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ORT English practice questions

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Question 1Reading Comprehension

A passage states: 'The museum closed early because a burst pipe flooded the east gallery.' According to the passage, what caused the early closing?

  1. A staff strike began
  2. A burst pipe flooded a gallery Correct answer.
  3. The director was absent
  4. A scheduled fire drill

Explanation

The clause introduced by 'because' gives the reason for the closing, and that reason is a burst pipe flooding the east gallery. A reader should link the causal connector directly to the stated event rather than inferring other causes.

Question 2Reading Comprehension

Read: 'Priya checked the forecast three times before packing her umbrella.' What does this detail most strongly suggest about Priya?

  1. She dislikes travelling
  2. She works at a weather station
  3. She owns several umbrellas
  4. She is cautious about weather Correct answer.

Explanation

Repeatedly checking a forecast and then packing protection shows a careful, weather-aware attitude. The inference must be supported by the action described, not by outside assumptions about her job or possessions.

Question 3Reading Comprehension

Which word in the sentence 'The hikers cautiously crossed the narrow bridge' is an adverb?

  1. hikers
  2. bridge
  3. narrow
  4. cautiously Correct answer.

Explanation

An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, and 'cautiously' describes how the hikers crossed. The other words are a noun, an adjective, and a noun respectively.

Question 4Reading Comprehension

A notice reads: 'Library users must return borrowed items by the due date; otherwise a fine is charged.' What consequence does the notice describe for late returns?

  1. Loss of library membership
  2. Suspension of borrowing for a year
  3. A written warning only
  4. A charge known as a fine Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'otherwise' signals the consequence of failing to meet the condition, and that consequence is stated as a fine. The notice does not describe any penalty beyond the charge.

Question 5Reading Comprehension

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly to show possession by a plural noun?

  1. The teachers's lounge was repainted.
  2. The teacher's lounge was repainted.
  3. The teachers' lounge was repainted. Correct answer.
  4. The teachers lounge was repainted.

Explanation

A plural noun ending in -s forms the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s, giving 'teachers''. The singular possessive would be 'teacher's', which changes the meaning to one teacher.

Question 6Reading Comprehension

In a text, the pronoun 'they' is used after two people, Amir and Lena, have been introduced. What does 'they' most likely refer to?

  1. Only Amir
  2. Amir and Lena together Correct answer.
  3. The reader
  4. Only Lena

Explanation

Pronoun reference is resolved by finding the nearest suitable plural antecedent, which here is the pair of named people. Because 'they' is plural, it points to both individuals rather than one.

Question 7Reading Comprehension

A paragraph opens with 'First, rinse the beans. Next, soak them overnight. Finally, boil until tender.' What organisational pattern does this paragraph use?

  1. Cause and effect
  2. Comparison and contrast
  3. Problem and solution
  4. Chronological sequence Correct answer.

Explanation

The signposts 'First', 'Next', and 'Finally' order steps in time, which is a chronological or sequential pattern. Cause-effect, contrast, and problem-solution patterns would use different connectors.

Question 8Reading Comprehension

What is the main idea of this sentence: 'Regular exercise strengthens the heart, improves mood, and helps sleep'?

  1. Sleep is more important than exercise
  2. Heart disease is common
  3. Exercise has several health benefits Correct answer.
  4. Mood is difficult to measure

Explanation

The sentence lists three positive effects of exercise, so the unifying main idea is that exercise brings multiple health benefits. Each listed effect is supporting detail rather than the overall point.

Question 9Reading Comprehension

A review says the film's plot was 'predictable, though the cinematography was stunning'. What attitude does the reviewer express?

  1. Unqualified praise for the film
  2. Strong hostility toward the film
  3. Mixed feelings about the film Correct answer.
  4. Complete indifference to the film

Explanation

The concessive 'though' balances a negative judgement of the plot against praise for the cinematography, producing a mixed evaluation. A reader must weigh both clauses rather than reading only one.

Question 10Reading Comprehension

Which option best restates the sentence 'Unless the form is signed, the application cannot be processed'?

  1. The application is processed before signing
  2. Processing the application requires no signature
  3. The form must be processed after signing
  4. Signing the form is required for processing Correct answer.

Explanation

'Unless X, Y cannot happen' means X is a necessary condition for Y, so a signature is required before processing. The restatement must preserve that conditional relationship.

Question 11Reading Comprehension

In the sentence 'The scientist, who had studied volcanoes for decades, remained calm', what is the function of the clause 'who had studied volcanoes for decades'?

  1. It states the main action of the sentence
  2. It gives the reason the scientist remained calm
  3. It asks a question about the scientist
  4. It adds non-essential information about the scientist Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause is set off by commas and describes the scientist, making it a non-defining relative clause that supplies extra detail. The main clause, 'The scientist remained calm', can stand without it.

Question 12Reading Comprehension

A writer wants to show that two research findings contradict each other. Which connector best signals that relationship?

  1. In contrast Correct answer.
  2. For instance
  3. Therefore
  4. Similarly

Explanation

Contrast between findings calls for an adversative connector such as 'In contrast', which signals difference. The other connectors mark result, similarity, or example, none of which fits contradiction.

Question 13Reading Comprehension

Read: 'Sales rose sharply in spring, then levelled off through summer before climbing again in autumn.' Which description of the trend is accurate?

  1. Sales peaked in summer and fell
  2. Sales fell steadily all year
  3. Sales rose, plateaued, then rose again Correct answer.
  4. Sales stayed flat until autumn

Explanation

The sequence of verbs gives three phases: a sharp rise, a period of no change ('levelled off'), and a further climb. Accurate summary tracks each phase in order.

Question 14Reading Comprehension

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' rather than 'less'?

  1. There was fewer traffic today
  2. There were fewer visitors this year Correct answer.
  3. She spent fewer time on it
  4. We have fewer money than before

Explanation

'Fewer' modifies countable plural nouns such as 'visitors', while 'less' modifies uncountable nouns such as traffic, time, and money. Only the first option pairs 'fewer' with a countable noun.

Question 15Reading Comprehension

A passage notes that a new bus route 'reduced journey times for commuters' but 'increased congestion on side streets'. What is the writer's overall point?

  1. Commuters disliked the new route
  2. The route should be cancelled immediately
  3. Side streets were already congested
  4. The route had both benefits and drawbacks Correct answer.

Explanation

The 'but' construction presents one gain and one cost, so the balanced summary is that the route brought both benefits and drawbacks. The writer does not recommend any action.

Question 16Reading Comprehension

In the sentence 'Had the team trained harder, they would have won', what does the verb form indicate?

  1. A real event that happened
  2. A present habit
  3. A future prediction
  4. A hypothetical past situation Correct answer.

Explanation

The inverted third conditional ('Had the team trained...') expresses an unreal past condition and its imagined result. It describes what did not happen, not a real or future event.

Question 17Reading Comprehension

A text describes a character who 'smiled at every guest but kept glancing at the door'. What does the detail about the door most likely reveal?

  1. The character wants the event to end Correct answer.
  2. The character is planning a speech
  3. The character dislikes smiling
  4. The character has forgotten the guests

Explanation

Repeatedly checking the exit while performing politeness suggests a wish to leave, an inference supported by the contrast between the smile and the glances. The detail must be read as behaviour revealing hidden feelings.

Question 18Reading Comprehension

Which revision removes the ambiguity in 'She told her sister that she had won the prize'?

  1. Telling her sister, the prize was won
  2. She told her sister about the prize win
  3. She told her sister that her sister had won the prize Correct answer.
  4. She told her sister she had won the prize

Explanation

The original is ambiguous because 'she' could refer to either woman. Replacing the second pronoun with the explicit noun phrase 'her sister' fixes the reference, while other options keep or worsen the ambiguity.

Question 19Reading Comprehension

A paragraph begins: 'Many cities now plant trees on rooftops. These green roofs lower building temperatures and absorb rainwater.' What is the relationship between the two sentences?

  1. The second introduces an unrelated topic
  2. The second contradicts the first
  3. The second gives examples of the first
  4. The second explains effects of the practice in the first Correct answer.

Explanation

The first sentence introduces a practice and the second lists its consequences, signalled by 'These green roofs' referring back. The relationship is therefore practice followed by effects.

Question 20Reading Comprehension

Which option best explains why a writer might use the passive voice in 'The samples were stored at four degrees'?

  1. To make the sentence a question
  2. To show the action is in the future
  3. To emphasise who stored the samples
  4. To focus on the samples rather than the doer Correct answer.

Explanation

The passive foregrounds the receiver of the action, here the samples, and leaves the agent unstated because it is unimportant or unknown. It does not emphasise the doer or change the tense.

Question 21Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The proposal was not without merit, yet the committee found its cost estimates optimistic.' Which statement best captures the writer's view?

  1. The proposal had some value but flawed costing Correct answer.
  2. The cost estimates were too pessimistic
  3. The proposal was worthless in every respect
  4. The committee fully endorsed the proposal

Explanation

The litotes 'not without merit' concedes some value, while 'yet' introduces a criticism of the cost estimates as too optimistic. The overall view is therefore qualified approval with a specific objection.

Question 22Reading Comprehension

A sentence reads: 'Only after the audit did the company disclose the losses.' Which meaning is preserved?

  1. The company never disclosed the losses
  2. The company disclosed the losses before the audit
  3. The disclosure happened only once the audit was complete Correct answer.
  4. The audit happened because of the disclosure

Explanation

Fronting 'Only after' with inversion places the disclosure strictly after the audit, so timing is the key meaning. The structure does not state causation, frequency, or non-disclosure.

Question 23Reading Comprehension

Two paragraphs discuss remote work. Paragraph one lists productivity gains; paragraph two lists collaboration losses. Which statement best describes how the paragraphs relate?

  1. Paragraph two offers a counterbalancing perspective Correct answer.
  2. Paragraph two changes the topic entirely
  3. Paragraph two provides evidence for paragraph one
  4. Paragraph two repeats paragraph one

Explanation

The paragraphs present opposing considerations on the same issue, so the second balances the first rather than repeating or supporting it. Recognising this structure helps a reader weigh both sides.

Question 24Reading Comprehension

A writer states: 'Claims that the policy cut emissions rest on a single study; independent replication has not yet occurred.' What is the writer's main point?

  1. The policy definitely cut emissions
  2. Emissions data should be discarded
  3. The evidence for the claim is not yet secure Correct answer.
  4. The study was methodologically flawless

Explanation

By noting reliance on one study without independent replication, the writer signals that the conclusion is provisional. This is an evaluation of evidential strength, not a denial that any evidence exists.

Question 25Reading Comprehension

In 'The report, while thorough, was criticised for burying its conclusions in an appendix', what does 'burying' imply about the presentation?

  1. The report lacked any conclusions
  2. The conclusions were hidden in an inconspicuous place Correct answer.
  3. The conclusions were printed in large type
  4. The appendix was removed before publication

Explanation

The figurative verb 'burying' suggests placing something where readers are unlikely to find it, here an appendix. The criticism concerns presentation, not the existence or size of the conclusions.

Question 26Reading Comprehension

A reading passage states: 'The museum's new wing opened in 2019, two years after the roof was replaced.' According to the passage, when was the roof replaced?

  1. In 2017 Correct answer.
  2. In 2019
  3. In 2016
  4. In 2021

Explanation

The passage anchors the roof replacement relative to the wing's opening: the wing opened in 2019 and the roof was replaced two years earlier, so subtract two from 2019 to get 2017. Reading chronological clues requires tracking the reference event and the direction of the time phrase.

Question 27Reading Comprehension

A paragraph reads: 'The bakery opens at six. By seven, the shelves are usually half empty. Regulars know to arrive early.' What is the paragraph mainly about?

  1. How bread is baked in a commercial oven
  2. Why customers should shop early at the bakery Correct answer.
  3. Why the bakery raised its prices
  4. How many staff work at the bakery

Explanation

Every sentence supports one point: stock runs low quickly after opening, so arriving early matters. The other details (opening time, empty shelves, regulars) all serve that practical advice rather than explaining baking methods or staffing.

Question 28Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The trail was steep, the sun was fierce, and our water ran out before noon.' Which word best describes the mood the writer creates?

  1. Playful
  2. Strained Correct answer.
  3. Nostalgic
  4. Peaceful

Explanation

The three clauses pile up physical hardship: steepness, heat, and running out of water. That combination builds a sense of strain and difficulty rather than calm, humour, or fond recollection.

Question 29Reading Comprehension

A sign reads: 'Guests may use the pool until 9 p.m. Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult.' Which statement is supported by the sign?

  1. The pool closes permanently at nine.
  2. A ten-year-old cannot swim alone in the pool. Correct answer.
  3. Children over twelve must always be accompanied.
  4. Adults are not allowed in the pool after nine.

Explanation

The rule requires an adult companion for anyone under twelve, so a ten-year-old alone is not permitted. The closing time applies to all guests and is a daily limit, not permanent closure.

Question 30Reading Comprehension

In the sentence 'The committee reviewed the plan and rejected it', what does the pronoun 'it' refer to?

  1. The review
  2. The plan Correct answer.
  3. The committee
  4. The rejection

Explanation

Pronoun reference is resolved by matching the pronoun to the nearest compatible noun phrase. 'It' stands for the thing that was reviewed and then rejected, which is the plan; the committee is the actor performing both actions.

Question 31Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The instructions say to fold the paper in half, then unfold it, then fold each corner to the centre line.' What kind of text is this?

  1. A set of step-by-step directions Correct answer.
  2. A comparison of two products
  3. A persuasive argument
  4. A personal narrative

Explanation

The sentences give ordered actions using sequence words, which is the structure of procedural instructions. There is no opinion being argued, no story of events, and no comparison between items.

Question 32Reading Comprehension

A passage says: 'Unlike the northern region, which receives steady rain all year, the southern region has a short wet season and a long dry one.' What is being contrasted?

  1. The population of two regions
  2. The size of two regions
  3. The temperature of two regions
  4. Rainfall patterns in two regions Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast word 'unlike' sets up a comparison between steady year-round rain and a short wet season, so the difference concerns rainfall distribution. No other attribute of the regions is mentioned.

Question 33Reading Comprehension

Which sentence uses 'their' correctly in a reading passage about a team?

  1. The team celebrated its' victory in the final.
  2. The team celebrated they're victory in the final.
  3. The team celebrated there victory in the final.
  4. The team celebrated their victory in the final. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Their' is the possessive form needed before the noun 'victory'. The other spellings are a place word, a contraction of 'they are', and a form that never takes an apostrophe.

Question 34Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The council approved the budget on Monday. However, the mayor refused to sign it.' What does 'However' signal about the second sentence?

  1. It repeats the first sentence.
  2. It adds a similar point to the first sentence.
  3. It contrasts with the first sentence. Correct answer.
  4. It gives a cause for the first sentence.

Explanation

'However' marks a contrast: approval and refusal pull in opposite directions. A cause would use a connector such as 'therefore', and an addition would use 'moreover'.

Question 35Reading Comprehension

A passage reports: 'The study found that participants who walked daily reported better sleep. The authors caution that participants were not randomly assigned.' Why do the authors include the caution?

  1. To recommend a different exercise
  2. To limit how strongly the finding can be interpreted Correct answer.
  3. To criticise the participants' honesty
  4. To prove that walking has no effect on sleep

Explanation

Mentioning the lack of random assignment is a standard way to flag a limitation, which tempers causal claims. The caution does not deny the result; it narrows what the result can support.

Question 36Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The novel's first chapter is slow, but the pace quickens sharply once the ship leaves port.' Which statement best captures the writer's view?

  1. The opening is slow, yet the book improves once the voyage begins. Correct answer.
  2. The first chapter is the fastest section.
  3. The whole novel is slow throughout.
  4. The ship scene is the weakest part.

Explanation

The 'but' construction concedes a slow start and then asserts a sharp increase in pace, so the overall judgement is that the book gains momentum. The contrast word is essential to the meaning.

Question 37Reading Comprehension

A text says: 'Visitors should note that the gallery closes at 4 p.m. on weekdays, an hour earlier than at weekends.' What time does the gallery close on Saturdays?

  1. 5 p.m. Correct answer.
  2. 3 p.m.
  3. 6 p.m.
  4. 4 p.m.

Explanation

Weekday closing is 4 p.m., which is one hour earlier than weekend closing, so weekend closing is 5 p.m. Saturday falls in the weekend, so the later time applies.

Question 38Reading Comprehension

Read: 'Some critics dismissed the design as too simple. Others argued that its restraint was precisely its strength.' What is the relationship between the two sentences?

  1. They present opposing evaluations of the same design. Correct answer.
  2. They agree that the design was too simple.
  3. They explain how the design was built.
  4. They describe two different designs.

Explanation

The first sentence reports a negative judgement and the second reports a positive one about the same object, so the sentences set up a disagreement. 'Others argued' signals a competing view rather than a shared one.

Question 39Reading Comprehension

In 'The results, published last week, surprised even the researchers', what is the function of 'published last week'?

  1. It states the main action of the sentence.
  2. It tells us who surprised the researchers.
  3. It gives the reason for the surprise.
  4. It adds extra information about the results. Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase sits between commas and modifies 'the results', supplying additional detail without changing the core claim that the results surprised the researchers. Removing it leaves a complete sentence.

Question 40Reading Comprehension

A passage states: 'Demand for the service doubled, yet revenue rose only slightly.' What does this suggest about the service?

  1. The price charged per user probably fell. Correct answer.
  2. The service stopped operating.
  3. Revenue doubled as well.
  4. The number of users declined.

Explanation

If usage doubles while income barely moves, the money earned per user must have dropped, which points to a lower price or discounting. This is an inference from the contrast between volume and revenue.

Question 41Reading Comprehension

Read: 'Please submit the form by Friday. Late submissions will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.' What does the second sentence imply about late forms?

  1. They are always accepted.
  2. They are usually rejected. Correct answer.
  3. They are due on Friday.
  4. They are never read.

Explanation

Saying late forms are considered only in exceptional cases means the normal outcome is rejection, with rare exceptions. The word 'only' restricts acceptance to unusual situations.

Question 42Reading Comprehension

A writer describes a village: 'Every window was dark, the shutters nailed shut, and no smoke rose from any chimney.' What does the description most strongly suggest?

  1. The village is preparing for a festival.
  2. The village has been abandoned. Correct answer.
  3. The village is crowded with visitors.
  4. The village is unusually wealthy.

Explanation

Dark windows, sealed shutters, and cold chimneys together indicate that no one is living there. Each detail removes a sign of normal occupation, and the accumulation points to abandonment.

Question 43Reading Comprehension

Which option best restates 'The policy was welcomed by small firms, whereas large firms opposed it'?

  1. Large firms supported the policy but small firms did not.
  2. Small firms supported the policy while large firms did not. Correct answer.
  3. Small and large firms both supported the policy.
  4. Neither small nor large firms had a view on the policy.

Explanation

'Whereas' marks a contrast, and 'welcomed' means supported while 'opposed' means did not support. A correct restatement must keep both the contrast and the direction of each group's stance.

Question 44Reading Comprehension

A text notes: 'The bridge was built in 1902 and widened in 1968. Engineers now report that the widening placed unexpected stress on the original arches.' What can be inferred about the arches?

  1. They were built in 1968.
  2. They were designed for lighter traffic than they now carry. Correct answer.
  3. They have never required inspection.
  4. They were replaced during the widening.

Explanation

If widening added stress to arches that predate it, the arches were not designed for the resulting load. The inference connects the 1902 construction date with the later modification and its consequences.

Question 45Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The reviewer praised the acting, the score, and the costumes. She had nothing to say about the plot.' What does the omission most likely suggest?

  1. The reviewer did not watch the film.
  2. The plot may have been the weakest element. Correct answer.
  3. The plot was the film's strongest feature.
  4. The film had no plot at all.

Explanation

When a reviewer lists strengths and pointedly omits one element, the silence often implies criticism. The explicit note that she had 'nothing to say' draws attention to the gap rather than proving the plot was absent.

Question 46Reading Comprehension

A passage argues: 'Cities that added protected bike lanes saw a 20 percent rise in cycling. If the goal is fewer car journeys, such lanes are therefore worth the cost.' What assumption underlies the conclusion?

  1. Car journeys have no environmental cost.
  2. Increased cycling replaces at least some car trips. Correct answer.
  3. Cycling is more popular than driving everywhere.
  4. Protected lanes are cheap to build.

Explanation

The argument moves from more cycling to fewer car journeys, which only follows if cyclists are switching from cars. Without that link, the evidence about cycling would not support the stated goal.

Question 47Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The committee's report was thorough. It examined every submission, cross-checked the figures, and interviewed all parties. Its recommendation, however, rested on a single contested assumption.' What is the writer's overall assessment?

  1. The committee ignored most submissions.
  2. The recommendation was fully justified by the evidence.
  3. Careful work was undermined by a weak foundation for the conclusion. Correct answer.
  4. The report was careless and poorly researched.

Explanation

The passage grants rigour in the first two sentences, then uses 'however' to isolate a flaw in the recommendation's basis. The balanced structure signals respect for the process but doubt about the conclusion.

Question 48Reading Comprehension

A writer states: 'It is often said that remote work harms collaboration. But the studies cited usually measure office attendance, not collaboration itself.' What is the writer doing?

  1. Agreeing that remote work harms collaboration
  2. Questioning whether the evidence actually supports the claim Correct answer.
  3. Proving that remote work improves collaboration
  4. Describing how attendance is recorded in offices

Explanation

The writer separates the claim from the evidence offered for it, noting that attendance is not the same as collaboration. This is a challenge to the strength of the argument, not a defence of remote work.

Question 49Reading Comprehension

Read: 'The novelist's later books are admired for their economy. Where the early novels sprawled across five hundred pages, the last three say as much in half the space.' What does 'economy' mean here?

  1. Efficient use of few words Correct answer.
  2. Financial savings for the publisher
  3. A reduced cast of characters
  4. Cheapness of production

Explanation

The second sentence defines the term by contrast: sprawling early books versus later ones that say as much in less space. In literary criticism, 'economy' refers to concision and efficiency of expression.

Question 50Reading Comprehension

A passage notes: 'The vaccine trial reported strong results. Commentators immediately declared the pandemic over. Yet the trial had followed participants for only three months.' What is the flaw the writer highlights?

  1. Refusing to publish the trial data
  2. Using too many participants in the trial
  3. Drawing a broad conclusion from limited follow-up data Correct answer.
  4. Reporting results before the trial began

Explanation

The writer sets a strong but short-term result against an enormous claim, exposing the gap between the evidence and the conclusion. The 'yet' signals that the three-month limit undercuts the commentators' certainty.