Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Our skin makes vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D helps the body take in calcium, which keeps bones strong. What does vitamin D help the body do?

1. AFight off colds
2. BTake in calcium
3. CGrow more hair
4. DDigest sugar

Mrs. Chen’s class voted on a name for the new class fish. “Bubbles” got 12 votes, “Finn” got 8 votes and “Goldie” got 5 votes. Which name won?

1. AGoldie
2. BFinn
3. CBubbles
4. DIt was a tie

Koalas live in eastern Australia. They eat mainly the leaves of eucalyptus trees and sleep for many hours each day. What do koalas mainly eat?

1. AEucalyptus leaves
2. BBamboo shoots
3. CSmall insects and worms
4. DGrass and seeds

In a survey of 200 nursing students, 150 said they studied best in the morning, 30 preferred the afternoon and 20 preferred the evening. What percentage of the students preferred the morning?

1. A150%
2. B75%
3. C15%
4. D50%

Kelp is a type of large brown algae that grows in cold ocean water. Kelp forests provide food and shelter for many animals, including sea otters, which eat the sea urchins that feed on kelp. How do sea otters help kelp forests?

1. AThey eat the sea urchins that feed on kelp.
2. BThey eat the kelp before it grows too tall.
3. CThey plant new kelp on the ocean floor.
4. DThey keep the water warm for the kelp.

“Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection in hospitals,” says a training manual. What would the manual most likely recommend next?

1. AWashing hands before and after patient contact
2. BAvoiding soap to protect the skin
3. CWearing the same gloves for all patients
4. DWashing hands only at the end of each shift

“In one study, people who were told a pill would ease their pain reported less pain, even though the pill contained no medicine.” What does this study illustrate?

1. APills without medicine cure all kinds of disease.
2. BPain cannot be measured in any study.
3. CThe study’s pill secretly contained hidden painkillers.
4. DExpectations can affect how people report symptoms.

The author writes: “Studies show that people who drink water before meals eat slightly fewer calories. Therefore, drinking water is the only thing you need to lose weight.” Why is the conclusion not supported?

1. AA small effect does not make it the only factor.
2. BThe author says nothing about the studies.
3. CWater makes people eat many more calories.
4. DThe studies did not look at water.