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
“Scientists classify a tomato as a fruit because it develops from a flower and contains seeds. In cooking, however, it is usually treated as a vegetable.” What does the passage explain?
- AWhy a tomato can be called both a fruit and a vegetable
- BWhy tomatoes are healthier than other fruits
- CHow cooks remove the seeds from tomatoes
- DHow to grow tomatoes from seeds
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard
A clinic policy reads: “Patients more than 15 minutes late may be asked to rebook. Patients who call ahead to say they are running late will be seen if time allows.” A patient arrives 20 minutes late without calling. What is most likely to happen?
- AThe patient will be seen immediately.
- BThe patient’s next visit will be cancelled.
- CThe patient may be asked to book another time.
- DThe patient must pay a fine before leaving.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Which sentence uses quotation marks correctly?
- AThe nurse said, Please take a seat.”
- BThe nurse said “Please take a seat.
- CThe nurse said, “Please take a seat”.
- DThe nurse said, “Please take a seat.”
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Which revision corrects the misplaced modifier? “We saw a deer driving to the hospital.”
- ADriving to the hospital, a deer was seen.
- BWhile driving to the hospital, we saw a deer.
- CWe saw a deer, driving to the hospital.
- DA deer was driving to the hospital when we saw it.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The doctor will discontinue the drug if the rash spreads.”
- ARestart
- BChange the brand of
- CStop
- DIncrease
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
What does the term polyuria mean?
- ABlood in the urine
- BPain or burning when passing small amounts of urine
- CPassing no urine
- DPassing large amounts of urine
3Solutions
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: A · Why a tomato can be called both a fruit and a vegetable
Why this is the answer
The passage contrasts the scientific view (fruit, because it grows from a flower and has seeds) with the cooking view (vegetable).
A · Why a tomato can be called both a fruit and a vegetable
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: C · The patient may be asked to book another time.
Why this is the answer
The patient is more than 15 minutes late and did not call ahead, so the first rule applies: they may be asked to rebook. No fine or cancellation is mentioned.
C · The patient may be asked to book another time.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: D · The nurse said, “Please take a seat.”
Why this is the answer
A direct quotation is enclosed in a pair of quotation marks, introduced by a comma, and in American style the period goes inside.
D · The nurse said, “Please take a seat.”
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: B · While driving to the hospital, we saw a deer.
Why this is the answer
In the original, the deer seems to be driving. A places the modifier next to “we”. C creates a dangling modifier, and D keeps the absurd meaning.
B · While driving to the hospital, we saw a deer.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: C · Stop
Why this is the answer
To discontinue is to stop doing or giving something.
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: D · Passing large amounts of urine
Why this is the answer
Poly- (much) + -uria (urine). Anuria is no urine, dysuria painful urination and haematuria blood in the urine.
D · Passing large amounts of urine