Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

How does light regular exercise keeps one fit?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Most people don’t mind working out a bit, but are discouraged by the thought of exercising hard. The idea of sweating buckets is so daunting that they avoid exercising. 

Fortunately, exercise is not a matter of all or nothing. There is some reward at every level of effort, provided it is regular. Spend at least 30 minutes a day in action like brisk walking to errands (not between rooms!) climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping or children, doing outdoor gardening. Your rewards will not be immediate, but you can expect a reduced risk of problems like brittle bones, heart disease and poor blood circulation. You work up a decent appetite and sleep well, but improvement in body-shape will be minimal. 

Light regular exercise, three times a week, makes your heart run faster for at least 20 minutes. Such aerobic activity can include anything from brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, any light sport or even disco dancing. The reward is immunity to colds and flu, less stress, slightly healthier levels of cholesterol and
blood pressure. The figure trims down a little but only gradually.

Not being afraid of working up a sweat, put in some aerobic activity, longer than the minimum 20 minutes. Anything up to an hour, 3 to 5 times a week. In addition, do floor exercises, like push-ups or yoga and some light-weight work to exercise different parts of the body. Your rewards are substantial you have high resistance to chronic diseases, infections and your heart performs strongly. You look fit and clothes hang well on you. You feel youthful, do not get breathless easily, and have good muscle strength. You have the stamina to participate in adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering. You perform better in regular sports. At work, your mind is clear and optimistic.
  1. Immunity to cold and flu

  2. Less stress and healthy level of cholesterol

  3. Only keeps blood pressure stable

  4. 1 and 2

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

The passage states that light regular exercise (3 times per week, 20 minutes) provides rewards including 'immunity to colds and flu, less stress, slightly healthier levels of cholesterol and blood pressure.' Option A covers immunity to colds and flu, Option B covers less stress and healthy cholesterol - combining these gives the complete picture of benefits mentioned.

Multiple choice

Select the most suitable title for this passage from the given options.

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Most people don’t mind working out a bit, but are discouraged by the thought of exercising hard. The idea of sweating buckets is so daunting that they avoid exercising. 

Fortunately, exercise is not a matter of all or nothing. There is some reward at every level of effort, provided it is regular. Spend at least 30 minutes a day in action like brisk walking to errands (not between rooms!) climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping or children, doing outdoor gardening. Your rewards will not be immediate, but you can expect a reduced risk of problems like brittle bones, heart disease and poor blood circulation. You work up a decent appetite and sleep well, but improvement in body-shape will be minimal. 

Light regular exercise, three times a week, makes your heart run faster for at least 20 minutes. Such aerobic activity can include anything from brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, any light sport or even disco dancing. The reward is immunity to colds and flu, less stress, slightly healthier levels of cholesterol and
blood pressure. The figure trims down a little but only gradually.

Not being afraid of working up a sweat, put in some aerobic activity, longer than the minimum 20 minutes. Anything up to an hour, 3 to 5 times a week. In addition, do floor exercises, like push-ups or yoga and some light-weight work to exercise different parts of the body. Your rewards are substantial you have high resistance to chronic diseases, infections and your heart performs strongly. You look fit and clothes hang well on you. You feel youthful, do not get breathless easily, and have good muscle strength. You have the stamina to participate in adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering. You perform better in regular sports. At work, your mind is clear and optimistic.
  1. The benefits of exercise

  2. We should work-out daily

  3. The positive rewards of exercises

  4. Exercise: An Essence

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

 Since the focus is on exercise and its benefits, the "The Benefits of Exercise" is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

What are the aerobic activities that the author talks about?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Most people don’t mind working out a bit, but are discouraged by the thought of exercising hard. The idea of sweating buckets is so daunting that they avoid exercising. 

Fortunately, exercise is not a matter of all or nothing. There is some reward at every level of effort, provided it is regular. Spend at least 30 minutes a day in action like brisk walking to errands (not between rooms!) climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping or children, doing outdoor gardening. Your rewards will not be immediate, but you can expect a reduced risk of problems like brittle bones, heart disease and poor blood circulation. You work up a decent appetite and sleep well, but improvement in body-shape will be minimal. 

Light regular exercise, three times a week, makes your heart run faster for at least 20 minutes. Such aerobic activity can include anything from brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, any light sport or even disco dancing. The reward is immunity to colds and flu, less stress, slightly healthier levels of cholesterol and
blood pressure. The figure trims down a little but only gradually.

Not being afraid of working up a sweat, put in some aerobic activity, longer than the minimum 20 minutes. Anything up to an hour, 3 to 5 times a week. In addition, do floor exercises, like push-ups or yoga and some light-weight work to exercise different parts of the body. Your rewards are substantial you have high resistance to chronic diseases, infections and your heart performs strongly. You look fit and clothes hang well on you. You feel youthful, do not get breathless easily, and have good muscle strength. You have the stamina to participate in adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering. You perform better in regular sports. At work, your mind is clear and optimistic.
  1. Jogging and cycling

  2. Sleeping

  3. Swimming and dancing

  4. 1 and 3

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

The passage lists aerobic activities as 'anything from brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, any light sport or even disco dancing.' Option A (jogging, cycling) and Option C (swimming, dancing) both contain activities from this list, so combining them (Option D) correctly captures multiple aerobic activities mentioned.

Multiple choice

How does one feel after gaining good muscle strength?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Most people don’t mind working out a bit, but are discouraged by the thought of exercising hard. The idea of sweating buckets is so daunting that they avoid exercising. 

Fortunately, exercise is not a matter of all or nothing. There is some reward at every level of effort, provided it is regular. Spend at least 30 minutes a day in action like brisk walking to errands (not between rooms!) climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping or children, doing outdoor gardening. Your rewards will not be immediate, but you can expect a reduced risk of problems like brittle bones, heart disease and poor blood circulation. You work up a decent appetite and sleep well, but improvement in body-shape will be minimal. 

Light regular exercise, three times a week, makes your heart run faster for at least 20 minutes. Such aerobic activity can include anything from brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, any light sport or even disco dancing. The reward is immunity to colds and flu, less stress, slightly healthier levels of cholesterol and
blood pressure. The figure trims down a little but only gradually.

Not being afraid of working up a sweat, put in some aerobic activity, longer than the minimum 20 minutes. Anything up to an hour, 3 to 5 times a week. In addition, do floor exercises, like push-ups or yoga and some light-weight work to exercise different parts of the body. Your rewards are substantial you have high resistance to chronic diseases, infections and your heart performs strongly. You look fit and clothes hang well on you. You feel youthful, do not get breathless easily, and have good muscle strength. You have the stamina to participate in adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering. You perform better in regular sports. At work, your mind is clear and optimistic.
  1. Bloated

  2. Youthful

  3. Breathless

  4. Panting

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

The passage states that with good muscle strength and regular exercise, 'You feel youthful, do not get breathless easily, and have good muscle strength.' Feeling youthful is presented as a positive outcome of being fit and strong, in contrast to negative feelings like being breathless.

Multiple choice

Why do children play?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Playing is as natural for children as breathing. All children love to play. They play because they are so full of animal spirits and so overcharged with muscular energy that they must expend it by playing. Running, jumping and other physical activities build their muscles and tone their motor development. It is all-instinctive.
Moreover, playing involves imagination, imitation and ‘make-believe’ and thus contributes to the development of the child’s mind also. In playing a child makes friends, develops the qualities of leadership and learns to function in a group. This develops his social responsibility. Moreover playing is a preparation for the business of life. For example, when girls play with dolls they practice being mothers and when boys play policeman game, they prepare themselves for active and outdoor life. Thus playing is a rehearsal of those activities which will be useful to them in life.

Psychologists believe that playing also acts as a therapy for the child; it helps him/her to release all his/her pent-up feelings. It gives him/her much-needed cathartic release. Children play to make up for defeats, sufferings and everyday frustration. He may have been scolded by a teacher or bullied by a class mate.

It is, therefore, necessary that parents should let the children play when it is time to play. Some parents force their children to study as it is thought to be far more useful for life than play. It is a mistake on their part to think play as a wastage of time. Through the experience of play a child enriches his life and becomes not only physically strong but also emotionally.
  1. They are full of animal like spirit.

  2. They are overcharged with muscular energy.

  3. They want to expend their muscular energy by playing.

  4. All the above

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

The passage explains that children play because 'they are so full of animal spirits and so overcharged with muscular energy that they must expend it by playing.' All three options (A, B, C) reflect aspects of this explanation - the natural energy/spirit, the excess muscular energy, and the need to expend it through play.

Multiple choice

On which exercises does the author asks to spend at least 30 minutes daily?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Most people don’t mind working out a bit, but are discouraged by the thought of exercising hard. The idea of sweating buckets is so daunting that they avoid exercising. 

Fortunately, exercise is not a matter of all or nothing. There is some reward at every level of effort, provided it is regular. Spend at least 30 minutes a day in action like brisk walking to errands (not between rooms!) climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping or children, doing outdoor gardening. Your rewards will not be immediate, but you can expect a reduced risk of problems like brittle bones, heart disease and poor blood circulation. You work up a decent appetite and sleep well, but improvement in body-shape will be minimal. 

Light regular exercise, three times a week, makes your heart run faster for at least 20 minutes. Such aerobic activity can include anything from brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, any light sport or even disco dancing. The reward is immunity to colds and flu, less stress, slightly healthier levels of cholesterol and
blood pressure. The figure trims down a little but only gradually.

Not being afraid of working up a sweat, put in some aerobic activity, longer than the minimum 20 minutes. Anything up to an hour, 3 to 5 times a week. In addition, do floor exercises, like push-ups or yoga and some light-weight work to exercise different parts of the body. Your rewards are substantial you have high resistance to chronic diseases, infections and your heart performs strongly. You look fit and clothes hang well on you. You feel youthful, do not get breathless easily, and have good muscle strength. You have the stamina to participate in adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering. You perform better in regular sports. At work, your mind is clear and optimistic.
  1. Brisk walk

  2. Run errands

  3. Doing outdoor gardening

  4. All of the above

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

The author recommends 'Spend at least 30 minutes a day in action like brisk walking to errands (not between rooms!) climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping or children, doing outdoor gardening.' All options (A, B, C) are explicitly listed as examples of activities to spend 30 minutes on daily.

Multiple choice

Where does the word “apprehensive” fit best in the passage?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Most people don’t mind working out a bit, but are discouraged by the thought of exercising hard. The idea of sweating buckets is so daunting that they avoid exercising. 

Fortunately, exercise is not a matter of all or nothing. There is some reward at every level of effort, provided it is regular. Spend at least 30 minutes a day in action like brisk walking to errands (not between rooms!) climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping or children, doing outdoor gardening. Your rewards will not be immediate, but you can expect a reduced risk of problems like brittle bones, heart disease and poor blood circulation. You work up a decent appetite and sleep well, but improvement in body-shape will be minimal. 

Light regular exercise, three times a week, makes your heart run faster for at least 20 minutes. Such aerobic activity can include anything from brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, any light sport or even disco dancing. The reward is immunity to colds and flu, less stress, slightly healthier levels of cholesterol and
blood pressure. The figure trims down a little but only gradually.

Not being afraid of working up a sweat, put in some aerobic activity, longer than the minimum 20 minutes. Anything up to an hour, 3 to 5 times a week. In addition, do floor exercises, like push-ups or yoga and some light-weight work to exercise different parts of the body. Your rewards are substantial you have high resistance to chronic diseases, infections and your heart performs strongly. You look fit and clothes hang well on you. You feel youthful, do not get breathless easily, and have good muscle strength. You have the stamina to participate in adventure sports like trekking and mountaineering. You perform better in regular sports. At work, your mind is clear and optimistic.
  1. Brittle

  2. Daunting

  3. Immunity

  4. Optimistic

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

Apprehensive means anxious or fearful about something that may happen. In the context, people are 'discouraged by the thought of exercising hard' because 'The idea of sweating buckets is so daunting.' Daunting means intimidating or alarming, which closely matches the meaning of apprehensive - being worried or anxious about something difficult.

Multiple choice

Which of the following events occurred last?

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

JOHN CABOT

Nobody remembers much about Giovanni Caboto, trader and mariner, lost at sea. He lived at the time of Columbus and was a citizen of the city-state of Venice in Italy. He traded in spices and was an expert mariner. Following Columbus, he wanted to find a north-western route to Asia, but he was one up on Columbus in his knowledge of Geography. He surmised that it would take a shorter time to reach Asia by a western sea route if he selected higher northern latitudes. In 1496, he set sail from Ireland under English royal sanction, but was forced to return after reaching Iceland. In 1497, he set sail again with a better ship, the Matthew, and ultimately succeeded in reaching Newfoundland. In 1498, he again set sail for America with a fleet of five ships, out of which one returned to harbor under distress. There have been no further news of the remaining four ships and John Cabot was marked as lost at sea. Everybody forgot about him for about a century, until the British remembered that when John Cabot had reached Newfoundland in 1497, he had done so, under a royal grant. The grant had allowed him to claim unknown lands for the English Crown. So, John Cabot, lost at sea, became important again for the English to stake their claims for the New World. Everybody remembers him for the English claims to North America, but we remember him for his brave spirit of exploration.

 

  1. John Cabot was marked as lost at sea.

  2. John Cabot reached Newfoundland.

  3. John Cabot became important again for the English.

  4. One ship, out of the fleet of five that originally set sail for America, returned to harbor under distress.

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

The chronological sequence is: 1496 (first voyage), 1497 (reached Newfoundland), 1498 (second voyage, lost at sea), then 'about a century' later, British remembered him and he 'became important again for the English.' This last event happened long after the others, making it the final event in the sequence.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements are opinions and not facts?

  1. John Cabot set sail from Ireland under English Royal sanction
  2. John Cabot lived at the time of Columbus
  3. John Cabot was one up on Columbus in his knowledge of Geography
  4. John Cabot had a brave spirit of exploration

    Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

    JOHN CABOT

    Nobody remembers much about Giovanni Caboto, trader and mariner, lost at sea. He lived at the time of Columbus and was a citizen of the city-state of Venice in Italy. He traded in spices and was an expert mariner. Following Columbus, he wanted to find a north-western route to Asia, but he was one up on Columbus in his knowledge of Geography. He surmised that it would take a shorter time to reach Asia by a western sea route if he selected higher northern latitudes. In 1496, he set sail from Ireland under English royal sanction, but was forced to return after reaching Iceland. In 1497, he set sail again with a better ship, the Matthew, and ultimately succeeded in reaching Newfoundland. In 1498, he again set sail for America with a fleet of five ships, out of which one returned to harbor under distress. There have been no further news of the remaining four ships and John Cabot was marked as lost at sea. Everybody forgot about him for about a century, until the British remembered that when John Cabot had reached Newfoundland in 1497, he had done so, under a royal grant. The grant had allowed him to claim unknown lands for the English Crown. So, John Cabot, lost at sea, became important again for the English to stake their claims for the New World. Everybody remembers him for the English claims to North America, but we remember him for his brave spirit of exploration.

     

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 3 and 4

  4. Only 4

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

Statements 1 and 2 are factual claims with specific details (dates, locations) that can be verified. Statement 3 ('one up on Columbus') and Statement 4 ('brave spirit of exploration') are subjective judgments/opinions - they express comparative assessments and character evaluations rather than verifiable facts. Therefore 3 and 4 are opinions.

Multiple choice
  1. artistic vision perceives in advance of political practice

  2. artists are Utopian by nature while governmental leaders are practical

  3. throughout history political leaders have not been very responsive to the needs of their people

  4. the world would be a much better place to live if only artists would become kings

  5. history is the best judge of the progress of civilization

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

(1) The point of the passage is that artists see things as they really are, whereas politicians see things as they want them to be.

Multiple choice
  1. a signal from his parent that the parent is no longer interested in the child's welfare

  2. a sign of weakness in the parent that he can exploit

  3. indicating a willingness on the part of the parent to bargain away liberties in exchange for the child's assuming some new responsibilities

  4. an open invitation to retaliate

  5. a symbol of his becoming an adult

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

(2) The argument for consistency is that it avoids the danger that actions will be misinterpreted. If a parent is overly generous, a child will think the parent will always be generous, even when generosity is inappropriate. By the same token, if a parent does not draw the line until he is pushed to do so, the child will believe that he forced the parent's response. A parent, so goes the argument, should play it safe and leave himself a cushion.

Multiple choice
  1. the restrictions on sexual relations are such that the only source of new members is outside recruitment, so such sects tend to die out after a generation or two

  2. it is simply not possible to gauge the intensity of religious fervor by the length of time the religious sect remains viable

  3. the Waiters group may actually survive beyond the second generation of its existence

  4. there are other religious sects that emphasize group sexual activity which currently have several hundred members

  5. the Waiters are a California-based organization and have no members in the Northeast, which is even more heavily urban and industrialized than California

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

(1) The author places himself in opposition to the sociologists whom he cites. He claims an alternative interpretation of the evidence. In other words, the most logical continuation of the passage will be the one that explains why such sects are not a recent phenomenon even though there are no old ones around. (1) does this neatly. Since the members abstain from sexual relations, they will not reproduce members and the sect will tend to die out. This explains why there are none more than 50 or 60 years old.

Multiple choice
  1. allowing inmates to make decisions about prison security

  2. a senior field officer asking the advice of a junior officer on a question of tactics

  3. a university's asking the opinion of the student body on the scheduling of courses

  4. Chicago's mayor inviting the state legislators for a ride on the city's subway system

  5. the members of a church congregation discussing theology with the minister

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

(1) Here we are looking for the most perfect analogy. Keep in mind, first, that the author opposes the move, and second, all of the features of the union-management situation in particular that they are adversaries. (1) captures both elements. The relationship between prison administrators and inmates is adversarial, and the suggestion that inmates make decisions on security is outrageous enough that it captures also the first element.

Multiple choice
  1. undermining productivity

  2. general smooth running of the company

  3. creativity in the company

  4. All of the above

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

The first passage states that 'If there’s one thing that doesn’t get enough attention for undermining productivity, creativity and the general smooth functioning of the business, it’s the mismanagement of the emotion in the workplace'.

Multiple choice
  1. By removing uncertainty from organization

  2. By instilling inspiration

  3. By promoting productivity

  4. Both (1) and (2)

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

The last paragraph states that 'It takes only an active commitment to remove uncertainty from your organization and to instill a purposeful approach to inspiration'.