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
“Unlike the noisy city where she grew up, the village was so quiet that Maya could hear the stream from her bedroom.” What contrast does the author draw?
- ABetween early morning and late evening
- BBetween Maya and her bedroom
- CBetween city noise and village quiet
- DBetween the stream and the river
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard
“The new manager listened to every complaint, thanked staff for raising them and posted a list of changes the following week.” What can be inferred about the manager?
- AThe manager wants to replace all the staff.
- BThe manager ignores what staff have to say.
- CThe manager posted the list without listening.
- DThe manager takes staff concerns seriously.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly in a contraction?
- AShe doesn’t like hospital food.
- BShe doesnt’ like hospital food.
- CShe does’nt like hospital food.
- DShe doe’snt like hospital food.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Which sentence is a complex sentence?
- ABecause the lab was closed, the samples were sent elsewhere.
- BThe lab was closed, so the samples were sent elsewhere.
- CThe lab was closed; the samples were sent elsewhere.
- DThe lab was closed, and the samples were sent elsewhere, but no one was told.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “After the breathing tube was removed, his voice was hoarse.”
- AVery high
- BVery loud
- CCompletely normal
- DRough and harsh
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The test is non-invasive.”
- AIt does not enter the body or break the skin
- BIt spreads to other organs
- CIt always causes pain
- DIt must be done in an operating room under anaesthesia
3Solutions
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: C · Between city noise and village quiet
Why this is the answer
“Unlike” compares the noisy city with the quiet village.
C · Between city noise and village quiet
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: D · The manager takes staff concerns seriously.
Why this is the answer
Listening, thanking staff and acting quickly with a list of changes show that the manager takes concerns seriously.
D · The manager takes staff concerns seriously.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: A · She doesn’t like hospital food.
Why this is the answer
“Doesn’t” is short for “does not”. The apostrophe replaces the missing o, so it goes between n and t.
A · She doesn’t like hospital food.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: A · Because the lab was closed, the samples were sent elsewhere.
Why this is the answer
“Because the lab was closed” is a dependent clause joined to an independent clause, which makes A complex. B, C and D join only independent clauses, so they are compound.
A · Because the lab was closed, the samples were sent elsewhere.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: D · Rough and harsh
Why this is the answer
A hoarse voice sounds rough and harsh, often because the vocal cords are irritated.
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: A · It does not enter the body or break the skin
Why this is the answer
A non-invasive test, such as a blood pressure measurement or an ultrasound, does not require entering the body.
A · It does not enter the body or break the skin