death. Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or having a heart attack. Before you risk it, get the facts. Inhalants can kill you the very first time you use them. They can permanently damage your body and brain. Chronic inhalant abusers may permanently lose the ability to perform everyday func- tions like walking, talking, and thinking. The vast majority of teens aren’t using inhalants. According to a 1998 study, only 1.1 percent of teens are reg- ular inhalant users and 94 percent of teens have never even tried inhalants. Based on the passage, why might young people think that inhalants are not harmful?