Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

“The sky grew dark, the wind picked up and the first heavy drops began to fall.” What is most likely about to happen?

1. AA sunrise
2. BA storm
3. CA snowfall in summer
4. DA heat wave

A volunteer schedule reads: “Morning shift 8–12: Jo, Raj. Afternoon shift 12–4: Ken, Lily. Evening shift 4–8: Jo, Mia.” Who works two shifts?

1. AKen
2. BRaj
3. CJo
4. DMia

Tomás wanted to grow tomatoes. First, he planted the seeds in small pots indoors. When the plants were 15 cm tall, he moved them outside into the garden. Finally, he tied the stems to sticks so they would not fall over. What did Tomás do first?

1. AHe moved the plants into the garden.
2. BHe bought young tomato plants at a garden market.
3. CHe planted seeds in small pots indoors.
4. DHe tied the stems to sticks.

Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they are home to about a quarter of all marine species. Warmer water can cause corals to lose the algae that feed them, a process called bleaching. What does the word “yet” signal in the first sentence?

1. AA sequence of events in the life of a coral
2. BA cause-and-effect link between warmer water and coral bleaching
3. CA contrast between the reefs’ small area and their many species
4. DAn example of a species that lives on a reef

“It was the first warm day of spring. The park was full of people: children flew kites, families had picnics and old friends sat chatting on benches.” What is the mood of the passage?

1. ACheerful
2. BLonely
3. CTense
4. DGloomy and grey

The new medication reduced headaches in 70 percent of patients in the trial. However, 15 percent of patients reported stomach upset. What is the purpose of the second sentence?

1. ATo explain how the trial was done
2. BTo point out a drawback of the medication
3. CTo give another benefit of the medication
4. DTo compare it with a different drug

“The new policy allows staff to work from home two days a week. Employees who need to see patients must still work on site every day.” Which employee can work from home under the policy?

1. AAn office billing clerk
2. BA doctor running daily clinics
3. CA nurse who sees patients daily
4. DA physiotherapist treating patients

The author writes: “Teenagers today spend too much time on their phones. My nephew is always texting at dinner.” What is the main weakness of this argument?

1. AIt uses a single example to judge all teenagers.
2. BIt gives too much data about teenage phone use.
3. CIt does not say what kind of phone the nephew has.
4. DIt argues that phones are useful for teenagers.