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Reading Comprehension Test Online Preparation & Free Practice Questions – 2024

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  • Reading Comprehension Tests
  • Free Reading Comprehension Test Practice Questions

What Is a Reading Comprehension Test?

The reading comprehension test is a verbal reasoning aptitude test meant to measure your aptitude for gathering information, critical thinking, and understanding of varying contexts. These exams ask you to look at different selections of literature (poems, excerpts of novels, excerpts of articles, et cetera) and answer a series of questions based of the passage.

In this article, we will take a look at a few free sample passages with relative questions and answers. But first, let’s talk about preparation!

How to Prepare for Reading Comprehension Tests?

Regardless of the type of English-based assessment, the easiest ways to prepare are to make a habit of reading for fun and utilizing online practice exams such as the one below! Broadening your reading scope will lead to inherent understanding of context.

What Kind of Questions Can I Expect in Reading Comprehension Tests?

As aforementioned, reading comprehension tests expect you to gather varying bits of information from a given passage to determine your contextual understanding. The question types vary based on the type of passage (poem, novel, article, etc.) and the level of difficulty (elementary to advanced). For the sake of practice, we will look at a particularly difficult excerpt together before you move on to the individual practice selections at the bottom. The practice questions for the example excerpt include tips for tackling the different question types.

Example Excerpt from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act 1 Scene V

Messenger The king comes here to-night.   Lady Macbeth Thou’rt mad to say it: Is not thy master with him? Who, were’t so, Would have inform’d him for preparation.   Messenger So please you it is true: our thane1 is coming: One of my fellows had the speed of him, Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Than would make up his message.   Lady Macbeth Give him tending2; He brings great news.

Example Question 1:

Based on the context, which of the following is a synonym for “thane”?

Explanation: This is a common question type in reading comprehension exams. The question asks you to identify a given word, analyze the surrounding context for meaning, and determine which choice has a similar meaning. In this example, we can see that the messenger is telling Lady Macbeth that the “thane” is coming. He began the exchange by informing her that the king would be arriving that night, so we can safely assume that “thane” and “king” have the same meaning.

Looking at our answer choices, we can eliminate C and D. Both of these words mean the same thing (a person who is low in the feudal system or a general hierarchy, which is the opposite of a king). Now, looking at choice B, we can parse out that “matriarch” refers to a woman in charge due to the prefix matri-, meaning mother. In the context, “king” and “thane” have a masculine meaning, making “matriarch” a clearly wrong answer. A: Monarch is the correct answer.

Example Question 2:

Which of the below phrases most likely means the same thing as the underlined phrase?

Explanation: Another common question type within the reading comprehension assessment asks you to reference an underlined phrase and use the given context to determine the meaning. In this question, the underlined phrase is “dead for breath,” which you’ve probably figured out means “breathless” or “out of breath.” Luckily, this meaning makes eliminating choices A and C easy.

A trick that test makers will often use in these types of questions is to throw in an advanced-level vocabulary word (“sordid” in this case) to throw you off. The word “sordid” means dirty or repulsive–so it wouldn’t make sense in the passage’s context. Using this logic, we can safely assume that B: Exhausted is the correct answer.

Example Question 3:

What is most likely the reason the author chose to use the word “tending” in the passage?

  • “Tending” is referring to making food for the thane, so the author chose this word to show that the king will be hungry when he arrives.
  • “Tending” is referring to patience, so the author chose this word to show that though the messenger is tired, he should give the king some space when he arrives.
  • “Tending” is referring to outrage, so the author chose this word to show the reader that Lady Macbeth is angry that the king is coming.
  • “Tending” is referring to disgust, so the author chose this word to show that everyone is disgusted by the king’s arrival.

Explanation: This question type asks you to use your critical thinking skills to empathize with the author in order to try and understand the author’s purpose. We can again rely heavily on the context: the word “tending” is used in the same place that Lady Macbeth states that the king is bringing good news. Based on this, we can safely eliminate choices C and D.

Looking at our remaining choices and the context, we know that the messenger states that the king is “dead for breath” meaning “exhausted,” but there is no mention of food anywhere in the passage. The lack of context for food makes A an improbable answer, leaving us with the correct answer, B.

Reading Comprehension Test Sample Questions & Answers

Using what you’ve learned so far, take advantage of the following free example passages and questions. An answer key can be found at the bottom! Remember that the exam is testing your aptitude for critical thinking and use of context, and that question types can vary based on the type of passage. Below you will find three sample passages, one of each of the most common passage types: a poem, a novel excerpt, and an article excerpt.

Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction2 ice Is also great And would suffice.

“Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost

  • “Ice” symbolizes love. The author believes that love between humans will cause the destruction of the world.
  • “Fire” symbolizes desire, which can be an analogy for greed. The author believes that greed will cause the destruction of the world.
  • “Fire” symbolizes desire, while “ice” symbolizes hate. The author believes that either greed or hate could be catalysts for the end of the world.
  • None of the above.
  • The word “destruction” emphasizes the apocalyptic feel of the poem.
  • The word “destruction” refers to how freezing items has the potential to ruin them.
  • The word “destruction” shows that fire will be the cause of the end of the world.
Leaflets At dusk they pour from the sky. They blow across the ramparts, turn cartwheels over rooftops, flutter into the ravines between houses. Entire streets swirl with them, flashing white against the cobbles. Urgent message to the inhabitants of this town, they say. Depart immediately to open country3. The tide climbs. The moon hangs small and yellow and gibbous. On the rooftops of beachfront hotels to the east, and in the gardens behind them, a half-dozen American artillery units drop incendiary rounds into the mouths of mortars.

Excerpt from All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

  • It is grammatically incorrect to format a list using commas.
  • The original format depicts what the moon looks like in a way that is easy for readers to understand.
  • The author does not believe that a list with commas is appropriate for the paragraph.
  • The repetitive use of “and” amplifies the tension that is building in the paragraph.
  • The message on the pamphlets aids in the overall tone of urgency.
  • The message on the pamphlets aids in the overall tone of peace.
  • The message on the pamphlets aids in the overall tone of normalcy.
  • The message on the pamphlets was unnecessary to the passage.
Environmental advocates maintain that plastics are largely single-use. A 2020 Greenpeace USA survey found that plastics with resin codes #3-7 are virtually impossible to recycle, because of limited facility processing capabilities and insufficient market demand. Lawsuits are currently ongoing against Walmart and Keurig Green Mountain, arguing that those companies have violated Federal Trade Commission guidance by presenting plastic items as recyclable. The corporate giants have defended themselves against the allegations and emphasize their commitment to sustainability.

Excerpt from “How Useful is Recycling, Really?” by E. A. Crunden writing for The Atlantic.

  • The survey is being used as a placeholder for actual data that would strengthen the argument.
  • The use of cited data strengthens the argument by providing real-world examples of environmental impact.
  • The survey nullifies the impact of the word “lawsuit” in following lines.
  • The use of cited data weakens the author’s argument that the companies in question are fighting for lessening the environmental impact of plastics.
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Course: LSAT   >   Unit 1

Getting started with reading comprehension.

  • Catalog of question types | Reading comprehension
  • Main point | Quick guide
  • Recognition | Quick guide
  • Clarifying meaning | Quick guide
  • Purpose of reference | Quick guide
  • Organizing information | Quick guide
  • Inferences about views | Quick guide
  • Inferences about information | Quick guide
  • Inferences about attitudes | Quick guide
  • Applying to new contexts | Quick guide
  • Principles and analogies | Quick guide
  • Additional evidence | Quick guide
  • Primary purpose | Quick guide

essay reading comprehension test

Reading Comprehension overview

  • Duration: 35 minutes
  • Length: 26-28 passage-based questions (divided into four reading passages).
  • Subject matter: Four passages are drawn from four areas: Law, Social Science, Science, and Humanities. Three of the passages will ask you questions about a single text. One of the passages, known sometimes as the “Comparative Reading set", will feature two texts, and the questions will focus on how they relate to each other.
  • 1-2 passages: Total length of the text will be about 50-60 lines. The topics are diverse, and many may be unfamiliar to you.
  • Questions: You’ll be asked several questions about the text. Some of the questions can be answered with information explicitly stated in the passage, but many questions ask about what can be inferred.
  • Choices: You’ll be presented with five choices. Only one of them is correct. You’ll see us refer to the correct choice as the “answer” throughout your practice sessions.

What can I do to tackle the Reading Comprehension section most effectively?

  • Why did the passage’s author include this quote? Was it supporting a claim?
  • Why did the author include this example?
  • What role does each claim, each paragraph play in the text’s overall argument?

All Reading Comprehension questions are not created equal!

Dos and don’ts.

  • Don’t try to read faster: LSAT Reading Comprehension isn’t about speed and memorization. Students who consider themselves slower readers can be very successful on the test, by learning active reading strategies to identify the most important information. Some parts are okay to read less carefully, for example, because they contain details supporting a larger claim or point.
  • Don’t add your own soundtrack: The LSAT doesn’t require any outside expertise in the many topics it presents to you. All of the information that you need will be presented in the passage. When you bring your own experience, knowledge and opinions about a topic into the mix, you may add your own unwarranted assumptions which will lead you to wrong choices. Strong critical readers avoid this common LSAT pitfall!
  • Don’t time yourself too early on: Accuracy, then speed! When learning a new skill, it’s better to leave timing considerations to the side until you’ve increased your skill level enough to warrant timing. If you were learning piano, you wouldn’t play a piece at full-speed before you’d practiced the passages very slowly, and then less slowly, and then less slowly still.
  • Do read with your pencil: Reading actively is helpful to understanding reading comprehension passages and not “zoning out” while you read. Many students like to underline or circle keywords, such as “however”, “therefore”, “argues that”, “first/second”, and many others that you’ll learn throughout your studies with us. If you’re reading with your pencil, you’re much less likely to wonder what you just read in the last minute, and you can focus on the structure and shifts in the action.
  • Do be nimble: You don’t have to do the passages and questions in order, or even to do a given question at all. Many students find success maximizing their score by skipping a select handful of questions entirely, either because they know a question will take too long to solve, or because they just don’t know how to solve it.
  • Do learn about all of the question types: An effective approach to a main point question is very different than an effective approach to an inference question, even though the passage is the same.
  • Do spend time on the fundamentals: Effective reading strategies take time to learn and implement consistently. For example, understand how to identify important keywords (and why they’re important) before practicing many passages in a row. The hints and explanations in the system will help with this—a lot! Other key skills include characterizing the relationships between various points of view and identifying the purpose of a paragraph. Be patient with yourself!
  • Do honor the precision of language: If the author writes, “This explanation isn’t well-supported, however”, an inference question might ask you what the author’s attitude towards the explanation is. A wrong choice would be something like, “vehement skepticism”, whereas the answer might be, “cautious doubt.” Many students are too approximate in their reading and it hurts their score on the LSAT; in other words, they see some degree of disagreement and they believe that any choice that expresses disagreement will be correct. They may see the word “most” in the passage and equate it to “all” by mistake.

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essay reading comprehension test

Reading is a skill many people take for granted, but the act of reading and properly comprehending a text is a complex and interactive process. It requires several different brain functions to work together and most often requires one to puzzle through multiple layers of context and meaning.

Because reading comprehension is so complicated, we can often find ourselves understanding the most basic interpretation of a text, but missing the emotional core or the "big picture." Or we might just find our brains spinning with no clue at all as to what a text is attempting to convey.

But luckily for everyone who struggles in English classes, on standardized tests, or in daily life, reading comprehension can be improved upon (and it's never too late to start!). In this guide, I explain step-by-step how to improve reading comprehension over time and offer tips for boosting your understanding as you read.

What Is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is the understanding of what a particular text means and the ideas the author is attempting to convey, both textual and subtextual. In order to read any text, your brain must process not only the literal words of the piece, but also their relationship with one another, the context behind the words, how subtle language and vocabulary usage can impact emotion and meaning behind the text, and how the text comes together as a larger, coherent whole.

For instance, let's look at the first line from Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice :

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

Now, a completely literal interpretation of the text, just based on word-meaning, would have us believe that 'all rich men want wives.' But the context, word choice, and phrasing of the text actually belie that interpretation. By using the phrases "universally acknowledged" and " must be in want of" (emphasis ours), the text is conveying a subtle sarcasm to the words. Instead of it being an actual truth that 'rich men want wives,' this one sentence instantly tells us that we're reading about a society preoccupied with marriage, while also implying that the opening statement is something people in that society may believe, but that isn't necessarily true.

In just a few short words, Austen conveys several ideas to the reader about one of the main themes of the story, the setting, and what the culture and people are like. And she does so all the while seeming to contradict the literal words of the piece.

Without practice in reading comprehension, nuances like these can become lost. And so it can happen that someone may find themselves reading, but not truly comprehending the full meaning of a text.

As you can see, reading comprehension involves many processes happening in your brain at once, and thus it can be easy for some aspects of a text to get lost in the muddle. But the good news for anyone who struggles is that reading comprehension is a skill just like any other. It must be learned through practice, focus, and diligence, but it absolutely CAN be learned.

Why Reading Comprehension Is Important

Proper reading comprehension can be difficult, so why bother? Even though learning how to properly read and comprehend texts is a complicated process, it is a necessary skill to master, both for work and for pleasure.

You will need to know how to read and interpret all kinds of different texts—both on the basic, literal level and on a more in-depth level—throughout your schooling, in college, and in the working world (as well as in your recreation time!). If we think about "reading" just as a literal or surface understanding of a piece and "reading comprehension" as the complete understanding, a person can only get by in the world on pure "reading" for so long.

Reading comprehension is essential for many significant aspects of daily life, such as:

  • Reading, understanding, and analyzing literature in your English classes
  • Reading and understanding texts from your other class subjects, such as history, math, or science
  • Doing well on both the written and math sections of the SAT (or all five sections of the ACT)
  • Understanding and engaging with current events presented in written form, such as news reports
  • Properly understanding and responding to any and all other workplace correspondence, such as essays, reports, memos, and analyses
  • Simply taking pleasure in written work on your own leisure time

essay reading comprehension test

Just like with any goal or skill, we can master reading comprehension one step at a time.

How to Improve Reading Comprehension: 3 Steps

Because reading comprehension is a skill that improves like any other, you can improve your understanding with practice and a game plan.

Dedicate yourself to engaging in a combination of both "guided" and "relaxed" reading practice for at least two to three hours a week. Guided practice will involve structure and focused attention, like learning new vocabulary words and testing yourself on them, while relaxed practice will involve merely letting yourself read and enjoy reading without pressure for at least one to two hours a week. (Note: if you already read for pleasure, add at least one more hour of pleasure-reading per week.)

By combining reading-for-studying and reading-for-pleasure, you'll be able to improve your reading skill without relegating reading time to the realm of "work" alone. Reading is a huge part of our daily lives, and improving your comprehension should never come at the cost of depriving yourself of the pleasure of the activity.

So what are some of the first steps for improving your reading comprehension level?

Step 1: Understand and Reevaluate How You're Currently Reading

Before you can improve your reading comprehension, you must first understand how you're currently reading and what your limitations are.

Start by selecting excerpts from different texts with which you are unfamiliar—text books, essays, novels, news reports, or any kind of text you feel you particularly struggle to understand—and read them as you would normally. As you read, see if you can notice when your attention, energy, or comprehension of the material begins to flag.

If your comprehension or concentration tends to lag after a period of time, start to slowly build up your stamina. For instance, if you continually lose focus at the 20 minute mark every time you read, acknowledge this and push yourself to slowly increase that time, rather than trying to sit and concentrate on reading for an hour or two at a stretch. Begin by reading for your maximum amount of focused time (in this case, twenty minutes), then give yourself a break. Next time, try for 22 minutes. Once you've mastered that, try for 25 and see if you can still maintain focus. If you can, then try for thirty.

If you find that your concentration or comprehension starts to lag again , take a step back on your timing before pushing yourself for more. Improvement comes with time, and it'll only cause frustration if you try to rush it all at once.

Alternatively, you may find that your issues with reading comprehension have less to do with the time spent reading than with the source material itself. Perhaps you struggle to comprehend the essential elements of a text, the context of a piece, character arcs or motivation, books or textbooks with densely packed information, or material that is heavily symbolic. If this is the case, then be sure to follow the tips below to improve these areas of reading comprehension weakness.

Improving your reading comprehension level takes time and practice, but understanding where your strengths and weaknesses stand now is the first step towards progress.

Step 2: Improve Your Vocabulary

Reading and comprehension rely on a combination of vocabulary, context, and the interaction of words. So you must be able to understand each moving piece before you can understand the text as a whole.

If you struggle to understand specific vocabulary, it's sometimes possible to pick up meaning through context clues (how the words are used in the sentence or in the passage), but it's always a good idea to look up the definitions of words with which you aren't familiar. As you read, make sure to keep a running list of words you don't readily recognize and make yourself a set of flashcards with the words and their definitions. Dedicate fifteen minutes two or three times a week to and quizzing yourself on your vocab flashcards.

To get started, you'll need some blank index cards and a system to keep them organized. These basic cards are an affordable option that are also available in fun colors . You can keep them organized with plastic baggies or rubber bands, or you can get an organizer .

Alternatively, try these easy-flip flashcards that include binder clips. Though we strongly recommend making your own flashcards, you can also buy pre-made ones —the best option is Barron's 1100 Words You Need to Know , a series of exercises to master key words and idioms.

In order to retain your vocabulary knowledge, you must employ a combination of practiced memorization (like studying your flashcards) and make a point of using these new words in your verbal and written communication. Guided vocabulary practice like this will give you access to new words and their meanings as well as allow you to properly retain them.

Step 3: Read for Pleasure

The best way to improve your reading comprehension level is through practice. And the best way to practice is to have fun with it!

Make reading a fun activity, at least on occasion, rather than a constant chore. This will motivate you to engage with the text and embrace the activity as part of your daily life (rather than just your study/work life). As you practice and truly engage with your reading material, improvement will come naturally.

Begin by reading texts that are slightly below your age and grade level (especially if reading is frustrating or difficult for you). This will take pressure off of you and allow you to relax and enjoy the story. Here are some fun, easy reads that we recommend to get you started:

  • Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roksani Chokshi
  • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
  • Ghost   by Jason Reynolds
  • The Westing Game by Ellen Rankin
  • From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
  • The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson
  • I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone   by J.K .Rowling

Once you feel more comfortable reading and practicing your comprehension strategies (tips in the next section), go ahead and allow yourself to read at whatever reading or age level you feel like. Even if you feel that you don't understand some of the text right now—or even a large portion of it!—if you enjoy yourself and give it your best shot, you'll find that your reading comprehension levels will improve over time.

essay reading comprehension test

Reading these problematic passages aloud can often help circumvent that block and help you to form a visual of what the text is trying to convey.

Tip 3: Re-read (or Skim) Previous Sections of the Text

For the most part, reading is a personal activity that happens entirely in your head. So don't feel you have to read just like anyone else if "typical" methods don't work for you. Sometimes it can make the most sense to read (or re-read) a text out of order.

It is often helpful to glance backwards through a piece of text (or even re-read large sections) to remind yourself of any information you need and have forgotten—what happened previously, what a particular word means, who a person was...the list is endless.

Previous sentences, sections, or even whole chapters can provide helpful context clues. Re-reading these passages will help to refresh your memory so that you can better understand and interpret later sections of the text.

Tip 4: Skim or Read Upcoming Sections of the Text

Just like with the previous step, don't feel that the only way to read and understand a text is to work through it completely linearly. Allow yourself the freedom to take apart the text and put it back together again in whichever way makes the most sense to you.

Sometimes a current confusion in a work will be explained later on in the text, and it can help you to know that explanations are upcoming or even just to read them ahead of time.

So skip forward or backwards, re-read or read ahead as you need to, take the piece in whatever order you need to in order to make sense of the text. Not everyone thinks linearly, and not everyone best understands texts linearly either.

Tip 5: Discuss the Text With a Friend (Even an Imaginary Friend)

Sometimes discussing what you know so far about a text can help clear up any confusion. If you have a friend who hasn't read the text in question, then explain it to them in your own words, and discuss where you feel your comprehension is lacking. You'll find that you've probably understood more than you think once you've been forced to explain it to someone who's completely unfamiliar with the piece.

Even if no one else is in the room, trying to teach or discuss what a passage says or means with "someone else" can be extremely beneficial. In fact, software engineers call this technique "rubber duck debugging," wherein they explain a coding problem to a rubber duck. This forces them to work through a problem aloud, which has proven time and time again to help people solve problems. So if a piece of text has your head spinning from trying to work through it by yourself, start chatting with your nearest friend/pet/rubber duck. You'll be surprised with how much easier it is to understand a text once you've talked it through with someone.

Even if that someone is a duck.

essay reading comprehension test

The Take-Aways

Improving reading comprehension takes time and effort, but it can be done. Be patient with yourself, work through your reading comprehension steps, and try not to get frustrated with yourself if you feel your progress is slow or if you feel you're "falling behind." You will utilize your reading skills throughout your life, so go at a pace that works for you, and take care to maintain that balance between reading for pure pleasure and reading for dedicated improvement.

As you begin to incorporate more and more reading into your daily life, you'll find that comprehension will become easier, and reading will become more fun. In every piece of text, there are worlds of meaning to explore, and learning how to uncover them can be the ultimate rewarding journey.

What's Next?

Can't get enough reading? Whether as part of your reading practice or just for fun, check out our picks for the 31 best books to read in high school.

Problems with procrastination? Whether you're studying for the SAT's or studying your reading comprehension vocabulary check out how to beat procrastination and get your studies back on track.

Want to earn better grades? Our guide will help you get that 4.0 you're striving for .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Courtney scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT in high school and went on to graduate from Stanford University with a degree in Cultural and Social Anthropology. She is passionate about bringing education and the tools to succeed to students from all backgrounds and walks of life, as she believes open education is one of the great societal equalizers. She has years of tutoring experience and writes creative works in her free time.

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How to Prepare for a Reading Comprehension Test

Last Updated: March 2, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. . Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 20,586 times.

Reading comprehension sections are really common on a lot of standardized tests. You'll be given a passage to read and then a set of questions to answer about that passage. If you’re getting ready to take an AP test, SAT, or TOEFL, it’s a good idea to practice answering sample questions. You might have to answer multiple-choice questions or write a short essay based on a selected passage. While you can't do the reading ahead of time, you can take practice tests that will help you hone your skills and make you feel confident.

Taking Practice Tests

Step 1 Search online for sample questions and practice exams.

  • You can also buy books that will help you prepare for the specific exam you’re taking. Check online or at bookstores. Or try your local or school library!

Step 2 Start by taking untimed tests to get comfortable.

  • Take as many untimed tests as you need to learn the process. It might take you a few tries to get used to the format.

Step 3 Time yourself once you start getting the hang of it to track your progress.

  • Practice doesn't make perfect, but it does make you better. As you keep taking practice tests, you will be able to read the passages and answer the questions more quickly.

Step 4 Try taking a test prep course for more guidance and practice, if possible.

  • If you’re a student, you might be able to find similar programs at your school. Check with the academic resource center or student success services to see if they have any help to offer.

Understanding What You Read

Step 1 Read the passage carefully before answering the question.

  • Contrasting and comparable ideas
  • Ideas the author is advancing and ideas the author is simply reporting
  • Ideas that are speculative
  • Examples that are specific

Step 2 Skim the passage if you’re worried about time management.

  • For example, if the question is, “What argument does the author make about the origins of World War II?” don’t spend time looking for details about what sorts of tanks were used in battles.

Step 4 Finish one passage before moving on to the next to avoid confusion.

  • That doesn’t mean you have to go in any particular order. It’s totally fine to choose to start with the second passage and come back to the first one.
  • You might choose to do this if history is your strong suit and that’s the basis for the second passage, for example. It can be helpful to start with your most comfortable area.

Answering Multiple Choice Questions

Step 1 Look for common types of wrong answers on multiple-choice questions.

  • Answers that make assumptions
  • Answers that are too specific or too vague
  • Answers that don’t connect directly to the text
  • Answers that don’t directly answer the question that was asked

Step 2 Skip hard questions and come back to them to avoid getting stuck.

  • Make a little mark next to the number of the unanswered question so that you remember to come back to it.

Step 3 Use the process of elimination to get rid of obviously wrong answers.

  • A: Was divorced
  • C: Was wealthy
  • D: Fought in the war
  • You can go ahead and cross out A and B because it's pretty likely that no one is jealous of someone for being sick or divorced. While it is possible that Nick would be jealous if Gatsby was a war hero, there are plenty of context clues in the passage that talk about money. You can confidently choose C.

Step 4 Answer every question even if you are just guessing.

Writing Short Essay Answers

Step 1 Refer to the passage to help you narrow down the answer.

  • If you’re trying to add some specific examples to your answer, the text is the best place to find them. Look over the passage to find examples to support the point you are making.
  • For example, if you are writing an essay about recycling, look for specific examples about plastic, glass, and paper products to include in your answer.

Step 2 Write your answer based on information in the passage.

  • Maybe you are reading a passage specifically about the importance of cardiovascular exercise. Don’t spend time sharing information that you know about the importance of eating a healthy diet.

Step 3 Answer the question paragraph by paragraph to stay on track.

  • You can still read through the entire passage before answering the question. Just go through it paragraph by paragraph as you write.

Expert Q&A

  • Start studying about 3 months before taking the test. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Make sure to register several weeks in advance. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Eat a good breakfast the morning of the test. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

essay reading comprehension test

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  • ↑ https://hpa.princeton.edu/application-process/standardized-tests
  • ↑ https://blog.collegevine.com/five-tips-to-boost-your-score-on-the-reading-sat/
  • ↑ https://www.ets.org/toefl/junior/prepare/reading-comprehension.html
  • ↑ https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl/blog/toefl-reading-passages/
  • ↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview. 18 June 2020.
  • ↑ https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/sat-student-guide.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.prepscholar.com/gre/blog/gre-reading-comprehension-tips/
  • ↑ https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/reading-practice-test-questions.html?page=0&chapter=0

About This Article

Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.

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  • Preparing for IELTS
  • Practice tests

Free online IELTS Reading practice tests

You will be allowed 1 hour to complete all 3 sections of the IELTS Academic or General Reading test. Prepare with our free materials.

Choose which test you need to prepare for:

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Reading Comprehension Practice Questions

Downloadable Sample Questions

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essay reading comprehension test

  • B.A., English, University of Michigan

In modern teaching, educators must ensure that their students have excellent reading comprehension skills. Because academics today are predominantly interdisciplinary, a student cannot master core content with anything less than excellent reading comprehension. This is a tall order for teachers.

Sometimes, teachers feel so overwhelmed by checkpoints that must be reached in core content areas that reading falls by the wayside. Don't let this happen. Instead, since reading goes hand-in-hand with every other topic of study, utilize resources for practicing reading comprehension within other subject areas so that your students get used to multitasking.

Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Exercises like the ones found on these free reading comprehension worksheets—complete with multiple-choice and essay questions—are perfect for growing reading comprehension skills. Before long, your students will be prepared for any standardized testing (like the SAT , PSAT , and GRE ) or real-world reading scenario.

These worksheets can stand in for homework, in-class handouts, or extended practice. However you choose to use them, get ready to see results in your students' reading.

The following worksheets focus specifically on finding the main idea , an important aspect of reading comprehension. You'll find worksheets filled with multiple-choice questions, where students will need to eliminate distractors to find the correct main idea, and open-ended questions, where students will need to compose the main idea themselves.

Each of the worksheets in this link features a story or nonfiction snippet that is followed by multiple-choice questions asking students to determine the meaning of a vocabulary word using context clues. Students must be able to discern the meaning of unfamiliar words to have strong comprehension. Match these exercises to your students based on their current ability levels until they are ready for more of a challenge. 

These inference-based worksheets will target your students' ability to read between the lines and reason with what they've read. When completing these exercises, students will study pictures and makes inferences about their meaning using evidence to support their conclusions. This crucial skill takes time to master, so have your students start practicing it now.

Author's Purpose and Tone

These worksheets present paragraphs followed by author's purpose questions similar to those on standardized tests. For each paragraph, students will need to select the choice that best represents the author's purpose for writing the passage, thinking beyond what is stated in the text to why the text was written.

Determining an author's purpose for writing something is a very different concept from identifying the main idea of a piece because it requires much more abstract thinking. Have your students use author's tone to guide their thinking.

  • Author's Purpose Worksheet 1  
  • Author's Purpose Worksheet 2 

Overall Reading Comprehension

This link will take you to a slew of reading comprehension worksheets that are centered around nonfiction passages. The passages range from 500 to over 2,000 words and content includes famous speeches, biographies, art, so you'll definitely be able to find what you need.

Use the worksheets and accompanying multiple-choice questions to test your students' overall comprehension, including their ability to find the main idea, assess the author's purpose, make inferences, understand vocabulary in context , and more!

  • Nonfiction Reading Comprehension Worksheets
  • Free Inference Worksheets and Exercises
  • Inference: A Critical Assumption
  • High School Vocabulary in Context Worksheets
  • How to Assess and Teach Reading Comprehension
  • What is The Author's Purpose?
  • Third Grade Reading Comprehension Books
  • Second Grade Reading Comprehension Books
  • Find the Main Idea Worksheets and Practice Questions
  • How to Find the Main Idea
  • How to Boost Reading Comprehension With Reciprocal Teaching
  • Predictions to Support Reading Comprehension
  • Top 5 ACT Reading Strategies
  • Understanding Vocabulary Words in Context
  • Reading Comprehension Worksheet 2
  • How to Make an Inference in 5 Easy Steps

Complete Test Preparation Inc.

  • Practice Test Questions

essay reading comprehension test

  • Posted by Brian Stocker
  • Date November 10, 2016
  • Comments 14 comments

Reading Comprehension Practice – With Explanation and Answer Key

Reading Comprehension Practice Questions 

Making Inferences, Summarizing, Main Idea, Author’s tone, Author’s purpose, Opinion vs. Facts, Meaning in Context and more!

Reading Comprehension Tutorials

Reading Comprehension Quick Tips

Common Reading Comprehension Mistakes on a Test

Reading comprehension practice.

Passage 1 – Who Was Anne Frank?

You may have heard mention of the word Holocaust in your History or English classes. The Holocaust took place from 1939-1945. It was an attempt by the Nazi party to purify the human race, by eliminating Jews, Gypsies, Catholics, homosexuals and others they deemed inferior to their “perfect” Aryan race. The Nazis used Concentration Camps, which were sometimes used as Death Camps, to exterminate the people they held in the camps. The saddest fact about the Holocaust was the over one million children under the age of sixteen died in a Nazi concentration camp. Just a few weeks before World War II was over, Anne Frank was one of those children to die.

Before the Nazi party began its persecution of the Jews, Anne Frank had a happy life. She was born in June of 1929. In June of 1942, for her 13th birthday, she was given a simple present which would go onto impact the lives of millions of people around the world. That gift was a small red diary that she called Kitty. This diary was to become Anne’s most treasured possession when she and her family hid from the Nazi’s in a secret annex above her father’s office building in Amsterdam.

For 25 months, Anne, her sister Margot, her parents, another family, and an elderly Jewish dentist hid from the Nazis in this tiny annex. They were never permitted to go outside and their food and supplies were brought to them by Miep Gies and her husband, who did not believe in the Nazi persecution of the Jews. It was a very difficult life for young Anne and she used Kitty as an outlet to describe her life in hiding.

After 2 years, Anne and her family were betrayed and arrested by the Nazis. To this day, nobody is exactly sure who betrayed the Frank family and the other annex residents. Anne, her mother, and her sister were separated from Otto Frank, Anne’s father. Then, Anne and Margot were separated from their mother. In March of 1945, Margot Frank died of starvation in a Concentration Camp. A few days later, at the age of 15, Anne Frank died of typhus. Of all the people who hid in the Annex, only Otto Frank survived the Holocaust.

Otto Frank returned to the Annex after World War II. It was there that he found Kitty, filled with Anne’s thoughts and feelings about being a persecuted Jewish girl. Otto Frank had Anne’s diary published in 1947 and it has remained continuously in print ever since. Today, the diary has been published in over 55 languages and more than 24 million copies have been sold around the world. The Diary of Anne Frank tells the story of a brave young woman who tried to see the good in all people.

1. From the context clues in the passage, what does the word Annex mean?

a. Attic b. Bedroom c. Basement d. Kitchen

2. Why do you think Anne’s diary has been published in 55 languages?

a. So everyone could understand it. b. So people around the world could learn more about the horrors of the Holocaust. c. Because Anne was Jewish but hid in Amsterdam and died in Germany. d. Because Otto Frank spoke many languages.

3. From the description of Anne and Margot’s deaths in the passage, what can we assume typhus is?

a. The same as starving to death. b. An infection the Germans gave to Anne. c. A disease Anne caught in the concentration camp. d. Poison gas used by the Germans to kill Anne.

4. In the third paragraph, what does the word outlet mean?

a. A place to plug things into the wall b. A store where Miep bought cheap supplies for the Frank family c. A hiding space similar to an Annex d. A place where Anne could express her private thoughts.

Questions 5 – 8 refer to the following passage.

Passage 2 – Keeping Tropical Fish

essay reading comprehension test

If you are considering keeping tropical fish as pets, here is a list of the basic equipment you will need. A filter is essential for keeping your aquarium clean and your fish alive and healthy. There are different types and sizes of filters and the right size for you depends on the size of the aquarium and the level of stocking. Generally, you need a filter with a 3 to 5 times turn over rate per hour. This means that the water in the tank should go through the filter about 3 to 5 times per hour.

Most tropical fish do well in water temperatures ranging be tween 24 0 C and 26 0 C, though each has its own ideal water temperature. A heater with a thermostat is necessary to regulate the water temperature. Some heaters are submersible and others are not, so check carefully before you buy.

Lights are also necessary, and come in a large variety of types, strengths and sizes. A light source is necessary for plants in the tank to photosynthesize and give the tank a more attractive appearance. Even if you plan to use plastic plants, the fish still require light, although here you can use a lower strength light source.

A hood is necessary to keep dust, dirt and unwanted materials out of the tank. Sometimes the hood can also help prevent evaporation. Another requirement is aquarium gravel. This will improve the aesthetics of the aquarium and is necessary if you plan to have real plants.

5. What is the general tone of this article?

a. Formal b. Informal c. Technical d. Opinion

6. Which of the following cannot be inferred?

a. Gravel is good for aquarium plants. b. Fewer people have aquariums in their office than at home. c. The larger the tank, the larger the filter required. d. None of the above.

7. What evidence does the author provide to support their claim that aquarium lights are necessary?

a. Plants require light. b. Fish and plants require light. c. The author does not provide evidence for this statement. d. Aquarium lights make the aquarium more attractive.

8. Which of the following is an opinion?

a. Filter with a 3 to 5 times turn over rate per hour are required. b. Aquarium gravel improves the aesthetics of the aquarium. c. An aquarium hood keeps dust, dirt and unwanted materials out of the tank. d. Each type of tropical fish has its own ideal water temperature.

Questions 9 – 12 refer to the following passage.

Passage 3 – The Life of Helen Keller

essay reading comprehension test

Many people have heard of Helen Keller. She is famous because she was unable to see or hear, but learned to speak and read and went onto attend college and earn a degree. Her life is a very interesting story, one that she developed into an autobiography, which was then adapted into both a stage play and a movie. How did Helen Keller overcome her disabilities to become a famous woman? Read onto find out.

Helen Keller was not born blind and deaf. When she was a small baby, she had a very high fever for several days. As a result of her sudden illness, baby Helen lost her eyesight and her hearing. Because she was so young when she went deaf and blind, Helen Keller never had any recollection of being able to see or hear. Since she could not hear, she could not learn to talk. Since she could not see, it was difficult for her to move around. For the first six years of her life, her world was very still and dark.

Imagine what Helen’s childhood must have been like. She could not hear her mother’s voice. She could not see the beauty of her parent’s farm. She could not recognize who was giving her a hug, or a bath or even where her bedroom was each night. More sad, she could not communicate with her parents in any way. She could not express her feelings or tell them the things she wanted. It must have been a very sad childhood.

When Helen was six years old, her parents hired her a teacher named Anne Sullivan. Anne was a young woman who was almost blind. However, she could hear and she could read Braille, so she was a perfect teacher for young Helen. At first, Anne had a very hard time teaching Helen anything. She described her first impression of Helen as a “wild thing, not a child.” Helen did not like Anne at first either. She bit and hit Anne when Anne tried to teach her. However, the two of them eventually came to have a great deal of love and respect.

Anne taught Helen to hear by putting her hands on people’s throats. She could feel the sounds that people made. In time, Helen learned to feel what people said. Next, Anne taught Helen to read Braille, which is a way that books are written for the blind. Finally, Anne taught Helen to talk. Although Helen did learn to talk, it was hard for anyone but Anne to understand her.

As Helen grew older, more and more people were amazed by her story. She went to college and wrote books about her life. She gave talks to the public, with Anne at her side, translating her words. Today, both Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller are famous women who are respected for their lives’ work.

9. Helen Keller could not see and hear and so, what was her biggest problem in childhood?

a. Inability to communicate b. Inability to walk c. Inability to play d. Inability to eat

10. Helen learned to hear by feeling the vibrations people made when they spoke. What were these vibrations were felt through?

a. Mouth b. Throat c. Ears d. Lips

11. From the passage, we can infer that Anne Sullivan was a patient teacher. We can infer this because

a. Helen hit and bit her and Anne still remained her teacher. b. Anne taught Helen to read only. c. Anne was hard of hearing too. d. Anne wanted to be a teacher.

12. Helen Keller learned to speak but Anne translated her words when she spoke in public. The reason Helen needed a translator was because

a. Helen spoke another language. b. Helen’s words were hard for people to understand. c. Helen spoke very quietly. d. Helen did not speak but only used sign language.

1. A We know that an annex is like an attic because the text states the annex was above Otto Frank’s building.

Choice B is incorrect because an office building doesn’t have bedrooms. Choice C is incorrect because a basement would be below the office building. Choice D is incorrect because there would not be a kitchen in an office building.

2. B The diary has been published in 55 languages so people all over the world can learn about Anne. That is why the passage says it has been continuously in print.

Choice A is incorrect because it is too vague. Choice C is incorrect because it was published after Anne died and she did not write in all three languages. Choice D is incorrect because the passage does not give us any information about what languages Otto Frank spoke.

3. C Use the process of elimination to figure this out. Choice A cannot be the correct answer because otherwise the passage would have simply said that Anne and Margot both died of starvation. Choices B and D cannot be correct because if the Germans had done something specifically to murder Anne, the passage would have stated that directly. By the process of elimination, choice C has to be the correct answer.

4. D We can figure this out using context clues. The paragraph is talking about Anne’s diary and so, outlet in this instance is a place where Anne can pour her feelings.

Choice A is incorrect answer. That is the literal meaning of the word outlet and the passage is using the figurative meaning. Choice B is incorrect because that is the secondary literal meaning of the word outlet, as in an outlet mall. Again, we are looking for figurative meaning. Choice C is incorrect because there are no clues in the text to support that answer.

5. B The general tone is informal.

6. B The statement, “Fewer people have aquariums in their office than at home,” cannot be inferred from this article.

7. B Both plants and fish need lights.

8. B The following statement is an opinion, “ Aquarium gravel improves the aesthetics of the aquarium.”

9. A Helen’s parents hired Anne to teach Helen to communicate.

Choice B is incorrect because the passage states Anne had trouble finding her way around, which means she could walk. Choice C is incorrect because you don’t hire a teacher to teach someone to play. Choice D is incorrect because by age 6, if Helen had never eaten, she would have starved to death.

10. B The correct answer because that fact is stated directly in the passage. The passage explains that Anne taught Helen to hear by allowing her to feel the vibrations in her throat.

11. A We can infer that Anne is a patient teacher because she did not leave or lose her temper when Helen bit or hit her; she just kept trying to teach Helen. Choice B is incorrect because Anne taught Helen to read and talk. Choice C is incorrect because Anne could hear. She was partially blind, not deaf. Choice D is incorrect because it does not have to do with patience.

12. B The passage states that it was hard for anyone but Anne to understand Helen when she spoke. Choice A is incorrect because the passage does not mention Helen spoke a foreign language. Choice C is incorrect because there is no mention of how quiet or loud Helen’s voice was. Choice D is incorrect because we know from reading the passage that Helen did learn to speak.

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Reading Comprehension Video & Tutorials

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Reading Comprehension Strategy – Sample PDF

essay reading comprehension test

Quick Tips for Answering Reading Comprehension

  • Read the passage carefully and thoroughly, paying attention to details and main ideas.
  • Make sure you really understand the question.  Identify key words, ideas and phrases.
  • Use the information in the passage to infer and make logical connections.
  • Eliminate any answer choices that are clearly incorrect.  Elimination is your best strategy for answering multiple choice
  • If you are unsure, look for clues in the passage and in previous questions and make an educated guess.

Common Reading Comprehension Mistakes

  • Skimming or not reading the passage carefully enough.
  • Not fully understanding the question being asked.
  • Assuming you know the answer before reading the passage.
  • Focusing on small details and missing the main idea.
  • Not using the context of the passage to infer meaning.
  • Jumping to conclusions without considering all the information provided.
  • Not eliminating clearly incorrect answer choices.

Reading Comprehension Tips

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14 comments.

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This is good for teaching that reading a story is more than just reading a story. I learned that every line has meaning to truly understand a story. It seems like a tricky method initially but is nothing more that teaching us comprehension as opposed to understanding.

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I love it, it is helping me a lot!

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“The diary has been published in 55 languages so people all over the world can learn about Anne. That is why the passage says it has been continuously in print.”

The reason it was translated into 55 languages is because the publishers knew there was an international market for product. The most honest answer is “a. So everyone could understand it.”

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Debatable. Could be construed either way – Choice B is the BEST choice given the information int he passage and only the information in the passage. As mentioned choice A is vague.

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For #6, it never indicates that more people have fish in their homes than office. In the answer key, you say fewer people have fish at offices than at homes. That was never written there in the passage. A would be the best answer since the passage in the last paragraph says ” Another requirement is aquarium gravel. This will improve the aesthetics of the aquarium and is necessary if you plan to have real plants.” That indicates gravel is good for the plants. For #7, it never says that fish need light. It only says plants. Thus, A would be the correct answer.

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thanks for the practice test one. I got 9 out of 10 question correct.

i got 9 out of 12 correct i really like this i took this pre test to get practice for lvn program..

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I got full! Thanks a ton!!

i got 11 correct out of 12 . 🙂

' src=

good info thanks!

you got or you had

‘You had’ as the past tense is always correct. ‘You got’ can be correct but be careful.

I can say, ‘ Have you got that?’ meaning, do you understand. Also you can say, ‘you got’ in a casual way but generally not correct.

' src=

i got two wrong not too bad

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English Reading Level Test

About the reading test.

  • Read the text, then try to answer the questions.
  • There are 20 questions, and you see one at a time in a random order. The answers are not in the same order as the text.
  • Some questions are easier; some are more difficult. Don’t worry if you don’t know the answer!
  • Try not to use a dictionary – the idea is to find your natural level.

Sarah’s Life in Canada Sarah is 36 years old, and she lives in Canada. She has two young daughters. She works two days a week as a teacher. Her husband’s name is Nathan, and he’s a sales manager. Nathan’s job is very busy, so he often comes home late. At weekends, they often go driving or walking in the countryside.

Nathan was born in Canada, but Sarah wasn’t. She was born in Argentina, and she moved to Canada when she was 26. When she was growing up, she was really interested in English. At first, she thought it was difficult, but when she finished school, she could already speak quite fluently and understand almost everything she heard or read. She spent a lot of time listening to songs and watching TV shows and films in English.

After she graduated from university, she decided to train as an English teacher. The certificate she needed was quite expensive, and competition for places was intense, but she was determined to do it—she simply couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She finished the course with a distinction, which was the highest grade possible. Soon, she found work as a teaching assistant in a local primary school. She enjoyed the work, although it was often challenging—the children were not always well-disciplined, and she didn’t think that the classroom teacher had enough understanding of teaching methods.

When she first went to Canada, she never would have imagined that she would end up staying there. It was supposed to be a short-term placement in a high school. She thought that she would be able to see a different part of the world and gain some useful experience, which could help her to find a better teaching position when she came back to Argentina. At first, she found living overseas much more difficult than she had expected. She felt homesick, and she had problems getting used to everything which was different in Canada—the interpersonal culture, the climate, the food… For the first three months she was there, she spent most of her free time in her room, dreaming of going back to Argentina and seeing her family again.

Over time, she adjusted to life in Canada, and even started to enjoy herself a bit more. One day, she met Nathan at a party. She liked his sense of humour, and how kind he was, but she was reluctant to get involved, knowing that she was planning to leave in the near future. When her placement finished, he convinced her to apply for a permanent job in another school. She told herself that she would give it one more year and see how things went.

Now, Sarah is settled, although she still misses Argentina. She tries to make it back at least yearly, and she is bringing up her daughters to be bilingual, so that they can talk to their Argentinian relatives in Spanish. When she thinks back to her first few months in Canada, she can scarcely recognise herself. In some ways, she wishes she weren’t so far away from her family, but at the same time, she feels that she’s learned many things which she never would have experienced had she stayed in Argentina. She wants to give her daughters the chance to travel and experience life in other countries as soon as she can, although of course she hopes they don’t move too far away!

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1 . Question

During her first few months in Canada, Sarah ________.

  • didn't socialise much
  • made lots of new friends
  • had to work very hard

2 . Question

At weekends, Sarah and Nathan often ________.

  • go to a village
  • work long hours
  • get out of the city
  • stay in the city

3 . Question

It took Sarah ________ to get used to living in Canada.

  • several years
  • about one month
  • a few weeks
  • several months

4 . Question

When she left school, her English was ________.

  • not very good

5 . Question

Nathan works ________.

  • in a factory
  • in a school

6 . Question

Sarah thinks that she has ________ since coming to Canada.

  • learned to speak English better
  • not changed very much
  • lost touch with her own country
  • changed a lot

7 . Question

When Sarah went to Canada, she thought ________.

  • she would come back to Argentina again after a short stay
  • she would stay in Canada for a long time
  • she would enjoy living in Canada
  • she would find a job as a high school teacher

8 . Question

When Sarah met Nathan for the first time, ________.

  • she liked him, but she didn't want to have a relationship with him
  • she didn't like him very much
  • she decided to stay another year
  • she told him that she was planning to leave

9 . Question

Sarah and Nathan have ________.

  • one boy and one girl
  • no children

10 . Question

Which sentence best describes Sarah’s attitude now towards her decision to stay in Canada?

  • She isn't sure. She thinks that it's impossible to say whether it was the right choice for her or not.
  • She regrets her decision, because she feels homesick and misses her family all the time.
  • She wishes she had come to Canada earlier, because she doesn't feel that there was anything for her in Argentina.
  • She wouldn't change her decision, although she still finds it hard to be so far from her family.

11 . Question

Sarah’s feelings about her first job were ________.

12 . Question

Sarah decided to train as an English teacher because ________.

  • she didn't know what else to do
  • it was the only thing she was really interested in
  • she thought she could get a good job
  • she wanted to travel

13 . Question

In her first job, she ________.

  • worked with another teacher to teach older children
  • taught young children by herself
  • worked with another teacher to teach young children
  • taught older children by herself

14 . Question

Nathan and Sarah ________.

  • were born in different countries
  • were born in different years
  • were born in the same country
  • were born in the same year

15 . Question

Sarah thought that living in Canada ________.

  • would make her feel homesick
  • would be very different to living in Argentina
  • would be easier than it was
  • would be more difficult than it was

16 . Question

When Sarah was at school, she ________ learning English.

  • didn't mind
  • didn't like

17 . Question

Nathan is ________.

  • Sarah's father
  • Sarah's boyfriend
  • Sarah's manager
  • Sarah's husband

18 . Question

Sarah has lived in Canada ________.

  • since she was 36
  • for ten years
  • for one year
  • since she was born

19 . Question

The children in Sarah’s first job ________.

  • were often rude to her
  • didn't understand what she was saying
  • didn't always behave well in class
  • didn't learn anything

20 . Question

Because of Nathan, Sarah initially decided to stay in Canada ________.

  • until Nathan asked her to marry him
  • for another year
  • for a few more months

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Listening level test, vocabulary level test, grammar level test.

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English Texts for Beginners

essay reading comprehension test

English texts for beginners to practice reading and comprehension online and for free. Practicing your comprehension of written English will both improve your vocabulary and understanding of grammar and word order. The texts below are designed to help you develop while giving you an instant evaluation of your progress.

essay reading comprehension test

Prepared by experienced English teachers, the texts, articles and conversations are brief and appropriate to your level of proficiency. Take the multiple-choice quiz following each text, and you'll get the results immediately. You will feel both challenged and accomplished! You can even download (as PDF) and print the texts and exercises. It's enjoyable, fun and free. Good luck!

  • Wedding Wishes PREMIUM ? »
  • Countries and Nationalities PREMIUM My workday starts at seven. ? »

Study Aids & Media

The reading comprehension section of your standardized test will include various types of passages and questions.

The reading passages will be from a variety of academic disciplines.

Free Reading Practice Tests

Click on each of the links below to see the free reading exam practice questions.

Compare and contrast

Drawing conclusions, author’s purpose.

Facts and opinions

Types of Questions

Your reading comprehension test will include the following types of questions.

Main idea  questions will ask you to find the main idea of the entire passage or of a single paragraph.

Supporting details

For supporting detail questions, you will need to scan the passage quickly to look for specific information.

These kinds of questions may ask you to identify which things are being compared and contrasted.

Alternatively, you may have to discover differences or similarities between two texts.

In order to draw a conclusion based on a reading comprehension passage, you need to make a small logical deduction based on the information provided.

You should avoid wild guesses or conclusions that are not supported by the text.

Questions on the author’s purpose require you to analyze the passage and determine whether the author is trying to educate, persuade, or entertain the reader.

Author’s purpose questions may also ask you to classify the text more specifically as emphatic, critical, or objective.

Fact vs. opinion

These types of reading comprehension questions will provide statements from the passage and ask you which one of them contains an opinion.

Types of Reading Comprehension Passages

You will see passages from various academic areas on your reading comprehension test.

Remember to answer the questions based solely on the information contained in the reading comprehension passage.

You will see reading comprehension texts from:

Social sciences

These reading comprehension passages include subjects like psychology, sociology, political science, and cultural studies.

Natural sciences

This subject area is sometimes referred to as hard sciences. It includes the academic disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, geology or earth science, health, and medicine.

You may also see reading comprehension passages that contain extracts from:

Prose fiction

Questions on excerpts of prose fiction will ask for main ideas, supporting details, author’s tone or purpose, and the intentions and thoughts of characters.

In addition, prose fiction questions frequently ask about narrative voice.

In other words, these questions will ask you: “Who is the narrator of this passage?”

Practical passages

These types of passages will give instructions about a process or describe how to do something step by step.

You will need to read the passage carefully since the steps may not be given in chronological order.

You may also like to try our free problems on writing and math .

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Study Guides

Reading comprehension.

The best way to improve your reading efficiency is to read a lot.

Reading Is Important:

A 1993 investigation revealed that 40 to 44 million Americans had only the most basic reading and writing skills (Kirsch, Jungeblut, Jenkins, & Kolstad, 1993).  Another 50 million Americans not only lacked the skills to function successfully in a literate society, but also were not aware of their inadequacies.  These statistics make it obvious that we have to look for new approaches to prepare students for the millennium, especially in light of current job market trends.

The job market now demands a workforce that is more highly educated than ever.  For example, assembly line workers must interpret manuals in addition to operating machinery.  These workers must be able to read, write, analyze, interpret, and synthesize information (Hay & Roberts, 1989).

In summary, people just aren't reading as much anymore and yet the need for reading, comprehension, and communication skills (verbal and written) has increased.  The need is great for strengthening the following skills:

Your ability to read a variety of materials (e.g. textbooks, novels, newspapers, magazines, instructional manuals).

Your ability to understand and remember what you read.

Your ability to effectively communicate what you've learned from your reading.

Motivation Is Necessary:

Engaged, active readers have deep-seated motivational goals, which include being committed to the subject matter, wanting to learn the content, believing in one's own ability, and wanting to share understandings from learning.  However, most people, children and adults, do not spend any significant portion of their free time reading.  Without committing time to reading, no one can gain the reading skills or knowledge they need to succeed in school, at work, or in life in general. 

Reading is the active search for answers!

What is Reading Comprehension?

According to Webster's Dictionary, comprehension is "the capacity for understanding fully; the act or action of grasping with the intellect."  Webster also tells us that reading is "to receive or take in the sense of (as letters or symbols) by scanning; to understand the meaning of written or printed matter; to learn from what one has seen or found in writing or printing.

Comprehension = understanding!

Identifying words on a page does not make someone a successful reader.  When the words are understood and transcend the pages to become thoughts and ideas then you are truly reading.  Comprehension therefore is the capacity for understanding those thoughts and ideas.  Applying what you have read and understood becomes the successful conclusion.

When you comprehend what you read it is like taking a trip around the world, staying as long as you like, visiting all the places you wish, and you never even having to pack a suitcase!  Reading can be an escape that takes you outside the bounds of your existence.  Reading is your ticket to whatever you choose to do and become.  Reading is your future as well as your past.  Don't be a reader who reads without thinking or who reads without a purpose.

Comprehension Regulation

You can become an active, effective reader through comprehension regulation.  This is a method for consciously controlling the reading process.  Comprehension regulation involves the use of preplanned strategies to understand text.  It is a plan for getting the most out of reading.  It allows you to have an idea of what to expect from the text.  Most importantly, it gives you techniques to use when you are experiencing difficulties.

As an active reader, you can get an idea of what the writer is trying to communicate by:

Setting goals based on your purpose for reading

Previewing the text to make predictions

Self-questioning

Relating new information to old

Determining your Purpose:

There are many different purposes for reading.  Sometimes you read a text to learn material, sometimes you read for pure pleasure, and sometimes you need to follow a set of directions.  As a student, much of your reading will be to learn assigned material.  You get information from everything you read and yet you don't read everything for the same reason or in the same way or at the same rate.  Each purpose or reason for reading requires a different reading approach.  Two things that influence how fast and how well you read are the characteristics of the text and the characteristics of you, the reader.

Characteristics of the text:

Size and style of the type (font)

Pictures and illustrations

Author's writing style and personal perspectives

Difficulty of the ideas presented

Characteristics of the reader:

Background knowledge (how much you already know about the material or related concepts)

Reading ability - vocabulary and comprehension

Skills for being an effective reader and for increasing comprehension are:

Finding main ideas and supporting details/evidence

Making inferences and drawing conclusions

Recognizing a text's patterns of organization

Perceiving conceptual relationships

Testing your knowledge and understanding of the material through application

When comprehension fails, or your understanding seems limited, you can use a plan that includes:

Using structural analysis and contextual clues to identify unknown vocabulary words (e.g., look at roots, prefixes, suffixes).  If this fails, keep a dictionary close by and look up words you don't understand

  • Reading more critically - ask questions while you read
  • Summarizing or outlining main points and supporting details
  • Rereading the material
  • Do a "think aloud" and/or try to explain what you've read to someone else

Although, reading means different things to different people and skills vary with every individual, reading is a skill that can be improved.  Students from various backgrounds are in reading courses for a variety of reasons.  Weaknesses in vocabulary, comprehension, speed, or a combination of all three may be the result of ineffective reading habits.  Active reading is engaged reading and can be achieved through comprehension regulation strategies.

  • Uses of Critical Thinking
  • Critically Evaluating the Logic and Validity of Information
  • Recognizing Propaganda Techniques and Errors of Faulty Logic
  • Developing the Ability to Analyze Historical and Contemporary Information
  • Recognize and Value Various Viewpoints
  • Appreciating the Complexities Involved in Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
  • Being a Responsible Critical Thinker & Collaborating with Others
  • Suggestions
  • Read the Textbook
  • When to Take Notes
  • 10 Steps to Tests
  • Studying for Exams
  • Test-Taking Errors
  • Test Anxiety
  • Objective Tests
  • Essay Tests
  • The Reading Process
  • Levels of Comprehension
  • Strengthen Your Reading Comprehension
  • Reading Rate
  • How to Read a Textbook
  • Organizational Patterns of a Paragraph
  • Topics, Main Ideas, and Support
  • Inferences and Conclusions
  • Interpreting What You Read
  • Concentrating and Remembering
  • Converting Words into Pictures
  • Spelling and the Dictionary
  • Eight Essential Spelling Rules
  • Exceptions to the Rules
  • Motivation and Goal Setting
  • Effective Studying
  • Time Management
  • Listening and Note-Taking
  • Memory and Learning Styles
  • Textbook Reading Strategies
  • Memory Tips
  • Test-Taking Strategies
  • The First Step
  • Study System
  • Maximize Comprehension
  • Different Reading Modes
  • Paragraph Patterns
  • An Effective Strategy
  • Finding the Main Idea
  • Read a Medical Text
  • Read in the Sciences
  • Read University Level
  • Textbook Study Strategies
  • The Origin of Words
  • Using a Dictionary
  • Interpreting a Dictionary Entry
  • Structure Analysis
  • Common Roots
  • Word Relationships
  • Using Word Relationships
  • Context Clues
  • The Importance of Reading
  • Vocabulary Analogies
  • Guide to Talking with Instructors
  • Writing Help

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Reading comprehension worksheets terms of use, read theory workbooks visit our online store here .

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essay reading comprehension test

Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Worksheets

  • Take these as online quizzes here!

Short Story Reading Comprehension Worksheets

  • Beginning Level
  • Answers for this series are included at the end of each worksheet.
  • "My Friend" - Low Beginning. 3 answer choices. 7 questions. 74 words.
  • "My House" - Low Beginning. 3 answer choices. 7 questions. 92 words.
  • "Time to..." - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 89 words.
  • "My Family" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 6 questions. 90 words.
  • "Rainy Day" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 78 words.
  • "A Call to the Pool" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 116 words.
  • "The Singing Bird" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 96 words.
  • "Seeing Stars" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 92 words.
  • "I Fly" - Low Beginning. 4 answer choices. 4 questions. 113 words.
  • "The Drive" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 120 words.
  • "Zach's Animals" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 104 words.
  • "Griffin's Talents" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 112 words.
  • "A Happy Visitor" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 170 words.
  • "An Adventure" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 177 words.
  • "Running" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 5 questions. 148 words.
  • "Paul Cooks" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 112 words.
  • "Bella Hides" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 135 words.
  • "First Prize" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 155 words.
  • "What Number?" - Mid Beginning. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 154 words.
  • "The Interview" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 205 words.
  • "Julian's Work" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 194 words.
  • "Talia's Special Day" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 204 words.
  • "One Hundred Dollars" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 273 words.
  • "New Shoes for Maddy" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 223 words.
  • "The 20" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 256 words.
  • "Big City Noise" - High Beginning. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 238 words.
  • Intermediate Level
  • "By the Water" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 225 words.
  • "A Cold Day" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 14 questions. 286 words.
  • "Vet Emergency!" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 247 words.
  • "Late" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 14 questions. 284 words.
  • "The Brenners" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 297 words.
  • "Bullied" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 197 words.
  • "The New School" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 14 questions. 286 words.
  • "The Park" - Low Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 297 words.
  • "Worth Working For" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 280 words.
  • "The Rent Man" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 215 words.
  • "Time with Grandpa" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 237 words.
  • "The Bus Driver" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 15 questions. 294 words.
  • "A Day Like No Other" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 305 words.
  • "A Mystery" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 247 words.
  • "Just One Touch" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 15 questions. 326 words.
  • "Wanga" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 340 words.
  • "Ana Finds an Apartment" - Mid Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 408 words.
  • "Guermo's Surprise" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 9 questions. 372 words .
  • "Canopy of Nature" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 8 questions. 332 words .
  • "Blizzard in Birmingham" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 319 words.
  • "A Christmas in March" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 385 words.
  • "Bail" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 301 words.
  • "Clean Water Act" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 632 words.
  • "BB" - High Intermediate. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 511 words .
  • Advanced Level
  • "The Mini Problem" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 291 words .
  • "Flower Power" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 368 words.
  • "Seeing Clearly" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 284 words .
  • "Accused" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 285 words.
  • "City Girl" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 13 questions. 429 words.
  • "Fried" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 235 words.
  • "Tattoo" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 350 words.
  • "The Transfers" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 381 words.
  • "Wild" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 493 words.
  • "Scorpion" - Low Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 333 words
  • "Remains of a Marriage" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 11 questions. 345 words.
  • "Museum Hours" - Mid Advanced. 4 answer choices. 10 questions. 179 words.
  • "Seeing Through" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 10 questions. 326 words.
  • "Ursula Pugh" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 8 questions. 324 words.
  • "Dreams" - High Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 357 words.
  • "Tracks" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 11 questions. 531 words.
  • "Love Train" - High Advanced. 5 answer choices. 12 questions. 646 words.
  • "The Storm" - High Advanced. 4 answer choices. 12 questions. 407 words.

Informational Passages Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In these reading comprehension worksheets, students are asked questions about information they have read about a specific topic. each passage reads similar to a newspaper of journal article, and provides interesting information about some aspect of history, nature, mechanics, science, art, and more. questions involve critical thinking with a focus on logic and inference..

  • Answer Key - This answer key is available but still under development.
  • "The Sun" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "Gas" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "Music" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "Birds" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "The Heart" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "The Butterfly" - Low Beginning. 5 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "Pigs" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "The Brain" - Low Beginning. 3 questions. Under 50 words.
  • "The Ocean" - Low Beginning. 7 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Trees" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Alligators" - Low Beginning. 6 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "The Blow-Dryer" - Low Beginning. 5 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Green Grass" - Low Beginning. 6 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Taste" - Low Beginning. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Bees" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Frogs" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Beds" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Humans" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Fish" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Houses" - Mid Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Soda Pop" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Tea" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Ice Fishing" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Bears" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Flags" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Leonardo Da Vinci" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words..
  • "Tennis" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Dogs" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Money" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Abraham Lincoln" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Corn" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Umbrellas" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Ben Franklin" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Cars" - High Beginning. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • Answer Key - This is the answer key for to the intermediate level informational passages.
  • "Helicopters" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Yellowstone National Park" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Empress of the Blues" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "The Cactus" - Low Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Space Exploration Voyagers 1 and 2" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Television" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Hibernation and Estivation" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Marco Polo" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Movie Ratings" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Birdsongs" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Counting" - Mid Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Easter Island" - High Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Mosquitoes" - High Intermediate. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Fingerprints" - High Intermediate. 11 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Mother's Day" - High Intermediate. 10 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Europe" - High Intermediate. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
  • Answer Key - This is the answer key for to the advanced level informational passages.
  • "Chocolate" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 600 words.
  • "Houses Around the World" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Cells" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Soccer" - Low Advanced. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Bathtubs" - Low Advanced. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Pollution" - Low Advanced. 12 questions. Under 700 words.
  • "Interstate Highways" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 800 words.
  • "The U.S. Census" - Low Advanced. 10 questions. Under 800 words.
  • "Sleep" - Low Advanced. 11 questions. Under 800 words.
  • "The U.S. Postal Service" - Mid Advanced. 11 questions. Under 800 words.
  • "Chemical Elements" - Mid Advanced. 11 questions. Under 800 words.
  • "Africa" - Mid Advanced. 11 questions. Under 1000 words.

Technical Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In these reading comprehension worksheets, students are asked questions about the meaning, significance, intention, structure, inference, and vocabulary used in each passage. each passage reads like an encyclopedic or technical journal article. answers for worksheets in this section can be found at the end of each individual worksheet..

  • "Water" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 300 words.
  • "Paper" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 300 words.
  • "The Flu" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "Nuts" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "The Sun" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "The White House" - Beginning level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "Soap" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "Clocks" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "The Robin" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "Hybrid Vehicles" - Intermediate level. 4 questions with answers included. Under 500 words.
  • "Photography" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 500 words.
  • "Biomimetics" - Intermediate level. 4 questions with answers included. Under 700 words.
  • "The Great Debates" - Intermediate level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 400 words.
  • "Salt" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 700 words.
  • "Colony Collapse" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 600 words.
  • "Columbian Exchange" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 700 words.
  • "Ethanol" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 600 words.
  • "Generations" - Advanced level. 3 questions with answers included. Under 600 words.
  • "The Hubble Telescope" - Advanced level. 7 questions with answers included. Under 1000 words.
  • "Intellegence Augmentation" - Advanced level. 5 questions with answers included. Under 1000 words.

Role Play Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In these reading comprehension worksheets, students can increase their understanding of colloquial and idiomatic expressions and get a feel for conversational english. they also allow several students to participate at the same time - which makes them really fun great for use in school or at home..

  • Answer Key - This is the answer key to the role play worksheets.
  • "What Time Is It?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "How Are You?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Tie Your Shoes!" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Where Are My Glasses?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "A Cookie" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "Where Are My Keys?" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 100 words.
  • "City Life, Country Life" - Beginning Level. 10 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Flu Shot" - Intermediate Level. 5 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Vinegar" - Intermediate Level. 4 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Wait for Me!" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Glasses" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Hungry" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Want to Know a Secret?" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 200 words.
  • "Milk and Aesthetics" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 500 words.

Dual Version Reading Comprehension Worksheets

In each of these reading comprehension worksheets, the same story is told, but with two versions: one that is basic, and one that is more advanced. this allows students to make direct comparisons between the advanced version to the more basic one, and makes for a powerful learning experience..

  • Answer Key - Coming Soon!
  • "An Overcast Day" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 200 words.
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  • "A Call to the Pool" - Beginning Level. 6 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Oh No!" - Beginning Level. 8 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "An Adventure" - Beginning Level. 6 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Happy Birthday" - Beginning Level. 4 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "My Family" - Beginning Level. 8 questions. Under 300 words.
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  • "Driving Directions" - Beginning Level. 6 questions. Under 400 words.
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  • "The Singing Bird" - Intermediate Level. 10 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "Violet Makes a Cake" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "A Visit to the Doctor" - Intermediate Level. 7 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "Making Dinner" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 400 words.
  • "The Market" - Intermediate Level. 10 questions. Under 500 words.
  • "Maria Gets Her License" - Intermediate Level. 8 questions. Under 500 words.
  • "A Paper for School" - Advanced Level. 7 questions. Under 300 words.
  • "A Birthday Surprise" - Advanced Level. 7 questions. Under 600 words.
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  • "The Dinner Party" - Advanced Level. 9 questions. Under 600 words.

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EnglishMatic » Free English Reading Comprehension Tests & Exercises Online

Free English Reading Comprehension Tests & Exercises Online

Welcome to EnglishMatic’s online reading comprehension tests and exercises . Here, you can take free reading tests and exercises for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners . Our online reading tests consist of a short English reading passage with multiple-choice questions and answers. You can also read the tips to advance your reading comprehension. Start Now!

Free Online Reading Tests & Exercises for Beginners

  • Beginner Reading Comprehension Test 1 (Simple Present Reading Passage)
  • Beginner Reading Comprehension Exercise 2 (Present Progressive Reading Passage)
  • Elementary Reading Exercise & Test -3 (Simple Past Reading Passage)
  • A1-A2 Reading Comprehension Passage & Test 4 (Present Simple Passage) **(New)**
  • Elementary English Reading Passage & Test 5 **(New)**

Free Intermediate English Reading Tests & Texts

  • Intermediate Reading Comprehension Exercise 1
  • Free Intermediate Reading Comprehension Test 2
  • Free Intermediate Reading Comprehension Passage 3
  • B1-B2 Level English Reading Comprehension Passage & Test 4 **(New)**
  • Free B1 English Reading Comprehension Exercise & Test 5 **(New)**
  • B1-B2 Reading Paragraph with Questions & Test 6 **(New)**
  • ESL B1-B2 English Reading Text – Exercise 7 **(New)**

Advanced Reading Comprehension Passages – Tests

  • Advanced Reading Comprehension Test 1
  • Advanced Reading Comprehension Exercise 2
  • Free Advanced C1 Reading Passage & Test 3 **(New)**
  • Advance C1 English Online Reading Test – 4 **(New)**
  • B2-C1 Level Reading Text & Advanced Test 5 **(New)**
  • C1 Advanced Reading Comprehension Activity- Reading Test 6 *(New)*

How To Improve Your Reading Comprehension in 7 steps?

This article will examine the steps of how to improve your English reading skills . Reading may seem easy, but actually it is not. People face troubles while reading an English text or passage and cannot figure out quickly what the author wants to convey. Reading skill is defined as a talent of reading something along with comprehension. If you can read but cannot fully understand the message by and between the lines, it is evident that your reading ability is poor and you will have to enrich it. Here, you will also be able to grasp how to develop skills and comprehension while analyzing short reading comprehension passages with questions .

 Let’s find out the essential ways to enhance reading skills.

Get Familiar to the Reading Text & Passage

The kind of reading text matters a lot to sharpen your reading skills. There are two types of writing; factual and Literature. Factual reading texts focus on giving information and are generally based on textbooks, newspapers, etc. Literature talks about poetry, novel, stories, etc. EnglishMatic.com provides you with online reading passages, exercises, quizzes and tests with questions . Here, you can take advantage of studying online factual and literature reading texts with questions .

Skim & Scan the Passage

Skimming and scanning are effective techniques used in analyzing a short reading passage . Skimming is a quick check for general understanding of the content while scanning is a detailed interrogation of specific information in the reading text in English . Take a glance at the structure of what you are going to read. Pay special attention to the following options while studying reading passages with questions :

  • Strong words
  • Negative expressions
  • Paraphrasing with synonyms
  • Adverbs of frequency, contrast and time.
  • Graphs and Illustrations

Read The Passage Loudly

This technique helps a lot to develop your reading skills . When you read aloud, your eyes, ears, and brain work collectively. It compels you to focus on the reading passage in English . It also assists you in finding the details. However, you should turn to silent reading soon.

Read Daily through Critical Thinking

How to improve English reading skills ? We ask the same question again and again, but we don’t strive to take a step. So, read daily for at least 30 minutes and try to ask yourself questions as regards what you have read. Try to criticize the author’s intention, style and words. Analyze the reading passage with questions . This will boost your reading comprehension and familiarity with understanding a short reading text with questions and answers .

Find New Words & Structures

When you are reading a passage , find some new words and grammar structures that you find hard to understand. If you have failed to clarify meaning upon them, write the words and structures in your notebook. Find their meanings and usage in a dictionary or grammar book. You can find synonyms as well which contributes to your vocabulary, and it is the most significant benefit of reading. The better your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar is, the faster and easier you will grasp the message of the reading passage with questions . Englishmatic offers free English reading comprehension tests and exercises for you to practice.

Try To Grasp Meaning From Context

All the tips explained on this page are to enhance and improve your comprehension as it is fundamental in reading. Try to obtain the message of the author through specific words or phrases. You can best test your comprehension through beginner, intermediate, advanced online reading passages, tests and exercises which you can find on the internet. Be confident, read daily, and take english reading comprehension tests and exercises with answers .

Check Your Comprehension Progress

Another important step in improving your reading comprehension skills is to check your progress through online reading passages and tests with answers . Study free online English reading comprehension tests and exercises for advanced learners if you plan to take a language proficiency exam or the TOEFL, IELTS and FCE. Happily, EnglishMatic.com provides you with free English online reading passages, exercises, quizzes and tests with answers .

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Englishmatic.com ofrece pruebas gratuitas de comprensión de lectura en inglés para principiantes, intermedios y avanzados, pasajes de lectura en inglés con preguntas, cuestionarios de lectura en inglés y ejercicios de lectura en línea para estudiantes principiantes, intermedios y avanzados. Englishmatic.com offre test gratuiti di comprensione della lettura dell’inglese per principianti, intermedi e avanzati, passaggi di lettura dell’inglese con domande, quiz di lettura dell’inglese ed esercizi di lettura online per studenti principianti, intermedi e avanzati. Englishmatic.com propose des tests gratuits de compréhension de la lecture en anglais pour débutants, intermédiaires et avancés, des passages de lecture en anglais avec des questions, des quiz de lecture en anglais et des exercices de lecture en ligne pour les apprenants débutants, intermédiaires et avancés. Free unseen English reading comprehension tests & exercises online. English reading comprehension tests and exercises for beginners. English reading comprehension tests and exercises intermediate. English unseen reading comprehension tests and exercises advanced.

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Academic Reading Samples

Academic Reading Test has three sections or three reading passages that you'll have to answer in an hour. Each reading passage will come with 13-14 questions and three reading passages will have 40 questions (sometimes 41) in total. Each question carries 1 mark. For each correct answer, you will get one mark.

You can't read every single line of the reading passages and then answer the questions as time will be against you then. You need to use scanning, skimming, guessing, eliminating wrong answer etc techniques to find the answers to these questions. You are allowed to mark and make notes in your reading question booklet, but you will have to write your answers on the answer sheet. No extra time will be given to transfer the answer. Each section of the Academic Reading Test contains one long text or reading passage. These texts/passages are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been written for a non-specialist audience and are on academic topics of general interest. If texts contain technical terms, then a simple glossary is usually provided.

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READING COMPREHENSION

Reading comprehension for grade 11 with questions and answers. Eleventh Grade Reading exercises.

The Evolution of Jazz Music

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The Ethics of Genetic Engineering

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The Lost City of Atlantis: A Myth or Reality?

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The Eccentric Gardener

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The art of storytelling

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Secrets of Crescent Park

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Lost and Rediscovered: The Tale of the Azul Stone

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The Unintended Consequences of Plastic Usage

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The Influence of Technology on Music

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Digital Revolutions and Paperbacks: A Modern Dichotomy

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The Dilemma of Choice: Freedom in a Determined World

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The Power of Rhetoric in Political Speeches

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Navigating the Modern News Landscape

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The World in a Nutshell: The Art of Short Stories

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Reflections of a Journey: An Autobiographical Essay

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Decoding the Impact: The Influence of Advertising on Cons…

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Voyage to the Hidden Corners: A Traveler's Chronicle

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The Pen is Mightier than the Sword: A Dive into Satirical…

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Film and Media Studies: Understanding Our Digital World

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Language and Linguistics: The Essence of Human Communication

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essay reading comprehension test

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Reading Comprehension online test - English

Welcome to No-1 Online test portal freeonlinetest.in. In this section, you will get the number of sets of Reading Comprehensive questions in English. All the Questions are Unique and prepared by experts.

Comprehension of passages  Questions are new and for upcoming exams like SSC, Banking (IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, SBI, National Banks, etc), UPSI, UPSC, UPSSC, Civil Services, Police Jobs,  etc.

Practice regularly to Boost your English grammar, we will update new online tests & Mock tests on Comprehension on a weekly basis. Nearly 500+ MCQ Questions are listed online in test formats like Live CBT. All the Questions are unique and prepared by experts.

If anyone wants PDF files for Comprehension  MCQ questions then they can email us, so that we can try to provide them with Comprehension  MCQ PDF in their email ID.

If you want to practice more sets of questions like Unseen Passages click the below links 

Reading passages  for 2023

Practice paragraph for English reading click below Link

Paragraph for English reading 202 3

Below listed Online Tests are for (Reading comprehension MCQ) class 12,11,10,9,8,7 etc.

Practice Reading comprehension MCQ Questions with Online test 

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Reading Comprehension:

Objective Comprehension of a given passage or a number of passages is an integral part of any examination test in English. The objective English tests of competitive examination are designed to assess through questions the verbal ability, language skills, the knowledge of the examinee on grammar, vocabulary and comprehension of written English. Therefore, a student is required to read the passage carefully and choose a correct answer out of the alternatives given under the question. However, the questions are challenging and they all require an appreciation of more than just the superficial understanding of the passage. Therefore, it is very important that due attention should he paid to comprehension exercises.

The important points to be noted in this field are given as under:

1. It is pertinent to note that sense of language and fund of words should be ample enough so that students may not feel disadvantage on that account.

2. The questions are based on what is stated or implied in each passage.

3. Invariably the inference is based on the logical consequence of the information in the passage. Therefore, the answer must be based on and supported by the information given in the passage under reference.

4. In some competitive examinations the students are also required to answer questions on synonyms and antonyms given in the passage. It is very important to note that the meaning of the word should be chosen from the alternatives in the context of the theme of the passage. One must not take into account only the literal meaning of the word.

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Reading Comprehension Workbooks and Leveled Readers

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Reading Comprehension

Free reading comprehension worksheets.

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There’s a New Covid Variant. What Will That Mean for Spring and Summer?

Experts are closely watching KP.2, now the leading variant.

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A man wearing a mask coughs into his hand on a subway train.

By Dani Blum

For most of this year, the JN.1 variant of the coronavirus accounted for an overwhelming majority of Covid cases . But now, an offshoot variant called KP.2 is taking off. The variant, which made up just one percent of cases in the United States in mid-March, now makes up over a quarter.

KP.2 belongs to a subset of Covid variants that scientists have cheekily nicknamed “FLiRT,” drawn from the letters in the names of their mutations. They are descendants of JN.1, and KP.2 is “very, very close” to JN.1, said Dr. David Ho, a virologist at Columbia University. But Dr. Ho has conducted early lab tests in cells that suggest that slight differences in KP.2’s spike protein might make it better at evading our immune defenses and slightly more infectious than JN.1.

While cases currently don’t appear to be on the rise, researchers and physicians are closely watching whether the variant will drive a summer surge.

“I don’t think anybody’s expecting things to change abruptly, necessarily,” said Dr. Marc Sala, co-director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Covid-19 Center in Chicago. But KP.2 will most likely “be our new norm,’” he said. Here’s what to know.

The current spread of Covid

Experts said it would take several weeks to see whether KP.2 might lead to a rise in Covid cases, and noted that we have only a limited understanding of how the virus is spreading. Since the public health emergency ended , there is less robust data available on cases, and doctors said fewer people were using Covid tests.

But what we do know is reassuring: Despite the shift in variants, data from the C.D.C. suggests there are only “minimal ” levels of the virus circulating in wastewater nationally, and emergency department visits and hospitalizations fell between early March and late April.

“I don’t want to say that we already know everything about KP.2,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System. “But at this time, I’m not seeing any major indications of anything ominous.”

Protection from vaccines and past infections

Experts said that even if you had JN.1, you may still get reinfected with KP.2 — particularly if it’s been several months or longer since your last bout of Covid.

KP.2 could infect even people who got the most updated vaccine, Dr. Ho said, since that shot targets XBB.1.5, a variant that is notably different from JN.1 and its descendants. An early version of a paper released in April by researchers in Japan suggested that KP.2 might be more adept than JN.1 at infecting people who received the most recent Covid vaccine. (The research has not yet been peer-reviewed or published.) A spokesperson for the C.D.C. said the agency was continuing to monitor how vaccines perform against KP.2.

Still, the shot does provide some protection, especially against severe disease, doctors said, as do previous infections. At this point, there isn’t reason to believe that KP.2 would cause more severe illness than other strains, the C.D.C. spokesperson said. But people who are 65 and older, pregnant or immunocompromised remain at higher risk of serious complications from Covid.

Those groups, in particular, may want to get the updated vaccine if they haven’t yet, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. The C.D.C. has recommended t hat people 65 and older who already received one dose of the updated vaccine get an additional shot at least four months later.

“Even though it’s the lowest level of deaths and hospitalizations we’ve seen, I’m still taking care of sick people with Covid,” he said. “And they all have one unifying theme, which is that they’re older and they didn’t get the latest shot.”

The latest on symptoms and long Covid

Doctors said that the symptoms of both KP.2 and JN.1 — which now makes up around 16 percent of cases — are most likely similar to those seen with other variants . These include sore throat, runny nose, coughing, head and body aches, fever, congestion, fatigue and in severe cases, shortness of breath. Fewer people lose their sense of taste and smell now than did at the start of the pandemic, but some people will still experience those symptoms.

Dr. Chin-Hong said that patients were often surprised that diarrhea, nausea and vomiting could be Covid symptoms as well, and that they sometimes confused those issues as signs that they had norovirus .

For many people who’ve already had Covid, a reinfection is often as mild or milder than their first case. While new cases of long Covid are less common now than they were at the start of the pandemic, repeat infections do raise the risk of developing long Covid, said Fikadu Tafesse, a virologist at Oregon Health & Science University. But researchers are still trying to determine by how much — one of many issues scientists are trying to untangle as the pandemic continues to evolve.

“That’s the nature of the virus,” Dr. Tafesse said. “It keeps mutating.”

Dani Blum is a health reporter for The Times. More about Dani Blum

COMMENTS

  1. Reading Comprehension Test Preparation

    The reading comprehension test is a verbal reasoning aptitude test meant to measure your aptitude for gathering information, critical thinking, and understanding of varying contexts. These exams ask you to look at different selections of literature (poems, excerpts of novels, excerpts of articles, et cetera) and answer a series of questions ...

  2. SAT Reading Comprehension : Practice tests and explanations

    Reading Comprehension (also known as Critical Reading) questions test your ability to understand a passage and answer questions on the basis of what is stated and implied in the passage. You need to read the passage first so that you can identify the main idea of the passage and appreciate features such as the author's tone and attitude as well ...

  3. English Reading Comprehension Exercises

    Open-Ended Questions/Essay Questions: Assess the ability to analyse, synthesise, evaluate information, and express thoughts coherently. ... Passing a reading comprehension test requires a combination of good reading strategies, understanding of the text, and effective answering techniques. Here are some strategies to help you succeed in reading ...

  4. Khan Academy

    One test for Reading and Writing: While the pencil-and-paper SAT tested reading and writing in separate test sections, the Digital SAT combines these topics. Shorter passages (and more of them): Instead of reading long passages and answering multiple questions on each passage, students taking the Digital SAT will encounter shorter passages ...

  5. Getting started with Reading Comprehension

    On Test Day, you will see one scored section of Reading Comprehension, which means that Reading Comprehension makes up roughly one quarter of your total points. Duration: 35 minutes. Length: 26-28 passage-based questions (divided into four reading passages). Subject matter: Four passages are drawn from four areas: Law, Social Science, Science ...

  6. How to Improve Reading Comprehension: 8 Expert Tips

    Tip 3: Re-read (or Skim) Previous Sections of the Text. For the most part, reading is a personal activity that happens entirely in your head. So don't feel you have to read just like anyone else if "typical" methods don't work for you. Sometimes it can make the most sense to read (or re-read) a text out of order.

  7. 4 Simple Ways to Prepare for a Reading Comprehension Test

    1. Search online for sample questions and practice exams. Practice exams are one of the best tools you can use to prepare. They contain a ton of sample questions so that you can get a feel for what the actual test will be like. There are many free practice questions and tests online.

  8. Free Online IELTS Reading Practice Tests

    Free online IELTS General Training Reading practice test - paper. Practise for your IELTS General Reading Test with our free pactice test. These free online IELTS Reading practice tests will help you to practise for either your IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training Reading exams.

  9. Reading Comprehension Questions

    This link will take you to a slew of reading comprehension worksheets that are centered around nonfiction passages. The passages range from 500 to over 2,000 words and content includes famous speeches, biographies, art, so you'll definitely be able to find what you need. Use the worksheets and accompanying multiple-choice questions to test your ...

  10. How to Pass a Reading Comprehension Test

    Check the beginning and the end of the passage and see if any ideas seem to repeat. This is typically the main point of the piece. It helps to take the time to double-check all of your answers ...

  11. PDF READING COMPREHENSION PRACTICE TEST

    Reading Comprehension Practice Test Page 3 Question 7 'More distance is needed to safely stop in rain or poor visibility.' We can infer from this that: A: people drive faster in rain and poor visibility. B: the writer is merely calculating on the safe side. C: braking is more hazardous in rain and poor visibility.

  12. Complete Test Preparation Inc

    Common Reading Comprehension Mistakes on a Test. Reading Comprehension Practice. Passage 1 - Who Was Anne Frank? You may have heard mention of the word Holocaust in your History or English classes. The Holocaust took place from 1939-1945. It was an attempt by the Nazi party to purify the human race, by eliminating Jews, Gypsies, Catholics ...

  13. English Reading Level Test

    About The Reading Test. Read the text, then try to answer the questions. There are 20 questions, and you see one at a time in a random order. The answers are not in the same order as the text. Some questions are easier; some are more difficult. Don't worry if you don't know the answer! Try not to use a dictionary - the idea is to find ...

  14. English Reading: English Texts for Beginners

    English texts for beginners to practice reading and comprehension online and for free. Practicing your comprehension of written English will both improve your vocabulary and understanding of grammar and word order. The texts below are designed to help you develop while giving you an instant evaluation of your progress. Prepared by experienced ...

  15. SAT reading comprehension practice test 05

    1. The author might have stated his rule of the road as. A. do not walk in the middle of the road. B. follow the orders of policemen. C. do not behave inconsiderately in public. D. do what you like in private. E. liberty is more important than anarchy. 2. The author s attitude to the old lady in paragraph one is.

  16. Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions

    The reading comprehension section of your standardized test will include various types of passages and questions. The reading passages will be from a variety of academic disciplines. However, students do not need specialist subject area knowledge in any academic discipline for their basic skills reading test. Free Reading Practice Tests

  17. Reading Comprehension

    You can become an active, effective reader through comprehension regulation. This is a method for consciously controlling the reading process. Comprehension regulation involves the use of preplanned strategies to understand text. It is a plan for getting the most out of reading. It allows you to have an idea of what to expect from the text.

  18. Free Reading Comprehension Worksheets

    Under 600 words. "Getting a New Job" - Advanced Level. 8 questions. Under 600 words. "The Dinner Party" - Advanced Level. 9 questions. Under 600 words. High quality reading comprehension worksheets for all ages and ability levels. Teachers in the classroom and at home are sure to find our materials very useful.

  19. Free English Reading Comprehension Tests & Exercises Online

    Welcome to EnglishMatic's online reading comprehension tests and exercises.Here, you can take free reading tests and exercises for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.Our online reading tests consist of a short English reading passage with multiple-choice questions and answers. You can also read the tips to advance your reading comprehension.

  20. IELTS Academic Reading Passages With Answers

    93205. Reading Test 119: Passage 1 - Nutmeg - a valuable spice. 111719. Reading Test 118: Passage 3 - Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence. 201124. Reading Test 118: Passage 2 - Changes in reading habits. 138981. Reading Test 118: Passage 1 - Roman tunnels. 145000.

  21. Reading comprehension for grade 11 with questions and ...

    READING COMPREHENSION. Grade 1. Grade 2. Grade 3. Grade 4. Grade 5. Grade 6. Grade 7. Grade 8. Grade 9. Grade 10. Grade 11. Grade 12. Adult. Grade 11. Reading comprehension for grade 11 with questions and answers. Eleventh Grade Reading exercises. ... Reflections of a Journey: An Autobiographical Essay ...

  22. Free Online English Reading Comprehension Practice Test

    Reading comprehension fully solved questions and answers useful for competitive exams like IBPS, SBI, SSC, RRB, GATE etc. use free online tests at free of cost. ... Below listed Online Tests are for (Reading comprehension MCQ) class 12,11,10,9,8,7 etc. Practice Reading comprehension MCQ Questions with Online test . Online Test - 1 ...

  23. Free Reading Comprehension Worksheets

    K5 Learning offers free worksheets, flashcards and inexpensive workbooks for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Become a member to access additional content and skip ads. Free printable Reading Comprehension worksheets for grade 1 to grade 5. These reading worksheets will help kids practice their comprehension skills. Compliments of K5 Learning.

  24. Reading Comprehension Tests: Students' Question Reading and Responding

    Reading comprehension tests involve not only reading passages and answering questions but also making choices such as the test-taking strategy to use, whether to search passages for answers, and where to begin searching. We examined the associations between student characteristics, passage type, test-taking strategies, and students' time ...

  25. What to Know About New Covid Variants, 'FLiRT': Symptoms, Vaccines and

    Doctors said that the symptoms of both KP.2 and JN.1 — which now makes up around 16 percent of cases — are most likely similar to those seen with other variants. These include sore throat ...