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. ATo the main entrance on the left
2. BTo the side exit on the right
3. CTo the staff room
4. DThrough this door

Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of serious head injury in a crash. A helmet should sit level on the head and fit snugly, with the strap fastened under the chin. How should a helmet sit on the head?

1. ALow over the eyes with the strap open
2. BTilted back so the forehead is free
3. CLoose so that air can move freely
4. DLevel and snug, strap fastened

“Kevin is the tallest boy in the class. He often helps the teacher reach things on the top shelf.” Why does Kevin often help the teacher?

1. AHe is the teacher’s son.
2. BHe is the oldest boy in the class.
3. CHe wants to sit near the shelf.
4. DHe is tall enough to reach high shelves.

Florence Nightingale collected data on deaths among soldiers in the Crimean War. She showed in clear diagrams that more soldiers died from disease than from battle wounds, and she used this evidence to persuade the government to improve hospital sanitation. What was Nightingale’s main goal in collecting the data?

1. ATo design better weapons for the army
2. BTo teach soldiers how to draw diagrams
3. CTo convince officials to improve hospital conditions
4. DTo prove that battle wounds were not dangerous

“After weeks of practice, Mei could finally play the whole piece without looking at the music.” What does “finally” suggest?

1. AIt took her a long time to succeed.
2. BShe gave up the piano after that.
3. CShe learned it on the first day.
4. DShe played it for the last time.

“The cake looked perfect, but when Ben cut into it, the middle was still runny.” What can you infer?

1. AThe cake had too much flour.
2. BThe cake was not baked long enough.
3. CThe cake was baked too long.
4. DBen forgot to add the eggs to the mix.

The author writes: “If we let students use calculators in maths class, soon they will forget how to add, then they won’t be able to manage money, and eventually our economy will collapse.” What type of flawed reasoning is this?

1. AAn appeal to a famous person
2. BA conclusion based on careful data
3. CA fair comparison of two options
4. DAn exaggerated chain of consequences

“The bakery’s sales rose by 30% after it began selling coffee. The owner wonders whether to start selling sandwiches as well.” What can be reasonably inferred?

1. AThe bakery stopped selling bread.
2. BSandwiches will raise sales by exactly 30%.
3. CCoffee lost the bakery money.
4. DAdding coffee seems to have helped sales.