Practice Comprehension Passages

Read the following passages then answer all the questions set on them.

Gradually, every parent becomes aware that his or her child has adult concerns, wants acres of privacy and no longer trusts the goodwill of parents in the same old way. These are the biggest of all changes in child-parent relations, and are almost always in place by age 13. This shift occurs not because of bad influences and media, but because your child's brain has matured and is capable of more independent judgement. Please remember, however that the change is not locked in place. A young adolescent can bounce back and forth between ages eight and 13 (and sometimes 15) in a matter of seconds, scorning your values yet, at times, still wanting to sit on your lap.

For girls, the central action is their social lives and the intensity of their feelings. No matter how much a girl and her friends are torturing one another with gossip in school or instant messages from home computers, she is convinced that if you knew what she was saying, you would disapprove or, even worse, try to interfere and make a bad situation uglier.
What is she talking about with her friends? Social power: Who's popular, who's feminine, and who's really weird. Parents: their faults and inability to understand 13 year olds.
Girls are talking about their powerful feelings; they have complex and sometimes overwhelming insights into life. Their joy can be great and is visible, but their despair is hidden in solitary late-night crying, journal entries, weight obsession.

Boys are preoccupied by their power and opinion of other boys, their anxiety about whether they live up to the test of masculinity, a new, deeper range of feelings that they may be unable to put into words. In the kitchen, a boy looks down into his mother's eyes and thinks, why is this woman giving me orders? I love her but I am bigger than she is. That perplexes him because he still needs her so much. Boys, like girls, are having a lot of dark nights of the soul in which they see how disappointing adults can be and how unjust society is, they may not be able to put their fears into words, or they do not want to because it makes them feel weak.

a) What meaning is conveyed by the word 'acres' in line 1?

b) Identify TWO of the 'biggest of all changes in child-parent relations', according to the writer.

c) What does the phrase 'not locked in place' mean?

d) What, according to the passage, are causes of the shifts in child-parent relations?

e) To whom does the word 'you' in paragraph 2 refer?

f) What, according to the passage, is the preoccupation of (i) girls and (ii) boys?

g) Why, according to the writer, are boys perplexed?

How to identify the Writer's Tone, Purpose and Intention

The Author's Tone:

If the author was speaking to you, what would it sound like?  Is the author passionate about the topic?  Sarcastic?  Neutral?  Is the author arousing emotions?  Does it evoke feelings of sympathy, anger, happiness or sadness?
Looking at the author's tone can lead the reader to the overall purpose.

The Author's Purpose

An author’s purpose is the reason an author decides to write about a specific topic. Then, once a topic is selected, the author must decide whether his purpose for writing is to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain his ideas to the reader.

To determine the author's purpose it is important to analyze the...

• Language used - look at the words the author chooses to use.  Do they convey certain emotions?  Is it formal or informal?

• Development - How has the author chosen to develop his or her thoughts?

• The audience - Who is the author speaking to?  Is the vocabulary technical and specific? Is it targeted to a specific audience?  Is the language easy to read and understand?

• The author's point of view - What is the author's attitude toward the subject?

Writer's Intention

The writer’s intention is the meaning or interpretation of the passage that the author had in mind when he or she was creating it. It also includes the meaning the writer is trying to convey.

C.S.E.C. English A Comprehension Passage

Read the following passages then answer all the questions set on them.

Gradually, every parent becomes aware that his or her child has adult concerns, wants acres of privacy and no longer trusts the goodwill of parents in the same old way. These are the biggest of all changes in child-parent relations, and are almost always in place by age 13. This shift occurs not because of bad influences and media, but because your child's brain has matured and is capable of more independent judgement. Please remember, however that the change is not locked in place. A young adolescent can bounce back and forth between ages eight and 13 (and sometimes 15) in a matter of seconds, scorning your values yet, at times, still wanting to sit on your lap.

For girls, the central action is their social lives and the intensity of their feelings. No matter how much a girl and her friends are torturing one another with gossip in school or instant messages from home computers, she is convinced that if you knew what she was saying, you would disapprove or, even worse, try to interfere and make a bad situation uglier.

What is she talking about with her friends? Social power: Who's popular, who's feminine, and who's really weird. Parents: their faults and inability to understand 13 year olds.

Girls are talking about their powerful feelings; they have complex and sometimes overwhelming insights into life. Their joy can be great and is visible, but their despair is hidden in solitary late-night crying, journal entries, weight obsession.

Boys are preoccupied by their power and opinion of other boys, their anxiety about whether they live up to the test of masculinity, a new, deeper range of feelings that they may be unable to put into words. In the kitchen, a boy looks down into his mother's eyes and thinks, why is this woman giving me orders? I love her but I am bigger than she is. That perplexes him because he still needs her so much. Boys, like girls, are having a lot of dark nights of the soul in which they see how disappointing adults can be and how unjust society is, they may not be able to put their fears into words, or they do not want to because it makes them feel weak.

a) What meaning is conveyed by the word 'acres' in line 1?

b) Identify TWO of the 'biggest of all changes in child-parent relations', according to the writer.

c) What does the phrase 'not locked in place' mean?

d) What, according to the passage, are causes of the shifts in child-parent relations?

e) To whom does the word 'you' in paragraph 2 refer?

f) What, according to the passage, is the preoccupation of (i) girls and (ii) boys?

g) Why, according to the writer, are boys perplexed?

Multiple Choice Reading Comprehension

Read the passage carefully. Then choose the correct answer.   The Asian elephant is another type of elephant found in the world, besides the African elephant. They share some similarities. Elephants are social creatures and live in herds. Asian elephants are normally found in countries like India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar. An adult Asian elephant stands at two to three meters and weighs approximately 5000 kilograms. At birth, it stands at around one meter and weighs approximately 100 kilograms. Like most humans, they give birth to a single baby at a time but the foetus stays much longer in the mother's womb compared to the human baby; 23 months ! An Asian elephant has a life span of about 60 years.The diet of an Asian elephant is somewhat similar to African elephants. They feed mainly on vegetation, bark, fruits and flowers. Living in a herd means that the baby elephant has a large group of adults to look after it, besides its own mother. An orphan elephant is often adopted by another female elephant. As the largest land animal in the world, an elephant requires about 150 kilograms of food and 75-95 liters of water a day.
	1.	There are ______ types of elephants in the world.
		(A)	one
		(B)	two
		(C)	three
		(D)	many
	2.	The Asian elephant can be found in ______.
		(A)	Indonesia
		(B)	America
		(C)	Australia
		(D)	Holland
	3.	How is the elephant similar to humans in terms of giving birth ?
		(A)	The elephant gives birth to many young at a time.
		(B)	The elephant gives birth to one young at a time.
		(C)	The elephant's foetus stays the same amount of time in the mother's womb as the human baby.
		(D)	The baby elephant is only looked after by its mother.
	4.	What are the similarities between the African and Asian elephants ?
		(A)	They come from the same countries
		(B)	They live in herds
		(C)	They have the same diet.
		(D)	They live in herds and have the same diet.
	5.	What happens to an orphan elephant ?
		(A)	It is looked after by another female elephant
		(B)	It is looked after by the whole herd
		(C)	It is abandoned
		(D)	It is killed
			Answers : 1B   2A   3B   4D   5A Read the passage carefully. Then choose the correct answer.   Tommy was in a rush. Grabbing his school bag and file, he kissed his mother goodbye and headed straight for the door. His father looked up from the newspaper and said, "Better bring an umbrella with you. It says here there's going to be showers in the afternoon."Tommy looked at the sky. It was clear blue with no clouds in sight." "Not today," he thought to himself. He went straight out without heeding his father's words. He had a good day in school. He managed to finish all his school work which wasn't normally the case. He had a good game of football during recess. So, by dismissal time, he was in a good mood. On the way home, the sky started to darken and thunder rumbled. Without warning, heavy drops of rain fell and totally drenched him. He tried to make a dash for it and ran all the way home. By the time he reached his doorstep, he was soaked to his skin. His mother looked at him and said, "You should have listened to your father."         1. Tommy was going to ______.             (A) school     (B) play football     (C) play in the rain     (D) tuition class           2. His father knew it was going to rain because ______.             (A) he heard it on the radio     (B) he saw the forecast on television     (C) the sky was dark outside     (D) he read it in the newspaper           3. Tommy did not think it was going to rain because ______.             (A) the sky was cloudless     (B) the sky was full of light clouds     (C) the sky was dark     (D) he did not listen to his father           4. Tommy was in a good mood because ______.             (A) he finished all his homework     (B) he scored a goal during football     (C) he finished all his work and had a good football game     (D) it was dismissal time           5. "soaked to his skin' means ______.             (A) his skin got thoroughly wet     (B) water is getting into his skin     (C) his skin is soaked in water     (D) his whole body is soaked in water

Answers : 1A   2D   3A   4C   5A

source:www.englishdaily626.com/reading_comprehension.php

Multiple Choice Comprehension Passages

Discover nature and have fun at the same time ! These can only be found at Bukit Perak Lake Resort ECO SCHOOL PACKAGE           1   x   Twin sharing accommodation           1   x   Fishing technique           1   x   Theme park entrance           1   x   Lunch                   RM25 per person             SCHOOL PACKAGE           1   x   Twin sharing           1   x   Lake cruise           1   x   Theme park entrance           1   x   Lunch                   RM28 per person             CAMPING PACKAGE           1   x   Tent           1   x   Jungle trekking           1   x   Lunch           1   x   Theme park entrance           1   x   BBQ dinner                   RM20 per person                   * minimum : 30 students       Cut out this advertisement and get 15% off
	1.	The Bukit Perak Lake Resort offers
		(A)	both fun and nature at the theme park
		(B)	a tour of a fishing village
		(C)	education for all ages
		(D)	wildlife sightings
	2.	If you like roughing it out in the jungle, it is advisable to sign up for
		(A)	Eco School Package
		(B)	Camping Package
		(C)	School Package
		(D)	all packages
	3.	The word These in the advertisement refers to
		(A)	resort and fun
		(B)	nature and fun
		(C)	place and resort
		(D)	nature and resort
	4.	To be entitled to a 15% discount, you need to
		(A)	go with a group of thirty students
		(B)	cut out and keep this advertisement
		(C)	call the sales office to book your tickets
		(D)	present this advertisement when you buy your tickets
			Answers : 1A   2B   3B   4D Read the instructions below and answer the questions that follow. How to Treat an Eye Injury A foreign body or dirt in the eye can cause a number of problems. It may cause an infection, damage to the eye tissue or in worst case scenarios, blindness. Most of the time, a foreign body can be removed easily, but if it is embedded you should seek medical assistance immediately.   What the victim may complain of * pain * itching and watering of the eye * impaired vision What to look for * redness of the eye * profuse tearing What to do 1 Advise the victim to refrain from rubbing the eye but to blink a number of times. Blinking will cause the eye to water which will help to remove the foreign matter naturally. 2 Get the victim to sit down facing the light. Stand behind the victim and gently lift the eyelids. Ask the victim to roll her eyes in all directions while you try to look for the foreign body. 3 If the foreign body is spotted on the white of the eye, do the following : i) Wet a corner of a clean handkerchief or tissue paper. ii) Remove the foreign body by wiping it towards the outer edge of the eye. Do this gently. 4 If the foreign body is on the colored part of the eye, do not attempt to remove it because of the risk of scarring the eye tissue. 5 If you are unsuccessful in removing the foreign body, flush lukewarm water onto the eye. DO NOT use any eye bath or eye drops. 6 If the object is still lodged, cover the victim's eye with a piece of sterile cotton pad. Secure it with adhesive tape and seek medical help.         1. Which of the following is not an indication that a foreign body is lodged in the eye ?             (A) Problem seeing     (B) Painful eye     (C) Watery eye     (D) Puffy eye           2. Why is it not advisable to rub the eye when there is something in the eye ?             (A) The eye will not stop watering.     (B) You will not be able to open the eye.     (C) The foreign body may injure the eye.     (D) Rubbing the eye will dislodge the foreign body.           3. Which of the following is a procedure to remove a foreign body from the eye ?             (A) Rubbing a piece of cloth over the eye.     (B) Gently washing the eye with warm water.     (C) Squeezing a few drops of eye drops over the eye.     (D) Rubbing the eye gently to dislodge the foreign body.           4. The expression profuse tearing means             (A) producing a lot of tears     (B) producing tears when required     (C) tearing the eye into many pieces     (D) tears flowing and stopping intermittently           5. Te word it in point number 3 refers to the             (A) corner of the eye     (B) damp handkerchief     (C) dirt or foreign body     (D) white part of the eye           6. This medical advice is most likely found in the following except             (A) a home emergency guidebook     (B) a journal of medical terms     (C) a guidebook for campers   (D) a health magazine Answers : 1D   2C   3B   4A   5B   6B source:www.englishdaily626.com/reading_comprehension.php?021

READING COMPREHENSION PRACTICE 2- MODEL ANSWERS

Question
(a)(i)Who is likely to have said the following lines:

'Twill rot yu' teet'! (line 3) and Study yu' book! (line 11) (ii)What effect is the writer trying to create by using them? (3 marks)
Suggested answer(a) The words would have been spoken by an adult, possibly a parent.

Question(b) In what ways is the content of the first two stanzas (lines 1 - 15) similar?
(3 marks)
Suggested answer
(b) The content of the first two stanzas is similar in that they show the views/concerns of the adult with regard to the child. Also, both stanzas offer guidance from the adult.

Question(c) Why does the poet refer to leather jacket (line 12) and ;football boots (line 13)? (2 marks) 

Suggested answer
(c) The poet refers to leather jackets and football boots, items which we associate with the male, to indicate that these attract teenage girls.

Question(d) Comment on the poet's choice of the following words:

(i)Tinkly (line 4)(ii)dim (line 31) (2 marks)
Suggested answer
d)(i) Tinkly is an example of the figurative device, ono- matopoeia; hence it appeals to the sense of hearing. Children will be attracted to the sound of the paper.
(ii) Through the use of dim, the poet maintains the contrast between childhood and adulthood, innocence and experience.

Question
(e) What do the following lines,

She'll see beneath the silver wrapper

Beneath the flashy football boots ... (lines 21 - 22) tell us about the young girl?
(2 marks) 
Suggested answer
(e) The lines tell us that the young girl realises later on in life that things are not what they seem to be. She would arrive at this position because of her maturity and experience.

Question(f)What is suggested by the poet in the last seven lines (lines 27 - 33) of the poem? (2 marks) 
Suggested answer
(f) The poet is saying that it is difficult for anyone to see why adulthood, with all its problems, should be preferred to childhood.

Total 14 marks

READING COMPREHENSION PRACTICE 2- POETRY

Read the following poem carefully and and answer the questions which follow it.

	Growing pains
	My child-eyes cried for chocolate treats And sticky sweets 'Twill rot yu' teet'!
	Tinkly silver wrapper hides
5	Germs Worms Decay How can a child-eye see?
	This child-heart cried for mid-teen love
10	A blow, a shove Study yuh' book! Leather jacket Football boots Are not the most sought-after truths
15	How can a child-heart know? So watch the young-girl-heart take wing! Watch her groove And watch her swing She's old enough
20	She's strong and tough She'll see beneath the silver wrapper Beneath the flashy football boots She'll find the great sought-after truth That child-eye tears are not as sad
25	And child-heart pain is not as bad As grown-up tears and grown-up pain Oh Christ, what do we have to gain From growing up For throwing up
30	Our childlike ways For dim Disastrous Grown-up days. ANITA

Question
(a)(i)Who is likely to have said the following lines:

'Twill rot yu' teet'! (line 3) and Study yu' book! (line 11) (ii)What effect is the writer trying to create by using them?                                                                                                        (3 marks) 

(b) In what ways is the content of the first two stanzas (lines 1 - 15) similar?
                                                                                                                          (3 marks)

(c) Why does the poet refer to leather jacket (line 12) and ;football boots (line 13)?   (2 marks) 

(d) Comment on the poet's choice of the following words:

(i)Tinkly (line 4)(ii)dim (line 31)                                                                                                         (2 marks) 

(e) What do the following lines,

She'll see beneath the silver wrapper

Beneath the flashy football boots ... (lines 21 - 22) tell us about the young girl?
(2 marks) 

(f)What is suggested by the poet in the last seven lines (lines 27 - 33) of the poem? (2 marks) 

Total 14 marks

Reading Comprehension PRACTICE 1

Read the following extract carefully and then answer all the questions set on it.

Pita panicked. There was nothing he could do. He was trapped. Trapped with hundreds of others. The monster had come and was slowly, surely dragging them from the deep. He swam through the excited crowd to try the bottom. Then he tried the top again. The great monster had encircled them completely. There were millions of holes in its great hands, but none large enough. If only they were a little larger. Pita tried to push himself through one of the holes again. He squeezed and squeezed. Great tails lashed around him. Not only he but against his eyes. If only his head could get through. He pushed again, hard, and the pain quivered through his body.

There was nothing he could do. He heard the breakers roaring above now. That meant they were nearing the shore. Pita whipped his tail in fury. The monster was gradually closing its hands. There were cries now above the surface. Below, the monster grated on sand. The shore! They had reached the shore! Frantically, Pita flung himself against one of the tiny holes. He gave a cry as the scales tore from his back - then a cry of joy. He was free! Free!

He lunged forward below the surface. Down he sped, rejoicing in his tinyness. If he was only a little bigger, he would have been dying on the shore now. The fateful shore! There had been those who had actually come back from that world. This was one of the great mysteries. But some said they had been there, and had talked of that awesome place.

There was no more blood now. Down he swam. Deep, deep until the sound of the breakers was only a bitter memory, and the sea was not sandy but blue and clear, and until, far, far away in the distance, green with fern and the tender moss, he saw the rocks of home.


a) To whom or what does 'he' refer? (1 mark)

b) What effect is the author trying to create by using short sentences in the passage? (2 marks)

c) State ONE word which could describe Pita's feelings when he realised, There were millions of holes ... but none large enough. (2 marks)

d) Why does the author repeat 'squeezed' in line 6? (3 marks)

e) Who or what does the 'monster' refer to? (2 marks)

f) Why does the writer use 'fateful' to describe the shore? (2 marks)

g) Why does Pita utter a cry of joy? (1 mark)

h) Why was 'the sound of the breakers' a bitter memory? (2 marks)


CHECK BACK LATER FOR THE SUGGESTED ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.

COMPREHENSION PASSAGE PRACTICE 1 -MODEL ANSWERS

Question
a) To whom or what does 'he' refer? (1 mark) 
Suggested answer
a) 'He' refers to the fish or Pita

Question
b) What effect is the author trying to create by using short sentences in the passage?(2 marks)
Suggested answer
b) The writer is trying to create suspense/tension/fast-moving action.

Question
c) State ONE word which could describe Pita's feelings when he realised, There were millions of holes ... but none large enough. (2 marks) 
c) Alarm/anxiety/frustration/desperation.

Question
d) Why does the author repeat 'squeezed' in line 6? (3 marks) 
Suggested answer
d) The word is repeated to show the tremendous effort the fish is making in its bid to escape.

Question
e) Who or what does the 'monster' refer to? (2 marks) 
Suggested answer
e) The 'monster' is the net

Question
f) Why does the writer use 'fateful' to describe the shore? (2 marks)
Suggested answer
f) The word is used because that is where the fate of the fish was decided/where death took place.

Question
g) Why does Pita utter a cry of joy? (1 mark)
Suggested answer
g) Pita utters a cry of joy as he was now free.

Question
h) Why was 'the sound of the breakers' a bitter memory? (2 marks) 
Suggested answer
h) It was the sound of the place where he would have died.