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

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

Passage The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house, in the middle of London? And where was the man? As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere! Further footprints followed, one after another descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and at last disappeared altogether.

What was strange about these footprints?

  1. The strange thing was that the footprints were invisible but the man who was leaving them was visible.

  2. The strange thing was that the footprints were visible and the man who was leaving them was also visible.

  3. The strange thing was that the footprints were visible but the man who was leaving them was invisible.

  4. The stranger thing was that the footprints were invisible but the man who was leaving them was invisible.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage clearly describes footprints appearing without any visible person making them. The boys saw 'a fresh footmark appeared from nowhere!' and watched 'Further footprints followed, one after another' while being unable to see anyone. This makes option C the only correct answer - the footprints were visible but the person creating them was not. Options A and D incorrectly state the footprints were invisible, while option B incorrectly claims the man was visible.

Multiple choice

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

PassageThe explanation of the mystery was really simple enough. The bewildered boys had been following a scientist who had just discovered how to make the human body transparent. Griffin, the scientist, had carried out some experiment after experiment to prove that the human body could become invisible. Finally when he swallowed certain rare drugs and his body became as transparent as a sheet of glass. Griffin was also a lawless person. He once set fire to his landlord's house. To get away without being seen he had to remove his clothes. Then he became a homeless wanderer, without clothes, without money but quite invisible until he happened to step in some mud and left footprints as he walked.

Although a great scientist and inventor, Griffin was rather a lawless person. Which one of these things proves that he was lawless?

  1. He made strange experiments.

  2. He made himself invisible.

  3. He set fire to his landlord's house.

  4. He used some rare drugs.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly states 'Griffin was also a lawless person. He once set fire to his landlord's house.' This direct evidence makes option C correct. Options A (making experiments) and B (becoming invisible) describe scientific activities, not lawless behavior. Option D (using rare drugs) refers to his scientific method, not criminal behavior. Only setting fire to someone's house demonstrates lawlessness.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows. Passage The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house, in the middle of London? And where was the man? As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere! Further footprints followed, one after another descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and at last disappeared altogether.

What remarkable sight did the boys see?

  1. The remarkable sight was that footmarks were not imprinted one after the other.

  2. The remarkable sight was that footmarks were being imprinted one after the other.

  3. The remarkable sight was that the footprints were invisible.

  4. The remarkable sight was that the footprints were being imprinted here and there.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states 'Further footprints followed, one after another descending the steps and progressing down the street.' This directly supports option B - footmarks were being imprinted one after the other. Option A contradicts the text. Option C is incorrect because the footprints were visible ('muddy imprints'). Option D is wrong because the footprints were sequential, not scattered.

Multiple choice

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

PassageThe explanation of the mystery was really simple enough. The bewildered boys had been following a scientist who had just discovered how to make the human body transparent. Griffin, the scientist, had carried out some experiment after experiment to prove that the human body could become invisible. Finally when he swallowed certain rare drugs and his body became as transparent as a sheet of glass. Griffin was also a lawless person. He once set fire to his landlord's house. To get away without being seen he had to remove his clothes. Then he became a homeless wanderer, without clothes, without money but quite invisible until he happened to step in some mud and left footprints as he walked.

Why were the boys bewildered?

  1. The boys were bewildered to see how the scientist had made the human body transparent.

  2. They boys were bewildered to see a transparent human body.

  3. They were bewildered to see that there were just the footprints being made, while there was no body to be seen around.

  4. They were bewildered to see that somebody was walking without wearing shoes.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option C is correct because the boys saw 'fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet' but could see no one making them - 'a fresh footmark appeared from nowhere!' The passage reveals they were following an invisible scientist. Option A is wrong because they didn't see how he became transparent. Option B has a minor typo ('They' instead of 'The') and is incorrect. Option D is wrong because the bare feet were not the main mystery.

Multiple choice

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

PassageWe inhabit a divided world. On the one hand the rich are critical of our continuing poverty, on the other, they warn us against their own methods. We do no wish to impoverish the environment any further and yet we cannot for a moment forget the grim poverty of large numbers of people. Are not poverty and need the greatest polluters? For instance, unless we are in a position to provide employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities of the tribal people and those who live in or around jungles, we cannot prevent them from combing the forest for food and livelihood, from poaching and from despoiling the vegetation. When they themselves feel, deprived how can we urge the preservation of animals? How can we speak to those who live in villages and in slums about keeping the oceans, the rivers and the air clean when their own lives are contaminated at the source? The environment cannot be improved in conditions of poverty. Nor can poverty be eradicated without the use of science and technology.

Which of the following four statements is true?

  1. We lived in a united world.

  2. The rich countries do not criticise us for our poverty.

  3. The rich countries willingly allow us to use their own methods.

  4. Poverty and need are the greatest polluters.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly asks 'Are not poverty and need the greatest polluters?' as a rhetorical question, making option D directly correct. Option A is contradicted by the first line 'We inhabit a divided world.' Option B is contradicted by 'the rich are critical of our continuing poverty.' Option C is contradicted by 'they warn us against their own methods.' Only option D is supported.

Multiple choice

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

PassageOn the afternoon of the following day a wagon stopped before a Belgian Refugee Camp in Holland. Slowly and stiffly a small boy slid to the ground. He had been picked up just over the border by a friendly farmer and driven to camp. He was dirty, untidy and footsore. Very kindly the ladies' committee received him. He was placed at a table and a bowl of hot soup was set before him. He ate awkwardly with his left hand. His right hand held something beneath his coat. The women tried to get his story, but he remained strangely silent. He seemed to be examining to faces of the women. Not for an hour, not until there was a faint stirring in his coat, did he disclose his burden. Then going to her whom he had chosen as most to be trusted, he opened his coat. In a dirty towel lay a naked, miserably thin, three-day-old baby. The woman at once took the tiny bundle lovingly. It was only then that boy relaxed and allowed himself to be taken to bed.

How did he reach the Belgian Refugee Camp?

  1. A friendly farmer picked him up and drove him to the camp.

  2. A policeman picked him up and drove him to the camp.

  3. He walked on foot and reached the camp.

  4. A ladies committee picked him up and drove him to the camp.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage clearly states 'He had been picked up just over the border by a friendly farmer and driven to camp,' making option A correct. Option B incorrectly says 'policeman' instead of 'farmer.' Option C is wrong because he arrived by wagon. Option D is incorrect because the ladies' committee received him at the camp, they didn't pick him up.

Multiple choice

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

PassageWe inhabit a divided world. On the one hand the rich are critical of our continuing poverty, on the other, they warn us against their own methods. We do no wish to impoverish the environment any further and yet we cannot for a moment forget the grim poverty of large numbers of people. Are not poverty and need the greatest polluters? For instance, unless we are in a position to provide employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities of the tribal people and those who live in or around jungles, we cannot prevent them from combing the forest for food and livelihood, from poaching and from despoiling the vegetation. When they themselves feel, deprived how can we urge the preservation of animals? How can we speak to those who live in villages and in slums about keeping the oceans, the rivers and the air clean when their own lives are contaminated at the source? The environment cannot be improved in conditions of poverty. Nor can poverty be eradicated without the use of science and technology.

Which one of the following statements is NOT true?

  1. We inhabit a divided world.

  2. We do not wish to pollute the environment any further.

  3. The environment can be improved even in the conditions of poverty.

  4. We cannot prevent the people living in or near jungles from combing forest unless we provide them employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage clearly states 'The environment cannot be improved in conditions of poverty,' making option C (claiming it CAN be improved in poverty conditions) the statement that is NOT true. Options A, B, and D are all supported by the passage. Option A appears in the first line. Option B is paraphrased from 'We do no wish to impoverish the environment any further.' Option D is directly supported.

Multiple choice

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

Passage

The explanation of the mystery was really simple enough. The bewildered boys had been following a scientist who had just discovered how to make the human body transparent.

Griffin, the scientist, had carried out some experiment after experiment to prove that the human body could become invisible. Finally when he swallowed certain rare drugs and his body became as transparent as a sheet of glass. Griffin was also a lawless person. He once set fire to his landlord's house. To get away without being seen he had to remove his clothes. Then he became a homeless wanderer, without clothes, without money but quite invisible until he happened to step in some mud and left footprints as he walked. The bewildered boys had been following a scientist… How were the boys able to follow the scientist when he was not visible?

  1. They couldn't see him but they saw his clothes.

  2. They could see him, his body was transparent like glass and it is not difficult to see glass.

  3. They saw him when they saw his feet and clothes.

  4. They were following the footprints only, they didn't know they were following a scientist.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option D is correct because the passage explains the boys followed muddy footprints left by the invisible Griffin. The boys didn't know they were following a scientist - they just saw mysterious footprints appearing. Options A, B, and C incorrectly suggest they could see some part of Griffin (clothes, feet, or transparent body), but the whole point is he was completely invisible.

Multiple choice

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

PassageOn the afternoon of the following day a wagon stopped before a Belgian Refugee Camp in Holland. Slowly and stiffly a small boy slid to the ground. He had been picked up just over the border by a friendly farmer and driven to camp. He was dirty, untidy and footsore. Very kindly the ladies' committee received him. He was placed at a table and a bowl of hot soup was set before him. He ate awkwardly with his left hand. His right hand held something beneath his coat. The women tried to get his story, but he remained strangely silent. He seemed to be examining to faces of the women. Not for an hour, not until there was a faint stirring in his coat, did he disclose his burden. Then going to her whom he had chosen as most to be trusted, he opened his coat. In a dirty towel lay a naked, miserably thin, three-day-old baby. The woman at once took the tiny bundle lovingly. It was only then that boy relaxed and allowed himself to be taken to bed.

How was he received at the camp?

  1. The ladies were very rude with him and send him out.

  2. He was abused and nothing was served to him.

  3. Very kindly he was received at the camp and was served with a bowl of hot soup.

  4. Very rudely he was received at the camp.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states 'Very kindly the ladies' committee received him' and 'a bowl of hot soup was set before him,' making option C correct. Options A, B, and D incorrectly claim he was treated rudely, but the text clearly shows kind treatment with hot soup. The passage shows compassion toward the refugee boy.

Multiple choice

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

Passage The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house, in the middle of London? And where was the man? As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere! Further footprints followed, one after another descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and at last disappeared altogether.

What happened to the footprints in the end?

  1. In the end, the footprints got enlarged.

  2. In the end, the footprints got larger and larger and finally appeared.

  3. In the end, the footprints sometimes appeared and sometimes disappeared.

  4. In the end, the footprints got fainter and fainter and finally disappeared.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states 'the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and at last disappeared altogether,' making option D correct. Option A is wrong (they didn't enlarge). Option B is wrong (they didn't get larger or appear). Option C is wrong (they didn't reappear). The footprints simply faded away as the invisible man moved or the mud dried.

Multiple choice

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

PassageThe explanation of the mystery was really simple enough. The bewildered boys had been following a scientist who had just discovered how to make the human body transparent. Griffin, the scientist, had carried out some experiment after experiment to prove that the human body could become invisible. Finally when he swallowed certain rare drugs and his body became as transparent as a sheet of glass. Griffin was also a lawless person. He once set fire to his landlord's house. To get away without being seen he had to remove his clothes. Then he became a homeless wanderer, without clothes, without money but quite invisible until he happened to step in some mud and left footprints as he walked.

When the scientist had succeeded in his experiment the advantage was�

  1. that he had became invisible and there was no need to wear any clothes any time at all.

  2. that he could do anything without being seen by others.

  3. that his body had become transparent and so he didn't have to eat or drink anything.

  4. that he could not be troubled by heat or cold, hunger or thirst.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option B is correct because Griffin's invisibility meant he could act without anyone seeing him. The passage describes him as 'quite invisible' after his experiment. Option A is wrong - he still needed clothes when not wanting to be discovered. Option C is incorrect - invisibility doesn't eliminate biological needs. Option D is not supported - transparency doesn't protect against physical sensations.

Multiple choice

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

PassageThe drama of birth passed, the midwife grew restless. She became conscious of the outer world. There were high excited voices, wagons clattered over stones, She turned to the window. Neighbours with carts piled high with household possessions hurried by. They called out to her. For a moment the woman hesitated. She looked at the mother on the bed with the infant in her arms, the excitement of the outside world seized her. Quickly she left the room. The small boy knelt as his mother's bedside, his little face against hers. Softly he kissed the pale cheek. The boy's heart had become a man's. He tried by touch and look to speak his love, his admiration. His mother smiled at him as she soothed the baby, glad to be free from pain. But presently the noise of the departing townspeople reached her ears. She stirred uneasily and fear crept into her eyes. Passionately she held her little one to her.

Which one of the following statements about the small boy is NOT true?

  1. The small boy knelt beside his mother's bed.

  2. He kissed the pale cheek of her mother.

  3. The boy's heart had become a man's.

  4. The small boy had done nothing for her ailing mother.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option D is correct as the NOT true statement. The passage shows the boy knelt at his mother's bedside (supporting A), kissed her pale cheek (supporting B), and his emotional maturity is described as 'The boy's heart had become a man's' (supporting C). Option D claims he 'had done nothing' which contradicts these caring actions. He showed love and support to his ailing mother.

Multiple choice

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

PassageWe inhabit a divided world. On the one hand the rich are critical of our continuing poverty, on the other, they warn us against their own methods. We do no wish to impoverish the environment any further and yet we cannot for a moment forget the grim poverty of large numbers of people. Are not poverty and need the greatest polluters? For instance, unless we are in a position to provide employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities of the tribal people and those who live in or around jungles, we cannot prevent them from combing the forest for food and livelihood, from poaching and from despoiling the vegetation. When they themselves feel, deprived how can we urge the preservation of animals? How can we speak to those who live in villages and in slums about keeping the oceans, the rivers and the air clean when their own lives are contaminated at the source? The environment cannot be improved in conditions of poverty. Nor can poverty be eradicated without the use of science and technology.

Why do the tribal people and those who live in or around jungles comb the forest?

  1. They do so to earn money.

  2. They comb the forest for food and livelihood.

  3. They comb the forest to pollute the environment.

  4. They do so because they wanted to do so.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly states that tribal people and those living near forests comb the forest 'for food and livelihood'. This is presented as a direct consequence of their poverty and need - they cannot prevent these activities unless provided with employment and purchasing power for necessities. Options A, C, and D are either not mentioned or contradict the passage's clear explanation of economic necessity driving forest use.

Multiple choice

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

PassageThe drama of birth passed, the midwife grew restless. She became conscious of the outer world. There were high excited voices, wagons clattered over stones, She turned to the window. Neighbours with carts piled high with household possessions hurried by. They called out to her. For a moment the woman hesitated. She looked at the mother on the bed with the infant in her arms, the excitement of the outside world seized her. Quickly she left the room. The small boy knelt as his mother's bedside, his little face against hers. Softly he kissed the pale cheek. The boy's heart had become a man's. He tried by touch and look to speak his love, his admiration. His mother smiled at him as she soothed the baby, glad to be free from pain. But presently the noise of the departing townspeople reached her ears. She stirred uneasily and fear crept into her eyes. Passionately she held her little one to her.

Which one of the following four statements about midwife is true?

  1. She was not worried about the outer world.

  2. There were high excited voices outside.

  3. She remained there where she was.

  4. Her neighbours did not care for her.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states 'There were high excited voices, wagons clattered over stones' when the midwife became conscious of the outer world. This is presented as what she perceived. Option A is incorrect because she was clearly conscious of and affected by the outer world. Option C is incorrect because she did not remain where she was - she left the room. Option D is incorrect because the neighbors did call out to her, showing they did care.

Multiple choice

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

PassageThe drama of birth passed, the midwife grew restless. She became conscious of the outer world. There were high excited voices, wagons clattered over stones, She turned to the window. Neighbours with carts piled high with household possessions hurried by. They called out to her. For a moment the woman hesitated. She looked at the mother on the bed with the infant in her arms, the excitement of the outside world seized her. Quickly she left the room. The small boy knelt as his mother's bedside, his little face against hers. Softly he kissed the pale cheek. The boy's heart had become a man's. He tried by touch and look to speak his love, his admiration. His mother smiled at him as she soothed the baby, glad to be free from pain. But presently the noise of the departing townspeople reached her ears. She stirred uneasily and fear crept into her eyes. Passionately she held her little one to her.

The boy loved her mother dearly. Which actions of his showed this fact?

  1. He knelt at his mother's bedside.

  2. His heart had became a man's.

  3. His mother smiled at him.

  4. He kissed her pale cheek.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly states 'Softly he kissed the pale cheek' as an action showing the boy's love for his mother. This direct physical expression of affection is what demonstrates his love. Option A mentions kneeling but not the loving action. Option B is metaphorical language about emotional maturity, not a loving action. Option C describes the mother's reaction, not the boy's action.