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Shiga Public High School Entrance Examination - English study materials
Shiga Public High School Entrance Examination - English study resources

Shiga Public High School Entrance Examination - English practice questions

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Question 1Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Kenji's bicycle broke on the way to school, so he walked the rest of the way. He arrived ten minutes after the bell. His teacher, Ms. Sato, did not scold him; she asked if he was hurt and told him to sit down." According to the passage, what did Ms. Sato do when Kenji arrived late?

  1. She scolded him for being ten minutes late.
  2. She told him to wait outside the classroom.
  3. She asked whether he was hurt and told him to sit down. Correct answer.
  4. She sent him home to repair his bicycle.

Explanation

The passage states directly that Ms. Sato did not scold him, asked if he was hurt, and told him to sit down. The other choices describe actions the passage never mentions or explicitly denies.

Question 2Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The school library will close at 4:30 p.m. this week because the librarian is taking a training course. Students who need to return books may use the return box beside the main entrance." Why will the library close earlier than usual this week?

  1. The librarian is taking a training course. Correct answer.
  2. The library is being cleaned.
  3. The return box is broken.
  4. Students are on holiday all week.

Explanation

The passage gives the reason in the same sentence as the closing time: the librarian is taking a training course. The other options introduce details that the notice does not contain.

Question 3Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "My host family in Shiga took me to Lake Biwa on my first weekend. I had seen photos, but the lake was much bigger than I had imagined. We ate lunch near the water and watched the boats." What surprised the writer about Lake Biwa?

  1. The number of boats on the water.
  2. The distance from the host family's house.
  3. The food served at lunch.
  4. Its size compared with the photos. Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer says the lake was much bigger than imagined, which shows the surprise was about size. Photos and lunch are mentioned, but not as the surprising element.

Question 4Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Please do not leave your umbrella in the classroom. Put it in the stand by the door. If you take an umbrella that is not yours by mistake, return it to the staff room." What should a student do with an umbrella that was taken by mistake?

  1. Return it to the staff room. Correct answer.
  2. Put it in the stand by the door.
  3. Take it home and keep it.
  4. Leave it in the classroom.

Explanation

The notice gives a specific instruction for umbrellas taken by mistake: return them to the staff room. The umbrella stand is for storing one's own umbrella, not for a mistaken one.

Question 5Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Emi: Do you want to join the tennis club with me? Sora: I'd like to, but I have to help at my family's shop on Saturdays. Emi: The club meets on Wednesdays after school, too. Sora: Then I can join!" Why does Sora decide to join the club?

  1. Emi agrees to help at the shop.
  2. The club also meets on a day that suits her. Correct answer.
  3. Her family's shop is closed on Wednesdays.
  4. The club has stopped meeting on Saturdays.

Explanation

Sora first refuses because of Saturday work, then agrees after hearing that the club also meets on Wednesdays. Her decision depends on the extra meeting day, not on the shop closing.

Question 6Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Our class will visit a factory in Kusatsu next Tuesday. We will leave school at 8:15 and return by 3:00. Bring a lunch and wear comfortable shoes. Do not bring large bags." Which item does the notice tell students to bring?

  1. A factory map
  2. A large bag
  3. School shoes
  4. A lunch Correct answer.

Explanation

The notice lists a lunch as something to bring, along with comfortable shoes to wear. Large bags are explicitly discouraged, so that option reverses the instruction.

Question 7Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The Hikone Castle festival was cancelled last year because of heavy rain. This year the organizers have moved the main event to an indoor hall, so it will go ahead even if it rains." What change have the organizers made?

  1. They have asked visitors to bring umbrellas.
  2. They have changed the date of the festival.
  3. They have moved the main event indoors. Correct answer.
  4. They have cancelled the festival again.

Explanation

The passage explains that the main event is now held in an indoor hall so rain will not stop it. The date and the decision to hold the festival are not changed.

Question 8Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Aiko: I heard you got a new part-time job. Ren: Yes, at a bookstore. I started last week. Aiko: How is it? Ren: I'm still learning where everything is, but I like talking to the customers." What does Ren say he likes about the job?

  1. Talking to the customers. Correct answer.
  2. The books he can borrow.
  3. The location of the bookstore.
  4. The short working hours.

Explanation

Ren names talking to customers as the part of the job he likes. The other details are not mentioned, and learning where things are is described as a difficulty, not a pleasure.

Question 9Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Many students in Shiga walk to school, but some use the train. The train is fast, yet it can be crowded in the morning. Walking takes longer, but it is good exercise and costs nothing." What advantage of walking does the passage give?

  1. It is good exercise and free. Correct answer.
  2. It is shorter than the train ride.
  3. It is never crowded.
  4. It is faster than the train.

Explanation

The passage contrasts the train with walking and states that walking is good exercise and costs nothing. Speed is given as an advantage of the train, not of walking.

Question 10Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Last month our science class grew plants in three boxes. Box A got water every day. Box B got water every three days. Box C got no water. After two weeks, the plants in Box B were the tallest." What can be concluded from the result?

  1. Plants do not need any water to grow.
  2. Box A received too little water.
  3. Watering every day was not the best for growth. Correct answer.
  4. The plants in Box C grew fastest.

Explanation

The tallest plants were in Box B, which was watered every three days, so daily watering did not produce the best growth. The other options contradict the recorded results.

Question 11Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Yuki wanted to buy a birthday present for her brother, but she had only 1,000 yen. She found a notebook for 600 yen and a pen for 350 yen. She bought both and still had some money left." How much money did Yuki have left after buying the two items?

  1. 350 yen
  2. 400 yen
  3. 100 yen
  4. 50 yen Correct answer.

Explanation

The two items cost 600 + 350 = 950 yen. Subtracting that from 1,000 yen leaves 50 yen, which matches the statement that she had some money left.

Question 12Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The notice says: 'Club applications must be sent by Friday. Late applications will not be accepted. If you cannot use the online form, ask your teacher for a paper form before Thursday.'" What should a student do if the online form cannot be used?

  1. Ask a teacher for a paper form before Thursday. Correct answer.
  2. Send the online form after Friday.
  3. Wait until the club contacts them.
  4. Use another student's online form.

Explanation

The notice gives a separate instruction for students who cannot use the online form: request a paper form from a teacher before Thursday. This keeps the application within the Friday deadline.

Question 13Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "When I first came to Japan, I was afraid of making mistakes in Japanese. My host sister told me that mistakes are part of learning. Now I try to speak even when I am not sure, and my Japanese has improved." What changed the writer's attitude?

  1. Her host sister's advice about mistakes. Correct answer.
  2. A Japanese class at school.
  3. A trip to another country.
  4. Her host sister's improved Japanese.

Explanation

The writer links the change in attitude to what the host sister said about mistakes being part of learning. The other options are not mentioned as causes of the change.

Question 14Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The city wants more people to use bicycles. It has added bicycle lanes on two main streets and built a new parking area near the station. However, the number of cyclists has not increased much." What does the passage suggest about the city's plan?

  1. The parking area is far from the station.
  2. The bicycle lanes are too narrow to use.
  3. Too many people already cycle in the city.
  4. The new facilities alone have not been enough. Correct answer.

Explanation

The city built lanes and parking, yet cyclist numbers barely rose, which suggests facilities alone did not achieve the goal. The other options add details the passage does not give.

Question 15Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Our school festival has a rule: each class must clean its room before leaving. Last year one class left paper on the floor, and the next class had to clean it. This year we want every class to finish on time." Why does the passage mention last year's incident?

  1. To praise the class that cleaned the room.
  2. To show why the cleaning rule matters. Correct answer.
  3. To explain why the festival started late.
  4. To ask students to bring paper to school.

Explanation

The incident is given as an example of what happens when a class does not clean, which supports the rule. It is not used to praise anyone or to explain a delay.

Question 16Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Taro: Are you going to the fireworks festival on Saturday? Mika: I want to, but I have to finish my report. Taro: The fireworks start at 8:00. You could come after you finish. Mika: That's a good idea. I'll try." What does Mika decide to do?

  1. Skip the festival and stay home.
  2. Ask Taro to write her report.
  3. Try to go after finishing her report. Correct answer.
  4. Finish her report on Sunday instead.

Explanation

Mika accepts Taro's suggestion to come after finishing the report by saying she will try. She does not cancel the report or ask for help with it.

Question 17Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "In Japan, many people bow when they meet someone. The depth of the bow can show respect. However, young people often shake hands with visitors from other countries instead, because it is easier for the visitors to understand." Why do some young people shake hands with foreign visitors?

  1. It is easier for the visitors to understand. Correct answer.
  2. Foreign visitors dislike all customs.
  3. Handshaking shows more respect than bowing.
  4. Bowing is not taught in Japan.

Explanation

The passage gives the reason directly: handshaking is easier for visitors from other countries to understand. It does not rank the customs or say bowing is unknown.

Question 18Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The library has a new rule: food and drinks are allowed in the reading area, but only in covered cups and on the tables. Books must not be placed near the cups." What is the main purpose of the rule about cups and tables?

  1. To keep students from eating lunch.
  2. To make the reading area quieter.
  3. To protect the books from spills. Correct answer.
  4. To sell more drinks in the library.

Explanation

Covered cups and keeping books away from them both reduce the risk of liquid damaging books. Noise, sales, and a ban on eating are not part of the rule.

Question 19Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Naoko practised the piano for an hour every day before the contest. Her friend Sayaka practised only on weekends but had played for many years. In the contest, Sayaka won first prize and Naoko came third. Naoko was disappointed but said she would keep practising." What lesson does Naoko's reaction show?

  1. Practising every day always brings first prize.
  2. Friends should not compete with each other.
  3. Long experience is not useful in contests.
  4. Losing can lead a person to keep trying. Correct answer.

Explanation

Naoko is disappointed but chooses to continue practising, which shows that a loss can motivate continued effort. The passage does not claim daily practice guarantees winning.

Question 20Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Our town holds a clean-up day every spring. Last year only thirty people came, so this year the town sent letters to every household and asked local schools to join. More than two hundred people took part." What was the effect of sending letters and asking schools?

  1. Local schools refused to take part.
  2. The clean-up was moved to summer.
  3. Many more people joined the clean-up. Correct answer.
  4. The town stopped holding clean-up days.

Explanation

The passage reports that participation rose from thirty to over two hundred after the letters and school invitations. The season and the event itself did not change.

Question 21Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Some students study while listening to music. They say music helps them concentrate. However, a study found that students who studied in silence remembered more of the material than those who listened to music. The researchers suggest saving music for breaks." Which statement best expresses the researchers' advice?

  1. Never listen to music at any time.
  2. Study only with quiet, slow music.
  3. Listen to music during breaks rather than while studying. Correct answer.
  4. Study in a group instead of alone.

Explanation

The advice to save music for breaks means using it outside study time, not giving it up entirely. The other options add restrictions or changes the passage does not state.

Question 22Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "When Shiga opened a new train station, shops near it expected more customers. At first, sales rose. But after a year, some shops had closed. The owners said that many passengers passed through the station without stopping, and that rents near the station had gone up." Why did some shops close despite the new station?

  1. Passengers passed through without stopping and rents rose. Correct answer.
  2. The shops could not find enough products.
  3. Fewer people used the train than before.
  4. The station was closed after one year.

Explanation

The passage names two causes given by the owners: passengers did not stop to shop, and rents increased. The station remained open and train use was not reported as falling.

Question 23Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "When we read a story, we often imagine the characters' faces and voices. This is not a mistake; it helps us understand their feelings. A reader who pictures a character's angry face may notice details in the text that a reader who does not may miss." What is the writer's main point about imagining characters?

  1. It should be avoided when reading seriously.
  2. It makes stories harder to understand.
  3. It is only useful for young readers.
  4. It can help readers notice details in a story. Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer argues that picturing characters supports understanding and helps readers notice details. The passage presents this as useful, not as a habit to avoid.

Question 24Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Our club planted flowers along the river. At first, we watered them every day. Then a local farmer told us that too much water can damage the roots. We changed to watering twice a week, and the flowers grew better than before." What does the passage show about the club members?

  1. They watered the flowers more often than before.
  2. They ignored the farmer's suggestion.
  3. They stopped planting flowers by the river.
  4. They changed their method after listening to advice. Correct answer.

Explanation

The members heard the farmer's advice, reduced watering, and saw better growth, which shows they adapted their method. They did not reject the advice or stop the project.

Question 25Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "A survey asked students how they prepare for tests. Some read their notes many times. Others test themselves by covering the answers. The second group remembered more after one week, even though they felt less confident while studying. The first group felt more confident but remembered less." The passage suggests that feeling confident while studying is what?

  1. The most important goal of studying.
  2. Not always a sign of effective learning. Correct answer.
  3. A result of testing oneself.
  4. Impossible for most students.

Explanation

The first group felt confident but remembered less, while the second group felt less confident yet remembered more. This shows that confidence during study does not reliably indicate how much is learned.

Question 26Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Our school library has a 'book passport' system. Every time you borrow a book, you get one stamp. After ten stamps, you can choose a free bookmark. The librarian says the system started because students were borrowing fewer books than before." According to the passage, why did the library begin the book passport system?

  1. To sell bookmarks to students at a low price
  2. To make students borrow more books than before Correct answer.
  3. To teach students how to choose good books
  4. To replace the old library computer system

Explanation

The passage states that the system started because students were borrowing fewer books than before, so the purpose is to raise borrowing. The other choices mention things the passage never connects to the system's reason.

Question 27Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Ken: Did you finish the English poster for Ms. Sato? Mika: Not yet. I drew the pictures, but I haven't written the sentences. Ken: I can help. I'm free after club today. Mika: That would save me. Let's meet in the library at four." What will Ken and Mika most likely do at four o'clock?

  1. Go to club practice together
  2. Draw the pictures for the poster together
  3. Ask Ms. Sato to change the homework
  4. Meet in the library to work on the poster Correct answer.

Explanation

Mika suggests meeting in the library at four, and Ken agrees to help with the poster. The pictures are already drawn, so drawing them again is not the plan.

Question 28Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The notice on the gym door says: 'The gym will be closed from July 20 to July 27 for floor repairs. During this time, basketball and badminton clubs may use the city sports center. Show your student card at the front desk.'" What should a basketball club member do to practise during the closure?

  1. Go to the city sports center and show a student card Correct answer.
  2. Ask the gym staff to repair the floor
  3. Wait until July 28 to use the school gym
  4. Practise outside the gym door instead

Explanation

The notice tells clubs to use the city sports center and to show a student card at the front desk. This is the only instruction given for practising during the closure.

Question 29Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Last week our class made miso soup for a cooking project. Group A added the miso at the very end. Group B added it at the beginning and boiled the soup for ten minutes. At the tasting, most students said Group A's soup smelled better and tasted fresher." What can be concluded from the tasting result?

  1. Adding miso early makes the soup taste fresher
  2. Boiling miso for ten minutes improves the smell
  3. Group B used more miso than Group A
  4. Adding miso at the end kept more of the soup's fresh taste Correct answer.

Explanation

Group A added miso last and their soup was judged fresher, so late addition is linked to a fresher taste. The passage gives no information about amounts used, so that cannot be concluded.

Question 30Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Many people in Shiga travel by bicycle along the lake. In summer, the paths are busy, and accidents sometimes happen when cyclists ride side by side. The city now asks cyclists to ride in a single line on busy days." Why does the city ask cyclists to ride in a single line?

  1. To keep the lake paths clean
  2. To make room for cars on the paths
  3. To reduce accidents on busy paths Correct answer.
  4. To help cyclists ride faster along the lake

Explanation

The passage links accidents to riding side by side and presents the single-line rule as the city's response. The rule is therefore aimed at reducing those accidents.

Question 31Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "My grandfather grows tea in Shiga. He says the best leaves are picked in early summer, before the rain becomes too heavy. If the rain comes early, the leaves take in too much water and lose their strong taste." According to the passage, what happens if heavy rain comes early?

  1. The leaves lose their strong taste Correct answer.
  2. The tea is picked in winter instead
  3. The tea plants stop growing completely
  4. The leaves grow larger and sweeter

Explanation

The passage directly says that early rain causes leaves to take in too much water and lose their strong taste. The other options add results the passage does not mention.

Question 32Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Aoi: How was your trip to Biwako? Ren: Good, but I forgot my umbrella. Aoi: Did it rain? Ren: It rained all afternoon. I bought a cheap umbrella at the station, but it broke in the wind." What happened to Ren's umbrella?

  1. It broke in the wind Correct answer.
  2. He left it on the train
  3. He returned it to the station shop
  4. He lent it to Aoi

Explanation

Ren says the umbrella he bought broke in the wind. The umbrella he forgot was his own, but the one he bought at the station is the one that broke.

Question 33Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The sign at the entrance of the aquarium says: 'Please do not touch the fish. Flash photography is not allowed, because it can frighten the animals. You may take photos without a flash.'" What does the sign allow visitors to do?

  1. Use a flash inside the aquarium
  2. Feed the animals at the entrance
  3. Take photos without using a flash Correct answer.
  4. Touch the fish gently

Explanation

The sign permits photos as long as no flash is used, and it forbids touching the fish and flash photography. Feeding animals is not mentioned at all.

Question 34Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "When our class chose a theme for the school festival, we first wanted a café. Then we learned that three other classes had chosen cafés. We met again and changed our plan to a game corner, which no other class had chosen." Why did the class change its plan?

  1. The game corner was cheaper to prepare
  2. The teacher did not allow a café
  3. They could not find enough food for a café
  4. They wanted to avoid competing with other classes Correct answer.

Explanation

The class changed plans after learning that three other classes had chosen cafés, and they picked something no one else had. This shows they wanted to avoid competing with similar booths.

Question 35Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Some students take notes with a pen, while others type on a tablet. Research suggests that writing by hand can help students remember because it is slower and forces them to choose key words. Typing is faster, so students may write down everything without thinking about what matters." Which statement best matches the passage?

  1. Tablets should not be used in any class
  2. Handwriting may help memory by making students select important points Correct answer.
  3. Typing is always better because it saves time
  4. Students who type remember everything they write

Explanation

The passage explains that handwriting is slower and makes students choose key words, which can aid memory. It presents a possible benefit, not a rule that typing is always worse.

Question 36Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Last spring our town planted trees along the station road. At first, volunteers watered them twice a week. After two months, the trees had strong roots, so the town reduced watering to once a week. The trees are now growing well." What does the passage suggest about the watering schedule?

  1. It was reduced because the trees no longer needed any water
  2. It stayed the same throughout the year
  3. It was reduced after the trees developed strong roots Correct answer.
  4. It was stopped completely after two months

Explanation

The passage connects the strong roots after two months with the change to once-a-week watering. This shows the schedule was adjusted because the trees needed less help.

Question 37Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Emi wanted to join the tennis club, but practices were on the same days as her part-time job. She talked with the coach and learned that the club needed someone to manage equipment and record scores. Emi now helps the club in that way and still works at her job." How did Emi solve her problem?

  1. She quit her part-time job to join the tennis club
  2. She found a different way to be useful to the club Correct answer.
  3. She asked the coach to change the practice days
  4. She joined a different sport with no practices

Explanation

Emi could not attend practices, so she took on equipment and score duties instead. This let her stay connected to the club while keeping her job.

Question 38Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "When you read a long English passage, you may meet a word you do not know. Stopping at every new word can break your understanding of the whole text. Try reading to the end of the paragraph first, then guess the word's meaning from the sentences around it." What advice does the passage give?

  1. Skip all paragraphs that contain difficult words
  2. Read the whole paragraph before guessing a word's meaning Correct answer.
  3. Look up every new word in a dictionary immediately
  4. Stop reading when you find an unknown word

Explanation

The passage advises finishing the paragraph first and then guessing from context. It warns that stopping at every new word harms overall understanding.

Question 39Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Our school held a speech contest. Rina practised alone in her room every night. Haru practised in front of her family and asked them for advice. On the day, Haru looked calmer and spoke more clearly. The teacher said that practising in front of others had helped her." What is the main point of the passage?

  1. Family members should judge school contests
  2. Practising alone is a waste of time
  3. Speaking clearly is more important than the speech content
  4. Practising in front of others can improve a speech Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage contrasts two practice styles and shows that Haru, who practised in front of others, did better. The teacher's comment supports this as the main point.

Question 40Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The city library used to close at five o'clock. After a survey, it began staying open until eight on weekdays. Visits by high school students increased, but visits by older people fell slightly. The library is now thinking about opening earlier on weekends." What does the passage suggest about the library's change?

  1. It made older people stop using libraries completely
  2. It was based on the opinions of high school students only
  3. It helped one group but had a small negative effect on another Correct answer.
  4. It increased visits from every age group

Explanation

The passage shows student visits rising while older people's visits fell slightly, a mixed result. The library's next idea shows it is still adjusting the schedule.

Question 41Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "In a reading class, students discussed whether the main character in a story was brave. One student said, 'He ran away from the danger, so he was not brave.' Another said, 'He ran away to get help for his friend, so he was brave.' The teacher said both students used evidence from the story." Why did the teacher say both students used evidence?

  1. Because both students used a dictionary
  2. Because both students agreed with each other
  3. Because both students had read the story aloud
  4. Because both students supported their opinions with events from the story Correct answer.

Explanation

Each student pointed to an action in the story to support an opinion, which is what using evidence means. Agreeing with each other is not required, and they actually disagreed.

Question 42Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "My host family told me that when you visit someone's home in Japan, you should say 'ojama shimasu' at the door. I thought it meant 'hello,' so I used it at school. My friend laughed and explained that it is used when entering someone's house, not a classroom." What mistake did the writer make?

  1. Saying goodbye instead of hello
  2. Speaking too quietly at the door
  3. Using a home-visit greeting at school Correct answer.
  4. Forgetting to greet the host family

Explanation

The writer used 'ojama shimasu,' a greeting for entering a home, in a classroom setting. The friend explained that the phrase does not fit that situation.

Question 43Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "A student wrote: 'The festival was fun. We sold 200 cakes. Next year we want to sell more.' Her teacher said the report needed a clear order, because the sales number appeared before the reader knew what the festival was." What does the teacher want the student to improve?

  1. The length of the sentences
  2. The choice of festival activities
  3. The number of cakes sold
  4. The order in which information is presented Correct answer.

Explanation

The teacher's comment is about information appearing before the reader has the background, which is a problem of order. The amount sold and the activities are not criticized.

Question 44Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Some people say that reading news on a phone is worse than reading a newspaper. However, the important difference may not be the screen but the habit. Phone readers often jump between articles, while newspaper readers tend to finish one page before moving on." What is the writer's view?

  1. Phone readers never finish articles
  2. Phones are always worse for reading than newspapers
  3. Newspapers will soon disappear
  4. The reading habit matters more than the screen Correct answer.

Explanation

The writer argues that the key difference may be the habit of jumping between articles rather than the screen itself. This makes habit the central point.

Question 45Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Our science teacher asked, 'Does music help you study?' To find out, she had students memorize word lists in two conditions: with music and in silence. Each student tried both conditions. The class found no overall difference, but students who usually studied with music did better with music." Why did each student try both conditions?

  1. To make the word lists longer
  2. To save time during the class
  3. To find out who liked music best
  4. To make the test fairer by comparing each student with themselves Correct answer.

Explanation

Having every student try both conditions controls for differences between students, so each person acts as their own comparison. This makes the comparison fairer.

Question 46Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "The town newsletter reported: 'More visitors came to the lake this summer than last summer. However, local shops did not earn more money. Most visitors came for one day, brought their own food, and left before dinner.'" Which explanation best fits the newsletter?

  1. Local shops raised their prices too high
  2. Visitors spent little money in local shops during their short stays Correct answer.
  3. The lake was less popular than last summer
  4. Visitors stayed for many nights and ate in restaurants

Explanation

The passage notes that visitors came for a day, brought food, and left before dinner, which explains why shops earned no more. More visitors do not automatically mean more spending.

Question 47Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "A writer says: 'When we read a novel, we sometimes feel we know a character better than a real friend. This is because the writer shows us the character's private thoughts, which we can never see in real people. We should remember that this feeling comes from the way the story is written.'" What is the writer warning readers about?

  1. The feeling of knowing a character comes from the writing, not real knowledge Correct answer.
  2. Writers should hide their characters' thoughts
  3. Novels are not worth reading
  4. Real friends are less interesting than characters

Explanation

The writer explains that access to private thoughts creates familiarity and reminds readers this is an effect of the writing. The warning is not to mistake that effect for real knowledge of a person.

Question 48Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "Two students debated a school rule. Taku said, 'The rule is good because most students follow it.' Hana said, 'Many students follow it only because they will be punished if they do not. That does not show the rule is good.'" What weakness does Hana point out in Taku's argument?

  1. That people may follow a rule for reasons other than agreement Correct answer.
  2. That punishment is never useful in schools
  3. That following a rule proves the rule is fair
  4. That most students do not follow the rule

Explanation

Hana argues that obedience may come from fear of punishment rather than belief that the rule is good. This undercuts Taku's use of following the rule as proof of its value.

Question 49Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "A researcher studied two reading classes. Class A read the same short article three times. Class B read three different articles on the same topic. On a later test about the topic, Class B scored higher, even though Class A remembered the single article very well." What does the result suggest?

  1. Class A read more articles than Class B
  2. Reading several articles on a topic can build broader understanding Correct answer.
  3. The test asked only about the single article
  4. Reading one article many times is useless for any test

Explanation

Class B read different articles on one topic and did better on a topic test, suggesting broader reading aids understanding. Class A's strong memory of one article did not transfer to the topic test.

Question 50Reading comprehension (short and long passages)

Read this passage. "A student wrote in an essay: 'We must ban all cars from the city center. My friend's bicycle was stolen last month.' The teacher wrote in the margin: 'Your example does not support your claim.'" Why did the teacher write this comment?

  1. Because the example is about theft, not about cars in the center Correct answer.
  2. Because the claim was too short
  3. Because bicycles are not allowed in the center
  4. Because the student did not give any example

Explanation

The claim concerns banning cars, but the example concerns a stolen bicycle, so it does not support the claim. An example must be relevant to the point being made.