Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Earthworms help gardens. As they tunnel through the soil, they let in air and water. Their waste also adds nutrients that plants need. According to the passage, how do earthworms help plants?

1. AThey let air and water into the soil.
2. BThey carry seeds to new parts of the garden.
3. CThey eat the insects that harm plant leaves.
4. DThey keep the soil dry during heavy rain.

A textbook chapter has these headings: “What Is an Earthquake?”, “Why Earthquakes Happen”, “How to Stay Safe”. Under which heading would you look for advice on what to do during an earthquake?

1. AWhat Is an Earthquake?
2. BThe glossary at the back of the book
3. CHow to Stay Safe
4. DWhy Earthquakes Happen

Each year the town plants trees in the park. This spring, volunteers planted 40 oak trees and 25 maple trees. How many trees did the volunteers plant this spring?

1. A40
2. B15
3. C25
4. D65

“The temperature dropped below freezing overnight. In the morning, the puddles on the path were hard and slippery.” Why were the puddles hard?

1. AThe water in them had frozen into ice.
2. BSomeone had covered them with sand.
3. CThe sun had dried them out.
4. DRain had fallen on them all night.

Falls are a common cause of injury in older adults. Removing loose rugs, adding bright lights on stairs and installing grab bars in the bathroom can make a home safer. What is the main purpose of the passage?

1. ATo explain how bones heal after a fall
2. BTo describe the design of modern bathrooms
3. CTo argue that older adults need carers
4. DTo suggest ways to prevent falls at home

Paragraph: “Exercise has many benefits. It strengthens the heart and lungs. It helps control weight. It can also improve mood and sleep.” Which sentence is the topic sentence?

1. AIt can also improve mood and sleep.
2. BIt strengthens the heart and lungs.
3. CIt helps control weight.
4. DExercise has many benefits.

Read the sentences: (1) Finally, the nurse records the result. (2) First, the nurse washes her hands. (3) Next, she places the thermometer under the patient’s tongue. (4) Then she waits for the beep and reads the number. Which order is correct?

1. A2, 3, 4, 1
2. B3, 2, 4, 1
3. C1, 2, 3, 4
4. D2, 4, 3, 1

Passage: “Gutenberg’s printing press, developed in the 1400s, made books faster and cheaper to produce. As more books became available, more people learned to read, and new ideas spread quickly across Europe.” Which sequence of effects does the passage describe?

1. ACheaper books, wider reading, faster spread of ideas
2. BWider reading, then the printing press
3. CFewer books, so fewer people learned to read
4. DNew ideas, then cheaper paper, then more printers