Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Elephants use their trunks for many tasks. They breathe and smell through them, pick up food, drink water and even greet other elephants. What is the main idea of the passage?

1. AElephants have a strong sense of smell.
2. BAn elephant’s trunk has many uses.
3. CElephants greet one another often.
4. DElephants drink a lot of water.

Drinking enough water helps the body control its temperature. Water also carries nutrients to cells and removes waste through the kidneys. Many adults need about two litres of fluid a day, and more in hot weather. According to the passage, how does water help remove waste?

1. AThrough the skin only
2. BBy lowering the temperature of the cells
3. CThrough the kidneys
4. DBy carrying nutrients to cells

Honeybees communicate by dancing. When a bee finds flowers, it returns to the hive and moves in a pattern called the waggle dance. The direction and length of the dance tell other bees where the food is. What is the main idea of the passage?

1. ABees use a dance to tell each other where food is.
2. BBees make honey from the flowers they find.
3. CThe waggle dance is the only dance that bees know.
4. DBees prefer flowers that grow close to the hive.

A thermometer reading of 39 °C (102.2 °F) is described as a high fever in the nurse’s notes. The next morning, the reading is 37 °C (98.6 °F). What does this suggest?

1. AThe patient’s fever has come down.
2. BThe patient’s fever has got worse.
3. CThe thermometer must be broken.
4. DThe patient has a new infection.

Wetlands such as marshes and swamps act like natural sponges. They soak up rainwater and release it slowly, which reduces flooding downstream. They also filter pollution from the water. Which sentence best summarises the passage?

1. ASwamps are more useful than marshes.
2. BWetlands are found only near the ocean.
3. CWetlands reduce flooding and clean water.
4. DWetlands cause flooding after heavy rain.

“Unlike email, which can be read at any time, a phone call needs both people to be available at once.” What difference does the sentence describe?

1. AEmail is always faster than calling.
2. BCalls cost more money than email.
3. CEmail can be read only once a day.
4. DCalls need both people free at once.

“Discharge note: Walk for 10 minutes three times a day in week 1. Increase to 20 minutes three times a day in week 2. Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 kg (about 11 lb) for 6 weeks.” Which activity is allowed in week 2?

1. AWalking 20 minutes three times a day
2. BLifting a 7 kg box onto a shelf
3. CCarrying a 10 kg bag of shopping
4. DWalking 60 minutes without a rest

A graph shows that ice-cream sales and sunburn cases both rise in summer. A writer concludes that eating ice cream causes sunburn. What is the best explanation for the link?

1. AThe graph must contain a mistake.
2. BIce cream makes skin more sensitive.
3. CSunburn makes people want ice cream.
4. DHot, sunny weather increases both.