English Language

English Reading Comprehension

2,692 Questions

English reading comprehension questions assess the ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages. Formats include paragraph rearrangement, cloze tests, and fact finding from text. Regular practice is essential for scoring well in the English sections of banking, SSC, and railway exams.

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English Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

In the story of "The Talking Tree", what did the tree tell the woodcutter to do to save his life?

  1. To plant a magic seed

  2. To climb to the top of the tree

  3. To run away as fast as he could

  4. To sing a song to the tree
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The tree told the woodcutter to climb to the top of the tree to escape from the giant who was trying to cut it down.

Multiple choice

In "The Gift of the Magi," what is ironic about the ending?

  1. The couple's sacrifices were in vain.

  2. They received gifts they didn't need.

  3. They realized the true value of their love.

  4. They were able to buy expensive gifts.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that Della and Jim both sacrificed their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to realize that the gifts were rendered useless by their sacrifices.

Multiple choice

In "The Necklace," what is ironic about Mathilde's reaction to the discovery of the real necklace?

  1. She was relieved to have it back.

  2. She was angry at her husband for not telling her.

  3. She was indifferent towards it.

  4. She was devastated by the loss.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that Mathilde, who had been obsessed with the necklace and believed it was the source of her happiness, becomes indifferent towards it once she learns that it was a fake.

Multiple choice

In "The Tell-Tale Heart," what is ironic about the narrator's confession?

  1. He admits to the murder in a public place.

  2. He believes he has hidden the body perfectly.

  3. He is proud of his crime.

  4. He is remorseful for his actions.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the narrator, who is convinced that he has concealed the body flawlessly, is unaware that his guilt and paranoia are evident to those around him.

Multiple choice

In "A Rose for Emily," what is ironic about the townspeople's reaction to Emily's death?

  1. They are shocked and saddened.

  2. They are relieved that she is finally gone.

  3. They are curious about her hidden life.

  4. They are indifferent towards her passing.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the townspeople, who had ostracized Emily during her life, become fascinated by her after her death and are eager to uncover the secrets she kept hidden.

Multiple choice

In "The Sniper," what is ironic about the sniper's final shot?

  1. It kills his own brother.

  2. It misses the enemy sniper completely.

  3. It is a lucky shot that saves his life.

  4. It is a deliberate act of mercy.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the sniper, who is skilled and experienced in killing, accidentally shoots and kills his own brother, who is fighting on the opposite side.

Multiple choice

In "The Lady or the Tiger?," what is ironic about the king's decision?

  1. He chooses the door that leads to the tiger.

  2. He chooses the door that leads to the lady.

  3. He chooses to spare both the lady and the tiger.

  4. He chooses to end the game altogether.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the king, who is known for his harsh and unpredictable judgments, decides to show mercy and spare both the lady and the tiger, subverting expectations.

Multiple choice

In "The Masque of the Red Death," what is ironic about the prince's attempt to escape death?

  1. He builds an impenetrable fortress.

  2. He surrounds himself with beautiful women.

  3. He hosts a grand ball in his honor.

  4. He seeks refuge in a secret chamber.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the prince, who is trying to avoid death by hosting a lavish ball, unknowingly invites death into his castle in the form of the Red Death.

Multiple choice

In "The Fall of the House of Usher," what is ironic about the narrator's initial impression of the Usher mansion?

  1. He finds it beautiful and inviting.

  2. He is struck by its grandeur and opulence.

  3. He is disturbed by its gloomy and decaying appearance.

  4. He is impressed by its modern architecture.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the narrator, who is initially drawn to the beauty of the Usher mansion, later discovers its dark secrets and the tragic fate that awaits its inhabitants.

Multiple choice

In "The Open Boat," what is ironic about the men's survival?

  1. They are rescued by a passing ship.

  2. They manage to swim ashore safely.

  3. They find food and water on the lifeboat.

  4. They are able to signal for help using a flare.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the men, who had been struggling to survive in the open boat for days, are eventually rescued by a ship that they had spotted earlier but dismissed as a mirage.

Multiple choice

In "The Story of an Hour," what is ironic about Mrs. Mallard's reaction to her husband's supposed death?

  1. She is devastated and inconsolable.

  2. She is relieved and feels a sense of freedom.

  3. She is indifferent and shows no emotion.

  4. She is angry and blames her husband for leaving her.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that Mrs. Mallard, who had been unhappy in her marriage, experiences a sense of liberation and joy upon learning of her husband's supposed death.

Multiple choice

In "The Tell-Tale Heart," what is ironic about the narrator's attempt to hide the body?

  1. He buries the body under the floorboards.

  2. He dismembers the body and hides it in various places.

  3. He throws the body into a river.

  4. He keeps the body in his room and tries to conceal it.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that the narrator, who is trying to hide the body from the police, keeps it in his own room, where it is most likely to be discovered.

Multiple choice

In "The Gift of the Magi," what is ironic about the ending?

  1. The couple's sacrifices were in vain.

  2. They received gifts they didn't need.

  3. They realized the true value of their love.

  4. They were able to buy expensive gifts.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The irony lies in the fact that Della and Jim both sacrificed their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to realize that the gifts were rendered useless by their sacrifices.

Multiple choice

In the short story "The Monkey's Paw," what is the consequence of wishing for wealth?

  1. The wisher becomes wealthy

  2. The wisher's family is cursed

  3. The wisher is granted three wishes

  4. The wisher's life is shortened
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Wishing for wealth using the monkey's paw results in a curse that brings misfortune and tragedy to the wisher's family.

Multiple choice

In the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart," what does the narrator do with the old man's body?

  1. He buries it in the backyard

  2. He dismembers it and hides the pieces

  3. He throws it down a well

  4. He burns it in the fireplace
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The narrator dismembers the old man's body and hides the pieces under the floorboards of his house.