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

Why did the father punish his daughter?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.

One day, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.” The man was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found out that the box was empty. He yelled at her, stating, “Don’t you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They’re all for you, Daddy.” The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl and he begged for her forgiveness. Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love from our children, family members, friends and God. There is simply no other possession that anyone could hold which is more precious than this.

  1. It is because she wasted the paper.

  2. It is because she wasted the gold wrapping paper.

  3. It is because she wasted the gold.

  4. It is because she did not obey him.

  5. dummy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is mentioned in the passage that one day the man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper.

Multiple choice

What did one friend do when the other slapped him?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.

Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand, “Today my best friend slapped me in the face”. They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone “Today my best friend saved my life”. The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?” The other friend replied, “When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it”. Do not value the things you have in your life, but value the people you have in your life.

  1. He wrote on a stone that his friend slapped him.

  2. He wrote on the sand that his friend slapped him.

  3. He wrote in his diary that his friend slapped him.

  4. He wrote on a leaf that his friend slapped him.

  5. dummy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage says that the one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand “Today my best friend slapped me in the face”.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Unlike Clint Eastwood, who ruled Hollywood for years being typecast as a strong silent gunslinger, Mel Gibson's characters were marked by garrulousness and swear words.

  1. being typecast as a strong silent gunslinger, Mel Gibson's characters were marked by garrulousness and swear words

  2. being typecast as a strong silent gunslinger, Mel Gibson's characters were garrulous and used swear words

  3. and was typecast as a strong silent gunslinger, Mel Gibson played characters that were garrulous and used swear words

  4. and was typecast as a strong silent gunslinger, Mel Gibson's characters were marked by the use of garrulousness and swear words

  5. who, unlike Mel Gibson's garrulousness and use of swear words, was typecast as a strong silent gunslinger
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. The option removes the Error of Incorrect Comparison by comparing two persons.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Though early humans first experienced the high of alcohol by eating fermenting fruits, but it was the Mesopotamian people who first brewed alcohol deliberately.

  1. fruits, but it was the Mesopotamian people who first brewed alcohol deliberately

  2. fruits, but it had been the Mesopotamian people who first brewed alcohol deliberately

  3. fruits, it was, however, the Mesopotamians who first brewed alcohol deliberately

  4. fruits, it was the Mesopotamians who first brewed alcohol deliberately

  5. fruits; the Mesopotamians were the first people to deliberately brew alcohol
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. The option removes the error of correlative conjunction by removing 'but'.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Ancient Egyptians used many methods to mummify bodies, but the method used to embalm pharaohs and nobles had been the emptying of bodily cavities, and after complete dehydration of the corpse, they were covered in antiseptic balm and entombed.

  1. had been the emptying of bodily cavities, and after complete dehydration of the corpse, they were covered in antiseptic balm and entombed

  2. was the emptying of bodily cavities, and after complete dehydration of the corpse, they were covered in antiseptic balm and entombed

  3. had been to empty the bodily cavities, and after complete dehydration of the corpse, to cover it with antiseptic balm and entomb it

  4. had been to empty the bodily cavities, and after complete dehydration of the corpse, to cover them with antiseptic balm and entomb them

  5. was to empty the bodily cavities, and after complete dehydration of the corpse, to cover it with antiseptic balm and entomb it
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. The option removes the 'ing' form of verb, and the Pronoun Agreement Error by giving a singular pronoun - it for the corpse.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. The difficulties of the Moor family represent a unique kind of affliction that should not have been and that have somehow been especially visited upon them, and they are into this mess precisely because, unlike Stacey Price, the oral expression of George Moore is completely dull and woody.

  1. unlike Stacy Price, the oral expression of George Moore

  2. unlike the diction of Stacy Price, the oral expression of George Moore

  3. unalike the diction of Stacey Price, George Moore's oral expression

  4. the oral expression of George Moore that is dissimilar to Stacy Price's
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): Type of error: Parallel comparison

The given sentence makes an incorrect comparison between 'Stacy Price' and 'the oral expression of George Moore'.

Justification for (2): The given option rectifies the 'Lemons and Bananas' error of comparing two dissimilar things. It clearly compares 'the diction of Stacey Price' to 'the oral expression of George Moore'.
Explanation for (3): The option makes a correct comparison of the oral expression of 'George Moore' and that of 'Stacy Price' but the comparable sentence parts are not structurally similar.
Explanation for (4): The option makes no grammatical sense. Explanation for (5): The option repeats the incorrect comparison between 'Stacy Price' and 'the oral expression of George Moore'.

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

'Trembling Aspen' is a clonal colony of a single male Quaking Aspen located in the U.S. state of Utah, which, at 80,000 years of age shows that with ideal circumstances and lack of competition, Aspens can live almost indefinitely.

  1. Utah, which, at 80,000 years of age shows that with ideal circumstances and lack of competition, Aspens can live almost indefinitely

  2. Utah that at 80,000 years of age shows that with ideal circumstances and lack of competition, Aspens can live almost indefinitely

  3. Utah; and the Aspen, at 80,000 years of age, shows that with ideal circumstances and lack of competition, Aspens can live almost indefinitely

  4. Utah, and the Aspen, at 80,000 years of age show that Aspens, with ideal circumstances and lack of competition, can live almost indefinitely

  5. Utah shows that Aspens can live almost indefinitely under ideal circumstances and lack of competition
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. The option removes Modifier error by inserting 'aspen' before 'at 80,000 years of age'. Also, the option uses correct grammar by separating the two independent clauses with a semi-colon.

Multiple choice

Why did Ramchand not sleep after taking the box of cash from Premchand?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
Ramchand and Premchand were neighbours. Ramchand was a poor farmer. Premchand was a landlord. Ramchand used to be very relaxed and happy. Ramchand never bothered to close the doors and windows of his house at night. He had deep sound sleeps. Although he had no money, he was peaceful. Premchand used to be very tensed always. He could not sleep well. He was always bothered that someone might break open his safe and steal away his money. He envied the peaceful Ramchand. One day, Premchand called Ramchand and gave him a boxful of cash saying, “Look my dear friend. I am blessed with plenty of wealth. I find you in poverty. So, take this cash and live in prosperity.” Ramchand was overwhelmingly happy. He was joyful throughout the day. The night came and Ramchand went to bed as usual. But, he could not sleep. He went and closed the doors and windows. He still could not sleep. He began to stare at the box of cash. The whole night he was disturbed. As soon as day broke, Ramchand took the box of cash to Premchand. He gave the box back to Premchand saying, “Dear Friend, I am poor. But, your money took my peace away from me. Please bear with me and take back your money". Money cannot get everything. Learn to be satisfied with what you have and you will always be happy.

  1. It is because he kept thinking about the cash.

  2. It is because he was counting the cash.

  3. It is because he was very surprised.

  4. It is because he did not want to sleep.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

It is mentioned in the passage, "he began to stare at the box of cash. The whole night he was disturbed."

Multiple choice

Which of the following words in the passage are not synonyms?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
Ramchand and Premchand were neighbours. Ramchand was a poor farmer. Premchand was a landlord. Ramchand used to be very relaxed and happy. Ramchand never bothered to close the doors and windows of his house at night. He had deep sound sleeps. Although he had no money, he was peaceful. Premchand used to be very tensed always. He could not sleep well. He was always bothered that someone might break open his safe and steal away his money. He envied the peaceful Ramchand. One day, Premchand called Ramchand and gave him a boxful of cash saying, “Look my dear friend. I am blessed with plenty of wealth. I find you in poverty. So, take this cash and live in prosperity.” Ramchand was overwhelmingly happy. He was joyful throughout the day. The night came and Ramchand went to bed as usual. But, he could not sleep. He went and closed the doors and windows. He still could not sleep. He began to stare at the box of cash. The whole night he was disturbed. As soon as day broke, Ramchand took the box of cash to Premchand. He gave the box back to Premchand saying, “Dear Friend, I am poor. But, your money took my peace away from me. Please bear with me and take back your money". Money cannot get everything. Learn to be satisfied with what you have and you will always be happy.

  1. Peacful, Relaxed

  2. Blessed, Poverty

  3. Disturbed, Bothered

  4. Happy, Joyful
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Blessed means 'lucky' whereas poverty means 'the state of being extremely poor'

Multiple choice

What did Premchand give Ramchand?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
Ramchand and Premchand were neighbours. Ramchand was a poor farmer. Premchand was a landlord. Ramchand used to be very relaxed and happy. Ramchand never bothered to close the doors and windows of his house at night. He had deep sound sleeps. Although he had no money, he was peaceful. Premchand used to be very tensed always. He could not sleep well. He was always bothered that someone might break open his safe and steal away his money. He envied the peaceful Ramchand. One day, Premchand called Ramchand and gave him a boxful of cash saying, “Look my dear friend. I am blessed with plenty of wealth. I find you in poverty. So, take this cash and live in prosperity.” Ramchand was overwhelmingly happy. He was joyful throughout the day. The night came and Ramchand went to bed as usual. But, he could not sleep. He went and closed the doors and windows. He still could not sleep. He began to stare at the box of cash. The whole night he was disturbed. As soon as day broke, Ramchand took the box of cash to Premchand. He gave the box back to Premchand saying, “Dear Friend, I am poor. But, your money took my peace away from me. Please bear with me and take back your money". Money cannot get everything. Learn to be satisfied with what you have and you will always be happy.

  1. He gave a box full of gold coins to Ramchand.

  2. He gave a box of cash to Ramchand.

  3. He gave some money to Ramchand.

  4. He gave coins to Ramchand.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage says, "One day, Premchand called Ramchand and gave him a boxful of cash."

Multiple choice

Why did Premchand always keep the doors and windows closed?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
Ramchand and Premchand were neighbours. Ramchand was a poor farmer. Premchand was a landlord. Ramchand used to be very relaxed and happy. Ramchand never bothered to close the doors and windows of his house at night. He had deep sound sleeps. Although he had no money, he was peaceful. Premchand used to be very tensed always. He could not sleep well. He was always bothered that someone might break open his safe and steal away his money. He envied the peaceful Ramchand. One day, Premchand called Ramchand and gave him a boxful of cash saying, “Look my dear friend. I am blessed with plenty of wealth. I find you in poverty. So, take this cash and live in prosperity.” Ramchand was overwhelmingly happy. He was joyful throughout the day. The night came and Ramchand went to bed as usual. But, he could not sleep. He went and closed the doors and windows. He still could not sleep. He began to stare at the box of cash. The whole night he was disturbed. As soon as day broke, Ramchand took the box of cash to Premchand. He gave the box back to Premchand saying, “Dear Friend, I am poor. But, your money took my peace away from me. Please bear with me and take back your money". Money cannot get everything. Learn to be satisfied with what you have and you will always be happy.

  1. It is because he feared that his friend might take his wealth.

  2. It is because he always used to do so.

  3. It is because he feared that somebody might steal his wealth.

  4. It is because he was afraid of animals.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is clearly mentioned in the passage, "he was always bothered that someone might break open his safes and steal away his money."

Multiple choice

Why did Ramchand always remain happy?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
Ramchand and Premchand were neighbours. Ramchand was a poor farmer. Premchand was a landlord. Ramchand used to be very relaxed and happy. Ramchand never bothered to close the doors and windows of his house at night. He had deep sound sleeps. Although he had no money, he was peaceful. Premchand used to be very tensed always. He could not sleep well. He was always bothered that someone might break open his safe and steal away his money. He envied the peaceful Ramchand. One day, Premchand called Ramchand and gave him a boxful of cash saying, “Look my dear friend. I am blessed with plenty of wealth. I find you in poverty. So, take this cash and live in prosperity.” Ramchand was overwhelmingly happy. He was joyful throughout the day. The night came and Ramchand went to bed as usual. But, he could not sleep. He went and closed the doors and windows. He still could not sleep. He began to stare at the box of cash. The whole night he was disturbed. As soon as day broke, Ramchand took the box of cash to Premchand. He gave the box back to Premchand saying, “Dear Friend, I am poor. But, your money took my peace away from me. Please bear with me and take back your money". Money cannot get everything. Learn to be satisfied with what you have and you will always be happy.

  1. It is because he was satisfied with what he had.

  2. It is because he had a lot of money.

  3. It is because he had a friend .

  4. It is because he had no problems in his life.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

It is very clear from the passage, "Although he had no money, he was peaceful"

Multiple choice

What does 'instinct' mean in the passage?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
One day, an old man was walking in the garden when he suddenly saw a little cat stuck in a hole. The poor animal was struggling to get out. So, he gave it his hand to get it out. But, the cat scratched his hand with fear. The man pulled out his hand screaming with pain. But, he did not stop; he tried to give a hand to the cat again and again. Another man who was watching the scene, screamed with surprise, “For god's sake! Stop helping this cat! Its not going to get himself out of there”. The other man did not care about what he said and he just continued saving that animal until he finally succeeded. He then walked to that man and said, “Son, it is the cat’s instincts that makes it hit and scratch and it is my job to love and care”. Treat everyone around you with your ethics, not with theirs.

  1. It means to help others in the time of need.

  2. It means tendency.

  3. It means a natural tendency to behave in a particular way that people and animals are born with.

  4. It means to get a cat out of the hole.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Concept based

Multiple choice

What lesson do you learn from the line that says, "The other man did not care about him, he just continued saving that animal until he finally succeeded."

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
One day, an old man was walking in the garden when he suddenly saw a little cat stuck in a hole. The poor animal was struggling to get out. So, he gave it his hand to get it out. But, the cat scratched his hand with fear. The man pulled out his hand screaming with pain. But, he did not stop; he tried to give a hand to the cat again and again. Another man who was watching the scene, screamed with surprise, “For god's sake! Stop helping this cat! Its not going to get himself out of there”. The other man did not care about what he said and he just continued saving that animal until he finally succeeded. He then walked to that man and said, “Son, it is the cat’s instincts that makes it hit and scratch and it is my job to love and care”. Treat everyone around you with your ethics, not with theirs.

  1. We must continue to try to succeed.

  2. We should succeed first and then try.

  3. We should never try.

  4. We should never help an animal.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The old man finally succeeded because he continued to do his job.

Multiple choice

Acccording to the passage, what should be one's human behaviour towards others?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the following question.
One day, an old man was walking in the garden when he suddenly saw a little cat stuck in a hole. The poor animal was struggling to get out. So, he gave it his hand to get it out. But, the cat scratched his hand with fear. The man pulled out his hand screaming with pain. But, he did not stop; he tried to give a hand to the cat again and again. Another man who was watching the scene, screamed with surprise, “For god's sake! Stop helping this cat! Its not going to get himself out of there”. The other man did not care about what he said and he just continued saving that animal until he finally succeeded. He then walked to that man and said, “Son, it is the cat’s instincts that makes it hit and scratch and it is my job to love and care”. Treat everyone around you with your ethics, not with theirs.

  1. To scratch others

  2. To love and care for others

  3. To help others

  4. To tease others
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The old man said to the other man, “Son, it is cat’s instincts that makes it scratch and to hurt, and it is my job to love and care”.