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
“The patient’s blood pressure was stable throughout the night, with every reading close to the one before.” What does “stable” mean here?
- AToo low to measure
- BNot changing much
- CGetting harder to read
- DRising quickly
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard
“When Ella received the award, she thanked her coach, her teammates and her parents, but said nothing about her own hard work.” Which trait does this most likely show?
- AJealousy
- BModesty
- CArrogance
- DLaziness
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Which sentence uses the possessive of a time expression correctly?
- AShe took a weeks’ vacation.
- BShe took a weeks vacation.
- CShe took a week’s vacation.
- DShe took a week’s’ vacation.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Which sentence uses the passive voice in the present progressive tense?
- AThe patient is moving to a private room.
- BThe patient is being moved to a private room.
- CThe patient has been moved to a private room.
- DThe nurses are moving the patient to a private room.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the words in bold: “The patient gave informed consent before the operation.”
- AA refusal of treatment after hearing about the risks
- BA decision made by the family on the patient’s behalf
- CA signature given without any explanation of the planned procedure
- DAgreement given after understanding the risks and benefits
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
Choose the word that best completes the sentence: “The nurse tried to ___ the patient’s fears by explaining each step of the procedure.”
- Aallay
- Bignore
- Carouse
- Dprovoke
3Solutions
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Not changing much
Why this is the answer
Readings that stay close to each other show little change, so “stable” means steady or not changing much.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Modesty
Why this is the answer
Giving credit to others and not praising herself shows modesty.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: C · She took a week’s vacation.
Why this is the answer
Time expressions can be possessive: a week’s vacation, a day’s work. For plurals the apostrophe follows the s: two weeks’ notice.
C · She took a week’s vacation.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: B · The patient is being moved to a private room.
Why this is the answer
“Is being moved” combines the progressive (is being) with the passive (moved), and the doer is not the subject. B and C are active, and D is passive but in the present perfect.
B · The patient is being moved to a private room.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: D · Agreement given after understanding the risks and benefits
Why this is the answer
Informed consent is voluntary agreement to treatment by a person who understands what it involves, its risks, benefits and alternatives.
D · Agreement given after understanding the risks and benefits
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: A · allay
Why this is the answer
To allay fears is to reduce or put them to rest.