English Language

English Reading Comprehension

3,503 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.

Passage based inferenceParagraph rearrangementCloze test fillingVocabulary replacementReading accuracy tests

English Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 19?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.
Fire ____(17)_____ things hot by adding heat, and that raises temperature.
You _______(18)______ a fire with its hissing tongues of orange flame.
When something gets too hot and its temperature rises more than it can take, it bursts into hot flames and _____(19)_____ to burn.

Fire is _____(20)_____ than sunlight and it quickly heats up anything it touches.

  1. ends

  2. leads

  3. starts

  4. prefers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The burning starts.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'keep on' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

The rolling waves of lush (1) green grass stretching from Montana to Mexico is the home (2) to prairie dogs. They are actually very big scquirals (3) that live together in large numbers. They live in holes in the ground, and connect the holes to each other by tunnels. Such tunnels connect all ground holes in a prairie dog town with each other. Prairie dogs are very conservative (4) and defensive. Before letting any other prairie dog into their homes, they hug and kiss each other to make sure that it (5) is family! Each prairie dog family has its own hole in the ground and they really are proper homes. Each has separate entry and exit tunnels and rooms for the family to stay. Each home has a special hole dug (6) near the bottom of the ceiling. These special holes trap in (7) pockets of air, if water floods the holes. They trap enough air for the family to keep on (8) breathing until the water goes down.

  1. stay

  2. continue

  3. achieve

  4. stop
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Keep on means to keep something or continuing.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'trap in' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

The rolling waves of lush (1) green grass stretching from Montana to Mexico is the home (2) to prairie dogs. They are actually very big scquirals (3) that live together in large numbers. They live in holes in the ground, and connect the holes to each other by tunnels. Such tunnels connect all ground holes in a prairie dog town with each other. Prairie dogs are very conservative (4) and defensive. Before letting any other prairie dog into their homes, they hug and kiss each other to make sure that it (5) is family! Each prairie dog family has its own hole in the ground and they really are proper homes. Each has separate entry and exit tunnels and rooms for the family to stay. Each home has a special hole dug (6) near the bottom of the ceiling. These special holes trap in (7) pockets of air, if water floods the holes. They trap enough air for the family to keep on (8) breathing until the water goes down.

  1. expel

  2. capture

  3. catch

  4. corner
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

To be trapped means to be captured or stuck. Therefore, the correct option is (2).

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 23?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.

Islands are bodies or pieces of land that are completely ______(21)_____ by water, and are cut off from larger bodies of land that are attached to a continent and are called mainland. Islands have been homes to different cultures throughout our history. Separated from mainland, and relatively isolated, some islands of the oceans still carry the older cultures and _____(22)____ of humans. Islands also preserve animals and plants, in rather _______(23)______ conditions. In fact, it was through his visit to the Galapagos Islands, and through observing the animals there, that Charles Darwin came to _____(24)_____ the theory of evolution of man.

  1. hardy

  2. different

  3. unchanged

  4. movable
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Since they want to maintain everything as it is, therefore, they preserve the animals and plants in unchanged conditions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'imaginary' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

The Hydrosphere is an imaginary (1) sphere. However, its importance is not imaginary. The hydrosphere contains all the water that is above, below, or upon the surface of the earth. It also includes (2) the water inside plants and animals. The larger part of the earth's hydrosphere is salt water. The water cycle pureifys (3) the atmosphere and surface water by removing (4) pollutants. It (5) supplies usable water to living things on land. It does so by purifying the saltwater of the oceans and by turning (6) it into fresh water. All life thus depends upon an "active hydrosphere." That means an intact or undamaged hydrosphere with a running (7) water cycle. Since all living things use water inside their bodies, an active hydrosphere and life travel hand in hand (8).

  1. fantastic

  2. hypothetical

  3. real

  4. unusual
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Imaginary' means something that is not real, a situation that is just thought of. Hypothetical also means the same. Therefore, it is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'turning' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

The Hydrosphere is an imaginary (1) sphere. However, its importance is not imaginary. The hydrosphere contains all the water that is above, below, or upon the surface of the earth. It also includes (2) the water inside plants and animals. The larger part of the earth's hydrosphere is salt water. The water cycle pureifys (3) the atmosphere and surface water by removing (4) pollutants. It (5) supplies usable water to living things on land. It does so by purifying the saltwater of the oceans and by turning (6) it into fresh water. All life thus depends upon an "active hydrosphere." That means an intact or undamaged hydrosphere with a running (7) water cycle. Since all living things use water inside their bodies, an active hydrosphere and life travel hand in hand (8).

  1. fixing

  2. converting

  3. rotating

  4. leading
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Here turning means changing the form. Therefore, the most appropriate option is converting.

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 21?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.

Islands are bodies or pieces of land that are completely ______(21)_____ by water, and are cut off from larger bodies of land that are attached to a continent and are called mainland. Islands have been homes to different cultures throughout our history. Separated from mainland, and relatively isolated, some islands of the oceans still carry the older cultures and _____(22)____ of humans. Islands also preserve animals and plants, in rather _______(23)______ conditions. In fact, it was through his visit to the Galapagos Islands, and through observing the animals there, that Charles Darwin came to _____(24)_____ the theory of evolution of man.

  1. submerged

  2. created

  3. surrounded

  4. hidden
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Islands are from all sides surrounded by water, therefore, (3) is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'running' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

The Hydrosphere is an imaginary (1) sphere. However, its importance is not imaginary. The hydrosphere contains all the water that is above, below, or upon the surface of the earth. It also includes (2) the water inside plants and animals. The larger part of the earth's hydrosphere is salt water. The water cycle pureifys (3) the atmosphere and surface water by removing (4) pollutants. It (5) supplies usable water to living things on land. It does so by purifying the saltwater of the oceans and by turning (6) it into fresh water. All life thus depends upon an "active hydrosphere." That means an intact or undamaged hydrosphere with a running (7) water cycle. Since all living things use water inside their bodies, an active hydrosphere and life travel hand in hand (8).

  1. racing

  2. functional

  3. successful

  4. static
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In the context, running means in a working condition. Therefore, the correct option here matching the requirement is 'functional'.

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 24?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.

Islands are bodies or pieces of land that are completely ______(21)_____ by water, and are cut off from larger bodies of land that are attached to a continent and are called mainland. Islands have been homes to different cultures throughout our history. Separated from mainland, and relatively isolated, some islands of the oceans still carry the older cultures and _____(22)____ of humans. Islands also preserve animals and plants, in rather _______(23)______ conditions. In fact, it was through his visit to the Galapagos Islands, and through observing the animals there, that Charles Darwin came to _____(24)_____ the theory of evolution of man.

  1. diagnose

  2. propose

  3. discard

  4. highlight
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Charles Darwin came to propose or offer the theory of evolution of man.

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 19?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.
Christopher Columbus ______(17)______ by many to be the first European explorer to find the continents of America.
Columbus was actually looking for a sea route to Asia from Spain, when he _____(18)______ land in the Caribbean Islands.
He and his people named the Caribbean Islands as West Indies. They thought that they _____(19)_____ the western part of India.

In the United States, the second Monday of October is a colourful holiday, called Columbus Day, in _______(20)______ Christopher Columbus.

  1. reached

  2. will reach

  3. had reached

  4. have reached
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Both the events (thought and reached) are in past tense. But reaching occurred before 'thought'. An event that occurs before another event in the past is expressed in past perfect tense (had).

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 22?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.

Islands are bodies or pieces of land that are completely ______(21)_____ by water, and are cut off from larger bodies of land that are attached to a continent and are called mainland. Islands have been homes to different cultures throughout our history. Separated from mainland, and relatively isolated, some islands of the oceans still carry the older cultures and _____(22)____ of humans. Islands also preserve animals and plants, in rather _______(23)______ conditions. In fact, it was through his visit to the Galapagos Islands, and through observing the animals there, that Charles Darwin came to _____(24)_____ the theory of evolution of man.

  1. traditions

  2. remains

  3. lifestyle

  4. practitioners
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The most suitable word that would go with culture is traditions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is similar in meaning to ‘flowing’ as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

All life forms need (1) air and water. They are very important for living things. We can feel air all around us, but we cannot see or hold it. That's becoze (2) air is made up of gases. Gases are stuff (3) like steam, but they are so light that you cannot see or touch them. Some gases mixed in air are very important for life. We also find them in water when air mixes (4) with water. That happens whenever air touches water. Living things get these gases by taking in (5) either air or water. They drive out (6) harmful gases and things from their bodies with the air or water they pass out. The air and water flowing (7) in and out of living things keep the clock of life (8) ticking inside them.

  1. pouring

  2. fixed

  3. shaking

  4. frozen
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

‘Pouring’ means ‘to flow’. Therefore, the correct answer is ‘pouring’.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'stuff' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

All life forms need (1) air and water. They are very important for living things. We can feel air all around us, but we cannot see or hold it. That's becoze (2) air is made up of gases. Gases are stuff (3) like steam, but they are so light that you cannot see or touch them. Some gases mixed in air are very important for life. We also find them in water when air mixes (4) with water. That happens whenever air touches water. Living things get these gases by taking in (5) either air or water. They drive out (6) harmful gases and things from their bodies with the air or water they pass out. The air and water flowing (7) in and out of living things keep the clock of life (8) ticking inside them.

  1. somewhat

  2. also

  3. meanwhile

  4. however
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Here the similarity between gases and steam is being depicted. Therefore, somewhat is used which means that gases are a little similar to or like steam.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could replace 'mixes' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and select the most suitable option according to the corresponding number in the passage.

All life forms need (1) air and water. They are very important for living things. We can feel air all around us, but we cannot see or hold it. That's becoze (2) air is made up of gases. Gases are stuff (3) like steam, but they are so light that you cannot see or touch them. Some gases mixed in air are very important for life. We also find them in water when air mixes (4) with water. That happens whenever air touches water. Living things get these gases by taking in (5) either air or water. They drive out (6) harmful gases and things from their bodies with the air or water they pass out. The air and water flowing (7) in and out of living things keep the clock of life (8) ticking inside them.

  1. fixes

  2. covers

  3. combines

  4. reacts
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Combine' is a synonym of mix. Therefore, combines can replace mixes as used in the passage.

Multiple choice

Directions: Fill I, II, III, IV with P, Q, R, S to make a meaningful story.

Once there lived a poor shoemaker with his wife. They were going through a bad time and (I) hungry many a times. Things continued the same way but the couple did not lose hope. One day, the shoemaker was left with leather for only one pair of shoes. So in the evening, he cut out the leather for shoes which he wished to begin making the next morning, thanked God, and (II).In the morning, after having said his prayers, he went to his little shop (III). Can you guess what he saw? The pair of shoes was lying finished on his table. He took the shoes in his hands to observe them closely and found that they were very neatly made. Soon after, a buyer came in, and as the shoes were a masterpiece, he (IV) amount for them.

P. fell asleep Q. had to sleep R. paid a handsome S. to work

  1. QPSR

  2. RSPQ

  3. PQRS

  4. RSQP

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

“They were going through a bad time” suggests (Q). “In the evening“suggests (P). "He went to his little shop" suggests (S). “A buyer came in” suggests (R).