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

Directions: Vicky was playing volleyball in the ground with his friends. One of his friend, Himesh who was standing near the boundary felt something climbing upon his feet. Subsequently he started crying in pain. Vicky being a class IX student identified the climbing creature as leech and helped in removing the leech.

What value does Vicky exhibit?

  1. Helping

  2. Fun loving

  3. Playfuless

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

Vicky identifies the leech and helps remove it from his friend, which demonstrates a helpful and caring nature. The other options describe personality traits that do not align with the act of assisting a friend in pain.

Multiple choice

Directions: Ricky and his mother were walking in the garden near their house. He saw mushrooms growing on decaying leaves. He tried to uproot them for no reason. He was stopped by his mother instantly.

What values does Ricky’s mother exhibit?

  1. Wanderer since she loves to roam in gardens

  2. Dominating since she controls her child

  3. Caring since the mushrooms could be poisonous

  4. Clever since she wanted to pluck them on her own
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The mother stops Ricky from uprooting mushrooms, likely because they could be poisonous or harmful to touch. This action shows a protective and caring attitude toward her child's safety.

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (v).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. banquet

  2. dessert

  3. delicacy

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

Here, delicacy means a choice of food or speciality, i.e. gourmet dish.

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (x).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. mixed

  2. separate

  3. assorted

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

Here, varied is suitable as it means exhibiting variety or showing variation. 

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (viii).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. performs

  2. offers

  3. sells

  4. shows

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

It displays (shows) irritation to the object that enters.

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (ix).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. endures

  2. continues

  3. advances

  4. survives

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

Continues means the process goes on without interrupting. 

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (vi).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. on

  2. of

  3. off

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

'Of' is expressing the relation between the part and whole flesh of the oyster.

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (iv).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. chisel

  2. shape

  3. construct

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

It has a shape like an oval box.

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (ii).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. harvest

  2. produce

  3. crop

  4. outgrow

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

Produce as it means to yield or bring forth.  

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (iii).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. bottom

  2. basement

  3. last

  4. basic

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

We are talking about the lowest point here. It is a collocation at the bottom of the sea.

Basement is the floor of a building which is partly or entirely below ground level and is incorrect.  

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (i).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. administe<font color="#222222">r</font>

  2. conduct

  3. govern

  4. manage

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

Here, manage is most appropriate as it means they succeed in making themselves angry. Manage means to contrive or bring about.

Multiple choice

Fill the blank (vii).

Directions: Some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then, fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given.

Human beings who get irritated by people or situations around them only ____(i) to make themselves angry unlike the oysters which _____(ii) the best kind of gem when they get irritated. Oysters, a kind of shellfish and found mostly at the ______(iii) of the sea, are of many kinds like clams, conchs, mussels, scallops and others. An oyster has a _____(iv) like an oval box with a lid and they keep the lid slightly open. Some are even considered a ______(v) as they are edible. The layer _____(vi) flesh that is the real oyster is called mantle and it really gets irritated if any _____(vii) enters it through the open space. That is how the formation of pearls also takes place. The pearl is a result of the irritation that the mantle ______(viii) to the object, as it makes layers and layers of shell around the intruder or unwanted object. This _____(ix) for years and finally the most beautiful and precious pearl is formed. This awesome gem comes in ______(x) shapes and colours.

  1. gadget

  2. body

  3. object

  4. article

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

Here, only ‘object’ can be used as ‘gadget’ and ‘body’ is out of context, and ‘article’ means some particular item. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following describes the Minister?

  1. He was jealous of the jester.
  2. He was the king's most valuable advisor.
  3. He did not have a good sense of humor.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 3

  3. Both 1 and 3

  4. Both 1 and 2

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

The passage does not state the Minister was jealous or the king's most valuable advisor. It does show the Minister was sycophantic and lacked the jester's ability to see the humanity in the children, implying he lacked a sense of humor or empathy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following was/were the outcome(s) of the soldiers beating the children?

  1. The animals began to howl and wanted to attack the soldiers.
  2. The children's parents went to the king to beg for mercy.
  3. The priest offered prayers to the goddess of the temple.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. Only 1

  2. All 1, 2 and 3

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Only 2

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

The passage explicitly mentions that the parents came running to beg for pardon. It does not mention animals howling or the priest praying as a direct result of the beating.

Multiple choice

Why did the jester laugh at the children’s reply to the king?

  1. They correctly predicted the outcome of the battle.
  2. Their reply was cheeky because they knew he was the king.
  3. He wanted to show that their reply was a joke to save them from being punished by the king.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. Only 1

  2. Both 1 and 2

  3. Only 3

  4. Both 2 and 3

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

The passage does not explicitly state why the jester laughed. It simply says he 'burst into laughter' at the children's innocent and bold claim, which contrasts with the Minister's fear and the King's anger.