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
A patient reads: “Take this medicine on an empty stomach, one hour before breakfast.” She usually eats breakfast at 8 a.m. When should she take the medicine?
- AAt 8 a.m. with breakfast
- BAt 9 a.m. after breakfast
- CAt bedtime, before she sleeps
- DAt 7 a.m.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard
“At first, the villagers laughed at Ana’s plan to plant trees on the bare hillside. Ten years later, the forest she started prevented a landslide that would have buried the village.” What is the main theme?
- APatient effort can prove its worth over time.
- BLandslides are common in mountain villages.
- CVillagers should never laugh at the plans of strangers.
- DPlanting trees is a quick way to get rich.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Which sentence is punctuated correctly with a dependent clause at the end?
- AWe stayed inside, because, it was raining.
- BWe stayed inside because it was raining.
- CWe stayed, inside because it was raining.
- DWe stayed inside because, it was raining.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Which sentence uses the past participle correctly?
- AShe has written three essays this term.
- BShe has write three essays this term.
- CShe has writed three essays this term.
- DShe has wrote three essays this term.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The patient was cooperative during the examination.”
- AConfused and lost
- BRefusing all care offered by the staff
- CVery sleepy
- DWilling to follow instructions
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
What does the term nocturia mean?
- AProducing very little urine
- BWaking at night to pass urine
- CBeing unable to sleep at night
- DSweating heavily during the night
3Solutions
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: D · At 7 a.m.
Why this is the answer
One hour before an 8 a.m. breakfast is 7 a.m. Taking it with or after food would not be on an empty stomach.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: A · Patient effort can prove its worth over time.
Why this is the answer
Ana’s plan was mocked, but years later it saved the village. The theme is that long-term effort can prove valuable.
A · Patient effort can prove its worth over time.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: B · We stayed inside because it was raining.
Why this is the answer
When a dependent clause beginning with “because” follows the main clause, no comma is normally used. A comma is used when the dependent clause comes first.
B · We stayed inside because it was raining.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: A · She has written three essays this term.
Why this is the answer
The past participle of “write” is “written”. “Wrote” is the simple past and is not used after “has”.
A · She has written three essays this term.
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: D · Willing to follow instructions
Why this is the answer
Cooperative means willing to work with others and help.
D · Willing to follow instructions
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Waking at night to pass urine
Why this is the answer
Nocturia is the need to wake up at night to pass urine.
B · Waking at night to pass urine