English Language

Reading Comprehension

7,656 Questions
All Explicit Fact Retrieval 2427 Inference and Logical Deduction 1147 Contextual Vocabulary Meaning 845 Main Idea and Title Selection 781 Cause and Effect Extraction 699 Synonym and Antonym Identification 692 Sentence Structure and Discourse Function 336 Author Tone and Perspective 194 Interpretation of Figurative Language 190 Passage Style and Organization 173 Pronoun Referent Identification 49

Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

The correct way to spell ‘aquintaince’ is

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

I was sitting on the other side and as the train was standing still, I still could hear snatches (1) of their conversation when nobody was passing between us. The tradesman began by saying he was going to his estate (2) which was only one station farther on; then, as usual, the conversation turned to price and trade, and they spoke of the state of business in Moscow and then of the Nizhny Novgorod fair. The clerk began to relate how a wealthy merchant, known to both of them, had gone on a spree (3) at the fair. But the old man interrupted (4) him by telling him of the origins he had been at in former times (5) in Kunavin fair. He evidently prided himself on the part he had played in them and recounted (6) with pleasure how he and some aquintainces (7) together  with the merchant they had been speaking of, had once got drunk in Kunavinand and played such a trick that he had to tell of it in a whisper. The clerk’s roar of laughter filled the whole carriage, the old man laughed also, berring (8) two yellow teeth.

  1. aquinteince

  2. aquintense

  3. acquaintance

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

The correct spelling is 'acquaintance' - meaning a person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend. The passage misspells it as 'aquintainces'. 'Acquaintance' follows the pattern 'ac-' + 'quaintance' (from 'quaint' meaning familiar/cultivated). Options A, B, and D are all misspellings.

Multiple choice

Which of the following words is closest in meaning to ‘interrupted’ as used in the passage?

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

I was sitting on the other side and as the train was standing still, I still could hear snatches (1) of their conversation when nobody was passing between us. The tradesman began by saying he was going to his estate (2) which was only one station farther on; then, as usual, the conversation turned to price and trade, and they spoke of the state of business in Moscow and then of the Nizhny Novgorod fair. The clerk began to relate how a wealthy merchant, known to both of them, had gone on a spree (3) at the fair. But the old man interrupted (4) him by telling him of the origins he had been at in former times (5) in Kunavin fair. He evidently prided himself on the part he had played in them and recounted (6) with pleasure how he and some aquintainces (7) together  with the merchant they had been speaking of, had once got drunk in Kunavinand and played such a trick that he had to tell of it in a whisper. The clerk’s roar of laughter filled the whole carriage, the old man laughed also, berring (8) two yellow teeth.

  1. stopped

  2. intruded

  3. disturbed

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

As used in the passage, the word ‘interrupted’ means ‘stopped him from speaking further’.

Multiple choice

Which of the following words is closest in meaning to ‘estate’ as used in the passage?

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

I was sitting on the other side and as the train was standing still, I still could hear snatches (1) of their conversation when nobody was passing between us. The tradesman began by saying he was going to his estate (2) which was only one station farther on; then, as usual, the conversation turned to price and trade, and they spoke of the state of business in Moscow and then of the Nizhny Novgorod fair. The clerk began to relate how a wealthy merchant, known to both of them, had gone on a spree (3) at the fair. But the old man interrupted (4) him by telling him of the origins he had been at in former times (5) in Kunavin fair. He evidently prided himself on the part he had played in them and recounted (6) with pleasure how he and some aquintainces (7) together  with the merchant they had been speaking of, had once got drunk in Kunavinand and played such a trick that he had to tell of it in a whisper. The clerk’s roar of laughter filled the whole carriage, the old man laughed also, berring (8) two yellow teeth.

  1. house

  2. property

  3. family

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

The word ‘estate’ means landed property.

Multiple choice

Which of the following phrases would replace ‘had gone on a spree’ as used in the passage?

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

I was sitting on the other side and as the train was standing still, I still could hear snatches (1) of their conversation when nobody was passing between us. The tradesman began by saying he was going to his estate (2) which was only one station farther on; then, as usual, the conversation turned to price and trade, and they spoke of the state of business in Moscow and then of the Nizhny Novgorod fair. The clerk began to relate how a wealthy merchant, known to both of them, had gone on a spree (3) at the fair. But the old man interrupted (4) him by telling him of the origins he had been at in former times (5) in Kunavin fair. He evidently prided himself on the part he had played in them and recounted (6) with pleasure how he and some aquintainces (7) together  with the merchant they had been speaking of, had once got drunk in Kunavinand and played such a trick that he had to tell of it in a whisper. The clerk’s roar of laughter filled the whole carriage, the old man laughed also, berring (8) two yellow teeth.

  1. went on a picnic

  2. went on a holiday

  3. went on a shopping binge

  4. went on a splurge
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

‘Spree’ means ‘an unrestrained activity’, 'a splurge’.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is closest in meaning to ‘recounted’ as used in the passage?

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

I was sitting on the other side and as the train was standing still, I still could hear snatches (1) of their conversation when nobody was passing between us. The tradesman began by saying he was going to his estate (2) which was only one station farther on; then, as usual, the conversation turned to price and trade, and they spoke of the state of business in Moscow and then of the Nizhny Novgorod fair. The clerk began to relate how a wealthy merchant, known to both of them, had gone on a spree (3) at the fair. But the old man interrupted (4) him by telling him of the origins he had been at in former times (5) in Kunavin fair. He evidently prided himself on the part he had played in them and recounted (6) with pleasure how he and some aquintainces (7) together  with the merchant they had been speaking of, had once got drunk in Kunavinand and played such a trick that he had to tell of it in a whisper. The clerk’s roar of laughter filled the whole carriage, the old man laughed also, berring (8) two yellow teeth.

  1. narrated

  2. checked

  3. tallied again

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

‘Recounted’ means ‘gave an account of’, ‘narrated’, in the context of the given sentence.

Multiple choice

Which of the following phrases would best replace ‘former times’ as used in the passage?

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

I was sitting on the other side and as the train was standing still, I still could hear snatches (1) of their conversation when nobody was passing between us. The tradesman began by saying he was going to his estate (2) which was only one station farther on; then, as usual, the conversation turned to price and trade, and they spoke of the state of business in Moscow and then of the Nizhny Novgorod fair. The clerk began to relate how a wealthy merchant, known to both of them, had gone on a spree (3) at the fair. But the old man interrupted (4) him by telling him of the origins he had been at in former times (5) in Kunavin fair. He evidently prided himself on the part he had played in them and recounted (6) with pleasure how he and some aquintainces (7) together  with the merchant they had been speaking of, had once got drunk in Kunavinand and played such a trick that he had to tell of it in a whisper. The clerk’s roar of laughter filled the whole carriage, the old man laughed also, berring (8) two yellow teeth.

  1. first times

  2. earlier times

  3. earliest times

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

‘Former times’ means ‘earlier times’. ‘Former’ is of comparative degree hence, ‘earlier times’ is the best choice. Though all other options also mean the same, they are not in comparative degree.

Multiple choice

The correct way to spell ‘berring’ is

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

I was sitting on the other side and as the train was standing still, I still could hear snatches (1) of their conversation when nobody was passing between us. The tradesman began by saying he was going to his estate (2) which was only one station farther on; then, as usual, the conversation turned to price and trade, and they spoke of the state of business in Moscow and then of the Nizhny Novgorod fair. The clerk began to relate how a wealthy merchant, known to both of them, had gone on a spree (3) at the fair. But the old man interrupted (4) him by telling him of the origins he had been at in former times (5) in Kunavin fair. He evidently prided himself on the part he had played in them and recounted (6) with pleasure how he and some aquintainces (7) together  with the merchant they had been speaking of, had once got drunk in Kunavinand and played such a trick that he had to tell of it in a whisper. The clerk’s roar of laughter filled the whole carriage, the old man laughed also, berring (8) two yellow teeth.

  1. barring

  2. bearing

  3. barred

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

The correct spelling is 'baring' - meaning to reveal or show (as in 'baring his teeth'). The context describes an old man revealing/showing two yellow teeth while laughing. 'Barring' means excluding/preventing, 'bearing' means carrying, and 'barred' means blocked or prohibited.

Multiple choice
Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.
Many of you have long experienced in your manufacturing operations the advantages of substantial, well-contrived, and well-executed machinery.
Experience has also shown you the difference of the results between mechanism which is neat, clean, well arranged, and always in a high state of repair; and that which is allowed to be dirty, in disorder, and without the means of preventing unnecessary friction, and which therefore becomes, and works, much out of repair.
In the first case the whole economy and management are good, every operation proceeds with ease, order, and success.
In the last, the reverse must follow, and dissatisfaction among all the agents and instrument interested or occupied in the general process, which cannot fail to create great loss.
If, then, due care as to the state of your inanimate machines can produce such beneficial results, what may not be expected if you devote equal attention to your vital machines, which are far more wonderfully constructed?
When you shall acquire a right knowledge of these, of their curious mechanism, of their self-adjusting powers; when the proper main spring shall be applied to their various movements — you will become conscious of their real value, and you will readily be induced to turn your thoughts more frequently from your inanimate to your living machines; and you will discover that the latter may be easily trained and directed to procure a large increase of pecuniary gain, while you may also derive from them a high and substantial satisfaction. What, according to you, would be the appropriate title of the passage?

  1. A new view of organization.

  2. New trends to be healthy.

  3. An insight into effective mechanisms.

  4. A new view of society.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In light of above explanation, (4) would be the appropriate title and hence the answer.

Multiple choice
Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.
Many of you have long experienced in your manufacturing operations the advantages of substantial, well-contrived, and well-executed machinery.
Experience has also shown you the difference of the results between mechanism which is neat, clean, well arranged, and always in a high state of repair; and that which is allowed to be dirty, in disorder, and without the means of preventing unnecessary friction, and which therefore becomes, and works, much out of repair.
In the first case the whole economy and management are good, every operation proceeds with ease, order, and success.
In the last, the reverse must follow, and dissatisfaction among all the agents and instrument interested or occupied in the general process, which cannot fail to create great loss.
If, then, due care as to the state of your inanimate machines can produce such beneficial results, what may not be expected if you devote equal attention to your vital machines, which are far more wonderfully constructed?
When you shall acquire a right knowledge of these, of their curious mechanism, of their self-adjusting powers; when the proper main spring shall be applied to their various movements — you will become conscious of their real value, and you will readily be induced to turn your thoughts more frequently from your inanimate to your living machines; and you will discover that the latter may be easily trained and directed to procure a large increase of pecuniary gain, while you may also derive from them a high and substantial satisfaction.
What is the theme of the passage?

  1. Co-ordination among different organs in our body and hygienic diet is the secret of a healthy being.

  2. Good and effective management is substantial for successful operating mechanisms within an organisation.

  3. Harmonization and order among individuals of the society would create a better society.

  4. Well - contrived and well excepted machinery results in ordered and satisfied mechanism whereas unnecessary friction in machinery causes disorder among all the agents in the mechanism.

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

The concept of machinery and manufacturing operations in first four paragraphs are cited as an example to explain the main idea of the passage. In this passage, the author draws a similarity between inanimate machines and living machines (clue is provided by fifth paragraph). In this light, options (2) and (4) are ruled out.
By living machines, the author means individuals or human beings that are a past of the society (fifth paragraph). 'The latter may be easily trained' in fifth paragraph provides the clue that the author emphasizes on the individuals as they can be trained but different organs in our body cannot be easily trained. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following could be deleted without damaging the flow of the paragraph?

Directions for questions:
The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) A lion becomes a man eater by force of circumstances, by chance. (2) He does not naturally eat human beings any more than he does dogs and hyenas. (3) It is, so to say, an acquired taste. (4) He has a natural fear of and he dislikes human odor, which no doubt fills him with disgust. (5) But once he has overcome it and finds how easy it is to kill this feared object, he takes to man eating like a duck to water. (6) An old lion having once made the discovery is able to sustain existence and flourish in a way he could by no other means accomplish. (7) Lions of all ages which have got into trouble with porcupines are exceptionally dangerous. (8) The broken ends of the needle like quills work into the pads and other parts of the body, causing festering sores, pulling the animal over in condition and rendering him helpless for catching his natural and wary prey. (9) The same conditions result from a reverse fight with one of his or her own kind or from a hunting accident, when some horned victim has managed to inflict a crippling stab. (10) The lion or lioness so injured, wanders about, picking up the remains of what others leave. (11) One day, hanging about a village the starving beast encounters a child or woman, who perhaps runs away. (12) Thus encouraged, it makes a rush, which though it would be hopeless against an able bodied animal is sufficient to secure this kind of victim. (13) That is the beginning.

  1. Sentence 3

  2. Sentence 4

  3. Sentence 5

  4. Sentence 6

  5. Sentence 8
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

If we remove sentence 3, flow of the paragraph will not be affected (2 and 4 link up easily). But if we remove any of the other sentences, the flow is distributed.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sentences would be the most appropriate to succeed sentence 10 and conclude the essay?

Directions for questions:
The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) A lion becomes a man eater by force of circumstances, by chance. (2) He does not naturally eat human beings any more than he does dogs and hyenas. (3) It is, so to say, an acquired taste. (4) He has a natural fear of and he dislikes human odor, which no doubt fills him with disgust. (5) But once he has overcome it and finds how easy it is to kill this feared object, he takes to man eating like a duck to water. (6) An old lion having once made the discovery is able to sustain existence and flourish in a way he could by no other means accomplish. (7) Lions of all ages which have got into trouble with porcupines are exceptionally dangerous. (8) The broken ends of the needle like quills work into the pads and other parts of the body, causing festering sores, pulling the animal over in condition and rendering him helpless for catching his natural and wary prey. (9) The same conditions result from a reverse fight with one of his or her own kind or from a hunting accident, when some horned victim has managed to inflict a crippling stab. (10) The lion or lioness so injured, wanders about, picking up the remains of what others leave. (11) One day, hanging about a village the starving beast encounters a child or woman, who perhaps runs away. (12) Thus encouraged, it makes a rush, which though it would be hopeless against an able bodied animal is sufficient to secure this kind of victim. (13) That is the beginning.

  1. Literally now the lion has blood on its paws.

  2. Next time if hunger overcomes the animal again, it will repeat the same and specializes in human quarry until it is killed.

  3. And it won't have any end.

  4. And thus the lion becomes the man eater, actively sought out to be eliminated by the very victims it sought to target.

  5. The same thing now becomes repetitive and happens again and again.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(2) provides a logical ending to the essay. (4) becomes less suitable because the very victims (easy prey in the form of women and children) will not target it.

Multiple choice

What best replaces the word “it” in part of sentence 12 reproduced below? It makes a rush.

Directions for questions:
The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) A lion becomes a man eater by force of circumstances, by chance. (2) He does not naturally eat human beings any more than he does dogs and hyenas. (3) It is, so to say, an acquired taste. (4) He has a natural fear of and he dislikes human odor, which no doubt fills him with disgust. (5) But once he has overcome it and finds how easy it is to kill this feared object, he takes to man eating like a duck to water. (6) An old lion having once made the discovery is able to sustain existence and flourish in a way he could by no other means accomplish. (7) Lions of all ages which have got into trouble with porcupines are exceptionally dangerous. (8) The broken ends of the needle like quills work into the pads and other parts of the body, causing festering sores, pulling the animal over in condition and rendering him helpless for catching his natural and wary prey. (9) The same conditions result from a reverse fight with one of his or her own kind or from a hunting accident, when some horned victim has managed to inflict a crippling stab. (10) The lion or lioness so injured, wanders about, picking up the remains of what others leave. (11) One day, hanging about a village the starving beast encounters a child or woman, who perhaps runs away. (12) Thus encouraged, it makes a rush, which though it would be hopeless against an able bodied animal is sufficient to secure this kind of victim. (13) That is the beginning.

  1. The human

  2. The woman

  3. The child

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

It is the lion that gets encouraged (because of the easy prey) and makes a rush. Yet the use of 'it' for the lion (or lioness) is inappropriate here because pronoun “he' has been consistently used for the lion in the essay. It would be better to use 'the beast' here because both the lion and the lioness are involved.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence 8 (reproduced below)? The broken ends of the needle like quills work into the pads and other parts of the body, causing festering sores, pulling the animal over in condition and rendering him helpless for catching his natural and wary prey.

Directions for questions:
The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) A lion becomes a man eater by force of circumstances, by chance. (2) He does not naturally eat human beings any more than he does dogs and hyenas. (3) It is, so to say, an acquired taste. (4) He has a natural fear of and he dislikes human odor, which no doubt fills him with disgust. (5) But once he has overcome it and finds how easy it is to kill this feared object, he takes to man eating like a duck to water. (6) An old lion having once made the discovery is able to sustain existence and flourish in a way he could by no other means accomplish. (7) Lions of all ages which have got into trouble with porcupines are exceptionally dangerous. (8) The broken ends of the needle like quills work into the pads and other parts of the body, causing festering sores, pulling the animal over in condition and rendering him helpless for catching his natural and wary prey. (9) The same conditions result from a reverse fight with one of his or her own kind or from a hunting accident, when some horned victim has managed to inflict a crippling stab. (10) The lion or lioness so injured, wanders about, picking up the remains of what others leave. (11) One day, hanging about a village the starving beast encounters a child or woman, who perhaps runs away. (12) Thus encouraged, it makes a rush, which though it would be hopeless against an able bodied animal is sufficient to secure this kind of victim. (13) That is the beginning.

  1. pulling the animal down in condition and rendering him helpless for catching

  2. pulling the animal over in condition and rendering him helpless to catching

  3. pulling the animal over in condition and rendering him helpless in catching

  4. pulling the animal down in condition and rendering him helpless in catching

  5. (Leave it as it is)

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

The festering sores 'pull down' (not over) the beast. Also he is 'helpless in catching' (not helpless for'.

Multiple choice

Which of the following best improves sentence 10?

Direction:
The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) The great advantage of early rising is the head start it gives us in our day’s work. (2) The early riser has done a large amount of hard work before other men even get out of bed.  (3) In the early morning, the mind is fresh, and there are few sounds or other distractions, so work done at that time is generally well done. (4) In many cases the early riser also finds time to take some exercise in the fresh morning air, and this exercise supplies him with a fund of energy that will last until the evening. (5) By beginning so early, he knows that he has plenty of time to thoroughly do all the work he can be expected to do and is not tempted to hurry over any part of it. (6) All his work being finished in good time, he has a long interval of rest in the evening before the timely hour when he goes to bed. (7) After a sound night’s rest he rises early next morning in good health and spirits for the labors of a new day. (8) He gets to sleep several hours before midnight at the time when sleep is most refreshing.

(9) It is very plain that such a life as his is far more conducive to health than that of the man who shortens his waking hours by rising late. (10) Who lies in bed late, if he wishes to do a full day’s work, goes on working to a corresponding late hour and denies himself the hour or two of evening exercise that he ought to take for the benefit of his health.

  1. Insert pronoun 'he' before goes.

  2. Change 'bed' to 'bad'.

  3. No change required.

  4. Add 'one' at the beginning of the sentence.

  5. Insert 'the person' before the relative pronoun 'who'.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

'Who lies in bed late' does not make the principal clause.

Multiple choice

Which of the following, if placed after sentence 10, would be the most effective concluding sentence for the essay?

Direction:
The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) The great advantage of early rising is the head start it gives us in our day’s work. (2) The early riser has done a large amount of hard work before other men even get out of bed.  (3) In the early morning, the mind is fresh, and there are few sounds or other distractions, so work done at that time is generally well done. (4) In many cases the early riser also finds time to take some exercise in the fresh morning air, and this exercise supplies him with a fund of energy that will last until the evening. (5) By beginning so early, he knows that he has plenty of time to thoroughly do all the work he can be expected to do and is not tempted to hurry over any part of it. (6) All his work being finished in good time, he has a long interval of rest in the evening before the timely hour when he goes to bed. (7) After a sound night’s rest he rises early next morning in good health and spirits for the labors of a new day. (8) He gets to sleep several hours before midnight at the time when sleep is most refreshing.

(9) It is very plain that such a life as his is far more conducive to health than that of the man who shortens his waking hours by rising late. (10) Who lies in bed late, if he wishes to do a full day’s work, goes on working to a corresponding late hour and denies himself the hour or two of evening exercise that he ought to take for the benefit of his health.

  1. Thus he misses out on the exercise both in the morning and the evening.

  2. After finishing the work nicely he goes to sleep in the night when sleep is needed most.

  3. But in spite of all his efforts, he will probably not produce as good results as the early riser.

  4. He always has to rush the work.

  5. Very late in the night is he ready for sleep.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence has to be about a person who wakes up late in the morning. Such a person has to keep awake late into the night to finish his work, but the quality of work may still suffer.