Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Ants live in large groups called colonies. Each colony has a queen, whose main job is to lay eggs. Worker ants find food, care for the young and protect the nest. What is the queen ant’s main job?

1. AProtecting the nest from enemies
2. BFinding food for the colony
3. CLaying eggs
4. DCaring for the young ants

The cheetah is the fastest land animal. It can reach speeds of about 100 km/h, but only for short bursts of around 30 seconds. What limits the cheetah’s top speed?

1. AIt can only keep it up for short bursts.
2. BIt runs only at night.
3. CIt is much heavier than other big cats.
4. DIt can only run on grass.

The first Olympic Games were held in ancient Greece, in a place called Olympia. The modern Olympic Games began in 1896 in Athens. Where were the first modern Olympic Games held?

1. AOlympia
2. BRome
3. CParis
4. DAthens

“The vet told the Lees that their dog was overweight. She advised smaller meals, fewer treats and a longer walk each day.” What can you conclude about the vet’s advice?

1. AIt aims to help the dog gain weight.
2. BIt aims to teach the dog new tricks.
3. CIt aims to cure the dog’s fear of walks.
4. DIt aims to help the dog lose weight.

“The town had a problem: the only bridge over the river was too narrow for two cars. The council solved it by building a second bridge and making each one-way.” How is the passage organised?

1. ADescription of a place
2. BTime order of events
3. CCompare and contrast
4. DProblem and solution

“The patient said he felt ‘as weak as a kitten’ after his long illness.” What does the patient mean?

1. AHe wanted a pet cat.
2. BHe felt playful and lively.
3. CHe felt very weak.
4. DHe felt very sleepy.

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 140 minutes, 10 short
2. BYes, she does 180 minutes
3. CYes, she does 150 minutes exactly
4. DNo, she does only 100 minutes

A survey asked 50 people leaving a fast-food restaurant about their favourite meal. Most said burgers. The writer concluded that burgers are the favourite meal of people in the country. What is the main flaw?

1. AThe question was about the wrong topic.
2. BThe sample does not represent the whole country.
3. CFifty people is far too many for a survey.
4. DBurgers are not a type of meal.