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NB TCLÉ Reading & Writing study materials
NB TCLÉ Reading & Writing study resources

NB TCLÉ Reading & Writing practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Many towns plant trees along their main streets. The trees provide shade in summer and help clean the air. They also make shopping areas more pleasant, so customers tend to stay longer. For these reasons, local councils often consider street trees a wise investment." What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Trees are expensive to plant and maintain.
  2. Local councils disagree about where to plant trees.
  3. Customers prefer to shop indoors during summer.
  4. Street trees bring several practical benefits to towns. Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea is the central point that all the supporting details serve. Here, shade, cleaner air, and happier shoppers are all examples of benefits, so the passage as a whole argues that street trees are worthwhile. A statement about only one detail or about a side issue cannot be the main idea.

Question 2Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The museum's new wing opened last month. It houses a collection of ancient pottery found in the region. Visitors can also watch potters at work and try shaping clay themselves. The wing has quickly become the museum's most popular area." What is the passage mainly about?

  1. The training of professional potters
  2. The history of pottery in the region
  3. A new museum wing devoted to pottery Correct answer.
  4. Why museums need more visitors

Explanation

The passage describes a newly opened museum wing, what it contains, and what visitors can do there. Every sentence contributes to presenting this new space and its popularity. The other options take a single word from the text and build a topic that the passage does not actually develop.

Question 3Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Learning a musical instrument takes patience. Beginners often expect quick progress, but fingers need time to learn new movements. Short daily practice is more effective than one long session each week. Those who accept slow improvement usually continue longest." What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To compare the difficulty of different instruments
  2. To explain why patience matters when learning an instrument Correct answer.
  3. To advertise a particular method of teaching music
  4. To persuade readers that music is more valuable than sport

Explanation

Purpose questions ask why the author wrote the text. This passage explains how progress really happens and why patience leads to better results, which is an explanatory aim. It does not promote a product, rank activities, or compare instruments.

Question 4Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Our library will extend its opening hours from September. It will now open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and will also open on Saturday mornings. The change follows a survey in which most members asked for more evening and weekend access." What is the passage mainly about?

  1. The results of a survey about reading habits
  2. The cost of running a public library
  3. A new system for borrowing books
  4. A change to a library's opening hours Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage announces longer opening hours and briefly gives the reason. The survey is background evidence supporting that announcement, not the subject itself. Borrowing systems and running costs are never discussed.

Question 5Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Bees do more than make honey. As they move from flower to flower, they carry pollen, which allows many plants to produce fruit and seeds. Without bees, farmers would struggle to grow crops such as apples and almonds. Protecting bee populations therefore matters to everyone who eats." What is the main point the author makes about bees?

  1. Honey production is the most valuable thing bees do.
  2. Bees are important because they pollinate food crops. Correct answer.
  3. Bees are dangerous and should be kept away from farms.
  4. Apples and almonds are easy crops to grow without help.

Explanation

The passage opens by saying bees do more than make honey, then explains pollination and its link to food crops. That makes pollination the central point. Honey is deliberately downplayed, and the final sentence stresses that everyone who eats depends on bees.

Question 6Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Dear residents, the water supply will be interrupted on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while engineers repair a damaged pipe. Please store water in advance and avoid using washing machines during this period. We apologise for the inconvenience." What is the purpose of this text?

  1. To sell water-storage equipment to residents
  2. To inform residents about a temporary water cut Correct answer.
  3. To complain about the engineers' slow work
  4. To announce a permanent change to water prices

Explanation

The text is a practical notice telling residents when water will be off and what to do about it. Its aim is to inform and prepare people, not to sell anything or express anger. No prices or long-term changes are mentioned.

Question 7Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Walking to school has clear advantages. Children who walk arrive more alert and ready to learn. The daily exercise also helps them stay healthy. In addition, fewer cars at the school gate mean safer streets for everyone." Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Schools should start later in the morning.
  2. Children should always be accompanied by an adult.
  3. Traffic near schools is a growing national problem.
  4. Walking to school benefits both children and the community. Correct answer.

Explanation

A main-idea sentence must cover all the supporting points rather than just one. Alertness and health concern the children, while safer streets concern the wider community, so the best summary mentions both. The other options introduce ideas the passage never raises.

Question 8Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The old railway station stood empty for twenty years. Last spring, volunteers cleaned it and turned it into a community café. Local people donated furniture, and a retired chef now runs the kitchen. The station has become a meeting place again." What is the passage mainly about?

  1. Problems caused by empty buildings
  2. The career of a retired chef
  3. The history of railways in the region
  4. How an abandoned station was given a new use Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage follows one clear story: an empty station was cleaned, converted into a café, and is now used by the community. The chef and the donations are details within that story. Railway history and general urban problems are outside its scope.

Question 9Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Some people believe that working from home reduces productivity. However, several studies report that remote workers complete tasks at least as quickly as office workers. Much depends on the type of job and on how well a team communicates. Blanket claims about productivity are therefore unreliable." What is the author's main point?

  1. Productivity studies are usually dishonest.
  2. General claims about remote-work productivity are too simple. Correct answer.
  3. Remote work is always more productive than office work.
  4. Teams should stop communicating when they work remotely.

Explanation

The author presents a common belief, contrasts it with research, and concludes that broad claims are unreliable because results depend on context. That conclusion is the main point. The passage avoids both extremes of saying remote work is always better or always worse.

Question 10Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "When the city introduced free bus travel for students, some predicted chaos. In fact, the scheme has run smoothly. Buses are fuller, but extra vehicles were added on the busiest routes. Attendance at colleges has risen slightly, and traffic near campuses has fallen." What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To describe the positive results of a transport scheme Correct answer.
  2. To criticise the city for poor planning
  3. To argue that free travel should be limited to students
  4. To explain how to drive safely near campuses

Explanation

The passage sets up a prediction of chaos and then shows the scheme worked well, listing several benefits. Its purpose is therefore to report those positive outcomes. No criticism, safety advice, or call for restrictions appears.

Question 11Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The novel opens with a storm that strands a family in a remote village. What follows is less a plot than a study of how each member reacts to boredom and fear. Readers expecting fast action may be disappointed, but those who value character will find much to admire." What is the passage mainly doing?

  1. Summarising the plot of a well-known film
  2. Explaining how to write a storm scene
  3. Reviewing a novel and describing its strengths Correct answer.
  4. Comparing two novels by the same author

Explanation

The passage describes a novel's opening, its focus on character, and who will enjoy it, which are the marks of a review. It offers an evaluation rather than a neutral plot summary. There is no writing advice and only one book is discussed.

Question 12Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Recycling paper saves trees, but the process also uses water and energy. Transporting heavy paper to recycling plants adds emissions. The most effective step is therefore to use less paper in the first place. Recycling remains useful, yet it cannot replace reduction." Which statement best expresses the main idea?

  1. Recycling paper is pointless because it uses energy.
  2. Trees are no longer needed for paper production.
  3. Reducing paper use matters more than recycling it. Correct answer.
  4. Transport is the largest source of pollution worldwide.

Explanation

The passage acknowledges recycling's value but argues that using less paper is the most effective step. The final sentence makes the ranking explicit: reduction comes first. The author stops short of calling recycling pointless.

Question 13Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Our fitness centre now offers short lunchtime classes. Each session lasts thirty minutes and requires no equipment. The classes are designed for office workers who cannot fit a long workout into their day. Changing rooms and showers are available on site." Who is the passage mainly written for?

  1. Owners of other fitness centres
  2. Professional athletes preparing for competitions
  3. Children looking for after-school activities
  4. People who want a quick workout during the working day Correct answer.

Explanation

Audience questions ask who the text is designed to serve. The passage stresses short sessions, no equipment, and office workers with little time, all of which point to busy employees. Athletes, children, and competitors are not addressed.

Question 14Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Many people assume that older employees adapt poorly to new technology. Yet surveys of workplaces that introduced new software found no consistent difference between age groups. What mattered most was whether staff received proper training. Age, it seems, predicts very little." What is the author mainly arguing?

  1. Training is less important than age.
  2. Assumptions about age and technology are not supported by evidence. Correct answer.
  3. New software is usually badly designed.
  4. Older employees should retire earlier.

Explanation

The author challenges a common assumption by citing survey results and concludes that age predicts very little. The argument therefore targets the stereotype itself. Training is presented as the real factor, which reverses option 2.

Question 15Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The town council has proposed building a car park on the old sports field. Supporters say it will reduce congestion in the centre. Opponents argue that the town needs green space more than parking. A public meeting will be held next week to hear both sides." What is the passage mainly about?

  1. The rules for speaking at public meetings
  2. The health benefits of playing sport
  3. Why the town centre is always congested
  4. A disagreement over how to use a piece of land Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage presents a proposal, the arguments for and against it, and a coming meeting. Together these describe a local dispute over land use. Meeting procedures, congestion causes, and sport's health benefits are not developed.

Question 16Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Before you buy a used bicycle, check the frame for cracks and the wheels for bends. Squeeze the brakes to see whether they grip firmly. Finally, ride the bike briefly to test the gears. A few minutes of checking can save you expensive repairs later." What is the purpose of this passage?

  1. To give practical advice on inspecting a used bicycle Correct answer.
  2. To persuade readers to stop buying used bicycles
  3. To compare the prices of new and used bicycles
  4. To describe the history of bicycle design

Explanation

The passage consists of instructions in sequence, ending with a warning about repair costs. That structure signals practical advice. It neither discourages buying used bikes nor discusses history or prices.

Question 17Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The village festival began as a small harvest celebration fifty years ago. Today it attracts thousands of visitors and includes concerts, food stalls and a parade. Some older residents worry that it has lost its original character, while others welcome the income it brings." What is the passage mainly about?

  1. How to organise a harvest celebration
  2. The growth of a festival and different views on it Correct answer.
  3. The best food stalls in the region
  4. Why young people leave the village

Explanation

The passage traces the festival's expansion from a small event to a large one, then reports two contrasting reactions. Both halves are needed for a complete main idea. Organisation tips, stall reviews, and migration are absent.

Question 18Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Sleep researchers advise keeping a regular schedule. Going to bed and waking at the same time helps the body anticipate rest. Bright screens late at night can delay sleepiness, and caffeine in the afternoon may still affect the night. Small daily habits, not occasional long lie-ins, make the difference." Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Consistent daily habits are the key to good sleep. Correct answer.
  2. Screens are the only cause of poor sleep.
  3. Caffeine should be banned in the afternoon.
  4. Long lie-ins at weekends solve most sleep problems.

Explanation

The passage lists several habits and concludes that small daily routines, rather than occasional lie-ins, make the difference. That final contrast states the main idea directly. The other options either reverse the author's claim or exaggerate one detail.

Question 19Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "We write to express our disappointment with the new parking rules. Residents of Mill Street were not consulted, and the charges fall hardest on those with no driveway. We ask the council to review the scheme and to meet residents before any further changes." What is the main purpose of this text?

  1. To request a review of a decision that affects residents Correct answer.
  2. To thank the council for its careful consultation
  3. To advertise houses for sale on Mill Street
  4. To explain how to apply for a parking permit

Explanation

The text states a complaint, gives reasons, and makes a direct request for review and a meeting. That combination identifies a formal complaint letter. It does not sell property, praise the council, or explain permit procedures.

Question 20Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The company reported record sales this year. However, its profits fell because the cost of materials rose sharply. Analysts note that the firm has not yet raised its prices, a decision that protects customers but reduces margins. Whether it can continue this strategy is unclear." Which statement best captures the passage's central point?

  1. Record sales always lead to record profits.
  2. Analysts agree that prices should be raised immediately.
  3. The company has stopped selling its products.
  4. The company's strong sales are offset by rising costs. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage contrasts high sales with falling profits caused by material costs, and notes the unresolved question of pricing. The central point is this tension between sales and costs. The author does not recommend a price rise or claim sales guarantee profits.

Question 21Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Historians once described the invention of the printing press as a sudden revolution. More recent work paints a slower picture: manuscript copying continued for decades, and cheap printed pamphlets were often poorly made. The press certainly transformed reading, but it did so gradually and unevenly." What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To qualify an older view of the printing press as a sudden revolution Correct answer.
  2. To argue that cheap pamphlets were the most important printed works
  3. To explain how manuscripts were decorated by hand
  4. To prove that the printing press had no real impact

Explanation

The author contrasts an older 'sudden revolution' account with newer evidence of gradual change, while still accepting that the press transformed reading. The purpose is to qualify, not to deny, the earlier view. Manuscript decoration and pamphlet importance are not argued.

Question 22Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Critics of urban gardens argue that they occupy land that could house families. Supporters reply that many sites are unsuitable for building and that gardens improve air and community ties. Both sides agree on one point: cities face hard choices about scarce land." What is the passage mainly about?

  1. The decline of community ties in modern cities
  2. Why urban gardens always produce enough food
  3. The technical rules of building construction
  4. A debate over the best use of limited urban land Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage presents two opposing positions on urban gardens and notes the shared premise of scarce land. Its subject is therefore the dispute itself, not one side's victory. Construction rules and food production are not discussed.

Question 23Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The report's title promises a study of coastal erosion. In practice, only one chapter examines the coast; the rest discusses river management. The data on rivers is thorough and well presented. Readers seeking coastal evidence, however, will close the book unsatisfied." What is the reviewer's main point?

  1. River management is a simpler subject than coastal erosion.
  2. The report contains no useful information at all.
  3. The report should be withdrawn from publication.
  4. The report is thorough but does not match its title. Correct answer.

Explanation

The review praises the river chapters as thorough while noting that the coastal content is minimal, so the mismatch with the title is the central criticism. The reviewer is balanced rather than wholly negative. Withdrawal and subject difficulty are not raised.

Question 24Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "A common claim is that homework improves discipline. The evidence is thinner than it appears: most studies measure test scores, not discipline, and few follow pupils over time. This does not prove homework is harmful. It does suggest that the discipline argument rests on assumption rather than data." What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To recommend a new schedule for homework
  2. To show that a popular justification for homework lacks evidence Correct answer.
  3. To prove that homework harms pupils' discipline
  4. To argue that test scores should never be measured

Explanation

The author examines the evidence behind the 'discipline' justification and finds it weak, while carefully avoiding the claim that homework is harmful. The purpose is to expose a gap between assumption and data. No new schedule is proposed.

Question 25Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The new bridge was praised for its elegant design. Yet its cost overran the budget by forty per cent, and the promised cycle lanes were dropped. A structure can be beautiful and still be a poor public investment. The town must now decide what lesson to draw." Which statement best expresses the main idea?

  1. The bridge should immediately be demolished.
  2. Elegant design should always be the first priority in public projects.
  3. Cycle lanes are more important than bridges.
  4. Beauty in a public project does not guarantee good value. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage concedes the bridge's beauty but stresses budget overruns and missing features, concluding that beauty and sound investment are separate questions. That general lesson is the main idea, not a demand for demolition.

Question 26Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The museum's new wing was designed to hold the growing collection of local photographs. Since it opened, visitor numbers have risen by a third, and school bookings have doubled. The director now hopes to extend opening hours so that working families can visit in the evening." Which sentence best states the main idea of the passage?

  1. Evening opening hours are already in place at the museum.
  2. School groups are the museum's most important visitors.
  3. The museum's photograph collection is larger than any other in the region.
  4. The new wing has brought clear benefits and further plans are being made. Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea must cover the whole passage, not one detail. The text reports a new wing, rising visitor numbers, more school bookings, and a plan for longer hours, so the central point is that the wing has helped and more changes are planned.

Question 27Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "When the library announced it would lend tools as well as books, some staff were doubtful. Six months later, the tool collection is the most requested service in the building, and waiting lists run to several weeks. Other branches have asked how the scheme works." What is the main purpose of this passage?

  1. To report the unexpected success of a new service Correct answer.
  2. To argue that libraries should stop lending books
  3. To describe the training given to library staff
  4. To explain how to join a library waiting list

Explanation

The passage moves from initial doubt to strong demand and interest from other branches. That structure serves to report that the new service succeeded far more than expected, rather than to instruct or persuade.

Question 28Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Our drama club meets on Thursdays in the community hall. Members rehearse short plays and perform them twice a year for local families. No experience is needed, and newcomers are always welcome to watch a session before joining." Which sentence best summarises the passage?

  1. The drama club offers a friendly, low-pressure way to try theatre. Correct answer.
  2. The drama club performs plays written only by professional writers.
  3. The drama club charges a fee for every rehearsal attended.
  4. The drama club is closing because too few people attend.

Explanation

The passage gives practical details about meetings and performances, then stresses that no experience is needed and newcomers may simply watch first. Together these points present the club as welcoming and easy to try.

Question 29Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "For years the river path was muddy and partly blocked by fallen branches. A volunteer group cleared the route, laid gravel and installed benches. Use of the path has tripled, and the local shop reports more customers arriving on foot." What is the writer mainly doing in this passage?

  1. Complaining about the behaviour of path users
  2. Describing the effects of improvements to a local route Correct answer.
  3. Comparing two different riverside walks
  4. Explaining how to organise a volunteer group

Explanation

The passage lists the work done on the path and then reports the results: more use and more passing trade. Its main function is therefore to describe the consequences of those improvements.

Question 30Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Supporters of the new tram line point to shorter journey times and fewer cars in the centre. Opponents reply that the construction disrupted businesses for two years and that fares remain high. Both sides agree, however, that the debate has exposed how little reliable data the city collects on transport." What is the main point of the passage?

  1. The tram debate has revealed a gap in transport data. Correct answer.
  2. Opponents of the tram line have stronger arguments.
  3. Construction work should always be completed faster.
  4. The tram line has clearly failed to reduce traffic.

Explanation

The passage presents arguments on both sides and then uses "however" to mark the point both sides share. That shared conclusion, that the city lacks reliable transport data, is the main point the writer builds towards.

Question 31Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The cookbook promises recipes for busy families. In fact, most dishes need ingredients that are hard to find locally, and nearly all take over an hour. The photographs are beautiful, but the title sets an expectation the contents do not meet." What is the writer's main purpose?

  1. To recommend a cookbook for experienced chefs
  2. To criticise a cookbook for not matching its stated aim Correct answer.
  3. To explain how to find unusual ingredients
  4. To praise the photography in a new cookbook

Explanation

The writer contrasts the book's promise with its actual contents and concludes that the title sets a false expectation. The purpose is therefore critical: to point out the mismatch between the claim and the recipes.

Question 32Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Every autumn the town debates whether to close the main street to cars on Sundays. Traders fear losing customers who drive in. Yet the two trial closures last year brought more people into the street, and cafes reported their best weekends of the season." Which sentence best expresses the main idea?

  1. Cafes in the town depend entirely on Sunday trade.
  2. Traders are right to fear any change to the main street.
  3. Evidence from trial closures challenges the traders' concerns. Correct answer.
  4. The town should close the main street every day of the week.

Explanation

The passage sets up a fear held by traders and then presents trial results that contradict it. The main idea is that the evidence from the trials works against those fears.

Question 33Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The article is titled 'A History of the Bicycle'. Readers expecting a chronological account will be surprised: the first half examines steel production and the second analyses advertising posters. The bicycle itself appears mainly in the illustrations." What is the writer's main point about the article?

  1. Its contents do not match what its title suggests. Correct answer.
  2. Its illustrations are of poor quality.
  3. It is the best available history of the bicycle.
  4. It covers too much chronological detail.

Explanation

The writer contrasts the promise of the title with the actual subject matter of the two halves. The main point is the mismatch between the title and the contents.

Question 34Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "Visitors often describe the island's beaches as unspoilt. That word hides a history: the sand was mined for decades, and the dunes were replanted by hand after the mining ended. What looks natural today is the result of deliberate repair." What is the writer mainly suggesting?

  1. The replanting of the dunes was unsuccessful.
  2. Mining on the island should be restarted.
  3. The island's beaches should be closed to visitors.
  4. The appearance of the beaches conceals human intervention. Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer takes a common description, "unspoilt", and shows that it hides mining and later replanting. The main suggestion is that the natural-looking landscape is actually the product of human action.

Question 35Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "The council's report on cycling begins with a bold claim: that investment in cycle lanes pays for itself within five years. The evidence offered is a single survey of one street. No comparison town is examined, and health savings, which the report itself calls significant, are never calculated." What is the writer's main purpose?

  1. To question the strength of the report's evidence Correct answer.
  2. To describe how surveys of streets are conducted
  3. To prove that cycle lanes never pay for themselves
  4. To summarise the report's findings approvingly

Explanation

The writer outlines the report's bold claim and then lists weaknesses: one survey, no comparison town, missing health calculations. The purpose is to cast doubt on how well the claim is supported, not to settle the question.

Question 36Reading comprehension - main idea and purpose

Read this passage: "We are told that remote work isolates employees. The claim rests on studies of full-time remote workers. But most people now working remotely do so two or three days a week, spending the rest of the week in the office. The isolation described belongs to a pattern of work that few of them follow." Which sentence best captures the writer's central argument?

  1. The evidence about isolation does not fit how most remote workers actually work. Correct answer.
  2. Research on isolation among remote workers is easy to conduct.
  3. Remote work is unsuitable for most types of job.
  4. Employees should return to the office five days a week.

Explanation

The writer does not deny that isolation exists but argues that the studies describe full-time remote workers, while most remote workers are part-time. The central argument is a mismatch between the evidence and the group it is applied to.

Question 37Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A short passage states: "The library opens at nine in the morning and closes at six in the evening on weekdays. On Saturdays it closes at noon, and it is closed on Sundays." According to the passage, at what time does the library close on Saturdays?

  1. Noon Correct answer.
  2. Nine in the morning
  3. It stays open all day
  4. Six in the evening

Explanation

The passage gives a separate closing time for each day type, and the sentence about Saturday states explicitly that the library closes at noon on that day. The six o'clock closing applies only to weekdays, so it cannot be transferred to Saturday. Reading the specific sentence that mentions Saturday is enough to answer.

Question 38Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A notice reads: "The museum's new wing was designed by architect Hana Mori and took four years to build. It houses a collection of ancient coins." What does the new wing contain?

  1. Historical documents
  2. Modern paintings
  3. Sculptures from Asia
  4. Ancient coins Correct answer.

Explanation

The final sentence of the notice directly states what the wing houses, naming a collection of ancient coins. The other items are not mentioned anywhere in the text. A factual recall question is answered by locating the sentence that names the contents.

Question 39Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

Read: "Kenji has worked at the bakery for twelve years. He starts before sunrise every day and is responsible for the morning bread." How long has Kenji worked at the bakery?

  1. Twelve years Correct answer.
  2. Twelve months
  3. Two years
  4. Twenty years

Explanation

The passage states the duration of Kenji's employment directly in its first sentence. The number twelve is attached to years, not months, and no other figure is given. Recall questions require matching the exact quantity and unit in the text.

Question 40Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A text says: "The festival takes place every August in the town square. Visitors can taste local food and watch dancing in the evening." When does the festival take place?

  1. Every weekend
  2. Every August Correct answer.
  3. Every December
  4. Every April

Explanation

The opening sentence names the month of the festival, which is August. The passage says nothing about April or December, and it describes the festival as yearly rather than weekly. Locating the time expression in the first sentence answers the question.

Question 41Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

Read: "The company was founded in 1987 by two engineers who had previously worked for a railway company." Who founded the company?

  1. The local government
  2. A single investor
  3. Two engineers Correct answer.
  4. A railway company

Explanation

The sentence identifies the founders as two engineers, and it adds that they had earlier worked for a railway company. That earlier employer is not the founder. Careful reading separates the founder from the previous workplace.

Question 42Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A sign states: "Bicycles must be parked in the racks behind the building. Bicycles left in front of the entrance will be removed." Where must bicycles be parked?

  1. Inside the main hall
  2. On the street corner
  3. In the racks behind the building Correct answer.
  4. In front of the entrance

Explanation

The first sentence of the sign gives the required parking location, which is the racks behind the building. The second sentence warns about a prohibited location rather than permitting it. Distinguishing an instruction from a warning is the key skill here.

Question 43Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A passage says: "The river is home to several species of fish, but pollution from nearby factories has reduced their numbers sharply since the 1990s." What has caused the reduction in fish numbers?

  1. The introduction of a new species
  2. A change in the river's course
  3. Pollution from nearby factories Correct answer.
  4. Seasonal flooding

Explanation

The passage explicitly links the sharp decline to pollution coming from factories near the river. No other cause is named in the sentence. Identifying the stated cause is a straightforward factual recall task.

Question 44Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

Read: "The recipe requires two cups of flour, one egg, and a pinch of salt. It serves four people." How many people does the recipe serve?

  1. Two
  2. One
  3. Three
  4. Four Correct answer.

Explanation

The final sentence states the number of people served by the recipe, which is four. The other numbers in the passage refer to ingredients such as cups of flour and eggs. Matching the quantity to the thing it describes prevents confusion.

Question 45Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A text states: "The train departs from platform six at half past seven and arrives at the coast at ten o'clock. Passengers should board fifteen minutes before departure." When should passengers board?

  1. At quarter past seven Correct answer.
  2. At quarter to seven
  3. At half past seven
  4. At ten o'clock

Explanation

Boarding is set fifteen minutes before the departure time of half past seven, which places it at quarter past seven. The arrival time of ten o'clock is irrelevant to boarding. This requires applying the stated interval to the stated departure time.

Question 46Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

Read: "The study found that students who read for pleasure at least three times a week performed better on vocabulary tests than those who read less often. The authors caution that the link does not prove that reading causes higher scores." What did the study find?

  1. Frequent pleasure readers scored higher on vocabulary tests Correct answer.
  2. Vocabulary tests are unreliable measures
  3. Students who read rarely had better vocabulary
  4. Reading causes higher scores in all subjects

Explanation

The first sentence reports the observed association between frequent pleasure reading and higher vocabulary scores. The second sentence explicitly denies that this association proves causation, and it does not extend to other subjects. Separating the finding from the authors' caution is essential here.

Question 47Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A passage says: "The old bridge was closed for repairs in March and reopened in July, two months later than planned. Local shopkeepers reported a drop in customers during the closure." Why did the bridge reopen later than planned?

  1. The shopkeepers requested a delay
  2. The bridge was damaged by a storm
  3. The workers went on holiday
  4. The repairs took longer than expected Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage says the bridge reopened two months later than planned because it was closed for repairs, implying the repair work ran beyond the schedule. No storm, shopkeeper request, or holiday is mentioned. The reader must infer the reason from the stated sequence of events.

Question 48Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

Read: "Only full-time employees are eligible for the childcare allowance. Part-time staff may apply for the transport subsidy instead." Which benefit can a part-time employee apply for?

  1. The childcare allowance
  2. The transport subsidy Correct answer.
  3. Both benefits equally
  4. Neither benefit

Explanation

The second sentence names the transport subsidy as the option available to part-time staff. The childcare allowance is restricted to full-time employees by the first sentence. Applying the stated eligibility rule to a specific employee type gives the answer.

Question 49Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

A text reads: "The author was born in Osaka but spent most of her childhood in Sapporo. She moved to Tokyo at eighteen to study law." Where did the author spend most of her childhood?

  1. In Sapporo Correct answer.
  2. In Osaka
  3. In Tokyo
  4. In Kyoto

Explanation

The passage distinguishes the birthplace from the place where the childhood was mostly spent, naming Sapporo for the latter. Osaka is only the birthplace, and Tokyo is where she moved at eighteen. Tracking several locations attached to different life stages prevents confusion.

Question 50Reading comprehension - explicit detail and factual recall

Read: "The council approved the new park plan on the condition that at least half of the area remain open grass. The original design had included a large car park on that land." What did the council require?

  1. That the plan be rejected entirely
  2. That at least half the area stay open grass Correct answer.
  3. That the park open only in summer
  4. That a large car park be built

Explanation

The condition attached to the approval is stated directly: at least half of the area must remain open grass. The car park belonged to the original design that the condition affects. Recognising the conditional clause as the requirement is the key step.