Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

Drinking enough water helps the body control its temperature. Water also carries nutrients to cells and removes waste through the kidneys. Many adults need about two litres of fluid a day, and more in hot weather. According to the passage, how does water help remove waste?

1. ABy lowering the temperature of the cells
2. BBy carrying nutrients to cells
3. CThrough the kidneys
4. DThrough the skin only

Sharks have lived in the oceans for millions of years. Unlike most fish, their skeletons are made of cartilage, the same bendy material found in your nose and ears. What are shark skeletons made of?

1. AScales
2. BThin shell
3. CHard bone
4. DCartilage

The first step in treating a minor burn is to cool it under cool running water for about 20 minutes. Do not use ice, which can damage the skin further. What should you NOT use on a minor burn?

1. AIce
2. BA clean cloth
3. CCool water
4. DRunning water

“Unlike email, which can be read at any time, a phone call needs both people to be available at once.” What difference does the sentence describe?

1. ACalls cost more money than email.
2. BEmail is always faster than calling.
3. CCalls need both people free at once.
4. DEmail can be read only once a day.

“Old Mr. Hale’s garden was full of weeds, the gate hung from one hinge, and the windows were covered in dust.” What can the reader most likely infer?

1. AMr. Hale spends every single day working in the garden.
2. BThe house was cleaned the day before.
3. CThe house has not been cared for in some time.
4. DMr. Hale has just moved into the house.

“By the end of the first week, Aisha had memorised the names of all thirty children in her class. By the end of the month, she knew which of them liked maths and which loved drawing.” What can you infer about Aisha?

1. AShe is a teacher who takes an interest in her pupils.
2. BShe is a nurse checking the health of the children.
3. CShe is a new pupil who keeps forgetting names.
4. DShe is a parent helping out at the school for one day.

A chart shows the number of patients seen in an emergency department per hour: 6 a.m. – 4; 9 a.m. – 10; noon – 12; 3 p.m. – 9; 6 p.m. – 14; 9 p.m. – 8. When would extra staff be most useful?

1. AAround 3 p.m.
2. BAround 9 p.m.
3. CAround 6 a.m.
4. DAround 6 p.m.

“By 1900, cities were growing fast. Factories drew workers from farms, and crowded housing led to the spread of disease.” Which cause-and-effect chain does the passage describe?

1. ADisease spread, so workers moved from cities to farms.
2. BHousing improved, so diseases became much less common.
3. CFactories brought workers, crowding followed, disease spread.
4. DFarms grew larger, so fewer people lived in the growing cities.