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
“Before you start the exam, read all the instructions. Write your name on every page. Answer the questions in any order, but show all your work.” Which action is allowed by the instructions?
- AWriting your name on the first page only
- BAnswering question 5 before question 1
- CWriting only the final answers without work
- DSkipping the instructions to save time
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?
- ALaziness
- BArrogance
- CJealousy
- DModesty
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the correct verb: “Some of the cake ___ missing.”
- Awere
- Bhave been
- Cis
- Dare
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Choose the correct verb: “Ten dollars ___ too much for a cup of coffee.”
- Ais
- Bwere
- Chave been
- Dare
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The patient’s skin felt clammy.”
- ACool and damp
- BRough and scaly
- CItchy and red
- DHot and dry
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
What does the term polyuria mean?
- APain or burning when passing small amounts of urine
- BPassing large amounts of urine
- CPassing no urine
- DBlood in the urine
3Solutions
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Answering question 5 before question 1
Why this is the answer
The instructions allow answering in any order. Every other choice breaks a rule: name on every page, read instructions first and show all work.
B · Answering question 5 before question 1
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: D · 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 · is
Why this is the answer
“Some”, “all”, “most” and “none” take their number from the noun that follows. “Cake” here is singular, so the verb is “is”.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: A · is
Why this is the answer
An amount of money, time or distance treated as a single quantity takes a singular verb: “Ten dollars is too much.”
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: A · Cool and damp
Why this is the answer
Clammy skin is cool and moist with sweat.
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: B · 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.
B · Passing large amounts of urine