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BGCSE English Language study materials
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BGCSE English Language practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Every morning before sunrise, Aiden rows his father's small boat into the bay. He checks the traps he set the day before, removes the crabs, and throws back anything too small to sell. By the time the sun clears the water, he is already on his way to the market. Aiden has done this alone since his father became ill last year, and he has not missed a single market day. Which sentence best states the main idea of the passage?

  1. The market in the bay opens before sunrise each day.
  2. Aiden's father taught him everything he knows about the sea.
  3. A boy has taken over his father's work to keep the family income going. Correct answer.
  4. Catching crabs requires setting traps the day before and checking them at dawn.

Explanation

The paragraph is built around Aiden doing his father's job alone and never missing a market day, which shows that he is working to support the family. The other details about traps and market timing are pieces of evidence that support this central point rather than replace it.

Question 2Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Grandmother's kitchen was small, but it was spare: a table, two chairs, one shelf of plates. Nothing hung on the walls, and nothing was kept that was not used every day. As it is used in the passage, the word 'spare' most nearly means:

  1. unfriendly and cold
  2. kept as an extra supply for later use
  3. plain and free of anything unnecessary Correct answer.
  4. borrowed from a neighbour

Explanation

The colon introduces a short list of only essential items, and the next sentence explains that nothing was kept unless it was used daily. Those details together show that 'spare' here describes plainness and the absence of anything surplus or decorative.

Question 3Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The new library opened on Monday. It holds 12,000 books and 40 computers. The glass front lets in a great deal of light, which makes it the most beautiful public building on the island. Borrowing is free for all residents. Which statement from the passage is an opinion rather than a fact?

  1. The new library building first opened its doors to the public on Monday.
  2. It holds 12,000 books and 40 computers.
  3. It is the most beautiful public building on the island. Correct answer.
  4. Borrowing is free for all residents.

Explanation

A fact is a statement that can be checked and agreed on by anyone who looks at the evidence, while an opinion expresses a personal judgement of value. 'Most beautiful' is a judgement about appearance that reasonable people could dispute, so it is not a fact.

Question 4Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. When Mr. Rolle entered the shop, the two women behind the counter stopped talking. One of them looked at the floor; the other began rearranging tins that were already straight. Mr. Rolle picked up a loaf of bread and asked, pleasantly, whether the delivery of flour had arrived. 'Not yet, sir,' said the first woman, and she did not look up. What can be inferred about the women's reaction to Mr. Rolle?

  1. They have not heard his question about the flour delivery.
  2. They feel uncomfortable and would rather he had not come in. Correct answer.
  3. They are too busy unpacking flour to serve him properly.
  4. They are annoyed that he has entered the shop so late in the day.

Explanation

The women fall silent, avoid eye contact and rearrange tins that are already straight, which are small signs of unease rather than anger or busyness. The fact that his pleasant question is answered without looking up strengthens the impression that they are uncomfortable.

Question 5Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Anyone who has walked past the primary school at three o'clock knows the problem. Cars line both sides of the road with their engines running while children squeeze between bumpers to find their parents. A crossing guard and a five-minute no-parking zone would cost less than a single accident. The Ministry should act this term. What is the writer's main purpose in this passage?

  1. to explain how car engines pollute the air near schools
  2. to describe an ordinary afternoon at a primary school
  3. to tell an amusing story about children and their parents
  4. to persuade the Ministry to make the road safer Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer sets out a problem, proposes a cheap solution and closes with a direct demand that the Ministry act. That pattern of problem, solution and call to action is the structure of persuasive writing aimed at changing a decision.

Question 6Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Since 2011, thick mats of sargassum seaweed have washed onto Caribbean beaches each summer. The weed rots within days, giving off a strong smell and turning the water brown. Hotels lose bookings and fishermen find fewer fish near the shore. Scientists are testing ways to collect the seaweed at sea before it reaches land, but the cost of boats and equipment remains a serious obstacle. Which sentence best summarises the passage?

  1. Hotels in the Caribbean lose bookings every summer because of the weather.
  2. Sargassum seaweed rots quickly and smells strongly when it reaches a beach.
  3. Scientists have successfully collected sargassum at sea using boats and equipment.
  4. Sargassum harms tourism and fishing, and the solutions are expensive. Correct answer.

Explanation

A summary must cover the whole passage rather than one detail. The text moves from the damage the weed does to hotels and fishermen, then to the costly remedies being tested, and the correct option accounts for both halves in a single sentence.

Question 7Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. A study of 300 students found that those who used their phones in the hour before bed took about twenty minutes longer to fall asleep. The researchers also noted that students who kept their phones in another room reported feeling more rested in the morning. They recommend that schools teach students about sleep habits. Which detail best supports the claim that phone use affects sleep?

  1. Students who used phones before bed took longer to fall asleep. Correct answer.
  2. Some students kept their phones in another room overnight while they slept.
  3. Researchers recommend that schools teach sleep habits.
  4. The study looked at 300 students.

Explanation

A claim that phones affect sleep needs evidence directly linking phone use to a sleep outcome. The finding that phone users took longer to fall asleep makes exactly that link, while the other statements describe the study or repeat its advice.

Question 8Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. For thirty years the small bakery had been the heart of the street. Now the shutters were closed, the windows were papered over, and the ovens stood cold. What does the phrase 'the heart of the street' suggest about the bakery?

  1. It was built in the exact middle of the street, between the two rows of houses.
  2. It was the oldest building on the street.
  3. It sold bread that was especially good for the heart.
  4. It was the place that gave the street its life. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Heart' is used figuratively to mean the source of energy or life in something, not a physical position. The contrast with the closed shutters and cold ovens shows how much the street has lost now that the bakery has gone.

Question 9Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read these two viewpoints. Speaker A: Cruise ships bring thousands of visitors who spend almost nothing ashore and leave waste behind them. The island would be better off without them. Speaker B: Cruise visitors fill the taxis and the market stalls, and every ship pays a landing fee that helps fund our water system. Without those ships, many families here would lose the little income they have. Which statement best describes the difference between the two speakers?

  1. They agree that the landing fee should be raised for every ship.
  2. They judge the same industry by weighing different costs and benefits. Correct answer.
  3. They disagree about how many visitors the cruise ships bring each year.
  4. They are describing two different islands with very different economies.

Explanation

Both speakers are discussing the same ships and the same island, so their disagreement is not about facts but about emphasis. Speaker A stresses waste and low spending, while Speaker B stresses jobs and public revenue, which means they weigh the same evidence differently.

Question 10Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. In 2019 the town planted 500 trees along the main road. Three years later a survey found 380 of them alive; the rest had died in a dry season when the young trees were never watered. The town's report nevertheless calls the project 'a success', noting that the surviving trees now shade the pavement. Why might a reader question the report's conclusion?

  1. The report calls the project a success although many trees died needlessly. Correct answer.
  2. The survey was carried out only three years after the young trees had first been planted.
  3. The town chose to plant five hundred trees along the main road in 2019.
  4. The surviving trees now provide shade along the pavement.

Explanation

The passage shows that 120 trees died in a dry season simply because nobody watered them, which is a preventable loss. Praising the project without addressing that loss gives a reader a strong reason to doubt the report's overall judgement.

Question 11Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The town of Millbrook started a weekend market in the old train station. Farmers sell vegetables, bakers bring bread, and local craftspeople display their work. Since it opened, nearby shops have reported more customers, and the station car park is full every Saturday. Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. The weekend market has benefited the local area. Correct answer.
  2. The old train station is no longer used for trains.
  3. The market is open every day of the week.
  4. Farmers grow more vegetables than bakers make bread.

Explanation

The passage describes the market and its positive effects on nearby shops and parking, so the main idea is its benefit to the area. The other choices are either minor details or statements not supported by the text.

Question 12Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: Although the hikers were exhausted after the long climb, they remained resilient, joking and helping one another along the rocky path. Question: As used in the passage, what does 'resilient' most nearly mean?

  1. silent and withdrawn
  2. angry about the climb
  3. extremely tired and unable to continue
  4. able to recover quickly Correct answer.

Explanation

Resilient means able to bounce back or recover from difficulty; the hikers are tired but still joking and helping each other. The context shows they are not defeated by exhaustion.

Question 13Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The new community pool has several features that make it safe for young children. A shallow area is separated from the deep end by a low wall. Two lifeguards are always on duty, and the water is tested every morning. Question: Which detail from the passage best supports the claim that the pool is designed with young children in mind?

  1. The pool is new.
  2. The water is tested carefully every morning.
  3. A shallow area is separated from the deep end. Correct answer.
  4. The pool has two lifeguards on duty at all times.

Explanation

The shallow area separated from the deep end directly addresses the needs of young children who may not swim well. The other details concern cleanliness or general safety rather than design for children.

Question 14Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: Maria read the letter twice, then folded it carefully and placed it in the drawer. She did not speak during dinner, and when her sister asked about the wedding, she only shrugged and looked out of the window. Question: What can be inferred about Maria's feelings?

  1. She is excited about the wedding.
  2. She is troubled by the letter. Correct answer.
  3. She is angry with her sister.
  4. She is hungry.

Explanation

Maria's silence, careful folding of the letter, and avoidance of the wedding topic suggest worry or distress. These actions point to concern rather than excitement or anger.

Question 15Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: Every year, thousands of seabirds mistake plastic floating on the ocean for food. They feed the plastic to their chicks, which often die. We can reduce this harm by using fewer single-use plastics and supporting beach clean-ups. Question: What is the author's main purpose in writing this passage?

  1. To explain how plastic is made.
  2. To entertain readers with a story about seabirds.
  3. To persuade readers to act on plastic waste. Correct answer.
  4. To describe the life cycle of seabirds.

Explanation

The passage presents a problem and then suggests specific actions readers can take, so the purpose is persuasive. It aims to move readers to reduce plastic use and support clean-ups.

Question 16Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The committee's report was thorough, but its recommendations were timid. It avoided every difficult choice and offered only vague promises of future review. One wonders whether the members ever intended to solve the problem at all. Question: What is the tone of the passage?

  1. admiring
  2. cheerful
  3. neutral
  4. critical Correct answer.

Explanation

Words such as 'timid', 'avoided', and 'vague' express disapproval of the committee's work. The closing question also implies doubt about their intentions, so the tone is critical.

Question 17Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The new bus schedule begins next Monday morning. Buses will run every fifteen minutes instead of every thirty. The route will also extend to the hospital. Many riders say this is the best change yet. Question: Which sentence from the passage is an opinion?

  1. Buses will run every fifteen minutes.
  2. This is the best change yet. Correct answer.
  3. The new bus schedule begins next Monday morning.
  4. The route will extend to the hospital.

Explanation

'Best change yet' is a judgment that cannot be proved true or false, so it is an opinion. The other sentences state facts that can be checked against the schedule.

Question 18Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: When the city painted the crosswalks with bright white stripes and added flashing lights, drivers began stopping more often for pedestrians. The number of accidents at those crossings fell by half within a year. Question: What cause is given for the drop in accidents?

  1. New traffic laws.
  2. Fewer cars on the road.
  3. More people walking.
  4. Brighter crosswalks and flashing lights. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage states that after the painting and lights were added, drivers stopped more often and accidents fell. Therefore, those changes are presented as the cause of the drop.

Question 19Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read these two viewpoints. Speaker A: School uniforms reduce bullying because everyone wears the same clothes. Speaker B: That may be true, but uniforms do not address bullying that happens online or through social exclusion. Question: What is the main weakness Speaker B identifies in Speaker A's argument?

  1. It assumes uniforms are the only cause of bullying.
  2. It relies on personal experience.
  3. It ignores forms of bullying not related to clothing. Correct answer.
  4. It exaggerates the cost of uniforms.

Explanation

Speaker B points out that bullying can occur online or through exclusion, which uniforms do not affect. This shows that Speaker A's argument overlooks forms of bullying unrelated to clothing.

Question 20Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The company's annual report describes the past year as 'challenging but full of opportunity.' It notes that profits fell by 40 percent and that 200 employees were laid off. The CEO's letter, printed on glossy paper, thanks the remaining staff for their 'resilience and loyalty.' Question: What does the contrast between the report's language and the facts suggest?

  1. The CEO is unaware of the layoffs.
  2. The company is doing better than it ever has.
  3. The employees are happy with the changes.
  4. The report uses euphemism for bad news. Correct answer.

Explanation

Phrases like 'challenging but full of opportunity' and 'resilience and loyalty' soften the reality of falling profits and layoffs. This contrast suggests the report uses euphemism to make bad news sound less harsh.

Question 21Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Leila found the small brown dog shivering beside the bus stop. She wrapped it in her scarf and carried it home. Her mother said they could keep it only if no owner came forward. After a week, no one had. Leila named the dog Pepper because of the dark spots on its ears. What name does Leila give the dog?

  1. Spot
  2. Brownie
  3. Pepper Correct answer.
  4. Scarf

Explanation

The passage states directly that Leila named the dog Pepper because of the dark spots on its ears. The other names are either not mentioned as the dog's name or refer to something else in the story. This is a straightforward detail question.

Question 22Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. After climbing for six hours, Tomas felt weary. His legs ached and his pack seemed heavier with every step. He sat on a rock and drank the last of his water. As used in the passage, the word "weary" most nearly means

  1. lost
  2. angry
  3. hungry
  4. tired Correct answer.

Explanation

Weary describes Tomas after six hours of climbing, with aching legs and a heavy pack. These details show that the word means physically exhausted or tired. The context does not suggest anger, confusion about direction, or hunger as the main meaning.

Question 23Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The Riverside Community Garden began on an empty lot three years ago. Today it has forty plots where families grow vegetables. Volunteers also run free weekend classes for children, teaching them how seeds sprout and how to care for plants. The garden gives neighbors fresh food and a reason to work together. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Volunteers started the garden on a piece of empty land.
  2. The Riverside Community Garden has forty separate plots.
  3. A garden provides food and brings neighbors together. Correct answer.
  4. Children learn how seeds sprout during weekend classes.

Explanation

The passage describes the garden's vegetables and its free classes, then concludes that it gives neighbors fresh food and a reason to work together. That final sentence states the main idea. The other options are supporting details about classes, plot count, or origins.

Question 24Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Whenever his sister left for her afternoon shift, Dev slipped into the living room and sat at the old piano. He played with the lid closed so the sound came out soft and muffled. When he heard her key in the lock, he stopped at once and pretended to be reading. What can be inferred about Dev?

  1. He dislikes his sister's afternoon shift.
  2. He wants to keep his playing private. Correct answer.
  3. He hopes to learn to read music soon.
  4. He has accidentally damaged the piano.

Explanation

Dev plays only when his sister is away, muffles the sound, and stops when he hears her key. These actions show that he wants to keep his piano playing private or hidden. The passage does not support the other claims about his feelings or the piano's condition.

Question 25Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. In the last two years, our town has replaced 8,000 plastic shopping bags with reusable cloth ones. Shops now sell sturdy bags for a small price, and many customers bring their own. The cloth bags last for years and keep plastic out of the harbor. We should continue this simple change. What is the author's main purpose in writing this passage?

  1. To compare prices at different shops
  2. To criticize shoppers who forget their bags
  3. To persuade readers to support reusable bags Correct answer.
  4. To explain the manufacturing process for cloth bags

Explanation

The passage reports a change and lists benefits such as lasting for years and keeping plastic out of the harbor. It ends with the direct suggestion that the town should continue this change, which shows the purpose is persuasive. The passage does not explain manufacturing, criticize shoppers, or compare shop prices.

Question 26Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Two years ago, the village of San Marcos installed solar panels on the roof of its school. The panels now provide electricity during the day and charge batteries for the evening. As a result, the school can hold night classes for adults, and children no longer study by candlelight. According to the passage, what was one effect of installing solar panels?

  1. Adults can take evening classes. Correct answer.
  2. Children stopped attending school.
  3. The school roof was replaced.
  4. The village bought new candles.

Explanation

The passage says that because the school now has electricity and battery power, it can hold night classes for adults. That is a direct effect of the solar panels. The other options either contradict the passage or are not mentioned.

Question 27Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The new sports center opened on Saturday. It contains a swimming pool, two courts, and a fitness room. Membership costs $20 per month. The fitness room is the best place in town to exercise. Which sentence from the passage is an opinion?

  1. The new sports center opened on Saturday.
  2. It contains a swimming pool, two courts, and a fitness room.
  3. The fitness room is the best place in town to exercise. Correct answer.
  4. Membership costs $20 per month.

Explanation

An opinion expresses a judgment that cannot be proven true or false. The claim that the fitness room is "the best place in town" is a personal evaluation. The other statements give checkable facts about opening day, facilities, and price.

Question 28Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read these two viewpoints. Speaker A: Homework helps students practice what they learned in class. Without it, many would forget the day's lesson. Speaker B: Homework takes time away from family, rest, and sports. Young people need those experiences too. What do both speakers agree about?

  1. Family time should replace all homework.
  2. Sports are more important than schoolwork.
  3. Out-of-school time matters for students. Correct answer.
  4. Homework is unnecessary for learning.

Explanation

Speaker A values homework because it helps practice, but both speakers treat after-school time as important. Speaker B names family, rest, and sports as valuable, while Speaker A argues homework is worth using that time for. Neither speaker dismisses the importance of life outside school.

Question 29Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The old hotel still stood at the end of the street, though its windows were boarded and its sign had lost most of its letters. I remembered the brass band that played on the veranda and the lemonade that tasted of summer. I touched the rusted gate and felt a sadness I could not name. The tone of the passage is best described as

  1. furious
  2. wistful Correct answer.
  3. indifferent
  4. playful

Explanation

The narrator recalls happy details such as the brass band and lemonade, then describes sadness at the rusted gate. That mixture of fond memory and quiet sorrow creates a wistful tone. The passage does not express anger, light humor, or lack of feeling.

Question 30Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. A recent survey of 1,200 teenagers found that those who read for pleasure at least three times a week reported lower stress than those who rarely read. The difference remained even after researchers accounted for sleep and exercise. However, the survey did not prove that reading causes lower stress; it only showed a link. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. A survey of 1,200 teenagers found no useful information.
  2. Reading is linked to lower stress, but causation is unproven. Correct answer.
  3. Sleep and exercise are the main causes of stress in teenagers.
  4. Teenagers should read more often to reduce stress.

Explanation

The passage reports a survey linking frequent reading to lower stress and notes that the link held after other factors were considered. It then warns that the survey showed only a link, not a cause. The correct option captures both the finding and its limitation.

Question 31Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The Westfield Library now lends more than books. Since March, cardholders have been able to borrow packets of vegetable seeds, return some seeds after harvest, and attend free gardening workshops. The program began with 200 packets and has already expanded to 1,200. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. The library has stopped lending printed books.
  2. The library has added a seed-lending program. Correct answer.
  3. Gardening workshops are expensive to run.
  4. Cardholders must buy all their seeds from shops.

Explanation

The passage presents the seed-lending service as the library's new feature and uses details about packet numbers and workshops to support that point. The other choices either contradict the passage or focus on minor details.

Question 32Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: Each spring, volunteers gather at Carter's Landing to clean the riverbank. They work in pairs, wearing gloves and carrying large bags. Last year they removed 3,400 pounds of litter. Snacks are provided at noon, but volunteers must bring their own water bottles. According to the passage, what must volunteers bring?

  1. Gloves and large bags.
  2. A partner from the organisers.
  3. Their own water bottles. Correct answer.
  4. Snacks for the group.

Explanation

The passage states directly that snacks are provided but volunteers must bring their own water bottles. The gloves, bags, and pairs are described as part of the work, not as items volunteers are told to bring.

Question 33Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The desert museum's new exhibit explains how succulents survive in sparse rainfall. Some store water in thick leaves; others spread shallow roots to catch brief showers. As used in the passage, 'sparse' most nearly means...

  1. sudden and violent
  2. warm and pleasant
  3. very heavy and frequent
  4. thinly distributed Correct answer.

Explanation

In context, sparse rainfall is rain that is limited and not plentiful, matching 'thinly distributed.' The sentence contrasts scarce rain with plants that store water or catch brief showers.

Question 34Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: When the letter from the music school arrived, Kofi left it sealed on the kitchen table for two days. He walked past it each morning, then finally opened it late on Sunday night. After reading the first line, he called his teacher before he had even taken off his coat. What can be inferred about Kofi?

  1. He was away from home all weekend.
  2. He was anxious about the letter. Correct answer.
  3. He had forgotten that he applied.
  4. He no longer enjoys music.

Explanation

Kofi delays opening the letter and then calls his teacher immediately, which suggests nervous anticipation about its contents. Nothing in the passage shows forgetfulness, dislike of music, or absence from home.

Question 35Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The town's new 'art trail' consists of seven painted mailboxes. The brochure calls the route 'a cultural journey', but the mailboxes stand fewer than fifty metres apart, and the paint is already peeling. Still, children stop to trace the flowers on each box, and the route gives families an afternoon's walk. What is the narrator's attitude toward the art trail?

  1. Indifferent and uninterested.
  2. Angry and strongly opposed.
  3. Mildly sceptical but appreciative. Correct answer.
  4. Completely enthusiastic and uncritical.

Explanation

The narrator mocks the brochure's grand phrase and notes peeling paint, which shows scepticism, yet also acknowledges that children enjoy the boxes and families get a walk. That balanced view is mildly sceptical but appreciative.

Question 36Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: When the council replaced the old streetlights with LED bulbs, the town's electricity bill for lighting fell by nearly half. However, some residents reported that the new lights were too bright outside bedroom windows. According to the passage, what was an effect of replacing the streetlights?

  1. The old bulbs became brighter.
  2. Residents had to pay much more for electricity.
  3. All residents praised the new lights.
  4. The lighting electricity bill dropped. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage says the town's electricity bill for lighting fell by nearly half after the old lights were replaced. The complaint about brightness is a separate reported effect, not a rise in cost.

Question 37Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read these two viewpoints. Speaker A: A school garden teaches students where food comes from and gives them exercise. Speaker B: A school garden is valuable, but only if a teacher volunteers to manage it during holidays; otherwise the plants die and the project wastes money. What is the main difference between the two speakers?

  1. Speaker A wants to close the garden, while Speaker B wants to expand it.
  2. Speaker B thinks students should not exercise.
  3. Speaker B adds a condition that Speaker A does not mention. Correct answer.
  4. Speaker A has never seen a garden, while Speaker B has.

Explanation

Speaker A states benefits of a school garden without qualification. Speaker B accepts the value but makes it depend on holiday management, which is an added condition.

Question 38Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: For years, the village market flooded whenever the river rose. Vendors lost produce, and shoppers stayed home. In 2022, the council built a raised concrete platform at the market's edge and planted grasses along the bank. Last spring, the heaviest rain in a decade left the stalls dry. How is the passage mainly organized?

  1. As a problem followed by a solution. Correct answer.
  2. As a comparison of two different villages.
  3. As a set of instructions for building a market.
  4. As a list of unrelated events in random order.

Explanation

The first sentences describe repeated flooding and its effects, which is the problem. The later sentences describe the raised platform and grasses and report that the stalls stayed dry, which is the solution and result.

Question 39Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: A newspaper article claims that the town's new 9 p.m. curfew for teenagers has reduced vandalism. As evidence, it reports that police recorded ten vandalism cases last month, compared with twelve in the same month a year earlier. The article does not mention that the town's population of teenagers fell by 15 percent during that year. Which is the strongest criticism of the article's evidence?

  1. It ignores a change in the size of the group being studied. Correct answer.
  2. It relies on too many long quotations from local police officers.
  3. It fails to explain exactly what vandalism means.
  4. It compares two different months instead of two full years.

Explanation

The article compares raw counts across a year in which the number of teenagers fell, so part of the drop may simply reflect fewer young people. A strong criticism must address that missing denominator rather than style or definition.

Question 40Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage: The letter to the editor argues that the town should ban cars from Main Street every Saturday. It describes crowded pavements and children breathing exhaust, then calls opponents 'people who never walk anywhere.' Which feature most weakens the letter's argument?

  1. It attacks opponents instead of answering their concerns. Correct answer.
  2. It uses the word 'children' in the argument.
  3. It gives no specific day of the week for the proposed ban.
  4. It describes crowded pavements in more detail than necessary.

Explanation

Calling opponents 'people who never walk anywhere' insults them rather than responding to their objections, so it weakens the argument's fairness and persuasiveness. The other options name neutral features or a detail that is not a flaw.

Question 41Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. On the first Saturday of each month, residents bring broken lamps, radios, and chairs to the community hall. Volunteers with toolkits diagnose each item and show owners how to make simple repairs. Last month, 38 of 45 items were fixed and kept out of landfill. What is the main activity described in the passage?

  1. Selling used furniture to residents
  2. Collecting food for local families
  3. Fixing broken household items Correct answer.
  4. Teaching children computer coding

Explanation

The passage states that volunteers examine broken lamps, radios, and chairs and show owners how to repair them. It also reports that most items were fixed rather than thrown away. No selling, food collection, or coding lessons are mentioned.

Question 42Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Mara's first attempt at making jam was a disaster. The mixture boiled over, the jars refused to seal, and the kitchen smelled of burnt sugar for days. Yet she refused to be discouraged; she bought fresh fruit and tried again the next weekend. As used in the passage, the word "discouraged" most nearly means

  1. losing confidence Correct answer.
  2. pleased with the result
  3. feeling very hungry
  4. eager to travel away

Explanation

The context shows that Mara failed badly but still bought fresh fruit and tried again. Refusing to be discouraged therefore means she did not lose confidence. The other meanings do not fit her reaction to the failed jam.

Question 43Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The city installed a green roof on the central library last spring. The roof is covered with low-growing plants that absorb rainwater and insulate the building. Workers chose drought-tolerant species so the roof needs little watering. Officials expect the roof to last twice as long as a conventional one. According to the passage, why were drought-tolerant plants chosen for the roof?

  1. They attract many kinds of birds.
  2. They require very little watering. Correct answer.
  3. They grow much taller than other plants.
  4. They cost nothing to plant.

Explanation

The passage directly states that drought-tolerant species were chosen so the roof needs little watering. This explains why such plants suit a roof that is not easily watered. The other reasons are not given in the passage.

Question 44Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. When the town library announced it would close on Sundays, many residents objected. The library board pointed to a 20 percent drop in Sunday visits since the new bus schedule began. Still, opponents collected 600 signatures asking for the decision to be reversed. At the final meeting, the board agreed to keep the library open on Sundays for a three-month trial. What can be inferred about the board's final decision?

  1. It balanced cost concerns with public pressure. Correct answer.
  2. It permanently ended all Sunday library service.
  3. It was decided without any public input at all.
  4. It relied only on the new bus schedule data.

Explanation

The board first cited low Sunday visits, suggesting concern about use or cost, but later agreed to a trial after residents collected signatures. This shows the decision responded to both practical concerns and public pressure. The trial also shows the issue was not settled permanently.

Question 45Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The notice begins with a cheerful headline: "Bring Your Own Bag!" It then lists three reasons reusable bags help the environment, includes a simple chart of plastic waste, and ends with a coupon for a local grocery store. What is the main purpose of the notice?

  1. To entertain readers with a funny story
  2. To persuade shoppers to use reusable bags Correct answer.
  3. To compare prices at different grocery stores
  4. To describe how plastic bags are manufactured

Explanation

The cheerful headline, environmental reasons, waste chart, and store coupon all work together to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags. These features are persuasive rather than merely informative. The notice does not explain manufacturing or tell a story.

Question 46Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. Each autumn, monarch butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles from Canada to central Mexico. They navigate using the sun and Earth's magnetic field. No single butterfly makes the round trip; instead, several generations complete the journey over the year. Scientists still study how the insects find the same forests year after year. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Scientists have completely explained how monarchs navigate by the sun.
  2. Monarchs migrate far across generations; navigation is still studied. Correct answer.
  3. Monarchs live only in Canada and never travel south.
  4. Monarchs use printed maps to find Mexico each autumn.

Explanation

The passage explains a long migration completed by several generations and notes that scientists continue to study how the insects navigate. A summary should include both the migration and the ongoing research. It should not add details that the passage does not support.

Question 47Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. After the city planted trees along Elm Street, summer temperatures on the sidewalk dropped by nearly five degrees. Shoppers stayed longer, and several cafes added outdoor tables. The trees also absorbed rainwater, reducing puddles after storms. Which effect of planting trees is mentioned in the passage?

  1. Fewer cafes along the street
  2. Longer school hours for children
  3. Cooler summer sidewalks Correct answer.
  4. Higher parking fees nearby

Explanation

The passage says sidewalk temperatures dropped after trees were planted, which means the sidewalks became cooler in summer. It also mentions shoppers staying longer, cafes adding tables, and less puddling. Parking fees, school hours, and fewer cafes are not supported.

Question 48Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The mayor's speech praised the new pedestrian bridge as a triumph of cooperation. She described the years of planning, the public meetings, and the volunteers who painted the railings. Not once did she mention the project's cost overruns or the delays that kept the bridge closed for two extra months. Which words best describe the tone of the mayor's speech as presented in the passage?

  1. Angry and accusing
  2. Humorous and playful
  3. Confused and uncertain
  4. Proud but selective Correct answer.

Explanation

The speech praises cooperation, planning, and volunteers, which creates a proud tone. However, it leaves out cost overruns and delays, so the presentation is selective. The tone is not angry, confused, or humorous.

Question 49Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. A blog post titled "Why Our Town Needs More Parking" argues that new apartments will bring too many cars. The author cites one study from a neighboring city and interviews two shop owners who fear losing customers. The post does not mention the apartments' planned bike lanes or the town's rising rent prices. Which statement best evaluates the blog post's argument?

  1. It uses no evidence and relies only on personal insults.
  2. It fairly balances the costs and benefits of the apartments.
  3. It proves that all new apartments cause traffic jams.
  4. It presents a one-sided case by leaving out relevant facts. Correct answer.

Explanation

The post includes a study and interviews, but it omits planned bike lanes and rising rent, which are relevant to the debate. This makes the case one-sided rather than balanced. A single blog post also cannot prove that all apartments cause traffic jams.

Question 50Reading comprehension of prose and non-fiction passages

Read this passage. The town reports that accidents on Main Street fell by 30 percent after a bike lane was added. However, the same report notes that the speed limit was lowered and a new traffic light was installed in the same year. The report does not separate the effects of these changes. What is the main weakness of the town's claim about the bike lane?

  1. It provides no numbers about accidents before or after.
  2. It ignores the fact that accidents actually rose.
  3. It relies only on interviews with local cyclists.
  4. It credits one change without separating other changes. Correct answer.

Explanation

The report links the accident drop to the bike lane, but the speed limit and traffic light also changed in the same year. Because the report does not separate their effects, it cannot show that the bike lane alone caused the drop. The passage gives a percentage and does not mention interviews or a rise in accidents.