Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

A glossary is a list of important words and their meanings, usually found at the back of a book. A student reading a biology textbook does not know the word “osmosis”. Where could she find its meaning quickly?

1. AIn the table of contents
2. BOn the copyright page
3. COn the title page
4. DIn the glossary

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It protects us from germs, helps keep our temperature steady and lets us feel touch, heat and pain. Which job of the skin is NOT mentioned in the passage?

1. AProtecting us from germs
2. BKeeping temperature steady
3. CMaking red blood cells
4. DLetting us feel touch

When a hedgehog is frightened, it rolls into a tight ball. Its sharp spines then stick out in all directions, protecting its soft belly. What does a hedgehog do when it is frightened?

1. AIt rolls into a ball.
2. BIt climbs a tree.
3. CIt runs into water.
4. DIt calls loudly.

“Mary Seacole was a Jamaican-born nurse who travelled to the Crimean War at her own expense. There she ran a hotel near the battlefield where she cared for sick and injured soldiers.” What does “at her own expense” mean?

1. AShe went against her family’s wishes.
2. BShe paid the costs of the trip herself.
3. CShe travelled there in great danger.
4. DShe was paid by the army to go.

“Mobile clinics now travel to farming villages twice a month. Before, people had to travel three hours to the nearest doctor.” What is the main benefit of the mobile clinics?

1. ALower prices for farm products
2. BEasier access to health care
3. CFaster travel to the city
4. DMore jobs for the farmers

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

Some experts recommend that adults get 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. Kim walks briskly for 20 minutes on 5 days and cycles for 40 minutes on Saturday. Does Kim meet the recommendation?

1. ANo, she does only 100 minutes
2. BYes, she does 150 minutes exactly
3. CNo, she does 140 minutes, 10 short
4. DYes, she does 180 minutes

“The nurse explained the new inhaler to Mr. Brown and then asked him to show her how he would use it.” Why did the nurse most likely ask him to demonstrate?

1. ATo save time during the teaching session
2. BTo test whether the inhaler was faulty
3. CTo check that he had understood correctly
4. DTo find out whether he liked the inhaler