Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

The first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece, in a place called Olympia. The modern Olympic Games began in 1896 in Athens. Where were the first modern Olympic Games held?

1. AParis
2. BOlympia
3. CRome
4. DAthens

“Amira was furious when she found that someone had taken her bike without asking. Her face turned red, and she stamped her foot.” What does “furious” mean?

1. AVery scared
2. BVery sad
3. CVery sleepy
4. DVery angry

The Pacific is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth. It covers more area than all the land on Earth put together. What does the passage say about the Pacific Ocean?

1. AIt is shallower and colder than the Atlantic Ocean.
2. BIt is the smallest and warmest ocean.
3. CIt covers more area than all the land combined.
4. DIt is the only ocean with islands.

“The new teacher wrote her name on the board, smiled and said, ‘Let’s start by learning one interesting fact about each of you.’” What can you infer about the teacher’s goal?

1. AShe wants to get to know her students.
2. BShe wants the students to stay silent.
3. CShe wants to test the students’ spelling.
4. DShe wants to finish the lesson early.

In the 1840s, the doctor Ignaz Semmelweis noticed that many mothers died after childbirth in wards where doctors came straight from performing autopsies. When he required doctors to wash their hands in a chlorine solution, the death rate dropped sharply. What does the passage suggest?

1. AHand washing reduced the spread of infection to the mothers.
2. BChlorine was used to make medicines for new mothers.
3. CThe mothers died because of problems during birth only.
4. DAutopsies were no longer performed in that hospital after the year 1840.

“Jamal’s grandmother taught him to cook her famous stew. Now, every winter, Jamal makes it for his own children and tells them stories about her.” What is the main theme?

1. AFamily traditions are passed down.
2. BStews are best eaten in the summer months.
3. CCooking is a difficult skill.
4. DChildren dislike winter food.

A study abstract states: “Participants who drank green tea daily reported fewer colds. However, they also exercised more and smoked less than the other participants.” Why does the second sentence matter?

1. AIt shows that exercise causes colds.
2. BIt means the study included no smokers in either of its groups.
3. CIt proves that green tea prevents colds.
4. DOther differences between the groups might explain the result.

“Dear Editor, I have lived on Elm Street for forty years. The council’s plan to cut down the old oak trees for wider pavements would destroy the character of our street. I urge readers to attend Thursday’s meeting.” What is the writer’s main goal?

1. ATo get readers to oppose the plan at the meeting
2. BTo tell readers about the long history of oak trees
3. CTo thank the council for wider pavements
4. DTo describe the writer’s forty years at home