Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

The sign on a door reads: “Staff only. Visitors please use the main entrance on the left.” Where should visitors go?

1. AThrough this door
2. BTo the staff room
3. CTo the main entrance on the left
4. DTo the side exit on the right

A recipe card says: “Serves 4. You will need 2 cups of rice, 1 onion and 3 cups of water.” How many people does the recipe serve?

1. A2
2. B3
3. C1
4. D4

A coupon reads: “20% off any one item. Valid until 30 April. Cannot be used with other offers.” What is one rule for using the coupon?

1. AIt cannot be combined with other offers.
2. BIt can be used on every item.
3. CIt is valid for the whole of next year.
4. DIt gives a discount of 30 percent.

In 1928 Alexander Fleming returned from holiday and noticed that mould had grown on one of his bacteria dishes. Around the mould, the bacteria had died. This led to the discovery of penicillin. What led Fleming to discover penicillin?

1. AHe noticed that bacteria near a mould had died.
2. BHe tested many chemicals on bacteria in 1928.
3. CHe found penicillin in a book while on holiday.
4. DHe was trying to grow mould on purpose.

The word “quarantine” comes from the Italian “quaranta giorni”, meaning forty days. In the 1300s, ships arriving in Venice during plague outbreaks had to wait forty days before passengers could come ashore. Why did ships have to wait before passengers came ashore?

1. ATo let the ships be repaired after long journeys
2. BTo prevent the plague from spreading to the city
3. CTo collect taxes from the ship owners
4. DTo give passengers time to learn Italian

“When the coach announced that Sam would start in the final game, Sam’s face lit up.” What does “Sam’s face lit up” mean?

1. ASam’s face turned red with anger.
2. BSam felt too hot to play.
3. CSam looked very happy.
4. DSam stood under a bright light.

“Only 30 minutes after taking the new pill, I felt better,” said one customer in an advertisement. “It must be the best headache pill ever made.” Why is this weak evidence that the pill works?

1. AAdvertisements are never allowed to quote real customers.
2. BIt is one person’s experience, not a controlled study.
3. CThe customer did not say what time it was.
4. DHeadaches never improve on their own.

A study compares two groups of patients after knee surgery. Group A did physiotherapy three times a week; Group B did it once a week. After two months, Group A could walk farther. The groups were similar in age and health at the start. Why does it matter that the groups were similar at the start?

1. AIt means that Group B did not have surgery.
2. BIt makes physiotherapy the more likely cause.
3. CIt proves that age has no effect on recovery.
4. DIt shows that once a week is the best amount.