Reading comprehension (entrance exams) worksheet with answers

A clinic sign reads: “Please turn off your mobile phone in the X-ray room.” Where must phones be turned off?

1. AAnywhere inside the clinic
2. BIn the car park
3. CIn the waiting room
4. DIn the X-ray room

A medication log shows: “Monday – taken 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday – taken 8 a.m. Wednesday – taken 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.” Which dose was missed?

1. AWednesday evening
2. BMonday morning
3. CWednesday morning
4. DTuesday evening

Camels can go for many days without drinking. When they do find water, they can drink a very large amount in a short time. Their hump stores fat, not water. What does a camel’s hump store?

1. AWater
2. BMilk
3. CAir
4. DFat

The word “quarantine” comes from the Italian “quaranta giorni”, meaning forty days. In the 1300s, ships arriving in Venice during plague outbreaks had to wait forty days before passengers could come ashore. Why did ships have to wait before passengers came ashore?

1. ATo let the ships be repaired after long journeys
2. BTo prevent the plague from spreading to the city
3. CTo collect taxes from the ship owners
4. DTo give passengers time to learn Italian

“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 very sleepy.
3. CHe felt playful and lively.
4. DHe felt very weak.

“The road was icy, so Dad drove slowly and kept a long distance from the car in front.” Why did Dad drive this way?

1. ATo save fuel on the long journey
2. BTo arrive at work early
3. CTo drive safely on the slippery road
4. DTo let the car in front pass him

“Dear Editor, I have lived on Elm Street for forty years. The council’s plan to cut down the old oak trees for wider pavements would destroy the character of our street. I urge readers to attend Thursday’s meeting.” What is the writer’s main goal?

1. ATo tell readers about the long history of oak trees
2. BTo get readers to oppose the plan at the meeting
3. CTo thank the council for wider pavements
4. DTo describe the writer’s forty years at home

“While most of the class cheered at the announcement of an extra week for the project, Jamal quietly closed his laptop. He had finished his project the night before after staying up until 2 a.m.” Why did Jamal most likely react differently?

1. AHe had not started the project yet.
2. BHe did not hear the announcement.
3. CHe was angry that the whole project had been cancelled.
4. DHe had already finished, so the extra week did not help him.