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

In the Panchatantra tale of "The Monkey and the Crocodile", how does the monkey escape from the crocodile's clutches?

  1. He tricks the crocodile into letting him go.

  2. He jumps into the river and swims away.

  3. He bites the crocodile's tail and runs away.

  4. He calls for help from his friends.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The fable demonstrates the power of wit and intelligence, as the monkey uses his cunning to convince the crocodile to let him go, even though the crocodile had initially intended to eat him.

Multiple choice

In the Indian fable "The Lion and the Hare", how does the hare escape from the lion's clutches?

  1. He runs faster than the lion.

  2. He tricks the lion into thinking he is dead.

  3. He leads the lion to a trap.

  4. He calls for help from his friends.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The fable highlights the power of wit and deception, as the hare's clever trick convinces the lion that he is dead, allowing the hare to escape.

Multiple choice

In 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night', Dylan Thomas compares the dying man to what?

  1. A raging storm

  2. A fading star

  3. A setting sun

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

Thomas uses the simile 'rage, rage against the dying of the light' to compare the dying man to a raging storm, emphasizing his fierce determination to fight against death.

Multiple choice

In 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night', Dylan Thomas compares the dying man to what?

  1. A raging storm

  2. A fading star

  3. A setting sun

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

Thomas uses the simile 'rage, rage against the dying of the light' to compare the dying man to a raging storm, emphasizing his fierce determination to fight against death.

Multiple choice

In the poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, what is the ironic contrast between the speaker's plea to his father to fight against death and the inevitability of death?

  1. The speaker's father is old and frail, but he is determined to fight against death.

  2. The speaker's father is a good man, but he is dying of a terminal illness.

  3. The speaker's father is a loving father, but he is about to leave his family behind.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The poem contrasts the speaker's plea to his father to fight against death with the inevitability of death, suggesting the powerlessness of humans in the face of mortality.

Multiple choice

In the poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, what is the ironic contrast between the speaker's plea to his father to fight against death and the inevitability of death?

  1. The speaker's father is old and frail, but he is determined to fight against death.

  2. The speaker's father is a good man, but he is dying of a terminal illness.

  3. The speaker's father is a loving father, but he is about to leave his family behind.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The poem contrasts the speaker's plea to his father to fight against death with the inevitability of death, suggesting the powerlessness of humans in the face of mortality.

Multiple choice

In the poem "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas, what is the ironic contrast between the speaker's plea to his father to fight against death and the inevitability of death?

  1. The speaker's father is old and frail, but he is determined to fight against death.

  2. The speaker's father is a good man, but he is dying of a terminal illness.

  3. The speaker's father is a loving father, but he is about to leave his family behind.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The poem contrasts the speaker's plea to his father to fight against death with the inevitability of death, suggesting the powerlessness of humans in the face of mortality.

Multiple choice

In the tale of "The Magic Pot", what does the pot do when it is opened?

  1. It produces an endless supply of food.

  2. It grants wishes.

  3. It turns everything it touches into gold.

  4. It transports people to different places.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The magic pot produces an endless supply of food, providing sustenance to a poor family and teaching them the value of contentment.

Multiple choice

In the tale of "The Monkey and the Crocodile", how does the monkey escape from the crocodile's clutches?

  1. He uses his intelligence and wit.

  2. He relies on his magical powers.

  3. He is rescued by a friend.

  4. He gives up and accepts his fate.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The monkey uses his intelligence and wit to escape from the crocodile's clutches by tricking the crocodile into thinking he is dead.

Multiple choice

In the tale of "The Fox and the Grapes", what does the fox do when he cannot reach the grapes?

  1. He admits defeat and moves on.

  2. He tries to find a way to reach the grapes.

  3. He criticizes the grapes and says they are sour.

  4. He gives up and accepts his fate.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The fox, unable to reach the grapes, tries to save face by criticizing the grapes and saying they are sour, demonstrating the human tendency to rationalize failure.

Multiple choice

In the tale of "The Golden Goose", what happens to the man who tries to steal the goose?

  1. He is turned into gold.

  2. He is cursed with bad luck.

  3. He is caught and punished.

  4. He is given a magical gift.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The man who tries to steal the golden goose is turned into gold, demonstrating the consequences of greed and dishonesty.

Multiple choice

In the tale of "The Three Little Pigs", what happens to the pig who builds his house out of straw?

  1. His house is blown down by the wolf.

  2. His house is burned down by the wolf.

  3. His house is flooded by the wolf.

  4. His house is destroyed by an earthquake.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The pig who builds his house out of straw has his house blown down by the wolf, demonstrating the importance of hard work and building a solid foundation.

Multiple choice

In "The Velveteen Rabbit", what does the Skin Horse teach the rabbit about becoming real?

  1. It requires being loved and cared for

  2. It involves experiencing pain and suffering

  3. It means having adventures and exploring the world

  4. It is a magical transformation that happens overnight
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Skin Horse explains to the Velveteen Rabbit that becoming real is a gradual process that happens when a toy is loved and cared for over time, developing a unique personality and a sense of self.

Multiple choice

In "The Little Prince", what does the fox teach the prince about the true meaning of friendship?

  1. It is about sharing and caring for each other

  2. It is about being loyal and trustworthy

  3. It is about accepting each other's differences

  4. It is about finding someone who understands you
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
Correct answer
Explanation

The fox teaches the prince that friendship is a reciprocal relationship that requires effort and commitment, where both parties nurture and care for each other's well-being.

Multiple choice

In "The Lorax", what does the Once-ler learn about the consequences of greed and environmental destruction?

  1. He loses his wealth and becomes poor

  2. He is forced to leave his home and community

  3. He realizes the importance of preserving nature

  4. He is punished by the Lorax and the forest creatures
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Once-ler's journey teaches him the devastating impact of greed and environmental destruction, and the importance of respecting and protecting the natural world.