1Formulas and methods
Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Method
- Read the question first so you know what you are looking for.
- Skim the passage for its topic and main point; the first or last sentence often states it.
- Go back to the exact lines that answer the question.
- For inferences, choose the option the clues most strongly support, not one that goes further.
- For labels and tables, apply every rule that fits the case and do the small calculation carefully.
English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Method
- Find the subject and the verb of the sentence before choosing a form.
- Strip away phrases (of the …, along with …) and extra people (you and …) to test agreement and pronoun case.
- Check each clause: can it stand alone? Join independent clauses with a comma + conjunction or a semicolon.
- Check modifiers and lists: the describing phrase next to its word, items in the same form.
- For word choice and register, pick the precise, formal and concise option.
Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Method
- Read the whole sentence and look for a context clue: a definition, a contrast, an example or a cause and effect.
- Split an unfamiliar word into prefix, root and suffix and translate each part.
- Read a medical term from the suffix back to the start (hepat-itis: inflammation of the liver).
- Put each option into the sentence and check that the meaning still fits.
- Choose the meaning used in this sentence, even if the word has another everyday meaning.
2Practice problems
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Medium
“Using phones and tablets late at night may make it harder to fall asleep. Experts suggest putting screens away about an hour before bed.” Which person is following the experts’ advice?
- ADan, who plays games until he falls asleep
- BAna, who reads a paper book for the last hour
- CBen, who scrolls his phone until midnight
- DCara, who watches videos on her tablet in bed
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard
The author writes: “Our survey found that 9 out of 10 dentists recommend chewing gum.” The survey was paid for by a chewing gum company and asked only 10 dentists. Why should a reader be cautious about this claim?
- AThe survey should have asked only one dentist.
- BDentists know little about teeth.
- CThe sample is tiny and the sponsor has an interest.
- DChewing gum is not sold in most countries.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Which sentence uses the plural “doctors” correctly?
- AThree doctores joined the team.
- BThree doctors joined the team.
- CThree doctors’ joined the team.
- DThree doctor’s joined the team.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Which spelling is correct for the word that means “a sense of right and wrong”?
- Aconscience
- Bconcience
- Cconscence
- Dconsciense
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The test results were inconclusive.”
- ANot leading to a firm answer
- BLost by the laboratory before anyone read them
- CClearly negative
- DClearly positive
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The child with croup had loud stridor.”
- ASnoring during deep sleep
- BHigh-pitched noisy breathing
- CAn extra sound from a heart valve
- DFine crackles at the lung bases
3Solutions
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Ana, who reads a paper book for the last hour
Why this is the answer
Experts suggest putting screens away an hour before bed. Only Ana does this, reading a paper book instead.
B · Ana, who reads a paper book for the last hour
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: C · The sample is tiny and the sponsor has an interest.
Why this is the answer
A sample of 10 is too small to generalise from, and a gum company has a reason to want a positive result, so the claim may be biased.
C · The sample is tiny and the sponsor has an interest.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Three doctors joined the team.
Why this is the answer
An apostrophe shows possession or a contraction, not a plural. “Doctors” is the plain plural of “doctor”.
B · Three doctors joined the team.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: A · conscience
Why this is the answer
“Conscience” is “con” + “science”. Do not confuse it with “conscious” (aware).
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: A · Not leading to a firm answer
Why this is the answer
Inconclusive results do not settle the question, so more tests may be needed.
A · Not leading to a firm answer
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: B · High-pitched noisy breathing
Why this is the answer
Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched breathing sound caused by obstruction of the upper airway.
B · High-pitched noisy breathing