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NB G5 FI Reading study materials
NB G5 FI Reading study resources

NB G5 FI Reading practice questions

One question at a time. Build your NB G5 FI Reading understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

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Question 1Finding and retrieving information

A class reads a short article about how honeybees find flowers. Which sentence from the article would best help you find out what bees do when they return to the hive?

  1. Many flowers open only in warm weather.
  2. Once back at the nest, a bee performs a waggle dance to tell others where the flowers are. Correct answer.
  3. Honeybees live in large groups called colonies.
  4. Bees leave the hive early in the morning.

Explanation

The question asks about behaviour after returning to the hive, so the relevant sentence must describe what happens back at the nest. Only the waggle-dance sentence reports an action taken on return, giving information about how bees share the location of flowers.

Question 2Finding and retrieving information

You are reading a school notice. Which part of the notice would tell you the deadline for handing in a permission slip?

  1. The address of the school
  2. The title at the top
  3. The sentence giving the date by which slips must be returned Correct answer.
  4. The name of the teacher at the bottom

Explanation

A deadline is a date or time limit, so the reader should look for a sentence that states when something must be done. Titles, signatures and addresses give other kinds of information and do not set a time limit for returning the slip.

Question 3Finding and retrieving information

In a table of contents, a chapter titled 'Volcanoes and Their Effects on Weather' most likely contains information about which topic?

  1. Where to buy volcanic rock
  2. How volcanoes change the weather Correct answer.
  3. How to build a model volcano
  4. The history of mountain climbing

Explanation

A table of contents entry summarises the chapter's content through its title. The title joins two ideas, volcanoes and weather, so the chapter should discuss how volcanic activity affects weather conditions.

Question 4Finding and retrieving information

A book has an index at the back. What is the main purpose of an index?

  1. To list the chapters in order
  2. To show page numbers where specific topics are mentioned Correct answer.
  3. To summarise the whole book in one page
  4. To give the meanings of difficult words

Explanation

An index is an alphabetical list of topics with page numbers, letting a reader jump straight to where a subject appears. A list of chapters is a table of contents, and word meanings belong in a glossary.

Question 5Finding and retrieving information

A reader wants to know the boiling point of water. Which source would most directly provide this single fact?

  1. A poem about rain
  2. A science dictionary or reference table Correct answer.
  3. A newspaper advertisement
  4. A novel about a fishing village

Explanation

A single factual measurement is best found in a reference source organised for quick lookup, such as a science dictionary or data table. Stories, poems and advertisements are not organised to answer factual measurement questions.

Question 6Finding and retrieving information

When skimming a page to decide whether it is useful, what should a reader focus on first?

  1. The last letter of each line
  2. Headings, first sentences and bold words Correct answer.
  3. Every word in the longest paragraph
  4. The page number only

Explanation

Skimming means moving quickly through a text to get its general idea. Headings, opening sentences and highlighted words carry the main signals about content, so they give the fastest impression of usefulness.

Question 7Finding and retrieving information

A passage says: 'The river was shallow enough for the children to wade across.' Which question is answered directly by this sentence?

  1. How fast did the river flow?
  2. How many children were there?
  3. Where did the river begin?
  4. How deep was the river? Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'shallow' and the detail that children could wade across both describe depth. The sentence gives no information about speed, source or the number of children.

Question 8Finding and retrieving information

Which feature of a non-fiction book would help you find the page where a specific person is discussed?

  1. The cover illustration
  2. The dedication page
  3. The author's photograph
  4. The index Correct answer.

Explanation

An index lists names and topics alphabetically with page numbers, which is exactly what a reader needs to locate a specific person. Covers, photographs and dedications do not map names to page numbers.

Question 9Finding and retrieving information

A student needs to find out whether a website article was written recently. Which detail on the page should the student check?

  1. The publication date shown near the title Correct answer.
  2. The length of the paragraphs
  3. The number of images
  4. The colour of the headings

Explanation

Recency is shown by a date of publication or last update, usually placed near the title or at the end. Layout features such as images, colours and paragraph length say nothing about when the text was written.

Question 10Finding and retrieving information

Read this extract: 'Unlike her brother, who chattered constantly, Mira spoke only when necessary.' What does the extract tell us about Mira?

  1. She disliked her brother.
  2. She could not speak.
  3. She was usually quiet. Correct answer.
  4. She talked more than her brother.

Explanation

The contrast word 'unlike' sets Mira against a brother who chattered constantly, and she spoke 'only when necessary'. This implies she was generally quiet rather than unable or unwilling to speak.

Question 11Finding and retrieving information

A reader is looking for the cause of a forest fire described in an article. Which kind of sentence should the reader search for?

  1. A sentence listing the animals in the forest
  2. A sentence containing words such as 'because', 'due to' or 'caused by' Correct answer.
  3. A sentence describing the size of the forest
  4. A sentence quoting a firefighter's opinion

Explanation

Causes are usually signalled by linking words such as 'because', 'due to' or 'caused by'. Searching for those signals helps a reader locate explanatory statements quickly instead of reading unrelated description.

Question 12Finding and retrieving information

A text uses the pronoun 'it' in the sentence: 'The kite rose higher, and it pulled hard on the string.' What does 'it' refer to?

  1. The kite Correct answer.
  2. The sky
  3. The wind
  4. The string

Explanation

A pronoun usually refers back to the nearest suitable noun that fits the meaning. The kite is the object that rises and pulls on the string, so 'it' refers to the kite rather than to the string it pulls.

Question 13Finding and retrieving information

A recipe lists ingredients and then steps. A cook wants to know how long to bake the cake. Where should the cook look?

  1. In the list of serving suggestions
  2. In the ingredients list
  3. In the numbered steps, for a time and temperature instruction Correct answer.
  4. In the recipe's title

Explanation

Procedural texts place actions and their timings in the step-by-step instructions. Baking time appears as an instruction within the steps, whereas ingredients, titles and serving notes describe other parts of the recipe.

Question 14Finding and retrieving information

A student reads two articles about a new sports centre. Article A is written by the centre's owner; Article B is written by a local reporter who interviewed neighbours. Which statement best compares their likely reliability for facts about noise complaints?

  1. Neither can be used because both mention the centre.
  2. Both are equally reliable because both are about the same centre.
  3. Article A is more reliable because the owner knows the centre best.
  4. Article B is likely more balanced because the reporter has no direct interest in the centre. Correct answer.

Explanation

Reliability depends partly on whether the writer has an interest in the outcome. A reporter without a stake in the centre is more likely to present complaints fairly, while an owner may downplay problems.

Question 15Finding and retrieving information

A passage states: 'Sales of electric bicycles doubled last year, although prices rose.' Which conclusion is supported by the passage?

  1. Fewer people bought electric bicycles than before.
  2. People bought more electric bicycles even though they cost more. Correct answer.
  3. Electric bicycles became cheaper last year.
  4. Price has no effect on bicycle sales.

Explanation

The passage reports that sales doubled while prices rose, so buyers increased despite higher cost. Any conclusion must stay within what the sentence states rather than adding claims about causes or trends not given.

Question 16Finding and retrieving information

Which search words would best help you find information about how penguins keep warm in winter?

  1. cold places on Earth
  2. penguins winter warm Correct answer.
  3. animals
  4. birds that swim

Explanation

Effective search terms combine the key subject with the specific aspect wanted. 'Penguins', 'winter' and 'warm' together narrow the results to the question, while broad terms return too much unrelated material.

Question 17Finding and retrieving information

A report includes the sentence: 'According to a 2019 survey of 500 farmers, most had noticed drier summers.' What is the main purpose of this sentence in the report?

  1. To give evidence from a named source Correct answer.
  2. To entertain readers with a story
  3. To persuade readers to become farmers
  4. To describe the writer's own farm

Explanation

The sentence names a year, a survey and a number of participants, which are markers of cited evidence. Such details let readers judge where a claim comes from and how much weight to give it.

Question 18Finding and retrieving information

A reader wants to compare the sizes of three planets. Which text structure would present this information most clearly?

  1. A poem about the night sky
  2. A table with planet names and diameter figures Correct answer.
  3. A long narrative about a space journey
  4. A letter from an astronomer

Explanation

Comparison of numbers is easiest when data are arranged in aligned rows and columns. A table puts the same measurement beside each planet, allowing direct comparison at a glance.

Question 19Finding and retrieving information

A paragraph begins: 'There are three main reasons cities plant trees.' What should a reader expect to find next?

  1. A description of the writer's garden
  2. A numbered or clearly ordered list of reasons Correct answer.
  3. A single story about one tree
  4. A question about the reader's opinion

Explanation

A sentence announcing a number of items signals that the writer will list them in order. Recognising this signal helps a reader anticipate the structure and locate each reason as it appears.

Question 20Finding and retrieving information

A text says: 'The museum, which opened in 1892, houses over 40,000 objects.' Which two facts can be retrieved directly from this sentence?

  1. The museum's size in square metres and its staff count
  2. The museum's opening year and the number of objects it holds Correct answer.
  3. The name of the museum's founder and its ticket price
  4. The museum's address and its opening hours

Explanation

Direct retrieval means taking facts that are explicitly stated. The sentence gives the year 1892 and the figure 40,000 objects, and it makes no claim about address, hours, founder, price or staff.

Question 21Finding and retrieving information

A class is researching a local river's water quality. Which combination of sources would give the most useful range of information?

  1. A council water-testing report, a newspaper article and an interview with a local angler Correct answer.
  2. A single social media post with no author named
  3. Three advertisements for fishing equipment
  4. Two novels set near rivers

Explanation

A strong research set combines sources with different perspectives and kinds of evidence. Official test data, journalism and first-hand local knowledge each contribute something different, allowing the reader to cross-check findings.

Question 22Finding and retrieving information

A reader finds this sentence: 'The results were inconclusive; that is, the scientists could not say whether the treatment worked.' Why does the writer include the phrase after the semicolon?

  1. To define a difficult word so readers understand it Correct answer.
  2. To repeat the same word for emphasis
  3. To introduce a new and unrelated topic
  4. To give the name of the scientist

Explanation

The phrase after the semicolon restates 'inconclusive' in plain language, which is a definition clue. Writers often add such explanations directly after technical words so readers can continue without a dictionary.

Question 23Finding and retrieving information

Two websites describe a scientific study. Site 1 lists the researchers, the journal and the date; Site 2 summarises the same study with no author, journal or date. For checking facts, which site is more useful and why?

  1. Both equally, because they describe the same study
  2. Site 1, because its details allow the reader to trace and verify the original study Correct answer.
  3. Site 2, because it avoids confusing technical details
  4. Site 2, because a summary is always shorter and clearer

Explanation

Verifiability depends on being able to locate the original source. Naming researchers, journal and date gives the reader a trail to follow, whereas an unsourced summary cannot be checked against the study itself.

Question 24Finding and retrieving information

A passage says: 'Only two of the twelve nests produced chicks, a result the wardens had not expected.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. All twelve nests produced chicks.
  2. The wardens expected exactly two nests to succeed.
  3. The wardens did not count the nests.
  4. The wardens believed more nests would succeed. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'had not expected' shows the outcome differed from the wardens' prediction. Since only two of twelve succeeded, the wardens must have anticipated a higher number, which is the inference the sentence supports.

Question 25Finding and retrieving information

A student must decide whether a webpage about healthy eating is suitable for a school project. Which question would best test the page's authority?

  1. Is the page longer than other pages?
  2. Does the page name a qualified author or reputable health organisation? Correct answer.
  3. Is the page colourful and easy to read?
  4. Does the page include many photographs of food?

Explanation

Authority concerns who produced the information and whether that source has relevant expertise. A named qualified author or recognised health organisation provides that assurance, while appearance and length do not.

Question 26Finding and retrieving information

A contents page lists chapter titles and page numbers. A reader wants to find the chapter about volcanoes quickly. What should the reader do?

  1. Scan the list of chapter titles for the word 'volcanoes' and note its page number Correct answer.
  2. Check the index at the back for the word 'lava' only
  3. Read every chapter from the beginning until volcanoes appear
  4. Look at the cover picture and guess which chapter it is

Explanation

A contents page gives chapter titles in the order they appear, each with a page number, so scanning the titles locates the right chapter directly. This is faster than reading sequentially and more precise than guessing from a cover.

Question 27Finding and retrieving information

A book has an index at the back. Which entry would help a reader find where the Great Barrier Reef is mentioned?

  1. The entry 'Great Barrier Reef, 34, 57' Correct answer.
  2. The title of the first chapter
  3. The author's name on the title page
  4. A page number printed in the glossary

Explanation

An index is an alphabetical list of topics with the page numbers where each is discussed. Finding the entry for the topic gives the exact pages to turn to.

Question 28Finding and retrieving information

A passage says: 'The team trained for six months before the final match.' Which question does this sentence answer?

  1. Why did the team lose the match?
  2. How long did the team train before the match? Correct answer.
  3. Who won the final match?
  4. Where was the final match played?

Explanation

The sentence states a length of time ('six months') linked to training before the match. A reader can retrieve the duration of training directly from these words.

Question 29Finding and retrieving information

A reader needs to know the date a news article was published. Where on a news webpage is this information most likely to appear?

  1. Near the headline or byline at the top of the article Correct answer.
  2. In the website's cookie settings
  3. Inside the advertisement banners
  4. In the comments written by readers

Explanation

News pages usually show the publication date close to the headline or the author's byline so readers can judge how current the story is. This is a standard layout convention.

Question 30Finding and retrieving information

A text says: 'The seedlings, which had been kept in the dark, grew taller than those on the windowsill.' What can a reader retrieve about the seedlings kept in the dark?

  1. They grew taller than the ones on the windowsill Correct answer.
  2. They were moved outside after a week
  3. They were watered more often than the others
  4. They produced flowers earlier than the others

Explanation

The sentence directly compares the two groups and states that the dark-kept seedlings grew taller. That comparison is the only fact given about them.

Question 31Finding and retrieving information

A student is looking for the definition of an unfamiliar word in a textbook. Which part of the book is designed for this purpose?

  1. The table of contents
  2. The glossary Correct answer.
  3. The blurb on the back cover
  4. The chapter headings

Explanation

A glossary is an alphabetical list of special or difficult words with their meanings, usually placed at the back of a book. It is the section built specifically for definitions.

Question 32Finding and retrieving information

A reader wants to know the main idea of a long article before reading it fully. Which part is most useful to read first?

  1. The final sentence of the last paragraph
  2. The heading and the opening paragraph Correct answer.
  3. The list of references at the end
  4. The captions under every photograph

Explanation

Headings announce the subject, and opening paragraphs usually state the main idea or purpose of the article. Reading these first gives an overview before detailed reading.

Question 33Finding and retrieving information

A sign reads: 'Pool closed for repairs until 12 May.' A swimmer wants to know when the pool will reopen. What information should the swimmer take from the sign?

  1. The pool will reopen next week
  2. The pool will reopen at noon today
  3. The pool will reopen on 12 May Correct answer.
  4. The pool will reopen in a new building

Explanation

The sign gives a specific end date for the closure, so the reopening date can be taken directly as 12 May. Readers should rely on the stated date rather than guessing.

Question 34Finding and retrieving information

A reader is searching an online encyclopedia for information about the diet of polar bears. Which search phrase is most likely to return relevant results?

  1. Arctic animals
  2. bear
  3. polar bear diet Correct answer.
  4. what do animals eat in general

Explanation

An effective search uses the specific key terms from the question, here the animal and the topic. Combining 'polar bear' with 'diet' narrows results to the needed information.

Question 35Finding and retrieving information

A paragraph begins: 'Three factors caused the bridge to weaken.' What should a reader expect in the sentences that follow?

  1. A story about the engineer's childhood
  2. A list explaining each of the three factors Correct answer.
  3. A set of instructions for building a bridge
  4. A description of a different bridge

Explanation

A topic sentence that announces a number of factors signals that the following sentences will explain each one. Readers can use this signal to anticipate the structure of the paragraph.

Question 36Finding and retrieving information

A report says: 'According to a survey of 200 residents, most preferred a later bus service.' Which detail tells the reader how many people were surveyed?

  1. The phrase 'survey of 200 residents' Correct answer.
  2. The phrase 'according to'
  3. The phrase 'a later bus service'
  4. The phrase 'most preferred'

Explanation

The number of people surveyed is stated in the phrase naming the size of the group. Readers retrieve sample size by locating the number attached to the group described.

Question 37Finding and retrieving information

A text says: 'The festival, first held in 1987, now attracts visitors from over thirty countries.' Which two facts can be retrieved directly?

  1. The year the festival began and the number of countries visitors come from Correct answer.
  2. The festival's main sponsor and its audience size
  3. The festival's ticket price and its location
  4. The name of the founder and the festival's duration

Explanation

The sentence gives the first year (1987) and the reach of visitors (over thirty countries). Both facts are stated explicitly, so they can be retrieved without inference.

Question 38Finding and retrieving information

A reader finds the sentence: 'The experiment failed; in other words, the hypothesis was not supported.' What does the phrase 'in other words' signal?

  1. A list of several separate causes
  2. A quotation from another writer
  3. A new topic unrelated to the first clause
  4. A restatement that explains the previous idea Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'in other words' introduces a rewording of what came before, helping readers understand an unfamiliar expression. Recognising this signal lets a reader confirm meaning.

Question 39Finding and retrieving information

A student compares two texts about a new housing development. Text A is a council planning report; Text B is a letter from a nearby resident. Which statement about the sources is accurate?

  1. Text A is more likely to present official data, while Text B gives a personal viewpoint Correct answer.
  2. Text A and Text B are equally likely to be neutral
  3. Text B is more reliable because it was written by one person
  4. Text A should be ignored because it was produced by an organisation

Explanation

Official reports usually present data and formal decisions, while a resident's letter reflects one person's experience and opinion. Recognising the type of source helps readers judge purpose and bias.

Question 40Finding and retrieving information

A passage states: 'Attendance at the museum rose by 20 per cent after entry became free.' Which conclusion is supported by the passage?

  1. Visitors disliked the museum's new exhibits
  2. Free entry was followed by a rise in attendance Correct answer.
  3. The museum will always offer free entry
  4. Free entry caused the museum to close early

Explanation

The passage reports a rise in attendance after a change in pricing, so the supported conclusion is the link between free entry and higher attendance. Readers should not add causes or predictions not stated.

Question 41Finding and retrieving information

A recipe says: 'Bake for 25 minutes, then check that a skewer comes out clean.' A cook wants to know how to tell when the cake is ready. What should the cook look for?

  1. The cake shrinking from the tin
  2. The oven timer reaching zero
  3. The cake turning brown on top
  4. A skewer coming out clean Correct answer.

Explanation

The instruction gives a specific test for readiness: a clean skewer. Readers should retrieve the stated condition rather than rely on other cues the text does not mention.

Question 42Finding and retrieving information

A text contains the sentence: 'Although the trail was steep, the hikers reached the summit before noon.' What does the word 'Although' signal about the two parts of the sentence?

  1. The two parts describe the same event
  2. The second part happened because of the first part
  3. The first part happened after the second part
  4. The first part contrasts with the second part Correct answer.

Explanation

'Although' introduces a contrast: the steepness might be expected to slow the hikers, yet they arrived early. Recognising contrast signals helps readers track the writer's meaning.

Question 43Finding and retrieving information

A reader wants to compare the populations of four cities. Which presentation would make the comparison easiest?

  1. A poem about city life
  2. A table with one row per city and a population column Correct answer.
  3. A list of the cities in alphabetical order
  4. A long paragraph describing each city in turn

Explanation

A table aligns the same kind of information for each item, so values can be compared at a glance. This structure suits numerical comparison better than continuous prose.

Question 44Finding and retrieving information

A website article about a study lists the authors, the journal and the publication date. Why are these details useful to a reader?

  1. They explain the study's results in detail
  2. They show the article's font and layout
  3. They help the reader judge the reliability and currency of the information Correct answer.
  4. They prove that the study was popular

Explanation

Authorship, the publishing journal and the date let readers assess whether a source is credible and up to date. These details support judgements about trustworthiness rather than content.

Question 45Finding and retrieving information

A student needs a quick overview of a long report before deciding whether to read it. Which approach best matches this goal?

  1. Read the abstract and section headings Correct answer.
  2. Read only the acknowledgements
  3. Count the pages in each section
  4. Memorise the reference list

Explanation

An abstract summarises the whole report, and headings show how it is organised, so together they give a fast overview. This lets the reader decide whether the full text is relevant.

Question 46Finding and retrieving information

A passage says: 'The council rejected the plan, citing cost and safety concerns.' Which two reasons are given for the rejection?

  1. Cost and safety Correct answer.
  2. Weather and timing
  3. Traffic and noise
  4. Funding and staffing

Explanation

The sentence names the reasons explicitly as cost and safety concerns. A reader retrieves them by locating the words that follow 'citing'.

Question 47Finding and retrieving information

A reader finds two pages about a medicine: one from a national health service and one from a company selling the medicine. Which question best helps the reader evaluate the company page?

  1. Does the page have a large logo?
  2. How many colours are used on the page?
  3. How quickly does the page load?
  4. Is the page's purpose to inform or to sell? Correct answer.

Explanation

Evaluating a source begins with identifying its purpose, because a commercial page may present information in a way that favours its product. This question helps the reader detect possible bias.

Question 48Finding and retrieving information

A passage says: 'Only three of the twenty seeds germinated, a result the gardeners had not predicted.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. The gardeners used the wrong kind of soil
  2. The gardeners expected more seeds to germinate Correct answer.
  3. The gardeners did not water the seeds
  4. The seeds were planted too deeply

Explanation

The phrase 'had not predicted' shows the outcome differed from expectation, and the low number implies a higher number was expected. The other options add causes the passage never mentions.

Question 49Finding and retrieving information

A student must judge whether a webpage about healthy eating suits a school project. Which question is most useful for judging its reliability?

  1. Does the page include many bright pictures?
  2. Does the page name its author and sources? Correct answer.
  3. Is the page the first result in a search?
  4. Is the page written in an attractive font?

Explanation

Naming an author and citing sources allows a reader to check expertise and verify claims, which are central tests of reliability. Appearance and search ranking do not guarantee accuracy.

Question 50Finding and retrieving information

A reader is checking whether a quoted statistic has been reported accurately. Which step is most useful?

  1. Copy the statistic without noting where it came from
  2. Find the original study the statistic came from and compare the figures Correct answer.
  3. Ask a friend whether the number sounds familiar
  4. Assume the number is correct because it appears in a graph

Explanation

Verifying a statistic means tracing it to its original source and checking the figures match. This is the only step that confirms accuracy rather than relying on impression.