Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Starfish, also called sea stars, live in the ocean. If a starfish loses an arm, it can often grow a new one over time. What can a starfish often do if it loses an arm?

1. ALive on dry land
2. BGrow a new one
3. CChange its colour
4. DSwim much faster

A map has a scale that shows 1 centimetre = 2 kilometres. Two towns are 3 centimetres apart on the map. How far apart are the towns in real life?

1. A6 kilometres
2. B2 kilometres
3. C3 kilometres
4. D5 kilometres

A recipe card says: “Serves 4. You will need 2 cups of rice, 1 onion and 3 cups of water.” How many people does the recipe serve?

1. A4
2. B2
3. C1
4. D3

Passage: “Coral reefs are sometimes called the rainforests of the sea.” Why might coral reefs be compared to rainforests?

1. ABoth receive a lot of rain.
2. BBoth are found only on mountains.
3. CBoth are made mainly of tall trees.
4. DBoth are home to a great variety of life.

Hand sanitiser is useful when soap and water are not available. Still, washing with soap and water is better when hands are visibly dirty, because sanitiser does not remove dirt and grease well. What can you infer from the passage?

1. ASoap and water are only needed in hospitals and clinics, not at home.
2. BSoap and water are the better choice for greasy hands.
3. CHand sanitiser removes dirt better than soap.
4. DHand sanitiser should never be used.

At the start of the shift, the nurse counted the patient’s tablets: 30. At the end of the shift, there were 27. The patient takes one tablet three times a day, and all doses were given on time during the shift. What can you conclude?

1. AThe patient took six tablets during the shift.
2. BThe patient refused all three doses offered during the shift.
3. CThe count matches three doses given during the shift.
4. DSome tablets are missing from the container.

The author writes: “It is tempting to think that more vitamins are always better. Yet some vitamins, such as vitamin A, can build up in the body and become harmful in large doses.” What assumption does the author challenge?

1. AThat vitamins are found in food
2. BThat the body needs vitamins
3. CThat taking more vitamins is always healthy
4. DThat vitamin A is a vitamin

“Some critics call the festival a waste of money. Yet last year it brought 20 000 visitors to town, and local hotels and restaurants had their busiest week of the year.” Which claim does the evidence mainly support?

1. AHotels lose money during the festival.
2. BThe festival benefits local businesses.
3. CThe festival should be held every week.
4. DThe festival costs too much to run.