Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Ants live in large groups called colonies. Each colony has a queen, whose main job is to lay eggs. Worker ants find food, care for the young and protect the nest. What is the queen ant’s main job?

1. AProtecting the nest from enemies
2. BLaying eggs
3. CCaring for the young ants
4. DFinding food for the colony

“Please do not feed the ducks bread,” says a sign by the pond. “Bread can make them ill. Use the duck food sold at the kiosk instead.” What does the sign suggest instead of bread?

1. ALeftover rice from home
2. BFresh fruit
3. CDuck food from the kiosk
4. DSeeds from the garden

“After the long hike, Priya was famished. She ate two sandwiches, an apple and a bowl of soup.” What does “famished” most likely mean?

1. AVery hungry
2. BVery tired
3. CVery cold
4. DVery cheerful

“After the storm, the town came together. Neighbours cleared fallen trees, shared food and checked on elderly residents.” What is the main theme of the passage?

1. AThe danger of living near old trees
2. BPeople helping one another in hard times
3. CWhy older people should move away
4. DThe best way to prepare for a storm

Some birds, such as Arctic terns, migrate thousands of kilometres every year. Scientists think birds find their way using the sun, the stars and Earth’s magnetic field. Which word best describes the scientists’ explanation?

1. AUncertain
2. BHumorous
3. CProven
4. DUnimportant

A pie chart of a family’s monthly budget shows: housing 40%, food 20%, transport 15%, savings 10%, other 15%. Which statement is true?

1. ATransport takes more than food.
2. BHousing takes the largest share.
3. CFood and transport together exceed housing.
4. DSavings are the second largest share of the budget.

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

Passage A: “Homework helps students practise skills learned in class.” Passage B: “Too much homework can cause stress and leave little time for rest.” Which statement best combines both passages?

1. AHomework should be banned in all schools from now on.
2. BMore homework always means better grades.
3. CHomework can help, but too much can be harmful.
4. DHomework is never useful for any student.