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
“It’s just a scratch,” said Max, though his knee was bleeding badly and he could hardly stand. What does this suggest about Max?
- AHe is not really injured at all.
- BHe is playing down how badly he is hurt.
- CHe wants everyone to worry about him.
- DHe did not notice that he had fallen over.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)Hard
Passage A: “Zoos protect endangered animals and teach visitors about wildlife.” Passage B: “Animals in zoos may suffer in small enclosures far from their natural homes.” Which statement would the author of Passage B most likely agree with?
- AAll zoos give animals perfect homes.
- BZoo animals need large, natural spaces.
- CVisitors learn nothing at zoos.
- DZoos are the best place for all animals.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the correct verb: “Both of the nurses ___ on duty tonight.”
- Aare
- Bis
- Cwas
- Dhas been
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)Hard
Which phrase puts the adjectives in the usual English order?
- Aa lovely wooden old table
- Ba wooden old lovely table
- Ca lovely old wooden table
- Dan old lovely wooden table
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Medium
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “Both of the patient’s ankles showed oedema.”
- ASwelling caused by excess fluid
- BBruising caused by an injury
- CLoss of feeling and movement in the feet
- DDry, scaly and cracked skin
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)Hard
Choose the meaning of the word in bold: “The patient’s speech was incoherent.”
- AIn a foreign language
- BUnclear and not logically connected
- CPolite and calm
- DLoud and fast
3Solutions
1.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: B · He is playing down how badly he is hurt.
Why this is the answer
Max calls it “just a scratch”, yet he is bleeding badly and can hardly stand, so he is making his injury seem smaller than it is.
B · He is playing down how badly he is hurt.
2.Reading comprehension (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Zoo animals need large, natural spaces.
Why this is the answer
Passage B worries about small enclosures far from natural homes, so its author would likely agree that zoo animals need larger, more natural spaces. Passage B does not discuss what visitors learn.
B · Zoo animals need large, natural spaces.
3.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: A · are
Why this is the answer
“Both” is a plural indefinite pronoun, so it takes a plural verb. Few, many, several and both are always plural.
4.English grammar & language usage (entrance exams)
Answer: C · a lovely old wooden table
Why this is the answer
English adjectives usually follow the order opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose. “Lovely” (opinion), “old” (age), “wooden” (material) follows that order.
C · a lovely old wooden table
5.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: A · Swelling caused by excess fluid
Why this is the answer
Oedema (US: edema) is swelling caused by fluid collecting in the body tissues.
A · Swelling caused by excess fluid
6.Healthcare vocabulary (entrance exams)
Answer: B · Unclear and not logically connected
Why this is the answer
Incoherent speech is confused and hard to follow.
B · Unclear and not logically connected