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.

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English Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

We appear ____ to dolphins when we know more about them and keep killing them.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Dolphins

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Certainly, the most common argument in the favour of man’s superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

  1. inferior

  2. stupid

  3. crazy

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

It is the 4th last line of the passage.

Multiple choice

There have been stories of dolphins saving human lives since

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Dolphins

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Certainly, the most common argument in the favour of man’s superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

  1. Stone age

  2. Roman times

  3. World War I

  4. World War II
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is given that 'stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times'.

Multiple choice

According to some scientists, dolphins have a/an

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Dolphins

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Certainly, the most common argument in the favour of man’s superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

  1. language

  2. extra fin

  3. extra gill

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

It is given in the passage that 'some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language'.

Multiple choice

Dolphins take care of the other dolphins when they are

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Dolphins

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Certainly, the most common argument in the favour of man’s superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

  1. hurt

  2. ill

  3. dead

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

It is given: 'they look after other dolphins when they are ill'.

Multiple choice

Dolphins save the ____ in the community from harm.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Dolphins

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Certainly, the most common argument in the favour of man’s superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

  1. weakest

  2. strongest

  3. young ones

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

It is given that they “protect the weakest in the community”.

Multiple choice

According to the stories of Roman times, dolphins help

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Dolphins

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Certainly, the most common argument in the favour of man’s superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

  1. fish

  2. sailors

  3. sharks

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

It is given in the 2nd line of the passage.

Multiple choice

Which are the two most popular addictive drugs in the world?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Hemp is a strong, cane–like plant known throughout the world for its durability and versatility. In the US, however, the hemp industry and supporters struggle. The US government worries that citizens might figure out a way to turn durable hemp into illegal marijuana.
As a result the US government discourages the production and use of hemp and its products in America. Instead, it approves the destruction of million of tress annually to produce newspapers and hundreds of other paper products which get thrown away every day. All those paper products can be made from hemp.
Hemp was discovered in Asia thousands of years ago. It is cultivated worldwide. Hemp can grow quickly to heights of 15 feet or more in many different climates and soils. It needs little care or protection to achieve its full growth.
Hemp matures in one growing season. It’s used in many products, from paper to beauty products to clothing. Like bamboo, it is used in the construction industry. Hemp is even good for you. Its seeds produce a nutritious flour or oil.
Supporters of hemp production and products struggle to overcome the US government belief that the use of hemp might lead to the use of marijuana. Marijuana, says the US government, is the gateway drug to more dangerous drugs like cocaine.
Meanwhile, the US government does little to prevent the thousands of deaths, injuries and illnesses caused annually by tobacco and alcohol – two of the most addictive, dangerous, popular (and profitable) – drugs in the world.

  1. Alcohol and tobacco

  2. Cocaine and tobacco

  3. Tobacco and opium

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

'Alcohol and tobacco' are the two most popular addictive drugs in the world.

Multiple choice

Where was the hemp plant discovered?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Hemp is a strong, cane–like plant known throughout the world for its durability and versatility. In the US, however, the hemp industry and supporters struggle. The US government worries that citizens might figure out a way to turn durable hemp into illegal marijuana.
As a result the US government discourages the production and use of hemp and its products in America. Instead, it approves the destruction of million of tress annually to produce newspapers and hundreds of other paper products which get thrown away every day. All those paper products can be made from hemp.
Hemp was discovered in Asia thousands of years ago. It is cultivated worldwide. Hemp can grow quickly to heights of 15 feet or more in many different climates and soils. It needs little care or protection to achieve its full growth.
Hemp matures in one growing season. It’s used in many products, from paper to beauty products to clothing. Like bamboo, it is used in the construction industry. Hemp is even good for you. Its seeds produce a nutritious flour or oil.
Supporters of hemp production and products struggle to overcome the US government belief that the use of hemp might lead to the use of marijuana. Marijuana, says the US government, is the gateway drug to more dangerous drugs like cocaine.
Meanwhile, the US government does little to prevent the thousands of deaths, injuries and illnesses caused annually by tobacco and alcohol – two of the most addictive, dangerous, popular (and profitable) – drugs in the world.

  1. India

  2. Russia

  3. Asia

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'It was discovered in Asia thousands of years ago'.

Multiple choice

As countries ________ the damage caused by the earthquake and the tidal waves that followed, one ________ is developing across South East Asia - the economic damage caused by the catastrophe is nowhere close to the terrible human losses.

  1. tell off, constrain

  2. slack off, citation

  3. tot up, refrain

  4. wind down, exemplar

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The clause - “the economic damage … human losses” - provides the clue for both the blanks. The catastrophe has badly affected the economy of South East Asia, in addition to the terrible human losses. Therefore, (for the first blank) while the countries are adding up the damage caused by tsunami, (second blank), one strain of the intense economic damage than that of human lives is developing in that region. Of all the options for first blank, (1), (2) and (3) seem to fit our prediction. “Refrain” (strain, theme) in (3) is the only option that fits our prediction for second blank. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blanks.

The olive–trees, according to Athenian fables, were reared from layers ________ the sacred olive in the Erechtheum and ________ the oil given as a prize to victors at the Panathenean festival.

  1. in, distilled

  2. beyond, infused

  3. surrounding, decocted

  4. waylay, extracted

  5. taken from, afforded

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

‘Erechtheum’ is a temple on the Acropolis in Athens, built 5th cent. B.C; thereby distinguishing the ‘olive–trees’ in beginning of the sentence and ‘sacred olives’ after the blank. This implies that the olive–trees that were reared at some other place were taken from the sacred olive trees in Erechtheum temple in Athens. Thus, ‘taken from’ in (5) gives sense to the first blank.

Multiple choice

Directions: The sentences given in question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labeled with a number. Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the four given choices to construct a coherent paragraph.

  1. It also gives rise to a feeding of animosity among the different sections of society.
  2. In a democratic system, frequent use of power is never desirable, it on the part of government or the people.
  3. Therefore, citizens should never resort to violent ways and means in democracy, though they have the right to oppose the government.
  4. It destroys the stability and security in public life.

  1. 4213

  2. 2413

  3. 2431

  4. 4132
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sequence introduces the concept (2: frequent use of power never desirable in democracy), describes one negative consequence (4: destroys stability and security), adds another consequence (1: gives rise to animosity), and concludes with the logical solution (3: citizens should never resort to violence). This moves from principle to consequences to conclusion.

Multiple choice

Directions: What does the expression say about the person?

Marriage is an institution - and who wants to live in an institution.

  1. ascetic

  2. misanthrope

  3. misogynist

  4. misogamist
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A misogynamist is someone who hates or opposes marriage. The quote 'Marriage is an institution - and who wants to live in an institution' is a humorous expression criticizing marriage, indicating an aversion to the institution of marriage itself.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows:

A 17-years-old girl, forced by the courts to undergo chemotherapy for her cancer, has finished that treatment and was released on Monday from the hospital where she was confined since December. The teen identified as Cassandra C. and her mother initially refused the chemo as they wanted to explore more natural alternative treatments. While Cassandra tried to run away from medication, it was clear that she was not mature enough to make decisions herself and moreover she was not 18-years-old yet. Cassandra said her mother surprised her Monday by bringing her best friend along for the trip to pick her up and take her home.

The word ‘confined’, as used above, means

  1. in jail

  2. bedridden

  3. enslaved

  4. sealed up

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Bedridden' means 'confined to bed' which is correct according to the context of the passage.

Multiple choice

Why was Dharmendra Singh unemployed?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

An MA in Hindi literature, 8 feet 1 inch high, Dharmendra Singh (35), who claims to be the tallest man in the country acts like an entertainment for the visitors of Nauchandi mela. A Rs. 10 ticket is all it takes to see Singh who looks down upon everyone (literally!) and poses with them to earn his living.
"The government never came forward to help me. I did my masters, but I was unable to get a job because of my height, there is no other way I can earn, but to become a part of freak shows," said Singh, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh. 
The tallest man living in the world is Sultan Kosen from Turkey who measured 8 feet 3 inches on February 8, 2011 and holds a record in the Guinness World Records. When asked if his height had something to do with the genes, Singh exclaims, "It was all a miracle!"

  1. He was a miraculous man.

  2. He was uneducated.

  3. He was very tall.

  4. He looked down on everyone.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

“I was unable to get a job because of my height” suggests the answer.

Multiple choice

The opposite of ‘authority’ is

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

Numbers of Gir lions are rising or are the lions overflowing the borders of Gir? These are the two vital questions wildlife experts hope to answer in a lion census that got underway this weekend.
A wave of man-animal conflicts in recent years points in that direction, which is good news for the Asiatic lions but calls for better management by wildlife authorities.
But for now, the challenge before the experts is to establish it. To this end, they are depending on state-of the-art equipment."We want this to be a perfect exercise hence the technology - GIS, GPS, camera traps, digital cameras, zeroing in on their groupings, their sizes, structure, composition, with the use of technology," said Dr Sandeep Kumar, DCF, Wildlife, Gir sanctuary.
Enumerators will carry out what they call a total block counting method, which is based on direct sighting. Indirect evidence, such as pugmarks, will not be considered.

  1. force

  2. powerlessness

  3. charge

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

'Authority' means 'power or ability'

'Powerlessness' means 'lacking power or strength'.