Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Clara Barton was a nurse during the American Civil War. She cared for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. Later, in 1881, she founded the American Red Cross. What did Clara Barton found?

1. AA medical school for women doctors
2. BThe American Red Cross
3. CA hospital for children in New York
4. DThe first nursing school in America

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.

Dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than humans. Because of this, they are trained to help find missing people and to detect things such as drugs in airports. Why are dogs used to find missing people?

1. AThey are faster than people.
2. BThey have a strong sense of smell.
3. CThey can see well in the dark.
4. DThey can hear people calling far away.

“The new teacher wrote her name on the board, smiled and said, ‘Let’s start by learning one interesting fact about each of you.’” What can you infer about the teacher’s goal?

1. AShe wants to finish the lesson early.
2. BShe wants the students to stay silent.
3. CShe wants to test the students’ spelling.
4. DShe wants to get to know her students.

“Some people say that cats are unfriendly. My cat, Pepper, waits by the door every evening and sits on my lap while I read.” How does the writer use Pepper?

1. AAs a reason to buy a new cat
2. BAs an example that goes against the claim
3. CAs a description of how to train a cat
4. DAs proof that all cats are unfriendly

“Before you start the exam, read all the instructions. Write your name on every page. Answer the questions in any order, but show all your work.” Which action is allowed by the instructions?

1. AWriting your name on the first page only
2. BAnswering question 5 before question 1
3. CSkipping the instructions to save time
4. DWriting only the final answers without work

Paragraph A argues that hospitals should use more robots for routine tasks to free nurses for patient care. Paragraph B argues that robots cannot replace human comfort and judgement. On which point would both authors most likely agree?

1. AHospitals should not change at all.
2. BRobots should do all hospital tasks.
3. CHuman nurses play an important role in patient care.
4. DNurses spend too much time with patients and too little on paperwork.

A clinic policy reads: “Patients more than 15 minutes late may be asked to rebook. Patients who call ahead to say they are running late will be seen if time allows.” A patient arrives 20 minutes late without calling. What is most likely to happen?

1. AThe patient must pay a fine before leaving.
2. BThe patient’s next visit will be cancelled.
3. CThe patient may be asked to book another time.
4. DThe patient will be seen immediately.