Reading Comprehension Flashcards
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words underlined in the sentence to make it correct. You and me done good on this assignment. Available Options A. me did good B. I done well C. I did well D. I have done good E. None of these
C
Answer Explanation: ‘I’ needs to replace ‘me’ in this sentence. To understand why this is the case simply remove ‘You and’ from the sentence, in which case we are left with ‘me done good…..’ which does not make sense. Therefore ‘I’ is the correct grammar to use here. In addition, ‘done’ needs to be replaced with ‘did’, and ‘well’ needs to replace ‘good’.
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words underlined in the sentence to make it correct. Each one of yous are criminals Available Options A. you are criminals B. yous is a criminal C. you are a criminal D. you is a criminal E. None of these
D
Answer Explanation:
The word ‘you’ can not be made plural by adding ‘s’ to the end, therefore ‘yous’ should be replace with ‘you’. Also, ‘is’ needs to replace ‘are’
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words underlined in the sentence to make it correct. He caried the box hear by hisself, said Paul. Available Options A. He caried the box here by hisself B. He carried the box here by himself C. He carried the box heir by himself D. He caried the boks here by himself E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation: There are two spelling mistakes in this sentence. That is, ‘caried’ is actually spelt ‘carried’ and ‘hisself’ needs to be replaces with ‘himself’. The word ‘hear’ actually refers to the sense of hearing noise, therefore ‘here’ is the correct spelling for the context of this sentence.
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words underlined in the sentence to make it correct.
This is the dog what was bitting me leg.
Available Options A. that was biting me leg B. which were biting me leg C. wich was biting my leg D. which was bitting my leg E. None of these
E
Answer Explanation:
The correct answer would be:
This is the dog which was biting my leg.
In the section below, you are given a sentence. The sentence has then been re-written, but only the first half of the new sentence has been provided. Choose the best ending so the new sentence tells us the same thing.
The waves hit the shore so furiously that they began to wash the beach away.
If we rewrite the beginning with: The beach began to wash away……
Available Options A. when the waves hit the shore. B. as the waves hit. C. because the waves hit the shore so furiously. D. as the waves hit furiously. E. None of these
C
Answer Explanation:
It is important to read the whole original sentence first so we can understand what it is telling us (i.e. the content). The sentence states: The waves hit the shore so furiously that they began to wash the beach away. Therefore, to give the sentence the same meaning and content, the whole sentence would be: The beach began to wash away because the waves hit the shore so furiously. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C
In the section below, you are given a sentence. The sentence has then been re-written, but only the first half of the new sentence has been provided. Choose the best ending so the new sentence tells us the same thing.
The mechanic could repair the car in two days if he was able to track down the right parts.
If we rewrite the beginning with: If the mechanic was able to track down the right parts……..
Available Options A. he could repair it. B. he could repair the car in two days. C. he could repair the car. D. in two days the car would have been repaired. E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation:
It is important to read the whole original sentence first so we can understand what it is telling us (i.e. the content). The sentence states: The mechanic could repair the car in two days if he was able to track down the right parts. Therefore, to give the sentence the same meaning and content, the whole sentence would be: If the mechanic was able to track down the right parts he could repair the car in two days. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B.
In the section below, you are given a sentence. The sentence has then been re-written, but only the first half of the new sentence has been provided. Choose the best ending so the new sentence tells us the same thing.
I walked the dog for two hours at the park yesterday, because she had had no exercise for a week.
If we rewrite the beginning with: Because she had had no exercise for a week…..
Available Options A. the dog needed a long walk. B. I walked the dog at the park C. I walked the dog at the park for two hours. D. I walked the dog . E. None of these
C
Answer Explanation:
It is important to read the whole original sentence first so we can understand what it is telling us (i.e. the content). The sentence states: I walked the dog for two hours at the park yesterday, because she had had no exercise for a week. Therefore, to give the sentence the same meaning and content, the whole sentence would be: Because she had had no exercise for a week I walked the dog at the park for two hours. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.
In the section below, each example sentence does not have any punctuation. You need to choose the correctly re-written sentence.
ive always been fascinated by the story of the english monarchs
Available Options
A. I’ve always been fascinated by the story of the English monarch’s.
B. I’ve always been fascinated by the story of the English monarchs.
C. Ive always been fascinated by the story of the English monarchs.
D. i’ve always been fascinated by the story of the English monarchs
E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation:
The sentence above has four mistakes. It should begin with a capital letter; the word ‘Ive’ needs to have an apostrophe (as it is a combination of the words I and have); the word ‘english’ needs to begin with a capital letter; and finally it needs to finish with a full stop.
In the section below, each example sentence does not have any punctuation. You need to choose the correctly re-written sentence.
jenny wont fit into that dress said doug
Available Options
A. “Jenny won’t fit into that dress,” said Doug.
B. Jenny won’t fit into that dress, said doug.
C. “Jenny wont fit into that dress”, said Doug.
D. Jenny wont fit into that dress, said Doug.
E. None of these
A
Answer Explanation:
There are five mistakes in the above sentence:
- ‘jenny’ is a name and so begin with a capital letter.
- ‘wont’ is a combination of the two words ‘will’ and ‘not’ and so an apostrophe needs to be inserted.
- a pause is required after the word ‘dress’ and so a comma nees to be inserted here.
- ‘doug’ is a name and so should begin with a capital letter.
- the sentence needs to finish with a full stop.
Tom and Dick sat down to discuss their problems. Unfortunately, Dick was reluctant to let Tom have his say, so the conversation degenerated into a monologue. The word monologue in this paragraph means: Available Options A. on one level B. a speech by one person C. a boring harangue D. a dialogue E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation: A monologue is defined as: a speech by a single character. Therefore Option B is correct.
Fuses are like bridges that electricity must cross to reach the wires in your house. If a wire is overloaded with electricity, it will get hot enough to burn through its covering and start a fire. The electrical ‘bridges’ prevent this from happening. In a fuse, electricity moves across a thin strip of metal and continues into the wires on the other side. If a fuse suffers an electrical overload, the metal strip melts, thus stopping the flow of electricity and overheating of the wiring.
What can you infer from this paragraph?
Available Options
A. Fuses are used to join wires together, like a bridge over a river.
B. Fuses have to be strong enough to prevent electrical wires overheating and collapsing .
C. Fuses are a useful part of any electrical circuit.
D. Fuses are vital in electrical wiring to keep electrical circuits safe.
E. None of these
D
Answer Explanation: To answer this question we must ask ourselves ‘what did I learn from this story?’, or in other words what was the main theme of the story. In doing so it is obvious that Option D is correct, as whilst some of the other options may have correctly stated some facts about the story, they did not provide an overall description/theme.
Fuses are like bridges that electricity must cross to reach the wires in your house. If a wire is overloaded with electricity, it will get hot enough to burn through its covering and start a fire. The electrical ‘bridges’ prevent this from happening. In a fuse, electricity moves across a thin strip of metal and continues into the wires on the other side. If a fuse suffers an electrical overload, the metal strip melts, thus stopping the flow of electricity and overheating of the wiring.
What can you infer from this paragraph?
Available Options
A. Fuses are used to join wires together, like a bridge over a river.
B. Fuses have to be strong enough to prevent electrical wires overheating and collapsing .
C. Fuses are a useful part of any electrical circuit.
D. Fuses are vital in electrical wiring to keep electrical circuits safe.
E. None of these
D
Answer Explanation: To answer this question we must ask ourselves ‘what did I learn from this story?’, or in other words what was the main theme of the story. In doing so it is obvious that Option D is correct, as whilst some of the other options may have correctly stated some facts about the story, they did not provide an overall description/theme.
Even with the rain and howling wind, I felt happier than I had in weeks. I was alone at last. For someone who liked privacy as much as I did, the mad publicity I had received was a nightmare. That part of my life which had been a haven and soothed me in difficult times, my solitude, had been ripped away from me. I could no longer reach that quiet, secure spot inside. Would the fuss ever die down? When would life get back to normal? As each day passed, the prospect seemed more and more remote.
What can you infer from this paragraph?
Available Options
A. The narrator is used to leading a busy life.
B. At heart, the narrator likes a quiet and solitary life.
C. The narrator loves attention, despite what he says.
D. Over recent times, the narrator has been a much happier person.
E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation: To answer this question we must ask ourselves ‘what did I learn from this story?’, or in other words what was the main theme of the story. In doing so it is obvious that Option B is correct, as whilst some of the other options may have correctly stated some facts about the story, they did not provide an overall description/theme.
Civilization is said to have started in Sumer, which occupied the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Sumerians arrived in the region about 4000 B.C. For civilization to develop, the land must be fertile enough to support an expanding population. Not only did early populations need a soil rich in nutrients, but also a plentiful water supply. Mesopotamia, which means ‘the land between rivers’, was blessed with two such life-sustaining rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Sumer came to be the name of the southern area near where the Tigris and Euphrates emptied into the Persian Gulf.In ancient Mesopotamia, a land of blazing sun and very little rainfall, irrigation was vital for farming. Centuries before the beginning of known history, the Sumerians undertook the stupendous task of building embankments to control the floodwaters of the Euphrates river. Gradually they drained the marshes and dug irrigation canals and ditches. Large-scale cooperation was needed to build the irrigation works, keep them in repair, and apportion the water. This need gave rise to government and laws.The rich soil produced abundant crops of barley, emmer (a kind of wheat), beans, olives, grapes, and flax. For the first time there was a surplus to feed city workers such as artists, craftsmen and merchants. This great change in living habits brought about civilization, defined as a city-based society held together by economic enterprises. There were no nations then, only small city-states. The Sumerians built their villages on artificial mounds to protect them from floods. They learned to make bricks in moulds and dry them in the sun or bake them in kilns. Their sturdy houses were small and crowded close together on narrow lanes. Some were two or more stories high. The whole city was surrounded by a wall for protection.Each Sumerian city rose up around the shrine of a local god. As a reflection of a city’s wealth, its temple became an elaborate structure. The temple buildings stood on a spacious raised platform reached by staircases and ramps. From the platform rose the temple tower, called a ziggurat. The word ‘ziggurat’ means ‘holy mount’. On the temple grounds were quarters for priests, officials, accountants and musicians; treasure chambers; storehouses for grain, tools and weapons; and workshops for bakers, pottery makers, leatherworkers, spinners and weavers, and jewellers. There were also pens for keeping the sheep and goats that were destined for sacrifice to the temple god!
What is the overall message of this passage?
Available Options
A. To reveal how harsh conditions can force invention and change.
B. To show how a sophisticated civilisation developed in ancient Sumer.
C. That no society can thrive without abundant water and fertile soil.
D. To reveal how old Middle Eastern civilisation is.
E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation: The overall message of the story is easily identified if we ask ourselves ‘what did I learn from this story?’, or in other words what was the main theme of the story. In doing so it is obvious that Option B is correct, as whilst some of the other options may have correctly stated some facts about the story, they did not provide an overall description/theme.
Civilization is said to have started in Sumer, which occupied the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Sumerians arrived in the region about 4000 B.C. For civilization to develop, the land must be fertile enough to support an expanding population. Not only did early populations need a soil rich in nutrients, but also a plentiful water supply. Mesopotamia, which means ‘the land between rivers’, was blessed with two such life-sustaining rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Sumer came to be the name of the southern area near where the Tigris and Euphrates emptied into the Persian Gulf.In ancient Mesopotamia, a land of blazing sun and very little rainfall, irrigation was vital for farming. Centuries before the beginning of known history, the Sumerians undertook the stupendous task of building embankments to control the floodwaters of the Euphrates river. Gradually they drained the marshes and dug irrigation canals and ditches. Large-scale cooperation was needed to build the irrigation works, keep them in repair, and apportion the water. This need gave rise to government and laws.The rich soil produced abundant crops of barley, emmer (a kind of wheat), beans, olives, grapes, and flax. For the first time there was a surplus to feed city workers such as artists, craftsmen and merchants. This great change in living habits brought about civilization, defined as a city-based society held together by economic enterprises. There were no nations then, only small city-states. The Sumerians built their villages on artificial mounds to protect them from floods. They learned to make bricks in moulds and dry them in the sun or bake them in kilns. Their sturdy houses were small and crowded close together on narrow lanes. Some were two or more stories high. The whole city was surrounded by a wall for protection.Each Sumerian city rose up around the shrine of a local god. As a reflection of a city’s wealth, its temple became an elaborate structure. The temple buildings stood on a spacious raised platform reached by staircases and ramps. From the platform rose the temple tower, called a ziggurat. The word ‘ziggurat’ means ‘holy mount’. On the temple grounds were quarters for priests, officials, accountants and musicians; treasure chambers; storehouses for grain, tools and weapons; and workshops for bakers, pottery makers, leatherworkers, spinners and weavers, and jewellers. There were also pens for keeping the sheep and goats that were destined for sacrifice to the temple god!
The main advantage of living between two great rivers was:
Available Options
A. Clay silts were available for making bricks.
B. The rivers flooded the surrounding plains on a regular basis.
C. They were waterways for trade.
D. There was a plentiful watersupply for agriculture.
E. None of these
D
Answer Explanation:
The story clearly states: ‘Not only did early populations need a soil rich in nutrients, but also a plentiful water supply. Mesopotamia, which means ‘the land between rivers’, was blessed with two such life-sustaining rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates’. Therefore Option D is correct.
Civilization is said to have started in Sumer, which occupied the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Sumerians arrived in the region about 4000 B.C. For civilization to develop, the land must be fertile enough to support an expanding population. Not only did early populations need a soil rich in nutrients, but also a plentiful water supply. Mesopotamia, which means ‘the land between rivers’, was blessed with two such life-sustaining rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Sumer came to be the name of the southern area near where the Tigris and Euphrates emptied into the Persian Gulf.In ancient Mesopotamia, a land of blazing sun and very little rainfall, irrigation was vital for farming. Centuries before the beginning of known history, the Sumerians undertook the stupendous task of building embankments to control the floodwaters of the Euphrates river. Gradually they drained the marshes and dug irrigation canals and ditches. Large-scale cooperation was needed to build the irrigation works, keep them in repair, and apportion the water. This need gave rise to government and laws.The rich soil produced abundant crops of barley, emmer (a kind of wheat), beans, olives, grapes, and flax. For the first time there was a surplus to feed city workers such as artists, craftsmen and merchants. This great change in living habits brought about civilization, defined as a city-based society held together by economic enterprises. There were no nations then, only small city-states. The Sumerians built their villages on artificial mounds to protect them from floods. They learned to make bricks in moulds and dry them in the sun or bake them in kilns. Their sturdy houses were small and crowded close together on narrow lanes. Some were two or more stories high. The whole city was surrounded by a wall for protection.Each Sumerian city rose up around the shrine of a local god. As a reflection of a city’s wealth, its temple became an elaborate structure. The temple buildings stood on a spacious raised platform reached by staircases and ramps. From the platform rose the temple tower, called a ziggurat. The word ‘ziggurat’ means ‘holy mount’. On the temple grounds were quarters for priests, officials, accountants and musicians; treasure chambers; storehouses for grain, tools and weapons; and workshops for bakers, pottery makers, leatherworkers, spinners and weavers, and jewellers. There were also pens for keeping the sheep and goats that were destined for sacrifice to the temple god!
Ziggurats were used for all of the following purposes except one. Which is the odd one out?
Available Options A. As an artistic and trading centre. B. As a place of worship. C. As a fortress. D. As a symbol of power and wealth. E. As a storehouse
C
Answer Explanation:
The above story does not mention anything about a ziggurat being used as a fortress, and so Option C is correct.
Civilization is said to have started in Sumer, which occupied the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Sumerians arrived in the region about 4000 B.C. For civilization to develop, the land must be fertile enough to support an expanding population. Not only did early populations need a soil rich in nutrients, but also a plentiful water supply. Mesopotamia, which means 'the land between rivers', was blessed with two such life-sustaining rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Sumer came to be the name of the southern area near where the Tigris and Euphrates emptied into the Persian Gulf.In ancient Mesopotamia, a land of blazing sun and very little rainfall, irrigation was vital for farming. Centuries before the beginning of known history, the Sumerians undertook the stupendous task of building embankments to control the floodwaters of the Euphrates river. Gradually they drained the marshes and dug irrigation canals and ditches. Large-scale cooperation was needed to build the irrigation works, keep them in repair, and apportion the water. This need gave rise to government and laws.The rich soil produced abundant crops of barley, emmer (a kind of wheat), beans, olives, grapes, and flax. For the first time there was a surplus to feed city workers such as artists, craftsmen and merchants. This great change in living habits brought about civilization, defined as a city-based society held together by economic enterprises. There were no nations then, only small city-states. The Sumerians built their villages on artificial mounds to protect them from floods. They learned to make bricks in moulds and dry them in the sun or bake them in kilns. Their sturdy houses were small and crowded close together on narrow lanes. Some were two or more stories high. The whole city was surrounded by a wall for protection.Each Sumerian city rose up around the shrine of a local god. As a reflection of a city's wealth, its temple became an elaborate structure. The temple buildings stood on a spacious raised platform reached by staircases and ramps. From the platform rose the temple tower, called a ziggurat. The word 'ziggurat' means 'holy mount'. On the temple grounds were quarters for priests, officials, accountants and musicians; treasure chambers; storehouses for grain, tools and weapons; and workshops for bakers, pottery makers, leatherworkers, spinners and weavers, and jewellers. There were also pens for keeping the sheep and goats that were destined for sacrifice to the temple god! For a civilisation to develop, we are told all the following had to exist, except: Available Options A. Laws and government. B. Specialised trade skills. C. Rich soil and plenty of water. D. Building and engineering skills. E. Success in war.
E
Answer Explanation: The story does not mention anything about success in war as being a necessary to the development of a civilisation.
“No-one is going on this ride with me?” Lisa asked indignantly, crossing her arms over her red tank top. She looked from Tina to Andy to Dave, skipped over Trent, and looked at Tina again. “This is the only ride I wanted to go on and all day you’ve put it off and now you’re really not going with me? “
“Sorry, Lisa”, Andy said.” We’re all ridden out.”
Lisa almost wanted to cry out of frustration. She knew it was just a ride, but this day hadn’t turned out exactly as she had planned. She’d felt sick on the Journey into Space ride and had dropped icecream all over herself in the Riverboat queue and Trent hadn’t seemed to notice her at all. All she wanted to do was go on the Big Dipper. Was that too much to ask?
“I’ll go.”
Lisa’s heart hit the asphalt as Trent stepped away from the others and headed towards her. This had to be a mirage. Trent looked at her expectantly. This a one off limited offer, he said, sensing hesitation in her. Lisa shot Tina a glance but received a clueless look in return.
“Thanks”, said Lisa uncertainly. She joined the queue, nerves jangling. It was lucky that the queue was much shorter than at other times in the day. Overjoyed she might be that Trent had offered to go with her, but the last thing a tongue-tied Lisa wanted was to have to make small talk with him in an hour long queue.
From what is said in this story, would you say:
Available Options
A. Despite some setbacks, Lisa had enjoyed the day.
B. Things had not gone well or according to plan for Lisa.
C. Lisa is petulant and spoiled.
D. Lisa was being deliberately isolated by the others.
E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation:
The story clearly states ‘this day hadn’t turned out exactly as she had planned’, therefore option B is correct.
“No-one is going on this ride with me?” Lisa asked indignantly, crossing her arms over her red tank top. She looked from Tina to Andy to Dave, skipped over Trent, and looked at Tina again. “This is the only ride I wanted to go on and all day you’ve put it off and now you’re really not going with me? “
“Sorry, Lisa”, Andy said.” We’re all ridden out.”
Lisa almost wanted to cry out of frustration. She knew it was just a ride, but this day hadn’t turned out exactly as she had planned. She’d felt sick on the Journey into Space ride and had dropped icecream all over herself in the Riverboat queue and Trent hadn’t seemed to notice her at all. All she wanted to do was go on the Big Dipper. Was that too much to ask?
“I’ll go.”
Lisa’s heart hit the asphalt as Trent stepped away from the others and headed towards her. This had to be a mirage. Trent looked at her expectantly. This a one off limited offer, he said, sensing hesitation in her. Lisa shot Tina a glance but received a clueless look in return.
“Thanks”, said Lisa uncertainly. She joined the queue, nerves jangling. It was lucky that the queue was much shorter than at other times in the day. Overjoyed she might be that Trent had offered to go with her, but the last thing a tongue-tied Lisa wanted was to have to make small talk with him in an hour long queue.
Lisa’s ‘heart hit the asphalt’ because:
Available Options
A. Trent was the last person she wanted to go with.
B. She was feeling despondent and frustrated at the end of the day.
C. It was a pleasant surprise that Trent should volunteer to go with her.
D. It was an unpleasant surprise that Trent volunteered to go with her.
E. None of these..
C
Answer Explanation:
The story cleary states ‘Trent hadn’t seemed to notice her at all’. Therefore when he offered to go on the ride with her, Lisa was pleasantly surprised.
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words in the sentence to make it correct.
I brought red current juice at the store just before closeing time.
Available Options
A. I bought red currant juice at the store just before closing time.
B. I bought red current juice at the store just before closeing time.
C. I brought red currant juice at the store just before closing time.
D. I brought red currant juice at the store just befor closeing time.
E. None of these
A
Answer Explanation:
There are three mistakes in this sentence:
1: ‘bought’ needs to replace ‘brought’ (brought means to bring, whereas bought means to buy)
2: ‘current’ needs to replace ‘currant’ (‘current’ describes the flow of electricity through a conductor, whereas ‘currant’ describes the fruit)
3: ‘closeing’ is correctly spelled ‘closing’.
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words in the sentence to make it correct.
Whether the wether would of improved is an interesting qestion.
Available Options
A. Wether the weather would of improved is an interesting question.
B. Weather the wether would have improved is an intresting question.
C. Whether the weather would of improved is an interesting question.
D. Whether the weather would have improved is an interesting question.
E. None of these
D
Answer Explanation:
There are three mistakes in this sentence:
1: when describing the condition/elements outside ‘wether’ is correctly spelt ‘weather’
2: ‘of’ needs to be replaced with ‘have’
3: ‘qestion’ is correctly spelled ‘question’.
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words underlined in the sentence to make it correct.
Irregardless of whichever their doing, stop them now.
Available Options A. Irregardless of whatever they're doing B. Regardless of which theyre doing C. Regardless of what they're doing D. Irregardless of what theyre doing E. None of these
C
Answer Explanation:
There are three mistakes in this sentence:
1: ‘Irregardless’ is not a word and so needs to be replaced with ‘Regardless’
2: ‘Whichever’ needs to be replaces with ‘what’
3: Given the context of this sentence ‘their’ needs to be replaced with ‘they’re’.
For the following questions, select the option which will best replace the words in the sentence to make it correct.
He sung at John and his schools concert.
Available Options
A. He sung at John’s and his school’s consert.
B. He sang at John’s and his school’s concert.
C. He sang at John and his school’s concert
D. He sung at John’s and his schools concert.
E. None of these
B
Answer Explanation:
There are three mistakes in this sentence:
1: ‘sang’ needs to replace ‘sung’
2: ‘John’s’ needs to replace ‘John’
3: ‘school’s’ needs to replace ‘school’
